Riverbender 🕸

ST. LOUIS - The J is excited to introduce its new Multi-Sensory Environment, or Sensory Studio, at the Staenberg Family Complex in Creve Coeur. The space is designed to help those with developmental disabilities who may encounter sensory processing challenges when engaging with the world around them. The J’s Sensory Studio offers a fully immersive experience featuring an interactive wall and floor projections, tactile wall coverings, bubble tubes, specialized furniture, such as a swing, an egg-shaped chair that delivers calming music and sounds, a large reclining rocking chair, and adaptable lighting that can be changed to achieve different environments. The J worked with Flaghouse , a leader in sensory space creation, to create and construct the space. The project is funded primarily by the Productive Living Board . Additional program support has been provided by The Tilles Foundation and the Miracle Makers Foundation. “This is an incredible resource for our programs

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EAST ALTON – The Illinois RiverWatch program is in search of an intern from Aug. 18 to Nov.11, 2022, to support the Biodiversity of Freshwater Mussels project. The intern will work with the National Great Rivers Research and Education (NGRREC sm) staff and citizen scientists during a weekend field trip to help capture, weigh, measure, and release freshwater mussels. During this time, tissue samples will be taken from select mussel species. “This is a great opportunity for an undergraduate student to participate in a program that combines conservation of threatened species with genetic analysis using world-class technology,” said Danelle Haake, RiverWatch director, and stream ecologist. The intern will then work with staff at the Missouri Botanical Garden (MBG) to process the tissue samples. The resulting data will be analyzed to understand patterns of genetic diversity, including the potential for declines in genetic diversity due to inbreeding, genetic bottlenecks,

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EDWARDSVILLE - Weather permitting, beginning at 7 a.m. on Thursday, August 11, Home Avenue will be closed to all traffic at the intersection of Chapman Street and Home Avenue . This closure is necessary for road patching. The roadway will be reopened once improvements are complete. One lane will remain open on Chapman Street, but motorists should use alternate routes. Motorists will be required to utilize State Street, Orchard Street and North Fillmore Street to avoid the closure. The City appreciates the cooperation of all residents during this process. Please contact Public Works at (618) 692-7535 with any questions.

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MADISON - Multiple units are battling a massive warehouse fire Wednesday morning in Madison, IL. The business is near the World Wide Technology Raceway. The large blaze started at Interco , a metaltronics recycler, at about 10:30 a.m. Wednesday. A red alert was issued by the Madison, IL., Police Department and asked residents to shelter in place as of 11 a.m. Interco is a global recycling company and provides computers, metals, and electronics recycling services. Smoke from the enormous fire was seen for miles away. The smoke plume was said to be viewed at least as high as 3,500 feet, FOX 2 weather specialist Chris Higgins reported. It is not known at this time how the fire started. Fire in Madison, IL as seen by doppler radar. #stlwx #fox2now pic.twitter.com/s0lYANL18j — Angela Hutti (@AngWxGrl) August 10, 2022

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EDWARDSVILLE - This is one in a series of articles with photos and descriptions of entries in the Edwardsville Arts Fair at City Park on September 23-24. The artists featured here are Jennifer Mallory-Welch of Jacksonville, Eliza Piazza of Evansville, Ind., and Cristina Nunez of Columbia, MO. Artist Name: Jennifer Mallory-Welch Location: Jacksonville, IL. Artist Statement: "I create uplifting images on canvas that reflect how people choose to spend their downtime. Brightly colored paints, close-up views, and unique perspectives help to convey fun and whimsy to the chosen subject." Artist Name: Eliza Piazza Location: Evansville, IN Artist Statement: "I love creating beautiful things that inspire and deeply connect with people. Nothing is more satisfying and it feeds my soul. Some of my inspirations are drawn from favorite books, stories, images, and symbols, as well as a deep respect for life and a love of nature. When my pieces speak to others, I am grateful

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EDWARDSVILLE - Heading into the summer of 2022, recent Metro East-Lutheran graduate Erik Broekemeier didn't have a place to play. So, Chris Erwin, Father McGivney's head baseball coach, reached out to Erik to see if he'd be interested in playing on Troy's Legion team. Erwin got to coach with and against Erik. Erwin talked about a time when Father McGivney took on MEL and Erik was the starting pitcher for the Knights in the Regional Championship game. After graduating high school, Erik was having a tremendous Legion season with Troy. Erik is a Byron, Carlson, Petri & Kalb Male Athlete of the Month for McGivney. In the final game of the season, Troy played Alton Post 126 at Lloyd Hopkins Field. It just so happened that Dallas Martz, general manager of the Alton River Dragons, had to cover a shift in the concession stands. He wasn't even supposed to be at the ballpark that night. Erwin recognized the situation and went up to Martz and said 'hey, come take a look at this guy.' Eri

