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Statement from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois on IDOI finding, Nov. 3, 2023 The following statement is attributable to John Simley, Director of Communications at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois... "Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois strives to provide its members with an accurate and usable provider directory. We recently completed a series of updates to our online directories to make them easier to use for our members and prospective members. "When we learn information is inaccurate or incomplete, we fix it. Information related to the four providers noted in the Department’s order was corrected in May. "BCBSIL cooperates with the Department and our active engagement with the Department is one of the ways we help ensure we are best serving the needs of our members. "Any member with questions about their network or plan benefits, should contact us using the number on the back of their member ID card." Note: Health Care Service Corporation received a $231,900

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ALTON - The Alton Committee of the Whole voted once again to table an ordinance that would ban camping in public in Alton. Some of those involved in group discussions held since the item was last tabled say progress is being made towards a solution. The original ordinance would ban all camping on public property within the city, as well as the storage of personal property on or in public property. Those found in violation would be subject to fines of $75 to $750 and/or confiscation of their personal property, subject to certain terms. The ordinance included in Monday’s meeting documents features identical language to previously tabled versions of the ordinance. The Committee will likely consider an ordinance with different language and/or terms at their next meeting, though any such changes are still unclear. Prior coverage featuring more details about the ordinance and several public comments are available on Riverbender.com from when the item was first tabled

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GLEN CARBON - Spencer Homes is celebrating its 18th year in business with the opening of a new design center in Glen Carbon. Spencer Homes completes both new construction and remodeling projects with a specialization in accessible designs. The design center will serve as an office space and a gallery of products, with several samples of countertops, cabinetry and more for customers to see firsthand as they design their homes. “It’s the culmination of 18 years of a lot of hard work on behalf of our staff, our trade partners and our suppliers,” said Mike Rathgeb, the founder and president of Spencer Homes. “We’re able to offer customers not just the services but the product, and also we can offer them a 3D rendering so they can see their project before it’s done. And a real specialty that we started ten years ago was accessibility, so we design and build with longterm accessibility and mobility in mind for our clients.” The company

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MEXICO, MO. - Alden Grossardt, child of Jason and Morgan Grossardt, was inducted into the 135th Missouri Military Academy (MMA) Corps of Cadets at the MMA Passing Through Ceremony. The Passing Through Ceremony is an MMA tradition that officially welcomes new cadets into the corps after they have completed the Maroon Phase training, passed the cadet handbook test, and completed the Crucible. The handbook test consists of questions concerning MMA rules and regulations, the Honor Code, and Academy history and traditions; and the Crucible is a series of mental and physical challenges cadets must navigate as individuals and as a team. Crucible challenges included a physical fitness test, a 5-mile hike, a 16-obstacle trail run, a team paintball challenge, a team relay shuttle run, a team boat run, and a river crossing exercise conducted in MMA's Olympic-sized pool. "Our new cadets reached this significant milestone through goal setting, teamwork, and perseverance. I am proud of how

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GRANITE CITY - Sophomore right-side hitter Alexis Ruiz has a bright future for Granite City volleyball with head coach Grace Hurst. Hurst said this was Alexis' second season on varsity and she was willing to do whatever was asked of her in the season. Alexis is a Stillwater Senior Living Female Athlete of the Month for the Warriors. "She switched positions from middle to right side and even hit some outside," Coach Hurst said. "She continues to grow and is very eager to learn. She is finding her rhythm and has started to come alive as a right side." Ruiz did suffer a concussion this season and was eager to get back on the court and came back from that injury even stronger, Coach Hurst said. "Alexis can pass and swing, she is considered one of our best passers," Coach Hurst said. "She is someone who always wants to get better. I am excited to see how much more she will grow in the next two years." Again a salute to Alexis Ruiz for her recognition as a Stillwater Senior Living Female

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ALTON - Marquette Catholic High School's girls' volleyball has the luxury of a 5-foot-8 junior setter/right-side hitter Rose Brangenberg returning in 2024. Rose was a solid all-around player in the 2023 season for the Explorers' girls' volleyball team. Rose is a Tucker's Automotive Repair & Tire Female Athlete of the Month for the Explorers. She will be one of the Explorers' leaders next season. "She proved to be an offensive and defensive threat for our team this year, producing strong blocks and aggressive attack from the right side and assists from the setting position," her coach Sue Heinz said. Rose also adds an aggressive serve to the lineup, and her coach said she is excited to have her return next year. Again a salute to Rose Brangenberg for her recognition as a Marquette Catholic Female Athlete of the Month.

