Riverbender 🕸

BRIGHTON - For those who live in Brighton’s Suntara Estates Subdivision — also known as Christmas Village — the holidays are merry and bright, literally. Mayor Matt Kasten and his family go all-out for Christmas, with synchronized lights, music and an annual food drive to help local food pantries. Seventeen years after they started the tradition, most of the neighborhood has joined in with displays of their own, spreading holiday cheer to community members from across the Riverbend. “It keeps us going,” Kasten said. “These days, I really want to say my body is getting too old to do this. But then I think of all the kids and their smiling faces and I decide I get the energy to do it again.” Kasten has “always been a gadgety type of person” and loves decorating for Christmas and finding new ways to incorporate technology into his display. Over the years, his family tradition grew into thousands of lights spread across the yard

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GLEN CARBON – The Village of Glen Carbon and the Glen Carbon Heritage Museum are hosting Glenfestival of Trees to kick-off the holiday season. Individuals, groups and businesses have adorned the museum with decorated trees and wreaths to be displayed during the Christmas season. The festive greenery will be available for viewing from Nov. 25 through Jan. 1, 2023. Businesses are also encouraged to provide an informational table with materials about their organization or company that can be exhibited next to their holiday décor. Visitors can tour the museum during special evening hours throughout the holidays and will vote for their favorite wreath and tree with prizes awarded. All proceeds go towards future events at the Heritage Museum and Yanda Cabin. Samantha Doolin, museum coordinator, is pleased that many area organizations, businesses and individuals are participating in the event, celebrating its second year. New this season, Doolin added a holiday sing-along on

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ALTON - Centerstone, a national leader in behavioral health care, will host a free webinar entitled Stress and Grief During the Holidays on Wednesday, December 6 from 10-11 a.m. CT via Zoom. CEUs are available. The holidays can bring so much joy but also, for some, great pain. Exploring topics of grief and holiday stress, Dr. Melissa Flint will provide practical education and guidance about how we can carry both the joy and sorrow we hold in times of loss into the holiday season and find pieces of peace and hope during this time of the year. Objectives of the webinar include: Identify and self-assess levels of expectation about the holiday season (“perfect holiday syndrome”) Learn about two or more reasons why people might feel more out of control during the holidays Describe ways that our grief can manifest during the holidays Identify at least two ways to prevent feeling burned out during the stress of the holiday season. The presenter of the webinar will be Meliss

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ALTON - In a very heartfelt move, Mike Drake and a friend decided to make a former slow-pitch softball star’s Thanksgiving by returning his National Hall Of Fame ring. On Wednesday afternoon, Drake went to Alton Memorial Rehabilitation Center (formerly Eunice Smith Nursing Home) in Alton to present the ring to the Alton slow-pitch softball phenom - John Meeden. Mike and John played together on the legendary Alton Bucks squad. Drake is a former Alton Parks and Recreation Director and also a banking administrator. Drake had contacted the National Slow-Pitch Softball Hall Of Fame and he was willing to pay for a replica of the ring, but the organization in another act of kindness sent him a replica of one of Meeden’s rings free of charge. Meeden had his previous rings and memorabilia stolen from his Alton residence. Drake said in the spirit of Thanksgiving, he couldn’t wait to return the National Hall of Fame softball ring to John. “John is such a nice guy, he

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EDWARDSVILLE - Riverbend Head Start & Family Services in Edwardsville received 24 coats from the local Knights of Columbus chapter. On Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023, members of the Edwardsville Knights of Columbus group stopped by Riverbend Head Start to deliver coats they had purchased for the kids. Knights of Columbus member David Green explained that Head Start’s work aligns with their mission. “We’re organized to build faith, charity, community service and family,” Green said. “Those are our tenets, and this is one of our charity endeavors. We do a lot of programs over the course of the year and this is one of them.” Located at 710 N. Main Street, the Edwardsville Head Start has a preschool program for kids under 5. They work with income-eligible families from the prenatal stage until the child enters kindergarten to provide resources, education and childcare. One staff member noted that “you’d be surprised” at the number of

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EDWARDSVILLE — Scott Credit Union proudly announces the success of their 80 Acts of Kindness initiative, marking a milestone in their 80th-anniversary celebrations. This campaign, designed to give back to the communities they serve, commenced with the planting of trees in collaboration with Heartland Conservancy. SCU has completed more than 80 Acts of Kindness and expects to complete 100 Acts of Kindness before the end of the year, a testament to their commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of those in need. Each of SCU's 25 branches and many departments have actively participated in various projects, showcasing the credit union's dedication to both members and the broader community. From tree planting to painting dugouts, and helping young, first-time mothers to unhoused veterans, SCU has reached many people this year. "The overwhelming success of our 80 Acts of Kindness initiative truly reflects the generosity and compassion that defines Scott Credit Union,”

