Riverbender 🕸

GODFREY – The RiverBend Growth Association has chosen its May 2023 Small Business of the Month award honoree to be Freer Auto Body & Accessories, Inc. of Godfrey. Located at 4512 N. Alby Road, Freer Auto Body has been a business mainstay now for 31 years with 16 employees who all have a part in supporting “the dream.” This dream had been launched into reality by a young 19-year-old entrepreneur back in 1991, with help from his grandfather, his brother, and his whole family. David Freer was that young man with a vision. His grandfather was Arnold Freer, an auto body man with a genuine talent. Freer Auto Body remains a true family-owned business today. “We lost David in 2008,” noted Margaret Freer, David’s mother, who helps in keeping his vision going as a part of the family business. “But we have continued his legacy of quality repairs and excellent customer service. We have never forgotten our meager beginnings, and we truly feel the community

Continue Reading

GLEN CARBON - Glen Carbon Sergeant Steven Deist recently completed AOC 149 at the University of Louisville. Deist is now the sixth Glen Carbon graduate of this elite police management program, which includes Chief Link, Lt. Ned Miller, Det. Sgt. Greg Boyer, Sgt. Jeff Blind, and Sgt. Justin Click. The Administrative Officers Course (AOC) is an advanced educational and training institute whose mission is to enhance the professional development of law enforcement officers.

Continue Reading

WOOD RIVER - Wood River Police Chief Brad Wells recently provided more insight into the story behind his department’s collaboration with a local 14-year-old business owner - a story that has proven popular both locally and beyond, and has led to increased business for the teen entrepreneur. Chief Wells said Wood River resident J.T. Thompson reached out to him asking if he would meet with Colton Wilkins, the 14-year-old owner and founder of Colton’s Lawn Care who was looking for work. He set up a meeting with Colton and his mom shortly after. “This kid doesn’t look 14 years old, but he’s a teddy bear - just a good, good kid,” Wells said on a recent episode of Our Daily Show! on RiverBender.com . “He says, ‘Look, I just want to work . I’ve got a lawn care business and I would just like to know if there’s something I can do for you.’ “I said, ‘Look, I think if I put this on Facebook, we’ve got

Continue Reading

WOOD RIVER - Saturday, May 20 will be a busy day in Wood River with the Police Department’s 5k Race starting at 1 p.m. and the Summer Kickoff event from 2 to 8 p.m. The day’s activities will feature over 50 vendors, live music, nine food trucks, and more. Festivities will take place along Ferguson Avenue between Wood River Avenue and Second Street. Registration for the 5k Race can be filled out online at this link or in-person before the race with registration beginning at 12 p.m. Wood River Marketing Consultant Kristen Burns and Police Chief Brad Wells appeared on a recent episode of Our Daily Show! on RiverBender.com to discuss everything going on at the events. Burns said part of the reason they’re able to have so many vendors and food trucks at the event is because of Wood River’s business community. “We have amazing business owners that step up to the plate and they’ve helped us out,” Burns said. “They’ve got

Continue Reading

HARTFORD - Madison County Coroner Stephen P. Nonn is reporting today a coordinated investigation along with Hartford and Wood River Police Departments into the recovery of human skeletal remains on the property of the old Chemetco Industrial Plant, 3754 Chemetco Lane in Hartford. Nonn said the remains were found Thursday afternoon and the Madison County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene at the request of the Hartford and Wood River Police Departments. Illinois State Police Crime Scene Unit also responded and assisted in the search of the area. "The remains were confirmed to be human by Coroner’s Investigator Kelsey Jones and death was pronounced at 3:45 p.m.," Nonn said. "Clothing and other property were recovered. The skeletonized remains were discovered by a person who was doing aerial mapping of the property and promptly reported his finding to local law enforcement." Authorities are aware of a missing person, Vernon Law, who has been missing from Wood River, sinc

