Riverbender 🕸

PIASA - Austin Stanton qualified for state this past spring with his teammate Collin Robinson in the 100 meters. Stanton is also an Altonized Community Federal Credit Union Male Athlete of the Month. Austin made his first appearance at the state meet. The last time this happened at Southwestern High was in 2010, when Ethan Hanold and Donny Garrett finished one-two in the 800m. Austin was able to run below the qualifying time in the 100 meters at the Gillespie Invitational. Collin broke the qualifying threshold in the 400 meters at Gillespie as well. Austin was a football starter in the offensive line and played outside linebacker on defense. Austin had a huge overall impact on the Piasa Birds track and field program. "Both boys were seniors and have given a great deal to the program," boys track and field coach Matt Hasquin said. "When Collin qualified in the 400 meters last season, it became a catalyst for the rest of the team," the coach added. "We had a lot of success from 2009

Continue Reading

MADISON - A victim in the Tuesday, July 25, 2023, shooting in Madison has been identified by the Major Case Squad. The victim is identified as Jaylen I. Woods, 19, of the 1700 block of Edwardsville Road in Madison. Deputy Major Case Squad Commander Nick Novacich said at 1 p.m. on July 25, 2023, the Madison Police Department was dispatched to the 1700 block of Edwardsville Road, Madison, Illinois, in reference to a report of shots fired. "Upon arrival, officers located a male victim lying in the backyard of a residence with multiple gunshot wounds," Novacich said. "The victim had unfortunately succumbed to his wounds and was pronounced deceased at the scene." Novacich added: "This is an ongoing investigation and therefore no further information can be released at this time. We would like to express our condolences to the family of the deceased and ask that the community do the same." If anyone witnessed this incident or has information related to this investigation, please contact

Continue Reading

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee and Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, and U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement after the Biden Administration announced its support of the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) investigation into the atrocities committed in Ukraine: “For more than a year, the world has borne witness to the unspeakable horrors that Putin and his forces have inflicted on the Ukrainian people: bombing maternity wards, beheading prisoners, raping women, torturing and executing civilians, and abducting thousands of Ukrainian children. Ukraine’s Office of the Prosecutor General has documented more than 92,000 war crimes, and the number continues to grow with each passing day. “Ensuring that the United States is doing all that it can to hold the perpetrators of atrocities in Ukraine accountable

Continue Reading

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Transportation is reminding the public that the roadside mowing period is underway, requiring drivers to slow down, avoid all distractions and proceed with caution when encountering equipment and personnel. The heaviest mowing operations will continue until Aug. 15. “Keeping our roadsides maintained during the summer and protecting the environment are both vitally important,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman . “As we enter our peak mowing season, please remember to reduce your speed, drop the devices and drive extra carefully if you encounter workers. At the end of the day, we want everyone to get home safely.” During the summer, IDOT conducts two primary types of mowing. Safety mowing occurs directly adjacent to the road as needed. Maintenance mowing, which lasts for approximately six weeks and started July 1, includes areas next to culverts, ditches, traffic control devices and other structures,

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE - In May of 2022, SIUE was mentioned in several media reports following former graduate student Maggie DeJong’s lawsuit alleging that her First Amendment rights to free speech were violated. At that time, SIUE asserted our commitment to free speech. SIUE recently settled this case, but I believe it is important to underscore our institutional values and our unwavering defense of free speech. I trust that most people who care about these issues will see beyond the sensationalism of click-bait, media reports, and headlines in search of a more complete understanding of the facts. SIUE is unequivocally committed to protecting First Amendment rights and does not have policies that restrict free speech nor support censorship. SIUE remains committed to free speech, popular or unpopular, offensive or affable, in an environment that embraces the exchange of diverse views on every aspect of human society. For decades, universities have embraced the challenge of vigorously

