Riverbender 🕸

ALTON/EDWARDSVILLE - With the COVID-19 Pandemic restrictions lightening, Ash Wednesday this year carries a strong symbol for self-reflection, repentance, and the future. For two years, people throughout the world have included masks in their daily lives and been hit with constant COVID-19 limitations. The COVID-19 Pandemic was unleashed in relentless fashion on the region around two years ago in March 2020. Wednesday was a beautiful day and attendance at churches around the region for ashes was reported as "strong." Father Paul Nguyen, OMV, estimated by the end of the day on March 2, 2022, at St. Mary's Church in Alton, more than 700 K-12 students received ashes, along with another 700 Catholic parishioners. Marquette Catholic students filled the church for one of the morning Masses. “It is great to have the church full and so many voices supporting the prayers,” Nguyen said. “Ash Wednesday begins the season of Lent and preparation for the celebration of Easter.

Continue Reading

CHICAGO - Michael Madigan, 79, former Illinois Speaker of the House, and once one of the most powerful men in the state for years, has been indicted on racketeering charges. An indictment was returned by a federal grand jury on March 2, 2022, after an investigation that took more than two years. A scheme with utility business Commonwealth Edison was part of the grand jury investigation. Madigan is accused of illegally soliciting business for his private property tax law firm in the indictment. The alleged scheme stretches from Chicago to Springfield and connects politicians, lobbyists, business and utility executives and Madigan's law firm. Madigan's close friend Michael McClain is named as a co-defendant, and prosecutors allege he carried out criminal activities at Madigan's behest. The indictment accuses Madigan and McClain and other members of the conspiracy of unlawfully soliciting benefits from businesses and other private entities, and accuses Madigan of engaging in multiple

Continue Reading

The team of Kaskaskia Engineering Group, LLC (KEG) is pleased to announce that they were honored as “Medium Firm of the Year” at the annual ACEC Illinois 2022 Engineering Excellence Awards. Founded in 2006, the engineering and construction firm has grown from a 3-person operation in a small, shared office space in Belleville, Illinois to its impressive portfolio today of 9 offices in 4 states, more than 50 employees, and countless successful infrastructure projects throughout the Midwest. KEG President and Founder Geri E. Boyer, PE accepted the award alongside members of her team at the annual Engineering Excellence Awards, hosted by the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) of Illinois. The event featured awards for projects throughout the State, as well as Firm of the Year Awards in three size categories: small, medium, and large. This was the inaugural year for the award. KEG was honored for its contributions to the success and growth of ACEC IL, its role i

Continue Reading

GRANITE CITY - Abel Anderson, Edwardsville community bank president at First Mid Bank & Trust, has been named 2022 auxiliary board chair for the Tri-Cities Area Division of United Way of Greater St. Louis. He succeeds Nancy LeVault, who held the chair position in 2020. “I feel fortunate that I have the ability to help others and support the community by volunteering my time as board chair for United Way and the Tri-Cities Area community,” Anderson said. “I know that United Way is supporting and investing in local nonprofits that are serving our community’s greatest needs and directly helping our neighbors, coworkers and friends.” With more than 15 years of banking and financial experience, Anderson has been with First Mid Bank & Trust since 2014. Prior to joining First Bank and Trust, he was with Centrue Bank and First National Bank of Ottawa. Anderson’s involvement with United Way spans nearly a decade, first serving as an allocations volunteer

Continue Reading

GLEN CARBON - Area fire agencies always team together in a strong fashion to battle area blazes and another example occurred Saturday evening in Glen Carbon. The Glen Carbon Fire Protection District was dispatched to a structure last weekend in an apartment complex on West Main Street in the village. "Upon arrival crews were met with heavy fire in one of the three units," the Glen Carbon Fire Protection District said in a release. "With the help of members from the Edwardsville Fire Department, Maryville Fire Department, Mitchell Fire Department, and Madison County Emergency Management Agency crews were able to bring the fire under control and contain the damage to the apartment of origin. Highland EMS also provided station coverage during the incident." No injuries were reported and all crews returned to service at 12:30 Sunday morning.

