Riverbender 🕸

GRANITE CITY - Lawson Kimble has been chosen as an Illinois Principals' Association Outstanding Student and Citizen Award recipient. Lawson joins fellow Granite City student Abbey Haddix as one of the award winners. LAWSON KIMBLE Kimble is the captain of the hockey and volleyball teams and vice-president of the International Thespian Society. He has participated in two spring plays produced by the high school, along with participating in multiple clubs and sports: Hobby Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Hockey Club, Renaissance, Saturday Scholars Program, Secondary Honors, and Student Council. Kimble will be taking a gap year to play Jr. Hockey with future plans to play NCAA Division 1 while studying pre-law. He is attending a hockey camp at Harvard and Dartmouth this summer. Kimble's ultimate goal is to play in the National Hockey League and practice either sports or entertainment law. Honors : Renaissance Top 10; Elks Student of the Month; Mr. Warrior; Illinois State

Continue Reading

GRANITE CITY – Granite City High School senior Abbey Haddix was chosen as the Illinois Principals’ Association Outstanding Student and Citizen Award recipient. Lawson Kimble of Granite City High School was also chosen. “Lawson and Abby represent the best of GCHS. Their leadership and work ethic have excelled in the school and community,” said GCHS Assistant Principal Chris Hutchings. “It is our privilege to celebrate these students on behalf of the Illinois Principals’ Association.” ABBEY HADDIX Haddix is the president of the National Honor Society and Fellowship of Christian Athletes, a three-year soccer player, and a member of the Renaissance Club. She is planning to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville to study political science and Spanish. Honors : Renaissance Top 10; Personal Choice Award; Illinois State Scholar; May Carousel Court; Secondary Honors. Parents : Don and Mary Haddix. More on Lawson is in another story

Continue Reading

ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County Police Crimes Against Persons detectives are currently investigating a child shot in the 2500 block of Harriet Walk which resulted in injury to a 3-year-old girl. On May 13, 2022, at approximately 8:17 AM, St. Louis County police officers from the Central County Precinct responded to a call for service for a shooting in the 2500 block of Harriet Walk. Officers located a child suffering from a non-life threatening gunshot wound. The victim was transported to an area hospital for treatment. Preliminary investigation has revealed the shooting appears to be accidental at this time. 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 incident. To remain anonymous or potentially receive a reward, please contact CrimeStoppers at 1-866-371-TIPS (8477)

Continue Reading

GRANITE CITY – After meeting with Illinois Department of Transportation, the construction contractor, and the local agency oversight group, Granite City Community Unit School District #9 announced that a section of Johnson Road will be closed at the culvert towards McDonalds beginning on Monday, May 16. Entrance for Central Christian Church will remain open for Frohardt drop off and pick up, and we are anticipating possible bus delays based upon the road restrictions.

Continue Reading

CDC is Reporting 23 Illinois Counties are Now Rated at Medium Level; Public Health Officials Stress Importance of Being Updated on Vaccinations and Boosters; Vulnerable People Should Exercise Caution in Indoor Spaces SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today reported 40,026 new confirmed and probable cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Illinois, including 45 deaths since May 6, 2022. According to the CDC, 23 counties in Illinois are now rated at the Medium Community Level, including 14 counties in the northern part of the state, eight in the central part and one in Southern Illinois. At the Medium Community Level, people at risk of severe health outcomes are advised to take additional precautions to protect themselves from the virus, including masking up in indoor spaces. Currently, IDPH is reporting a total of 3,209,341 cases, including 33,705 deaths, in 102 counties in Illinois since the beginning of the pandemic. As of last night,

