Riverbender 🕸

PONTOON BEACH - At a time when 84% of transit agencies around the country are experiencing workforce shortages, affecting their ability to provide service, Agency for Community Transit (ACT) is pleased to announce that despite its own multi-year driver shortage, proposed Madison County Transit (MCT) service reductions won’t be necessary any time soon. ACT operates all services for Madison County Transit and all drivers are ACT employees. Thanks to ACT’s recent recruiting efforts, which led to the hiring of 16 new drivers, service reductions that were proposed in October will not be required. After delaying a decision on the service change in October, the MCT Board of Trustees approved a revised plan at its Thursday, November 17 meeting that avoids frequency reductions on three MCT bus routes. “First I want to thank ACT’s positive, energetic drivers for staying with us, working long hours, and taking extra shifts in order to keep bus service on the road for

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JERSEY - Mike Ringhausen will soon end his term as Jersey County Sheriff. Nick Manns was the winner in the race for the sheriff’s position in the recent election. Ringhausen said he has loved his role as sheriff and serving the people of Jersey County. Ringhausen went to Lewis and Clark Community College and received a criminal justice degree and has been in law enforcement for 32 years. “I was in it for the people,” he said. “Any time I can do anything to help people is what I like to do. There were so many different aspects of the sheriff’s job from fundraisers, to being in the living room of people’s houses to assist them in unfortunate circumstances. Sometimes it might be to discuss the death of a loved one, someone bickering back and forth in a domestic problem, or if someone has gotten into narcotics and no way to turn and look for advice. I always did the best I could to do anything for people to ease their burdens. I believe that is what

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ALTON - The Riverbender Tech Center is offering some unique gift ideas for the holidays. Their staff is dedicated to helping Riverbend families feel comfortable behind cell phones and computers. Personal Technology Lessons: Do you know someone who gets frustrated when using their cell phone or computer? Are they afraid of being “hacked?” Do they continually lose treasured photos? The Riverbender Tech Center technicians are ready to meet with clients to answer questions and teach customers how to get the most out of their cell phones and computers. Customers can receive one-on-one help to learn how to use their cell phones or computers with little to no frustration. Bring your questions to them and schedule a 30-minute session for just $35. Schedule as many sessions as you need. No questions are too small and no prior knowledge needed. Build Your Own Computer: Do you have a young computer enthusiast? Are you trying to encourage your child’s love of technology?

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O'FALLON - Edwardsville girls basketball senior forward Ashlyn Hauk played well in the Tigers' season opener on Nov. 19 at O'Fallon's OTHS Panther Dome in the Southern Illinois Shootout, leading the team with eight points - six of them in the final quarter -as the Tigers lost to Chicago Whitney Young 61-30 in the season opener. Hauk will be counted on as one of the team's key players this season and in the opener against the Dolphins, Hauk made several good plays and worked hard throughout the game as she helped the Tigers keep going, despite the score. For her hard work and contributions to the team, Hauk has been named as an iCan Clinic female Athlete of the Month. Hauk, who plays for head coach Caty Happe, felt good about her contributions to the team but also knows that it's continued hard work in practice that will be one of the keys to the Tigers' success this season. "I would say this is probably the most playing time I have had in a varsity game," Hauk said during a postgame

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VENICE - In an effort to facilitate the development of police bicycle patrol programs in Madison County municipalities, MCT donated RECON Interceptor Power Bicycles to the City of Venice Police Department at its Board Meeting on Thursday, November 17. The new ruggedized bikes will allow officers to patrol both the streets and neighborhoods of Venice as well as the MCT Trails. Since police officers in uniform ride MCT fixed-route buses for free, and all MCT buses are equipped with bike racks, officers can take advantage of the bike & bus program to travel throughout the community as well. In the last five years, MCT has donated patrol bicycles to police departments in Alton, East Alton, Edwardsville, Granite City, Maryville, Highland, Troy, and South Roxana. RECON is a law enforcement ebike company specializing in patrol bikes. The all-terrain bicycles donated to the City of Venice have a heavy-duty frame and durable, puncture-resistant 4-inch tires. Each bike contains a 1000-watt

