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ALTON - 'Our Daily Show!' is Riverbender.com's newest daily morning news talk show, and began last Monday, August 15th. It's hosted, produced, and edited by AHS graduate CJ Nasello and has already had multiple guests appear on the show. Tuesday morning's first guest was none other than Dallas Martz, general manager for the Alton River Dragons. The two talked about everything from the postseason to the origin of their mascot, signing players at a concession stand, and more. To watch the entire Martz interview click on the video found above. The first question Nasello asked was about the Boyz II Men concert on Sunday, August 21. Martz walked out on stage to get the crowd hyped up at the Alton Amphitheater. "It was exciting, it was a lot of fun," Martz said. The two also talked about the River Dragons' four all-stars including league MVP Eddie King Jr. out of Louisville University. "When you have the MVP on your team, obviously that's pretty special." "He's an incredible person,"

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ST. LOUIS - People everywhere are feeling the impacts of climate change with more frequent and intense weather events threatening our communities. September is National Preparedness Month and the American Red Cross of Central and Northern Missouri urges everyone to get ready for these emergencies now. Just last year, more than 40% of Americans — some 130 million people — were living in a county struck by a climate-related disaster, according to an analysis from the Washington Post. Disasters can happen anywhere, anytime. You can be ready by visiting redcross.org/prepare . “More powerful climate-driven occurrences are happening across the U.S. than ever before,” said Beth Elders, executive director, Red Cross of Greater St. Louis. “In fact, there have been more climate-related disasters in the nation over the past two decades than in any other country. It’s vital that everyone take steps to be prepared.” THREE EASY STEP S Three simple

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LITCHFIELD - A new lakeside living community with 41 custom homesites spread over 70 acres has opened on the shores of Lake Lou Yaeger, located one hour north of St. Louis in Litchfield, Illinois. Eagle Ridge offers potential residents a variety of waterfront and wooded homesites to design and build their own new custom homes for weekend or year-round living using their own architect and builder. Residents of Eagle Ridge can enjoy an active lifestyle available at popular Lake Lou Yaeger, including boating, fishing, swimming, water skiing, beach activities, picnicking, and playgrounds, as well as hiking, biking, birdwatching, and relaxing at the 266-acre Shoal Creek Nature Conservation Area located on the lake. Several golf courses and wineries are located nearby, and all the retail and hospitality conveniences of Litchfield (pop. 7,000) are just four miles away. Eagle Ridge is being developed by the City of Litchfield, which also owns the 1,400-acre Lake Lou Yaeger and leases all

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ALTON - Alton Band and Orchestra Builders – ABOB is pleased to announce that the 33 rd Annual Olde Alton Arts and Craft Fair will be held during the weekend of December 3 & 4, 2022 at Alton High School. The Fair will be open on Saturday, December 3 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM and on Sunday, December 4 from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Breakfast and Lunch will be available. Currently, we have Crafters from not just Illinois and Missouri, but also from as far away as Kentucky, Tennessee, and Texas! Crafters must offer products that are at least 51% handmade and include a wide variety of items, many of which are Christmas-themed. ABOB is still taking applications for crafters for the Fair. Crafters can find the application/contract at www.abob.net , under the Craft and Vendor Fair drop-down tab. ABOB, originally organized in 1948, has supported the instrumental music program of the Alton Community Unit School District for 74 years, providing music, equipment, and instruments for our elementary,

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SPRINGFIELD – An older person who resides in a rural area of Jackson County recently tested positive for Heartland Virus, the third reported case in Illinois since 2018, the Illinois Department of Public Health announced today. The first two Heartland virus cases in Illinois were reported in 2018 in Kankakee County and Williamson County. Likely spread by the Lone Star tick, more than 50 cases of Heartland virus disease have been reported in the Midwest and southern United States since 2009. “As people continue to enjoy summer activities like hiking and camping, it is important to take precautions against ticks,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. “Remember to wear insect repellent when in tick habitats and check for ticks immediately afterwards.” Heartland virus was first identified in 2009 when two Missouri farmers who had been bitten by ticks were admitted to a hospital. Almost all individuals with Heartland virus have been hospitalized. Although

