Riverbender 🕸

GRAFTON — Families and children gathered at Red Hawk Park on Saturday, August 10, 2024, for Grafton's Family Fun Day, a final celebration before the school year begins. The event, organized by the Family Fun Day Committee, offered a variety of activities and refreshments that delighted attendees. The festivities kicked off with Kylie Muntz, Little Miss Jersey County 2024, who participated in the evening's activities, including sitting behind the wheel of a fire truck and getting her face painted by local resident Magge Tarr Soer. Soer's unique face-painting designs were a highlight of the event. Families enjoyed free hot dogs, chips, and water provided by Got Faith Church. Children had the opportunity to explore a fire engine with the knowledgeable crew from QEM and get a firsthand look at one of Grafton's police cars with retired Sergeant Peggy O'Neil. The park buzzed with excitement as children slid, ran, and played, while families relaxed and engaged in games like pickleball.

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GRANITE CITY - Isaiah Ford in a senior returning defensive back for the Granite City football team, and is anxious and determined to help the Warriors come back from the 2023 season, where the Warriors had a difficult time in a 0-9 campaign. The Warriors open up the 2024 season on Aug. 30, 2024, against Triad at Memorial Stadium/Kevin Greene Field, and there's already a renewed sense of optimism and happiness around the club. Ford has noticed it, and is very happy with the early change. Ford is a Stillwater Senior Living Male Athlete of the Month. "For me, things have been going well," Ford said in an interview conducted during a break in practice on Aug. 13. "I've been in the weight room as much as I can, I've been trying to better myself, and make sure I have an overall better performance for myself." There's also a much more sense of calm and serenity over the team as well, and Ford couldn't help but notice that, also. "The team, the overall morale is a lot better than last

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FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS – An Effingham County man is facing multiple federal charges for accusations of defrauding and stealing more than $330,000 from an elderly individual. A federal grand jury charged Edward L. Stief, Jr., 41, with five counts of wire fraud, one count of mail fraud and one count of monetary transaction in criminally derived property. “Financial exploitation of vulnerable populations is deplorable, and the Department of Justice is committed to supporting victims and combatting elder abuse in its many forms against offenders intent on enriching themselves at another’s expense,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. According to the charging document, Stief convinced the victim to appoint him as his Financial and Healthcare Power of Attorney in May 2023. In October 2023, Stief persuaded the victim to leave a nursing home facility and move into his full-time care. Stief was a signatory on the victim’s bank accounts, talked the victim into

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CHICAGO – Today, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced a pivotal $20 million commitment to further elevate Illinois’ position as a national leader in technology and innovation through the Venture Investment for Semiconductor Technology Advancement (VISTA) initiative. This strategic funding will strengthen Illinois’ already robust ecosystem, catalyzing transformative innovations and attracting substantial private investments that will drive the state’s leadership in semiconductor technology. ? “Here in Illinois, we’re providing the critical support that startups need to thrive and advancing sectors that will define tomorrow’s technology,” said Governor JB Pritzker . “With a $20 million commitment to the VISTA initiative, we’re pushing the boundaries in semiconductor technology and bringing in investments that will further cement Illinois as a leader in both

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ALTON - Antoine and Antonia Phillips, siblings from Alton Illinois, have earned the honor of representing Team USA in wrestling at the Deaflympics 2025 in Tokyo, Japan. This announcement was made by the duo, who expressed their excitement and are seeking support to cover their participation expenses. Antoine Phillips, a freshman at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in New York, is majoring in Precision Manufacturing Technology. He is a member of the RIT wrestling team and will compete in the 73 kg weight class for men’s wrestling at the Deaflympics. Antoine has previously been an IWCOA State Qualifier and was selected to wrestle in the Illinois vs. Missouri All Star Dual. Antonia Phillips, a sophomore at Aurora University in Illinois, is majoring in Sports Management and Marketing. She is a member of the Aurora Women’s wrestling team and has a notable record, including being the IHSA Girls Wrestling State Champion in 2022 for 140 lbs. Antonia also placed third

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SPRINGFIELD – Due to Thursday evening’s weather forecast, the start time for the Jonas Brothers concert has been moved up to 7 p.m. Gates will open at 6 p.m. The sold-out pre-show party will begin at 4:30 p.m. Concert tickets are still available online at ticketmaster.com or at the Grandstand box office. The 2024 Illinois State Fair runs through August 18 in Springfield. Stay up to date with all the latest news and announcements from the Illinois State Fair by connecting with us via Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram .

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) and the Serve Illinois Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service announced the finalists and winner of the 2024 Governor’s Hometown Awards on Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024, during a ceremony in Springfield. The City of Edwardsville's Challenger Baseball program was honored with the prestigious Governor's Cup. The award ceremony, held at Erin’s Pavilion, recognized the City of Edwardsville for its partnership with the Madison County Challenger Baseball program, which provides children and adults with disabilities the opportunity to play baseball on a fully accessible field at Plummer Family Park. Governor J.B. Pritzker praised the finalists for their community-driven efforts. “Nowhere will you find a more compassionate and community-driven spirit than in Illinois,” Pritzker said. “This year’s Governor’s Hometown Awards finalists embody that very spirit, exemplifying how collectiv

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ALTON - The Marquette Catholic High School football team showed their civic pride on Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, by volunteering at the Scotty McCreery concert. Head coach Eric Dickerson said that the kids and parents were eager to volunteer at the Alton Riverfront Amphitheater. He explained that it’s part of Marquette’s mission to give back, and they were happy to help the community after the people of Alton have done so much for them. “It’s just great to give back to the community that supports us all year long,” Dickerson said. “They come out, watch us and support the school. We can give back what we can, so it’s a great opportunity for us to get out and be amongst our community.” Assistant coach Billy Sprague organized the volunteer opportunity. Dickerson, the team and their parents were immediately on board. Dickerson said the MCHS football team is “looking great” ahead of this season. They had 45 kids who came

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SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias’ office has transformed its Melrose Park facility into a DMV+ and “One-Stop-Shop” design, offering new services and reduced wait times. The Melrose Park location marks the first DMV+ facility, which includes Secretary of State services that have never been accessible at an Illinois DMV location. These include specialized services from its Business, Index and Personnel Departments that would otherwise require an in-person visit to a Secretary of State’s office located in downtown Chicago or Springfield. In addition, the DMV+ also includes a One-Stop-Shop design that combines both driver and vehicle services, allowing customers to access service at a single customer service counter and reducing the number of steps to create a more intuitive flow. It also frees up space for additional service stations and appointments to accommodate more customers. “Our continued effort to modernize the office allow

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FIELDON - A Fieldon man faces multiple felonies after throwing a brick through the window of a moving vehicle and striking the driver. Joseph D. East, 25, of Fieldon, was charged with aggravated battery (a Class 3 felony), criminal damage to property (a Class 4 felony), and reckless driving (a Class A misdemeanor). On July 13, 2024, East allegedly “threw a brick” at the victim’s vehicle as they drove by the Pour House Bar in Fieldon, according to Jersey County court documents. The brick went “through the driver’s side window,” striking the victim in the arm and resulting in both the battery and criminal damage charges against East. The vehicle damage totaled over $500. He also reportedly “endangered the bodily safety of the general public while driving in a reckless manner,” resulting in the misdemeanor charge in this case. East has since been granted pretrial release and was issued a summons to appear in court on Sept. 3,

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ALTON - In a ceremony held recently, Police Chief Jarrett Ford swore in the four newest members of the Alton Police Department. The new officers, Isaiah Hampton, Jordan Picklesimer, Steven Vaughn, and Joshua Saucedo-Hernandez, stood side by side as they took their oaths of office. "We are very excited to have them join the department," Chief Ford said during the ceremony. "They will soon depart for the police academy. We look forward to their successful academy training and having them join us in serving Alton." The new officers are set to begin their training at the police academy in the coming weeks. Their addition to the force is seen as a positive step toward bolstering the department’s capabilities and enhancing public safety in Alton.

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ALTON - In the summer of 1924, Altonians were excited about driving automobiles. Auto clubs sprang up all over the place, there was a car column in the Alton Telegraph, and there were picnic fundraisers to cinder dirt roads all over town. On August 11, 1924, an Alton Automobile Club presentation on automobile safety at Riverview Park drew a large crowd. It was a cold night for August, and many of the attendees wore their winter coats. At this time, there were 3,600 automobiles in the district and approximately 36,000 residents, one auto or truck for every ten people. Speakers at the automobile safety meeting included G. C. Varnum, secretary and manager of the St. Louis Safety Council, and Roy Rauschkolb, chairman of the development services of the St. Louis Chamber of Commerce. They recommended measures such as a safe drivers’ club and a vigilance committee and encouraged pedestrians to use street crossings and drivers to follow traffic guidelines. Varnum recited a little

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BELLEVILLE — In a recent ceremony, the Belleville Police Department officially welcomed two new recruits, Officer Headen and Officer Ortiz. Both officers took their oath to protect and serve the citizens of Belleville and will soon begin their training at the police academy. The swearing-in event marks a significant step in the careers of Headen and Ortiz, who are set to join the ranks of the Belleville Police Department. "We would like you to join us in welcoming them to our department," stated a representative from the department. The new recruits will undergo rigorous training at the academy, preparing them for the challenges and responsibilities that come with their roles in law enforcement.

