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COLLINSVILLE – The Illinois State Police (ISP) announced today it conducted an anti-human trafficking operation in the Metropolitan East St. Louis Area and it resulted in seven arrests. Between June 22-23, 2023, the ISP Division of Criminal Investigation Trafficking Enforcement Bureau and the Metropolitan Enforcement Group of Southwestern Illinois led a human trafficking suppression operation focused on identifying individuals seeking to engage in commercial sex acts with minors. “ISP has a responsibility to protect those vulnerable to human trafficking, forced labor, and sexual servitude,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “The arrests of these individuals serve as notice to anyone who thinks about feeding the demand for human trafficking that ISP could be waiting behind a door for them with handcuffs.” As a result of the operation, the following individuals were arrested and charged. Donald A. Dececco (43) – St. Louis, Missouri –

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ALTON - Hit it out of the park in Alton and Collinsville during All Star Restaurant Week July 7 – 16 featuring 34 locally owned and operated restaurants serving up delicious dining specials. A total of 24 restaurants in Alton, Grafton, Bethalto, East Alton, Godfrey are participating in this popular dining event. Ten restaurants will serve up great specials in Collinsville. All will feature a lunch and/or dinner special for the 10 day dining event. And once again diners can receive a free commemorative pint glass with a receipt from a participating restaurant to the Alton Visitor Center, 200 Piasa St., Alton or Uptown Scoops, 403 W. Main St., Collinsville. Glasses are available while supplies last. “Restaurant Week is a great way to celebrate all the amazing locally owned and operated restaurants in the Great Rivers & Routes region,” Cory Jobe, President & CEO of the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau said. “From Alton to Collinsville, we are able to highlight

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CHICAGO – Today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, met with members of March Fourth, a gun violence prevention organization that was founded in the aftermath of the Highland Park shooting on July 4, 2022. “Next week marks one year since the horrific mass shooting at a Fourth of July parade in Highland Park. That gunman scarred a community for a lifetime, shooting more than 80 rounds in 60 seconds, at what was supposed to be a joyful community celebration of America’s beauty and her freedoms. Mass shootings are a uniquely American experience, and it doesn’t have to be this way. Since that day, Illinoisans have mobilized and garnered a swell of grassroots support for gun violence prevention policies. I’m grateful for community leaders and members of March Fourth for their efforts as we work to address gun violence as a major public health threat,” said Durbin. Last week, the Senate unanimously pass

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SPRINGFIELD - The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM) is reminding Illinoisans to make sure they are following proper safety practices when using their grills this holiday weekend and throughout the rest of the summer. July is the peak month for grill fires followed by June, May and August. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), reports around 64% of U.S. households own at least one outdoor BBQ, grill or smoker. Gas grills contribute to a higher number of fires than charcoal grills. The NFPA reports 61% of households own a gas grill. On average, 10,200 home fires are started by a grill each year. In 2017-2021, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 11,421 home fires involving grills, hibachis, or barbecues per year, including an average of 5,763 structure fires and 5,659 outside or unclassified fires. During the same time, an average of 22,155 patients per year went to emergency rooms because of injuries involving grills. Nearly half (10,342 or 47%) o

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SPRINGFIELD— With smoke from wildfires in Canada traveling down into the region, the air quality has deteriorated rapidly, leading the National Weather Service in Lincoln to issue an air quality alert. HSHS Medical Group pulmonologist Dr. Brian Reichardt shared, “People can see that it looks smoggy in the air but may not realize the affect wildfire smoke can have on the lungs, especially for older adults, pregnant women, children, and people with preexisting respiratory and heart conditions. If there is enough smoke in the air, it can affect someone who is healthy if they are exposed to it long enough.” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), breathing in smoke can have immediate health effects, including: Coughing Trouble breathing normally Stinging eyes A scratchy throat Runny nose Irritated sinuses Wheezing and shortness of breath Chest pain Headaches An asthma attack Tiredness Fast heartbeat Those whose age or health

