Riverbender 🕸

CHICAGO – It's been almost a week since a single Mega Millions ticket sold in Illinois won the third largest jackpot of all time, an incredible windfall of $1.337 billion. Everyone is wondering who the lucky winner is - and the Illinois Lottery is also still wondering, as the winner is yet to come forward. "For a prize of this magnitude, it's not unusual for the winner to take a while to claim," said Illinois Lottery Director, Harold Mays. "I'm sure they're going through a range of emotions." The Lottery has three key pieces of advice for the lucky winner on what to do next: Sign the back of the ticket and keep it somewhere safe Seek professional financial and legal advice Call the Lottery Player Hotline on 1-800-252-1775 to arrange a private appointment to claim the prize. For more information on what happens after a big win, the Lottery has provided a helpful Winner's Handbook, which is available for download on the Illinois Lottery website . Lottery winners of prizes

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ALTON - The holiday transformation of Rock Spring Park in Alton will begin in early September, and new Christmas Wonderland volunteers are always needed to help put together displays to ensure the holidays sparkle in 2022. An informational meeting for volunteers is planned for 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, Aug. 9 at Meunstermann Pavilion in Gordon Moore Park, Alton. The Grandpa Gang, which coordinates the annual Christmas event, is looking for volunteers to help with tasks like setting up wooden displays and hanging lights throughout the park. Volunteers are able to work any time between 8 a.m. to noon, Monday through Friday and work continues through the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Volunteers are not required to work each day of set up. Set up in the park is expected to begin Monday, Sept. 12 at 8 a.m. If interested in volunteering but unable to attend the August 9 meeting, volunteers should contact Dick Alford at 618-781-2482 or Dave Davis at 618-419-1969. “We always look forward

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JERSEYVILLE - Active work continues on Illinois American Water's new Jerseyville Distribution Center. Above and below are photos of the steel erection and the start of interior construction. Illinois American Water previously announced the construction of a new operations and distribution facility in Jerseyville. Karen Cotton, a spokesperson for Illinois American Water, said the new facility will be located at 501 Mound Street in Jerseyville. She added that this is an additional investment in the region of approximately $8 million. "Construction is underway for the new facility which will support improved operational efficiencies and excellent customer service," she said. "The 16,000-square-foot facility will include a customer payment window, maintenance garage with six garage bays, storage of tools and equipment, and dedicated operations and maintenance areas."

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ALTON - Ameren Illinois spokesperson Brian Bretsch once again praised the linemen and field personnel for their dedicated work to restore power Wednesday and into Thursday after a serious storm left thousands in the dark. "I can never say enough about them," Bretsch said of the linemen and field personnel. "When Mother Nature throws a curve ball with rain and wind, I think our group always does their best work for family and neighbors. They take great pride in restoring power as safely and efficiently as possible." Ameren Ilinois spokesperson Brian Bretsch said the areas of Brighton and Bunker Hill had about 1,600 customers out Wednesday for 25 minutes after a breaker inside a substation tripped, but they were able to close it and those customers were back on. Bretsch said the Wednesday outage impacted 2,000 customers around Alton (Alton (1,700) Cottage Hills (50) and Godfrey (235). East Alton had about 930 without power and there were an estimated 70 in Wood River. Storms knocked

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ALTON - Alton Police officers responded to the Clark Bridge for a call from a passing motorist about a man in distress and after a quick response, they talked the man out of the dangerous situation. The call to Alton Police came in around 5:15 p.m. Thursday. Deputy Police Chief Jarrett Ford said the Alton officers did a great job of remaining calm and talking to the man. “They had a good conversation and convinced him that mental health treatment was his best option,” Ford said. “I am very proud of the officers and they arranged for him to have transportation for mental health treatment.” The Suicide Prevention Lifeline number is 988.

