Riverbender 🕸

O'FALLON - In the fall of 2006, Liz began bussing tables at Andria’s Steakhouse. As her first job, she enjoyed the family element of the business and knew the owner’s son personally. After a few shifts, she met the dishwasher, Ethan, and it did not take long for the two of them to walk off into the sunset. Ethan was swooned by Liz’s beauty, intelligence, and caring personality, and Liz was taken away by Ethan’s selflessness, chivalry, and humor. In November 2017, the couple united in marriage and have since gone on to grow their family by two. Although their days of working at Andria’s are behind them, they remain loyal to the place where their love ignited. Each year on their anniversary they celebrate by dining at Andria’s and reminiscing on the day they knew they were meant for each other. “Andria’s will always hold a place in our hearts,” says Liz. “From washing dishes at Andria’s to washing bottles at home, I’ll

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CONFLUENCE STATE PARK, Mo. - A controlled burn is going on Sunday afternoon at the Confluence State Park at Red School Road and Riverland’s Way in West Alton, Mo., by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources crew. Richard Pender, chief of the Rivers Pointe Fire Protection District, commented about the controlled burn Sunday afternoon. He said his group of firefighters was placed on standby during the burn. He also said conditions must have been just suitable for the burn with the humidity, dampness, etc. "The Missouri Department of Natural Resources often conducts controlled burns at this time of year before spring occurs," he added. “The burn today will be 1,000 acres. Smoke will be seen for miles. There are no exposures.” Melissa Erker, a spokesperson for Phillips 66, said she had received some calls about the heavy smoke in the air, but responded with the following: “I don’t know if it is a controlled burn or something else but that wind is coming

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County Police Department Crimes Against Persons detectives are currently investigating a homicide in the 100 block of N. Marguerite Avenue in the City of Ferguson which resulted in the death of an adult male. On February 4, 2023, at 7:56 PM, City of Ferguson police officers responded to a call for service for a check the welfare in the 100 block of N. Marguerite Avenue. Officers located an adult male suffering from an apparent gunshot wound inside a residence. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene. City of Ferguson Police Officers requested St. Louis County Police Crimes Against Persons Detectives lead the investigation. The investigation is active at this time. Additional information will be disseminated as it becomes available. Please contact the St. Louis County Police Department at 636-529-8210 to speak to investigators with information regarding the incident. To remain anonymous or potentially receive a reward, please contact CrimeStoppers

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JERSEYVILLE - Jersey Community High School is hosting an Open House event for local businesses from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Feb. 15. The event will feature student-led tours of the school’s Academic and Career and Technical Education Departments, giving the local business community a chance to see what students are capable of. Workforce Development Coordinator Erica Heitzig said it’s important for the students to lead these tours so businesspeople can hear directly from them. “I want them to hear it from a student perspective. I think it’s important for them to see the pride that our students have,” Hetizig said. “The students that I’ve been talking to a little bit, they’re pretty excited to show off what they have.” Two of the main attractions on the tour will be the Maker Space and the Books and Brew coffee shop, both of which opened earlier this school year in the JCHS library area. The Maker Space is an area for students

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GODFREY - Both the Alton and Godfrey Parks and Recreation Departments are teaming up to host their annual “Daddy Daughter Dance” from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on Feb. 18, 2023, at North Elementary School, located at 5600 Godfrey Road in Godfrey. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. Registration is open to girls ages 3-12, along with their fathers, other adult male relatives, or family friends. Visit sports.cityofaltonil.com to register online, or register in person at the Alton Parks & Recreation Department, located at 2 Emma Kaus Lane in Alton. The cost is $20 per adult male, $20 per daughter, and $15 per additional daughter. That price includes DJ-hosted dancing, appetizers, arts and craft, and a photo booth. The registration deadline is Feb. 10 and space is limited, so be sure to register soon if interested. For more information, call (618) 463-3580. The registration form can be found below:

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EDWARDSVILLE – A section of Chapman Street between North Fillmore and Hickory streets will be closed beginning Monday morning, February 6, for sanitary sewer repairs in that area. Chapman Street will be closed to thru traffic at North Fillmore Street, Leverette Lane and Hickory Streets while the work is underway. Residents within the affected area will have access to their homes. The road will reopen as soon as the work is completed. The project is expected to wrap up no later than Tuesday morning, February 7, barring unexpected delays. The City of Edwardsville said it appreciates the cooperation and patience of all residents and businesses during this closure. Please contact Public Works at (618) 692-7535 with any questions.

