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CHAMPAIGN-URBANA – Today, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Transportation were joined by local officials and community leaders to celebrate the latest milestones on the $251.8 million replacement of the Interstate 57/74 interchange, a signature project of the historic, bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital program. As it moves into its next phase, the overall project will positively impact safety and mobility while positioning the region for long-term economic growth. “This $251.8 million, multi-year project to redesign the I-57/74 Interchange is a cornerstone of our road modernization program, and today, I couldn’t be prouder to announce that we’ve completed the first phase of its construction,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “When we make smart investments in the roadways that working families and businesses rely on, we’re constructing a better future for the entire region—one where parents and their children can commute

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered an opening statement at the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the nominations of Nicole G. Berner, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Fourth Circuit; Adeel Abdullah Mangi, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Third Circuit; Amy M. Baggio, to be United States District Judge for the District of Oregon; Cristal C. Brisco, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Indiana; and Gretchen S. Lund, to be United States District Judge for the Northern District of Indiana. Key Quotes: “Today is the 14th nominations hearing of this year. Including nominations hearings, we have held 35 full committee hearings and 22 markups. I want to thank Ranking Member Graham for his partnership, as well as all Members of this Committee. We’ve been busy this year—one of the busiest Committees in the Senate.” “I would

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ALTON - Kiyoko Proctor, a junior point guard and a key player for the girls basketball team at Alton High, had a big game on Dec. 7, 2023, scoring 19 points and hitting a pair of clutch threes in the final quarter to help the Redbirds take a 55-50 win over O'Fallon at the OTHS Panther Dome. Her performance helped Alton stay undefeated on the season, with the Redbirds now 8-0. More importantly, it's a win in the very tough Southwestern Conference in a key early-season matchup against the defending IHSA Class 4A state champions. Kiyoko is an Auto Butler Female Athlete of the Month for the Redbirds. For the season so far, Proctor is averaging 14.3 points and 2.5 rebounds per game, along with having 14 assists and 12 steals. She had enjoyed success since seventh grade, playing on back-to-back Alton Middle School teams that won the Illinois Elementary School Association Class 4A championship. She's been a main catalyst for the Redbirds since her freshman year and is also a very hard worker

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ALTON - The Alton City Council officially gave their final approval Wednesday night for a $7.5 million agreement with developer WIC Landlord LLC for the Wedge Redevelopment Project, set to transform the former Wedge Bank building into a workforce training center, digital hub, startup business space, and more known as the “Wedge Innovation Center.” The agreement passed 6-0 with Alderwoman Stephanie Elliott abstaining. While there was no further discussion from any of the council members or members of the public at Wednesday’s meeting, John Simmons with AltonWorks thanked city officials for their support of the project at the Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday. “Thank you to the city for believing in us with the TIF request that moved out of this committee tonight,” Simmons said. “It’s going to go a long way to revitalize Alton and help dreams become a reality and bring things to fruition faster than they already would, so

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), who served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years and is a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), secured several important provisions in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that passed Congress today to support our servicemembers, enhance strategic partnerships in the Indo-Pacific, improve logistics to bolster readiness and energy resiliency as well as continue to restore American competitiveness. The legislation, which now heads to the House of Representatives, also includes a 5.2% pay raise for our troops. “The brave men and women in uniform who serve our nation at home and abroad deserve to know that our country fully supports them as they and their families sacrifice to defend our country and our Constitution,” said Duckworth. “While I do not support every provision in this bipartisan compromise, I’m proud the bill we passed

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced a federal judge granted a temporary restraining order in his federal antitrust lawsuit challenging the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) transfer eligibility rule, allowing college athletes who have been prevented from competing to immediately be eligible. The decision – issued by a federal judge in the Northern District of West Virginia – prevents the NCAA from enforcing the transfer rule for the next 14 days. “Today’s ruling is a step in the right direction toward permanently ending the flawed transfer rule that restricts college athletes in their ability to compete,” Raoul said. “I filed this lawsuit to bring fairness to collegiate sports and ensure the needs of athletes and their families are prioritized and respected.” The next court date in the case is scheduled for Dec. 27 when a federal judge will consider the states’ motion for a preliminary injunction

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CHICAGO — Today, Governor JB Pritzker visited the Howe School of Excellence to participate in the Daisie Foundation’s annual “Holiday Magic Experience.” Following the event, the Governor visited the Anti-Cruelty Society’s (ACS) Dog Adoption Center and Clinic to celebrate 125 years of animal advocacy and adoption. “As Governor, there’s nothing more exciting than celebrating the holiday season with Illinoisans, including the youngest and the furriest members of our state,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Thank you to non-profits like the Daisie Foundation and the Anti-Cruelty Society for your tireless work to bring joy to families all over Illinois.” “Today, I was proud to join Governor Pritzker at the Howe School of Excellence, to share some holiday magic with students, teachers and staff,” said Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton. “This is a great time of year to take care of our communities and our students. I thank

