Riverbender 🕸

Non-emergency closures suspended; motorists should still expect work zones SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that lanes that have been closed for construction will reopen, where possible, for the Independence Day holiday to minimize travel disruption. Non-emergency closures will be suspended from 3 p.m. Friday, July 1, to 11:59 p.m. Monday, July 4. The following lane closures will remain in place during the holiday weekend. Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through these areas. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to changed conditions and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits, refrain from using mobile devices and stay alert for workers and equipment. At all times, please buckle and drive sober. District 1 City of Chicago•Northbound Pulaski Road between 76th and 77th streets; lane reductions continue. Southbound DuSable Lake Shore Drive along Jackson Park; lane reductions

Continue Reading

ST. LOUIS — Independence Day is coming soon and many people plan to attend fireworks displays, a backyard picnic, or just enjoy the outdoors. The American Red Cross wants you to enjoy a fun-packed, safe holiday and offers these tips you can follow over the upcoming holiday: FIREWORKS SAFETY The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a public firework show put on by professionals. Stay at least 500 feet away from the show. Leave any area immediately where untrained amateurs are using fireworks. If you are setting fireworks off at home, follow these safety steps: Never give fireworks to small children, and never throw or point a firework toward people, animals, vehicles, structures or flammable materials. Always follow the instructions on the packaging. Keep a supply of water close by as a precaution. Make sure the person lighting fireworks always wears eye protection. Light only one firework at a time and never attempt to relight "a dud." Store fireworks i

Continue Reading

ALTON - On Saturday, July 9, the Three Rivers Project of Sierra Club Illinois, Community Cultivators, and the Village of Godfrey will host a Pollinator Party at the Jaime Hines Prairie at LaVista Park in Godfrey in honor of the region’s ongoing work to protect pollinators and create a culture of conservation. During the Pollinator Party, community artists will unveil the Prairie Portal—an outdoor sculpture designed by Merrilyn Shoemaker and Tom Cundiff—and guests will have the opportunity to learn about the importance of prairies and pollinators like Monarch butterflies. Community members and activists are invited to register for the pollinator party at bit.ly/pollinatorparty22 . “The Jaime Hines Prairie at LaVista is in its third year of growth thanks to Godfrey resident and native plant enthusiast Trevor Bennett. He worked with the Village of Godfrey's Parks and Recreation Department to establish phase one of the prairie,” said Christine Favilla, co-Coordinator

Continue Reading

ALTON – Illinois American Water continues to rehabilitate the sanitary sewer system as well as replace approximately 1,200 feet of water main in Alton. Justin Kleinschmidt, P.E., of Sheppard, Morgan & Schwaab, Inc., provided these maps and descriptions of the work that is scheduled to be done. Starting July 5, 2022, U.S. Route 67 (Piasa Street), from 20 th Street/College Avenue south to 3 rd Street in Alton will be closed for approximately one month barring any unforeseen circumstances and weather. The closures are for employee and contractor safety, so please take care when traveling in these areas. Marked detours will be placed to safely guide motorists around the closure. Motorists should use caution when driving in the area and obey traffic signs, detour routes, and flaggers in the area. If possible, motorists should avoid the area. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to changing conditions and signs in the work zones. Please obey the posted speed limits,

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE - Katie Stuart breezed through the Democratic Primary for the 112th District State House of Representatives spot, and now will focus on the general election race in November against Republican opponent Jennifer Korte. Stuart provided these statements about the Tuesday election today: "First I would like to applaud the County Clerks and all the election judges and volunteers who ran such a great election in both Madison and St. Clair counties. I have had the privilege of working on legislation that supports voter access and election security, and it's wonderful to see that in action. Congratulations to every one who had a successful primary race, and really to every one who chose to put themselves on the ballot and try to step up to serve the public. "It has been a tremendous honor to be chosen three times by the people of the 112th district to represent their interests in Springfield, and I am looking forward to the opportunity to continue to advocate for the Metro East