Continue Reading

GLEN CARBON – Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois proudly recognizes Lindsey Lankford from Glen Carbon, Illinois. She is a member of the 2023 Girl Scout Gold Award class and recipient of a $10,000 scholarship from Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) for her work on providing sensory support to students with disabilities. Lindsey worked in the special education classroom at her school for six years. She also joined Key Club, which planned community events – including events for students with disabilities. Lindsey noticed some struggles that students with special sensory needs faced, so she centered her Gold Award project around making these students feel supported. Nationally, GSUSA is recognizing nearly 3,200 members of the 2023 Gold Award Girl Scout class who identified issues in their communities, took action, and found or created solutions to earn their Gold Awards. This year’s class of world-changers raised $2.5 million of support for their projects and invested over 300,000

Continue Reading

ALTON - Alton Municipal Band will wrap up its 133rd concert season this week. Director Jennifer Shenberger leads the program called “Dynamic Duos.” Back by popular demand, vocalist Willa SGne will join the band, with performances of jazz and hits from Broadway. SGne is making her second appearance with the band and is quickly becoming an audience favorite. The concert will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 27, at the Alton Amphitheater. It will then repeat at 7 p.m. on Sunday, July 30, at Haskell Park. Auditions for the 134th concert season will take place in May of 2024. Follow “Alton Municipal Band” on Facebook for updates about the 2024 season, or visit altonmunyband.org . "We hope that lots of audience members can come out and have some fun before back-to-school season starts," Adam Rodgers, board chair of the Alton Municipal Band, said. "We are so thankful for our local media in Alton who graciously cover the band and have helped us as we navigated

Continue Reading

WOOD RIVER - Anika Bella has dreams of being on Broadway, but in the meantime, she’s heading to Las Vegas. Anika is competing in the U.S. National Finals for the World Karaoke Championship, with hopes of making it to the World Finals later this year. “To be a young aspiring artist coming from such a small town, to come and represent them in Vegas is going to be a huge opportunity,” Anika said. “Even if I don’t make it to the World Finals, just getting my name out there and being able to say good things about our area and the people that brought me up.” Unlike other singing competitions, karaoke competitions are for people who have “natural raw talent and need a way to get out there, and can’t afford to put themselves out there,” Anika explained. It’s not necessarily for professional singers or people who have an extensive background in music. Participants in karaoke competitions are running on passion and practice. &ldquo

Continue Reading

EAST ST. LOUIS – The Illinois State Police (ISP) is adding another tool in its toolbox to help reduce and solve violent crime in the Metro East. Earlier this year, ISP began coordinating the installation of automated license plate readers (ALPRs) in the Metro East. Already, 45 ALPRs have been installed and are operational along Interstate 55, Interstate 70, and Interstate 64 in the Metro East. ISP will continue to work with Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to install more than 30 additional ALPRs along highways throughout the Metro East area before the end of the year. “This force-multiplying technology is a game changer in deterring and solving crime,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “We have seen the impact license plate readers have made in Chicago through the reduction of expressway shootings and we anticipate seeing similar crime reduction in the Metro East.” ALPRs are specialized cameras that take still photographs of

Continue Reading

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Police is joining law enforcement agencies from eleven states in National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) Region 5 and 7 (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin, Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri) on July 26th for this year’s high visibility Speed Awareness Day enforcement campaign. This campaign is an effort to address a continued trend of speeding and hazardous moving violations as contributory cause violations leading to personal injury and fatal crashes. Speeding is involved in approximately one-third of all motor vehicle fatalities nationwide. Early NHTSA statistical projections for 2022 show 42,759 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes which represents a marginal decrease of 0.3% in traffic deaths when compared to 2021 (42,939 fatalities). In 2021 there were 5,864 fatal injuries in the Region 5 six-state area with 1,780 (30.35%) being speed-related fatalities. Traffic crashes

