Riverbender 🕸

WOOD RIVER - Mia Seibert is now in her fourth year as an East Alton-Wood River High School cheerleader and she has been highly recognized for her efforts. Mia was an all-conference selection as a junior. Mia is recognized today as a Midwest Members Credit Union Female Athlete of the Month for the Oilers. Mia commended her coach and family for their assistance in her cheerleading career: "I would like to thank my coach, Alison Beachum, she has pushed me to become a better athlete mentally and physically. I would also like to thank my mom and sister, they have been my biggest supporters throughout my cheering career and I appreciate all they do for me." Mia was Rookie of the Year her freshman year for the Oilers and Co-MVP this high school football season by her teammates. "My favorite part about cheerleading is the friendships and lessons I have learned," she said. In her free time, Mia said she enjoys going to the gym and she teaches gymnastics to younger kids for the City of

Continue Reading

ILLINOIS - The Workers’ Rights Amendment, a proposed constitutional amendment that would enshrine collective bargaining rights into the Illinois state constitution, still appears on track to pass one week after Election Day. There were two ways for the amendment to pass: if 60% of voters voting on the question approved it, or if over 50% of all voters - whether they skipped the question or not - approved it. The Vote Yes for Workers’ Rights Campaign held a virtual press briefing this morning providing an update on the current vote count. Using compiled public election results and data from Illinois election authorities , the campaign calculated current support for the amendment at 58.31% of those voting on the question and 53.05% of all voters, giving the amendment a path to passage. Director Samantha McClain said even the remaining mail-in ballots left to be counted could not stop the amendment from passing. “We can confidently assert that the Workers’

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE -The Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine (SIU SDM) provided free dental care to 85 deserving veterans during the fifth annual Veteran’s Care Day on Thursday, Nov. 10. SIU SDM provided more than $45,000 worth of free dental treatment during the event, including cleanings, x-rays, fillings, and extractions. Veteran Marine John W. Smith attended the event for the first time. Due to various circumstances, he had to take three different buses just to get to the dental clinic. Smith wanted to make sure he was not going to miss the opportunity to gain free, comprehensive dental care. “I need to get some teeth pulled. They hurt really bad,” said Smith. “I am thankful that the SIU SDM is doing this for the vets. It is really helping me out.” “We know the veterans are appreciative of this opportunity,” said SIU SDM Director of Community Dentistry Katie Kosten, DMD. “We are incredibly appreciative of them and what

Continue Reading

JERSEY - Nick Manns is excited to take his vast law enforcement experience and return to the Jersey County Sheriff’s Office he once served for three years as a detective. Manns recently captured the sheriff’s race in Jersey County in the November election over incumbent Mike Ringhausen. Manns issued a statement of thanks to his supporters after his election: “I want to send out some heartfelt thanks. I just want to thank my remarkable wife, my incredibly supportive family, and in-laws, and the scores of great volunteers that have been with Robin and me during this campaign. When we started, I was most concerned about how we would spread our message and ideas for the future of our Sheriff’s Office without a political party structure (he ran as an independent). Then, family, friends, and Jersey County citizens from both parties volunteered to help. “In the end, I know all of you helped me accomplish the only goal I had in this campaign: “to run a

Continue Reading

JERSEY COUNTY - A compact history of Abraham Lincoln’s ties to Jersey County is scheduled for release in mid-December. Acclaimed writer Tom Emery of Carlinville is releasing Lincoln and Jersey County, Illinois , which features a wide variety of stories of the sixteenth President and Jersey County, many that have never been covered. Though there is no proof that Lincoln ever appeared in Jersey County, he had plenty of connections to the area. Several friends and associates of Lincoln called Jersey County home, and some of his most noteworthy moments had a Jersey County connection. Among them are the famous “almanac trial,” which is considered one of Lincoln’s finest courtroom moments. The judge on that trial, James Harriott, was a former Jerseyville resident. A brakeman on Lincoln’s funeral train in Illinois was William Porter, a longtime resident of Jerseyville who left valuable recollections of his hours on the train. There’s also the story

