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O’FALLON – HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital recognizes National Breastfeeding Month in August by sharing information about breast milk benefits and the positive bonding experience between mother and baby. Amanda Schaefer, MSN, RN, manager of the Women and Infants Center at St. Elizabeth’s, says a mother’s milk provides a newborn with vital antibodies and an immunity boost as the infant grows. “Whether breastfeeding is provided by the breast or by pumping breast milk, it can provide important protection to an infant from many short- and long-term illnesses,” she said. “It also provides mom and baby with important bonding time.” Breastfeeding Benefits Breast milk fights disease. The cells, hormones, and antibodies in breast milk protect babies from illness such as ear infections, asthma, type 1 diabetes and gastrointestinal infections, among others. Breast milk is easier to digest. For most babies, especially premature

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EDWARDSVILLE - Senior setter Sara Gouy will be a key returnee to the Edwardsville girls' volleyball team as one of seven seniors who will be counted on to provide experience and leadership on the team. Last year was a very successful one for Gouy, as she served up 185 points and 44 aces, going along with 12 kills, 416 assists and 143 digs as she helped the Tigers to a 25-13 record, losing a three-set match to O'Fallon in the IHSA Class 4A sectional semifinals. Sarah is a Johnston Law Female Athlete of Month for the Tigers. Gouy and her teammates have had good preseason practices in preparation for the season opener on Aug. 29 against the Panthers at Lucco-Jackson Gym and if feeling very confident about how things have gone along so far. "I'm feeling really good," Gouy said during a recent interview. "I'm excited for my senior season. I think we have a good group of girls this year, so I hope we can go far with varsity and all those teams." Gouy describes her role on the club as on

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EDWARDSVILLE - Hassani Elliott, a junior on Alton High School's basketball team, became a key contributor to the Redbirds in their 6-25 season in 2022-23, coming up big in key spots, especially after the holidays, and oftentimes was among the team's leading scorers in the games as a sophomore. As Elliott prepares for his junior season, he's looking to be one of the key contributors to a revival of the team's fortunes, as Alton has gone 10-48 combined in the last two seasons and now looks to reestablish itself as a contender, especially in the Southwestern Conference. Elliott is an Auto Butler Male Athlete of the Month for the Redbirds. Elliott and his teammates played well in a 44-34 loss to Confluence Academy of St. Louis in the Edwardsville NCAA Live Showcase event held in June at Lucco-Jackson Gym in Edwardsville High, along with Liberty Middle School, and in his postgame interview, Elliott felt that Alton did play well, but was haunted by key mistakes. "I think we just had a lot

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EDWARDSVILLE - National criterium racing champion Brandon Feehery of Knoxville, Tenn. and Dr. Amy McClintock of Edwardsville won the men's and women's feature races at the 13th annual Edwardsville Rotary Criterium bicycle races, presented by Busey Bank, held Saturday afternoon and evening in downtown Edwardsville. The event was another highly successful one, as fans and families enjoyed themselves tremendously in watching high-quality racing from competitors from throughout the region and also enjoyed favorable weather throughout, with sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-80s, with a favorable breeze blowing off and on during the races. Both the Kids' Zone and Entertainment Zone were packed during the racing as well, as fans of all ages came out to support the event, one of the highlights during the Edwardsville summer. And a major change in both scheduling and the Criterium joining the Illinois Cup tour helped bring more racers out. "We joined the Illinois Cup this year,"

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EDWARDSVILLE - Senior quarterback Jake Curry is ready to lead the Edwardsville High School football team to new heights as the Tigers prepare for the 2023 season, which starts Aug. 25 at Tiger Stadium against Jackson, Mo. Curry is a Johnston Law Firm Male Athlete of the Month for the Tigers. Curry had a successful season the year before, completing 121 of 204 passes for 1,811 yards and four touchdowns and also ran 94 times for 347 yards and seven touchdowns as the Tigers went 7-4 last year, defeating O'Fallon in the first round of the IHSA Class 8A playoffs before losing int the second round to Wilmette Loyola Academy. In an interview conducted on Aug. 10, during preseason practice for the 2023 season, Curry expressed confidence in the team and felt the Tigers have worked hard and are ready to succeed in the upcoming season. "I felt it was a good summer," Curry said when asked about how he felt things have been going along in practice. "We've been working hard, we've worked hard sinc

