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ST. LOUIS - The Chinese lantern festival, Animals Aglow presented by Wells Fargo is returning to illuminate the Saint Louis Zoo for its second year running with dozens of new, towering lanterns and light displays. Animals Aglow celebrates the culture, art, and beauty of traditional lantern festivals celebrated in China for centuries. During the nighttime festival’s first year in 2024, more than 131,000 guests bought tickets to enjoy larger-than-life lanterns in the shape of plants, wildlife and mythical creatures. Animals Aglow is returning with nearly all-new lanterns this year. Guests will enjoy more than 60 glowing displays, nightly cultural performances and specialty food and beverage available for purchase. This year’s festival celebrates wildlife from three regions—Africa, South America and The Arctic—and will feature a section dedicated to traditional Chinese lanterns and folklore. Displays this year include: A nearly 100-foot-long tunnel made

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EDWARDSVILLE – Edwardsville Neighbors, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting families in District 7 experiencing medical or emergency crises, is proud to announce a new scholarship program for high school seniors. This $2,500 scholarship will be awarded to two deserving students who demonstrate a passion for giving back to their community. The scholarship, designed to recognize young philanthropists, reflects Edwardsville Neighbors' commitment to fostering the next generation of community leaders. Eligible applicants must be seniors graduating in 2025, planning to attend either a college or trade school in the fall. To apply, students will need to submit a 500-word essay describing what philanthropy means to them and how they have made a positive impact on their community. “We are excited to support the next generation carrying forward the values of community service and compassion,” said Katie Wigton, President of Edwardsville Neighbors. “Our

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This March, celebrate National Nutrition Month® by raising a glass of cold milk. Count on dairy to bring together a wide range of food to create delicious, nutritious meals. These meals, in turn, connect us to family, friends, local farms and better health. Since 1980, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has been raising awareness about the importance of nutrition for individuals of all ages with this month-long initiative. Dairy, with its versatile role in recipes and meals, fits well with this year’s theme of “Food Connects Us.” Dairy is often the foundational ingredient in well-loved family recipes to some of the most nutrient-dense meals. Fueling Health at Every Age The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends three servings of dairy a day. “Reach for low-fat milk, yogurt and cheese to meet these dairy goals throughout your life,” said Maggie Nosic, nutrition educator and registered dietitian with St. Louis District Dairy Council

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BELLEVILLE — Illinois American Water recently invited 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students to showcase their creativity by submitting artwork to the company’s “Water Keeps Life Flowing” art contest. Hundreds of entries capturing the importance of high-quality water service were received. Illinois American Water chose 10 winners who earned their classrooms a $100 donation for school supplies or a classroom celebration. “From paintings of water towers to drawings of personal hygiene practices, we are completely inspired by the creative ways students used their love of art and understanding of science to showcase the importance of clean, safe and reliable water service,” said Rebecca Losli, president of Illinois American Water. Losli added, “Illinois American Water plays a critical role in customers’ daily lives by providing water service that supports vital activities and jobs. We encourage you to take a moment to reflect on the role

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ST. LOUIS - The St. Louis region strengthened its position as a national and global freight hub in 2024 with the advancement of significant regional infrastructure projects and the launch of several new initiatives. The St. Louis Regional Freightway compiled a summary of some of the most significant developments and milestones during the past year that enhanced the region’s freight infrastructure, expanded its industrial site offerings or set the stage for workforce expansion to meet future needs. “Recent investments and endeavors enhance the future competitiveness and connectivity of the bi-state St. Louis region and support future growth, particularly in targeted industry sectors such as aerospace, where this region already has distinct advantages,” said Mary Lamie, Executive Vice President of Multimodal Enterprises at Bi-State Development and head of the St. Louis Regional Freightway. One significant infrastructure project advancing is the $496 million

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Welcome to this weekend in history, March 8th and 9th, dates marked by remarkable events that have shaped our world. The most noteworthy event on March 8th is the celebration of International Women's Day, a global day recognizing the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. Although it was officially adopted by the United Nations in 1977, its roots can be traced back to the early 20th century. The first National Women's Day was celebrated in the United States on February 28, 1909, organized by the Socialist Party of America. Over the years, the day has evolved into a platform advocating for gender equality, women's rights, and social justice. In 2025, International Women's Day continues to inspire movements worldwide, reminding us of the ongoing fight for equality. Moving on to the realm of science, on March 8, 1983, President Ronald Reagan delivered his famous "Evil Empire" speech, in which he characterized the Soviet Union as an evil force in the world.