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GODFREY – High school seniors and their parents are invited to discover what Lewis and Clark Community College has to offer during a special Senior Open House, Thursday, Dec. 1. From 4-6 p.m., in the Ahlemeyer Atrium, Trimpe Room 141, prospective students and incoming students alike can check in with financial aid and admissions advisors, schedule advising appointments as needed, speak one-on-one with program coordinators and faculty, learn how to get involved with student clubs and activities on campus, and join student-led tours of campus. “It’s an informal and informative event we hope district high school seniors will take advantage of,” said Yvette McLemore, director of L&C’s High School Partnership program, who is coordinating the event. “It’s a perfect opportunity for them to learn what we’re all about, connect with future faculty members, and even make connections with student clubs before they even start classes.” December

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ALTON - Centerstone, a nonprofit health system specializing in mental health and substance use disorder treatments, will host the quarterly Southern Illinois Opioid Response Advisory Council on November 28 from 1-2 p.m. CT on Zoom. The Southern Illinois Opioid Response Advisory Council was created to help establish a collective understanding of the existing efforts and initiatives occurring in the Southern Illinois region to address the opioid crisis, identify gaps, promote evidence-based strategies and policies designed to combat this public health crisis, and to support the development of Centerstone's Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) hub-and-spoke model. All sectors of the community are welcome to participate in the advisory council and its meetings. It is a great way to stay connected with all of the impactful initiatives and life-changing programs taking place across Southern Illinois, Stearns said. If you are passionate about recovery, work in healthcare, have lived experience,

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ALTON - The Madison County Sheriff’s Office, joined by other law enforcement officials, peacefully resolved what was described as “a domestic situation” Sunday on Storeyland Drive in Alton, which is covered by the sheriff’s office jurisdiction. Alton Police Department and other law enforcement also assisted in the apprehension of the man. A person was located away from the house in question and was arrested for domestic battery, Capt. Joe Halbrooks, Madison County Sheriff’s Office patrol commander, said on Monday morning. Capt. Halbrooks said there was a large police presence because of some initial concerns with the situation, but the man was located and then taken into custody.

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EDWARDSVILLE - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Graduate School has announced the recipients of the Outstanding Thesis and Dissertation Awards. The awards recognize a master’s student’s thesis and a doctoral student’s dissertation that have been identified as outstanding among all those completed in the previous academic year. The recipients were recognized at the Graduate School Awards Reception in October and received a $500 cash prize. Alexa Agne completed a master’s in kinesiology in August and was awarded the Outstanding These Award for her thesis, “Acute Glucose Responses Following Combined Arm and Leg Cycling.” Patrick Ayres, PhD, who completed his degree in August, earned the Outstanding Dissertation Award for his work, entitled “The Conservative Heart of the Nation: Political Conservatism in the Civil War Era West.” “Alexa is the best graduate student I have ever worked with thanks to her energy, enthusiasm,

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COLLINSVILLE – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today it will hold an open house public meeting to discuss the construction sequencing for the proposed reconstruction of the Illinois 3 intersection at West Delmar Avenue and Pierce Lane in Madison County on Monday, Dec. 5. The meeting will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Ahlemeyer Atrium – TR 141, Trimpe Center, on the Lewis and Clark Community College campus at 5800 Godfrey Road. IDOT said the project involves replacing two signalized intersections with dual roundabouts. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss construction sequencing and answer any questions regarding access during construction. Handouts and display boards regarding the proposed improvement will be available for review. Representatives from IDOT and project consultants will be available to discuss the project and answer questions. The open forum meeting format provides interested individuals the opportunity to attend the meeting

