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EDWARDSVILLE – A new dispensary is hosting its Grand Opening celebration in Edwardsville this weekend. Ivy Hall Dispensary , described as “Illinois’ first Social Equity dispensary brand,” will open the doors to its newest location this Saturday, March 22, 2025, starting at 9 a.m. Located at 6197 Old Alton Edwardsville Road, their business hours will be Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Grand Opening celebration will feature free refreshments from Goshen Coffee, free donuts from Dippidy Donuts, food trucks, and special giveaways. A 25% discount for new customers is just one of the store’s special promotions for the event; free merchandise, discounts on featured products, and bundle deals across certain categories will join other surprise in-store offerings. Conveniently situated near the city and campus of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, the new

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ALTON - Austin Jones, a freshman at Alton High School, showcased his wrestling skills at the 29th Annual Freshmen and Sophomores Championship Series held in Springfield, Illinois, this past weekend. Competing in the 101-pound weight class, Jones secured an eighth-place finish out of a highly competitive bracket of 32 wrestlers. Jones is an Auto Butler Male Athlete of the Month for the Redbirds. Jones' journey to the state level was marked by notable performances earlier in the season. He achieved a first-place finish at the regional competition and placed third at the sectional for the IWCOA (Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association) State series. His overall record for the freshman year on the Alton Redbirds varsity team was 26-17. "We were very impressed with his finish and proud of all of his accomplishments," Jones' parents said. Jones' achievements highlight his potential as he continues to develop in the sport of wrestling.

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ST. LOUIS, MO. – Today, it was announced that the federal government has awarded Boeing a contract to build the next-generation fighter jet for the U.S. Air Force. Mayor Jones issued the following statement: “Today is an exciting day for Boeing and the entire St. Louis region,” said Mayor Tishaura O. Jones. “The City will remain a strong partner as we continue to promote St. Louis as a leader in innovation and industry.” The sixth-generation fighter, which will replace the F-22 Raptor, will be designated the F-47, Trump said. He also said that the U.S. will have “state-of-the-art stealth technologies virtually unseeable,” and will fly alongside multiple autonomous drone wingmen known as collaborative combat aircraft.

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ALTON, — The Alton Fire Department responded to a structure fire in the 2800 block of Residence Street Friday afternoon, March 21, 2025, where heavy smoke was visible upon their arrival. Firefighters encountered challenging conditions as strong winds caused flames to spread to a neighboring house, as well as a tree and some bushes in the vicinity. In response to the escalating situation, Alton requested a box alarm, prompting assistance from the East Alton Fire Department. Firefighters were able to bring the fire under control quickly. The initial structure where the fire originated sustained significant damage, while the neighboring house incurred only minor damage. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in connection with the incident. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

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EDWARDSVILLE - Alandyn Simmons and Layne Logan, the two seniors on the Edwardsville girls basketball roster this season, played their final home game on Feb. 11, a 64-16 win over Rochester at Lucco-Jackson Gym, and both made major contributions to the Tigers' 17-9 record at that time before the postseason. Simmons, a transfer to Edwardsville from Lift For Life Academy in St. Louis, was definitely a presence in the middle for the Tigers, averaging 6.4 points and 5.5 rebounds-per-game, adding on 15 assists, 19 steals, and seven blocked shots. Logan added outside scoring punch, and averaged 3.1 points and 2.5 rebounds-per-game, also adding 16 assists, six steals, and two blocked shots. The two girls are Spencer Homes Female Athletes of the Month for the Tigers. In a joint postgame interview with the two seniors, both expressed sadness of how quickly the season went for them. 'I am very sad," Simmons said. "I think the end came way too fast. It came way faster than I expected." Logan

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EDWARDSVILLE - Lucas Krebs is a senior returning infielder for the Edwardsville baseball team, and one of the Tigers' key players, who contributed mightily to the team's success last season, and hopes to repeat it this year. Krebs slammed a home run in Thursday night's Edwardsville opener. Krebs was one of Edwardsville's top players in 2024, hitting .372, with two home runs and 34 RBIs, helping the Tigers to a third-place finish in the IHSA Class 4A state tournament, and is considered one the top prospects in the local area. He displays his leadership qualities every day on the team. Krebs is a Spencer Homes Male Athlete of the Month for the Tigers. In a recent interview, Krebs thought that preseason practice went well for the Tigers, with everyone locked in preparation for the opening three-game set in the Illinois Prep Baseball Report Kickoff Classic showcase, which involved steam from around the state, this weekend at Tom Pile Field. "I think things are going great," Krebs

