Riverbender 🕸

MATTOON - First Mid Bank & Trust (First Mid) continues to change lives for low-income and first-time homebuyers throughout the bank’s Illinois communities. Using grant funds from the Downpayment Plus® (DPP) Program through the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago, First Mid has helped those who never thought they would become homeowners move into the house of their dreams. In 2024, First Mid awarded 97 grants for a total of $970,000, helping deserving families complete their homebuying journey. Kayla Aaron, Regional Retail Loan Manager at First Mid, said in today’s current housing market, finding a home at the right price and making a down payment can seem impossible. However, DPP grants can give people the vital assistance they need. Those participating in the program must contribute $1,000 of their own funds before First Mid can get the homebuyer up to $10,000 in grant money to put toward a down payment. There is also an application process with income requirements

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EAST ALTON - The East Alton Fire Department responded to a motorcycle fire on Powder Mill Road Friday at approximately 5:00 p.m. The incident occurred just across the Wood River Creek bridge. Upon arrival, firefighters found the motorcycle engulfed in flames and quickly extinguished the fire. According to witnesses, the driver of the motorcycle fled the scene shortly after the fire ignited. As firefighters managed the situation, Powder Mill Road was closed to ensure safety and facilitate their efforts. The cause of the fire remains unclear, and authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—the author of the Right to IVF Act —and U.S. Representative Gerry Connolly (D-VA-11) reintroduced legislation to expand and protect access to in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and other assisted reproductive technology (ART) that millions of Americans rely on to have children. The Family Building FEHB Fairness Act would require Federal Employees Health Benefit (FEHB) Program—the largest employer-sponsored health insurance plan in the world—carriers to cover IVF and ART and would give the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) one year to implement its requirements from the date of enactment. The bill’s reintroduction comes after President Trump’s toothless executive order , which fails to take any serious, meaningful action to protect and expand fertility services—despite him promising to do so during his presidential campaign. “Donald Trump promised to make IVF more affordable—but

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ALTON - With 40 years in the construction industry, Tycon Builders is looking toward the future. On Feb. 28, 2025, Tycon Builders celebrated its 40th anniversary with a party at their location at 3414 College Avenue in Alton. As owner Paul Yost reflects on the past four decades, he is proud of the work they’ve completed and hopes to do more in the future. “We’re fortunate. After this many years, it just seems to flow,” Yost said. “Our phone’s been ringing for 40 years. I can’t even count how many leads we’ve had. That’s the key. The phone has got to ring.” Yost started his training as a high schooler at Alton High School’s J.B. Johnson Center. He helped build two houses during his junior and senior years. Out of high school, he started Paul Yost Construction before partnering with another contractor and founding Tycon Builders. Forty years later, Yost is the sole owner of Tycon and couldn’t be prouder

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ALTON - Tanjela Johnson is passionate about helping others. Johnson, one of the YWCA’s ten 2025 Women of Distinction, will be honored at the Y’s annual gala for her commitment to the community. She serves as the president of Alton’s chapter of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) , and she works with several other nonprofits in the community to promote voting and help people get their needs met. “When we talk about racism, empowerment, peace, justice, those are things that really have always resonated with me,” Johnson said. “I’ve always been one to make sure that people feel like they just have a peaceful day and a peaceful environment. We are in a society where racism is just still very, very active. And a lot of times when we think about racism, we think about just the hate side of it, but a lot of it is just not being educated or not knowing each other. So being part of all of these different entities, it allows me to get

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BELLEVILLE — Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) has announced that Lisa Quandt, a special education teacher from Belleville, will be her guest at President Trump’s Joint Address on March 4, 2025. This invitation comes at a time of heightened scrutiny and criticism of the U.S. public education system, particularly in light of proposed budget cuts by the Trump administration. Lisa Quandt, who has dedicated 32 years to education and is a member of the Illinois Federation of Teachers Chapter 434, began her career as a full-time substitute teacher at Belleville West High School. She later transitioned to a full-time role in the special education department, where she focuses on supporting students with emotional and behavioral disabilities. Quandt also coaches the varsity cheer team and sponsors several extracurricular programs, including the National Honor Society and Student Council. Rep. Budzinski's announcement aligns with the American Federation of Teachers' "Protect

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ST. CHARLES COUNTY, MO. - A two-vehicle crash on U.S. 67 south of Red School Road in St. Charles County resulted in a fatality at 2:20 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. The incident involved a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado and a 2005 Mack tractor, both traveling northbound at the time of the collision. According to the crash report, the driver of the Chevrolet Silverado, a 61-year-old male from Berkeley, Mo., was attempting to make a left turn when he applied the brakes. The driver of the Mack tractor, a 71-year-old male from Pacific, Mo., reportedly struck the rear of the Silverado. The impact resulted in the Silverado being towed away due to total damage. Emergency responders arrived on the scene, and the driver of the Silverado was pronounced dead at 2:48 p.m. on Feb. 26, 2025, by Dr. Melissa Kroll from Washington University Hospital. He was transported by the St. Louis County Medical Examiner to the St. Louis County Morgue. The driver of the Mack tractor was unharmed and was able to

