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GODFREY – The start of a new school year means another new year for the RiverBend Growth Association’s Young Adults Committee. This year’s committee has increased its potential to “do good.” It has grown its membership to 22 students from 20, and from five area high schools to an added home school. Student representatives participate from Fortitude School and Alton, Civic Memorial (Bethalto), East Alton-Wood River, Marquette Catholic and Roxana High Schools. Senior student representatives for the 2022-23 academic year include Anbrielle Blake and Jayden Ross from Alton High School, Olivia Goodman and Benjamin Werts from Civic Memorial High School, Mary Nguyen and Mia Seibert from East Alton-Wood River High School, Max Cogan and Samantha Hentrich from Alton’s Marquette Catholic High School, and Lily Daugherty and Ava Meneses from Roxana High School. YAC junior student representatives this year are Emily Schrumpf and Khalilia Spitz from Alton High School

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ALTON - The Hayner Public Library District Inaugural Local Author Book Fair will promote local authors, literacy, and library programming, services, and collections This fall, Hayner Library will host its inaugural Local Author Book Fair, where you can meet thirty local authors, buy their books, and have them signed. The event will be held Saturday, October 8, 2022, from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. If necessary, a rain date is scheduled for Saturday, October 15, 2022. The event will feature library card registration, a showcase of non-traditional library materials available for checkout, giveaways, and other library highlights. There will also be activities, crafts, and story times for the kids. WBGZ radio will broadcast live from the event, and coffee (hot and iced) and pastries will be available for purchase from Germania Brew Haus. The Riverbend Raptor will also be roving around the book fair for your amusement! You can browse or make purchases — and be sure to leave some tim

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JERSEY - In conjunction with CNB Bank & Trust, J.C.H.S. has selected their “Students of the Month”. The recipients for the month of September are Dylan Burch(9) and Alexis Hedden (8). The selection of a “Student of the Month” is based on the number of F.O.C.U.S. nominations, that a student receives for a given month. F.O.C.U.S. (Finding One Clearly Unique Student) is a program, which acknowledges a student each week for academic or kindness. Each week teachers may recognize students who have performed well in their classes by selecting them as F.O.C.U.S. students for that particular week. During September, Dylan and Alexis received the most F.O.C.U.S. nominations. Because they received the most nominations, they were named “Students of the Month” at J.C.H.S. They are being congratulated by Mike LaTempt of CNB Bank & Trust.

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WOOD RIVER - The Wood River Police announced on Thursday afternoon that Dakota R. Davidson, 20, of the 1200 block of East Madison Avenue in Wood River has been charged with two counts of Aggravated Arson. Wood River Police Chief Brad Wells said that at 11:40 p.m. on Sunday, October 2, 2022, the Wood River Fire and Police Departments were dispatched to a commercial fire alarm at an apartment complex located at 133 Thompson Street. Several calls came to the 911 Center reporting the fire. "One caller reported seeing a male subject run from the scene carrying a gas can," Chief Wells said. "The Wood River Fire Department was able to extinguish the fire quickly and determined the fire was intentionally set in a hallway of the multi-unit complex. "While the Fire Department was battling the fire it was learned that a female resident of the complex was escaping the fire from her apartment and fell from a balcony. The female was severely injured from the fall. She was transported by ambulance

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JERSEY - In conjunction with Jersey State Bank, J.C.H.S. has selected their “Student of the Month”. The recipient for the month of September is Brooke Stockstill. The selection of a “Student of the Month” is based upon the number of F.O.C.U.S. nominations, which a student receives for a given month. F.O.C.U.S. (Finding One Clearly Unique Student) is a program, which acknowledges a student each week for academic or kindness. Each week teachers may recognize students who have performed well in their classes by selecting them as F.O.C.U.S. students for that particular week. During September, Brooke received the most F.O.C.U.S. nominations. Because she received the most nominations, he was named “Students of the Month” at JCHS. She is being congratulated by Anna Fessler of Jersey State Bank.

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JERSEY - In conjunction with Jerseyville Banking Center, J.C.H.S. has selected their “Students of the Month”. The recipients for the month of September are J.R. Wells (11) & Dinah Slusser(10). The selection of a “Student of the Month” is based upon the number of F.O.C.U.S. nominations, which a student receives for a given month. F.O.C.U.S. (Finding One Clearly Unique Student) is a program, which acknowledges a student each week for academic or kindness. Each week teachers may recognize students who have performed well in their classes by selecting them as F.O.C.U.S. students for that particular week. During September, JR & Dinah received the most F.O.C.U.S. nominations. Because they received the most nominations, they were named “Students of the Month” at JCHS. They are being congratulated by Jayda Bodenbach of Jerseyville Banking Center.