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ALTON – Martha Pfister, candidate for Ward 2 Alderwoman, appeared on Our Daily Show! on Riverbender.com to share her goals for the ward if elected as part of our 2025 State of the Race coverage ahead of Election Day on April 1, 2025. A born-and-raised Alton native and frequent community volunteer, Pfister announced her candidacy at the start of 2025 with three main pillars: community, connection, and collaboration. Aside from one weekend, she’s been knocking on doors every weekend since. “I’ve met a lot of different people and been in a lot of different neighborhoods,” she said. “People really just want to know what’s going on and they want to be connected to their alderperson.” Pfister and Tiana Gipson are running as challengers to incumbent Ward 2 Alderwoman Carolyn MacAfee. If elected, Pfister plans to host monthly “Ward 2 meetings” focused on the city’s second ward which would be open to the

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ALTON - In February, House Republicans passed a budget proposal that would force up to $880 billion in cuts to Medicaid and raise the federal deficit by more than $4 trillion to pay for tax cuts for the wealthy. Congresswoman Budzinski convened the roundtable as a platform for individuals, particularly Medicaid recipients and providers, to share how they would be impacted by these cuts. “The proposed cuts to Medicaid by Congressional Republicans are unacceptable. To fund enormous tax breaks for billionaires, they are threatening to strip vital healthcare from 216,167 people in my district alone — this includes 90,675 children under 19 and 18,000 seniors over the age of 65,” said Congresswoman Budzinski. “Yesterday, I brought together Medicaid recipients and healthcare providers to put real faces to these cuts and remind President Trump and Congressional Republicans of the devastating impact their plan would have on millions of Americans. I will fight to protect

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EDWARDSVILLE – The Edwardsville Police Department announced it made 2 DUI arrests, issued 10 speeding citations, and 4 other citations during the St. Patrick’s Day enforcement period. “We strongly enforce traffic laws for one reason – to save lives,” said Edwardsville Police Lt. Brandn Whittaker. The Edwardsville Police joined forces with state and local law enforcement and highway safety partners in the St. Patrick’s Day enforcement campaign. The safety effort was funded by federal highway safety funds administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation.

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Warmer weather means people flocking to lakes and rivers in droves to enjoy some fishing or time on the boat. But something as simple as the wrong type of footwear can lead to an injury that ruins your day and maybe even your life.In 2023, the United States Coast Guard reported 3,844 instances of something going wrong on a boat and 564 boating deaths. The numbers were down from 2022 and don’t capture what’s happening on every waterway in America. But they’re still worth paying attention to. Bethany Huelskoetter , APRN, a family medicine provider at OSF HealthCare, knows a thing or two in this area of medicine, having treated patients for outdoor injuries for years, plus spending leisure time on the water. Entanglements in boat engines: Contacting the parts under the boat can lead to traumatic injuries and even limb loss. Huelskoetter has heard of instances where a boat driver unknowingly backs up into a swimmer’s midsection. “Make people aware of

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EAST ST. LOUIS - East St. Louis School District 189 celebrated academic excellence recently during its Top Achievers Awards Banquet held at Mason Clark Middle School. The event recognized students who met or exceeded expectations on the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) and the Illinois Science Assessment (ISA) for the 2024 school year. The banquet aimed to honor the hard work and dedication of students in the East St. Louis district. In addition to recognizing student achievements, the event also acknowledged the vital role of parents and guardians in supporting their children's education. A special token of appreciation was presented to families for their partnership in fostering the academic growth of students. East St. Louis School District officials expressed optimism for continued success in future assessments, emphasizing the importance of collective efforts in achieving educational goals. As the district looks forward, it aims to build on this momentum and enhance

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Mike Bost (IL-12) today invited high school students from Illinois’ 12th Congressional District to participate in the 2025 Congressional Art Competition. Initiated by Congress in 1982, the nationwide annual art competition allows high school students from all 50 states to showcase their artistic ability. “Every spring, I enjoy seeing the artwork that our talented Southern Illinois high school students create for the Congressional Art Competition,” said Bost. “This competition gives them a great opportunity to showcase their skills, and I encourage students to participate.” The Congressional Art Competition is an opportunity to recognize and encourage the artistic talent in the nation, as well as in our Congressional District. The winning artwork from our District's competition will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol. Judging is performed by members of the local art community. The deadline

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COLLINSVILLE – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced the left lane of southbound I-255 over Horseshoe Lake Road in Collinsville will be closed from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, March 24, 2025. The closure is necessary to do inspections on the structure. IDOT District 8 Operations crews will make the needed improvements and restore full access as soon as possible. Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. 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 for workers and equipment. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on the social media platform X at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.

