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WORDEN - A volunteer firefighter from Worden faces multiple charges of child pornography and indecent solicitation of a child after disseminating child porn and more via X, formerly known as Twitter. Jared Henke, 20, of Worden, was charged with one count of child pornography (a Class X felony) and two counts of indecent solicitation of a child (both Class 1 felonies) stemming from Oct. 19, 2023. He was additionally charged with three more Class X felony counts of child pornography from offenses committed on June 12, 2023. On Oct. 19, 2023, he allegedly requested a child who he knew or should have known was under the age of 13 “to send nude photographs via the X application,” according to descriptions of the charges. He also reportedly solicited an individual under the age of 13 to perform sexual acts on multiple occasions. On June 12, 2023, Henke reportedly disseminated multiple files of child pornography via the X application, each depicting individuals he knew o

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FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS - Mueller Furniture, a family-owned business rooted in the Belleville community since 1927, has expanded its operations with a new location in Fairview Heights. This new facility, which features a 55,000-square-foot showroom, aims to provide customers with an all-in-one shopping experience for their furniture needs. The new facility opened on Nov. 4, 2024. Mark Mueller, of the company, can reflect on the long Mueller family history of ownership. He also emphasized the importance of personal service in a market dominated by large retail chains. Customer service has always been a high point of the Mueller Furniture business. "You can give back to the community and get a personalized, one-on-one shopping experience like you can’t get at the big box furniture stores," he said. Mueller Furniture serves a wide range of communities, including Belleville, the entire Metro East Illinois region, Lake St. Louis, Ellisville, and several areas in Missouri and Illinois.

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ALTON/GRANITE CITY - Over 130 students from Granite City Community Unit School District #9 received new pairs of shoes from an Alton-based nonprofit. All God’s Children Shall Have Shoes provides new shoes to kids from school districts across the Riverbend region. On Dec. 6, 2024, Granite City students were bussed to Famous Footwear at Alton Square Mall to pick out their shoes with the help of several volunteers, including Granite City officials. “This is one of the best programs I’ve ever seen,” said Granite City Mayor Mike Parkinson. “These kids get to pick out shoes that ordinarily they couldn’t get or some families just can’t afford. It’s good for us to know that these kids have a pair of warm shoes to put on their feet to get to school every day. It’s just a sense of pride for these kids. It’s a great, great program and really fun to watch these kids light up today.” On Dec. 6, 2024, Granite City students

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) announced that municipalities in Madison and St. Clair Counties will receive a combined $97,804 from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program. “Our first responders put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities and we must make sure they have the resources they need to stay safe on the job,” said Congresswoman Budzinski. “I’m thrilled to announce that the Metro East will receive $97,804 in federal grants to purchase critical equipment, address violent crime and strengthen relationships with the community. I’m proud to have advocated for these funds and I’ll continue to work to bring tax dollars back to Central and Southern Illinois.” "We are incredibly excited by the news of receiving funding from the Department of Justice for necessary protective equipment for our officers,” said

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ALTON - Community members are invited to meet with local artists and tour their studios. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7 and Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, Jacoby Arts Center and the Edwardsville Arts Center will sponsor ArtEast, a self-guided tour of local studios that ran for 15 years before it was discontinued in 2012. Community members can stop at 19 locations across the Riverbend region to meet with 29 artists and see their work. “We’re really interested in elevating the arts on the Metro East side, including our artists,” said Beth Browne, director of the Edwardsville Arts Center (EAC). “So these collaborations are really important, and the ultimate goal with ArtEast is to spread this across the Metro East, to get these art centers as hubs to connect to their local artists.” Community members are encouraged to visit as many stops as they want. The Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau has created an interactive map of the studios , s

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ALTON — The Alton Police Department announced charges on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, against three individuals in connection with a triple shooting that took place at 11:42 p.m. on Nov. 15, 2024, in the 1000 block of Tremont Street, across from Lovejoy Elementary School. The suspects, identified as William E. Brown, 42, of Alton, Chris O. Bock, 26, and Diondray T. Carpenter, 26, both of Peoria, face multiple charges, including home invasion, aggravated battery with a firearm (three counts), and aggravated discharge of a firearm. Following an extensive investigation led by the Alton Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division, arrest warrants for all three suspects were signed by the Honorable Judge Jumper on Nov. 21, 2024. All suspects are currently in custody. The investigation utilized various surveillance systems throughout the Alton area and received critical support from multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Peoria Police Department, Peoria County

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ALTON - A six-year-old boy in Austin, Texas, is drawing attention to a piece of history through his fascination with Robert Wadlow, the tallest man ever recorded. Michael, the son of Bethany Bastura, has been captivated by Wadlow's story for months and chose to honor him by dressing as the towering figure for Halloween. Michael’s mother shared her son’s enthusiasm in a recent submission to Riverbender.com. She noted that Michael has been actively spreading awareness about Wadlow, who reached a height of 8 feet 11.1 inches, making him the world's tallest man. “He has been spreading the history of Mr. Wadlow to all of our family, friends, and neighbors, and they have all said that they didn't know anything about him until now,” Bethany said. The family documented Michael's Halloween costume, which they shared with friends and neighbors before trick-or-treating. Bethany expressed interest in connecting with a local historical society to share Michael’s

