Riverbender 🕸

ALTON - This week, Illinois American Water is moving down Third Street near Mac’s and the Riverbender Building at a quick pace with its new sewer system and sanitary sewers and soon will soon be at the end of the street. Rob Lenhardt of Mac’s said he is thankful for what will be ahead once Illinois American Water is finished with the project. Illinois American Water is installing a new sewer system and new sanitary sewers in various areas of Downtown Alton. It has been years since some of the pipes and sewer areas have been replaced and once completed, Lenhardt said it should make a big difference when Alton encounters flooding or heavy rains. Lenhardt said Kamadulski Excavating and Grading has been great to work with during these times. "I am amazed at how much they have been able to get done in such a short amount of time," he said. Lenhardt added that the last four years have been tough for Mac's and other Downtown Alton establishments, with a flood, two years of

Continue Reading

WOOD RIVER - In October, Pro Automotive Services will join hundreds of Independent Auto Repair Shops across the U.S. and Canada to raise funds for breast cancer vaccine research as part of the Brakes for Breasts fundraiser. As part of the fundraiser, participating auto repair facilities will give away FREE (quality) brake pads or shoes. The customer simply pays for the labor and any other ancillary parts necessary to complete the brake job, and the shops then donate 10 percent of the brake job directly to Dr. Vincent Tuohy & the Cleveland Clinic Breast Cancer Vaccine Research Fund. Brakes for Breasts started in 2011 with five automotive repair shops in the Cleveland, Ohio, area that raised $10,000 and has now evolved to incorporate hundreds of shops in the United States and Canada. Since then, these shops have collectively raised over $1 million, making Brakes for Breasts the largest third-party fundraising entity at the Cleveland Clinic. More importantly, Brakes for Breasts has become

Continue Reading

OTTERVILLE - The 39th annual Hamilton Primary School Festival will be held on Saturday, Sept. 24 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 25 from noon to 4 p.m. on the grounds of the Hamilton Primary School, located at 107 E. Main St. in Otterville. The festival will feature everything from paranormal investigators to live entertainment, food, tours of the historic Hamilton Primary school, and more; proceeds from the event go towards the restoration of the historic school building. This year, the “Just Say Boo” Paranormal Group will have an information booth set up in the school on Saturday, and will host a paranormal investigation of the school that evening. “In past years, we have had a lot of paranormal groups who have come and visited our school,” Festival Chairperson Mary Drainer said. “Just Say Boo has graciously offered to come to the festival on Saturday the 24th and set up a booth in the upper level of the school to tell more about their grou

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE - Three Edwardsville Community Unit School District #7 teachers have been named recipients of a grant from the Illinois Retired Teachers Association Foundation (IRTAF). The IRTAF recently awarded $36,500 in grant money to public school educators (PreK through 12) statewide. Laura Brennan and Tyler Slaby of Liberty Middle School and Shanyra Cox of Woodland Elementary School were all awarded an IRTAF grant. Below are summarized paragraphs of the project in each of the three’s own words. Laura Brennan , Liberty Middle School ($750) My class would benefit from purchasing a SRA Reading Laboratory Kit. SRA supports a growth mindset within every student. Students are interested in their own learning with self-monitoring progress, which is an integral part of student success. Students are motivated through self-guided, cross-curricular reading selections that connect their reading level with their topics of interests.

Continue Reading

BUZZ MONTHLY - Publishers are releasing their fall book selections, especially those for holiday giving, earlier this year. Supply chain issues are expected to worsen, not get better. That also means book buyers looking for holiday gifts or books for themselves should shop earlier this year for the best selection. This column covers some headline books releasing in September. Swedish author Fredrik Backman, famous for A Man Called Ove , returns with the conclusion of his Beartown series in the 688-page The Winners . Maya Andersson and Benji Ovich, two young people who left in search of a life far from a forest town, return to a changed Beartown but find people have not moved on from the events two years earlier. The rivalry between Beartown and Hed reignites in a hockey game. Andrew Sean Greer follows his Pulitzer Prize-winning Less: A Novel with Less is Lost as awkward and lovable Arthur Less returns in an unforgettable road trip across America. The death of an old lover and