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BETHALTO - Sharon Rothe is proud of the school district she has helped build. Rothe, one of nine candidates running for a seat on the Bethalto Community Unit School District #8 Board of Education, shared more about who she is and what she stands for. She joined the school board 40 years ago and hopes for another four years to continue her work in the district. “I think we have an amazing school district for our children,” Rothe said. “I’m always here. I’ve always been here. I have never left. I have never left the school district in a lurch.” After losing her first child in infancy, Rothe was widowed at 35 with four children in the school district. When her youngest daughter was in eighth grade, she opened a bridal shop in Alton Square Mall, then eventually opened another shop in Bethalto. These days, Rothe still works as a seamstress in Bethalto. She logs about 65 hours every week and “love every minute.” She served as

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GODFREY – The Village of Godfrey is prepared to mov e forward with a lawsuit against the City of Alton over $120,000 the village claims Alton owes them and refuses to pay. Trustee Jeff Weber, who first raised the issue two years ago , said the village now has no other choice but to take Alton to court. Weber said Alton and Godfrey signed an agreement decades ago regarding local sewer systems. Under the agreement, Godfrey contributed about $120,000 to a fund which Alton held and contributed to. Bethalto, which was also part of the agreement, contributed roughly $300,000 to the fund. After Alton and Godfrey sold their sewer systems to Illinois American Water, each respective municipality was owed the amount they originally contributed to the fund – except for Bethalto, which chose not to sell its sewer system to Illinois American Water. “ We have asked the City of Alton over about two years,” Webe

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GRAFTON - The City of Grafton will host a job fair this weekend. From 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, March 22, 2025, community members can stop by Grafton City Hall to speak with employers and find out more about employment opportunities for the summer. Dan Ebbing, president of the Grafton Chamber of Commerce, noted that it’s a great chance for businesses to connect with potential workers. “We’re trying to help the businesses in Grafton this weekend,” he said. “People looking for summer employment, here’s your opportunity. Bring your resume with you and come on in. You can talk to the business owners or their representative and apply for a job.” Participating businesses include Gogo-May’s, 3rd Chute, Grafton Pub, Grafton Winery, Grafton Oyster Bar, Aeries Resort, Rubel Hotel and Raging Rivers. Ebbing said attendees can talk to these employers and apply for a job on the spot. He added that this is a great opportunity for young

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Did you know that in the United States alone, over 50 million households actively participate in birdwatching? This passion not only brings people closer to nature but also fosters a sense of responsibility toward our avian neighbors. As you contemplate enhancing your backyard into a bird-friendly haven, constructing a birdhouse can be a rewarding project that encourages wildlife conservation and enriches your outdoor experience. Understanding the Importance of Birdhouses Birdhouses provide essential shelter for various bird species, especially in urban areas where natural habitats are diminishing. They offer a safe place for birds to rest, nest, and raise their young, making your backyard a vital contributor to local biodiversity. By building a birdhouse, you’re not just creating a cozy home for birds; you’re also playing a part in preserving their populations amidst increasing threats from habitat loss and climate change. Choosing the Right Location Before diving int

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Welcome to This Day in History for March 21! Today, we take a moment to reflect on the significant events that have shaped our world. One of the most notable events on March 21 occurred in 1960, when the Sharpeville Massacre took place in South Africa. This tragic event was pivotal in the fight against apartheid, which institutionalized racial segregation in the country. On that day, a peaceful protest against the pass laws—regulations requiring Black South Africans to carry passbooks—turned deadly when police opened fire on the demonstrators. The violence resulted in the deaths of 69 people and injuries to hundreds more. The outrage that followed brought international attention to the injustices of apartheid, galvanizing activists both within South Africa and around the world. In the aftermath, the African National Congress (ANC) and other anti-apartheid organizations intensified their efforts, leading to a global movement that ultimately contributed to the dismantling

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SPRINGFIELD – Illinois elected officials and leaders of state educator groups have issued statements in response to a recent executive order issued by President Donald Trump dismantling the Department of Education. Gov. JB Pritzker’s Statement on Trump’s Executive Order to Dismantle the Department of Education “President Trump has no plan to improve literacy, math scores, or get more teachers on the job. When Donald Trump attacks education, he is failing America because the success of our students is what will make our economy, future, and nation stronger. “Eliminating the Department of Education will likely have harsh and immediate impacts on Illinois’ students. It will harm students and their families in rural communities who rely on federal funding to keep their schools open. It will remove supports students with disabilities and special needs rely upon. And low-income students who depend on Pell Grants to earn their college degrees will b

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BETHALTO/EAST ALTON - Piston Aviation will host a special St. Patrick’s Day celebration this weekend. From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 22, 2025, community members are invited to Piston Aviation at the St. Louis Regional Airport to enjoy discovery flights and fun. Intro flights cost $75, marked down from their usual $175 price. Attendees can chat with instructors and learn more about what it takes to become a pilot. “Even if you’re just curious, we want you to come by and see us, meet us,” said Meghen Ord, Piston Aviation co-owner. “Come by and have fun. It should be a good time. And if you want to fly, great. If not, if you just want to hang out and see what we’re about, that’s fine as well.” Kids ages 10 and up are eligible for the discovery flights. Anyone under age 12 must be accompanied by a guardian. The Piper Cherokee, a dual plane, will be at the event, as will the Tomark Viper, Diamond DA20, and Bristell.

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