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ALTON - The Smoke'n Aces Poker League was created a few years ago to bring people together to do something they love to do. It started small but quickly grew. They are now playing poker in 89 different bars and restaurants throughout Illinois with a few in Wisconsin as well. Ted Cook, a district director came on to Riverbender.com's new podcast Our Daily Show to talk about the league with host CJ Nasello. To find out more about Our Daily Show or to listen to past shows click here . Cook explained how playing works and talked about how players can earn real cash prizes every month. "You play for points. It's all free. At the end of the month, the top three players who have earned the most points will earn a spot in the main event to actually win real money." First place for those main events will pay out $1,500 every month to the top player. Smoke'n Aces has given out over $400,000 in prize money since it's been up and running. Last year was a "huge success" according to Cook.

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ALTON - Sierra Club Illinois’ Three Rivers Project, Alton Main Street, and the Army Corps of Engineers are calling for volunteers to support the 16th annual Mississippi Earthtones Festival Great Mississippi River Clean-up. The river clean-up will be held on September 24 in conjunction with the Mississippi Earthtones Festival, which celebrates our river through art, music, and conservation. During the clean-up, which takes place the weekend after the festival, volunteers will work together to remove trash and debris from the beautiful Mississippi River and its shorelines. Interested community members can register to volunteer at the clean-up via bit.ly/MEFriver22 . “To date, the Mississippi Earthtones Festival Great River Clean-up has netted over 45 tons of trash and has recycled 10 tons of materials,” said Christine Favilla, Co-Coordinator of the Three Rivers Project of Sierra Club Illinois. “The river clean-up is hosted in honor of National Public Lands Day

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MADISON - The Illinois Department of Transportation announces intermittent lane closures of IL 4 at the IL 143 intersection Tuesday, September 6, 2022, weather permitting. Two-way traffic will be maintained by the use of flaggers. This work is needed to perform pavement patching and it should be completed by the end of September 2022. Drivers are urged to reduce speed, be alert for changing conditions, obey all construction signage, and refrain from using mobile devices while approaching and traveling through the work zone. The contractor on this project is Kilian Corporation of Mascoutah, Illinois. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on Twitter at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a group of 20 attorneys general, today filed a brief supporting the federal government’s efforts to regulate “ghost guns,” which are weapons without serial numbers that are untraceable, often made at home and purchased without background checks. The new federal rule to regulate ghost guns – issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) – will require that buyers pass background checks before purchasing weapons parts kits, and that law enforcement officers can trace self-made guns that are later used in a crime. “Weapons kits allow individuals who should not legally possess firearms to construct their own gun, and those homemade ghost guns are then untraceable when used to commit a violent crime. The ATF’s new rule is a significant step in helping law enforcement keep ghost guns out of the hands of criminals,” Raoul said. “In Illinois, we have taken

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ALTON - Eyes widen around the room as realization dawns on the crowd...there’s been a murder. Do you know who dun it? Was it the baker with the rolling pin? Was it the ex-fiance with cyanide or was it ...you? Every year, this burning question is raised at hundreds of laughter-filled Jest Murder Mystery Company shows. Thanks to a lot of creativity and hard work, this local success story is now considered the funniest murder mystery company in the country. This is not a typical murder mystery dinner theater company. It’s not about true crime. It’s not about being the detective. It’s about building comradery, uniting people in a shared, very funny experience. Over the years, Jest Murder Mystery Company has discovered that there is no greater pairing than laughter and food when it comes to bringing groups together. When the show begins, the room will be filled with many groups and individuals who may have little more in common than proximity. But by the end

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GLEN CARBON – The second home game of his senior year didn’t go as hoped for the captain of the boys' soccer team Owen Terrell. The Griffins lost 6-0 to a very good Triad team, but Terrell knows his team gave it everything they had. “We tried our best and sometimes our best isn’t enough,” he said after the game. He’s the team’s leading goal scorer with three on the season. He had some chances against the Knights but couldn’t convert. He’s just happy to still be captaining his team, win or lose. He had a really great answer when asked what being a captain means to him. “It’s a pretty big responsibility. It’s something that I’ve always wanted to have since my freshman year looking up to my upperclassman. Now that I have it, I know I have some big shoes to fill and it’s just really important that I keep my head, lift my teammates up, and make sure we still have a positive energy on the field.”

