Riverbender 🕸

ALTON - On the most recent episode of “You’re Beautiful” with Brian Trust, Duane Lawder spoke about maintaining his faith through hardships. “Personally, faith to me is showing a loving God my obedience to Him, because if you doubt or if you start to worry or if you start to fret, then you’re not showing much faith. And He sees all,” Lawder said. “It’s hard to walk a life of faith. But it’s twice as hard, believe it or not, in the end result, to not.” As a self-described “tough cookie,” Lawder shared that he has gone through many challenges in his life, including battles with substance use and time in prison. He believes that God not only helped him through these struggles, but also blessed him to now give back to other people. After Lawder moved to Alton, he decided to start “Sober For Life Radio,” a nonprofit radio show that raised money to help people start treatment and/or move into sober

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ALTON - Ray Hartmann, a Democratic candidate for the U.S. House in Missouri, appeared recently on "Our Daily Show!" with host C.J. Nasello to discuss his campaign against six-term incumbent Rep. Ann Wagner, R-Ballwin. Hartmann, who has a history of advocating for reproductive freedom in Missouri and co-founded the popular PBS talk show "Donnybrook" in 1987, emphasized the significance of the upcoming election. "This is one of the most important elections of my life," Hartmann said. He criticized Donald Trump’s behavior during the recent presidential debate, noting how Vice President Kamala Harris managed to handle him. "Kamala showed us accurately he is extremely vulnerable to flattery and criticism," Hartmann remarked. Hartmann expressed concerns about Wagner's allegiance to Trump, stating, "I believe Ann Wagner will not stand up to Donald Trump. I don’t think he is going to win, but he could win." He highlighted the stakes for Missouri's 2nd Congressional District, whic

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ALTON — Carson Jones, a junior at Marquette Catholic High School, is being recognized for his accomplishments in golf, a sport he has dedicated himself to for the past four years. Jones, who has achieved notable successes such as tying for third place at the Hickory Stick tournament, securing a top-10 finish at the Madison County event, and being the medalist in two out of four nine-hole matches, credits his family and coach for his progress. Jones is a Tucker's Automotive Repair and Tire Male Athlete of the Month for the Explorers. "I would like to thank God and my dad for teaching me everything I know and pushing me to be better," Jones said. "I would like to thank my mom for supporting me, and my two brothers who push me to be better every day. I would also like to thank my golf coach, Ryan Geisler, for everything he does for me." Jones appreciates the challenges that golf presents, particularly the constant drive to improve his performance. "I like the fact that it pushes

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BELLEVILLE - Alonzo Nelson, a mathematics teacher and track and field head coach at Belleville West High School, has been named the 2024 Serra Honda O'Fallon Teacher of the Year. Nelson, who teaches 9th-12th grade students, was selected from a pool of 97 nominees. The Teacher of the Year announcement was made following a rigorous selection process that highlighted his exceptional contributions to education and the community. Nelson was nominated by his wife and several colleagues, who shared compelling stories of his dedication and impact. "Mr. Nelson is the teacher students wish to have during their school years," one nominator wrote. "His exceptional passion and dedication to educating young minds are truly remarkable." Nelson's multifaceted role extends beyond the classroom. He is known for his educational videos on mathematics, his commitment to track coaching, and his extensive community involvement. Students from freshmen to seniors benefit from his engaging teaching methods,

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CARROLLTON - Carrollton Fire Protection District Chief Tim Thaxton provided information about a tragic fire that claimed the lives of a male and female in the 600 block of Providence Road on Sunday in Greene County. The fire call came in at 6:15 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, Chief Thaxton said. He also said the two who died in the fire were husband and wife. “It was fully involved when we got there,” he said. “The roof had already collapsed.” Thaxton said the Greene County Sheriff’s Office and the Illinois State Fire Marshal are investigating the fatal fire.