Continue Reading

CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a bipartisan coalition of 37 attorneys general, submitted a letter to the U.S. House and U.S. Senate Committees on Appropriations to request robust funding in the fiscal year 2024 budget for the Legal Services Corporation (LSC). The letter highlights the critical work performed by LSC’s grantees across Illinois and the nation. The LSC is a nonprofit legal services organization established by Congress in 1974 to promote equal access to justice for all Americans by funding independent nonprofit legal aid programs across the county. The LSC supports equal access to justice by awarding grants to nonprofit organizations that provide civil legal services to those in need and serves as the nation’s single largest funder of civil legal aid for low-income Americans. “Every resident in Illinois and across the country has the fundamental right to access fair legal representation,” Raoul said. “The Legal Services

Continue Reading

GODFREY – Lewis and Clark Community College is inviting community stakeholders to share in a retrospective and celebration of progress toward its strategic goals during the inaugural State of Trailblazer Nation. Two sessions will be held Monday, May 15, in the Hatheway Cultural Center’s Ann Whitney Olin Theatre – an internal session for faculty and staff members in the morning, followed by a public session at 4:30 p.m. “The future of Lewis and Clark Community College is bright,” said President Ken Trzaska. “We intend to highlight our successes and shine a light on the positive directions the college is moving in. We’d like our community stakeholders to have the opportunity to learn more, share in those successes, and engage with us in this important work.” The college’s strategic plan is a 3-year rolling plan that is refreshed annually. It is grounded in four key directions, each of which comprises a list of measurable aspirations

Continue Reading

GODFREY – Lewis and Clark Community College’s Community Education division is helping to keep kids busy this summer with more than 20 week-long College for Kids classes. College for Kids is an academic enrichment program designed to keep young minds active as they engage, connect and learn. This year’s line-up of classes includes the popular Junior Explorers Summer Camp, lead by L&C Adjunct Faculty Member and Lewis and Clark State Historic Site Superintendent Bradley Winn. “The Junior Explorers Summer Camp is absolutely one of our favorite projects we do at the Lewis and Clark State Historic Site,” Winn said. “The camp provides a hands-on perspective about the extraordinary journey of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Our camp activities encourage kids to explore a love of history in a fun and team-building environment, setting them on their way to becoming a full-fledged member of the Corps of Discovery.” The 2023 Summer Camps list is as follows:

Continue Reading

SPRINGFIELD — As the state of Illinois and the nation reach a major milestone and end the COVID-related Public Health Emergency (PHE) declarations that have been in place since the beginning of the pandemic, Governor JB Pritzker today declared May 11 “Illinois Public Health & Health Care Hero Day.” The Governor formally issued the proclamation at a worker appreciation event at the Sangamon County Health Department in Springfield alongside the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Director Dr. Sameer Vohra and other leaders of the state’s public health and healthcare community. “With the heroic efforts of our healthcare workers and institutions, the perseverance and grit of the people of Illinois, and with 26 million vaccine doses administered, I couldn’t be happier to announce today that all national and state COVID-19 related emergency declarations have finally come to an end,” said Governor JB Pritzker . “Although today mark

Continue Reading

GODFREY - There was singing, dancing, a party bus, and even some very happy horses... Beverly Farm ’s Spring 2023 Family Weekend was called “the best ever” by many who were fortunate to be a part of it. “We are thankful to the community, our staff, and the families who joined us for the weekend,” said Beverly Farm CEO Crystal Officer. “Life is about creating moments with the people who matter in your life, and the joy on our campus was palpable.” Beverly Farm is the largest employer in Godfrey and is currently celebrating its 125 th anniversary. Top representatives from the community showed up to take part, including members of the Riverbend Growth Association, leaders from Liberty Bank, and Alton Mayor David Goins with his wife, Sheila. Highlights included: A family-favorite concert performed by residents kicked off the weekend and set the tone for the fun ahead. The team hosted a retirement party for three of the horses – Red Rock