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine announced today that Emily Johnson Nielsen has been hired and sworn in as the Civil Division Chief for the State’s Attorney’s Office. “We’re pleased to have Emily as our new Civil Division Chief,” Haine said. “With her wealth of experience in civil litigation and local government law and her strong ties to the local community, she will make her a great addition to our team.” Before joining the State’s Attorney’s office, Nielsen served as managing partner of Hunter & Johnson, P.C. in Alton. She is a native of Godfrey and a graduate of Marquette Catholic High School. She received her bachelor’s degree from Washington University in St. Louis before earning her Juris Doctor from the Southern Illinois University School of Law. Nielsen is a member of the Alton-Wood River Bar Association, the Madison County Bar Association, the Illinois State Bar Association, and

Continue Reading

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. –Chenmin Xie, 25, formerly of the 500 block of West Herndon Street in Springfield, Illinois, pleaded guilty on February 22, 2022 to the charge of knowingly using a facility and means of interstate commerce – the Internet and a cellular telephone – with the intent to transmit the name and address of another individual who had not attained the age of sixteen and doing so with the intent to attempt to entice, encourage, offer, and solicit that person to engage in sexual activity. At the change-of-plea hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas Schanzle-Haskins, Xie admitted that on August 29, 2020, he used a cellular phone to converse with a boy he believed was fifteen years old. During the conversation, they agreed to meet for sexual intercourse at the minor’s residence. Xie then requested and received the child’s address. Since being arrested on August 29, 2020, Xie has remained in the custody of the United States Marshals. His sentencin

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE - Mary Reuscher is a woman who just marked her 95th birthday, but she is like the Energizer Bunny - she has long-lasting power and never quits. Mary celebrated her 95th birthday in appropriate fashion on February 5, 2022, and was recognized prior to the Edwardsville-East St. Louis boys basketball game. Both Edwardsville High School Athletic Director Alex Fox and her grandson, Christian Rhoten, the highly successful head Edwardsville boys and girls swim team coach, conclude she “never quits,” and they almost have to encourage her to slow down, uncommon for her age. “My grandma has been in my life since I was a little kid and has lived in Edwardsville for a long time,” Rhoten said. “As a kid, I spent a lot of time over at her house. She is always going and doesn’t show any signs of slowing down." Mary still walks on the treadmill for an hour daily and also rides a stationary bike. When it is warm, she is outside working in her garden.

Continue Reading

HIGHLAND — Holly’s House of Hope will host a 5k walk/run through Highland, Illinois, on March 26 to raise funds and awareness for the organization. Five public relations students from SIUE are aiding Holly’s House of Hope in planning the event. Holly’s House of Hope is a 501c3 founded in 2020 with the goal of helping uniquely abled young adults build and maintain vocational skills. Holly’s House of Hope provides meaningful opportunities to their clients such as operating their free store, hosting activities for socialization, and even creating apprenticeships for their clients at local businesses. The event will begin and end near Holly’s House of Hope’s (HHH) location at 1000 Zschokke St, Highland, Illinois, 62249. Runners will arrive at 8:30 a.m. and the race will begin at 9:00 a.m. Participants will have an opportunity to visit HHH’s new building and enter the raffle. The Mosaic Free store typically gives donated clothing and necessities

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Community Unit School District 7 has selected Katie Bevis-O'Neal as the permanent principal at Albert Cassens Elementary. The hiring was approved on February 28, 2022, by the District #7 Board of Education. Bevis-O'Neal will assume the role starting the 2022-2023 school year. Bevis-O'Neal has served in the interim principal position at Cassens since January 2022. “I have been impressed that Ms. Bevis-O'Neal has the ability to step into any situation and succeed and has done an exceptional job at Cassens these last few months,” said Edwardsville School District 7 Superintendent Dr. Patrick Shelton. “We look forward to her continuing to provide exceptional leadership and support for the students and staff at Cassens.” Bevis-O'Neal is no stranger to District #7. The 2003 Edwardsville High School graduate began her career in District #7 by teaching seventh grade for two years followed by 12 years of sixth-grade science. Prior t