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul today led a coalition of 24 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief to protect a key provision of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) that guarantees access to critical preventive care for millions of Americans. Congress enacted the ACA’s preventive services provision because, previously, many Americans struggled to afford preventive care, which can be lifesaving but was often not covered by insurance. The preventive services provision eliminated this financial barrier by requiring most private insurance plans to cover certain preventive services and treatments, such as cancer screenings and vaccinations, without charging out-of-pocket costs, including copayments or deductibles. “Access to preventive health services saves lives, reduces disparities in health care and improves public health and safety for everyone,” Raoul said. “I am proud to lead this coalition of my fellow attorneys general calling

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WEST ALTON – The US Army Corps of Engineers, Rivers Project Office, will temporarily close overnight access to Riverlands Way and Lincoln Shields Recreation Area in West Alton for the Fourth of July Weekend. Riverlands Way will be closed each of the following timeframes: July 1 st from 7:00pm through July 2 nd at 7:30am July 2 nd from 7:00pm through July 3 rd at 7:30am July 3 rd from 10:00pm through July 4 th at 7:30am July 4 th from 7:00pm through July 5 th at 7:30am Lincoln Shields Recreation Area will be closed each of the following timeframes: July 1 st from 7:00pm through July 2 nd at 7:30am July 2 nd from 7:00pm through July 4 th at 7:30am July 4 th from 7:00pm through July 5 th at 7:30am Both Riverlands Way and Lincoln Shield Recreation Area will again remain open beginning July 5 th at 7:30am. For more information, please contact the Rivers Project Office at 636-899-2600.

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ALTON - Alton’s famous fireworks show and 4th of July celebration will take place from 5–10 p.m. on Monday, July 3 at the Alton Amphitheater. The fireworks will begin at 9:30 p.m. Launched over the Mississippi River, the show can be seen from anywhere in the downtown area. But if you want the full 4th of July experience, the Amphitheater is the place to be. Doors open at 5 p.m. Alton Mayor David Goins said this year's fireworks display will be bigger and better. “We are moving those who set off the fireworks back across the river and they will be sent off from the West Alton area," he said. "People always look forward to the fireworks festival and the Amphitheater Commission does a wonderful job of putting together a nice event down at the riverfront. There will be music, food and a festive atmosphere and it culminates with the fireworks.” Local food trucks, including Kona Ice , Pig on a Wing , Quick Bite and Frozen Treats and Ray’s Soul Touching

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JERSEYVILLE - Sprinkles the Donut, the locally beloved mascot for BigBoy’s Donuts in Jerseyville, has been found and returned home safely after he went missing earlier this week. BigBoy’s was happy to make the announcement on their Facebook page last night. “Look who found his way back home!!!!” they announced in the post. “Thank you to everyone that shared the Facebook posts. Riverbender.com for helping us spread the word and get his picture out for the public to see.” Several in the comments section were happy to see Sprinkles back home and safe. “Thank you again from the bottom of our hearts,” BigBoy's added. For more information and updates, visit the BigBoy’s Donuts Facebook page .

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ALTON - A typically routine motion to pay the bills led to a split vote by the Alton City Council on Wednesday night after specific bill items were debated heavily at the Committee of the Whole meeting earlier this week. At issue were the use of Tourism Tax dollars to pay Alton Main Street, as well as the city’s paid membership in the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative. The original bill listing for the city called for $5,312 to be paid to Alton Main Street from the Tourism Fund, but Alderman Raymond Strebel said at the Committee of the Whole meeting that those funds couldn’t be used to pay the organization. “There’s no ordinance that says you can pay Alton Main Street,” said Alderman Raymond Strebel. “It specifically says ‘Travel & Tourism Bureau.’” After some debate over whether those dollars could also be used on anything meant to promote the city, Alderman Strebel moved to separate that bill listing from