Continue Reading

GODFREY – Lewis and Clark Community College’s Workforce Education, Solutions and Safety Training (WESST) division is an approved provider for new requirements set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) is required for individuals seeking to obtain their Class-A or Class-B CDL in order to remain compliant. According to WESST Director Kathy Willis, the requirements are an effort to standardize driving competencies and safety practices, which varied from state-to-state. “L&C’s academic commercial driver’s license (CDL) program already includes the ELDT content and practices for those seeking first-time employment as truckers,” Willis said. “That program has eight and 16-week options for the Class A CDL. The training needs for individuals seeking their Class-B CDL can be addressed through the shorter WESST ELDT workshops, generally, in less than a week.” To qualify for the training,

Continue Reading

ALTON – The Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP), sponsored by Medicare and the Illinois Department on Aging, has a new office at Alton Memorial Hospital. The office is Room G-367 on the ground floor of the hospital’s Hatch Wing. Clients who have registered for an in-person meeting should park on the back side of the hospital near the aqua awning that reads “Hatch Building.” Once entering the building, the Oasis/Ship counseling office is the first office on the left (the sign on the door reads “OASIS/BJC Plus”). Visitors are required to wear masks, and those are available inside the Hatch Wing entrance. The SHIP office provides free, confidential and unbiased counseling for all Medicare beneficiaries. Counseling is available for all Medicare-related questions, including: Medicare Supplement Plans Medicare Advantage Plans Medicare Drug Plans SHIP serves people who are nearing Medicare eligibility and those wanting to review their coverage

Continue Reading

HARDIN - On September 8, 2022, Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office deputies conducted a traffic stop which resulted in the arrest of two suspects, a seizure of narcotics, paraphernalia, and some unique items related to other criminal offenses. On September 10, 2022, the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office followed up with the criminal investigation and executed a court-authorized search warrant at a residence located on Franklin Hill Road in rural Calhoun County. Subsequent to the execution of said search warrant, Brian P. Rose, age 47, of Batchtown, was arrested and charged with the following offenses: Calhoun County Warrant: Soliciting a Sexual Act (Two Counts), Calhoun County Warrant: Patronizing a Prostitute (Two Counts). Rose was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Jersey County Jail, where he remains at this time. Rose was previously arrested on August 24, 2022, following a Calhoun County court-authorized search warrant at his residence, where he

Continue Reading

EAST ST. LOUIS – To promote economic welfare and ensure residents have support, the City of Cahokia Heights was awarded nearly $75,000 in relief grants thanks to advocacy from State Senator Christopher Belt. “Funding our communities allows local governments to support families and businesses,” said Senator Belt (D-Swansea). “These grant funds awarded to Cahokia Heights will help develop and implement plans to address the pandemic’s impact and provide meaningful steps forward for an equitable recovery.” Through the Research in Illinois to Spur Economic Recovery program, Cahokia Heights will receive $74,840 to help economic development organizations improve plans to promote economic recovery. RISE empowers local governments to create meaningful plans with a focus on specific initiatives and investments that support recovery from the pandemic. The grants are funded through ARPA and will help improve the quality of life for community members by taking

Continue Reading

ALTON – The deluge of rain that arrived during the 13 th annual Duck Pluckers, Deer Skinners & Fish Hookers Ball on Sept. 10 was nothing compared to the flood of generosity by the community. The Alton Memorial Hospital Services Foundation easily set a record with $203,000 raised – at least 50 percent more than any other year. “On behalf of the entire EMS staff, we would like to say thank you to our sponsors, donors, and everyone who contributed to the Duck Pluckers, Deer Skinners, and Fish Hookers Ball,” said AMH EMS manager Jason Bowman. “This event would not have been a success without your continued support.” A humid Saturday evening at NILO Farms in Brighton turned into thunder, lightning, wind and rain around 8 p.m., but auctioneer Mark Harman kept the live auction going without a stop, and the donations continued at a record pace. More than 350 people attended the event, which included the ever-popular Homer Clark Quail Flush Championship,

