Riverbender 🕸

GODFREY – Three full-time faculty members have joined Lewis and Clark Community College for the 2022-2023 academic year. “We’re excited to welcome three new professionals to our faculty,” said Vice President of Academic Affairs Sue Czerwinski. “Each will bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the classroom and will be a great asset to our students.” Alicia Bolin, Dental Programs Instructor Bolin worked at Lewis and Clark as an adjunct before becoming a full-time Dental Assisting and Hygiene instructor in January 2022. She is a graduate of Lewis and Clark’s 1+1 dental program, earning her dental assisting certificate in 2007 and Associate in Applied Science in Dental Hygiene in 2008. Bolin holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, and Healthcare Management and is pursuing a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction. She is dedicated to connecting oral health and overall health, as well as advocating for access

Continue Reading

GRANITE CITY - Emily Sykes is a powerhouse, multi-purpose student-athlete for Granite City High School. She was a top state finisher in the discus this past spring, a strong volleyball team member this fall for the Warriors and a basketball player in the winter. She is also an outstanding student - the future for Sykes could not be more bright. Sykes won seventh place in the IHSA Class 3A Girls State Track and Field Meet with a toss of 12.35 meters in the shot put. Her final toss also made her all-state in track and field. Sykes is a Stillwater Senior Living Female Athlete of the Month for Granite City. Her coach, Aaron Werths, said after the season this past year, she will be one of the top throwers in the state and has incredible potential. For now, Sykes is busy on the volleyball court and is one of the mainstays for the Warriors. Werths said Sykes is just “an all-around talented athlete.” “She backs everything up with her hard work,” he said.

Continue Reading

ROXANA - Roxana senior cross-country runner Riley Doyle has been a sensation for several years. She is also a track and field standout and was an IHSA Class 2A State Track and Field participant last year in the 1,600 meters. Doyle was the top Roxana finisher in the Civic Memorial Twilight Meet for the Shells with a time of 20:49.64 for fourth place as an individual. Doyle thanked her coaches and parents for their support and said her teammates are also always there for her. Julie Akal, one of Doyle's Roxana coaches, said Doyle trains hard and works on her running year-round between cross country and track and field. Doyle has said that cross country is a sport that helps her build strength both in a physical and mental sense and that she loves the sport. Doyle recorded a 1,600-meter time of 5:52.57 at state and is expected to have a strong girls' cross country season in 2022.

Continue Reading

BETHALTO - Alyssa Mann appears primed to have a break-out girls cross country season with the Civic Memorial High School Eagles. Mann placed sixth in the first meet of the season with a time of 21:18.75 for the Eagles. She is coming off a strong girls' track season. In the off-season, Mann cross-trains as a swim participant. She absolutely loves running and training, the Eagles' heralded coach Jake Peel said. Peel was a top participant last year in the 26.2-mile Boston Marathon and has been an inspiration to all his athletes, male and female on the cross country and track teams. “Alyssa is very dedicated,” he said. “She swims in the off-season and has a smaller base of mileage than some of the other runners heading into cross country, but she gets in shape quickly. I think she will have a really good season. Her dad is a triathlete, so I think she gets some of her dedication and commitment to training from him.”

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Community Foundation is pleased to announce two new funds, the Global Brew Community Development Fund (Donor Advised) and the ‘Que & Brew Festival Fund. Both funds are sponsored by Ryan and Laura High, co-owners of Global Brew Tap House. “The Global Brew Community Development Fund will support recreation, education, and service-focused initiatives throughout the area,” said Ryan High, Global Brew co-owner. The ‘Que & Brew Festival Fund supports the ‘Que & Brew Festival, a new annual BBQ competition that will take place Oct. 22, 2022, at Edwardsville City Park. “We’re excited to have the opportunity to reinvest in the community that has treated our family and businesses well for more than 10 years,” High said. “It is our hope that these funds will help shape and develop the future of this region where our family lives, works, and plays.” “On behalf of our Board of Directors, the Edwardsville

