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BETHALTO – Rural broadband is more than making an Internet connection, it’s about connecting people and giving back to our local communities. This year marks the 18 th year that Madison Communications has sponsored the Teacher of the Year Awards contest! Madison has proudly contributed over $27,000 to local area schools through this program. The Teacher of the Year program annually presents an award to three teachers. Teachers employed at school districts within Madison’s service areas are eligible to be nominated for this award. The contest takes place from March 1 st - May 1 st and is divided into the nomination and voting phase. During the month of March Madison received a total of 210 nominations and during the month of April, they received over 20,000 votes. This was a big jump from receiving 140 nominations and 12,000 votes in the 2022 contest. The three teachers who received the highest number of votes were announced May 1 st on social media platforms

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today released a comprehensive report detailing decades of child sex abuse by members of the Catholic clergy in Illinois. The report concludes a multi-year investigation into child sex abuse by members of the clergy in all six Catholic dioceses in Illinois. Attorney General Raoul’s report reveals names and detailed information of 451 Catholic clerics and religious brothers who abused at least 1,997 children across all of the dioceses in Illinois. The Attorney General’s Report on Catholic Clergy Child Sex Abuse in Illinois – released this morning during a press conference in Chicago – represents the state of Illinois’ first comprehensive accounting of child sex abuse by members of the Catholic clergy in the six dioceses across Illinois. The nearly 700-page report features detailed narrative accounts of child sex abuse committed by Catholic clerics. Many of the narratives were written in consultation with

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CHICAGO – One player in Romeoville will be thanking their lucky stars when they realize they have won over $1 million after playing Saturday’s midday Lucky Day Lotto draw. The winner matched all five numbers of 4-8-22-27-37 for the May 18 midday drawing to score a jackpot prize of $1,050,000. The winning ticket was sold at Sunshine Food Mart #5 at 5369 S. Budler Road in Romeoville. For selling the winning ticket, Sunshine Food Mart will receive a bonus of $10,500, or one percent of the million-dollar prize amount. In total, there were over 26,000 winning tickets sold in Saturday’s midday drawing, but there was only one new Lucky Day Lotto millionaire made that day. This is the second million-dollar prize won this month and the sixth Illinois Lottery player this year to win a prize of a million dollars or more playing Lucky Day Lotto. The Illinois Lottery encourages all winners to write their name on the back of their ticket and keep it in a safe place until they’r

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ALTON - Alton Main Street’s quarterly information exchange, called “What’s Up Downtown”, will be held on Tuesday, May 23rd at 5:30 p.m. at Jacoby Arts Center, located at 627 E. Broadway in Alton, IL. The public is invited to learn the latest news regarding developments in Alton’s historic downtown district, including updates from new & existing businesses, news on real estate transactions and details of upcoming events and projects. The evening’s featured speakers will be: - Kieran McGuane & Martha Phillips, the new owners of LuciAnna’s Pastries, who will be sharing details of their new hours and menu items including the addition of café style lunch - Thomas Nealeigh of FreakShow Deluxe, who will share about his family’s decision to relocate their nationwide sideshow act company to Alton - Dorothy McCoy, who will be speaking about developments with her mobile business Mo’z Sweet Treats as well as her plans for a brick

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GLEN CARBON - 2023 marks the 131st year for Glen Carbon Homecoming, happening on Fri., June 16th and Sat., June 17th. The Glen Carbon Community Events Committee (CEC) is seeking nominations for a Grand Marshal for this year’s homecoming parade and additional parade participants are also encouraged to apply. Participation in the Glen Carbon Homecoming parade is free for local organizations, groups and businesses. Nomination forms for Grand Marshal are available on the Village website at www.glencarbonil.gov under Latest News and Updates. Nominees are accepted based on their exceptional volunteerism efforts in the community and volunteer forms must include specific examples. Grand Marshal nominations must also be willing to act as Grand Marshal and be available at 5 pm on Sat., June 17, 2023, to lead the parade. More information is available on the Village’s website. Main Street in Glen Carbon will be closed off to accommodate the parade and weekend activities, which include

