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WOOD RIVER - Members of the Wood River Planning Commission voted 9-1 not to recommend subdividing a portion of Belk Park to the City Council at their meeting last night. Last month , the item was tabled after over two hours of public testimony in opposition, and the developers have since canceled their plans for the park. The item only resurfaced because it had been tabled and now goes to the City Council for a vote on Sept. 5. While last night’s meeting wasn’t two hours long, it still saw plenty of public testimony against the proposed subdivision of the park. Nobody spoke in favor of the item, and nearly everyone who spoke against it said they were opposed to any subdivision or future sale of the land to any private developer. Several cited the land being designated a public park as part of Robert Lee Belk’s will, which the city agreed to when they accepted his donation of the land in 1953 . Many of them also cited alternative uses for that portion

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ALTON - Mary Cordes, executive director of the Hayner Public Library District, gave a few details about the district’s upcoming programming after their most recent event, an Elvis impersonator performance in the Alton Square Mall. Next month’s event, focusing on the “Dead People of Illinois,” brings researcher John Lynn to the mall for some spooky history just before the Halloween season. The district’s program for the month of August was a performance by Steve Davis, an Elvis Presley impersonator from Wood River who has performed around the world. Davis sang some of The King’s biggest hits on the second floor of the Alton Square Mall. A related story about Davis is available here on Riverbender.com. Cordes noted that the library district usually holds its larger lecture series events in that space on the Alton Square Mall’s second floor. She then spoke about some of their upcoming programming later this fall. “We’ll b

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ALTON - Justin Sims and Joe Jack discussed their “Reason 2 Doubt” podcast and the upcoming third annual Reason 2 Doubt Weekend on a recent episode of Our Daily Show on Riverbender.com . The podcast, which is available on YouTube , Spotify , and Apple Podcasts , features five friends from Alton offering their varying perspectives on current events and more. Sims, who hosts the show by the name “J. Sims,” described the Reason 2 Doubt podcast as a “podcast of five young Black men coming together and just giving their perspective on the world from where we see it.” The show was originally only about music, but several major news events (including a global pandemic) occurred in the four years since the podcast started, and Sims felt the conversation should expand to address those and other events. “We’ve been through a lot in four years, so of course the conversation can change,” Sims said. “We can’t b

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ALTON - Alton Main Street and Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau along with presenting sponsor Simmons Hanly Conroy are pleased to announce two free concerts at the new Alton Godfrey Rotary Park, located across the street from Alton City Hall at 101 E. 3rd Street in Alton, Illinois. Both concerts are free to attend and will be held from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Aaron Kamm & the One Drops will perform on Friday, August 18 th . Hailing from St. Louis, MO, AKOD merges flavors of Roots Reggae and Mississippi River Blues and infuses them with improv-laced jams, and soulful vocals. With their high-energy performance and unique sound, Aaron Kamm and the One Drops are a must see as they tour their way across the country for concerts and festivals. At Friday’s event beverages will be available for purchase from Cafe 111, and the following food trucks and booths will be on-site: Ray’s Soul Touching Tacos, Big Boys Q, Food Revival Food Truck, Mo'z Sweet Treats, Gumbo 2 Geaux,

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EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville School District 7 has been bustling with excitement on the part of students, faculty, administration and support personnel over the first two days in school. Dr. Steve Stuart was standing as he usually does on the first day at the school with a smile welcoming students back to Edwardsville High School. "We are really excited it is great to get the kids back in the building," he said. "They bring so much energy. We have some great plans for them this year and I am really looking forward to seeing what we can accomplish in the school year. We are adding seven classrooms to what used to be the media center. That will allow us to keep our students on campus instead of sending 200 and some odd ninth graders over in the morning. The media center conversation was our main project over the summer." Edwardsville schools opened doors for students on Wednesday morning. Edwardsville Superintendent Dr. Patrick Shelton said he and the others are so glad to have the

