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ALTON - St. Mary’s Catholic Church has welcomed Alton’s newest parochial vicar to their ranks. Father Jorge Sanchez was recently ordained as a priest in the Catholic Church. He will now serve as the parochial vicar at St. Mary’s, meaning he will be at St. Mary’s until he is reassigned to another parish. Sanchez said he is looking forward to spending time in Alton and sharing his faith with the Riverbend community. “I’m here for as long as God wants me to be here in Alton, here in St. Mary’s,” he explained. “The people of St. Mary’s have been very welcoming and very loving, so I’m here for quite some time.” Sanchez said his priesthood was “a long time coming.” Living in California, he became inspired after connecting with several priests in 2006. The priests were “down-to-earth and so approachable,” and Sanchez realized that he wanted the peace and wisdom that they had. “I saw

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EDWARDSVILLE - Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski and Edwardsville Mayor Art Risavy held a press conference to discuss a $21,241,730 grant that the City of Edwardsville has received from the U.S. Department of Transportation. The grant is part of the federal Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) program. The money will fund the Goshen Road and Liberty Trail Multimodal Transportation Improvement Project, which will introduce improvements along Goshen Road and Old Troy Road. Risavy noted that this “incredibly impactful project” goes beyond creating a shared-use path. “We see this project as an opportunity,” Risavy said. “We see it as jobs, so many great jobs for the many companies in a highly skilled workforce in the area…We see it as connectivity, creating new options for recreation, for employment, for shopping and for all the other daily journeys we make during our lifetime. We see this project as environmental

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GRAFTON - Pere Marquette State Park in Grafton has recently been named among the top 10 “Hidden Gem State Parks” in the U.S. A guide published by HomeToGo ranks Pere Marquette at #6 among a list of other “hidden gem” destinations which are as follows: Cheraw State Park - South Carolina Rock Cut State Park - Illinois Caledonia State Park - Pennsylvania Montauk State Park - Missouri Talimena State Park - Oklahoma Pere Marquette State Park - Illinois Black Rock Mountain State Park - Georgia Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park - California Grandfather Mountain State Park - North Carolina Cape Lookout State Park - Oregon Each park listed is considered a “hidden gem” based on low online search volumes for vacation rental stays with a check-in date between Aug. 1, 2024 - July 31, 2025. Despite appearing in less of these searches, each of these locations boasts high scores in categories of popularity, size, trails, wildlife and natural

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SOUTH ROXANA — There is excitement in South Roxana as the long-awaited senior center project finally takes its first steps toward becoming a reality. This project, a symbol of community, wellness, and unity, has transcended multiple administrations and is now moving forward with construction. Mayor TJ Callahan and Village Administrator Bob Coles delve into the process behind this monumental achievement. A Vision Realized "Today, I am proud to announce that we are moving forward with the construction for our senior center," Mayor Callahan began, his enthusiasm evident. " This project is a testament to our shared vision and unwavering perseverance.” Village Administrator Bob Coles has been instrumental in this journey, dedicating years to this cause. His unwavering commitment to the community has been a driving force behind the project. "Bob faced numerous challenges and rejections, yet he never wavered," Mayor Callahan noted. "His innovative approach to overcoming financial

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MO. — On Monday, Aug. 12, 2024, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office issued charges against Tony Artice, Jr., 37, of the 7300 block of Grand Drive, St. Louis, for leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death. Artice is currently held on a $25,000 cash-only bond. The charges stem from an incident that occurred on Aug. 11, 2024. At approximately 5:52 p.m., St. Louis County Police received a call regarding an accident involving a motorcyclist and an SUV that had fled the scene. The motorcyclist, identified as Michael Bartholomew, 41, of the 400 block of Constellation Drive in Arnold, Mo., was transported to Mercy Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. According to the probable cause statement, Artice arrived at a St. Louis County Police Department precinct at approximately 7:30 p.m. on the same day to report his involvement in the accident. He admitted to driving the SUV that struck Bartholomew's motorcycle. Authorities later located

