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ST. LOUIS - Looking for a tasty way to beat the summer heat? Look no further, as July happens to be National Ice Cream Month. In 1984, President Ronald Reagan deemed ice cream to be “the perfect dessert” and declared a month-long celebration of the delicious dairy treat. Thirty-seven years later, ice cream is still celebrated as a perfect companion to tackle summer heat. Whether it is an ice cream sundae after a long day at the pool, an ice cream sandwich at a ball game, or a few scoops in a bowl after a day in the office, the options to celebrate Ice Cream Month are endless. Did you know the average American consumes 23 pounds of dairy dessert each year? Ice cream has evolved over the years and includes many different treats and flavors, making it hard to choose just one. The classic tried-and-true vanilla flavor still holds the top spot when it comes to consumers’ favorite flavor. Vanilla ice cream’s ability to be incorporated into a variety of sweet

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DECATUR, IL. — The Millikin University men’s golf team recently announced its letter winners for the 2021-22 season. Letter winners are listed below. First Letter Freshman Ian Berndsen (Breese, Ill./Mater Dei H.S.) Junior Griffin Nyi (Pontiac, H.S.) Sophomore Carson Reynolds (Jonesboro, Anna Jonesboro) Second Letter Senior Trevor Britton (Wadsworth, College of Lake County) Senior Brandon Rowe (Oakwood, Oakwood H.S./Parkland College) Third Letter Senior Hunter Keith (Rossville, Bismarck Henning H.S.) Senior Jack Patterson (Alton, Marquette Catholic H.S.) Senior Max Phillips (Salem, H.S.) Senior Tyler Reitz (Lombard, Glenbard East H.S.)

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NASHVILLE - July 11, 2022 - Reba McEntire has announced a fall arena tour REBA: LIVE IN CONCERT , set to kick off October 13 in Lafayette, LA. With 35 No. 1 hits under her belt, the award-winning entertainer will deliver hit after hit during her “entertaining and flawlessly executed” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) live show. Presented by Live Nation, the 17-city tour will feature special guest Terri Clark across all shows. “I can’t wait to see everyone out on the road again this fall,” said Reba. “We had so much fun in the spring and I’m ready to get back out there with my buddy Terri Clark!” Tickets for REBA: LIVE IN CONCERT go on sale Friday, July 15 at 10 AM local time. Reba fans can access a special fan presale starting Tuesday, July 12 at 10 AM local time by signing up for Reba’s email list here . Fans must be signed up by 11:59 PM CT on Monday, July 11 in order to receive the presale code. The presale code will b

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SPRINGFIELD – Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs today announced the return of more than $45,000 to the American Cancer Society. The money came from two bank accounts belonging to Diane Koszyk of Elmwood Park, Illinois, and was turned over to the Illinois Treasurer’s Unclaimed Property Division after her death. Koszyk died in 2017, at age 78, in Seasons Hospice, which was then located at Weiss Memorial Hospital in Chicago. She had selected the American Cancer Society as beneficiary and co-beneficiary on savings and checking accounts with JPMorgan Chase & Co. The combined amount, plus interest, totaled $45,069 for the American Cancer Society. “We are honored to return these funds to the American Cancer Society and to carry out the wishes of Diane Koszyk,” Frerichs said. “While Diane passed away five years ago, her generosity lives on. Her gift will help the American Cancer Society as it pursues its mission to free the world from cancer.”

