Riverbender 🕸

MARYVILLE — State Senator Kris Tharp is launching a listening tour in the Metro East to address concerns with the SAFE-T Act. “My family and I have worked in law enforcement our entire lives,” said Tharp (D-Bethalto). “My priorities remain ensuring our communities are safe, keeping criminals off our streets and providing law enforcement with the tools to do their job. The goal of my listening tour is to make sure these vital concerns are addressed and heard in Springfield.” Newly-appointed Tharp does not support several provisions in the SAFE-T Act and is working with the law enforcement community to file new legislation to address concerns about: Ensuring those accused of violent offenses are kept behind bars until trial to keep communities safe; Providing an appropriate amount of judicial discretion while trying cases and; Clarifying the definition of flight risks to ensure it is clear and address the issues created by individuals who fail to

Continue Reading

GILLESPIE - I know there are massive numbers of coffee drinkers in the world. After crude oil, coffee is the most sought commodity in the world. My parents are coffee drinkers. They start - and end- each day with coffee. They drink it with breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert... or just because. And they drink it black. According to the website for Gotcha Latte Cafe in Gillespie, no one knows exactly how or when coffee was discovered, though there are many legends about its origin. Coffee grown worldwide can trace its heritage back centuries to the ancient coffee forests on the Ethiopian plateau. Legend says the goat herder Kaldi first discovered the potential of these beloved beans when he noticed that after eating the berries from a certain tree, his goats became so energetic that they did not want to sleep at night. Kaldi reported his findings to the abbot of the local monastery, who made a drink with the berries and found that it kept him alert through the long hours of evening prayer.

Continue Reading

ALTON - Homecoming Week has now come to a close for Marquette Catholic High School and was capped off by the crowning of the school's Homecoming king and queen. The Explorers Homecoming Court took part in a short parade Friday evening before the football game. The students met at McKinley St. in Alton, looped around past Johnson’s Corner, and went up State St. toward Public School Stadium. They were also all introduced during the game’s halftime. The Homecoming Court consisted of Aiden O’Keefe, Kylie Murray, Jack Spain, Serenity Eldridge, Hayden Sherman, Kailey Vickrey, Myles Paniagua, Hanna Marshall, Charlie Fahnestock, Nia Ballinger, Max Cogan, Livy Kratschmer, Nathan Bennett, and Olivia Byrd. It was two seniors who took home the honors Saturday night. Aiden O’Keefe was crowned king and Hanna Marshall queen. The two are both student-athletes and quite popular at school.

Continue Reading

GLEN CARBON – Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois held their annual United We Lead Gala on Saturday, September 10 in O’Fallon, Illinois. The event was a tremendous success, raising nearly $120,000 for the organization. The United We Lead Gala, themed The Girl Scout Difference this year, brings together a wide range of people who share a common goal – to empower today’s girls to become tomorrow’s leaders. Guests were entertained by musician Erin Bode, enjoyed a delicious meal, listened to first-hand experiences from current Girl Scouts, participated in various auctions, and heard from recent U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame inductee Dr. Sandra Magnus. Dr. Magnus is a former Girl Scout and a very decorated astronaut who hails from Belleville, Illinois. She spoke of her pre-college plan to eventually work for NASA and how her path to that goal evolved, discovering previously unknown opportunities along the way. Dr. Magnus commended Girl Scouts for providing girls

Continue Reading

ST. LOUIS - Today, GRAMMY and Emmy Award-winning musician, singer, composer, legendary live performer, and multi-platinum best-selling artist, Harry Connick, Jr., announces “A Holiday Celebration 2022 Tour.” As 2022 draws to a close, Harry is inviting fans to celebrate the holidays with him and his band as he crosses the country in concert this holiday season. Connick Jr. will appear at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 4, at Stifel Theatre in St. Louis Beginning November 18th in Hershey, PA at Hershey Theatre, the tour will make stops across the U.S. including Washington, DC’s famed Kennedy Center (November 21st), back-to-back nights at DPAC in Durham, NC (November 22nd and 23rd) and at New York City’s esteemed David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center (November 27th & 28th); along with two nights in Mesa, AZ at Mesa Arts Center (December 12th & 13th), a three-night stand at Hollywood Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles (December 15th, 16th, & 17th), and two nights at Seattle’s