Continue Reading

GRANITE CITY - Granite City Community Unit School District #9 hosted its 3rd and 4th Grade Spelling Bee Tuesday night at Frohardt 3-4 Education Center. Building winners from Frohardt and Mitchell met to crown the 3rd and 4th grade GCSD9 champion. Frohardt Principal Karen Robertson is GCSD9's coordinator. Congrats to our 12 finalists from each school, and our 3rd and 4th grade winner and runner-up: 3rd Grade Winner: Sophia Villa, Frohardt Runner-Up: Cassanna Brown, Frohardt 4th Grade Winner: Dhani Huff, Mitchell Runner-Up: Chloe Baldwin, Frohardt FINALISTS - Frohardt 3rd Grade Cassanna Brown Karlo Mendez Damien Moore Guadalupe Quintana Nora Randall Sophia Villa 4th Grade Chloe Baldwin Scott Kilmer Molly Mangi Tristan Torres Karch Warren Lydia Woodworth FINALISTS - Mitchell 3rd Grade Layla Craft Lailah Ferguson Abel Gravot Liam Harman Owen Muschler Owen Stratton 4th Grade Maverick Hall Dhani Huff Caleb Morrison Juliett Rapp Spencer

Continue Reading

CHICAGO, May 12, 2023 – An Illinois iLottery player from Sangamon County just claimed some serious prize money - $1,100,000 - after playing Lucky Day Lotto online. The winner matched all five numbers for the April 30 midday drawing to hit the jackpot and become the latest Lucky Day Lotto millionaire. “I absolutely couldn’t believe it, and subconsciously, I still don’t believe that I won,” said the lucky winner, who chose to remain anonymous. “Like everyone else, I play the lottery hoping to win a big jackpot, but when it actually happens to you, it’s pretty surreal.” When asked who was the first person that he told, the newly-minted millionaire chuckled and said, “my wife.” “When I called my wife at work and told her that I won a million dollars playing the lottery, she said ‘I don’t have time for this, stop joking around’ and was about to hang up the phone, so I took a screenshot of the message

Continue Reading

BELLEVILLE – May 10, 2023 – For the fourth year in a row, Illinois American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), has received the J.D. Power award for ranking highest in customer satisfaction among large water utilities in the Midwest, according to the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Water Utility Residential Customer Satisfaction StudySM. https://www.jdpower.com/business/utilities/waterutility-residential-customer-satisfaction-study Illinois American Water also ranked #1 in the first year of the J.D. Power Water Utility Residential Customer Satisfaction Study in 2016. No other water utility in the Midwest large segment has earned the award four consecutive years. Illinois American Water President Rebecca Losli commended employees for their focus and commitment to customers. “Our employees in every district of Illinois place our customers at the center of everything we do. Every day, our team strives to deliver excellent service at a good value, not for recognition,

Continue Reading

ALTON - Laila Blakeny of Alton High School and Megan Yarborough of Alton High School were honored as Students of the Month of May at a recent meeting of the Rotary Club of Alton-Godfrey held at Gentelin’s on Broadway Restaurant. Laila Blakeny is the daughter of Kirk and Tanisha Blakeny. Laila is a senior at Alton High School. She wants to thank the Rotary Club for allowing her to be a Rotary student of the month. At a young age, her family taught her the importance of education. Since kindergarten, she has been on the high honor roll and was inducted into the National Honors Society. She plans on continuing this streak in college. In her free time she plays basketball. She’s been playing basketball for the past 12 years, starting at the age of 6. She has played for Alton High for the past 2 years with her prior 2 years at Lutheran North in St. Louis, MO. Finishing with an incredible and record-breaking season at 32-2! She says the experience playing for Alton was unbelievable.

Continue Reading

WEST ALTON - An area motorist avoided serious injury in a crash where his 2011 Chevrolet Equinox overturned Wednesday on Riverlands Way east of Wise Road. The initial call to first responders sounded serious, Rivers Pointe Fire Chief Richard Bender said. He said the call to them came at 7:49 p.m. on Wednesday. “It was a one-vehicle rollover,” he said. “Thankfully, the man escaped serious injury, but he was transported to a local hospital for further evaluation at Christian Northeast Hospital.” The Missouri State Highway Patrol report said the man ran off the left side of the roadway, struck a culvert, and overturned.

