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EAST ST. LOUIS – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), along with U.S. Representatives Cori Bush (D-MO-01) and Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13), today joined U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg to announce $28 million in U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) federal funding for MetroLink, the transit system servicing St. Louis and the Metro-East. The federal funding, supplied through Federal Transit Administration (FTA) emergency relief funding, will go toward repairing the MetroLink public transit system following the severe flooding in July 2022 that caused two fatalities and damaged the transit system by destroying rail vehicles, two station elevators, and a signal house. The extreme flooding also damaged five miles of light rail track bed and communications, signal, and fiber optics systems housed in two communications rooms and four signal houses. “Last summer, the Metro-East tragically experienced severe

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EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville’s Park and Recreation Department will continue their Arts in the Park series this week with a free performance of Shakespeare’s comedy “The Merry Wives of Windsor,” produced by the St. Louis Shakespeare Festival. The show will run from 6:30–8 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 2 at City Park, located at 101 South Buchanan Street. Families are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets and snacks. “ definitely does a really good job of breaking it down for the audience and giving a good synopsis and kind of explaining as the plot goes along, which is really entertaining and super helpful for young kids in the audience, and even adults, like myself, in the audience that don’t always fully comprehend that language,” said Grace Pellock, the special events and marketing coordinator with the Edwardsville Parks and Recreation Department. The St. Louis Shakespeare Festival produces a Shakespeare show in the city every summer.

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BUNKER HILL - Lisa Webb, owner and designated managing broker of Third Street Realty, appeared on the last Third On Third segment on Our Daily Show! on Riverbender.com to discuss the ins and outs of the closing process, ways to avoid mistakes, and much more. As a real estate agent of eight years, Webb said when she first started out, everyone was still using “wet” (written) signatures and large stacks of paper, but recent technological advancements have helped speed up the closing process. “Over even just the past eight years, a lot more lenders have done closing docs online before they get to the closing, which really, really helps now,” she said, adding it also helps eliminate potential confusion about the closing documents. “It’s good to be able to sign things ahead of time and discuss it with the lender so you’re more comfortable coming in.” While Webb doesn’t advise buyers and sellers to be in the same room to sign

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Police Department joined law enforcement officers from eleven states (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin, Arkansas, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska) on July 26 in this year’s NHTSA Region 5 high visibility Speed Awareness Day enforcement campaign. Edwardsville Police Officers issued a total of 53 citations during the campaign, with 41 of those citations being for speed-related violations. The speed awareness day campaign had a twofold approach: to combine increased, zero-tolerance enforcement with effective communication to road users on the importance of obeying the speed limit. This one-day speed enforcement event was a partnership coordinated by the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, participating state highway safety offices and their respective law enforcement liaisons. The initiative was held in July because data and studies show that the most fatal crashes where speed is a contributing factor occur between

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EDWARDSVILLE - Legislation sponsored by State Senator Erica Harriss (R-Glen Carbon) taking aim at reducing the current police shortage at Illinois universities was signed into law late last week. Previously, out-of-state residents could not apply for university police officer positions unless all Illinois applicants have been deemed unqualified. Harriss’ House Bill 1767 removes that requirement. The new policy was an initiative of the University Chiefs of Police of Illinois in an attempt to remove the exhaustive process to accept and receive applications from non-Illinois residents. Additionally, this new law will level the playing field for university departments as municipal police departments do not have a residency requirement. “It’s no secret that across Illinois there is a shortage in our law enforcement profession. That burden is exacerbated within our universities, which weren’t afforded the same hiring privileges as other police departments,”

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WOOD RIVER - Following news about a Five Below store coming to Wood River , the city is sharing information about other big projects in the works. City Manager Steve Palen explained that business and housing development will hopefully go hand-in-hand as these projects are completed, giving Wood River a boost in economic and population growth. “People are seeing that we’re kind of ripe for the picking,” Palen said. “We’re moving at a breakneck pace right now, but that’s a good thing.” Several locally-owned businesses have opened downtown in the past few months, including 1929 Pizza and Wine , C&B Boiled Bagels and The Sweet Tooth . Wood River also recently lifted a ban on loft living, and Palen hopes this will encourage people to move to the downtown area. Other developments include a new accessible playground that opened last week and an accompanying recreation center that aims to open by the end of the year; you ca

