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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - On Wednesday, March 16, 2022, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office issued warrants on suspect Dennis Dewrock, 29 years of age, of the 1900 block of Glatt Drive in Arnold, Missouri 63010, for two counts of Stealing $750 or More, one count of Property Damage 1 st Degree, one count of Attempted Stealing $750 or More, and one count of Tampering with a Motor Vehicle. A mugshot of Dewrock is attached. Dewrock is being held on a $75,000 cash only, no 10%, bond. Please note, charges are merely an accusation, and Defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law. The probable cause statement for Dewrock reads: In the early morning hours of December 12, 2021, several related incidents on Lemay Ferry Road were reported to St. Louis County Police. The wheels and tires from a 2012 GMC Yukon (valued at a total of $3,840) were stolen from a business at 745 Lemay Ferry Road (Count 1) by a man driving a red Dodge Ram truck. At 762

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POCAHONTAS – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that I-70 from the Madison County Line East to Sugar Loaf Road near Pocahontas in Bond County will be intermittently restricted to one lane in each direction beginning Wednesday, March 30, 2022, weather permitting. Work can be anticipated at any time Monday thru Saturday and is necessary to complete pavement repairs. Work is expected to be completed by late June 2022. Motorists should allow extra time for trips through this area. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to construction signage and watch for changing conditions, obey the posted speed limits, refrain from using mobile devices and be alert for workers and equipment while approaching and traveling through the work zone. The contractor on this project is The Kilian Corporation of Mascoutah, Illinois. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on Twitter at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information

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WOOD RIVER – Madison County Treasurer Chris Slusser (R-Wood River) announced his campaign for reelection today, with plans to build on his track record of success in the Treasurer’s Office. The Republican Primary election will be held on June 28, 2022. “In the last five years, I led reform efforts that paid off in record gains for taxpayers,” said Treasurer Chris Slusser. “We prioritize customer service and transparency while never compromising the integrity of the office with political gamesmanship. Each year, our office has come in under budget and returned money to the general fund.” As Treasurer, Slusser’s adjustments to the county’s investment portfolio resulted in Madison County being the top performer in the state, generating more than $10 million in additional interest than his predecessor, which in turn has helped the county government lower its property tax burden. When the Governor’s Covid-19 mitigations shut down

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EVERGREEN PARK - March is Endometriosis Awareness Month. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), endometriosis is when the tissue that forms the lining of the uterus (the endometrium) is found outside the uterus, causing bleeding, inflammation, and scarring. While the most common symptom of endometriosis is pelvic pain, this is also a common side effect women experience during their menstrual cycle. In fact, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), more than 80% of women experience pelvic pain during their period. This may make it difficult to differentiate what is causing your pain – especially because the pain caused by endometriosis typically occurs during the same time. Dr. Vanessa Foster, an OSF HealthCare OB/GYN, recommends talking to your OB/GYN if you experience heightened pain during your menstrual cycle, as your provider can help determine its root cause. “Sometimes it is difficult to tell because everybody’s

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today reported 7,467 new confirmed and probable cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Illinois, including an increase of 123 deaths since March 11, 2022. Currently, IDPH is reporting a total of 3,053,185 cases, including 33,198 deaths, in 102 counties in Illinois. The age of cases ranges from younger than one to older than 100 years. Since March 11, 2022, laboratories have reported 596,385 specimens for a total of 56,328,379. As of last night, 528 individuals in Illinois were reported to be in the hospital with COVID-19. Of those, 88 patients were in the ICU and 35 patients with COVID-19 were on ventilators. The preliminary seven-day statewide positivity for cases as a percent of the total tests from March 11-17, 2022 is 1.3%. The preliminary seven-day statewide test positivity from March 11-17, 2022 is 1.2%. A total of 21,273,924 vaccines have been administered in Illinois as of last midnight. The seven-day

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ALTON - Excavation work on the terrain at the McDonald's rebuild has made significant progress this week. Work began on Monday, but much of the concrete has been removed and the ground leveled. Construction of the new McDonald's will begin soon. The hope is to have the McDonald's at 717 E. Broadway in Alton open by June. A fire on June 17, 2021, destroyed the old McDonald's at that location.