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE - Madison County Treasurer Chris Slusser is reminding taxpayers that the first installment of their tax bill is coming due. “With the holiday weekend approaching I want to remind everyone that the first of four tax installments will be due July 7,” Slusser said. “Our office is closed Monday, July 4, but will otherwise be open for business from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.Tuesday-Friday.” Slusser reminds taxpayers there are multiple ways to pay: at one of our participating collector banks or credit unions throughout the county, by mail, through your financial institution’s online bill pay service, the Treasurer’s website at www.madcotreasurer.org, or in person at the Treasurer’s Office in Edwardsville. If paid by mail, letters must be postmarked on or before July 7. “Although the Treasurer’s office serves as the county’s tax collector, it’s important to remember that the Treasurer’s office doesn’t determin

Continue Reading

BETHALTO - Kelbie Zupan recently graduated from Civic Memorial High School and in the future, she will not be forgotten for her vast efforts in volleyball, basketball, and softball. She also was an honors student at CM. Kelbie recently concluded her athletic career at CM as a softball as a centerfielder/shortstop. For her enormous athletic accomplishments, Kelbie is today recognized as a Tom Lane State Farm Insurance Female Athlete of the Month for CM. "I would like to thank my loving brother, sister, and parents, Chris and Leigh Ann Zupan, for pushing me to be the athlete I am today," she said. "Also I want to thank my grandma and grandpa, Tom and Cathy Zupan, for supporting me and being there for me. My brother was my idol growing up, watching him play sports. We both can thank my dad for everything he taught us about sports. He once played, too." "The friendships I’ve made along the way and the little girls I’ve influenced," mean the most to Kelbie about her athletic

Continue Reading

DUQUOIN - Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Zone 7 agents are investigating a homicide that occurred in Colp at the request of the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO). The incident occurred on June 30, 2022, at approximately 6:42 a.m. in the 300 block of South Johnson Street in Colp. Preliminary information indicates that WCSO Deputies responded to a call of a stabbing at a residence on S. Johnson Street. As Deputies arrived on scene, they discovered a 30-year-old male from Marion, had been stabbed. The victim was transported to an area hospital and was pronounced deceased. The suspect, Nathan Clark, a 57-year-old male from Colp, was arrested and has been charged with first degree murder. Nathan remains in custody at the Williamson County Jail on a bond set by the court at $1,000,000/10% to apply. Anyone with additional information on this incident is asked to call ISP DCI Zone 7 at 618-542-2171, Extension 1203. ISP DCI Zone 7 was assisted

Continue Reading

JERSEYVILLE - A historic law office building at 103 N. State St. in Jerseyville is getting a “facelift” which is expected to be completed sometime early this fall, according to Ashley Vanausdoll with Joshua R. Evans, Attorney at Law P.C. So far, the most noticeable change to the building’s facade is the addition of two front-facing doors. While the currently installed doors are temporary, Vanausdoll said their new positioning will make entry easier for the law firm’s clientele, particularly the elderly and disabled. Prior to this remodeling project, the two front doors were tucked away and had to be entered from the side rather than the front, which made entry especially complicated for those in wheelchairs. As the owners of the building, Evans’ legal practice received a Commercial Building Improvement Grant from the City of Jerseyville to help fund this project. Vanausdoll said the funds have not only been used to make entry easier but also to

Continue Reading

ALTON - Alton Man Street is announcing its new Eat Shop Play Alton promotion to support Alton’s locally-owned businesses and help customers find their new favorite places to shop small. To take part, simply stop by the information booth at the Alton Farmers’ & Artisans’ Market to pick up a free reusable Alton-branded shopping bag. The market is located at the corner of Landmarks Blvd. and Henry Street in Downtown Alton and takes place every Saturday morning between 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. through October 15 th . Customers can then present their bag at all of the stores, restaurants, and service businesses found at www.DowntownAlton.com/EatShopPlay to redeem their perks and special offers through December 31 st . Shoppers are encouraged to post a photo using their bag at a local business on social media with the hashtag #EatShopPlayAlton for a chance to win a $50 gift certificate to any participating business. A new winner will be drawn every month through the end

