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BELLEVILLE - A woman from Belleville is facing one felony and a misdemeanor after allegedly making “racially charged” death threats against an employee of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). Shannon B. Benavidez, 43, of Belleville, was charged with threatening a public official and harassment by telephone on Jan. 25, 2024. Benavidez allegedly made racially charged verbal threats towards a DCFS employee, according to Madison County court documents. A petition filed to deny Benavidez’s pretrial release specifically states that she “made multiple phone calls conveying racially charged verbal threats against a DCFS employee.” In one message, she reportedly called the DCFS employee a racial slur and a “bitch,” immediately followed by the words, “you’re dead.” The petition also states Benavidez was previously known by DCFS because she surrendered her parental rights to a minor child in March o

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EDWARDSVILLE - Five individuals from around Madison County have been charged by various local law enforcement agencies with illegal meth possession and operating uninsured vehicles in recent months, according to county court filings. Jason D. Wanick, 51, of Wood River, was charged with unlawful possession of methamphetamine on Jan. 12, 2024. Wanick reportedly had less than five grams of methamphetamine in his possession and was charged with a Class 3 felony. His case was presented by the Wood River Police Department and he’s since been released upon his signature of a Conditions of Pretrial Release Order. Elmer J. Varble, 47, of Bunker Hill, was charged with unlawful possession of methamphetamine and operating an uninsured motor vehicle. Court documents allege Varble drove a vehicle on Lewis and Clark Boulevard in East Alton while the vehicle was uninsured, and also had less than five grams of methamphetamine in his possession, on Dec. 27, 2023. Varble faces a Class

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ALTON - Sophomore Lydia Fite and her creative eye have been recognized as the Art Fahrner-Edward Jones Alton High School Remarkable Redbird of the Month. During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Lydia became very interested in sunsets and started taking pictures of them. As her interest in photography continued to be more involved, she asked for a camera for Christmas and started taking pictures of many other things. She was recently selected to have her photograph of a train car on the Alton Riverfront with graffiti on it to be shown in the Webster Gallery High School Photography Exhibition and she was also selected to have the picture shown in the Southwestern Conference High School Art Exhibition at the Edwardsville Art Center for the month of January. Alton High Art Department Chair Bridget Heck selected the photo to be shown in both of these exhibitions. Lydia is also a current member of the Art Club at Alton High. She took Digital Photography and is now in Advanced Photography. She has

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O’FALLON — In recognition of February being National Canned Food Month, HSHS Home Care is holding their annual “Cram the Car” food drive this month for the Catholic Urban Program food pantry to help those struggling with food insecurity. Community members are invited to “cram” a Home Care car by donating non-perishable items. On Friday, Feb. 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., a HSHS Home Care branded car will be parked on the HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital campus at the main entrance canopy (blue “Hospital” sign) accepting donations of items or monetary contributions. Valerie Engelbart, volunteer/bereavement services supervisor for HSHS Home Care, shared, “Our HSHS Mission is to reveal and embody Christ’s healing love for all people through our high-quality Franciscan health care ministry. In this tradition, we are privileged that patients and families trust us with their care and the care of their loved ones,”

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EDWARDSVILLE - One case of residential burglary joins several criminal property damage charges and a stolen vehicle charge, each of which were filed in separate cases described in Madison County court filings. Anastasia S. Thurman, 25, of Collinsville, was charged with residential burglary and unlawful use of a credit or debit card on Jan. 29, 2024 in a case presented by the Glen Carbon Police Department. Court documents allege Thurman unlawfully entered a residence in the 6800 block of Bouse Road in Glen Carbon with the intent to commit a theft. She was additionally charged with unlawfully using the American Express card of one of the home’s occupants without their consent to obtain “various goods” with a total value in excess of $300, according to court documents. Thurman faces a Class 1 felony for residential burglary and a Class 3 felony for unlawful use of a credit or debit card. Court documents indicate she was released upon her signature of a Conditions

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ALTON – Saddle up to test your knowledge at the upcoming trivia night sponsored by the Rotary Club of the Riverbend Alton/Godfrey. The cowboy-themed event is set for Saturday, March 9 at the Alton-Wood River Sportsman’s Club in Godfrey; doors open at 6 p.m., with trivia starting at 7 p.m. Nick Darr, local radio personality, will serve as the evening’s emcee. Tables may be reserved in advance at a discounted rate of $175; individual seats and walk-ins are $30 each. Included in the ticket price: unlimited soda, as well as draft beer from two kegs, until the kegs are depleted. No outside alcohol is allowed, however a cash bar is available. Participants are invited to bring their own snacks and decorate their tables with a cowboy theme. Prizes will be awarded for the finest lookin’ table. Proceeds from the event benefits local child safety initiatives, such as safe sleep kits, car seats, outreach and more. Trivia night registration and sponsorship opportunities

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WORDEN - The Wordi Gras Celebration in Worden had something for everyone on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024. There was not only the active parade, but plenty of candy for children, beads for adults and children, and plenty of food and drink once again. The Baywolfe Band and Cheers Band again drew capacity crowds for their performances and there several food trucks this year. The drink of choice was a hurricane and it was the house favorite at The Yellow Dog Bar. Wordi Gras has grown so much it is now getting attention in the direction of St. Louis as many now come over for the celebration. Above and below are some of the better images from Riverbender.com on the day and a full gallery of photos.

