Riverbender 🕸

ALTON - In an appearance on “Our Daily Show!” with CJ Nasello , Lacy McDonald spoke about her recent article on road safety in Alton in 1924 . McDonald, who manages the Genealogy & Local History Library branch of The Hayner Public Library District, writes weekly history articles for RiverBender.com . In her article “100 Years Ago: ‘Howdy! Half the Road is Yours’: Alton Residents Learn Auto Safety Tips,” McDonald detailed a meeting of the Alton Automobile Club where residents spoke about how to safely operate motor vehicles, which were new to the Alton area. “You weren’t enclosed in a car. You could hear the road rage. You can yell at the people coming towards you,” McDonald joked. “But they were dangerous. People were getting hurt or killed sometimes. That’s part of why, 100 years ago, they were having a safety meeting. The Alton Automobile Club was having a safety meeting at Riverview Park. So that’

Continue Reading

GRANITE CITY - As Labor Day weekend approaches, community members are looking for ways to celebrate the three-day weekend and honor the labor movement. The Granite City Labor Day Parade and Picnic will mark the holiday with a parade through downtown Granite City, followed by a picnic for union families in the community. Dean Webb, president of the Greater Madison County Federation of Labor (GMCFL), explained that the GMCFL has sponsored the event for several years. “It gets all the union families together and a little camaraderie between unions,” Webb said. “We just get out there and show the pride of being in a union and what we’ve done for the city and what working people have strived for over the years.” The parade kicks off at 10 a.m. at Niedringhaus and State Street in downtown Granite City. Webb said the steelworkers attend “in very large numbers,” but there are also carpenters, electricians and many more skilled workers who are

Continue Reading

SWANSEA - After an incredible journey spanning over three decades, Chief Christopher Tell of the Swansea Fire Department is celebrating his well-deserved retirement. Chief Tell's commitment to serving his community began in July 1993 as an Explorer. Just a few months later, he became a volunteer firefighter and quickly rose through the ranks, becoming full-time Deputy Chief in 2001 and proudly taking on the role of Fire Chief in September 2018. Throughout his career, Chief Tell has been a steadfast leader, guiding the department through countless calls. Among these, the Saint Matthews Church Fire on Good Friday remains a poignant memory, highlighting his unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of Swansea. Chief Tell's dedication extended beyond firefighting, as he also earned his EMT and paramedic licenses to better serve those around him. The Swansea Police Department expressed their gratitude, stating, "Congratulations Chief Tell. The citizens of Swansea were fortunate

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE - During their regular meeting on Aug. 26, 2024, the Edwardsville Community Unit School District #7 Board of Education voted unanimously to approve the Woodland School Improvement Plan. Dr. Andy Williams, interim principal of Woodland Elementary School, presented the improvement plan alongside members of the Woodland School Improvement Team. Woodland Elementary School is currently a targeted school, meaning one or more student groups is performing at or below the level of “all students” group in the lowest performing 5% of schools, according to Woodland’s scores on the Illinois Report Card . “The members of this team have worked very hard through the summer months to develop a plan to make us all better educators and to continue the path that we were already on, to shift our focus from teaching to learning for our students,” Williams said. “When we think about our district’s theme of, ‘How Can We?,’ we are committe

Continue Reading

ALTON - A recent court filing shows Red Lobster is rejecting leads of 23 locations by Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024. A total of more than 100 Red Lobster restaurants closed earlier in the summer. The Alton Red Lobster at 170 E Beltline Parkway, Alton, is not on the closure list released by Red Lobster corporate. The Alton Red Lobster has always been a strong performer for the company. Once the next 23 Red Lobster restaurants are closed, there will be about 500 left, down from the 650 that existed about a year ago. Red Lobster is in the process of selling its company to Fortress Credit Corp., a lender with restaurant management. The firm recently provided $100 million loan to keep the company in business. These are the Illinois Red Lobster locations set to close: - 1604 N. State Road 50, Bourbonnais -902 Commons Drive, Geneva -4625 N. Sterling Ave., Peoria

