Riverbender 🕸

ST. LOUIS – Nadja Kapetanovich, a 15-year-old Alton High School sophomore, will sing the National Anthem and “God Bless America” at World Wide Technology Raceway during the NTT INDYCAR SERIES Bommarito Automotive Group 500 Weekend. Nadja will sing “God Bless America” prior to the start of NTT INDYCAR SERIES qualifying. Later in the evening, she will sing the National Anthem prior to the start of the USAC Silver Crown race. Nadja is active in plays and musicals around the St. Louis area. She enjoys dance, piano, and singing, and plays on the AHS tennis team. For Kapetanovich, this is a return to WWTR’s main stage. She previously sang the National Anthem at oval track events and the NHRA Midwest Nationals at the speedway. Nadja said she was “so excited" to sing at WWT Raceway again. “It is always a wonderful experience,” she said. “I would like to thank my voice teacher, Alison Neace at Alton High School, and everyone

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ALTON - Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau President and CEO Cory Jobe gave Alton residents an update on the organization’s future tourism plans for the Riverbend, stressing the importance of the area’s riverfront to seize tourism opportunities from incoming cruise ships. “American Queen Voyages this year decided to pull all of their 2022 scheduled boats out of downtown St. Louis to more small, rural communities up and down the river, and we’re taking on about 95 percent of those cruise stops here in Alton and Grafton,” Jobe said. “We are welcoming over 60 cruise ships this summer alone to the Riverbend area.” Jobe continued with “some other good news,” highlighting a $10 million grant to improve different tourism experiences around the area. “We were recently awarded a $10 million capital grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity through Governor J.B. Pritzker,” Jobe said. “$8.25

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GODFREY - When Cathy Keller visited the ribbon cutting for OSF Moeller Cancer Center in 2019, she had no idea she’d be using the services two years later. Now, the 66-year-old Godfrey resident is telling other breast cancer patients: you can get through it, too. “You have to roll with the punches,” Keller says. The numbers Heather Chambers is a breast health navigator at Moeller Cancer Center and was with Keller from the beginning. She, too, is a breast cancer survivor. Chambers says one in eight women will develop breast cancer. Older people are at a higher risk than younger, but younger people typically have more aggressive cancer. “A huge, huge problem,” as Chambers puts it. Chambers explains that woman make hormones, especially estrogen, all their life. “A lot of the hormones in body are like a fuel to a cancer cell,” Chambers explains. “When you get an abnormal cell, estrogen in our bodies fuels that cell and produces

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ST. LOUIS – Blues for Kids, the charitable trust of the St. Louis Blues, has launched a 50/50 raffle and online auction to support the United Way Flood Relief Fund. Raffle tickets are on sale now through Friday, Aug. 5 at 6 p.m. and can be purchased by going to stlouisblues.com/5050 . Tickets are 314 for $90, 125 for $50, 50 for $25, 10 for $10, or 3 for $5. Fans are encouraged to purchase their tickets early for a chance to win early bird prizes that will be drawn throughout the duration of the raffle. Early bird prize winners remain eligible to win the grand prize of 50 percent of the pot. Early bird prizes include a Niko Mikkola autographed game-used stick, an Alexey Toropchenko autographed game-used gloves, and a Vladimir Tarasenko autographed game-used stick. All participants must be 18 years of age or older to play and must be located in Missouri or Illinois at the time of purchase. Winning raffle number will be announced online at stlouisblues.com and on Blues Social

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GODFREY – Students from Lewis and Clark Community College’s YouthBuild program responded to a need for raised garden beds at Jerseyville’s Cheney Mansion, home of the Jersey County Historical Society. The garden beds and surrounding fence, which were constructed from reclaimed wood, will be used to grow heirloom produce in order to demonstrate life in a pioneer kitchen. YouthBuild Construction Trainer Greg Echols expressed his pride in the work the students did and the respect they showed to their peers and everyone involved with the project. “I am incredibly proud of these students and their hard work on this project,” Echols said. “They have been putting in the work to learn about the tongue-and-groove construction method and we were all very happy to be part of putting the final project together at Cheney Mansion.” According to Jersey County Historical Society Vice-President Beth McGlasson, the students’ efforts will help the

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CHICAGO - With less than 12 hours to go until tonight's drawing, Mega Millions sales have boosted the jackpot to a breathtaking $1.28 billion. This remains the third largest jackpot of all time - and the largest jackpot on offer in the U.S. in almost four years. The Illinois Lottery expects to sell around five million tickets for tonight's drawing - and every single one of those tickets is in with a chance to win this life-changing, epic $1.2 billion prize. With over 7,000 Illinois Lottery retailers across the State, there has been a noticeable increase in foot traffic, with players heading into their local stores to pick up a ticket and make sure they're in with a chance to win big. Retailers earn commission on every ticket sold and bonus commission for selling winning tickets. Every Mega Millions ticket sold in Illinois helps fund education across the State. The Illinois Lottery exists to generate funding for K-12 education, and the boost in sales from Mega Millions will boost

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Illinois Department of Transportation has announced there will be lane closures on Illinois Route 143 near Old Alton-Edwardsville Road starting Monday, August 1, 2022. IDOT says the work is necessary to complete repairs to the Marathon Pipeline work in that area. Greeding Construction and Marathon Petroleum will be completing the work. “Motorists may experience traffic congestion with delays and should allow extra time for trips through the area,” IDOT said. “Motorists should avoid the work area and when feasible use alternate routes. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to changed conditions and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits and refrain from using mobile devices.”