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement regarding the agreement reached between Israel and Hamas to release 50 hostages currently being held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip over a four-day long ceasefire: “I am relieved and heartened that the deal to release 50 of the 240 hostages being held by Hamas over a four-day ceasefire has been reached, with the possibility to extend the ceasefire by an additional day for every ten hostages released. We cannot rest until every single hostage has been returned to their families and loved ones. “The ceasefire will also allow essential humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza, including food, water, medicine, and fuel. As I’ve said before: it is equally important to support innocent civilians who so often become collateral damage and bear the brunt of suffering during periods of conflict. “I know it will be hard, but I hope out of the ashes and pain of this curren

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BELLEVILLE – The Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) announced on Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023, the arrest of 38-year-old Thomas Conner III of Belleville, for Involuntary Sexual Servitude of a Minor under 17 (Class X Felony), Involuntary Sexual Servitude of a Minor Under 18 (Class 1 Felony), 2 counts of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse (Class 2 Felony), and Solicitation of a Sexual Act (Class A Misdemeanor). ISP said on July 22, 2022, the East St. Louis Police Department received a report that Conner had sexually assaulted a minor. The ISP Public Safety Enforcement Group (PSEG) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) began a joint investigation into the allegation. After a thorough investigation, the case was presented to the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office. On November 14, 2023, the St. Clair County State’s Attorney charged Conner with the above charges. Conner was taken into custody at his residence by the

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RIVERBEND - Riverbender.com has been working hard to promote local businesses and the community for 18 years. We’re asking you now more than ever to shop local on this Small Business Saturday and throughout the holiday season. Whether it’s on Our Daily Show! or one of the hundreds of news articles we publish every week, we often sit down with small business owners in the Riverbend community to talk about their story. All of these people have one thing in common: They’ve worked hard for years to see their business succeed, and they want to give back to the community they love. It’s the small businesses who support Little League teams, school fundraisers and other local charities. It’s the business owners who live in our community who care about it and want to see it thrive. From Walmart to Starbucks, these brand names are popping up more often in the Riverbend region. Even if you decide to do your holiday shopping at these big box stores,

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GLEN CARBON – The Village of Glen Carbon has announced Panda Express is interested in locating at Orchard Town Center (OTC). On Tuesday, Nov. 28, the Building and Development Committee will consider the concept plan provided by Panda Express. The restaurant offers dishes that merge Chinese flavors with American flair and would be part of the development at Troy Road and Governors Parkway in Glen Carbon. Panda Express’s 2,600-square-foot building would be adjacent to the existing Chick-fil-A Restaurant and offer both dine-in and drive-through options. With over 2,300 restaurant locations in the United States and many locations in international markets, it is a world leader in the Asian dining experience. If the concept plan is approved, the project will continue through the Village’s site development process. Mayor Bob Marcus is enthusiastic about the new restaurant in the Village. “It’s not just about serving popular food options for our residents

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CHICAGO – With hospitalizations for COVID-19 rising in the state ahead of the Thanksgiving Holiday, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is urging Illinoisans to stay informed about conditions in their area and to take steps to get fully protected from the range of seasonal viruses as cases. Twenty counties in Illinois are listed at a medium level for hospitalizations according to the CDC’s national COVID Data Tracker as of the week ending November 11. Across the state, 740 hospitalizations were recorded, a 17% increase from the previous week. The uptick in COVID-19 hospitalizations comes as hospital data is also showing increases in flu and RSV. “As hospitalizations for COVID-19, RSV, and flu increase across Illinois, I want to encourage our residents to use all of the tools at their disposal to protect themselves and their loved ones this Thanksgiving Holiday weekend,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. “Vaccines for COVID-19, flu and RS

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WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator and member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement after an agreement was reached to pause hostilities in Gaza for four days and release 50 hostages who have been held by Hamas since their terrorist attacks in Israel on October 7 th , enabling the delivery of much more humanitarian aid to innocent civilians suffering there: “While my heart breaks for every single innocent soul lost in the violence we’ve seen since October 7th, I am deeply grateful that this agreement will finally allow the families of these hostages—including 3 American hostages—as well as the innocent civilians in Gaza to breathe a sigh of relief today. This agreement is a good first step and I commend the Biden Administration for the significant role they played in making it happen. I remain fully committed to supporting a resolution to this crisis that reunites all hostages with their families,

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CHICAGO - Ahead of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Attorney General Kwame Raoul is reminding Illinois residents to exercise caution when shopping online. In particular, Raoul is urging shoppers to do research before taking advantage of “buy now, pay later” offers, using services to split the cost of a purchase into several payments, or accepting offers of loans. “Black Friday and Cyber Monday are two of the biggest e-commerce days of the year, and it is important that shoppers do not let their pursuit for deals allow them to be vulnerable to hidden fees or scams,” Raoul said. “My office provides advice and resources to help people avoid identity theft and assist those who think their information may have been compromised. I encourage those who need more details to visit my office’s website.” Some businesses and retailers offer “buy now, pay later” plans that allow shoppers to make a purchase right away, but defer payment over