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ALTON - Executive Director Al Womack, Jr., describes the Boys & Girls Club of Alton Great Futures Golf Classic as an "always top-notch" charity event. The legendary tournament is scheduled for August 12 at Spencer T. Olin Golf Course, at 4701 College Avenue in Alton. Check-in on the Spencer T. Olin Driving Range is at 10 a.m. with an 11 a.m. shotgun start. Womack says the golf event is one of the top fund-raisers for his club, which benefits Alton area children with many after-school programs and much more. Womack says the Boys & Girls Club of Alton's mission is simple but so needed in this area: "To inspire all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens." If one thinks about it, aren't those three words what all parents and families likely want for their children? Womack the long-serving director of the club, has meant a considerable amount to children of the Alton area and has shepherded the organization

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JERSEYVILLE - Josselyn Allen, a 14-year-old axe-thrower from Jerseyville, will compete in the World Axe Throwing League’s 2022 Commissioner’s Cup Tournament, “The Ocho," which will be streamed live on ESPN2 at 8 a.m. Friday. Allen will be competing in the Big Axe - Youth tournament on the Red Team and will face against the Blue Team for the Commissioner’s Cup. While Allen said she was “very nervous” about the competition tomorrow, she added big axes are one of her favorite things to throw. She started throwing axes two years ago at 12 years old in the Riverbend Axe Throwing League along with her father and grandfather. After competing in some other tournaments in Springfield, she was invited to join this invitation-only competition. Allen’s grandfather, Jim Nanney, said this competition is different than a usual tournament and will be perfect to highlight Allen’s axe-throwing talents. “It’s more of an exhibition

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EDWARDSVILLE - A new commander for the Cross River Crime Task Force was named Wednesday in the lobby of the Madison County Administration Building in Edwardsville. Major Jeff Connor has led the Cross-River Crime Task Force comprised of law enforcement officials from federal, state, county, and local agencies for the past year. As he steps into the role of Madison County Sheriff, a new commander was unanimously chosen to lead the task force with the goal of combining resources and manpower to protect Madison County from criminals who cross state lines to commit violent crimes. Granite City Police Department's Assistant Chief Nick Novacich was announced on Wednesday as the new Commander of the Cross River Task Force. Novacich's deputy commanders will be Madison County Sheriff's Office Capt. Brian Koberna and Alton Police Department Capt. John Franke. On a steering committee for the Cross River Crime Task Force will be Pontoon Beach Police Chief Chris Modrusic, Alton Deputy Police

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP), introduced the Reproductive Healthcare Accessibility Act to help ensure women with disabilities—who face discrimination and extra barriers when seeking care—can access reproductive services and get the informed care they need to have control over their own reproductive lives. “For too long, Americans with disabilities have faced persistent barriers to healthcare services, equipment and providers—and with right-wing efforts underway to go even further to undermine these rights in the wake of the overturning of Roe—many are rightfully worried about having an even harder time accessing the reproductive care they need,” said Duckworth. “Today, I’m proud to join Senator Murray and colleagues in introducing the Reproductive Healthcare Accessibility Act to

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CHICAGO –Today Governor Pritzker announced an increase in Medicaid reimbursement rates for abortion services and a new expansion of Title X funding through the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) for family planning and reproductive health service providers across the state. The 20% Medicaid reimbursement rate increase will give additional resources to providers facing new burdens in the wake of increased restrictions on reproductive care in surrounding states. The Governor also eliminated a requirement for providers to receive a Medicare denial before requesting Medicaid payment, expanding provider options for patients receiving both Medicare and Medicaid. “Illinois abortion providers have been working overtime since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “They need support as they take on this new burden on the frontlines of this fight. Supporting them with reimbursement increases allows them to focus on their important