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE – Edwardsville Community Unit School District #7 has named Kelli Pirtle the new principal of Woodland Elementary. The hiring was approved on February 28, 2022, by the District #7 Board of Education. Pirtle will assume the role starting the 2022-2023 school year. Pirtle will replace Susan Converse at Woodland Elementary, who will retire at the end of the 2021-22 school year. “Ms. Pirtle is a veteran educational leader with an impressive knowledge of elementary curriculum and instructional best practices,” said District #7 Superintendent Dr. Patrick Shelton. “We are thrilled to have her join the District #7 community.” Pirtle comes to Woodland from Waynesville (Mo.) R-VI School District, where she served as a fifth-grade teacher, aspiring administrator, assistant principal administrative intern, and assistant principal at East and Freedom Elementary Schools. Additionally, she served on the district’s CSIP Committee, Diversity Committee,

Continue Reading

Duckworth Now Accepting Applications for Class of 2027 Service Academy Nominations – U.S. Senator and combat Veteran Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), who served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years and now serves as Chair of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Airland, today announced that her office is now accepting applications through her website from high school students seeking a Congressional nomination to a United States Military Service Academy. Each year Duckworth, along with a nomination committee, selects from the applicants a group of outstanding Illinois students to receive Congressional nominations to attend West Point, the Air Force Academy, the Naval Academy or the Merchant Marine Academy. Information on how to complete Duckworth’s academy nomination application can be found here . “It takes a special kind of young person to succeed at a U.S. Military Service Academy,” said Duckworth. “The rigorous nomination process demands outstanding

Continue Reading

Staff Sergeant Shawn Bernhardt with the U.S. Army says there are many advantages to joining that potential recruits might not be aware of. “We are offering up to $50,000 in enlistment bonuses at the moment,” Bernhardt said. “We also have your college paid for either with the Post 9/11 GI Bill, Tuition Assistance, Reserve Select GI Bill, and Yellow Ribbon Program.” In addition, basic training counts toward college credit, and their Credentialing Assistance pays for and secures IT certifications, nursing licenses, and more. Recruitment also grants access to VA home and business loans. Bernhardt said the Army is looking for certain people with certain values. “Frankly, we are looking for those who are qualified. Most importantly, those who want to be a part of something bigger than themselves,” Bernhardt said. “We are looking for those with the values that coincide with the Army values: loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor,

Continue Reading

ALTON - Recently the Older Adults Health Council and Madison County TRIAD partnered to hold a food drive to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Alton food pantry and the Crisis Food Center in Alton. The items collected will be distributed to community members in need. The Older Adults Health Council is a meeting for healthcare professionals who serve senior populations in the Madison County and Metro Illinois area. Madison County Triad brings together law enforcement and Health Care agencies to educate and protect seniors while maintaining their independence. For more information on either group please email dfrakes@seniorservicesplus.org.

Continue Reading

(The Center Square) - The state's top public health official announced Tuesday that she plans to leave her role amid a lull in COVID-19 cases after helping to set the state's pandemic policies for more than two years. Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike announced she would leave her $178,200-a-year post on March 14. Amaal Tokars, the agency's assistant director, will serve as interim director during a nationwide search to find a longer-term replacement. "It has been a great honor serving the people of Illinois as the director of the Illinois Department of Public Health," Dr. Ngozi Ezike said Tuesday in Chicago. "Being the state's top doc during a global pandemic has been challenging to say the least, but it's been an amazing journey to work with so many great public health professionals and leaders from all sectors." Ezike said she has no immediate plans on what she will do next but said she wants to take some time to be with her family. She said during the