Continue Reading

LITCHFIELD - Some people grow a garden simply for its beauty. Some people grow a garden to produce food. But have you ever grown tools in your garden? There are some plants out there that can provide you with tools rather than just a pretty flower to enjoy or a bite to eat. For examaple, you can grow luffa sponges in your garden? That's right! Luffas are actually a gourd. The plants get huge and grow wild at the end of the season. They produce 10” gourds that you allow to dry on the vine. The fibers inside form the luffa sponge. Once the gourds are dry, peel the skin off and allow the sponge inside to dry completely. You can then shake the seeds out and rinse the gourd. Once the gourd is clean, you can use it as a great shower luffa or kitchen scrubby. They have natural antimicrobial properties preventing them from stinking and molding. I cut one luffa up into three pieces and used those three sponges all year long to wash dishes before they finally wore out. They never got stink

Continue Reading

CARLINVILLE - One of the larger music festivals in small-town Illinois music festival returns this year with an array of musical genres. The 2022 SamJam Music and Brewfest will be held on Saturday, Sept. 24 from noon until 10 p.m. at the Macoupin County Fairgrounds, just north of Carlinville. The event will feature everything from R&B to country and rock and roll, jazz, and American folk. SamJam was created in 2014 to honor Sam Oswald, who has endured years of struggle with neurofibromatosis (NF), which affects 1 in every 2,500 worldwide. NF is most often noticed in childhood or early adulthood, and appears equally across sexes, races, and ethnic groups. “We’ve become known for top-quality music,” said Sam’s father, Peter Oswald, who has spearheaded the SamJam events. “Every year, our fans tell us how good our music is, and how much they enjoy listening to it. Creating that type of fan experience is really important to us, and every year new people come

Continue Reading

The arrival of the steamer Talisman in 1832 brought excitement to Springfield and other cities along the Sangamon River. However, the joy was short-lived. Though area settlers hoped the Sangamon was suited to boat traffic, the river proved unnavigable, a blow to the economic prospects of the area. The Talisman, described by historian Benjamin Thomas as “a small cabin steamer,” first made news in the area in early 1832. That January 19, an advertisement in the Cincinnati Daily Gazette announced that “the splendid upper cabin steamer Talisman will leave for Portland Landing, Springfield, on the Sangamo River and all the intermediate ports and landings,” including Beardstown and Naples. St. Louis papers also carried the same ad. The boat was under the sail of Capt. Vincent A. Bogue, who also owned the cargo, and operated by master J.M. Pollock. Settlers hailed the announcement with great enthusiasm, and the population spiked almost immediately. New towns were laid

Continue Reading

LITCHFIELD— HSHS St. Francis Foundation will host the Robinson Brothers Homecoming Concert III for two performances on Friday, October 7 and Saturday, October 8, 2022. The Robinson Brothers, Robby and Rex, two of central Illinois’ rock ‘n’ roll legends, return to their native Litchfield accompanied by an all-star band. The theme of this event is “Together We Can Beat Cancer.” Doors will open at 6:15 p.m. with the concert starting at 7:30 p.m. The Robinson Brothers are from Litchfield and graduated from Litchfield High School. The brothers are excited to return to their hometown and stated, “Cancer affects us all. We are 100 percent behind this cause. Come enjoy some great music and let’s make this happen.” “It’s going to be an awesome event this year and will be held at the beautiful Litchfield Community Center. Our heartfelt thanks to Robby and Rex and their all-star band. I also want to thank everyone who is helping

Continue Reading

Photos may be purchased for personal use at: https://www.randymanning.com/Mississippi-Earthtones-Festival ALTON - As expected, Saturday's Mississippi Earthtones Festival attracted thousands to the Alton riverfront. The festival was a free event held at the Liberty Bank Amphitheater with live music, local food and drink options, artisan craft vendors, and much more. The live entertainment included Indie jazz band Loftys Comet, Jason "Gordo" Gordon, Nonstop Reggae Band, and Grateful Dead tribute band Jake's Leg. There was an art playground that included live painting, dance and flag performances, aerial arts, hoop spinning, pole acrobatics, stilt walkers, hydro dipping, and free body painting. Sara McGibany, executive director of Alton Main Street, said the festival attracts a wonderful group of attendees. "We have music and art, crafts, and everything from jazz, and reggae to the Grateful Dead," she said. "We are thrilled to be back at the Amphitheater. We thank the City o