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GRANITE CITY - Granite City Community Unit School District No. 9 is partnering with the Madison County Health Department to host a Back to School Physical and Vaccination Clinic on Thursday, August 11 from Noon-4 p.m. at the Granite City High School Gym Annex. This event will be held to help protect students and others by meeting vaccination and school physical requirements. All incoming kindergarteners, 6th graders, and high school freshmen are required to have a school physical and updated shot records. Schedule your appointment: https://form.jotform.com/221856470445156 INFORMATION: • Who is eligible: Preschool-12th graders • Appointments preferred, walk-ins welcome • Patient’s Insurance including public insurance (Medicaid) will be billed for service • No out-of-pocket fees for those who are eligible • If you do not have insurance, or have questions about vaccines please call Madison County Health Department at 618-692-8954, Ext. 2 WHAT

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ELSAH - The first Village of Elsah Festival in three years will be held Saturday, August 27 from 1-5 p.m. Live music, local vendors, food and drink, self-guided wetland trail tours and historic tours of the village will be available for anyone looking for the best chance to explore Elsah, which was voted the #1 Top Scenic Spot in Illinois by the Illinois Top 200 project. Connie Davis, Elsah tourism committee chair and co-owner of the Green Tree Inn with her husband Gary, said they started the festival as a way to put Elsah on more people's radar and the event has grown immensely since it began. “My husband and I started this several years ago, just ourselves. We were just trying to get the word out, because there are so many people who live in this area that have no idea that Elsah is even here - they drive up and down the River Road and they don’t know that we’re here,” Davis said. “So we started the festival just to kind of get the word out, have

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WOOD RIVER - Riverbend Family Ministries, a collective of local nonprofit organizations that helps area families in crisis, is asking the public for assistance after heavy rainfall caused severe flood damage to 14 rooms in the lower level of its newest building, displacing eight nonprofits and disrupting their Phase 2 building renovation plans. Executive Director Tammy Iskarous said she and other organization members walked in last Tuesday morning after heavy rainfall overnight Monday evening and found the entire first level completely flooded. Since Phase 2 of the construction plan was to renovate the upstairs level and move some organizations up there, all eight organizations were operating on the lower level when the flood occurred. While insurance covered a small number of sewage costs, the amount isn’t nearly enough for all the repairs needed, Iskarous said. “With all insurances, there’s a cap, and the cap was minimal. The damage that was done is going

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FENTON, MO. - The flash flooding issues continue across the river in Missouri. The weather station at Fenton Fire Station One received 3.26 inches of rain in a report late Wednesday, the Fenton Fire Protection District said. "Your Fenton firefighters and paramedics, as well as countless other first responders around the region, have been responding for persons trapped in their cars and flooded roadways," the Fire Protection District said Wednesday night. "Please be extra careful to not drive in the flooded areas." Saline Valley Fire Protection District said this morning: "Our crews will be out shortly visiting impacted flooded areas in our district to distribute clean-up kits. If we have missed you and are in need of a clean-up kit please message us." Saline Valley Fire Protection District off 141 in Fenton was the command center Thursday morning for flash flood responses. Flood waters engulfed the Covered Bridge RV Park near Highway 141 by Saline Creek Wednesday night. Flood waters

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GLEN CARBON - The Illinois Department of Transportation announces the planned closure of westbound Interstate 270. At 9 a.m. Friday, August 5, 2022, beginning at 9:00 a.m., ALL LANES OF WESTBOUND I-270 will be closed from I-55/70 to Illinois 157. The closure will also include the exit ramp from westbound Interstate 70 to northbound Interstate 55. This closure is required to allow for the replacement of a damaged bridge beam on the Meridian Road bridge structure over I-270 at Mile Marker 10.3. All lanes are expected to reopen by 5 a.m. Saturday morning. Motorists will need to utilize the marked detour route along westbound I-55/70 and northbound I-255 to circumvent the closure. The Department’s Day Labor Unit and the District’s Troy Yard will be performing this work. Traffic control devices and changeable message signing will be utilized during this closure to assist motorists in making their way through the detour. Travelers are advised to consider alternate routes and

