Riverbender 🕸

EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County taxpayers have been forced to expend more than a quarter of a million dollars merely to defend against more than a dozen failed lawsuits filed by only two former county employees. “It’s a sadly typical case of frivolous lawsuits driving up costs for taxpayers,” said Haine. “I hope it stops soon, so local taxpayers don’t continue to suffer this waste of resources merely to ward off meritless lawsuits by just two individuals.” As of mid-August, the county’s legal fees to defend against litigation brought by former county administrator Doug Hulme and former information technology director Robert Dorman stood at $271,568.43. Dorman and Hulme were employed as top appointees of County Board Chairman Prenzler in 2016. After an investigation into acts of malfeasance while in those roles, their employment was terminated by the County Board in 2020. Since then, Dorman, Hulme or both are plaintiffs in 18 separate cases

Continue Reading

A federal panel recently advised women get a mammogram every other year starting at age 40, rather than 50. And the American Cancer Society estimates that in 2023, nearly 300,000 women in the United States will learn they have breast cancer. About 43,700 women will lose their life due to the disease. The headlines are reminders to know your breast cancer risks. While many risks are out of your control, there’s just as much you can control, says Heather Chambers, a breast health navigator at OSF HealthCare. Major risks you can control Active lifestyle and healthy eating: Chambers puts it plainly. If you eat junk, you’ll feel like junk. And any exercise will give you more energy and burn fat. Fat produces estrogen, which feeds cancer cells. “You want to make sure you’re well-maintained with your weight, even after menopause,” Chambers says. Taking hormones: This impacts your ovaries, reducing or adding estrogen. Whether you’re at a routin

Continue Reading

ROODHOUSE – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that pavement patching on U.S. 67 from Franklin Street to Prairie Street in Greene County will require intermittent lane closures beginning, weather permitting, Friday, Sept. 22. Flaggers will maintain two-way traffic. Drivers are urged to reduce speed, be alert for changing conditions, obey all construction signage, and refrain from using mobile devices while approaching and traveling through the work zone. The project is expected to be completed by the end of September. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on Twitter at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE - Nautical Bowls in Edwardsville has closed permanently following an announcement from the co-owners yesterday that the restaurant was unable to stay afloat. The business closed just nine months after it opened in Edwardsville on December 13, 2022. Nautical Bowls Co-Owners Joel and Melissan Nimmo compared the business’s downfall to the nautical legend of the “siren song,” wherein sailors were led to their doom by the deceptive sound of a woman’s singing. “Like the sailors of the legend, we heard a beautiful song eighteen months ago,” they wrote on Facebook . “The song sounded like the culmination of a career spent preparing for this opportunity to make our dreams come true. The melody of working for ourselves, building a legacy for our family, and making a difference in our community was exhilarating. “So, we followed the siren’s call and set a course to open a Nautical Bowls restaurant in Edwardsville.

Continue Reading

ALTON - This year’s Alton Memorial Hospital White Cross Auxiliary “Girls on Grapes, Boys on Brew” fundraiser raised a total of almost $25,000 – enough to purchase 10 more Staxi wheelchairs for the hospital. The wheelchairs are distributed throughout the hospital as well as the three medical office buildings on the AMH campus. They are much easier for volunteers to push and also stop, providing a much more efficient and pleasant experience for patients. Thanks to the many sponsors, volunteers and all who came out to the Loading Dock this spring to support the annual “GOGBOB” event.

Continue Reading

WASHINGTON DC - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced $10 million in federal funding for the Illinois Department of Human Services’ Illinois Pathways to Partnerships Project (IPPP). Through partnerships with state agencies and Centers for Independent Living, the project aims to support independent living and professional development for students with disabilities aged 10-24 across the state. “Today’s announcement is progress in ensuring Illinois’s youth of all abilities are encouraged to have independent and fulfilling lives,” said Duckworth. “I’m glad to announce this federal funding and will keep advocating for Americans with disabilities to get the federal support they deserve.” “This federal funding allows us to break the cycle of exclusion and enable our youth to be contributors in our communities,” said Durbin. “By investing in their future, we’re empowering the

Continue Reading

CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a coalition of 24 attorneys general, filed a legal brief advocating in support of the federal government’s challenge to Idaho’s near-total ban on abortion access. “Since the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling overturning Roe v. Wade, we have seen increased attempts to criminalize abortion care even in situations when the patient’s health or life is at stake,” Raoul said. “I will continue to stand with my colleagues against these efforts and ensure women in every state have access to life-saving health care.” In their brief filed in United States of America v. Idaho , Raoul and the coalition support the federal government’s argument that Idaho’s ban conflicts with the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA), a federal law that requires doctors and hospitals to provide stabilizing emergency treatment to patients, including abortion. Every hospital in the United States