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ALTON - It's been nearly a year since the McDonald's on Broadway burned down to the ground, but it's back and better than before. That's right, as of 6 a.m. Monday, the busy location reopened. "We're here, again, and we're glad to be back," Dick Bold said. He's been an Owner/Operator with the McDonald's Corporation for about 30 years now and was present at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. "I mean it's been one delay after another," he said jokingly. He mentioned setbacks like only being sent two of the four a/c units needed as well as the gas meter showing up a little late. None of that matters now though as the restaurant, conveniently located where you first enter Alton, is re-open for business. "Finally we have got across the finish line. We are here, and we are back," Bold said to some applause. From there, Bold gave the floor to Alton's Mayor, David Goins. "I wasn't in office very long before I got the phone call from the fire chief that stated that the McDonald's was on fire

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ALTON - Work continues on the sewer project in and around downtown Alton. Here is another weekly update on road closures. Background: Work kicked off in February 2021 and will continue to progress until 2023. Work includes over six miles of sanitary sewer main is being installed in the Turner Tract, Shields Valley and Piasa Valley areas of Alton. When Illinois American Water acquired the Alton Regional Wastewater system the company made a commitment to address requirements set forth by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to remedy combined sewer overflows. The projects in Turner Tract and Shields Valley addressed 1.69 miles of sanitary sewer main. The work in Piasa Valley began in the spring of 2021. This project includes almost five miles of sanitary sewer main. Work is expected to continue for over two years. This does not mean work will occur in one area for 24 months, but rather, projects will continue to progress throughout neighborhoods during that time

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INGREDIENTS 4 pork chops bone-in or boneless (about 1-inch thick) 1 teaspoon Get-r-Smoked Smoked Paprika 1 teaspoon garlic powder Salt and fresh cracked black pepper to taste 2 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons Olive Oil Marketplace Portobello EVOO For the mushroom sauce 1 cup sliced brown mushrooms 4-5 garlic cloves crushed 1 teaspoon Get-r-Smoked Italian seasoning 1 1/2 cups heavy cream 1/2 cup chicken broth 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley Salt and pepper to taste INSTRUCTIONS Combine paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Pat the pork chops dry with kitchen paper then season generously with the spice mix. Heat olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium-high until butter is melted. Sear the pork chops for 3-5 minutes per side until well browned on both sides. Transfer the pork chops to a warm plate and set aside. In the same skillet, add the mushrooms and stir fry until golden

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ST. LOUIS - St. Louis County Police Crimes Against Persons detectives are investigating a homicide in the 300 block of Chambers Road in the City of Riverview which resulted in the death of an adult female. On July 10, 2022, at 5:02 PM, City of Riverview police officers responded to a call for service for a shooting in the 300 block of Chambers Road. Responding officers located an adult female suffering from an apparent gunshot injury. Officers attempted to render life saving treatment but the victim succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. City of Riverview police officers requested St. Louis County Police Department’s Crimes Against Persons detectives assume responsibility for the investigation. The investigation is very 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 with investigators if you have any information regarding this

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EAST ALTON - The old Olin headquarters now owned by Wieland Company on Shamrock Street in East Alton is in the demolition process. East Alton Mayor Darren Carlton said he understood some of those who expressed sadness about the old Olin administrative building demolition, but at the same time, he understood that times change. Alton's Abe Lee Barham, who worked for Olin Corporation over the years and in its prime, said it was "sad to see the demolition." He remembers when the Olin business in that vicinity once employed 2,000 people and he said it felt like a part of area history was being torn down piece by piece. "I came back here to the East Alton Police in 2015, and I remember they were getting rid of old chairs and furniture, etc. from the administrative building," Carlton said. "Times do change and sometimes old buildings get torn down and new ones go back up, that is just the way it is." Mayor Carlton grew up in East Alton and he said when he was a young man, business was boomin

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EDWARDSVILLE - Alton High junior runner Simon McClaine finished his season with a second-place in the 300-meter low hurdles at sectional and also competed at the state track and field meet in Charleston. Simon's progress this season was rated "phenomenal" by his head Redbird track coach Jeff White. McClaine got off to a good start for this season, finishing second in the 110-meter hurdles with a time of 17.00 seconds at the Southern Illinois Relays meet on March 25 at the Winston Brown Track Center in Edwardsville. After that, McClaine ran 15.93 seconds at the Winston Brown Invitational at Edwardsville on Apr. 23, and on May 11 at the Southwestern Conference meet, also in Edwardsville, he had a time of 15.64 seconds, coming in second. McClaine climaxed his season by qualifying in the 300-meter hurdles in the IHSA Class 3A sectional, finishing second at 40.91 seconds. For all of his efforts on the track during the season, McClaine was selected as an Auto Butler male Athlete of the Mont