Continue Reading

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Jerseyville's Ellen Kangas received her white coats for nursing in a ceremony on September 9 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Mount Mercy University is the regional Catholic, Mercy University that promises students of diverse backgrounds, ages, and faiths a challenging, practical education that inspires them to discover knowledge, build community, and live their values. Mount Mercy provides a forward-thinking, future-focused education, offering baccalaureate and graduate education to 1,600+ enrolled students and uniquely blending a quality liberal arts education with career-focused professional preparation.

Continue Reading

LITCHFIELD - Brothers Robby and Rex Robinson will return to their native hometown of Litchfield for two benefit concerts on Friday, October 7, and Saturday, October 8 at the Litchfield Community Center. The two brothers bring with them an all-star band comprised of musicians from across the country. Robby Robinson is a keyboard whiz and Hammond organ artist with a career spanning 50 years. From Liza Minelli, Eddie Harris and The Chicago Symphony Orchestra to Albert King, The Ventures, the Commodores and Tom Jones, Robby is best known as the music director/keyboardist for Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons since 1978. Rex Robinson has more than 40 years of experience playing the low notes and keeping the foundation for such superstars as Peggy Lee, The Beach Boys, Liza Minelli and The Four Tops, just to name a few. He played bass and sang bass for Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons for more than 20 years. Additional guest stars include Sara Niemietz, who has been referred to as one

Continue Reading

CARLINVILLE - A landmark in American public utilities was the Rural Electrification Act, which brought power to farm homes and small towns in the midst of the Great Depression. The REA is credited with electrifying millions of rural homes and giving rise to the electric power cooperatives that still dot the nation. The 1920s and early 1930s were hard times for American agriculture, and farm households lagged in basic technology. Though 79.5 percent of Illinois farmers owned cars in 1936, only 40.8 percent had radios, and 19.8 percent had running water. Electric service was even more scarce. In 1925, a mere three percent of American farms had electricity, a number that grew to only ten percent in 1931. As the Depression hammered rural life, only eleven percent of American farmers enjoyed central station electricity by 1935. Much of the problem stemmed from the refusal of established power companies to expand, fearing a loss of profits. As a result, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Continue Reading

ST. LOUIS – Multi-platinum, progressive rock group Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO) - today announced the dates for its highly anticipated 2022 winter tour, “The Ghosts of Christmas Eve – the Best of TSO & More.” After its first year off the road in more than two decades, TSO made a triumphant return to touring in 2021 with a 25th anniversary celebration of Christmas Eve and Other Stories. For 2022, TSO brings a completely updated presentation of the unforgettable, multi-generational holiday tradition, “The Ghosts of Christmas Eve,” to 60 cities across the nation. This year’s tour kicks off on Wed., Nov. 16 with performances in Green Bay and Council Bluffs, and will conclude after 101 shows on Fri., Dec. 30 (see full itinerary below and www.trans-siberian.com). Presales for TSO fan club members will be held on Thurs., Sept. 8 at 10 a.m. local time and Fri., Sept. 9 at 10 a.m. local time. The public on sale is set to begin on Fri., Sept. 16 at

Continue Reading

O’FALLON, IL — September is National Cholesterol Education Month and serves as a reminder to increase efforts to address one of the biggest risk factors for cardiovascular disease: high cholesterol. Cholesterol is a waxy substance that your body uses to build cells and make vitamins and other hormones. It’s not necessarily bad, but too much cholesterol can pose a problem. Cholesterol comes from two main sources: the liver and animal products. Foods high in saturated and trans fats also contribute to raising cholesterol by causing the liver to create even more. High cholesterol is one of the leading factors of cardiovascular disease and stroke. Keeping your numbers in check can go a long way toward preventing cardiovascular issues. “Know your numbers and what to do about them,” said Dr. Scott Marrus, Prairie Heart Institute cardiologist. “If there is an issue, oftentimes small lifestyle changes can bring your numbers in line, but if that’s

