Riverbender 🕸

ALTON – It was a special occasion Friday evening when the Alton Fire Department decided to host their Firefighter’s Ball once again. It’s one of the only nights out of the year that all the volunteers can be in the same room with one another and their families. The department doesn’t take these opportunities for granted, so when everyone was dressed to the nines inside WOW Event Center in Upper Alton, they were sure to have a good time. Doors opened at 5 p.m. as guests had the chance to get professional photos taken. The bar was open as well to enjoy before dinner. Dinner was provided by Chef Bob’s Catering Company. Before dinner, the firemen presented the colors and said a fireman’s prayer. After that, another prayer blessed the food. Finally, guests began eating around 6:30 p.m. They ate and danced into the night and enjoyed one of the few chances they have to just relax and have some fun.

Continue Reading

CHICAGO – Governor JB Pritzker has instructed the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) to temporarily suspend the international fuel tax agreement (IFTA) licensing requirements for 30 days, to allow those assisting with Florida’s hurricane relief efforts to provide help without having to register and pay fuel tax in Illinois. IFTA is an agreement among U.S. states and Canadian provinces to simplify the reporting of tax due on fuel use for carriers that operate in more than one state or province. Carriers report miles driven and fuel purchased. State statute provides the Director of Revenue the authority (35 ILCS 505/13a.4), to temporarily waive the licensing requirements for up to 30 days for commercial motor vehicles that travel through Illinois or return to the state from a point outside of Illinois, for the purpose of assisting in disaster relief efforts. “To our friends in the Southeastern US: here in Illinois, we are no stranger to the devastating effects

Continue Reading

ALTON - The Downtown Alton Chili Cook-Off is returning to Alton from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, October 15. The cook-off will be held in the Argosy Casino parking lot, located at 1 Piasa St., and will feature live music and cash prizes. Sara McGibany, executive director of Alton Main Street, said her organization is looking forward to seeing local chefs return to the riverfront. “The Downtown Alton Chili Cook-Off is a fiery competition that encourages local chili chefs (both amateur & professional) to match their favorite recipe with others in similar categories,” McGibany said. “We are excited to bring the cook-off back to Alton's beautiful riverfront this year!” Tickets are $10 per adult or $5 for kids 12 and under, and it costs $25 to register a team for the Chili Cook-Off. The “people’s choice” winner of the Chili Cook-Off will take home the coveted “Silver Ladle,” and there are $100 cash prizes for five different

Continue Reading

WOOD RIVER - All year long, Sarah Hyten has captured wins against top-notch girls' high school golfers. Once again Thursday, Hyten was spectacular and she won the individual crown of the IHSA Class 1A Regional at Belk Park in Wood River. The McGivney girls' team was equally impressive with a third-place finish in the regional. Along with Hyten's winning score, the Griffins had a 96 from Paige Yasitis, Kendall Riechmann shot a 100, Amelia Hylla fired a 103 and Ava Jackson shot a 115. The Explorers won with a team score of 355, with Highland second at 364 and McGivney third, claiming the last team spot to advance to Monday's sectional. Hyten and her team are Byron, Carlson, Petri, and Kalb Female Athletes of the Month for McGivney. The advancing teams and individuals will play in the Salem sectional Monday afternoon at the Salem Country Club, with the IHSA state tournament going off next weekend, Oct. 7-8, at Red Tail Run Golf Course in Decatur. McGivney Catholic Athletic Director

Continue Reading

JERSEYVILLE - The Jersey County Historical Society, located at the Cheney Mansion at 601 N. State St. in Jerseyville, is hosting their fourth annual “Dearly Departed” exhibit each Saturday in October beginning on the 8th with some new additions for 2022, according to Exhibit Director Connor Ashlock. Ashlock said the exhibit tells stories of the mortuary process using local authentic historical artifacts. “The Dearly Departed exhibit explores the funerary, mourning, and embalming practices as they would’ve been observed in our area in the late 1800s to early 1900s,” he said. “We do that by setting up spaces with authentic funeral artifacts that originate from this area - so visitors not only get to learn about customs and practices of the past, they actually get to see the artifacts in real-time.” These artifacts come from the basement of the Alexander Funeral Home, built in 1864. Ashlock said that while he and funeral home proprietor Kar