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SPRINGFIELD – Adults aged 60 and older can enter the Illinois State Fair for free on Monday, Aug. 12, and those who visit the Illinois Building will leave with health and wellness resources, freebies, and prizes. “We are excited to welcome nearly 100 state and community partners to the fairgrounds to offer health screenings and information to older adults,” said Illinois Department on Aging (IDoA) Acting Director Mary Killough. “We’ll also be hosting special programming on Senior Day, including bingo and the crowd-pleasing Not So Newlywed Game.” The Illinois Building will open at 9 a.m. for older adults and their family members to visit with local vendors and exhibitors. The building is air conditioned, has restrooms, and offers a limited number of motorized wheelchairs for rent. A schedule of major events and activities is below: 10:30 a.m. – Opening remarks by IDoA Acting Director Mary Killough and other dignitaries 11 a.m. &ndash

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EDWARDSVILLE - One of the Riverbend’s largest farmers markets is well underway in Edwardsville as the Land of Goshen Community Market continues for its 28th year. The market, which features a wide variety of fresh produce, meats, homemade jams and jellies, potted plants, and much more, is open from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. every Saturday until Oct. 19, 2024. Ann Harrington, the market’s manager and executive director, said the market’s diverse selection of items were each crafted locally to the Edwardsville area. “Every year, we welcome farmers, artisans, bakers, folks that make jam and jelly, jewelry,” Harrington said. “Everything is made within 100 miles of downtown Edwardsville. It’s a great place, we love it!” She added that the next market on Aug. 17, 2024 will be relocated to the N.O. Nelson campus of Lewis and Clark Community College, located at 600 Troy Road in Edwardsville, to accommodate the Edwardsville Rotary Criterium

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), U.S. Representatives Madeleine Dean (D-PA-04), Danny Davis (D-IL-07), Delia Ramirez (D-IL-03), and 30 lawmakers in sending a letter urging student loan servicer Navient to reform its flawed process to cancel the private student loans of borrowers who attended fraudulent, for-profit colleges. The lawmakers argued that ??under the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Holder Rule and due to Navient’s misconduct, the company is liable for these predatory loans—and the school misconduct discharge application it has set up to relieve them is opaque and insufficient. On April 17, 2024, Durbin joined Warren and seven other Senators in writing to Navient, urging the servicer to cancel private student loans pushed onto borrowers attending fraudulent, for-profit colleges that the servicer is responsible for. In its response, dated May 8, 2024, Navient claimed that it i

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CHICAGO - Today, Governor Pritzker signed SB3514, designating the Calvatia gigantea, commonly known as the “giant puffball,” as the official mushroom of the State of Illinois. Senate Bill 3514 began as an initiative led by elementary school students from Prairie School of DuPage in Wheaton, who embarked on a civic journey to see their chosen mushroom recognized as a state symbol. “Today we celebrate not only a new state symbol, but the hard work and dedication of our state’s young leaders,” said Governor JB Pritzker . “The giant puffball will now stand as a testament to the curiosity and determination of the bright students of Illinois, who have shown us that even the youngest among us can make a difference.” “Thanks to the passionate advocacy of the Prairie School students, Illinois is deepening our connection to the natural world,” said Lt. Governor Julianna Stratton . “Now a cherished state symbol, the giant puffball

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CHICAGO - Governor JB Pritzker today signed into law Senate Bill 3463, an amendment to the Juvenile Court Act, which creates a clear process for implementation of already existing juvenile expungement laws. ? “It is no secret that the procedures of our court system can be difficult to navigate. People deserve to know what resources and rights are available to them,” said Governor JB Pritzker . “By cutting red tape and creating a process where expungement is more accessible, we can create more opportunities for more people who perhaps made a mistake when they were young, as we all have. This is a step in the right direction and I am proud to sign this legislation.” “The juvenile justice system is grounded in the science of juvenile and adolescent brain development,” said Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice Director Robert Vickery. “This legislation recognizes that young people may make mistakes on their path to adulthood, but

