Riverbender 🕸

O'FALLON, IL - Halloween is an exciting time of year for children, as they dress up in creative costumes, carve up pumpkins and gather lots of sweets. But while it can be an enjoyable experience, it isn’t without its preventable, safety risks. HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital and HSHS Medical Group encourage parents to become familiar with basic safety tips to make sure their kids stay safe on Halloween. “A lot of general Halloween safety tips focus on candy safety, but traffic is a greater risk in terms of injury to children now than the possibility of consuming unsafe candy,” noted Dr. Saba Bajwa, HSHS Medical Group family medicine pediatrician. “I encourage parents to check all candy for food allergies or choking hazards before giving it to younger children and recommend that they ration the candy so their kids can enjoy it over several days and weeks rather than consuming too much in one night.” According to Safe Kids Worldwide, on average, childre

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE – Lewis and Clark Community College’s N.O. Nelson Campus will open its doors to the public during an Open House on Thursday, Nov. 17. N.O. Nelson Interim Manager Dobbie Herrion wants people to see what assets are available to them. “We want to give people the chance to visit the facility and learn about the educational opportunities right in their own neighborhood,” Herrion said. “Visitors can apply for financial aid and scholarships, as well as find out what career paths are accessible through the N.O. Nelson Campus.” From general education classes to career programs in Process Operations Technology and Industrial Electricity, visitors will be able to tour the historic campus and see the high-level technology used to prepare students for employment. Academic and financial aid advisors will be on hand to answer questions and help students complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Financial Aid team members can als

Continue Reading

CHICAGO – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced distribution details for the $8.25 million in federal funding that he secured in the Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) Omnibus appropriations bill for electric buses. The funding, which was earmarked by Durbin for his Statewide Electric Bus and Charging Infrastructure Program, will go toward building up the state’s fleet of electric buses and constructing electric vehicle charging stations throughout Illinois. “If we plan to live and work in a true 21st-century economy, we must make way for electric vehicles in public transportation. Illinois has the workforce, institutions, and leadership to play an important role in the EV revolution,” Durbin said. “This funding will change the way that Illinoisans get around. I’m eager to see the Statewide Electric Bus and Charging Infrastructure Program take off with this substantial investment.”

Continue Reading

CHICAGO – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and U.S. Representatives Mike Quigley (D-IL-5), Sean Casten (D-IL-6), and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-9) sent a letter to the U.S. Postal Service Board of Governors to express their concern over the inadequate response to the rise in violent crime against mail carriers. The letter comes after the lawmakers received an apathetic response to a Durbin-led letter in July that called on Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to protect postal workers. Since 2018, mail carrier robberies have more than tripled from 80 robberies to more than 260 robberies in 2021. “We write to express concern with the inaction in response to the uptick in violence and crime committed against letter carriers in Chicago and around the country… Criminals frequently target carriers for their master keys, often reselling these keys to other criminals for thousands of dollars. We call upon the Board of Governors

Continue Reading

WOOD RIVER - The Ninian Edwards Chapter, NSDAR of Alton will dedicate crosses for unmarked graves at Vaughn Cemetery in Wood River on Veterans Day, at 10 a.m. Friday, November 11, 2022. The event will begin with a Veterans Day memorial service to honor men and women who served our Country. Flags have been placed on the graves of the twelve veterans buried at Vaughn Cemetery. The Chapter installed 29 white crosses representing 56 individuals buried in the cemetery with no marker. The Chapter will dedicate the crosses and the public is invited to attend the event and view the updated cemetery. The event is sponsored by the Ninian Edwards Chapter, NSDAR in cooperation with the Wood River Heritage Council and the City of Wood River. For questions regarding the event, contact Carol Borner, Regent (708) 227-6717.

