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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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CHICAGO – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement regarding the Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of the Inspector General’s (OIG) report on the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) custody, care, and supervision of Jeffrey Epstein at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York, New York: “I thank the Inspector General for conducting a thorough investigation that reiterates many concerns I have long raised and makes clear that this death was not due to a grand conspiracy, but BOP’s incompetence and neglect. “My concerns, and those raised in this report, include the fact that BOP staffing shortages lead to dangerous conditions for incarcerated individuals and staff; that BOP must improve its prison camera system to increase safety and security throughout its facilities; and that many people in restrictive housing need more robust mental health services and less

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It is no secret that consumers love ice cream. In fact, 87% of Americans have ice cream in the freezer right now! Because milk is the main ingredient in ice cream, this refreshing dairy food contains calcium, high-quality protein and other essential vitamins and minerals. “Although these nutrients are less concentrated in ice cream than in milk, yogurt and cheese, they still make ice cream a nutritious option when compared to other dessert items,” said Maggie Cimarolli, a registered dietitian and St. Louis District Dairy Council nutrition educator. Celebrate July Ice Cream month by checking out these trends in local grocery stores or ice cream shops. Creative Flavor Combinations and Mash-ups Ice cream is a treat, so added indulgence in the form of layers, textures, toppings and fillings is a welcomed addition for many. A quick stroll down the ice cream aisle will highlight a variety of candy bar and dessert mash-ups in addition to these interesting flavors: caramel poun

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EDWARDSVILLE – The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Engineering’s (SOE) annual Engineering Summer Camp was held in two identical sessions from June 5-9 and June 12-16. Over 30 campers from across the St. Louis region participated in a series of hands-on activities that introduced them to the engineering and computing opportunities across the SOE. “We were excited to share our passion for engineering and computing with our campers,” said Chris Gordon, PhD, associate dean of the SOE and camp director. “We challenged our campers with energy, water, automation, rocketry, and design activities and were impressed with their creativity, questions and teamwork. Over the years, we have welcomed campers from across the country to our camps and are pleased to see them return to campus as they pursue their degrees in the SOE.” SIUE students in a variety of STEM fields served as volunteers and role models for the camp, leading the campers

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GLEN CARBON - The Glen Carbon Village Board voted unanimously to approve purchasing new cameras for Glen Carbon Police Department vehicles, a temporary staffing expansion for the department, and the auctioning off of two surplus police vehicles. Trustees approved the purchase of a new Axon Fleet camera system in the amount of $196,550.56. Police Chief Todd Link said the current cameras in Glen Carbon Police vehicles were purchased in 2015 and are losing their functionality. “Those in-car cameras have functioned well until recently, and now they’re failing very often, and I have one vehicle that does not have an adequate camera system in it right now,” Link said. “The operating system of the in-car cameras are failing, the microphones are failing, and the company that we bought these from originally, they’ve been bought out by a larger corporation that no longer services them, so we’re trying to hold them together until we can purchase thes

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ALTON/EDWARDSVILLE - Alton, Edwardsville and residents across the area went to sleep and woke to hazy conditions, sparked by wildfires in Canada that have blown across the area. The National Weather Service and the Clean Air Partnership issued an Air Quality Alert for the region. The Clean Air Partnership issued this on Facebook: “Today’s air quality forecast is orange. Those with lung disease, kids and seniors should reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion.” Alex Elmore, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in St. Louis, said it is important for anyone with asthma or breathing or respiratory issues to limit time outside today. He said also others, especially seniors, should limit their time outside. “We will have some reduction in visibility,” he said. “This morning, the winds across the general St. Louis area are shifting out of the northeast and becoming more southerly, and the air will converge over the St. Louis area and make

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ALTON - Passenger trains will now travel 110 mph from St. Louis to Chicago, shaving off about 15 to 20 minutes for most trips. For travelers departing from the Alton train station, that could completely change how they travel through Illinois. “From our great new station in Alton, which I was just showing off to someone last week, we’re going to be a much better way to get back and forth to Chicago than I-55 has been almost forever,” Marc Magliari, the Amtrak spokesperson for the Chicago region, said. Magliari explained that the exact amount of time that it takes to travel from Alton to Chicago will vary based on the train and line, but it should save “upwards of 15 minutes.” The speed increase from 90 to 110 mph will have the biggest impact during the stretch of the railroad from Alton to Joliet. Amtrak hopes this will entice more people to try the train. “We’re already pretty close to driving time competitive. Now we're going to be

