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ALTON - Caleb Lewis with Alton Odyssey Tours discussed the company’s growth and all-new tour lineup for 2023 on an episode of Our Daily Show! on Riverbender.com . This year’s lineup will include the brand-new Prohibition Tour, “Behind the Bricks” Walking Tour, Historical Craft Beer Walk, and more. Lewis explained that when he and his fiancé bought the business from his mother, Marlene, he had a vision to expand the company beyond just doing haunted tours as they had before. “Even during our purchase agreement, I kind of mentioned that I was expecting the haunted business to be one section of our total portfolio moving forward,” Lewis said. “Traditionally, it’s only been a haunted tour business and I wanted to diversify it, so we really brought some new ideas to life.” This year’s tour lineup reflects that diversification as it dives less into the haunted side of Alton and more into the historical side. After doin

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EDWARDSVILLE - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville lit up red with Cougar pride Thursday, April 20 in celebration of its second annual One Day, One SIUE Day of Giving. Raising more than $1.23 million exceeding the fundraising goal of $1 million dollars, SIUE set a new standard for alumni engagement and community partnership as the University defines its future. “On behalf of the entire University, I want to thank you for your generosity and continued partnership,” said SIUE Chancellor James T. Minor, PhD during his remarks. “Each one of you plays an important role as we develop a bold vision for this university and chart our path forward together. My ambition is that SIUE be first and best at providing high quality, affordable degree opportunities for all students. The time is now to advance the university's mission powerfully, and I look forward to meeting and working with you as we define this institution's future." One Day, One SIUE concluded with a culminating

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ELSAH - Three Rivers Community Farm in Elsah is hosting their eighth annual Plant Sale this weekend and next from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on April 22, 23, 29, and 30. A wide selection of plants will be available, including vegetable starts, herbs, native perennials, and more. Owner Amy Cloud appeared on an episode of Our Daily Show! on Riverbender.com and said the farm, which has been around for 17 seasons, undergoes some transformation for the event. “We pretty much transform our barn into a greenhouse,” Cloud said. “We kind of take the whole lower level of the barn, pile all our plants in there, and just open it up to the public.” Cloud said Three Farms offers a better variety of plants at lower prices than big box stores. “Just seeing the selection of plants at local big box stores, I knew that we could do much better,” she said. “We’re competitive with price, the plants are so much healthier, and then we’re able to grow

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Rotary Club has chosen to honor Edwardsville High School student Caidyn Crouch with the Student of the Month Award for the month of April. Caidyn was nominated by Orchestra Director Victoria Voumard of Edwardsville High School. Caidyn is the daughter of Brian and Stephanie Crouch. She is very active in the theater program, achieving Thespian status, along with serving as Vice President of the Thespian Troupe 1534 and being an Illinois All-State Theater company member. Additionally, she participates in the EHS Concert Orchestra, EHS Drama Club, and Victory Star Twirlers. In the future, Caidyn plans to attend Lewis and Clark Community College to earn an Associate of Arts degree to then pursue a career in Fashion Design, one day owning her own company. In her free time, Caidyn enjoys sewing, lighting design, and hair styling. The Edwardsville Rotary Club recognizes a student each month September through April. Each May, Edwardsville High School staff

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EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville baseball senior Riley Iffrig is one of the of the most important players on the club and is also one of its leaders. currently hitting .340 and it tied for the team lead in home runs with Cole Funkhouser with four each and also is the team leader in RBIs with 24. In a game on Apr. 18 against Collinsville at Tom Pile Field, Iffrig set the tone for the game with a two-run homer of the right center field fence in the Tigers' 9-3 win, then the next day at Fletcher Field, he drew a walk and scored in Edwardsville's 12-0 win over the Kahoks. For his efforts both on and off the field, Iffrig has been named an iCAN Clinic Male Athlete of the Month. Iffrig, who plays for head coach Tim Funkhouser, felt strong after the first win over Collinsville, especially coming off a 5-1 loss to Jackson, Mo. on Apr. 16 in the Tigers' annual game at Busch Stadium. "I'm feeling good," Iffrig said in his postgame interview. "It was good to get out here and get a win, especially

