Riverbender 🕸

EDWARDSVILLE - Charges have been issued in an alleged distribution of child pornography case investigated by the Edwardsville Police Department and the Madison County State's Attorney's Office has issued serious charges. The City of Edwardsville released the following information Thursday afternoon: "On December 20th, 2022, the Edwardsville Police Department received information from the Illinois Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) alleging that a resident of Edwardsville was involved in the distribution of child pornography. The Edwardsville Police Department initiated an investigation into the allegation. The subsequent investigation led to the suspect, Connor J. Bazzell M/W, 24 years of age. "On September 13, 2023, the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office issued criminal information on Bazzell for the following offenses: COUNT 1 – Child Pornography, a class X felony COUNT 2 – Child Pornography, a class X felony COUNT 3 - Child

Continue Reading

ALTON - A man faces unrelated charges after Alton Police officers were dispatched to a residence in the 600 block of East 5th Street at 6:18 p.m. on Sept. 11, in reference to a domestic disturbance. Alton Police Jarrett Ford said upon officers' arrival, information was obtained from the victim, including that she had been battered by her son, Simon E. Grassle, and that Grassle had left the area on foot. Ford said at approximately 8:51 p.m., the same evening, officers were made aware that Grassle was walking in the 400 block of East Broadway. Officers contacted Grassle and took him into custody for domestic battery. At this time, an officer recognized that Grassle matched the description of a suspect from a vehicle burglary that occurred during the early morning hours of 09/06/2023 in the 500 block of Seminary Square in Alton. Grassle was interviewed by an Alton Police detective with the criminal investigation division and further information was obtained about two additional burglaries

Continue Reading

JERSEYVILLE - St. Francis/Holy Ghost Catholic School will host their 25th annual Harvest Fest this weekend, complete with activities, games, prizes, live music and more. The festival is held on St. Francis grounds, located at 412 S. State Street in Jerseyville. Kids can enjoy face painting, pumpkin decorating, games and a scavenger hunt while parents participate in the raffles, live auction and 90s trivia game. A cornhole tournament and pie-eating contest will round out the weekend, with music from local bands all day Saturday and Sunday. “ It’s a big carnival, church picnic environment,” Principal Dr. Dennis Cramsey explained. “The adults enjoy coming out for the adult beverages and the bands throughout the weekend…There are all kinds of kids’ games to keep the kids occupied while the adults socialize. It’s definitely geared toward families.” Plenty of food and drinks are on the menu. The live auction will take place on Saturday

Continue Reading

GODFREY – Longtime Music Professor Louis Michael is Lewis and Clark Community College’s Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award recipient for 2023. The award was announced internally during faculty in-service week in August, then again publicly during the September meeting of the L&C Board of Trustees this week. “It was a big surprise,” Michael said. “I’ve been here for so long and have seen other people get it, but I didn’t imagine myself getting the award. It’s really nice to be recognized.” Right out of high school, Michael got into the music business and made his living for 18 years playing live music full time. He played for a number of bands over the years, but started one under his own name in 1985. For more than a decade, he and the band traveled, played clubs, colleges and even opened for well-known national touring bands. At the age of 37, he found himself needing to go in a new direction. He had studied for two

Continue Reading

WASHINGTON PARK – A trio has been officially charged with a homicide in Washington Park that occurred last Friday. On September 12, 2023, the St. Clair County State’s Attorney, James Gomric, charged 22-year-old Deantae Hoskins of Madison with First-Degree Murder (Class M Felony) and Armed Habitual Criminal (Class X Felony), a 16-year-old juvenile of Madison with First Degree Murder (Class M Felony) and 26-year-old Cheyennea Hoskins of Hartford with Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon (Class 4 Felony) and Aggravated Assault (Class A Misdemeanor). The state's attorney said at 3:47 p.m. on September 8, 2023, the Washington Park Police Department and ISP Zone 6 Major Crimes responded to 47th Street at Caseyville Avenue in Washington Park for reports of a shooting. When officers arrived, they found a male victim who had been struck by gunfire and was pronounced deceased on scene. The victim was later identified as 36-year-old Peter Hester Jr. of East Carondelet. ISP said

