Riverbender 🕸

This photo was taken on Jan. 31, 2018, at My Just Desserts Alton, LLC with Yvonne Campbell. I just recently found out that she passed away from a car accident while on vacation in Jamaica. On Jan. 31, 2018, I held a local event called Dreamers, Doers, and Entrepreneurs. Yvonne embodied all 3 of those at the highest level. Yvonne had a Dream of owning the place she was “just the pie baker” at called My Just Desserts. She poured her heart and soul into every pie she made. She poured her heart and soul into every person she met. After years and years of saving money it came time for the owner of My Just Desserts to retire and pass on the reigns to someone else. Well after years of hard work, Dreaming and Doing, Yvonne became an Entrepreneur. I’ll never forget her EXCITEMENT and JOY that day in that picture. A DREAM COMING TRUE. Such a special moment to share with anyone. So many people's Dreams die in their Hearts, Heads, or Hard Drives. Not Yvonnes Dreams. She

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GLEN CARBON – The Illinois Humanities Road Scholars Speakers Bureau Presents Kevin Wood as Abraham Lincoln on Sat., July 30 from 5 pm-7 pm. Happening at the Glen Carbon Heritage Museum, this free event is open to the public. The museum is also offering special museum hours to accommodate visitors, opening at 1 pm on Saturday and closing at 8 pm. Refreshments will also be served. The presentation will take place at the museum located at 124 School St. in its backyard pavilion. This first-person portrayal of Abraham Lincoln is comprised of Wood in period dress while captivating audience members with a variety of stories and historical references. Highlighting his Illinois years, his presentation is entitled “From Obscurity to Greatness: Illinois and Lincoln, 1830-1861”. The heart of the presentation involves Mr. Lincoln detailing his life in Illinois, engaging the audience along the way. The program normally lasts one hour followed by a Q&A, photos, and informal interaction.

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ALTON — Centerstone, a national leader in behavioral health and addiction services, applauds the July 16 transition to 988 as the easy-to-remember, three-digit code people can use in the United States to quickly access mental health crisis services. This development marks a critical step forward and offers an unprecedented opportunity to strengthen and transform life-saving mental health crisis care in this country. In 2020, the U.S. had about one death every 11 minutes from suicide according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The National Institute of Mental Health reported nearly one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness. To reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline), people can call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. The 988 network of crisis contact centers, including Centerstone, offer 24/7 access to counselors trained to help people experiencing suicidal, substance use, and other mental

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JERSEYVILLE - Hannah R. Tonsor of Jerseyville, Illinois, has been named to the dean's list in the University of Notre Dame's College of Arts and Letters for outstanding scholarship during the Spring 2022 semester. Students who achieve dean's honors at Notre Dame represent the top 30 percent of students in their college.

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EDWARDSVILLE – Southern Illinois University Edwardsville will honor 10 remarkable graduates at the 2022 SIUE Alumni Hall of Fame ceremony, “A Night Among the Stars,” on Friday, Sept. 23, at 5:30 p.m. in the Morris University Center’s Meridian Ballroom. The impressive alumni have made exceptional contributions in their chosen fields, in their communities and at SIUE through their leadership, character and hard work. “The SIUE Alumni Association is proud to recognize the achievements of outstanding members of our alumni community,” said Andrew Ravanelli, PhD, SIUE Alumni Association president. “We are humbled by the accomplishments of these inductees and welcome them into the Alumni Hall of Fame.” The 2022 honorees listed by their College or School include: College of Arts and Sciences Terry Ganey BA Mass Communications ’70 Terry Ganey is an award-winning journalist and bestselling author. During a 28-year career with the S

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ALTON - The old building next to Germania Coffee House on Broadway in Alton is down Saturday morning. A worker is shown above surveying the remains on Friday. Stutz Excavating is the company in charge of the project. A Stutz Excavating manager said the remnants should be removed on Monday. The building demolition started Friday morning. Alton Mayor David Goins said late Friday he was glad the building was finally torn down. "It will be a relief for everybody," he added. "It will be safer for everyone involved. It is a relief it is torn down."