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GLEN CARBON - Construction in Glen Carbon’s Orchard Town Center shopping complex continues as the new Plaza Tire Service and Olive Garden take shape. On Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, workers were putting the finishing touches on the glass windows at Plaza Tire Service. This business specializes in drive-up tire changes but offers several other maintenance services like oil changes, battery installations and more. The business is set to open on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, in Glen Carbon. Across the street, Olive Garden has been under construction for several months now. In June 2023, the company announced that the restaurant would open in October 2023. But a storm in late June knocked over a main exterior wall, which pushed back the construction timeline as workers rebuilt the structure. On Friday, workers were busy smoothing down gravel to prepare the space for the asphalt parking lot. The building’s exterior now has the signature Olive Garden branding. While a new opening date

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WOOD RIVER - East Alton-Wood River High junior Violet Stover was a pivotal reason for the Oilers' girls' volleyball success this season. The Oilers won 16 matches this season and continued to improve as the season moved ahead. She said she wanted to thank her family, especially her grandma and grandpa Carol and Barry Elliott for never missing one of her games. Violet is a Midwest Members Credit Union Female Athlete of the Month for the Oilers. Bethany Billingsley is the head Oilers girls' volleyball coach. Violet was an All-Tourney selection in the East Alton-Wood River Invitational. The East Alton-Wood River junior has been playing volleyball since fourth grade and started playing club in middle school. "My favorite thing about volleyball is learning more to get better and being around friends on the court," she said. "Over the years volleyball helped me learn how to take accountability and to fight for something you want." At present, Violet has not decided on what college t

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ALTON - The National Great Rivers Museum (NGRM) celebrated its 20th anniversary with a commemoration ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023. Attendees could enjoy activity booths, a panel discussion and tours of the Melvin Price Locks and Dam. Throughout the commemoration, members of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) reflected on the museum’s history as a visitor center and its role in connecting people to the river. “My team and our project oversees community outreach for 300 miles of the Mississippi River and the lower 80 of the Illinois,” said Allison Rhanor, Natural Resources Specialist with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and NGRM director. “This facility represents a multifaceted approach to river education. So whether your interest is in culture and history, or if you love art, or you’re into STEM, science and math — my job here and this facility’s job is to take whatever you’re interested in and make that connection to

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JERSEYVILLE - Father Marty Smith, the pastor of the Catholic Churches in Jersey County, is set to bring out his Vietnam War Era Mass Kit once again for a special Mass set for 4 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, at St. Francis Xavier Parish Church in Jerseyville. The Veteran's Day Mass is to honor local veterans. All veterans and families will be recognized with special patriotic music provided by the St. Francis Xavier Chancel Choir and St. Francis/Holy Ghost School Youth Chorus. On Saturday, Veterans Day, Father Marty will use a Vietnam Era Mass Kit used during the Vietnam War to Celebrate Holy Mass, Alex Foster, one of the coordinators, said. Foster said Father Marty always does a wonderful job during this service and it is especially gripping because he uses the Vietnam Era Mass Kit. He also said this particular Mass is something attendees look forward to each year and it is now an engrained tradition in the historic Catholic Church in Jerseyville. "The Veterans Day Mass has been

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EAST ALTON — When members of the local community lend a helping hand to a neighbor in need during the holiday season, they are bringing hope, joy and inspiration to the community. That is what Community Christmas is all about! United Way’s annual Community Christmas program collects money, necessary household items, and gifts for children through early December for local people in need during the holiday season. It kicked off this month with more than 100 boxes at participating businesses, churches, schools and organizations throughout the Greater Alton area. A list of participating locations hosting a box is available at HelpingPeople.org/CommunityChristmas. “Community Christmas is one of the pillars of our community outreach efforts during the holidays and the support we’ve been able to garner from our local neighbors over the course of the past 15 years has been fantastic,” said Karen Lintz, Director, Illinois Region of United Way of Greater St.

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C HICAGO – In advance of Veterans Day, Attorney General Kwame Raoul is encouraging veterans, service members and their families to participate in a free military rights webinar to learn how to avoid scams directed at veterans and what to do if they have been a victim of a scam. Raoul’s Military and Veterans Rights Bureau will host the free What to Know About Veterans Consumer Scams webinar Nov. 8 at 11:30 a.m. “This Veterans Day, and every day, my office is dedicated to protecting the benefits our veterans have earned through their selfless service and dedication to this country,” Raoul said. “I encourage current service members, veterans and their families to join this webinar to ensure they have the knowledge to recognize and defend themselves from the bad actors who target them and their benefits.” Raoul said veterans are often victims of other frauds, scams or identity theft. A recent report by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) disclosed

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ALTON – OSF Saint Anthony’s Health Center continues its focused efforts expanding resources in addressing the mental health and well-being of residents in the Riverbend region. Beginning the week of November 27, OSF Saint Anthony’s Psychological Services department will launch two new education groups within its Connections Adult Group Series. On Tuesday, November 28, from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m., the Women’s Family Violence Group will begin its weekly meeting schedule providing a supportive and safe environment for women who are experiencing verbal or physical abuse from a significant other or family member or are recovering from the trauma of past domestic violence. The Women’s Family Violence Group covers safety planning and resources, family dynamics, and healthy coping skills. Preferred age range for female participants is 18 years old and above. That same week on Thursday, November 30, 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., the Anger Management Group will

