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STEVENS POINT, Wis. - Madison Ruklic, an Edwardsville native, was recently honored with a large-scale academic accomplishment and is saluted today on Riverbender.com and Edglentoday.com. Ruklic was named to a high honors student list at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point for this past fall. Stevens Point honored more than 2,500 undergraduate students for attaining high grade point averages during the fall semester of the 2023-2024 academic year. Full-time undergraduates who earned grade points of 3.90 to 4.0 (4.0 equals straight A) are given the highest honors designation. High honor citations go to those with grade point averages from 3.75 to 3.89 and honor recognition is accorded to those with grade point averages from 3.50 to 3.74. Personalized certificates of scholastic achievement are sent to those who earned highest honors distinction.

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GREENVILLE - Numerous area students were placed on the Dean's List at Greenville University for the fall 2023 semester. To qualify for the Greenville University Dean's List, a student must successfully complete a minimum of 12 hours for the semester. Freshmen (0-29.5 credits) must have a semester GPA of 3.5 or above. Sophomores, juniors, and seniors must have a semester GPA of 3.7 or above. Greenville University is an accredited Christian liberal arts university with more than 1,000 students, including traditional undergraduate, graduate, and adult degree completion students. Founded in 1892 and affiliated with the Free Methodist Church, the University is in Greenville, Illinois, 45 miles east of St. Louis, Missouri. Visit www.greenville.edu. HOMETOWN, STATE; NAME, CLASS YEAR Alton, IL Christopher Hellrung, JR Eva Schwaab, SR Hailey Wright, JR Bethalto, IL Megan Belangee, SR Janie Edel, SR Brighton, IL Jillian Beilsmith, SO David Watkins, SO East Alton

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BETHALTO —1 st MidAmerica Credit Union will award five $1,000 scholarships to area high school seniors in May. Applications are available online at www.1stMidAmerica.org . Applications are due Friday, March 29, 2024. Introduced in 2005, 72 area youth have benefited from the 1 st MidAmerica Credit Union scholarships. Scholarships may be applied to tuition, fees or other educational expenses. 1 st MidAmerica Credit Union has a mission of exceeding member expectations. Additional information can be found at www.1stMidAmerica.org

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, released the following statement on Senate passage of the Continuing Resolution (CR), which will fund various federal agencies through March 1 st and March 8 th , respectively: “It’s disappointing that the best we can do is ‘keep the lights on’ when funding the government. We should be addressing issues that are important to the American people, not kicking the can down the road once again. The good news is that the Senate came together today in a good-faith effort to pass a bipartisan CR until March. Now, the House must put their extreme MAGA priorities aside and do what’s best to avert a harmful shutdown that would delay veterans’ programs; nutrition assistance for women, infants, and children; benefits for our military; and so much more. Funding the government is an essential part of this job. It’s not the time to play

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EDWARDSVILLE – The City of Edwardsville and the Illinois Secretary of State are teaming up to offer a Mobile DMV service in the City several times a year. The first Mobile DMV will be offered on Friday, February 9, 2024, at the Edwardsville Public Library, 112 S. Kansas Street. The Mobile DMV is part of an effort by the Illinois Secretary of State’s office to provide some of the basic Illinois Department of Motor Vehicle services at easily accessible community sites. It’s an additional and alternative option to visiting a traditional DMV location. “The Mobile DMV is a great way for the community to be able to conveniently access these state services,” Mayor Art Risavy said. “We are very happy to be one of the municipalities where the Illinois Secretary of State’s office will offer it.” The Mobile DMV will operate from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Edwardsville Public Library. No appointments are necessary. Services to be offered include:

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WASHINGTON – Two men from McLeansboro, Illinois, located in the Southern part of the state near Mt. Vernon, IL., have been arrested on felony and misdemeanor charges related to their conduct during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Their actions and the actions of others are alleged to have disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election. Justin LaGesse, 37, and Theodore Middendorf, 36, both of McLeansboro, Illinois, are charged in a criminal complaint filed in the District of Columbia with felony destruction of property. In addition to the felony, LaGesse and Middendorf are charged with misdemeanor offenses of entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building, act of physical violence i

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ALTON/EDWARDSVILLE - The Alton and Edwardsville Overnight Warming Locations (OWLs) announced on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024, afternoon they are activating tonight starting at 5 p.m. Deliverance Temple at 1125 E. Sixth St. in Alton and First Baptist Church at 5534 St. Louis St. in Edwardsville will be open Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024, evening and overnight for anyone who would need a location to get out of the cold weather conditions. Watch Riverbender.com's weather forecast at Riverbender.com/Weather or call (618) 465-4545 to know when we are open. If the overnight forecast calls for a low temp of: 20 degrees or lower... we will be OPEN 21 degrees or higher... we will be CLOSED OWL made this statement: "Thank you for all you are doing for our community!"