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE – The City has launched a forgivable loan program aimed at helping homeowners make improvements to Edwardsville’s older houses. The Single Family Residential Rehabilitation Program offers forgivable loans of up to $25,000 to eligible residents for a variety of improvements. High-priority projects include roofing, electrical wiring, windows and doors, heating and air conditioning systems, foundations and more. “This program is a step in the right direction to help homeowners reinvest in some of our older housing stock that could be so lovely with just a little TLC,” said 6th Ward Alderwoman Jennifer Warren, who brought the idea for the housing rehabilitation program to City staff. Funds for the approved home projects will be provided to the homeowner as a five-year forgivable loan. If the homeowner sells the property or converts it to a rental unit within five years, the funds must be paid back on a pro-rated monthly schedule for the time remaining

Continue Reading

BETHALTO - The 27th annual Wings-N-Wheels Fly-In Festival takes flight on Saturday, Sept. 30 and Sunday, Oct. 1, each from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the St. Louis Regional Airport in Bethalto. Featuring free flights for kids, tours of planes on the airport tarmac, a car show, food trucks, a Farmers Market, and much more, the weekend is jam-packed with family fun at no admission cost. Danny Adams, general manager of the St. Louis Regional Airport, said on Our Daily Show! on Riverbender.com that they enjoy opening to the public to showcase the airplanes and the airport itself. “It’s a nice community event. We like showing off the airport, we love showing what we do,” Adams said. “We like showing the airplanes off and that’s our prime opportunity to do it.” On Saturday, Sept. 30, the festival kicks off with tours on the airport tarmac of several different types of aircraft, including local pilot planes, a jet from West Star Aviation, a B-25 bomber

Continue Reading

EAST ST. LOUIS – The U.S. District Court in St. Louis today announced that a man - Vallie F. Zeller - had been sentenced by a judge for Attempted Enticement of a Minor, Travel with Intent to Engage in Sexual Conduct with a Minor, and Attempted Sexual Exploitation of a Minor after evidence presented at trial showed he was conversing online with an alleged 15-year-old girl with the intention of having sex with the minor, and then traveled to Illinois to meet her. The judge in the case sentenced the 46-year-old St. Louis man to spend nearly 34 years in federal prison following his conviction by a jury for several attempted sex offenses involving a purported minor. In March 2023, a jury convicted Zeller. Following the federal prison sentence, Zeller will serve the rest of his life on supervised release. “The defendant is a child predator, and our communities are better off with him spending time in federal prison,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “This operation

Continue Reading

ALTON - The Robert Logan Memorial Tennis Invitational will occur on Saturday, Sept. 16 at the Andy Simpson Tennis Center at Lewis and Clark Community College, Alton High School, Gordon Moore Park’s Simpson Tennis Center, and Civic Memorial High School. The tournament is named for the former boys and girls tennis coach at Alton High School who died after a brave battle with cancer in 2016. He was only 30 years old at the time of his death. Alton High Coach and Tournament Director Jesse Macias said: “We are blessed to host this event and celebrate Robert Logan's life. He was a special coach and person and is a guardian of our tennis community. This tournament is a tribute to him and allows his family and friends to get together to remember everything he meant to us.” As for the 2023 competition, Coach Macias is excited about the field. “The tournament is absolutely loaded this year," he said. "Cor Jesu, Lafayette, Effingham St. Anthony, Triad, and Highland hav

Continue Reading

GODFREY - The Great Godfrey Maze opens on Friday, Sept. 15 for a month of family fall fun. From Sept. 15 through Oct. 28, you can enjoy the Great Godfrey Maze and other activities every Friday and Saturday at the Robert E. Glazebrook Park in Godfrey. This year’s theme, “Family Game Night,” has attractions for kids of all ages — and some spooky fun for the older crowd, too. “The team here is incredible, and we have a lot of pride in what we do,” Chris Logan, the Godfrey Parks and Recreation Director, said. “I know everyone that works here enjoys doing it and is just so happy to do it. It’s all worth it when you see families come out and have fun.” Logan says the maze is the main attraction, but families can also take a ride on the hay wagon, swim in the Corn Crib, hop on the Jumping Pillow and check out the new Vortex Tunnel. Younger kids can also try the Mini Maze and take a 5–7 minute ride on the Cow Train. The Corn Crib