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ALTON - Lori Bregenzer loves food. That’s why she decided to open Comfort Cuisine at 4 East Broadway in Alton, a kitchen that sells takeaway homecooked meals that people can heat and eat. Bregenzer has a lot of projects in the oven, and she is excited to serve up Mardi Gras specials and a new podcast in the coming weeks. “I’m always, always thinking about food,” Bregenzer said. “I wake up thinking about what I’m going to eat for dinner tonight. So it’s kind of a natural thing for me.” Comfort Cuisine opened last year to provide homecooked meals to the Riverbend region. Community members can stop by and pick up that week’s entree to take home, reheat and enjoy. Bregenzer also offers lunchbox options, a weekly sandwich special that is perfect for the busy worker or on-the-go family. Lunchboxes come with either potato chips or salad and “a taste of dessert.” She recently started serving reheatable breakfast

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CAHOKIA HEIGHTS - The Major Case Squad was activated on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, to assist the Cahokia Heights Police Department in the investigation of the shooting death of 15-year-old Charles E. Jones. Over a five-day period, 14 investigators pursued more than 80 leads related to the case. The shooting incidents occurred between 6:15 p.m. and 7 p.m. in a neighborhood behind Rally’s, located in the 1600 block of Camp Jackson Road in Cahokia Heights. According to investigators, the initial altercation took place at the intersection of Kenneth Avenue and Armand Drive. Two males, an 18-year-old and 21-year-old Dontae Jackson, were walking along the roadway when a white Nissan Maxima approached. The vehicle slowed down, leading to an exchange of gunfire between the occupants of the Nissan and one of the pedestrians. After the Nissan fled the scene, the two pedestrians returned to a residence in the 100 block of Lazarcheff. During the incident, Jones, a rear-seat passenger in the

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COLLINSVILLE – A man from East St. Louis faces a felony after burglarizing a White Castle restaurant in Collinsville. Ernest F. Jones, 57, of East St. Louis, was charged on Feb. 20, 2025 with a Class 2 felony count of burglary. Jones allegedly entered the White Castle in Collinsville unlawfully and without authority on June 6, 2024, “with the intent to commit therein a theft,” according to court documents. The case against Jones was presented by the Collinsville Police Department, and he was granted pretrial release from custody. All individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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ALTON – A woman from Alton was charged with escape after failing to turn herself in as legally required. Anita S. Ward, 46, of Alton, was charged with a Class 3 felony count of escape on Feb. 20, 2024. Ward allegedly failed to return from furlough and report for periodic imprisonment by Feb. 20, as ordered on Feb. 5. Ward had been sentenced to a five-year term in the Illinois Department of Corrections for two previous criminal cases from 2023, according to a petition to deny her pretrial release. Ward was charged in one case with identity theft and in another case with possession of a fraudulent driver’s license “The Defendant was ordered to turn herself in to the Madison County Jail on Feb. 20, 2025 by 9:30 a.m.,” the petition states. “The Defendant failed to do so by the time and date issued by an Order of the Court.” The Madison County Sheriff’s Office presented the latest case against, Ward, who was remanded to jail for her initial

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CHICAGO - As tickets for spring and summer tours, festivals and sporting events begin to go on sale, Attorney General Kwame Raoul issued guidance to help residents avoid common ticket scams. Raoul cautioned that buying tickets from a third-party vendor or private party increases the risk of fraud and often the total cost. Raoul also warned residents to avoid paying for tickets with anything other than a credit card, if possible, which offers additional protections should a sale be fraudulent. “The proliferation of smart phones and online marketplaces have fundamentally changed the way many tickets are purchased for concerts, sports and other entertainment events,” Raoul said. “While the emergence of smart technology has simplified our lives, bad actors use that same technology to take advantage of consumers. I encourage all Illinoisans to be vigilant when purchasing tickets to avoid falling victim to scammers.” Raoul encouraged individuals to consider the

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SPRINGFIELD - On Wednesday, the Illinois Auditor General released the results of an audit of the Health Benefits for Immigrant Seniors and Adults program, which showed that the State of Illinois has already spent over $1.6 billion in taxpayer funds on health benefits for illegal immigrants. Assistant Republican Leader C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-Murrayville) called the audit findings shocking and again demanded that the State immediately end the massively expensive program. “As the chief sponsor of House Bill 1456 to end taxpayer-funded health benefits for illegal immigrants, I already knew that this program was running way over the initial cost estimates,” Rep. Davidsmeyer said. “But even I was shocked by audit findings that showed cost overruns of up to 286 percent higher than the Pritzker administration’s initial estimates. At a time when our State is facing a multi-billion-dollar budget deficit, we simply cannot afford to spend over $1.6 billion on this giveaway