Continue Reading

WOOD RIVER - Five Below is coming to Wood River with plans to open next spring. The store will be located at 662 Wesley Drive in Wood River Plaza near Walmart. The shopping center is managed by Broad Reach Retail Partners, LLC and already includes other stores like GameStop, Sally Beauty and Subway. Five Below will occupy a space that’s approximately 10,000 square feet. “We’re happy to announce that Five Below will be joining Wood River Plaza in Wood River, Illinois in the Spring of 2024!” Broad Reach Retail Partners, LLC wrote in a Facebook post. “Five Below will be a great addition to the already fantastic tenant mix as well as the surrounding community.” The closest Five Below stores are in Fairview Heights, IL and Florissant, MO. The majority of Five Below’s merchandise costs less than $5. They sell a variety of products, including clothing, toys, tech supplies, beauty products and candy. To learn more about Five Below and their

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE - A Wood River man is facing a pair of serious domestic battery charges for an incident on July 22, 2023. James E. Smith, 49, has been charged with one count of Aggravated Domestic Battery (Class 2) and one count of Domestic Battery - Second Subsequent Offense (Class 4). The first count reads: “In that said defendant in committing a domestic battery, intentionally strangled a family member or household member of the defendant.” Count two reads: “In that said defendant struck the victim in the face with his hands, causing bruising and the defendant having been convicted of the offense of Domestic Battery in the Circuit Court of Madison County, Illinois, on 7/8/04." The Wood River Police Department investigated this case. Bail for Smith was set at $60,000. It is important to note that this individual is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Continue Reading

Letter to the Editor: Over the years, I served the city in many ways, as a department head, of Alton’s Park, Rec, Golf, and Forestry, for 11 years. Over the years I was appointed to and served on many commissions, one for well over 10 years. Mayors must have felt I added something to these commissions. I took those appointments seriously. Never even thought about resigning from any, was never a one termer. I served because I am a lifelong resident of Alton, as were my parents and their parents before them. I love my city, and if there was a service I could provide, I felt it was my duty to serve. Previous Mayor Brant Walker appointed me to the Civil Service Commission 3 years ago. My commission expired this month, and based on merit, I should have been reappointed to serve another three. This three-person Civil Service Commission’s duties are to interview applicants for full-time city jobs, police, fire, public works, and the other city departments. To do my best, I studie

Continue Reading

CARROLLTON - Several individuals have been charged in Greene County with crimes ranging from aggravated domestic battery to criminal sexual abuse and more over the past two weeks, according to recent court filings. Joseph C. Bailey, 40, of Kampsville, was charged with criminal sexual abuse by use/threat of force and two counts of violating animal owners’ duties. Bailey also had outstanding arrest warrants from St. Clair and Greene Counties. He was arrested by the Calhoun County Sheriff on July 15 and remains in custody. Russell A. Baker Jr., 43, of White Hall, was charged with violating the Child Sex Offender Registration Act. Baker also had a warrant for his arrest out of Greene County. He was arrested by the White Hall Police Department on July 21 and has since been released on bond. Craig F. Dillman, 35, of Roodhouse, was charged on July 18 with one count of aggravated domestic battery. He was taken into custody by the Roodhouse Police Department and has since been give

Continue Reading

MOUNT OLIVE – It has been nearly 80 years since U.S. Army Sergeant John W. Radanovich has been home on Mount Olive soil. However, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) has announced that the remains of Radanovich, 23, of Mount Olive, Illinois, reported missing during World War II, was accounted for on May 11, 2023. Radanovich will be buried in Mount Olive, Illinois, on a date yet to be determined. In November 1944, Radanovich was assigned to Company G, 2nd Battalion, 22nd infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division. His rifle platoon was engaged in battle with German forces near the town of Grosshau, in Hürtgen Forest, Germany when he was reported missing in action on Dec. 1, 1944. Despite continued progress against German fighting positions, many soldiers were killed along the Company G battle line. The Germans never reported Radanovich as a prisoner of war, and his remains were not immediately recovered. The War Department issued a presumptive finding of death i