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ALTON - These are aftermath photos of the building collapse at 619 E. Broadway in Alton. The back wall of the structure of that address fell around noon on Saturday. Alton Fire Department Battalion Chief Tom House recommends that people stay away from the area because it is unsafe and yellow caution tape surrounds it. House said a homeless man apparently had been near the building when it collapsed, but thankfully was unhurt.

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BETHALTO - The Bethalto Police Department provided an update after its June 21, 2022, post on Facebook and on Riverbender.com and thanked the public for charges being issued against an East Alton man. Bethalto Police said Friday a Felony Retail Theft charge and warrant were issued in Madison County Circuit Court against: DAVID G. STONE M/W AGE 34 400 BLOCK OF COBB ST. EAST ALTON, IL. "The charge was issued in connection with our June 21, 2022, post related to an attempted theft of a lawn mower from an area business," the Bethalto Police said. "After making the post we received information that ultimately led to the issuance of the charge/warrant. We want to thank our Facebook viewers and followers as usual, as you’ve helped us solve several cases over the past couple of years. We greatly appreciate the region's support of local law enforcement, and your willingness to help us keep our community safe. "Mr. Stone, you’re free to turn yourself in at the

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CARLINVILLE - Some of the fascinating women of Illinois history will be the topic of a free discussion at the Mississippi Valley Library District in Collinsville on Tuesday, July 12 at 6 p.m. “Notable Women of Illinois History” will be presented by Tom Emery and is based on his 2018 book of the same title. Emery is a freelance writer and historical researcher from Carlinville who has earned fifteen awards from the Illinois State Historical Society. An experienced speaker and public-address announcer, Emery has lectured across the region on his research. He is known for his informal presentations, which encourage audience participation. The program covers the remarkable lives of some of the most influential women throughout the history of Illinois. Such luminaries as Jane Addams, Mother Bickerdyke, Mary Todd Lincoln, Frances Willard, and Gwendolyn Brooks are included, as well as other leading women of Illinois politics, social movements, and literature. The program

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EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville High School wrestler Dylan Gvillo, one of the Tigers' most accomplished wrestlers in his four years with the program, has signed a letter of intent to attend Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. Gvillo, who finished second in the state at 132 pounds in 2021, felt that going to Northern to continue his wrestling career was a step in the right direction for him. For her efforts at EHS, Gvillo is an iCAN Clinic Male Athlete of the Month for the Tigers. "I think it's a step in the right direction," Gvillo said in a post-ceremony interview. "I think their facilities and their coaching staff, along with their past-proven ability is a huge reason for me going there." The Huskies are a part of the Mid-American Conference, along with SIU-Edwardsville, for whom another Tiger wrestler, Jorden Johnson, signed with earlier in the day. It's a very good wrestling conference that Gvillo's looking forward to competing in. "I think it's a pretty solid conference," Gvillo

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Illinois Federation of Business Women (IFBW) Metro East awarded the Lena Stanley Scholarship to several local students in the Metro-East area. A total of five scholarships in the amount of $1,000 each were awarded to young women in the Edwardsville School District who met certain criteria of academic excellence. The scholarship winners included previous scholarship recipient Olivia Mullosi, as well as new recipients Olivia Jackson from Father-McGivney High School and Josephine “Josie” Cleveland-O’Day, Emilie Fry and Abigail Law, all from Edwardsville High School. Carol Frisse, a secretary with IFBW-Metro East, said scholarship recipients must be in the top 25% of their graduating class, agree to attend a college or university after graduation and reside within the Edwardsville school district area. Frisse said it was difficult to narrow down this year’s list of applicants. “The applicants were so great, it was hard to select from