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BENTON – A U.S. District judge sentenced a St. Louis woman to 12 months and one day in prison after she admitted to visiting Metro East credit unions and using fake identification documents to take out loans. Toneka D. Prince, 20, pled guilty to one count of falsely obtaining property owned by a financial institution and one count of aggravated identity theft. Prince was ordered to pay $9,800 in restitution, and after completing her prison sentence, she will serve two years of supervised release. U.S. Secret Service led the investigation with contributions from the Glen Carbon and O’Fallon police departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter T. Reed prosecuted the case. On June 24, 2022, Prince visited the First Community Credit in Glen Carbon to collect the cash from the approved loan. She presented a fake Illinois driver’s license with a victim’s real identifiable information and successfully obtained a cash loan of $9,800. She was not authorized to use the individual’s

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GRANITE CITY - In honor of former Granite City High School and Grigsby Intermediate School Social Worker Christy Dawson , Grigsby will be celebrating its Second Annual Christy Dawson Kindness Week on April 24-28, 2023. Dawson passed away on March 31, 2021 after a battle with cancer. To ensure Dawson's legacy of kindness lives on, Grigsby has a week planned with fun events for students and staff: Monday - Be Kind to the Environment Wear brown, green or Earth Day shirt Pick up trash, plant flowers, make a birdhouse Walk more, drive less Make a craft with recycled materials Tuesday - Be Kind to animals Wear a shirt with an animal on it or animal print Make toys to donate to a pet shelter Help care for your pet Learn and educate others how our trash affects animals Wednesday - Be Kind to Self Exercise for 15 minutes Avoid complaining List 5 things you are thankful for Learn how to meditate or do yoga today Thursday - Be Kind to Family Help with dishes

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Mike Bost voted today to preserve opportunities for women and girls in school sports. The Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act clarifies that schools receiving federal education funding would be in violation of sex discrimination laws if they allow biological males to compete in athletics designated for females. “Many parents are fed up with the far left pushing a gender identity agenda that’s out of touch with our values,” said Bost. "It is wrong to force women and girls to compete against biological males in school sports that were specifically designed for females. I have seven granddaughters, and I want to do everything I can to value them, empower them, and encourage them to achieve their dreams. For that reason, I voted to ensure that women and girls have a fair playing field in school sports.” The Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, which Bost cosponsored, passed the House 219-203.

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today that the unemployment rate fell -0.1 percentage point to 4.4 percent, while nonfarm payrolls increased by +7,900 in March, based on preliminary data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and released by IDES. The February monthly change in payrolls was revised from the preliminary report, from +10,700 to +8,100 jobs. The February revised unemployment rate was 4.5 percent, unchanged from the preliminary February unemployment rate. The March payroll jobs estimate and unemployment rate reflect activity for the week including the 12th. In March, the industry sectors with the largest over-the-month gains in employment included: Professional and Business Services (+3,000), Leisure and Hospitality (+3,000), and Government (+1,600). The industry sectors with the largest monthly payroll declines included: Manufacturing (-1,400), Trade, Transportation and Utilities (-500), and Information

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a coalition of 18 states, today called for a federal recall of Hyundai and Kia vehicles following the companies’ continued failure to take adequate steps to address the alarming rate of vehicle thefts. The letter , sent to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), encourages the NHTSA to recall unsafe Hyundai and Kia vehicles manufactured between 2011 and 2022 that have easily-bypassed ignition switches and lack engine immobilizers that make the vehicles vulnerable to theft. In a letter issued in March 2023 , Raoul and a coalition of attorneys general urged the companies to take stronger steps to address the safety concerns caused by vehicles’ vulnerability to theft. Because the companies have failed to address safety issues, Raoul and the coalition are now calling on the NHTSA to step in. The attorneys general argue that the vehicles’ systems remain out of compliance with federal standards an

