Riverbender 🕸

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Alliance today announced details of the Illinois Wine Experience at this year’s annual State Fair. The Illinois Wine Experience will be located in the fairground’s Artisan building, with additional operations also near the grandstand and in the Village of Cultures, providing fairgoers the chance to taste a variety of homegrown wines that will show the breadth and depth of how the industry has improved and grown over the years. “Illinois wineries are exploding with talent and tasty wines,” said Lisa Ellis, director of the IGGVA. “We are thrilled to be featured in the State Fair’s Artisan building, where fairgoers can sample award-winning wines for all taste preferences – white, red, rosé, dry, sweet, semi-sweet wines from all over Illinois. Our additional locations near the giant slide and the grandstand will bring Illinois Wine to even more fairgoers, and we couldn’t

Continue Reading

WASHINGTON – In a speech on the Senate floor today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, criticized the conservative Supreme Court’s majority opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization , which overturned Roe v. Wade. In the speech, Durbin continued to call on his colleagues to support enshrining into law a statutory right to an abortion. Durbin also highlighted various instances where an abortion is necessary, including a 10-year-old rape victim who was denied an abortion in Ohio and had to travel across state lines. “Because she was six weeks and three days pregnant, she couldn't qualify for a procedure to terminate her pregnancy,”said Durbin. “And there were those who disputed that it ever happened and denied such a thing could occur and it turned out they were wrong. It did happen. I was saddened to read that one of the members in the right to life movement said that she should

Continue Reading

ST. LOUIS - Despite ample evidence that air quality is tied to a myriad of poor public health outcomes, Illinois and Missouri continue to lag on implementing adequate air quality protections on both sides of the Mississippi River. For the second year in a row, a coalition of organizations called attention to this environmental injustice and urged policymakers to swiftly improve air permitting processes. “Residents in Illinois and Missouri share more than just the Mississippi River. As neighbors, we share air as well,” said DeAndress Green, member of Metropolitan Congregations United and Treasurer of New Cahokia Commons Urban Farm. “I grew up in North St. Louis and was repeatedly exposed to poor air quality. Just last month, I was admitted to the hospital with respiratory health issues, but doctors couldn’t deduce a diagnosis. It hit me that my respiratory health issues are the result of having been exposed to pollutants for years.” A national study

Continue Reading

ST. LOUIS - St. Louis-based law firm Lewis Rice has named Harry Bell III, a first-year law student at University of Missouri School of Law, and Diamond Harris, a first-year law student at Saint Louis University School of Law, as the first recipients of the Larry L. Deskins Scholarship. The scholarship, which honors Lewis Rice’s late partner Larry L. Deskins, awards $7,500 scholarships to two first-year law students at Washington University, Saint Louis University or University of Missouri law schools who are members of economically disadvantaged or underrepresented groups in the legal profession. Scholarship funds will be awarded to Bell and Harris this fall and can be used for tuition and expenses during their second year of law school. Bell has a master’s degree in public administration with an emphasis in local government from Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, Illinois. He is involved in the Black Law Student Association and Health Law Association at the University

Continue Reading

ALTON - Alton Main Street’s quarterly information exchange, called “What’s Up Downtown,” will be held on Tuesday, July 26th at 5:30 p.m. at the Riverbender building, located at 200 W. 3 rd Street in Alton, IL. The public is invited to learn the latest news regarding developments in Alton’s historic downtown, including updates from new & existing businesses, news on real estate transactions, and details of upcoming events and projects. The evening’s featured speakers will be: John Muller from Diversified Real Estate Group, sharing about his company’s acquisition of the Riverbender building, and recent renovations that are designed to attract small businesses seeking a professional office setting. Rob Lenhardt, sharing details of upcoming development plans at Mac’s Time Out at 315 Belle Street. Tabitha Craig, sharing the breakfast and lunch menu for her new restaurant called Tab’s Cafe opening soon at 400 State Street. Kyndra

