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ROXANA - Gianna Stassi, a standout sophomore athlete from the Shells, has qualified for the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) State Cross Country Meet with an impressive sectional time of 18:25.8. This achievement comes as part of her ongoing success in multiple sports, highlighting her versatility as an athlete. Gianna's dedication and versatility have earned her recognition as the Midwest Members Credit Union Female Athlete of the Month for the Shells. Stassi's journey to the state meet includes a notable performance at the Cahokia Conference Championships, where she secured a victory in the 1,600 meters with a time of 6:06.19. In addition to her accomplishments in cross country and track, she has also made her mark in soccer, demonstrating her diverse athletic abilities. On October 26, Stassi recorded a time of 18:58.3 at the IHSA 1A regional, further solidifying her place among the top competitors in her sport. She also triumphed at the Cahokia Conference Meet, finishing

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BELLEVILLE - The City of Belleville has expanded its ban on public camping, giving city officials more guidelines and authority as the issue of homelessness persists throughout the Riverbend. The Belleville City Code previously devoted a single paragraph to public camping, which has since been repealed and expanded. The updated 10-page ordinance deems the act a “nuisance within the city” in need of further regulation to address “public health concerns.” At their meeting on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, the Belleville City Council voted 16-0 to pass the amended ordinance, which follows a similar structure to public camping bans passed in Alton , Wood River , Glen Carbon and more. The ordinance essentially defines “public camping” as establishing or remaining in a temporary living space where any material used for sleeping or cooking is present. This includes but is not limited to the use of sleeping bags, tents, vehicles, and more. It

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PIASA — Southwestern High School junior Vivian Zurheide has made a significant impact both on and off the field as an athlete and student. She is an Altonized Community Federal Union Female Athlete of the Month for the Piasa Birds. Zurheide just completed a successful varsity volleyball season and is now poised to continue excelling in basketball in the winter and softball in the spring. Zurheide's athletic prowess extends beyond her performance in games; she has demonstrated a commitment to mentoring younger athletes. This fall, she volunteered alongside fellow students to assist head girls' softball coach Amanda Edwards in coaching the middle school team. “If you want to build a program up, you have to start at the bottom,” Zurheide said. “Supporting Coach Edwards and the Piasa Birds is something that I enjoy doing. Giving back to our younger players is always something I look forward to.” Her contributions have not gone unnoticed. Coach Edwards praised

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ST. LOUIS – Earlier today, Mayor Jones and Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe spoke on the phone after Kehoe’s election as Missouri’s next governor. After their call, during a press conference announcing his transition , Kehoe discussed his desire to pursue a state takeover of SLMPD. Mayor Jones issued the following statement in response: "Every year since l've been in office, St. Louis has seen a significant reduction in crime and homicides, and a state takeover threatens that progress," said Mayor Tishaura O. Jones. "I’ve repeatedly made it very clear that a state takeover does not make cities safer. If a state-controlled police department was the model for law enforcement, then Kansas City should be the safest place on Earth. Yet, Kansas City saw more deaths by homicide in 2023 than any year ever recorded while St. Louis saw a 10-year low. I'll continue to work with Chief Tracy, our Office of Violence Prevention, Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore, and our community partners

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EDWARDSVILLE - After a successful 26-year career in local government, including 18 years as a Judge, Chief Judge Stephen Stobbs announced his retirement from the bench, effective December 31, 2024. Judge Stobbs, 56, will return full-time to the private practice of law. “It was the honor of my life to spend the past 18 years serving the people of Madison and Bond Counties, as a Judge. I will especially miss my friends and colleagues here at the courthouse, including all the wonderful employees that work tirelessly, every day, to serve the people”, Stobbs said. Chief Judge Stobbs was elected Circuit Judge as a Republican in 2020 after first serving as an Associate Judge for 14 years. Prior to his judicial career, Stobbs served as a Republican member of the Madison County Board representing Godfrey for eight years, having been elected three times. Throughout his judicial career, Chief Judge Stobbs has presided over every type of case in the Third Judicial Circuit, including

