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CHICAGO – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and U.S. Representative Eric Sorensen (D-IL-17) today released the following statement regarding the decision by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to permanently convert United States Penitentiary (USP) Thomson into a low-security prison while ensuring that all current Thomson employees will be retained: “We welcome today’s announcement by BOP Director Peters that USP Thomson will be permanently converted to a low-security facility. This change is a decisive effort to address the many challenges the institution has faced in recent years, while relieving some of the overpopulation pressures BOP is experiencing in low-security facilities nationwide. “While we’re disappointed that this conversion will lead to a reduction in the number of full-time staff positions, we’re relieved that the facility will retain all o

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DOW - This weekend, the Tri-County Antique Club’s 32nd annual “Olden Days” festival celebrated local agriculture with tractor pulls, a car show and more. The festival was set for Aug. 26 and 27, but was canceled on Saturday due to inclement weather. Sunday, Aug. 27 went on as planned with vendors, fair food and music by Jim On The Keyboard. Antique cars were lined up alongside antique tractors. The festival was an homage to the club’s mission statement, including their goal “to promote the appreciation of agricultural history, through the restoration and preservation of antique, vintage and classic automobiles, gasoline and oil engines, gas and steam tractors, farm machinery and other equipment of historical value.” To that end, they encouraged people to sign up for the car show or to display their vintage tractors. One man brought out his 1955 Ford 860 tractor, and he noted that it runs as well as ever with a rebuilt carburetor and looks eve

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ALTON - The rain didn’t stop community members from enjoying a day of food and music at the Alton Food Truck Festival this weekend. Attendees flooded the Alton Amphitheater to try 18 different food trucks on Saturday, Aug. 26. This year marked the ninth year of the Food Truck Festival, and people were excited to check out old favorites and try new meals. Dan Herkert, the chair of the Alton Amphitheater Commission, said the festival is a fun night for the City of Alton and usually draws 5,000 people to the riverfront. “This event’s fun just to see all the people, the melting pot of people from our community and the surrounding area, having a good time,” Herkert said. “There’s a whole lot of division in the world today, but seeing people having fun, making new friends, enjoying good music and good food, is always a bonus.” The food truck owners echoed this sentiment, noting that they enjoy catching up with other trucks and sharing thei

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Letter To The Editor: “White supremacist violence is never the product of a ‘lone shooter’. The white man who murdered AJ Laguerre Jr., Jerrald De'Shaun Gallon, and Angela Michelle Carr in Jacksonville this weekend acted as part of white supremacist culture and white nationalist networks that are further emboldened by anti-Black rhetoric and policies like those pushed by Governor Ron DeSantis in Florida. "White people have a responsibility to actively engage other white people where they’re at and invite them into other ways of being together besides racism. We must do this before they are organized by violent, racist networks to harm our Black and brown neighbors. That means, to end white supremacist violence in this country, we need millions more white people to join us in organizing white people away from racism and into multiracial fights for justice.” — Erin Heaney, Executive Director, Showing Up for Racial Justice

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ALTON - Nancy Robeen, a recent Mission Partner of the Month Award recipient and a physical therapy assistant for OSF Rehabilitation Services in Alton, gave some insight into the daily life of her career on an episode of Our Daily Show! on Riverbender.com . Robeen said her typical day doesn’t include much downtime - after a cup of coffee, she quickly makes preparations for her patients, and then “it’s go time.” “We get ready for our patients, we peruse through the chart, and then it’s go time - we don’t have a lot of downtime,” Robeen said. “I like to just start with a nice smile, a ‘hello,’ and getting to know the patient - what’s going well for you today and maybe what’s not going well for you? “Let’s sit down and let’s see what we can do, and just help these people find some comfort in whatever they’re going through.” Robeen said it’s important to truly

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GODFREY - A photo exhibit at Lewis & Clark Community College in Godfrey showcases 100 photographs taken by award-winning photographer Robert J. Ellison, who captured several important moments from the Civil Rights Movement and Vietnam War. “Unfiltered Lens” will run until Aug. 31 in the Hatheway Cultural Center Gallery on the Lewis & Clark campus. A commemoration event with local historians and more will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 26 in the Ann Whitney Olin Theatre on campus. The exhibit hours are on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Saturday from 10 to 2 p.m., with the commemoration event immediately following. Both the commemoration event and exhibit are free and open to the public. Lacy McDonald, genealogy & local history library manager for the Hayner Public Library District, joined Jared Hennings, student activities coordinator for Lewis & Clark Community College, to discuss the photo exhibit on an episode of Our Daily Show! on Riverbender.com

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GRANITE CITY - Granite City High School's football team appears primed for an outstanding season in 2023 after an excellent summer of training. The Warriors are loaded with talent on both the offensive and defensive sides of the field and have an excellent place kicker in Abby Knight. The Warriors suffered a tough opening loss on Saturday at O'Fallon, but should rebound and have an outstanding season under second-year head coach Kindle Lyons. Lyons has inspired the Warriors in both the weight room and on the field and he expects big things from his kids this fall. The Warriors football boys are Stillwater Senior Living Male Athletes Of The Month for their superior efforts over the summer. Granite is coming off a 1-8 season last year, the only win coming against Madison 51-34 on Sept. 17, 2022, at Memorial Stadium/Kevin Greene Field. The Warriors were shut out in five of their games last season, including the last four consecutive, but all the signs of a big turnaround are evident