Continue Reading

ALTON - New Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford has worked his way to the top of the department with 18 years of dedication and service to the department. Jarrett was born and raised in Alton by his mom and graduated from Alton High School in 2000. He also graduated from McKendree College (now McKendree University) in Lebanon, IL., in 2004 with a bachelor's degree in economics and finance. He also later obtained an associate's degree in law enforcement from Lewis & Clark Community College in Godfrey. The Alton man was hired at age 22 in January 2005 by the Alton Police Department. "My first three years I spent as a patrol officer and then received the opportunity to work in the Criminal Investigations Division as a Detective working all felony cases," he said. "After working five years as a Detective, I was promoted to Sergeant where I briefly returned to the Patrol Division as a supervisor before returning back to detectives as the Detective Sergeant supervisor. "In 2017, I was promoted

Continue Reading

ST. LOUIS - The seventh annual Winterfest in Kiener Plaza, presented by Bank of America and World Wide Technology and produced by Gateway Arch Park Foundation in partnership with the St. Louis Blues, opens Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022 and runs through Jan. 1, 2023. Winterfest features holiday fun like ice skating, holiday lights and music, festive beverages and food, heated igloos, s’mores stations, a two-day Winter Market, visits with princesses and superheroes, and a New Year’s Eve celebration with a spectacular fireworks show. St. Louis celebrity chef Juwan Rice (JR), owner of JR’s Gourmet, returns for his second year as the exclusive catering partner for the Winterfest Cafe´. The second annual Winterfest 5K and 1-mile Kids Fun Run through the Arch grounds will kick off the festivities on Nov. 19. The 5K is presented by Caleres and the Kids Fun Run is supported by Famous Footwear, produced in partnership with Big River Running. Race proceeds benefit Gateway Arch

Continue Reading

GRAFTON - It’s beginning to feel a lot more like Christmas than summer and that means it’s time to snag a Raging Rivers 2023 season pass or two for that special someone on your holiday list. Raging Rivers Waterpark is having a Cyber Sale now through Nov. 30 for the lowest price on 2023 Season Passes. Save up to $35 off the regular-priced passes and purchase a General Season Pass for $49.99 and a Platinum Season Pass for $64.99 during the Cyber Sale. A season pass pays for itself in less than 3 visits and can be purchased for as low as $12.50 per month for a Regular Pass and $16.24 per month for a Platinum Pass plus tax/fees with a 4-month payment plan. All season passes include unlimited visits for one individual; discounts on food, beverage, and retail purchases at park outlets; admission to Family Nights and KidsFest; and free admission to Raging Rivers' 3rd Annual Mushroom Festival. In addition to those great pass perks, a General Season Pass comes with 1 bring-a-friend

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville Alderman Elizabeth Grant was among area leaders who took a cross-country flight as part of a demonstration of the essential partnership between communities and U.S. military installations such as Scott Air Force Base. Grant was among regional officials who flew aboard a military aircraft from Scott Air Force Base to Joint Base Charleston in South Carolina for two days of meetings on November 8-9. Alderman Grant met with military personnel and Charleston-area municipal leaders, explored aircraft, and visited sites representing numerous branches of the military as part of the civic leader tour. “Partnering with the U.S. Air Force to understand the economic impact that military installations and municipalities have in our surrounding communities was the focus of the conference,” she said. “I was very impressed with the positive exchange between military personnel and municipal leaders.” Joint Base Charleston is one of 12 Department

Continue Reading

SPRINGFIELD - The Governor’s Office of Management and Budget (GOMB) released the annual Illinois Economic and Fiscal Policy Report showing under Governor Pritzker’s leadership Illinois is in its best fiscal shape in decades. “Illinois’ bills are being paid on time, we have over $1 billion in our rainy-day fund, our credit ratings are up and we are honoring our commitments to long-term financial liabilities by contributing extra to Illinois’ pension systems,” said Governor JB Pritzker . “As we celebrate the tremendous progress we’ve made with our partners in the General Assembly, we remain committed to working tirelessly for Illinois taxpayers and responsibly managing the state’s finances. We’ve closed a seemingly insurmountable structural deficit that I inherited, and together we are securing Illinois’ long-term fiscal stability and providing economic opportunities to its citizens.” The future years’

