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GODFREY - Cheryl Houck is an 80-year-old musician, teacher, therapist and, now, author. Houck’s first book, “Roses and Broken Sidewalks: My Musical Journey through Life,” will be in stores on Oct. 4 through Trilogy Christian Publishing. The book shares Houck’s love of music as a pianist, singer, handbell choir director and music therapist in the Riverbend area, as well as God’s presence in her life through those experiences. “I think music is the greatest gift God has given mankind,” Houck said. “While we’re going through life, it keeps us encouraged. It keeps our hearts open.” Houck will celebrate the book’s release with a book signing at Abundant Church in Alton on Saturday, Sept. 23. From 10 a.m. to noon, attendees can chat with Houck and buy a copy of “Roses and Broken Sidewalks” before it’s released in stores. While writing the book, Houck said she relied on God and her friends. She also

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EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County and the Leadership Council of Southwestern Illinois are partnering on Nov. 1 to host an event to assist small business owners. The event — A Small Business Seminar: From Startup to Succession — will be held from 9 a.m. to noon, Wednesday, Nov. 1, at the Collinsville Convention Center. The seminar is aimed at connecting current and aspiring business owners with the resources and programs available to them locally. “Our goal with this event is to provide small business owners with the tools and info they need to start a business and the goal is to help them be successful,” HOME/Economic Development Program Coordinator Holly Klausing said. According to the U.S. Small business administration, small businesses are defined as those that employ fewer than 500 people. Small businesses account for half of America’s workforce, and more new jobs come from small businesses than any other source. “A majority of businesses

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ALTON – When Fred and Rose Lammers’ children tried to plan a “surprise” 50 th wedding anniversary party for their parents this summer, they made one mistake – asking their mother for her address book. But that “mistake” turned into a great blessing – to the tune of more than $16,000 for Alton Memorial Health Services Foundation. “I knew something must be up when our daughters asked for the book!” said Rose, a longtime volunteer for Alton Memorial Hospital’s White Cross Auxiliary. Once the surprise was out, Rose and Fred had one request of their daughters -- no gifts! However, they had another idea. Fred and Rose attended the AMHSF Ribbon of Strength event in March of this year. The event is a fundraiser for patients who are receiving cancer treatments at Alton Memorial. The couple purchased “ribbons” in memory of their family members – both of Rose’s parents and one of Fred’s parents

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GODFREY – Illinois American Water announced Tuesday afternoon it has issued a boil water order today for water customers in the following areas only: • Godfrey • Grafton • Elsah • Chautauqua • Jersey County Rural Water Company (sale for resale) Terry Mackin, who handles external communications for Illinois American, said the boil water order is necessary due to a loss in water pressure during an important maintenance procedure in the water distribution system. "During the boil water order, customers should bring their water to a rolling boil for five minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. Water is OK for bathing, washing and other common uses. A boil water order is being issued in accordance with Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. Anytime water pressure drops below 20 pounds per square inch (PSI) in any part of a community’s distribution system, a boil water order must be issued. When the boil water order

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CHICAGO – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement on the news that the United Auto Workers (UAW) has announced a targeted strike against the Big Three auto manufacturers—General Motors, Stellantis, and Ford: “Since it was founded nearly 90 years ago, UAW has fought for—and won—victories that have helped to strengthen America’s working families, including better pay for its members, employer-funded pensions, health insurance, educational benefits—and more. Today, thousands of UAW workers are fighting for better wages, better benefits, and safer working conditions. I urge the Big Three and UAW to work in good faith to reach an agreement that is fair to workers, and includes a restoration of the benefits that autoworkers sacrificed more than a decade ago to keep these families afloat.”

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ALTON - Alton Little Theater has postponed the final five shows of “Beer for Breakfast.” The play was set to run through this week. Lee Cox, the theater’s executive director, explained that the decision was made because two cast members are ill. Shows will resume on Wednesday, Sept. 27 and run every night through Sunday, Oct. 1. “All ticket holders who have tickets for this week will be able to see the show in all its comedic glory next week,” Lee Cox, executive director, said. “Thank you all for your understanding!” For more information about "Beer for Breakfast," watch our interview with Cox on Our Daily Show! at RiverBender.com

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EDWARDSVILLE – Nick Gagliano successfully completed Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Laboratory Technician Alternative Digital Credential Program last spring. His efforts paid dividends, as he was hired at International Food Products Corporation as a quality control laboratory technician. “I was hoping the credential would get my foot in the door for a career in science,” said Gagliano. “The program helped me achieve that.” Gagliano enjoyed the hands-on approach of the program and worked through the challenges he encountered thanks to the teaching from his instructors. Gagliano’s instructor, Shea Hastings, described how the credential program offers outstanding opportunities for dedicated participants. “A strong work ethic and willingness to learn and be wrong are the most important things a student can bring to a classroom,” Hastings added. SIUE’s Laboratory Technician Alternative Digital Credential