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SPRINGFIELD - Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) today launched $10 million in funding for the Climate Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program and $6 million for the Energy Transition Barrier Reduction Program as part of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA). The programs will increase training opportunities in the trades, expand the clean energy talent pipeline, and boost diversity in the clean energy trade industries by providing resources to limit barriers to participation. The programs will be run through training partners which will be selected through a competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) process. “The Climate Works and Barrier Reduction programs are essential to opening the door to countless opportunities in the clean energy trades industry for communities who have historically been left out and left behind,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Economic progress in Illinois depends on our diverse workforce

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COLLINSVILLE – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that bridge painting will require a lane closure on the ramp from southbound Interstate 55/70 to southbound Interstate 255 near Collinsville, beginning, weather permitting, at 7 a.m. Friday, April 21. One lane of the two-lane ramp will remain open at all times. The work is expected to be completed by the end of May. 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. 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.

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ALTON - Alton High School will have another memorable spring production when it presents Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at 7 p.m. on April 27, 28, and 29 at AHS Auditorium. Anne Davis, the Alton High director, said the production is based on the following: "Way, way back many centuries ago, not long after the Bible began lived a man named Jacob and his 12 sons. The production is based on their lives." Davis said the story in this Alton High production is told to the audience by three narrators (Olivia Buck, Madison Ingram, and Makenzie Jones). Joseph, (Aaron Swanson) was Jacob’s (T.J. Lockhart) favorite son and he bestowed upon Joseph an Amazing Technicolor Coat. This made his 11 brothers (Aden Mayhew, Brandon Hayes, Eli Ware, Isaiah Moore, Jayden Snow, Kyle Neace, Landon Owen, Marvin Short, Mackenzie Ingram, Matt Taylor, and Max Barham) very jealous. So jealous, that they sell him into slavery, and off to Egypt he goes. Joseph first serves in the household of Potiphar

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ALTON - New rubber mulch has been installed at Olin Park, a 4.7-acre park located in the City of Alton at State Street and Grand Avenue. The City of Alton Parks and Recreation Department maintains the park. The new mulch installation occurred after a $15,000 environmental grant was awarded by Madison County. "Olin is the only public park with a playground within a mile radius and serves a highly populated and diverse portion of the city, including an array of socio-economic classes," Alton Parks and Rec Director Michael Haynes said. "The playground is approximately 6,500 square feet and has had a wood mulch fall surface since its inception over a decade ago. "Without constant maintenance, wood mulch surfacing can become compacted, causing water flow issues and unwanted vegetation growth. In addition, wood mulch can float and wash away, absorb water, erode, or blow away. "Replacing the current wood mulch with 100% recycled rubber mulch nuggets will rectify the aforementioned issues

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ALTON - YWCA Southwestern Illinois 32 nd Women of Distinction Celebration will be held on Thursday evening, May 4, at Julia’s Banquet Center, 101 Eastgate Plaza, East Alton, IL 62024. The event will feature Rachelle Aud Crowe, US Attorney as the Emcee and Keynote speaker. The deadline for reservations is Friday, April 27, 2023. Doors will open at 5:00 p.m., with the event starting promptly at 6 p.m. Women of Distinction Academy photos will be taken at 530 pm. Dorothy Hummel, Executive Director “strongly encourages the community to attend our 2023 Gala Event. We have an outstanding group of Women of Distinction Honorees whose diverse and compelling stories will be told throughout the evening. It has been a real pleasure to get to know these honorees during the past few months during our various events. ” Tickets are $65 per person, or $520 per table of eight. Reservations can be made online at www.altonywca.com , or at YWCA, 304 E 3 rd Street, Alton or by

