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CHICAGO – President Joseph Biden has approved Governor Pritzker’s request and signed a Disaster Declaration , allowing the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to offer Individual Assistance for residents in Cook County, Illinois who were impacted by severe weather in September. FEMA's Individual Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and businesses owners recover from the effects of the storms. "Thank you to President Biden and FEMA for recognizing the devastating effects of recent extreme weather in Cook County by taking the appropriate action to ensure impacted residents can get back on their feet," said Governor JB Pritzker. "Residents and businesses in Cook County who were most impacted are now able to access additional resources necessary to rebuild and revitalize, and I know Cook County will build back stronger than ever." On September

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul led a coalition of 16 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief before the U.S. Supreme Court urging it to reverse a lower court decision holding that only workers who are employed by a company in the transportation industry can be exempt under the transportation-worker exemption to the Federal Arbitration Act (FAA). Raoul and the coalition filed their brief in support of workers in Bissonnette v. LePage Bakeries. At issue in the case is whether truck drivers for a food company and similar “private fleet” drivers fall within the exemption for transportation workers in the FAA. The FAA requires workers to raise claims against their employer in private arbitration proceedings when they have signed an arbitration agreement. However, there is an exemption within the FAA for transportation workers. “We have seen the critical role all truck drivers play in keeping our states running efficiently, and there is no reason to treat

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ALTON - The Alton City Council on Tuesday fell one vote short of overriding a veto that was issued by Mayor David Goins earlier this month. The mayor’s veto was upheld following a 4-3 vote from council members. Aldermen Nate Keener, Rosetta Brown, and Stephanie Elliott all voted against a motion to reconsider the veto. The veto keeps a proposed requirement for separate directors of Code Enforcement and Building and Zoning off the books for now - Greg Caffey currently serves as the director of both departments. Alderwoman Betsy Allen proposed the requirement, stating the responsibilities of both departments were too much for any one person to handle. Shortly after Mayor Goins vetoed Allen’s ordinance, Alderwoman Carolyn MacAfee pursued a council vote to override the veto. While it couldn’t be voted on at that meeting, it was up for a vote on Tuesday night when it ultimately fell one vote short of overriding the mayor’s veto. A motion to reconsider

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ALTON - The Alton Community Unit School District #11 (ACUSD11) Board of Education recognized the Alton Middle School (AMS) football team for their undefeated season during the Board’s regular meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023. AMS Principal Dr. Cindy Inman introduced coaches Terry Mitchell, Benny Williams and Lloyd “Rusty” Bilbruck. She explained that they ended the season 10-0, and she credited the coaches for their successful team. “They don’t just coach them. They look at them as their students, as their kids. They work hard each day with them,” Inman said. The AMS team was also undefeated in 2019 under the same coaching staff. Inman added that Mitchell, Williams and Bilbruck are great coaches, but also positive mentors for their players. If a football player is acting out at the middle school, Inman said she can contact the coaches and know they will sit down and have a conversation with the student about what’s going on. “They

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GODFREY - Steve Tassinari with Tassinari Insurance Agency recently shared more about his business, the work they do, and the agency’s membership in the North Alton-Godfrey Business Council. The Business Council includes several local businesses which are being highlighted in a series of spotlight segments on Our Daily Show! on Riverbender.com . Unlike “captive” insurance agents which are tied to only one carrier, Tassinari is an “independent” agent, meaning he can shop across multiple different carriers for the best coverages at the best rates for personal and business lines. “People ask which company I work for or which companies I work for, and the simple answer is, I say, ‘I work for you,’” Tassinari said. “My job is to find the best coverages at the best rates, and so I have multiple companies that I can look for.” Tassinari describes the process like a consultation - all customers have to do is

