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BELLEVILLE – A new excavator valued at more than $100,000, stolen from a job site in Belleville, was recovered in working order in a cornfield in St. Clair County on Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024. The recovery was facilitated by the Metro East Auto Theft Task Force, which acted on a tip generated through social media. The Metro East Auto Theft Task Force, which serves Madison, Monroe, and St. Clair Counties, continues to make a significant impact on reducing area crimes. The task force is funded by insurance companies required by Illinois law to contribute to a fund administered by the Secretary of State’s office, through the Illinois Vehicle Hijacking and Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention and Insurance Verification Council. During the last fiscal year, the task force said it had recovered 649 vehicles, with a total recovery value of $9,970,757. Additionally, 223 arrests were made, and 195 suspects were charged during the same period. The task force's efforts are crucial i

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ALTON - Riverbend Head Start & Family Services (RHSFS) is pleased to host its second annual Donor Appreciation and Back-to-School celebration this Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Vera Lee Meeting & Event Venue in Alton. In addition to the RHSFS Board of Directors, Alton Mayor David Goins has confirmed his attendance, along with Granite City Police Chief Nick Novacich, and State Representative Amy Elik. “The commitment of our individual donors and our corporate sponsors is helping to transform the lives of families and children here in Madison County,” said President/CEO Gene Howell. “Together we can build and strengthen community when we prioritize quality early childhood education and resources for all children, regardless of their current situation or circumstances at birth.” At Riverbend Head Start and Family Services, our efforts to help families overcome generational poverty are successful because of the support of our caring and committed

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GILLESPIE - Gillespie Community will host a Community Blood Drive with ImpactLife, the provider of blood components for local hospitals. The blood drive will be from 1 to 6 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024 at 900 Broadway, inside Gillespie Methodist Church Gym. All donors will receive an ImpactLife Reward Voucher for their choice of either an EGift Card $20 Whole Blood/$25 Double Reds-Target, Amazon, Walmart, Olive Garden, Subway etc., use Bonus Points in our online Rewards Store or direct a donation to Make A Wish Illinois. What: Gillespie Community Blood Drive When: Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, 1-6 p.m. Where: Gillespie Methodist Church Gym, 900 Broadway, Gillespie, IL Appointments: To donate, please contact Brenda Lowe at (217) 710-1336 or visit www.bloodcenter.org and use code 60020 to locate the drive. Appointments are requested. You may also call ImpactLife to schedule at 800-747-5401. 2801 South 10th Street | Springfield, Illinois | (217) 753-1530 Donor Eligibility Criteria:

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FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS — The Fairview Heights Cultural Committee met last week to discuss critical issues, including the Ten Shared Principles designed by the NAACP and the Illinois Chiefs, the hiring of qualified community members, police use of force, training, and the future of professional law enforcement in society. The meeting, attended by key Fairview Heights community and law enforcement figures, provided a platform for open dialogue and collaboration. Among the attendees were Lt. James Mason, Capt. C.J. Beyerdorfer, Reverend Ran Foggs, Pastor William Fowler, Commissioner Leroy Elleby, Paula Nixon, Mayor Mark Kupsky, Brian Gibson, and Chief Steve Johnson. Discussions centered on the Ten Shared Principles, a set of guidelines aimed at fostering trust and mutual respect between law enforcement and the community. These principles emphasize the importance of transparency, accountability, and the equitable treatment of all citizens. Chief Johnson highlighted the significance o

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ROXANA - Roxana High running back Andruw Ellis enters the 2024 football campaign as one of the area’s top picks for success. Ellis has a blazing 4.6 40-yard dash speed and recently signed with Northern Illinois University to play football in 2025. Ellis is the latest Roxana player to sign with a Division I school. The last Division I football recruit was Rusty Wheat in 2024. He attended Missouri State University. Ellis was one of the leaders for the Shells’ football squad last year and one of three backs who gained 1,000-plus yards and is expected to repeat that kind of performance in 2024. Ellis is a Midwest Members Credit Union Male Athlete of the Month for the Shells. “Andruw is a big-time player,” Roxana Head Football Coach Wade DeVries said. “He visited Northern Illinois at the end of July and worked out and got a Division I scholarship offer.” “I am really excited for him,” the coach added. “The recruiting process is fun