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EDWARDSVILLE – Consistency, determination and striving to achieve are some of the attributes that make one a serial winner. Such is the story of Cristian Rodrigo Tolava Torrico, a second-year graduate student in the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Engineering (SOE) Department of Civil Engineering. Tolava has been awarded the American Concrete Institute (ACI) Foundation Scholarship’s W. Gene Corley Memorial Scholarship. Named after a recognized industry leader, the scholarship is awarded to graduate students with an interest in forensic engineering and the behavior and design of concrete structures. “This recognition became an extraordinary component of my life and keeps me moving forward,” said Torrico. “I certainly have more to accomplish and more to learn.” For someone whose long-term aspiration is to set up a structural consulting company and tutor rising engineers, Tolava believes the scholarship, with other internship and

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MORRIS – Illinois State Police (ISP) Director Brendan F. Kelly, joined by Illinois Statewide 911 Administrator Cindy Barbera-Brelle, Grundy County Sheriff/Emergency Telephone System Board Director of Electronic Operations Chris Kindelspire, and KenCom Public Safety Dispatch Director Lynette Bergeron, today announced the first counties to go live with Next Generation 911. Next Generation 911 moves emergency response communications to a more integrated information technology network. “The safety and wellbeing of Illinoisans has always been — and will always be — my top priority,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “That’s why we are transforming our emergency response system with modern tools like Next Generation. When there’s an emergency, there’s no time to waste — and Next Generation 911 will ensure that first responders like paramedics, firefighters, and police officers have the information they need to respond quickly and efficiently.”

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For the last 28 years of my life, I’ve had the distinct pleasure of being involved, in one way or another, in the annual rite of passage that comes with becoming a sixth grader. For most of us, this momentous occasion is simply a memory that we have stored away in our minds with all the other good and bad we experienced in our middle school years. But for me, being privy to the annual event of sixth graders learning how to use a combination lock has become a pleasant highlight in my career as an educator. Now, don’t get me wrong: as a sixth-grade homeroom teacher, the actual responsibility of making certain that these students learned how to manipulate a lock was not fun. The constant forgetting of the locker combination, the failing to remember if it was left first or right first, and the ever-present question of why it was necessary to pass that second number once was sometimes daunting. As a young teacher in my twenties, I would sometimes become easily frustrated.

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ALTON - With the first day of fall less than a month away, some area residents may be wondering why construction work has not yet begun where the old Shop 'n Save Gas Station was once located. For those with high anticipation of a Starbucks coming to Alton, the word as of now is that the popular coffee house business will still locate a new store on Homer Adams Parkway, but it will not be here by fall. Alton Mayor David Goins said Monday some environmental work is being done with the soil in the area, and the new Starbucks should still locate here in 2023. "There is a lot of excitement about Starbucks coming," the mayor said. “It is still in the works. Remediation is being done and has pushed construction back. This is something that started before I was elected. I know when it finally does come, residents will be very excited, and it will be a huge hit.” Starbucks started in 1971 in Seattle’s historic Pike Place Market. It was here where Starbucks opened its first

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PORTAGE DES SIOUX, MO. - Last Sunday, and for the past 50 years, The Blessing of the Fleet has been held in Portage Des Sioux, Mo., in front of the Shrine Of Our Lady of the Rivers. Alton Marina General Manager Karen Baker-Brncic, her staff, and other area boaters, always participate in the event. She said the Blessing of the Fleet each year keeps all 14 Marinas in Pool 26 connected. “We are one big family!” she said. “We raised a lot of money on the river Sunday to take care of our lady on the river. It was a great day as usual.” Baker-Brncic is retiring soon as GM of the Alton Marina. A large-scale party in her honor is set for Saturday, Aug. 27, at the Marina. The Blessing of the Fleet is a tradition that began centuries ago in Mediterranean fishing communities. The practice began predominantly Catholic but is now practiced by all Christians as a blessing from the local priest and pastors that are meant to ensure a safe and bountiful season. In most ports,

