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Did you know that Cinco de Mayo is often mistaken as Mexico’s Independence Day? Despite widespread belief, this festive date commemorates a very specific event in Mexican history, marking a moment of resilience rather than independence. Understanding the true origins and cultural significance of Cinco de Mayo reveals a rich narrative of courage and identity that continues to inspire celebrations far beyond Mexico’s borders. The Historical Roots of Cinco de Mayo Cinco de Mayo, which translates to “Fifth of May,” marks the anniversary of the Battle of Puebla in 1862. During this period, Mexico was struggling under financial strain and political instability, exacerbated by foreign debts and internal conflicts. French forces, under Emperor Napoleon III, sought to establish a French puppet regime in Mexico after Mexico had suspended debt payments to European creditors. On May 5, 1862, a relatively small and poorly equipped Mexican army led by General Ignacio Zaragoza

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May 5th has been a date marked by pivotal moments across centuries, continents, and fields, shaping the course of history in ways both monumental and inspiring. One of the most impactful global events associated with May 5th occurred in 1945, during the closing days of World War II in Europe. On this day, German forces in Prague, Czechoslovakia, surrendered to the Allied armies, effectively ending the Prague Uprising and signaling the collapse of Nazi control in the region. This surrender was a critical moment in the liberation of Eastern Europe, paving the way for the restoration of sovereignty to Czechoslovakia after years of occupation and conflict. The event symbolized hope and the triumph of resistance movements against oppressive regimes, adding to the collective relief as the war neared its end. Traveling back to the 19th century, May 5th, 1821, is remembered for the death of Napoleon Bonaparte on the remote island of Saint Helena. Napoleon, a towering figure in European

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BELLEVILLE - St. Clair County Transit District and Citizens for Modern Transit are gearing up for National Bike to Work Week (May 12-19) by reminding area residents that bicycling to work is easier than ever thanks to the availability of the MetroBikeLink System. It boasts 39 miles of paved bike pathways in St. Clair County, Ill., that directly connect to six Metro Transit Centers, offering seamless integration of bike and transit use via MetroBus or MetroLink to get to thousands of places of employment in the bi-state region. To help spread the word and encourage participation, partners are asking those who bike to work to post photos to social media platforms using #BringYourBikeOnBoard . Street teams will be at the Shiloh-Scott, Belleville and Fairview Heights Transit Centers on Monday, May 12 from 6 to 8 a.m. passing granola bars out to morning commuters, along with information about the MetroBikeLink System and the #BringYourBikeOnBoard effort. Those who post a photo

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GRANITE CITY – A case of kidnapping involving a high-speed police chase has yielded major felony charges against a Granite City resident. Donte T. Pryor Sr., 27, of Granite City, was charged on April 25, 2025, with three counts of aggravated kidnapping, each Class X felonies. He was also charged with a Class X felony count of home invasion, a Class 4 felony count of unlawful restraint, and two Class 4 felony counts of aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer. On April 25, 2025, Pryor allegedly kidnapped two toddlers and an adult after unlawfully entering a Granite City residence, then led police on a high-speed chase. According to a petition filed to deny Pryor’s pretrial release, he “forced two 3-year-old children and into a vehicle against their will and then fled as attempted to exit the vehicle.” The petition adds Pryor proceeded to flee at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour, “fled the state, had to be pursued by multiple

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JERSEYVILLE – Jerseyville City Council members tackled several items of city business at their regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. First on the agenda was a request to rezone a property in the 300 block of June Street. DanceWorks Owner Adam Krueger requested the zoning classification be changed from R-2 “One-Family Dwelling District” to B-3 “Business District” for use as a dance studio and recreation facility. However, Mayor Kevin Stork announced the item had been tabled after another owner of the property asked to rescind the request and reconsider the rezoning at an undetermined future date. In other business, the City Council approved a resolution to request the closure of State Highway 67 from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to facilitate this year’s Memorial Day Parade. The 2025 installment of the long-running annual parade is set for 9 a.m. on Monday, May 26. Both the parade and ceremony are sponsored