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Community Foundation has appointed Kristopher Lakin as its newest board director. Lakin is currently the Chief Strategy Officer at Sangita Capital Partners, a Clayton, Missouri-based private equity firm with holdings that span four continents in a myriad of sectors, including technology, healthcare, cannabis, real estate, infrastructure, and media. “Change emanates from the grassroots, which was the founding impetus of ECF more than 25 years ago and remains its bailiwick today,” Lakin said. “As Dr. King famously said, ‘Everybody can be great because everybody can serve,’ a principle that shines brightly throughout ECF’s entire organization.” “We are pleased to have Kris join the board and lend his expertise in strategy and relationship building to add value to our organization,” said Caryn Mefford, ECF Board Chair. Prior to Sangita, Kris worked for nearly a decade with Edwardsville-based Eudora Global

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SPRINGFIELD - Illinois State Representative Amy Elik (R-Alton) honored Lewis & Clark Community College Board of Trustees Chairperson Julie Johnson and Desirée Bennyhoff, President & Chief Executive Officer of the Edwardsville-Glen Carbon Chamber of Commerce at the Emerging Women Leaders brunch held at the State Capitol in Springfield on Tuesday. The event honored the contributions of emerging female leaders from throughout the state. “Julie Johnson and Desirée Bennyhoff are two local leaders making a positive impact in our communities,” said Rep. Amy Elik. “Julie is strengthening our community college system to better prepare students for today’s workforce, and Desirée is committed to helping our region’s economy grow and prosper. It brings me joy to witness their success as two emerging leaders in the Metro East.” Julie Johnson serves as Chairperson of the Lewis & Clark Community College Board of Trustees and is a retired CPA.

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ALTON - Steve Honaker, owner and founder of Steve’s Service, is getting ready to retire and close his auto repair shop on April 28 after 27 years in business. He says multiple generations of loyal customers have kept him in business for so long in the Alton community. “ to take care of the customers as best as I could, treat everybody fair and honest, and that’s how I stayed in business,” Honaker said. Honaker bought the business from Jack Keller in 1996 after working for Keller since 1983. He said it was officially time for him to retire now that he has multiple fourth-generation customers. “I told my wife that when I got fourth-generation customers, I was going to retire - and right now, I’ve got two fourth-generation customers,” he said. “The younger ones are 16-17 years old and I actually worked on their great-grandparents’ cars when I was at Jack Keller’s.” He said the response from the community has been

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SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, TEXAS — Elon Musk's SpaceX's giant new rocket blasted into the sky for a test flight Thursday, but then exploded and crashed into the Gulf Of Mexico. Thankfully, there were not any personnel aboard the rocket at the time of the crash. Musk's goal was to send the nearly 400-foot Starship rocket on a round-the-world trip from the southern tip of Texas, near the Mexican border. After separating, the spacecraft was supposed to continue east and attempt to circle the world, before crashing into the Pacific near Hawaii. The plan called for the booster to peel away from the spacecraft minutes after liftoff, but that failed to happen. The rocket tumbled and then exploded and crashed into the gulf. Many spectators watched from South Padre Island, miles away from the Boca Chica Beach launch site. The rocket has 17 million pounds of thrust and is designed to be fully reusable with a fast turnaround. SpaceX estimates that Falcon Heavy missions can cost under $100 million.

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EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County is awarding $1.3 million in funding for various park and recreational projects in communities throughout the county. The County Board voted Wednesday night to authorize the $1,308,765 in Park Enhancement Program (PEP) grant funding. “Since its establishment the funds have been used to improve parks and recreational facilities across the county,” Chairman Kurt Prenzler said. The PEP grants range between $15,000 and $138,000 and include funds for projects such as, , ADA equipment, playground equipment, pickleball courts, fencing, bike/pedestrian trail, landscaping, sporting equipment, lighting, senior center renovations, picnic tables, outdoor fitness equipment, barbecue grills, portable scoreboards, mowers and more. The funding is combined with city, village, township and park district funds to finance projects. Prenzler said the PEP grants are successful thanks to the taxpayers. He said voters approved a 1/10th of one percent sales

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