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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 during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled “The Gun Violence Epidemic: A Public Health Crisis.” The hearing features expert testimony on gun violence as a crucial public health issue and specific public health initiatives that have recently shown promise in reducing gun violence, such as Chair Durbin’s Chicago HEAL Initiative . In 2022, there were more than 48,000 firearm-related deaths in the United States. More than half of firearm-related deaths were suicides, and more than four out of every 10 were homicides. Guns are now the number one cause of death for American kids and teens. The hearing continues Durbin’s and the Committee’s efforts to curb the gun violence epidemic. Last summer, the Senate passed and President Biden signed into law the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the most significant

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CAHOKIA – State Senator Christopher Belt is encouraging families to take a tour of the Jarrot Mansion State Historic Site on Saturday to see the home decorated for the holidays and learn the story of St. Nicholas. “The Jarrot Mansion is a beautiful home, and there’s no better way to see it than when it’s decorated for the holidays,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “This is a great chance to visit the historic site and help children get excited for Christmas.” St. Nicholas will visit Jarrot Mansion to greet families and share treats with children amid candlelight and traditional holiday decorations. The site is usually open by appointment only, but it will be open for free tours from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Dec. 2. Visitors are encouraged to donate a nonperishable food item for families in need. All donations will be distributed to Cahokia food pantries. The mansion, located at 124 E. First St. in Cahokia, was built around 1810 by merchant Nicholas Jarrot,

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CHICAGO — Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) were joined today by local officials and community leaders to celebrate the completion of a series of multiyear improvements worth $82.1 million along Interstate 57, part of several investments in the state’s longest interstate highway made possible by the historic, bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital program. Nearly 20 miles of I-57 were patched and resurfaced, while two bridges were repaired along a vital commercial and residential corridor connecting multiple communities from Chicago’s South Side through the south suburbs. “After decades of neglect, we are delivering the kind of infrastructure improvements that Illinoisans have been waiting for,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Our two-year, $85 million investment created good-paying jobs and has produced a smoother, safer ride for all who use I-57. When we make smart investments in the roadways that working families

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EDWARDSVILLE - Josh Fark has received the Emerson’s 2023 Excellence in Teaching Award. Fark, a special education teacher at Albert Cassens Elementary, was chosen from hundreds of teachers throughout the St. Louis metropolitan area. The Edwardsville Community Unit School District #7 (ECUSD7) Board of Education recognized him during their regular Board meeting on Monday, Nov. 27, 2023. “Mr. Fark has worked in District 7 for ten years and has been a staple in our functional life skills program,” Andrea Grotefendt, Director of Special Education, explained during the Board meeting. “The qualities that make him a phenomenal teacher extend past the walls of his classroom. He works diligently to foster relationships with parents and to promote inclusion among students and staff alike.” The Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award recognizes educators in the St. Louis area of all grade levels, from kindergarten teachers to college professors. Approximately 8

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Community Unit School District #7 Board of Education announced that Board member John McDole has stepped down from his position, effective immediately. President Jill Bertels announced this during the Board’s regular meeting on Monday, Nov. 27, 2023. She added that the Board is seeking someone who lives in Edwardsville Township to fill the position. “Earlier today, the Board received notice that John McDole will be stepping down as a Board member effective immediately,” Bertels said. “We’re seeking actively to fill the vacancy. Interested persons should submit a letter of interest stating their qualifications and indicating that they meet the Edwardsville Township residency requirement. It should also include a resume and any other information the applicant deems relevant.” The application materials should be turned into the district office, located at 708 St. Louis Street in Edwardsville, by Monday, Dec.

