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WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, had Chris Manson as his guest for President Biden’s State of the Union Address. Chris, who is Vice President of Government Relations for OSF HealthCare in Peoria, Illinois, and founder of U.S. Ambulances for Ukraine, has helped deliver 28 ambulances and one fire engine to Ukraine and works with volunteers across Illinois to collect hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of medical supplies, clothing, and nonperishable food for the Ukrainian people amid Putin’s illegal war. In October, Durbin saw firsthand the vehicles and goods that Chris helped deliver to Ukraine at a Chicago-area warehouse. Durbin’s office has helped Chris and his group connect with a variety of governmental and nongovernmental groups to help with their notable effort. “Chris’s story is an inspiration to us all and really proves no matter where you are in the world, you

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - The deceased has been identified in a homicide in the 800 block of Surrey Lane in the City of Bellefontaine Neighbors as Denzel Williams, 27 years of age, of the 800 block of Surrey Lane Court in Bellefontaine, Missouri, 63137. At 6 p.m. on February 7, 2023, City of Bellefontaine Neighbors Police officers responded to a call for service for shots fired in the 800 block of Surrey Lane. Officers located an adult male suffering from an apparent gunshot wound inside a residence. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene. City of Bellefontaine Neighbors police officers requested St. Louis County Police Crimes Against Persons Detectives lead the investigation. The investigation is active at this time. Additional information will be disseminated as it becomes available. Please contact the St. Louis County Police Department at 636-529-8210 to speak to investigators with information regarding the incident. To remain anonymous or potentially receive a reward, pleas

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis Regional Bomb and Arson detectives are currently investigating a fatal house fire in the 1200 block of Wachtel Avenue of the South County Precinct which resulted in the death of an adult male and an adult female. On Wednesday, February 8, 2023 at 9:54 AM, St. Louis County Police officers from the South County precinct responded to a call for service for a house fire in the 1200 block of Wachtel Avenue. Arriving officers observed the house to be fully engulfed and were unable to make entry. Responding Fire personnel located two adults—one male and one female—deceased in the front interior of the residence. No other injuries were reported. The investigation is active at this time, a cause has not been determined. Please contact the St. Louis County Police Department at 636-529-8210 to speak with investigators if you have any information regarding this incident. To remain anonymous or potentially receive a reward, please contact CrimeStoppers

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ALTON - The Holiday Inn Express construction is moving along in rapid fashion from a view of the Riverbender.com Skycam on Wednesday morning. The walls are going up and it appears the roof will be added soon to the new facility. The new Holiday Inn Express is located on Golf Road near the Alton Amtrak station on Golf Road. Alton Mayor David Goins continued to be excited about the addition of the new hotel. "Any time you bring in lodging like this one you will attract tourists and visitors to this region," the mayor said. "It is great it is located so close to the Amtrak station. People can stay at the hotel and go around the Alton area or head easily to St. Louis. It is a perfect location. It should be another added opportunity that should help business in the area." The Holiday Inn Express should be completed in 2023.

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EDWARDSVILLE – The R.P. Lumber Center is launching a program designed to help children with disabilities experience the joy of an ice rink. “Shine on Ice” will debut in April at the City’s ice rink and recreation center as a series of classes created specifically for people with disabilities ages 17 and younger. “We just want to give everyone the opportunity to be on the ice,” said Phil Zamora, the R.P. Lumber Center superintendent. “It’s so rewarding, and some people just don’t have that chance.” The program has been made possible by a $15,000 grant from the Dana Brown Charitable Trust, U.S. Bank Trustee. The grant was secured by the Edwardsville Community Foundation on behalf of the City’s R.P. Lumber Center. It was a collaborative effort involving the Foundation; the City’s Parks and Recreation Department; Edwardsville Economic and Community Development Coordinator James Arnold; and former Alderman Tom Butts,

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ALTON - One of the most talked about business entries into Alton - Starbucks - appears on its way at 1725 Homer Adams Parkway. Serious groundwork with multiple trucks has been going on this week at the location. The video and photos included here were taken Tuesday by the Riverbender.com Skycam. The behind-the-scenes foundational things have been completed and they are now getting close to construction," Alton Mayor Goins said. Mayor Goins added that he is extremely excited about the new Starbucks location here and said there is a lot of anticipation about the new business across the community. He said he has been asked about the new Starbucks many times over the past year and when it would locate and open. “The development will provide a big boost to our area,” he said. “It will take a long-standing eyesore, and it will be a great business there.” Mayor Goins said he expects Starbucks to open sometime this year. The Starbucks will be positioned where the