Continue Reading

JERSEY - The Jersey County State's Attorney's Office announced charges today after a Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022, incident that took place in the county on Costello Road. Walter E. Lee, 60, of the 26000 block of Costello Road in Jerseyville, has been charged with Reckless Discharge Of A Firearm and Unlawful Use Of Weapons. Jersey County State's Attorney Ben Goetten said the charges were as follows: Count 1: That on or about the 15th day of September 2022, in Jersey County, Illinois, Reckless Discharge Of A Firearm: "In that said defendant endangered the bodily safety of Christopher Thomas, at close range, thereby placing Christopher Thomas in danger of being struck by projectiles in violation of Chapter 720, Act 5, Section 24-1.5 (a) of the Illinois Compiled Statutes." Count 2: That on or about the 15th day of September 2022, in Jersey County, Illinois, Unlawful Use Of Weapons: "In that said defendant, while riding an older model Honda ATV four-wheeler on a public roadway, specifically

Continue Reading

ALTON - The Marquette Catholic High School spirit is running high as homecoming weekend approaches. Beth DeCourcey, a Marquette academic dean, was the coordinator of a pep rally at 1:30 p.m. Friday at Marquette Catholic’s gym. Charlie Fahnestock, Captain Marquette, provided the on-the-floor leadership for the Explorers with the cheer and dance teams. All the sports teams were introduced at the pep rally. “The pep rally was exceptional,” Marquette Catholic Principal Tim Harmon said. “Mrs. DeCourcey did a great job rallying the kids and Charlie Fahnestock also was able to get a good response along with the cheerleaders and dance team. It definitely feels back to normal with the pep rally.” Marquette takes on Breese Central at 7 p.m. for its homecoming game tonight. Prior to the game, at 6:30 p.m. at Johnson’s Corner in Alton, the queen and king candidates will be announced and then there will be a brief Explorers’ parade to Public School Stadium.

Continue Reading

(Photos by Sheri McDuffie) JERSEY - Erin Bittles is in her 10th year as band director of Jersey Community High School's Band and the group is something the community always looks forward to whether it be a football or basketball game, the Downtown Country Christmas in Jerseyville, or the various parades. This summer, the JCHS band marched at Disney World, which fulfilled dreams for many of the students. Bittles has a strong contingency of players with 80 9-12 graders and 32 eighth-graders. The youth leave with a love and appreciation for music, something Erin tries to instill in each of them. "The past two years we had to figure out how to work through procedures with the COVID-19 Pandemic," she said. "It was hard, but because of our creativity, we have been able to keep the numbers and are getting bigger. We always try to do the extra things. They get excited about playing in the community and it is something that connects the community to the school. It lets them feel like they

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE— Madison County’s Veterans Court on Wednesday honored its newest group of graduates – three combat veterans who received praise from the court for using the program’s resources to get their lives back on track. The goal of Madison County’s innovative Veterans Court is to provide a strategy of treatment, rather than jail, for veterans who have entered the criminal justice system and suffer from PTSD or psychological or substance-abuse problems as a result of their service to their country. Veterans Court graduate Grant S. said for him, the program was nothing short of a lifesaver. “Honestly? It saved my life,” Grant said after the ceremony. “If it wasn’t for the program, I’d be in prison or dead. I owe these people a lot – I love these people.” Circuit Judge Sarah Smith, herself a combat veteran, presided over the ceremony, thanking the graduates for their service and commending them for utilizing

Continue Reading

ALTON - Two long-time friends and school colleagues, Alton High School Principal Mike Bellm and Lovejoy Elementary Principal John Ducey, were both honored Thursday night in Belleville at the annual Southwest Region Illinois Principals Association meeting. Alton Superintendent Kristie Baumgartner said she was exceptionally proud of both her school district principals. “Congratulations to Mike Bellm (Alton High Principal) and John Ducey (Lovejoy Elementary Principal)! Mr. Bellm was named the 2022 Illinois Principals Association High School Principal of the Year for the Southwest Region. Mr. Ducey received the IPA's 2022 Herman Graves Award for service," she said. "Both principals were honored at a ceremony in Belleville tonight. Way to go!” Bellm credited his students and other faculty and support staff for helping him receive the award. “I have such great people and staff at Alton High,” he said. “It is an honor to be part of working with all of them.

Continue Reading