Continue Reading

Edwardsville, Ill. ( Nov. 14, 2022) —This GivingTuesday, Metro East Humane Society (MEHS) will inspire generosity by hosting an online day of giving, highlighting the rescue work their organization has accomplished in 2022. This year so far, MEHS has 1,345 dogs and cats with forever families. GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement, unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and their world. GivingTuesday will kick off the generosity season this year by inspiring people to give back on November 29, 2022 , and throughout the year. MEHS incorporates Giving Tuesday into their larger annual holiday fundraising campaign, “Yappy Pawlidays.” Each year, MEHS sets a $3,500 goal to continue helping pets in the Metro East. While any and all donations are welcomed, MEHS has outlined four giving levels to help encourage donations: Cat Welcome Wellness Package: A gift of $30 pays for an incoming cat's routine testing and medication,

Continue Reading

MADISON COUNTY - In accordance with Illinois Supreme Court Rule 39, as Chief Judge of the Third Judicial Circuit of Illinois, I do hereby give notice to the members of the Bar that two vacancies exist for the position of Associate Judge for the Third Judicial Circuit. This vacancy exists due to the retirements of Associate Judge Philip B. Alfeld and Thomas William Chapman, effective July 5 and July 21, 2022, respectively. Applications shall be taken from any United States citizen, who is an attorney licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois and a resident of the Third Judicial Circuit. Applicants shall have 30 days after this notice of vacancy within which to electronically file a signed application with the Director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts on the form prescribed and furnished by the Director. The instructions for submitting an application electronically are available on the Supreme Court’s website: http://illinoiscourts.gov. If unable to submi

Continue Reading

GLEN CARBON - Father McGivney Catholic High School was not created overnight. A group of dedicated parents, grandparents, pastors, and other faithful volunteers began working on the “dream” of a school in 2005. In the fall of 2012 Father McGivney Catholic High School opened its doors to a group of 19 pioneer students. Fast forward to 2022, and Father Mcgivney Catholic High School is thriving - breaking records in athletics, admissions waiting lists, huge academic successes, strong faith formation of our McGivney community and now the school prepares for an expansion. FMCHS Principal, Joseph Lomabrdi, explains, “The reputation of FMCHS is growing not just locally but throughout the Dioceses of Springfield and Belleville. We are nearing our capacity and it’s time to expand for the future and the future is now.” The meeting was held on Monday, November 14, at Father McGivney Catholic High School. The school President, Principal, Development Director, and

Continue Reading

ALTON - Local artist Jenna Muscarella has been busy in recent days painting botanical artwork on a previous utility box in front of Bossanova Martini Lounge and Restaurant on Third Street in Alton. Muscarella was commissioned by Alton Main Street for the project. Muscarella is also an art teacher in the Wood River District. She is originally from Alton and graduated from Alton High School. "I am painting a mural on a gas utility box, hiding an eye sore," she said. "The buildings here are historic and so beautiful and instead of putting a mural on a building, we are putting it here." The artwork is done in conjunction with the foilage and plants in the flower beds. Eventually, Jenna plans to put her free magnets on the painted box. "I love painting," she said. "I do this every day because I am an art teacher. I am also a commissioned artist and painter. I have a gallery in Soulard and a studio in my basement." Jenna said she wanted a chance to put her mark on Alton in some artistic

Continue Reading

ALTON - Al Womack Jr. of the Boys & Girls Club of Alton, announced a turkey giveaway at 10 a.m. on November 19, 2022, at 2512 Amelia Street in Alton. The giveaway is also done in conjunction with the Boy & Girls Club of Alton's 25th anniversary. There will be one turkey per vehicle, while supplies last, he said. “There is no need to exit the car, drive-thru, pop the trunk, and enjoy,” he said. “This is part of Happy Thanksgiving from the Boys & Girls Club of Alton and thanks to grant funds provided by Ameren Illinois.”