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ALTON - Illinois American Water broke an abandoned water service line around 10:30 a.m Tuesday on Belle Street at 8th Street and it caused a geyser for a period of time. The Illinois American workers on site went into the deluge of water and using a hammer, drove a "cut-off" shovel handle into the pipe to stop the water flow. Water service for customers was not impacted around the area. The water line leak was fixed and the workers resumed their tasks at hand, Illinois American Water spokesperson Karen Cotton said. Illinois American Water is currently working on separating storm runoff lines from the sewage system (per their agreement when purchasing the business) on Belle Street in Alton, and other areas in Alton. One continuous problem they have is running across old abandoned water service lines, but each time, the workers find a way to alleviate the problem.

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EDWARDSVILLE - During Monday’s monthly Edwardsville Community Unit School District #7 Board of Education meeting, the Edwardsville NAACP awarded each District #7 elementary and middle school a grant for purchasing books for their media centers that illustrate and educate the beauty of diversity. The year’s grant totals $3,000. “The history of the NAACP embodies the spirit of collaboration and partnership while encouraging the celebration of diversity and unity,” said Edwardsville NAACP President Walt Williams. “It is with that same spirit that we work with District #7.” Williams, along with NAACP former president John Cunningham and NAACP branch member Debra Pitts presented the check to District #7 Superintendent Patrick Shelton and Board President John McDole. “Representation matters. It is important for all our students to not only see themselves in our staff but in the library when they pick up a book,” said Cornelia Smith, Director

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EDWARDSVILLE - Madison County Coroner Stephen P. Nonn today provided further information in reference to the two males who tragically lost their lives at a construction site located in the 100 Block East Union Street, Edwardsville. The first victim was identified as one: Cody W. Toenyes White/Male – DOB: 05/17/2000 Bethalto, Illinois The coroner said Toenyes was pronounced deceased at the scene by Madison County Coroner’s Office Investigator Kyle Burgess at 7:24 p.m., August 19, 2022. An autopsy examination was conducted and the preliminary findings for Toenyes determined his death occurred because of possible asphyxia due to low environmental oxygen and drowning. A final cause of death will be issued upon completion of routine toxicological testing. Funeral arrangements for Toenyes are under the direction of Elias, Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home, Bethalto. The second victim was identified as one: Jack M. Pfund Male/White – DOB: 01/10/2003 Edwardsvill

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ALTON - Illinois American Water continues very active work to separate the Alton combined sewer system and install new sanitary sewers continues. The area of 3rd Street between Belle Street and Piasa Street is still closed. There is considerable digging on 3rd Street in Alton as of Tuesday. "As was expected with one of the oldest and busiest streets in the history of Alton, the contactor has encountered some challenges since excavating started on 3rd Street," Illinois-American Water said again this week. "There are numerous old, abandoned utility lines, and even an old brick cistern was uncovered last week. To support safety, progress has been slowed some, resulting in a bit of a delay." Illinois American anticipates it will finish the 3rd Street part of the project in a few weeks, then Belle Street shortly after that. Below is other information about road closures – August 22, 2022: Piasa Valley Area: 9th Street is still closed from Alton Street east to George Street.