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GLEN CARBON – Junior Sami Oller can’t decide which sports season she likes better. In the fall she’s an outside hitter for Father McGivney Catholic High School’s volleyball team and in the winter months, she plays guard in basketball. Right now though, she’s just getting the volleyball season started and is ready for more. “Super excited. We love having the whole school come out and support us,” she said after the team’s home opener in which they won two sets to none against Mulberry Grove. “It feels great when everyone is here and is being loud.” With the win, the team moves back to a positive record of 5-4. Oller is a Byron Carlson Petri & Kalb Female Athlete of the Month for Father McGivney Catholic. It was only their second non-tournament match of the season. After going 3-4 in the Roxana Tournament, the Griffins finished in eighth place out of 16 schools. Not exactly what Sami was hoping for. “I feel like we

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Mike Bost (IL-12), along with the entire Illinois Congressional delegation, sent a letter to President Biden requesting that Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provide federal assistance to the State of Illinois to help St. Clair County respond to significant damage from the flash floods on July 26. “We write in support of Illinois Governor JB Pritzker’s request for federal assistance for the State of Illinois to help St. Clair County to recover from severe flooding that occurred last month. Governor Pritzker has indicated that this incident is of such severity and magnitude that effective response and recovery is beyond the combined capability of the state and local governments. As such, he requests Individual Assistance for St. Clair County to help the residents clean up and rebuild amid this large-scale flood damage,” the lawmakers wrote. In their letter, the lawmakers laid out the severity of the storm,

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SPRINGFIELD – Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) are encouraging families in need to apply for $300 million in available funding for energy bill assistance through the Help Illinois Families program. All families who meet the criteria and provide required documentation are eligible to receive bill assistance for natural gas, propane, and electricity through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). “Every Illinoisan deserves access to reliable energy—regardless of their economic status,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Thanks to LIHEAP, we are making natural gas, propane, and electricity assistance accessible for our state’s family that are feeling the squeeze from rising costs of living. My administration has always been—and will always be—committed to making sure that every resident has access to the services they need to keep the lights on.” Beginning September

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WOOD RIVER - East Alton-Wood River High School senior Launa Crank is the Midwest Members Credit Union “Oiler of the Month." A senior student is selected each month by members of the EA-WR faculty. Each student is awarded a certificate and a Subway gift card. The seniors selected each month will have the opportunity to compete for a $1,000 “Oiler of the Year” scholarship at the end of the school year. Launa is involved with soccer, Student Council, Spirit Club, Band, newspaper, Peer Leadership, Art Club, volleyball, Scholar Bowl, Academic Challenge, and Drama Club. Launa has received honors for DAR Youth Citizen Award, Top Oiler, and 3rd place in English for Academic Challenge. After graduation, Launa plans to attend SIUE and look to obtain a degree as a Nurse Anesthetist. Congratulations Launa and we all wish you good luck in your future! Midwest Members Credit Union has been serving your community for over 87 years. To find out more information about Midwest Members

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ALTON – If your loved one is in an emergency, you want the ambulance to have the latest life-saving technology on board. You can make that happen by participating in the second annual Duck Pluckers Online Auction that runs from 7 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 1 through 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10. You can preview the items now at www.virtualauction.bid/DUCKPLUCKERS . The auction has dozens of items, including: 2 person, 4-hour guided fishing adventure with a captain specializing in catching trophy catfish Sports memorabilia including a package commemorating the final ride of Albert Pujols, Yadier Molina and Adam Wainwright Golf packages, including a Sunset Hills Country Club experience Canope party in your home for 20 people Wine tastings in your home Baskets from local boutiques Beer for a Year The online auction will support the Duck Pluckers, Deer Skinners & Fish Hookers Ball, an outdoor event Sept. 10 at NILO Farms near Brighton that includes a quail flush competition,

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BETHALTO - The Bethalto Police responded at approximately noon on Wednesday, August 31, to Kickapoo Village Mobile Home Park in the 700 block of South Moreland Road, in reference to a male subject who had been shot. Police from multiple agencies responded along with the Bethalto Fire Department and Alton Memorial Ambulance. Bethalto Police Chief Mike Dixon said the male victim was taken to an area hospital for care and treatment. Chief Dixon said the man was in "stable" medical condition when transported. "The suspect was taken into custody," he said. "The scene and surrounding areas are secure."

