Riverbender 🕸

ALTON - Nicole Blackketter of the Emergency Department is the Alton Memorial Hospital Employee of the Month for December. Nicole received the honor on Dec. 4 from ED manager Jeremy Brown, left, above, and AMH president Dave Braasch. The nomination from assistant ED manager Chantelle Smith says that “Nicole is the epitome of what it means to be caring and compassionate. She is always a joy with whom to work and receives numerous compliments from patients. Nicole is understanding and respectful to all patients with whom she comes into contact. Nicole is what BJC strives to represent for their communities - kind, compassionate and respectful. She encourages all staff she works with to go the extra mile with our patients.”

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WOOD RIVER - Mia Plumb is not only strong on the basketball court, but she is the No. 1-ranked student in her class at East Alton-Wood River High School and at present is the top candidate for the valedictorian role of her school's seniors. She thanked her best friend, Paul Nichols, for always being a person she could count on in her life. "He has always been there for me whether it be a good laugh, a deep conversation, or just hanging out," she said. "It’s amazing to have someone support you 100 percent no matter what." Lyndsey Perez is Mia's head girls basketball coach with the Oilers. Mia has been a member of the EA-WR varsity basketball girls for four years. Mia is a Midwest Members Credit Union Female Athlete of the Month for the Oilers. She said she has tried to demonstrate leadership in her school both athletically and academically, going the extra mile to aid others, being involved in other extracurricular activities, and being involved in the community. The Oilers'

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JERSEYVILLE - Several individuals were charged with crimes ranging from domestic battery to theft and more in Jersey County over the past week, according to recent court filings. Joseph L. Miller, 27, of Godfrey, was charged with aggravated domestic battery and unlawful restraint. Court documents allege Miller strangled the victim on or about Nov. 29, 2023. Miller was also charged on the same date with unlawful restraint after he “knowingly and without legal authority detained” the same victim as the domestic battery charge. Miller was charged with two total felonies, including a Class 2 felony for aggravated domestic battery and a Class 4 felony for unlawful restraint. A warrant was issued for his arrest and court documents indicate he is being held in custody until his initial appearance in court. Austin J. Sprong, 23, of Carrollton, was charged with theft on or about Nov. 24, 2023. Court documents allege Sprong stole $500 worth of U.S. currency from O’Reilly’s

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JERSEYVILLE - A man from Greenville has been charged with four felonies including armed violence, unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, and more, according to recently filed Jersey County court documents. Matthew S. Hancock, 32, of Greenville, was charged with armed violence - category II, unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, unlawful possession with intent to deliver cannabis, and unlawful possession of a controlled substance. Court documents state that on or about Nov. 29, 2023, Hancock allegedly “committed the offense of armed violence, in that the defendant, while committing a felony as defined under Illinois Law, was armed with a dangerous weapon, being a Category II knife/dagger in excess of 3 inches in length.” As a felon in possession of this weapon, he was also charged with unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon. Hancock also reportedly possessed, with the intent to deliver, between 30-500 grams of “a substance containing cannabis.”

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DOW - Kelly Vandersand, executive director of the Treehouse Wildlife Center, knows the value of a dollar. After all, that’s what it takes to provide one meal to any of the 36 birds or 13 mammals who are permanent residents at the sanctuary. “You might not enjoy the experience, but I will still sing and dance for $10,” she joked. “About a dollar will feed any animal there, sometimes two animals. So we value a dollar donation. We’re looking for that million dollar donation, I’d love to have one of those someday, but a dollar donation we appreciate just as much because that will feed one animal.” The Treehouse Wildlife Center is known for rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing animals throughout the Riverbend area. They also have a few permanent residents at their sanctuary, and they emphasize the power of education to help more people connect with nature and wildlife. The center is currently looking for a new education manager. Vandersand