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BELLEVILLE — The Burger King restaurant at Green Mount Commons in Belleville has permanently closed its doors, according to the company's website. The restaurant, located at 2508 Green Mount Commons Drive, appears to have been emptied, with the menu boards in the drive-thru removed and a large dumpster present in the parking lot. The closure marks the end of the fast-food chain's presence at this location. Burger King's corporate office has yet to release a statement regarding the closure, and it remains unclear what led to the decision to shut down this particular outlet. The closure is part of a broader trend in the fast-food industry, where changing consumer preferences and economic pressures have led to the shuttering of several locations nationwide. As of now, no information has been provided about potential plans for the vacant property or if another business will take its place.

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FAIRMONT CITY – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced lane closures will be encountered on northbound and southbound I-55/70 beginning Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at 7 a.m. through Friday, August 30, 2024, at 12 p.m., weather permitting. The left lane will be closed between Exchange Ave and IL 203. Northbound will be closed for the duration of the project and the southbound left lane will be closed daily from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. All entrance and exit ramps will remain open. These restrictions are needed to repair the glare screen on the median wall. IDOT district 8 forces will make the needed improvements. Full access will be restored as soon as possible. Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. To avoid the work area, when feasible, use of alternate routes should be considered. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to changed conditions and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits, refrain

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ALTON - The Alton-Godfrey Democratic Precinct is excited to announce our 42nd Annual Banquet on Sept. 6, 2024. The theme is UNITY! It will be held at the VFW located at 4445 North Alby Street in Alton. The guest speaker will be Retired Chief Circuit Judge William Mudge. Judge William Mudge began his elected public service in 2002 as Madison County's State's Attorney. Mudge was Edwardsville's Township Chairman, a Democratic Precinct Committeeman for over two decades, and served on the Executive Committee and Central Committee under Mac Warfield and Matt Melucci, before becoming a judge. The Master of Ceremonies will be School Board Member Tiana Gipson. This is a pivotal election in our nation's history and protecting the ballot is of utmost importance to keeping our democracy safe. Doors open at 5 p.m. and tickets can be purchased at the door for $40 each. For any questions, contact Lee Barham, chairperson of the Alton-Godfrey Democratic Precinct, at 618-799-9157.

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August 26, 2024, marks another day in history, full of significant events that have shaped our world. First Recorded Ascent of Mont Blanc (1786) Another significant event occurred on August 26, 1786, when Jacques Balmat and Dr. Michel-Gabriel Paccard made the first recorded ascent of Mont Blanc, the highest peak in the Alps. This achievement marked a milestone in the field of mountaineering and opened the door for future expeditions to the world's tallest mountains. The Battle of Crécy (1346) On this day in 1346, the Battle of Crécy took place during the Hundred Years' War between England and France. This battle was significant for its use of the longbow by English archers, which played a crucial role in their victory over the French forces. The Battle of Crécy is often cited as a turning point in medieval warfare, demonstrating the effectiveness of new military technology and tactics. Liberation of Paris (1944) Fast forward to August 26, 1944,

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EDWARDSVILLE - As the fall season approaches, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is gearing up for an exciting Homecoming & Family Weekend, Oct. 2-5, 2024. This year’s theme, Celebrate Cougar Nation, emphasizes the outstanding contributions of SIUE’s students, faculty, staff and alumni, all of whom have made a significant impact on the University and community. “Homecoming is a premier event for the Alumni Association,” said Maggie Krumwiede, PharmD ’05, ’09 and president of the SIUE Alumni Association. “It provides a great opportunity for us to invite back alumni from every decade to celebrate our stellar school and it's a great way to showcase some of our athletic teams. Between all of our events, there's something for the whole family!” This year, the weekend promises to be more vibrant than ever, with three signature events set to bring exciting dimensions to the celebration: COUGARFEST – Rock the Quad, Cougars Unleashed

