Riverbender 🕸

WASHINGTON D.C. - Following the preventable, horrific Highland Park massacre that claimed the lives of seven Illinoisans on the Fourth of July, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) delivered impassioned opening remarks to a U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee hearing focused on protecting our communities from mass shootings this morning. The Senator, a mother of two young daughters, emphasized that our nation’s gun violence epidemic is now the leading cause of death for young Americans and implored her colleagues to support additional commonsense gun safety reforms like reinstating the assault weapons ban to get weapons of war off our streets and protect our nation’s children from senseless gun violence. Key quotes: “Now, I want to be clear – restoring the assault weapons ban would not prevent sportsmen from continuing to access more than 2,000 models of powerful hunting rifles. We are not talking about your .30-06s – no mass shooter is going to grab

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BALLWIN, MO. -On Wednesday, July 20th, wish kid Conner, who is battling a nervous system disorder, was sworn in as Metro West Fire Protection District Station 2’s newest firefighter. The 11-year-old’s one-true wish to be a firefighter came to life with the help of Make-A-Wish and Metro West’s firefighters. “It’s a miracle to see all these people rally their support around Conner,” Conner’s Mother, Tanya said. “We believe God doesn’t give our family anything we can’t handle. Conner has such a strong support network in his corner.” Traveling from Fort Dodge, Iowa, Conner and his family are staying in St. Louis for a week so he can take in the sights of St. Louis and experience being a firefighter. Conner will be accompanied by his mother, grandparents, and two older brothers. While in town, Conner will also have the opportunity to visit St. Louis’ best attractions such as the St. Louis Zoo, the Science Center, an

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ALTON - The Alton Municipal Band’s 132nd concert series continues this week with “Leading Ladies,” a celebration of women’s roles in music, stage, and screen. The concert features music sung or performed by prominent women such as the Andrews Sisters and Judy Garland. Under the direction of Jennifer Shenberger, the band will also feature vocal soloist Willa Stine, a recent high school graduate, whose powerful voice will shine as she performs songs from both the jazz and musical theatre traditions. On Sunday, concertgoers are invited to have a “frozen treat to beat the heat,” as the Mobile Tropical Sno will be on-site at Haskell Park, selling Hawaiian Shaved Ice in a variety of flavors. This unique cart has made appearances around the Alton area and is always a hit no matter where they turn up. Patrons can purchase a snow cone with cash, credit/debit, or Apple Pay. Admission to the concert is free. It will be presented again on Sunday, July

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GODFREY - Kreative Kids Learning Center announced with great excitement on Wednesday the purchase of the former Alvereita Beauty College facility at 3050 Godfrey Road to serve as their new location in fall 2022. Kreative Kids Learning Center, currently located at 121 West Elm St., Alton, has provided quality early childhood education and care for children and families in the Riverbend region for 52 years. Looking forward to the next 50 years, the Center’s new property will undergo extensive renovations to become a state-of-the-art childcare facility under the direction of general contractor Brad Jun, Jun Construction. "This is a pretty exciting day in our history," Keith Neuber of Kreative Kids said. "We have been blessed to be at a couple different locations. The Alton School District housed us for several years and we are thankful. For the past five years, we have been searching for a place to call our own. It has been a long struggle, it is hard to find an existing space

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ALTON - Alton comedian SyRok Foxx will be performing a comedy show at Hiram’s Bar at 219 W. 3rd St. in downtown Alton this Saturday, July 23. Doors open at 6 p.m. with the show starting at 8 p.m.; attendees must be 21 or older, as there will be drink specials all night. Promoter Marvia Lawrence with Hands On Entertainment said admission is $10 at the door, but there is a $5 pre-sale going on up until the day of the show. Call or text 618-973-6783 for more information and to be put on the guest list at the pre-sale price. Lawrence described Foxx’s style of comedy as adult-oriented and Kat-Williams-esque. He also said this will be the first in a series of comedy shows coming to Alton to help build up the area’s comedy scene. “This won’t be the last one, it’s just a series of testing to see how everybody would like comedy down here, because I know we don’t really have too much comedy going on around here,” Lawrence said. Lawrence

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WOOD RIVER - Riverbend residents have another reason to get excited about the food scene in Illinois. The Good River Collective, a new Commissary Kitchen and base of operations for Food Trucks, based in the heart of Downtown Wood River will open later this year. Opening on 11 W. Ferguson Avenue, The Good River Collective will be throwing open its doors to the community in the late Fall of 2022, serving food entrepreneurs, food trucks, caterers, and other food and beverage-based businesses. Launching with the mission to deliver a space for food entrepreneurs to create, grow and establish their businesses in a certified kitchen space alongside fellow food professionals. But what also distinguishes The Good River Collective from other kitchens is the project’s ownership. Working with fellow entrepreneurs, Tom and Vickie Maxwell, who own Liberty Blueberry Farm in Farmington, Missouri, and Fitness and Fun in Bethalto, Illinois, married duo Matt and Amy Herren have already built u