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced that a court blocked the Trump administration’s illegal decision to freeze critical federal funding to states. It is the second of two preliminary injunctions courts granted this week in two separate lawsuits challenging unlawful funding policies put in place by the Trump administration. The first came yesterday, when a separate court blocked the administration from cutting billions of dollars to universities and research institutions for medical and public health research. Raoul led multistate coalitions in filing both lawsuits. “States and research institutions rely on federal funding to provide services our residents rely on. These two preliminary injunctions will prevent the Trump administration’s ludicrous and unlawful policies from being enacted,” Raoul said. “My office relies on federal funds to protect children from online predators through our Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, an

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Baltic Freedom Caucus, and U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, met with Lithuanian Minister of Defense, Dovile Šakaliene, to discuss an increase in Russian hybrid attacks in the Baltics and across Europe, and the need to maintain allied support for Ukraine and NATO. The meeting comes after President Trump’s shameful outburst toward Ukrainian President Zelenskyy in the Oval Office last Friday. “My mother’s family originally came from Lithuania—a country that knows Russian tyranny too well,” said Durbin. “As I said to Minister Šakaliene, I was saddened, shocked, and stunned at what happened in the Oval Office last week with President Zelenskyy. During today’s meeting, we agreed that now, more than ever, the U.S. must reaffirm our support for our NATO partners in upholding democratic

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WASHINGTON, D.C. - In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today shared the story of an Illinoisan, Jeannie Klein-Gordon, who was fired from her position as a researcher at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) as part of President Trump and Elon Musk’s mission to gut the federal workforce. In his speech, Durbin emphasized that laying off researchers and agricultural experts will have long-term consequences for Illinois’ economy and agricultural sector. Durbin began his remarks by reading excerpts from an NPR Illinois article that detailed Ms. Klein-Gordon’s story in which she worked and studied for more than 11 years to earn a position at the National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research in Peoria, Illinois. At the research lab, she focused on treatments for Red Crown Rot, a disease that poses a serious threat to Illinois’ multibillion-dollar soybean industry. “I want to tell a story about a young

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JERSEYVILLE — The Medford family is returning to the Amoco brand at their three gas station locations in Jerseyville and Grafton, Illinois. The family, which has a long-standing association with the Amoco brand dating back to 1949, will transition from BP branding, which they adopted following BP's merger with Amoco in 1998. Jake Medford, a representative of the Medford family, announced the branding change, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a local ownership presence. "We want customers to know we are still owned by a local family," he said. The three locations include the Medford Food Mart and Medford Oil Company in Jerseyville, as well as the Grafton Amoco. Medford noted that the Amoco gasoline, now featuring the Invigorate formula, exceeds the “Top Tier” detergent requirements, ensuring quality for customers. Additionally, BP credit cards will continue to offer the same rewards and price discounts under the Amoco branding. The rebranding effort will also

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ST. LOUIS - March is National Nutrition Month, prompting me to wonder how often this column focuses on the links between what we eat and our health and well-being. The short answer is: a lot. Over the years, it’s been fairly rare that we don’t address eating in one way or another. What we eat may play a small role in one condition or a bigger role in another, but the overall message has been that choosing healthier foods and drinks is one of the best things we can do for our health. This not only can help us live longer, it also can help lower the risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, dementia and cancer — among other serious conditions. Healthy eating can also help us keep weight gain in control, which brings many additional benefits. Admittedly, though, in a time of nonstop news and social media influencers, it can be hard to know what “healthy eating” exactly means. The good news is, when we take a step back, the basics of a healthy

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EAST ST. LOUIS - In recognition of National School Social Workers Appreciation Week, the Gordon Bush Alternative Center in East St. Louis celebrated the contributions of its School Social Worker, Catrice Johnson. The event featured cake and ice cream, bringing together students and staff to honor Johnson's vital role within the school community. Mrs. Johnson has been acknowledged for her significant impact on the lives of students and staff. "Mrs. Johnson is vital to the Bush Alternative Center School family and greatly appreciated for all that she does for the students and staff!" East St. Louis District 189 said in a statement about her efforts. The celebration highlighted the importance of social work in schools, particularly in fostering a supportive environment for students facing various challenges. The event serves as a reminder of the essential services provided by school social workers, who play a crucial role in addressing the social and emotional needs of students.

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Metro-East Lutheran High School scholar bowl team continues to dominate EDWARDSVILLE – Metro-East Lutheran High School’s scholar bowl team made school history last year by winning the IHSA Class 1A state championship, but after three of the championship team’s five starters graduated, Coach Shanna Covarrubias wasn’t sure what to expect for the 2024-2025 season. Turns out, the MELHS team has picked back up right where they left off. Led by outstanding performances from sophomore Dean Hemmer and junior Peter Curtis, the Knights Scholar Bowl team is heading into regional play with a record of 71 wins and two losses. “That number feels unreal,” Covarrubias said. “I really did not know what to expect coming into this year, but clearly the team has been pushing themselves hard to prepare during the off-season and continues to push themselves.” The Knights already have accumulated a list of tournament titles this season. They recently wo

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SPRINGFIELD - The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM) reminds Illinoisans to test, inspect, and replace broken or expired smoke/CO alarms in their homes with new 10-year sealed battery alarms while they change the clocks this weekend as Daylight Saving Time begins at 2 AM Sunday, March 9. "Early warnings from smoke alarms are crucial, as on average, a person has less than three minutes to escape a home fire today,” said Illinois State Fire Marshal James A. Rivera. “Taking just a few minutes each month to test, inspect, and replace broken or expired alarms is simple, but working smoke alarms save lives. It’s also important to review and practice your fire escape plan, identify two ways out of every room, and designate a meeting place outside the home.” The time change serves as a bi-annual reminder to test all smoke and CO alarms in your home. If you find an alarm that is not working or is expired, replace the alarm immediately with a new 10-year