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ALTON - The Alton Police Youth Camp nonprofit will once again sponsor “Shop With a Cop” for local kids. At 8 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, Alton police officers will take on Target with approximately 50 students from the Alton Community Unit School District #11. Sergeant Andrew Pierson, union president, explained that the kids will have roughly $200 to spend on whatever they want for the holidays. “That’s what our nonprofit is all about, you know?” Pierson said. “It’s very great. Some of the kids come prepared with lists they’ve made and they know what they’re doing. Some of them just wander through the aisles. And you see a lot, too, of the kids wanting to give to their siblings or their mom or their dad or grandma or whatever.” The police union hosts an annual golf tournament that funds Shop With a Cop. They also receive donations from several local businesses, OSF, Alton Township, the school district and others. All o

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ALTON - Centerstone, a national leader in behavioral health care, will host a free, virtual Effective Engagement training on December 13 from 10 – 11:30 a.m. CT. CEUs are available. This training will dive into resilience and effective engagement strategies to build resilience within youth and families. “This webinar is perfect for those wanting to gain a deeper understanding of engagement strategies and resilience as part of engagement,” said Hannah Chapman, Centerstone Trauma, Treatment and Training grant coordinator. The presenter of the training will be Rachel Chruszczyk, prevention specialist with Prevent Child Abuse Illinois. This training has 1.5 hours of continuing education approved for IL LCPC / LPC, IL LCSW / LSW, and IL Nursing (LPN, RN, APN) under IDFPR Professional Counselor CE License No. 197.000263 and IDFPR Nurse CE Sponsor License No. 236.000184. To register, visit Centerstone.org/events. For more information, contact Chapman at Hannah.Chapman@Centerstone.org

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Police (ISP) works to prevent potential firearm related tragedies by keeping firearms out of the hands of those who pose a significant threat to themselves or others, and our work is proving effective. Over the past year, ISP strengthened firearm safety laws in Illinois and increased education and training to law enforcement agencies and schools about using those safety laws. “We are united in our commitment to preventing gun related tragedies in Illinois,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “I’m thankful for the Illinois State Police’s diligent efforts to train law enforcement agencies, school administrators, and medical professionals about the importance of reporting individuals who pose a threat of gun violence and how to do so. Every neighborhood and every home deserves to be free from gun violence, and the State of Illinois will continue to make significant investments in public safety and violence reduction.”

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) spoke on the Senate floor on the need to reopen key Gaza hospitals under the supervision of a credible, neutral third party in order to help the innocent civilians caught in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. During his speech, Durbin said he planned to speak with Secretary General António Guterres about implementing this proposal. He also called on Congress to pass President Biden’s emergency supplemental request, which includes emergency funds for Ukraine, Israel, the Indo-Pacific, and humanitarian crises. Durbin began his speech by commenting on the agreement reached between Israel and Hamas to release hostages currently being held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip during a temporary long ceasefire. Durbin said, “These innocent should never have been taken in the first place… This includes a young man with ties to my state, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who was horribly injured during the October 7

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GRANITE CITY - Granite City Community Unit School District #9 had five students recognized as part of the 2023 America Recycles Day Poster Contest, hosted by the Madison County Regional Office of Education 41. This year’s winners in the poster contest are as follows: Kindergarten – 2 nd grades 1st- Emery Corzine, Wilson 1-2 Education Center, 1st Grade 2nd - Claire Busacker, Highland Primary, 2nd Grade 3rd - Marlee Epps-Barnes, Nelson Elementary, 2nd Grade 3 rd – 5th grades 1st- Aliah Absher, East Elementary, 5th Grade 2nd - Grace Vangilder, East Elementary, 5th Grade 3rd - Jacorey Miller, Columbus Elementary, 4th Grade 6 th – 8 th grades 1st - Leah Maggart, Evangelical School, 8th Grade 2nd - Claire Hill, St. Mary’s Middle School, 6th Grade 3rd - Eden Kielty, Grigsby Intermediate School, 6th Grade 9 th – 12 th grades 1st - Marina Roeder, Granite City High School, 12th Grade 2nd - Autumn Wohlert, Granite City