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EAST ST. LOUIS – The U.S. District Court in East St. Louis announced today that a long-time convicted methamphetamine dealer in Alton was sentenced to spend more than 21 years in federal prison after he admitted his guilt to multiple drug and firearm charges. Dane Tannler, 41, pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and one count of felon in possession of a firearm. Following his prison sentence, he will serve four years of supervised release. In addition, Tannler was ordered to pay a $400 fine and $400 in special assessments. U.S. Attorney Rachel Aud Crowe commended the Alton Police Department for their courageous efforts to bring Tannler to justice. “Career offenders like Tannler who repeatedly distribute large quantities of drugs tear at the fabric of the community and endanger the families who live

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COLLINSVILLE – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that pavement repairs on the northbound Interstate 255 ramp to eastbound Interstate 55/70 near Collinsville will require a weekend ramp closure starting, weather permitting, Friday, Aug. 18, at 9 p.m. Motorists will be directed to Horseshoe Lake Road to access southbound I-255 to eastbound I55/70. In addition to the ramp closure, the right lane of eastbound I-55/70 will be closed during the same time. Two eastbound I-55/70 lanes will remain open at all times. Drivers are urged to reduce speed, be alert for changing conditions, obey all construction signage, and refrain from using mobile devices while approaching and traveling through the work zone. The closures are expected to be in place until 5 a.m., Monday, Aug. 21.

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ALTON - Alton High School’s cheerleading team is asking the community for help as they fundraise for new uniforms and tumbling mats. “They deserve the best,” head coach Megan Hodge said of her cheerleaders. “These kids are putting in the effort. They could be out running around with their friends, but instead they are working really hard because all of them have a goal to go to college and cheer. They’re very dedicated.” There are 34 athletes in Alton’s cheer program. The team works year-round, with practice three or four times a week on top of football and basketball games. They also compete on weekends starting in November. Some of them have been cheering since sixth grade. “We literally lift each other up,” Hodge joked. “We spend so much time together that we’re just a huge family. All of my kids are very close. They’re all best friends, and they are so committed.” Hodge explained that the cheerleaders

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PIASA - Maddie Gordon is a multi-sport student-athlete with unbelievable stamina and fortitude for the Piasa Birds. Maddie was a top cross country runner last year on the Piasa Birds’ girls squad and big things are expected from her again in fall 2023. Maddie is an Altonized Community Federal Credit Union Female Athlete of the Month for Southwestern. “Maddie is very competitive in every sport,” Piasa Birds’ cross country coach Gary Bowker said. “She doubles in the spring with soccer and track and also plays volleyball in the fall.” Coach Bowker has to train Maddie slightly differently than the other girls in both cross country and track. “I have to be careful how much of a load of training I put on her legs,” he said. “We have talked several times and a major concern is we don’t want her to have dead legs in volleyball and soccer, too.” The coach said she has the desire and love of running needed to be one of his standout

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WOOD RIVER - When Oilers fans watch the sidelines of football or basketball games, they will notice senior Stormie Shoemaker, one of the leaders this year for the East Alton-Wood River High School cheerleading squad. Stormie is a Midwest Members Credit Union Female Athlete of the Month for the Oilers. Stormie thanked her coach Alison Beachum for always encouraging her and the other girls. She also said her best friend - Emma Hall - has never let her go through anything alone. “I have gone through a lot within the past year, but I remain very outgoing, and positive, and strive to be a good role model for others around me,” she said. “I have been cheering since I was five. I enjoy the relationships between other teammates, coaches and other cheer teams. There is really nothing like it.” Stormie said cheering has led her to be a more outgoing, social and confident person. “There is a message behind every mistake in cheering, and cheering taught me it’s