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CHICAGO — Governor Pritzker joined lawmakers and stakeholders to encourage Illinois families to take advantage of the State’s Back to School tax holiday, Aug. 5 through Aug. 14. The 10-day sales tax holiday – the first for Illinois in over a decade - was created to save families $50 million on school supplies and is part of the $1.8 billion Illinois Family Relief Plan , with relief on gas, property taxes, and groceries. “Our parents shouldn’t have to choose between buying essential school supplies for their children and putting food on the kitchen table. Our teachers shouldn’t have to break the bank to do right by the students that they nurture day in and day out,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Back to school should be as stress-free as possible for working families and their children, and this tax holiday will help remove some of that burden.” Beginning August 5 th , the state sales tax on school supplies will drop from 6.25% t

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ST. LOUIS – Join Katie’s Pizza and Pasta Osteria for its August Giveback Tuesday Event. On August 23, 100% of Katie’s Town & Country sales will be donated to Marygrove , a nonprofit that provides a safe home, compassionate care, and high-quality mental health services to children who have experienced significant trauma. Every month, Katie’s Pizza and Pasta Osteria features a local nonprofit organization and donates 100% of profits from the entire day to the charity. So far, Katie’s Pizza and Pasta Osteria has donated $331,665 to local nonprofit organizations. Funds from Katie’s Pizza and Pasta Osteria’s Giveback Tuesday will support Marygrove in serving approximately 200 children and youth, ages birth to 21, per day through their continuum of residential and community-based programs. By providing treatment and support to children and youth struggling with debilitating emotional and behavioral issues resulting from abuse, neglect, trauma,

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EDWARDSVILLE - During the BISSELL Pet Foundation’s “Empty the Shelters” event in July, the Metro East Humane Society (MEHS) placed 150 pets into their forever homes in only 3 weeks. The nation’s largest funded pet adoption event was hosted in more than 250 shelters in 42 states as an effort to fight shelter overcrowding. This year, the event ended with a record-breaking 28,121 pets being positively impacted. "The excitement that reduced-fee adoption drives like #EmptyTheShelters brings to Metro East Humane Society and shelters like ours all across the country is truly something remarkable," said Mady O'Reilly, Development Manager of Metro East Humane Society. "We're thrilled to report a total of 93 cats and 57 dogs have been placed in their forever homes throughout the course of this year's campaign. Those 150 "Gotcha!" Day celebrations were made possible thanks to Cathy Bissell, The Bissell Pet Foundation, and of course, our incredible network of support. Than

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ALTON - Local nonprofit, Trinity’s Way, is hosting a pet food drive on Aug. 7 from 10 a.m. to noon at Piasa Park in Alton. The drive will benefit the pet food pantry operated by Metro East Humane Society. This pantry program provides free pet food to eligible applicants who need assistance. Trinity’s Way formed in 2018 after 17-year-old Trinity Buel was killed in a car accident. The nonprofit was started by her mother, April Gray, and her godfather, Chris Unthank, to carry on Buel’s kindness and compassion for animals and the environment. The pet food drive is a fitting way to honor Buel’s memory for her birthday on Aug. 6. “When Trinity was a little girl, instead of presents for herself, she’d ask for pet food and supplies for her birthday so that she could donate those to local animal shelters,” Gray said. “She was always thinking of animals in need before herself.” Trinity’s Way hopes to collect 500 lbs. of food for

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GLEN CARBON - Brightly Senior Living in Glen Carbon recently opened back on December 15th of last year. They recently held a food drive with the donations being sent to the Glen/Ed Food Pantry. Monday, August 1st was their first big food drive and it was a great success according to Gina Ratermann, Director of Community Engagement and Events at Brightly. The St. Louis Cardinals' very own Fredbird was there to help out as well as meet the younger kids and their families. Redbird was there from 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Ratermann said that residents at Brightly were strongly encouraged to invite friends and family and that there ended up being a lot of people for their first event. Brightly has another location in Mascoutah where food and school supply drives have been held in the past with Redbird, but this was their first time doing something like this at the Glen Carbon location. According to Ratterman, they will continue to hold this event annually around the first week of August.

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