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ST. LOUIS - In an op-ed, Mayor Tishaura O. Jones proposes using at least $40 million in American Rescue Plan funds to improve street safety through traffic calming measures and a citywide mobility and transportation plan. The proposal comes after multiple community town halls, more than 5,000 survey responses as well as roundtables with community stakeholders and leaders. An excerpt is below: “Aldermen are responsible on a ward-by-ward basis for determining infrastructure needs and can use ward capital funds to fund these improvements, but when people do not feel safe traveling on our roads, it’s clear the current fragmented system isn’t working. Think about Kingshighway, which runs nearly the entire length of St. Louis across 11 wards. Grand touches even more wards at 12. Piecemeal solutions to a crisis that touches our entire city sets us up to fail time and time again. “St. Louis needs a mobility and transportation master plan that takes our entire city int

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DOW - Local nonprofit Givin’ It All For Guts is hosting a fundraising event at the Do Drop Inn and is inviting the public to dance for a good cause to live music from The Steve Ewing Band. The organization helps fund research into Crohn’s Disease, colitis, and IBD illnesses. The event will be held on Saturday, Oct. 15, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. and music/dancing from 7-10 p.m. Entry is free with an optional donation. Angela Richards, president of Givin’ It All For Guts, said there will also be a cash bar and 50/50 raffle at the event. Steve Ewing is the former frontman of The Urge, an STL-based band that gained a large following locally and beyond. Richards added that his band was originally booked for other events that were canceled during the pandemic, so she’s looking forward to this performance. “We’re just wanting everyone to enjoy them get the word out about our organization,” she said. Proceeds from the event will

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ST. LOUIS – Convicted murderer Stephan Cannon will receive life in prison for the killing of David Dorn, a long-time St. Louis Police Department captain. Dorn had a 43-year law enforcement career and was the Moline Acres Police Department chief late in his career. Cannon, 26, shot and killed Dorn, who was 77 at the time, in June 2020. Dorn responded to a burglar alarm at Lee's Pawn and Jewelry on Dr. Martin Luther King Drive. When he arrived he confronted burglars who had broken into the store. The break-in occurred in the aftermath of a George Floyd protest in St. Louis. Cannon was convicted of first-degree murder and received a combined 15 years in prison for three counts of armed criminal action, 10 years in prison for first-degree robbery, and five years in prison for first-degree burglary. The sentences for Cannon will run consecutively.

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville-Glen Carbon Chamber welcomed new Shelter Insurance owner-operator, Joshua Buck, with a ribbon cutting on Wednesday. Joshua's Shelter Insurance Agency is located at No. 1 157 Ctr. Ste .1A, Edwardsville, IL., 62025. "We are celebrating the new agency," he said in an interview. "I am the owner and glad to be here in Edwardsville. It is exciting for me and my family and nice to be close to home with the support of our friends and family. "Our goal is to grow the business and grow the partnership with everybody and create one big family I can protect." The phone number to reach Joshua is (618) 307-9000 or click here for the website .

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GRANITE CITY - Granite City Community Unit District #9 and the Granite City Police Department are partnering to host a Community Safety Awareness Presentation on Wednesday, Oct. 19 in the Granite City High School Performing Arts Center (PAC) at 6:30 p.m. GCPD will have many of their vehicles on display from 5:30-6:30 p.m. and members of the SWAT Team will be present. The following topics will be covered: Warning signs (potential threats) • Situational awareness • Responses to threats Refreshments will be provided by the Grounds City Cafe. For more information about Granite City School District #9, visit www.gcsd9.net .

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GODFREY – Lewis and Clark Community College’s scholarship application is now available for students planning to attend in 2023-2024. Apply today at www.lc.edu/scholarships . The entire application process is online. Filling out a single application will match students with all eligible scholarships. More than 175 scholarships are available for a total value of nearly $600,000. Scholarships vary in amount, but about half cover full annual tuition and fees, approximately $4,500 for an in-district, full-time student. “Thanks to our Board of Trustees and generous donors, there are scholarship opportunities available for people of all ages, abilities and levels of academic achievement,” said L&C President Ken Trzaska. “These scholarships are removing financial barriers to higher education faced by our students. Student loan debt has eclipsed an astonishing $1.6 trillion in the United States. Scholarships provide immediate solutions and prevent future economic

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WOOD RIVER - East Alton-Wood River senior Mackenzie Cox has devoted four years to cheer and is a star in multiple sports. Mackenzie is a Midwest Members Credit Union Female Athlete of the Month for the Oilers. She said she has had constant support at East Alton-Wood River High School from a broad range of individuals: “I would like to thank my parents, best friends, and grandparents for always supporting me throughout my sports career, my parents and grandparents attended every sporting event I have ever had ever since I was a child. Looking out into the stands and to the sideline to see their smiles has always been something to get me through my games. "My mom has always been there to help me throughout all my games, and I am very thankful for her." Alison Beachum is her cheer coach and Mackenzie thanked her for all her support and encouragement. "Something I like most about cheer is that it brings everyone together at the games, looking out into the stands and seeing all

