Riverbender 🕸

ALTON - It’s Epic Food Month, and with over 60 local restaurants participating, you have plenty of epic foods to choose from. The month is divided into Epic Burger Week, Epic Taco Week, Epic Sandwich Week and Epic Ice Cream Week. Epic Food Month is sponsored by the Great Rivers & Routes tourism bureau. “It’s just a chance for us to highlight our local business owners and encourage people to travel to the region for food,” Cory Jobe, the president of the bureau, said. “That is one of the many reasons people come to our region, our craft spirits and our great food scene throughout our six-county region.” Jobe says that the bureau office has been sampling burgers all week for Epic Burger Week, in which 25 featured restaurants participated. Even though Epic Burger Week is coming to an end, there are still three more weeks of great eats that will satisfy any foodie. The month is focused on local businesses, but one of its goals is to bring out-of-towners

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE - The City of Edwardsville has placed a large emphasis on the development of its parks and on Wednesday afternoon, the dog park on Schwarz Street was dedicated. As the sign displays, the new recreation area is the Brent Leh Dog Park. Dr. Brent Leh's family helped the Edwardsville Parks and Recreation Department dedicate the sign, placed in honor of the beloved local veterinarian who was killed in a motorcycle crash in 2018. "It's a beautiful sign. It's striking to see his name in print," Dr. Leh's mom, Ann Leh Culp (shown in pink floral shirt) said. "Adding this sign in his memory means the world to our family," she said. After Dr. Leh's death, his family and friends raised funds for the turf installation at the park to honor Dr. Leh in a wonderfully compassionate and fitting way.

Continue Reading

ALTON - The Rotary Club of Alton and Godfrey president Antione Williams presented the William E. Moyer Vocational Arts and Science Scholarships to three students attending Lewis & Clark Community College. Each student received a $1,500 scholarship. In addition, the scholarship is renewable for a second year. This year the awards were presented to Savannah Alexander, James Vaughn, and Masen Day. Lewis and Clark Community College Director of Development, Debby Edelman, introduced Savannah and James, announcing they were the recipients of the William E. Moyer Vocational Arts and Science Scholarships for the 2023-2024 academic year. Savannah Alexander, of Hamburg, graduated from Jersey Community High School in May 2023. She is pursuing an Associate of Applied Science degree in Welding Technology. She looks forward to learning more about the industry from her instructors and through an internship in order to decide on her career plans after graduating in the spring of 2025. James Vaughn,

Continue Reading

EAST ALTON - Nicholas Paynic, 33, of East Alton, has been charged with eight felony counts ranging from firearms to drug charges and more, with possible sentences of up to 60 years in prison. The charges against Paynic were announced in court filings from the office of Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine. These offenses were reportedly committed on Tuesday, June 6. The full list of Paynic’s charges are as follows: Count 1: Armed Violence (Class X) Count 2: Armed Habitual Criminal (Class X) Count 3: Methamphetamine Trafficking (Class X - Enhanced 12-60 Years DOC) Count 4: Unlawful Possession With Intent To Deliver Methamphetamine (Class X) Count 5: Unlawful Possession With Intent To Deliver A Controlled Substance (Class 1) Count 6: Aggravated Unlawful Use Of Firearms - Body Armor (Class X) Count 7: Unlawful Possession Of Weapons By A Felon (Class 2) Count 8: Defacing Identification Marks On A Firearm (Class 2) The description of the “Armed

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville High School said goodbye to a large group of seniors at Saturday’s commencement. The class was described as one that persevered through a lot of adversity during the COVID era and then eventually return to normalcy. The Class of 2023 was commended by Superintendent Dr. Patrick Shelton and Principal Dr. Steve Stuart for their ability to adapt during the COVID-19 Pandemic. "I am extremely proud of what this class has accomplished," Dr. Stuart said of the senior class. "As seniors, they set the tone to bring EHS back to the pre-COVID life they knew that first semester of their ninth-grade year. "They have set the bar high for the classes that follow, but also spent the time to mentor those younger students to understand what it means to be a Tiger. I hope for only the best for our graduating class and know they will be successful in whatever endeavor they choose to pursue." Edwardsville School District Board of 7 President Jill Bertels welcomed everyone

