Riverbender 🕸

O’FALLON - Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS) Illinois Division recently announced a scholarship opportunity for students pursuing a career in nursing. The HSHS Scholars program is open to qualifying students attending an accredited nursing program. Students can earn up to $20,000 of funding for educational expenses. In addition to financial help, recipients will have a job upon graduating and passing boards in an HSHS Illinois Division hospital. “St. Elizabeth’s and the other HSHS ministries in Illinois have many education and career development programs with partners in our area. This scholarship is another way we can support nursing students and continue to develop a strong, highly-competent workforce for our hospitals and patients,” said Regina Peterson, DNP, RN, chief nursing officer at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in O’Fallon, IL. Interested students can apply at hshs.org/ILnursingscholarship . The deadline to apply is May 1, 2022. Applications

Continue Reading

GLEN CARBON - The village of Glen Carbon is tucked into river bluffs in southwestern Illinois. European immigrants working at a brickyard and coal mines incorporated the village in 1892 and elected some of their peers to organize protection and services. It was a thriving village with a population of 1,200 in 1900 that fell to just 300 residents when the coal mines closed during the Great Depression. Families stayed together by buying company houses for $50 per room, and neighborhood and government programs helped them survive. As the economy improved, Glen Carbon’s leaders annexed affluent and well-planned subdivisions. Glen Carbon families, including the Yanda, Primas, Wieduwilt, Pizzini, Harris, and dozens of others persevered so that Glen Carbon could become the community it is today. Saving historic buildings and venues – along with planning newer subdivisions and shopping centers – helped create a peaceful village that unites the past and present. While developing

Continue Reading

SPRINGFIELD - Roberts Seafood Market, in the heart of Springfield, has been an institution and pillar in the community for more than 100-years. Family-owned and operated, the fifth generation of Roberts is knee-high and already playing their part in the business. You can spot the youngest family member on social media from time to time – or in the store helping her parents. Whether you share the Robert family’s stories on social media, through radio, or you’re a frequent visitor to the market, you can’t help but want to learn more. Robert’s Seafood Market was launched in 1916 by Henry Robert. The market was located downtown on West Washington Street until it moved to its current location at 1615 W. Jefferson in 1966. The family business grew most significantly in the foodservice distribution from the mid-1970s until it sold that division to Sysco Foods in 2004. The seafood market, however, remained in the family and has since grown to include many categories

Continue Reading

CARLINVILLE - The Blackburn College Department of Music & Theatre will present a studio voice recital on Sunday, March 20 at 2:00 pm in Bothwell Auditorium. The concert is free and open to the public but reservations are required. Masks are required, as well. This inaugural event will feature students participating in Blackburn’s Music program working with Grace Fisher, instructor of voice, and Dr. Joseph Welch, professor of music. A variety of solo pieces will be performed and will offer a chance for students to showcase their work throughout the year. Tim Conner, a senior from Carlinville, IL, will be one of the students performing in the recital. He also serves as the concert producer as part of Blackburn’s unique student Work Program - a program where students can build a full resume with relevant, professional experience all while earning their degree. ”This is an opportunity to recognize and support the work of our vocal students,” Conner said. “We’re

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE – The largest technical dairy competition in the world was held in Madison, Wisconsin, last week, with representatives from 29 nations around the globe bringing their best cheeses for a panel of industry-renowned judges to review. Following three days of intense taste judging and scrutiny, Prairie Farms cheeses earned top spots in a trio of categories, including a ‘Best of Class’ award and a 99.475 score in the Cottage Cheese category for its 4% Small Curd Cottage Cheese made at Quincy, Illinois. The Quincy plant also earned a third-place award in the same category for its 2% Small Curd Cottage cheese and a fourth-place finish for Whole Milk Peach yogurt in the Yogurt, Cow’s Milk, Flavored category. In the Blue Veined Cheeses with Exterior Molding category, Prairie Farms’ Caves of Faribault team in Faribault, Minnesota earned a solid third place with its Felix® blue cheese. Felix® earned a very respectable score of 99.145 against more

Continue Reading

URBANA – Another Illinois winter has gone with the promise of spring to soon arrive. Garden catalogs have been arriving for months allowing gardeners to look forward to spring 2022 - the fresh air, energic wildlife, and the gardening. While many have already bought seeds and started to sow them, what if you’re just now thumbing through seed and plant catalogs looking for inspiration, warmth, and a new challenge? “Start by keeping good garden records from previous years to aid in the planning for the new spring. I always like to test a new plant or six, that is suited for USDA hardiness zone 5, which can sometimes be a challenge without a plan or a map,” says University of Illinois Horticulture educator Bruce J. Black . “After mapping out your existing perennials, think about what new plants could be added to your landscape and their space requirements. After covering this topic now for seven years, my starting place is the All-America Selections.”