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Approaching the New Year, you may be considering things like Dry January or giving up alcohol entirely. If you’re looking for more reasons to switch from cocktails to mocktails, the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)’s newest study may encourage you to embrace sobriety. The AACR published its 2024 Cancer Progress Report , showcasing that excessive alcohol use increases an individual’s risk of developing six types of cancer. - Certain types of head and neck cancer - Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma - Breast cancer - Colorectal cancer - Liver cancer - Stomach cancers The study goes on to say that in 2019, 5.4% of cancers were attributed to alcohol consumption. The AACR’s research suggests that by drinking less, or not at all, it can decrease your risk of getting the above-mentioned cancers by 8% and lessen the risk of all cancers by 4%. Jeanna Rich is an oncology registered dietitian with OSF Cancer Support Services. She says that part

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ALTON - Alton Little Theater (ALT) is preparing for the holiday season and a jam-packed new year between their upcoming production of “ A Christmas Carol ” and plenty of entertainment already lined up for 2025. 7:30 p.m. showings for “A Christmas Carol” are set for Dec. 13, 14, 15, 19 & 20, 2024, while matinees will be shown on Dec. 15, 21 & 22, 2024 at 2 p.m. Tickets for the production are nearly sold out, so if they don’t appear on the website , call the Box Office at 618-462-3205 to ask about availability. ALT Executive Director Lee Cox and Artistic Director Kevin Frakes discussed the theater’s next production and some of what’s in store for next year on the latest “Theater Thursday” segment on Our Daily Show! on Riverbender.com . “It’s exciting, it really is,” Frakes said. “The cast is great, it’s going to be a great show.” Frakes has been hard at work building the

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On December 6, 1924, Lincoln School student Emery Bricker won the Alton Township spelling contest. He spelled 100 words correctly out of 100. Two Horace Mann students rounded out the top three: Thelma Chapman came in second (96 words), and Adolph Clayton came in third (93 words). Bricker and Chapman went on to compete at the County Spelling Contest in Edwardsville on December 13, where about forty students from across Madison County participated. In spelling the first 100-word list, three students missed none. Those three students were given a list of 25 additional words, and the results showed the following ranks: 1st - Virginia Highlander from New Douglas 2nd - John Monroe from Collinsville 3rd - Olive Hill from St. Jacobs 4th - Iris Cooley from East Alton Emery Bricker tied for 5th place with three other students. He was not named in the article, but the Alton Evening Telegraph noted that one of the 5th-place students went to Lincoln School, and Bricker was the only possibility

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SPRINGFIELD - The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal, Camp I Am Me by Illinois Fire Safety Alliance and the Illinois Community Risk Reduction Taskforce launched the first-ever statewide smoke alarm installation blitz the week of October 20th in conjunction with Fire Prevention Month. “Data shows that nearly 59% of home fire deaths were caused by fires in properties with no working smoke alarms, almost three out of every five home fire deaths in the U.S. resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or non-working. These are scary statistics as fires burn hotter and faster due to synthetic construction materials in modern construction reducing escape times to less than 3 minutes,” said Illinois State Fire Marshal James A. Rivera. I encourage all departments across the state to engage with their residents and stress the importance of having working smoke alarms in their homes.” “The Be Alarmed! Smoke Alarm Installation Program continues to help keep

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Every year, on January 31st, chocolate lovers across the United States indulge in the rich, velvety goodness of hot chocolate to celebrate National Hot Chocolate Day. This day is not just an opportunity to sip a warm beverage but also a chance to explore creative variations and recipes that elevate this classic drink beyond the traditional cup of cocoa. In this article, we will delve into the history of hot chocolate, explore its many forms, and provide you with some fun and delicious recipes to try at home as the weather turns colder and National Hot Chocolate Day approaches. A Brief History of Hot Chocolate Hot chocolate has a rich history that dates back to ancient Mesoamerican cultures, where cacao beans were used to create a frothy beverage that was often spiced with chili and flavored with vanilla. The drink was considered sacred, consumed primarily by the elite and used in ceremonial practices. When the Spanish conquistadors brought cacao back to Europe in the 16th century,

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December 6th has witnessed its fair share of significant events that have shaped the course of history across various domains. One of the most profound global events occurred in 1989 when the École Polytechnique massacre took place in Montreal, Canada. On that fateful day, Marc Lépine entered the engineering school and targeted female students, resulting in the tragic deaths of 14 women and injuries to many others. This horrific incident shocked the nation and sparked a nationwide conversation about gender-based violence and misogyny. In the aftermath, December 6th has been commemorated as the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women in Canada, serving as a solemn reminder of the need for ongoing advocacy and action towards gender equality and the safety of women. Moving to a different realm, December 6th, 1917, marked a significant maritime disaster known as the Halifax Explosion. A French cargo ship, SS Mont-Blanc, laden with high-explosives,

