Riverbender 🕸

EDWARDSVILLE - Ivy Hall Dispensary recently opened in Edwardsville, and they’re pleased with the new spot they’ve chosen to call home. Located at 6197 Old Alton Edwardsville Road in Edwardsville, the dispensary sells a variety of cannabis products. Brianna Draksler, a representative with Ivy Hall, explained that they’re eager to serve up a great experience for Riverbend customers. “We’re so excited to be open,” she said. “We’re very involved in our community. The experience is the thing that sets us apart from other dispensaries, so that’s our big focus.” Ivy Hall Dispensary opened their first location in Chicago in 2022. They have since expanded to ten other locations across Illinois. Ivy Hall is the first social equity dispensary in Illinois, meaning its ownership team is composed of individuals with minority backgrounds, veterans, and people who were impacted by the War on Drugs. Draksler said they’re

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Letter To The Editor: Dear Voting Residents of Alton, I am writing to express my wholehearted support for Mayor David Goins in his bid for a second term as Mayor of the city of Alton, Illinois. My relationship with David spans many years, during which I have seen him in various capacities — as a dedicated police officer with the Alton Police Department, a compassionate pastor at Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church, and currently, as an effective and forward-thinking Mayor. David has devoted over forty years of his life to serving our community, embodying the essence of leadership, honesty, and integrity. He has been a pillar of strength, consistently demonstrating a strong commitment to the residents of Alton and fostering a sense of unity within our city. His leadership has positioned Alton as a place where our community can thrive. Throughout his tenure as mayor, David and his administration has put down over 30 Streets. He has spent over $500K on street infrastructure.

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EDWARDSVILLE - Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine announced today that Associate Judge Emily Nielsen has granted the State’s petition to deny pretrial release for a defendant who is charged with aggravated battery. Haine’s office argued public safety required the continued detention of the defendant prior to trial. Jermaine L. Glen, 52, is charged with making physical contact of an insulting or provoking nature with an Alton Police officer on March 18, 2025. The case was investigated by Alton Police Department. This charge and the statements made herein are based upon probable cause. The defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

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BELLEVILLE - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth and U.S. Representative Nikki Budzinski are set to meet with local veterans and leaders from Metro East Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 30, 2025. The meeting will take place at VFW Post 4183 in Belleville. The discussion will focus on the ongoing impacts of the Trump Administration's policies on the veteran community, including reported layoffs at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), interruptions in federal funding, and reductions in veteran care services. Duckworth, a member of both the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, and Budzinski, who serves on the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, aim to address these issues with representatives from local organizations such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the American Legion. Duckworth is a retired Army National Guard lieutenant and colonel. A combat veteran of the Iraq War, she served as

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ALTON – The city of Alton is proud to announce that it will host the Southwest Council of Mayors monthly meeting on Thursday, March 27th. The meeting will be held at the Renaissance X, located at 401 Piasa St, Alton, IL. The Southwestern Illinois Council of Mayors aims to provide a collaborative platform for cities within geographically related counties in southwestern Illinois to work together in the public interest on matters of mutual concern. This Council facilitates discussions among member municipalities, allowing them to jointly address challenges, share experiences regarding local governance, and represent a unified voice to achieve common objectives. This month, the Council will feature John Simmons as the guest presenter. Mr. Simmons, a respected retired attorney, philanthropist, and community leader, has been instrumental in community development through his creation of Alton Works—a private redevelopment company committed to fostering social and economic growth

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BATCHTOWN — A devastating fire on Tuesday, March 26, 2025, has left the Jackson family in Batchtown grappling with severe losses, including the hospitalization of family member Paula Benoist Jackson. The fire consumed their home and claimed the lives of three of their dogs, while three others survived but require medical attention. Paula (shown above) was inside the residence when the fire erupted and sustained critical injuries that necessitated her being life-flighted to Mercy Hospital in St. Louis. Currently in the Intensive Care Unit, she is reported to be stable, but her road to recovery is expected to be long and arduous. In response to the family's urgent needs, Courtney Smithee has organized a GoFundMe campaign aimed at alleviating some of the financial burdens they now face. The costs associated with Paula's life flight, her ICU stay, and anticipated medical treatments, including multiple surgeries, are expected to be significant. Additionally, Paula's inability to wor

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On March 25, 1925, 5,000 visitors attended the opening of Sessel’s expanded clothing store in their building at Third Street and Piasa Street (219-221 Piasa Street). “The occasion was one of the most notable events of the kind in the business history of Alton.” The celebration lasted from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., and the store gave out 3,000 carnations and 2,000 balloons. In 1907, Maurice Sessel opened Sessel’s Alton store in a corner of the old Armory building. In 1914, Sessel’s leased additional space on the first floor. In 1919, the second floor was also taken over, and in 1924, the entire four-story building was leased. The building’s first floor housed the heating plant and coal bins for the Haskell property on Piasa Street. The heating plant was separated from the salesroom by only a tile and plaster partition, which “was a constant source of expense through merchandise being damaged by coal dust and caused much uneasiness on the part

