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ALTON — Officer Dalton Archer and his canine partner, K9 Rico, have officially completed the K9 Academy and are set to begin active duty this week with the Alton Police Department. The department announced the certification of Rico, its newest four-legged officer, who will assist in various law enforcement tasks including tracking suspects and detecting narcotics. The team is expected to contribute to neighborhood safety across the community. “We’re proud to announce that Officer Archer and his partner, K9 Rico, have officially completed the K9 Academy,” the Alton Police Department said in a statement. “This duo will hit the streets this week, and we’re excited for the incredible work they’ll do together.” K9 Rico’s addition marks a continued effort by the department to enhance public safety through specialized units. The new addition marks movements forward after the Alton Police lost K9 Odin, who was shot and killed in

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Smoothies are a popular meal replacement or snack, and when made with fruit, veggies, yogurt and healthy fats that are good for you, they can be healthy. But there are a few things to keep in mind before loading up the blender, says Nicole O’Neill, a dietitian with OSF HealthCare. “The tricky thing is a lot of smoothies are pretty one dimensional and or the wrong size,” she says. “So, my number one thought is, deconstruct your smoothie and put it on a plate. If you put it on a plate and you look at that plate and go, ‘Whoa, that's too much.’ Then that means your smoothies is too much.” Smoothies usually come in 16 to 32-ounce (475–945-mL) servings. There’s a misconception that smoothies are low in calories, but some drinks pack over a whopping 1,000 calories, depending on their size and ingredients. O’Neill says usually, a 100–200-calorie smoothie with 10 grams of protein is a great snack, and a 400–800-calorie

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ALTON — Laila Nael Campbell was born at 1:03 p.m. on January 2, 2025, at Alton Memorial Hospital. She weighed 6 pounds, 9 ounces, and measured 18 1/4 inches long at birth. Laila is the daughter of Chance and Airrel (Watkins) Campbell of Alton. Her grandparents are Lisa Griggs-Campbell of Alton and Stephanie Watkins of Centralia. James Griggs Sr. of Alton is her great-grandparent.

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EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County Community Development is offering scholarships to local students planning to attend college in the fall. Scholarships will be awarded to students who are residents of Madison County and attending a college, a university or training program in the State of Illinois. The Community Services Block Grant program will select 5 students to receive a $4,000.00 scholarship for the 2025-2026 school year. Awards will be disbursed in two $2,000 increments at the start of each semester. Those interested in applying for the scholarship may contact local area financial aid offices of Lewis & Clark Community College, Southwestern Illinois College and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, their local high school counselor’s office or click here: https://cms4files.revize.com/madisoncountyilus/Community_Development/Scholarship%20announcement%202025%20UPDATED.pdf To be eligible, students must meet the block grant income guidelines as well as the other

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ALTON – For the third consecutive time in the past 12 months, a metro east hospital with a 100-year health care ministry in the Riverbend region is celebrating national distinction for achievements in prioritizing patient safety by protecting patients from preventable harm and errors. OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony’s Health Center again has earned an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit watchdog, for the Spring 2025 reporting period. OSF Saint Anthony’s also received an “A” grade from The Leapfrog Group during the Fall 2024 and Spring 2024 reporting periods. While receiving an “A” grade from The Leapfrog Group is a very notable achievement in and of itself, especially no less than in three consecutive reporting periods, OSF Saint Anthony’s Spring 2025 “A” grade is also significant because: No other hospital in the state of Illinois south of Quincy received an “A”

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EAST ST. LOUIS — Students from East St. Louis School District 189, known as the Peace Warriors, recently returned from their annual trip to Memphis, Tenn., where they engaged in a journey focused on civil rights history and excellence. During the visit, the students toured significant historical sites, including the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel, the location where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s life work is celebrated and where he spent the last moments of his life. The group also visited the “I Am a Man” Plaza, which commemorates the Memphis sanitation workers' strike and highlights ongoing efforts for dignity and justice. In addition to exploring these landmarks, the Peace Warriors toured historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), gaining insight into the traditions, academic achievements, and cultural pride that characterize these institutions. East St. Louis School District 189 described the trip as “more than a tour —

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BETHALTO - Sarah Hughes has spent 20 years as a teacher, and she’s not stopping anytime soon. Hughes is a seventh grade pre-algebra teacher and a math interventionist for grades six through eight at Trimpe Middle School in the Bethalto Community Unit School District #8. Over the years, she has learned that relationships are at the foundation of every classroom, and she is proud of how her students have grown. “The favorite part of my job is building relationships with students and being able to try and explain math in a way that is easy for students to understand,” she explained. “I love greeting students in the morning and making sure they get their day started with a smile.” Hughes has always wanted to be a teacher. As a child, she would often “play school” with her sister and friends. She soon realized that she wanted to make an impact on children, just like her teachers did for her. That impact extends beyond the classroom. Hughes