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ALTON/EDWARDSVILLE - It’s hot, humid and hazy in the Riverbend, and the Metro East Humane Society has some tips for pet owners who want to keep their pets safe during adverse weather conditions through 4th of July fireworks. The National Weather Service in St. Louis has issued a severe heat advisory for our area, with temperatures expected to near 100 degrees Fahrenheit over the next few days. Kids and senior citizens need to be especially careful in this weather, but Belle Hargraves, an animal caretaker at the Metro East Humane Society, reminds people to be cautious with their pets. “For dogs, you want to provide plenty of water and try to keep them inside as much as possible,” Hargraves said. “In this kind of heat, we try to keep walks very, very short, like five to ten minutes with plenty of breaks in between.” Hargraves recommends turning on fans and keeping cats and dogs indoors as much as possible. Some dogs also enjoy laying on cooling pads.

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GRANITE CITY - Two Granite City School bus drivers recently lost all their belongings in a tragic home fire and a GoFundMe was established to assist, along with a "Stuff the Bus" front parking lot event at GHS. "Two of our Granite City School bus drivers were devastated when their home, car, puppy and all of their belongings were destroyed in a house fire," Chris Mitchell, public relations spokesperson for Granite City School District, said. "Kayleen Shaw (age 26) and Heather Dundon (age 29) and Kayleen’s 8-year-old daughter Brooklyn lost everything. First Student Granite City came together and asked for assistance to help get them back on their feet." Two GoFundMe’s have been started by close relatives and friends of Kayleen and Heather. To date, the two GoFundMe accounts have raised more than $4,000 for the families. The links to each are below and area residents are encouraged to give to the plight of these dedicated bus drivers: GoFundMe #1 - https://gofund.me/11c79838

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JERSEYVILLE - New Dairyland Co-Owner Jay Jones plans to make a few improvements while keeping most of the Dairyland experience the same - including the name, which he says will remain “McCarry’s Dairyland.” He gave credit to the McCarry family and Dairyland staff for the “empire” they’ve built over the years. “We’re keeping the McCarry name alive - it’s staying McCarry’s Dairyland, it’ll always be McCarry’s Dairyland,” Jones said. “Sammy McCarry built an empire here of a great business, and we’ve got big shoes to fill, but we’re going to do it.” Jones noted that the original staff is staying on, including Bailey McCarry, who will still work there as a manager. “We’re not going to try to fix something that’s not broken. It’s not - these girls up here, they know what they're doing,” he said. “We’ve got a good staff, and Shannon who we

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ST. LOUIS – On Friday, June 30, 2023, the Gateway Arch celebrates #Arch630Day. It’s a day to recognize and celebrate the 630-foot-tall and 630-foot-wide icon of St. Louis: the Gateway Arch! “#Arch630Day is a special day that allows us to recognize the engineering marvel that is the Gateway Arch and its role as an icon for the St. Louis region,” said Mary Lamie, Executive Vice President of Bi-State Development, which operates the Gateway Arch tram. “The day and the accompanying stacking challenge on social media have become a tradition in the St. Louis community. This year we’re excited to include Mercy Hospitals and area pet shelters in the celebration.” Babies born at Mercy Hospitals in the St. Louis Metro area on 6/30 will receive a commemorative #Arch630Day onesie. Follow @GatewayArchSTL on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, and @FollowMercy on Facebook and Twitter and @Follow_Mercy on Instagram to see if any #Arch630Day babies are born! Shelter

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ALTON - My Just Desserts Alton, LLC will celebrate its fifth anniversary this week with tributes to Yvonne Campbell, the restaurant’s beloved founder who passed away last year. Yvonne opened the restaurant on East Broadway in Alton in 2018. Community members are invited to commemorate the anniversary in her honor. “We just want to celebrate,” Evelyn Campbell, Yvonne’s sister, said. “We’re going to have all her favorite things she liked, her favorite dishes, soups and desserts. We want people to come in and share their stories about her. We just want it to be a happy event.” From Wednesday to Saturday, My Just Desserts will feature Yvonne’s favorite menu items. They will also dedicate a tree in Yvonne’s honor at the restaurant on Saturday. Evelyn says the tree will have purple blooms in the spring, which was Yvonne’s favorite color. The restaurant has catering and carry-out options as well as a bustling indoor seatin

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ROODHOUSE - Roodhouse is under a boil order Wednesday because of a water main break. Roodhouse is in Greene County, next to White Hall. The announcement occurred at 2 p.m. Wednesday and is in place Roodhouse Water Department officials say until further notice. Officials said bottled water should be used for both food preparation and drinking.

