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WOOD RIVER - Kaidence Reef had a stellar girls' soccer season for the Oilers in 2023 as a sophomore. The future looks bright for the 2023 All-Conference Cahokia Conference selection. Reef is also a Midwest Members Athlete of the Month selection for the Oilers. She thanked her parents for all their support and her coach Jesse Daniels for his mentorship. "I’ve played for 10-plus years and I like the competitive nature of the sport," she said. "My involvement in sports has taught me that I need to work hard for things I'd like to achieve in life." She said she would like to attend college possibly at SEMO or somewhere in Hawaii. "I would like to do something in business or be a marine biologist," she said of her future plans. Kaidence is also a setter-right-side player on the Oilers girls' volleyball team. Kaidence is a straight-A student and is on the high honor roll at her school.

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WOOD RIVER - Wood River Police Sgt. Aaron Burns and two others represented the Wood River Police Department in the 19th Annual Cycle Across Illinois benefiting Illinois Concerns of Police Survivors. The cycle across the state took place from June 12 to June 16. Sgt. Burns, wife, Kristen, and sister-in-law Riana Whitehead completed the entire 368-mile bike ride. Aaron escorted the two with a Wood River Police Department vehicle on the road, Wood River Chief Brad Wells said. Sgt. Burns and the two women represented the Wood River Police Department to honor those who lost their life in the line of duty and in honor of his brother, while his wife and sister rode in the 368-mile bicycle ride to honor the fallen. Det. Sgt. Burns lost his brother, Caruthersville Officer Evan Burns, in the line of duty, on Aug. 11, 2011. Wood River Police Chief Brad Wells said the members of the Wood River Police Department and community are very thankful for their dedication to honor those who have mad

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JERSEYVILLE - Possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of burglary equipment, and possession of methamphetamine are just a few of the criminal charges filed by Jersey County authorities over the past week, according to recent court filings. Heath E. Blaine, 51, of Jerseyville, was charged with unlawful possession of a stolen vehicle on July 7. Court records state Blaine “knowingly exerted unauthorized control” over a “2005 BMW motorcycle,” with the intent to permanently deprive its owner of their property. Blaine was charged with a Class 2 felony and his bail was set at $25,000. Danny J. Harbison, 38, of Columbia, Mo., was charged with possession of burglary tools, obstructing identification, unlawful possession of methamphetamine and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. Court records indicate each of these offenses were committed on July 8. Harbison “possessed a long flathead screwdriver and a pair of channel locks, suitable for breaking

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SPRINGFIELD – Small nonprofits that help people with housing or workforce and economic development assistance are encouraged to apply for funding through the Charitable Trust Stabilization Program, Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs said today. Grant applications will be accepted through Sept. 30. “We are helping these organizations fulfill their important role in securing housing, employment, and job training for people in need,” said Frerichs, whose office manages the program. “The Charitable Trust program offers an excellent opportunity for small non-profits to have an even greater impact on the people they serve.” The Charitable Trust Stabilization Fund assists small nonprofits with annual budgets of $1 million or less. The fund’s money comes from filing fees that nonprofits pay when incorporating in the state of Illinois – not from personal or property tax dollars. For the second grant cycle of 2023, up to $200,000 is available.

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SOUTHERN ILLINOIS - The McGraw family (including Mike and Juliana McGraw, Jenna and Rich Beyers, Christa McGraw, and Dona McGraw) has partnered with Prairie Heart Institute and the Prairie Heart Foundation to begin the Community AED Program in memory of Rick McGraw. “The Community AED Program meets a significant need,” says Brandy Grove, manager of philanthropy for the Prairie Heart Foundation. “Recently the Rochester Junior High Baseball Team reached out and requested support for an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) machine at their local baseball field.” Grove says their team witnessed a tragic event when a local community member suffered cardiac arrest during baseball practice. Although 911 was called, the individual did not survive. When treating a heart attack, every second matters. Research proves Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and AED save lives. Immediate access to an AED machine could have made a difference on the field that day. “We

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CHICAGO – Today, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, met with community leaders at the Ukrainian Culture Center to provide an update on his recent trip to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit in Vilnius, Lithuania. During the meeting, Durbin highlighted what was discussed at the summit, including an easier pathway for Ukraine to ultimately join NATO, congressional support for the transatlantic relationship, and continued Russian aggression in the region and Putin’s efforts to undermine allied security and democracy. During the meeting, Durbin praised Lithuania for its notable leadership in the NATO alliance and steadfast commitment to democracy. He also highlighted the strong NATO alliance amid Putin’s unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine. “The NATO alliance is stronger now more than ever, and we are united in our determination to stop Putin’s ruthless invasion of Ukraine,”

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ALTON - A steamboat docked near the Argosy Casino today in downtown Alton to load up on supplies and pick up additional crew members. The boat is with American Queen Voyages , a cruise line that offers river tours throughout North America. Over the next week, they will travel up the Mississippi River to Red Wing, Minnesota. “It is definitely nice to be able to travel for work, to be able to see all the different sections of the country that you wouldn’t normally be able to see on a road trip or by flying, even,” Alex Schuchter, one of the ship’s watchmen, said. “Getting to see things that most people aren’t going to see, the scenery and the nature; when we get up toward Minnesota, the cliffs and the mountains that we go through, and down towards Mississippi, all the plains and the forests and all that.” Like during any cruise, passengers stay in hotel rooms on the steamboat and enjoy amenities like buffets, open bars and live entertainment.