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JERSEYVILLE - The Marine Corps League Robert Windle Detachment #1031 will again host a Veterans Day ceremony in Jerseyville on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. The ceremony will be held under the big pavilion at the American Legion Post 492. Gregory Breden, associate member of the Marine Corps League, said the parade will line up on West Prairie Street beside Wells-Norris around 9:30 a.m. on Saturday. The parade will begin at 10 a.m. and it will proceed north on State Street. When it gets to Exchange Street, it will turn West. Then, when it arrives at Washington Street, it will turn South until it arrives at West Pearl Street, where the parade route ends. "The ceremony will begin after everyone is settled in place on the Jersey County Courthouse lawn at the Jersey County War Memorial," Breden said. "You may want to bring lawn chairs for the ceremony. In case of bad weather, rain or snow, you never know around here what the weather will be like." The Veterans Day ceremony will begin at noon

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SPRINGFIELD - During his days as an Illinois Statehouse reporter, Taylor Pensoneau covered some of the state’s most sordid political scandals. Now, he is doing the same as a writer of fiction. Pensoneau has just released Corruption Incorporated (Downstate Publications: $18.95), an intricately-written mystery novel with a fast-moving pace and page-turning suspense. The detailed narrative is based on the wildly corrupt political atmosphere in Illinois in the late 1960s. “Almost all the scandals and incidents portrayed in the book did occur in real life,” remarked Pensoneau. “Virtually everything in the book really happened.” Pensoneau, who lives in New Berlin, Ill., was a top political writer for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch from 1965-78. He was based at the Illinois Statehouse for much of that time with the Post-Dispatch , but also covered some of the seminal moments in national political history, including the Watergate hearings. His prowess as a

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ALTON - The Principia College dance program once again turned heads during their annual Alton Halloween Parade flash mob. Students from across campus have spent weeks practicing the dance so they could perform at the intersection of Piasa and 3rd Street in downtown Alton. It’s a fun tradition, but it’s also a great way for students to connect to the larger Riverbend community, dance professor Erin Lane explained. “Another great flash mob year in the books,” Lane said. “Alton is really special. I’m really happy that Prin Dance can be a part of it as much as we are, and I hope that we can grow and do more.” This year’s flash mob was choreographed by students Hanna Dow and Emily Kraack, who chose a “Wednesday” theme after the popular Netflix show of the same name. “Wednesday” is based on characters from “The Addams Family.” The student dancers dressed in clothes and makeup that resemble Wednesday

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In the wake of the recent Hamas terrorist attack that killed more than 1,300 Israelis, my True Crime Reporter® podcast opened its investigative archive on the Gaza-based group's past fundraising and recruitment in the United States. After my embedded assignment with the U.S. Army during the invasion of Iraq in 2003, investigative producer Todd Bensman and I focused on how terrorists were using the Internet to raise money and recruit followers. Our investigation uncovered a monthly online magazine called Alsunnah that solicited suicide bombers to attack American and coalition troops in Iraq, as well as Israelis. We tracked the origins of the web magazine to an internet hosting company linked to three Palestinian brothers who were later convicted on federal charges of providing material support to the terrorist group Hamas. The Internet company named Synaptix was based in Richardson, Texas, a suburb of Dallas. Its management was intertwined with the Holy Land Foundation,

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JERSEYVILLE - Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul said Jersey County does not have the legal authority to secede from Illinois and become part of Missouri, as the Jersey County Board had reportedly been considering. In an opinion document dated Oct. 17, 2023, Raoul stated that in his opinion, “non-home-rule counties, such as Jersey County, do not have the authority to secede from the State of Illinois and join another state.” Raoul wrote this opinion in response to an inquiry from State’s Attorney Ben Goetten. According to information Goetten provided Raoul, the Jersey County Board was considering a referendum “moving Illinois-Missouri border to make Jersey County, Illinois a county of Missouri." While the board tabled the item, Goetten made his inquiry in case the issue arose again in the future. While the state constitution does not address the issue of county secession directly, one section outlining the powers of non-home-rule counties and th

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CHICAGO – Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced Friday that the State of Illinois has awarded $3.5 million in funding to 19 different applicants across the state to support post-pandemic child and adolescent health. The size of the grants ranges from $92,000 to $200,000. Both a Macoupin County and St. Clair County department and the center received significant awards. The new round of grants follows $9.5 million in grants that were primarily federally funded to 40 organizations around the state announced last week. The Macoupin County Health Department received $200,000 from the grant, the maximum amount awarded. Comprehensive Behavioral Center of St. Clair County, Inc., also received $172,193.26, another large amount. Of the new round of grants, 41% are awarded to behavioral health treatment centers, 21% to schools, 21% to healthcare groups, 11% to local health departments and 5% to colleges. The grants are funded by the state

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EDWARDSVILLE – Metro-East Lutheran High School will host an Open House at its campus on Center Grove Road on Sunday, Nov. 12, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The event, which is open to the public, will allow attendees to take a tour of the school’s campus, meet with faculty and administration and find out more about the school’s academic, athletic and extracurricular offerings as well as get answers to questions about tuition, financial assistance and scholarship opportunities. Metro-East Lutheran High School (MELHS) has been providing academic excellence in a Christ-centered environment for more than 40 years. For more information about Metro-East Lutheran High School, email admissions@melhs.org or go to www.melhs.org .

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