Continue Reading

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Police (ISP) has filed an emergency rule with the Illinois Secretary of State to implement the Protect Illinois Communities Act (Act). On January 10, 2023, Governor JB Pritzker signed into law Public Act 102-1116 regulating the sale and distribution of assault weapons, high-capacity magazines, and switches in Illinois. The Act went into effect immediately upon signing. Individuals who possessed an assault weapon, assault weapon attachment, .50 caliber rifle, or .50 caliber cartridge before the Act took effect are required to submit an endorsement affidavit through their Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) Card account prior to January 1, 2024. A copy of the emergency rule will be posted on the ISP website at www.isp.illinois.gov/Home/AssaultWeapons , but in the interim, can be found in this news release posted on the ISP website . Individuals can begin submitting their endorsement affidavits online beginning October 1, 2023. Affidavi

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE: Juvenile violence is an ongoing concern in our community. All too often, my office prosecutes serious violent acts committed by juveniles including car thefts, shootings, and murders. Due to legally required confidentiality when minors are involved, and the uncertainty of terms of confinement in the juvenile system (these issues are explained below), some in the community may fear that violent juveniles are not being dealt with appropriately. This article aims to provide concerned citizens with additional insight on how a juvenile case is charged and prosecuted here in Madison County, and the various methods we use at the State’s Attorney’s Office to ensure our community is protected from juvenile violence, while also keeping in mind that when children are involved, the law gives them special attention and consideration. Background In 1899, the Illinois Juvenile Court Act (JCA) took effect, and Illinois became the first state to create a separate court for juveniles

Continue Reading

WOOD RIVER - Wood River Police Chief Brad Wells said his department has been prepared for the end of cash bail long before the Pre-Trial Fairness Act officially went into effect on Monday, Sept. 18. At Monday night’s City Council meeting, Chief Wells assured the public that his department will work with the State’s Attorney to continue keeping the city safe. “We’ve done a lot of internal work to get ready for this morning,” Chief Wells said. “With the click of the calendar from the 17th to the 18th, Illinois is the only state in the land to be a no-cash-bail state. “We’ve done a lot of meetings, a lot of preparation with our State’s Attorney, have a lot of procedures in place, we feel like we are ready for that. The time from midnight last night until this morning, we’ve not had to deal with that issue, but obviously by the time the week ends will determine just how that’s going to affect us.” Wells sai

Continue Reading

ALTON - Monday, Sept. 18, kicked off the start of student disciplinary hearings following a series of physical altercations between students at Alton High School on Aug. 30. The Alton Community Unit School District #11 Board of Education held five hearings from 4–8 p.m. on Monday. All five students were expelled, though the terms of their expulsions differed. Four students were expelled effective immediately until June 1, 2024. One student was expelled until June 1, 2025. Expelled students cannot be on school property, nor can they attend or participate in school-sponsored events for the duration of their expulsion. In order to continue their education and fulfill requirements to graduate, these students can enroll in the Madison County Regional Office of Education 41 alternative schooling program. One student was offered homeschooling or remote learning options rather than the alternative schooling program, which would allow the student to graduate from Alton High School.

Continue Reading

GODFREY - The Village of Godfrey’s 22nd annual Fall Festival invites community members to check out the Great Godfrey Maze and other family-friendly activities this Saturday, Sept. 23. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Godfrey’s Robert E. Glazebrook Park will offer games, attractions, food vendors and live music in addition to the famous maze, which opened last week. This year’s theme is “Family Game Night.” Chris Logan, the Parks and Recreation Director, explained that the Fall Festival adds some extra fun to the maze’s regular weekend events. “This is another festival that Godfrey provides, a chance for families to come out and have a good time,” Logan said. “It’ll be more like a regular maze Saturday with some extra things going on, so it’s an even better day to come out.” The Great Godfrey Maze is open from 6–10 p.m. on Fridays and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturdays until Oct. 28. Young kids can also

Continue Reading

GRANITE CITY — U.S. Steel has put the blame on the United Autoworker's strike for a decrease in demand but has said they are idling operations of a blast furnace at Granite City Works until conditions improve. Meanwhile, the Granite City mayor, a U.S. congressman, and a major labor representative describe the move as "shameful." The United Steelworkers plans to meet with U.S. Steel to hopefully minimize layoffs with their contract. The auto workers' strike against Detroit's Big Three now enters day four with no signs Monday of any breakthrough. Granite City Mayor Mike Parkinson issued a statement about the idling and said: “There is reason for shutting down the furnace. This is a way they can idle employees without notice. It is deplorable and I question the fact they are doing it because of the auto industry strike. This is not a way to treat American workers.” U.S. Steel made this statement following the announcement of UAW strike actions: "We are executing our

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE/GLEN CARBON - The Randy Gori Memorial 2023 Kicks on 66 Car Show & Cruise invited car lovers to have a fun time with old rides this weekend. More than 600 cars and motorcycles lined up at Schon Park in Glen Carbon from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sept. 16. Attendees could check out the classic cars and chat with the owners about their vehicles. The afternoon ended with a cruise through downtown Glen Carbon. Newbold BMW and Newbold Toyota , two car dealerships in O’Fallon, presented the car show and cruise. Thousands of people came out to enjoy the free event and support the Gori family. The Kicks on 66 show honors Randy L. Gori , a prominent Edwardsville attorney who was killed in 2020. Gori was a co-founder of The Gori Law Firm , which partnered with the Village of Glen Carbon to support the event. This was the third annual car show held in his memory. On their official Facebook page , Kicks on 66 called this weekend’s event “one of th