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WOOD RIVER - Bryce Hyde of East Alton-Wood River High, appears to have a great future ahead at Daytona Elite Academy. In the spring 2023, the Oilers' offensive and defensive lineman, signed with the academy to play football after EAWR graduation. Oilers' head football coach Gary Herron congratulated the 6-foot-2, 285-pound lineman Bruce on an outstanding career as an Oiler on both sides of the ball. "Bryce was a two-time all-conference lineman and played a big part in us reaching the playoffs in 2022," Coach Herron said. "We look forward to following his success at Daytona Elite Academy." Bryce said he was thankful to the coaches throughout his life for their help. He also thanked his teammates and his family for always believing in him. Bryce also thanked East Alton-Wood River Athletic Director Mark Beatty for the wonderful day he created for his college signing. "A lot of linemen don't get noticed like that," he said. I thought it was great." "I can't wait to go to work on th

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ALTON - Marquette Catholic High School will unveil a new weight room at the start of the school year. In addition to normal summer maintenance projects, the school has spent the last few months preparing the weight room for student use. Marquette Principal Tim Harmon said that the project was completed with the students in mind. “It’s definitely been the big project,” Harmon said. “It’s been a process for sure, but it’s hopefully on the horizon, and it’s going to be really nice when it gets completed.” The space, located on Marquette’s campus, previously served as a locker room. Harmon explained that they removed a few ventilation walls and extra equipment to restore the area for the weight room to its “bare bones.” Now, it’s in the process of being painted and refurbished so that it’s ready for students to use as soon as the school year starts on Aug. 17. “That’s definitely what we’re

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EAST ST. LOUIS – In a U.S. District courtroom Thursday, a federal judge sentenced a 27-year-old Belleville man - Brandon Lepper - to 262 months imprisonment after he admitted to producing and distributing sexually explicit images of minors. Lepper aded guilty to one count of sexual exploitation of a child and one count of distribution of child pornography. The judge sentenced him to 262 months imprisonment for count one and 240 months for count two to run concurrently. In addition to the prison sentence, Lepper will serve 15 years of supervised release and is ordered to pay $27,500 in restitution. “The defendant hid his cell phone and set it up to record in a bathroom he knew a minor would be using to undress in for his own sick pleasure, but then also proceeded to violate and humiliate his victim further by sending their images out into the hands of other pedophiles,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “Thankfully, Lepper’s prison sentence reflects

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ALTON – The Salvation Army celebrated Salvation Army Week by hosting its annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon on May 17. Volunteer bell ringers were thanked for their support in helping the Salvation Army raise more than $364,000 during the 2022 campaign. “In 2022, we provided 2747 individuals with shelter lodging and 11,137 shelter meals. More than 250 Thanksgiving meals were served and we were able to provide Christmas assistance to 1010 households,” said Captain Cassy Grey. “On behalf of The Salvation Army and many families with grateful hearts, we thank the community for these amazing blessings!” During the luncheon program, 2022 Campaign Chairs Dr. John and Barb Hoelscher passed the red kettle to 2023 Chairs Mike and Karen Roberts. Mike Roberts is a well know area meteorologist and his wife Karen works in the non-profit sector. “We’re honored and excited to take on this role,” Karen Roberts said, while accepting the red kettle.