Continue Reading

ALTON - Illinois American Water’s work to separate the Alton combined sewer system and install new sanitary sewers continues. Below is information about upcoming/current road closures – Sept. 14, 2023 Belle Street south of Hamilton Street to 10th Street remains closed to all traffic, with blocks north of Hamilton Avenue closing in the coming weeks. Please use US 67 and/or Alby Streets to the east to traverse north-south in lieu of using Belle Street. A major road closure will start on September 18th with the closure of the intersection of State Street and Madison Avenue. Southbound State Street traffic will be asked to use the detour of Jefferson Street to Grand Avenue to State Street. Alternatively, southbound traffic that previously used State Street can also utilize US 67 or Alby Streets to head south through town. The closure of this intersection is expected to last several weeks. More detailed information regarding access to Bo’s Hardware and Maher Automotive

Continue Reading

JACKSONVILLE - State Representative C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-Murrayville) is inviting everyone in the 100 th District to participate in his photo contest to help update the decor in his Capitol office in Springfield. People of all ages are encouraged to take a picture of a place, object or an event in the 100 th District and email the picture with contact information to RepCDDavidsmeyer@gmail.com . Information to include with submissions: First Name, Last Name, Mailing Address, E-mail Address, and Phone Number. “We are fortunate to have many amazing people, places and fun events throughout the 100 th District,” commented Rep. Davidsmeyer. “With many mobile phones having camera capabilities these days, it is easier to capture images of nature or places you come across unexpectedly that help tell the history and story about Illinois. I receive great comments about the photos from many visitors to my Capitol office from around the state and across the country.”

Continue Reading

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today that the unemployment rate increased +0.1 percentage point to 4.1 percent, while nonfarm payrolls were almost unchanged, down -100, in August, based on preliminary data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and released by IDES. August total nonfarm payrolls remained above the pre-pandemic number of total nonfarm payroll jobs. The July revised unemployment rate was 4.0 percent, unchanged from the preliminary July unemployment rate. The July monthly change in payrolls was revised from the preliminary report, from +11,200 to +3,400 jobs. The August unemployment rate and payroll jobs estimate reflect activity for the week including the 12th. In August, the industry sectors with the largest over-the-month job gains included: Educational and Health Services (+4,400), Leisure and Hospitality (+800), and Manufacturing (+400). The industry sectors with the largest monthly payroll job decline

Continue Reading

GRANITE CITY - Sophomore Tulio Zampieri is proving to be a very promising runner for the Civic Memorial High boys cross country team and in the 50th running of the Pete Robinson/Harry Lang Granite City Invitational meet, Zampieri ran a personal record 17:08.2 in helping the Eagles to a seventh-place finish in the meet. Zampieri is a very hard worker who, as a freshman, was also a key component of CM's 4x800 meter relay team that qualified for the IHSA Class 2A state meet this past spring in Charleston. Zampieri is a Tom Lane State Farm Insurance Male Athlete of the Month for CM. "Tulio had a very solid race for him," said CM cross country coach Jake Peal. "He picked up a lot of confidence in qualifying with the 4x800 team." The confidence Zampieri gained in during the track season has crossed over into the cross-country season as well. "He's done a great job in cross country," Peal said, "but also was very good in track in both the 400 and 800 meters. He's definitely going to buil

Continue Reading

AMES, Iowa – Cottage Hills native Travis Jumper earned his Doctor of Philosophy, Agricultural Education, recently from Iowa State University. Iowa State awarded degrees to 607 graduates this summer. Students earning degrees during the summer have the opportunity to participate in fall or spring commencement ceremonies. Travis is an Associate Professor/ Coordinator at Lewis and Clark Community College.

