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ALTON - For years, Greg Horta - better known as DJ Big Papa G - has brought his uniquely fun spin on music trivia to several events around the Riverbend. Horta spoke on Our Daily Show! on Riverbender.com about his rise from being a DJ in the Bronx to one of the region’s most-booked entertainment acts. He said his love for meeting community members took him on a different path from the typical DJ. “I’m a community guy,” Horta said. “When you start off as a DJ, you either club DJ … and then you have the wedding DJs. I stay away from all of that, so I love doing community events, corporate events. “I get to meet a lot of people, and I just love it because when you’re doing these types of events, you can play all types of music and people love that.” Horta said he was born and raised in the Bronx borough of New York City. He was heavily influenced by his experiences growing up of seeing local DJs - some

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BUZZ MAGAZINE - German-American Day is observed every October 6, and in Illinois, there is plenty of reason to celebrate. German ancestry remains prevalent in Illinois, as it has for a century and a half. The strength of German-Americans helped shape Illinois history through a Civil War, as well as two world wars against the old country. Of the nearly 1.8 million residents of Illinois in 1860, nearly 325,000 were of foreign birth. Germans were the largest ethnic group with 130,000, nearly eight percent of the state’s total population. Twenty percent of the Chicago population was German. Many had arrived following the failed German revolution of 1848. A heavy concentration of Germans was also found in St. Clair County, near Belleville. Others settled in cities like Quincy, Alton, Peoria, Springfield, and Galena. In the northern Illinois community of Peru, Germans made up 1,000 of the total population of 3,500 in 1854. The names of a number of towns and villages across the

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WOOD RIVER — A hit-and-run crash that resulted in the death of a pedestrian is under investigation following an incident that occurred on October 4, 2024. Illinois State Police Troop 8 responded to reports of the accident and found the victim, identified as 43-year-old Pablo Puente of Edwardsville, Illinois, deceased on the roadway. The incident prompted the temporary closure of IL-143 while investigators gathered evidence at the scene. The roadway was reopened at 8:10 p.m. on the same day. Pablo Puente had been reported missing in Madison County on October 3, 2024, prior to the crash. Authorities have stated that the investigation is ongoing and no additional information is available for release at this time.

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BELLEVILLE – Attorney General Kwame Raoul charged a Belleville man for allegedly possessing child sexual abuse material. The case is part of Raoul’s ongoing work, in collaboration with federal law enforcement agencies and local law enforcement officials throughout Illinois, to apprehend offenders who download and trade child sexual abuse material online. The Attorney General’s office charged Joshua Gallant, 42, in St. Clair County Circuit Court with 10 counts of the possession of child pornography of a child under 13, each Class 2 felonies punishable by up to seven years in prison. Sentences are ultimately determined by the court. Gallant is being held at the St. Clair County Jail, and his next scheduled court date is Oct. 7. “Children who are victims of online exploitation deserve a healing process that starts with perpetrators being held accountable for the trauma they have caused,” Raoul said. “My office’s Internet Crimes Against

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ALTON - A man from Wood River faces multiple felonies after shooting a victim as they were entering Alton Memorial Hospital. Rashawn L. Galloway, 38, of Wood River, was charged with aggravated battery with a firearm (a Class X felony) and aggravated discharge of a firearm (a Class 1 felony). On May 12, 2024, Galloway allegedly shot an individual in the leg near the Alton Memorial Hospital maternity ward. A petition to deny his pretrial release describes the incident as follows: “Defendant went to the maternity ward of the Alton Memorial Hospital. He got out of the vehicle, walked to the victim, waited for him to begin walking into the hospital, ran towards him, and began discharging the firearm multiple times,” the petition states. “Victim was struck in the leg. The hospital was also struck several times.” The Alton Police Department presented the case against Galloway, who was ordered remanded to jail for his initial court appearance, though Madison

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EAST ST. LOUIS - East St. Louis School District 189 is collaborating with local VFW Post 3480 to host a student essay contest aimed at encouraging civic engagement and patriotism among its students. The initiative, announced recently, invites students to articulate their thoughts on themes related to service, civic duty, and national pride. The contest is part of a broader effort to empower young voices within the community, according to Commander Valerie Young of VFW Post 3480. "Together, we're fostering a spirit of learning and respect for the values that unite us," Young stated. The partnership not only provides students with an opportunity to express their ideas but also aims to inspire the next generation of leaders. This collaboration reflects a commitment to instilling the principles of civic responsibility and community involvement in the youth of East St. Louis.