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ST. LOUIS - The commercial launch progress of Intramotev Autonomous Rail’s autonomous, zero-emission railcar was highlighted during the opening session of FreightWeekSTL 2023, which kicked off May 22. This new railcar that would operate without the use of a locomotive has the potential to make the U.S. rail system more efficient and sustainable, while also enhancing safety on the nation’s 140,000-mile rail freight network. It is one of the emerging technologies featured during FreightWeekSTL’s Innovation Day, which highlighted several companies with the potential to dramatically change the future movement of freight. Launched in January 2020, Intramotev has been focused on the development of its primary product -- the TugVolt, a battery electric self-propelled rail car that enables freight to move with the flexibility of a truck, without breaking the existing model of rail operations. “Rail has been the backbone of the economy for a long time, and we are confident

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ALTON - A new “fountain frog” is coming to the fountain island display at State and Belle Streets in Alton after a thief stole the last one. After the story went viral on Facebook , an outpouring of community support has led to fundraising efforts to replace the frog. Those interested in donating to the “Frog Fund” can do so on Venmo @frogfund2023 , or donations can be mailed by check to the North Alton-Godfrey Business Council, P.O. Box 306, Godfrey, IL 62035. Laura Dixon Wallendorf, who adopted the island and has managed its upkeep, said the incident appeared to be very deliberate - and that it wasn’t the first time - on a recent episode of Our Daily Show! on Riverbender.com . “I saw the frog was gone again, and it was so purposeful … it’s unexplainable to me,” Wallendorf said. She added that somebody cut the plastic tubing connecting the fountain’s water and stuck it inside the fountain so it wouldn’t

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These are Memorial Day activities set in the Riverbend region for this weekend. If you have Memorial Day activities to add, e-mail them to news@riverbender.com . SATURDAY, MAY 27, 2023 ALTON The Third Annual Scott Reinke Memorial Ride To Fight Suicide is Saturday May 27, at Ted's Motorcycle World. The event starts at 9 a.m. at Ted's and includes food, beverages, shirts and kickstands up at noon, and the trek heads to Grafton, Hardin, and finishes back at Bluff City Grill. ALHAMBRA Memorial Day Services are set at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 27, at Harris Cemetery in Alhambra. The public is invited. SUNDAY, MAY 28, 2023 COLLINSVILLE Collinsville's Sesquicentennial Celebration is Sunday, May 28, and includes a 4 p.m. start at Collinsville Aquad Park with vendors, food trucks, music, and children's activities. EDWARDSVILLE St. James Cemetery Association has a Memorial Day Service at 2 p.m. Sunday, at the cemetery, 5700 James Drive in Edwardsville. MONDAY ALTON

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EDWARDSVILLE — The Gori Law Firm recently announced the hiring of Kaitlyn Crnkovich as its newest attorney. Crnkovich joins the firm’s asbestos litigation team, where she represents individuals or groups who have been affected by asbestos exposure. Prior to joining The Gori Law Firm, Crnkovich worked for a medical malpractice and personal injury law firm. She was also previously a prosecutor focusing on cases involving domestic violence and juvenile cases. During law school, she interned at the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office in their felony trial division. “Kaitlyn is very passionate about helping our clients,” said Sara Salger, managing partner of The Gori Law Firm. “Combined with her experience, we believe that she is a great addition to our firm, and we are excited to have her as part of the team.” Crnkovich received her juris doctorate from The University of Illinois Chicago School of Law in 2015. Before law school, she receive

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ALTON - Famed artist Joe Miller returned to State Street in Alton to touch up half of the circle mural he created back in September 2021 to bring it back to life. The painting faded with the traffic flow on State Street. Together with Sara McGibany, executive director of Alton Main Street, they concluded a half circle would be a better way to be more lasting with traffic flow in that area. Miller, originally from Staunton, was a Lewis and Clark Community College graduate and now is a world-renowned artist. He has done mural projects throughout Chicago and across the U.S. and the world. Miller said he is doing some touch up on the project and give it another shot. "Based on what we know now, we hope to replenish it in a half circle," he said. "it is the same paint, just with more coats, and today I am using a cleaner to take away some of the leftovers. We just figured we would give it another shot and go and chalk it up to a learning experience. "Bringing back half of it reminds u