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ALTON - Riviera Maya plans to open their patio in the next week or so. The patio will serve as an outdoor seating area for customers to enjoy the restaurant’s authentic Mexican cuisine. The restaurant, located at 2704 Corner Court in Alton, is a favorite local spot. The owners also manage Taquiera Maya at 2621 College Avenue in Alton and another Riviera Maya in Brighton . All three restaurants are family-owned. They provide dine-in and carryout, but the owners hope the new patio will encourage more guests to come to Riviera Maya and spend some time outside with a cold drink and a good meal. “Everybody is family here, everybody working together,” Riviera Maya Manager Manuel said. He added that the patio might take another week, but he hopes it will be finished by the weekend. For more information about the restaurant, including updates on the patio, visit their Facebook page .

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ALTON - The wait is over for Movie Nights at James Killion Park, with the weekly series returning at 8 p.m. Saturday with "Sonic The Hedgehog 2." Week two on Aug. 12 will be "Space Jame - A New Legacy." Aug. 19 is "Puss In Boots" and Aug. 26 is "Black Panther - Wakanda Forever." The James Killion Beautification and Enhancement Committee presents various Movie Nights. Movie sponsors include AARP, Carrollton Bank, FirstNet with AT&T, and Milton Foods & Liquor. "Last year, we had at least 200 people on most of the nights," Sheila Goins, wife of Alton Mayor David Goins and one of the Movie Nights organizers, said. "Killion Park is such a beautiful park beautiful landmark right in the heart of Alton, and it is beautiful to see families come out with lawn chairs and some bring little tents and sit inside those to avoid mosquitoes," she added. "It is definitely family-oriented and we appreciate the sponsors who step up. Everything is complimentary, so come out and enjoy popcorn, refreshments,

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CARROLLTON - After a three-year hiatus, reunion bells will be ringing in Carrollton on Saturday, September 9, 2023, when once again there will be a Gathering of Hawks . Carrollton High School Alumni and Faculty members from near and far will be on hand to attend a much anticipated Alumni Banquet reunion, last held in June 2019. This year will mark the 147 th time CHS alumni have reunited. The event will be held at the KC Hall, Carrollton, where the doors will open at 5:30 PM and the banquet will begin at 6:30. Brass Door Restaurant and Catering will prepare and serve the food, ice cream will be donated by the Carrollton Dairy Queen and assorted cakes will be provided by The Sugar Shack. A cash bar will be open during the evening, served by KC Club members. Stephen “Beaver” Martin, CHS ‘60, will be host and emcee, and all attendees will have the opportunity to introduce self and guest. Classmates representing various years may display items from their days at CHS

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ALTON - Alton Marina is hosting live music, tacos and a cash bar on Saturday, Aug. 5 to cool down the summer. The event will run from 6–9 p.m. and will be open to the public. The acoustic duo Jay and Waylon are scheduled to rock the marina. Olé Morales Tacos , a favorite Alton food truck, will be on the premises, and the marina is offering a cash bar. “We want everybody to enjoy the riverfront,” Rob Honke said. Honke is the owner of Seahorse Ranch Marine, Inc., which operates the marina. Located on the Mississippi River, Alton Marina has slips and fueling stations for local boaters. Other amenities include a pool, parking, and shower and laundry facilities. Honke explained that while some of these services are limited to slip holders, the marina hosts monthly events to bring more people down to the river. Additionally, the marina’s store and daily breakfast are always open to the public. “We try to have fun stuff for our slip

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CARROLLTON - The owners of Alfonso’s Pizza in Carrollton recently announced the restaurant will be changing hands in the near future. An Open House will be held at the pizzeria on August 13 - its 32nd anniversary - from about 1 to 5 p.m., and the community is invited to reflect “on what Alfonso’s Pizza has meant to this community and to you.” “After 32 years, Alfonso and I (Elena) have sold Alfonso's Pizza,” Elena wrote on Facebook . “This is certainly a bittersweet moment for us as we transition out of our home of the past few decades, but, fear ye not! We are leaving our baby in good, capable and experienced hands.” Those “capable and experienced hands” are new owners Jake King and Hannah King Milligan, two Alfonso’s employees of many years. Hannah began working there in high school in 2008, while Jake has worked there since 2017. Their brother, Isaac, has also worked there since 2008, and Hannah even met her