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SPRINGFIELD - Madison County has been issued a tentative property assessment equalization factor of 1.0903, according to David Harris, director of the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR). The property assessment equalization factor, often called the “multiplier,” is the method used to achieve uniform property assessments among counties, as required by law. This equalization is particularly important because some of the state’s 6,600 local taxing districts overlap into two or more counties (e.g., school districts, junior college districts, fire protection districts). If there was no equalization among counties, substantial inequities among taxpayers with comparable properties would result. State law requires property in Illinois to be assessed at one-third (1/3) of its market value. Farm property is assessed differently with farm homesites and dwellings subject to regular assessing and equalization procedures. Farmland and farm buildings are assessed according

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BETHALTO - The Bethalto Chamber of Commerce provides resources for Bethalto businesses and community members. At the recent 28th Annual Wings & Wheels Fly-In at St. Louis Regional Airport in Bethalto, the chamber sponsored the children’s area and drummed up excitement for their upcoming Christmas Village attraction. Jane Ahasay, a spokesperson for the chamber, noted her excitement to be a part of the organization and the event. “Life has been busy, but it’s always a good busy,” Ahasay said. “The chamber is coming into our fourth year. We are continuing to grow. We are so pleased to be a partner here at the Fly-In.” Ahasay noted that the chamber will begin preparing for Christmas Village later this week. She encouraged anyone who wants to volunteer to contact her at 618-240-2777 or email bethaltochristmasvillage@gmail.com . While the chamber loves the Christmas Village, they could use some help, especially from younger people with “young

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BUZZ MAGAZINE - “Art from the Vault” is a new exhibit at the Madison County History Museum in Edwardsville. The exhibit features various forms of art from the museum collections, including some pieces which are rarely seen. The exhibit opened recently and will run through Nov. 15, 2024. Exhibit hours are Wednesday-Friday, 12-4 p.m. and Sunday, 1-4 p.m. There is no charge to see the exhibit, although donations are always welcome. The exhibit has paintings, sculptures, prehistoric pottery, trench art, and more. A stroll through the exhibit reveals portraits of early Madison County residents, the work of poster artist James Kane, and an example of the art of Miriam McKinnie whose colorful, imaginative, murals have brightened the children’s department at the Edwardsville Public Library for more than 60 years. There are needlework creations more than a century old, including an 1873 embroidered map depicting part of Hamel Township. Children’s art

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EDWARDSVILLE - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is proud to be part of a paired double degree program that makes for an educational opportunity and cultural exchange that spans two countries. SIUE and the Hochschule Mainz- University of Applied Sciences of Germany (HS-Mainz) are in partnership to both offer civil engineering degrees, according to Nader Panahshahi, PhD, professor and chair of the SIUE Department of Civil Engineering. “SIUE students can earn a second bachelor’s in civil engineering from one of the top technical schools in Germany, with only one extra semester of study,” said Panahshahi. “Students can also obtain an international prospective for their engineering career.” And a continent away, Germany students have the same prospect. Hochschule Mainz students can earn a second bachelor’s in civil engineering from SIUE, an ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) accredited civil engineering program

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WOOD RIVER — Emergency responders were dispatched to Illinois Route 143 near Kendall Hill Friday afternoon, Oct. 4, 2024, following the discovery of a body. Upon arrival, first responders confirmed the presence of a deceased individual and subsequently requested the assistance of the Madison County Coroner's Office. The Illinois State Police has been assigned to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, according to police officials. In response to the ongoing investigation, several police departments were on the scene, managing traffic. As a result of the investigation, Illinois Route 143 is closed at I-255 and also Wanda Road, creating significant detours for local traffic. Further details regarding the identity of the deceased and the nature of the incident have not yet been released.

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GODFREY - Mont Bodine might have been his legal name, but to his friends, loved ones and fans, Bodine will live on as Flea, the legendary bassist of pop punk band judge nothing . Flea passed away on Oct. 1, 2024, in Godfrey. Born in Alton, Flea quickly stood out for his musical talent. He joined the band judge nothing as a student at SIUE, and the group of young musicians traveled the U.S. They released two albums through Thick Records and shared the stage with major artists like Green Day and Joan Jett. Andy Dykeman, the drummer of the band, remembers Flea as a dear friend. “We traveled the United States in a stinky van, playing music and creating enough memories and adventures for multiple lifetimes,” Dykeman said. “After the time in the band, we maintained our close relationship. Our wives were close friends, even our dogs.” Carlos Huddleston, Mark Kanak, Brian Leitner, Doug Nothing and Rob Wagoner made up the rest of the band. The musicians remained

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GRANITE CITY - Students at Maryville Elementary Education Center welcomed several birds of prey to their school. On Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, Ameren Illinois and the Illinois Raptor Center partnered to bring birds of prey to the school. With a gym filled with 400 first and second graders, the assembly allowed students to study the birds and learn about conservation, life cycles and ecosystems. “I was really excited when reached out to me about the opportunity and we were able to put this together,” said Dr. Liz Niepert, principal at Maryville Elementary Education Center. Niepert said this was the school’s first indoor assembly of the year, and students had been practicing their “Mustang manners” to prepare. She added Maryville Elementary Education Center cares about conservation, and they try to instill these values in their students. The school has a recycling club and recently installed a hydroponic garden. The first and second graders also