Continue Reading

CHICAGO - With Powerball frenzy growing across the country, tonight’s jackpot has been increased from $610 million to $625 million, making it the eighth-largest jackpot in the game's 30-year history. The Powerball jackpot crossed the $600 million mark after no ticket matched all six numbers drawn Saturday night - white balls: 19-25-48-55-60 and red Powerball 18. Two Illinois Lottery players are on cloud nine following Saturday night’s draw. A local player won $100,000 after buying a winning ticket at a Speedway gas station in Buffalo Grove, and another lucky player won $50,000 with a ticket purchased at NBC Liquor and Tobacco in Carol Stream. With $625 million up for grabs in tonight’s Powerball draw, Illinois residents are lining up at their local lottery stores and jumping online to the Illinois Lottery website to snatch up a ticket. Powerball tickets are $2 each, and players have the option to add Powerplay for an additional $1 for the chance to multiply non-jackpo

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE – The boil order that was issued Friday for sections of Edwardsville to the west of SIUE has been lifted. Residents can resume normal use of their water service. The boil order applied only to those properties using City water service to the west of Stadium Drive (west of SIUE). Two nearby apartment complexes, Parc at 720 and the Reserve, also were included in this boil order, along with properties on Sand Road, the Lakeview Commerce Center and Gateway Commerce Center Drive east of Interstate 255. The boil order was a result of a brief power outage late Friday afternoon at a City water treatment plant and nearby areas. Operational changes and checks that were required because of the power outage may have caused some discoloration for areas not affected by the boil order. On Saturday, Public Works employees flushed hydrants to address the issue. If you continue to experience cloudy or discolored water, please flush your water service line by turning on the cold water

Continue Reading

JERSEYVILLE - Southside Auto owner Pat Raymond is a thankful man today. A quick reaction by the Jerseyville Fire Department literally saved his business from possible massive destruction, he said late Saturday afternoon inside his shop. The Jerseyville Fire Department demonstrated on Saturday the importance of the small-town fire department to businesses and residences in their community. The dedication and training pay off in situations like the one that occurred in Jerseyville. Southside Auto is located at 1499 State Street in Jerseyville. The business has auto sales, and auto repair and also does auto body work and towing. Raymond said the fire was extinguished and contained in about 15 minutes. "I am very thankful for the Jerseyville Fire Department's quick response and putting the fire out so quickly," he said. "They did a great job and I can't thank them enough for what they did." A storage shed inside the Southside Auto complex caught fire and was destroyed and some siding

Continue Reading

GODFREY – Lewis and Clark Community College Nursing faculty and staff are planning the Jensen’s Little Heart Rummage Sale, Nov. 5-6, in the Hatheway Cultural Center Gallery to benefit the infant grandson of one of their own, who recently underwent heart surgery. Jensen Harris is the son of Elyzabeth and Chris Harris, of Bethalto, and grandson of L&C Nursing Professor Tracy Colburn, of Brighton. Prior to his birth in June, his family found out he would be born with major heart defects. According to Colburn, he has double outlet right ventricle (DORV-DTGA) with a large subpulmonic VSD, severe pulmonary stenosis, mild hypoplastic right ventricle, and tricuspid valve dysfunction. “This means both the aorta and pulmonary artery are switched and go to the right ventricle, which is smaller than it should be, and there’s a hole between the right and left ventricles,” she wrote in the family’s GoFundMe, which Colburn set up for the family after her grandson’s

Continue Reading

TROY - The AVTT Traveling Vietnam Wall was being hosted at Truck Centers, Inc. Training Center, 2376 Formosa Road in Troy October 20 to 23 . The wall was a moving experience for those who witnessed it and those in attendance expressed great appreciation to the Truck Centers, Inc. for bringing the Vietnam memorial to their community. Truck Centers, Inc., was a generous single sponsor of the wall visit. The wall was open 24 hours a day starting at 5 p.m. Thursday, October 20 , until closing at 1 p.m. on Sunday, October 23. "The Flagman’s Mission Continues” had 1,500 flags on both sides of the road where the wall was positioned. The 3x5-foot U.S. flags were installed on Tuesday, October 18 , in Troy, for a patriotic display on the way for people to see the Vietnam Memorial Wall. The takedown of the flags was Sunday, October 23. Jeff Hastings of "The Flagman's Mission Continues" said there was absolutely fabulous attendance for the Vietnam Wall replica and it was overwhelming,