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State Representative Amy Elik (R-Alton) will be hosting a Holiday Food Drive at her district office in Alton beginning December 5th-20th. “With higher food costs and the Holiday season underway, this time of year is very difficult for families trying to make ends meet,” said Rep. Amy Elik. “If you are able, please join me in helping us put food on the table for struggling families this Holiday season.” The Holiday Food Drive will begin on Tuesday, December 5th, and will conclude on Wednesday, December 20th at State Representative Amy Elik’s district office, located at 192 Alton Square Mall Dr., Suite C in Alton. Non-perishable food items can be dropped off between the hours of 8:30 am and 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. All non-perishable food items collected will be donated to the Crisis Food Center in Alton. When you stop by to donate, brochures on state programs will also be available. If you have any questions, please contact Rep. Elik’s offic

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GRANITE CITY - Senior forward Mario Brown is one of nine seniors on the boys' basketball team at Granite City High School this season and has made many outstanding contributions to the Warriors early in the new season. After five games, Brown was averaging 12 points and 5.7 rebounds per game so far, to go alone two assists and eight steals. Last year, as a junior, Brown led the team in scoring and rebounding, averaging 14.4 points and 10 rebounds per game. He also had 46 assists, 43 steals, and five blocked shots in helping the Warriors to a 16-15 record. Brown is a Stillwater Senior Living Male Athlete of the Month for the Warriors. Granite especially dominated the game in the second half in the win over the Knights, and in his postgame interview, Brown felt excellent about how things went during the game. "I'm feeling good," Brown said. "We started slow in this season, but we plan to keep playing hard and pick it up, to work together and be a team. I'm looking forward to the season.

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ST. LOUIS - Thursday, November 30, 2023, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office issued charges on suspect Bianca Price, 42 years of age, of the 6700 block of Champana Lane in Florissant, Missouri 63033, for Kidnapping First Degree, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Assault 4 th Degree, and Armed Criminal Action. A booking photo of Price is attached. Price is being held on $75,000 cash only, no 10%, bond. Please note, charges are merely an accusation and Defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law. The probable cause statement reads: On November 30, 2023, at 11:20 AM, Officers responded to a disturbance at Defendant's residence. Officers made contact with Victim and Witness, both Department of Family Services employees. Victim and Witness stated that they were at Defendant's residence as part of an investigation. Victim and Witness stated that Defendant answered the door and allowed them to come inside. Victim and Witness stated that

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EAST ST. LOUIS – A U.S. District judge sentenced an East St. Louis man to five years in federal prison after he admitted to threatening the mother of a 10-year-old child, who he forcibly took from home in Illinois and drove to St. Louis. U.S. Attorney Rachel Crowe said Marcus L. Weekfall, also known as “Conehead”, 39, pleaded guilty to one count of interstate extortion with a threat to injure. Crowe said: “The defendant targeted a child to mentally and emotionally abuse both the victim and the victim’s mother. His actions were calculated and dangerous, thus warranted this prison sentence.” According to court documents, the minor victim was asleep in bed when Weekfall broke into the victim’s mother’s house around 4:20 a.m. on May 28, 2022. Weekfall demanded the child to leave with him, and he took him to St. Louis. Weekfall and the victim’s mother were previously in a romantic relationship. “Illinois State Police Officers

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BETALTO - Civic Memorial senior Adam Ogden has big shoes to fill for the Eagles' boys basketball team, figuratively, and literally. One of only two seniors on the team, Adam will be looking to pick up the slack after losing five seniors last year, including the seven-footer Sam Buckley. Buckley led last season's team averaging a double-double of 16.3 points and 10 rebounds. Through five games this season, Adam has kept that pace and that is why he is a Tom Lane State Farm Athlete of the Month for Civic Memorial. In the first five games of this young season Adam has racked up 82 points, averaging 16.4 a game and is the team's best three-point shooter having made 10-of-28 for a 36-percent shooting average. "He is definitely our No. 1 go-to guy," CM second-year head coach Lee Green said of Adam. "I expect him to have a great season." Adam had a season-high game of 21 points in a 69-66 win over Freeburg in the final game of the Roxana Hoopsgiving Tournament on Nov. 25. That night