Continue Reading

ALTON - The Haskell Playhouse is one of Alton’s treasures and many have invested their hearts to preserve it and make it a place that draws people from far and wide. Some hoodlums in the Alton area must have other ideas about the beautiful house, built for young Lucy Jane Haskell by her grandfather, John Hayner, a legendary financier, and philanthropist. Lucy died four years after the playhouse was given to her on her fifth birthday in 1885 in Alton. The playhouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 30, 1974. Multiple times since Blue Ribbon Lighting installed some beautiful lights at the playhouse for the night, vandals have damaged the display installed by Kyle Batson. Margaret Hopkins of Alton, speaking for the Playhouse, and other board members, are highly upset with the vandalism that has occurred at the playhouse. First, they want Alton Police to be able to catch who is responsible and stop the acts from happening. Hopkins urged anyone who sees

Continue Reading

CARROLLTON – The Illinois Department of Transportation announces intermittent lane closures of Illinois 108 between the west city limit and east city limit of Carrollton beginning on Monday, May 16, 2022, weather permitting. Two-way traffic will be maintained by the use of flaggers. IDOT said this work is needed to maintain the pavement and it should be completed by the end of May. Drivers are urged to reduce speed, be alert for changing conditions, obey all construction signage, and refrain from using mobile devices while approaching and traveling through the work zone. The contractor on this project is Keeley & Sons from E. St. Louis, Illinois. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on Twitter at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com .

Continue Reading

ALTON - Marquette Catholic has had a strong history in academic challenge competitions. This year, led by John Walters, the ACES squad placed 11th in the annual state competition. The Marquette Academic Challenge Team (ACES), formally known as WYSE, is a test-based competition where each team member is tested in two of the following subjects: Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Mathematics, Engineering Graphics, English, and Computer Science. Nina Walters and Breanna Gaither, finished fifth in Math and sixth in Chemistry, respectively, in the state competition. Shown in the first photo are, back row: Rodger Zawodniak, Nina Walters, Elizabeth Guenther, lsabel Silliman, Nathan Bennett, Peter Walsh, Drew Davis, Skylar Schuster, and Will Schwartz. Front row: Breanna Gaither, Marissa Statos, Kelsie Steib, Paige Masterson, Abigail Taylor, and Emma Bohannon. REGIONAL MEDAL WINNERS Back Row: Peter Walsh 2nd Biology, Will Schwartz 1st in Chemistry, Skylar Schuster 2nd in Chemistry, Dre Davis

Continue Reading

ALTON - Marquette Catholic's team of Adonnis Hopson, Noah Spencer, and Derrick Thomas placed third recently in the country in a national IDEATE Engineering Design competition. Their box folding device was designed to make the job easier for the workers at Project CU in St. Louis while also improving their self-esteem. Ten students, composing three teams from MCHS, participated in the IDEATE Engineering Competition. This is a nationwide competition that Marquette Catholic students started working on in October 2021, with the final project submission in February 2022. This is the fourth year Marquette Catholic's Intro to Engineering class has participated. Course instructor Michele Sands starts the process by touring the company that employs people with disabilities to understand their processes and challenges. "The reason I really enjoy this contest is the students apply their knowledge, create something of value, and see the impact they have first hand," Sands said. Team Tristar

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE - Recently, members of the Edwardsville Police Department presented a $1,680 check to the Glen-Ed Food Pantry. The donation was much appreciated by Glen-Ed Food Pantry officials. Most Edwardsville Police Department members are usually clean-cut, but those who donated to the Pantry were allowed to opt out of shaving for a three-month period. "These efforts are part of a larger program where members of the department raise funds for different charities," the police department said.