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JERSEYVILLE - Germania Brew Haus has been making progress on its Jerseyville location with Edison bulbs, plants and other decor now adorning the interior. Owner Jared Brynildsen said he’s aiming to open this location over the course of April, and that he’s eyeing a location in Bethalto for the near future. Brynildsen said he’s aiming to open the interior to pedestrians for an “interior soft opening” by April 15 - he said the parking lot and drive-thru construction will still be ongoing, which is why the soft opening will be pedestrian-only for now. Some cozy lounge furniture - a Germania trademark - is also on the way. He also said the “exterior” soft opening should hopefully come at the end of April, when the exterior work on the western end of the project should be completed. The eastern end of the project, which will house the space occupied by WOW Event Center, will immediately follow. “I’m extremely happy with how thi

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EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville sophomore backfielder Ulla Sharp had helped anchor a solid defensive wall that conceded only one goal in the Tigers' first two games, a 3-0 win over Belleville Althoff Catholic and a 4-1 win over Rochester Wednesday evening in the Metro Cup showcase tournament at Tiger Stadium. Following the win over Rochester, Sharp felt very excited about the outcome and felt that her team played very well in getting their second win of the season. "I'm feeling awesome," Sharp said in a post-match interview. "I'm so proud of my team. We really worked hard and it's an amazing feeling." The defense has gotten off to a great start, playing solidly in front of goalie Kaitlyn Naney and not allowing quality chances for their opponents. Sharp explained her defensive style as one where she marks tightly and doesn't allow her opponent to make a move towards goal. "I just mark my players tight," Sharp said, "and not letting them turn at all and not letting them turn at all and

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EDWARDSVILLE – Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has launched a convenient new online degree completion program in psychology to prepare individuals to pursue careers in both the private and public sectors. Individuals with an associate degree can complete a bachelor’s in just two years through high quality, accelerated study that builds knowledge and skills in mental processes and behavior, psychological issues and human potential. Graduates will be prepared to pursue careers in a variety of fields, including human resources, mental health, research and development, sales, non-profit organizations, health services, government and more. “Now is a great time to pursue this opportunity as students will be able to progress through the program in a timely manner,” said Greg Everett, PhD, chair and professor in the Department of Psychology. “Online classes will be taught by the same expert faculty who teach in the on-ground program, and students wil

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WOOD RIVER - East Alton-Wood River High School sophomore track athlete Devon Green had a big two weeks in the indoor season for the Oilers. On March 5 in the SIU Boys Invitational meet in Carbondale, Green set a new school indoor record for the 400 meters with a time of 54.72 seconds. He then followed up on it the next week at the Jersey Winter Thaw meet at Principia College in Elsah, breaking his own week-old record with a time of 54.66 seconds. It was a pair of incredible back-to-back performances by Green, and for that, he's been named EA-WR's Riverbender.com Midwest Members Credit Union male Athlete of the Month for March, 2022. Green, who runs for head coach Russ Colona, has been running track for four years and enjoys many of the aspects of competing in the sport. "I have been running track since sixth grade," Green said. "I like track the most because of the competitiveness. I absolutely love competing and running." Green thanked his mother for instilling his work ethic and

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BELLEVILLE – State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) joined local community leaders to highlight a measure that would help recruit more volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel by providing an income tax credit at a press conference Friday. “People rely on first responders when they are in a crisis,” Belt said. “Providing an incentive for volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel to encourage them to stay longer ensures that the fire departments have sufficient resources and residents know that emergency responders can act quickly in an emergency.” Belt, alongside Representative Katie Stuart, Chief Tom Elliff of the Signal Hill Fire Department and fire department officials, outlined a measure that would incentivize more long-term volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel. Senate Bill 3027 would provide a $500 income tax credit for volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel who are a member or work for a fire department or fire protection district

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ALTON - Senior Abigail Williams was a key member of the Marquette Catholic School girls basketball team in 2021-2022. She was on the Gateway Metro All-Conference First Team — 2021/2022 and the Carrollton Lady Hawk Invite - All-Tournament team. Abigail is the Tucker Automotive and Repair Female Athlete of the Month for Marquette Catholic High School. The Marquette senior basketball star said she wanted to thank her parents and siblings for always supporting her and having faith in her. She also commended head coach Lee Green and the other coaches for their help with her basketball career. “My coaches helped develop me into the player and person I am today,” she said. “I have been playing since I was in third grade and I love all the people I have met and became friends with. “Playing basketball has helped me learn many skills on and off the court. Most importantly being able to lead a group of people. Being able to be a leader has helped me grow t

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SPRINGFIELD - Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White has awarded more than $1.4 million in FY 22 School District Library Grant Program awards to 672 public school districts. More than 1.5 million Illinois students served by school library programs will benefit from the grants. Some RiverBend area school districts who received grants: Alton Alton CUSD #11 $4,948.65 Brighton Southwestern CUSD #9 $1,076.16 Carlinville Carlinville CUSD #1 $1,097.95 East Saint Louis East Saint Louis School District #189 $3,909.93 Granite City Granite City CUSD #9 $4,777.23 Hardin Calhoun CUSD #40 $850.00 Jerseyville Jersey CUSD #100 $2,017.03 “As a former public school teacher and administrator, I know our school libraries are critical in helping students learn and prepare themselves for the future,” White said. “Illinois was the first state to implement a school district grant program, and I’m pleased that we can continue to provide school libraries with some

