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Did you know that water play not only entertains children but also significantly boosts their cognitive development and motor skills? Studies have shown that interactive water activities can enhance sensory experiences, improve hand-eye coordination, and foster creativity. Designing a DIY outdoor water play area offers a fantastic opportunity to blend fun with learning, all within the comfort of your own backyard. Understanding the Benefits of Water Play Water play is more than just splashing around. It encourages problem-solving as children experiment with pouring, measuring, and transferring water between containers. It also introduces basic scientific concepts such as volume, flow, and buoyancy in a hands-on environment. Moreover, water play encourages social interaction and cooperative play, which are vital for emotional and social development. Planning Your Water Play Area: Space and Safety Before gathering materials, assess the available outdoor space. The area should be flat

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August 14 marks a day rich with moments that have shaped history across the globe. On August 14, 1948, the Berlin Airlift was in full swing as Allied forces continued their extraordinary effort to supply West Berlin by air amid the Soviet blockade. After World War II, Germany was divided into four occupation zones controlled by the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and the Soviet Union. The city of Berlin, deep inside Soviet-controlled territory, was similarly divided. In June 1948, the Soviets blocked all ground access to West Berlin, hoping to force the Allies out of the city. Faced with the prospect of abandoning West Berlin’s 2 million residents to Soviet control, the United States and its allies launched the Berlin Airlift—an unprecedented operation that involved flying thousands of tons of food, fuel, and supplies daily into the city. By August, the operation had reached a remarkable pace, with planes landing every few minutes. This massive logistical feat

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Today's Weather: High 87, low 68. Mostly sunny with some clouds today. It's humid with a gentle east wind around 5 mph. The feels like temperature could get close to 98 degrees at the warmest point this afternoon, so dress comfortably and stay hydrated. Allergy index shows moderate ragweed pollen levels, so allergy sufferers should be prepared. Mold, grass, and tree pollen are all low, and air quality is good. Tomorrow's outlook: High near 93, low 70. Expect mostly sunny skies with hot and humid conditions under a mostly clear sky at night. The heat will pick up, so take it easy if you plan to be outdoors. The UV index will be very high, so don't forget sunscreen. For the latest updates, visit https://riverbender.com/weather .

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SWANSEA, Ill. — On August 9, 2025, at approximately 6:30 p.m., Swansea Police responded to a business in the 4500 block of North Illinois Street following a report of a subject removal related to a domestic disturbance. Officers discovered that the incident involved two family members and that the suspect, identified as Napoleon Mond, had brandished a firearm during the altercation. Witnesses reported that Mond shoved the firearm into the victim’s face, causing the victim to fall to the ground, and then pointed the weapon at the victim’s face as he left the scene. Mond fled before police arrived. A search warrant was obtained for Mond’s residence, and on August 12, 2025, Swansea officers and detectives, with assistance from the St. Clair County Drug Tactical Unit, executed the warrant. Mond was found inside the home and taken into custody without incident. Multiple firearms were recovered during the search. The Swansea Investigations Unit submitted the

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MADISON AND ST. CLAIR COUNTIES — A severe storm that swept through Madison and St. Clair counties on Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 12, 2025, left nearly 10,800 Ameren Illinois customers without power, with outages peaking around 3:30 p.m. in communities including East Alton, Wood River, Granite City, and a portion of St. Clair County. Ameren Illinois crews worked feverishly from the very start and by 4:45 p.m. on Tuesday, had rerouted power to nearly all affected customers in St. Clair County, reducing outages there from 2,868 to just 26. The utility was able to isolate the problem and control the affected lines, allowing many residents to regain electricity within a few hours. The storm, characterized by intense lightning and thunder, began impacting the area around 2 p.m. Tuesday, initially causing outages in Wood River and East Alton. East Alton experienced the most significant impact, with roughly 4,000 out along Old St. Louis Road. Wood River and nearby areas reported outages