Continue Reading

ALBERS - Wilbert Vincent “Vince” Rolves was born in Albers, Illinois, in 1924. The 98-year-old resident of Carlyle, Illinois is one of the last living WW II prisoners of war in Southern Illinois. On Sunday, October 2, Rolves will serve as Grand Marshal for the annual NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Midwest Nationals at World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois. Rolves was drafted into military service in 1942. After 13 weeks of basic training, he was assigned to the U.S. Army’s 45 th Infantry Division and shipped overseas to the North African region of the European Theater. In December of 1943, Rolves was shot and wounded during a battle in L’Aquila, a mountainous region in central Italy. He and his fellow soldiers were captured by German troops and endured a 45-day march to a prison camp. They survived the march on rations of only three potatoes per day and a slice of what is referred to as “black bread,” a concoction of most unappetizing

Continue Reading

ALTON - Marquette Catholic girls golf star Ava Bartosiak was on a mission Thursday at the Belk Park Golf Course to honor her beloved grandmother - Betsy Bartosiak - with a team regional championship. Ava’s grandmother’s funeral was only a few days ago and the Explorers’ golfer dedicated her entire journey in the regional tournament to her. Ava scored an 84 and helped push Marquette to a team regional crown and advance to the sectional next week. Marquette Catholic Head Girls Golf Coach Deb Walsh said she could not be more proud of Ava for her efforts and all of her girls on Thursday. Marquette captured its fifth straight girls' golf title on Thursday. Walsh said Ava thought a lot about her grandmother during the tournament and knew how much it would mean to her that the team won the regional and qualified for the sectional. “It was a difficult time for Ava, but she is dedicated to the team and her sport,” Walsh explained. “She is a super competitor

Continue Reading

ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County Police Department Crimes Against Persons Detectives are currently investigating a fatal motor vehicle accident involving a person struck at the intersection of Telegraph Road and Sappington Barracks Road. At 6:28 a.m. on Friday, September 30, 2022, St. Louis County Police Officers from the South County Precinct responded to a call for service for a motor vehicle accident with a person struck at the intersection of Telegraph Road and Sappington Barracks Road. Upon arrival, responding officers located an adult male lying on the ground unconscious and unresponsive. The victim was pronounced deceased on scene. Preliminary investigation has revealed the victim was walking northbound Telegraph Road prior to entering the intersection. The victim stepped from behind a pole and in front of an oncoming vehicle. The driver of the vehicle remained on scene for police arrival. Additional information will be disseminated as it becomes available. Please contact

Continue Reading

HARDIN - At 7:55 p.m. on Sept. 24, 2022, the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a red Chevrolet truck with a four-wheeler in the back, driving erratically and causing damage at a business located near the Mozier Junction in Mozier, Calhoun County, Illinois. The caller advised that the vehicle sped north on Illinois Route 96 at a high rate of speed. A deputy with the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office observed a vehicle matching that description traveling northbound on Route 96. The deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but the vehicle began fleeing once the deputy activated his emergency lights and siren. The truck then continued northbound on Route 96 at a high rate of speed. The vehicle then entered Pike County. A Pike County Deputy then joined and took over as the lead in the pursuit. Due to Pleasant Hill Homecoming, the pursuit was terminated prior to entering Pleasant Hill, Illinois. The vehicle continued north, passing the Pleasant Hill High Schoo