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JERSEYVILLE - Several Jersey Community High School students were recently awarded with scholarships up to $1,500 for their academic success, strong character, leadership, and involvement in the Panther Athletic Club (PAC). Kari Krueger and Drake Goetten were presented with the Don Snyders Academic Athletic Scholarship of $1,500. Seniors Logan Meisner and Chloe Kallal were honored with $750 PAC Scholarships. In addition, the PAC awarded the following students with $500 scholarships: Kendall Davis Elaina Walsh Anna Fink Cate Breden Colton Gavaza Tanner Brunaugh Kelly Goetten with the PAC said: “Congratulations to all recipients, and a special thanks to Mr. Snyders for always supporting the PAC and our Jersey Athletes.” To learn more about the PAC, visit their Facebook page .

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JERSEYVILLE - One individual was charged with domestic battery while another was arrested on aggravated DUI charges last week in Jersey County, according to recent court filings. Ryan L. Powers, 40, of Grafton, was charged with domestic battery and unlawful restraint. According to court documents, Powers caused bodily harm to one of his family members by striking them in the face, punching them in the head, and holding them down, resulting in the battery charge. He was also charged with unlawful restraint after grabbing them by the arm and throwing them onto a couch after they attempted to leave. The incident took place last Friday, May 19 and his bail was set at $30,000. Both counts filed against him are Class 4 felony charges. Powers had previously been convicted of domestic battery on December 23, 2022 in Madison County. Janice L. Lyles, 63, of Brighton, was charged with two counts of aggravated driving under the influence after causing an accident which “caused

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CHICAGO – The Lotto jackpot has rolled over again for Illinois Lottery players, this time to a staggering $15.9 million for tonight. Monday night’s drawing will be for the largest jackpot offer of the year and the fourth largest in three years. The previous record-making jackpot was in June 2020, when an Illinois Lottery player won $16.5 million with Lotto. Illinois Lottery players are buzzing with excitement about the potential to win a life-changing amount of money tonight. The Lotto jackpot has been growing all year with a couple of major wins of $1 million. Lotto is an Illinois-only game that is played three times a week on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday, and the current jackpot is at $15.9 million for the next drawing tonight on Monday, May 22. Lotto can be played for $2 per line, and tickets can be purchased in-store, online, or on the Illinois Lottery’s mobile app. About the Illinois Lottery: Founded in 1974, the Illinois Lottery has contributed over

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ROXANA - Bosten Tinnon is the latest Shine Like Spencer Kindness Award winner at Roxana High School. This is the fifth year of presenting the honor. The Shine Like Spencer Kindness Award is presented annually to a Roxana High School senior by the Bacus family in honor of their son Spencer Bacus. Spencer was born with a rare birth defect called Giant Congenital Nevus (GCN) which covered most of his body. Despite the life-long health challenges it caused, he never let it deter him from living a full and lovely life. Even after his first cancer diagnosis in 2013, he came back with a vengeance and became a bodybuilder. Unfortunately, he succumbed to the disease in 2018. Spencer's brain and spinal cord were donated to aid in the research of what causes GCN. Spencer's brother, Oliver, described Spencer as follows: "My brother Spencer graduated from Roxana High School in 2012. During his career as a student, he emerged as a leader amongst his classmates and within the school. He served

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced the Attorney General’s office has charged a Madison County man with allegedly possessing child pornography. The case is part of Raoul’s ongoing work, in collaboration with federal law enforcement agencies and local law enforcement officials throughout Illinois, to apprehend offenders who download child pornography online. Raoul’s office charged Sergio Alberto Zuniga-Chapol, 24, of Granite City, Illinois, in Madison County Circuit Court with 15 counts of possession of child pornography, Class 2 felonies punishable by up to 28 years in prison. Zuniga-Chapol’s bond was set at $500,000. “These horrific crimes can potentially leave life-long scars on innocent children and their families, which is why I am proud that as a result of work done by my office’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, this predator can be held accountable,” Raoul said. “I am grateful for the collaboration