Continue Reading

CARROLLTON - Two individuals from Liberty have been charged with drug-related crimes in Greene County recently, according to a new jail booking report from the Greene County Sheriff’s Office. Ervin L. Shaw, 46, of Liberty, was charged with the following drug-related offenses: Possession of methamphetamine Possession of cannabis with the intent to deliver Possession of a controlled substance Possession of drug paraphernalia. Shaw was arrested by the White Hall Police Department on July 22 and has since been released on bond. Teresa L. Paszkiet, 51, also of Liberty, was also arrested by the White Hall Police Department on July 22. She was charged with manufacture/delivery of between 30 to 500 grams of cannabis. Paszkiet has also since been released on bond. The issuance of charges is based solely upon probable cause and is not an indication of guilt. All subjects charged with criminal offenses are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Continue Reading

CHAMPAIGN — Scientists have identified a protein that plays a pivotal role in the action of several emerging cancer therapies. The researchers say the discovery will likely aid efforts to fine-tune the use of immunotherapies against several challenging cancers. They report their findings in the journal Cancer Research. “Most anticancer drugs cause cancer cells to shrivel up and die in a controlled process known as apoptosis. But apoptosis does not usually strongly activate immune cells,” said David Shapiro, a professor of biochemistry at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign who led the research with former graduate student Santanu Ghosh. “However, a few emerging cancer therapies cause cancer cells to swell up and burst. The protein we identified, a sodium-ion channel known as TRPM4, is critical for cancer therapies that promote this type of cell death, called necrosis.” Unlike apoptosis, necrosis strongly signals the immune system to target and

Continue Reading

CARLINVILLE - Blackburn College has named Kim Camara-Harvey as Athletic Director. Serving as a key member and advisor on the President's leadership team, Camara-Harvey will provide vision, leadership, and direction for all aspects of the College's athletic department, including its 15 NCAA Division III athletic programs, student-athlete recruitment, and facilities. She will also provide oversight for intramurals, club sports, and collaboration with community partners for athletic opportunities. "I'm thrilled to join Blackburn College to work alongside and collaborate with our fantastic Athletics staff, committed student-athletes, and all of the faculty and staff across campus," Camara-Harvey said. "Blackburn is a special place, with the unique Work Program and a strong commitment to Athletics, and the College has positioned itself for a bright future. I'm excited to continue to move this department forward by creating an exceptional student-athlete experience that will build and maintain

Continue Reading

CHICAGO - Governor JB Pritzker signed HB2381 today, codifying the Illinois Interagency Task Force on Homelessness and the Community Advisory Council on Homelessness, initially established by the Governor via executive order in 2021. This bill codifies the unprecedented interagency collaboration to move Illinois to “functional zero” homelessness by bolstering the safety net, targeting high-risk populations, expanding affordable housing, securing financial stability for unhoused individuals, and closing the mortality gap. “Every person deserves access to safe shelter and the dignity that comes with housing,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “This is a first-of-its-kind multi-agency cooperative effort — bringing together state agencies, nonprofit organizations, advocates, and people with lived experience to prevent and end homelessness. I’m grateful for their dedication and believe that together, we can prevent and end homelessness once and for all."

Continue Reading

CHICAGO — Governor JB Pritzker's administration and AFSCME Council 31—the largest union of frontline Illinois state employees—have announced the ratification of a new contract after membership voted overwhelmingly in favor. The agreement was tentatively reached by negotiators for the state and the union in the early morning hours of July 1. Over the past two weeks, members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 31 attended local union meetings throughout the state to review and vote on its terms. The four-year agreement is now in effect. “Illinois is a pro-worker state—and when it comes to workers’ rights, my administration is committed to ensuring that every Illinoisan has access to good-paying opportunities,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “This contract represents a partnership that won’t just expand our pool of state employees—it will strengthen our state’s workforce and

Continue Reading