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GODFREY - Freer Auto Body hosted their annual Cookies and Cocoa event to raise money for Community Christmas. Now in its 16th year, Cookies and Cocoa collects toys and monetary donations to be distributed to 12 different agencies, which then give the items to families in need during the holiday season. From 4–6 p.m. on Dec. 5, 2024, community members could stop by Freer Auto Body at 4512 N. Alby St. in Godfrey to drop off donations and enjoy cookies, hot cocoa and a visit with Santa. “So many people support this,” said Margaret Freer, owner of Freer Auto Body and organizer of Community Christmas. “We have such a giving community.” The event on Thursday at Freer Auto Body raised more than $2,300 for Community Christmas. Margaret Freer said that anyone who still wants to contribute to visit the Freer Office and if contributed through a check, make sure it is written out to Community Christmas. She said any donations would immediately go toward the

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GLEN CARBON – Coach Cory Clouser and the Father McGivney Catholic High School boys basketball team have made a strong impression early in the 2024-2025 season, boasting a record of four wins against just one loss. The team recently achieved a milestone by winning the Mulberry Grove Thanksgiving Tournament, marking the first time in school history that they have claimed this title, with a close victory over Maryville Christian, 49-43. The McGivney boys are the Byron, Carlson, Petri & Kalb Male Athletes of the Month. Clouser described the start of the season as “amazing,” highlighting the collaborative effort that led to the tournament win. “It was a team effort to capture the Mulberry Grove Tournament and to start so strong. We are getting contributions from everyone. I am very proud of our efforts,” he said. Key players in this successful run include senior David Carroll and junior Chase Jansen, both serving as captains and helping to guide the team

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ELSAH - The public was invited to Principia College to watch the excavation of a mastodon. On Dec. 5, 2024, dozens of community members gathered at Principia College campus in Elsah to watch as Dr. Andrew Martin and his archeology students worked on excavating the skull of a 27,500-year-old mastodon. The students have so far uncovered the mastodon’s skull and a tusk. “It’s 27,500 years old, it’s been lying in this acidic soil for that time, and it’s the first time it’s moved,” Martin explained. “We’re going to be working on getting the skull of the mastodon up. Now, that skull, there’s only about half of it, but it’s the half that’s kind of important with four teeth in it still intact. It’s a pretty dangerous job, because at this point you have to wrench it out of the ground.” Martin, Chair of the Sociology/Anthropology Department at Principia, has been working on excavating the mastodon skeleton

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ROXANA — Troy Rahn, a junior at Roxana High School, will return to the Illinois All-State Honors Chorus for the second consecutive year. Rahn, who will perform as Bass 1, is among the highest-scoring vocalists in the state. The choir is scheduled to rehearse over three days before presenting a concert at the Peoria Civic Center on Feb. 1, 2025. In the fall of 2024, more than 10,000 students from elementary, junior high, and high schools across Illinois participated in a virtual audition process for the Illinois Music Education Association (ILMEA) District Festivals. Of those who auditioned, over 7,000 were selected to showcase their talents in various musical ensembles, including bands, orchestras, choruses, and jazz groups. Among the participants, 1,500 students in grades 9-12 were chosen for the prestigious ILMEA All-State Student Programs, which will take place in Peoria, from Jan. 29, 2025, to Feb. 1, 2025. This program not only features performing ensembles but also includes

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GRANITE CITY - A Christmas concert under the direction of Carolyn Jenkins is set for 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, at the First United Presbyterian Church 2160 Delmar in Granite City. The concert - titled “Joy To The World” will feature the Master’s Voice Choir. No tickets are required. A free will offering will be taken.

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GODFREY - T he former home of the Godfrey Fire Protection District has been sold by the village following approval from the Village Board on Tuesday. This past spring, the Godfrey Fire Protection District moved into an all-new facility at 3023 Godfrey Road. Their former Fire Station 2 at 1712 West Delmar Ave. was then deemed “surplus property” by the village, which later published a notice of sale. The village has since received an offer to purchase the property, according to a resolution passed at this week’s meeting. The identity of the purchaser and their future plans for the property were not publicly disclosed. The property was listed for sale with Antoine Williams at Tarrant & Harman Real Estate and Auction Co. An online listing for the property shows a price of $400,000 for the 5,600 square-foot building, which was constructed in 1976. With no further discussion or debate, village trustees unanimously approved the resolution, accepting

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CHICAGO – Today, the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) cut portions of Illinois American Water’s rate increase request for water and sewer services. The ICC's decision reduces Illinois American Water’s rate request by approximately 30 percent for an overall increase of $110 million. The decision also approves a 9.84 percent return on equity (ROE) for the company, a reduction from the utility’s requested 10.75 percent ROE. Starting July 1, 2025, Illinois American Water will expand its existing low-income discount program to provide a 10 to 80 percent monthly total bill credit for customers whose incomes are up to 300 percent of the federal poverty level. Eligible customers should sign up directly through Illinois American Water. Customers struggling to pay their water bills are encouraged to see if they are eligible for Illinois American’s existing low-income discount program and customer assistance programs . “Illinoisans should have access

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