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ALTON - Expanding sports tourism in southwest Illinois is a priority in 2023 for the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau. That’s why it has hired Huddle Up Group, an Arizona-based organization which specializes in sports tourism strategic plans. “Every year we see the economic impact of sports tourism on our region and know we can do better,” said Cory Jobe, President and CEO of the tourism bureau. “Growing sports events in our region will bring in more overnight stays, increase local tax revenues and we anticipate businesses will see an increase in sales. It’s a win-win for everyone.” Huddle Up will help identify, grow, develop and service the region’s sports tourism efforts to ensure a positive economic impact. That work would ultimately lead to the development of a long-range strategic plan for the growth of sports in Madison County. Huddle Up will conduct a market needs assessment on sports participation trends; do a regional facility

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ALTON - Marquette Catholic High School announced its fall semester Honor Roll. To view the full lists click the links below. High Honor Roll Honor Roll

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JERSEYVILLE - On Tuesday, Jan. 24, the Jerseyville Domino’s Pizza location is participating in a fundraiser that will help support the Unified Child Advocacy Network, a nonprofit organization that helps children who have been physically/sexually abused. Melissa Dandino, fundraising coordinator for the Unified Child Advocacy Network, said 20% of every dollar spent at the Jerseyville Domino’s will go towards the child advocacy network, and that applies across the entire menu. Be sure to use code “DN1” if ordering online at dominos.com , or mention the Unified Child Advocacy Network in-store or to your delivery driver for your order proceeds to benefit the organization. “We have had no fundraising for our organization since it was founded in 2017, so we’re just trying to get out into the community and let them know that we’re here, and what we’re doing for the children of the community,” Dandino said. The Unified Child Advocacy

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County Police Crimes Against Persons detectives are investigating a pedestrian struck at the intersection of Lucas-Hunt Road and Jacobi Avenue that resulted in the death of a male. On January 17, 2023, at 11:11 p.m. St. Louis County Police officers from the North County precinct responded to a call for service at the intersection Lucas-Hunt Road and Jacobi Avenue for a person struck. Responding officers located a male who had been struck by a motor vehicle. The male was transported to an area hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries and was later pronounced deceased. Preliminary investigation has revealed a vehicle was traveling westbound on Lucas-Hunt Road at Jacobi Avenue when a male who had exited a Metro Bus attempted to cross Lucas-Hunt Road, entered the roadway and was struck by a vehicle. The driver of the vehicle remained on scene and is cooperating with the investigation. No other injuries were reported. The deceased has been positively

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HILLSBORO - The Graham Correction Center in Hillsboro reported several inmates and personnel were taken to area hospitals for treatment after a report of exposure to an initially unknown substance. Prison officials did not disclose how many inmates received treatment in the health care unit of the prison and 18 staff members at John A. Graham Correctional Center were taken to an area hospital for treatment. Illinois State Police also disclosed that preliminary tests for suspicious substances came back negative for narcotics, but returned results for nasal spray with acetaminophen, paracetamol, and baby powder. "The substances identified were nonhazardous and should not have necessitated the use of Narcan or required hospitalization," state Department of Corrections spokesperson Naomi Pzzello said. "IDOCT works diligently to ensure the safety of both incarcerated individuals and employees and worked swiftly to ensure everyone had the access to safety they needed." Everyone involved

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EAST ALTON - Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Wieland CEO Dr. Erwin Mayr met this week at Weiland in Vohringen, Germany, and the visit highlighted Wieland's importance in Illinois and the in-state collaboration. Pritzker also recently visited the Wieland facility in East Alton. The governor was able to gain insight into Wieland's largest facility worldwide. Copper and copper alloys remain relevant for digitization and sustainability. Mayr said he was honored to host Governor Pritzker in Vohringen and demonstrate the high-quality manufacturing they are so proud of. "With a history of more than 200 years, copper and copper alloys remain highly relevant and serve the key megatrends we are currently facing, be it electrification, digitalization, or sustainability. Due to our global footprint, and almost 9,000 employees worldwide, we are able to transfer this knowledge across regions, making an impact not only here in Germany, but also in other regions of the world. "We have a strong footprint

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ALTON - Trudy Cairns, the artist and teacher behind The Painting Bee , recently appeared on an episode of Our Daily Show! on Riverbender.com to discuss the painting kits she sells for both kids and adults, as well as an upcoming “Paint & Sip” event later this month at Grafton Winery The Vineyards. The Painting Bee’s “Paint & Sip” event at Grafton Winery The Vineyards will be held on Saturday, Jan. 28 from 2 to 4 p.m. Cairns said the $43 cost of admission includes one free glass of wine and all necessary painting materials. To learn more, see the event on The Painting Bee’s Facebook page , or you can sign up directly at this link . “The views out there are beautiful, I’m looking forward to it,” Cairns said. “It’s my first event there - it’s a new venue for me, so I’m really excited.” The Painting Bee also sells painting “kits” of different sizes for kids and adults, whic