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SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias wants Illinoisans to get the facts about REAL IDs as many scramble to get one. Giannoulias will stress the May 7, 2025 “deadline” isn’t really a deadline. On May 7, Americans will need a REAL ID compliant driver’s license or ID, or a valid passport, to board a domestic flight; however, DMVs will continue to issue REAL IDs after May 7. Giannoulias noted if you’re not traveling after May 7, you probably don’t need a REAL ID right away. Given the recent surge at Illinois DMVs, Giannoulias advised Illinoisans who don’t need a REAL ID in May to consider holding off to avoid waits at facilities. The primary reason for Illinoisans over the age of 18 to obtain a REAL ID is to fly domestically on a commercial aircraft after May 7. Individuals who have a valid U.S. passport, Military ID, Green Card, or Global Entry and those under the age of 18 will not need a REAL ID to fly. He also

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a coalition of 18 attorneys general, today filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over the unlawful attempt to freeze the development of wind energy. Wind energy is a homegrown source of reliable, affordable energy that supports hundreds of thousands of jobs, creates billions of dollars in economic activity and tax payments and supplies more than 10% of the country’s electricity. “Wind energy is a key component in Illinois’ transition to a renewable energy future,” Raoul said. “The decision by the Trump administration to effectively halt all wind energy development is illegal and baseless, and I will continue to join with my fellow attorneys general to push back against the president’s unlawful actions.” On January 20, President Trump issued a memorandum that, among other things, indefinitely halted all federal approvals necessary for the development of offshore and onshore

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SPRINGFIELD - The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM) is raising awareness about the seriousness of the crime of arson during the 30th annual Arson Awareness Week (May 4-10, 2025). This year’s theme is "Preventing Arson in the Wildfire Environment – A Community Approach." According to the United State Fire Administration (USFA), arson robs communities of its valuable assets, lives and property. It destroys more than buildings; arson can devastate a community resulting in decline through increased insurance premiums, loss of business revenue and a decrease in property values. The fire service can help communities reduce the occurrence of arson and reduce its devastating effect by making residents aware of measures to safeguard their homes, buildings and property. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports municipal fire departments in the United States responded to an estimated annual average of 52,260 intentionally set structure fires in the

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ALTON — The Alton Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) will hold its 57th Annual Freedom Fund Banquet on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at the Lewis and Clark Community College Commons. The event, with the theme "Learn from the Past for a Better Future," will open its doors at 5 p.m., with dinner beginning promptly at 6 p.m. The banquet serves as the branch’s primary fundraising event, according to Leon Smallwood-Bey, Alton NAACP Branch president. The funds raised support the organization’s efforts to promote social justice and community development in Alton and Madison County. Additionally, the proceeds provide financial assistance to local students who maintain good academic standing and plan to pursue higher education. “Students who currently receive and have received this support in the past regularly update us on their progress and are grateful for the educational opportunities,” Smallwood-Bey said. “The community’

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EDWARDSVILLE - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville was a place of refuge that made for a tremendous experience, with warm faculty, interdisciplinary coursework and a beautiful campus, according to several graduating seniors. Students reminisced about their experiences and academic careers at the University and talked about their career goals after participating in Affinity Celebrations last week. The SIUE commencement season began with eight affinity graduation ceremonies of the following groups: International, Hispanic/Latinx, Black, Lavender, Asian, Asian American Pacific Islander, and Desi ( AAPI/APIDA), Non-Traditional, Military and Veteran, and Accessible Campus Community & Equitable Student Support (ACCESS). Students, who were honored in front of family members, friends and administrators, received signature stoles to wear at the main SIUE commencement ceremony on Friday-Saturday, May 9-10. Sponsoring and hosting the graduation ceremonies were the Kimmel Belonging and

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BETHALTO - Melanie Reincke does everything she can to empower her students. Reincke works at Trimpe Middle School in the Bethalto Community Unit School District #8. She is a special education teacher with the sixth through eighth grade extended curriculum program. This Teacher Appreciation Week, she’s reflecting on the decision to become a teacher and the fun she has had along the way. “My favorite part of my job is seeing my students grow in their academic and functional skills,” Reincke shared. “Nothing brings me more joy than when my students feel confident in themselves and in their abilities. Seeing my students being independent in our school and in our community will always be the most rewarding part of the job.” Even as an elementary school student, Reincke knew she wanted to become a teacher. She used to “play teacher” and create worksheets for her fellow students to fill out. As a high schooler, she babysat a family friend named