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During respiratory illness season there a more graphic, yet shorter-lasting virus making the rounds especially among kids: Norovirus. What is Norovirus? "Norovirus is a viral infection, most people refer to it as the stomach flu. But it's a distinctly different virus than influenza," says Doug Kasper, MD, an infectious disease specialist with OSF HealthCare. "It's acquired by contact, meaning you touch it. Then it gets from outside your body, usually in through your mouth, and then into your GI (gastrointestinal) system." Norovirus symptoms and concerns "Symptoms usually come on very quickly. Roughly a day or two after exposure, the person will notice gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, abdominal pain, bloating pain, gas and diarrhea," Dr. Kasper says. "Most people that don't have an immuno-compromised history, the symptoms will pass in 2-3 days. It can be a much bigger problem in people who are chronically ill. It leads to dehydration and low food intake. So, if someone

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BETHALTO - Civic Memorial High School will join the Cahokia Athletic Conference. During their regular meeting on Feb. 27, 2025, the Bethalto Community Unit School District #8 Board of Education unanimously approved the decision to join the conference, effective for the 2026–2027 school year. Derek Jarman, CM’s incoming athletic director, expressed his excitement about the decision. “I think it’s great for our kids, great for our programs,” he said. “All of our kids and coaches are pretty excited about it.” Jarman gave a presentation explaining the benefits of joining the conference during the Feb. 27 Board of Education meeting. He noted that CM will be in the Mississippi division, alongside Jersey, Waterloo, Freeburg, Breese-Central and Columbia. Civic Memorial will also compete against East Alton-Wood River High School and Roxana High School during the football season. These schools are all comparable in size and academics. Jarman

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Did you know that women hold only about 28% of the computing jobs in the United States, despite accounting for nearly half of the overall workforce? This stark statistic not only highlights a significant gender disparity but also underscores the critical need for greater female representation in a field that shapes virtually every aspect of modern life. As we move further into an era dominated by technology, understanding the vital role women play—and can play—in the tech industry becomes essential. Breaking Barriers: A Historical Perspective The journey of women in technology is woven into the very fabric of the industry’s history. Pioneers like Ada Lovelace, often regarded as the first computer programmer, and Grace Hopper, who developed the first compiler, set the stage for future generations. Despite these early contributions, the tech world has largely been male-dominated, especially during the explosive growth of the industry in the late 20th century. However,

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Welcome to This Day in History! Today, we dive into the remarkable events that have taken place on February 28th throughout the years. **The Most Impactful Global Event: The Signing of the Treaty of Paris (1763)** On this day in 1763, the Treaty of Paris was signed, marking the end of the Seven Years' War, a conflict that involved most of the great powers of the time. The treaty was a monumental moment in history, reshaping the geopolitical landscape of North America and Europe. Great Britain emerged as a dominant colonial power, acquiring Canada from France and Florida from Spain, while France ceded control of Louisiana to Spain. This event not only changed the territorial boundaries but also set the stage for future conflicts and the eventual American Revolution. **A Step Forward in Science: The Discovery of the Structure of DNA (1953)** On February 28, 1953, James Watson and Francis Crick announced their discovery of the double helix structure of DNA, a breakthrough that

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ALTON – Members of the public gathered at Alton City Hall on Thursday night for an open house event on potentially building a permanent flood wall in downtown Alton. Early on, attendees seemed to express confusion as it became apparent there would be no formal presentation – nor any opportunity to vocally express comments or concerns. Instead, poster boards showing various diagrams of the proposed flood wall were put on display in the City Council chambers. Rather than allowing public comments as in a typical city meeting, paper “Public Comment Sheets” were provided for the public to submit written responses. “This is such a waste of time!” one attendee shouted before nearly storming out, then returning to submit a written comment. Despite there being no formal presentation, the Alton Riverfront Advisory Commission prepared a slideshow presentation outlining the scope of the flooding problem and proposed solutions. Their presentation, and many

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On Feb. 18, 1925, Raymond Silkwood received an invitation to visit the home of his (supposed) friend William Clark to get a haircut. Silkwood’s hair was getting a little too long and ragged, so he accepted. Silkwood, a junk wagon driver, lived in a shanty boat on the Hartford riverbank, and Clark lived in a tent next door. Silkwood sat down in a chair in the tent expecting a standard scissor haircut when the “volunteer barber” suddenly reached for a hand axe. He struck Silkwood on the back of the head, rendering him unconscious, and stole 60 cents out of his pockets. Clark’s mother and stepfather were away from home at the time of the haircut but found the injured Silkwood there later. The Wood River police were notified and asked the Alton police to be on the lookout for Clark. The police found Clark in a shanty boat along the willows on the Alton riverfront, arrested him, and took him to the Alton jail. They later transferred him to Wood River police

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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Erica Harriss (56th-Glen Carbon) is taking action to address one of the most pressing concerns for Illinois families. Standing alongside her colleagues at the Capitol, Senator Harriss emphasized the urgent need for property tax relief and introduced legislation aimed at easing the financial burden on homeowners and seniors. “If you ask my constituents what’s on their minds, the answer is almost always the same—property taxes,” said Senator Harriss. “Families across Illinois are feeling the weight of rising costs, and it’s important that we provide meaningful solutions to help keep people in their homes.” As an advocate for lower taxes, Senator Harriss has filed legislation to bring tax relief to Illinois families. Senate Bill 2086 : this bill raises the income eligibility for the Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption to $75,000 and ties future increases to inflation. Senate Bill

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