Continue Reading

WOOD RIVER — Madison County will hold a vehicle surplus sale on Saturday at Sheriff’s Office. The auction, which will start at 9 a.m., Sept. 17, at 405 Randall St. Edwardsville, to sell six retired sheriff's office vehicles —two Ford Explorers; three Chevrolet Impalas, Chevrolet Impala, and a Ford Expedition. The vehicles will be sold to the highest bidder. The public can also view vehicles and submit bids online at www.legacysells4u.hibid.com until 8 p.m., Friday. Live bidding resumes on Saturday. Criteria for designating items as surplus includes evaluating their condition, mileage and age of the vehicle. “By auctioning unused property, we generate revenue for the county and encourage fiscal responsibility,” Chairman Kurt Prenzler said. The county tries to recycle or re-use equipment and materials no longer needed by its county departments before disposing of them. The county initiated a program 16 years ago to sell vehicles to governmental entities

Continue Reading

COTTAGE HILLS - The Madison County Sheriff's Office announced today that an alleged Cottage Hills Drug House has been shut down. At about 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 13, 2022, the Madison County Sheriff’s Office; Sheriff’s Enforcement Team (SET) executed a search warrant in the 100 Block of Lenora Street, Cottage Hills. The investigation was initiated after receiving several neighborhood complaints and anonymous tips of ongoing drug activity at the residence, which were confirmed through proactive policing by the Madison County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division and Bethalto Police Department Patrol Division. Further investigation by SET, Bethalto Police Department, and Glen Carbon Police Department led to the issuance of a search warrant. The warrant was executed by the aforementioned personnel along with the Madison County Patrol Division. The primary target of the investigation, David M. Walker, was taken into custody without incident. The search warrant yielde

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE – Southern Illinois University’s School of Dental Medicine (SDM) is celebrating its opening 50 years ago having welcomed its first class of 24 students on Sept. 11, 1972. SIU SDM was the first dental school to open outside of the Chicago area and helped fill the need for dentists in the central and southern Illinois regions. The SIU SDM was dedicated on Oct. 3, 1972, with an event welcoming the governor’s wife, state senators and representatives and area dentists to the Alton campus. At the dedication, the school’s first dean, Frank Sobkowski, DDS, remarked, “Because of the unusual opportunity extended to the faculty of this school and by virtue of the efforts of the graduates of our programs, this school will achieve national eminence and will provide leadership for the future." “I wish Dean Sobkowski could see the dental school as we have indeed grown and surpassed even his expectations,” said SIU SDM Interim Dean Duane Douglas,

Continue Reading

ALTON - The Alton-Godfrey Rotary has been behind so many focal points in the community's history. The group has a new signature project in the heart of Downtown Alton with the Alton-Godfrey Rotary Park on Third and Easton Streets. The park will become another crown jewel for the City of Alton and Andy Bowen - a past Rotary president from 2020-2021 - and current president Antione Williams, could not be more proud of the work. Bowen said the new park was done as a service project in conjunction with the Rotary’s 100th anniversary. Bowen pointed out that the new park will have amphitheater-style seating for up to 200 people. He added there will be a circular plaza in the middle with greenery and trees on the hillside. Stutz Excavating has been seen hard at work in the park in recent days. The past Rotary Club president said this idea came about roughly three years ago and has been worked on ever since. “The history of the Alton-Godfrey Rotary Club shows it has done such

Continue Reading

ALTON – OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony’s Health Center is pleased to add a new primary care provider to its staff to better serve the community of Alton and surrounding areas. The addition of Deena Brown, APRN, on September 18 will ensure increased access for patients in need of primary care at OSF Medical Group, 2 Saint Anthony’s Way, Ste. 205. Brown joins the care team of Dr. Shawn Fry at OSF Medical Group and offers a number of services but is particularly passionate about women’s health. She received a Bachelor of Science from McKendree University and Master of Science degree from Chamberlain College of Nursing. She is a board-certified family nurse practitioner. Patient appointments for primary care with Brown can be made by calling (618) 462-2222. About OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony’s Health Center: A 49-bed Rural Health designated acute care hospital in Alton, Illinois, OSF Saint Anthony’s serves the residents of Madison, Jersey and Macoupin