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EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine announced today that a Madison County jury found William Jenkins, 45, of Madison, guilty of first-degree murder with a firearm for the killing of Andre Hutson in December 2021. The jury also returned a guilty verdict on attempted armed robbery. Jenkins now faces between 39 and 90 years in prison. A sentencing hearing will be held at a later date. On December 7, Madison Police responded to reports of gunfire on Wayne Lanter Avenue and pronounced Hutson dead at the scene. William Jenkins was charged with first-degree murder and attempted armed robbery for Hutson’s murder. Larry Lovett has also been charged with Hutson’s murder, and his trial is set for December. "We are glad that with this murder conviction a violent criminal is taken off the streets,” said Haine. “The victim’s family is in our prayers today as they continue to mourn the loss of a friend and family member.” Haine

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - On Friday, July 15, 2022, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office issued warrants on suspect Aaqil Royal, 20 years of age, of the 700 block of Redwing Drive in Florissant, Missouri 63031, for two counts of Hindering Prosecution of a Felony. A mugshot of Royal is attached. Royal is being held on $50,000 cash only, no 10% bond. Please note, charges are merely an accusation and Defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law. The probable cause statement reads: On May 29, 2022, two juvenile suspects escaped confinement from the St. Louis County juvenile detention facility. Early the next morning, one of the juvenile suspects called the Defendant, requesting to be picked up from their location after they had broken out. The Defendant responded to the location of the juveniles. He is on video providing them with transportation and firearms. Upon his arrest, the Defendant admitted to providing the escaped juveniles

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CHICAGO – Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) Board announced today conditional awards totaling nearly $12 million in Rebuild Illinois funding that will provide critical improvements to 27 affordable housing developments throughout Illinois. Awarded under the new Limited Rehabilitation Preservation Program (Preservation Program), the funds will preserve the safety and long-term stability of affordable rental housing for the benefit of very low-income or low-income households across the state. In all, more than 1,400 units of affordable rental housing will see vital capital repairs that will address code violations, resolve security issues and improve the health and safety of both the buildings and their residents. “In Illinois, affordable housing is a right—not a privilege,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “For too long, our low-income families have resided in homes falling into disrepair—lacking critical security

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EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County officials this week approved upgrades to the parking lot at its Wood River Facility. Both the Facilities Management and Finance and Government Operations committees approved the $195,710 contract with Byrne and Jones Construction to replace a portion of the parking lot at 101 Edwardsville Road in Wood River. The County Board will vote on the contract at its 5 p.m., July 20 meeting. The project includes rebuilding the main drive to the large parking lot on the east side of the building and two smaller ones, as well as resurfacing several handicapped spaces on the main parking lot, which is currently gravel. County departments and offices at the site include the Health Department, Child Advocacy Center, Emergency Management Agency, Employment and Training, county Morgue and 911-ETS. The County Board continues to discuss plans for the property, which it purchased in 2001 not long after the Wood River Township Hospital closed in 2000. The improvements

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BETHALTO - Villa Rose Senior Living Community is hosting a Health Fair in early August which will feature over 20 vendors offering everything from health screenings to legal aid and more at no cost to attendees, in addition to door prizes which will be drawn towards the end of the Health Fair. The Health Fair will be held on August 4 from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. at Villa Rose Senior Living Community, located at 401 S. Moreland Road in Bethalto. Executive Director Cindy Cannon said Villa Rose is offering this Health Fair “to promote health awareness - both to the community and to our independent senior living community residents.” To help the community gain more awareness of their health, Cannon has enlisted the help of several organizations that will offer a wide range of services at the Health Fair. “We reached out to some community resources that we think residents and community members could benefit from - from therapy to chiropractic care to rehabs to Land o

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PHILADELPHIA (July 15, 2022) – Simmons Hanly Conroy , one of the nation’s largest mesothelioma law firms, has secured a $3.8 million verdict against Washington Penn Plastics (Wash Penn) on behalf of the estate of Daniel “Dan” Rugg and his wife Sandra Rugg. Mr. Rugg died of mesothelioma, an occupational cancer caused by asbestos, after working for approximately thirty years as a maintenance worker at the Pennsylvania plastics factory. The jury found Wash Penn failed to provide a reasonably safe workplace and awarded $1.4 million in compensatory damages to the family’s estate, $1.65 million in wrongful death damages, and $750,000 in loss of consortium to Sandra Rugg. “After examining hundreds of pieces of evidence, the jury found that Wash Penn failed to provide a reasonably safe workplace by using industrial talc that contained asbestos,” said Shareholder James Kramer , who served as trial counsel with Shareholder Donald P. Blydenburgh

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ALTON - After the tragic passing of Yvonne Campbell, owner of My Just Desserts, many people and businesses are looking for ways to help out. This Saturday, July 16 from 8 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. U Fit Fitness And Wellness will be holding the 'West Camp Boot Camp' with all proceeds going directly to Campbell's family. The boot camp will be located at 1513 State St. in Alton. A $10 donation is the given asking price, however, donations of any kind will be welcomed. Anyone may attend and show support to one of the nicest business owners this town has ever had.