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CHARLESTON - Freshman athlete Rayna Raglin had a very successful final at the IHSA Class 3A state track finals on May 20 at O'Brien Stadium on the campus of Eastern Illinois University in Charleston for Alton High. Raglan finished sixth in the 100 meters, running a personal record 12.01 seconds and also finished seventh in the long jump, going 5.50 meters to make the podium. It's only the beginning of what promises to be a very successful track career for Raglin, a very hard worker who is preparing herself for success on the track. For her efforts on and off the track, Raglin has been named an Auto Butler Female Athlete of the Month for the Redbirds. Raglin's head coach, Chelsea Anderson, was very proud of Raglin's and teammate Kaylea Lacey's efforts at state and has high hopes for their futures. "Without a doubt, I'm very proud of both ladies, as they competed as freshmen in a field of upperclassmen," Anderson said in a recent phone interview. "With Rayna, she definitely competed

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ALTON - Dave Emmons, local author and host of the Dave Emmons Show , recently discussed his personal experiences with the supernatural and his new book, “Angels and Supernatural Entities: The Alien Angel Connection” on a recent episode of Our Daily Show! on RiverBender.com . The book describes six different “spirit guides,” including Guardian Angels and Spirit Animals, which Emmons said can be found all around us in our everyday lives. “These spirit guides can be anywhere from your relatives, your friends, they could be spirit guides that are assigned to you that you don’t really know,” Emmons said. “They come through dimensions and they could even actually be your animals, your pets and your dogs. I didn’t really know that until I got into some research … this book was highly researched.” He said these “spirit guides” are different from angels in the sense that they’re assigned to each

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EDWARDSVILLE - A good selection of top-quality reading materials will be available at low prices during a sidewalk book sale at the Carlinville Public Library on Saturday, June 3 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The library held its first-ever sidewalk sale last year, with resounding success. “It was a great event for us,” said library director Hannah Miller. “We had such a strong turnout, and raised a lot of money that we can really use. We hope this year’s event is just as successful.” Books will be on sale for $1 each at this outdoor event, which offers gently-used materials in all genres, including fiction, biography, how-to, cooking, travel, history, and holidays. In addition to the outdoor sale, visitors may browse the usual Book Nook selections inside in the conference room, where shoppers may fill a bag of books for one dollar throughout the day. All proceeds from the event will benefit library programs. The sidewalk sale is one of multiple activities

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People say all the time elections have consequences. This past April Wood River elected two men who join a third already on the council to “rectify” past perceived slights on the citizens. Since the election, this now includes rumors about tearing down the under-construction recreation center, firing employees who have successfully served the wants of past councils and preventing people who care about the city from participating in advisory roles. This type of retribution against our citizens and city employees has no place in our city. It has me asking who is their next target? In the recent past, thanks to past councils, many talented city employees and business owners who have worked hard and invested in our city - we have made strides to a better Wood River. There’s another saying – If you repeat a mistruth enough times people will believe it. All you hear from these three is how bad the city is, how broke we are, how corrupt everyone else has been. It’s

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DE PERE, Wis. (May 16, 2023) - Green Bay Packers President & CEO, Mark Murphy was the commencement speaker at St. Norbert College on Sunday, May 14, in the Mulva Family Fitness & Sports Center on the De Pere, Wis. campus. In addition to giving the commencement address, Murphy was given an honorary doctorate. Baccalaureate Mass took place on Saturday, May 13, at the same location. Glen Carbon native Christopher McCartney was a graduate with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree for the spring class. Murphy, possessor of extensive experience in professional football and sports administration, is in his 16th year as the Packers' President and CEO. Under Mark's guidance, the organization continues to rank as one of the NFL's premier franchises, with highly successful operations both on and off the field. "One of the main reasons we wanted to honor Mark is because of his lifelong commitment to higher education," said St. Norbert College interim president Thomas Kunkel. "He believe

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