Riverbender 🕸

JERSEYVILLE - The Jerseyville location of Scooter’s Coffee at 600 S. State St. has officially opened for business. Scott Gaffner, who co-owns this location with his wife Jamie, said the reception from the community has been wonderful so far. The location opened at 11 a.m. on Monday - a delayed start due to final inspections - but the location’s full hours are 5:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. from Monday-Friday and 6 a.m.-8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. “Everything so far has been well-received,” Gaffner said. “We’re just ecstatic the way Jersey, Greene, Calhoun, Madison County - we have so many people from so many different areas that have come and just been so excited to see us here, and that’s made us even more excited to be here, back to our home area.” Gaffner and his wife lived in Jerseyville from 1990-1995 while Gaffner worked for the Illinois State Police, after which they moved to Greeneville. He said he’s since retired from

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EDWARDSVILLE – Southern Illinois University Edwardsville alumnus Brett Sheroky is returning to his hometown of Belleville to showcase his musical talents, which have caught the attention of multiple top country music artists. “I have had artists like Blake Shelton, Granger Smith, Jake Owen, and 2022 American Idol winner Noah Thompson record my songs,” said Sheroky, who moved to Nashville to pursue his passion for songwriting. “Matt Stell currently has my song ‘Man Made’ on country radio.” Sheroky earned a bachelor’s and master’s from SIUE in speech language pathology in 2006 and 2008, respectively. For a decade, he worked as a speech therapist by day and perfected his songwriting by night. In 2020, Sheroky signed his first publishing deal with SeaGayle Music, gaining the attention of artists and record labels. Sheroky will be performing at 7 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Aug. 26-27 at the Venue on Main in Belleville. The show will be

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SPRINGFIELD – Members of the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives have approved the Public Safety Officer Support Act to expand the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits program to families who lose a first responder to suicide. Calling upon his experience as a police officer, State Senator Kris Tharp (D-Bethalto) commends the federal effort to offer support to more families and released the following statement: “First responders have regular exposure to traumatic events and life-threatening situations, and the stress of working long hours under high-stakes conditions can take a toll on mental health. “Advancing the Public Safety Officer Support Act helps ensure family members of first responders who have died by suicide are able to receive support their loved ones earned through their public service. “In Illinois, we are working with the Department of Human Services to create the First Responder Mental Health Grant Program to improve mental healt

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - The deceased in a St. Louis County homicide has been identified as Julius Gleghorn, 21 years of age, of the 700 block of Bellarmine Lane, in Florissant, Missouri 63031. St. Louis County Police Crimes Against Persons detectives began investigating on July 27, 2022, a homicide that occurred in the area Larimore Road and Reale Avenue which resulted in the death of an adult male. St. Louis County Police North County Precinct officers responded to a call for service that night for shots fired near the intersection of Larimore Road and Reale Avenue. Responding officers located an adult male with the vehicle he was driving crashed into a tree and found him to be suffering from an apparent gunshot injury. The victim was transported to an area hospital with a life-threatening injury where he later succumbed to his injury and was pronounced deceased. Please contact the St. Louis County Police Department at 636-529-8210 to speak with investigators if you have any information

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BELLEVILLE - Off-duty Madison, Ill., Police Officer Khalind D. Hayes, 27, of Fairview Heights, has been charged with three counts of Aggravated Battery with a Firearm, a Class X Felony, in a case in Belleville early Sunday morning. Hayes was booked at 7:57 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 1, 2022, and his bond is set at $250,000. The cash amount for release is $25,000, plus a $50 sheriff bond fee. Belleville Police Department released this synopsis of what allegedly happened at 1:56 a.m. on July 31, 2022: "Belleville Police responded to the first block of North Charles in reference to a subject shot. While officers were en route, one of the officers was flagged down by a driver of a red sedan coming toward him. Two of the three occupants of the vehicle were identified as victims of the shooting; an adult male victim was located when officers arrived at the scene of the shooting. The suspect called wanting to turn himself into police custody a short time after the initial call to police dispatch.

