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CHICAGO — Governor JB Pritzker joined the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) and Google Public Sector on Monday to announce the creation of BEACON (Behavioral Health Care and Ongoing Navigation): A Service Access Portal for Illinois Youth. Powered by Google Cloud’s secure, scalable, and advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing technology, the new state-of-the-art online portal will provide a user-friendly experience for Illinois families to access behavioral and mental health resources for children. The Division of Mental Health (DMH) at DHS is collaborating with Google Public Sector to deliver this ongoing statewide transformation. “We are doing away with decentralized, difficult-to-navigate behavioral health resources scattered across different agencies, providers, and websites,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Instead, families will have a modern, easy to use online system to guide them through the behavioral health universe.

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ALTON - Keith A. Brown, 44, of Edwardsville, was charged by the Alton Police Department with four total counts including unlawful possession of weapons by a felon, unlawful use of weapon, aggravated assault, and resisting a peace officer. Brown received these charges after reportedly pointing a gun toward police officers, fleeing on foot, and more, according to recently filed Madison County court documents. In a case presented by the Alton Police Department, Brown allegedly possessed a Springfield XD 9mm pistol on Jan. 23, 2024 after having previously been convicted of Burglary, a felony. He was additionally charged with unlawful use of the same weapon after reportedly carrying it “on a public way being Broadway St., Alton … within 1,000 feet of real property comprising any school being St. Mary’s Catholic School located at 519 E. 4th Street, Alton.” Brown also pointed the firearm “in the direction of” a police officer while they were engaged

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EDWARDSVILLE - Educators and law enforcement officers gathered for the annual School Safety Summit for Madison County on Monday, Jan. 29, 2024. Hosted by Madison County Regional Superintendent of Schools Rob Werden, the summit covered mental health, cyberbullying and grooming in schools. Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine, Sheriff Marcos Pulido and Mental Health Board Executive Director Deborah Humphrey also led the discussion. “These issues are often overshadowed by the school shootings, but in reality, they affect more of our students every day across the state and the county,” Werden said. Mental Health and Substance Use in Schools Donna Nahlik, Director of Prevention and Community Education for Chestnut Health Systems, began the summit by talking about mental health and substance use in schools. She noted that Chestnut is already in most of the schools in the county, and they host regular training sessions about vaping, problem gambling, opioid

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GRANITE CITY - Tavarious T. White, 21, of Alton, was charged with unlawful possession of a stolen firearm and unlawful possession of weapons by a felon on Jan. 22, 2024, according to recently filed Madison County court documents. White allegedly possessed a Kimber Ultra Carry II .45-caliber handgun while “knowing it to have been stolen or converted,” according to court documents. White was additionally charged for possessing the stolen firearm as a convicted felon, as he had previously been convicted of aggravated discharge of a firearm. White’s case was presented by the Granite City Police Department. A petition to deny his pretrial release describes the incident as follows: “Officers responded to a residence in to a disturbance. Upon arrival officers were advised that individual involved in fight had a firearm. Officers contacted Defendant who was involved in fight with residents. Officers located firearm Defendant was in possession of. “Defendant

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BLOOMINGTON - Marquette Catholic’s dance team made history this past weekend and the week before by placing 19th in the IHSA State Class 1A Dance Championships on Jan. 27, 2024. The Explorers’ girls squad was third at the IHSA Sectionals on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024, at Mascoutah High School. The girls qualified for the IHSA Finals with their lyrical routine, “Listen.” The Marquette dance girls are Tucker's Automotive Repair and Tire Female Athletes of the Month for the Explorers. The squad consists of those shown above: front row, Grace Schwegel, Alana Taylor, Kambria Simon, Allison Wooden and Hope Seymour. Back row girls are Jaidyn Moore, Macy Stevenson, Jaelyn Slow, Lexi Stevenson and Grace Stoverink. The coaches of the squad are Marquette Catholic graduates Megan Stevenson and Sarah Harnetiaux.

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EAST ALTON – The National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC) continues to welcome submissions for its World Water Day Photo Contest. NGRREC invites photographers of all skill levels to capture the essence of the Mississippi River, a symbol of natural beauty, rich heritage and vibrant culture. "This contest offers a fantastic platform for individuals to express their connection to this majestic river and the natural heritage of our region," Environmental Educator Jolena Pang said. The central theme for the contest is "Mississippi River Connections," which highlights the intricate relationship between the river and its surrounding life. This broad theme classifies entries into three distinct categories: Wildlife Connections, Scenic Connections and Cultural Connections. Participants can submit one photograph per category. There is also a dedicated category for young photographers age 16 and under to encourage the next generation of environmental

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ALTON - Abundant Church invites everyone to their upcoming “Super Sunday” event to celebrate the Super Bowl with the church family. On Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, Abundant Church will mark the Super Bowl with games, tailgate food and church services starting at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Pastor Joe Banks explained that the event aims to highlight the church’s atmosphere and provide a fun treat for young families to enjoy. “We have so many young families in our church, which is so awesome, and so what we want to do throughout the year are some fun events for young families to enjoy,” Banks explained. “Really, we just want to capture the momentum of the Super Bowl in our community and all the fun that goes with it, and we want to create an unforgettable experience on Sunday morning that is kind of built around our services.” Families are invited to wear their favorite jerseys and register at the door starting at 8:30 a.m. for the chance to win major

