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ST. LOUIS - A restaurant is only as fast and efficient as its kitchen layout allows it to be. Certified Food Safety Instructor Linda Petterson and Chef Michael Lepage discussed the importance of a well-designed kitchen layout on the latest “Food For Thought” segment on Our Daily Show! on RiverBender.com Kitchen layout design is especially important in fast-paced commercial kitchen environments such as Chick-fil-A, which Petterson said is currently on its eighth version of their kitchen layout. “I found that rather intriguing because they’re constantly trying to revamp that,” Petterson said. She added cross-contamination and ease of movement are the two highest priorities in kitchen layout design. While national chains may have their kitchen layouts all figured out, the average restaurateur may not know which designs work best. Lepage recommends working with a company like Ford Hotel Supply’s Engineering Department, who can design and build

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EDWARDSVILLE - Part of the Newsong Fellowship church property at 207 St. Louis St. in Edwardsville is slated to become the city’s next mixed-use development project, “The Albert.” The City Council recently approved a Redevelopment Agreement and Commercial Building Facade Application from the developer of the project. The property consists of lots connected to the Newsong Fellowship church building that the city subdivided several months ago, according to Alderman William Krause. He said the project is an example of “TIF being done right.” “This is TIF being done right - it’s exactly what we set these sort of districts up for within the community,” Krause said. “It’s taking an existing structure in need of some rehab and reuse and a developer here within the community is proposing such reuse, so we’re very excited to see this proposal come forward.” Alderman SJ Morrison added the development will be mixed-use,

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EDWARDSVILLE - The White Coat Ceremony celebrating 50 Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine (SIU SDM) first-year students representing the Class of 2027 and six international advanced placement students representing Class of 2025 was held on Friday, October 6 on the campus of Lewis and Clark Community College in nearby Godfrey, IL. SIUE Chancellor James T. Minor, PhD acknowledged the “privilege and responsibility” of pursuing a career in dentistry in a state where 2.8 million people live in an area federally designated as having a shortage of dental health professionals . "Without question the University and this School of Dental Medicine is committed to creating social and economic mobility for individuals, but it is also committed to solving pressing social problems and producing leaders who will shape a changing world,” said Minor. “You were made for this moment in time.” Keynote speaker Cornell Thomas, associate professor

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EDWARDSVILLE - Metro Community Church welcomed the cooler weather with games, treats and contests at their “Fall-a-Palooza” on Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023. Riverbend residents could stop by the Metro Edwardsville campus to enjoy fall-themed fun and learn more about the church. Members of Metro’s congregation and leadership team explained that the event was a celebration of Metro and the surrounding community. “It’s just kind of like fall exploded all over,” said Mati Barron, content director for Metro Community Church. “We wanted to make sure that everybody had a fun, safe, free place to bring their family and just have a great community time getting into the fall season…There’s so much community just coming together and really doing life together, and that’s so important for us to make sure that the community has a safe place to come, learn more about what we’re about and what our heartbeat is and how they can come

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FAIRMONT CITY - Revity Credit Union employees joined together to raise $990.00 in the month of September to benefit Fairmont City Youth Programs through their Smile for Jeans Program. The Smile for Jeans Program is funded by Revity Credit Union employees who make monthly, monetary donations out of their own pockets to a local organization. By donating $15 or more to a specific organization, Revity employees are able to wear jeans and tennis shoes on Fridays and Saturdays during that month. Nothing gets better than seeing a smile on an organization’s face when Revity Credit Union presents them with a jeans donation check. Revity Credit Union’s 2023 Smile for Jeans Program focuses on supporting the local communities "where we work, play and live in." During the month of September, Revity employees proudly raised $990.00 for Fairmont City Youth Programs. Fairmont City Youth Programs has a lasting impact on the lives of our young athletes, providing them with opportunities t

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EDWARDSVILLE – The City of Edwardsville is mourning the death of Ward 2 Alderman Jack Burns, who died Friday, October 6, 2023. “Jack wasn’t just an alderman, he was a personal friend of mine,” Mayor Art Risavy said. “He represented the residents of his ward and the City so wonderfully and compassionately. Jack was somebody I could always count on to help make a difficult situation better. He was so wise. “I was fortunate enough to travel back from Chicago with him last month. He shared with me how proud he was of his family, especially his two sons and his grandchildren. And he shared with me how much he loved his wife.” Alderman Burns is survived by his wife, Lori, a retired Edwardsville school teacher; two sons, Alex and Paul; and grandchildren. His family is requesting privacy at this time. Visitation and funeral arrangements are yet to be finalized. Alderman Burns was first elected to the City Council in 2017 and reelected in 2021. He serve

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ALTON - It was a beautiful afternoon as St. Mary’s Catholic Church and School kicked off the second day of their 16th annual St. Mary’s Oktoberfest on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. The festivities started on Friday night and continued through 8 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023. Live music, inflatables, raffles, auctions and plenty of food and drink have welcomed community members to downtown Alton for the three-day event. “When our parish started back in 1858, it was started by German immigrants, so that’s why we decided to have an Oktoberfest, to kind of celebrate that German heritage that started our parish,” organizer Carolyn Simansky said of the tradition. A keg tapping ceremony at 1 p.m. on Saturday started the day’s events. Classic German and American foods were available throughout the weekend, including bratwursts, frankfurters, turkey legs, hamburgers, kettle corn and more. People enjoyed a variety of beer and wine or check out this