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE - Marathon Petroleum Corporation issued a statement about a leak Friday afternoon from a portion of the Marathon Pipeline near the intersection of Illinois State Route 143 and Illinois State 159 in Edwardsville. The break is leaking crude oil into the Cahokia Canal. First responders are at the scene near the intersection of Illinois State Route 143 and Illinois State Route 159. Marathon Petroleum Corporation released this statement: “Upon detecting the release, MPL shut down the pipeline and deployed response resources, including personnel and equipment that are on site. Crude oil has reached the Cahokia diversion channel, and MPL has deployed a boom to contain it. "MPL has made relevant regulatory notifications. No injuries have been reported. MPL’s top priorities are to ensure the safety of responders, the community and to limit the environmental impact as we respond to the crude oil release.” Wanda Road from New Poag Road to Wagon Wheel Road is

Continue Reading

ALTON - There will be a lot of St. Patrick’s Day in the air in Downtown Alton on Saturday, March 12, even though the official date of St. Pat’s Day is Thursday, March 17, 2022. The annual St. Pat’s Day Crawl in Alton is from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, March 12. For many of the Downtown Alton bars and restaurants, this is a new Irish beginning after two years of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Mary Morrison, one of the owners of Morrison’s Pub in Downtown Alton, said she can’t wait to open the doors for Saturday’s St. Pat’s Day Crawl. “It is the biggest day of the year for us and it is a true Irish celebration,” Morrison said. “We are very happy to still be here after the COVID-19 Pandemic. One thing about the Irish, is we are used to struggling. I think this year is going to be a good year. We are all still here downtown and we encourage people to come out and enjoy our company!” One of the day’s highlights will be a

Continue Reading

GODFREY - The estate of a former Godfrey resident has filed suit against a nursing home, claiming the staff failed to prevent sores, which resulted in a fatal infection. Chris Vaughn, the administrator of the estate of Kate Vaughn, 71, claims the deceased was admitted to Integrity of Godfrey, where she developed severe infections and developed sores and ulcers, on her heels, sacrum, and buttocks, according to the suit. She was a resident of the home from Sept. 9, 2020, through Dec. 2, 2020, when she was discharged from there to Alton Memorial Hospital. “At the time of her Sept. 9, 2020, admission to, and her stay at, Integrity of Godfrey, the defendant, through its agents or employees, knew or should have known, that descendant was at high risk for developing pressure and other sores and wounds because of her medical conditions, treatment, and history,” the suit alleges. At the hospital, her condition continued to deteriorate until she died on Dec. 17, 2020, the suit alleges

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville Mayor Art Risavy shared on Friday that So Hospitality Group will expand two restaurant concepts to Edwardsville by March 2023 in front of the Trace On The Parkway. Munsok So is the entrepreneur and chef behind the efforts. Drunken Fish’s specialty is sushi, and Kimchi Guys specializes in Korean fried chicken. The building will be in the Trace on the Parkway area at the intersection of Governors Parkway and Illinois Route 157. So Hospitality Group will have half of the new 10,000-square-foot building and the remainder will be available to other businesses. Edwardsville Mayor Art Risavy said the city is “really excited” to have both new businesses. “I think they will both be great additions to the city,” he said. “It will also be a great addition for the many living in the Trace on the Parkway area,” he added. “We have so many great community partners and these businesses will just add to that.” “There

Continue Reading

LIVINGSTON - A Belleville woman has pleaded guilty to driving under the influence causing death and driving under the influence causing great bodily harm in the traffic death of a child and severe injury to another. Laura Schmittling, 28, pleaded guilty to the two counts with no agreement as to her sentence. The crimes each carry a sentence of between three and 14 years in prison. A sentencing hearing will be held at a later date. Schmittling was southbound on Interstate 55 when the Chevrolet Malibu she was driving went off the road and hit a guardrail, then ended up on the left lane. A tractor-trailer truck swerved to avoid the Malibu but side-swiped a Ford Focus in an adjacent lane. Another big truck then hit the Malibu. Court documents said tests showed she had methamphetamine, amphetamine, and marijuana in her system. A 4-year-old and a 6-year-old in the Focus were also injured. Schmittling was originally charged with three counts of aggravated driving causing death, three counts