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ALTON - The Alton Police and Fire Department responded to the scene of a serious motorcycle accident at 5:42 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 9, 2024, on Homer Adams Parkway at the intersection of Loran Lane. Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford said the Alton Fire Department tended to the driver of the motorcycle who had sustained injuries as a result of the accident. The Alton Fire Department transported the driver of the motorcycle via ambulance and the driver received additional medical treatment at a St. Louis area hospital for what Chief Ford described as "non-life threatening injuries." Chief Ford continued and said: "Preliminary investigation determined the motorcycle was traveling on Homer Adams Parkway when another vehicle pulled in front of the motorcycle from Loran Lane onto Homer Adams Parkway. The accident is still under investigation at this time."

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EAST ALTON - A man who lived a life of public service and was the Former East Alton Fire Chief - Randy Nelson - died on Friday, Feb. 9, 2024. Nelson, 57, was a Roxana High School graduate and also served in the Air Force from 1984 to 1988. Nelson was a Roxana High graduate and a Fire Protection Specialist in the Air Force. He came back to the area and served as a firefighter at Olin and also a long-time member of the East Alton Fire Department. He became a lieutenant in 2000, captain in 2006, and chief in 2012. He retired from the East Alton Fire Department in 2015. He had a bachelor of Science in Fire Service Management and a master's in Fire Service and Homeland Security from SIU Carbondale. East Alton Fire Department Chief Tim Quigley said Randy Nelson was “one of the best people I know.” “Randy would give the shirt off his back for anyone,” Quigley said. “Everybody liked Randy." Randy was a Fire Science instructor at Lewis and Clark Community College

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EDWARDSVILLE - Five individuals have been charged in separate cases with various forms of battery, including one individual additionally charged with aggravated assault, according to court documents filed in Madison County. Edward D. Johnson, 55, of Granite City, was charged on Jan. 30, 2024, with one count of domestic battery and one count of aggravated assault. Johnson allegedly struck the victim, a family or household member, “about the face with his hand” and used a knife to threaten to cut the same victim, according to court documents. The state will seek to enhance Johnson’s Class 4 felony for domestic battery in this case, since he had previously been convicted of domestic assault causing bodily injury in Davidson County, Tenn. He also received a Class A misdemeanor charge for aggravated assault, and court documents indicate he was remanded to jail until his initial court appearance. Kyle F. Brooks, 30, of Granite City, was charged with domestic battery

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EDWARDSVILLE - Several cases of battery have been filed in Madison County, including one domestic battery involving a strangulation and two separate cases of individuals spitting on police officers, according to court documents. Christopher M. Kozak, 34, of Granite City, was charged with one count each of aggravated domestic battery and domestic battery. On Jan. 28, 2024, Kozack allegedly strangled a family or household member “by wrapping his arms around her beck, applying pressure,” according to court documents. He was additionally charged with domestic battery after he “struck the victim about the head and body with his hands and knees.” A petition to deny Kozak’s pretrial release details the case, which was presented by the Granite City Police Department: “Victim was observed on the roof of her residence calling for help. Officers contacted the victim, who stated that her ex-boyfriend, the defendant, became angry and attacked her. She reported

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LITCHFIELD - The Litchfield Skyview Drive-In will host an eclipse viewing party on Monday, April 8, 2024, complete with live music, comedians, a raffle and more. Attendees can enjoy vendors, games, a photo booth and other attractions throughout the day starting at 11 a.m. on April 8. The eclipse will be visible around 2 p.m. that day, with almost 100% totality visible in Litchfield. “We’re super excited. We know we’re not 100% in the eclipse, but we’re at 98.2%, so we’ll still get a very good show of the eclipse,” said Skyview owner Chelsey Semplowski. “The drive-in is a very special place. We’re the last original drive-in on Old Route 66, so we just want to make sure that we’re around for as long as possible. Visiting the concession stand and coming out for stuff like this helps us to be able to keep the drive-in operating and functional.” Tickets cost $40 until March 1, 2024, when they increase to $50. Ages 5 and under

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WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) this week hosted a briefing for several of her Senate colleagues with Dr. Zaher Sahloul and other doctors who recently returned from a medical mission in Gaza so that the Senators could hear directly from the doctors on the state of the humanitarian crisis there and the urgent need for life-saving medical supplies, equipment and treatment to assist the innocent civilians who are suffering in Gaza. “This briefing underscored the urgent need for Congress to swiftly act to help expand deliveries of lifesaving aid and medical care to the innocent civilians who are suffering in Gaza,” said Duckworth. “I’m grateful to Dr. Sahloul and these doctors for providing a sobering firsthand analysis of the dire circumstances on the ground in Gaza and I will continue to strongly advocate for the protection of innocent civilians in Gaza and the West Bank, the safe return of all hostages and ultimately a two-state future