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ALTON - Republic Services announced it has purchased the Robert "Bob" Sanders Waste Systems business. Sanders Waste provided waste collection services to Alton and the surrounding areas since 1936. In a press statement, Republic Services said: "We’ll continue to provide Sanders customers with the highest level of safety and excellence that you have come to expect. As our newest customers, we want to make this transition as seamless as possible for you. When the time comes, we’ll help you navigate any future changes to your account and any action you may need to take in the coming months." Republic Services also said that for now, here's what customers can expect: Your service will continue as scheduled without interruption. Your containers will continue to be serviced on the current schedule and the price for your services will not change. You may see changes to your service day or time in the future, but we will let you know well in advance of any changes. You’ll

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ST. LOUIS - Located just minutes from the Gateway Arch, St. Louis Downtown Airport has long been recognized for providing chartered flights with unparalleled access to downtown St. Louis and the surrounding region, hosting more than 100,000 flight operations annually. Many may not realize, however, that the airport also is home to a host of aerospace tenants, and it is the operations at some of these organizations that have really been taking off and will bring scores of new jobs to the region. Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. is the largest tenant at the airport, which is located in Cahokia Heights and Sauget, Illinois. A recently announced expansion will bring 140 new well-paying positions to the Gulfstream St. Louis Service Center, a maintenance, repair and overhaul facility that already employs approximately 375 individuals in various capacities. The expansion will increase production of custom cabinetry and exterior paint capacity for Gulfstream’s in-demand, large-cabin aircraft.

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SEE VIDEO: EDWARDSVILLE - Salon Ludic at 6170 Bennett Drive, in Edwardsville, recently celebrated its first anniversary in business. The Edwardsville/Glen Carbon Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon-cutting celebration for the popular hair salon. Natasha Downs, the owner/stylist of Salon Ludic, said the ribbon cutting was exciting because the salon had been in business for a year and it has been very successful. “We primarily do hair color and extensions,” she said. “We guarantee the best customer service. We love Edwardsville and are excited about growing as a team in our community.” Downs described Salon Ludic as: “A luxury salon that provides each guest with an individualized experience." "Our stylists are trendsetters that possess the knowledge, skills, and experience to meet your specific needs," she concluded. SEE LINK FOR FACEBOOK PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/salonludicedwardsville/

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GODFREY – The RiverBend Growth Association recently helped two of its member businesses celebrate openings that included special ribbon-cutting ceremonies led by RBGA staff and members. Celebrating businesses were the downtown Alton McDonald’s Restaurant location and Joe’s Pizza and Pasta in East Alton. The RBGA led a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 11 at the re-opening of the McDonald’s Restaurant in downtown Alton that also included remarks from Alton Mayor David Goins. This dining location is one of those owned by Dick and Suzi Bold of Bold Enterprises and operating in Alton, Bethalto, Godfrey, Edwardsville and Hamel. The Alton location at 717 E. Broadway re-opened on July 8, just over a year after a fire that started in its roof destroyed the previous structure in June 2021. Total construction costs for the new facility were roughly $2.3 million. Updates were made to the interior design as part of the new construction, most notably the lack of a self-serve

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EAST ST. LOUIS – In response to record rainfall resulting in numerous families being displaced in East St. Louis, State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea), State Rep. Latoya Greenwood (D-East St. Louis) and State Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Swansea) are working with local, state and federal leaders to address public safety concerns and released the following statements: “Flood waters pose a significant threat to a community’s health, safety and property,” said Rep. Hoffman. “Families in East St. Louis are at the forefront of our recovery efforts following last week’s historic rainfall.” “As both a lifelong and proud resident of East St. Louis, I want our citizens to know we are working with Mayor Robert Eastern III, Gov. JB Pritzker and his administration, St. Clair County Emergency Management Agency Director Herb Simmons, as well as Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth to get families back into their homes as safely and quickly as possible,”