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE - This is another in a series of articles with photos and descriptions of entries in the Edwardsville Art Fair at City Park on September 23-25. Featured today are artists Niko Culevski, Reinhard Herzog and Susan Kunz. Artist Name: Niko Culevski Location: Mukilteo, WA. Artist Statement: "Chule wool blankets are all hand-woven by Niko Culevski, a sixth-generation weaver from Macedonia. The wool blankets are woven on floor looms built by Niko's dad Chule with 100% very soft Merino wool at Chule, a weaving studio in Torrance, CA." Artist Name: Reinhard Herzog Location: Ballwin, MO. Artist Statement: "I began my profession as a boy apprenticed to a laboratory glass factory in Germany. Being drawn to its creative possibilities, I have spent over 55 years mastering the flame, which has allowed for both power and precision in creating pieces that have fine detail and clean lines." Artist Name: Susan Kunz Location: Trenton Artist Statement: "

Continue Reading

ALTON - The City of Alton has experienced a “handful of thefts of Kia/Hyundai vehicles over a summer,” Deputy Police Chief Jarrett Ford said, commenting on a recent trend in St. Louis and across the country. The chief reported that Alton had “several unsuccessful attempted car thefts throughout the summer.” “Several of the vehicles that were stolen have since been recovered,” he said. “Various leads on the cases are still being pursued at this time.” Adam, an Alton man, who didn’t want to use his last name, said he lives in the Fifth and Sixth Street areas in Alton. He said over the past few weeks he knew of a person who had a Kia stolen and it was found, but very damaged, and he stopped the theft of a Hyundai vehicle when he confronted four individuals attempting to steal the vehicle. Adam had only one reason to contact the media, to raise awareness in Alton that they need to do something to protect those vehicles. He suggested

Continue Reading

ST. LOUIS - The $222 million project to replace the Merchants Bridge that links Missouri and Illinois near downtown St. Louis is nearing completion, and the St. Louis Regional Freightway gave invited guests and the public the opportunity to see one of the last significant milestones in the project firsthand from the special vantage point of a riverboat cruise on August 26. Passengers on board witnessed history in the making as preparations continued for the third and final bridge truss to be floated into place. The installation is a crucial phase of the project underway to replace the vital rail artery across the Mississippi River, which is one of the nation’s primary east-west rail corridors serving one of America’s largest rail hubs by car interchange volume and gross tonnage. Dating back to the 1890s, the Merchants Bridge serves six Class I railroads and Amtrak as a bridge crossing across the Mississippi River at St. Louis, and replacement of the structure has been

Continue Reading

JERSEY - Senior Chase Withrow is set to have a massive season for the Panthers football team. After finishing last year with a combined 672 yards, a statistic that led his team, he's already on his way again this season. In Jersey's home-opener against the Granite City Warriors, Withrow had an excellent game. He ran for 246 yards on 29 carries. He also had a reception good for another 20 yards. Withrow is a Quality Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Jerseyville Male Athlete of the Month. Where he's most dangerous is on kick returns. 490 yards were from kickoff and punt returns last season. He notched 40 yards from returns against the Warriors. The Panthers have had great success against Granite City in the season-opener. Last year the Panthers won 49-0, 16-0 the year before that, and 23-14 before that. "The scoreboard speaks for itself," Chase said postgame. "I think that's a pretty big surprise." Chase has been playing for Jersey all four years now and is extremely excited for his senior

Continue Reading

SPRINGFIELD — Governor Pritzker announced today that his administration has taken steps to proactively address a shutdown at a BP facility in Whiting, Indiana caused by an electrical fire. Illinois, along with Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin, requested and were granted an emergency waiver of federal fuel regulations from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). “After learning of the electrical fire at the BP facility in Whiting, our administration has taken proactive steps to increase gas supply and reduce barriers so all Illinoisans have access to the fuel they need,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “This coordinated effort with our neighboring states will reduce the chance of disruptions and keep the people and businesses of Illinois moving.” The temporary waiver, which was granted through September 15, 2022, allows for high volatility gasoline to be sold during the summer months, reducing fuel disruptions following the fire which broke