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GODFREY - Taylor Justice has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process. Currently serving as the Chief Development Officer at Beverly Farm Foundation, Mrs. Justice has established herself as a leader in the field of nonprofit fundraising and development. With over 10 years of experience in her profession, she spearheads fundraising initiatives and fosters relationships with supporters of the foundation's mission to provide homes, medical services and recreational centers for adults with disabilities. Among her notable projects, she led two successful 24-hour matching gift campaigns, raising over $1 million in 2024 alone. Mrs. Justice's career journey is marked by a series of progressive roles at Beverly

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EDWARDSVILLE - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Opera Theatre presents Gilbert and Sullivan’s comic operetta The Pirates of Penzance for their spring production. Producers promise "a night of swashbuckling fun and delightful mischief” in a lively evening of family entertainment. Performances will be held on Friday, March 28 and Saturday, March 29, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. in Dunham Hall Theater. The operetta, which premiered in 1879, follows the story of Frederic, a young man mistakenly apprenticed to a band of pirates until his 21st birthday, as he embarks on a journey filled with love, confusion, and outrageous misunderstandings. The SIUE production represents the collaboration of several departments set to bring a full orchestra, vibrant costumes, energetic choreography, and Gilbert and Sullivan's signature blend of humor and heart. “’You make it a point of never attacking a weaker party than yourselves, and when you attack a stronger one you invariably

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – In her opening remarks at today’s committee hearing on the horrific DCA aircraft collision, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)— a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation (CST) and Ranking Member of the CST Aviation Subcommittee—reiterated the long-pressing, ever-growing need to expand our air traffic controller workforce and invest in more safety technology in order to safeguard passengers, crew and our entire aviation system. For years, Duckworth has been sounding the alarm that we must make these critical aviation safety investments immediately to prevent all-too-often near-misses from becoming catastrophic tragedies. Despite the Senator’s calls, the Trump Administration began making cuts and firing hundreds of FAA employees in the wake of multiple deadline airplane crashes, including the DCA crash that killed 67 passengers and crew on January 29, 2025. Video of Duckworth’s opening remarks

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul issued the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision today upholding a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) rule regulating ghost guns, which are untraceable weapons often made at home from kits that are sold online. Today’s ruling comes after Raoul and a coalition of 24 attorneys general filed an amicus brief in Bondi v. VanDerStok in July 2024, asking the court to reverse a decision by an appeals court overturning the ghost gun rule. The coalition argued that the rule is a commonsense clarification of existing law that is necessary to prevent gun violence and help law enforcement to solve serious crimes. “Today’s decision by the Supreme Court will help us save lives. Untraceable firearms without serial numbers are attractive to individuals who are not legally able to purchase a firearm or pass a background check. These guns fuel criminal activity, destabilize neighborhoods

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of both the U.S. Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC) and Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) — alongside U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation to place a memorial honoring women’s contributions to World War II on the National Mall. The legislation builds on Senator Duckworth’s 2023 law that authorized the establishment of a WWII women’s memorial in D.C. “It’s long past time we memorialize the contributions hardworking women made during World War II beside all the other historic memorials on the National Mall,” said Senator Duckworth. “I’m proud our legislation was signed into law to establish a memorial in D.C. to honor the millions of women who rolled up their sleeves and took whatever job was necessary to help move our country forward during World

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today met with members of the American Business Immigration Coalition (ABIC) to discuss a variety of issues, including labor shortages related to the Trump Administration’s mass deportations, a path forward for Dreamers, and steps necessary to protect their workforce. “In just the first few weeks of the Trump Administration, they have unleashed havoc and fear on our immigrant communities,” said Durbin. “What the Trump Administration fails to recognize is that immigrants helped build our nation and contribute greatly to our society and the economy. During my meeting with ABIC leaders, I reiterated my support for our immigrant communities and stressed the importance of finding a permanent legislative solution for Dreamers. I am hopeful to reintroduce the Dream Act on a bipartisan basis this Congress, just as I have done in previous Congresses.”

