Riverbender 🕸

CHICAGO - The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is currently accepting applications for the 2025 DCFS Scholarship Program. Through the program, a minimum of 53 academic scholarships will be awarded to current and former youth in care for the upcoming school year, with four awards reserved for the children of veterans and two awards presented to students pursuing degrees in social work in honor of Pamela Knight and Deidre Silas, two DCFS caseworkers who succumbed to injuries sustained in the line of duty. Scholarship recipients receive up to five consecutive years of tuition and academic fee waivers if they attend an Illinois public university or community college including a monthly grant of $1,577 to offset other expenses and a medical card. In 2024, DCFS awarded scholarships to 334 college-bound youth, the most in the agency’s history. “It is my priority as governor to ensure that all Illinois students, including youth in DCFS care, have the

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ORLAND PARK – On Jan. 3, 2025, the Illinois State Police (ISP) joined Trooper Clay M. Carns’ family and friends, along with officers from law enforcement agencies across the country, to honor and pay respects to Trooper Carns, who was killed in the line of duty on December 23, 2024. Trooper Carns was laid to rest on Jan. 3. “Today, and every day going forward, we honor Illinois State Police Trooper Clay Carns for his sacrifice, and the sacrifice made by his family,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “While ISP is hurting as we lay to rest the second trooper killed on Illinois highways in just three months, we will not falter. To honor Trooper Carns means to preserve and uphold that which he stood for – Integrity, Service, and Pride. Trooper Carns will remain in our hearts and in our sacred work of protecting public safety and pursuing justice.” Trooper Carns entered the ISP Academy on November 10, 2013, as part of Cadet Class 123, an

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CHICAGO – Illinois State Police (ISP) officials investigated two separate traffic crashes that occurred in DuPage and Cook counties involving ISP troopers who were handling separate vehicle crashes when their squad cars were struck by drivers who failed to move over. On December 31, 2024, at approximately 1:57 p.m., an ISP trooper was outside of their squad car handling a crash with their emergency lights activated on Interstate 55 northbound near Woodward Avenue. A Hyundai sedan failed to move over and rear-ended the parked squad car. The parked squad car blocked three troopers on scene from being hit. No injuries were reported. The ISP squad car was towed from the scene due to damage sustained during the crash. The driver of the Hyundai, 23-year-old Alyssa M. Ceballos of Lockport, Illinois, was charged with driving Too Fast for Conditions and a Scott’s Law violation. On January 1, 2025, at approximately 3:09 a.m., two ISP troopers were enroute to assist with a previous

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GRANITE CITY – Granite City Elks Lodge #1063 recognized four seniors from Granite City High School as Students of the Month for November and December. The Elks Student of the Month Program is designed to recognize outstanding young men and women for achievements in school and community life-fine arts, hobbies, athletics, church, school, club and community service, industry and farming. Nominees are judged on multiple achievements including leadership skills, good moral character, community involvement, extracurricular activities, honors and award and scholastic ability. Each student receives a $100 U.S. savings bond and an Elks certificate of achievement. LYDIA HARRIS - November Two-time Girls Cross Country Captain and Most Valuable Athlete ... Two-time Girls Track Most Valuable Athlete ... The Rock Youth Group volunteer ... Rotary Student of the Month ... Member of National Honor Society and Varsity Club ... Secondary Honors ... St. Louis Rowing Club member ... Daughter

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O’FALLON, Ill. — HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital recently welcomed 40 high school students from across Southern Illinois for its sixth and largest High School Healthcare Bootcamp on Monday, Dec. 30. The bootcamp for juniors and seniors interested in a career in health care gives students a realistic look into various health care roles, while also allowing an opportunity to make connections in the field. “Through these job shadowing experiences, students are able to learn the role of the career, the type of education that is required, skills that are performed and network with our medical professionals,” shared Ericka Mulroy, Nursing Professional Development Specialist for Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS). “These students were able to experience hands-on skill sessions during their time at St. Elizabeth’s and speak directly with HSHS employment specialists about opportunities available to them in the field.” The bootcamp included

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CHICAGO – As 2025 begins and millions of Americans start working to keep their New Year’s resolutions, Attorney General Kwame Raoul is reminding Illinois residents who are seeking GLP-1 medications – including Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound – to be aware that many sellers advertising these name brand medications are instead offering unapproved versions of these products that may put people’s health at risk. Weight loss continues to be one of the top New Year’s resolutions among Americans, and Raoul is strongly urging people to obtain prescriptions for GLP-1 medications from a trusted health care provider and to fill those prescriptions at an appropriately-licensed pharmacy. Attorney General Raoul is warning consumers about misleading advertising by med spas, wellness centers, online retailers and social media sellers that states or implies they are offering name brand GLP-1 medications or generic versions of name brand medications, when