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - At 3:09 p.m. on Sunday, October 8, 2023, St. Louis County Police Officers from the North County Precinct responded to the 2300 block of Bramble Lane for a report of a missing juvenile. The St. Louis County Police Department has announced the missing juvenile has been found and is safe. Arriving officers made contact with the juvenile’s mother who informed officers her 6-year-old son, Amir Statem, was last seen walking out of the house at 3 p.m. Sunday. Amir was reported then last seen wearing a blue tank top, cartoon pajama pants and was not wearing shoes. A missing endangered search for Amir then began. The St. Louis County Police Special Response Unit, Canine and Air Support assisted the North County Precinct with the search for Amir.

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ALTON - Challenge Unlimited believes in meaningful employment for everybody, and they’re doing what they can to make it a reality. The Alton-based organization helps disabled job-seekers connect with employers through programs that offer job coaching, interview skills and “job carving” services. October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, but Challenge Unlimited works year-round to advocate for disabled individuals in the workplace. “The way I look at things, everybody has some kind of limitation, disability, some kind of issue. We all carry our own challenge,” said John Becker, who works with the employment programs at Challenge Unlimited. “ have the same desires as everybody else. They want a job, they want to be successful, they want to, like everybody, own their own home, chase the American dream. And when people are unfortunately stereotyped or categorized because of a disability, they’re being held back.”

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EDWARDSVILLE - Bands have been hired, vendor reservations are at capacity, and Friends of Leclaire are ready for Leclaire Parkfest, the organization’s annual party at Leclaire Park where they celebrate the history of their historic neighborhood. This year marks the 31 st year for the festival that is always held on the third Sunday in October. The festival is set for October 15, from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. at Leclaire Park at 900 Hale Avenue in Edwardsville, Illinois. The festival will kick-off with music by the Gaslight Squares, a St. Louis band with a special blend of ragtime and jazz, followed by the old-time folk music of the Lodge Brothers at the band stand. These groups have become regular favorites of the festival. On the Madison Avenue side of the park, music will be provided by the band Hallquist, followed by Mike Keller and the Greater Good. Sneaky’s Bar and Burger Joint will provide beer, wine and cocktails and food vendors offer many choices for visitors,

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Key takeaways: There are many things to watch for when doing your monthly self-check for breast cancer: lumps, skin changes, nipple changes, changes in breast size, pain or abnormalities under the armpits. Women should do the self-check a week after their menstrual cycle ends and stick to the same time each month. Unless you have an urgent issue, you don't need to go to the emergency department after finding something during a self-check. Instead, make an appointment with a provider and document what's happening. “I found a lump.” It’s the unsettling phrase providers sometimes hear from women when they are performing their monthly breast self-check for cancer signs. But lumps are not the only thing to watch for, says Heather Chambers, an OSF HealthCare breast health navigator who is herself a breast cancer survivor. Signs to know Each month, keep these in mind. Lumps, the most talked about sign. “A lot of women, especially

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ST. LOUIS - Halloween returns to the Gateway Arch! The tallest monument in the U.S. will host its annual Frights & Heights event, presented by Arsenal Credit Union, on Saturday, October 14, 2023. General admission , without a Trick-or-Tram Ride ticket , is FREE to the public , but advance registration is required for free general admission as space is limited. Tickets for the Trick-or-Tram Ride are available for purchase. Event activities include: · Trick or Tram: Experience scary sights and festive decorations on the one-of-a-kind 630-foot ride to the top of the Arch. *Ticket Purchase Required · Freaky Face Painting: Look hauntingly good after a makeover from one of our face painters. · Boo-loon Animals: Your favorite creepy crawlers come to life. · Creepy Crafts & Games : Express yourself on your very own pumpkin craft or create a corner bookmark. Other activities include Halloween rainbow scratchers, skeleto

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EDWARDSVILLE - Muralist Duenne Schlarman has become a fixture for those in the vicinity of the former Goshen Butcher Shop on Main Street in downtown Edwardsville, IL. The building provides Schlarman a 1,000 square foot canvas for the artist. This is her second mural sponsored by Southern Illinois University Edwardsville where Schlarman is a Master of Fine Arts candidate. “I think this mural might be the biggest one I’ve ever done,” said Schlarman who remembers painting murals throughout her childhood. “My mother’s entire house is covered in murals.” Schlarman spends hours on her own at the location with her spray paint, string, tape and cart. She has had the opportunity to enlist the occasional pedestrian, fellow students, and her father who came to town in time to assist. Schlarman says she welcomes the shoutouts from passersby as well as the unpredictability of working outside in the elements. “Prepping was the hardest part. Powe