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ST. LOUIS - A female quick-change robbery suspect, Anastacia Washington, 35, of the 4900 block of Lilburn Avenue in St. Louis, Missouri, faces charges of Robbery First Degree. Washington is being held on $100,000 cash only, no 10% bond. Sgt. Tracy Panus said the robbery occurred at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 12. The probable cause statement released by St. Louis County Police reads as follows: "Upon investigation, it was determined that suspect, Anastacia Washington, entered the U.S. Bank at 11100 Larimore Road in Spanish Lake, St. Louis County, and passed a threatening note announcing a robbery and made off with approximately $6,000. "The suspect was seen on surveillance leaving the bank, entering a Dirt Cheap store, and exiting the Dirt Cheap store after changing her clothing. A tip from a co-worker of the suspect led detectives to identify Anastacia Washington as a person of interest. "Law enforcement recovered clothing discarded by the suspect outside of the Dirt Cheap store.

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EDWARDSVILLE - Rae Dorsey, owner of Rae Marcel Studios in Edwardsville, said she is so excited to share space in her new area with not only her clients but her family and others for creative opportunities at 301 N. Main St. in Edwardsville. The grand opening for Rae Marcel Studios was held on July 9. "This is for Rae Marcel Photography, but also for those who need creative space," she said. "We specialize in wedding, family photography, and newborns photography. I just needed a space to come home. Now, we have really put our feet in Edwardsville, we love the neighborhood. This ribbon cutting was just a mark of an amazing journey that started five years ago. I can't wait to see what comes through here. I am also excited it was an art space before and we are going to keep art alive here." Rae said she started her photography journey in high school. "I loved it so much that I took it for my art class all four years," she said. "I stayed in the darkroom seeing what I could come up with

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WOOD RIVER - Wood River Police released an announcement on Wednesday morning, that it is trying to identify the owners of each of the two above pictured vehicles in an ongoing investigation." "If you can help, we certainly appreciate it," the Wood River Police said. "Thank you in advance." Contact the Wood River Police at (618) 251-3114 with any information about the vehicles.

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ALTON - Alton Fire Department located a non-responsive female in the parking lot of First Presbyterian Church at 400 Alby St. in Alton, at approximately 10:18 a.m. on Tuesday, July 19, 2022. The female was determined to be deceased. She has been identified as Christine K. Stoner, 53, of Alton. The Madison County Coroner’s Office was requested and responded to further the investigation. While the investigation by the Alton Police Department and Madison County Coroner’s Office continues, preliminary information does not suggest any foul play to be involved in Christine’s death," Alton Police Department Deputy Chief Jarrett Ford said Wednesday morning.

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GRAFTON - The Grafton Police Chief Eric Spanton and Mayor Mike Morrow both expressed thanks for a unanimous Grafton City Council approval of an adjusted pay raise for police and municipal workers at the Tuesday meeting. The vote followed the adoption of Grafton Ordinance #756 which accepted the results of the June 28, 2022, General Primary Election. The question on the ballot asked the residents of Grafton to vote on increasing the Non-Home Rule Sales Tax from ½% to 1%. The citizens voted 71.08% in favor of the increase, with the additional funds to be used for police and municipal operations. The sales tax increase and pay adjustments will become effective on January 1, 2023. “On behalf of Chief Spanton and me, I want to thank the citizens of Grafton for voting to support our police and municipal workers,” said Mayor Morrow. “The Chief would have been here with us tonight, but he is in the hospital this evening recovering from a preventive surgery. He and hi

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EDWARDSVILLE - Members of the Junior Service Club of Edwardsville/Glen Carbon presented Mayor Art Risavy with a check for nearly $112,000 for the R.P. Lumber Center’s teen facility at the City Council meeting on Tuesday, July 19. The check is the culmination of more than three years of fundraising in support of The Garage, a teen center at the City’s recently opened ice rink and community recreational facility, the R.P. Lumber Center. “This inviting center wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication of the Junior Service members,” Risavy said. “We offer our sincere thanks on behalf of the City, and the families and students who will reap the benefits of this generous labor of love for years to come.” Junior Service Club members were involved in most aspects of creating The Garage, from the overall theme and furnishings to its laid-back “coffee house” vibe. Located near Edwardsville High School and Metro East Lutheran

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ULLIN - Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Zone 7 are investigating an in-custody death of an inmate at the Pulaski County Jail in Ullin at the request of the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office. During the morning hours of July 14, 2022, Pulaski County Correctional Officers located a 47-year-old female of St. Louis, Missouri unresponsive in her jail cell. The female was transported by ambulance to an area hospital and later transferred to a hospital located in Mt. Vernon. On July 18, 2022, the female was pronounced deceased at the hospital. An autopsy is pending and the cause of death is unknown at this time. The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office is assisting in the investigation. The investigation is ongoing and no additional information is being released at this time.