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ST. LOUIS - The City of St. Louis has opened three additional warming centers during the ongoing winter storm. 211 has been alerted to these locations and will direct those who call to them. Please see a list of warming centers below. Gamble Recreation Center 2907 Gamble St, St. Louis, MO 63106 Open 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. Cherokee Recreation Center 3200 S Jefferson Ave #3102, St. Louis, MO 63118 Open 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. St. Louis City Office Building 1520 Market St, St. Louis, MO 63103 Open 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. --

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Martha Pfister announces her candidacy for Alderwoman of Alton’s 2nd Ward with a vision that is values-driven and solutions-oriented. “Every citizen deserves quality from their neighborhood," stated Pfister, "and I am dedicated to making that an expectation in the second ward." Born and raised in Alton, Martha Pfister spent some years living in Chicago but ultimately decided with her husband that Alton was the best place to raise their kids. A self-proclaimed “Altonian by birth and Altonian by choice,” Pfister has found value both in what she learned living in other communities and as well as in the characteristics of Alton that drew her back to her hometown. As a mom of young kids, Pfister sees opportunities for improvement in the 2nd Ward for families. “Sidewalks are overgrown and crumbling, and neighborhood parks are neglected while funding and resources are allocated elsewhere,” said Pfister. She believes in prioritizing the parks that serve

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GODFREY - After over 24 hours of work, the Village of Godfrey roads are passable, said Public Works Director Jim Lewis. Lewis shared that the Public Works Department has been busy since midnight on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in addition to several hours of preparation leading up to the snow. He thanked the Public Works Department for their hard work to make the streets as safe as possible after the Riverbend region experienced several inches of snow and ice over the weekend. “They’ve done a super job, because this has really been quite a storm,” Lewis said. “These guys have done a wonderful job, and the streets in Godfrey are passable pretty much everywhere right now. Hopefully in a couple of hours here, I’m going to get to let these guys go home and go to bed, and then tomorrow morning, come in and go again.” The Public Works Department salted the roads in the days leading up to the storm. As soon as snow started to fall on Sunday, the department

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GODFREY - Community members gathered at Glazebrook Park in Godfrey for the third annual Freezing for Funds fundraiser this weekend.On Jan. 4, 2025, Freezing for Funds attendees participated in a polar plunge at Glazebrook Park to raise money for a local nonprofit. The YWCA received approximately $5,000 as a result of the fundraiser. “It's always a fun time for everybody,” said Craig Lombardi, who helped organize the event. “We just love helping the community.” Freezing for Funds is sponsored by the Alton High School Class of 1986. Lombardi, Cami Beaber Giertz, Tawnya Hooper and Trisha Deanne Perks decided to create Freezing for Funds as a way to give back to the community. People donated $35 to participate in the plunge. They also chose a nonprofit that they want to donate to. All of these nonprofits were entered for the chance to win the money. Godfrey Mayor Mike McCormick drew the YWCA as the winning charity. McCormick noted that the Freezing for

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Welcome to This Day in History for January 6, 2025! 2021: The U.S. Capitol Riot On January 6, 2021, the United States experienced an unprecedented event when a mob stormed the Capitol building in Washington, D.C. This incident occurred on the day that Congress was set to certify the Electoral College results of the presidential election held in November 2020. The riot was fueled by claims of widespread election fraud, despite a lack of evidence supporting such allegations. As rioters breached the Capitol, they aimed to overturn the election results and disrupt the certification process for President Joe Biden's victory over then-incumbent Donald Trump. Lawmakers were evacuated, and the National Guard was deployed to restore order. By the end of the day, five people had died, and many others were injured. The aftermath of the riot led to widespread condemnation, discussions about security failures, and political ramifications that would echo throughout the subsequent years.

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Metro East Illinois is facing challenging winter weather conditions on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025, as heavy snowfall and strong winds are impacting travel and road safety. However, IDOT and various city and county street crews have valiantly worked on the roadways overnight. The snowfall at this point at 7:40 a.m. on Monday has diminished, the National Weather Service in St. Louis' Meteorologist Mellissa Byrd reports early in the morning. Joe Monroe, an Operations Engineer for the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) in the Metro East region, provided an update on the situation early Monday morning. Monroe reported that the area experienced approximately three additional inches of snow overnight in many locations, with winds shifting somewhat. He emphasized the importance of patience and preparation for those planning to travel, stating, “It looks like winds have turned a little bit more northerly component.” Monroe noted that crews are working diligently to make roads

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The University of Wisconsin-Madison has recognized students named to the Dean’s List for the fall semester of the 2024-2025 academic year. Several Edwardsville students were announced on the Dean's List. They are listed below. Students who achieve at a high level academically are recognized by the dean at the close of each semester. To be eligible for the Dean’s List, students must complete a minimum of 12 graded degree credits in that semester. Each university school or college sets its own GPA requirements for students to be eligible to receive the distinction. Most call the honor "dean's list", but some grant the "Dean's Honor List" and "Dean's High Honor List." HOMETOWN, STATE; NAME, COLLEGE, AWARD Edwardsville, IL Sydney Chong, College of Letters and Science, Dean's List Jordyn Ginestra, College of Letters and Science, Dean's List Maria Linden, College of Engineering, Dean's Honor List