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GODFREY - Lewis and Clark Community College’s upcoming Resource & Wellness Fair will offer various health, wellness and community resources to help Riverbend residents thrive. This year’s event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 10, in The Commons, on the college’s Godfrey Campus. It is free and open to the public. “This year’s fair is an expansion of the college’s annual Wellness Fair,” said L&C Counselor Terri Austin, who is helping to spearhead the event. “One of the key directions of the college’s strategic plan focuses on building a transparent and inclusive campus culture and building community collaborations. We saw this event as an opportunity to work toward both while promoting physical and mental wellness.” Attendees can also prepare for flu season by getting a flu shot at the event. Vaccines are free with most insurance, though self-pay will also be accepted. This clinic is sponsored by the L&C

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EAST ALTON - The National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC) is celebrating the success of the NGRREC Wetlands Collaborative in obtaining funding for research, education and outreach. NGRREC received $1,457,000 and collaborated with the Illinois Natural History Survey (INHS) for an additional $444,000, bringing the total amount of funding approved over the past two months to $1,901,000. “We’re excited by the early success of the Wetlands Collaborative in obtaining funding from a variety of external sources aimed at evaluating wetland quality on public and private lands across Illinois,” Terrestrial Wildlife Ecologist John Crawford said. Crawford said the primary focus is to provide actionable information on wetland sustainability and conservation to land managers, policymakers and the general public. This funding will help jump-start those efforts. Project Title: Assessment of Populations and Management Techniques for the Threatened

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ALTON - The Alton Food Truck Fest at the Alton Amphitheater was another success on Saturday, August 24, 2024. Dan Herkert, of the Alton Amphitheater Commission, said the Food Truck Festival featured new and returning favorites offering a wide variety of enticing food options and musical entertainment by the upbeat Rock Mafia. “It has turned into one of the biggest food truck festivals in the Midwest,” Herkert said. “It was a little on the warm side, but a great breeze blew, so it was comfortable. There was a lot of great food and music. We couldn’t be more thrilled with it. We were thrilled with the effort of the city staff and the amphitheater commission members to produce another successful event.” This is a list of the food trucks: Cajun Seduction Doughboy’s Wood Fired Pizza Duchess Royal Fire & Ice G Burrito Go Gyro Go Grace Chicken & Fish Jive Turkey The Moobile Mr. Noodle Pig On A Wing Scoops of Joy The Sweet Side Takozz

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GODFREY - A vehicle collided with the front doors of a building in Madison County on Friday afternoon, Aug. 23, 2024, but thankfully caused no injuries, according to local authorities. The crash occurred in the Monticello Plaza area of Godfrey at an Edward Jones office. Marcos Pulido, Chief Deputy of the Madison County Sheriff's Office, stated that the incident occurred at approximately 1:12 p.m. on Friday. Deputies responded to the scene to handle the traffic crash. "Preliminary investigation revealed that while a driver was slowing, she mistakenly pressed the gas pedal instead of the brake pedal, causing the vehicle to collide with the front doors of this building," Pulido said.

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CAHOKIA HEIGHTS – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that pavement repairs on southbound Interstate 255 between Illinois 15 and Illinois 157 in St. Clair County will require lane closures over several weekends. Throughout construction, at least one lane will remain open at all times. The pavement repairs started Friday, Aug. 23, at 7 p.m. The two left lanes of southbound I-255 between Illinois 15 and Illinois 157 will be closed. One of the southbound lanes reopened by 6 a.m. Monday, Aug. 26. This advance work is part of a $65.4 million project, made possible by Gov. JB Pritzker’s Rebuild Illinois capital program, to resurface I-255 throughout St. Clair County. Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. Drivers are urged to reduce speed, be alert for changing conditions, obey all construction signage, and refrain from using mobile devices while approaching and traveling through the work zone. Ove

