Riverbender 🕸

ALTON - On a recent episode of “You’re Beautiful” with Brian Trust , Kristen and her brother Nathan spoke about trusting God in the wake of Kristen’s son’s unexpected passing. Kristen’s son, Gavin, took his life in August 2024. She shared that since then, she has relied heavily on Proverbs 2:5 — “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” — to comfort her through her grief. “It’s a reminder that I’m not supposed to carry this burden alone,” she said. “I don’t have all the answers. I’m not supposed to have all the answers, because I’m not the Heavenly Father. He's the one who knows everything. Even though we try to put the pieces together and make sense, my belief is, we’re still not going to get it right.” Kristen said Gavin was “a kind, caring, gentle soul.” He made the decision to get baptized at age

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EDWARDSVILLE - According to the American College Health Association, 76% of undergraduate students experienced moderate to serious psychological distress in 2024 . Today, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is working to reduce that number among all its student population, with the help of a $290,000 Mental Health Early Action on Campus Act Competitive (MHEAC) grant from the Illinois Board of Higher Education, noted SIUE Counseling Services Director Sydney K Greenwalt, PhD. Greenwalt also offered a barometer for gauging mental health concerns at SIUE. “Last year, we saw 604 unique clients in direct service provision at SIUE Counseling Services,” she said. “This year, so far, we have seen 348 unique clients, along with the students served through psychoeducational outreaches.” Specifically, hundreds of students have participated in psychoeducational engagement that includes mental health sessions through SIUE’s partnership with TimelyCare

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SPRINGFIELD – This Super Bowl Sunday, the Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police and law enforcement agencies throughout the state are reinforcing vital safety messages that could save your life or someone else’s: “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” and “Click It or Ticket.” “Celebrate smart and designate a sober driver before the party starts so this year’s Super Bowl gathering isn’t the last one you attend,” said Stephane B. Seck-Birhame, IDOT’s bureau chief of Safety Programs and Engineering. “There’s no instant replay when you’re on the road, so be the MVP and make sure the party game plan includes a sober ride home.” Remember that walking impaired also can be dangerous, so designate a sober friend to walk home with you, if needed. Sober driving isn’t the only law that should be followed. Always make sure you and everyone else in the vehicle buckles up. It’s

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CASEYVILLE — Sergeant Danny Allison of the Caseyville Police Department has been recognized for his contributions to law enforcement with a Certificate of Merit from the Southern Illinois Police Chiefs Association. The award, presented by Chief Tom Coppotelli, acknowledges Allison's significant work with the Midwest cryptocurrency task force. Allison's investigative efforts have led to the recovery of more than $400,000 for victims of cyber scams, highlighting the challenges faced by law enforcement in addressing the complexities of digital crime. The award ceremony took place recently, although the specific date and location were not disclosed. The Southern Illinois Police Chiefs Association aims to honor law enforcement professionals who demonstrate exceptional dedication and effectiveness in their roles. In receiving this recognition, Sergeant Allison's skills and commitment to combating cybercrime have been brought to the forefront, underscoring the importance of specialized

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ALTON – An Alton resident and sex offender has been charged once again for failing to register; the same offender faces a weapon charge in a separate case. Corry J. Faulkner, 53, of the 2200 block of Gillis St. in Alton, was charged with two Class 2 felony counts of unlawful failure to register as a sex offender, his second subsequent such offense. On Dec. 30, 2024, Faulkner allegedly failed to register with the Alton Chief of Police every 90 days as legally required under the Sex Offender Registration Act. He had previously been convicted of the same offense in Madison County in 2023. Faulkner was also charged in a separate Madison County criminal case with possession of a weapon by a felon, a Class 3 felony. On Jan. 31, 2025, he reportedly possessed a Ruger 380 handgun after previously being convicted of a felony, failing to register as a sex offender. The Alton Police Department presented both cases against Faulkner, who Madison County Sheriff’s Office records