Continue Reading

EAST ALTON - Kelsey Jones has posted a GoFundMe page to assist with the costs of her father's funeral and vet expenses for his dog. The dog, Iris, was attacked in a situation that developed at 10:37 a.m. on Saturday, July 23, 2022, in Old Oak Ridge Trailer Park, 100 Wesley Drive in East Alton. Kelsey's father, Dale, died of an apparent heart attack during the struggle between dogs. Dale was walking his dog when his dog and two others started to fight in the neighborhood. A female was walking two dogs when the dog fight occurred. She suffered multiple bites and other associated injuries and was transported by EMS from the scene for hospital care. This is what Kelsey posted on the GoFundMe: "My name is Kelsey Jones. On July 23rd, my father, Dale Jones was walking his dog, Isis, around the neighborhood as he did every day. As he was walking her, two dogs out of the neighborhood came up and started attacking her. The dogs did not attack my dad, but as a result of him struggling to get

Continue Reading

ALTON - Weather dependent, the final restoration (asphalt work) will start at the end of this week on U.S. Route 67 (Piasa Street) from 20th Street/College Avenue south to 3rd Street in Alton. The project started on Tuesday, July 5, 2022, and was projected to take about a month to complete. Karen Cotton, Senior Manager, External Communications Illinois American Water, said the sanitary sewer has been installed in the latest U.S. 67 project. These were Cotton's comments on Monday, July 25, about the Alton progress: "The crews are currently working on installing the casing pipe for the new water main that is crossing U.S. 67 at 9th Street," she said. "Weather-dependent final restoration (asphalt work) will start at the end of this week. Once asphalt work is completed, the road will be striped and opened back up. For the most part, everything has gone as planned." Cotton said the road closure in this area was needed for Illinois American Water to upgrade its water and wastewater

Continue Reading

BETHALTO - Christopher J. Wicker, 51, of the 200 block of Lakeside Drive, Bethalto, was charged with Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine and a charge of Battery, by Bethalto Police. Bethalto Police Chief Mike Dixon said the charges stem from an investigation into a report of a subject being battered in Old Oak Trailer Park, 100 Wesley Drive, East Alton. "An officer responded and met with the reported victim who told them that Wicker physically threw her out of the home she has been living in, which caused her minor injuries," the chief said. "Officers located Wicker shortly thereafter and took him into custody for battery. Wicker was found to be in possession less than 5 grams of methamphetamine at the time of his arrest. "He was taken into custody and transported to the Madison County Jail, where he is being held in lieu of a $15,000 bond on the charges, as set by the Honorable Judge Janet Heflin." It is important to remember that all defendants, including Mr. Wicker, are innocent

Continue Reading

ALTON - A man from Alton starred in a recent episode of the MTV show “Catfish: The TV Show,” which tells the stories of people who have been “catfished,” or misled into a relationship by someone pretending to be someone else online. The episode, titled “Charles & Nikki,” follows the story of Charles Teague and “Nikki,” who met through the virtual-avatar-based social network IMVU . “We came across each other and she said my voice sounded amazing, so we became friends,” Teague said. “We started gathering feelings for each other over time being friends, then we eventually got together.” While they “got together” via IMVU, Teague said things started to feel suspicious as more time passed and Nikki refused to show her face. “I felt I was getting catfished when she never showed her face on camera, and my friend Zack is the one who actually told me she’s probably a catfish,” Teague

Continue Reading

ALTON - The details for the visitation and funeral for the beloved Alton resident Yvonne M. Campbell have been released. The visitation will be Friday, August 5, 2022, from 9 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m. The visitation and funeral service be held at Shalom Church (City of Peace) 6491 North Highway 67 Florissant, MO., 63034. Burial to immediately follow at Upper Alton Cemetery in Alton, Illinois. Cathy M. Williams and Sons Funeral Home of Alton is in charge of arrangements. Sheila Goins, Alton's first lady, said the response following Yvonne's death has been one she has never seen before. "I think the response is a testament to the light she poured into people," she said. "Even people who didn't really know her felt her light. The outpouring of love in the community is a true compliment to the character she displayed every day. "She greatly influenced younger people. She was very engaged in her children's day to day lives and valued, supported them and mentored children