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE - Madison County officials this week discussed the COVID vaccine and if parents should contact their child’s pediatrician before getting the shot. On Friday, the Health Department Committee discussed COVID vaccines for children under 5 years old. “The big news is that the FDA and CDC gave the green light to the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for children 6 months to 5 years old,” Chairman Kurt Prenzler said. The Food and Drug Administration and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention on June 21, 2022, authorized the vaccine. Prenzler asked the committee if the health department should recommend parents get the advice of their child’s pediatrician before being vaccinated. He said he attended the Health Advisory Committee meeting on Tuesday and asked its members the same question. He said the reason he brought it up was the censorship surrounding COVID, especially when vaccines first became available. Mainstream and social media censored the public

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE - The Anderson Healthcare Goshen Campus unveiled its newest addition June 30th to a small group of VIPs including Anderson Healthcare staff, board members, volunteers and other special guests. Anderson Goshen Medical Building is a 50,000 square foot facility located at 3417 Anderson Healthcare Drive and sits adjacent to District Drive, across from Liberty Middle School. Inside, various outpatient services will be available starting with ExpressCare opening on July 7. The Glen Carbon ExpressCare location will relocate after July 5 th , moving to its new home on the Goshen Campus. On Monday, July 11, seventeen providers of Anderson Medical Group will start seeing patients at the new, consolidated offices on the 2nd floor, Suite 200. That same day, Rehab Therapy and Lab Services will open at the location as well. Goshen Imaging, an affiliate of Maryville Imaging, is planned to open this Fall. It is subject to compliance approval with several agencies prior to opening. The

Continue Reading

GODFREY – A new interactive mural greets visitors to the McPike Math and Science Complex at Lewis and Clark Community College. The work, which was unveiled during a Commencement pre-party in May, is the work of Graphic Design student Avalon Eales. The design was selected by campus and community vote held online this spring. When she discovered she won, Eales couldn’t contain her excitement. “I had to call my whole family and tell them I had been chosen,” she said. “It was a super memorable moment for me.” Eales, the daughter of Greg and Francesca Eales of Glen Carbon, is a 2021 graduate of Edwardsville High School. Her design was inspired by her own journey through college. “I realized how my life was going to be affected by my decisions,” Eales said. “Lewis and Clark gave me the opportunity to create my own pathway. I wanted to show how the main building has stayed strong through the years, despite all the changes to campus.”

Continue Reading

ST. LOUIS, MO – With decades of culinary expertise between them, Marc and Amy Del Pietro and Brian and Lea Doherty are announcing the grand opening of their newest eatery, Cleaver & Cocktail . Occupying a 4,774 square foot space at the Blacksmith Grove development at 13360 Clayton Road, Cleaver & Cocktail is the third restaurant for the Del Pietros and Dohertys. Having already opened the successful eateries 58hundred and The Block , these restauranteurs will continue to expand upon what they do best, curating a farm-fresh menu with both vegetarian and meat-forward meals. Chefs Marc and Brian pride themselves on their dedication to sourcing from local farmers. Their reliance on local produce means they can curate seasonal menus that will have guests wondering what new concepts these chefs will come up with next. Said menus will consist of various meat, fish, and vegetarian options, including a selection of high-quality steaks, dry-aged in-house, and in view of guests as they

Continue Reading

GODFREY – A new interactive mural greets visitors to the McPike Math and Science Complex at Lewis and Clark Community College. The work, which was unveiled during a Commencement pre-party in May, is the work of Graphic Design student Avalon Eales. The design was selected by a campus and community vote held online this spring. When she discovered she won, Eales couldn’t contain her excitement. “I had to call my whole family and tell them I had been chosen,” she said. “It was a super memorable moment for me.” Eales, the daughter of Greg and Francesca Eales of Glen Carbon, is a 2021 graduate of Edwardsville High School. Her design was inspired by her own journey through college. “I realized how my life was going to be affected by my decisions,” Eales said. “Lewis and Clark gave me the opportunity to create my own pathway. I wanted to show how the main building has stayed strong through the years, despite all the changes to campus.”