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EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County State’s Attorney Thomas A. Haine and Sheriff John Lakin on Wednesday announced they’ve filed litigation aimed at protecting county residents from a controversial Illinois law known as the SAFE-T Act. Haine is a Republican and Lakin is a Democrat. The new law, scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1, would end the cash bail system in Illinois and severely hamper the ability of local judges to keep dangerous defendants off the streets, according to Haine, Lakin, and dozens of State’s Attorneys and Sheriffs – Democrats and Republicans – across the state. Lakin said, “The bipartisan opposition to the SAFE-T Act is not about politics. It is about public safety. This lawsuit gives our court system an opportunity to properly vet this law where our political branches have failed, and protect the citizens of Madison County from the disaster that is the SAFE-T Act as it is currently written.” “Public safety is not

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HAMEL - The Illinois State Police reports today that two died in a crash with a semi-truck Wednesday morning. ISP says the accident took place at 7:56 a.m. on Wednesday at the intersection of Illinois Route 140 and Illinois Route 4. Illinois Route 140 was closed in the I-55 area, ISP said. Illinois Route 4 was closed between I-55 and Illinois 143. Two people inside an SUV died at the scene of the accident. Multiple first responders were called to the accident scene. ISP conducted reconstruction work of the fatal crash. ISP reports the semi-truck struck the passenger side of the SUV and the driver of the semi was not seriously injured in the accident.

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EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County Treasurer Chris Slusser reminds taxpayers that the third installment of their tax bill is coming due. “With the due date quickly approaching, I want to remind everyone that the third of four tax installments will be due Friday, Oct 7,” Slusser said. “The County Treasurer’s office is open for business Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.” Slusser reminds taxpayers of payment options: at one of the participating collector banks or credit unions throughout the county, by mail, through your financial institution’s online bill pay service, the Treasurer’s website at www.madcotreasurer.org, or in person at the Treasurer’s Office in Edwardsville. “No penalty will be applied for payments mailed and postmarked by the due date,” he said. “I would encourage taxpayers to take a payment inside the post office to have it postmarked if they are planning to mail it on the actual due date. Mail collecte

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ALTON - Residents are encouraged to attend the 16th annual Memorial Service for domestic violence victims to be held at Alton Memorial Hospital from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, October 19, 2022. The service will be held in the Healing Garden; however, in the case of inclement weather, will move to the Chapel. Everyone in the community is very welcome to attend this special event, and to join us for a light buffet afterwards. For the past 15 years, the Third Judicial Circuit Family Violence Prevention Council and Alton Memorial Hospital have presented the annual Memorial Service to remember and honor those who have suffered from abuse. The groups have been unable to hold a Memorial since 2019 due to COVID, and this year will be remembering fourteen victims from Madison County who have died in domestic violence related circumstances since that time. Since 1996, there have been over 112 victims of abuse who have died in Madison County. "We are especially honored to have with us that

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GODFREY - The Village of Godfrey appears full steam ahead for Scooter’s Coffee to locate there in the future. On Tuesday night the Village Board approved a business grant for $20,000 to go toward the project, which will locate at 5330 Godfrey Road. Godfrey Mayor Mike McCormick said a house is positioned in that area now but will be torn down. The mayor said the dollars from the village will come out of a business district fund set up 12 years ago to help existing businesses and new businesses coming into the village. He said Jim Mager, director of economic development for the village, felt the $20,000 would be of help in their estimated $600,000 to build the business out. “Godfrey has some good coffee places and this will be a nice addition,” Mayor McCormick said. “Godfrey is trying to create an environment that welcomes business to our community. I learned right away serving as a trustee, then as mayor that the Village of Godfrey runs on sales tax money and

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GODFREY - Godfrey Fire Protection District firefighters responded at 8:54 a.m. Wednesday for a gas smell call at Evangelical School at 1212 West Homer Adams Parkway in Godfrey. Once they arrived, they discovered a gas leak in a mechanical area on the first floor. Students were already evacuated and were dismissed from school after the gas leak and picked up by designated individuals for each family. Ameren Illinois was called to the school along with a local heating and cooling expert. The Godfrey Fire Protection District turned the situation over to those two, Godfrey Fire Protection District Deputy Chief Dave Bellito said. Evangelical made this announcement at 10 a.m. Wednesday to families: “Evangelical families, our students, and staff were evacuated from the building a short time ago due to the concern of a gas leak. The leak has been confirmed, and it is unsafe to return to the building. Please, at this time, come to your normal pick-up location to get your children. Please

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Community Unit School District #7 is launching an effort to bring the entire D7 community together to develop goals and priorities to improve its schools. ENGAGE District 7, created as part of the implementation of District 7’s strategic plan, is a team of district employees and stakeholders. Engage District 7 is hosting a series of community engagement meetings for your input on how to meet the facility needs for all District 7 students now and in the future. The program is designed to ensure the district’s work in the future is guided by a facility improvement plan developed “ For Our Community By Our Community .” Parents, staff, and community members are encouraged to participate in ENGAGE District 7. As part of the program, a two-part series of community engagement sessions will kick off on Wednesday, Oct. 12. During these sessions, participants will learn more about planning priorities for D7 facilities and will engage wit

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