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ALTON - Cherry Von Doom, otherwise known as Brittny Wheeler, took home the prize this weekend as the winner of the Kittenz of the Kulture Social Klub’s pinup contest. “This is such an empowering group of women. If you have self-confidence issues or anything at all, come and join this group,” Von Doom said of the ladies social club. The Kittenz of the Kulture Social Klub sponsors pinup contests across the Riverbend area. These contests are usually held alongside car shows. The All-Wheels Drive-In Car Show, held in downtown Alton on July 16, had over 200 classic vehicles on display for visitors to admire. The pinup contests pay homage to women’s culture and style of the 40s, 50s and 60s. Von Doom was dressed in a pink dress in honor of “Barbie,” a Warner Bros. Studio movie based on the Barbie doll franchise, which will be released on July 21. But for Von Doom and the other contestants, the social club and pinup contests aren’t just

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GODFREY - The Village of Godfrey has been made aware of solicitors going door-to-door in several area neighborhoods without permits/registration from the Village Clerk’s Office. It has also recently been reported by homeowners that a St. Louis-based control company has been operating contrary to the Village of Godfrey’s solicitor’s ordinance and employing questionable practices. Godfrey Mayor Mike McCormick said: “If interested in what’s being offered, ask for everything in writing and don’t sign anything without assurance that you’ll receive a copy,” McCormick said. “And don’t feel pressured to open the door to people who aren’t familiar.” When dealing with door-to-door salespeople, it’s always recommended to ask to see the solicitor’s Village of Godfrey-issued permit, which they are required to carry on their person. “You can also call the Village Clerk’s office at (618) 466-3381 to verify

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ST. LOUIS - St. Louis County Police Department Crimes Against Persons detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred in the 14300 block of Ocean View Court which resulted in the death of a juvenile male. On Saturday, July 15, 2023, at 1:26 PM, St. Louis County Police Offices from the North County precinct responded to a call for service in reference to a shooting in the 14300 block of Ocean View Court. When officers arrived, they located an unresponsive male inside a residence suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene. A juvenile male suspect is in custody and has been referred to Family Court. St. Louis County Police Department’s Crimes Against Persons detectives are conducting the investigation. The investigation is ongoing. Additional information will be disseminated as it becomes available.

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ALTON - As the Alton Pride organization prepares for its Sept. 9 festival, they’re planning several events to garner funds and support. “It’s not just about a one-day party,” Michael Paynic, the vice president of Alton Pride, said. “It’s all about giving back to our community. It’s all about teaching the children how to…be able to be themselves.” The Alton Pride organization was started in 2018 by Paynic, current President Nicci Kincer and a few other devoted board members. Their original goal was to start an annual Pride event in Alton, which they fulfilled last year with an estimated 1,500–2,000 attendees. As the organization has grown, they’ve expanded their sights to focus on local LGBTQ+ youth. They host a monthly youth group for high school students where teens can socialize, with a licensed therapist present as an extra resource. Alton Pride has seen how vital this support can be. “They meet

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ST. LOUIS - The St. Louis region has its advantages - especially for companies looking to ship goods anywhere in the country and beyond. Between the city’s centralized location in the U.S., strategic spot on the Mississippi River, six Class 1 railroads, and four interstate highways, St. Louis continues to invest in its infrastructure as preparations are made for even more freight traffic. Terminal Railroad Association President Brent Wood and Mary Lamie, executive vice president of Multi-Modal Enterprises for the St. Louis Regional Freightway, appeared on an episode of Our Daily Show! on Riverbender.com to discuss the region’s many advantages and multimodal infrastructure. In St. Louis, the number of manufacturing/logistics employees per mile is about 366, which Lamie said is “one of the higher numbers in the nation.” “When you compare that to other regions, no one really is within that threshold,” Lamie said. “What that really mean

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today announced that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is reporting that all 102 counties in the state remain at a low level for COVID-19 hospital admissions, according to the new rating system introduced after the declared state and national public health emergencies expired in May. Counties are considered to be at a low level of COVID-19 transmission when hospitalizations are below 10 per 100,000 population. The CDC and IDPH will continue to monitor COVID-19 trends by measuring the presence of the virus in wastewater in addition to other existing surveillance methods. In Illinois, the data is posted by the Illinois Wastewater Surveillance System , which tracks the levels of COVID-19 and influenza in wastewater at 76 locations throughout the state. “I am very happy and relieved to report that COVID-19 cases remain low as we continue the summer season,” IDPH Director Dr. Sameer