Continue Reading

PONTOON BEACH, IL - Members of the Madison County Transit (MCT) Board of Trustees, along with the Agency for Community Transit (ACT) Board of Directors, ACT staff, contractors, and local and state elected officials, convened this morning to break ground on the future MCT Administration Building in Pontoon Beach, Illinois. The new facility will be located along Chain of Rocks Road on the north side of MCT’s current Base of Operations. The 27,000 square-foot, two-story, ADA-compliant building will consolidate all base staff under one roof and will provide a clearly defined area for public access to the facility. In addition to staff offices, the new building includes an improved public lobby, (for job applicants, pass purchasers, individuals visiting lost & found, etc.), conference rooms, and facilities equipped with the latest security and technology designed to protect the Base of Operations. “These facility improvements will not only allow us to make critical safety and

Continue Reading

(CENTERSTONE) - Are you struggling right now? Do you feel that your issues are dragging you down and preventing you from being the person you want to be? If so, this article is for you. As you continue to read, we’ll explore your strengths and how you can use them to deal more effectively with your stressors. Everyone has strengths, including you It’s true. You have strengths. Admitting this does not make you arrogant or narcissistic. Yet, many of us find it challenging to discuss our strong points and talents. Perhaps this is due to low self-esteem. Perhaps it is because we want to seem humble. Regardless of the reason, when we are not able to identify and focus on our strengths, we place ourselves at risk of being defeated by our problems. Why? The answer is that it is our strengths that help us overcome our weaknesses. It is our strengths that help us cope effectively and problem-solve and survive. Without your strengths, you are left to face your biggest challenges

Continue Reading

ALTON - Scarlett Eades and Lauren Massey are sophomores on the Alton High girls’ tennis team. The girls teamed for terrific performances to win the Riverbend Open by defeating teammates Finley Haynes and Ellie Enos in the 15 and Under Doubles Finals. Both girls are multi-sport athletes at Alton High. Redbird tennis coach Jesse Macias said: “Both girls came out as freshmen and had not really played tennis at all. They were just two athletic girls looking for something to do in the fall. I could see that they had some potential but we had a really big team last year. They both have great attitudes and work ethics and they just kept getting better as the season went on. "Scarlett and Lauren split time between JV and varsity and wherever we put them, they just kept winning. It was a lot of fun to watch.” Scarlett and Lauren are Auto Butler Female Athletes of Month for Alton. Scarlett plays tennis, basketball, and soccer for Alton. Lauren plays tennis and soccer. Macias

Continue Reading

GODFREY – Godfrey Fire Protection District will build a new $6.5 million fire station and administrative building to consolidate operations. The new, 15,000-square-foot facility will serve as the replacement of the District’s two existing fire stations, which lack adequate space for modern fire and emergency service vehicles and equipment. Relocating Godfrey’s fire services to a single building with all equipment housed in one central location will allow for better and more efficient manpower allocation during emergency response. The modern, state-of-the-art facility will include drive-thru apparatus bays, space for medical and other supplies as well as training and administrative areas such as meeting spaces, offices and living quarters. The location at 3023 Godfrey Road in Godfrey, Illinois is more centrally located and has room for growth to accommodate the ever-increasing demand for emergency services. “This important project will allow the Fire District

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE – Jennifer Korte candidate for State Representative in the 112th District defeated Joe Hackler in the Republican Primary Election on Tuesday by a sizable percentage of 47.2 percent to 32.8 percent. Korte will now meet incumbent Democrat Katie Stuart in the November General Election for the state representative post. Korte is a resident of Highland. Korte's platform keys in the state representative race have been a pledge for common-sense conservative government, that supports law enforcement and small business. “Throughout this campaign, I knocked on thousands of doors and talked to thousands of people in our district. I love our community and meeting so many people throughout this campaign only strengthened my dedication to reforming Springfield and providing tax relief to help our families. The Republican primary win was amazing but sweet as this win is – the reality is the mission is far from over. "I got into this race to fight for tax relief for

Continue Reading