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JERSEYVILLE - Students at St. Francis Holy Ghost School in Jerseyville recently applied their understanding of energy transfer and motion by constructing marble roller coasters as part of their science curriculum. The project, led by science teacher Joan Dougherty, allowed the students to engage in hands-on learning and teamwork. The roller coaster competition took place as part of their science classes, where students were tasked with designing and building functional marble roller coasters. The results were evaluated based on creativity, engineering principles, and the ability to maintain the marble's motion. In the competition, two teams were awarded first place. The first group consisted of Stella Pohlman, Braylee Waier, Bridget Heltsley, and Holly Hernandez-Lamer, while the other first-place team included Gracie Flowers, Allison Millitello, Louise Bregenzer, and Daphne Slusser. Second place was claimed by the team of Luca Derrick and Caleb Maag, along with another team consisting

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WOOD RIVER — The Wood River Oilers celebrated Senior Night with a decisive 7-2 victory over the Roxana Shells in girls tennis on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. The match showcased strong performances from the Oilers, particularly in singles play. Kaylynn Buttry, Hailey Handler, Jaden Downs, Saaphyri DeSelle, and Khloe Whitfield all secured wins in their respective singles matches. Additionally, the duo of Buttry and Handler emerged victorious in doubles competition. The event not only highlighted the athletic achievements of the team but also served as a farewell to the senior players, marking a significant moment in their high school tennis careers. The senior tennis players are Midwest Members Credit Union Female Athletes of the Month.

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KAMPSVILLE - On October 3, 2024, the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office arrested Brianna L. Behrens, 29, of Kampsville, for the following offenses: Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse – Position of Trust or Authority, Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse – Victim aged 13-16, Possession of Child Pornography (Two Counts), Grooming, Indecent Solicitation of a Child, Obstructing Justice, Dissemination of Harmful Materials (Two Counts); and, Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor (Three Counts). On September 16, 2024, the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office received a complaint from a concerned parent alleging that their child had been receiving illicit photographs and videos from an adult. Calhoun County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Zach Hardin began an investigation into the allegations and conducted numerous interviews and discovered that there were several other children that had also been communicating with and receiving illicit materials from the same adult.

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GRANITE CITY - Jerry’s Cafeteria and Catering announced they will close the cafeteria side of their business. As of 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, Jerry’s will be solely a catering business, owner Jon Roderick announced in a Facebook post. He noted that the restaurant saw more business following a Facebook post in June that spoke on the restaurant’s struggle to survive in the current economic climate, but this was not enough to keep the restaurant open. “As most of you saw a couple of months ago, the economy has taken its toll on our business. While we did see an immediate spike in business, it declined soon thereafter,” Roderick wrote in his post. “We have fought to gain traction, adding new items, trying new ways to serve our friends, customers, and our community. While most of the new ideas we tried were embraced with enthusiasm, they failed to bring new customers or generate the revenue necessary.” While the cafeteria, located at

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WEST ALTON, Mo. – Missouri State Parks will officially open a new biking and walking trail at the Edward "Ted" and Pat Jones-Confluence State Park with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024. The trail expansion, which includes a half-mile path offering a panoramic view of the park and the Mississippi River, was funded by a gift from the estate of Pat Jones, who passed away in 2018. The trustees of Pat Jones' estate — retired partners Dan Burkhardt, Bill Broderick, and Larry Sobol — have worked since her death to create the park's first trailhead area and bike path. The park is located at 1000 Riverlands Way in West Alton, Mo. Pat and Ted Jones were known for their dedication to nature and state parks, actively supporting initiatives such as the Katy Trail and various conservation efforts throughout Missouri. The couple, who did not have children, chose to leave a legacy through financial contributions and land donations to the state. "Pat activel

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EDWARDSVILLE — In the wake of devastating floods in western North Carolina, two commercial pilots from southwest Florida have mobilized to deliver essential supplies to affected communities. Jacob Faulkner, originally from Edwardsville, and a fellow pilot decided to act after learning about the destruction caused by recent storms. The pilots gathered donations in Florida, despite facing challenges themselves from Hurricane Helene, which brought storm surge and flooding to their home area. Faulkner noted that while many locals were dealing with their own water intrusion issues, they still contributed to the relief effort for those hardest hit in North Carolina. "We posted on Facebook and found that there were a good number of private aircraft flying donated food, water, and other essential items to people who are needing help," Faulkner said. "They flew their aircraft loaded with supplies to Asheville, North Carolina, partnering with the nonprofit organization Operation Airdrop

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ALTON — The Alton Mayor’s Ball, scheduled for October 5, 2024, will support a significant cause by donating a portion of its proceeds to All God's Children Shall Have Shoes charity. The event will honor notable local figures, including Olympic track and field medalist Dawn Harper Nelson and her husband, Alonzo Nelson, who will be recognized as Hometown Royalty Hero Recipients, along with Olympian Jayden Ulrich. Alonzo Nelson, a teacher and track and field coach at Belleville West, was recently named the 2024 Serra Honda of O’Fallon Teacher of the Year. He will be joined in recognition by East Alton-Wood River High School Jayden Ulrich, who recently qualified for the Olympics in discus, and Debra Pitts, a prominent advocate for youth education and emotional well-being in the community. Alton Mayor David Goins expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to support the charity. "It meant a lot to me that a portion of the proceeds of the Mayor’s Ball would be

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