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O’FALLON, IL. – HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital presented the quarterly Being Extraordinary Everyday (BEE) Award to Ashley Perry, CNA in the IL Division Float Pool currently working in the Clinical Decision Unit. The BEE Award was created by St. Elizabeth’s Hospital to recognize outstanding teamwork provided by support colleagues in departments outside of nursing. Perry was nominated by a colleague who noted how she went above and beyond for a recent patient; even taking extra time to braid their hair. “The patient repeatedly said how pretty she felt on how good it felt to have her hair out of her face. The patient was all smiles after this. Ashley is a very caring person and made this such a shining and bright moment in this patient's day.” Distribution of St. Elizabeth’s Hospital’s BEE Award is made possible through funds provided by HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Foundation. Nominations for future BEE and other awards at St. Elizabeth’s

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CHICAGO – State Rep. Delia Ramirez, D-Chicago, is condemning the U.S. Senate Republicans and speaking out on behalf of those living with diabetes following Republicans’ vote to block a $35 monthly cap on the cost of insulin. “Over 30 million Americans, and 1.3 million people in Illinois, including my mother, are living with diabetes,” Ramirez said. “On Sunday, GOP Senators stripped a provision from the Inflation Reduction Act which would have ensured that individuals can afford the insulin they need to stay alive. This is unconscionable–the GOP is openly saying that the lives of diabetics are less important than Big Pharma’s profit margins.” Forty-three Republican senators voted to block the insulin cap. A recent Yale study found that 14 percent of the 7 million Americans who need insulin daily are forced to spend more than 40 percent of their income after food and housing on insulin. Since 2020, state law has capped the price with insurance

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O’FALLON, IL – HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital presented the quarterly National DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses to Shane O’Connor, RN from the Emergency Department. The award is part of the DAISY Foundation's nationwide program to recognize the superhuman efforts nurses perform every day. A colleague nominated O’Connor for the award stating, “The patient’s family member had been asking questions throughout the day and Shane answered the questions thoroughly and kindly each time, making sure everyone was on the same page, and allowing her to fully understand before going back to charting or his other patients. He took the time to sit down with the patient and talk with him on his level. Shane seems to be a fantastic nurse with patience and compassion for people from all walks of life. His kindness and professionalism did not go unnoticed.” Distribution of the nationally recognized DAISY Award at St. Elizabeth’s is made possible

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EDWARDSVILLE - Twin brothers Grant and Gunner Greenwell have each earned a special academic honor. Lewis & Clark has announced that Grant Greenwell was the winner of an LC Board of Trustees Career Scholarship in Information Technology, which includes tuition and fees covered for a full year. This scholarship is awarded for the Fall/Spring semester of 2022-2023 and the applicant must have a GPA of 2.5 out of 4.0, full-time student, and be recommended by a prior school counselor, teacher, or principal. Grant went to Alton Marquette and graduated with High Honors and has been on President's list each semester since attending LCCC. Grant is attending Lewis & Clark Community College where he is studying Information Technology. Meanwhile, his brother Gunner was the recipient of the Excellence Award In English Composition at Western Governors University (WGU). While he's there he's studying to become an elementary education teacher. This Excellence Award is achieved for outstanding

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ALTON – The Upper Alton Baptist Church is holding a Pray for Our Schools event at Alton Middle School on Sunday, August 14th at 2:00 pm. The event will begin with a responsive prayer altogether, followed by a time for individuals and families to walk around and pray using a provided prayer guide, and then conclude with a final prayer all together again. The prayer guides include prompts to pray for teachers, administrators, support staff, & bus drivers in addition to students, of course. Pastor Brad explains, “We simply want to pray for the well-being of everyone involved in our community’s educational system, and sometimes movement—like walking around the school grounds—can help us dig deeper with our prayers. It’s not a rally or any kind of political statement. We’re just getting together to pray.” “We know our educators and students are tasked with an ever-increasing load,” adds April Linley, Outreach MinistryLeader.

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GREENVILLE - GU sophomore Ethan Greene is one of two officers recognized last week by the Decatur, Illinois, mayor and city council for dedication to public service and courageous actions that potentially saved a man’s life over the Fourth of July weekend. Around 5:30 p.m. on July 4th, Decatur Lake Patrol received a report of a man swimming near the dam buoys and the Rt. 51 bridge. Officers arrived and found the man to be disoriented and combative. Fearful for the man’s safety since there is a water current created by the release of water over the dam, Officers Allison McCoy and Ethan Greene jumped into the water to intervene. They led the man away from the dam and back to a patrol boat, where he was transported to shore and received further medical attention. Decatur city staff believe without the quick thinking and actions of Officers McCoy and Greene, the man could have been swept over the dam. “It was a team effort for the rescue,” Ethan says. “Everyone

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TROY – The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) announces a lane closure in both the westbound and eastbound lanes of I-70 between I-55/70/270 interchange and IL 4, beginning on Friday, August 12, 2022, weather permitting. The westbound lane will be closed on August 12 at 9:00 am and the eastbound lane will be closed on August 13 at 5:00 a.m. One-lane in each direction will remain open at all times. This work is needed to make bridge deck repairs. The westbound lanes are expected to be opened on August 13 by 11:59 p.m. and the eastbound lanes are expected to be open on August 15 by 10:00 a.m. 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 construction area. The contractor on this project is Kilian Corporation of Mascoutah, IL. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on Twitter at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details

