Riverbender 🕸

ALTON - Centerstone offers several treatment options for mental health and substance use disorders, including medication-assisted treatment (MAT). When engaging in MAT, the client takes a medication — Vivitrol, Suboxone or methadone — with the goal of preventing an opiate relapse. The medication curbs cravings and “retrains the brain” to minimize the individual’s desire for an illicit substance, explained clinical coordinator Ellyn Lowry. MAT is available at Centerstone’s Alton location at 2615 Edwards Street. “MAT, medication-assisted treatment, has a bias associated with it. But it has really been instrumental in saving lives,” Lowry said. “At the end of the day, that’s what we’re shooting for. We all have the ability to make changes in our lives if we still are breathing. And if a medication can assist a person’s process in doing that, then the sky’s the limit.” Lowry noted that some people

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BETHALTO — Megan Griffin delivered a standout performance for Civic Memorial High School’s girls softball team during the 2025 season, excelling both as a pitcher and a hitter. Griffin finished the season with a 9-10 pitching record and a 3.55 earned run average. At the plate, she batted .345, accumulating 30 hits and driving in eight runs. Her contributions earned her recognition as the Tom Lane State Farm Insurance Female Athlete of the Month. Raigen Schwartz, Civic Memorial’s girls softball coach, praised Griffin’s endurance and versatility. “She is a pitcher with a lot of stamina who could pitch all seven innings,” Schwartz said. “She is also good at the plate and very good on the bases. She is very base smart.” In addition to softball, Griffin was a solid volleyball player for the Eagles, demonstrating her athletic ability across multiple sports.

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BELLEVILLE - The St. Clair County Transit District (SCCTD) is pleased to welcome Brandon Snyder of O’ Fallon, Ill., as its summer intern. During his time with the transit district, Snyder will gain hands-on experience in the transit industry, assisting with various MetroBikeLink trail projects, gathering research data and working on various other initiatives. Snyder is a senior at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, working toward a master’s degree in urban planning. He is in the Fine and Applied Arts Honors Program and is a James Scholar. In addition to his academic pursuits, he serves as a founding member and treasurer of the Disabilities United Urbana-Champaign (DUUC), is a member of the university’s Student Planning Organization, and works as a senior student assistant at the UIUC Map Library, leading projects to monitor and update internal information about library catalogs. “Brandon brings a great deal of talent and a sharp mind to this

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CARBONDALE — The FBI Springfield Field Office is seeking information in connection with the defacement of the Senator Paul Simon Federal Building in Carbondale, which occurred on the evening of June 10, 2025. The federal building, located at 250 West Cherry Street in Carbondale, was vandalized, prompting an ongoing investigation. As part of the inquiry, the FBI is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the unknown suspect responsible for the defacement. Authorities have released an image of the suspect and are encouraging anyone with relevant information to come forward. “There are bright lines separating where speech ends and criminal conduct begins. Those who committed this targeted vandalism to federal property will be pursued and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “Our system protects good faith expressions of ideas and opinions, but it abhors lawlessness

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ROXANA — Ava Cherry, a versatile athlete for the Roxana Shells, has made significant contributions across softball, basketball, and volleyball during the 2025 season and is set to return for the 2026 season. Standing 5-foot-6, Cherry emerged as one of Roxana’s top hitters this year, highlighted by a standout performance in which she hit two home runs in a single game. In addition to her softball achievements, she plays as a guard for the Roxana basketball team and has been an important player in volleyball. Cherry’s efforts have earned her recognition as the Midwest Members Credit Union Female Athlete of the Month. Roxana’s head girls softball coach, Pat Brannon, praised her work ethic and impact on the team. “She has put in a lot of work and had a strong season,” Brannon said. “She got in the swing of things and it took off for her. She is a very valuable player.”

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ALTON - A local BJC volunteer works with people in hospice care so they have a friend in their final days. Kathy Barrow never anticipated that she would volunteer with hospice patients. In fact, when a nurse asked her to sit with a patient in the past, the idea “kind of freaked out.” But after losing her mother and hearing about the hospice program, Barrow felt that God was telling her to give it a try. Now, she visits with a hospice patient every week and makes memory teddy bears for grieving families. “To help someone else, that’s what it’s all about, really,” she said. “I try to spend an hour . That’s not much out of a week for someone who’s on their way out of this world.” Barrow joked that she has “gotten really lazy” since retiring nine years ago, and she thought volunteering would give her something to do. It quickly became more personal as she met her patient and got to know his past, hobbies

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BENTON – A Southern Illinois jury found a Du Quoin man guilty of possessing a firearm as a felon in Franklin County. A jury convicted Marcus T. Moore, 42, of one count of felon in possession of a firearm. “To help protect the public and keep guns away from dangerous individuals, convicted felons lose the right to legally possess firearms. As this case demonstrates, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work to hold repeat criminal offenders accountable,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. According to court documents, a Sesser police officer initiated a traffic stop on Moore’s vehicle on Sept. 10, 2023. After Moore failed a field sobriety test, he fled on foot as officers attempted to take him into custody. He was apprehended after being tased, and a firearm was discovered secured to his ankle. Moore had a prior federal conviction from 2007, which prohibited him from legally possessing a firearm. Moore was on federal supervised release at