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GODFREY - Two representatives of Village Dispensary shared more about the behind-the-scenes of the cannabis industry. Allison and Brandon manage the inventory at Village Dispensary. They noted that there are a ton of deals and specials coming up, including many buy-one-get-one deals for Valentine’s Day next week. “Get your lady the flower she really wants,” Brandon joked. Located at 110 Northport Drive in Godfrey, the dispensary offers daily discounts, starting with “Roll Into the Week Monday” — a deal on pre-rolls — and “Tasty Tuesday” edible deals. “Waxy Wednesday” offers sales on concentrates and vapes. “Thirsty Thursday” promises 30% off select cannabis-infused drinks, and “Flower Friday” offers flower for up to 25% off. Additional discounts are available throughout the week. There’s more in store for February, including deals on Valentine’s Day weekend. Customers ca

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ALTON - Ray Strebel believes he is the best choice for Alton. Strebel, the current Third Ward alderman, has challenged incumbent David Goins and former mayor Brant Walker for the mayor’s seat, creating a three-way race. He explained that he has accomplished a lot as an alderman, and he shared his plans if elected on April 1, 2025. “When I’m a mayor, I can help everybody in our community,” Strebel said. “I’m very excited about that.” Strebel is an environmental chemist by trade. Born in Alton, he previously worked in waste management and consulted for municipalities. While living in Kankakee, Strebel and his wife, Elyse, bought a fixer-upper. Using carpentry skills he learned from Elyse’s grandfather, Strebel renovated the house himself, which introduced him to a new passion for restoring old homes. When the family returned to Alton, they restored their own Queen Anne Victorian, and Strebel began restoring old homes throughout

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ALTON — David Goins, the first African American mayor of Alton, is seeking a second term as he reflects on his accomplishments and the challenges faced during his initial years in office and looks ahead at the future. Elected on April 6, 2021, and sworn in on May 12, 2021, Goins said he has focused on addressing financial deficits, improving community relations, and empowering the youth of Alton. Goins, who previously served in various roles within the Alton Police Department and as a community leader, emphasized the importance of making himself accessible to residents. "I have tried my best to be a mayor for all people," he said, highlighting his commitment to serving diverse groups, including youth and seniors. Upon taking office, Goins said he inherited a financial deficit, but through strategic financial management, he reported turning that around, with what he described a $7.7 million surplus by 2024. "We put the oxygen masks on ourselves first so we could start breathing,"

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ALTON — Brant Walker, who served as the Mayor of Alton from 2013 to 2021, is campaigning to return to office in the upcoming municipal election on April 1, 2025. Walker is focusing his campaign on economic development, public safety, and infrastructure improvements. Walker, who founded Lighthouse Hiring, highlighted his experience in the private sector and his commitment to the community during a recent candidate forum hosted by the East End Improvement Association. "We are knocking on a lot of doors and getting a lot of positive responses right now," Walker said. He emphasized the need for leadership that delivers results, citing his previous accomplishments, including freezing the property tax levy, securing millions in grant funding, and helping 189 families achieve homeownership through the City’s previous HOMEownership Program. During the forum sponsored by the East End Improvement Association earlier this week, Walker addressed what he said he views as key issues

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DUPO — The Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis has made significant progress in the investigation of the Feb. 3, 2025, homicide of 37-year-old Cody Rhodes, resulting in the arrest of three suspects. The investigation, which exemplifies the Squad’s effective bi-state collaboration, involved extensive coordination between law enforcement agencies across Illinois and Missouri. On the day of the incident, Dupo Police Department officers responded to reports of gunfire around 11:30 a.m. on Feb. 3 in the 100 block of N. 2nd Street. Upon arrival, they discovered two individuals with apparent gunshot wounds. Both victims were transported to local hospitals, where Cody Rhodes was pronounced dead. In the wake of the shooting, Dupo Police Chief Dennis Plew recognized the complexity of the case and activated the Major Case Squad, which mobilized quickly to assist in the investigation. The Squad, led by Sergeant Justin Biggs of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, comprised 18