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EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville senior cross country and track runner Ben Perulfi finished seventh in the men's Mud Mountain fund-raising race for the Edwardsville middle schools and high school cross country and track programs in July at the Mud Mountain cross country course at SIU-Edwardsville. He is expected to be one of the premier runners for the Tigers this boys cross country season. He is a Johnston's Law Office Male Athlete of the Month for the Tigers. Perulfi held on for the first half of the race quite well and in the final mile, picked up the pace and finished in the top ten. "I held on for 1.4 miles, which is further than I expected, to be honest," Perulfi said. "But I fell off and I picked it up again over the last mile. So I did pretty good with that." Needless to say, Perulfi is looking forward to his senior year competing for the Tigers and is looking ahead to big things for the team this season. "Yeah, I'm really excited for this year," Perulfi said. "I think the team

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ALTON - Alton Community Boxing Club recently announced its partnership with - and relocation to - YWCA Alton. The boxing club’s Co-founder and Vice President Kaletha Anderson described the nonprofit organization as a “family,” mentorship program, positive outlet for aggression, and much more. Anderson said the Alton Community Boxing Club is much more than just a new sport or club - she described it as a “family.” They welcome members of all ages above 6, and Anderson said the older members often act as mentors for the younger ones. “We wanted to bring something different to the kids and give them a second home, a place to feel safe, a place to let their aggression out, and also to discipline the aggression,” Anderson said. “I would describe it as a family. We teach - we don’t want it to just be considered a club. A lot of our older boxers, we have them come down early and do Big Brother partnerships with the younger kids,”

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United States Sen. Chuck Schumer is asking the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to look into PRIME Energy drinks, a product of entertainers Logan Paul and KSI. The senator claims the drinks are high in caffeine and are marketed to children, possibly leading to dangerous health outcomes. The people behind PRIME have defended the product. Politics aside, the issue of what young people put in their bodies is something to be aware of, says Michael Broman, PhD, MD , an OSF HealthCare cardiologist. In fact, it’s one he thinks about daily. “My children are 8 and 10. I don’t allow them to have caffeine except under my supervision and only in very small doses,” Dr. Broman says sternly. Caffeine basics Dr. Broman says energy drinks, when consumed properly, can provide the desired energy boost. A college student studying for a test, for example. But it’s caffeine consumption that you must be aware of. “Caffeine has clearly been linked to adverse event

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ALTON - The Alton Marina is celebrating their 27th anniversary with a riverfront party on Aug. 26. The Marina, located at #1 Henry Street, invites everyone to come down for the pirate-themed party from 6–11 p.m. Along with live music from Flip the Frog and award-winning barbecue by Black Iron, partygoers can also enter the loot raffle, compete in a pirate costume contest and relax with drink specials from the cash bar. “This is the Marina’s 27th year,” Rob Honke said. “The anniversary party has been going on for as far back as I can remember. did it for 15 years and always threw a really good party, so we’re trying to just carry on that tradition.” Honke owns Seahorse Ranch Marine, Inc., which operates the Alton Marina. He explained that the Marina leases boating slips and provides other amenities for boaters, but it welcomes everyone who wants to enjoy the river. Their restaurant, The Cantina , serves hearty breakfasts, poolside specials

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ALTON - State Representative Amy Elik (R-Alton) and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced today that America’s Central Port is one of nine recipients of the Megasites Investment Program in the amount of $5 million. The program is funded through Rebuild Illinois Capital Funds. “I am thrilled that America’s Central Port in Granite City was selected to receive funding to continue providing world-class service for our transportation network which includes access to the Mississippi River, our railways, and roads,” said Rep. Elik. “The investments being made will help grow the economy and bring more jobs to the region.” Megasites are large, developed sites ready for occupancy for manufacturers, distribution centers, industrial centers, and more. Investing in megasites develops underutilized areas and former industrial sites, while making the State more competitive for large-scale industrial investments. “The