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SPRINGFIELD – In 2023, the Illinois State Police’s (ISP) modernization of the Divisions of Patrol, the creation of Special Operation Groups focused on criminal interdiction, and the continued implementation of a data-focused command structure led to a decrease in interstate shootings and fatal crashes. These same enforcement strategies also yielded more arrests, as well as increases in gun and vehicle recoveries. “ISP saw a growing problem in Illinois, used data and first-hand expertise to efficiently address problems, and achieved results—the absolute model of what state government can and should do for its citizens,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “The decrease in fatal expressway shootings and crashes is an important step on the road to a safer Illinois, and I thank ISP for their innovation and dedication to advancing this work.” “As an agency, we’ve become more nimble and focused on data, making decisions based on where

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GODFREY - A new Mexican restaurant plans to open in Godfrey in the near future. Arandas MX Cocina, a company affiliated with El Maguey in Edwardsville and Florissant, Missouri, plans to open a new Mexican restaurant in the former Chic N Pig building at 3200 Godfrey Road. Two representatives for Arandas MX Cocina, Alejandro Ayala and Daniel Onate, wrote in a letter to village officials that they plan to open “a 100% family restaurant” at the location. “We bring Godfrey and its inhabitants a little piece of our Mexico,” they said. “We hope to establish a comfortable environment where children and adults feel at home. We will put all of our heart into this family project, and we hope to have the acceptance of the community.” They added that the El Maguey locations in Edwardsville serve “as a reference of what is planned” for their future restaurant in Godfrey. The Village Board of Trustees unanimously approved a liquor license

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CARROLLTON - Carrollton High School recently announced its first semester Honor Roll lists. They can be found at the link below. Carrollton High School Honor Roll

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GODFREY - The Godfrey Village Board of Trustees on Tuesday approved a change to the liquor license for Ruler Foods in Godfrey to allow the business to offer video gaming within its store after some discussion from village trustees. Trustees Sarah Woodman and Mike Fisher, who previously met with Ruler representatives and discussed video gaming licenses last year, said they were in favor of Ruler’s plan because of its success at other locations. Trustee Rick Lauschke added the business would not be solely focused on gaming. “It’s also a business here, too - it’s not just opening up a gaming parlor and doing nothing else,” Trustee Rick Lauschke said. “They’re just trying to, I’m assuming, add more revenue to the store.” Godfrey trustees previously put in place new rules and regulations regarding liquor and video game licenses for businesses within the village. Village officials determined that video gaming should not accoun

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WASHINGTON, DC – As Republicans and the anti-abortion movement continue their state-by-state attacks on reproductive healthcare in post-Roe America, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Susan Wild (D-PA-07) are introducing new legislation to protect every American’s right to access in -vitro fertilization (IVF) and other assisted reproductive technology (ART) services that millions of Americans need to have children—including Senator Duckworth herself, who relied on IVF to have her two daughters. Building on the lawmakers’ previously introduced Right to Build Families Act , this new legislation would establish a statutory right to access IVF and other ART services, thereby pre-empting any state effort to limit such access and ensuring no hopeful parent—or their doctors—are punished for trying to start or grow a family. “Since the Supreme Court threw out Roe v. Wade, our nation has seen a wave of Republican-led state

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Meredith Berkman, co-founder of Parents Against Vaping e-cigarettes (PAVe), to discuss FDA’s failure to protect children from the dangers of vaping as the agency continues to miss and delay critical deadlines, including a missed federal court deadline on December 31, 2023. Durbin has repeatedly criticized FDA for failing to clear the market of addictive, kid-friendly e-cigarettes amid its long-overdue review of pre-market tobacco product applications (PMTAs) from e-cigarette manufacturers, which had a deadline of September 9, 2021. FDA has missed that court-ordered deadline by 28 months as unauthorized e-cigarettes flood the market and addict America’s children. “FDA is now 28 months past the original court-ordered deadline to complete its review of unauthorized e-cigarettes. That is not only unacceptable, it’s embarrassing. And the consequences for our children are devastating.