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O'FALLON – Victoria Voumard, Edwardsville High School Fine Arts Department Chair and orchestra director, expressed great pride that the Marching Tigers came away with first-place honors at the recent Metro East Marching Classic held at O'Fallon Township High School. The Edwardsville High School Marching Band premiered their show, "Origins of E’vil," and swept the caption awards, including Best Music, Best Visual Performance, and Best General Effect. The Marching Tigers secured first place in class 4A and were named the 2024 Metro East Marching Classic Grand Champions. The Marching Tigers’ performance of "Origins of E’vil" captivated both the judges and the audience, earning them the top spot among large schools.

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ALTON - At the 18th annual Mississippi Earthtones Festival on Saturday, September 21, Sierra Club Illinois’ Three Rivers Project , Alton Main Street , and the Jacoby Arts Center will award three local activists the 2024 Confluence Conservation Leadership Award at 3 pm. Since 2007, the festival organizers have recognized community members who have significantly contributed to the Riverbend region's environmental conservation. This year’s Confluence Conservation Leadership awardees include Crystal Stevens, Flourish Farmstead; Maggie Mahoney, Alton Yard Farms; and Carol Frerker, Willoughby Farms. “All three award recipients have made significant contributions to sustainable and regenerative agriculture, soil health, and environmental conservation in the Riverbend and are unsung heroes in our region,” said Virginia Woulfe-Beile, Co-Coordinator of the Three Rivers Project of Sierra Club Illinois. “Join us at 3:00 p.m. on September 21 at the Mississippi

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BELLEVILLE - Belleville West emerged as the Grand Champion of the Sage City Invitational held this past weekend in Monticello, IL., showcasing a stellar performance in music, visual, color guard and percussion presentations. The competition featured a diverse array of high school bands across several classes. In Class 1A, Maroa Forsyth delivered a noteworthy performance. Class 2A saw entries from Newton, Paris Cooperative, Effingham, Mt. Zion, Paxton-Buckley-Load, Richland County, and El Paso-Gridley. The 3A category included Jacksonville, Rantoul Township, Mattoon, and MacArthur. Finally, the 4A class was represented by Champaign Centennial, Urbana, and Danville. The Sage City Invitational is a key event in the high school band circuit, drawing talent from across the state. The event provides a platform for students to showcase their musical and visual skills in a competitive yet collaborative environment. Belleville West's marching band and color guard appear headed toward a

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ALTON - Local organizations came together to commemorate National Recovery Month. On Monday, Sept. 16, 2024, Centerstone hosted a Recovery Month Celebration and Vigil to remember those who have been lost to addiction while honoring people who are on a path to recovery. Representatives from Metro-East Recovery Council, Foster’s Light in the Dark, and Amare also spoke about their organizations’ services. “By being here tonight, we are casting light on the fact that recovery is possible,” said Anne Tyree, Centerstone CEO. “It does happen. Life does get better.” Mark Knott with the Metro-East Recovery Council described the organization as a “bridge-builder between all the different resources in St. Clair County and Madison County.” MERC collaborates with organizations like Centerstone and Chestnut Health Systems to help people embark on their recovery journey. Knott also gave a testimony on his own long-term recovery. He

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ALTON — Several teenage members of the Alton Boys & Girls Club recently engaged in a series of educational activities focused on dentistry, in collaboration with the nearby Southern Illinois University (SIU) Dental School. Alton Boys & Girls Club Executive Director Al Womack Jr. said the event aimed to provide an in-depth look at careers in dentistry, the cellular structures of teeth, and the anatomy of the head and neck. The event, held on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, at SIU Dental School, featured presentations and hands-on activities designed to give participants a comprehensive understanding of the field. Teenagers from the youth club had the opportunity to take impressions of teeth, create models of teeth, and use dental instruments to remove simulated cavities on plastic teeth. The presentations covered various aspects of dental science. Participants were enthusiastic about the hands-on activities, which provided a practical experience to complement the theoretical knowledge