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul issued the following statement after the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California granted a preliminary injunction finding that Illinois and a coalition of states were likely to succeed on their claim that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) decision to provide the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with unfettered access to individual personally-identifying information violates the Administrative Procedure Act’s prohibition on arbitrary and capricious rulemaking. DHS houses Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The preliminary injunction blocks DHS from using the plaintiff states’ Medicaid data for immigration enforcement purposes. It also blocks HHS from sharing that Medicaid data with DHS for immigration enforcement purposes. The preliminary injunction will remain in place until 14 days after HHS and DHS complete a reasoned decision-making process that complies with

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GLEN CARBON – Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois will host the 7th annual United We Lead Gala on Friday, September 12, 2025 at The Leclaire Room in Edwardsville, IL. The United We Lead Gala, themed “Building a Sweeter Future” in 2025, is the premier fundraising event for Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois that brings together a wide range of people who share the same desire – to be a difference in girls’ lives. “We are thrilled to once again host the United We Lead Gala on September 12,” said Heidi Koehl Weaver, Director of Development for Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois. “Our mission aims to ensure that all girls – regardless of any socioeconomic barriers – have the opportunity to discover their strengths and rise to meet new challenges. It’s how they become leaders - but they need our support. This is why they need Girl Scouts.” We are honored to celebrate Agency for Community Transit (ACT) with the Distinguished

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SPRINGFIELD — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) welcomed House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) to the Springfield Urban League to highlight growing concerns about federal budget cuts and eligibility requirements that would threaten access to essential social service programs, such as Head Start and SNAP. The members met with local families and educators to hear firsthand how these cuts could jeopardize the greater community. “Today, Leader Jeffries had the chance to visit Springfield and meet with the resilient, hardworking people who make this community so special. We heard directly from families in Springfield who depend on programs like Head Start and SNAP – programs that are essential investments in our children’s future. But right now, those programs are under serious threat,” said Congresswoman Budzinski . “The President’s inadequate funding request for Head Start, combined with harmful

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SPRINGFIELD - Today, Governor JB Pritzker joined state legislators and stakeholders to sign SB 1953, also known as Sonya Massey’s Bill. The law will revise police hiring procedures across Illinois, requiring agencies to comprehensively review an applicant’s employment history—including detailed employment records—before making a job offer. The legislation aims to increase policy accountability across the state and prevent future tragedies such as the killing of Sonya Massey . “When Sonya Massey feared for her safety, she did what anyone would do — she called law enforcement for help. Communities should be able to trust that when they call the police to their home, the responding officer will be well-trained and without a history of bias or misconduct,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Today, I sign Sonya Massey’s Bill to help prevent these tragedies, to better equip law enforcement to keep our communities safe, and to continue working

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ALTON – Three individuals from around the Riverbend and beyond face felony charges of burglary in separate but similar cases filed throughout Madison County. Christopher C. McBride, 49, of Alton, was charged on Aug. 7, 2025 with a Class 3 felony count of attempted burglary. On July 29, 2025, McBride allegedly threw a brick at the glass door of the Circle gas station at 911 College Ave. in Alton with the intention of entering the premises unlawfully and committing a theft, according to charging documents. The Alton Police Department presented the case against McBride, who was granted pretrial release from custody. In a separate case also filed Aug. 7, 2025, 58-year-old Randal L. Mamino of South Roxana was charged with four counts of burglary, each Class 2 felonies, stemming from a string of alleged burglaries that took place from July 27 to Aug. 5, 2025. On July 27, Mamino reportedly unlawfully entered an individual’s shed with the intent to commit a theft. On Aug. 4