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville High School senior Jonathan Stumpf has been named a 2023 National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist, while fellow seniors Grace Ramsey and Selin Aktuna were named 2023 National Merit Scholarship Commended Students. Stumpf is one of 16,000 students across the country who qualified as a semifinalist based on his PSAT/NMSQT scores in the 68 th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. He will continue in the competition for some 7,250 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $28 million that will be offered next spring. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, a semifinalist must fulfill several requirements to advance to the finalist level of the competition. About 95 percent of the semifinalists are expected to attain a finalist standing, and approximately half of the finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship and earn the Merit Scholar title. “This means a lot in terms of achieving something outside of the normal academic classroom that

Continue Reading

HARDIN - At 10:21 p.m. on September 23, 2022, deputies with the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office attempted to conduct a traffic stop on Illinois Route 100, near North Side Grocery, on a black 2008 GMC truck. The driver of the truck refused to stop, increased speed, and then fled from the deputies. The truck then continued northbound on Route 100, passing the Calhoun High School at speeds near 100 miles per hour, the Calhoun Sheriff's Office said. The deputies continued to pursue the vehicle. Eventually, the vehicle came to a stop on Illinois Route 100 in Michael, Illinois. A traffic stop and subsequent investigation then resulted in the arrest of the driver, Eric D. Brown, age 20, of White Hall, Illinois, for the following offenses: • Aggravated Fleeing or Attempting to Elude a Police Officer, • DUI - Alcohol, • DUI - Alcohol (Over 0.08), • Illegal Transportation of Alcoholic Beverage - Driver, • Unlawful Consumption of Alcohol Under 21 • Reckless

Continue Reading

ALTON - The Upper Alton Association is proud to announce the return of the Bud Summers Tribute concert. This year it will be held from 3-6 p.m. on October 9th at the Alton Amphitheater. This free concert will again have food trucks, drinks, and a 50/50 raffle. Bud Summers was a huge supporter of the Upper Alton Association and played numerous times at their yearly Rockin’ with Robert concert. After his death in 2019, many wanted to pay tribute to him. Upper Alton and his former band got together and decided to have a tribute concert in his honor. Rob McDonnell, singer and bass guitarist of the band said that “It is a privilege to honor our fellow comrade. Bud was one of the best.” Jason McAtee, singer, and guitarist, agrees, “I can’t express to you how special it is for me to get to share the stage with these great musicians to honor one of the best guitar players we knew. It’s going to be a great time.” McAtee adds, “This one’s fo

Continue Reading

O'FALLON — Nearly 800,000 people die by suicide every year, which is one person every 40 seconds, according to the World Health Organization. In addition, for each completed suicide, there are more than 20 attempts. Navigating a pandemic and national unrest may contribute to these troubling statistics, as fear and anxiety may overcome us as we’re trying to understand what’s happening around us. People of all genders, ages and ethnicities can be at risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors. During September’s National Suicide Prevention Month, HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital reminds everyone that if you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, there are resources available. In July, a new, nationwide Suicide and Crisis Lifeline was launched: 988. You can call, text or chat this three-digit number which connects people to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline where free and confidential help is available 24/7. Local activities: St. Clair County Ou

Continue Reading

ALTON - A food drive is set to begin at 6 p.m. Friday at Millennium Temple Church at 801 Blair Ave. in Alton. The food drive is being done by the church with Alderwoman Rosie Brown of the Fourth Ward in Alton. Brown said in times like today "we can’t take for granted everyone is comfortable with food items, etc." She said these items should help families who are needing some assistance at this time. The items include baby formula, cereal, fruit, snacks, and many nutritional items. Brown said the food will be distributed through the evening while supplies last.

