Riverbender 🕸

SPRINGFIELD – Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced that more than 1,200 small cities, towns, and villages across Illinois - Non-Entitlement Units (NEUs) - will receive $371 million as part of the second round of funding through the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) specifically designated for NEUs. The full list of recipients and funding amounts can be found here: NEU Master.pdf (illinois.gov). NEUs are receiving a total of $742 million between the first and second funding allocations. “As communities continue to recover from the pandemic, we are issuing the second round of federal funding for a total of $742 million specifically designated for smaller localities,” said Governor JB Pritzker. "This critical funding will help localities cover remaining pandemic-related costs incurred while supporting communities in every region of the state.” Through ARPA, in accordance with federal rules,

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This is the full statement from Thomas Haine about the SAFE-T Act scheduled to be instituted on January 1, 2023: The greatest jailbreak in Madison County history will occur on January 1, 2023. On that date, approximately half of our present jail population must be released under the terms of the new SAFE-T Act, and cash bail will be eliminated throughout Illinois. That translates to well over 100 criminal defendants walking free in Madison County alone without paying a dime as they await trial for alleged crimes including aggravated DUI, aggravated battery, failure to register as a sex offender, burglary, and aggravated fleeing and eluding from a police officer. Many who will be released are repeat offenders with multiple pending felonies. Many have previously failed to appear in court or violated some other condition of release. Now they will be automatically released again. This is all thanks to the Illinois SAFE-T Act, which was passed back in 2020 with only Democratic support

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ST. CLAIR COUNTY – A train and vehicle collided in St. Clair County Wednesday afternoon and Metro Link officials have said service between Emerson Park to Fairview Heights stations is not operating because of the crash. Officials so far have said only the crash is in St. Clair County and there are no reports about any injuries. MetroLink station shuttles are transporting passengers by bus between the stations with closed routes. Metro Link officials say delays of up to an hour could be possible. Drivers are urged to take different routes away from this area. More to come.

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ALTON - Superstar artist Rocky Pardo is back at the Edwardsville Art Show again this year. The Art Show is scheduled for September 23-25 at City Park. Rocky graduated from SIUE in 2014. She always wanted to be an artist and by age 14 was working with metals. She fell in love with metals work at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Rocky said she loves the Edwardsville Art Fair and being around the various artists. “It is great talking to the different artists at the art fair,” she said. “Last year everyone seemed to have a great time and the artists seemed to do very well.” Rocky Pardo Jewelry is handcrafted and a collection of high-quality mixed precious metal jewelry. Her designs showcase her split roots from both St. Louis and Spain, where she was born. “I fell in love with metals as a teen," she said. "I received a BFA in Metalsmithing from SIU. I worked full time at a jewelry store in Kirkwood, MO., before going out on my own in 2016." Rocky

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ALTON - The Mississippi Earthtones Festival, presented by Alton Main Street and the Sierra Club, is a celebration of our river through art, music, and conservation. The 16th Annual event will be held at Liberty Bank Alton Amphitheater on Saturday, September 17th from 12:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m., and there is no charge for admission. This year’s theme is Amplify the River, and local artists have been commissioned to build large installations that will enhance the festival grounds. The Riverbend Yarn Bombers are knitting & crocheting a colorful textile sculpture that will encompass the fountain at Riverfront Park, entitled “Eyes on the River”. Kooliverse will present eye-opening artworks of wonder and intrigue, including a 16-foot kaleidoscope. An amazing light show is in store from local projection artists, and there will be a meet and greet with a river mermaid. Jacoby Arts Center has lined up an amazing art playground of performances and interactive experiences, featurin

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PONTIAC - The Seventh Annual Miles of Possibility Route 66 Conference will be held Thursday – Sunday, October 20 – 23, in Pontiac, Illinois, with the theme “America's Main Street Welcomes the World.” Four days of speakers, tours, museums, shopping, networking, a Classic Rock band, a comedy show, a 1980s film featuring Pontiac, plus great food and fun await Route 66 enthusiasts, Illinois historians, tourism professionals, and anyone just wanting to have a great weekend of fun on Illinois Route 66! This year's event is dedicated to the legacy of Route 66 and Chicago historian and author, David Clark, who passed away in January 2022. David was a great friend to the Miles of Possibility conference, and his program from last year's event will be re-played at this year's conference, followed by a panel of friends and colleagues sharing reminiscences and stories of David and his contributions to Route 66. The Miles of Possibility Route 66 Conference was founded in

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ALTON - Marquette Catholic’s Paige Rister has been a consistent force for Marquette’s girls' cross country and track and field programs for several years. Paige was Marquette Catholic’s top finisher in the Granite City Invitational with a time of 22:25.1. In both cross country and track and field, she is always consistent in her finishes. Paige is one of the Tucker’s Automotive Repair and Tire Female Athletes of the Month for the Explorers. “I felt amazing to finish first for Marquette in the Granite City Meet,” she said. “The rain and mud were very challenging. Having positive support from my parents, teammates, and coaches is the key to my ability to succeed. “I have always loved running since I was in grade school, and when I got the chance to run my freshman year for cross country, I was very excited. My future plans this year are to get better to continue to take off more time off the clock, and to maintain my grades.” Paig