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EDWARDSVILLE – Alex Fox, the new interim principal of Edwardsville High School, joined other school officials outside the school to greet students on their first official day on Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024. The greeting by administrators and teaching staff was aimed to set a positive tone for the upcoming academic year. Fox expressed enthusiasm about the student body, stating, "These kids are probably the best overall student body in the state of Illinois. If you don’t think that way, just look at our overall high-level academic performances, our performing arts kids, athletes, and regular general students." The interim principal highlighted the importance of all students, including those who may feel undervalued, and said some of those people set the tone for the rest of the students and are as critical to the success of the school as anyone else. The first day was marked by excitement and optimism from both students and staff. "Seeing the smiles and waves is wonderful,

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BELLEVILLE – A bobcat sighting in Brookhill Estates, near Green Mount Road in Belleville, has garnered significant attention this past weekend. The wildcat was first spotted on Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, when a person let a dog out in the backyard. Brookhill Estates, located just east of Green Mount Road and north of Illinois 177 in Belleville, is bordered by agricultural land to the south and east, and a thick wood line to the north and west. The area’s proximity to both natural and residential spaces makes it a conducive environment for wildlife sightings. Don Schachner, an Illinois conservation officer, verified that the animal in question from a photo submitted to him was indeed a bobcat. “Bobcats are far more common than people realize,” Schachner explained. “They are more secretive than most animals and could live in an area without being noticed.” Schachner noted that bobcats typically appear larger than they are due to their long legs and

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JERSEYVILLE - Following a benefit for 14-year-old Hayden Eberlin Brown , his family could not be more thankful for the community’s support. They’re asking for help to raise $3,000 more. The money donated by the community will go toward the purchase of a van with a lift so Hayden’s mother can transport him to appointments. Hayden was diagnosed with metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD), a terminal disease with progressive neurological decline. As he nears the end of his life, his family hopes the money will help them pay for Hayden’s care, comfort and funeral expenses. “It’s so that he’s comfortable. The poor thing. I can’t imagine living like he’s living, you know?” said Tammy Schaaf, Hayden’s aunt, who organized the benefit and GoFundMe . “He did laugh the other day, and we did get it on video. That’s the first time in, oh my gosh, I couldn’t tell you how long. He had a big old smile and he

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ALTON - Marquette Catholic High School students and teachers are gearing up for another great year as they returned to school on Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2024. Principal Tim Harmon expressed his excitement for the upcoming school year. He noted that he is especially looking forward to welcoming the seniors and freshmen, and he can’t wait to start the year on a positive note. “I am just extremely excited for the incoming freshman class to get to be part of the Marquette family and, I’ll say, even more excited for the seniors,” Harmon said. “It’s hard to be more excited than I am for the freshmen, but I’m more excited even for the seniors that they’re getting to enjoy their last year of four years at Marquette and getting to enjoy being part of our family, but then also getting ready to go out into the big grand world of college or the military or the workforce. I’m just really excited. I feel like there’s a lot of joy and anxiou

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — On Wednesday, August 14, 2024, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office issued charges against Christopher Woodard, 40, of Florissant, Missouri, for endangering the welfare of a child and unlawful use of a weapon. Woodard, who resides on the 2300 block of Battlefield Drive, is being held on a $100,000 cash-only bond. According to the probable cause statement, police responded to a call regarding a child overdose at approximately 8 p.m. on August 13, 2024, at Woodard’s residence. Upon arrival, officers found a 1-year-old child exhibiting signs of an overdose. In a post-Miranda interview, Woodard admitted to using methamphetamine with his wife in their bedroom before placing the child in the same bed. Further investigation revealed a jar containing a crystal-like substance in the bedroom, which Woodard identified as methamphetamine. The child subsequently tested positive for methamphetamine. Officers also observed a black .45 caliber

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ALTON - After another successful Rock the Hops festival in downtown Alton, organizer Hope Mader is reflecting on the arts and music scene she wants to see in the Riverbend. On Aug. 10, 2024, hundreds of people flooded Bossanova Martini Lounge, Old Bakery Beer Co., The Conservatory, Flock Food Truck Park and Bar, and Ragin’ Cajun Piano Bar for a day of live music and craft beers. Twenty-seven bands and over 40 styles of craft beer were available, and Mader said the day went “very well.” “Our mission is to uplift, engage and encourage local creative culture and to help music and art and culture become active and honored participants in our community,” she said. “Here are the musicians. Here are the artists who live and work and create here. They have something to say. They have something to show us. It’s just a way to give them our full attention.” Mader thanked Lauren Pattan with Old Bakery Beer Co. for her help in developing the

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ALTON - Senior Services Plus, Inc., located at 2603 N. Rodgers Ave. in Alton, IL will be hosting a lunch and presentation entitled Public Safety, sponsored by AARP IL on Friday, August 30th, 2024 from 12-1 p.m. in the School House Grill. During this presentation, officers from the Madison County Sheriff’s Department and the Alton Police Department will discuss public safety concerning older adults, including the measures and conditions that ensure their well-being and protection from harm, both in public spaces and within their homes and will cover a variety of factors, including physical safety, emotional security, and access to essential services. Doors open for check-in at 11 a.m., lunch is served at 11:45 a.m., and the presentation begins at 12 p.m. This lunch and presentation is free and open to the public, but space is limited. To reserve your seat, please call Leslie, SSP’s Marketing and Development Coordinator at 618-465-3298 ext. 123. About SENIOR SERVICES

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