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SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White is reminding the public that the extension of expiration dates for driver’s licenses, ID cards and learner’s permits is set to end on Dec. 1, 2022. White initiated the extension in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. To address the high customer volume caused by the pandemic, White’s office also expanded online renewals for expired driver’s licenses and ID cards and continues to mail letters to eligible customers. The letter provides driver’s license and ID card holders with a unique PIN to renew online instead of visiting a facility. Customers may call 217-785-1424 to confirm their eligibility for online renewal or to obtain their PIN. They may also visit ilsos.gov/renewaldlid/eligible.jsp to look up their eligibility status. White continues to encourage people to conduct other business online at ilsos.gov. In addition to driver’s license and ID card renewals for those who qualify, online services

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ST. LOUIS - Thanksgiving is one of the country’s top days for cooking fires, and the American Red Cross of Missouri and Arkansas encourages family chefs to follow simple steps to prepare the holiday feast safely. “Home fires are a real threat over the holidays and represent most of the Red Cross disaster responses locally and nationally,” said Beth Elders, Executive Director, Greater St. Louis Chapter, American Red Cross of Missouri and Arkansas. “Help keep your family safe by always keeping an eye on what you fry, testing your smoke alarms monthly and practicing your two-minute escape plan with everyone in your household.” COOKING SAFETY TIPS Follow these safety tips and visit redcross.org/fire for more information, including an escape plan to practice with your family. You can also download the free Red Cross Emergency and First Aid apps by searching “American Red Cross” in app stores. Never leave cooking food unattended. If you must

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GODFREY - Lewis and Clark Community College has a Hike Through the Holidays on a quarter of a mile trail on campus planned from 5-9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays from December 2-23. Hiking Through the Holidays is a campus and community event developed by Lewis and Clark’s strategic efforts to build and support a transparent and inclusive campus culture. "We’re inviting our entire community to enjoy the beauty of our campus and share in the joy of the holiday season with us," Lewis and Clark Faculty Association President Debbie Witsken said. Parking is free and located behind the McPike Math and Science Complex. There is no cost for this family-friendly hiking adventure, which starts on the west side of campus, near the Andy Simpson Tennis Complex. Enter the trailhead through the tennis pavilion and follow the lights and signage. Meet Blazer the Newfie (L&C's Mascot) from 6 - 8 p.m. on Dec. 10, 17, & 23. Lewis and Clark Community College officials said that due to uneven

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ALTON - Sophomore Kiyoko Proctor is starting right where she left off. After a successful 21-7 campaign as a freshman, a season that saw her play in all but one game, she's back at it again. Having led her team in scoring last season with 409 points (15.1 PPG average), she's already making a difference this year. Through the first two games of the 2022-23 season, she's scored 25 points, helping her team to back-to-back wins over Springfield Southeast (73-32) and Mater Dei (49-36). Her strong performance earned her All-Tournament honors and Tournament MVP. "I feel like I played really well as a point guard and I got my teammates the ball and also got my points up too," Proctor said after the win over Mater Dei Saturday night. She said that her team played well together and made a lot of good choices. "I feel like we played together, and we were really smart with the ball and patient. If one of our teammates did bad we helped them up." Proctor has big expectations this season.

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ST. LOUIS - City Museum is serving up a whole month of Winter Holiday fun, including larger-than-life light displays on the outdoor playground MonstroCity and in Architecture Hall, appearances by Steampunk Santa, Tacky Christmas celebrations in Beatnik Bob's, and much more. CIty Museum's holiday activities are free with general admission or a City Museum membership. Friendsgiving Trivia Night, Black Friday Sale & Extended Hours Kick off the holidays at City Museum with a Friends-themed trivia night on Wednesday, November 23 from 5 to 9 p.m Looking for a unique gift for the Holidays? Give the gift of unlimited adventures with a City Museum membership, on sale November 22-28 only. City Museum is open extended hours Thanksgiving week to give everyone more time to play: 11/21-11/22 10 am - 6 pm 11/23 10 am - 9 pm 11/24 CLOSED 11/27 10 am - 6 pm Misfit Holiday Bar Calling all misfits! From the window to the wall, City Museum has holiday cheer for all. Come explore the island