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JERSEY COUNTY - Jersey County State's Attorney Ben Goetten has decided to run as an independent in the next election for his office. He made these statements today: "I’ve represented Jersey County as State’s Attorney for nearly 20 years. I hope to continue to do so for years to come. With the ever-growing perception of the politicization of federal and state law enforcement, I’ve made the decision to remove myself from the partisan divide and run as an Independent. "I have considered this for some time. I make this announcement now, on the eve of the enactment of the SAFE-T Act which takes effect September 18, 2023. This was legislation I opposed and joined in an unsuccessful suit to overturn. My decision is also made out of respect for my fellow prosecutors and brothers and sisters in law enforcement. We work in a field where politics should never come into play. "Should the electorate feel they need a (R) or (D) next to their State’s Attorney's name, I’ll

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ALTON - The Alton Police Department responded to a report of a traffic crash with a vehicle on fire in the area of West Broadway and State Street at 8 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 18, 2023. Alton Police Officers and members of the Alton Fire Department immediately responded. Upon their arrival, a black Dodge Challenger was observed to be on fire. Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford said the driver of the vehicle was entrapped and was ultimately removed from the vehicle by the Alton Fire Department. The driver was transported to a local hospital and then flown to a St. Louis area hospital for treatment of his injuries. "Preliminary investigation revealed that the vehicle was traveling east on West Broadway when the driver lost control," Ford said. "The vehicle struck a fuel tank on the west side of Ardent Mills, and then struck the Ardent Mills structure, causing the vehicle and fuel tank to both catch on fire. "The investigation is ongoing at this time. Further information may be released as

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EDWARDSVILLE - The 2023 Metro East Holistic Wellness Fair invites community members to learn about alternative and holistic approaches to physical, mental and spiritual health. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 30, attendees can check out any of the fair’s 40 vendors who offer a wide variety of products and services. Aura photography, reiki, sound and energy healing, crystals and CBD products are just a few examples of what can be found at the fair. “We’re all trained to use the traditional medical model for our health. A lot of people don’t realize that there are other options out there for them, and they don’t know where to find these options,” organizer Joyce Stewart said. “So this is an opportunity where I’m bringing everybody to one location. They can talk to all the different vendors and businesses, sample different products and treatments, and they can really get educated about what the alternative health community ca

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EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County taxpayers have been forced to expend more than a quarter of a million dollars merely to defend against more than a dozen failed lawsuits filed by only two former county employees. “It’s a sadly typical case of frivolous lawsuits driving up costs for taxpayers,” said Haine. “I hope it stops soon, so local taxpayers don’t continue to suffer this waste of resources merely to ward off meritless lawsuits by just two individuals.” As of mid-August, the county’s legal fees to defend against litigation brought by former county administrator Doug Hulme and former information technology director Robert Dorman stood at $271,568.43. Dorman and Hulme were employed as top appointees of County Board Chairman Prenzler in 2016. After an investigation into acts of malfeasance while in those roles, their employment was terminated by the County Board in 2020. Since then, Dorman, Hulme or both are plaintiffs in 18 separate cases

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A federal panel recently advised women get a mammogram every other year starting at age 40, rather than 50. And the American Cancer Society estimates that in 2023, nearly 300,000 women in the United States will learn they have breast cancer. About 43,700 women will lose their life due to the disease. The headlines are reminders to know your breast cancer risks. While many risks are out of your control, there’s just as much you can control, says Heather Chambers, a breast health navigator at OSF HealthCare. Major risks you can control Active lifestyle and healthy eating: Chambers puts it plainly. If you eat junk, you’ll feel like junk. And any exercise will give you more energy and burn fat. Fat produces estrogen, which feeds cancer cells. “You want to make sure you’re well-maintained with your weight, even after menopause,” Chambers says. Taking hormones: This impacts your ovaries, reducing or adding estrogen. Whether you’re at a routin

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ROODHOUSE – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that pavement patching on U.S. 67 from Franklin Street to Prairie Street in Greene County will require intermittent lane closures beginning, weather permitting, Friday, Sept. 22. Flaggers will maintain two-way traffic. 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 project is expected to be completed by the end of September. 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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EDWARDSVILLE - Nautical Bowls in Edwardsville has closed permanently following an announcement from the co-owners yesterday that the restaurant was unable to stay afloat. The business closed just nine months after it opened in Edwardsville on December 13, 2022. Nautical Bowls Co-Owners Joel and Melissan Nimmo compared the business’s downfall to the nautical legend of the “siren song,” wherein sailors were led to their doom by the deceptive sound of a woman’s singing. “Like the sailors of the legend, we heard a beautiful song eighteen months ago,” they wrote on Facebook . “The song sounded like the culmination of a career spent preparing for this opportunity to make our dreams come true. The melody of working for ourselves, building a legacy for our family, and making a difference in our community was exhilarating. “So, we followed the siren’s call and set a course to open a Nautical Bowls restaurant in Edwardsville.