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ALTON - The Hayner Public Library District has a busy month ahead as they prepare for November’s programs. “There is so much going on,” said Mary Cordes, the library’s executive director. “It’s busy, but it’s going well.” Hayner will host a special Story Time at Lucy’s Playhouse from 10–11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 15 and Dec. 13, 2024. Located at the Lucy Haskell Playhouse at 1211 Henry Street, these events invite kids to enjoy an interactive story with Ms. Mary Kay and Panda Bear. The second Teen Graphic Novel Writers Guild is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Nov. 13, 2024, at the Alton Square Mall Hayner location. This program invites teens to write and illustrate their own graphic novels. Cordes noted that graphic novels are “their own art form” and help a lot of young readers fall in love with reading. “You can look at them for the art and the artistry of the creation, but it’s also the

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SPRINGFIELD — This week, Nikki Budzinski secured a decisive victory in the race for Illinois’ 13th Congressional District. With more than 95 percent of votes reported, Budzinski defeated her opponent 57.6 percent to 42.4 percent — a 15.2 percent margin . Budzinski was elected to Congress by a 13.2 percent margin in 2022 . Budzinski flipped Macon County and won a higher share of the vote in all seven of the counties she represents in the 13th District. A breakdown of her county-level gains over her 2022 results can be found below: Macon County: Budzinski gained 8.04% of the vote Sangamon County: Budzinski gained 4.8% of the vote Piatt County: Budzinski gained 2.58% of the vote Champaign County: Budzinski gained 2.4% of the vote Macoupin County: Budzinski gained 1.1% of the vote St. Clair County: Budzinski gained 0.76% of the vote Madison County: Budzinski gained 0.64% of the vote “Two years ago, voters in Central and

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BETHALTO — Lynn Rives, a veteran who served in the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1988, was honored by his family through a recent submission to the Veteran Salute program. The submission, made by Michele Ohlson, expresses gratitude for Rives' dedicated years of service. Rives, who attained the rank of Sergeant during his military career, did not serve in combat. The heartfelt message submitted alongside the salute reads, “Thank you for all your dedicated service years of service in the Army - Lynn Rives - Love - your family!” The Veteran Salute program aims to recognize and honor the contributions of military veterans and their families. To submit a Veteran Salute form submission to Riverbender.com, click here.

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Winter is prime time for COPD. You can’t get rid of the disease, but treatment can improve quality of life. Key takeaways: COPD involves the destruction of lung tissue, leading to shortness of breath, chest tightness, coughing and more. There's no cure for COPD, but treatment like a nebulizer and pulmonary rehab can improve quality of life. Not smoking is a top way to avoid COPD. Air pollution also plays a role. It’s something Michael Daley, MD, sees in the emergency department often and especially this time of year: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD. Dr. Daley, who provides care at OSF HealthCare, says while there’s no cure for COPD, medicine has come a long way to improve your quality of life with the disease. COPD basics Dr. Daley says more than 300 million people suffer from COPD, and it’s is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide. “It’s a destruction of the lung tissue in the airways. A lot of inflammation

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On November 5, 1924, an article in the Alton Evening Telegraph told of the “finny beauties” raised by Casper Horn, who was described in numerous articles as the “Luther Burbank of goldfish.” Luther Burbank was a preeminent American botanist who cultivated hundreds of new varieties of fruits, vegetables, flowers, and other plants, including the Russet Burbank potato and Shasta daisy. In 1940, the United States Postal Service released a Luther Burbank stamp, and his birthday is celebrated as Arbor Day in California. In the late 1910s and early 1920s, Casper Horn owned the largest goldfish hatchery in Illinois. In 1923 alone, he raised approximately 3,000 goldfish at his property on Alby Street. He developed fish that were pure white, fish with white bodies and red heads, others with golden colored bodies and large web-like tails that looked like trails of smoke as the fish swam through the water, but “inquiries as to how he managed to propagate such