Continue Reading

CHICAGO – Today, Governor JB Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Public Health ("IDPH") and the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation ("IDFPR") announced a new process to expand access to self-administered hormonal contraceptives, making them more available to Illinois residents than ever before. IDPH Director, Dr. Sameer Vohra, issued a standing order that authorizes Illinois pharmacists to dispense hormonal contraception following training. “In Illinois, we respect a woman’s right to make reproductive health choices,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “I’m pleased that as part of that mission, we are making safe, tested hormonal contraceptives more accessible than ever by allowing pharmacists to dispense this necessary medication, removing barriers to treatment for women across the state.” “By broadening access to hormonal contraceptives, our state continues its commitment to tearing down obstacles to vital medical

Continue Reading

FARMERSVILLE – The Illinois State Police (ISP) is releasing the final name of the seven people fatally injured in multiple crashes that occurred on May 1, 2023 at approximately 10:55 a.m. on both northbound and southbound Interstate 55 between mile markers 72 and 78, near Farmersville in Montgomery County. Otto Medina-Salazar, 58-year-old from Carthage, MO was fatally injured in the crash. A total of 72 vehicles are known to be involved in the crashes and 37 people were transported to area hospitals with injuries ranging from minor to critical. There were seven fatalities in the crashes, including the following names previously released. Shirley Harper, 88-year-old from Franklin, WI Joseph Bates, 73-year-old from Crystal Lake, IL Donna Bates, 71-year-old from Crystal Lake, IL Earl LeGrand, 64-year-old from Florissant, MO Michael Zinchuk, 55-year-old from Champaign, IL Amy Zinchuk, 54-year-old from Champaign, IL ISP recognizes the impact of this tragic event and offers

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE - Madison County State’s Attorney Thomas A. Haine announced a 78-year prison sentence Thursday for a killer in what prosecutors described as an execution in broad daylight outside a tire shop. The sentence was handed to 33-year-old Fred W. Williams Jr., who fired multiple close-range shots at an acquaintance, Delas M. Carter, 30, of Alorton. The shooting happened outside a Granite City tire shop where Carter was employed. Carter had stepped outside the business when Williams opened fire on him in June 2021. “We’re glad that the judge saw this criminal for who he is: a ruthless killer who needs to remain safely behind bars for a long time,” Haine said. “We hope that this sentence brings some solace and healing to Mr. Carter’s family members, who have endured so much grief and have exhibited great stoicism throughout the court process.” After a week-long trial in March, a jury found Williams, of East St. Louis, guilty of first-degree

Continue Reading

ALTON - Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford has released the name of the victim in the shooting in the 1600 block of Rock Springs Drive in Alton on Wednesday night. Ford identified the victim as Tyrone M. Williams, 20, of Alton, and he later died as a result of his injuries at an area hospital. The Alton Police Department received a report of a shooting at 7:34 p.m. Wednesday and the police and fire departments both responded immediately. Ford said when officers arrived, they discovered one male subject who had been shot with a firearm. The victim was transported to a local hospital by the Alton Fire Department and later transferred to a St. Louis area hospital for further treatment where he died from the injuries. Chief Ford said the investigation is being conducted by members of the Alton Police Department's Criminal Investigations Division in conjunction with the Madison County Coroner’s Office and Illinois State Police. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information i

Continue Reading

CHICAGO – A life-changing amount of cash is up for grabs tonight as the Lotto jackpot has soared to a staggering $15.2 million. If a player wins tonight’s jackpot, it would be the largest Lotto prize of the year and the fourth largest in nearly three years. In June 2020, a lucky Illinois Lottery player scooped up $16.5 million playing Lotto. In April, two Lotto players won $1 million each, but the jackpot has kept growing. In total this year, over 2.9 million winning Lotto tickets have been sold, netting players nearly $12.4 million in prizes. Lotto is an Illinois-only game that is played three times a week on Monday, Thursday and Saturday, and the current jackpot is at $15.2 million for tonight’s drawing, Thursday, May 11.

Continue Reading