Continue Reading

GRAFTON - Raging Rivers WaterPark is excited to announce a special offer in honor of Labor Day Weekend. From Saturday, Aug. 31, through Monday, Sept. 2, 2024, the park will provide free admission to all first responders, including police officers, firefighters, EMTs, and hospital workers. To take advantage of this offer, first responders must present a non-expired, valid work ID or badge at the ticket booth. This initiative is part of Raging Rivers' commitment to honoring those who serve the community, providing them with a chance to relax and enjoy a day of fun at the water park. Raging Rivers WaterPark features a variety of attractions, including a wave pool, lazy river, thrilling slides, and kids area with an interactive play structure and tipping bucket making it an ideal destination for families and friends looking to cool off and have fun. In addition, the park has added an extra weekend to the season and will also be open on Sept. 7 and 8 for a last chance to slide and splash

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE - Two lifelong campers have completely transformed a few acres of their family’s farmland into a temporary home for fellow RV travelers making a stop in Madison County. The brand-new I-55 RV Park & Campground near Edwardsville, built from the ground up by "RVers" Jeff and Kim Bladdick, is now officially accepting reservations . The campground sits on three acres of land at 4260 Blackburn Road, just off Highways I-55 and 143 at Exit 23. Its proximity to Edwardsville and downtown St. Louis makes it an attractive stopping point for travelers coming to, or through, the Metro East region. Not only does the campground boast 20 full hook-up sites with sewer, water, and electricity, they also offer 20, 30 and 50-amp electrical plug-ins, as well as both pull-through and back-in sites on newly level gravel lots. Nightly rates for back-in sites start at $50, while pull-through sites start at $55. Both Jeff and Kim said there was “absolutely”

Continue Reading

GLEN CARBON – State Representative Amy Elik (R-Alton) is joining an expert from the Illinois Attorney General’s Office to host a Senior Fraud Protection and Advocacy Seminar at Meridian Village next week. They will give a presentation and take questions from seniors on how to better protect themselves from fraud. This event is free and open to seniors. The event details are: Tuesday, September 3 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM Meridian Village Media Room 27 Auerbach Pl., Glen Carbon This seminar will help seniors understand how to recognize potential fraud attempts, learn how to be ready and stop them, and how to use the Attorney General’s Senior Help Line. “I’m dedicated to equipping seniors with the information they need to guard against fraud,” said Rep. Amy Elik. “As scams grow more sophisticated, it’s crucial to be aware and know how to protect yourself. I hope this seminar can provide you with the knowledge an

Continue Reading

ST. LOUIS - The St. Louis Regional Freightway is launching a new task force in collaboration with the region’s five busiest airports, leading employers in the aerospace manufacturing and service sector and other leaders in education and workforce training. The launch is in response to more than $5 billion in planned investments that are creating urgent demand for workers to fill an estimated 1,000 new positions that will be opening up in the region. The new task force called the St. Louis Regional Aerospace and Aviation Task Force will provide a platform to share industry-related information and details about educational and training programs and events that will support and elevate the continued growth of the region’s aerospace manufacturing and aviation industries, with a key focus on expanding the talent pipeline. Boeing, Missouri’s largest employer, has announced plans to invest $1.8 billion at its facilities by St. Louis Lambert International Airport in St. Louis

Continue Reading

ST. LOUIS – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis District in coordination with the non-federal sponsor, Kaskaskia Regional Port District, are planning to implement a navigation improvement project at the Kaskaskia Regional Port District Terminal 2, and are seeking comments on the project. The project, which is authorized through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Continuing Authorities Program, is aimed at improvement of navigational efficiency at the Kaskaskia Regional Port District Terminal 2. The Tentatively Selected Plan includes dredging the river side channel that leads to the Port terminal, known as the south oxbow in the study, and using two dredge disposal areas. A public meeting will be held on September 12, 2024 from 6-8 p.m. at the SWIC-Red Bud campus for anyone interested in learning more about the study or providing feedback to the study team. The Public Meeting is an opportunity for the public to bring to the planning team’s attention local considerations