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ALTON – Alton Pride’s second annual Thanksgiving Food Drive Competition was a huge success. Eleven area bars participated in the competition which ran October 28 thru November 12. A grand total of 3,366 non-perishable food items were donated over the two-week period – that’s over a 50% increase from last year! The donations collected were paired with turkeys from Mike & Mikey Klasner and Friends. This partnership successfully provided 55 Thanksgiving meals to Alton Riverbend Head Start and families in need in the community. A large donation was also made to the Crisis Food Center, the Boy’s & Girl’s Club Pantry and the Crisis Pantry in Alton. The winner of the competition, having collected 1,474 items, was Pete’s Lounge! This is the second year in a row that Pete’s Lounge has won and they beat their total last year by over 200 items. Pete’s Lounge is located at 100 Big Arch Rd, Godfrey, IL 62035, near Alton Square Mall. Owner

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ALTON - Alton Main Street’s quarterly information exchange, called “What’s Up Downtown”, will be held on Tuesday, November 28th at 5:30 p.m. at the iMerge Community Center, located in the Riverbender building at 200 W. 3rd Street in Alton, Illinois. The public is invited to learn the latest news regarding developments in Alton’s historic downtown district, including updates from new & existing businesses, news on real estate transactions and details of upcoming events and projects. The evening’s featured speakers include: - Melissa Bland will share details of her new shop called Honeybee Vintage that will open this month at 112 E. Broadway - Caleb Lewis will give a progress update on his redevelopment work at 112 E. Broadway, formerly the Caravan Resale Shop, which will soon be home to Moon Drops + Wellness and Honeybee Vintage as well as upstairs lodging - Lori Bregenzer will tell us what’s on the menu at Comfort Cuisine, her new take-away

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ALTON - The Alton Police Department requested the public's assistance early Monday night, Nov. 27, 2023, for a missing person. However, shortly after, the woman was located safe and sound. This was the Alton Police request: "The Alton Police Department is seeking the public's assistance in locating a missing person. Wilda Tedford, an 80-year-old female, walked away from River's Crossing, located in the 3400 block of Humbert Road," Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford said. Thankfully, the woman was located and was safe shortly after the request for assistance in the situation.

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GODFREY - The Madison County Sheriff's Office is investigating a traffic crash that occurred on Godfrey Road, at Celesta St., Godfrey, around 4:16 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 27, 2023. Madison County Sheriff's Office Deputy Chief Marcos Pulido said a preliminary investigation revealed that an 11-year-old boy was riding his bicycle across Godfrey Road at this intersection at the time of the accident. "A vehicle traveling northbound on Godfrey Road, traveling with a green light at this intersection, collided with the boy on the bicycle," Pulido said. "The 11-year-old boy was subsequently airlifted from the scene to a St. Louis area hospital. The driver of the vehicle remained on scene." Godfrey Fire Protection District Chief Eric Cranmer was not specific about what injuries the boy had encountered but said they were "serious," however he did not think they were "life-threatening." He said the boy lived close to where the accident occurred and that first responders had been able to get in touch

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ALTON - Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford announced late Monday afternoon, Nov. 27, 2023, that a suspect has been charged and arrested for the shooting death of Jarred O. Hayes that occurred in the 900 block of E. 7th Street, Alton, at 9:16 p.m. on Nov. 7, 2023. The chief said the suspect, Stanford Stokes, 42 years old, from St. Louis, Mo., was charged on 11/08/23 by the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office with the following offenses: Count I: First Degree Murder Count II: First Degree Murder Count III: First Degree Murder Count IV: Home Invasion Count V: Unlawful Possession of a Stolen Firearm Count VI: Unlawful Possession of Weapons by a Felon Stokes was arrested by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department in Texas on Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023. The chief said the suspect will be extradited back to Madison County in the near future. "Again, our condolences go out to Jarred’s family and loved ones," the chief said. "Thank you to all the many agencies