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ALTON - According to the latest federal data available, young adults in the United States continue to be more likely than their older counterparts to be experiencing symptoms of anxiety or depression. An analysis of the Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey finds that half (50%) of adults ages 18-24 reported anxiety and depression symptoms in 2023, compared to about a third of adults overall. The data also show that young adults are more likely than adults of any other age group to experience mental health symptoms. Since mental health continues to be a prominently identified community health priority in Madison County, OSF Saint Anthony’s Health Center – Psychological Services (1 Saint Anthony’s Way, 3 rd Floor, Alton, IL, 62002) will be offering FREE and confidential depression and anxiety screenings on the first Friday monthly beginning Friday, February 2. A referral for screening is not required but a scheduled appointment is necessary. Limited slots

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met with leaders and members from the Illinois Soybean Association to discuss Illinois’s agricultural priorities as Congress works to reauthorize the Farm Bill. Duckworth and the members discussed the importance of supporting inland waterways, increasing Illinois’s agricultural exports markets and improving farm safety net programs. A photo from today’s meeting can be found on the Senator’s website. “America has always depended on our nation’s farmers to grow the food and fuel we need, and I’m proud to advocate for them on both the national and international stage,” Duckworth said. “The work of Illinois’s farmers is so important to the strength of our state and our nation, and I look forward to continuing my work with the Illinois Soybean Association and farmers across the state to make sure they have the resources and information they need.” Global

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned witnesses during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled “Five Years of the First Step Act : Reimagining Rehabilitation and Protecting Public Safety.” The law serves as a beacon for “smart on crime” policies, and the hearing examined its successes and impact. Durbin first questioned Matthew Charles, a First Step Act beneficiary after serving over two decades in prison and now a Senior Policy Advisor at FAMM (formerly Families Against Mandatory Minimums), about his personal experience and how Congress can continue to improve and build upon the First Step Act. “There was a moment when your life turned around. Was that all your decision and your experience? Was it something external that made a difference to you that you think could help someone else in the future?” Durbin asked. Mr. Charles responded that he felt

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today took to the Senate floor to deliver a speech on his new bipartisan legislation with U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS) to reauthorize funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Oral Health program for the next five years. In his remarks, Durbin spoke about the impetus of the Promoting Dental Health Act, hearing stories from across Illinois, including rural and dental shortage areas, where children with tooth decay and other dental conditions faced extensive wait times to access necessary treatment while facing excruciating pain. Durbin began his speech by recognizing the highest enrollment numbers to date for health insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act. Durbin recalled his own experience being uninsured when his family faced health complications, and reiterated the importance of ensuring quality, accessible health care options for Americans. “Last week, we

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MITCHELL - A tiny town in Illinois just got some huge news. An Illinois Lottery retailer in Mitchell is celebrating big after selling a winning $1 million Mega Millions ticket. The ticket was purchased for the Tuesday, January 16 drawing at 508 Variety Shop, located at 508 E. Chain of Rocks Road in Mitchell, IL, an unincorporated community located outside of St. Louis with a population of just over 1,000. “This really is huge news for our town,” exclaimed Amber Ronk, owner of 508 Variety Shop. “Mitchell is a very small town - blink and you might miss it. I am so excited for the winner!” When asked if she suspects who the winner might be, Ronk said, “I’m willing to bet the winner is a regular of ours. 90% of our customers are local residents who come in almost every day. I hope I find out who won so we can bask in the joy with them!” Not only is this news big for the winner, but also for the shop owner. “This is exciting news for

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JOLIET – On January 18, 2024, at approximately 4:32 a.m., Illinois State Police (ISP) officials investigated a two-vehicle traffic crash involving an ISP trooper’s squad car that was hit by a motorist who failed to move over on the ramp of Interstate 55 southbound to Interstate 80 eastbound in Will County. On the above date and time, an ISP Troop 3 trooper’s fully marked squad car was stationary on the ramp with its emergency lights activated responding to a report of a tire in the roadway. A silver Lincoln approaching the area, failed to move over, and struck the rear of the ISP squad car. No injuries were reported. The driver of the Lincoln, 63-year-old Joseph A. Gemini of Bolingbrook, IL, was charged with Move Over Law – Failure to Yield to Stationary Emergency Vehicle. In 2023, ISP had 21 Move Over Law-related crashes. In 2022, ISP had 23 Move Over Law-related crashes where eight Troopers sustained injuries. ISP is reminding the public of the requirements

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Madison County Board Executive Committee and State’s Attorney Tom Haine had several questions for County Chairman Kurt Prenzler after a reported ethics violation. While on county property and during work hours, Prenzler allegedly gave a political business card with his phone number handwritten on the card to a vendor. He also gave a card to an assistant state’s attorney in a separate incident. Prenzler was found in violation by Ethics Advisor Bruce Mattea, based on concerns that he was electioneering on county time and property. During the Executive Committee meeting on Jan. 17, 2024, Prenzler answered questions about both incidents. He said he took the card out of his wallet to give the vendor his phone number, not to campaign. He also pointed out that the vendor was not a Madison County voter. “I really didn’t think about it,” Prenzler said. “I just pulled out something to write on, something small that I could give to

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