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE - Benjamin Tobin of Pratt & Tobin, P.C. has been Elected to the Board of Managers of the Academy of Rail Labor Attorneys Pratt & Tobin, P.C. is proud to announce that Benjamin Tobin, the law firm's managing partner, was recently elected to the Board of Managers of the Academy of Rail Labor Attorneys (ARLA). ARLA is a professional association of plaintiff's attorneys whose practice includes the representation of injured railroad workers and their families under the Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA). This election took place at ARLA's annual national convention in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The mission of ARLA is to preserve and protect FELA while providing continuing legal education for its members. It does so by maintaining a watchful presence in government activities and providing a host of FELA-specific educational resources for its members. This includes hosting seminars on topics such as railroad safety, medical issues related to railroad workers, trial advocacy skills,

Continue Reading

ALTON - On Monday, June 5, 2023, Kennedy Stephens was named the Rotary Club of Alton-Godfrey's 2022-2023 Student of the Year. She is the 26th Student of the Year. Stephens is the daughter of Kristine and Tony Stephens of Alton and a graduate of Alton High School. She will receive a $6,000 scholarship as recognition of her outstanding academic record and participation in school and community activities. After receiving the plaque from club president Antione Williams, Kennedy added, "I was so excited when Mr. Mayhew called me and told me I was the Student of the Year. There were so many talented and smart students to choose from, so it is really an honor. I want to thank the Alton Godfrey Rotary for selecting me as September Student of the Month and now as Student of the Year." Kennedy plans to attend Howard University in Washington D.C. next fall, where she plans to major in Civil Engineering. She hopes to pave the way in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math career fields

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE – Geography students at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville enhanced their knowledge of meteorology and climatology with a unique learning experience through storm chasing. Students and faculty traveled over 3,000 miles in six days tracking and chasing storms in Oklahoma and Texas as part of the GEOG 429 Storm Chasing and Assessment field course. “The course consists of several days of classroom instruction on severe weather forecasting and storm spotting, and then the field component allows students to take what they’ve learned in the classroom and apply that knowledge outside of the classroom to forecast and track storms,” said Alan Black, PhD, assistant professor and graduate program director in the Department of Geography and Geographic Information Systems. “There is a huge difference between talking about these topics in a classroom and successfully forecasting the weather and experiencing it in the field.” Course curriculum

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE – Angela Andrews, PhD, RN-BC, CNE, assistant professor and coordinator of undergraduate programs in the School of Nursing (SON), has received Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Teaching Distinction Award. The award is given to recognize faculty who are innovative, influential, and impactful as it relates to pedagogy and learning. “The School of Nursing is fortunate to have Dr. Andrews’s expertise in teaching, mentoring, and ensuring students’ success,” said Judy Liesveld, PhD, RN, PPCNP-BC, CNE, FAAN, dean of the SON. “She is truly a master teacher in using various teaching strategies that integrate differences in learning styles. We are thrilled that she received this award.” Andrews is known for her dedication and compassion in her role as an educator. The SIUE Teaching Award Committee noted Andrew’s passion for teaching, promotion of critical thinking and genuine concern for her students and their learning

Continue Reading

ALTON - The Miles Davis Jazz Committee recognized recent Alton High School graduate Kennedy Stephens for her musical and academic achievements. Stephens is a vocalist and saxophone player who has developed her music through Alton School District’s drama and band programs. “Through music, I have met many other students who share the same passions and interests as me. Music is like a bridge that brings us closer together and enriches our lives,” Stephens said. Stephens credits her mother as the driving force behind her love of music. At age five, Stephens began singing in the children’s choir at St. John Missionary Baptist Church, where her mother serves as the choir director. She still has a love for singing, which she fostered while playing lead roles in the Alton Middle School’s drama club. Stephen’s main instrument is the saxophone. She has some experience with the recorder and violin, but she said her musical passion really developed when

