Riverbender 🕸

WOOD RIVER - Wood River City Council member Jeremy Plank has proposed a voter referendum on the possible Wood River Cannabis Dispensary in the downtown area. “When elected to Wood River City Council two short years ago, I promised to bring transparency to the process and to work to build our downtown,” he said on Tuesday. “Last night, I asked that the March 20 th council agenda include a vote to rescind the January 3 rd vote that placed a cannabis dispensary in downtown Wood River, within four blocks of Lewis and Clark Elementary School. I also asked that a referendum of the voters be requested by City Council to give Wood River voters a chance to weigh in. “The January 3 rd vote came after just two business days’ notification and virtually no time for discussion. This decision was made without proper public input, and without a survey of downtown business owners. Our city should not be run this way. I will continue to be a voice for taxpayers, job

Continue Reading

GODFREY - The Godfrey Village Board of Trustees denied a liquor license request from a local restaurant, progressed two rezoning requests, and appointed a new Sustainability Commission member at their March 7 meeting. One of the agenda items that was not approved would have granted a liquor license to Shanghai House, located at 5741 Godfrey Road. Mayor Mike McCormick said the owner of the business failed to submit the paperwork to reapply for a liquor license since it had been granted one by the village over three years ago. The board did not vote on the ordinance. Two ordinances amending the zoning classification for two properties were given a first reading by the board and will be considered for final approval at the next meeting. The properties in question are 6212 and 6214 Isabel St. in Godfrey. Both properties’ zoning classifications will change from “M-1” Manufacturing to “R-3” Single Family Residential. The Board of Trustees also approved th

Continue Reading

ALTON – OSF Saint Anthony’s Health Center today bestowed its inaugural Mission Partner of the Month Award to Cindy Stamper, a Mission Partner with more than 20+ years of service at the hospital. Ms. Stamper, who currently serves as Transporter in the Surgery Department, received multiple nominations detailing her exemplary attitude and work ethic. “Cindy is consistently complimented by her fellow Mission Partners and there truly is no one more deserving than Cindy to be honored as the first ‘Mission Partner of the Month’ award winner,” Shawn Schroeder, Manager, Surgical Services, said. Winners of the Mission Partner of the Month Award are noted for their exceptional manner by exemplifying the hospital’s Values, providing outstanding service through his or her work, and exhibiting a positive and supportive attitude. Winners also receive a designated parking spot for their use during the month. Additionally, they will also be one of the 12 monthly

Continue Reading

ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County Police released information and a photo about a missing juvenile on Wednesday. The missing juvenile is Cloe Schmidt, a white female, 5-foot-6, 140 pounds, with blue eyes, long straight blonde hair, and 15 years of age. She was last seen wearing a beige colored T-shirt with black animals printed on it, blue jeans with rips, and blue and white tennis shoes, in the 3100 block of Brunswick Drive at 4:30 p.m. on Monday and has not been located since. St. Louis County Police said Cloe has scars on her left arm and open wounds on both legs. Anyone with any information on Cloe, please contact the St. Louis County Police Department at (636) 529-8210

Continue Reading

ALTON - A new dining outlet is opening in the Argosy Casino in Alton sometime later this spring, but few details are available just yet. Director of Marketing Operations Michael Kipper confirmed there will be a new restaurant coming to Argosy Casino in Alton this spring, but said he had no other details to offer right now beyond what the casino has shared on social media. On Monday, March 6, Argosy posted this statement on their Facebook page : “We're excited to announce a tasty, new dining outlet coming to Argosy Casino Alton this Spring! We're thrilled to welcome a new world of flavors to our property,” they said. They went on to state the current Captain’s Table Buffet will close and the area will be repurposed. “The Captain's Table Buffet will close permanently as we make plans to see the buffet space reimagined,” they said. “Be sure to keep up with us on social media - more updates to come!” Several in the comment section

Continue Reading

PESOTUM - On March 8, 2023, at approximately 1:59 a.m., Illinois State Police (ISP) officials investigated a two-vehicle traffic crash involving an ISP Trooper’s squad car on Interstate 74 westbound at exit 197 in Champaign County. On the above date and time, an ISP Trooper was stationary in the construction zone on Interstate 74 westbound at exit 197 with emergency lights activated, parked behind several construction barricades. All traffic at the time was being diverted off Interstate 74 westbound onto exit 197 for construction in the area. A brown 2023 Mack truck tractor hauling three truck tractor units, traveling westbound, failed to follow the designated traffic diversion, drove through the barricades, struck the Exit 197 sign, and then struck the rear and driver side of the ISP squad car. The Trooper was inside of the squad car at the time of the crash and was transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the Mack truck, 46-year-old

Continue Reading

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today took to the Senate floor to sound the alarm on railway safety after news broke this morning of a third rail accident involving Norfolk Southern. The accident, in which a Norfolk Southern train collided with a dump truck in Cleveland and killed a rail employee, is the third incident in one month involving the rail company. In his speech, Durbin urged his colleagues to prioritize railway safety before another community loses a loved one or is plagued with the environmental impacts of a derailment. “These three rail accidents in just one month – one of them a catastrophic derailment – have sent a grave and blaring signal that we need to do more to protect American communities from hazardous freight rail shipments,” Durbin began. “The need for greater rail safety is urgent, especially in my state of Illinois. Chicago, Illinois, is the busiest rail hub in the United States… If