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul joined a coalition of 11 attorneys general urging the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Congress and the Biden administration to protect workers from the dangers of exposure to extreme heat in the workplace. Raoul and the coalition petitioned OSHA to implement a nationwide emergency extreme heat standard to take effect this summer to protect workers from heat exposure. OSHA currently has no occupational heat standard from rising temperatures or intensifying heat waves. Raoul and the attorneys general also called on Congress to pass pending legislation directing OSHA to promulgate an interim heat standard while it continues its rulemaking for a permanent standard. Additionally, they urged the White House to support these efforts to protect the nation’s most heat-vulnerable workers. “Climate change increases the severity of extreme heat, particularly in Illinois for our farmers and construction workers,”

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Capital Development Board Saul Morse will continue to serve as a Member of the Capital Development Board. Morse is an attorney in the Springfield law firm of Brown, Hay & Stephens, LLP, concentrating his practice in matters related to governmental regulation, health care, and municipal law. He has practiced extensively in the Springfield community for 40 years. He first came to Springfield to serve as Chief Counsel to the Minority Leader of the Illinois State Senate, after which he engaged in the private practice of law for 15 years, concentrating his practice in governmental regulation, health care, and lobbying. During that time he served as Legislative Counsel for a wide range of organizations including the Illinois State Medical Society, Illinois Occupational Therapy Association, Illinois County Nursing Homes Association, Illinois Speech and Language Association, Six Flags Corporation, the Chicago Cubs National League Baseball Team, and various other entities. He has previously

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard Major General Richard Neely to discuss continued opportunities and support for our Illinois National Guard. Durbin and General Neely spoke about the Air Force’s September selection of Peoria’s 182 nd Airlift Wing as a basing location for new C-130J aircraft and Durbin’s successful effort to secure $350 million in Fiscal Year 2023 funding for 12 new MQ-1C Gray eagle aircraft for the National Guard. “Every day, the women and men of the Illinois Air National Guard answer the call to serve their country and communities, from providing assistance during a global pandemic or natural disasters. I’m encouraged that the 182 nd was selected to receive new C-130J aircraft, and I will continue to work with Major General Neely on ensuring success and support for our troops across the State of Illinois,” said Durbin. A photo of the

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Cory Booker (D-NJ), co-founders of the new Senate Lead Task Force and the U.S. Senate Environmental Justice Caucus, alongside U.S. Representatives Rashida Tlaib (D-MI-12) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06), co-chairs of the House ‘Get the Lead Out’ Caucus, led 86 of their colleagues in applauding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for their proposed Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) while also urging them to strengthen the rule by considering additional provisions that would improve and expedite the Biden Administration’s effort to remove all lead service lines from our nation. “While we recognize the challenges for some municipalities to remove thousands of lead pipes in 10 years, the proposal could allow another generation of children in many communities to be exposed to lead from their tap water,” wrote the members. “Some cities have been able to replace tens of thousands

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WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation (CST) and Chair of the Subcommittee on Aviation Safety, Operations and Innovation—announced several of her key priorities were included in the bipartisan FAA Reauthorization Act of 2023 that passed through the CST committee today. As one of the authors of the legislation, Duckworth successfully secured several provisions that will improve safety for consumers, expand the aviation workforce and enhance protections for travelers with disabilities. If signed into law, the bipartisan FAA reauthorization bill would extend FAA’s funding and authorities through the Fiscal Year 2028. “The bipartisan FAA Reauthorization Act is a win not only for our economy, but for aviation safety advocates and the flying public,” said Duckworth. “As Chair of the Subcommittee on Aviation Safety, Operations and Innovation,

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Rotary Club has chosen to honor Edwardsville High School student Alessia Heiser with the Student of the Month Award for the month of December. Alessia Heiser was nominated by World Languages teacher Christel Schwarz of Edwardsville High School. Alessia is the daughter of Christopher & Dana Cattani-Smejkal and Timothy & Katie Heiser. She is very involved in the music department, where she has made ILMEA All-District six times, ILMEA All-State three times, and Bi-State two times. Additionally, Alessia is a member of National Honor Society, French Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, Symphonic Band, Marching Band, and has been on high honor roll for three years. In her free time, Alessia enjoys making jewelry and playing the bassoon. In the future, Alessia would like to attend Southern Illinois University Carbondale or Purdue University. From there, she plans on majoring in microbiology and minoring in environmental science. The Edwardsville

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today led 17 Senate Democrats in a letter to President Joe Biden urging him to act swiftly to finally close the detention facility at U.S. Naval Station Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. In their letter, the Senators wrote that as a symbol of lawlessness and human rights abuses, the detention facility continues to harm U.S. national security by serving as a propaganda tool for America’s enemies and hindering counterterrorism efforts and cooperation with allies. The Senators also expressed their support of the Administration’s renewed commitment before the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Committee this fall to ending indefinite detention at Guantánamo. The Senators wrote, “At a time of mounting threats from China and Russia, we cannot afford such a weakening of our security. Moreover, in addition to the $540 million in wasted taxpayer dollars each year,

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