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ALTON - The make-shift memorial in front of My Just Desserts in Downtown Alton on Broadway has continued to spread. The photo above was taken during the lunch hour Friday, July 15, 2022. Yvonne Campbell, the My Just Desserts store owner, died early in the week from complications in a van accident in Jamaica. Many throughout the region and beyond have donated tributes with flowers, cards, bears, etc., in front of the My Just Desserts restaurant, which is closed for the week. Campbell's death has sparked a reaction across the Riverbend area for her selfless and caring nature. Community members have been visible in prayer and mourning at the location since her death was announced.

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ALTON - Contractor Stutz Excavating began demolition of an old Alton building next to Germania Coffee House in the 600 block of Broadway Friday morning. The excavating company started at the front part of the building and planned to work its way to the back in the demolition. A Stutz Excavating manager at the scene said the project will take a few days to tear down and remove the remnants. He said workers would work through the day on Friday, then take off Saturday and be back on Monday to complete the demolition. The back part of the building fell off this past Saturday , which pushed an urgency to demolish it.

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MARYVILLE –With support from State Senator Kris Tharp, the Illinois State Board of Education awarded nine Metro East school districts with a combined $415,000 for infrastructure improvements. “School facilities can have a significant impact on both student and teacher academic outcomes,” said Tharp (D-Bethalto). “To ensure our schools are equipped to contribute to a safe, comfortable learning environment, this state investment will go to directly improve the quality of our classrooms.” School districts across the 56th District to receive funding include: Alton CUSD 11 - $50,000 Bethalto CUSD 8 - $50,000 Central SD 104 - $50,000 Collinsville CUSD 10 - $50,000 East Alton SD 13 - $50,000 East Alton - Wood River CHSD 14 - $50,000 Edwardsville CUSD 7 - $50,000 Region III Spec Ed Coop - $15,000 Wood River - Hartford ESD 15 - $50,000 Funds will be used for projects to update heating and cooling infrastructure, improve ventilation, increase accessibility

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ALTON - Illinois Department of Transportation and Illinois American Water are making progress on work in the area of U.S. Route 67 (Piasa Street) from 20th Street/College Avenue. These are photos from Thursday evening, July 14, 2022. One crew is shown at 5:30 p.m. still out on the job site. The project for U.S. Route 67 (Piasa Street), from 20th Street/College Avenue south to 3rd Street in Alton will continue for about a month. The area was closed beginning at 7 a.m. on July 5, 2022, and this is nearly the conclusion of the second week of the project. This closure is needed for Illinois American Water to upgrade its water and wastewater infrastructure. This work includes rehabilitating the sanitary sewer system and installing a new water main. It is expected that this work will take one month to complete. A marked detour will be in place to safely guide motorists around the closure. The detour will utilize Illinois Route 111, Illinois Route 3, and Illinois 143 to circumvent the

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JERSEYVILLE - The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today in its intermittent lane closures list that work will start Monday, July 18, 2022, on Illinois Route 109 between U.S 67 and Illinois Route 3, weather permitting. Two-way traffic will be maintained by the use of flaggers, IDOT said. "This closure is needed to construct a new asphalt surface and it should be completed by October of 2022," added IDOT. Motorists need to exhibit patience and avoid the area whenever possible.

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EDWARDSVILLE – The City of Edwardsville has purchased 2.2 acres of land adjacent to Terry Park, which is located near Grand and Terry avenues, and is part of the City’s commitment to protect and preserve green space. The two lots were acquired using Community Redevelopment funds. The wooded land will serve as passive green space in the park, and be known as the Andrew G. Byron Nature Conservancy at Terry Park. “I am keenly aware that many of our citizens want green space to be a priority,” Mayor Art Risavy said. “As we move forward, the Aldermen and I want our residents to know we are listening and will continue to look at future opportunities to acquire properties that will increase passive green space within our City.” The acquisition helps fulfill the City’s commitment, which is outlined in its comprehensive Green Plan and aims to protect and preserve natural areas of the City. “As we have seen the relentless push to develop every

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The summer months provide the perfect opportunity to conquer cabin fever and explore the great outdoors. But before you head out for that hike, health care experts remind you to take precautions to avoid tick bites. “A tick will get on your body and will stay there. It'll bite you and embed into your skin. If that tick is removed within 24 hours, the chance of getting ill is diminished. After 24 hours there's a chance you could get some illness transmitted from that tick itself,” says Dr. Richard Ginnetti, an OSF HealthCare primary care physician in Bloomington, Illinois. One of the most common tick-borne illnesses is Lyme disease, which is a bacterial infection. You get it when the blacklegged tick, also known as a deer tick, bites you and stays attached for 36 to 48 hours. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates around 300,000 people are infected with Lyme disease each year. Dr. Ginnetti says there are tell-tale signs of Lyme disease, including

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