Continue Reading

CHICAGO - Governor Pritzker today announced that Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) Director Rob Jeffreys is stepping down from his position, effective April 1, 2023. Jeffreys has led the Illinois correctional system since June of 2019, overseeing 29,000 individuals in 27 facilities across the state and supervising nearly 13,000 employees. IDOC Chief of Staff Latoya J. Hughes will serve as Acting Director in the interim. “I’m grateful to Director Jeffreys for his years of service, ensuring the dignity and safety of the incarcerated people of Illinois,” said Governor JB Pritzker . “His work in reforming and redesigning services has given individuals in custody opportunities for advancement and improvement while also ensuring the highest level of security and care for the IDOC staff as they carry out their critical responsibilities.” “Leading the Illinois Department of Corrections and our dedicated employees since 2019, through unprecedented

Continue Reading

SPRINGFIELD - Illinois averages 53 tornadoes per year, which means you should grab your dog Toto and be prepared for tornadoes and severe weather. March is Severe Weather Preparedness Month and a good time to plan ahead, especially with the severe weather here in Illinois. “From heavy snowfall to dangerous winds, everyone in Illinois should be prepared for adverse conditions,” said Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) Director Alicia Tate-Nadeau . “Last week, Illinois saw multiple tornadoes throughout the state, followed by unseasonably warm temperatures, and now we’re getting ready for snow and potential flooding.” Illinois ranks fourth in the United States for the most tornadoes per square mile. Communities across the state are also susceptible to flooding as it is the most common natural hazard in the U.S. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), just 1 inch of water can cause $25,000 of damage in your home. Severe weather

Continue Reading

WASHINGTON D.C. - U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) this afternoon met with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) St. Louis District Commander Colonel Kevin Golinghorst to discuss critical water infrastructure projects in the Metro East, the Upper Mississippi River and lower Illinois River watershed including the Lock and Dam 25 construction project and addressing environmental justice concerns in East St. Louis and Cahokia Heights. The Senator also highlighted Golinghorst’s dedication as the region’s outgoing District Commander, as well as the transition to the new St. Louis District Commander Colonel Andy Pannier and how she can support it. A photo from the meeting is available here . “Protecting and strengthening our inland waterways and water infrastructure is critical to growing our local economies and protecting the health and safety of our communities,” Duckworth said. “I was glad to meet with Colonel Kevin Golinghorst to discuss the ongoin

Continue Reading

CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a coalition of 22 attorneys general, today supported a proposed federal rule that protects access to health care for all individuals. The proposed rule rescinds portions of the 2019 Healthcare Refusal Rule, which allowed anyone working in health care to broadly refuse to provide care based on religious or moral beliefs. In the letter , Raoul and the coalition said the Biden administration’s proposed rule eliminates the problematic and illegal aspects of the federal government’s 2019 rule and better safeguards patients, including those in the LGBTQ+ community and those seeking abortions, from being denied access to critical or lifesaving health services. The 2019 rule also threatened to cut off essential federal health care funding to states for a single breach of the rule. “Every patient seeking health care should be able to do so without fear of discrimination or being denied critical and lifesaving health services,”

Continue Reading

BELLEVILLE - The St. Clair County Transit District’s (SCCTD) Board of Commissioners last week awarded a contract to Hank’s Excavating and Landscaping Inc. for construction of Phase III of the Old Collinsville Road Trail. The $2.03 million contract is for the development of a 0.8 mile trail that will run along Old Collinsville Road from Munie Road to Frank Scott Parkway East. This latest phase will further extend the reach of the MetroBikeLink System, which features 14 continuous miles of trails in Southwestern Illinois and links users to six Metro Transit Centers, where area residents can access MetroLink, MetroBus and microtransit options including the SCCTD Flyer and VanGo. Bikes can be brought on MetroLink and all MetroBuses are equipped with exterior racks. “This latest award will only strengthen connectivity in St. Clair County while at the same time offering residents and visitors a healthy amenity in our community,” said Herb Simmons, Chair of the

Continue Reading

CARLINVILLE - Blackburn College in Carlinville, Illinois, has received a $10,000 gift from the Joseph and Robert Cornell Memorial Foundation. The generous gift will support experiential learning opportunities for students in Blackburn’s Department of Fine Art. The Joseph and Robert Cornell Memorial Foundation is a charitable trust named for the acclaimed 20th-century American artist Joseph Cornell (1903-1972) that honors the memory of the artist and his disabled younger brother. Cornell was a pioneer of collage art and glass-fronted shadow boxes. His work has been seen around the world, with the most recent exhibits at the Royal Academy of Arts in London and the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna. Today, the Foundation provides support to a variety of nonprofit and educational organizations, with a specific emphasis on the arts. “Arts education is an important part of the Blackburn student experience,” Blackburn Trustee and Alumnus Jim Faust shared. Faust wa

