ALTON - The Alton Committee of the Whole voted once again to table an ordinance that would ban camping in public in Alton. Some of those involved in group discussions held since the item was last tabled say progress is being made towards a solution. The original ordinance would ban all camping on public property within the city, as well as the storage of personal property on or in public property. Those found in violation would be subject to fines of $75 to $750 and/or confiscation of their personal property, subject to certain terms. The ordinance included in Monday’s meeting documents features identical language to previously tabled versions of the ordinance. The Committee will likely consider an ordinance with different language and/or terms at their next meeting, though any such changes are still unclear. Prior coverage featuring more details about the ordinance and several public comments are available on Riverbender.com from when the item was first tabled
GLEN CARBON - Spencer Homes is celebrating its 18th year in business with the opening of a new design center in Glen Carbon. Spencer Homes completes both new construction and remodeling projects with a specialization in accessible designs. The design center will serve as an office space and a gallery of products, with several samples of countertops, cabinetry and more for customers to see firsthand as they design their homes. “It’s the culmination of 18 years of a lot of hard work on behalf of our staff, our trade partners and our suppliers,” said Mike Rathgeb, the founder and president of Spencer Homes. “We’re able to offer customers not just the services but the product, and also we can offer them a 3D rendering so they can see their project before it’s done. And a real specialty that we started ten years ago was accessibility, so we design and build with longterm accessibility and mobility in mind for our clients.” The company
A few weeks ago we had a story from Glyn Moody about how some people were effectively spamming music streaming services like Spotify with “functional music,” tracks designed to get plays solely for the sake of royalties. Glyn, reasonably, called for an “overhaul,” in how these systems worked. And apparently some people were thinking similarly? […]
MEXICO, MO. - Alden Grossardt, child of Jason and Morgan Grossardt, was inducted into the 135th Missouri Military Academy (MMA) Corps of Cadets at the MMA Passing Through Ceremony. The Passing Through Ceremony is an MMA tradition that officially welcomes new cadets into the corps after they have completed the Maroon Phase training, passed the cadet handbook test, and completed the Crucible. The handbook test consists of questions concerning MMA rules and regulations, the Honor Code, and Academy history and traditions; and the Crucible is a series of mental and physical challenges cadets must navigate as individuals and as a team. Crucible challenges included a physical fitness test, a 5-mile hike, a 16-obstacle trail run, a team paintball challenge, a team relay shuttle run, a team boat run, and a river crossing exercise conducted in MMA's Olympic-sized pool. "Our new cadets reached this significant milestone through goal setting, teamwork, and perseverance. I am proud of how
GRANITE CITY - Sophomore right-side hitter Alexis Ruiz has a bright future for Granite City volleyball with head coach Grace Hurst. Hurst said this was Alexis' second season on varsity and she was willing to do whatever was asked of her in the season. Alexis is a Stillwater Senior Living Female Athlete of the Month for the Warriors. "She switched positions from middle to right side and even hit some outside," Coach Hurst said. "She continues to grow and is very eager to learn. She is finding her rhythm and has started to come alive as a right side." Ruiz did suffer a concussion this season and was eager to get back on the court and came back from that injury even stronger, Coach Hurst said. "Alexis can pass and swing, she is considered one of our best passers," Coach Hurst said. "She is someone who always wants to get better. I am excited to see how much more she will grow in the next two years." Again a salute to Alexis Ruiz for her recognition as a Stillwater Senior Living Female
Jesuits relied on enslaved labor for their missions in Missouri, including for the founding and sustaining of Saint Louis University. A three year research project uncovered this history. Now, Robin Proudie, a direct descendant, is working to preserve her ancestors' heritage and advocate for their commemoration. Christopher Tinson, chair of SLU’s African American Studies Department, talks about what it’s like to teach this history to his students.
ALTON - Marquette Catholic High School's girls' volleyball has the luxury of a 5-foot-8 junior setter/right-side hitter Rose Brangenberg returning in 2024. Rose was a solid all-around player in the 2023 season for the Explorers' girls' volleyball team. Rose is a Tucker's Automotive Repair & Tire Female Athlete of the Month for the Explorers. She will be one of the Explorers' leaders next season. "She proved to be an offensive and defensive threat for our team this year, producing strong blocks and aggressive attack from the right side and assists from the setting position," her coach Sue Heinz said. Rose also adds an aggressive serve to the lineup, and her coach said she is excited to have her return next year. Again a salute to Rose Brangenberg for her recognition as a Marquette Catholic Female Athlete of the Month.