Continue Reading

JERSEYVILLE - Jersey County Sheriff Mike Ringhausen announced early Thursday afternoon that a wanted man - Devin A. Kreuger of Jerseyville - is in U.S. Marshals' custody in St. Louis. Krueger, 26, was wanted on multiple felony warrants in Jersey, Greene, Macoupin, and Madison County. He was wanted for questioning in multiple residential burglaries and possession of a stolen vehicle. Krueger’s last address was in the 20000 block of Tuetken Road in Jerseyville. Sheriff Ringhausen said now the judicial process will begin and eventually, Krueger will be tried on this side of the river. “We are very happy U.S. Marshals got him in custody in St. Louis,” he said. “We can’t thank them enough. He seemed to have an almost ‘catch me if you can philosophy.’ People’s last hope of safety is their home and when you violate the sanctity of someone’s home, a person doesn’t feel safe anymore. It is up to us to ensure things like that don’t

Continue Reading

CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that the Federal Highway Administration has approved its plan to build a reliable electric vehicle charging network throughout the state. The State of Illinois Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment Plan addresses potential challenges and proposes locations for charging stations to ensure motorists can confidently traverse the state in electric vehicles. “Because of my administration’s work on the nation-leading Climate and Equitable Jobs Act and Reimagining Electric Vehicles Act, Illinois stands at the forefront of the emerging electric vehicle industry,” said Governor JB Pritzker . “This funding serves as a vital complement to that work and will ensure we meet our goal of putting one million electric vehicles on the road by 2030. In every corner of the state, we have invested in our infrastructure and our workers, making it clear to vehicle, charging station, and auto parts manufacturers

Continue Reading

ALTON - Abe Lee Barham, a civic activist, was the lead host in a candidate’s forum this past weekend at the Flood Memorial in Alton. He said he was pleased with the turnout and that individuals from both sides turned out and had some good questions for the candidates who were present. “I have always felt it is good to hear from both sides and question both sides,” he said. “I think our country needs to be united and come together to solve problems. It is all right to disagree, but we have to come together on issues that benefit our country and our towns.”’ Debbie Mendoza, Ryan Jumpers, Kris Tharp, Joe Silkwood, Ebony Huddleston, and Barry Julian turned out for the event. A video of the candidate’s event is above.

Continue Reading

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) were joined by Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Chris Murphy (D-CT), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) today to introduce legislation to reduce the Federal Bureau of Prisons’ (BOP) use of solitary confinement and improve conditions for inmates separated from the general prison population. The Solitary Confinement Reform Act limits solitary confinement to the briefest term and under the least restrictive conditions possible, because the overuse of solitary confinement threatens public safety, strains prison budgets, and violates fundamental human rights. The bill also improves access to mental health services for BOP prisoners in solitary confinement, and provides resources to state and local jurisdictions to assist them in reforming their own confinement practices. Additionally, the bill protects inmates’

Continue Reading

JERSEYVILLE - The Jerseyville Parks & Recreation Department is asking the public for help securing grant funding for Phase 2 of their Lions Club/Wittman Park improvement project, and has launched an online petition in support of the cause. With Phase 1 complete, Phase 2 could include the addition of a splash pad and bathhouse, open-air pavilion, sand volleyball courts, and more. The department is applying for this funding from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). Tyler Hermens, director of the Jerseyville Parks and Recreation Department, said that the community showing their support behind this project can help secure this funding. “Community support is a large piece of that grant application, and so we started a change.org petition hoping to reach more people because the deadline was fast approaching for this grant application,” Hermens said. Community members can show their support for the project by signing the online petition on change.org

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Business two-time alumnus Tony Fuhrmann, director of the Madison County Employment and Training Department (MCETD), will lead the development of the Gateway Registered Apprenticeship Programs Hub (Gateway Hub) supported by a $5.8 million award from the U.S. Department of Labor Apprenticeship Building America (ABA) grant program. The first of its kind joint initiative between Illinois and Missouri workforce areas anticipates the registration of at least 750 new apprentices across the region. Target industries will include education, healthcare and social assistance, bioscience manufacturing and research and development. According to a MCETD press release , the Gateway Hub, includes six local workforce innovation areas (LWIA): St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles County and the Jefferson/Franklin Consortium in Missouri, as well as Madison County Employment and Training and the St. Clair County Intergovernmental

Continue Reading