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GODFREY - On Sept. 9 and 10, the Riverbend region will welcome 1,000 bicyclists for Bike MS: Gateway Getaway 2023. This event is based out of St. Louis and will take bicyclists on 25-, 50-, 75- or 100-mile routes through local communities, starting at Lewis and Clark Community College in Godfrey. The event aims to raise $1.3 million for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. “It’s hard not to pay attention when you’ve got that many people out there to raise not only funds but awareness for multiple sclerosis,” Marisa Hacker, the senior manager for Bike MS, said. Hacker explained that there are 50 Bike MS events across the U.S., and the St. Louis region ride is in the top 15. Cyclists will spend two days riding up the Great River Road and through towns from Godfrey to Jerseyville, Bunker Hill, Bethalto and others. The Lewis and Clark Community College (LCCC) campus will serve as the home base, and cyclists will have access to bike mechanics, support vehicles,

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ALTON/WOOD RIVER - Union members and their families are invited to enjoy a morning of fun at the Annual East Alton – Wood River Labor Day Parade to be held on Saturday, August 26, 2023. This year’s parade will begin at 10:00 a.m. at the famous Roundhouse located at 633 N. Wood River Avenue in Wood River, Illinois, and proceed north along Wood River Avenue to the Wilshire shopping center parking lot in East Alton, Illinois. The celebration continues at Gordon Moore Park in Alton, Illinois, where the James Stanley Charity Softball Tournament will wrap up and union members and their families are welcome to enjoy children’s games, food, and refreshments (wrist bands are required to attend the Picnic – see your local union). The Annual Granite City Labor Day Parade will be held on Monday, September 4, 2023. The parade events will begin at 10:00 a.m. downtown Granite City on State Street between Niedringhaus and 18 th Streets and will continue to Wilson Park where

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EAST ALTON - The East Alton Parks & Recreation Department is hosting their 28th Annual Soap Box “Race of Fun” on Saturday, Sept. 9, immediately after the first-ever 5k Run For Infertility. Superintendent Tyler Lafferty and Adult/Seniors Event Coordinator Robin Carlton with the department discussed the events and many other exciting things going on with East Alton Parks and Rec on a recent episode of Our Daily Show on Riverbender.com . The first-ever 5k Run For Infertility will begin on Saturday, Sept. 9 at 627 Berkshire Blvd. in East Alton. Check-in begins at 8 a.m. and the 5k itself begins at 8:30 a.m. The One Mile For Fun Run/Walk begins at 9 a.m. and the cost is $20, which includes a free t-shirt. Registration can be completed online at this link . This year’s Soap Box “Race Of Fun” will also be held on Saturday, Sept. 9 from 10 a.m to 3 p.m. The cost of admission is $2 for East Alton residents or $4 for non-residents. Soapbox cars are provided

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ALTON - When Troy Hughes decided to open We’re Outside, he knew he’d have to put in some hard work. But he had no idea how much that work would pay off. Two weeks after opening, We’re Outside has taken Alton by storm with its hearty barbecue menu. Hughes watches it all from behind the grill, serving up favorites like ribs, pork steaks, loaded nachos, pulled pork and 80 pounds of wings a day. “It just turned out that everybody liked it,” Hughes said. “I didn’t know what to expect. The first day, the anxiety was up, but it turned out to be a good turnout. I was really happy with it.” The turnout is still impressive; you can always count on a long line of eager customers. Located at 1692 Oakwood Avenue, We’re Outside is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from March to October. As the name suggests, We’re Outside is an open-air restaurant with umbrellas and space to sit out in the grass. In the future

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LITCHFIELD - The Litchfield Skyview Drive-In will be decked out in pink next weekend for a Barbie-themed party and screening of the 2023 “Barbie” movie. Doors open at 7 p.m. on both Aug. 25 and 26. The movie starts at dusk, around 8:30 p.m. While they wait, moviegoers can enjoy a raffle, photo backdrops, “Barbie”-themed cups and several live Barbies available for photos. Both nights will end with a double feature of “Barbie” and “Legally Blonde.” “With the drive-in and it not being a normal theater, my goal is to start making movies like a party,” owner Chelsey Semplowski said. “I’d like to do different things each weekend to tie in with the movie that we’ll be playing… just coming and sitting in your car and waiting for the movie to start.” The drive-in’s play area will have several pink and purple balls for kids to play with, and the raffle will include a basket of products targeted