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COLLINSVILLE – Illinois State Police (ISP) Troop 8 Commander, Captain Casey Faro, announces the ISP will conduct Occupant Restraint Enforcement Patrols (OREP) in Madison and St. Clair counties during January. OREPs allow the ISP to focus on safety belt and child safety seat laws. Illinois law requires all vehicle passengers (front and back) to be buckled up! Safety belts are still one of the most effective safety devices in vehicles, estimated to save over 14,000 lives each year. Nearly 50% of vehicle occupants killed in traffic crashes were not buckled up. The objective of this program is to increase occupant restraint compliance through education, child safety seat inspections, and enforcement.

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ALTON - City Hall in Alton, Illinois, will be closed on Monday, January 6, 2025, due to inclement weather. This decision affects city operations and services for the day. The closure comes as the city prepares for adverse weather conditions, prompting officials to prioritize public safety. In light of the closure, the Committee of the Whole meeting originally scheduled for January 6 has been rescheduled to Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at 6 p.m. Residents are advised to stay safe and remain informed about any further updates regarding city operations.

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GODFREY — Public Works personnel in the Village of Godfrey have been working tirelessly to keep the village's roads clear amid challenging weather conditions on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. The efforts, which began early in the day, have involved seven drivers and additional contractors to manage the inclement conditions. Village of Godfrey Mayor Mike McCormick expressed pride in the dedication of Jim Lewis, who leads the Public Works Department, and his staff. "Jim Lewis is extremely dedicated; he has been doing this for a lot of years," McCormick said. Village of Godfrey Economic Director Jim Mager echoed McCormick's praise of the Public Works personnel for their efforts combatting terrible weather conditions outside. Mager stressed that Godfrey has a lot of rural terrain and it encompasses many miles. Chris Sichra, Godfrey's Public Safety Administrator, has also been very involved in the Godfrey road and safety efforts over the weekend. Despite the challenges, Lewis and his team

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ALTON — On Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, families flocked to Haskell Park and Middletown areas in Alton, taking advantage of a winter storm that blanketed the area in snow. Children were seen sledding down the hills, a tradition that Mayor David Goins noted has long been a favorite pastime for Alton's youth. "Haskell Park seems to be one of the parks kids like to go to nowadays on these types of days," Goins said. He reminisced about his own childhood experiences sledding at the Rock Spring Golf Course. "Alton has a long history of youth out with their sleds," he added. "The kids will get a snow day tomorrow, so I am sure they will enjoy it. Alton has some good places for sleds with all the hills." In conjunction with the winter weather, Mayor Goins announced that Alton City Hall offices would be closed on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025, to allow for snow removal and public safety efforts. He also commended the public works staff for their continuous work since the storm began on Saturday night,

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ALTON— Alton Public Works crews have been working continuously since 7 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, to address the severe winter storm that has impacted the region, bringing significant ice and sleet accumulation. The storm, described by Alton Public Works Director Mike Parsons as the worst the area has faced in three and a half years, is expected to persist with intermittent snow and sleet until early Monday morning, Jan. 6, 2025. Parsons reported that crews pretreated all the Alton brick streets and hills in anticipation of the storm, but the weather conditions that contained both snow and ice have made it challenging to maintain safe travel on secondary roads. "We will be on the main streets first," he said. He encouraged patience and said his group would be working on the secondary roads right after the main streets. As of now, the area has received between 5 to 8 inches of snow, adding to the complications caused by the ice and sleet. Public Works crews are equipped wit

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CARROLLTON - The Greene County Courthouse and County Government Offices will be closed on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025, in response to a winter storm that is expected to bring heavy snowfall and high winds, creating hazardous visibility conditions. The storm is predicted to continue through the night and into the early morning hours, Sheriff Rob McMillen said Sunday night. "Officials have advised individuals with scheduled court dates on January 6 to reach out to the Circuit Clerk's office or their attorney's office on Tuesday for information regarding rescheduled court dates," McMillen said. "The closure is part of ongoing efforts to ensure public safety amid the adverse weather conditions."

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ST. LOUIS - St. Louis City Hall will be closed for in-person business on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025, due to inclement weather, Mayor Tishaura O. Jones announced on Sunday, Jan. 5. The decision comes as the city experiences significant snowfall and icy conditions, prompting concerns for public safety. In her statement, Mayor Jones expressed gratitude for the efforts of city workers who are addressing the adverse weather conditions. "I appreciate the hard work of our streets staff, first responders - Police, Fire and EMS - CEMA, and others who are keeping our residents safe at this time," she said. The closure of City Hall aims to ensure the safety of both employees and residents during the ongoing winter storm. Other tips by Mayor Jones: City crews continue to plow and treat our streets, and most major thoroughfares are passable. After a 10-hour shift change, crews are back out doing the work to keep our streets safe. Residents should STAY HOME if possible and follow City social account

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