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BETHALTO - Roma’s Pizza will be hosting the 2nd annual “Dine to Donate” fundraiser benefitting Madison County Catholic Charities on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Mention Madison County Catholic Charities or show the flyer at checkout and we earn 10% of sales. Roma’s Pizza is located at 121 E Bethalto Dr in Bethalto, IL. “We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of our community for over 70 years now. Support a great cause and join us at Roma’s for some of the best pizza in the Midwest,” said Area Director Denise Burton. Proceeds from the Dine to Donate event will go towards supporting our programs, including Professional Counseling Solutions, MedAssist, Guardian Angel Food Pantry, Mobile Food Pantry, Homeless Prevention, Transportation and Identification assistance, and Legal Services. Since 1941, Catholic Charities has provided services in Madison, Bond, Jersey, and Calhoun counties, with offices in Alto

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O'FALLON - O'Fallon Community Consolidated School District #90 is nearing completion of playground renovation projects across its elementary schools, with updated play areas expected to be ready for student use at the start of the 2025 school year. The district announced the progress on Aug. 11, 2025, noting that while frequent rain and unforeseen site work caused some delays, construction crews have been working diligently to complete the improvements. At Evans Elementary, the playground will be ready for use on the first day of school. Sod installation around the upper playground is scheduled for Saturday, with fencing and final cleanup, including asphalt sweeping, to follow. Hinchcliffe Elementary’s playground is also on track to open with the new school year, with final cleanup efforts focused on asphalt sweeping. Estelle Kampmeyer Elementary will have its playground ready as well, with asphalt work on the walking path expected to be finished soon and a four-foot fence

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CHICAGO — If you played Lucky Day Lotto yesterday, you might want to check your ticket – that’s because you could be $400,000 richer! One lucky player matched all five numbers in the Tuesday, August 12 evening drawing to win the game’s $400,000 jackpot. The winning numbers were: 3-4-6-8-41. The winning ticket was purchased at Walker Liquor , located at 12255 Walker Rd. in Lemont, a southwest suburb of Chicago. For selling the winning Lucky Day Lotto ticket, the store will receive a bonus of 1% of the prize amount, or $4,000. In total, nearly 19,000 winning tickets were sold in the Tuesday evening Lucky Day Lotto drawing. Winners have one year from the draw date to claim their prize. The Illinois Lottery encourages all lucky winners to sign the back of their ticket and store it in a safe place until they are ready to claim their prize. Lucky Day Lotto is an Illinois-only draw game with two daily drawings at 12:40 p.m. and 9:22 p.m., and jackpots starting

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FAIRMONT CITY – In August, Revity Credit Union employees came together to raise $1,405.00 for The Latino Roundtable through the Revity Threads of Kindness Program. This program, funded by employees, allows Revity Credit Union staff to embody the credit union's philosophy of people helping people. By contributing a monthly monetary donation to a local organization, employees can enjoy wearing jeans and tennis shoes on Fridays and Saturdays throughout that month. In 2025, Revity Credit Union is committed to impactful giving and community support, weaving kindness into the fabric of our daily lives and ensuring that every “jeans day” makes a difference. The Latino Roundtable was nominated as the recipient of our August Threads of Kindness donation, receiving $1,405.00 that will support their efforts to serve the Latino communities across several Illinois counties, including Bond, Clinton, Madison, Monroe, Randolph, St. Clair, and Washington. The Latino Roundtable,

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GLEN CARBON - The Village of Glen Carbon is excited to announce the first-ever “ Chalk This Way” Chalk Walk, set to transform Schon Park into a vibrant outdoor art gallery. This community event will take place on Sat. Sept. 20 from 10 am – 2 pm offering residents and visitors an opportunity to celebrate creativity, enjoy music, and savor delicious food. Artists of all ages and skill levels are invited to bring their imaginations to life on the park’s sidewalks, creating original, family-friendly chalk art. Categories will be based on school levels, with prizes awarded to top works in each group. All artwork subjects must be pre-approved to ensure the event remains appropriate for all audiences. “Chalk This Way” will also feature food trucks, craft vendors, and a DJ, making it a perfect day for families and friends to gather. “We’re thrilled to host an event that blends creativity, community, and fun in one of Glen Carbon’s