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EAST ST. LOUIS - Briana Morales, an educator at Bush Alternative in East St. Louis School District 189, has been nominated for the 2024-2025 LifeChanger of the Year Award, an honor that recognizes exceptional K-12 educators and school employees who significantly impact students' lives. The announcement was made on Thursday by East St. Louis School District 189, highlighting Morales' dedication to excellence, leadership, and positive influence in education. The LifeChanger of the Year Award is a national recognition, with only 17 individuals selected each year from across the country. The award aims to celebrate those who inspire and transform the educational experience for their students. Morales' nomination has drawn attention to her commitment to fostering a supportive and effective learning environment. The East St. Louis School District community has expressed pride in her recognition, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging educators who make a difference in the lives

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul, with a bipartisan coalition of 50 attorneys general, today announced he filed for preliminary approval of a $39.1 million settlement with generic drug manufacturer Apotex over allegations of a conspiracy to inflate pharmaceutical prices and limit competition. Raoul is also alerting Illinoisans that they may be eligible for compensation if they purchased a generic prescription drug listed here between May 2009 and December 2019. To determine eligibility, consumers can call toll-free at 1-866-290-0182, email info@AGGenericDrugs.com or visit www.AGGenericDrugs.com . “This settlement builds on the work my office is doing to hold drug companies accountable for engaging in practices to maximize profits at the expense of the health and pocketbooks of Illinoisans. I encourage any Illinoisan who may have purchased a generic prescription from Apotex to check their eligibility for compensation that is included in this settlement,”

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with the Illinois chapter of the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) to discuss the Trump Administration’s harmful rhetoric on privatizing the United States Postal Service (USPS). Durbin and the letter carriers spoke about the future of USPS leadership as Postmaster General Louis DeJoy resigned earlier this week. Additionally, Durbin reiterated his opposition to the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) proposal to cut 10,000 USPS employees at the detriment of Illinoisans who rely on USPS to receive medications, critical communications from the federal government, Social Security payments, and more. On Sunday, Durbin joined NALC in Chicago at the Rally to Save USPS to oppose any effort to dismantle the Postal Service. “Our letter carriers are dedicated federal employees who provide a critical service to our communities. It’s shameful that President Trump doe

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GODFREY – Lewis and Clark Community College is debuting a new Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree in Human Services beginning with the Fall 2025 semester, and enrollment has officially begun. Program Coordinator Chad Keller said the degree is for students who have an interest in helping others develop the knowledge and skills needed to provide direct support to clients seeking social services. Those clients might include individuals with intellectual or physical differences or those dealing with mental health concerns. Professionals in this field often also help youth and older adults access support services at area community organizations. “This degree is about helping people make in a difference in their communities,” Keller said. “It reflects the unique opportunity LC has as a community college to offer a degree pathway for students who are passionate about social work and psychology but who are not interested in pursuing a bachelor's or who want t

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EDWARDSVILLE - Ableist oppression is multifaceted and it can be compared to patriarchal domination, so says Mich Ciurria , PhD, philosophy adjunct professor at Washington University in St. Louis. Ciurria gave the keynote address on Friday, March 21 at the Midwest Society for Women in Philosophy (MWSWIP) Conference at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. For many years, Midwest SWIP has been organized and run by Meredith Verrochi , PhD, instructor in the SIUE Department of Philosophy. This is the first year for SIUE to host this long-running conference. Introducing the keynote speaker was Alison Reiheld , PhD, associate professor in philosophy and one of the MWSWIP Conference host liaisons. Ciurria, a queer, disabled philosopher with specializations in ethics, moral psychology, Marxist feminism, and critical disability theory, spoke about “Moral Responsibility and Disability.” The noted philosopher P. F. Strawson asked, “What is disability and what do

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FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS — A 75-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a child sexual abuse investigation initiated by the Fairview Heights Police Department on March 5, 2025. The suspect, Roger M. Tiemann, is currently in custody at the St. Clair County Jail following the issuance of multiple warrants related to predatory criminal sexual assault and aggravated criminal sexual abuse. The investigation began after police received a report of child sexual abuse. Detectives promptly dedicated substantial resources to the case, which culminated in Tiemann's arrest. On March 22, 2025, the case was presented to the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office, leading to the issuance of several charges against Tiemann, including four counts of predatory criminal sexual assault involving a victim under the age of 13, classified as Class X felonies, and two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse where the offender is five years or more older than the victim, classified

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ALTON - Alton’s Spring City-Wide Litter Cleanup will be held on Saturday, April 12th, from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m., rain or shine. The community is invited to pitch in by picking up bags, gloves, a free donut, and directions to areas that need cleaning. Registration stations are open from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and located Downtown at the corner of 3rd & Belle Street and in Middletown at Fast Eddies Chicken at 7th and Central Avenue. At 9 a.m., groups are departing in Upper Alton from Taqueria Maya at 621 College Ave and in North Alton from Joe K’s Restaurant, located at 2530 State Street where additional supplies will be stocked if needed. Groups can pick up supplies at Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau at 200 Piasa Street, at the Pride, Inc. office located within the Benjamin Godfrey mansion, and at FLOCK & Food Truck Park two weeks prior. Alternatively, volunteers can simply pick up litter in their neighborhood and deposit it in their own trash & recycle bins.

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