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EAST ST. LOUIS – The Illinois Department of Transportation has announced that the bridge carrying 26th Street over the Norfolk Southern railroad, between Illinois 15 and Bond Avenue in East St. Louis, reopened Friday, Aug. 23. The project, which consists of repairing the bridge approaches and structural steel, began earlier this summer. In April, the 26th Street bridge approach was fully closed to repair damage after the bridge was hit. During the closure, IDOT also completed pavement patching within the closure area. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to changing conditions and all detour signs prior to the work zone, 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 X, formerly known as Twitter, at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.

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GRANITE CITY – On June 29, 2024, officers from the Granite City Police Department responded to a call at Gateway Regional Medical Center regarding an unconscious and non-breathing infant. The infant, who had been transported from a residence in the 2100 block of Bryan Avenue, was pronounced deceased by hospital staff upon arrival. The Madison County Coroner’s Office, the Southern Illinois Child Death Investigation Task Force, and the Illinois State Police Crime Scene Unit were subsequently involved to assist with the investigation. According to Major Gary Brooks of the Granite City Police Department, the investigation identified two persons of interest whose actions were determined to have led to the infant’s death. On August 22, 2024, the Madison County State’s Attorney’s office issued charges against Sarrah M. Cheung and Patrick L. Godfrey. Both individuals face one count of Involuntary Manslaughter and one count of Endangering the Life or Health of

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ALTON - The Alton-based Mercenaries Rugby Club is looking for new members, with a welcoming roster of current players and coaches who make the team an ideal starting place for new and experienced athletes alike. Head Coach Charles Hicks and fellow club member Keegan appeared on Our Daily Show! on Riverbender.com to share more about what the Mercenaries Rugby Club is all about - including its name, which stems from the acronym for Metro East Rugby Club (MERC). Hicks emphasized that while there’s no prior rugby experience needed to play, all interested club members must be 18 years of age or older to participate. Even if you’ve never played rugby before, the Mercenaries have you covered with a helpful coaching and training staff of former rugby players, as well as former college wrestlers, football players, USA Rugby certified officials, and other seasoned athletes. Keegan said that while his rugby skills were rough starting out, he’s had a little help

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County Police Department Bureau of Crimes Against Persons detectives are investigating a fatal motor vehicle crash that occurred on Meramec Station Road near Crescent Avenue that resulted in the death of an adult female. On Friday, August 23, 2024, just before 10:30 p.m., St. Louis County police officers from the West County Precinct responded to a call for service for a person struck near the intersection of Meramec Station Road and Crescent Avenue. Officers located an adult female who had been struck by a vehicle. The striking vehicle left the scene. The victim was transported to an area hospital for treatment but was pronounced deceased. The victim has been identified as Julisa Cannon, 31 years of age, of the sixtieth block of Cheryl Lane, Valley Park, MO, 63088. Preliminary investigation reveal the victim was walking eastbound on Meramec Station Road when she was struck by an unknown vehicle. This is an active investigation. Any additional

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ALTON/WOOD RIVER - Sarah Anderson has always been a creative person. Now, the local mom has decided to invest in her art as she starts her new business, The Painted Garden. After her son was born, Anderson realized that she needed a hobby for herself. She began painting and fell in love with the creative process. She can’t wait to share and sell her art through The Painted Garden. A launch party on Sept. 12, 2024, at Mac’s Downtown will help her spread the word and encourage the community to celebrate a new local business. “I’ve always liked to create, crafting or painting. It’s just been a fun little hobby of mine, but I decided to make it a business probably about a year and a half ago,” Anderson explained. “The plan is to sell the items that I create mostly on an online platform through my website, which is in the works, and through Amazon and Etsy.” Anderson works with texture and acrylic paints on canvas board or wrapped canvas

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