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Note: This is one of a series of features about artists who will showcase their work at the Edwardsville Art Fair on Sept. 22-24. Avalon Eales of the Edwardsville Arts Center staff provided the information. Artist #1 Name: Melissa Rawson Location: Edwardsville, IL Medium: Ceramics Artist's Statement: “I have been creating pottery for over 20 years. I have developed forms that work with the piece's function and continue to find new forms. I take inspiration from nature and like flowing forms that capture some of what I see around me.” Artist #2 Name: Rhonda Gurgone Location: Palos Park, IL Medium: Jewelry Artist's Statement: “I believe that jewelry that we wear should not only look beautiful but also tell a story. Antique buttons inspire me to make jewelry that is a perfect balance between the old and the new. By combining techniques and materials with contemporary designs, I create a piece that evokes memories and meaning to the

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ALTON - Whether you love boating or just want a great breakfast with a river view, Alton Marina has got you covered. The Marina, located at #1 Henry Street, offers leases for boat slips, guest docking, a store, a restaurant, beautiful views and “the nicest, cleanest bathrooms on the river,” promises Rob Honke. “We’ve got a lot of history and a lot of good people out there,” Honke said. He owns Seahorse Ranch Marine, Inc., the company that operates the Marina. “There’s a lot of people that have spent their whole lives and their childhoods on the river, and it shows. You can see it in their faces. You can hear them talk about it. A lot of the people that you meet on the river have been on it their entire lives, since they were kids.” The Marina offers annual and six-month leases for locals. But they also regularly welcome guests, including boaters who are traveling the American Great Loop . This route follows waterways that mak

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STAUNTON - A recent donation of training equipment is enhancing preparedness and improving the skills of rural fire departments and their community members. Thanks to a grant from the Small Rural Hospital Improvement Program, Community Hospital of Staunton (CHS) was able to purchase CPR mannequins intended for rural volunteer fire departments. Anderson Hospital EMS Coordinator, Darin Hartman, along with CHS President, Larry Spour, and Past-President, Sue Campbell, presented the equipment during a recent training at the Hamel Fire Department (FD). Responders from Hamel Fire\EMS, New Douglas FPD, Alhambra FPD, Olive FPD and Worden FPD were in attendance. The CPR mannequins will be used by these dedicated volunteers to teach their citizens hand only CPR. CHS’s generosity and support through this donation will undoubtedly enhance preparedness and improve the skills of rural community first responders. The training event also included first responder instruction on various scenarios

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EDWARDSVILLE - Calling all parents and guardians! Are you searching for an extraordinary and life-enriching opportunity for your child? Look no further! Boy Scouts (BSA) Troop 216 is actively recruiting new members and inviting young individuals to join our fantastic scouting family. Troop 216 is renowned for its dedication to empowering young individuals with essential life skills, leadership development, and unforgettable adventures. As a Scout-led troop with a rich history and strong adult leadership, we strive to create an environment where young minds can flourish and grow into responsible, capable, and confident leaders of tomorrow. At Troop 216, we believe in the power of hands-on learning and immersive experiences. We host weekly meetings every Monday at 7 pm at First Christian Church in Edwardsville, where scouts engage in exciting activities, collaborate on projects, and forge lasting friendships. Moreover, we guarantee one campout and one activity per month, ensuring that

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CHICAGO – Today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, spoke at the Department of Justice’s annual Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) National Joint Training Conference. In 2021, President Biden signed Durbin’s VOCA Fix to Sustain the Crime Victims Fund Act into law, which has resulted nearly $1 billion in additional deposits into the Crime Victims Fund established by the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) . The conference provides an opportunity for discussions with VOCA -funded victim assistance and victim compensation state administering agencies. Durbin delivered remarks following an introduction by Director of DOJ OVC Kristina Rose. Key Durbin quotes as prepared for delivery: “VOCA programs and grants provide survivors and their families with the justice and support they deserve, and these services would not be possible without the tireless efforts of leaders like all of you here today.” “State