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WHEATON — Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) today announced $15 million in funding to support tourism sector across Illinois, through the second round of the Tourism Attraction and Festivals Grant program offered by the State. Through the $15 million investment, which is open for applicants beginning today, $5 million will be reserved for festivals, which serve as economic drivers while bringing communities together, and $10 million will support a broad range of other tourism-related project such as attractions, museums, live performance venues and more. This grant is funded using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars. “When the pandemic struck, the tourism industry across the globe lurched to a standstill,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “That’s why, last August, I launched the Tourism Attraction and Festivals Grant program—delivering the support our communities needed to bring back

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ST LOUIS, Mo. — The American Red Cross of Greater St. Louis has two shelters open: St. Vincent Community Center, 7335 St. Charles Rock Rd., St. Louis, MO 63133. Mason Clark Middle School, 5510 State St., East St. Louis , IL 62203 . CLOSED shelter: James Eagan Center, 1 James J Eagan Drive, Florissant, MO The James Eagan Center closed Sunday at 1 p.m. and individuals were taken by bus to the new location at St. Vincent Community Center (address above). The Red Cross provided shelter for 17 people last night impacted by recent flooding in the St. Louis area, all of them at the St. Vincent Community Center. No one stayed at the Mason Clark Middle School last night. Since opening the first shelter in the metro Tuesday night, the Red Cross has provided for a total of 127 overnight stays . Anyone needing a place during the day or overnight may stop in for water, snacks, food and to get information. Items to bring to a shelter include clothing for a few days,

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul co-led a coalition of 20 states in urging the Biden administration to extend and expand temporary changes to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program to provide borrowers with more opportunities to get closer to loan forgiveness faster. Under the PSLF Program, remaining balances on federal Direct Loans are forgiven after borrowers – dedicated public servants such as teachers, firefighters, nurses and police officers – make 120 qualifying payments while working full time for a qualifying employer. However, due to the PSLF Program’s complexity and poor management, millions of public service workers have been unable to access forgiveness, and the program’s denial rates have been as high as 99%. To restore the promise of PSLF, in October 2021, the U.S. Department of Education announced a temporary “ Limited PSLF Waiver , ” which offers millions of qualifying public service workers the chance

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PONTOON BEACH - In an effort to enhance bus service for passengers and to improve efficiencies throughout the system, Madison County Transit (MCT) will be implementing minor adjustments at the regularly scheduled August service change, which takes effect on August 14, 2022. The August service change includes time and routing adjustments to the #1 Riverbend and #15 East Collinsville Shuttle, shifting the routes of the #2 Granite City Shuttle and #4 Madison-Edwardsville, and adjusting evening times on the #5 Tri-City Regional. “MCT is always looking for ways to meet the transportation needs of our residents and do so in an efficient manner,” said MCT Managing Director SJ Morrison. “These are minor adjustments to the service, but they make a difference to the passengers. MCT ridership has steadily increased across all bus routes in the last year, and we continue to seek feedback from the passengers and from the public on how to make the service as user friendly as possible.”

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SEE VIDEO: ALTON - Alton Athletic Association coordinated an event to remember Saturday with the first annual Redbird Amazing Race. The event began and ended at Piasa Motor Fuels Field. Madeline Eades, president of the Alton Athletic Association, said the event was great fun for the youth. “We thought it would be good for some of our businesses to meet our athletes and students and we wanted to create a fun event for the kids,” Eades said. “We wanted to engage the athletes and students in a fun activity. I think they had a great time and we appreciate the businesses stepping up. We plan to expand the event next year and make it even better.” Teams of Alton athletes visited 10 locations around town and completed a task at each one. Everything started and ended at Piasa Motor Fuels Field, the soccer/baseball complex behind Alton High School. Amy Lombardi, of the Alton Athletic Association, described the event as less of a race ad more of a scavenger hunt.