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Troy/Maryville/St. Jacob/Marine Chamber of Commerce welcomed over 100 attendees to the fifth annual Women’s Conference. On Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, students, employees and business owners came to The Outlet Event Center in Edwardsville for a day-long conference titled “Women’s Conference: Be the Change: Transforming Generations.” Attendees could learn about working in a male-dominated industry, using AI as a tool and working with different generations. “I think things went wonderful. I wouldn’t have changed anything,” said Dawn Mushill, CEO of the Troy/Maryville/St. Jacob/Marine Chamber of Commerce. “Lots of energy in the room and lots of people who wanted to come and learn and then a wide variety of speakers and topics. You had to be able to find something here.” The event began at 8:15 a.m. with opening remarks and a panel titled “Successful Women in a Male-Dominated Industry.” From there,

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JERSEYVILLE — Gage Carey, a senior standout athlete at Jersey Community High School, has had a significant impact on both the football and baseball teams, showcasing his versatility and talent in multiple sports. As an offensive lineman and defensive end for the Panthers football team, Carey has been a key player throughout the 2024 season, contributing to the team's success on the field. Gage is a Sparklight Male Athlete of the Month for the Panthers. In a recent game, football coach Caleb Williams praised Carey for his performance, stating, “Gage Carey is another two-way starter. He plays tackle for us on offense and defensive end for us on defense. Offensively, he had several good nights on offense and on defense, he also made some big plays all season.” Carey's abilities extend beyond the football field; he is also a skilled baseball player. As a pitcher and a hitter, he has shown promise for the upcoming spring season and had excellent spring and summer Baseball

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JERSEYVILLE - Jersey Community Unit School District No. 100 facilitated a unique cultural exchange this week when students from Jersey Community High School (JCHS) connected with third-grade students in Mexico City, Mexico. The meeting, organized by JCHS Spanish teacher Andrea Lamer, allowed the students to engage in a cross-cultural dialogue centered around "The Day of the Dead" (Día de Los Muertos). During the session, the third-grade students in Mexico City presented their projects on the traditional holiday, which honors deceased loved ones and celebrates their lives. The JCHS students expressed enjoyment and appreciation for the presentations, highlighting the value of this cultural learning opportunity. Lamer emphasized the importance of such exchanges in enhancing students' understanding of different cultures and traditions. The initiative reflects Jersey Community Unit School District No. 100's commitment to fostering global awareness among its students.

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O'FALLON — Dr. Steven D. Morton, D.O., an orthopedic surgeon with HSHS Medical Groups in Breese and Highland, has received the Donald Siehl Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics (AOAO), the highest award granted by the organization. The honor is given to a member who, in the opinion of the academy’s board of directors, has made a major contribution and commitment to the AOAO during his/her professional career. Dr. Morton accepted the prestigious award during the organization’s annual fall meeting held October 24-26 in Boston. “I was humbled by the recognition from my colleagues and peers for my contributions to osteopathic medicine and orthopedic surgery,” Morton said. He counts the gratitude from his patients as an indicator of his overall success. “When a patient tells me, ‘You gave me my life back,’ after a knee or total hip replacement, I know I’ve fulfilled my purpose,”

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BENTON – A U.S. District judge sentenced a Nigerian national to seven years in federal prison for conducting a romance scam that stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from at least a dozen identified victims from across the United States. The victims were primarily comprised of elderly or disabled women who thought they were sending money at the request of romantic partner they had met online. Ogheneofejiro Godswill Uzokpa, 28, of Warri, Nigeria, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of wire fraud. In addition to imprisonment, the judge ordered Uzokpa to pay $329,470 in restitution to his victims. According to court documents, Uzokpa and uncharged co-conspirators conducted a scheme to obtain money and other assets belonging to his victims between March 2020 and February 2021. Uzokpa and his co-conspirators took advantage of vulnerable women by developing personal, romantic relationships under false pretenses to gain their trust. Uzokpa