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ALTON - There are many skygazers in the Metro East area and a yearly Geminids meteor shower is about to reach a peak. EarthSky says 1:27 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023, will be the peak. EarthSky also said the overall duration of the shower occurs from Nov. 19, 2023, to Dec. 24, 2023. The meteor's radiance rises in the mid-evening and is highest around 2 p.m. Under a dark sky with no moon, EarthSky says a person might visualize 120 Geminids meteors in an hour. Because the meteor rises in the mid-evening, someone can watch Geminids all night around the peak dates of Dec. 13 and 14. "The bold, white, bright geminids give us one of the Northern Hemisphere's best shower, especially in years when there is no moon," EarthSky said. "They're also visible, at lower rates from the Southern Hemisphere. The meteors are plentiful, rivaling the August Perseids."

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ALTON - Aldi shoppers had a bit of a break on Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 12, 2023, when a refrigeration leak occurred. Aldi maintenance personnel was dispatched to the scene and the Alton Fire Department also responded. Alton Deputy Fire Chief Matt Fischer said the fire department’s primary role was ventilating the area. “We were able to ventilate the building while the work was going on to stop the leak,” he said. Aldi has since reopened for business at the 2822 Homer Adams Parkway, Alton.

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EDWARDSVILLE - Malik Allen returned to the Edwardsville boys basketball lineup on Dec. 5, scoring 16 points in a 64-46 loss at O'Fallon, and then led the Tigers with 19 points in a very good bounce-back win at home over Belleville East 60-48 on Dec. 8. Allen exploded for 23 points on Monday against Gateway STEM, then came back Tuesday with a career-high 24 points against Roosevelt. Allen has been on fire from the field and his quickness and agility on the court are huge pluses for the Tigers as they head into the Christmas schedule and open 2024 with Southwestern Conference play. Allen's return to the lineup is a good sign for Edwardsville's team, as he'll add an extra dimension to the team's offense and defense. The win over the Lancers was a very good bounce back for the Tigers also, after the loss at O'Fallon, and Allen's return couldn't have come at a better time. In his post-game interview. Allen expressed his happiness on returning to the team after having missed the first

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ALTON - There’s a new sport in Alton, and Coach Joshua Young wants the Riverbend region to know that the Alton Community Boxing Club is fighting strong. In the past few months, Young and his fellow volunteer coaches have worked with over 100 people of all ages to build skills and fellowship both inside and outside of the ring. Now, they’re sharing their success and hoping to gain community support as the club grows. “Boxing is accepting and it gives second chances,” Young said. “No matter what your background is, you can come and belong. No one is compared here. No one is set up upon one another. Everyone, as soon as they walk in the door — that’s your brother. That’s your sister. This is your family…Hopefully, we grow as a family and stay together for years.” Young and his coaches started the club earlier this year to provide a fun, safe space for kids to hang out after school and participate in a new sport. They quickly

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ALTON - Marquette Catholic’s Dance Team Wins IDTA Lyrical Competition On Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, the Marquette Catholic High School Dance Team participated in the IDTA Regional Dance Competition at Belleville East High School and finished in first place in the Lyrical 1A Division. “This group of dancers is very talented and driven to do well,” said Coach Megan Stevenson. Dance team members are Kambria Simon, Macy Stevenson, Jaidyn Moore, Allison Wooden, Grace Schwegel, Grace Stoverink, Alana Taylor, Hope Seymour, Jaelyn Slow and Lexi Stevenson. “This is a great start to our competition season,” Stevenson said. Marquette Catholic Athletic Director Brian Hoener added: “Coach Stevenson does a great job with our dance team and we are thrilled they are off to such a great start to the competitive portion of their schedule.” Marquette Catholic is a co-educational, college prep school in Alton, Illinois, founded in 1927. Marquette’s athletic

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ALTON - Alton Firefighters Local 1255 members will once again show their giving nature with the Seventh Annual Turkey Giveaway on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023. The turkey giveaway will take place from noon to 2 p.m. at Crisis Food Center at 21 E. Sixth Street in Alton. "We will have a contactless drive-through-only turkey giveaway with vehicles lining up on Market Street, between East Fourth and East Sixth Street heading north to make a right on East Sixth Street and pull up in front of our location where we load the trunk," Battalion Chief Derrick Richardson, one of the coordinators of the event and members of Alton Firefighters Local 1255, said. "We will give one turkey and one bag of sides, per car on a first-come, first-serve basis while supplies last. We ask that everyone follow all safety protocols." Richardson said the firefighters are again happy to partner with Crisis Food Center, who are donating the side items and went 50/50 with Local 1255 on purchasing the turkeys. "This