Continue Reading

ALTON - The Miles Davis Jazz Committee has recognized Victor Humphrey for his high school success and passion for music. Humphrey, a recent Alton High School (AHS) graduate, has played in the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra, AHS Symphonic Orchestra and AHS Jazz Band. He has also received recognition from the Illinois Music Education Association All-District Orchestra and Illinois Music Education Association All-State Orchestra. “I am so thankful for all that music has added to my life,” Humphrey said. “It makes me a better student, a better athlete, a better friend and a more present human being.” The Miles Davis Jazz Committee awarded him a $500 scholarship, which he plans to put toward his education at Saint Louis University in the fall. Humphrey hopes to major in accounting and minor in music and Spanish so he may continue to perform or teach music. Humphrey’s love for music started as a toddler. By the time he was in kindergarten, he was

Continue Reading

GODFREY – Lewis and Clark Community College’s Project READ volunteer tutor, Sharon Eberlin, has earned a 2023 Spotlight on Service Award, presented by Illinois Secretary of State and State Librarian Alexi Giannoulias. Eberlin was among only 10 exemplary volunteer tutors statewide to receive this honor in a May 10 ceremony held at the Illinois State Library in Springfield. According to Project READ Coordinator Sheila Vaughn, Eberlin puts in two and three times the amount of time asked of tutors. In March 2020, Eberlin took on the challenge of tutoring online, helping her English as a Second Language (ESL) student secure a full-time job. “She is outstanding in motivating her tutees and in finding ways to communicate with them,” Vaughn said. “In her four years with Project READ, she has participated in every one of our extracurricular tutor activities, mentored new tutors and has taken the initiative to learn Spanish and Vietnamese to better serve her students.&rdquo

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County officials have announced the distribution of an initial round of local grants aimed at the prevention of substance abuse, utilizing funds from a settlement in a lawsuit against opioid distributors. The county is receiving approximately $3.7 million over a period of years, through 2038, as its share of the opioid settlement. The county is using the settlement to provide grants to local agencies and organizations. “These initial grants will allow the recipients to provide critical, much-needed services,” said Madison County Mental Health Board Director Deborah Humphrey. “The services of these community partners will help mitigate the harms caused by the opioid epidemic.” State’s Attorney Tom Haine said: “These wonderful groups were already doing great work to help those affected by our ongoing opioid abuse epidemic. We are glad that these additional funds are now available to help boost their efforts in our community.

Continue Reading

NOTRE DAME, Indiana — Godfrey's Katherine Kratschmer has been named to the Saint Mary’s College Dean’s List for the Spring 2023 semester. To earn this academic honor at Saint Mary's, a student must achieve a grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.6 on a 4.0 scale, have a minimum of 12 graded credit hours, no incompletes, and no grades lower than a C. About Saint Mary’s College Saint Mary’s College, located in Notre Dame, IN, is recognized as both a visionary forerunner and an enduring innovator in the education of women. As a private college, Saint Mary’s is committed to the social and economic empowerment of all women, a culture of human dignity and solidarity, and a focus on original undergraduate research. With more than 60 undergraduate academic programs, as well as accelerated advanced degree options, we offer a strong liberal arts foundation in an atmosphere that encourages open discussion and close collaboration with professors and classmates

Continue Reading

HOLIDAY SHORES - Update: The missing Holiday Shores juvenile has been found safe and sound as of 7 p.m. Wednesday. Below is the previous story: The Madison County Sheriff's Office has released information about a missing Holiday Shores juvenile/runaway. The boy - Cannon Miller - age 12, is 5-foot-11 inches tall and weighs 100 pounds. He has a buzz cut with blond hair and hazel/green eyes. The sheriff's office said Miller was reported as a missing/runaway to the Sheriff’s Office on the morning of June 7, 2023. Miller provided a note that he intended on running away from his residence off of High Point Drive, Edwardsville, in the Holliday Shores Subdivision. "He was observed on video surveillance leaving the residence alone wearing a red “Adidas “logo t-shirt, dark blue or black shorts and red shoes w/ blue yellow accents at about 7:03 a.m.," the sheriff's office said. "The image of Miller and associated clothing has been provided in this release. If anyone