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ALTON - The second annual Local Author Book Fair is the next event coming up at the Hayner Public Library in Alton, but several more are planned throughout December. Executive Director Mary Cordes recently shared more about these upcoming events and the Local Author Book Fair slated for Dec. 9, 2023. “This year we have 30 authors, which is more than we had last year - we had 25 last year,” Cordes said. “We’ve got a lot of really great local authors, and what we want to do is showcase that." This year’s event is going to be held at the Alton Square Mall location of the Hayner Library, and Cordes said she and others will be just outside the library in the courtyard between the library and JCPenny. “Support your local authors. You can buy their books, talk with them , you can get your book autographed,” she said. “We’re conveniently located right next to the gift wrapping station, so you can take it right over and the Alton

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ALTON - The annual Christmas Wonderland display at Rock Spring Park is open once again for Riverbend residents to enjoy the holiday lights and support local nonprofits. The display opened on Nov. 25 and will run through Dec. 27, 2023, at Rock Spring Park, located at 2100 College Avenue in Alton. You can drive through the park to see the lights and decorations from 6–9 p.m. Monday through Friday or 5–9 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The Grandpa Gang, a local organization that decorates the park, suggests a donation of $10 per car or $1 per person in cars of ten people or more. All proceeds go to organizations throughout the Riverbend region. “It’s really, really gratifying,” said Dick Alford, the “Head Grandpa” of the gang. “And the best part of that is knowing that all these people who come through are helping to help the community, because last year alone, we gave back almost $50,000 to certain organizations in the community. The more w

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ALTON - Marquette Catholic guard Braden Kline is off to a sizzling start on the hardwoods. He has been phenomenal from the three-point range and hit five in one game last week in the Roxana Hoopsgiving Tourney. The 6-foot-2, 185-pound senior, is already putting up numbers that will attract college coaches with a 25-point outburst against Freeburg, 18 in a game against East Alton-Wood River, and 17 against Waterloo. Braden Kline is a Tucker's Automotive Repair & Tire Male Athlete of the Month for the Explorers. Kline is known as a hot shooter, but his head Marquette boys basketball coach Cody Best said Braden is developing on the defensive side of play and is "much stronger" physically after a dedicated weight training program and workouts this past summer. Braden has already paid visits to several colleges and will likely make that decision at the end of the basketball season. “Braden definitely put on some muscle this summer and is showing off early and able to attack the baske

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WOOD RIVER - As the holidays are here, one is reminded of one of the most inspiring athletic accomplishments of the fall when on pure courage and determination, East Alton-Wood River High junior Isaiah Kolmer qualified for the boys cross country sectional with a three-mile PR time of 18:07.5 in the Trenton Wesclin Regional. East Alton-Wood River head coach Russ Colona has witnessed a lot of positive performances in his long career with the Oilers, but this rainy, freezing cold day in October in Trenton is one he will never forget. Young Kolmer had established a goal early in the season of qualifying for sectional as an individual. Isaiah had something terribly tragic happen to him and his family in early October when his mom was killed in a car crash near Grafton. Somehow, the young man pulled himself together, likely in memory of his late mother, and turned in the performance of his life in the Trenton-Wesclin Regional and posted a PR. It was muddy, rainy, and an awful day for running

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My grandparents know a different Alton than I do. Both of them are Riverbend natives, born and raised. In between the buildings and the cracked sidewalks, they can still see the Alton of their childhoods. I love going downtown with them and hearing stories about our shared hometown, 50 years removed from the city I know. I never really noticed the years between us until the first time we went together to Germania. I had already spent hours at the downtown Alton location, hanging out with my friends and lounging on the rooftop benches overlooking the bridge. I thought my grandparents might enjoy something new, so we trekked downtown to check it out. My grandpa, especially, had a blast. He remembers the building as it was before the coffee shop, when it was a bank and he could only go a few steps inside to the teller’s counter. The rest of the bank was off-limits to the public, but now as he sipped at an iced chai and climbed the stairs to look out over the balcony, he was

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