Continue Reading

ALTON - Alton Deputy Police Chief Jarrett Ford has provided additional details for a serious crash in the 2400 block of State Street in Alton on Monday morning. Ford made this statement: “Investigation revealed that the driver of a Jeep was attempting to turn left out of an area business in order to go northbound on State Street. In doing so, the Jeep pulled in front of an SUV that was southbound on State Street at which point the vehicles collided . “The driver of the SUV suffered non-life threatening injuries, was transported to a local hospital, and is in stable condition. The driver of the Jeep had a minor injury and declined further medical treatment at the scene.” The cause of the accident is still under investigation at this time, Ford said.

Continue Reading

CARBONDALE, IL – A formal hooding ceremony celebrated the inaugural class of graduates of the Doctor of Medical Science Program, a 1-year extension of physician assistant education and training launched in 2021. The event was held at the SIU Student Center in Carbondale on July 30. The 46 men and women were the first to attain the doctorate level of education for physician assistants at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. Its Physician Assistant Program has graduated 660 clinicians and is ranked third nationally for the percentage of graduates serving in rural and underserved areas. The DMSc degree program is designed to advance physician assistants’ clinical and educational skills and prepare them for more prominent roles in leadership, management, and service to their organizations, patients, and to students. It is 1 of 6 DMSc programs in the United States, and the only one at a public institution. Jacob Ribbing, DMSc, PA-C, director of the doctoral program,

Continue Reading

ST. LOUIS - One Night of Queen will make a triumphant return to River City Casino & Hotel after two stellar sell-out performances. The show returns Friday, March 31, and Saturday, April 1, 2023. The show time is 8 p.m. (doors open at 7 p.m.). Tickets are $69.50, $49.50, $39.50 and $29.50. Tickets go on sale Friday, September 2 at 10 a.m. and can be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com or the River City Casino & Hotel box office. You must be 21 and older to attend. Gary Mullen & The Works is celebrating the 20th Anniversary of their world-renowned One Night of Queen live concert performance. Featuring Gary Mullen on vocals, David Brockett on guitar, Billy Moffat on bass, Malcolm Gentles on keyboards, and Jon Halliwell on drums, the multi-talented band pays tribute to the stage theatrics, showmanship, and music of Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees: Queen. Audiences can expect to hear all of the classic hits such as “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “We Will Rock You”

Continue Reading

BRIDGETON, MO. - The City of Bridgeton is partnering with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to host an inaugural Bridgeton Wish Walk on Saturday, September 17 at 10 am. This year’s event will be held at the Bridgeton Municipal Athletic Complex (BMAC) and is free and open to the public. The event is being organized by the Bridgeton Police Department as a fundraiser to help grant wishes to local children battling critical illnesses. Gates open at 10 am with a family-friendly festival, featuring inflatables, a petting zoo, St. Louis Blues mascot Louie, a dunk tank with police officers and Robertson Firefighters, karate demonstrations by ATA Bridgeton, and other fun activities. The Bridgeton Police and the Robertson Firefighters will also have their emergency vehicles and equipment on display for all ages to see and explore. The official walk will begin at 11 am and the festival will be open until 2 pm. “This year we are hoping to raise enough funds to grant 340 wishes to children

Continue Reading

BELLEVILLE - Caritas Family Solutions is hosting a ribbon cutting to reveal the playground expansion at St. John Bosco Children’s Center (SJBCC) tomorrow, Wednesday, August 31 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. The ribbon cutting will be located at 900 Royal Heights Road, Ste 1150 in Belleville. The center provides a loving and structured home for up to 36 boys and girls ages 8-18, who are not currently able to be placed in a traditional foster care setting because of the extreme trauma they have endured. SJBCC provides a caring home for youth in addition to therapeutic services. This new playground equipment helps provide a home-like environment for these children. Ameren, RASI, Gonzalez Companies, Archford Capital, Walmart, and William H. & Mary E. Baker Charitable Trust have all provided grants and resources to help this expansion happen. Ameren will be presenting a $45,000 check to Caritas at the event. This event will kick off Caritas Family Solutions' 75 th anniversary, a year