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ALTON - Dr. Tayna Patton works hard from the heart. Patton, one of the YWCA’s ten 2025 Women of Distinction, will be honored at the Y’s annual gala for her commitment to the community. As the superintendent of a St. Louis school district and a volunteer with her church and other community organizations, she believes in creating a better future for youth by building them up in the present. “I always tell my parents that we will love and nurture our students first and then we will educate them,” she said. “I don’t believe that children learn in environments where they are not valued, and so my focus has consistently been to build those environments where children feel welcomed, they feel nurtured and loved, and then I go about educating them.” At age 25, Patton went to school to obtain a degree in education. She started as a teacher’s assistant, then eventually became a teacher while getting her master’s degree. She soon took

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ALTON – An Alton resident faces multiple weapon charges after shooting someone in the abdomen and tossing the weapon into the Mississippi River. Chance M. Lyons, 18, of Alton, was charged with aggravated battery with a firearm (a Class X felony), two counts of aggravated unlawful possession of weapons (both Class 4 felonies) and obstructing justice (a Class 4 felony). On Feb. 28, 2025, Lyons allegedly shot a victim in the abdomen, causing injury, before throwing the firearm into the river. His possession of the weapon, a .40 caliber handgun, was unlawful as he was under 21 years of age and had no valid Firearm Owners Identification (FOID) card at the time of the offense. The situation escalated after a verbal dispute unfolded in the 400 block of Cherry Street in Alton, according to a petition to deny pretrial release for Lyons. “Video showed that the defendant was the initial physical aggressor, approaching the victim on the front porch of ,” the petition

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HIGHLAND – A man from Highland remains in custody after firing a weapon near a 2-year-old child. Benjamin M. Mathenia, 24, of Highland, was charged on March 7, 2025, with two Class 4 felony counts of reckless discharge of a firearm and one Class A misdemeanor count of endangering the life or health of a child. On March 7, Mathenia allegedly shot a firearm while in a residence and in close proximity to a 2-year-old child and another individual. A petition to deny Mathenia’s pretrial release states he became intoxicated and angry before firing the weapon in the interior stairwell of a residence. The situation escalated even further before police arrived at the scene. “Victim’s child was in close proximity to the defendant at the time of discharge,” the petition states. “Victim reported that defendant then placed the fun to his head, threatening to kill himself if police were contacted. When police arrived, he put the gun down.” Mathenia reportedl

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EAST ST. LOUIS — A 33-year-old man - Dyuwaun Flowers - was shot multiple times and later died at a local hospital, authorities said on Friday, March 7, 2025. Flowers, a resident of 71st Street in East St. Louis, was pronounced dead at Touchette Regional Hospital in Cahokia Heights at 12:42 p.m. on Friday, the St. Clair County Coroner's Office said. The incident occurred Thursday night, March 6, 2025, at a Phillips 66 gas station located in the 8300 block of State Street, where East St. Louis Police responded to reports of gunfire. Upon arrival, officers found Flowers suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, as detailed in a report from the Illinois State Police. The investigation into the shooting is being conducted by the Illinois State Police Public Safety Enforcement Group. No further details regarding the circumstances of the shooting or any potential suspects have been released at this time.

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EDWARDSVILLE - Students at Edwardsville High School came together to recognize the Special Olympics program. On Friday, March 7, 2025, EHS’s Special Olympics team was honored with the Unified Champion Schools National Banner Award. This is the second time EHS has been recognized with this award, joining only four other schools in the State of Illinois that have received the award twice. “It’s really prestigious,” said Kayla Magruder, who oversees the Special Olympics program at EHS. Magruder explained that schools can be named Unified Champion Schools once every four years. She said “only a handful” of schools in Illinois receive the National Banner Award once, let alone twice. Schools must meet ten national standards of excellence to receive the Unified Champion Schools National Banner Award. For EHS to achieve this twice speaks to their commitment to inclusivity and their dedication to the Special Olympics program. Before the award presentatio

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JERSEY COUNTY — Jersey County Coroner Kevin Ayres confirmed on Friday afternoon, March 7, 2025, that the victim of a mining accident at Calhoun Quarry in Fieldon was identified as Anthony Sievers, a 67-year-old resident of Batchtown. Sievers was pronounced dead at the scene on March 5, 2025, following an incident that occurred at the quarry, located at 25840 Eldred Road, Fieldon. Authorities received a call reporting the accident at 4:19 p.m. on March 5, 2025. An autopsy has since been completed, but Ayres stated that the results are still pending, and he could not release the cause of death at this time. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident is ongoing. Further updates from the Jersey County Coroner's Office are expected as more information becomes available. Sievers was described by authorities as "a beloved member of the Calhoun County community" and his death is a great loss for the region. His full obituary is available here on Riverbender.com/obits

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