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BETHALTO - Bethalto Police Chief Mike Dixon put out a request today on social media to help solve the case of someone who stole several bronze headstone vases at Rose Lawn Memory Gardens Cemetery. "Today we took a report of an absolutely despicable crime that we’d love to solve, and are seeking your help in doing so," Chief Dixon said. "In recent days an unknown subject(s) entered Rose Lawn Memory Gardens Cemetery and stole several bronze vases off headstones. "These vases have little monetary value when scrapped, but will cost thousands to replace, and will sadden those families involved immensely when burdened with this pathetic act of selfishness. If you hear about or see anyone with vases like the one in the attached image, please message us here on Facebook and/or call us directly at 618-377-5266, ext. 1 and help us bring the offender(s) to justice." Chief Dixon continued and said to the offender, who he said he knows will read this post at some point in th

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GODFREY - Gerard Fischer with the Godfrey Fire Protection District gave an update on the progress and groundbreaking ceremony for the new Godfrey firehouse and administrative building during the public comment portion of the Feb. 7 Godfrey Village Board meeting . The new firehouse and administrative building will be located at 3023 Godfrey Road in Godfrey. Fischer announced they’ll be hosting a ground-breaking ceremony on Thursday, Feb. 16, and the public is invited to attend. “ want to just give you an update with what’s happened with the firehouse. I’m sure going up and down Godfrey Road, you’re seeing a lot of construction from Walmart all the way up to QuickTrip, so we’re joining the fun up here,” he said. “There’s stakes out there already, some pipes are out there and everything. “We are having our groundbreaking ceremony next Thursday, Feb. 16 at 10 a.m.,” he continued. “Everybody’s invited.

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BETHALTO - The Bethalto Police reported today the past week has been busy with multiple calls for service and arrests throughout the village. Bethalto Police Chief Mike Dixon said this criminal information accounts for just four of the felony-related investigations and arrests Bethalto Officers have made in the past few days. The chief added that is important to know that all the individuals charged and noted and/or associated with this post are innocent of the charge(s) filed, until such time as they are proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The issuance of a charge/information or a warrant is based solely upon probable cause and is not proof of guilt. These are the released charges: Carlos Boles faces a charge of Aggravated Fleeing Or Attempting To Elude A Police Officer and a count of Failure To Stop After Having An Accident Involving Personal Injury Or Death. Boles' bond is set at $100,000. Joshua Harcourt is charged with one count of Unlawful Possession

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ALTON - Alton High School announced its Honor Roll lists for the Fall semester. Please click the links below to view the full lists. "We are very proud of these students for their hard work, dedication, and academic achievement during the first semester of this school year," AHS Assistant Principal Mike Brey said. Honor Roll High Honor Roll

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CHICAGO - The Cannabis Regulation Oversight Office ("CROO") announced today the official commissioning of the Disparity and Availability Study for adult use cannabis licenses in Illinois as required by the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act ("CRTA"). This kickoff begins 12 months of research that will result in a report to the General Assembly and Governor. More about this initiative can be found on the CROO’s website . The Disparity and Availability Study (“Disparity Study”) will collect and analyze data and will report on whether discrimination exists in the Illinois cannabis industry. If there is a finding that discrimination exists, the Disparity Study will evaluate the impact of the discrimination on the State and its residents regarding entering and participating in the State’s cannabis industry. The Disparity Study will include recommendations for reducing or eliminating any identified barriers to entry. The CROO Disparity Study will measure accessibility,

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ALTON - The Three Rivers Project of Sierra Club Illinois and the City of Alton’s 4th Ward Alderwoman and Committee are calling for volunteers to support two litter clean-ups in celebration of President’s Day! These litter clean-ups will help rid the environment of debris that harms habitats, threatens aquatic life, pollutes our rivers, and endangers coastal environments. Learn more and register to volunteer at one (or both!) of the river clean-ups at sierraclub.org/illinois/piasa-palisades/events . The first clean-up is hosted by the Three Rivers Project of Sierra Club Illinois and will launch from Clifton Terrace Park at 9:00 am on Monday, February 20. This clean-up will focus on removing litter and debris along the Great River Road between Clifton Terrace and Stanka Lane. The second clean-up will launch at James Killion Park at 11:00 am on Monday, February 20, and is co-hosted by the City of Alton’s 4th Ward Alderwoman, Rosetta Brown, and Committee. “The