Continue Reading

EAST ALTON - At 10:37 a.m. o n Saturday, July 23, 2022, the Bethalto Police Department responded to a 911 call from a resident of Old Oak Ridge Trailer Park, 100 Wesley Drive, East Alton, who reported multiple dogs fighting and attacking people. An officer arrived to find a female, who had been bitten multiple times wrestling with two actively fighting dogs, an unresponsive male lying on the ground, and a third dog that was badly injured. The responding officer secured the scene and proceeded to render aid to the unresponsive male by initiating CPR in combination with a defibrillator. The Bethalto Fire Department and Alton Memorial Hospital Ambulance services were also dispatched to the scene. Despite the officer and emergency medical services' best efforts the man, who has been identified as Ronald D. Jones, age 64, lost his life. Jones was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Madison County Coroner’s Office. The female was transported from the scene by EMS to a St.

Continue Reading

ST. LOUIS - The St. Louis Jewish Community Center’s biannual Used Book Sale returns from August 28-September 1 with offerings in every genre, including mysteries, general fiction, nonfiction, children’s books, and much more. “The Used Book Sale at the J is a great place to find amazing bargains and valuable collectibles, “said Lynn Wittels, President, and CEO of the J. “The sale is well recognized by book dealers and the literature community as being among the best in the St. Louis region.” Preview day is Sunday, August 28 from 10 am-4 pm with a $10 admission and free admission begins on Monday. Hours are 10 am-7 pm Monday-Wednesday and on Thursday customers can fill a bag for $5 between 10 am and 6 pm. Masks are required for entry. Thousands of books will be available for sale at the Annual J Used Book Sale. Stock up on your reading material. Proceeds from the sale benefit the Cultural Arts Department. Book lovers, collectors, and avid readers

Continue Reading

CHICAGO - Mega Millions is the hottest ticket in town - and it just got a little hotter. The jackpot for the next drawing on Tuesday, July 26 has just been increased to $810,000,000. That's a lot of zeros! Illinois Lottery players are keen to get in with a chance to hit the big prize, and lottery retailers across the State are reporting more players coming in-store to get in the game. If won, this would be the fourth largest jackpot ever won in the history of the U.S. Mega Millions is played every Tuesday and Friday night, with the next draw taking place on Tuesday, July 26 at 10 p.m. (CT). Mega Millions tickets are $2 each, and players can add the Megaplier for an additional $1 for the chance to multiply non-jackpot prizes. Top five jackpots ever won in the U.S. $1.586 billion - Powerball. Jan. 2016 in California, Florida, and Tennessee $1.537 billion - Mega Millons. Oct. 2018 in South Carolina $1.05 billion - Mega Millions. Jan. 2021 in Michigan $768.4 million - Powerball.

Continue Reading

CHICAGO – The Illinois State Police is joining law enforcement officers from Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin for this year’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Region 5 high visibility Speed Awareness Day enforcement campaign on July 27, 2022. This campaign is an effort to address the drastic increase in speed and hazardous moving violations that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. Speeding is involved in approximately one-third of all motor vehicle fatalities nationwide. NHTSA shows traffic deaths grew by 10.5% to 42,915 in 2021. This also represents the highest number of fatalities since 2005 and the highest annual percentage increase in the recorded history of data in the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). “We take speeding seriously because the consequences can be deadly,” said ISP Division of Patrol Deputy Director Colonel Margaret McGreal. “During Speed Awareness Day, ISP Troopers will saturate

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE - The Third Judicial Circuit is pleased to announce they are recipients of two grants from the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Access to Justice. One grant was awarded to continue funding of two part-time positions dedicated to assisting at the Order of Protection and Stalking and Civil No Contact dockets. A second grant was awarded to assist with funding for the Foreclosure Mediation program. Self-Represented Litigants Coordinator, Angela Wille, will manage the grant related to Order of Protections with the Presiding Judge of the Family Division, Circuit Judge Amy Sholar. Sholar said: “The Order of Protection Assistants role is critical to the efficient functioning of the docket and the timely response to the litigants. With the number of self-represented litigants continuing to rise, having assistants in the court allow the staff in the Law Library and Self-Help Center to maintain their role helping self-represented litigants.” Self-Represented Litigants