Continue Reading

ST. LOUIS, MO. - Respected blues guitarist-vocalist and storyteller extraordinaire, Tab Benoit, has launched an ambitious 2022 Spring-Summer National Tour with some exciting Special Guest opening acts. Locally, Tab Benoit performs in St. Louis at The Pageant, 6161 Delmar Blvd., Saturday, March 12. Show: 8PM Tickets: $40. Info: (314) 726-6161 or visit http://www.thepageant.com. Opening for Benoit is Whiskey Bayou Records label-mate and fine guitarist in his own right, Alastair Greene, supporting his recent Whiskey Bayou Records release, 'The New World Blues.'' "With a grin on his face and sparkle in his eye from all the love he was receiving he grabbed his trusty Thinline Telecaster and without a seconds hesitation ripped into an absolutely blistering introduction to “Why Are People Like That”, writes Splice Magazine in a recent live review. "His band laid out a perfect beat for Tab to weave his six-string magic. Tab’s vocal delivery was spot on, but his playing was

Continue Reading

CHICAGO, March 2, 2022 – March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month, and the Illinois Lottery and the Illinois Council on Problem Gambling (ICPG) are teaming up again to increase public awareness of the availability of problem gambling prevention, treatment, and recovery services. In support of Problem Gambling Awareness Month, the Illinois Lottery is promoting responsible play by encouraging Lottery players to: “Set A Limit. Stick To It.” Using insights captured in player research, the Lottery aims to improve gambling literacy and promote available resources for players who may need support. By setting limits - of time and money - players are able to feel more in control of their play behavior. “Promoting responsible play has always been a commitment at the Illinois Lottery,” said Harold Mays, Acting Director of the Illinois Lottery. “For most people, gambling is recreational fun. But we know that for a small number of people, it can create

Continue Reading

EAST ST. LOUIS - A 35-year-old man died after he was struck in a single-vehicle vs. pedestrian fatality accident at 1:57 a.m. on Feb. 28, 2022. The accident occurred on I-55 northbound at milepost 5, near East St. Louis in St. Clair County. The victim in the accident was Billy J. Herndon of Collinsville; the driver was a 34-year-old male of Valley Park, MO., and was operating a White 2018 Hyundai Elantra. The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by the Illinois State Police District 11 "Unit 1 was traveling northbound on I-55, at milepost 5, near East St. Louis," ISP said. "The pedestrian was walking in the right lane of the roadway and was struck by Unit 1. The pedestrian was fatally injured. The driver of Unit 1 was not injured. This is an open and ongoing investigation and no other details are available at this time."

Continue Reading

Midwest Living Magazine Names Stone Hill Winery Best Winery Out of Over 1100+ Wineries in Midwest HERMANN, MO – Stone Hill Winery has been named Midwest Living Magazine’s Best Winery in their 2022 Best of the Midwest edition. The award celebrates the region’s top spots in food, travel, lifestyle, and wellness. This recognition comes as the winery celebrates the 175th anniversary since its founding in 1847 as Missouri’s first winery. “It is an exceptional honor to be named the Best Midwest Winery by Midwest Living. Since my parents started the winery in 1965, their mission, and ours still today, is to always create the highest quality wines along with fantastic memories for every guest that visits. We love welcoming guests every day to our winery and introducing them to our region’s unique wine heritage. Looking at this year’s other winners, we are humbled to be in exceptional company and are deeply proud to be a standard-bearer of Missouri

Continue Reading

URBANA – With frequent summer thunderstorms, we should be diligent in scouting for tree issues that could become a larger problem. Proper preventative care can greatly increase a tree’s longevity. Important first steps Preparing a tree for weather-related disasters happens before the tree ever goes in the ground by making wise site and species selections, says Sarah Vogel, University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator. A tree in an unsuitable site can be costly to remove, or worse, cause damage to persons or property. Consider all site conditions. Consider genetic characteristics of the tree. Ensure the species isn’t an aggressive non-native. Use proper planting techniques to improve chance of survival. Planting trees too deeply is a major problem in landscapes, and symptoms from being planted even 1 inch too deep can take years to become evident. Properly prune a young tree to be structurally sound. This mitigates chances of a mature tree failure

Continue Reading