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JERSEY COUNTY - Jersey County Sheriff Nick Manns released information on Thursday that Kaila M. Vatole remains missing at this time. Manns said the Jersey County Sheriff's Office is seeking assistance in locating Vatole. "Kaila went missing on the afternoon of Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, from her residence located on Little Piasa Road in Dow," Sheriff Manns said. "In the past, Kaila resided in Carlinville, Alton, and Wood River, Illinois. She is a cancer survivor, and has recurring medical complications, and wears a colostomy bag." Anyone with any information about Kaila is asked to contact the Jersey County Sheriff's Office at (618) 498-6881 or stop by 114 North Washington, Jerseyville, IL., 62052, the Jersey Sheriff's headquarters. The sheriff described Kaila with the following details: 39-year-old female 5-3 tall, 111 pounds, hazel eyes, brown hair dyed blonde Multiple tattoos on neck, arms, legs, and hands Believed to be wearing black sweatpants with white lettering, a black

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BETHALTO - The Bethalto Police on Thursday announced a woman has been charged in Madison County Circuit Court with one felony count of offenses related to a motor vehicle. Rosemarie A. Baker, 26, of Cottage Hills, faces the above charge. Bethalto Police said today that at 12:06 p.m. on Wednesday, January 18, 2023, a Bethalto officer observed and stopped a vehicle that was reported stolen out of Washington County, Illinois, in the driveway of 16 Ray Street, Cottage Hills, Illinois. Baker was taken into custody as the driver of the vehicle, while an unknown male passenger fled on foot. Officers from Bethalto, East Alton, Wood River, the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, and the Illinois State Police responded and attempted to find the subject who fled the stolen vehicle, but were unable to locate him. At the time of the posting, Baker was being held in the Madison County Jail in lieu of a $25,000 bond, which was set by the Honorable Judge Amy Maher on the charge. It is importan

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EAST ST. LOUIS – A man originally from Mexico was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison in a U.S. District Court on Wednesday after admitting to possessing hundreds of grams of a controlled substance containing fentanyl with intent to distribute. Luciano Gomezllanos-Martinez, also known as Joaquin Navarez-Urena, pled guilty to possession of more than 400 grams of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and illegal reentry after deportation. In addition to his 46-month sentence, he must pay a $200 fine. According to court documents, Gomezllanos-Martinez was a passenger in a vehicle on Interstate 70 in Madison County when the car was pulled over by the Illinois State Police on Oct. 5, 2021. When officers searched the vehicle, they recovered pills containing 771 grams of fentanyl and 616 grams of heroin. “Even the smallest amount of fentanyl can cause harm to an individual, and carting hundreds of grams through Madison County is a major threat to public safety

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EAST ALTON - Foxes Boxes Bakes and Blooms held a grand opening and ribbon cutting on Saturday, January 14, 2023, at their new location at 515 N. Bellwood in Bethalto, IL. The new location triples the space of its former East Alton location. The RiverBend Growth Association team coordinated the ribbon cutting for the owner, Tanya Fox. Her team includes her husband, Brian Holmes, Mallory, Paul, Diana, Maranda, Alena, Nathan, and Denis. Foxes Boxes boasts itself as the area’s only union bakery. In attendance were RBGA members, Ambassadors, Bethalto Mayor Gary Bost, building owner Dwight Fowler, and community members. Bunkhouse Joe, Greene County Salsa, and Sunshine Acres Honey were vendors on Saturday. Tanya Fox says, “I was amazed by the turnout Saturday. We definitely felt so much love from everyone. We were super proud of our staff and couldn’t do any of this without them and our customers.” Several breakfast and lunch options are available in addition to the

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Mike Bost (IL-12) today invited high school students from Illinois’ 12th Congressional District to participate in the 2023 Congressional Art Competition. Initiated by Congress in 1982, the nationwide annual art competition allows high school students from all 50 states to showcase their artistic ability. “Every spring, I enjoy seeing the artwork that our talented Southern Illinois high school students create for the Congressional Art Competition,” said Bost. “This competition gives them a great opportunity to showcase their skills, and I encourage students to participate.” The Congressional Art Competition is an opportunity to recognize and encourage the artistic talent in the nation, as well as in our Congressional District. The winning artwork from our District's competition will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol. Judging is performed by members of the local art community. The deadline to submit