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CHICAGO – Building on the administration’s funding increases for child welfare and wellbeing, today Governor Pritzker announced the Children’s Behavioral Health Transformation Initiative to evaluate and redesign the delivery of behavioral health services for children and adolescents in the State of Illinois. The Governor tasked the Initiative with building a coordinated, inter-agency approach to ensure young people with significant behavioral health needs receive the community and residential services they need to thrive while providing parents, guardians, and family members with transparency and clarity in the process. The initiative will provide a transformation blueprint by the end of 2022. The Governor also named Chapin Hall child welfare expert Dana Weiner, PhD, as Director of the Children’s Behavioral Health Transformation Initiative. “I’m launching the Children’s Behavioral Health Transformation Initiative to evaluate and redesign th

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EAST ALTON– The National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC) a division of Lewis and Clark Community College, is offering paid summer internship opportunities to current college students in the greater St. Louis region. This year’s nine-week summer internship program will run from June 1 to Aug. 7. Students will have the choice to work either 20 hours or 40 hours per week, depending on their availability. “The NGRREC internship program gives undergraduate students the opportunity to explore various careers related to large rivers, water quality, conservation, education, and more,” Director of Environmental Education Sarah Fisher said. “Students do not need to have any experience coming into the internship. They are designed as entry-level positions.” This internship program is open to students enrolled in two- and four-year colleges and universities in the St. Louis area, including students enrolled at Lewis and Clark Community Colleg

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GRAFTON – Pere Marquette State Park has several employment opportunities available for people who would like to help facilitate recreational opportunities in the state park system. Pere Marquette State Park is accepting applications for the position of conservation worker. These positions have principle responsibilities of assisting in park maintenance tasks, such as grass mowing, trail maintenance, and pavilion cleaning. These positions are for a six-month term beginning May 1. Candidates should be at least 16 years old, have a valid driver’s license, and be available to work weekends. The application period concludes on April 15. Interested parties may contact the site at 618-786-3323 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

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GODFREY – Parents will have the opportunity to explore their child’s aptitude for piano and music during KinderKeys, a four-week group class offered through Lewis and Clark Community College’s Music Preparatory Department. The class will be open for children ages 5-7 and will be held from 4-4:50 p.m. each Monday, April 18 through May 9, in the Ringhausen Music Building (MB 130) on L&C’s Godfrey Campus. Barbara McHugh, a music educator with over 30 years of teaching experience in the Alton/Godfrey and St. Louis area, will teach the class. She has been involved with Music Educators National Conference (MENC), Missouri Music Educators Association (MMEA), American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), and National Piano Teachers Guild. Her piano students regularly perform in recitals and Piano Guild auditions. KinderKeys will introduce children to music through an engaging curriculum which includes songs, games, music theory, and practice assignments. This class

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The Center Square – Illinois currently has the second-highest gas tax in the nation behind only California. A report from the Illinois Policy Institute highlights how the state got here. According to AAA, diesel fuel, as well as regular unleaded gasoline, are at their highest price per gallon in the state's history. Prices in Illinois are the eighth highest in the nation at an average of $4.535 for a gallon of regular, and the state's gas tax, at 39.2 cents per gallon since more than doubling in 2019, is the second highest. Adam Schuster of the policy institute said there are many factors at play when looking at Illinois's fuel prices. However, he said, one thing stands out about the state. "There is a lot of factors going into the high price of gasoline right now, but a factor that is particular to Illinois is the recent doubling of the state gas tax," Schuster said. Illinois also is one of just seven states that assesses its sales tax on top of gas taxes. While many states

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ST. LOUIS – Today, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis announced a gift of $5.2M from MacKenzie Scott. This significant support is part of a larger collective gift of $281 million to 62 local Boys & Girls Clubs and Boys & Girls Clubs of America, one of the largest individual donations in the organization’s 160-year history. As one of the nation’s largest youth-serving organizations, Boys & Girls Clubs play a significant role in the lives of more than 4 million young people each year. More than 4,700 locations anchored in communities across the country create life-enhancing opportunities for kids and teens to thrive – providing safe places, caring mentors, and essential skill-building after school and during the summer. Boys & Girls Clubs are built with a foundation of inclusion and a sense of belonging, offering ways for youth to achieve their full potential in a safe environment while having fun. Clubs offer homework help, STEM learning, sports and recreation,

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LITCHFIELD – Sparklight®, along with the other Cable One® family of brands, will open spring applications for the company’s Charitable Giving Fund, which annually awards more than $200,000 in grants to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, from April 1, 2022, through April 30, 2022. Grants will be made available across communities served by Sparklight and the other Cable One family of brands (Fidelity Communications and ValuNet Fiber) and will concentrate support in the following priority areas: Education and Digital Literacy Hunger Relief and Food Insecurity Community Development Last year the company awarded more than $200,000 to 60+ nonprofits , including organizations serving the homeless, providing child advocacy, offering senior assistance, and supplying food to those in need, to name a few. The Charitable Giving Fund is an extension of the company’s existing corporate social responsibility efforts, which include: Chromebooks for Kids, an initiativ

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