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EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County State’s Attorney Thomas A. Haine on Wednesday said the implementation of a new state law known as the SAFE-T Act will result in the “greatest jailbreak” in county history. Haine issued a full statement (below) in response to concern from the public about the law, which on Jan. 1 will result in the elimination of Illinois’ longstanding system of requiring certain defendants to post cash bail in order to be released from jail while awaiting trial. “The greatest jailbreak in Madison County history will occur on Jan. 1, 2023,” Haine said. “On that date, approximately half of our present jail population must be released under the terms of the new SAFE-T Act, and cash bail will be eliminated throughout Illinois.” Haine said defendants charged under entire categories of serious crimes – such as second-degree murder, robbery, burglary, arson, and aggravated battery -- will be “non-detainable”

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ALTON - At the 16th annual Mississippi Earthtones Festival on Saturday, September 17, Sierra Club Illinois’ Three Rivers Project and Alton Main Street will award three local activists with the 2022 Confluence Conservation Leadership Award. Since 2007, the festival organizers recognize community members who have made significant contributions to environmental conservation in the Riverbend region. This year’s Confluence Conservation Leadership awardees include: Dr. Connie Frey Spurlock, Rachel Lappin, and Emily Ehley. Dr. Connie Frey Spurlock is a sociologist committed to dismantling hierarchies of oppression and building flourishing relationships in their place. She does this work by centering community-identified goals with meaningful learning experiences for area students. Frey Spurlock is founding director of the SIUE Successful Communities Collaborative (SSCC), a cross-disciplinary program based on the EPIC-N model—an award-winning university-community partnership

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CHICAGO — Governor JB Pritzker today issued an emergency disaster proclamation and activated approximately 75 members of the Illinois National Guard to ensure all state resources are available to support asylum seekers arriving nearly daily to Chicago from the State of Texas. The proclamation enables the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and other state agencies, in close coordination with the City of Chicago, Cook County, and other local governments, to ensure the individuals and families receive the assistance they need. This includes transport, emergency shelter and housing, food, health screenings, medical assessments, treatments, and other necessary care and services. “Today, I signed a disaster proclamation allowing the state to speed up the procurement of the immediate resources needed to help Chicago, Cook County, and other jurisdictions provide humanitarian assistance to the asylum seekers who are being sent to our state with no official advance notice

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GODFREY – Lewis and Clark Community College is offering a free pre-apprenticeship construction course for those considering a career in the construction trades. This class is open to anyone, 18 and over, who has an interest in a career in construction. Students will receive expert training, a stipend, tools, personal protective equipment, construction-specific math instruction, as well as guidance in exploring construction careers and job placement assistance. According to L&C Adult Education Outreach Specialist Jill Dupy, students will become OSHA-10 certified, CPR/First Aid certified and will earn an industry-recognized carpentry certificate, as well as forklift certification. “There is a significant need for the trades in the Madison County area and we want to prepare the workforce to be ready to go to work in just a few months,” Dupy said. “This training program will put a candidate at the head of the line to jump into this career.” Students

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ALTON - Tammy Smith has been an advocate for sickle cell awareness for 10 years and is the founder of A Precious Organization. The organization and the walk both have a special place in her heart. Tammy’s 10th Annual Walk for Sickle Cell is at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 17, at Rock Spring Park in Alton near the tennis court. Registration starts at 8 a.m. It is a one-mile walk up the sidewalk of College Avenue and through the park on paved roads. Tammy's daughter, Precious, was diagnosed with sickle cell disease at a young age and nearly died before she was diagnosed. Sickle Cell Disease causes red blood cells to morph into a crescent, or sickle, shape and get stuck in small blood vessels. This blockage inhibits blood flow, which deprives tissues of oxygen and causes severe pain and tissue damage. In this region, Tammy and her daughter, Precious, have helped raise thousands of dollars to assist others living with the disease. Alton Mayor David Goins will read a proclamation before

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GODFREY - Lewis and Clark Community College’s Godfrey Campus was the site of the Bike MS: Gateway Getaway Ride 2022, held Sept. 10-11. This year’s ride featured 957 riders who raised $878,563. To date, Bike MS donors have raised more than $1.4 billion in the fight against multiple sclerosis. For more information about the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and Bike MS, visit www.nationalmssociety.org . Photo by Jan Dona, L&C Marketing/PR.