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Note: This is one of a series of features about artists who will showcase their work at the Edwardsville Art Fair on Sept. 22-24. Avalon Eales of the Edwardsville Arts Center staff provided the information. Artist #1 Name: Angela Burns Location: Edwardsville, IL Medium: Painting Artist's Statement: " Angela is an acrylic and oil artist who paints in the style of the Impressionists. Her lifelike, expressive paintings have been awarded nationally and published internationally. Her art is inspired by the universal human need for renewal and expense through nature, in a world overcome by noise, hustle, and distraction. Many of her paintings explore renewing our sense of wonder about life, based in the landscape of Edwardsville, Illinois, where she lives and paints." Artist #2 Name: Tim Gusewelle Location: Bethalto, IL Medium: Painting Artist's Statement: "Art is something I have created since I was a kid, often with an aim to make something inspiring.

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is working with the Shelby County Health Department and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) to investigate a cluster of three Legionnaires’ disease cases. All three cases reside in Findlay, Illinois and reported illness onset dates between July 30 and August 4. IDPH staff are working with Shelby County Health Department officials to determine common exposures between the three cases. Illinois local health departments investigating recent cases of Legionnaires’ disease are being asked to inquire about any time spent in Findlay or Shelby County during the 14 days prior to onset of symptoms. On August 11, Illinois EPA conducted testing and evaluation of the public water supply serving Findlay and found no concerns with chlorine levels, an effective disinfection for Legionella. Illinois EPA has also requested daily sampling for chlorine residual within the system. Based on available

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EAST ALTON/WOOD RIVER - This week, the Wood River Drainage and Levee District (WRDLD) partnered with Keller Construction and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to prevent erosion near the Wood River Pump Station. The Wood River Pump Station drains water to prevent flooding, and WRDLD manages the Wood River levee system. Natural erosion has occurred near the pump station, which required a routine but large response from WRDLD, Keller Construction and IDOT. “Our contractor, Keller Construction, Inc., placed approximately 600 tons of IDOT RR3 riprap on the slope of the Wood River Pump Station impoundment to repair erosion and prevent future issues with the same,” explained WRDLD executive director Kevin Williams. This project was focused in the southeast quadrant of the intersection of Illinois Routes 3 and 143, near the city limits of Wood River. Keller Construction , which is based in Glen Carbon, lined the slope with IDOT’s approved side

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METRO EAST – Today, Governor JB Pritzker signed Senate Bill 850, which establishes the Illinois Grocery Initiative – a multi-pronged policy designed to address food deserts across the state. It will support existing grocers and encourage new grocery stores to open through incentive opportunities. The legislation also allows grocery stores receiving grants as part of the program to be designated as High Impact Businesses, providing them the opportunity to receive tax credits and other incentives. “The Illinois Grocery Initiative is the latest expansion of our holistic approach to ensuring Illinois families can reach the big building blocks of a good life,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “When our residents struggle to keep a roof over their head, can’t put food on the table, or have to choose between paying for basic medical care and keeping the lights on—that’s a failure of the system. That’s why I’m proud to sign into law

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SPRINGFIELD – A new law championed by State Senator Christopher Belt will tackle the increasing number of food deserts in Illinois. “Everyone should be close to fresh and affordable food ,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “This new Grocery Initiative Act will provide crucial support to grocery stores in areas where they are needed most.” Under the new law, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity will be required to provide grants and other forms of financial assistance to grocery stores located in or to be located in a food desert. This aims to help mitigate the issue of food deserts across the state. An area is considered a food desert when urban residents have to travel more than a half-mile and rural residents more than 10 miles to get to the nearest grocery store. “When communities lack grocery stores, it can have a significant impact on the health and well-being of residents,” said Belt. “With this new initiative, we are heading

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