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CHICAGO - The Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) reminds Illinois taxpayers to remain watchful against potential online threats while conducting Black Friday and other holiday shopping this year. “IDOR, members of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and other state tax administrators all work together to safeguard taxpayers year-round,” explained IDOR Director David Harris. “Whether shopping online or browsing social media sites, people can put their personal information at risk to criminals.” Without proper online safety, thieves can potentially steal personal information. Below are some safety tips to help protect against these attacks: Protect personal information . Refrain from revealing too much personal information online. Birthdates, addresses, age, and financial information, such as bank accounts and Social Security Numbers, are among things that should not be shared freely. Use strong passwords . Consider using a password manager to store passwords

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ALTON - The National Great Rivers Museum (NGRM), in partnership with Meeting of the Rivers Foundation (MTRF), is now accepting entries for their third annual “Winter on the River” Photography Contest. MTRF is looking for artists to capture the beauty of winter along the river for a community photo contest that will be exhibited at the NGRM beginning January 6, 2024. All entries will remain on display as part of this exhibition through the end of the winter season. Artists will be able to submit up to three photos for an entry fee of $10.00 per photo that will benefit the mission of MTRF in promoting and inspiring lifelong, environmental stewardship for the Mississippi River and Great Rivers system. The contest is open to photographers of all skill levels with no age restriction. Entries must be mailed or brought to the National Great Rivers Museum no later than December 18, 2023. Contest eligibility, regulations, and registration for the contest can be found online at

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ENERGY, Ill. – Illinois State Police (ISP) Troop 10 officers helped celebrate retired ISP Sergeant Sam Garnati’s 100 th birthday last week. The officers fulfilled a last-minute request by Sergeant Garnati’s family members to share his special day. “ISP as an agency is only one-and-a-half years older than Sergeant Garnati,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “Our century long lifespans have shared a common theme, and that theme is the motto of the Illinois State Police – Integrity, Service, and Pride. I wish Sam a very happy belated birthday and thank him for his dedication and service to this country and the people of Illinois.” Sergeant Garnati served the people of Illinois for nearly 34 years. He joined ISP in March 1949 and spent his entire career on patrol in District 13 (Troop 10). He was promoted to corporal on July 1, 1961 and then promoted to sergeant on October 1, 1965. Sergeant Garnati retired from ISP in October 1965

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GRANITE CITY - Granite City Community Unit School District #9 announced a Special Meeting of the Board of Education on Monday, November 27 and Tuesday, November 28 at 5:30 p.m. at the James J. Greenwald Administration Building at 3200 Maryville Road in Granite City, Ill. The purpose of this meeting is to interview Superintendent candidates in Executive Session. For more information about Granite City School District #9, visit www.gcsd9.net .

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CHICAGO – President Joseph Biden has approved Governor Pritzker’s request and signed a Disaster Declaration , allowing the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to offer Individual Assistance for residents in Cook County, Illinois who were impacted by severe weather in September. FEMA's Individual Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and businesses owners recover from the effects of the storms. "Thank you to President Biden and FEMA for recognizing the devastating effects of recent extreme weather in Cook County by taking the appropriate action to ensure impacted residents can get back on their feet," said Governor JB Pritzker. "Residents and businesses in Cook County who were most impacted are now able to access additional resources necessary to rebuild and revitalize, and I know Cook County will build back stronger than ever." On September

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul led a coalition of 16 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief before the U.S. Supreme Court urging it to reverse a lower court decision holding that only workers who are employed by a company in the transportation industry can be exempt under the transportation-worker exemption to the Federal Arbitration Act (FAA). Raoul and the coalition filed their brief in support of workers in Bissonnette v. LePage Bakeries. At issue in the case is whether truck drivers for a food company and similar “private fleet” drivers fall within the exemption for transportation workers in the FAA. The FAA requires workers to raise claims against their employer in private arbitration proceedings when they have signed an arbitration agreement. However, there is an exemption within the FAA for transportation workers. “We have seen the critical role all truck drivers play in keeping our states running efficiently, and there is no reason to treat

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ALTON - The Alton City Council on Tuesday fell one vote short of overriding a veto that was issued by Mayor David Goins earlier this month. The mayor’s veto was upheld following a 4-3 vote from council members. Aldermen Nate Keener, Rosetta Brown, and Stephanie Elliott all voted against a motion to reconsider the veto. The veto keeps a proposed requirement for separate directors of Code Enforcement and Building and Zoning off the books for now - Greg Caffey currently serves as the director of both departments. Alderwoman Betsy Allen proposed the requirement, stating the responsibilities of both departments were too much for any one person to handle. Shortly after Mayor Goins vetoed Allen’s ordinance, Alderwoman Carolyn MacAfee pursued a council vote to override the veto. While it couldn’t be voted on at that meeting, it was up for a vote on Tuesday night when it ultimately fell one vote short of overriding the mayor’s veto. A motion to reconsider

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