Continue Reading

STAUNTON - With Edwardsville’s Route 66 Festival coming this Saturday, Rich Henry encourages visitors to travel down the route to Henry’s Ra66it Ranch in Staunton. The Ranch is a Route 66 visitor’s center as well as a rabbit rescue. The Ranch welcomes visitors from all over the world who want to experience Route 66. Many people who make the classic Americana road trip from Chicago to California will stop at the Ranch to learn more about its history. “It’s not about making money. It’s about making friends,” Henry said. After traveling on Route 66 to California, Henry built a storage building at the edge of his property along Route 66 in 1994. The building was stylized to look like a 1940s gas station. Soon, people began stopping by to see the building and chat with Henry about his vintage cars and Route 66 knowledge. He was soon receiving visitors from around the world. Henry boasts that he’s met people from every major countr

Continue Reading

WOOD RIVER - Construction is underway for a new inclusive playground and recreation center in Wood River Central Park. The Wood River Parks and Recreation Department is heading this project. The playground will include a challenge course, which is unique to the area. The recreation center will offer basketball and pickleball courts and a gymnastic space. “We’ve been working on these things for a while, so to finally have them come to fruition is awesome. It has been a lot of work to get to this point, and I’m excited to see it all,” Jason Woody, Wood River’s Parks and Recreation director, said. “I think our citizens will be pretty excited when they start driving by.” The playground’s previous equipment has been replaced with a new swing set, a large play structure with multiple slides and a challenge course. This challenge course will allow people to time themselves and compete for the quickest time. “Nobody really

Continue Reading

BRIGHTON - Brighton will celebrate its history with the 117th annual Betsey Ann Picnic on Friday, June 16, and Saturday, June 17. The Picnic will include carnival rides and games, food and craft vendors, and Brighton’s famous Burgoo soup. The Picnic is sponsored by the Betsey Ann Association, which maintains Betsey Ann Park and its historical sites. “We use our funds to help improve and support the park, and also to help some of the other organizations around town,” Reggie Conlee, the president of the Betsey Ann Association, said. “This park has got a lot of history for the city of Brighton…I like to see the tradition continue.” So, what to expect for this year’s event? Little Egypt Shows & Carnival will run rides and games from 5–11 p.m. on both nights. An armband costs $20 and provides access to all the rides. Individual tickets will also be sold at a lower price. Bingo will run throughout the evening. Players can compete

Continue Reading

GRANITE CITY - Granite City Police Department identified the victim in a fatal crash on Tuesday night as Frank Fisher, 41, of Granite City. The crash occurred at 6:56 p.m. Tuesday at the intersection of Nameoki Road and Lindell Boulevard in Granite City. Granite City Detective Captain Gary Brooks said Fisher was transported to a local area hospital where he was later pronounced deceased from injuries due to the accident. "This investigation is being conducted by the Granite City Police Department with the assistance of the Metro East Crash Assistance Team and the Madison County Coroner’s Office," Brooks said. "We at GCPD would like to extend our most sincerest condolences to the family of the individual who lost their life. This investigation is still ongoing and there will be no further comment at this time."

Continue Reading

BETHALTO - The Village of Bethalto and its Fire Department have placed a ban on all burning within the village until further notice, citing “dry conditions.” Bethalto Fire Chief Brian Buhs said the ban includes burning trash, using fire pits, and all other forms of burning. He said it’s partially due to dead vegetation. “What prompted it is a lack of precipitation was causing much of the vegetation to die within the area, and rather than to run an unnecessary risk and for somebody to cause a fire that damages their own property or somebody else’s, we decided to stop it until we get some rain,” he said. Chief Buhs said he doesn’t expect or hope for it to be a long-term ban and said there is a chance of rain within the next couple of days. “I don’t expect it to last long, we just want to make sure that we can protect everybody’s property,” he added. The Village made the announcement on its Facebook page , whic

Continue Reading