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ALTON - If you were curious, Taralei Griffin is here to tell you: No, insects cannot get high on cannabis. Griffin, the retail manager at Moon Drops, LLC, stopped by Our Daily Show to share some animal facts on the monthly Cannabis Education Segment. She explained the ways that CBD can help pets, and she shared stories about other animals who consume psychoactive drugs. But first, she has something to clarify. “CBD is not intoxicating,” Griffin said. “A lot of people get confused by that, because CBD relaxes you, it helps with anxiety, so how is it not intoxicating? But it isn’t.” Moon Drops sells a variety of products that contain CBD, or cannabidiol, which is derived from hemp plants but does not cause the high typically associated with cannabis. Tetrahydrocannabinol, known as THC, is the substance in cannabis that causes psychoactive effects. Griffin explained that CBD is “not that part of the plant.” CBD can treat a long

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Health care providers will tell you the body functions as a whole. A problem with one system or organ will likely mean something else isn’t working well. The same can be said with certain health conditions. Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) both cause shortness of breath and wheezing, and one can lead to the other. But treatment and prevention differ. Knowing how to tackle both is especially important during spring and summer months when smoky air and allergens come out to play. The basics Tracy Packer is an advanced practice provider in pulmonology at OSF HealthCare. She says asthma describes airway inflammation due to a stimulant. “The most common causes are allergens, chemicals, cigarette smoke and dust,” Packer says. “The most important thing is to know and avoid your triggers,” she adds. Asthma treatment is inhaled corticosteroids and bronchodilators. These help open your airways and combat allergies that trigger

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EDWARDSVILLE - Kaitlyn Morningstar, who finished on the podium three consecutive years in the IHSA Class 3A girl's discus throw, signed a letter of intent to compete on the women's track and field team at SIU-Edwardsville in a ceremony held Tuesday evening at Edwardsville High School Morningstar recently finished third in the discus in the state meet May 12-13 at O'Brien Stadium on the campus of Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, throwing 43.79 meters to take the bronze medal in the event. She finished on the podium in both her sophomore and junior years. Morningstar is an Edwardsville Female Athlete of the Month. Morningstar recently visited the SIUE campus and fell in love with it almost immediately, which helped make her decision to compete for the Cougars. "After going on a lot of visits after my senior track year, SIUE was one of the most recent ones I visited," Morningstar said in an interview following the ceremony, "and I just liked everything about it and that's

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GLEN CARBON - The Glen Carbon Village Board of Trustees voted unanimously to move forward on a proposed plastic surgery center after concerns were raised about the effect the center would have on local traffic, property values, and more. During the public comment portion of the meeting, one resident of the area voiced concern about the dumpster location, light pollution, diminished property values, and traffic issues. “A concern I have - one of them - is the dumpster location. Make sure that the dumpster’s not located right adjacent to somebody’s property, where you get bugs and animals and stuff like that, to seal it and make sure it’s not going to be a problem,” the resident said. “Second … would be the light infiltration, so someone sitting in their backyard, they’re not getting lit up at night from the property next door. “And then the third thing for them is the visual barrier. I would not want to sit in my backyard

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WOOD RIVER - It was announced Tuesday afternoon that Third Judicial Circuit Judge Ronald Foster made a ruling to dismiss a lawsuit against the City of Wood River to prohibit it from utilizing 1 percent non-home rule sales tax funds to build and operate a recreation center. The lawsuit had been filed by plaintiff William Dettmers while he was a citizen of Wood River in March 2022. Dettmers is now a Wood River City Council member. Dettmers had said the city violated the state's municipal code by misappropriating 1 percent sales tax funds to build the rec center. Riverbender.com contacted Wood River City Administrator Steve Palen and he said he was glad to receive the judge's ruling. The ruling allows the city to build and operate the Rec center that is presently being constructed. “We are very excited about the ruling,” he said. “We intend to do a walk-through with the media, council people and other dignitaries in mid-July of the Rec center. This has been a long