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul, with 19 attorneys general, today filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to stop the dismantling of HHS. Since January, thousands of federal health workers have been fired, vital programs have been shuttered, and states face mounting health crises without federal support. Raoul and the attorneys general argue that Kennedy and the Trump administration have robbed HHS of the resources necessary to effectively serve the American people and will ask the court to halt further dismantling and restore key program operations. “Since its founding, HHS has administered crucial offices and programs dedicated to protecting and advancing the health and well-being of all Americans. Programs like Head Start are critical to ensuring all children have access to resources that put them on an early path to success. And tracking diseases like

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ROXANA – The American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life of Riverbend, presented by OSF HealthCare, is proud to announce an exciting new format for its 2025 signature event. Taking place on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at the RoxArena in Roxana Community Park, this year’s event will be a Relay For Life Survivor and Team Dinner with the theme —“Re-Lei for a Cure!”. In a shift from the traditional Relay format featuring fundraising tents and continuous walking, this year’s Relay For Life of Riverbend will focus on a special Survivor & Team Dinner Event, followed by a Luminaria Remembrance Ceremony. The new event format invites the community to come together in a refreshed and inspiring way to honor cancer Survivors, support Caregivers, and celebrate the commitment of Relay teams and participants. “We’re excited to launch a new format that keeps the heart of Relay alive while offering a more connected and meaningful experience,”

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JERSEYVILLE – Former Jersey County Treasurer Katie Abbey has been charged with stealing over $10,000 in county funds for her personal use. Abbey, 37, of Jerseyville, was charged on May 2, 2025 with a Class 1 felony count of theft by deception. The charge was presented by the office of Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul. From Aug. 23 to Oct. 11, 2024, while in office as County Treasurer, Abbey allegedly committed a series of acts to obtain over $10,000 in county funds which were held in bank accounts managed by her office. “Defendant falsified ‘cash slips’ and checks drawn on Jersey County bank accounts maintained by the Jersey County Treasurer’s Office to falsely reflect lower amounts of tax and other revenue paid by citizens of Jersey County, with the defendant taking United States currency for personal use,” court documents state. As previously reported on Riverbender.com , Abbey took a “personal leave of absence” starting in

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EDWARDSVILLE - China Rongey loves connecting with her students. Rongey, a second grade teacher at Goshen Elementary School in Edwardsville Community Unit School District #7, goes out of her way to build relationships with her students and meet them where they’re at. This Teacher Appreciation Week, she is reflecting on how her students bring her joy and how she helps them become the best they can be. “If I could share one thing to people about being a teacher, it would be that teaching is more than just delivering lessons,” Rongey said. “Teaching is about being a positive, encouraging, steady role model in the lives of the children we see each day. I care about my students not just as learners but as people. I do my best to bring joy, patience, and excitement to my classroom each day.” Rongey knew early on that she wanted to become a teacher. She said it is “incredibly rewarding” to guide young kids through the process of learning and

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COTTAGE HILLS Vernon H. Baze, a Navy veteran from Cottage Hills who served from 1958 to 1970, is being honored for his service during the Vietnam War. Baze, who held the rank of E-6, died on January 23, 1998. He was not killed in action. Baze’s years of service spanned 12 years in the Navy, reflecting a commitment during a significant period of U.S. military involvement in Southeast Asia. The tribute was submitted by Kimberly Deardeuff.

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SPRINGFIELD - This is National Small Business Week and Comptroller Mendoza is highlighting programs that are available through the Illinois Office of Comptroller (IOC). According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, there are 1.3 million small businesses in Illinois, employing 2.3 million people. “Small businesses are the backbone of our communities, and I want to make sure they receive the support they need to be successful,” said Comptroller Mendoza. “My office’s Smart Business program provides the tools and know-how for businesses to become registered with various State of Illinois programs, making them eligible to bid on certain types of contracts.” The Smart Business Program teaches business owners about the Illinois certification and procurement process, provides counseling, guidance, up-to-date resources, information, and alerts members of state contract opportunities. The idea is to expand the state’s contractor network and provide

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SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) encourages farmers and agrichemical facilities to take part in a free agrichemical container recycling program. Beginning in the middle of July and continuing into August, sites throughout the state will collect containers that are recycled to make shipping pallets. “This program grows in popularity each year because it provides a safe and convenient way for farmers and agrichemical facilities to dispose of empty pesticide containers,” said IDOA Director Jerry Costello II. “Repurposing the plastic into pallets is far better for the environment than shipping them off to landfills.” Metal and household pesticide containers are not eligible for the recycling program. Collection sites will accept only high-density polyethylene, #2 plastic agrichemical containers that are clean and dry. Participants are responsible for rinsing them and removing all caps, valves, metal, labels, booklets and foi

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