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EAST ALTON – The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) announces a lane closure at the intersection of Illinois Route 3 and St. Louis Avenue, beginning on Monday, August 15, 2022, weather permitting. The right turn lane from northbound IL 3 to eastbound St. Louis Ave will be closed for several days. All other lanes will remain open. This work is needed to perform pavement repairs and the lane is expected to be reopened by Wednesday, August 17 at 10:00 pm. Drivers should use alternate routes to access this area while construction is ongoing. Drivers are also 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 construction area. The contractor on this project is RCS Construction, Inc of East Alton, IL. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on Twitter at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on

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WOOD RIVER — The Madison County Health Department (MCHD) is reporting two probable cases of monkeypox virus (MPV). The individuals who tested positive for the virus are isolated at home. Both cases are associated with domestic travel and the persons had minimal contact with the public. The health department notified any potential close contacts. To protect patient confidentiality, no additional information regarding the individuals will be released. Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus. Monkeypox virus is part of the same family of viruses as variola virus, the virus that causes smallpox. Monkeypox symptoms are similar to smallpox symptoms, but milder, and monkeypox is rarely fatal. The virus can spread from person to person through skin-to-skin contact with body fluids, infectious rash or scabs, touching items (such as clothing or linens) that previously touched the infectious rash or body fluids, or through respiratory secretions following

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GODFREY - The Madison County Sheriff's Office executed a search warrant on Friday, Aug. 5, 2022, in the 200 block of Woodbury Manor in Godfrey, and deputies said they discovered a large amount of cannabis. A total of 280 pounds of cannabis was discovered during the search. Charged in the case was Jordan M. Pratt, 25, of Godfrey. He was charged with the following, the Madison County Sheriff's Office says: Count 1: Unlawful Possession of Cannabis with Intent to Deliver (Class X). Count 2: Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine (Class 3). The bond was set at $70,000 by the Honorable Ron Slemer. Members of the Sheriff’s Enforcement Team (SET) unit and investigators with the Madison County Sheriff’s Office obtained a Search Warrant for the residence in furtherance of a narcotics-related investigation. The case remains an active investigation; therefore, no details concerning evidence, motive, or statements obtained can be provided. Additional information can be found

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ALTON - Brandi Brackett is the AMH August Employee of the Month. Brandi of Alton Memorial Hospital's Education Department is shown above. Brandi received the honor on Aug. 9 from Lisa Blaes, manager of Education, and AMH President Dave Braasch. The nomination said that the “staff is very thankful to have Brandi in her new role as nursing resource/mentor/educator. She has been extremely supportive of new staff members as well as seasoned staff members. Brandi is a great support to the Nursing Office as well in providing continued leadership. She is a wealth of knowledge and always extends a helping hand while displaying a positive attitude at all times.”

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ALTON - Alton Main Street and the Sierra Club Illinois’ Three Rivers Project are announcing the return of the Mississippi Earthtones Festival to Liberty Bank Alton Amphitheater from noon to 10 p.m. on Saturday, September 17. The organizations are seeking exhibitors, vendors, artists, sponsors and volunteers for their 16th annual event. The festival attracts thousands of community members and tourists to Downtown Alton every year to celebrate our river through art, music, and conservation. Dozens of local artists will offer nature-inspired, hand-made, and environmentally-friendly wares. Jacoby Arts Center is lining up an amazing day of performances and interactive art experiences, and all local artists are welcome to participate. Many creatives are being commissioned to design installations that will enhance the festival grounds. A variety of fun and educational activities are planned for families from Noon until 6:00 p.m., and there will be several agencies on hand to teach

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Arts Center has an upcoming exhibit set for the DeToye Student Gallery - "Out and About" Banner Contest. The exhibit dates are now until September 9 and there is a reception in the EAC Gallery from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 26. About the Exhibit: “Still Life: Painters and Objects” is curated by Jane Barrow, retired professor of painting at SIUE. The exhibit features work by 16 incredibly talented artists from all over the country. "In the DeToye Student Gallery, we will display banner art by all artists who submitted work for our 2022 “Out and About” Banner Contest, hosted by the Community Destination Group," Barrow said. “Still Life: Painters and Objects” Featured Artists: Erin Raedeke David Ottinger Ron Laboray Sophie Binder Joe Morzuch Edmond Praybe Bo Kim Jason Bly Conrad Bakker Jean Koeller Sara Drescher Joseph Holsapple Tim Liddy Carol Stewart Samantha Slone Jerry Wilkerson For more

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EDWARDSVILLE – The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Education, Health and Human Behavior is introducing two new graduate programs, beginning spring 2023, with a focus on athletics in higher education and athletics leadership to help students stand out in a growing and competitive field. The fully online programs, which will begin in spring 2023, include: Master’s in Higher Education and Student Affairs, Athletic Specialization Athletic Leadership Post-Baccalaureate Certificate “SIUE has a great opportunity to be a leader in the higher education and athletics space,” said Cherese Fine, PhD, assistant professor in the SEHHB’s higher education and student affairs athletics program. “SIUE offers high-quality programs at an affordable price. Moreover, these online programs are accessible to individuals regardless of residence.” The athletic specialization will prepare students with a variety of knowledge, skills, and perspectives

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