Continue Reading

Jalon J. Moore, 25, of Saint Louis, Mo., was sentenced on Thursday, May 12, 2022, to a total of 26 years in prison for a string of robberies he committed in the Metro East area. Moore will serve a three-year term of supervised release following his release from federal prison. Moore was also ordered to pay $132,961.74 in restitution to his victims. In January of 2022, Moore pled guilty to conspiracy to commit robberies with a firearm, armed robberies of Sprint in Fairview Heights, Illinois, and Marco’s Pizza in Collinsville, and armed bank robbery of GCS Credit Union in Collinsville, all of which occurred in March of 2019. Moore also pled guilty and was sentenced in the Eastern District of Missouri for five additional armed robberies of businesses in Saint Louis. According to court documents, Moore, Larry J. Rhines, and Garry Johnson, committed numerous “take over style” business robberies in the Metro East area between January and March of 2019. During these robberies,

Continue Reading

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that four projects have been recognized as “Projects of the Year” by the Illinois chapter of the American Public Works Association. “We’re proud to earn top honors for our efforts on behalf of this great state,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “Whether we are responding to disaster situations, expanding transportation options or enhancing access to historic sites, we take pride in the services we provide you, no matter how large or small the project.” The winners: The Kickapoo Rail Trail took honors as the top transportation project in the less than $5 million category for repurposing an abandoned 1,300-foot railroad bridge for recreational use near Vermilion County’s fairgrounds. Structure shoring to an Illinois 111 bridge in Washington Park won for emergency construction repair project of less than $5 million. After inspections revealed

Continue Reading

ST. LOUIS - The board of directors of Ameren Corporation (NYSE: AEE) today declared a quarterly cash dividend on its common stock of 59 cents per share. This dividend is payable on June 30, 2022, to shareholders of record at the close of business on June 8, 2022. Separately, the board of directors of Union Electric Company, doing business as Ameren Missouri, declared regular quarterly cash dividends on all classes of Union Electric Company's preferred stock. These preferred stock dividends are payable on Aug. 15, 2022, to shareholders of record at the close of business on July 22, 2022. In addition, the board of directors of Ameren Illinois Company declared regular quarterly cash dividends on all classes of Ameren Illinois Company's preferred stock. These preferred stock dividends are payable on Aug. 1, 2022, to shareholders of record at the close of business on July 11, 2022. About Ameren Corporation St. Louis-based Ameren Corporation powers the quality of life for 2.4 millio

Continue Reading

POCAHONTAS – The Illinois Department of Transportation announces lane restrictions will be encountered Monday, May 16, 2022, through Friday, May 20, 2022, on eastbound I-70 near Pocahontas. Weather permitting, the right lane eastbound over Shoal Creek will be closed from May 16 through May 18. Upon completion, the left lane eastbound over the East Fork of Shoal Creek will be closed through May 20. These restrictions are needed to perform deck patching on the bridge structures over Shoal Creek and the East Fork of Shoal Creek. IDOT District 8 Operations forces will make the needed improvements. Full access will be restored as soon as possible. Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. To avoid the work area, when feasible, use of alternate routes should be considered. 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 be alert

Continue Reading

ALTON - Flock Food Truck and Bar held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, May 11th. Alton mayor David Goins attended the ceremony and showed his support for the local business. Flock had their grand opening yesterday May 12th to great success. They had a good turnout on another near 100-degree day. Flock serves a variety of food from their different food truck vendors including Homestyle Grill, Pig on a Wing, Taqueria Los Reyes, Taylor’s Fire & Smoke, and Street Dogz to name a few. Jenna Forrest of Alton attended the opening and wanted to acknowledge the great food from Homestyle Grill in particular. They will be back again tonight (May 13) from 4:00 - 9:00 p.m. The bar at Flock serves its signature house-crafted cocktails and mocktails, beer, and wine. Tonight (May 13th) Flock will be having live music from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. The bar will be open from 4:00 - 10:00 p.m. Going forward, here are Flock Food Truck and Bar's hours: Monday and Thursday from 11:00 am-9:00