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ST. LOUIS - The SITE Improvement Association Board of Directors has elected Steve Roden as its new President, Kurt Unnerstall as Vice President, and Kevin Klette as Secretary/Treasurer for 2023. Immediate Past President Pat Moriarity will continue to serve on the board’s Executive Committee. Roden is President of Roden’s Landscaping, Inc., and previously served as the board’s Secretary/Treasurer. Unnerstall is President of KJ Unnerstall Construction Company. Klette is General Manager of St. Louis Paving Division at Byrne & Jones Construction. In addition, two new members have been elected to the board. They include: Mike Shepard of Collins and Hermann, Inc., representing the Specialty Division; and Adam Guthrie of Baxter Farms and Nurseries, representing the Landscaping Division. Five other board members have been re-elected to two-year terms, including: Kevin Klette representing the Asphalt Paving Division; Rick Scharf of Scharf Construction Co., LLC,

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Couples names: Briana and Joe, he calls me “Mouth” because I always have something to say, and I call him PawPaw because he is 9 years older City: Bethalto Date met or started dating: May 2, 2022 What makes your relationship special? Defying all odds of both of us being addicts in recovery, meeting within a program and building a bond, working on ourselves to be better people. Blending families— he has a two year old and four year old and I have a 9 year old. All BOYS. We both have full custody of our children and we raise them together as a whole. Recovery has changed our lives and our childrens’ lives; allowing them to grow up without trauma, in a loving and supportive environment. I feel our relationship is so special— because it is built so well on a foundation of respect and recovery. Share a memory you have made together: Buying a home and raising our children in it together. Raising three boys isn’t for the weak, but we do i

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Couples names: Nathan & Tonya Hunn City: Carrollton Date met or started dating: October 15, 2010 Date married: January 26, 2012 What makes your relationship special? We just click, there is something about us, the way we think, feel, love, argue, no matter what we are doing everything is done with intensity. Our feelings for each other grow stronger every day! Share a memory you have made together: The greatest thing we have made together is our family, we started out with 4 children between us both and have a total of 9 together now that we are raising or helping raise. We both have a strong love for children and feel that every child deserves a loving family and it doesn’t always mean by blood! We have learned over the years Family is what you make it and that is all that matters at the end of the day. (One child is not in picture and can not be placed on social media) but is definitely part of our Family.

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Couples names: Dorothy & Mike Stice City: East Alton Date met or started dating: July 7, 1997 Date married: March 7, 2000 What makes your relationship special? Knowing I married my best friend. Share a memory you have made together: The day we welcomed are first grandbaby .

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Couples names: Michelle Jennings and Mike Dickerson City: Godfrey Date met or started dating: April 17, 2021 Date married: What makes your relationship special? We started talking as friends neither one of us were looking for a relationship, we met that first night and have been together ever since. Truly believe paths in life happen for a reason. Share a memory you have made together: Remodeling our home, events with our now blended family, countless friends and adventures that are never ending.

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Couples names: Tori & Matthew City: Cottage Hills Date met or started dating: June 30, 2012 Date married: June 18, 2016 What makes your relationship special? We are always there for each other no matter what. Through hard times and good times. Share a memory you have made together: Finding out we were expecting after 6 years of trying. We are going to be welcoming our daughter soon!

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EDWARDSVILLE – To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act of 1948 and Executive Order 9981, Military and Veteran Services at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville will be hosting a series of events to mark this monumental milestone in American history. The Women’s Armed Services Integration Act of 1948 , by law, permanently expanded women’s rights by permanently permitting women to volunteer their service to the officer and enlisted ranks of the United States military. The signing of Executive Order 9981 by President Harry S. Truman in July 1948, a month after passage of the women’s act, initiated racial desegregation in the armed forces. “For some, 75 years may seem long ago, and that the goals of these two laws have been accomplished,” said Telisha Reinhardt, assistant director of Military and Veteran Services. “Today, the United States military is one of the most diverse employers in the

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Couples names: Delancey & Sunshine Smith City: Alton Date met or started dating: July 31, 2017 Date married: September 30, 2022 What makes your relationship special? We have made it through everything possible and still very much in love. We are true soulmates. Delancey was seriously injured in November 2020 and only by God's grace and mercy is he still alive and getting better everyday. We do everything together and are just blessed to have each other. Share a memory you have made together: Every day together is a blessing considering the injuries he suffered. We just enjoy each other's company and love to laugh.

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