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GLEN CARBON - Father McGivney Catholic senior baseball pitcher Ryker Keller signed a letter of intent to attend Concordia University in River Forest, Ill., in suburban Chicago, in a recent ceremony held in the school's chapel. Keller, who's become one of the St. Louis area's premier relief pitchers, was an outstanding 4-0 with five saves in 19 appearances in the 2023 season as the Griffins went 37-2, winning their first 29 games and advancing to the IHSA Class 2A sectional final before losing to Columbia. Keller had a 1.14 ERA and allowed only 13 hits on the season, walking eight and striking out 23. Keller is a Byron, Carlson, Petri & Kalb Male Athlete of the Month for the Griffins. Keller had a variety of reasons why he chose Concordia, both baseball and academic. "I really liked the school," Keller said in a post-ceremony interview, "the coaching staff, and I liked how they were really approaching the baseball side and the side of growing young men." The fact that the school

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EDWARDSVILLE — It’s that time of year again — gift-giving season. As you start to check family and friends off your Christmas shopping list, please consider adding just one more — a child in need. Every holiday season, organizations large and small hold toy drives to collect donations of new and unwrapped toys and other needed items (clothing, shoes) for children of all ages and this year Madison County Community Development (MCCD) will join them in collecting items. “Unlike other toy drives, MCCD’s is different,” Homeless Coordinator David Kerr said. “We know exactly who is getting the toys.” MCCD put up a tree in the lobby of the Administration Building, 157 N. Main St., Edwardsville, IL 62025 with “ornaments” on it that include the ages and items that children would like for Christmas. The new items will go to boys and girls whose families have or are experiencing homelessness and are currently part of the county’s

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ALTON - The Alton Community Unit School District #11 Board of Education rejected all bids for the McKinley School building during the Board’s regular meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023. The McKinley School building has not been occupied by the school district for a few years. Kreative Kids Learning Center previously occupied the building but relocated last year. The district decided to sell the building and “has received several inquiries so far from prospective bidders regarding McKinley School,” said Superintendent Dr. Kristie Baumgartner in an email. The district opened sealed bids on Nov. 21, 2023. During their meeting, they moved into a closed session to “discuss setting of a price for sale or lease of property owned by the public body,” according to the meeting agenda. The Board then resumed open session and voted to reject all bids. “The proposed motion is that the Board of Education refuse and reject all bids received during the sealed

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FIELDON - The Jersey County Sheriff’s Office recently released more detailed information about a burglary that took place at Betty's Get-N-Go in Fieldon earlier this fall. Cash and other items of value were reportedly stolen from the business. “During the early morning hours of Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023, JSCO deputies responded to a report of a burglary at Betty's Get-N-Go in Fieldon,” The Sheriff’s Office stated in a recent press release. “Upon arrival, deputies found that someone had forcibly entered the business.” After conducting the initial investigation, JCSO deputies contacted Detective Marshall Lewis, who arrived and processed the crime scene. The department credits Detective Lewis with a “significant follow-up investigation and persistence” which led to the identification of two suspects, Hardigrew C. Bridger (age 58) and Cameron S. Crockarell (age 54), both of Granite City, Illinois. Both suspects were subsequently charged

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ALTON - A ban on public camping within Alton city limits was given final approval by members of the City Council, who voted 6-1 to pass the item after months of debating and laying the item over. Resident Sam Lloyd urged council members to vote for the new ordinance, stating inaction on Alton’s homelessness issue could impact the city, its citizens, their home values, crime rates, and more. “I encourage council members to vote for this ordinance, as such behavior could have a detrimental effect on the citizens of the city,” Lloyd said. “Our parks and city property should be available to citizens and visitors, and should not be designated as temporary camping for the homeless. It was never the city’s original intent or citizens’ expectations of the use of the property. “For citizens, their home values may deteriorate if campaign activity becomes aknowledgeable … citizens may also be impacted on the rate of crime. A population o

