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WASHINGTON – Two men from McLeansboro, Illinois, located in the Southern part of the state near Mt. Vernon, IL., have been arrested on felony and misdemeanor charges related to their conduct during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Their actions and the actions of others are alleged to have disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election. Justin LaGesse, 37, and Theodore Middendorf, 36, both of McLeansboro, Illinois, are charged in a criminal complaint filed in the District of Columbia with felony destruction of property. In addition to the felony, LaGesse and Middendorf are charged with misdemeanor offenses of entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building, act of physical violence i

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ALTON/EDWARDSVILLE - The Alton and Edwardsville Overnight Warming Locations (OWLs) announced on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024, afternoon they are activating tonight starting at 5 p.m. Deliverance Temple at 1125 E. Sixth St. in Alton and First Baptist Church at 5534 St. Louis St. in Edwardsville will be open Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024, evening and overnight for anyone who would need a location to get out of the cold weather conditions. Watch Riverbender.com's weather forecast at Riverbender.com/Weather or call (618) 465-4545 to know when we are open. If the overnight forecast calls for a low temp of: 20 degrees or lower... we will be OPEN 21 degrees or higher... we will be CLOSED OWL made this statement: "Thank you for all you are doing for our community!"

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SPRINGFIELD – In 2023, the Illinois State Police’s (ISP) modernization of the Divisions of Patrol, the creation of Special Operation Groups focused on criminal interdiction, and the continued implementation of a data-focused command structure led to a decrease in interstate shootings and fatal crashes. These same enforcement strategies also yielded more arrests, as well as increases in gun and vehicle recoveries. “ISP saw a growing problem in Illinois, used data and first-hand expertise to efficiently address problems, and achieved results—the absolute model of what state government can and should do for its citizens,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “The decrease in fatal expressway shootings and crashes is an important step on the road to a safer Illinois, and I thank ISP for their innovation and dedication to advancing this work.” “As an agency, we’ve become more nimble and focused on data, making decisions based on where

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GODFREY - A new Mexican restaurant plans to open in Godfrey in the near future. Arandas MX Cocina, a company affiliated with El Maguey in Edwardsville and Florissant, Missouri, plans to open a new Mexican restaurant in the former Chic N Pig building at 3200 Godfrey Road. Two representatives for Arandas MX Cocina, Alejandro Ayala and Daniel Onate, wrote in a letter to village officials that they plan to open “a 100% family restaurant” at the location. “We bring Godfrey and its inhabitants a little piece of our Mexico,” they said. “We hope to establish a comfortable environment where children and adults feel at home. We will put all of our heart into this family project, and we hope to have the acceptance of the community.” They added that the El Maguey locations in Edwardsville serve “as a reference of what is planned” for their future restaurant in Godfrey. The Village Board of Trustees unanimously approved a liquor license

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CARROLLTON - Carrollton High School recently announced its first semester Honor Roll lists. They can be found at the link below. Carrollton High School Honor Roll

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GODFREY - The Godfrey Village Board of Trustees on Tuesday approved a change to the liquor license for Ruler Foods in Godfrey to allow the business to offer video gaming within its store after some discussion from village trustees. Trustees Sarah Woodman and Mike Fisher, who previously met with Ruler representatives and discussed video gaming licenses last year, said they were in favor of Ruler’s plan because of its success at other locations. Trustee Rick Lauschke added the business would not be solely focused on gaming. “It’s also a business here, too - it’s not just opening up a gaming parlor and doing nothing else,” Trustee Rick Lauschke said. “They’re just trying to, I’m assuming, add more revenue to the store.” Godfrey trustees previously put in place new rules and regulations regarding liquor and video game licenses for businesses within the village. Village officials determined that video gaming should not accoun

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WASHINGTON, DC – As Republicans and the anti-abortion movement continue their state-by-state attacks on reproductive healthcare in post-Roe America, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Susan Wild (D-PA-07) are introducing new legislation to protect every American’s right to access in -vitro fertilization (IVF) and other assisted reproductive technology (ART) services that millions of Americans need to have children—including Senator Duckworth herself, who relied on IVF to have her two daughters. Building on the lawmakers’ previously introduced Right to Build Families Act , this new legislation would establish a statutory right to access IVF and other ART services, thereby pre-empting any state effort to limit such access and ensuring no hopeful parent—or their doctors—are punished for trying to start or grow a family. “Since the Supreme Court threw out Roe v. Wade, our nation has seen a wave of Republican-led state