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PEORIA — Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Transportation joined local officials and community leaders today to highlight and celebrate the upcoming completion of the Bob Michel Bridge rehabilitation. The $24.6 million project also better connects people who walk, bike and roll between the East Peoria Levee and Peoria Warehouse districts. Made possible by the Pritzker administration’s historic Rebuild Illinois capital program, the work was condensed into one construction season, making completion of the improvements quicker, safer and cheaper. “When I first became Governor, it was clear we needed to improve safety and foster economic growth in this region, so we embarked on the largest rebuild of roads and bridges in state history here in Peoria and throughout Illinois,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Our extraordinary workforce is putting on the finishing touches — the final installation of expansion joints and pavement markings &mdash

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CHICAGO - With the holiday gift-giving season underway, the Illinois Lottery is reminding players that lottery games are for grown-ups – not kids. This holiday season, the Illinois Lottery is once again partnering with the Illinois Council on Problem Gambling (ICPG) in the Gift Responsibly Campaign. The annual holiday campaign, spearheaded by the National Council on Problem Gambling , is designed to increase public awareness of the impact and inappropriateness of giving lottery products as gifts to minors. “Lottery products, especially Instant Tickets, are a popular gift during the holiday season but they are not an appropriate gift for those under the age of 18,” said Harold Mays, Illinois Lottery Director. “Responsible gaming is an integral part of the Illinois Lottery, and we are pleased to once again support the Gift Responsibly Campaign this holiday season by reminding players that lottery games are for adults only.” The Illinois Lottery joins

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EDWARDSVILLE - Locally-owned Coldwell Banker Brown Realtors (CBBR) recently donated $6,925 to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital as part of a nationwide effort the company is making to support the nonprofit. Including this amount, CBBR has donated $32,850 to St. Jude over the past four years. Four years ago, Coldwell Banker Brown Realtors became a part of Coldwell Banker’s national effort to raise funds for St. Jude. Through the “CB Supports St. Jude” program, agents are given the opportunity to make automatic donations for every home sale or purchase. Twelve local agents participated in the effort this year including Angie Daniels, Carla Owens, Lori Rodriguez, Barb Shelton, Dena Brinkman, Wendi Mielke, Ashley Barud, Shelley Thompson, Wendy Santiago, Sally Hohn, Donna Gayler and Mary Boente. “I’m extremely proud, but not surprised, by how our agents continue to give back and support St. Jude,” said Coldwell Banker Brown Realtors’

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EDWARDSVILLE - With more than 200 students and chaperones from 13 school districts in attendance, the 2023 Future Teachers Conference at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville received high marks from area high school students visiting the SIUE campus. This free conference held Nov. 3 in the Meridian Ballroom of Morris University Center (MUC) offered workshops, keynote presentations from both the 2020 Illinois Middle School Principal of the year and the 2023 Illinois Teacher of the Year, a teacher panel and a student panel with first-hand perspective of coursework and practicums. “I'm a sucker for a student panel,” said Stella Smith, a fourth-year student in SIUE School of Education, Health and Human Behavior (SEHHB). Stella Smith was an integral part of the volunteer support staff for the conference. “Nobody knows campus life like students.” Compared to its inaugural year, this second year of the conference co-sponsored by Madison County Career and Technical

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ALTON - Marquette Catholic High School (MCHS) will host their annual Theater and Music Dinner Fundraiser, complete with a cotton candy station, silent auction and performances by MCHS staff members and students. On Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, attendees can enjoy a child-friendly evening emceed by the Grinch. The silent auction starts at 4:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 5:30 p.m. and the show at 6:15 p.m. Dinner tickets must be purchased by the end of the day on Monday, Dec. 4, 2023. People can purchase tickets for the show up until the night of Dec. 9. Music and Theater Director Brett Klaus explained that the money raised will fund more opportunities for students in the music and drama programs. “The people on Broadway, the ones that I’ve worked with: all Midwestern transplants,” Klaus said. “People forget that they start here in schools like this with people who just need to give them an opportunity. So I realized it’s my job to give them every opportunity.”