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ALTON - Phae Morrissey has always loved the Milton Schoolhouse. This month, Milton is returning that love by featuring her art throughout the building. The Milton Schoolhouse is home to a number of businesses. Every month, they invite a local artist to arrange their work in the main hallway, so almost everyone who enters Milton will walk past it. For Morrissey, the opportunity to display her art is made twice as special by her personal connection to the people who spend time at Milton. “Having my pieces up in a space that I already love means a lot to me,” Morrissey said. “And then getting that positive feedback from my friends and heroes and just the random folks off the street has been really uplifting.” Morrissey spends a lot of time at Milton, chatting with the regulars at Maeva’s Coffee and her partner, who works behind Maeva’s counter. But when she’s not at Milton with her loved ones, she can be found either searching for new materials

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COLUMBIA, MO. - Marilyn Hope Lake, PhD., a 1960 Alton High School graduate and one of five valedictorians of that class of 485, has been selected as a finalist in the 2023 Missouri Writers Contest for Best Non-Fiction. Her Best Poem entry is also a finalist. A finalist in the contest applies for first, second, and third place and honorable mentions. Winners of the contest for each category will be announced at our conference in Colombia on Saturday, September 23, 2023. Marilyn Hope (Waide) Lake was born in Alton Marilyn was also was Best Thespian of the Year, 1960 in Alton. She lives in Columbia and has a new book, "Our Mothers' Ghosts and Other Stories" in pre-publication at Meadowlark Press and Books, Emporia Kan. The expected publication date is the fall of 2023.

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MARION - The Life;Story 5K Walk and Run will aim to prevent suicide and raise awareness about Centerstone, a mental health and addiction treatment service in the Riverbend area. The 5K will take place on Sept. 9 in Marion, though there are also Centerstone locations in Alton, Carbondale and other towns across the country. All proceeds will help Centerstone patients. Other health and wellness organizations will be there on the day of the event, and speakers will talk about their experiences with suicide. “The purpose of Life;Story is to bring about awareness for suicide prevention,” Erin Camfield, Centerstone’s Director of Advancement, said. “The semicolon represents that there’s more to come. There’s more to your life, and there’s more to your story.” This is the first Life;Story 5K in Illinois. Centerstone’s Florida location has sponsored the event for 21 years with thousands of participants each year. Camfield hopes

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EDWARDSVILLE - Former SIUE Chancellor Dr. Vaughn Vandegrift died Tuesday, July 11. He was 76. Dr. Vandegrift served as SIUE's seventh chancellor from 2004-2012. He was a visionary leader, a dedicated educator and a true Cougar at heart. Vandegrift was the major player in SIUE graduating to the highest level of intercollegiate competition. His vision would lead SIUE to begin the transition to NCAA Division I status after the completion of the 2007-08 season. He also would forge SIUE into the Ohio Valley Conference , leading the intercollegiate program that would help increase its connection to alumni and the surrounding community. During his tenure, he spearheaded numerous initiatives which elevated the visibility of the University. He led SIUE to national recognition as one of U.S. News & World Report's up-and-coming universities and facilitated numerous construction and infrastructure projects — paving the way for the University to reach its largest enrollment in the history

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SPRINGFIELD - The homicide victim in Springfield has been identified as Emma Shafer, 24, Sangamon County Coroner Jim Allmon announced on Friday. Shafer, 24, of Springfield, was discovered deceased in her home just before midnight on Tuesday, July 11, 2023. Police confirmed that Shafer was discovered deceased with multiple stab wounds at her 1000 block of South 8th St. address. The Springfield Police received a tip from a person to check on her welfare because they believed she may have been harmed. Today, Gabriel P. Calixto, 25, received an arrest warrant in connection with Shafer's death. Calixto has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder, along with aggravated domestic battery and has a bond total of $3 million.

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EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine and Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced on Friday announced the filing of charges against an Alton man accused of using a social-messaging platform to disseminate child pornography. Haine and Raoul announced that five Class X felony counts of child pornography have been filed against Steven C. Garrison, 44. Those counts allege that, between Feb. 1 and Feb. 4, Garrison used the Discord social-messaging platform to disseminate videos containing child pornography. Associate Judge Ronald Slemer set bail for Garrison at $500,000. Garrison remained in custody as of Friday afternoon. The judge also granted a prosecution request that Garrison be prohibited from having contact with anyone younger than 18 in the event that he is released on bond. “Child pornography is appalling, and these types of cases are very concerning,” Haine said. “As prosecutors, we must always go above and beyond to protec

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EAST ST. LOUIS – The Illinois State Police and the St. Clair County State's Attorney's Office announced that Wednesday, July 12, 2023, St. Clair County State’s Attorney, James Gomric, charged 42-year-old Cermen L. Toney of East St. Louis with First-Degree Murder. ISP recalled that at approximately 1:38 a.m. on Wednesday, July 5, 2023, the East St. Louis Police Department and the ISP Public Safety Enforcement Group (PSEG) responded to the 1400 block of Gaty Avenue in East St. Louis for reports of a shooting. Officers found Lonnie D. Johnson had been struck by gunfire. Johnson was transported to an area hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries. On July 10, 2023, Toney turned himself into PSEG agents. Toney is currently being held at the St. Clair County Jail on a $1,000,000, 10% to apply bond. No further information is available. All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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