Continue Reading

GRANITE CITY - Illinois State Senator Erica Harriss - 56th District - and Illinois State Representative Amy Elik - 111th District - met with Granite City High School students on Monday, Sept. 18, as part of Constitution Day. GCHS Social Studies classes gathered in the Performing Arts Center (PAC) to hear from local State elected officials about Constitution Day, the Constitution and its importance, and citizenship. NOTE: Constitution Day was celebrated on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023, and was recognized at GCHS on Monday, Sept. 18, 2023

Continue Reading

BETHALTO - It’s been almost six months in the making, but the Piasa Flyers are ready for Take Off. Members of the club are now proud owners of a 1968 Piper Cherokee 180D. The plane has low hours, is in good shape and should be a great first plane for the club, said member Don Hill. “It has a 180 HP engine that is capable of flying cross country at 145 miles an hour and still meets the needs of a trainer aircraft.” The plane was purchased from a private seller in Baltimore, Maryland, and flown back to the St. Louis Regional Airport by member Rob Kurtz this past Monday. The Search Committee, formed about a month ago, included Joe Rather, John Hentrich, Rob Kurtz, Paul Malcharek, Ron Jones, Vance Stutz and President Cody Peckham. “I think we got pretty lucky,” said John Hentrich, treasurer of the organization. “Buying a 55-year-old plane located halfway across the country with no real experience was both tricky and a little stressful. None

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE - The Madison County Sheriff's Office released information today about a missing/endangered person in the Dorsey/Staunton area - Laura Erzen. The above photo is of Erzen. She now has been reported found. The Madison County Sheriff's Office issued a statement that she has been located and is "safe." Erzen is a white female, 36, 5-foot-5, 185 pounds, with blue eyes and brown hair. The sheriff's office said she was last known to be in the Dorsey, IL, area. If you have any information, call 618-692-4433, or the anonymous Tip Line at 618-296-3000.

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE - One of the most popular events in the region each year is the Touch-A-Truck Day at Edwardsville Township Park (Airplane Park) at 6368 Center Grove Road. Kevin Hall, Edwardsville Township supervisor, and Adam Colvin, the Edwardsville Township administrator, said the event offers more vehicles/activities than ever from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, September 30. Nearly 50 vehicles will be on-site for children to explore throughout the day. Edwardsville Township’s 9 th Annual Touch-A-Truck event will incorporate a range of nearly 50 vehicles, including: SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital’s Helicopter and Ambulance City of Edwardsville & Village of Glen Carbon Ambulances and Fire Trucks Eclipse Car Wash’s Caterpillar D6 Dozer Gateway Truck & Refrigeration’s Volvo VNL 860 Southern Illinois University School of Engineering’s Solar Car, Cougar Baja, and Formula Car Scott Credit Union’s Hummer The Annual Touch-a-Truck

Continue Reading

ST. LOUIS - The Bike MS: Gateway Getaway 2023 fundraiser and bike ride recently welcomed 1,000 bicyclists to the Riverbend area to raise funds and awareness for multiple sclerosis (MS). “It was such a great weekend full of hugs, high-fives and mission-inspired moments,” Marisa Hacker, senior manager for Bike MS, said. “Definitely an emotion-filled weekend, with the excitement and the inspiration of the progress that we’ve made so far and then always knowing there’s still work to be done until we find a cure for this thing.” On Sept. 9 and 10, bicyclists tackled 25-, 50-, 75- or 100-mile routes through local communities with Lewis and Clark Community College (LCCC) in Godfrey as their home base. There are 50 Bike MS events across the U.S., and this ride in the St. Louis region is in the top 15. The bicycle rides aim to raise a collective $1.3 million for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society . The Bike MS: Gateway Getaway in the Riverbend

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE — A man has been sentenced to 10 years in an aggravated DUI case. Madison County State's Attorney Thomas Haine made the announcement on Monday that Wayne A. Stayton, 41, of Collinsville, received the sentence at a hearing on Friday. The crash happened at about 4 a.m. on Feb. 23, 2018. In June, following a week-long trial, a jury convicted Stayton of aggravated DUI, finding that he was under the influence of cannabis when his pickup crossed the center line of U.S. 40 in Highland and crashed into a truck driven by Charlene Johnson, 45, of Highland. Witnesses at the trial included experts from Colorado, Florida and Chicago. “This prosecution involved highly scientific evidence and testimony from medical experts. This is an area of criminal law that continues to evolve,” Haine said. “In the end, the jury’s diligent analysis led them to the conclusion that this defendant chose to become impaired, then got behind the wheel – and in fact

Continue Reading