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RiverBend Patriots Hosts Events to Raise Money for Veteran Services

4 days 16 hours ago
ALTON - Community members can support local veterans through several new initiatives and fundraisers. RiverBend Patriots, based in Alton, is a newer organization that supports veterans through VA navigation, wellness support, and other resources. They host trivia nights every first Wednesday of the month at Mac’s Downtown, and they’re planning a golf scramble for Aug. 30, 2025, at Lockhaven Golf Course. President Brad Yount explained that the organization aims to provide resources for veterans where there are currently none. Yount founded RiverBend Patriots alongside Tim Brown and Dustin Dixon. “We figured out there isn’t something that fits perfectly — putting the square peg in a round hole — for our generation of veterans,” Yount said. “We don’t necessarily love all of the older organizations, but we don’t necessarily love some of the newer organizations, either. So how can we meet in the middle and make that

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Gateway Arch National Park Earns Top National Museum Recognition 

4 days 16 hours ago
ST. LOUIS – Gateway Arch National Park has again earned accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), the highest national recognition for museums in the United States. Accreditation signifies excellence to the museum community, to governments, funders, outside agencies, and to the museum-going public. Gateway Arch National Park, formerly Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, has been accredited since 1980. Museums undergo re-accreditation at least every 10 years to maintain their status. "Being reaccredited by the American Alliance of Museums is a prestigious honor that validates the dedication, expertise, and collaborative efforts of everyone involved with Gateway Arch National Park,” said David Murray, superintendent of Gateway Arch National Park. “This distinction not only reflects our commitment to maintaining world-class exhibits and collections, but it also elevates the park’s stature among museums and cultural institutions nationwide."

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Swansea Police Department Swears In Two New Officers

4 days 17 hours ago
SWANSEA — The Swansea Police Department welcomed two new officers who served in the United States Air Force during a special board meeting, as Nicholas Wallace and Jeffrey Rankin took their oaths of office from Mayor Jeff Parker. Wallace and Rankin's military backgrounds are expected to contribute to their roles in protecting the local community. “Thanks for your service to our country and we look forward to you serving and protecting our community,” the Swansea Police Department said in a statement. In a photo above from the event, Rankin is pictured in the center and Wallace on the right.

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Lunch and Learn Speaker Series Topics Announced

4 days 17 hours ago
ALTON – Intellectual and biological appetites will be satisfied thanks to what the Psychological Services Department at OSF Saint Anthony’s Health Center will be serving through an upcoming Mental Health “Lunch & Learn” Speaker Series. Residents in and around the Riverbend region can pick and choose from an a la carte menu of topics available during any of the seven (7) monthly sessions – each highlighting a different mental health topic. The Mental Health “Lunch & Learn” Speaker Series will give participants valuable insights, important information, and useful resources on each of the seven (7) topics highlighted throughout the speaker series. Each monthly session is held on the second Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. and led by Mission Partners (i.e. employees) from the Psychological Services Department. The scheduled topics and presenters for the Mental Health “Lunch & Learn” Speaker Series are: September 10

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Former Missouri House Speaker Catherine Hanaway appointed attorney general

4 days 17 hours ago
Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe announced Tuesday that Catherine Hanaway will replace Andrew Bailey as the state’s next attorney general. Bailey, 44, resigned Monday after a little more than two years on the job to become co-deputy director of the FBI.  Hanaway, 61, will be the fourth person to serve as Missouri attorney general since 2018, […]
Jason Hancock

Sen. Belt Expands Access To Construction Job Training Programs in Metro East

4 days 17 hours ago
SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt’s measure to expand career and technical education programs to support regional manufacturing was signed into law. “Many kids have no idea that these jobs exist and they can be a part of this industry,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “Without a family member or friend working in the trades, kids may never have a clue how to get started. That’s why this law is important – it amplifies access to the trades through training programs.” Senate Bill 58 expands a current program that is successful in other parts of the state to the Metro East. The program allows manufacturing companies to partner with local community colleges and high schools to set up technical training programs that translate directly into a job. This gives students from all backgrounds access to job training programs at their high school or local community college through the regional partnership. “Manufacturing is a cornerston

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Country Artist Matt Jordan to "Rock the Block" at Free Jerseyville Concert

4 days 17 hours ago
JERSEYVILLE - The City of Jerseyville invites the community to come out for a free country concert. At 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, community members can meet at the corner of Washington and Arch Streets for the summer’s third “Rock the Block” concert featuring country star Matt Jordan and local opener Cash Goetten. Will Strang, Jerseyville’s director of tourism, expressed his excitement to share the experience with the community. “Come out and enjoy some amazing music and some good friends and just a beautiful evening outside,” Strang said. “I think it’s a really important piece of building community spirit or really building a community atmosphere where everybody wants to participate. It’ll hopefully drive some economic development, some love in the community, and just really bring people together in a fun and energetic way.” Jordan’s band includes bass player Byron Beiermann, a Jerseyville native who

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Public Comment Opportunity On Ameren Illinois Gas Rate Case

4 days 17 hours ago
EAST ST. LOUIS – The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) is encouraging Ameren Illinois customers to provide public comment on the utility’s proposed natural gas rate increase at a pair of public hearings in Springfield and East St. Louis. The hearings will take place Wednesday, August 27 and Thursday, August 28, 2025, respectively. East St. Louis When: Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025 7:00 – 9:30 PM Where: New Life Community Church 1919 State St. East St. Louis, IL 62205 Springfield When: Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025 7:00 – 9:30 PM Where: CMS Regional Complex 4800 W. Wabash Ave. Springfield, IL 62711 Customers unable to attend the hearings can submit their comments via the ICC website or call our Consumer Services Division at 1-800-524-0795 during regular business hours. Ameren filed its petition with the ICC for a $134 million general rate increase in January 2025. Rate cases are formal proceedings used to ensure utilities receive

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What's Up Downtown Information Exchange To Be Held Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025

4 days 17 hours ago
ALTON - Alton Main Street’s quarterly information exchange, called “What’s Up Downtown”, will be held on Tuesday, August 19th at 5:30 p.m. at the Riverbender building, located at 200 W. 3rd Street in Alton, Illinois. The public is invited to learn the latest news regarding developments in Alton’s historic downtown district, including updates from new & existing businesses, news on real estate transactions and details of upcoming events and projects. You’ll be in the know on topics from the evening’s featured speakers: Natalie & Keith Steinacher who have transformed the former community center in the ground floor of the Riverbender building into an event space and martial arts studio called The Teller Room 1925 Chris Jacoby will explain the products and services now available at Jacoby Fine Violins Jeff Bohnert will introduce us to his new Elysian Gallery, recently opened at 301 E. Broadway Jared Unfried will tell about new services offered

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Governor Pritzker and IBHE Announce New Statewide Direct College Admissions Program

4 days 17 hours ago
CHICAGO – Today, Governor JB Pritzker, the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE), the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) and the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) launched One Click College Admit – a statewide direct admissions program for Illinois public universities and community colleges. Through One Click College Admit, high school seniors and community college transfer students in Illinois will receive college acceptances into the state’s public universities by meeting only one criterion for admission: grade point average (GPA). This new program waives applications, application fees, essays and letters of recommendation for students. “Enhancing access to Illinois’ public universities and community colleges with One Click College Admit will empower even more talented students across the state to realize their full academic potential through higher education,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “This program marks another

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