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Did you know that "Star Wars Day," celebrated annually on May 4th, has grown from a simple pun into a global phenomenon embraced by millions? The phrase "May the Fourth be with you," a clever wordplay on the iconic line "May the Force be with you," has evolved into a day that transcends fandom, influencing popular culture, commerce, and even social movements. This article delves into how Star Wars has shaped the significance of May 4th and examines the broader cultural ripples that continue to resonate across generations. The Origin of May the 4th and Its Rise to Prominence The connection between May 4th and Star Wars began as a grassroots joke rather than a planned celebration. The earliest recorded use of the pun dates back to 1979, when Margaret Thatcher became the UK’s Prime Minister. Supporters displayed the message "May the Fourth Be with You, Maggie. Congratulations," a play on words linking the political event to the beloved sci-fi franchise. However, it wasn’t

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May 3rd and 4th have been dates marked by remarkable events that have shaped the course of history across the globe. One of the most impactful events in modern history took place on May 3rd, 1791, when the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth adopted the Constitution of May 3rd. This constitution is celebrated as the first modern codified national constitution in Europe and the second oldest in the world after the United States Constitution. It was a pioneering effort designed to strengthen the political system and promote civil rights in the Commonwealth, aiming to curb the abuses of the nobility and improve governance. Despite its relatively short lifespan due to political turmoil, the May 3rd Constitution remains a symbol of progressive reform and national pride in Poland and Lithuania. In the realm of sports and culture, May 3rd, 1952, saw the first official ascent of the North Face of the Eiger in Switzerland, one of the most treacherous climbs in the Alps. This daring achievement

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has issued its annual update of advisories related to the consumption of sport fish caught in Illinois waterways. The advisories are based on routine testing conducted by the Illinois Fish Contaminant Monitoring Program. IDPH maintains an interactive Fish Advisory Map that includes consumption advisories for more than 100 publicly accessible bodies of water across the state. The advisories detail how frequently certain types of fish from various waterways can be eaten without posing a health risk. While there is no known immediate health hazard from eating contaminated fish from any Illinois water body, there are concerns about effects of long-term exposure to polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB), per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and methylmercury in fish. More information can be found at Fish Advisories (illinois.gov) . “Fishing in Illinois is a terrific recreational activity that often leads to deliciou

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CHICAGO – Today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, pressed Attorney General Pam Bondi to recuse herself from any Justice Department (DOJ)-related work that could benefit her former lobbying client, the GEO Group, a major private prison contractor whose largest source of revenue is from contracts with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In a letter to Attorney General Bondi, Durbin raises serious ethical concerns due to her past representation of the GEO Group and her current role in overseeing DOJ’s immigration enforcement efforts, given DOJ’s central role in advancing the Trump Administration’s immigration agenda. He also seeks clarification on whether appropriate recusals and ethical safeguards have been implemented, considering Bondi’s prior lobbying for the GEO Group and recent actions undermining internal ethics oversight. Durbin began with a specific call for recusal, writing:

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ST. LOUIS - May is National Mediterranean Diet Month — a time to celebrate the foods of this healthful eating pattern, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, fish, nuts and healthy oils. Dairy foods also play a crucial role in the Mediterranean diet. Dairy provides essential nutrients, such as calcium, vitamin D, protein, B vitamins, phosphorus and potassium. By pairing dairy with other food groups like fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes, this eating pattern provides fiber as well. This combination of fresh, flavorful and nutrient dense foods makes the Mediterranean diet a tasty, sustainable option for many individuals. Milk, feta cheese and Greek yogurt add unique flavors to many Mediterranean-style dishes. Greek salad topped with feta cheese offers a fresh flavorful side for any meal. Serving grilled chicken with a Greek yogurt tzatziki sauce, a tangy herb-filled topping, adds a refreshing touch to a classic Mediterranean meal. Enjoying a glass of