It's been almost a full year since Bobby Bostic walked out of prison on November 9, 2022, overcoming a 241-year sentence for a robbery he committed at 16 in 1995. Bostic has spent his first year free teaching writing classes in three juvenile offender facilities in St. Louis, a mission he wrote about in a Marshall Project essay titled, "Here’s How I Use My Story to Teach Incarcerated Kids That Writing Matters." Bostic was also recently named as one the Kranzberg Arts Foundation 2024 Artists in Residence.
GLEN CARBON - Construction in Glen Carbon’s Orchard Town Center shopping complex continues as the new Plaza Tire Service and Olive Garden take shape. On Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, workers were putting the finishing touches on the glass windows at Plaza Tire Service. This business specializes in drive-up tire changes but offers several other maintenance services like oil changes, battery installations and more. The business is set to open on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, in Glen Carbon. Across the street, Olive Garden has been under construction for several months now. In June 2023, the company announced that the restaurant would open in October 2023. But a storm in late June knocked over a main exterior wall, which pushed back the construction timeline as workers rebuilt the structure. On Friday, workers were busy smoothing down gravel to prepare the space for the asphalt parking lot. The building’s exterior now has the signature Olive Garden branding. While a new opening date
A Branson-area Christian summer camp accused of covering up years of sexual abuse of its students is suing its insurance company, claiming it threatened to deny coverage if information about abuse was made public. Kanakuk Kamps filed a cross claim last month against ACE American Insurance Co. as part of a 2022 lawsuit filed by […]
WOOD RIVER - East Alton-Wood River High junior Violet Stover was a pivotal reason for the Oilers' girls' volleyball success this season. The Oilers won 16 matches this season and continued to improve as the season moved ahead. She said she wanted to thank her family, especially her grandma and grandpa Carol and Barry Elliott for never missing one of her games. Violet is a Midwest Members Credit Union Female Athlete of the Month for the Oilers. Bethany Billingsley is the head Oilers girls' volleyball coach. Violet was an All-Tourney selection in the East Alton-Wood River Invitational. The East Alton-Wood River junior has been playing volleyball since fourth grade and started playing club in middle school. "My favorite thing about volleyball is learning more to get better and being around friends on the court," she said. "Over the years volleyball helped me learn how to take accountability and to fight for something you want." At present, Violet has not decided on what college t
ALTON - The National Great Rivers Museum (NGRM) celebrated its 20th anniversary with a commemoration ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023. Attendees could enjoy activity booths, a panel discussion and tours of the Melvin Price Locks and Dam. Throughout the commemoration, members of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) reflected on the museum’s history as a visitor center and its role in connecting people to the river. “My team and our project oversees community outreach for 300 miles of the Mississippi River and the lower 80 of the Illinois,” said Allison Rhanor, Natural Resources Specialist with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and NGRM director. “This facility represents a multifaceted approach to river education. So whether your interest is in culture and history, or if you love art, or you’re into STEM, science and math — my job here and this facility’s job is to take whatever you’re interested in and make that connection to
This story was produced in partnership with the River City Journalism Fund. St. Louis City SC turned heads after a record-breaking five consecutive wins began its inaugural Major League Soccer season.
In the latest chapter of my laziness writing on the crazy escapades of anti-porn Republicans for Techdirt, I wish to introduce you to Ohio state Rep. Steve Demetriou, who represents Bainbridge Township. Rep. Demetriou introduced the Innocence Act, or House Bill (HB) 295, on October 11, 2023. I wrote about the bill over at AVN.com and […]
JERSEYVILLE - Father Marty Smith, the pastor of the Catholic Churches in Jersey County, is set to bring out his Vietnam War Era Mass Kit once again for a special Mass set for 4 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, at St. Francis Xavier Parish Church in Jerseyville. The Veteran's Day Mass is to honor local veterans. All veterans and families will be recognized with special patriotic music provided by the St. Francis Xavier Chancel Choir and St. Francis/Holy Ghost School Youth Chorus. On Saturday, Veterans Day, Father Marty will use a Vietnam Era Mass Kit used during the Vietnam War to Celebrate Holy Mass, Alex Foster, one of the coordinators, said. Foster said Father Marty always does a wonderful job during this service and it is especially gripping because he uses the Vietnam Era Mass Kit. He also said this particular Mass is something attendees look forward to each year and it is now an engrained tradition in the historic Catholic Church in Jerseyville. "The Veterans Day Mass has been
2023 Veteran of the Year Ron Flick was active with Post 41o5 and Old Town Florissant The 2023 Florissant Veteran of the Year Ron Finck was honored posthumously in ceremonies Sunday and the conclusion of the Veteran’s Day parade in Florissant. Ron was career Navy serving the United States for 27 years and retired as […]
stLouIST