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CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced the first 2024 death of an Illinois resident with West Nile virus (WNV). The individual, who was in their 80’s and lived in Lake County, had an onset of symptoms of WNV in mid-August and died soon after. IDPH is also reporting nine non-fatal cases of WNV confirmed to date this year. “Sadly, Illinois is reporting our first death of the year attributed to West Nile virus,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. “This death – and the six that occurred last year in Illinois - are a stark reminder that West Nile virus poses a serious risk, especially to older people and those with weakened immune systems. This is why while warm weather continues and mosquitoes are breeding, we should all take steps to ‘Fight the Bite.’ Please protect yourself and your loved ones by reducing exposures, repelling insects with clothing and repellents, and reporting locations at high risk for

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BETHALTO/CASEYVILLE — Earlier this year, a resident of Bethalto fell victim to a sophisticated online scam, losing nearly $93,000. In a calculated move, the perpetrators sent an individual to the victim's home under false pretenses to secure some of the funds, which were subsequently converted into cryptocurrencies to conceal the illicit gains. Upon receiving the complaint, officers from the Bethalto Police Department swiftly gathered and preserved critical digital evidence. Recognizing the complexity of the case, they enlisted the help of a sergeant from the Caseyville Police Department, who has extensive training in cryptocurrency fraud and scams. Together, the Caseyville sergeant and two sergeants from the Bethalto Police Department collaborated to trace the stolen funds, secure the cryptocurrency wallets where the funds were held, and seize the contents. The team worked closely with the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office to obtain the necessary search

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MASCOUTAH – State Representative Kevin Schmidt (R-Cahokia Heights) has announced another Coffee Talk, this time in Mascoutah. This event offers constituents an opportunity to engage with Rep. Schmidt in a relaxed and personal setting. The Coffee Talk is free and open to the public. Details are as follows: Friday, August 30 from 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM LEU Civic Center’s Education Resource Room (2nd Floor) 213 N. Market Street Mascoutah, Illinois “In order to best represent you, I need to hear about what issues matter to you,” said Schmidt. “I’ve hosted many events like this, and at each one I get to hear new stories about important issues to folks across my district. If you’ve never come to a Coffee Talk, or if you’ve came to all of them, I encourage you to come out and let’s chat about how to straighten up Illinois.” Representative Kevin Schmidt represents the 114th District, which includes a portion of

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WOO RIVER - Isaac Thornton, a senior at East Alton-Wood River High School, has been recognized for his exceptional contributions to the school's football team. Thornton, who has been playing football for only three years, has quickly risen to become a captain and a role model for his teammates. Isaac is a Midwest Members Credit Union Male Athlete of Month for the Oilers. "I try to be a leader, but I feel like giving my teammates someone they know they can look up to is just as important," Thornton said. His commitment to both leadership and academics has distinguished him among his peers. Thornton credits much of his success to his coach, Garry Herron. "I’d like to thank my coaches for making me into who I am today," Thornton said. "They took a chance on a kid who didn’t even know the rules of football or had even played a sport until high school and developed me into the student-athlete I am today." In addition to football, Thornton has participated in golf, wrestling,

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HECKER – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that lane closures on Illinois 156 between Illinois 159 and Illinois 13 in St. Clair County began Tuesday, Aug. 27, for crack and joint sealing. Flaggers will maintain two-way traffic. Drivers are urged to reduce speed, be alert for changing conditions, obey all construction signage, and refrain from using mobile devices while approaching and traveling through the work zone. The work is expected to be completed by the end of September. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on Twitter at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.

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RIVERBEND - Danny Margeson’s new book “The Monsters We Make” tells the story of artificial intelligence gone wrong. Margeson, an author from the Riverbend region, explained that his second book was born out of his questions about artificial intelligence (AI) and how it might affect humanity. He has developed his writing skills over the past few years and can’t wait to share his latest book with the Riverbend community and beyond. “I’ve always had this urge, like, alright, I think I’ve got some stories in me, let me just see if I can get it out there,” Margeson said. “As we think about all that’s changing pretty quickly here in the last couple of years with artificial intelligence, you can kind of see the ramp-up. It’s doing more and more for us, and humans have to do less and less in their everyday lives. So I wanted to ask, what does this look like maybe about 20 years from now?” In “The Monsters

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GRANITE CITY — The Long Lake Fire Department responded to a structure fire at Uncle Linny's Restaurant in the 4100 block of Pontoon Road on Tuesday morning. Upon arrival, firefighters encountered smoke and flames coming from the front corner of the building. A box alarm was immediately called, prompting the Mitchell and Granite City Fire Departments to join the effort. Firefighters swiftly managed to bring the fire under control. Granite City put up their aerial ladder. The Pontoon Beach Police Department closed Pontoon Road while firefighters battled the blaze. Although there were people inside the building at the time of the fire, no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire and the extent of the damage remain unknown at this time.

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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’

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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”

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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