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ALTON - The ten schools in Alton Community Unit School District 11 welcomed students today for the start of the 2023-2024 school year. Blue skies and a few teary-eyed parents set the scene at Lovejoy Elementary, located at 1043 Tremont Street. Principal John Ducey greeted students at the front doors. One excited second-grader paused to give his dad a fistbump before heading in to find his new classroom. At Alton Middle School, a line of cars on College Avenue came to a stop as students were ushered across the crosswalk and onto campus. Alton High School was also bustling, with a row of buses at the sidewalk and dozens of upperclassmen pouring in from the parking lot. “We’re looking forward to a great school year,” Superintendent Dr. Kristie Baumgartner said. RiverBender.com wishes all students and teachers a safe, happy year!

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ALTON - A 21-year-old Alton man - Demetrius D. Elliott, of the 700 block of Hampton Avenue - faces four charges including driving under the influence of alcohol and reckless homicide after an incident on April 15, 2023, which resulted in the death of Jakhari R. Alexander, 20, of Maryville. On April 15, 2023, Elliott allegedly committed the offense of Aggravated Driving With A Blood Alcohol Level of .08 or More Resulting in Death. He was charged with two counts of that offense on the same date, according to charges released on Wednesday by the Madison County State's Attorney's Office. Both the first and second counts are Enhanced Class 2 charges, both of which carry a penalty of 3-14 years in prison if convicted. Elliott also faces a Class 4 charge of Aggravated Driving Under The Influence of Alcohol While License Suspended and a Class 3 felony charge for Reckless Homicide. Elliott faces these charges after he reportedly drove a motor vehicle, a 2011 Chevrolet Equinox on th

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ALTON - Med Resources wants to let the public know that it remains open despite a serious accident that occurred at 3:30 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023. The business itself remains open except for the retail showroom, where the bulk of the accident occurred, which is closed. Med Resources Manager Chris Nicholson said the crash was shocking. The vehicle struck with such force a piece of the license plate of the car wrapped around a pole. The vehicle smashed through windows and bent the frame of the showroom and caused other structural damages to the building. Jun Construction is in charge of the repair operation for the building, Nicholson said. The building has already been shored up in a structural sense and Nicholson said it will take between three to six months to completely finish the changes that have to occur. Nicholson said only about 10 percent of the Med Resources business takes place in the showroom. “I got the call at 3:30 the morning of Aug. 6 that someone had gone

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MARYVILLE - You never know where the day will take you. Case in point, this morning I stuffed two rolled-up pairs of socks into the toes of my dad’s work boots and headed to Ameren Illinois’s Maryville Operating Center to experience a day in the life of a lineman. Ameren linemen install and repair electrical lines every day, and they work intense hours after storms to restore power to the area. I’ve seen linemen all my life, but until 10 a.m. this morning, I knew very little about what their job actually entails. “You will get sweaty and dirty,” the email invitation had warned. Bring it. Upon arrival, I was outfitted with a hardhat, goggles, work vest and cut-resistant gloves. The gloves help linemen avoid splinters or other injuries, like if a nail is sticking out of a utility pole. But for someone unused to wearing them, the gloves introduced a new challenge, and I fumbled putting on my goggles. “These vests are unforgiving,” Brian Bretsch,

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville City Council has expanded the list of events where alcohol consumption is allowed in City Park after amending an ordinance at their meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 15. Edwardsville Fire Captain Robert Morgan also received the Edwardsville Employee Excellence Award at the meeting, though he was not in attendance. Alcohol consumption is now officially legal during the following events at City Park: Movies in the Park, Concerts in the Park, Opera Edwardsville, Shakespeare in the Park, Edwardsville Symphony, and Muni Band. According to the amended ordinance, the public is also allowed to “transport alcoholic liquor in unsealed containers” during these events. Alderwoman Elizabeth Grant, who chairs the Administrative & Community Services committee which presented this item, said Alderman Chris Farrar suggested adding these events to avoid having them all come back to the City Council for approval down the road. This month’s Edwardsville

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