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EDWARDSVILLE - S. M. Wilson & Co. has completed the new $11.2 million R.P. Lumber Center in Edwardsville, Illinois. The state-of-the-art facility provides year-round ice skating, exercise and other recreational activities. The new facility answers the growing demand for “ice time” in the region for hockey, figure skating and recreational skate use. S. M. Wilson served as the General Contractor. Chiodini Architects was the architect. G & W Engineering Corporation was the building engineer. B32 Engineering Group was the ice rink engineer. The project included construction of the 64,000-square-foot facility, which features a National Hockey League regulation size ice rink with 650 seats, two community spaces for events, seven locker rooms, an elevated four-lane track and a fitness center. Located near Edwardsville High School, the recreational complex also contains a teen center that offers a variety of after-school activities including study space and safe gathering for

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EDWARDSVILLE - R.P. Lumber Co., Inc. continues to grow its presence in Iowa with the acquisition of Southwest Builder Supply in Mount Ayr. This is the family-owned hardware and building materials retailer’s 84 th location and its 5 th in Iowa. “Joe and Debbie Murphy and their team at Southwest Builder Supply have been serving Southwest and Central Iowa for decades. It is our privilege to honor that legacy by seamlessly continuing to serve the region and earn the respect of our customers for many years to come,” said Robert Plummer, President & CEO of R.P. Lumber R.P. Lumber opened its first location in Staunton, IL in 1977, and now - based in Edwardsville, IL – the company has continued to grow throughout the states of Illinois, Missouri, Wyoming, Iowa, and Wisconsin. “While certainly unique in its own right, Mount Ayr shares many similarities to the communities we currently serve,” continued Plummer. “We have a 45-year history of delivering

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GREENVILLE - Area residents are invited to join rehearsals beginning September 19, for the Greenville Choral Union and Orchestra’s 92nd annual performance of George Frideric Handel’s Messiah. The Greenville Choral Union is a collaboration between the Greenville University Choir and choral singers throughout the region. Directing the Messiah is GU Director of Choral Activities Don Frazure. “Music has the power to bring us together in unity as no other medium can,” Frazure says. “The music and message of Handel’s Messiah brings together into glorious harmony the human voice and orchestral instruments with Scripture and the timeless story of God’s redemptive plan through Jesus Christ. I am truly overwhelmed with joy and gratitude to be able to conduct this performance, and I look forward to preparing this music with all who will join us." Singers (high school age and older) at any level of musical experience from the community are invited to b

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BETHALTO - Amare’s Rockin’ for Recovery, an annual music festival, presented this year by Bickle Electric Contracting Co., will help raise awareness and celebrate individuals and families recovering from, and impacted by, substance use. Riverbend area non-profit, Amare, has scheduled the event for Saturday, September 17th from 4-10 pm at the Bethalto Central Park fairgrounds. The event is in honor of National Recovery Month, which is held every year in September to educate the public about treatment services, recovery, and resources to help those in, or seeking recovery from, a substance use disorder or co-occurring disorder. Amare, a nonprofit based out of Wood River, serves the Illinois riverbend and metro-east area, working to help those recovering from substance use dependency work toward sustainability through recovery support services like recovery coaching, family recovery coaching, treatment, and detox navigation with a warm handoff, and more. Rockin’

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GODFREY – WellCreek Pharmacy has been recognized as the RiverBend Growth Association Small Business of the Month for September 2022. Located in Bethalto at 333 W. Bethalto Dr., Suite B, the pharmacy was opened by Owner Bruce Brueggemann over six years ago. Brueggemann noted, “I retired from Alton Kmart after 36 ½ years, but I enjoyed what I did and was not ready to stop working. So, I opened an independent community pharmacy to offer an alternative to big box stores – a pharmacy that is competitively priced and where patients become and remain friends.” Brueggemann eventually moved WellCreek Pharmacy to its current site in the Bethalto Liberty Bank retail complex from its original location at 341 W. Bethalto Dr. The move expanded its space for customer service and merchandise, and new fixtures were also installed to further enhance the pharmacy’s service offerings and customer experience. WellCreek Pharmacy currently has six employees, and Brueggemann

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ST. LOUIS – The record rainfall and subsequent flooding of late July dramatically impacted the lives of people in our own community as well as those in eastern Kentucky. Both areas suffered devastating damage and the communities are rallying together to rebound. The Raceway Gives Foundation ( https://racewaygives.org/ ), the charitable arm of World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois, is continuing to collect for the flood victims of eastern Kentucky. While federal agencies and our local community pitched in to take care of our neighbors in the St. Louis-Metro East region, we want to remind everyone that what happened in eastern Kentucky can only be described as devastating. The tragic floods claimed 39 lives. The eastern Kentucky area affected by the deadly flood is the hometown of several current and former members of our WWTR staff, as well as the current home of many of our special-event staff. For those who wish to make a charitable contribution to the relief

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COLLINSVILLE - Land of Lincoln Legal Aid, a legal aid provider in central and southern Illinois, is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year! As part of its celebration, Land of Lincoln is seeking nominations for awards to be given at its 50th Anniversary Party in Collinsville, Illinois on Thursday, October 27, 2022. A letter of nomination outlining why the individual or group is a good candidate for the award should be emailed to Clarissa Gaff, Executive Director, at cgaff@lincolnlegal.org no later than Friday, September 16, 2022. Criteria for the four awards are listed below: Lois Wood Lifetime Achievement Award The Lois Wood Lifetime Achievement Award is given to an attorney or judge who has provided extraordinary and dedicated service over their lifetime to the low-income community by promoting and improving equal justice for low-income people. Lois Wood worked at Land of Lincoln Legal Aid for 43 years, starting as a staff attorney before serving as a managing attorney an

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