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ALTON - The Alton Fire Department is known for its quick response to serious fire scenes. Around 4:30 p.m. on Monday, the AFD responded to the 3800 block of Aberdeen and because of the quick response, was able to “hit” the fire quickly, Fire Chief Jesse Jemison said. “They got in the basement where the fire started, and the adults were not in the home when they got there,” the chief explained. “One of the captains lives almost directly across the street from there and he understood the house and we got a good hit on the fire and extinguished it quickly.” The chief said he was proud of his firefighters for the quick response and effort to save another Alton home. “Without the professional personnel, training, and the equipment, there are a lot of homes that likely would see a lot of homes burned down to the basement level,” he said. The chief said the fire began in the basement and he said one of the residents' quick response to the

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ST. LOUIS - The U.S. Air Force took to STL skies for an aerial refueling demonstration over the Gateway Arch on Tuesday, June 27. But for local cadets and airmen, this was more than a fun demonstration; it was a chance to honor military history. Tuesday’s demonstration marked the 100th anniversary of the first aerial refueling in 1923. The Air Force gave demonstrations in all 50 states. “I’ve got guys that are all over the world right now doing this mission. So the ones that are here right now, for them to be able to showcase it and actually share that with the public is just a blessing,” Lieutenant Colonel Jason Knab said. Knab serves with the 126th Air Refueling Wing , which is based out of Scott Air Force Base in Illinois. The 126th Air Refueling Wing completed flyovers across Illinois, Missouri and Kansas today as part of the celebration. Knab noted that aerial refuelings are a vital part of Air Force missions. “We’re delivering

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Representatives Darin LaHood (R-IL) and Grace Napolitano (D-CA) reintroduced legislation to designate Route 66 as a National Historic Trail. U.S. Representatives Jake LaTurner (R-KS) and Joe Neguse (D-CO) joined LaHood and Napolitano as original cosponsors. “Route 66 is a historic transportation artery that connects America’s heartland to the west,” said Rep. LaHood. “The Mother Road provides powerful economic development tools for communities throughout Illinois, creating jobs and opportunities. Designating Route 66 as a National Historic Trail would provide this highway with a permanent program to preserve, promote, and economically develop the road, giving it the appropriate designation it deserves.” "National Historic Trail designation of Route 66 would deliver much-needed federal dollars, resources, and jobs, not only to our San Gabriel Valley communities, but the countless others stretching from Chicago to Sant

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WEST ALTON - The Audubon Center at Riverlands is sharing how to watch out for wildlife and get involved in conservation efforts this summer. “Everybody can do something. The Center is a great place to start because we will throw as many resources at you as you want,” Ashley Lockwood, an educator at the Center, said. In the Alton area, many people have expressed concerns about turtles on the roadways . Lockwood acknowledges that some destruction is hard to avoid, but she encourages people to be vigilant and, if it’s safe to do so, move the animals off the road. “It’s just a part of wildlife and humans living together. There’s always going to be some give and take,” Lockwood said. “But luckily, there are a lot of organizations in this area. There’s a lot of citizen groups that are really committed to doing as much as we possibly can to minimize that.” This includes the Center itself, which specializes in birds but

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ALTON - Rob and Mac Lenhardt both have some big goals for the future with the hope for a collective 30 convenience stores, pizza places, or small restaurants over the next decade. The Lenhardts are already off to a strong start. Rob Lenhardt said on Tuesday the goal is to do two to three new locations a year, starting with neighboring cities. Rob Lehnhardt stressed whatever the city needed, whether it was a convenience store, restaurant or pizza place they would unveil. He also emphasized they wanted to keep their operations at the start within 20 minutes of the Belle/Third Street in Alton location, but would eventually go broader than that. Mac’s first convenience store was adjacent to the bar/restaurant on Belle Street in Alton and it has been phenomenally well-received, he said. Rob admitted they learned a lot with the expansion after adding a convenience store and will put that to good use as they continue to grow. “We are working on a pizza place/gaming establishment

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