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ALTON – Alton Parks and Recreation is excited to announce the 2025 Summer Day Camp, an 8-week adventure of learning, laughter, and fun for children entering 1st grade through 5th grade. The camp runs from June 2 through July 25, 2025, at the Muenstermann Pavilion, located within Gordon Moore Park, at 4550 College Ave, Alton, IL, 62002. This structured, safe, and engaging camp program will operate Monday through Friday with flexible scheduling options between the regular camp hours of 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. They will also offer before and after care for those who will need to drop kids off earlier and pick up later than regular camp hours. Before care will be from 7:30 a.m .– 9:00 a.m. After care will be from 3 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. The dedicated and qualified staff members bring strong experience, education, and a genuine love for working with kids, ensuring a safe and enriching environment. They will keep a 10:1 camper-to-staff ratio. Campers should wear comfortable clothin

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CHICAGO – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) sent the following statement after President Donald Trump signed an executive order seeking to prohibit federal funding for National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB): “The ruthless cuts and attacks on our federal government was not enough for President Trump—now he is going after public broadcasting, which has been providing unbiased, informative, and breaking news for years, especially for our nation’s rural communities. As a democracy, we pride ourselves on having a strong freedom of the press. With President Trump’s executive order, we will only backslide. This is dangerous and I implore my Republican colleagues to act to reverse the President’s course—our democracy depends on it.” Through the government funding bill passed earlier this year, CPB will receive $535 million in advanced appropriations

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GLEN CARBON – Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois presented the Thanks Badge and Honor Pin to outstanding volunteers at the annual Recognition of Excellence awards ceremony. Mary Armes from West Frankfort, Jodie Herbstritt from Belleville, and Debbie Parker from Robinson were awarded the Thanks Badge while Amy Huller from Belleville was awarded the Honor Pin. The Thanks Badge honors an individual whose ongoing commitment, leadership, and service has had an exceptional, measurable impact on meeting the mission-delivery goals and priorities of the entire council or the entire Girl Scout Movement. The Honor Pin recognizes an individual’s exemplary service in support of delivering the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, which has had a measurable impact on two or more service units within the council and contributes to the mission-delivery goals of the council. Thanks Badge Mary Armes – West Frankfort, Illinois Mary Armes has been part of Girl Scouts for 34 years.

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ALTON – Two Riverbend residents are accused of burglarizing the construction site of the Sunnybrook Apartments in Alton. Henry R. Lakin, 37, of Alton, and David L. Miller, 50, of Granite City, were both charged on April 30, 2025 with Class 2 felony counts of burglary. On March 7, 2025, the two allegedly unlawfully entered a building on the Sunnybrook Apartments construction site, located in the 700 block of Washington Avenue in Alton, with the intent to commit therein a theft. Both were arrested by the Alton Police Department and have been granted pretrial release from custody. Miller was previously charged in a separate case of burglary out of Granite City. More details on that and a string of other Granite City burglaries are available in this story on Riverbender.com . All individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of la w.

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GRANITE CITY – A man from St. Louis faces first degree murder charges and more after fatally shooting someone in Granite City. DeWayne Franklin, 41, of St. Louis, was charged on April 28, 2025 with two counts of first degree murder, both Class M felonies. He was also charged with a Class 3 felony count of possession of a weapon by a felon, as well as a Class 4 felony count of aggravated unlawful possession of weapons. On April 20, 2025, Franklin allegedly shot 58-year-old St. Louis resident Kenneth Whitehorn in the head, causing his death. Whitehorn was found deceased on Alton Street near Pontoon Road in Granite City. The weapon Franklin used in the killing, a 9mm handgun, was unlawful for him to possess as a felon previously convicted of possession of a controlled substance. He also had no valid Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) card or Concealed Carry License at the time of the offense. A petition was filed to deny Franklin’s pretrial release from custody,