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GODFREY – Lewis and Clark Community College has released the lists of full- and part-time honors students for the Fall 2023 semester. Students earning a cumulative grade point average of 3.75 or higher out of a possible 4.0 are named to the President’s List. Those students earning a grade point average between 3.25 and 3.74 are recognized each semester on the Dean’s List. Further requirements are listed in the college’s online catalog at http://catalog.lc.edu . Questions should be directed to the Enrollment Center at (618) 468-2222. President’s List ALHAMBRA – Allyson L. Kahrhoff; Webb M. Slifka; Cash M. Vereeke; ALTON – Kailyn E. Alexander; Sloane P. Ballard; Chiara Biciocchi; Addisyn C. Boelter, Julian E. Brady; Savanna S. Brown; Payton L. Crane; Eden E. Cudak; Mary A. Curvey; Yahira S. Delgado; Chase T. Dodd; Marian F. Elmendorf; Isabella M. Hall; Gabrielle J. Harlan; Paige K. Heinemeier; Britney L. Holshouser; Ashlynn N.

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EDWARDSVILLE – The soundtrack for musician Sylvester Donald’s life has been interspersed – and at times heavily so – with the “blues.” However, the 63-year-old gladly shares that the chords now in play are ones that are upbeat and uplifting, thanks in part to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Veterans Upward Bound (VUB). “Besides my music, I’m interested in going back to college, which is why I was excited to learn about Veterans Upward Bound at the SIUE East St. Louis Center, and how they could help me,” said the Army veteran. “My life is not over. I want to get a two-year degree and become a counselor for young people.” “I want to help youth find their way, because there are so many of them who need support in what they want to pursue,” added Donald. “Then there are those who don’t know what it is they want to do.” To understand this refrain that has become dominant in the

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GRAFTON - A man from Grafton has been charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, aggravated assault and more, according to recent Jersey County court filings. Jeffrey A. Dickinson, 37, of Grafton faces both charges from an incident that took place on or about Jan. 25, 2024. Dickinson allegedly possessed an uncased and loaded Davis Industries firearm, which was “immediately accessible at the time of the offense,” according to court documents. He did not have a valid Concealed Carry license at the time. Dickinson was additionally charged with aggravated assault on the same date after he allegedly pointed a firearm at the victim, placing them “in reasonable apprehension of receiving a battery,” according to court documents. According to the Jersey County Sheriff’s Office inmate booking directory, Dickinson was also charged on Jan. 25 with violating an order of protection. In total, Dickinson faces a Class 4 felony for aggravated unlawful use

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ALTON - Bishop Thomas John Paprocki of the Catholic Diocese of Springfield in Illinois traveled to the Riverbend on Monday, Jan. 29, 2024, to celebrate National Catholic Schools Week. Paprocki led two Mass services for Father McGivney Catholic High School and Marquette Catholic High School students, teachers and administrators. Father McGivney and Marquette Catholic High Schools are two of the 43 Catholic schools in the diocese, which serve a total of 10,244 students. National Catholic Schools Week runs from Jan. 28 to Feb. 3, 2024.

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ALTON - An Alton “Vintage Voices” cast recorded what Julie Gvillo described as “a profound performance” on Friday night at an Association of Partners in Christian Education (APCE) Convention at the Union Station Ballroom. The cast did a portrayal of the Elijah P. Lovejoy story and the Underground Railroad and Alton’s connection. “Vintage Voices’ performance impacted APCE participants in a way that will not soon be forgotten, Gvillo, local committee chair, said. “Their excellent command of their craft and their intentionality about and faithfulness to the history of our region left us all thirsting for justice.” The Vintage Voices cast consisted of: Debbie Maneke portraying Celia Lovejoy. Jared Hennings portraying William “Scotch” Johnston. Latasha LeFlore-Porter portraying Amanda Chavers. Ron Abraham portraying Thomas Dimmock. Sean Williams portraying Isaac Kelly. Jody Basola, Chair of Vintage Voices, said

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U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinksi (IL-13) recently visited Riverbender.com and appeared on Our Daily Show! with CJ Nasello and an interview with the content director. This is one of a multi-part series about the interview. ALTON - Throughout her time in Congress, U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinksi has proudly held her “Standing With Workers” philosophy. One specific area is her efforts to help offset the recent layoffs by U.S. Steel at the Granite City Works plant. “Too often, companies close down or initiate layoffs without giving their workers or the broader community proper notice,” she said. “Workers and their families deserve better than a last-minute email letting them know they’re losing their jobs. "When U.S. Steel tried to use a legal loophole to avoid providing advance layoff notice to 400 Granite City Works employees, I worked with Governor Pritzker to secure an investigation by the Illinois Department of Labor. After calling the company out for