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ALTON - When Debra Ross saw her fellow Medicare home health nurses leaving the profession, it inspired her to open Absolute Health Care Services as another option for nurses and families in the Riverbend area. Absolute Health Care Services offers different levels of at-home care, from companionship to housekeeping to complete personal care. This month, they’re celebrating 20 years of business. “When you’re providing services for someone, it’s not only going in there and helping them with personal care or housekeeping,” Ross said. “There’s a lot more that’s involved in that. We advocate in every aspect of their care.” Depending on what a client needs, Ross will connect them with a companion, sitter, registered nurse or other licensed employee. She said she is “cost-conscious” and works with clients to find a schedule that works for them. Unlike other home health services, Absolute Health Care Services doesn’t

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CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced the CDC is reporting all 102 Illinois counties remained at a low level for COVID-19 hospital admissions as of the middle of August, though wastewater surveillance is detecting rising Covid-19 activity. IDPH is continuing to closely watch COVID-19 data and also monitoring other respiratory viruses, particularly flu and RSV, ahead of the fall and winter seasons. “Although hospitalization rates and deaths from COVID-19 remain low, it is important for our residents to know that we are seeing rising COVID-19 activity across Illinois,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra . “We are fortunate the vast majority of Illinoisians have received immunity from a COVID-19 vaccine or previous infection that protects them against severe disease. However, COVID-19 continues to pose a risk for our seniors, individuals with chronic medical conditions, and those who are immunocompromised. IDPH is closely

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EAST ST. LOUIS – A U.S. District judge has sentenced an Arizona man to 100 months imprisonment after he admitted to trafficking more than 1,300 grams combined of fentanyl and heroin into southern Illinois. Jimmy Carrasco, 28, of Glendale, Arizona, pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. Following his prison sentence, he will serve three years of supervised release. According to court documents, officers with the Illinois State Police conducted a traffic stop on Carrasco’s vehicle on Interstate 70 in Madison County on Oct. 5, 2021. During a search of the vehicle, officers recovered pills containing 771 grams of fentanyl and 616 grams of heroin. Co-defendant Luciano Gomezllanos-Martinez, 45, originally from Mexico, was a passenger in Carrasco’s vehicle at the time of the traffic stop. Gomezllanos-Martinez pleaded guilty to federal drug possession and illegal reentry charges and was sentenced to 46 months imprisonment on Jan. 18,

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JERSEYVILLE - Illinois American Water issued a boil water order Saturday afternoon for its water customers in the Jerseyville District operations. The boil water order was necessary after a minor flooding issue at the Jerseyville water treatment plant which was resolved, Illinois American Water customers impacted by the boil water order received a phone call notification Saturday afternoon from the company. The following communities served from the Illinois American Water treatment plant in Jerseyville are impacted by the boil water order: • Jerseyville • Fieldon • Nutwood Note: The Village of Hardin is not under a boil water order. Hardin has its own ILAW water treatment plant. During the boil order, customers should bring their water to a rolling boil for five minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. Water is OK for bathing, washing and other common uses. When the boil water order is lifted, impacted customers will receive a phone call from Illinois

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GRAFTON - Grafton’s Annual Family Fun Day will be held on Saturday, August 26, 2023, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. in Red Hawk Park. This year, there will also be a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 7:00 p.m. to officially open a pair of anxiously awaited brand-new pickleball courts. So, gather up your children, friends, and family for this last hurrah of summer. The evening will feature face painting, balloon animals, rock painting, a DJ, pickleball, and so much more. The ‘Hungries’ will be no match for free hot dogs, chips, and water. Bring your own chairs and blankets and claim your spot. Come and check out QEM fire trucks, a Jersey County ambulance, Survival Flight helicopter, and a Grafton police car. Jersey County Queen and Little Miss will help celebrate this favorite community event presented by the City of Grafton Family Fun Day Committee. Laughter, fun and games are free to all! Photos provided by Dave Sanford, City Photographer.

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EDWARDSVILLE – Sewer line work will require a closure of the 100 block of Franklin Avenue while repairs are completed. The work is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, August 29, weather permitting. Franklin Avenue will be closed to all traffic between Illinois Route 159 and Longfellow Avenue. Repairs are expected to take one day. The repairs will be made by a third-party contractor to address issues arising from work on private property. Detours will be posted. "We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience," the City Of Edwardsville said.

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ALTON - State Representative Amy Elik (R-Alton) issued the following statement after Governor J.B. Pritzker vetoed legislation to lift the nuclear power plant ban in Illinois: “Illinois desperately needs to have more options to produce enough energy to meet the demands in our state. Our utility rates are going through the roof and the construction of new nuclear power plants is one solution to lower these costs. I co-sponsored the bill to lift the nuclear power plant ban as I believe this will allow our state to explore all the options to meet our energy demands, produce low-cost energy, and help boost our economy and provide more good paying jobs.”