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ST. LOUIS, MO. – Today, Mayor Jones’ administration issued a Request for Proposal soliciting proposals from Certified Public Accountants to provide audit services to the Board of Education of the City of St. Louis. “Our parents and families deserve answers,” said Mayor Tishaura O. Jones. “The children of St. Louis and the future of our City are suffering due to mismanagement. Parents and students in St. Louis deserve a school board that is held to the highest standard of financial accountability.” State law (Section 165.181, RSMo.) requires the Mayor to appoint this auditor “at the close of each fiscal school year.” The same law requires the school district to pay for this auditor. The RFP calls for an audit period of three fiscal years starting with the 2023 - 2024 fiscal year ending June 30, 2024. According to district budget documents, the school district’s general operating budget went from a surplus of $17 million to a projected

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced Gov. JB Pritzker signed into law his legislation to clarify that Illinois’ child pornography laws apply to images and videos created by artificial intelligence (AI) technology. The measure builds on the work being done by Attorney General Raoul’s office, in collaboration with state and federal law enforcement agencies, to crack down on child sexual abuse images throughout Illinois. “I initiated this legislation because AI-generated child sexual abuse images are an increasing concern that need to be addressed before technology outpaces our ability to distinguish between AI images and images of real children,” Raoul said. “Just like child sexual abuse images containing real children, AI-generated child pornography is used by predators to lure and groom minors and to normalize their own reprehensible behavior and child sexual abuse. Gov. Pritzker’s signature today will help us address

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ALTON - Alton Main Street’s quarterly information exchange, called “What’s Up Downtown”, will be held on Tuesday, August 13th at 5:30 p.m. at the iMerge Community Center, located in the Riverbender building at 200 W. 3rd Street in Alton, Illinois. The public is invited to learn the latest news regarding developments in Alton’s historic downtown district, including updates from new & existing businesses, news on real estate transactions and details of upcoming events and projects. You’ll be in the know on topics from the evening’s featured speakers, including: - Lisa Brown from The Renaissance X - Markus Boyd from My Just Desserts - Sparkle Sims from Precious Diamond Boutique - Jen Farley from Persnickity by Jen Farley - Alton Main Street will share a synopsis of what was learned through the survey recently taken by 1,500+ community members, which will inform the organization’s strategic plan for the next 3 years. New this year,

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BRUSSELS/EDWARDSVILLE/BELLEVILLE - The St. Louis Shakespeare Festival will cross the river to bring “The Tempest” to three local parks. On Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024, audiences can stop by Brussels Heritage Park in Brussels to catch the show. The production will return to the Riverbend on Friday, Aug. 16, 2024, at City Park in Edwardsville, then on Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024, at Bellevue Park in Belleville. The show runs from 6:30–8 p.m. and is completely free for audiences to attend. “Whatever barriers there might be, we want to just swat those out of the way,” explained Producing Artistic Director Tom Ridgely. “If it’s the cost of the ticket, forget about that. If it’s a river or a bridge or a road that you’re not used to crossing over, we’ll go ahead and cross that ourselves and meet you where you are. We want to make it as easy as possible for folks to just try it out if they haven’t tried it out before.” Ridgl

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ALTON – Country music sensation Scotty McCreery delivered a stellar performance at the Alton Amphitheater on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, marking a significant success for the venue and the city. The event, organized by the Alton Amphitheater Commission, drew a large crowd, with perfect weather contributing to the evening's success. "We are always thrilled when we bring a national act to Alton. The show was a huge success; people loved it. Scotty put on a great show, and the weather was perfect. By all accounts, it was a home run," said Dan Herkert, Chair of the Alton Amphitheater Commission. McCreery, who has been a prominent figure in the country music scene since winning "American Idol" in 2011, showcased his down-to-earth personality and genuine connection with fans during the event. "Just in the little bit of chance I had before the show, I could see what a very down-to-earth artist he is. He is not one that has an ego. It was great to see him interact with the meet-and-greet