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The Edwardsville Township is once again ensuring families in the area have a holiday meal this Thanksgiving. On Thursday, November 17th, Edwardsville Township Supervisor Kevin Hall presented Edwardsville High School & Woodland Elementary School. Head Start with Thanksgiving baskets. Worden Elementary School, Hamel Elementary School, and Edwardsville Head Start also received Thanksgiving baskets. Twenty-five baskets were donated, with five baskets presented to each organization, to help residents in need this holiday season. Each basket included a gift card for a turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, corn, green beans, rolls, cranberry sauce, gravy, cake mix & icing, bagged salad, and Ski beverages donated from Excel Bottling Company. During the Touch-A-Truck event on September 24th at Edwardsville Township, Community Park received a record number of event and vehicle sponsorships. Edwardsville Township uses this support to make the Thanksgiving baskets possible. This is the 8th year

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Electrification Caucus, introduced the Responsive Energy Demand Unlocks Clean Energy (REDUCE) Act to eliminate states’ ability to “opt out” of aggregated demand response. The legislation would allow consumers nationwide to sell their energy reductions into the wholesale market. “Allowing consumers to sell their energy reductions into the wholesale market is an important step toward decarbonizing our energy sector. On top of that, it puts money back in the pockets of Americans who are doing their part to reduce their energy usage,” said Durbin. “When it comes to taking climate action, we’re all in this together. That’s why the REDUCE Act is critical to ensuring that every state is on board to cut back on our nation’s reliance on fossil fuels and deliver savings to homeowners and businesses.” The bill would instruct the Federal Energy

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BELLEVILLE - The annual 'Way of Lights' Christmas display returned yet again this winter season, kicking off the season last Friday. It has been running for over 50 years now dating back to 1970 when the yearly tradition began. The display of over one million white lights, which tells the story of the birth of Christ, is located on the grounds of the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows. The address is 442 S. De Mazenod Dr, Belleville, IL 62223. The drive-thru event will run nightly (excluding holidays) from November 18th through December 31st. The hours are 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. On Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day the outdoor light display will remain open, but everything else will be closed. There are other things to do and see besides the Christmas light display including indoor and outdoor activities such as a wreath auction, quilt raffle, Twelve Days of Christmas Tree room, choirs, gift shop, Lego display, and shrine exhibit. Outside, guests can

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ST. LOUIS – A local turnkey manufacturer, Custom Technologies, has partnered with Switch, a sustainable design company, to manufacture the reMarker. With the belief that sustainable business starts with making things closer to home, Switch helps consumers live a zero-waste work life with its everyday circular products made in the U.S. Its goal is to raise consumers’ expectations of the goods they purchase and the companies they choose to purchase from. “We can’t switch planets, so let’s Switch everything else,” said Switch Founders David Gillespie and Nicholas Collins. With a combined 30 years of experience working with the world’s largest CPG (consumer-packaged goods) companies, the two saw an opportunity to create sustainable solutions for the tools they use in their everyday lives, namely the markers they were using during daily client workshops. Thus, Switch was born. In 2020, David and Nicholas began searching for a U.S.-based manufacturer

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STAUNTON - The Macoupin Art Collective, a non-profit art center at 115 E Main in Staunton, would like to invite the community to their annual Merry MACidays Holiday Art Market and Silent Auction/Raffle December 7-11. This event requires private shopping window reservations Wed to Sat only and can be reserved at no cost online at www.macart.org . Sunday shopping is open to all from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. This year, The MAC will feature over 35 local artists, crafters, and artisans selling their hand-crafted items in all price ranges, most from $5 to $50. In addition to the glass, ceramic, fabric, painting, wood, metal, etc options for sale, The MAC will also have a raffle of dozens of items, from arts/crafts to gift certificates to event tickets and more. The Macoupin Art Collective was founded in 2017 by professional artist and educator, Brandace Cloud. In that short time, The MAC has become a vibrant and welcoming face on Main Street, creating a safe space for art and expression fo

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