Continue Reading

JERSEYVILLE - The Jerseyville Police Department’s T.E.E.N.S. Program is hosting a two-day pickleball tournament fundraiser coming up on Saturday, Sept. 23 and Sunday, Sept. 24 at Lions Club/Wittman Park. Officer Seth Tefertiller with the Jerseyville Police Department appeared on an episode of Our Daily Show! on Riverbender.com to discuss the pickleball fundraiser and more about the T.E.E.N.S program. The pickleball tournament is open to all ages, but Officer Tefertiller said those ages 16 and under must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. The event kicks off at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 23 with women's doubles, followed by men's doubles at 12 p.m. Mixed doubles will be played on Sunday, Sept. 24 starting at 9:30 a.m. There are already seven women’s teams signed up for Saturday, and 17 teams signed up for the mixed doubles on Sunday, Officer Tefertiller said. Team registration is $70 ($35 per player), or $10 individually. Registration is open until this Friday

Continue Reading

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, met with Tim Decker, Chair, President, & CEO of The Home Depot, to discuss the impact of credit card swipe fees. Earlier this year, Durbin and U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS) introduced their Credit Card Competition Act , bipartisan legislation that would enhance competition and choice in the credit card network market, which is currently dominated by the Visa-Mastercard duopoly. The legislation is estimated to save merchants and consumers $15 billion each year and this week, Durbin urged the Senate to bring the bill to the floor for a vote. “Visa and Mastercard set the fees on behalf of thousands of banks and tell merchants to take it or leave it. Merchants have no real choice but to accept the outrageous fees,” said Durbin. “In 2022 alone, U.S. merchants and consumers paid $93.2 billion in credit card interchange fees to line the pockets of the

Continue Reading

GLENVIEW— Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced today that UPSIDE Foods – a leading cultivated meat, poultry and seafood company will locate its first commercial-scale production facility in Glenview. As the first cultivated meat company to receive FDA approval, UPSIDE’s new Glenview facility marks a major milestone for cultivated meat production – supporting Illinois’ ecosystem and adding to the state’s dominance in the food processing industry. Bolstered by one of the first EDGE for Start Ups agreements, the company will invest at least $141 million and create a minimum of 75 new jobs. “On behalf of the State of Illinois, we are excited to welcome UPSIDE Foods to the Land of Lincoln and are committed to supporting their growth in the cultivated meat industry,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Here in Illinois, we are a hub for tech and innovation, thanks to our talented

Continue Reading

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today released the following statement after the Senate Judiciary Committee voted to advance the nomination of April Perry to serve as U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois: “We are pleased that the Senate Judiciary Committee has advanced the nomination of April Perry to serve as the next U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois. She was highly regarded by our screening committee and brings strong qualifications and a wealth of experience from her time in the U.S. Attorney’s Office and in the private sector to the position. “While we would hope for quick consideration of Ms. Perry’s nomination by the full Senate, one Republican Senator continues to hold up Department of Justice nominees, including critical federal law enforcement officers—who prosecute violent crime, terrorism, and

Continue Reading

COTTAGE HILLS - Led by Cottage VFW Post Junior Vice Commander Tim Brown, the organization will host a Veterans Festival and the Global War on Terrorism Wall will be present for the event. Brown, who served in Iraq in the Army, has strong convictions about the wall and its meaning to veterans. He was a key person behind the event last year at St. Louis Regional Airport. The Cottage Hills VFW is the sponsor in 2023. Brown said the wall experience be “emotional, humbling and healing" for those who attend. He said the names of those lost in the Global War on Terrorism are on the wall, along with firefighters and police who died at the World Trade Center in New York City on the fateful Sept. 11, 2001, day. The U.S. recently marked the 22nd anniversary of the attack on the World Trade Center. A total of 2,996 died in the attacks, including 19 hijackers who committed murder-suicide. Thousands were injured and the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center took the brunt of the attacks.

Continue Reading