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CARLINVILLE - Aryanna Harris, a senior sports management major from Springfield, Illinois, is the recipient of Blackburn College’s 2024 Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Student Leadership Award. Presented annually, this award honors students who have demonstrated outstanding commitment and service to the ideals of diversity, equity, and inclusion at the College. Harris was announced as the award recipient during Blackburn’s annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Convocation in January. Harris was surprised but honored to be recognized for her leadership on campus. “I am blessed and grateful to have been chosen to receive this award. If it weren’t for those who believed in me and saw me for the person I truly was, I wouldn’t be here today” “ she said. “I believe in everyone, even when they don’t believe in themselves, and as long as I am here, I will continue to make sure that people are as successful as possible. Dreams are never unreachable,

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ALTON - A recent CNN/Kaiser Family Foundation research survey found that 90% of Americans feel the United States is in a mental health crisis. Unfortunately, it’s safe to say that the nation’s newest public health threat has enveloped the Riverbend region as well. Case in point, the Psychological Services Department at OSF Saint Anthony’s Health Services has realized two (2) consecutive years of therapy and counseling resource expansion by 1,400% since December 2021. In addition, patient utilization of mental health and wellness services at OSF Saint Anthony’s increased by at least 37% between 2022-2023. “OSF Saint Anthony’s is committed to meeting and serving the mental health needs of the entire Riverbend region,” says Staci Knox, LCSW, Manager, Psychological Services, OSF Saint Anthony’s. “Mental health is one of the top community health priorities identified in our current community health needs assessment (CHNA). Just as well

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CHICAGO - Tax season can be fraught with paperwork, deadlines, and sometimes con artists. As the first day for filing kicks off, it’s important to be cautious. “Just like throughout the year, you should take precautions to safeguard your personal information when it comes to tax documents,” says Comptroller Mendoza. “Scammers often use scare tactics to try and get taxpayers to hand over private information and money.” Several current scams aim to look like official communication from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). They include: Receiving a cardboard envelope in the mail with a note on IRS letterhead, stating “about your unclaimed refund.” The letter will likely include contact information and a phone number that does not belong to the IRS, and request you provide sketchy “filing” information such as a photo of your driver’s license, Social Security number, and other personal information. The IRS says the letter

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul and District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb co-led a coalition of 18 attorneys general in support of California’s prohibition on carrying firearms in health care facilities, parks, places of worship, public transit and other sensitive places. Raoul and the attorneys general filed an amicus brief in Carralero v. Bonta. The brief urges the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit to overturn a lower court’s decision that bars California from enforcing its restrictions on carrying firearms in these places. “People deserve to feel safe while at places of worship or while their children play at parks. That is why I am urging the U.S. Court of Appeals to uphold this prohibition on firearms in such sensitive places,” Raoul said. “I will continue to advocate against the scourge of gun violence that has become common in too many communities around Illinois and across the nation.” In the brief, Raoul

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MURPHYSBORO – U.S. Representative Mike Bost (IL-12) today announced that his 2024 re-election campaign has been endorsed by the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police State Lodge. “The men and women of law enforcement have always known they can count on Mike Bost for his unwavering support. Mike has always had our backs, even when many other elected officials abandoned us,” said Chris Southwood, Illinois FOP State Lodge President. “He has supported bills to give law enforcement officers better pay and benefits in our dangerous but vital profession. The Illinois FOP State Lodge gives Mike Bost our sincere and hearty endorsement." “I have never wavered in my support for our law enforcement officers, especially now when woke liberals in Illinois and Washington, D.C. continue to demonize them with an anti-police agenda,” said Bost. “I would like to thank the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police State Lodge for putting their confidence in my re-election

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CHICAGO - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today helped honor and recognize the nearly 300 Illinois Army National Guard Soldiers being mobilized to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in support of Operation Spartan Shield. Members from Chicago’s 34th Division Sustainment Brigade will provide intra-theater logistics support operations, with the 433rd Signal Company providing operational command, communication computer, intelligence, surveillance and recon signal system networks to support the Sustainment Brigade. Duckworth spoke at the mobilization ceremony, which also included remarks from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, U.S. Representative Delia Ramirez (D-IL-03) and Illinois National Guard Assistant Adjutant General Major General Rodney Boyd. Photos from today’s event are available on the Senator’s website . “All of you today are taking on an important responsibility as you answer the call of service and duty” Duckworth

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and U.S. Representative André Carson (D-IN-07) in introducing a resolution recognizing January as Muslim-American Heritage Month and celebrating the achievements of Muslims living in the United States. The resolution highlights the incredible contributions Muslim Americans have made across multiple sectors of society—from medical professionals to entrepreneurs, faith leaders, athletes, and public servants—to help build a better nation. The resolution further notes the religious discrimination experienced by Muslim Americans and stresses the “need for public education, awareness, and policies that are culturally competent when describing, discussing, or addressing the impacts of being Muslim American in all aspects of the society of the United States.” “America is stronger because of the diverse communities that call this country home,

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