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O'FALLON - Sophomore guard Mia Semith's talents have been showcased in the past two Edwardsville girls' basketball games. Semith scored 15 points for the Tigers against Breese Central in the O'Fallon Southern Illinois Girls Shootout Series on Nov. 18 at the OTHS Panther Dome. On Monday night in Edwardsville's home opener, she tossed in 17 points. The Tigers have a young team for this season, and the team will improve and get better as the season goes along. Semith is very optimistic about what lies ahead for Edwardsville. "Yeah, we're a young team," Semith said. "We're going to learn, we're getting better each game. From the Pleasant Plains game to this one, we've already made some improvements. We're gonna be OK, we're young," she said with a smile. Semith is a Johnston Law Firm Female Athlete of the Month for the Tigers. The Tigers opened a four-game home stand on Nov. 20 against Springfield, and also have games set against Breese Mater Dei Catholic, Reitz Memorial Academy of

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ALTON – OSF Saint Anthony’s Health Center has been awarded a renewal of an existing three-year term of accreditation in mammography as the result of a recent review by the American College of Radiology (ACR). Mammography is a specific type of imaging test that uses a low-dose X-ray system to examine breasts. A mammography exam, called a mammogram, is used to aid in the early detection and diagnosis of breast diseases in women. “Our mammography program and services have voluntarily gone through a vigorous review process to ensure that we meet nationally-accepted standards of care,” says Fred Sansoucie RT(R)(CT)(ARRT), Manager of Imaging Services, OSF Saint Anthony’s. “Our personnel are well qualified, through education and certification, to perform medical imaging, interpret your images, and administer your radiation therapy treatments. Our equipment is appropriate for the test or treatment you will receive, and our facility meets or exceeds quality

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ALTON - A veto recently issued by Alton Mayor David Goins is likely to be challenged by Alderwoman Carolyn MacAfee tonight, who recently claimed the veto is “illegal.” MacAfee has stated previously she intends to challenge the mayor’s veto with a motion to reconsider, which the council is likely to vote on tonight. “We voted … to adopt the ordinance, so as far as I’m concerned, your veto is illegal,” MacAfee said. “It’s probably never going to happen that we get a Code Enforcement Director. I’m just complaining that the process was not done right.” The item Mayor Goins vetoed would have required separate full-time directors for the departments of Code Enforcement and Building & Zoning, which are both currently led by director Greg Caffey. Alderwoman Betsy Allen proposed the item, saying both positions required too many responsibilities for any one person to handle, and she and MacAfee both cited constituents asking

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ALTON - Community members teamed up at LaMay’s Catering to give out 150 hot side dishes, 200 turkeys and 500 meals for their annual Thanksgiving Blessing Giveaway. The giveaway is a partnership between Shenekia Stovall and Jason and Kayla Harrison, owners of LaMay’s. On Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023, Stovall, Jason, Kayla and many volunteers from Deliverance Temple came together to pass out hot food and deliver meals to houses around Alton. “Times are hard for everyone right now,” Stovall said. “And just to be able to be a blessing and to serve, that’s who I am. That’s just why it’s important to me. From a church perspective, we need to be in the community, not only worshiping but serving and making sure we are meeting the needs of our neighbors. To do this with Jason and the church, it’s an honor.” While the giveaway is about helping others, the mission is personal to Stovall. When she lost her son, Monte, eight years ago

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ALTON - Vicky Schlueter shared some of her images from the Alton Tree Lighting Ceremony this past Friday night, Nov. 17, 2023, in Alton, which showcased the magical night. The tree lighting served as a kickoff for Christmas in the Alton region and was attended by hundreds of people, who enjoyed the lighting event. The Alton-Godfrey Rotary Club and Alton Main Street were the main sponsors of the annual tree lighting. "The event is wonderful," Alton Mayor David Goins said. He said each year the Alton Tree Lighting brings the community together. Mayor Goins performed the honor of turning on the tree lights at the end of the ceremony. A multitude of children and families were present when he flipped the switch. The Salvation Army also used the event as a kickoff for its annual bell-ringing campaign in Alton. Residents are urged to give at the kettles this weekend when shopping around the Alton area. This shopping weekend is always one of the most important for the bell-ringing