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE – Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has again received national recognition via the Military Times’ Best for Vets: Colleges ranking. The recognition underscores the University’s commitment to successfully connect the military and civilian world through its Office of Military and Veteran Services. “Military and Veteran Services is honored that SIUE is recognized as a 2022 Best for Vets College,” said Telisha Reinhardt, assistant director of military and veteran services. “Not only is SIUE an institution that is accepting of veterans, but we also continuously strive for veterans to see themselves represented among all our diverse populations on campus. Being a veteran is an important part of one’s identity. I am proud SIUE has made profound efforts over the years to recognize that.” In 2021, Military and Veteran Services opened the Military and Veteran Resource Center (MAVRC) in the Morris University Center on the Edwardsville

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE – Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Early Childhood Center (ECC) provides high-quality care and education for the children of student-parents, faculty, staff and surrounding community members. “The ECC is committed to building partnerships with our families through open relationships that will nourish our school community,” said Lealia Williams, parent support specialist at the ECC. “We want families to feel accepted and welcomed, and to respect the uniqueness of each individual child.” One way that the ECC cultivates a strong learning environment is by emphasizing a joyful, playful climate through events like its Fall Welcome. This ECC tradition brought families together for a night of fun on Wednesday, Oct. 12. Children and their families enjoyed yoga, an obstacle course and a parachute activity while connecting with one another and building community. “It is such a good environment here at the Early Childhood Center,”

Continue Reading

CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced an Edwardsville, Illinois man was charged with dissemination and possession of child pornography. The case is part of the ongoing work of Raoul’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, which enables collaboration between federal and local law enforcement officials to apprehend offenders who download and trade child pornography online. Nicholas Misiak, 38, was charged in Madison County Circuit Court with seven counts of dissemination of child pornography, Class X felonies, each punishable by up to 30 years in prison and up to $100,000 in fines. He was also charged with four counts of possession of child pornography, Class 2 felonies, each punishable by up to seven years in prison. “Exploiting children through child pornography is a heinous crime, often leaving victims and their families with a lifetime of trauma and emotional scars,” Raoul said. “Perpetrators who prey on innocent children must be

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE – The Public Works Department Water Division has issued a boil order for properties west of SIUE in Edwardsville, in what’s known as the lower pressure zone. Affected areas also include the Reserve and Parc at 720 apartment complexes on New Poag Road, the Lakeview Commerce Center, and the section of the Gateway Commerce Center east of Interstate 255. Any properties with City water service on Sand Road also are affected. You will be under a boil order until further notice. When boiling water, please make sure the water comes to a rolling boil for at least 5-7 minutes. For more information on the status of this order, please feel free to call the 24-hour water hotline at 618-692-7503 or the Public Works Office from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at 618-692- 7535. Thank you for your cooperation; we apologize for any inconvenience.

Continue Reading

ALTON - Eddie Mae Harrison is a woman who will never be forgotten in the Alton community for her life of service. Rev. Jason Harrison, Eddie Mae’s son, said she went to her new heavenly home on October 14th, surrounded by family, at OSF St. Anthony’s Health Center. He described his mother as “a true pillar of the community” and a person who served "so unselfishly for so many years.” “She was dynamite in her 38 years as a pastor here in the Alton community,” he said. “She will be so missed.” Mother Harrison as she was called, graduated from Alton High in 1974. She attended Lewis and Clark Community College, studying business administration. She eventually met Rev. Gregory Harrison and married him on Aug. 11, 1979. The couple has three sons, Marcus A., Jason L., and Bryan J. Harrison. She was a constant cheerleader for her children and eventually grandchildren. Jason said if his mother was in attendance, her sons could always feel