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EDWARDSVILLE - iCAN Clinic is revolutionizing the way they treat patients dealing with chronic pain issues. By not using opioids and instead helping patients to address the root cause of their pain, their 40-point functional medical exam is changing patient management and outcomes. Dr. Michael Harbison was once a patient who was treated with extensive opioid prescriptions after he was injured in Iraq while in the military. “I first injured my back in Iraq and then reinjured it at Special Forces Assessment and Selection which led to my medical retirement from the military. Back in the early 2000s, the main treatment for pain was opioids. Every doctor was prescribing opioids, which was standard practice at that time. For me, that meant addiction to these medicines which subsequently caused severe liver complications,” Dr. Harbison said. Dr. Michael Harbison eventually leveraged his own experience to create a clinic where a new concept of pain management is currently

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HIGHLAND PARK – Governor JB Pritzker announced today that the State’s request for a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster declaration has been granted for several counties in Northeast Illinois that were affected by the shooting at the Fourth of July parade in Highland Park. “Thank you to Administrator Guzman and the SBA for making low-interest disaster loans available to our Highland Park community during this time of tragedy and grieving,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “With the SBA’s assistance, Highland Park residents can focus on healing—knowing that the state and nation has their back.” The declaration will make low-interest working capital loans from the Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) program available to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, non-profit organizations whose ordinary and necessary financial obligations cannot be met as a

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(The Center Square) – With crime stories dominating the headlines daily in Illinois, the bipartisan House Public Safety and Violence Prevention Task Force convened Thursday to discuss ways to address gun violence. The task force brought together lawmakers, prosecutors, and a licensed gun dealer to come up with possible solutions to deadly shootings occurring around the state. “We all agree that we have a problem in Illinois and that problem is people are dying from preventable deaths due to violence,” state Rep. LaShawn Ford, D-Chicago, the chair of the task force, said. Scott Pulaski owns the gun store Piasa Armory in Alton. He was asked what laws could be added to the books to prevent crime. Pulaski said enforcing current law should be the priority. “Those who may be arrested for committing gun crimes but wind up back out on the street and may face a plea bargain or just be released with charges dropped doesn’t do anything to deter crime,” Pulask

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GLEN CARBON – Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois will host the 4th annual United We Lead Gala on Saturday, September 10, 2022 at The Regency Conference Center in O’Fallon, IL. The United We Lead Gala, themed “The Girl Scout Difference” in 2022, brings together a wide range of people who share the same desire – to be a difference in girls’ lives. Two of those people, Ralph and Donna Korte, will be honored at the event with the Distinguished Community Leader Award. As innovators and community builders, the Kortes have helped Girl Scouting thrive in Southern Illinois for decades. “Ralph and Donna Korte are true champions for Girl Scouting in Southern Illinois,” said Heidi Koehl Weaver, Director of Fund Development. “Their generosity has helped generations of girls grow into leaders whose courage, confidence, and character make our world a better place.” The United We Lead Gala will feature a dinner, silent and live auctions,

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ALTON – Beginning next month, OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony’s Health Center Mission Partners (employees) will hold free meetings to inform the public about lymphedema . The National Cancer Institute defines lymphedema as a condition where lymph fluid does not drain properly. The fluid may build up in the tissues and cause swelling, usually in the arms and legs. The condition is often associated with cancer and radiation therapy. “It’s important to be aware of lymphedema, as it can seriously impact the quality of life for patients,” said Frances Young, manager of rehabilitation services at OSF Saint Anthony’s. “Fortunately, we know a lot about managing this condition.” OSF Saint Anthony’s rehabilitation services mission partners will hold free informational meetings on the following dates: August 4, September 1, October 6, November 3 and December 1. Each session is from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the OSF rehabilitation services office

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EAST ALTON - East Gate Plaza will be hosting their 2nd annual Jeep Day on August 7th from 12 to 3pm. This fun event features activities for both Jeep owners as well as for the General Public. Everything will be behind the Plaza this year, including the local businesses and vendors. Jeep Contests: Coolest Jeep Muddiest Jeep Best Sound System (Sponsored by Modified Auto!) Articulation Ramp Prizes are $50 gas cards! Jeep Obstacle Course sponsored and excavated by TGRH Construction . Test your off roading skills. Don’t worry if it gets dirty! Key Largo Tan and Spa East Alton will be sponsoring a Jeep Wash! Other activities include: Bounce House sponsored by Slurped Daiquiri Inflatable Obstacle Course sponsored by Julia's Banquet Center and Catering Bubble Bus sponsored by Atlantis Pools Inc 643 Sports Training will be setting up a radar gun so that you can see how fast you can throw a baseball! Food A Fare , Joe’s Pizza East Alton