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EDWARDSVILLE — Kevin Hall, the current Edwardsville Township Supervisor, announced that he will not be seeking another term in office. Hall, who has served as Supervisor for the past three and a half years and previously as a Trustee, shared his decision in a statement on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024. "It has been an honor to serve this community and work with so many of you," Hall said. "We have accomplished my main objective of helping to make our community a better place to live, now and for the future." During his tenure, Hall highlighted several key achievements, including the completion of the decade-long Township Hall renovation and increased support for local social safety net programs such as Glen-Ed Pantry, Overnight Warming Location, Brown Bag Buddies, and the Edwardsville Arts Center. Additionally, the township has expanded its offerings, including bus passes and a diaper bank. With eight months remaining in his term, Hall expressed his commitment to continuing his work

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ALTON - The City of Alton will host the Secretary of State’s mobile DMV on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, at Alton City Hall. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., community members can stop by City Hall to take advantage of many of the DMV’s regular services. The mobile DMV travels to communities throughout Illinois to provide these services. “We are excited to partner with the Illinois Secretary of State’s office to bring their new mobile DMV unit to Alton,” said Alton Mayor David Goins. The mobile DMV can offer help with real IDs, driver’s license renewals and corrections, state identification cards, vehicle registration stickers, organ and tissue donor registration, and voter registration. They accept Visa, Mastercard, AMEX and Discover credit and debit cards. If you decide to utilize the mobile DMV services, make sure you bring the necessary forms of identification. You can find a full list of acceptable documents at the official Illinois Secretary

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Welcome to our journey through time as we explore the most significant events that took place on September 17 throughout history. 1787: The Signing of the U.S. Constitution On this day in 1787, the United States Constitution was signed by 39 delegates at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. This monumental event laid the foundation for the American political system and became a model for democratic governance worldwide. The Constitution established the framework for federal government and guaranteed fundamental rights to American citizens. It is considered one of the most influential documents in modern history, shaping political thought and governance far beyond the borders of the United States. 1862: The Battle of Antietam The Battle of Antietam, also known as the Battle of Sharpsburg, was fought on September 17, 1862, during the American Civil War. It was the bloodiest single-day battle in American history, with nearly 23,000 soldiers killed, wounded, or missing.

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PEORIA - The Father McGivney boys cross country squad placed 12th in the First To The Finish Meet Saturday in Peoria. The Griffins scored 447 points for 12th at the Peoria meet, while Eureka claimed the team championship with 167 points. Connor Schmidt led the Griffins in (81st) with a personal best of 16:59 for three miles. Right behind senior Levi Huber (86th) 17:04, Liam Schmidt (92) 17:07, senior Liam Boeving (17:09), and Aidan Schmidt (133) with 17:30. 31 seconds separation of our scoring 5, and 10 seconds 1-4. Freshmen Eric Rybak (234) 18:42 and Andrew Leonelli (255) 18:57 made the varsity top 7. Caleb Payne (281) 19:16, Nolan Schmieder (19:46), Eli Germann (363) 20:24, Jackson Ehrman (407) 21:00, Gabe Theims (425) 21:11, and Harrison Siegel (444) in 21:35. The McGivney boys cross country squad are Byron, Carlson, Petri & Kalb Male Athletes of the Month for the Griffins. McGivney Boys Cross Country Coach Jim Helton said he was very pleased with his boys squad's effort at the

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ALTON - Senior Services Plus has several events coming up for seniors to enjoy. On Sept. 20, 2024, community members aged 55 and up can participate in Speed Connections, a series of timed conversations meant to foster friendships and romantic relationships. This will be followed by an open house event on Sept. 24; the community is invited to come to Senior Services Plus (SSP) to learn more about their programs. Through October, the organization will also be sponsoring a 50/50 raffle where half of the proceeds go to United Way. “Our mission is really providing opportunities to individuals as they age,” explained Emily with SSP. “We’ve got lots of opportunities that span that.” Emily and Sydney, who work with SSP, noted that the Speed Connections event is a fun way for seniors to get involved in the SSP community. From 2–4 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, seniors can mingle with each other and form connections. If two people express a reciprocated