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EDWARDSVILLE — The Madison County Sheriff's Office recently held a retirement ceremony for Captain Brian Koberna, marking the conclusion of a distinguished 20-year career in law enforcement. Koberna began his tenure at the sheriff's office in 2003 as a deputy in the Patrol Division before transitioning to the Investigations Division in 2006. During his time in investigations, Koberna held various roles, including positions in Auto Theft, the Digital Forensic Unit, and as Chief Deputy Commander of the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis. He also served as Chief of Investigations, where he commanded numerous homicide investigations on the Illinois side of the region. Sheriff Jeff Connor praised Koberna's contributions to law enforcement, noting his extensive experience and leadership within the department. "He rose through the ranks and spent a lot of his career in investigations, including our cyber crime unit," Connor said. "He was a valuable member with an untold amoun

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O'FALLON — The O'Fallon Police Department, along with local emergency medical services, firefighters, and registered nurses from St. Elizabeth's Emergency Room, have collaborated to produce a calendar that aims to support Metro East Every Survivor Counts. The initiative, which showcases the first responders of the community, features photographs taken with their pets during various photo shoots. The Metro East Every Survivor Counts organization has a mission to address multifaceted forms of oppression and end sexual violence by empowering survivors through person-first services and community engagement. The calendar project is designed to raise funds for the organization, which is dedicated to providing support for cancer survivors in the region. The photographs not only highlight the commitment of these first responders, but also aim to foster community spirit and awareness for the cause. The calendar is available for purchase, with proceeds going directly to support

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TROY — The Troy Police Department has announced it will enhance its traffic safety initiatives following the award of a Federal Fiscal Year 2025 Sustained Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) grant. The grant aims to bolster high-visibility enforcement strategies that seek to reduce traffic crashes and prevent injuries. The grant period will run from Oct. 1, 2024, to Sept. 30, 2025. During this time, the Troy Police Department plans to implement additional enforcement measures that will complement both mandatory and optional campaign enforcement dates, particularly during periods identified as some of the most dangerous for road travel. In a statement, the Troy Police Department expressed its commitment to road safety, saying, "We're pleased to receive this grant to step up our road safety efforts with the goal of saving lives. Our mission is to make travel safer through directed, proactive patrols and to stop, cite, and arrest those who choose to violate traffic laws." The enforcemen

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GRANITE CITY – Granite City Community Unit School District No. 9 Board Treasurer Linda Knogl and Board Member Lori Silva attended the Illinois Association of School Boards, Southwestern Division Meeting on September 25 in Sparta, Ill. They met with Senator Terri Bryant-Murphysboro, Senator Erica Harriss-Edwardsville and Representative Amy Elik-Alton during the meeting. Discussions included unfunded mandates which place a burden of requirements on districts without providing financial assistance to carry out those mandates. To date, there have been 731 mandates thrust upon districts since 1982. Other topics included: teacher shortages, evidence based funding, and student teacher stipends. Knogl and Silva were encouraged by this opportunity to meet and hear their insights and concerns. Hopefully, further legislative meetings such as these will bring us closer and benefit our students and community. For more information about Granite City School District #9, visit

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EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County voters have made their voices heard, re-electing Donald Trump as President and supporting a full Republican sweep of all countywide offices. This historic election marks a clear call for policies focused on economic revitalization, national security, and individual freedoms. “The people of Madison County have spoken, endorsing a renewed vision for America under President Trump’s leadership,” said Ray Wesley, Chairman of the Madison County Republican Central Committee. “With his commitment to lowering taxes, strengthening our economy, achieving energy independence, and protecting American interests globally, President Trump’s policies resonate with our community’s priorities.” In addition to President Trump’s victory, Madison County Republicans have achieved significant wins locally, capturing every countywide office and securing key victories in county board races. “Our county candidates an

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