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) excoriated Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth for deploying American servicemembers to police and intimidate their fellow Americans in our nation’s communities, something that actively undermines the Secretary’s own self-proclaimed goal of strengthening our military’s warfighting capabilities and protecting Americans from real foreign threats. Duckworth underscored how misusing our military for domestic law enforcement matters diverts taxpayer dollars and our Armed Forces’ attention away from the combat training that servicemembers need to face foreign enemies abroad. Duckworth’s remarks can be found on the Senator’s YouTube . “The unjustified, un-American misuse of the military in American cities pulls resources and attention away from our Armed Forces’ core missions to the detriment of the country, the warfighters and, yes, even the warfighting that

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DeKALB, Ill. - Northern Illinois University announces its spring 2025 Dean's List students. To earn this distinction, students must meet a minimum semester grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale in the College of Engineering and Engineering Technology or a minimum of 3.75 on a 4.0 scale in the colleges of Business, Education, Health and Human Sciences, Liberal Arts and Sciences, and Visual and Performing Arts. Students from the Riverbend area who achieved this honor include: Rylie Dodd, of Glen Carbon, IL , who is majoring in Health Sciences-General. Dodd is a graduate of Edwardsville Senior High School. About Northern Illinois University Northern Illinois University is a student-centered, nationally recognized public research university with a global network of nearly 260,000 alumni. With expertise that benefits its region, the country and the world, NIU offers more than 170 bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs across seven colleges: Business, Education, Engineerin

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ALTON - Alton Memorial Hospital is celebrating 618 Day with its newest residents. Meet Hayes, Lena and Ezra who were all born – happy and healthy - at Alton Memorial. Alton Memorial’s Women’s Health & Childbirth Center has been delivering babies for more than 65 years. Combining the comforts of home and family with modern technology, Alton Memorial strives to meet the needs for an excellent and safe welcome for the newest family member. Staff at Alton Memorial’s Women's Health and Childbirth Center are committed to providing an optimal level of care for infant feeding and mother/baby bonding through our affiliation with Baby Friendly, USA. All staff have received extensive training in the most current mother-baby care, bonding, and infant feeding recommendations and practices to help parents meet their goals. More on the Birth Center can be found here: Women’s Health and Childbirth Center at Alton Memorial Hospital in Alton, Illinois .

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HAMDEN, Conn. - Aidan Truckenbrod of Edwardsville, IL received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations from Quinnipiac University during a commencement ceremony held in May. About Quinnipiac University Quinnipiac is a private, coeducational institution located 90 minutes north of New York City and two hours from Boston. The university enrolls 9,400 students in 110 degree programs through its Schools of Business, Communications, Education, Computing and Engineering, Health Sciences, Law, Medicine, Nursing and the College of Arts & Sciences. Quinnipiac is ranked among the top 100 in The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse "2025 Best Colleges in the U.S." and is also recognized by U.S. News & World Report and The Princeton Review's "The Best 388 Colleges." The university is expanding innovative programs for both traditional and adult learners, developing dynamic corporate partnerships, and is completing a significant capital expansion on its

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced today he and 21 attorneys general submitted four joint comment letters opposing the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) proposal to roll back regulations implementing civil rights laws that protect Americans from discrimination. In the letters , Raoul and the coalition explain these regulations are critical to protecting against sex discrimination, disability discrimination, race and national-origin discrimination, among other forms of discrimination. The letters explain the unlawful rollbacks would strip away Americans’ rights to equal access, protection from discrimination and federal accountability – undermining decades of civil rights progress. “These laws have long served as the bedrock of equity, ensuring all Americans have access to education, health care, housing and other federally funded programs,” Raoul said. “I will continue to stand with fellow attorneys general to push back on an

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — A 19-year-old O’Fallon, Illinois, man has been charged with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death and leaving the scene of an accident following a fatal crash on June 13, 2025, St. Louis County Police authorities said. St. Louis County police officers from the City of Jennings Precinct responded to a call just before 4 p.m. on June 13, 2025, for service for a pedestrian struck on Highway 367 near Jennings Station Road. Brayan Medel, of the 1800 block of Crestview Drive, was charged Saturday, June 14, 2025, by the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office in connection with a collision on Lewis and Clark Boulevard just north of Jennings Station Road. The incident involved Medel striking a pedestrian and subsequently hitting a van before fleeing the scene, according to the probable cause statement. The pedestrian, identified as 68-year-old Steve Lockhart of the 9400 block of Pickford Place in Jennings, Mo., died as a result