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EDWARDSVILLE — The holidays are a time for caring and sharing, which is why the Edwardsville Police Department is partnering with the Illinois Department of Transportation to spread the word about the dangers of impaired driving with a “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” Campaign. Get a DUI.” enforcement campaign. From Dec. 15 through Jan. 2, law enforcement across Illinois will show zero tolerance for alcohol- and drug-impaired driving to keep our roads safe and help ensure a happy holiday season. “If you’ll be celebrating with festive drinks or other impairing substances, make a plan for a safe ride home before you leave for the party,” said Lt. Brandn Whittaker. “Driving impaired is simply unacceptable. There are no excuses.” According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System, in the United States in 2021, a total of 13,384 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes involving

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ALTON - Sparks Junk Removal & Hauling has had an incredible year over the course of 2023, according to Owner Denise Sparks. The business, which has become a staple across the Metro East over the past 30 years, has most recently expanded into weekly trash pickup services with free Christmas tree pickup coming soon. Sparks with Sparks Junk Removal & Hauling talked more about the business and the incredible year they’ve had on an episode of Our Daily Show! on Riverbender.com . “That’s the kind of person I am. If you tell me that I’m not or I can’t do something, I’m going to do it,” Sparks said about the leap of faith she took in expanding into weekly trash pickup. “I started this in April of this year not knowing my left hand from my right hand, just like when I got in business 30 years ago. But you know what? It’s trial and error, you learn, you pay attention. And now, we are in our eighth month just purchased a bran

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ALTON - The Alton Dispensary will offer a discount with each donation to their food drive through Dec. 24, 2023. Cory Davenport, the dispensary’s marketing manager, explained that this is the beginning of the dispensary’s outreach efforts, with much more planned to help the Riverbend community. “We are part of this community. We want to give back to this community. This community does a lot for us. We want to return that,” Davenport said. “This is just the first step in something that’s going to continue to grow. You’re going to see more and bigger things from us for the community. We’re really trying to show that we’re good neighbors.” The dispensary will offer a 10% discount on your entire purchase if you bring in a nonperishable food item. This discount is stackable; for example, if you have a medical card and already receive 30% off your purchase at Alton Dispensary, bringing in a food item will give you an additional

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EDWARDSVILLE - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville congratulates its newest Distinguished Research Professor, Jason Stacy, PhD, a professor of history and social science pedagogy in the College of Arts and Sciences. The promotion to Distinguished Research Professor of History comes on the heels of being a co-director on a $250,000 National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) grant. Stacy’s new SIUE appointment is a result of a selection by a committee of his peers along with the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. “I am extremely honored to receive the Distinguished Research Professor award,” said Stacy. “The support that the University has provided has been essential for my work. But I’m especially grateful for the colleagues and students with whom I’ve worked for nearly twenty years; they inspire me every day.” Stacy has authored several books, numerous articles and published chapters, examining the literature o

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EDWARDSVILLE - When Wes Sterling saw 9-year-old Ruby Leigh perform at the American Legion Post #199 in 2016, he had no idea he was watching a future star of “The Voice.” Now 16 years old and a finalist in the reality singing competition, Leigh is returning to Post #199 to perform on New Year’s Eve. Wes, the commander of Post #199, and his wife, Eva, are just as starstruck as they were then. “My wife is a great big fan of Ruby’s. We first met her when she was 9 when she came out here and played at the Bluegrass Festival,” Wes remembered. “Ruby had been out here probably five or six times on different events and played for us.” A local promoter — and the Sterlings’ friend — had seen Leigh’s talent in her hometown of Foley, Missouri. He connected her to Post #199 in Edwardsville. The couple quickly became friends with Leigh’s family, including her father, who Wes described as “a really, really nice

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EDWARDSVILLE - Sara Colvin is the new Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Interim Vice Chancellor for University Advancement and CEO of the SIUE Foundation. Colvin replaces Seth Walker, former vice chancellor for advancement and CEO of the SIUE Foundation, who recently stepped down to accept a new role in his home state of Georgia. Colvin, who previously worked on major gift campaigns for both the School of Business and J ohn Martinson Honors Program, plans “to ensure continuity and positive momentum for the SIUE Foundation.” “My dedication to fostering positive relationships and adeptly navigating complex challenges positions me as a valuable asset in advancing the mission and goals of SIUE,” said Colvin. “We will actively engage with students, faculty, and staff to understand their needs and concerns. I am enthusiastic about contributing to the university's continued success within advancement and alumni relations teams.”

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ALTON - River Bend Yoga will combine holiday fun and mindfulness with their Kids Yoga: Christmas Edition class on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023. From 1–3 p.m., kids can experiment with basic yoga movements and breathwork while making crafts, playing games and enjoying a few holiday treats. Stephanie Greenhaulgh, the class’s instructor, explained that it’ll be a fun day with all the benefits of a normal yoga class. “This one’s a little fun because it’s not just movement and breath," she explained. "We’re throwing in a little holiday twist." During the class, kids will be making reindeer food, ornaments and graham cracker reindeer. They will also decorate sugar cookies and enjoy cups of hot cocoa while they make cards for local nursing homes. Some of the yoga and breathing exercises that Greenhaulgh usually teaches during her kids classes will also have a holiday feel. She said her students will learn the “cocoa breath” technique,

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