Continue Reading

PEORIA - It is a situation that has become all too familiar in the U.S. – watching in horror as news of a mass shooting spreads. While public events in the United States remain safe more often than not, some high profile shootings, like the one at a grocery store in New York in May, or another at a Fourth of July parade in Highland Park, Illinois, are causing anxiety for many Americans, leading some to avoid public spaces or large gatherings altogether. Last year a survey commissioned by Evolv Technology sought to quantify the mental toll gun violence takes. If the 2,000 Americans surveyed, researchers found one third (31%) report increased anxiety when going into a large gathering, and 28% feel they are likely to encounter an active shooter in their lifetime. This is concerning to mental health professionals, because while these acts of violence tragically do occur, they shouldn't dictate our lives or experiences. “These are rare incidences. We don't want to be fixated

Continue Reading

URBANA – Sour, sweet, bread and butter, Kosher dills, spears, chips, or slices on a sandwich, or as a snack or side dish – pickles are everywhere. For home gardeners with an abundance of cucumbers and other produce, pickling is a great way to preserve your bounty. While cucumbers are one of the most commonly pickled items, many foods can be pickled says Mary Liz Wright, University of Illinois Extension nutrition and wellness educator. “Fruit, eggs, artichokes, mushrooms – you name it and it can probably be pickled,” Wright says. Pickling is an ancient form of food preservation, dating back to 2030 BC when cucumbers from India were pickled in the Tigris Valley. The word “pickle” comes from the Dutch pekel or northern German pókel, meaning “salt” or “brine.” The pickling process, for the most part, falls into two categories or methods: quick pickles and fermented pickles. Fresh pack or quick pickles are made with

Continue Reading

URBANA – Imagine eating only one type of food your entire life. Your survival depends entirely on being able to find this food. This is the challenge monarch butterflies, Danaus plexippus, face every day as landscapes change nationwide and fewer native plants are available. But home gardeners can help. Along with other insects, monarch butterfly populations have been declining for decades. This week, the non-governmental organization International Union for the Conservation of Nature listed a subspecies of monarch butterflies as endangered. The U.S. government maintains its own endangered species list which entitles species to federal protection under the Endangered Species Act. Monarch butterflies were denied federal endangered status in 2020. The monarch caterpillar feeds exclusively on milkweed, Asclepias sp., plants says Brittnay Haag, University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator. “It is a unique relationship,” Haag says. “If no milkweeds are growing

Continue Reading

SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White announced that expiration dates for driver’s licenses, ID cards and learner’s permits are being extended until December 1, 2022. The previous extension was set to end on July 31, 2022. As a result, expired driver’s licenses, ID cards and learner’s permits will remain valid until December 1, 2022, so customers do not need to rush into Driver Services facilities. This extension does not apply to commercial driver’s licenses (CDL) and CDL learner’s permits. White’s office 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 needed to renew online instead of visiting a facility and waiting in line. Customers may call 217-785-1424 to confirm their eligibility for online renewal or to obtain their PIN. They may also visit https://apps.ilsos.gov/renewaldlid/eligible.jsp

Continue Reading

EAST ALTON - A ribbon cutting was held for Joe's Pizza and Pasta in East Alton at its 17 Eastgate Plaza location. Joe's Pizza and Pasta's Corey McMahan said the staff is ready to serve the public and the signage is in place for the new business. The Riverbend Growth Association hosted the event at Joe's on Friday. "We love it here, and it has been going very smoothly so far," McMahan said. "We are excited to be here. We had a spot in Wood River and everything was going really well there, but the building there was old so we always wanted to keep our eyes open for any other locations in the near vicinity. When this came open we thought this location was perfect." The business is closed on Monday but is open Tuesday through Sunday and it serves lunch at 11 a.m. each day, except 11:30 a.m. on Saturday. For more information, check Joe's Pizza East Alton Facebook page: www.facebook.com/JoesEastGate or call (618) 216-2346.

Continue Reading