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ALTON - State Representative Amy Elik (R-Fosterburg) was selected to participate in the 2022 Emerging Legislative Leaders Program. The bipartisan program, which is sponsored by the State Legislative Leaders Foundation (SLLF), was held last week at the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. “I’m pleased I had the opportunity to attend this highly impactful leadership program,” said Elik. “We explored the culture of contempt that exists in American politics today, the importance of restoring ethical leadership in government, and delved into what our founding fathers most feared by the effect of factionalism on our democracy. Joining fellow legislators from states across the country, both Republicans and Democrats, allowed for honest and respectful conversations led by the excellent faculty at the University of Virginia.” The program is held every year on the campus of the University of Virginia for a select group of

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EAST ALTON - The AMC Theater in East Alton has "permanently closed," the website of the business, says today. East Alton Mayor Darren Carlton confirmed the theater has been closed for better than a month. The mayor said from what he remembers, AMC signed a three-year agreement to lease the area in East Gate Plaza about three years ago, so that time period has likely expired. AMC does not have any announcements about the closing on its corporate website, and the theater in East Alton is not returning calls at this time. Mayor Carlton said he believes the COVID-19 Pandemic had a huge financial impact on the East Alton theater because it was forced to close for a long period of time. When it returned, it was open on only a limited basis, he said. "We would like to see it back open," the mayor said as the theater has had a five-decade run in East Alton. The mayor said he used to attend the theater as long ago as when he was a kid, and that it has had a significant impact on East Alton

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EAST ALTON - East Alton Fire Chief Tim Quigley said Wednesday morning that a motorcyclist suffered serious injuries in a two-vehicle crash on 9th Street and Haller Drive in a crash that occurred in the 5:15 p.m. range Tuesday in East Alton. Chief Quigley said the man was taken directly from the scene by ARCH to Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis with a serious hip injury. The chief said a splint was attached to the man’s hip region to stop the bleeding and stabilize the area. The East Alton Fire Department and Police Department worked the scene after the crash. “The first responders did a good job and got him out of there quickly,” the chief said. The chief said the injuries did not appear to be life-threatening, but the man did undergo emergency surgery Tuesday night in St. Louis.

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul has announced that a Madison County man was charged with possession of child pornography. James V. Cassady, 45, of Troy, Illinois, was charged in Madison County Circuit Court with 15 counts of possession of child pornography, each a Class 2 felony punishable by three to seven years in prison. Cassady’s bond is set at $500,000. Raoul’s investigators conducted a search of a residence Thursday, July 14 in Troy, IL., on Colonial Acres Road. Cassady was arrested after authorities discovered evidence of child pornography. The case will be jointly prosecuted by Raoul’s office and Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine’s office. “The partnership between my office and the Attorney General’s office is helping us make Madison County a safer place to live and work,” Madison County State's Attorney Haine said. “I look forward to continuing our work to identify and prosecute offenders who exploit children

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Reid and Marsha Mortensen are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary this month. The two married on July 7th, 1972. They were married in Mesa, Arizona and they now have six children together and 24 grandchildren.

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(BUZZ MAGAZINE) - I spent several years gardening in a typical manner by tilling, planting, and slowly losing my garden to the ferocious weeds and pests. I personally felt as though God was pushing me to grow a healthy garden. I needed to push through the trials of it, but I was struggling. I thought to myself, “If God expected us, humans, to sustain ourselves with a garden, it can't be this hard.” Nature does it, why can't I? It made no sense to me that nature has existed forever and I can't get a garden to survive one season without the help of commercial herbicides and pesticides. This can't be the only way. He would never set our success behind the paywall of commercial growing supplies (GMO seed, pesticides, herbicides). There has to be a better way! I then learned to mimic nature with my garden and allow nature into my garden. Monoculture (growing vast amounts of one crop) is not the way nature was designed. Fertilizing plants is not the way nature takes in nutrients.

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(BUZZ MAGAZINE) - I’ve never dreamed of owning a bird. I love animals and own a 13-year-old beagle, but since having my son five years ago, acquiring more creatures to care for has been low on my list. Especially a bird. Be that as it may, last week while proudly showing my mother my new hot tub in the backyard of my Edwardsville home, a lovebird came and landed on her shoulder. I’ve had some experience with birds as my cousin owned two while growing up, so I instinctively knew this friendly, bright-colored creature was someone’s pet. I scooped it up and brought it into my home. This bird was a beauty. Soft greens and blues the color of salt water taffy with a touch of peach on its face. It was so social and cuddly that my son and I naturally began referring to it as “Sweetie.” I quickly started the search for Sweetie’s owner but was excited to enjoy this surprise guest while we could. For the next few days, Sweetie snuggled under our chins

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