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Letter To The Editor: I hope you will attend our monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, at Alton City Hall. Held the 3rd Wednesday of each month, our Ward 1 meetings are open to all. We will discuss activities in the City of Alton and Ward 1. It is a casual, unscripted meeting where everyone will have an opportunity to speak or observe. I will do my best to answer each of your questions. I welcome this dialogue which guides my actions as Ward 1 Alderman. I truly enjoy getting to know you and engaging on topics that are important to you. I will talk about two resolutions recently presented - the first is a request to update the 2003 Comprehensive Plan for the City of Alton; I am grateful the Alton Planning Commission voted positively last week to move it forward to the Alton City Council for approval. The second is administrative in nature with a goal of bring clarity to legislative actions taken by the Alton City Council. I welcome your feedback on both. Betsy

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CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is urging the public to get educated about how to protect themselves from respiratory illnesses by listening to a new edition of the Department’s “This is Public Health” Podcast . The discussion features the state’s chief medical officer and the state epidemiologist discussing the outlook for the coming respiratory virus season, the efficacy of vaccines, and prevention measures. “As summer comes to an end, there is no better time than now to start preparing for the upcoming fall/winter respiratory viral season,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra . “RSV, COVID-19, and flu are all expected to increase, and Illinoisans should begin using all the available tools, including vaccines, to prevent illness for themselves and their loved ones. IDPH is already closely monitoring the situation and making educational resources available to our residents, including easy-to-listen-to

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EDWARDSVILLE - In her first semester as faculty, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s newest assistant professor in the Department of Theater and Dance, Adrianna Jones, MM, is also making another debut: starring in the latest production of The Saint Louis Black Repertory Theatre titled “Blues In The Night.” The show marks her first as a performer with the company and her new teaching role returns her to her roots in the St. Louis Metro Area. "I was able to hear about the auditions from my colleague, Geo , and one thing that was talked about before coming here is that I was wanting to reconnect with the art scene in St Louis,” said Jones. "You never know when your next opportunity is going to come up. When this opportunity came, I felt like I had to do it. This is going to be my big introduction.” For this particular production set in 1930s Chicago, Jones, who hails from Alton, plays the character known only as The Woman of the World.

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EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County is now taking applications for the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) starting next month. Madison County Community Development announced funding is available to assist income-eligible households with their natural gas, propane and/or electric bills and furnace assistance for inoperable heating systems. The program will begin taking applications Oct. 1 for Adults 60-year-old and older, Individuals with disabilities, Families with children under the age of six and Households that are disconnected from their utilities, have a disconnection notice or have less than 25% in their propane tank. All other income eligible households can start applying Nov. 1. Applications will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis through August 15, 2025, or until funding is exhausted. Households that receive a one-time benefit may return during the program year for a Reconnection Assistance or Furnace Assistance benefit(s), if needed. Households

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ELSAH - Bankside Repertory Theatre will host a production of “The Dumb Waiter” as their first in-person play since the COVID-19 pandemic. At 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 2–5, 2024, community members can enjoy the 90-minute one-act play at Bankside Repertory Theatre on the Principia College campus. The play, written in 1957 by Harold Pinter, tells the story of two hitmen waiting for an assignment. Actors John O’Hagan and Riley Capp look forward to sharing the story with the community. “Personally, I can’t wait to be on the stage with this particular play at this particular time with the local community seeing and engaging with this work,” O’Hagan said. “It’s really incredibly thought-provoking as well as entertaining, so I think anybody coming to see it is going to walk away with a lot to talk about, a lot to think about.” O’Hagan also works as a professor at Principia, and Capp was previously one of his students.

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