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ALTON - At approximately 9:30 p.m. on June 14, 2025, three individuals were reported in the water south of Island 522 on the Mississippi River, prompting a multi-agency rescue and recovery operation. Two of the three individuals resurfaced and swam to shore on a nearby island downstream from the incident location. The third individual, described as a 20-year-old male, 6 feet 7 inches tall and wearing pink swim trunks without a life jacket, did not resurface. Search operations began immediately upon the arrival of rescue personnel. The operation started at 7 a.m. on Sunday, June 15, 2025, and has continued this week. Multiple agencies have assisted, including Rivers Pointe Fire Protection District, QEM Fire Protection District, the Illinois Department of Conservation, and several civilian boats. The Orchard Farm Fire Protection District, along with Missouri State Highway Patrol, St. Charles City Fire Department, Central County Fire and Rescue, and other agencies, responded to the

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EDWARDSVILLE – Plans for a pair of new parks in Edwardsville are moving forward with unanimous City Council approval. Aldermen on Tuesday approved a $58,000 agreement with TWM Inc. to prepare plans for two new parks in the city – one on Benton Street and another on the corner of Governors’ Parkway and Gerber Road. Benton Street Park will serve as a small “pocket park” at the intersection of Benton Street and Park Street, according to the agreement between the city and TWM. The park will include a swing set, sidewalk and small climbing features. Plans for “Gerber Park” include an 8-foot-wide shared use path spanning approximately 1,000 feet, a 12-space parking lot, and necessary storm water management systems. A future “open play area” is also planned at the park, pending a grading plan which will also account for the parking lot and shared use path. Alderman William Krause said TWM will offer opportunities for public comments

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MILWAUKEE, Wis. — This past spring, Sophia Stobbs of Alton, IL, graduated from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wis. Stobbs earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Relations. Stobbs was one of 2,845 students to graduate from Marquette in May. The university celebrated its 144th Commencement with a series of events, including Graduate Recognition Ceremonies at Fiserv Forum and a Baccalaureate Mass on campus. Marquette University is a Catholic, Jesuit university that draws over 7,600 undergraduate and 3,600 graduate and professional students from nearly all states and more than 60 countries. In addition to its nationally recognized academic programs, Marquette is known for its service learning programs and internships as students are challenged to use what they learn to make a difference in the world. Find out more about Marquette at marquette.edu .

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MILWAUKEE, Wis. — Megan Kalb of Edwardsville, IL, has been named to the Dean’s List for the spring 2025 semester at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Kalb is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology. To make the Dean’s List, students must have earned at least 12 credits for the spring 2024 semester and have no disqualifying grades. The GPA threshold varies by college — for the College of Education and the Klingler College of Arts and Sciences, undergraduate students must have at least a 3.7 to be named to the Dean’s List. The undergraduate GPA requirement is 3.5 for the following colleges: the Diederich College of Communication, the College of Business Administration, the College of Health Sciences, the Opus College of Engineering and the College of Nursing. All other programs have a 3.75 GPA minimum. Marquette University is a Catholic, Jesuit university that draws over 7,600 undergraduate and 3,600 graduate and professional students

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DeKALB, Ill. - More than 2,100 students received their bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees from Northern Illinois University in May. Included among the graduates was Myles Jefferson of Godfrey, IL , who earned a Bachelor of Science in Political Science - Public Law. About Northern Illinois University Northern Illinois University is a student-centered, nationally recognized public research university with a global network of nearly 260,000 alumni. With expertise that benefits its region, the country and the world, NIU offers more than 170 bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs across seven colleges: Business, Education, Engineering and Engineering Technology, Health and Human Sciences, Law, Liberal Arts and Sciences, and Visual and Performing Arts. Through its main campus in DeKalb and education centers for students and working professionals in Naperville and Rockford, NIU serves a diverse and international student body of over 15,400. The 16 NIU Huskies Division

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SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission (IGAC) has appointed Tracey B. Fleming as its next Director, effective July 1, 2025. Fleming succeeds Dr. Mary Milano, who is retiring after nearly 20 years of distinguished service leading the agency. Fleming has served as Executive Director of the Illinois Human Rights Commission for the past five years, where he championed reforms to increase agency efficiency and effectiveness, while supporting strengthened protections against unlawful discrimination for people across the state. A seasoned public servant, Fleming brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to equality, disability rights, and inclusive leadership. “Tracey Fleming has devoted his career to advancing justice and fairness for Illinoisans,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “I commend the Commission for selecting a leader of his caliber and offer my sincere thanks to Dr. Mary Milano, whose tenure leaves a powerful legacy of dignity,

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ST. LOUIS - The National Weather Service in St. Louis has issued a tornado watch for parts of Illinois and Missouri as thunderstorms move through the region on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. NWS meteorologist Lydia Jaja said the environment is favorable for tornado development due to a combination of warm temperatures, high humidity, and wind shear. Thunderstorms are currently affecting northeast Missouri and are expected to continue through noon. Additional storms may develop along an outflow boundary from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., primarily over southeast Missouri and southwest Illinois. Some of the afternoon storms could become severe. “The primary threat from severe storms today is damaging winds,” Jaja said. “Large hail and tornadoes are also possible.” Residents are urged to have multiple ways to receive warnings and to stay alert. “It is legitimate and stay alert and stay careful,” Jaja said.

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