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EAST ALTON - East Alton’s Eastwood Elementary School has a special program for its young men. The Boyz 2 Men Mentorship Program allows fourth and fifth graders to engage with male role models as they complete community service projects. Male volunteers and teachers meet with this group of students once a month. The adults noted the students have grown a lot since the program’s inception. “I’m really proud of these kids,” said Eric Hensley, a fifth grade teacher at Eastwood. “A lot of schools could use it, but we definitely saw the need here. I liked the idea of it because some of these kids, they’re not always the most successful in the classroom, but you see so much potential. So it was nice to have some sort of outlet for them to do, to be able to show off what they can do. I feel like they have a little bit more freedom and self-confidence in this group, which is good for them to practice and use.” Angela Gray, East Alton Schoo

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WOOD RIVER - Riverbend residents are invited to Wood River for their annual Summer Kickoff festival. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 17, 2025, the City of Wood River will offer live music, food, craft vendors, games, a dunk tank and more to celebrate the summer season. Community members of all ages are invited downtown to the corner of Wood River Avenue and Ferguson for a fun day of festivities. “There is a lot going on,” said Kristen Burns, executive director of Wood River Main Street, which organized the event. “I love the Summer Kickoff. I mean, all of the events are favorites. But I really, really like the Summer Kickoff.” In addition to the downtown shops and restaurants, which will be open and ready for business during the event, there will be over 30 vendors downtown that day. Wood River has also arranged for several food trucks to come out and provide food and drinks. “We always get a lot of vendors for these,” Burns said

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O’FALLON, Ill. — HSHS Home Care invites community members to join them for butterfly release ceremonies at locations throughout southern Illinois at these Hospital Sisters Health System hospitals: HSHS Holy Family Hospital, Greenville Wednesday, May 14 at 4 p.m. in the fountain area (front of the hospital). HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, O’Fallon Wednesday, May 21 at 5:30 p.m. at the main entrance by the statue. HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital, Highland Tuesday, June 3 at 5:30 p.m. in the Healing Garden. HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital, Breese Wednesday, June 4 at 5:30 p.m. in the Healing Garden/Gazebo Area Family and friends are invited to celebrate and remember the life of a loved one who has passed. The ceremonies will include the reading of the names of those being honored in addition to the butterfly release. Valerie Engelbart, Bereavement Services Supervisor for HSHS Home Care, said, “These butterfly release

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EAST ALTON — A collision involving two cars occurred at the intersection of Berkshire Boulevard and Wood River Avenue in East Alton around 3:03 p.m. on Thursday, May 1, 2025, authorities reported. "The crash was the result of a semi-road rage situation on Wood River Avenue," East Alton Police Chief Scott Golike said. "In an effort to get away from the other, one of the vehicles decided to run the red light and it caused the collision." Golike described the impact of the accident as somewhat unusual for the location. He also said injuries were minor in the accident, with one occupant of the offending vehicle being transported by ambulance to a hospital, while another was transported home from the scene and not taken for additional medical evaluation. The East Alton chief said the incident was handled with a traffic citation.

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ALTON — Jami Jones has emerged as one of the region’s top shot put competitors during the 2025 girls' track and field season. Jones, who competes in both shot put and discus, recorded personal bests of 33 feet, 11 inches in the shot put and 62 feet, 8.5 inches in the discus. On April 28, 2025, she won the Small Schools Madison County championship in the shot put with a throw of 31 feet, 9.5 inches. Two days later, on April 30, 2025, Jones took first place in the shot put at the Jacksonville Senior Night competition with a toss of 31 feet, 3.75 inches. She also posted a victory at the Roxana Co-Ed Meet, where she achieved her season-best throw of 33 feet, 11.25 inches. Jones has been recognized as the Tucker’s Automotive Repair & Tire Female Athlete of the Month for her performances. In addition to track and field, Jones is a member of the Marquette girls' basketball team. Marquette coach Billy Sprague praised her dedication and athleticism. “She joined us

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