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CHICAGO — Today, Governor JB Pritzker visited the University of Chicago Library to announce the University’s plan to build a collection of books that have been historically banned, creating an accessible library open to the public. The event takes place during National Banned Books Week, which runs from October 1-7. The governor was joined by Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton and University of Chicago leadership. “When we can engage with ideas that are new to us, challenge and be challenged by different perspectives, learn new things, understand all the amazing miracles and darkest hours of the world around us — we are all better off,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Today’s announcement not only means that any member of the public can come access commonly banned books here in person at UChicago — it also means that residents throughout Illinois can access these texts digitally. Even in the face of rising censorship around the country,

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GODFREY – Potential students and families interested in learning more about Lewis and Clark Community College’s offerings are invited to immerse themselves in the Trailblazer experience at Discover Day, Monday, Oct. 9. “Tour the Godfrey Campus and speak with program and student support representatives to get firsthand insights into how Lewis and Clark can help you make the most of your college experience,” Recruiter Daniel Nosce said. Discover Lewis and Clark’s options for short-term degrees and certificates as well as transfer programs that help district residents save thousands of dollars on a four-year degree. While exploring, future Trailblazers will have the chance to interact with current students, who can share their personal experiences and give valuable perspectives on campus life. The event, which will be held from 4-6 p.m., in the Hatheway Quad, will also feature academic and financial aid advisors who can provide guidance for finding the right

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WOOD RIVER - Pro Automotive Services is offering free brake inspections and brake pads to raise money for a breast cancer vaccine. The Brakes for Breasts campaign encourages independent auto repair shops to provide free brake pads throughout October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Customers pay for the labor and any other parts that are needed, and the shops donate 10% of profits to the Cleveland Clinic Breast Cancer Vaccine Fund . For Pro Automotive Services in Wood River, the campaign hits close to home. “My mom passed away from breast cancer. She’d been in remission 32 years, and then the cancer came back,” owner Jennifer Baggett said. “She had triple-negative breast cancer, and that’s what the vaccine that they’re working on right now . They’re hoping that once the puzzle is unlocked for this particular cancer, that it’ll be easier to unlock the rest of all the other different types of breast cancer and even

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URBANA — Severe drought and current environmental conditions have the Midwest on alert as fire risks are higher than usual during equipment rollout for corn and soybean harvest. From lack of precipitation to low soil moisture and dry vegetation, these conditions, when paired with hot, running farm equipment, increase fire chances. “Contributing environmental risk factors for fire include a lack of precipitation, low soil moisture, low humidity, high winds, and warm daily temperatures,” says Trent Ford, state climatologist with Illinois State Water Survey at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. When dry fields and environmental risks combine with long work hours, delayed equipment maintenance and cleaning, part failures, and debris-clogged cooling systems — chances of a fire starting are greatly increased, says Ford. Prepare for high fire risk conditions with farm fire safety tips from climate and agricultural safety experts at University of Illinois Extension,

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JERSEYVILLE/WHITE HALL - Community members lined State Street in Jerseyville on Friday evening, Oct. 6, 2023, to pay their respects to the late Airman First Class Joshua M. Hopper. Hopper, 23, was from White Hall and graduated from North Greene High School. He joined the U.S. Air Force two years ago and died on Sept. 25, 2023, at Misawa Air Force Base in Misawa, Japan. At 5:45 p.m. on Friday, a police escort organized by the Jersey County Sheriff's Office took Hopper from Jerseyville to White Hall, where services will be held at Calvary Baptist Church. The visitation is planned for 4–7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 9, 2023, followed by a funeral service at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. He will be buried with full military honors at White Hall Cemetery. Hopper was a star athlete in high school, and he played basketball for MacMurray College and the Air Force. His family asks for memorials to be made to the North Greene High School basketball team or Greene County Veterans Assistanc

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ALTON - The Alton Police Department was called to the 2200 block of Edwards Street on Friday afternoon, Oct. 6, 2023, to conduct a death investigation. APD responded around 2 p.m. and conducted a preliminary investigation. While the investigation is still ongoing, the department said they didn’t immediately discover anything to suggest foul play. “The preliminary investigation did not reveal any obvious evidence of foul play or criminal activity,” Police Chief Jarrett Ford said. APD and the Madison County Coroner will handle the investigation.

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MOUNT OLIVE - A gun battle between union miners and armed train guards that left 13 dead was fought 125 years ago on Oct. 12, 1898, in Virden, Ill. This year, on Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023, in Union Miners Cemetery in Mount Olive, a commemoration of the battle will be held at noon. According to the Sangamon County Historical Society , “The dispute began when owners of the Chicago-Virden Coal Co. refused to honor a nationwide agreement between bituminous coal operators and the United Mine Workers.” Workers demanded a pay increase, an eight-hour workday, and a six-day work week, but company executives argued meeting those demands would price them out of the Chicago coal market. After the workers went on strike, the mine company then recruited non-union Black miners from Alabama, reportedly without telling them about the strike, in an alleged attempt to sow division between the union and non-union miners. The company also hired 50 armed guards to protect a train carrying

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