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GRAFTON - After over 40 years in business, the beloved Fin Inn Restaurant is for sale. Located at 1500 W. Main Street in Grafton, the property will be sold as-is in an online auction next month. Bidding starts on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023, and ends on Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023. Real estate agent Tommy Ruyle says the property has potential to be anything the buyer wants it to be, with lots of history and a prime spot on the Great River Road. “This an iconic restaurant, but also, it has frontage on the Great River Road there in Grafton, and that’s hard to come by,” Ruyle said. “It doesn’t come up very often in Grafton that you’ve got access to the Great River Road. So there’s all kinds of potential projects that somebody may have in mind to bring — if it’s not the Fin Inn again — some other attraction that the public and the tourist industry in that area are going to enjoy.” Ruyle, who owns Countryside Land & Auction,

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - On Saturday, November 18, 2023, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office issued charges on suspect Ronald Perkins, 28 years of age, of the 5100 block of Abington Road in Florissant, Missouri, 63033, for three counts of Robbery First Degree and three counts of Armed Criminal Action. A booking photo of Perkins is attached. Perkins is being held on $500,000 cash only, no 10%, bond. Please note, charges are merely an accusation and Defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law. The probable cause statement reads: On November 8, Defendant entered a gas station at 7830 Clayton Road. Defendant, wearing a distinct outfit, pointed a black and silver handgun at the station employee and demanded money from the register. Defendant took cash from the register and while exiting the store he demanded a pack of Newport Cigarettes, which he was given. Defendant then left the gas station in a 2020 Kia Telluride. About an hour later

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ALTON - Alton resident Charlie Stocker raised concerns about code enforcement and deteriorating properties at Monday’s Committee of the Whole meeting . After months of trying unsuccessfully to meet with the mayor and the Code Enforcement/Building and Zoning director, he said he’s now taking the story to the news media. Stocker said he moved to Alton in 2005 and that the city’s Code Enforcement Department has “struggled at best,” adding he and others find the department “very ineffective.” “The part that seems to be most ineffective is when there’s a violation and somebody gets cited and for whatever reason, they ignore the city and their efforts to enforce it," Stocker said during public comments at Monday's meeting. "They either don’t pay the fine, or they pay the fine and still don’t come up to code. “As a result, in the last three years as of August 30, the city has spent just north of $900,000 t

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ALTON - Centerstone, a national leader in behavioral health care, will host a free, virtual Child Abuse and Neglect 101 training on November 29 from 10 – 11:30 a.m. CT. CEUs are available. This training defines child neglect and how it differs from child abuse. “Neglect can be hard to spot, and the reasons for it happening are diverse and multifaceted. Professionals will learn how neglect interventions also differ from interventions for abuse, and learn to understand the best ways to prevent neglect in our communities,” said Hannah Chapman, Centerstone Trauma, Treatment and Training grant coordinator. Objectives of the training include: Define childhood neglect Define risk factors of neglect Define the consequences of neglect Determine protective factors vs risk factors Discuss effective intervention and prevention efforts The presenter of the training will be Rachel Chruszczyk, prevention specialist with Prevent Child Abuse Illinois. This training has

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SPRINGFIELD - Thanksgiving is the leading day for home fires involving cooking equipment, with four times the average number occurring. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) on Thanksgiving Day alone, an estimated 1,160 home cooking fires were reported to U.S. fire departments in 2021, reflecting a 297 percent increase over the daily average. Cooking causes over half (53%) of all reported home fires and nearly two of every five (38%) home fire injuries, and it is a leading cause of home fire deaths (18%). Ranges and cook-tops account for almost three out of every five home fires reported involving cooking, with ovens accounting for 13% of those fires. “Thanksgiving is a day to celebrate with family and friends and to be thankful, not deal with an accidental fire due to a cooking accident,” said Illinois State Fire Marshal James A. Rivera . “It’s important to keep cooking safety a top priority and ensure all your cooking appliances are

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