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BELLEVILLE – The St. Clair County Sheriff's Department has announced the passing of retired Deputy Kenneth Joseph, a dedicated public servant whose career spanned over two decades in law enforcement. Joseph, who graduated from Freeburg Community High School in 1958, began his career by serving in the United States Navy for four years. After his military service, he pursued higher education and earned a degree in Criminal Justice from McKendree College. Joseph's law enforcement career commenced in the Village of Freeburg, where he served as a police officer before joining the St. Clair County Sheriff's Department in 1973. Joseph spent 22 years with the St. Clair County Sheriff's Department, retiring in 1995. His contributions to the community were significant, and he is remembered for his unwavering commitment to public safety. "We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family of retired St. Clair County Sheriff’s Deputy, Mr. Kenneth Joseph," stated the department in a

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ALTON — A fire early Sunday morning, Aug. 11, 2024, completely gutted an unoccupied house undergoing renovation in the 2600 block of Salu Street in Alton, according to local authorities. Firefighters responded to the blaze after receiving a call at 5 a.m. Upon arrival, they found the brick house fully engulfed in flames, with fire burning through the roof. Alton firefighters immediately called for assistance from the East Alton Fire Department. Despite their combined efforts to battle the fire defensively, the house was ultimately gutted and the roof was destroyed. The intense heat from the blaze also caused damage to a neighboring house on the west side, resulting in melted siding and a broken window. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

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BELLEVILLE — The identities of a Belleville woman and child who were killed Sunday when a vehicle crashed into a home were released Monday by authorities. Shavonne Green, 35, and Torianna Bohanna, 4, were pronounced dead at the scene in the 100 block of South 8th Street, according to St. Clair County Coroner Calvin Dye Sr. Green was pronounced dead at 11:44 a.m., and Bohanna at 11:46 a.m., Dye said. On August 11, 2024, at approximately 9:11 a.m., Belleville Police responded to the 100 block of South 8th Street following reports of a vehicle collision that resulted in a structure fire. Upon arrival, officers found a fully involved structure fire and managed to rescue one juvenile male from the building. However, Green and Bohanna were located deceased inside the residence after the fire was extinguished. Preliminary information at the scene indicated that a person of interest fled on foot. Belleville Police, along with several assisting agencies, quickly canvassed the area.

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EDWARDSVILLE – State Senator Erica Harriss has partnered with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) to help bring professional licensing assistance to the Metro East. “A top constituent issue at my office has been the delays and challenges with IDFPR,” said Senator Harriss. “While my office has had success in working alongside this state agency as they navigate transitioning to a more modern system, it made sense to bring them to our area to further assist those having trouble with their applications.” The IDFPR is Illinois’ primary regulatory agency, responsible for ensuring that professional licenses—covering a wide range of fields including healthcare, social work, and business—meet the state’s legislative and regulatory requirements. "We're fortunate to have so many skilled professionals in the Metro East," Senator Harriss added. "It's our responsibility as a state to ensure that licenses

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ALTON - In the most recent episode of “You’re Beautiful,” host Brian Trust spoke about his relationship with God and his reasons for starting the “You’re Beautiful” show. The show just celebrated its tenth episode. You can watch or listen at 2 p.m. on Thursdays at RiverBender.com/Beautiful . Trust explained that he decided to start the podcast because he was overwhelmed by peace, joy and love once he developed a relationship with Jesus Christ. He wanted to share those feelings with the community. “When you see this infectious glow, people are like, ‘Yo, Trust, what drugs are you on?’ Man, I’m high on Jesus,” he joked. “I started a relationship with Jesus. Why do I have to wait to know the Bible or the scripture to share this with you? If you want to know what I’m doing, glory be to God, guys, and that’s honest to God why I’m doing this show.” Trust is open about his newness

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