Continue Reading

On this day, August 27th, history has borne witness to a cascade of significant events that have shaped the world as we know it. 1962 - NASA Launches Mariner 2 One of the most significant events in space exploration history occurred on August 27, 1962, when NASA launched the Mariner 2 spacecraft. This mission made history by becoming the first successful interplanetary probe to fly by another planet, Venus. The Mariner 2 mission provided invaluable data about Venus’s atmosphere and surface, marking a monumental leap in our understanding of the solar system. It set the stage for future space exploration and reaffirmed humanity's quest to explore the unknown. 1883 - Krakatoa Eruption On August 27, 1883, the volcanic island of Krakatoa in Indonesia erupted in one of the most violent volcanic events ever recorded. The explosion was so powerful that it obliterated most of the island, triggered massive tsunamis, and caused a significant drop in global temperatures. The eruption's

Continue Reading

ST. LOUIS - Residents across the region are being urged to take precautions as a heat advisory remains in effect today, with temperatures expected to drop slightly Wednesday but still remain warm. The National Weather Service issued the advisory due to high temperatures and reasonably high humidity levels attributed to a ridge of high pressure over the area. Meteorologist Brad Charboneau advised residents to stay indoors as much as possible and use air conditioning to avoid heat-related illnesses. "If you have to be outside, drink a lot of water and don’t overexert yourself," Charboneau said. "Pay attention to your body. If you feel fatigued, don’t overdo it." The heat advisory is expected to expire by tomorrow, as temperatures are projected to decrease just enough not to extend it. However, residents should still exercise caution and be mindful of the heat. Public health officials recommend staying hydrated and taking frequent breaks if outdoor activity is necessary.

Continue Reading

WEST ALTON - A West Alton man - 59-year-old Donald G. Winter - died in a vehicle crash at 3:25 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 26, 2024, on the Eastbound Missouri Highway 94 West of Dwiggins Road. Winter was driving a 2019 Chevrolet Express vehicle that encountered extensive damage and was headed northbound. The Missouri Highway Patrol summary of the crash said Winter’s vehicle was traveling Eastbound on West Dwiggins Road when the vehicle skidded, traveled off the roadway to the right, returned to the roadway, then to the roadway to the right again and struck an embankment and overturned. Winter was pronounced dead at 4:13 p.m.

Continue Reading

It turns out I am not an Olympic ice skater. I went ice skating this weekend, and I spent most of my time clinging to the wall. I wanted to gracefully glide across the ice, whirling in circles, looking for all the world like a true ice wizard. Instead, I scooted my way around the rink a few times and called it good, relieved beyond measure that I managed to do this without falling down. I am not a graceful person, generally speaking. I’m actually very clumsy. Whether I fall down while rollerblading , dancing or — on occasion — ice skating, I spend a considerable amount of time either on the ground or very close to being on the ground. It’s humbling. I can hit the floor like no one’s business. Despite my doubts, I decided to give ice skating the old college try. This particular skating party was at the Centene Ice Center, where the St. Louis Blues practice. I’m sure the rink’s employees were a little let down, as they’re

Continue Reading

JERSEYVILLE - Three Illinois residents face a range of criminal charges filed recently in Jersey County, including one stolen vehicle case and two cases involving thefts from the Jerseyville Walmart. Aaron E. Anderson, 36, of Jerseyville, was charged with two counts of burglary and one count of theft. Anderson allegedly entered the Jerseyville Walmart without authority on two occasions, once on April 1, 2024 and again on April 6, 2024, with the intent to commit a theft. Descriptions of the charges list multiple items reportedly stolen by Anderson, including four boxes of Boost protein shakes, three electric razors of various brands and types, and “an Xbox fridge,” with a total value over $300. Anderson faces three Class 3 felony counts for each charge described, and was released with a summons to appear in court on Sept. 17, 2024. In a similar but separate case, Aaron M. Rubio, 50, of Waukegan, Ill., was charged with retail theft, a Class 3 felony, and criminal