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ALHAMBRA - Legendary Mustang Sanctuary will host a Valentine’s Music Trivia night to raise money for their horses and programs. On Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, community members are invited to the Wood River Moose Lodge for an evening of music trivia, an open bar and plenty of fun. Tickets cost $25 or a table of eight costs $200. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the trivia starts at 7 p.m. Kathy Lewis, who oversees the sanctuary, said it’s the perfect way to spend Valentine’s Day while helping a good cause. “What else do you do with your sweetheart?” Lewis asked. “Take your sweetheart, come to the trivia, bring your own little snacks, have a good time.” Lewis explained that Legendary Mustang Sanctuary rescues wild mustangs and burros from kill pens and rehabilitates them at their location in Alhambra. Their ultimate goal is to help these horses get adopted into loving families. They need funds to care for the horses and rescue as many as possible.

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Respiratory illnesses like influenza, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are leading to many people being seriously ill, overwhelming hospitals and health care providers across Illinois. Flu remains the dominant virus “We're seeing a lot of patients be positive with the flu. It makes you feel really bad with headache, body aches, chills, cough and fevers to name a few,” says Sarah Overton, chief nursing officer of OSF Medical Group, Home Care and Employee Health. “But we're also seeing some COVID-19 and RSV. RSV attacks very young children and older adults." All the viruses spiking at the same time have been "somewhat crippling" for healthcare providers, Overton says OSF HealthCare hospitals are seeing high inpatients counts, with many people coming in sick with respiratory illnesses through the emergency department. Across Illinois, nearly 20% of emergency department visits were for acute respiratory illness, according to the Illinois Department of

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RIVERBEND - As the Riverbend gears up for Super Bowl Sunday, one concerned mother is reminding people to plan a ride home and avoid impaired driving. Sheila Lockwood, a national ambassador with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), explained that the “Take a Minute. Make a Plan” campaign encourages community members to take 60 seconds to plan how they will safely travel after drinking. She emphasized the importance of this campaign during holidays and occasions where alcohol is prevalent, such as the Super Bowl. “Whatever you do this Sunday as you’re celebrating and watching the game, make sure that you get a safe ride home,” she said. Lockwood shared that her son, Austin, was killed by a drunk driver in 2018. She got involved with MADD and has dedicated her time to preventing drunk driving and creating consequences for those who drive under the influence. “Since that time, obviously my life was turned upside down,” she said. “I

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GRANITE CITY – An 18-year-old from Cahokia faces felony charges after invading a Granite City home and stealing electronics at gunpoint. Demetriz Hill, 18, of Cahokia, Ill., was charged with home invasion and armed robbery, both Class X felonies, and aggravated unlawful possession of weapons, a Class 4 felony. On Jan. 28, 2025, Hill allegedly entered a Granite City residence without authority while armed with a Glock .40 caliber handgun. Knowing the home was occupied, he reportedly threatened the occupant with “the imminent use of force,” according to court documents. Hill is also accused of stealing a PlayStation gaming console by threatening the use of force. A petition to deny Hill’s pretrial release states an Xbox was also taken from the home after a violent confrontation. He had no valid Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) card at the time of the offense. “Victim reported that an unknown subject entered her room with a firearm, demanding

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Here’s something new to bring up the next time you visit your health care provider: Should I undergo a CT calcium score screen to take stock of my heart health? It’s not for everybody, but it could mean the difference between a long, healthy life and finding yourself on an operating table. “The number one killer in the United States is heart disease,” says Ash Al-Dadah, MD , an interventional cardiologist at OSF HealthCare. “We have to do a better job. “This calcium scoring is a screening where we may say ‘Hey, you need to exercise more’ or ‘Hey, we just found out you have high blood pressure. Let’s control that.’ or ‘Hey, you’re a smoker. Maybe you need to quit that,’” he adds. “We go after the risk factors that precipitate and lead to heart disease. It’s a wake-up call. Getting ahead of things so you’re not coming in with a heart attack and damage to the heart muscle. At tha