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GRANITE CITY - The Illinois Department of Transportation announces the closure of the inside lane of westbound I-270 between IL 3 and Riverview Drive in Missouri beginning at 5:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 21, 2023, weather permitting. This work is needed to do survey work and the lane is expected to be opened by 9:00 p.m. Motorists should expect delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes during this closure. 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. The contractor on this project is Walsh Construction Company II, LLC of Chicago, IL. 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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CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation ("IDFPR") announced today two key updates for the upcoming Social Equity Criteria Lottery for the next round of adult use cannabis dispensary licenses in Illinois. First, the application deadline has been extended through Friday, March 3, 2023. This replaces the original February 14 deadline and will give prospective applicants a total of five weeks to submit an application. The application window will still open for applicants on January 30 through IDFPR’s online portal . “We are committed to maximizing the number of people with the opportunity to participate in this lottery, which is the latest building block in the most equitable cannabis program in the country,” said Mario Treto, Jr., Secretary of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. “We encourage anyone interested in applying for the lottery to consult the resources available on our website to

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CARROLLTON - Several individuals have been arrested on drug and alcohol-related charges in Greene County over the past few weeks, according to the most recent Jail Booking Report from the Greene County Sheriff’s Department. James A. Haines, 28, of Davenport, Iowa, was charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving on a revoked/suspended license, unlawful possession of registration, and improperly displaying a license plate. He was arrested on Jan. 8 by the White Hall Police Department and has since been released on bond. Amber L. McEvers, 47, of White Hall, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine, possession of adult-use cannabis in a motor vehicle, possession of drug paraphernalia, and operating a motor vehicle with suspended registration. She was taken into custody at the White Hall Police Department on Dec. 14 and given a Notice To Appear. Robert L. Talkington, 26, of Jacksonville, was charged with two counts of meth delivery,

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EDWARDSVILLE - Metro-East Lutheran High School announced its first semester Honor Roll. To view the full list please click the link below. Metro-East Lutheran High School First Semester Honor Roll

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CARROLLTON - The Greene County Sheriff’s Department has filed charges ranging from grooming to battery and more over the last few weeks, according to the department’s most recent Jail Booking Report. Brandon K. Edwards, 31, of Roodhouse, was charged with grooming, aggravated criminal sexual assault, and endangering the life of a child. He was arrested by the Roodhouse Police Department on Dec. 30 and remains in custody. Jodi R. Counts, 34, of White Hall, was charged with aggravated battery of a police officer, aggravated battery in a public place, and disorderly conduct. She was arrested by the Roodhouse Police Department on Jan. 1 and has since been released on bond. Dalton M. Boan, 25, of Greenfield, was charged with one count of domestic battery and one count of battery by the Greene County Sheriff’s Department. He was arrested on Jan. 14 and has since been released on bond. Heather M. Walters, 39, of Bluffs, was arrested by the Scott County Sheriff’s

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EAST ST. LOUIS – A man from St. Clair County will spend nearly six years in prison for illegally possessing a firearm. Nicholas A. Briddell, 33, of Belleville, was sentenced on Tuesday to 71 months in federal prison for being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm. According to court documents, on March 6, 2021, officers with the East St. Louis Police Department witnessed Briddell lean out of the passenger window of a vehicle stopped at an intersection near the Visions Night Club in East St. Louis. Briddell was holding a bottle of alcohol in one hand and a handgun in the other. Briddell then proceeded to point the firearm at patrons walking towards the door of the nightclub. ESPLD officers stopped the vehicle, arrested Briddell and found the firearm under the seat where Briddell had been sitting. The gun was loaded with a round in the chamber. At the time of his arrest, Briddell was a multiple-convicted felon, with prior convictions for armed robbery and possession with intent to

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WOOD RIVER - East Alton-Wood River High School announced its first-semester Honor Roll. To view the full list, click the link below. East Alton-Wood River Honor Roll

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GLEN CARBON - Dr. Julie Steinhauer, OD, FCOVD, owner of Vision For Life and Success in Glen Carbon, and one of a select group of functional vision doctors in the nation, says all or part of one’s vision can potentially be restored after a stroke. An individual’s normal field of vision can be compromised by a stroke, according to Dr. Steinhauer. Visual processing which occurs on the occipital, temporal, and parietal lobes of the brain can be impacted. The severity of the visual field loss is determined based on the location and extent of the brain injury. Symptoms of post-stroke visual loss can include walking or bumping into objects, blurred vision while watching television, difficulty scanning or reading a page, or visual neglect where the patient is unable to react to stimuli on the right or left. As detailed in her YouTube video, Can Vision Loss Post Stroke Be Corrected? , Dr. Steinhauer said the most common symptom of visual processing after a stroke is blurriness

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