Continue Reading

BELLEVILLE – A new excavator valued at more than $100,000, stolen from a job site in Belleville, was recovered in working order in a cornfield in St. Clair County on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024. The recovery was facilitated by the Metro East Auto Theft Task Force, which acted on a tip generated through social media. The Metro East Auto Theft Task Force, which serves Madison, Monroe, and St. Clair Counties, continues to make a significant impact on reducing area crimes. The task force is funded by insurance companies required by Illinois law to contribute to a fund administered by the Secretary of State’s office, through the Illinois Vehicle Hijacking and Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention and Insurance Verification Council. During the last fiscal year, the task force said it had recovered 649 vehicles, with a total recovery value of $9,970,757. Additionally, 223 arrests were made, and 195 suspects were charged during the same period. The task force's efforts are crucial i

Continue Reading

ALTON - Riverbend Head Start & Family Services (RHSFS) is pleased to host its second annual Donor Appreciation and Back-to-School celebration this Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Vera Lee Meeting & Event Venue in Alton. In addition to the RHSFS Board of Directors, Alton Mayor David Goins has confirmed his attendance, along with Granite City Police Chief Nick Novacich, and State Representative Amy Elik. “The commitment of our individual donors and our corporate sponsors is helping to transform the lives of families and children here in Madison County,” said President/CEO Gene Howell. “Together we can build and strengthen community when we prioritize quality early childhood education and resources for all children, regardless of their current situation or circumstances at birth.” At Riverbend Head Start and Family Services, our efforts to help families overcome generational poverty are successful because of the support of our caring and committed

Continue Reading

GILLESPIE - Gillespie Community will host a Community Blood Drive with ImpactLife, the provider of blood components for local hospitals. The blood drive will be from 1 to 6 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024 at 900 Broadway, inside Gillespie Methodist Church Gym. All donors will receive an ImpactLife Reward Voucher for their choice of either an EGift Card $20 Whole Blood/$25 Double Reds-Target, Amazon, Walmart, Olive Garden, Subway etc., use Bonus Points in our online Rewards Store or direct a donation to Make A Wish Illinois. What: Gillespie Community Blood Drive When: Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, 1-6 p.m. Where: Gillespie Methodist Church Gym, 900 Broadway, Gillespie, IL Appointments: To donate, please contact Brenda Lowe at (217) 710-1336 or visit www.bloodcenter.org and use code 60020 to locate the drive. Appointments are requested. You may also call ImpactLife to schedule at 800-747-5401. 2801 South 10th Street | Springfield, Illinois | (217) 753-1530 Donor Eligibility Criteria:

Continue Reading

FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS — The Fairview Heights Cultural Committee met last week to discuss critical issues, including the Ten Shared Principles designed by the NAACP and the Illinois Chiefs, the hiring of qualified community members, police use of force, training, and the future of professional law enforcement in society. The meeting, attended by key Fairview Heights community and law enforcement figures, provided a platform for open dialogue and collaboration. Among the attendees were Lt. James Mason, Capt. C.J. Beyerdorfer, Reverend Ran Foggs, Pastor William Fowler, Commissioner Leroy Elleby, Paula Nixon, Mayor Mark Kupsky, Brian Gibson, and Chief Steve Johnson. Discussions centered on the Ten Shared Principles, a set of guidelines aimed at fostering trust and mutual respect between law enforcement and the community. These principles emphasize the importance of transparency, accountability, and the equitable treatment of all citizens. Chief Johnson highlighted the significance o

Continue Reading

ROXANA - Roxana High running back Andruw Ellis enters the 2024 football campaign as one of the area’s top picks for success. Ellis has a blazing 4.6 40-yard dash speed and recently signed with Northern Illinois University to play football in 2025. Ellis is the latest Roxana player to sign with a Division I school. The last Division I football recruit was Rusty Wheat in 2024. He attended Missouri State University. Ellis was one of the leaders for the Shells’ football squad last year and one of three backs who gained 1,000-plus yards and is expected to repeat that kind of performance in 2024. Ellis is a Midwest Members Credit Union Male Athlete of the Month for the Shells. “Andruw is a big-time player,” Roxana Head Football Coach Wade DeVries said. “He visited Northern Illinois at the end of July and worked out and got a Division I scholarship offer.” “I am really excited for him,” the coach added. “The recruiting process is fun

Continue Reading