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EAST ST. LOUIS - Kenneth Taylor, a senior at East St. Louis Senior High School, was honored Thursday afternoon, Feb. 6, 2025, with the SIUC Chancellor’s Scholarship, a prestigious award valued at $107,000. The announcement came during a surprise gathering attended by his family and several staff members from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, including Vice Chancellor Williams, as well as school officials such as Principal Dr. Green and Associate Principal Ford. Taylor is among 34 students selected from a pool of over 600 high school students across Illinois for this scholarship, which covers full tuition, mandatory fees, housing, and food for four years. The scholarship is renewable annually, provided that Taylor maintains a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. In addition to his high school studies, Taylor is dually enrolled at East St. Louis Senior High School and is also earning his Associate's degree from Southwestern Illinois College through the Running Start program.

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O'FALLON, Ill. — Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS) has partnered with East St. Louis High School to sponsor a Healthcare Day for students in the Certified Nurses Assistant class of the Career Technical Education program. The event took place this week at HSHS St. Elizabeth's Hospital, providing students with a unique opportunity to explore various career paths in healthcare. During the event, students engaged in hands-on experiences and received insights into the diverse roles available within the hospital setting. HSHS expressed its enthusiasm for the initiative and said: "Students had an incredible day exploring the diverse career options available at HSHS St. Elizabeth's Hospital." The partnership aims to inspire and prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals, highlighting the importance of early exposure to career opportunities in the medical field. HSHS St. Elizabeth's Foundation has been actively involved in promoting such educational initiatives in the

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GRANITE CITY – Granite City High School had a pair freshmen place in the top-10 of the 2024 Fall Qualifier Microsoft Office Specialist Illinois State Championship, as announced by Certiport, the leading provider of performance-based IT certification exams that accelerate academic and career opportunities for learners. Cristian Marquez placed seventh in the Microsoft Office Specialist PowerPoint category, while freshman Eli Prange was eighth in the Microsoft Office Specialist Excel category. Marquez and Prange competed against students from across Illinois to earn this coveted placement. In addition to placing in their designated categories, both students earned the title “Microsoft Office Specialist” by obtaining certification in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. To compete in the Fall Qualifier, students aged 13 to 22 were eligible to participate in one of six competition tracks by submitting a qualified, passing score on the Microsoft Office Specialist

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CHICAGO — Today, Governor JB Pritzker visited two Chicagoland companies that do business with Canada to tour their facilities and meet with leadership about their business concerns regarding Trump’s Tax on Working Families. “As Governor, growing the Illinois economy and protecting our State’s businesses is always a priority,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “If Trump’s Tax on Working Families remains in effect, it could ultimately force businesses and supply chains to pass higher costs onto Illinois consumers. I heard directly from Illinois businesses owners and leaders today about how this would negatively impact their businesses, and I reassured them that together we will work to reduce the effect on them and on their customers.” International trade is an anchor of the Illinois economy, and ours is the single largest exporting state in the Midwest and fourth largest exporter in the United States. Many of Illinois’ jobs and economic

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EAST ST. LOUIS – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that a lighting improvement project on Interstate 55/64/70 will require lane restrictions during the weekends beginning, weather permitting, Saturday, Feb. 15. The project start has been moved because of the prediction of inclement weather next week. To complete the work, lane restrictions in both eastbound and westbound directions of I-55/64/70 from the Mississippi River to east of the Interstate 64 (Tri-Level) interchange will start on Saturdays at 5 a.m. and continue until Sundays at 5 p.m. The $8.85 million project, which involves removing the existing light towers and light poles and installing modernized LED streetlights along the interchange, is anticipated to be completed in summer 2026. Motorists should expect delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes. Drivers are urged to reduce speed, be alert for changing conditions, obey all construction signage, and refrain from using

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