Continue Reading

SPRINGFIELD – Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced that more than 1,200 small cities, towns, and villages across Illinois - Non-Entitlement Units (NEUs) - will receive $371 million as part of the second round of funding through the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) specifically designated for NEUs. The full list of recipients and funding amounts can be found here: NEU Master.pdf (illinois.gov). NEUs are receiving a total of $742 million between the first and second funding allocations. “As communities continue to recover from the pandemic, we are issuing the second round of federal funding for a total of $742 million specifically designated for smaller localities,” said Governor JB Pritzker. "This critical funding will help localities cover remaining pandemic-related costs incurred while supporting communities in every region of the state.” Through ARPA, in accordance with federal rules,

Continue Reading

This is the full statement from Thomas Haine about the SAFE-T Act scheduled to be instituted on January 1, 2023: The greatest jailbreak in Madison County history will occur on January 1, 2023. On that date, approximately half of our present jail population must be released under the terms of the new SAFE-T Act, and cash bail will be eliminated throughout Illinois. That translates to well over 100 criminal defendants walking free in Madison County alone without paying a dime as they await trial for alleged crimes including aggravated DUI, aggravated battery, failure to register as a sex offender, burglary, and aggravated fleeing and eluding from a police officer. Many who will be released are repeat offenders with multiple pending felonies. Many have previously failed to appear in court or violated some other condition of release. Now they will be automatically released again. This is all thanks to the Illinois SAFE-T Act, which was passed back in 2020 with only Democratic support

Continue Reading

ST. CLAIR COUNTY – A train and vehicle collided in St. Clair County Wednesday afternoon and Metro Link officials have said service between Emerson Park to Fairview Heights stations is not operating because of the crash. Officials so far have said only the crash is in St. Clair County and there are no reports about any injuries. MetroLink station shuttles are transporting passengers by bus between the stations with closed routes. Metro Link officials say delays of up to an hour could be possible. Drivers are urged to take different routes away from this area. More to come.

Continue Reading

ALTON - Superstar artist Rocky Pardo is back at the Edwardsville Art Show again this year. The Art Show is scheduled for September 23-25 at City Park. Rocky graduated from SIUE in 2014. She always wanted to be an artist and by age 14 was working with metals. She fell in love with metals work at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Rocky said she loves the Edwardsville Art Fair and being around the various artists. “It is great talking to the different artists at the art fair,” she said. “Last year everyone seemed to have a great time and the artists seemed to do very well.” Rocky Pardo Jewelry is handcrafted and a collection of high-quality mixed precious metal jewelry. Her designs showcase her split roots from both St. Louis and Spain, where she was born. “I fell in love with metals as a teen," she said. "I received a BFA in Metalsmithing from SIU. I worked full time at a jewelry store in Kirkwood, MO., before going out on my own in 2016." Rocky

Continue Reading

ALTON - The Mississippi Earthtones Festival, presented by Alton Main Street and the Sierra Club, is a celebration of our river through art, music, and conservation. The 16th Annual event will be held at Liberty Bank Alton Amphitheater on Saturday, September 17th from 12:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m., and there is no charge for admission. This year’s theme is Amplify the River, and local artists have been commissioned to build large installations that will enhance the festival grounds. The Riverbend Yarn Bombers are knitting & crocheting a colorful textile sculpture that will encompass the fountain at Riverfront Park, entitled “Eyes on the River”. Kooliverse will present eye-opening artworks of wonder and intrigue, including a 16-foot kaleidoscope. An amazing light show is in store from local projection artists, and there will be a meet and greet with a river mermaid. Jacoby Arts Center has lined up an amazing art playground of performances and interactive experiences, featurin

Continue Reading