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A new year brings about many possible changes – promises to eat better, exercise more, stop smoking, save money, and so on. Another priority for some is to improve their work situation. If that’s you, there may be no better time than the present, especially after the U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy released a report that links a toxic workplace culture to health issues such as heart disease, depression and anxiety. “A toxic workplace is basically any work setting where you're dealing with any sort of psychological stress, where you're feeling nervous, you have some fear, anxiety, sadness, depression – things like that," says Victor Mendoza, a behavioral health provider with OSF HealthCare. "If you start noticing those things in your own workplace, that can be something we would call a toxic environment.” According to the U.S. Surgeon General, the five components of a healthy workplace include: protection from harm, connection and community, work-lif

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ALTON - Demolition of the old Lenhardt Tool and Die facility appears to be coming soon, but it is weather-dependent. Greg Caffey, Alton Planning and Zoning Director, said workers were out doing “contractor mobilization” at the facility late this week, despite cold temperatures. “It is weather-dependent, but they could be in full force next week,” he said. “They have been doing the prep work for the demolition.” Caffey said the area is in a prominent Alton location and should be “attractive” for redevelopment opportunities once the demolition and land cleanup is finished.

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PONTOON BEACH - The emotion of family members 10 years after murder charges were issued Thursday afternoon showed the impact of their long wait for justice. Because of the tools of DNA tests today in crime-solving and excellent police work, justice now should be able to be served in a decade-old cold case. At a press event on Thursday afternoon at the Pontoon Beach Police Station, charges were announced against a man - Roger Sutton Jr. - for the murder of Patrenia Butler-Turner in 2013. Butler-Turner was a mother of three children and grandmother now to four. She was only 40 years old at the time of her death. Sutton also was given a charge of one count of concealment of a homicidal death. A nephew - Nathan J. Beyer of Alton - was also charged in the case with one count of concealment of a homicidal death. Members of the Pontoon Beach Department received a tip about the skeletal remains of a person being hidden in a wooded area of the community in December 2022 and after investigation,

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TROY - Troy Police Chief Brent Shownes has announced that Kathleen Kinkel, 77, of Troy, was found deceased in the early morning hours of Tuesday, January 31, 2023. Chief Shownes said the following: “At 8:19 a.m. on January 31, 2023, Troy Police Department responded to an open area south of the 1900 block of SRA Bradley R. Smith Drive in reference to a female laying on the ground not moving. It was determined that the victim was deceased. She was identified as Kathleen Kinkel, a longtime resident of Troy.” The chief said the case is still under investigation by the Troy Police Department and the Madison County Coroner’s Office. “An autopsy has been conducted by the Madison County Coroner’s Office,” he said. “The final case of death will be issued pending further toxicological and microscopic testing by the Madison County Coroner’s Office.”

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Couples names: Brad and Naomi (King and Queen, yeah we are one of “those” couples ??. And of course “Babe”) City: Marthasville Date met or started dating: June 27, 2020 Date married: March 3, 2022 What makes your relationship special? We complete each other. We are both artists and children at heart. He is a painter/contractor and I am an interior designer. He is the Chip to my Joanna Share a memory you have made together: Its hard to choose just one! Probably the decision to get married! We both woke up on a Sunday and said lets get married! We called our parents and eloped that following Friday! We had dinner after the ceremony with our close friends and family. It was such a special day.

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Couples names: Aaron & Amanda Beavers City: Greenfield Date met or started dating: September 17, 2018 Date married: November 13, 2021 What makes your relationship special? We both found each other during rough times in our lives...the fact that we managed to go through hell and back, and be better than ever speaks volumes! There is no one else more perfect for each of us, than each other! Share a memory you have made together: We have 6 amazing children, and going all out for each holiday for the specific memories is the absolute best! We will forever cherish those.

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SPRINGFIELD – Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) have awarded $10.5 million in grants through the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund (GEER) program to 21 institutions of higher education in Illinois. These funds will be used to provide academic and social-emotional learning supports for students most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, especially Black, Latino, low-income, first generation, working adult, and rural students. Grants to public institutions were allocated using a formula to ensure equitable distribution, and grants were awarded to non-public institutions through a competitive application process. “The COVID-19 pandemic created unprecedented challenges for our students,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “For many of them, particularly those from historically disadvantaged groups, they struggled to recover. I’m proud to announce these relief grants for twenty-one institutions, which will empower colleges