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Meredith Berkman, co-founder of Parents Against Vaping e-cigarettes (PAVe), to discuss FDA’s failure to protect children from the dangers of vaping as the agency continues to miss and delay critical deadlines, including a missed federal court deadline on December 31, 2023. Durbin has repeatedly criticized FDA for failing to clear the market of addictive, kid-friendly e-cigarettes amid its long-overdue review of pre-market tobacco product applications (PMTAs) from e-cigarette manufacturers, which had a deadline of September 9, 2021. FDA has missed that court-ordered deadline by 28 months as unauthorized e-cigarettes flood the market and addict America’s children. “FDA is now 28 months past the original court-ordered deadline to complete its review of unauthorized e-cigarettes. That is not only unacceptable, it’s embarrassing. And the consequences for our children are devastating.

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ALTON - According to the latest federal data available, young adults in the United States continue to be more likely than their older counterparts to be experiencing symptoms of anxiety or depression. An analysis of the Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey finds that half (50%) of adults ages 18-24 reported anxiety and depression symptoms in 2023, compared to about a third of adults overall. The data also show that young adults are more likely than adults of any other age group to experience mental health symptoms. Since mental health continues to be a prominently identified community health priority in Madison County, OSF Saint Anthony’s Health Center – Psychological Services (1 Saint Anthony’s Way, 3 rd Floor, Alton, IL, 62002) will be offering FREE and confidential depression and anxiety screenings on the first Friday monthly beginning Friday, February 2. A referral for screening is not required but a scheduled appointment is necessary. Limited slots

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met with leaders and members from the Illinois Soybean Association to discuss Illinois’s agricultural priorities as Congress works to reauthorize the Farm Bill. Duckworth and the members discussed the importance of supporting inland waterways, increasing Illinois’s agricultural exports markets and improving farm safety net programs. A photo from today’s meeting can be found on the Senator’s website. “America has always depended on our nation’s farmers to grow the food and fuel we need, and I’m proud to advocate for them on both the national and international stage,” Duckworth said. “The work of Illinois’s farmers is so important to the strength of our state and our nation, and I look forward to continuing my work with the Illinois Soybean Association and farmers across the state to make sure they have the resources and information they need.” Global

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned witnesses during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled “Five Years of the First Step Act : Reimagining Rehabilitation and Protecting Public Safety.” The law serves as a beacon for “smart on crime” policies, and the hearing examined its successes and impact. Durbin first questioned Matthew Charles, a First Step Act beneficiary after serving over two decades in prison and now a Senior Policy Advisor at FAMM (formerly Families Against Mandatory Minimums), about his personal experience and how Congress can continue to improve and build upon the First Step Act. “There was a moment when your life turned around. Was that all your decision and your experience? Was it something external that made a difference to you that you think could help someone else in the future?” Durbin asked. Mr. Charles responded that he felt

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today took to the Senate floor to deliver a speech on his new bipartisan legislation with U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS) to reauthorize funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Oral Health program for the next five years. In his remarks, Durbin spoke about the impetus of the Promoting Dental Health Act, hearing stories from across Illinois, including rural and dental shortage areas, where children with tooth decay and other dental conditions faced extensive wait times to access necessary treatment while facing excruciating pain. Durbin began his speech by recognizing the highest enrollment numbers to date for health insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act. Durbin recalled his own experience being uninsured when his family faced health complications, and reiterated the importance of ensuring quality, accessible health care options for Americans. “Last week, we

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MITCHELL - A tiny town in Illinois just got some huge news. An Illinois Lottery retailer in Mitchell is celebrating big after selling a winning $1 million Mega Millions ticket. The ticket was purchased for the Tuesday, January 16 drawing at 508 Variety Shop, located at 508 E. Chain of Rocks Road in Mitchell, IL, an unincorporated community located outside of St. Louis with a population of just over 1,000. “This really is huge news for our town,” exclaimed Amber Ronk, owner of 508 Variety Shop. “Mitchell is a very small town - blink and you might miss it. I am so excited for the winner!” When asked if she suspects who the winner might be, Ronk said, “I’m willing to bet the winner is a regular of ours. 90% of our customers are local residents who come in almost every day. I hope I find out who won so we can bask in the joy with them!” Not only is this news big for the winner, but also for the shop owner. “This is exciting news for