Continue Reading

CHICAGO – If you’re feeling lucky, you might want to get your hands on a Powerball ticket. That’s because the jackpot for Saturday night’s drawing is now a whopping $580 million. So far this year, the Powerball jackpot has been won a total of five times, and this current jackpot is the game’s largest since April 2022. Illinois Lottery players have been doing their share of winning too. Just last week, an Illinois Lottery player became a newly minted-millionaire after buying a winning Powerball ticket worth $1 million at K N R Candy in Calumet City. Since January 2022, a total of five Illinois Lottery players have won prizes of $1 million or more with Powerball. With over 7,000 Illinois Lottery retailers across the State, lottery players can conveniently pick up a ticket at their local store - or they can login to the Illinois Lottery website or app and purchase a ticket online. Powerball tickets are $2 each, and players have the option to add the Powerpla

Continue Reading

ALTON - Marquette Catholic High School was instructed by Alton Police to execute a lockdown that started at 11:07 a.m. and ended at noon on Friday. Marquette Principal Tim Harmon said the Alton Police Department let them know about a search for suspects in close proximity and they immediately went down into lockdown mode. He said he greatly appreciated the quick response by Alton Police, thinking about the safety of those at Marquette. “There was no immediate danger, but we really appreciate the contact and I thought the faculty, staff, and students all did a great job of following our policies in regard to a lockdown,” he said. “Everyone handled it very well.”

Continue Reading

ALTON - Alton Police received an LPR hit at about 10:46 a.m. on Friday, October 21, 2022, indicating a stolen vehicle had just traveled southbound on U.S. 67, from Godfrey Road, towards the city limits of Alton. The vehicle was described as a blue Hyundai passenger vehicle and was reported stolen from St. Louis, Missouri. Alton Police Chief Marcos Pulido said several Alton Police Officers began responding to the general area. "A short time later, an Alton Police Department Detective observed the stolen vehicle on East 20th St., near Alby Street," Chief Pulido said. "This vehicle was driven by a subject who was wearing a ski mask. This vehicle accelerated at a higher rate of speed, at which time the detective briefly lost sight of the vehicle. "Moments later, the detective located the stolen vehicle again, but it was now being followed by a black Hyundai passenger vehicle. Upon observing the Alton Police Department Detective, both vehicles began fleeing southbound on Alby Street. "Whil

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE - Sugarfire 618, St. Louis BBQ Society, and Global Brew Tap House Edwardsville are coming together to host the inaugural 'Que & Brew Festival.' The event will run this weekend from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Edwardsville City Park located at 101 S Buchanan St. The event will host a pro series and backyard BBQ competition as well as a craft beer festival. There will be a wide variety of BBQ on offer and over 40 craft and domestic beers as well as craft cocktails. There will also be live music on both days. For more information including band lineups, beer selections, and BBQ competition schedules visit their website at www.edwqueandbrew.com .

Continue Reading

SPRINGFIELD - Land of Lincoln Honor Flight announces the final 2022 flight will take off on Tuesday, November 1 st from Springfield Abraham Lincoln Capitol Airport to Washington DC. Ninety-four (94) Central Illinois veterans – 1 World War II veteran, 5 Korean era veterans and 88 Vietnam era veterans - are ready to experience a day of appreciation for their service on Land of Lincoln Honor Flight’s Mission #64. These veterans and their eighty-three (83) Guardians (who cover the cost of their own expenses) will arrive at the airport Tuesday morning at 4:15 AM, having traveled from the 52 Illinois cities and communities of Argenta, Atlanta, Bath, Bement, Bloomington, Catlin, Champaign, Coffeen, Colchester, Cornland, Danville, Decatur, Delavan, Effingham, Findlay, Forrest, Franklin, Girard, Greenup, Gridley, Hillsboro, Jacksonville, Jerseyville, LaSalle, Lincoln, Mahomet, Marshall, Mason City, Mattoon, Meredosia, Morrisonville, Moweaqua, Normal, Oconee, Ogden, Oreana, Palmer,

Continue Reading