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CHICAGO — Illinois has been named the number one leader for workforce development in the Midwest region for 2022, up from number two in 2021. The ranking highlights Illinois’ commitment to providing innovative workforce programs, career training, and employment services that create resources for jobseekers and ensure businesses continue to thrive. “When we invest in workforce development, we create opportunities for every Illinoisan and establish a more economically prosperous future for our state,” said Governor Pritzker. “Through my administration’s historic investments in education, infrastructure, and business development, we’re creating thousands of good-paying jobs and a skilled workforce that’s ready for those jobs. We’re keeping our state's best assets — our people — at the forefront of economic progress." “Under Governor Pritzker’s leadership, Illinois has developed a reputation as a national leader

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WASHINGTON D.C. - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Chris Murphy (D-CT) and U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03) to reintroduce Ethan’s Law, legislation that would ensure gun owners safely and securely store their firearms. Named in honor of Ethan Song, a teenager from Guilford, Connecticut, who was tragically killed in 2018 by an unsecured gun in a neighbor’s home, the bill would create federal requirements for safe gun storage and establish strong penalties for any violations. With loaded and unlocked guns in the homes of an estimated 4.6 million American minors and killing or injuring eight children or teens every day, Ethan’s Law would reduce access to these unsupervised firearms often used in suicides, school shootings and other acts of violence. “It’s just common sense that firearms should be stored safely to prevent them from ending up in

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ST. LOUIS - World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois, today released its 2023 schedule for its drag strip. Exciting new events have been added to the 2023 schedule. The St. Louis-Metro East area’s Independence Day celebration kicks off on Saturday, July 1, with the KSHE Summer Fire & Speed Spectacular. The action-packed day at the strip includes fireworks, Jet Cars, and the Mid-West Pro Mod Series. The 28 th annual Mickey Thompson Million Dollar Race has a new home. In drag racing circles it’s known as “The Million,” and will take place September 12-16. On April 29-30, obstacle course adventurers will invade the speedway for the grueling Tough Mudder 15k, 10k and 5k. October 20-22 is reserved for the Schwartz Law Group-Full Throttle Fest Man Cup Motorcycle Drag Racing Series. The 2023 schedule also includes: The annual NHRA Camping World Series Midwest Nationals (September 29-October 1), featuring the thrilling nitromethane-burning, 330-mph

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Couples names: Codi And Katelyn City: Dow Date met or started dating: October 3, 2010 Date married: July 31, 2015 What makes your relationship special? We were young when we met. I lived in Dow, IL with my family. I moved to Florida and North Carolina. He followed me every step of the way and has stood by me through everything. Share a memory you have made together: We have 2 beautiful daughters together. We have traveled together and taken so many fun trips. We love the family farm we live on. We both love Jesus and love taking our family to church.

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Couples names: Tina & Brian Bellerson - I call him my babe. He calls me hun, gorgeous, babe, or sweetheart. City: Valley Park, Mo Date met or started dating: January 26, 2020 Date married: May 13, 2022 What makes your relationship special? We met on Tinder an online dating app. And we were both least expecting to actually find our person. I was from Alton at the time and he was from St. Louis, Mo. Share a memory you have made together: Although we have many great memories together. My favorite is our wedding day. We were married on Friday the 13th at the McPike Mansion in Alton.

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Couples names: Codie & Brittany City: Godfrey Date met or started dating: March 13, 2009 Date married: August 29, 2020 What makes your relationship special? We always make each other laugh, have been together since high school, love traveling, and just enjoy each other's company. Share a memory you have made together: When we went on our honeymoon to Kissimmee, Florida we made sure to stop by Cocoa Beach to get some beach time in, at one point during that day we just sat on the beach and just watched the waves and the ships sailing on the distance just enjoying each other's company. We wouldn't trade that day for any other.

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Couples names: John & Angie City: Granite City Date met or started dating: July 3, 1995 Date married: March 18, 2000 What makes your relationship special? We worked at the same place just in different areas. John would come into the store and buy a soda every day and ask for my number, I never gave it because we worked together and didn’t think it was a good idea ( I was wrong ??) People we worked made it their mission to get us together, we were both single parents with 3 children 2 of which were the same age with one older and one younger. Time went on and I ended up having a flat tire in September my boss was insistent that I have John fix it. Being a single parent I couldn’t pay much so told him I’d buy him a beer one day he said what about dinner. I agreed to have dinner with him and we’ve shared dinners for the last 28 yrs together. Raised all 6 kids together and have 14 grandchildren. Share a memory you have made together: Raising a

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