Continue Reading

ST. LOUIS – Visitation to Gateway Arch National Park jumped by 41% from 2021 to 2022 according to National Park Service visitation figures released this week. The increase is attributed to a continued rebound toward pre-pandemic levels. Visitation at the Arch grew by nearly 475,000 from about 1.15 million to approximately 1.62 million. And attendance in 2023 is off to a strong start. Park staff reported the highest January tram ridership in 17 years. “2022 was a great year for Gateway Arch National Park,” said Jeremy Sweat, superintendent of Gateway Arch National Park. “There is so much to see and do at the park, especially for visitors who haven’t been back to the Arch visitor center and museum since the completion of the CityArchRiver renovations in 2018.” While attendance continues to rise, local officials expect visitation to increase more as conferences and business travel rebound from pandemic effects. “It is exciting to see the continued

Continue Reading

GODFREY - The RiverBend Growth Association has chosen to honor the Alton River Dragons with its March 2023 Small Business of the Month award, as the baseball team gets ready for Season 3 at the ballpark. The Alton River Dragons are a collegiate summer baseball team, founded in 2020 as part of the Prospect League, Western Conference, Prairie Land Division. The team began playing in 2021 at Alton’s Lloyd Hopkins Field, located at Gordon Moore Park and were division champions in 2022. “The idea and mission/concept of the Alton River Dragons Baseball Team started in 2019,” noted Owner Steve Marso. “I began exploring cities for a potential expansion franchise in the Prospect League. I had worked in baseball prior for around 25 years or so but had been out of the business for about four years. I had the idea to get back into the business, and after looking at a couple of other markets, our league commissioner called and said, ‘What about Alton, Illinois?’”

Continue Reading

JERSEY COUNTY - Jersey County Sheriff Nick Manns said a female was airlifted to a hospital from a head-on crash on Illinois Route 109 in front of the Do Drop Inn on Tuesday afternoon. Manns said the exact condition of the person was not yet known, but the injuries appeared serious. Three vehicles were involved in the accident. Two other individuals were taken to a hospital from the crash with injuries. Traffic was diverted from the area for quite some time, but Sheriff Manns said the highway now has been reopened. The Jersey County Sheriff's Office continues to investigate the crash, Manns added.

Continue Reading

WOOD RIVER - Wood River Police Chief Brad Wells said Tuesday night the Wood River Police Department and Illinois Secretary of State Police are investigating an incident with a vehicle that occurred on Carringer Place today. Wood River Police investigated a situation over the weekend that was a domestic call and it was reported by one involved that a vehicle on Carringer should be checked out. Chief Wells said a Wood River Police officer saw something "that looked suspicious" in the vehicle and as a precaution, the packages were analyzed. The packages were then taken out of the vehicle to make sure everything was safe when the vehicle was eventually towed. Chief Wells thanked the Illinois Secretary of State Police for their efforts in assisting and said they do a great job. “We always have good cooperation with all the law enforcement agencies, including the Illinois Secretary of State Police,” Wells said. The vehicle was towed and the road should be reopened by 7 p.m.

Continue Reading

JERSEY COUNTY - The Jersey County Sheriff's Office has warned motorists to avoid the area of Illinois Highway Route 109 just north of Illinois Route 3. The sheriff's office said to avoid the area until further notice. More to come.

Continue Reading

GRAFTON - The Edward Amburg History Museum in Grafton has added a crown jewel with a new display of an old-time buggy once owned by Dr. Frank Baecht. The buggy owned by Dr. Frank Baecht arrived at the Edward Amburg History Museum in Grafton this past Thursday. Dr. Baecht was educated in Chicago public schools before attending St. Louis University in St. Louis. He received his Doctor of Medicine in 1895. Dr. Brecht and his family resided in Brussels and Grafton, Illinois for most of his professional career. Dr. Baecht died in 1942 and is buried in Scenic Hills Cemetery in Grafton. Mary Lillesve, a Grafton alderwoman who is focused on tourism and marketing the museum, said the old buggy is in “pristine condition" and is the nicest buggy she has ever seen on display. Linda and Larry Burton of rural Grafton donated it to the Grafton Historical Society for display at the Museum. “We have space for the buggy right in the middle of the museum,” she said. “The buggy

Continue Reading

GLEN CARBON - State Senator Erica Harriss (56 th -Glen Carbon) is proud to announce The Madison County Mass Transit District will receive a $388,000 grant through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Open Space Land Acquisition Development (OSLAD) program to further invest in the county’s trail system. “Our area has a strong connection to the outdoors and through this program MCT will now have funds available to enhance spaces for outdoor recreation,” said Senator Harriss. “When we can invest in outdoor projects for the people of my district, we are investing in their health, their livelihoods and overall quality of life.” Madison County Mass Transit Managing Director SJ Morrison says the funding will go towards acquiring approximately 11 acres of undeveloped and agricultural land between Old Alton Edwardsville Road in Roxana, and Rock Hill Road in Wood River. The funding is part of a multiphase plan. “The MCT Trails span more than 135

Continue Reading