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ALTON - Community members are invited to the Lucy Haskell Playhouse on Saturday, Sept. 9, to celebrate the dedication of their new gazebo. The Haskell Playhouse Association is excited to unveil its newest addition to the Alton community. From 10 a.m. to noon, guests can also enjoy pony rides, music by the Muny Band and two special guests. “Not only is the building being upheld, but so is the spirit of community,” Haskell Playhouse Association member Debbie S chuneman said. “We feel we actually owe it to the community, because they help us in so many ways. It’s our way of saying thank you.” In April, the Association started talking about adding to the area around the playhouse. With their fundraising efforts and several local donors, they were able to fund and construct a gazebo with four benches inside. The dedication and ribbon cutting will start at 10 a.m. on Sept. 9, followed by free activities until noon. “And by George, we have

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O’FALLON — On Friday, Nov. 3, at the 2023 Elizabethan Gala fundraiser, HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Foundation will present Catherine Taylor Yank, owner and CEO of Jim Taylor, Inc., aka Taylor Roofing, with the 2023 Elizabethan Award. The award recognizes Catherine Taylor Yank for her commitment to HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital and the expansion of healthcare services in southwestern Illinois. Catherine Taylor Yank is a longtime advocate of St. Elizabeth’s Hospital and has dedicated years of service as a volunteer leader and philanthropist. Taylor Yank served on the HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Foundation Leadership Council (formerly the Friends of St. Elizabeth’s Hospital Board) from 2009 to 2023. Likewise, she served on the Hospital Sisters of St. Francis Foundation Board until July of this year. In 2017, Taylor Yank and her husband Greg Yank donated a $1 million life insurance policy to HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Foundation in support of the St. Elizabeth’s

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - On Friday, August 25, 2023, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office issued charges on suspect Rashaud First, 21 years of age, of the 1400 block of Lasalle Lane in St. Louis, Missouri 63104, for Resisting Arrest by Fleeing and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. A booking photo of First is attached. First is being held on $100,000 cash only, no 10%, bond. The probable cause statement reads: On the afternoon of 8/24/2023, Saint Louis County Detectives observed a dark blue Dodge Challenger with no license plates and heavily tinted windows on Halls Ferry Road. Detectives attempted to stop the vehicle but the vehicle fled at a high rate of speed, weaving in and out of traffic and failing to obey traffic control devices. A tire deflation device was deployed successfully. Near Riverview and Scranton the driver, (the defendant) threw a semi-automatic pistol out of the window. The vehicle came to rest near Scranton and West and the defendant exited the vehicle

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DOW - The Tri-County Antique Club “Olden Days” festival is coming up this weekend with two days jam-packed with activities and events for all ages, including live music, a car show, raffle drawing, food, games, and much more. The festivities kick off on Saturday, Aug. 26 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., followed by Sunday, Aug. 27 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., on the Tri-County Antique Club grounds at 23946 State Highway 3 in Dow. The cost of admission is $5 per person and free for children 12 and under. Breakfast will be served on both days from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and other food will be available throughout. Saturday features Apple Pie Judging, two tractor pulls, and more, while Sunday features a car show, raffle drawing, and more. Saturday will also bring live music from a DJ, while Sunday will see a performance by Jim on Keyboard. A raffle drawing will be held on Sunday with prizes including a handmade quilt, pedal tractor, Sinclair Foods gift certificates, and much more. Raffle

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SPRINGFIELD – Eleven grants totaling nearly $750,000 have been awarded to Illinois land trusts to support stewardship on land protected by the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources announced. The Nature Institute was awarded $78,500 for work in Madison County. Hire staff and purchase equipment to support ecological restoration through prescribed fire implementation and invasive species removal at John M. Olin Nature Preserve and Mississippi Sanctuary Nature Preserve. The goal of the Natural Areas Stewardship Grant program is to increase the delivery of much-needed stewardship activities to natural areas that are permanently protected within the nature preserves system. Stewardship needs on natural areas throughout Illinois have continued to outpace the ability to deliver these services by individuals, volunteers, organizations, and government agencies. This grant program is designed to fund projects that address this deficiency

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GODFREY – Melissa McKaig, of Jerseyville, joined the Lewis and Clark Community College Board of Trustees as the student representative in April 2023. McKaig is working on earning her associate degree in Nursing and plans to graduate in Spring 2025. She said she is honored to be able to serve L&C and does not take her responsibilities lightly. “My goal is to listen to my classmates and the staff on and off campus so that I can represent all of us in the best way possible,” she said. “We have a great campus, but like any organization, there is always room for improvement.” President Ken Trzaska said McKaig is a pleasure to work with. “The role of student trustee is vital, as the student serving in that role is the student body’s voice on the Board of Trustees,” Trzaska said. “McKaig takes this role seriously and performs her duties with the utmost professionalism.” McKaig decided to attend L&C because it i

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