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ALTON - Illinois American Water on Monday provided another update on the work to separate the Alton combined sewer system and install new sanitary sewers. Below is information about road closures: August 1, 2022, Piasa Valley Area: 9th Street is still closed from Alton Street east to George Street. U.S. Route 67 (Piasa Street) will be opening late afternoon/early evening on August 1. Traffic signals at 20th Street/College Avenue will still be on flashing red. This should be treated as a 4-way stop. Road Closures 9th Street will remain closed to all traffic east of U.S. 67 (Piasa Street) to Market Street. This closure will remain in place for several weeks. Project Background Work kicked off on these Alton projects in February 2021 and will continue to progress until 2023. Work includes over six miles of sanitary sewer main being installed in the Turner Tract, Shields Valley, and Piasa Valley areas of Alton. When Illinois American Water acquired the Alton Regional Wastewater

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ALTON - Pride, Inc., has encouraged residents to mark their calendars and sign up for the Annual Fall Cleanup In Alton on Saturday, September 10, 2022. "It’s hard to believe how the summer is flying by, and that our Fall Clean-Up date is quickly approaching," Pride, Inc., Executive Director Pat Stewart said. "It was exciting to see the participation we received for the spring efforts, and hope that you will be just as eager to come out and join us in September. "Once again, we are asking for the support of community organizations, business associates, local youth groups, and all concerned and willing residents. We’re hoping for your participation by putting together a team to help man a zone in this beautification effort. Beautifying our neighborhoods not only boosts commerce but helps to instill a sense of civic pride among our residents that will last for generations. More information will follow as we move forward in the planning stages." "I will be reaching back out

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ST. LOUIS — United Way of Greater St. Louis has launched a Flood Relief Fund to support residents across the bi-state region who were impacted by the recent flash flooding. The Regional Business Council made a $100,000 contribution to the fund to support the immediate and long-term recovery efforts as well as local agencies that are equipped and trained to respond in times of disaster. “This fund will provide necessary resources to engage and equip disaster-experienced nonprofits in partnership with local volunteers and government agencies working to assist and restore flood victims as quickly as possible,” said Michelle Tucker, president and CEO of United Way of Greater St. Louis. “Collaborations and partnerships remain imperative in the deployment of our proven disaster relief approaches. Thank you to the local businesses, donors and volunteers who have stepped up to help many of our neighbors in need during this time.” One hundred percent of the

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced a settlement with the United States Postal Service that implements robust measures to end the unlawful practice of foreign shippers mailing cigarettes into the United States. The settlement resolves a lawsuit filed by Raoul’s office, as well as the city of New York and three state attorneys general alleging the Postal Service transported cigarettes in violation of a 2010 federal law. “Cigarette usage causes significant health concerns and kills hundreds of thousands of Americans each year. We must use every legal tool at our disposal to protect our residents from addiction to cigarettes, which includes ensuring the Postal Service follows federal law preventing sellers from using the mail system to ship cigarettes,” Raoul said. “I will continue to collaborate across jurisdictions and state lines on actions that help reduce usage of and addiction to cigarettes.” Enacted by Congress in 2010,

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GRANITE CITY – Granite City Community Unit School District #9 Superintendent Stephanie M. Cann announced dates and times for Meet the Teacher Nights for the upcoming 2022-23 school year. Prather Kindergarten and PreK Parents will be notified through a letter in the mail informing them of their orientation time, teacher assignment, and Kindergarten bus number. Maryville and Wilson - 1st & 2nd Grade Date: Tuesday, August 16 Time: 5-6 p.m. Frohardt and Mitchell - 3rd & 4th Grade Date: Tuesday, August 16 Time: 6-7 p.m. Grigsby Intermediate School - 5th & 6th Grade Date: Monday, August 15 Time: 5-6 p.m. (6th); 6-7 p.m. (5th) Coolidge Junior High - 7th & 8th Grade Date: Monday, August 15 Time: 5:30-6:30 p.m. (7th); 6:30-7:30 p.m. (8th) Granite City High School - 9th, 10th, 11th & 12th Grade Freshman/New Student Orientation Date: Monday, August 15 Time: 6:30-9 p.m. Lake Educational Support Services Center (ESSC) Date: Tuesday,

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