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ALTON - This year’s Alton Memorial Hospital White Cross Auxiliary “Girls on Grapes, Boys on Brew” fundraiser raised a total of almost $25,000 – enough to purchase 10 more Staxi wheelchairs for the hospital. The wheelchairs are distributed throughout the hospital as well as the three medical office buildings on the AMH campus. They are much easier for volunteers to push and also stop, providing a much more efficient and pleasant experience for patients. Thanks to the many sponsors, volunteers and all who came out to the Loading Dock this spring to support the annual “GOGBOB” event.

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WASHINGTON DC - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced $10 million in federal funding for the Illinois Department of Human Services’ Illinois Pathways to Partnerships Project (IPPP). Through partnerships with state agencies and Centers for Independent Living, the project aims to support independent living and professional development for students with disabilities aged 10-24 across the state. “Today’s announcement is progress in ensuring Illinois’s youth of all abilities are encouraged to have independent and fulfilling lives,” said Duckworth. “I’m glad to announce this federal funding and will keep advocating for Americans with disabilities to get the federal support they deserve.” “This federal funding allows us to break the cycle of exclusion and enable our youth to be contributors in our communities,” said Durbin. “By investing in their future, we’re empowering the

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a coalition of 24 attorneys general, filed a legal brief advocating in support of the federal government’s challenge to Idaho’s near-total ban on abortion access. “Since the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling overturning Roe v. Wade, we have seen increased attempts to criminalize abortion care even in situations when the patient’s health or life is at stake,” Raoul said. “I will continue to stand with my colleagues against these efforts and ensure women in every state have access to life-saving health care.” In their brief filed in United States of America v. Idaho , Raoul and the coalition support the federal government’s argument that Idaho’s ban conflicts with the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA), a federal law that requires doctors and hospitals to provide stabilizing emergency treatment to patients, including abortion. Every hospital in the United States

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Police (ISP) has filed an emergency rule with the Illinois Secretary of State to implement the Protect Illinois Communities Act (Act). On January 10, 2023, Governor JB Pritzker signed into law Public Act 102-1116 regulating the sale and distribution of assault weapons, high-capacity magazines, and switches in Illinois. The Act went into effect immediately upon signing. Individuals who possessed an assault weapon, assault weapon attachment, .50 caliber rifle, or .50 caliber cartridge before the Act took effect are required to submit an endorsement affidavit through their Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) Card account prior to January 1, 2024. A copy of the emergency rule will be posted on the ISP website at www.isp.illinois.gov/Home/AssaultWeapons , but in the interim, can be found in this news release posted on the ISP website . Individuals can begin submitting their endorsement affidavits online beginning October 1, 2023. Affidavi

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EDWARDSVILLE: Juvenile violence is an ongoing concern in our community. All too often, my office prosecutes serious violent acts committed by juveniles including car thefts, shootings, and murders. Due to legally required confidentiality when minors are involved, and the uncertainty of terms of confinement in the juvenile system (these issues are explained below), some in the community may fear that violent juveniles are not being dealt with appropriately. This article aims to provide concerned citizens with additional insight on how a juvenile case is charged and prosecuted here in Madison County, and the various methods we use at the State’s Attorney’s Office to ensure our community is protected from juvenile violence, while also keeping in mind that when children are involved, the law gives them special attention and consideration. Background In 1899, the Illinois Juvenile Court Act (JCA) took effect, and Illinois became the first state to create a separate court for juveniles

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WOOD RIVER - Wood River Police Chief Brad Wells said his department has been prepared for the end of cash bail long before the Pre-Trial Fairness Act officially went into effect on Monday, Sept. 18. At Monday night’s City Council meeting, Chief Wells assured the public that his department will work with the State’s Attorney to continue keeping the city safe. “We’ve done a lot of internal work to get ready for this morning,” Chief Wells said. “With the click of the calendar from the 17th to the 18th, Illinois is the only state in the land to be a no-cash-bail state. “We’ve done a lot of meetings, a lot of preparation with our State’s Attorney, have a lot of procedures in place, we feel like we are ready for that. The time from midnight last night until this morning, we’ve not had to deal with that issue, but obviously by the time the week ends will determine just how that’s going to affect us.” Wells sai

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