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SPRINGFIELD – With extreme heat dominating the forecast, the Illinois Department of Transportation is cautioning motorists to be on the lookout for pavement buckling on roads throughout the state. “The extremely high temperatures bring the possibility of pavement failures,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “While it’s impossible to predict where or when failures may occur, we do have the necessary staffing and materials in place to make repairs as quickly as possible. We ask the public to stay alert and avoid driving over buckled roads, if possible, while giving our crews plenty of room to work.” Pavement failures or blowouts can occur when prolonged high temperatures cause the road to expand and buckle up or blow out, resulting in uneven driving surfaces. Precipitation and humidity increase the potential for buckling. Personnel with IDOT are monitoring the situation and stand ready to respond. Motorists are advised to remain

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - The deceased in a fatal motor vehicle accident involving a pedestrian has been identified as Susan Becker, 56 years of age, of the 5200 block of Pitcher Drive in House Springs, Missouri, 63051. St. Louis County Police Department West County Precinct detectives are investigating the accident involving a pedestrian struck in the 100 block of Gravois Bluffs Circle that resulted in the death of an adult female. At approximately 1:36 p.m. on Saturday, July 29, 2023, officers from the Fenton Precinct responded to a call for a person struck in the 100 block of Gravois Bluffs Circle in the City of Fenton. Officers arrived on scene to find a female victim who had been struck by a vehicle. She was transported to an area hospital where she later succumbed to her injuries. The driver remained on scene and is cooperating with investigators. Preliminary investigation indicates the female was crossing the parking lot when she was struck. This is an active

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CHICAGO — Governor JB Pritzker signed HB 1540, a bill banning the usage of e-cigarettes in indoor public spaces. The bill adds electronic smoking devices to the 2008 Smoke-Free Illinois Act, which banned smoking in most public spaces in the state. The amended act would now ban electronic smoking devices in any place where combustible smoking is already prohibited. “Illinoisans deserve to enjoy public spaces without being exposed unwillingly to secondhand vapor and other electronic cigarettes byproducts,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Now, e-cigarettes and vapes will qualify under existing anti-smoking laws, reducing air pollution and making a more accessible, healthy Illinois.” Electronic cigarettes, like their combustible counterparts, contain nicotine in addition to flavorants and other aerosolized components that can lead to lung damage over time. Electronic cigarettes are popular among young people, and nicotine use during adolescence can cause long-term

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WOOD RIVER - The Wood River Drainage and Levee District (WRDLD) is nearing completion of a major levee project along Illinois Route 143 that aims to protect Riverbend communities from the 500-year flood. The Wood River Levee System Reconstruction Project is a collaboration between WRDLD, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the Southwestern Illinois Flood Prevention District Council (FPD Council) . The project aims to repair and reinforce flooding infrastructure throughout the area. “There actually is a completion date, finally,” Kevin Williams, WRDLD executive director, said. “This project on 143 should be complete by the end of the calendar year, 2023. So, just in a few months. It’s right around the corner.” The most recent construction started in 2021, but conversations about the Wood River Levee System Reconstruction Program really began in 2007 when the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced they would withdraw accreditation

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MADISON COUNTY - July has been a rough and tough month for Ameren Illinois workers and customers because of the storm-and wind-related power outages. The latest storm on Saturday which had 60-mph winds in some areas knocked out power to more than 13,000 customers in Madison County. As of 8 p.m., Sunday, July 30, there are roughly 170 customers still without power in Madison County. As of 10:27 a.m. Monday, Brian Bretsch, a spokesperson for Ameren Illinois, said Madison County had only seven customers reported out of service. Most of Ameren's work is now concentrated in St. Clair and Marion County area. At peak, 50,708 customers were without power. As of 8 p.m., July 30, approximately 6,500 customers are without power in the Ameren Illinois service territory. "Our line workers and support staff are doing an outstanding job with their latest restoration efforts," Bretsch, a spokesperson for Ameren Illinois said. "We ask those remaining customers without power to have patience as our

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