Continue Reading

STAUNTON - Dennis Russell, Madison’s Plant Superintendent, represented the SCTE Gateway Chapter at the annual Chapter Leadership Conference in Indianapolis on March 23rd and March 24th along with Hunter, and Todd Lancaster from Charter. The SCTE (Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers) is an international organization that is split up between 68 chapters. Dennis did an outstanding job representing Madison Communications and the SCTE Gateway Chapter in the Cable-Tec Games. He came home with several individual awards such as; 5 gold medals, one silver medal, along with winning best overall! The SCTE scores each chapter in many areas and tracks with a Compliance Matrix. Dennis developed a system to meet compliance by organizing and scheduling trainings, filling out all of the required paperwork, sending notifications, and compiling attendance. The Gateway Chapter was awarded the Chapter Compliance Award for having the most compliance points overall. This was a huge honor

Continue Reading

GODFREY – The RiverBend Growth Association recently welcomed two new members to its membership roster in the past month. Its newest members are Camp Electric and Engineering Inc. and Theodora Farms. Camp Electric and Engineering Inc. has new owners and a new direction. Jonathan and Stacey Wolff purchased the former Camp Electric and Heating Inc. and became its new owners at the start of 2022. They have launched a rebranding to reflect the new business and its forward direction. Jonathan Wolff, P.E., has over 18 years of electrical engineering experience including preconstruction engineering, project management, electrical estimating, and design/build engineering. Currently working in the industry as vice president, Stacey Wolff, P.E., is a professional civil engineer and a licensed land surveyor. Located at 3113 Washington Avenue in Alton, the company offers both commercial and residential services throughout the Riverbend and St. Louis Metro East regions currently. They are

Continue Reading

ALTON - The Three Rivers Project of Sierra Club Illinois is celebrating the success of a myriad of activities commemorating Earth Month! Over the past month, the Three Rivers Project partnered with several local businesses, environmental and conservation organizations, and the local Sierra Club group—the Piasa Palisades Group —to encourage action and participation in initiatives that focus on the urgent need for environmental justice, conservation, and climate solutions. These events and initiatives are made possible through the dedication of local volunteers, whose hard work as citizen scientists and environmental advocates aid in the protection and preservation of the beautiful Piasa Palisades region. “As a grassroots organization, volunteers are not only integral to the day-to-day work we do, but also help guide our vision for a cleaner, greener Illinois,” says Three Rivers Project co-Coordinator Christine Favilla. “The efforts of local volunteers

Continue Reading

COLLINSVILLE – Collinsville Firefighter Colin Fuhrmann was awarded the Medal of Valor by the Illinois State Fire Marshal for his actions taken on January 4, 2021. Facing mortal danger Firefighter Fuhrmann demonstrated courage and dedication despite the risk presented to him in order to take lifesaving actions for the resident of the home. Also recognized for their excellence and professionalism in service during the same fire was Firefighters Lieutenant Frank Arnold, Lieutenant Chris Castens, Firefighter David Badgett, Firefighter John Canull, Firefighter Eric Freeman, Firefighter Daniel Gulledge, Firefighter Justin Verner, and Firefighter Jim Wilderman, of the Collinsville Fire Department, who received the Firefighter Excellence Unit Citation Award. The recognition came as a result of the heroic action of a group of Collinsville Firefighters on January 4, 2021. At 11:57 p.m. the department received a call of a fire in an apartment. The shift on duty responded quickly to

Continue Reading

SPRINGFIELD, IL. - The Illinois Commerce Commission has approved a Stipulated Agreement to advance highway-rail crossing improvements projects in Marion County. The Agreements require Union Pacific Railroad Company (UP) to install new automatic warning devices at the Basom Road grade crossing, located near Salem, and the Currie Road grade crossing, located near Kinmundy. Alma Township is required to reconstruct the existing highway approach grades at both the Basom Road and Currie Road crossings. The estimated cost to install the new automatic warning devices at both crossings is $650,247. Stipulated Agreement 2170 authorizes the use of Grade Crossing Protection Funds to reimburse UP for up to 95%, not to exceed $617,735, of the costs to install the new automatic warning devices at the crossings. UP will be responsible for all remaining installation costs, as well as all future costs to maintain the new warning devices. The estimated cost to reconstruct the existing highway approach

Continue Reading