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GRANITE CITY - Jessica Mefford-Miller, a 1998 graduate of Granite City High School, has always been an innovative and connected leader, working four years as Executive Director of the Metro Development Agency, the provider for public transportation in St. Louis. Recently, Mefford-Miller was named the Chief Executive Officer of the Valley Metro Public Transportation Authority in Phoenix, Ariz., where she oversees the entire public transportation system in the city and suburbs of the Valley of the Sun. It's a big job overseeing the entire public transport system, especially in a fast-developing metro area such as Phoenix and it's a job she's tackling head on. "I am loving my new role and it is, I think, a really natural progression for my career for me," Mefford-Miller said in a recent video interview on the Granite City Community Unit District 9's YouTube channel. "I have been working in transportation the last 20 years, since I finished my undergraduate degree from Southern Illinois

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EDWARDSVILLE – Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Department of Theater and Dance will present “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” in the Dunham Hall Theater at 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, July 15-16 and 22-23, and 2 p.m. Sundays, July 17 and 24. Told entirely through song with the help of a main character Narrator, the musical “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” follows preferred son Joseph in the reimagining of the Biblical story of Joseph, his father Jacob, 11brothers and the coat of many colors. After being sold into slavery by his brothers, Joseph ingratiates himself with Egyptian noble Potiphar, but ends up in jail after refusing the amorous advances of Potiphar's wife. While imprisoned, Joseph discovers his ability to interpret dreams, and he soon finds himself in front of the mighty but troubled, Elvis-inspired, Pharaoh. Joseph's solution to Egypt’s famine elevates him to Pharaoh's right-hand man and reunite

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ST. LOUIS — The American Red Cross and Discovery are partnering for Shark Week and invite people to dive in to help save lives by giving blood or platelets in July. The Red Cross saw a steep drop in blood and platelet donations last month, and donors are asked to make appointments now to prevent a blood shortage this summer. In June, the Red Cross collected approximately 12% fewer blood donations than needed – one of the largest monthly blood donation shortfalls in recent years. Here in the Missouri and Arkansas Region, 1,451 fewer donations were made than expected. When less people answer the call to donate, the blood supply shrinks – and that could mean blood products aren’t ready for hospital staff to reach for in emergencies. Thanks to Discovery, all who come to give blood or platelets in July will automatically be entered for a chance to win an exclusive Shark Week merchandise package that includes: Beach bike Smokeless portable fire pit Paddle board

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BELLEVILLE – Illinois American Water spent more than $65 million with diverse suppliers to conduct business in 2021. The diverse suppliers and businesses consist of minority-owned, women-owned, veteran-owned and small-business enterprises. In 2021, over 28% of the company’s spend was spent with diverse vendors detailed in the company’s annual report to the Illinois Commerce Commission, which regulates the state’s public utilities. Jennifer Morrison, Program Director of Supplier Diversity for Illinois American Water, said, “Our company’s efforts are growing and expanding across Illinois. We know the importance of having diverse individuals on our team and that extends to our external partners.” Illinois American Water partners with over 179 certified diverse suppliers, including 14 new suppliers the company added in 2021. The company increased its total diverse spend by 13% in 2021 and approximately $46 million was spent with Illinois based

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ALTON - Alton Fire Department responded at 12:20 p.m. Saturday to a 911 call of a collapsed building at 619 E. Broadway in Alton. Alton Fire Department Battalion Chief Tom House said the back of the structure collapsed. "The whole back wall collapsed," he added. "There apparently was a homeless person somewhere near the structure, but he was unharmed. No one was injured in the incident." The Alton Fire Department cleaned the area best they could and again replaced the caution tape around the area. House said it will now become an issue for the owner and other city staff. The building is next to the Jacoby Arts Center. House recommended that residents stay away from the area.

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