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GRAFTON - With the real-life map of the Mississippi and Illinois River confluence spread far below, the first meeting of the Grafton Ferry Study Committee kicked off at Aerie’s Winery on Thursday, June 22 nd . The meeting was hosted by America’s Central Port District (Granite City) and the City of Grafton, partners in seeking the planning grant to study the regional ferry systems and provide recommendations. The consulting contract was awarded to Nelson/Nygaard, who is conducting a comprehensive study of all aspects of river ferry operation along the Mississippi. Participants included the Ferry Oversight Committee, appointed by the City Council to review the data and to provide input to Nelson/Nygaard. The committee is comprised of Grafton business owners and residents; city government is represented by Alderwoman Donna Smith, Alderman Andy Jackson, and Mayor Morrow. The overall scope of the study was presented, and input was gathered from committee members regarding the

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ALTON - Brown Bag Bistro had some excited diners and staff today as the local restaurant was spotlighted by America’s Best Restaurants . The Bistro will be featured on an upcoming episode of the ABR Roadshow series, which was filmed today at the restaurant in downtown Alton. Customers were invited to watch the taping and enjoy some of the signature menu items that earned the Bistro this recognition. “Loving what you’re doing — I think that’s what’s driven us a lot,” co-owner Erin Velloff said of the restaurant’s success. “It’s surpassed everything we imagined, really, and it just continues getting better and better.” Erin and her mother, Christine, opened the Bistro together in 2018. You can read more about their journey here . While this latest recognition is exciting, the Velloffs agree that what they’re most proud of is the community and connections they’ve built in Alton. “My

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GLEN CARBON - These students were members of the Father McGivney Catholic Class of 2023: Elisabeth Antonini Christopher Apotheker Callie Barks Mary-Elizabeth Benware Wyatt Biermann Alma Bond Emma Bukovac Madeline Burkart Madeline Burnett Samuel Chouinard Keira Cope Owen Cortez Michael Cummins Mallori Dempsey Andrew Douglas Caroline Foppe Tanner Garner Daniel Gierer Katie Gilbertson Olivia Gray Taylor Haerr Aislin Hall Katherine Hand Mary Harkins Jacob Huber Autumn Hutson Amelia Hylla Sophia Ivnik Ava Jackson Megan Jamruk Benjamin Joellenbeck Lauren Jones Reece Kleinschmidt Margaret Klusas Jacob Larkin David Lowe Sofia Luna Abigail Madura Emma Martinez Jacob McKee Elizabeth Melcher Ashton Mersinger Kaleigh Pekarik Abigail Piechocinski Brandon Reed Braden Riechmann Jackson Rodgers Evan Rolves Ellie Ronzo Abigail Root Evan Rybak Gretchen Rybolt Evan Schrage Abigail Shearer Nolan Shearer Ainsley Siekmann Gabe Smith Melinda

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ALTON - The Alton Municipal Band is excited to continue its 133rd concert season with a patriotic spectacular - just in time for Independence Day. One change has been made in the schedule because of ongoing work in the Riverview Park area. The Thursday, June 29, concert will be held at Haskell Park, along with the 7 p.m. Sunday, July 2, concert, Adam Rogers of the Municipal Band, said on Wednesday morning. Rogers said he did not know an exact date the band could return to Riverview Park in Alton for concerts, but plans to keep the public posted. Longtime favorite vocalist David Guebert will lead the audience in sing-alongs of patriotic classics celebrating our nation’s independence. The band, under the direction of David Drillinger, will perform patriotic marches and music from great American films. Arrangements of music with narration will captivate audiences and remind them of our nation’s founding principles and heroic leaders. As is tradition, the ensemble will pay

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