Continue Reading

BETHALTO - Senior forward for the Civic Memorial boys soccer team Bryce Davis says he goes into every game like it could be his last. He just wants to finish out his senior year on a high note. He’d love to do two things this season. Get back to and win another Regional Championship, and maybe break the school’s scoring record again. That’s right, again. He shattered the record last year with his 35-goal campaign, taking over the school’s single-season scoring record by eight goals. He believes he has what it takes to one-up himself his senior year. Davis is a Tom Lane State Farm Insurance Male Athlete of the Month. He claims he’s not counting, but if he matches his tally of 35 from last year, he’ll finish in triple-digit scoring for his high school playing career. The crazy part? He’s already just about a third of the way there and the Eagles are only four games into the season. After a five-goal performance in his last game, he’s

Continue Reading

ALTON - Alton Police and Fire Departments responded to a call of a serious accident at State and Belle Street in Alton at 9:55 a.m. Monday. Alton Fire Chief Jesse Jemison said the male driver of the SUV suffered a neck injury and was transported to a hospital. The man was in "stable condition," the fire chief said. The other driver had what Jemison described as a "minor facial injury." The fire chief said the motorist in the other vehicle did not want to be transported to the hospital for more medical evaluation. Alton Police were investigating to determine the exact cause of the crash.

Continue Reading

ALTON - IV4 has had a dream of a career as a professional singer since she was a student at Alton High. She graduated in 2014 and is presently involved in the Opening Act Contest. Opening Act is designed to discover artists of all genres and ages and give them a chance of a lifetime to launch their careers. IV4 also recently signed a contract with Warner Music and her first project called “Get rich and cry trying” has already been released. The Alton native now has moved to Los Angeles to pursue her career interests. IV4 has been on top in the present contest and was third as of late last week. Her dream is to get through the contest and advance to the finals. Ultimately, a win would take her to a performance in Hollywood. "It’s always been my dream to play at the Hollywood Bowl," she said. "I have seen my favorite artists perform there, and I can’t wait to put on an amazing show!" IV4’s mother, Kitrina Sorenson, said her daughter is doing really well

Continue Reading

DOW - Over the weekend, the Tri-County Antique Club hosted the 31st Annual Olden Days Festival. According to their website, The Tri-County Antique Club was formed to promote the appreciation of agricultural history, through the restoration and preservation of antique, vintage, and classic automobiles, gasoline and oil engines, gas and steam tractors, farm machinery, and other equipment of historical value. The Olden Days Festival is the Club’s annual event to make these available for public viewing. There was certainly no shortage of that this year. The event had tons of tractors, implements, antiques, and so much more. The event has been known to have vendors selling assorted foods and goods. Many people set up camp to try and sell off some of their collections of antiques and other items. What sets this event apart from others like it though is that the Olden Days Festival is primarily a volunteer effort. From the ladies working in the kitchen to the gentleman who drove

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Chancellor James T. Minor, PhD, has named Justin Lieberman as the University’s Interim Police Chief, effective September 24, 2022. Lieberman is the Department’s Deputy Chief and has a 20-year history with the team, having served as a police officer, detective, patrol sergeant, investigations sergeant, lieutenant and captain. His appointment follows the retirement of long-serving chief Kevin Schmoll, who served the University for 28 years. “The safety and security of a university community are paramount,” said Minor. “I am grateful that the SIUE Police Department’s confident, capable leadership will continue as we build a diverse force of individuals who serve and protect. Kevin Schmoll’s service is absolutely commendable, and on behalf of the university, I thank him for his dedicated leadership.” “I am honored to have served the SIUE community for over 28 years, and to have

Continue Reading