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WOOD RIVER - Amiya Hardin, a senior girls volleyball player for East Alton-Wood River Community High School, is expected to be one of the key players for the Oilers as the 2022 season gets underway in the next week. Last season was a very good one for Hardin, as she served up 50 points and 19 aces for EAWR, along with 183 kills, 25 blocks, 15 of them solo, 12 assists, and 72 digs in helping the Oilers to a 12-24 record in 2021. She's also won many awards and honors on her team the last two seasons and has also been named Honorable Mention on both the Prairie State and Cahokia Conference All-Conference teams. For her efforts on the court, Hardin has been named a Midwest Members Credit Union Female Athlete of the Month at EAWR. Hardin, who plays for head coach Bethany Billingsley, had played volleyball since middle school and enjoys playing the sport very much. "I've been playing volleyball since seventh grade," Hardin said. "My favorite thing about volleyball is you only get better

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CARROLLTON - Several individuals in Greene and surrounding counties have been charged with crimes ranging from battery to vehicle theft over the past month, according to the latest Greene County Jail Booking Report. David Moore, 50, of Alsey, was charged with two counts of aggravated battery of a peace officer and one count of resisting a peace officer, in addition to a Failure to Appear warrant in Greene County. He was arrested by the Scott County Sheriff’s Department on August 9 and remains in custody. Robert Sprague, 49, of Roodhouse, was arrested for battery by the White Hall Police Department on August 9, but has since been released on bond. Kyle Hoffman, 29, of Kane, was charged with possession of a stolen vehicle. He was arrested by the Greene County Sheriff’s Department on August 9 and has since been released on bond. Douglas Hall, 35, of Roodhouse, was arrested for retail theft by the Roodhouse Police Department on August 2 and was given a Notice to Appear

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement regarding reports by a former senior security employee at Twitter who is alleging widespread security failures at the company: “The whistleblower’s allegations of widespread security failures at Twitter, willful misrepresentations by top executives to government agencies, and penetration of the company by foreign intelligence raise serious concerns. If these claims are accurate, they may show dangerous data privacy and security risks for Twitter users around the world. As Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I will continue investigating this issue and take further steps as needed to get to the bottom of these alarming allegations.”

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CAHOKIA HEIGHTS, IL – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), along with Radhika Fox, EPA Assistant Administrator for the Office of Water, Deb Shore, EPA Region 5 Administrator and John Kim, IEPA Director, toured areas of Cahokia Heights that have been hard hit with legacy flooding and sewage issues and led a roundtable discussion with local officials and community members about efforts to address environmental injustice. Also joining Duckworth, Fox and Shore were: Chris Belt, 57th District State Senator; Latoya Greenwood, 114th District State Representative; Jay Hoffman, 113th District State Representative; Mark Kern, St. Clair County Board Chairman; Curtis McCall Sr., Mayor of Cahokia Heights; Joe Ahlvin, Senior Operations Manager; of IL American Water and members of the community. Photos of today’s tour and roundtable are available here . “For too long, communities like Cahokia Heights have unfairly borne the brunt of environmental injustice, which is why

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WOOD RIVER – Today, city council member Jeremy Plank commended the City of Wood River staff for prioritizing transparency by adding to the city website: city meetings agendas a calendar of events list of current projects “one-click” electronic payment of billings “In 2021, I launched ‘A Transparent Wood River,’ a plan to make our city more accountable and accessible to its citizens,” said Plank. “I appreciate the work of city staff for helping to make Wood River a leader in transparent local government.” “A Transparent Wood River” is an initiative inspired by the Ballotpedia.com Municipal Transparency Checklist . This checklist includes common-sense items the city should disclose on its website, including the city budget, audits, meeting agendas, open records information, contracts, and lobbying information. “As a city councilman, I will continue to prioritize transparency so our residents can see their

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EDWARDSVILLE – The Madison County Coroner’s Office confirmed the names of the two workers who died after becoming unconscious while in a manhole at a construction site in the 100 block of East Union on Friday, August 19, 2022, as Jack M. Pfund, 19, of Edwardsville and Cody W. Toenyes, 22, of Bethalto. The coroner's office said both men were pronounced dead at the scene at 7:24 p.m. on Friday, August 19. The Edwardsville Fire Department said the area where the two men were found had very little oxygen and there was a buildup of toxic gases. Jack Pfund is the son of Pfund Construction CEO and President Matt Pfund. Toeneyes is a CM grad.

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