Continue Reading

JOLIET - The owner and employees at a BP gas station in Joliet are all waiting in anticipation to find out which one of their regular customers snagged a Lucky Day Lotto ticket worth a cool million dollars. Jefferson BP, located at 1987 W. Jefferson St. in Joliet, sold the winning ticket for the Friday, November 11 evening drawing . The ticket matched all five numbers, 9-14-19-23-44, to win the $1 million jackpot. This lucky player is now the eighth Illinois Lottery player who has won a prize of a million dollars or more with Lucky Day Lotto so far this year. “My staff and I are elated that our store played a small role in making someone’s lottery dream come true,” said Khurram Ghani, Owner of Jefferson BP. “We have no clue who the winner is, but our gut feeling is that it’s a local customer from the Joliet area - or at least we hope that it is so that we can all celebrate this unbelievable moment together,” exclaimed Ghani. Retailers wh

Continue Reading

EDWARSVILLE - Senior center and forward Emerson Weller, who will return to the Edwardsville team after missing the 2021-22 campaign due to a knee injury, signed a letter of intent to play college basketball at Missouri-St. Louis in a ceremony held Thursday evening in the high school's Media Center. Weller, who averaged 6.5 points and 3.9 rebounds per game as a sophomore in 2020-21, will be bringing much to the table for the Tritons, who are one of the better teams in the Great Lakes Valley Conference, considered one of the top Division-II leagues overall in the nation. Weller is also spotlighted as an iCAN Clinic Female Athlete of the Month. "I hope I can just work really hard and kind of work my way up," Weller said during a post-signing interview, "and just really be a good teammate coming into it." Weller's work ethic is very superior as well, and it's an intangible that she'll also bring to UMSL. "I just want to contribute as much as I can, wherever they need me," Weller said.

Continue Reading

ST. LOUIS COUNTY - Multiple Texas suspects have been apprehended on a charge of possession of stolen merchandise from area Kohl's stores. On Saturday, November 12, 2022, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office issued warrants on suspects Lavina Ghelmegeanu, 33 years of age, of the 7000 block of East Highway 290 in Austin, Texas 78723; Desdemona Dila, 39 years of age, of the 6900 block of Anson Point Lane in Houston, Texas 77040; Ana Curueru, 31 years of age, of the 800 block of Hilbig Road in Conroe, Texas 77301; and Ecsmira Vasile, 32 years of age, unknown address; for Stealing $750 or More. Mugshots of Ghelmegeanu, Dila, Curueru, and Vasile are shown. Each are being held on $75,000 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 November 11, 2022, at 2:25 p.m., Defendants entered the Kohl's store in Fenton and

Continue Reading

ALTON – Senior two-sport athlete for Marquette Catholic Kylie Murray signed her national letter of intent Monday evening. She committed to play volleyball at Baker University, a small, private university located in Baldwin City, Kansas. The other sport in question was soccer, as she was a key center back for the Explorers as an upperclassman. She mentioned that through the help of head soccer coach Brian Hoener, some schools were interested in her for soccer, but that’s not the direction she wanted to head. Kylie is also a Tucker's Automotive Female Athlete of the Month for Marquette Catholic. “My friends and family could tell that I enjoyed playing volleyball and being on the court more than being on the field,” Kylie said, “but I think I just excelled better at volleyball.” So, she was left with a choice. A hard one to make according to her. “Honestly, it was a very difficult one because I did play both sports throughout club seasons,

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE - The annual Edwardsville Band Boosters, Tiger Band Art & Craft Fair featured handcrafted items from more than 300 local vendors and was packed through the day on Saturday at EHS. EHS Band Director Ryan Lipscomb said the art and craft fair celebrated its 30th anniversary on Saturday. “This year is great to be back at Edwardsville High School,” he said. “This year we had a great turnout. This couldn’t be done without the hard work of the band boosters organization.” Katie Heiser, a band parent, said she was overwhelmed at the number of people who attended the Saturday event. “The band program is getting better every year,” she said and she added that the support for this special event was outstanding. Lipscomb said it is definitely uplifting to see how many come out and support the band. “We appreciate all the support we get in Edwardsville,” he said. “One of the most fun things is that a lot of alumni

Continue Reading