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GODFREY – Local college instructor and Lewis and Clark historian Brad Winn is the top adjunct faculty member in the state for 2022. Winn attended the Illinois Community College Trustees Association (ICCTA) conference this summer as Lewis and Clark Community College’s nominee for the Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Member Award – and won. While the college typically nominates an Outstanding Faculty Member each year, Winn, who has taught classes at Lewis and Clark for 20 years, was its first nominee for the adjunct award. “I am truly honored to be selected as this year’s ICCTA Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Member for 2022,” said Winn, who also works as the superintendent of the Lewis and Clark State Historical Site in Hartford. “It has been my sincere pleasure to be a part of the Lewis and Clark family now for over 20 years and my privilege to spend those years helping educate students in our community. I am proud to represent the college this

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ALTON/GODFREY - For most drivers, cheaper gas is a good thing - so it makes sense to seek the gas station with the lowest prices. But in a market where big, corporate-backed chain gas stations can buy in bulk and undercut the local competition, saving a few cents at the pump could cost drivers their beloved independently-owned gas stations, like Hit-N-Run in Alton. Hit-N-Run owner Dwight Fowler said there’s no way local, independently-owned gas stations can compete in this gas market. “We’re actually having issues with certain stations in this area that are undercutting everybody just to steal the business - like Walmart and Sam’s, those guys are the big ones that do it,” Fowler said. “In this area up there on Godfrey Road, the Walmart is literally almost selling under cost just to pull the people in and it’s killing all the other independents. We can’t compete.” As of this writing, the Walmart on Godfrey Road is selling gas

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Police on Tuesday announced that it has been made aware of unknown persons calling residents with a proposal to "reimburse" them for utility services. The Edwardsville Police stressed to residents that this is a scam. "These callers are also using fake caller IDs that represent local government offices," the police cautioned. "Please use caution when taking unsolicited calls; never provide a credit card or bank information over the phone to an unknown person. "If you are concerned about your utility services, contact your provider via a number on your bill." Contact the Edwardsville Police Department if you have any information about this ongoing scam at (618) 656-2131.

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ALEDO, IL - Chris Sullivan, police chief in the city of Aledo, IL., was indicted Monday on a battery charge that allegedly occurred during an arrest. The police chief was also indicted on two counts of official misconduct. Sullivan surrendered to the Mercer County Sheriff's Office on Monday. Riverbender.com contacted Sullivan, and he said at this time he could not comment because it is a pending charge. Sullivan was a long-time Alton Police officer and former chief. He was also a former chief of police in Grafton. Sullivan had a bond set at $10,000, with 10 percent to apply.

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SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White tested negative for the COVID-19 virus and has returned to work at the James R. Thompson Center. Last week, Secretary White tested positive for the virus. He experienced mild symptoms and worked from home while in quarantine. White is double vaccinated and twice boosted.

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ALTON – OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony’s Health Center in Alton has a vision of strengthening the Riverbend community by providing accessible, affordable high-quality health care to all. In line with that vision and a recently-announced strategic affiliation with SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, OSF Saint Anthony’s, and OSF Medical Group - Pediatrics will be holding a free open house to highlight pediatric services. The event will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 17 th , at the OSF Medical Group – Primary Care office in Godfrey (6702 Godfrey Road). Parents can learn about resources and best practices related to safe sleep, injury prevention, healthy eating, sports care, psychology, and other outpatient services for children. Parents can also learn about how to put a car seat in a vehicle safely. The Alton Police Department will be giving away gun locks to help keep kids safe at home. Free food will be available. First Mi

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ST. LOUIS - On the heels of his historic MTV VMA performance as the first male country artist to perform on the show, Multi-Platinum, 5X AMA award-winning entertainer Kane Brown today announced his Drunk or Dreaming Tour will arrive in the US next year. Produced by AEG Presents, the US tour will kick off in Grand Rapids, MI on March 16, 2023 and hit 23 US cities along the way before wrapping in Greenwood Village, CO at Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre on Saturday, June 10 . The Drunk or Dreaming Tour will make a stop in St. Louis on April 14. During the tour, Brown will perform his first solo headlining arena show at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on March 31. The international leg of the tour will wrap up in Stockholm on January 31 after hitting cities including Sydney, London, and Toronto. The new tour follows the success of Brown’s Blessed & Free Tour in which he visited all 29 NBA basketball arenas, making the “breakthrough entertainer” ( AP) the

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ST. LOUIS - Today, Mayor Tishaura O. Jones will sign a proclamation declaring August 31, 2022, International Overdose Awareness Day in the City of St. Louis. The City joins the White House , St. Louis County, and other municipalities across the country in raising awareness about the dangers of opioid abuse and overdoses. “Opioid abuse and overdose take a heartbreaking toll on St. Louis families and communities,” said Mayor Tishaura O. Jones. “Addiction is a root cause of crime, and addressing it will make our neighborhoods safer in the long run. From funding for community violence intervention programs to the pivotal work at the City of St. Louis Department of Health, my administration is working to educate residents about opioid addiction while taking steps to prevent it from taking hold in our communities. County Executive Page and I have discussed how we can work together on this issue, and I’m ready to collaborate with all of our regional partners to protect

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