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JOLIET – On January 18, 2024, at approximately 4:32 a.m., Illinois State Police (ISP) officials investigated a two-vehicle traffic crash involving an ISP trooper’s squad car that was hit by a motorist who failed to move over on the ramp of Interstate 55 southbound to Interstate 80 eastbound in Will County. On the above date and time, an ISP Troop 3 trooper’s fully marked squad car was stationary on the ramp with its emergency lights activated responding to a report of a tire in the roadway. A silver Lincoln approaching the area, failed to move over, and struck the rear of the ISP squad car. No injuries were reported. The driver of the Lincoln, 63-year-old Joseph A. Gemini of Bolingbrook, IL, was charged with Move Over Law – Failure to Yield to Stationary Emergency Vehicle. In 2023, ISP had 21 Move Over Law-related crashes. In 2022, ISP had 23 Move Over Law-related crashes where eight Troopers sustained injuries. ISP is reminding the public of the requirements

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Madison County Board Executive Committee and State’s Attorney Tom Haine had several questions for County Chairman Kurt Prenzler after a reported ethics violation. While on county property and during work hours, Prenzler allegedly gave a political business card with his phone number handwritten on the card to a vendor. He also gave a card to an assistant state’s attorney in a separate incident. Prenzler was found in violation by Ethics Advisor Bruce Mattea, based on concerns that he was electioneering on county time and property. During the Executive Committee meeting on Jan. 17, 2024, Prenzler answered questions about both incidents. He said he took the card out of his wallet to give the vendor his phone number, not to campaign. He also pointed out that the vendor was not a Madison County voter. “I really didn’t think about it,” Prenzler said. “I just pulled out something to write on, something small that I could give to

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FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS - U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe announced Thursday that the Southern District of Illinois collected $3,414,959.96 in criminal and civil actions in fiscal year 2023. Of this amount, $1,951,689.87 was collected in criminal actions and $1,463,270.09 was collected in civil actions. Additionally, Southern District of Illinois employees worked with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and components of the Department of Justice to collect an additional $4,148,633.35 in jointly pursued cases. Of this amount, $9,266.10 was collected in criminal actions and $4,139,367.25 was collected in civil actions. “Throughout the last fiscal year, federal prosecutors and financial litigation staff worked tirelessly to collect millions of dollars in restitution from individuals charged with fraud and other crimes,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “These funds help support victims regain a sense of normalcy and offer assistance to law enforcement officers with

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GODFREY - The Village of Godfrey Planning Commission Board approved a proposal 7-0 for a new cannabis dispensary in the old Woody’s Chicken building in Godfrey at a Wednesday meeting. Godfrey Mayor Mike McCormick said the proposal for the new business will be voted on at the Village Board’s next meeting on Feb. 6, 2024. McCormick said as of right now the village is trying to develop a plan for a special use permit where the tax benefits could benefit residents of all of Godfrey if it is approved.

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COTTAGE HILLS - The Cottage Hills Bar, Grill and Market on West MacArthur Drive in Cottage Hills encountered significant damage in a fire that occurred in the evening of Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024. Firefighters had the fire under control about an hour afte r a commercial box alarm was sounded. Cottage Hills was the main fire department on scene, but Bethalto, Wood River, Rosewood Heights and East Alton fire departments and the Madison County Emergency Management team also responded. The cause of the fire has not been released.

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CARROLLTON - The Carrollton Police Department has requested public assistance in locating a missing/runaway juvenile named Rylie. "Rylie has not been heard from since January 3, 2024," the Carrollton Police said. If you have seen Rylie or know where Rylie is, please immediately contact the Carrollton Police Department at (217) 942-3135.

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JERSEYVILLE - Jersey Community High School recently released the full list of all Honor Roll and High Honor Roll students recognized for the second quarter of the 2023-2024 school year. The full lists of both Honor and High Honor Roll students are available below: HIGH HONOR ROLL - SENIORS: Bell, Kyla A. Benner, Elena J. Berghoff, Kennedy E. Bierman, Madison P. Bilyeu, Elizabeth A. Bizaillion, Kennadi F. Bolds, Ryan M. Bowen, Ryan G. Bradshaw, Ella J. Brown, Ashlyn E. Cerentano, Nolan M. Chin, Connor C. Clarkson, Alexia M. Collins, Emily R. Conrad, Kutler R. Crawford, Tessa L. Crowe, Dora A. Crull, Skylar T. Darabcsek, Richard J. Davis, Erica E. Deist, Delaney R. Dial, Anna K. Dong, Vivian. Dougherty, Kathleen L. Drainer, Kaelyn N. Edgell, Aiden C. Edwards, Karlie L. Eschbach, Reese A. Fuse, Emma G. Gettings, Autumn R. Gibson, Madison M. Glass, Sierra L. Goetten, Wade H. Gray, Wyatt M. Griffith, Keegan M

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