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HIGHLAND — Jennifer (Isaak) Korte, a Republican, has declared her candidacy to represent County Board District 1 in Highland. This district is currently served by Fred Michael, who has decided to not seek reelection. “I want to thank Fred for his service on the county board. He has been a conscientious voice for Highland,” stated Korte. Korte’s campaign is focused on fiscal responsibility, economic development and transparency. “I understand the need for funding services, while evaluating programs that are less effective,” said Korte. “Madison County deserves leadership that is fiscally responsible, listens, acts and leads with integrity.” Korte has her Master’s Degree in Social work and has been a strong community advocate for senior citizens, people who are disabled, children and small businesses. Korte was appointed to the Madison County Mental Health Board in 2023 and was recently appointed as the Vice President of th

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EAST ST. LOUIS – A district judge sentenced a Centralia man to 204 months of federal imprisonment after he admitted to distributing pound quantities of meth and fentanyl. Jackie T. Scanlan, 54, pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances: meth and fentanyl and one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance: meth. “This career offender built a life around selling dangerous narcotics and has a criminal history spanning over three decades of drug distribution,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “While he continued to make poor decisions following previous stints of incarceration, Scanlan’s 17-year federal prison sentence will help to protect the public from any further crimes.” According to court documents, law enforcement began investigating Scanlan for distributing meth and fentanyl from a motel room in February 2024. Initially, agents recovered 79 grams of meth, 2

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PACIFIC OCEAN — Aviation Electronics Technician Airman Apprentice Zachary Raymond, a native of Collinsville, performed maintenance on a stores management upgrade system aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) on Friday, Aug. 8, 2025. The maintenance work supports the operational readiness of the ship during its routine training operations in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations. The USS Abraham Lincoln, a Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and the flagship of Carrier Strike Group Three, is currently conducting training exercises under the command of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. The fleet oversees naval forces in the Indo-Pacific region, with the 3rd Fleet focusing on realistic and relevant training to ensure readiness across a broad spectrum of military operations, Navy officials said. Named after the 16th U.S. president, the USS Abraham Lincoln is the fifth ship in the Nimitz class and serves as a floating airfield capable of launching multiple aircraft

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EDWARDSVILLE - A local organization will host their annual "Shop the Town Pink Sip and Shop" vendor and craft fair to raise money for cancer patients. Stridin’ and Survivin’ supports cancer research and patient services at local cancer centers. From 1–4:30 p.m. on Oct. 5, 2025, at the Edwardsville Knights of Columbus Hall, community members can shop local vendors, enjoy signature drinks, and support the organization’s cause. Stridin’ and Survivin’ encourages people to save the date and reach out about becoming a vendor. “We are definitely looking for some more vendors,” said Alice Bartels with Stridin’ and Survivin’. “We have a nice base, but we could always use more, and we just need our community to come out and support all these vendors and enjoy the day.” Bartels said attendees can expect “vendors and crafters of all types,” including Mary Kay vendors, Christmas crafts, permanent jewelry

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VIRDEN - Macoupin County Coroner Anthony Kravanya pronounced 16-year-old Nolan C. Kiel dead at the scene of a farm implement accident Tuesday morning, Aug. 12, 2025, in Virden, Illinois. The incident occurred on Virden Road at approximately 11:56 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025. Kiel, a Virden resident, was operating the farm equipment when the accident took place, the coroner said. Emergency responders from the Virden Fire Department, Virden Police Department, Prairieland Ambulance Service, Girard Fire Department, Auburn Fire Department, and the Macoupin County Sheriff’s Department responded to the scene. An autopsy conducted on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025, revealed preliminary findings indicating that Kiel died from asphyxiation, the coroner said. Kiel was a North Mac High School student, and a candlelight vigil was scheduled at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025, at North Mac in his memory. The North Mac School District described Kiel as having a "positive attitude" and that

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