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GRANITE CITY – Due to the ongoing and severe substitute shortage being experienced by districts across the country, Granite City Community Unit School District #9 has increased substitute daily pay rates effective immediately. The pay rate increase was approved at the July 26, 2022 GCSD9 School Board Meeting. Substitute Teacher/Nurse Sub Certificate/Nursing license: $130 Certified Teacher/School Nurse: $145 Retired Teacher/School Nurse: $155 Substitute Administrator Assistant/Additional help: $220 Building Principal: $235 Retired Admin in any position: $245 Classified Subs: Paraprofessionals requiring a license: $15.75/hour Paraprofessionals requiring a license that are working on getting them: $15.00/hour Café, Custodians, Monitors, Secretaries, Building Aides(excluding retired secretaries and custodians whose rate is set per contract): $15.00/hour Correspondence should be directed to: Granite City Community Unit School District #9 Jim Parker - jim.parker@gcsd9.net

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Police Department issued a report Thursday afternoon that Grady Giger, 48, is considered a missing person. Grady was last seen at 2 p.m. on Thursday, July 28, 2022, walking in the 900 block of Eric Drive in Edwardsville. Grady often takes short walks and likes to frequent comic book stores, gas stations, hospitals, and restaurants. Edwardsville Police said Grady is not in possession of his needed daily medication. Brady is 5-10, 280 pounds, and has brown hair and blue eyes. He was last seen with a pink polo shirt on. He also was dressed in suspenders, jeans, and white tennis shoes. Anyone with any information about Grady is asked to contact the Edwardsville Police Department at (618) 656-2131.

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EDWARDSVILLE - Madison County Clerk, Debbie Ming-Mendoza, reminds citizens that the deadline to file referendums by petitions is rapidly approaching. The due date for such referendums is August 8, 2022. "Various citizen groups who are interested in petitioning to put questions on the ballot need to secure the proper number of signatures which is determined by the political subdivision to which the referendum pertains," Mendoza said. "My office is always willing to assist residents and answer their questions to successfully file petitions for such referendums.” Units of local governments have until August 22 to submit referendum questions to be placed on this November’s ballot. Voters typically see these referendum questions on their ballots which may be advisory or binding. One such advisory question this year will be submitted by the Madison County Board pertains to the General Assembly’s implementation and design of judicial sub-circuits in Madison County. Another

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Police Department lost one of its finest officers today when Lt. Chris Byrne retired with 26 years of service. Edwardsville Police Chief Mike Fillback thanked Chris for their long time working together on the city force and their friendship and dedication to the craft. On almost any major police investigation over the past two-and-a-half decades, Chris was a lead or deeply involved in the probes. “We will miss Chris a lot,” Chief Fillback said. “Chris is a great guy and a good person. He was a good cop but an even better person. We will deeply miss him had a lot of fun over the years hopefully identify someone to fill shoes big shoes to fill.” Chief Fillback said he and Chris Byrne had a similar rise in the police department as patrol officers for many years. “Chris was a really good patrol officer,” Chief Fillback said. “He was a good guy to supervise folks and pass on knowledge to address people’s need

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BETHALTO - Bethalto Police Department and the Madison County Sheriff's Office teamed again this week to conduct a covert investigation in the village that resulted in the execution of a search warrant and seizure of narcotics. On the morning of July 26, officers from both departments executed a search warrant in the 100 block of Terrace in Bethalto and seized suspected cocaine, packaging materials, and currency. In addition to the noted seizures, additional evidence was seized from the home that was linked to an illegally possessed firearm Bethalto Officers seized during a traffic stop on July 11, 2022. Bethalto Police Chief Mike Dixon said: "One male occupant of the home and a guest were taken into custody at the scene. The guest was questioned and released with the male occupant being detained on probable cause developed in the investigation. "The facts of the investigations were presented to Madison County State's Attorney Thomas Haine’s Office today, which drafted charges

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced $518,916 in funding for several rural fires and emergency medical services (EMS) agencies in Illinois. The funding, which was created through Durbin’s Supporting and Improving Rural EMS Needs (SIREN) Act , will go toward supporting EMS agencies in training and recruiting staff, conducting certification courses, and purchasing equipment. “Across Illinois, rural EMS agencies are first on the scene to respond to community emergencies, the opioid crisis, and the COVID-19 pandemic. But for EMTs to properly respond to these emergencies, we must ensure they are equipped with the necessary supplies, training, and steady funding to support their operations,” said Durbin. “I worked hard to pass the SIREN Act to meet the needs of EMS agencies as they care for their communities. I hope to see today’s grant recipients put this federal funding t

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MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL - The following students have been named to the 2022 spring semester Dean's List at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, the university announced today. Edwardsville, IL Maryn C Heidt, Junior, College of Contin & Prof Studies To qualify for the Dean's List, a student must complete 12 or more letter-graded credits while attaining a 3.66-grade point average.

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