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CHICAGO – The Pritzker Administration and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) are encouraging all income-eligible families to apply for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to support with utility bill assistance for natural gas, propane and electricity. Applications expanded today, December 1, to include all income-eligible households. “Every Illinoisan deserves to have a warm home during the winter, and we’re here to help our most vulnerable residents,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Access to energy is a basic necessity—that’s why my administration is continually working to ensure that families across the state can afford rising costs.” Income-eligible families can apply by visiting helpillinoisfamilies.com or by visiting their local agency (a list of partners throughout the State can be found here ). Families can also call 1-833-711-0374 for assistance in 30 languages. “As

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MURPYSBORO, Ill. - U.S. Representative Mike Bost (IL-12) today announced that his 2024 re-election campaign has been endorsed by U.S. Representative Ronny Jackson (R-Texas), the former White House physician to President Trump. “I’m PROUD to endorse Mike Bost for Congress! Mike is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and a conservative WARRIOR,” said Jackson in a post on X/Twitter. “He has NEVER turned away from a fight. Now more than ever, Congress needs strong conservatives like Mike. He has my TOTAL ENDORSEMENT!” “Ronny Jackson is a true patriot who has served his country in the Trump White House, in Congress, and in the U.S. Navy,” said Bost. “Ronny and I have become great friends because we’re fighting for the same things: President Trump’s America First agenda and draining the D.C. Swamp. I am honored to have his endorsement and value his friendship.” Jackson's endorsement adds to the growing list of conservatives

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ALTON - The Three Rivers Project of Sierra Club Illinois, the Godfrey Parks and Recreation Committee, and the Godfrey Sustainability Commission are hosting an invasive species management training and work day at La Vista Trail to give community members the opportunity to learn how to identify and remove invasive species. The event, which is set for Wednesday, December 13, will include a 30-minute training session followed by a work session to put new skills and knowledge to use. Municipalities’ public works, parks departments, right of way crews, and local community members are invited to register for this event at sc.org/lavistaworkday . “We look forward to providing this opportunity to learn about the importance of stopping the spread of invasive species with our Metro East community,” said Christine Favilla, co-Coordinator of the Three Rivers Project of Sierra Club Illinois. “The spread of invasive species is the second-leading cause of species extinction

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CHICAGO - Governor Pritzker announced the state has come to an agreement with Iron Workers Local 1 to ensure skilled iron workers will be present at the build site for new shelter space for asylum seekers. Upon learning of a potential labor issue late Thursday night, the state worked closely with the Iron Workers Local to negotiate sending additional union labor to the site as quickly as possible. The 38 th and California site is being constructed to house approximately 2,000 recent arrivals to the city ahead of worsening winter weather conditions. “When my administration was made aware of an issue that could have resulted in a work stoppage and increased costs at a new asylum seeker shelter site, we acted immediately to ensure union iron workers were represented and that the project could continue without delay,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “I am grateful to the Iron Workers for their collaborative work with my office to reach agreement and I am pleased this project

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CHICAGO – A Jersey County man - Joshua G. Eastham - was sentenced to 40 years in prison after previously being found guilty of four Class X felony counts of disseminating child pornography involving victims under the age of age 13. Jersey County Circuit Judge Allison Lorton handed down the 40-year sentence. Raoul’s office co-prosecuted the case with Jersey County State’s Attorney Ben Goetten. Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced the decision on Friday. Raoul said the sentencing is part of his ongoing work, in collaboration with federal law enforcement agencies and local law enforcement officials throughout Illinois, to apprehend offenders who download and trade child pornography online. Raoul’s office charged Eastham after receiving a CyberTip from the mobile messaging application Kik and discovering evidence of child sexual abuse material during a search of Eastham’s home on Jan. 27, 2022. Along with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service,

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