Continue Reading

Simmons Hanly Conroy attorneys represented 76-year-old Missouri man diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer decades after replacing asbestos-containing brakes ST LOUIS – Simmons Hanly Conroy , one of the nation’s largest mesothelioma law firms, has secured a $20 million verdict against Ford Motor Company on behalf of Missouri resident William “Bill” Trokey who was diagnosed in 2020 with mesothelioma, a rare and fatal cancer caused by asbestos exposure. Mr. Trokey was exposed to asbestos starting in high school during the 1960s while working at a service station in St. Louis. He suffered repeated asbestos exposures to the toxic dust while servicing asbestos-containing brakes manufactured by Ford Motor Company. The jury found that Ford failed to warn Mr. Trokey about the dangers of asbestos and awarded him $10 million in compensatory damages and $10 million to his wife, Cathy, for loss of consortium. “After examining hundreds of pieces of evidence,

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville Fire Department announced Friday afternoon it is currently responding to a crude oil leak at the intersection of Illinois State Route 143 and Illinois State Route 159 near Old Alton Edwardsville Road. Teams from Madison County Emergency Management Agency, Madison County Hazmat, Phillips 66 Wood River Refinery, and Marathon Pipeline have responded to the site. Residents should avoid the area and note the following road closures: - Wanda Road from New Poag Road to Wagon Wheel - Old Alton Edwardsville Road from Illinois State Route 143 to the west of the Cahokia Canal. Further information will be available on the City’s website as it is made available. See: www.cityofedwardsville.com

Continue Reading

BETHALTO - The Bethalto Police obtained warrants for the person believed to be the second offender in the February 15, 2022, burglary at the Bethalto Walgreens. Today Felony charges of Burglary and Retail Theft Over $300 were issued by State's Attorney Thomas Haine's Office against: KEVIN D. LACEY M/B AGE 32 SPRINGFIELD, IL. Judge Slemer set Lacey's bond at $50,000. Lacey is actively wanted on this charge and currently being sought by police. "Mr. Lacey, I kept my word that I'd let you know when we got the warrant, now you do the right thing and turn yourself in," Bethalto Police Chief Mike Dixon said. "In the event, you choose not to do that I want you to know that I'll be making the United States Marshall's Service aware of the issuance of this warrant as well. "I'd again warn anyone choosing to commit these kinds of crimes to know the Village of Bethalto is not the place to do it. This police department will do everything within our powers to apprehend and deter offenders

Continue Reading

ST. LOUIS - On Thursday, May 10, Mayor Tishaura O. Jones and World Wide Technology (WWT) Chairman and Founder Dave Steward welcomed fellow Black mayors at the company’s Global headquarters for a summit focused on tech solutions to the issues faced in every city. Programming during the summit included a presentation by the City of St. Louis’ Interim Public Safety Director Dr. Dan Isom highlighting the city’s alternative response models, after the city saw a decrease in homicides between 2020 and 2021 of more than 25 percent. “Today’s summit brought together leaders from the public and private sectors to hold interactive workshops, share best practices, and learn from each other so we strengthen our respective cities and lift up our communities,” said Mayor Tishaura O. Jones. Founded in 1990, WWT has grown to become a global technology solutions provider with $14.5 billion in annual revenue. Based in St. Louis, WWT has approximately 8,000 employees

Continue Reading

SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White announced that expiration dates for driver’s licenses, ID cards and learner’s permits are being extended until July 31, 2022. The previous extension was set to end on March 31, 2022. As a result, expired driver’s licenses, ID cards and learner’s permits will remain valid until July 31, 2022, so customers do not need to rush into Driver Services facilities, especially during inclement weather. This extension does not apply to commercial driver’s licenses (CDL) and CDL learner’s permits. White’s office has expanded online renewals for expired driver’s licenses and ID cards and continues to mail letters to eligible customers. The letter provides driver’s license and ID card holders with a unique PIN needed to renew online instead of visiting a facility and waiting in line. Customers may call 217-785-1424 to confirm their eligibility for online renewal or to obtain their PIN. Customers

Continue Reading

Ilinois has lost a true giant of Route 66 -- the Windy City Road Warrior, David Clark. Author, historian, tour guide, meticulous researcher, and presenter, he knew his subject, loved to share it, and was known to Route 66 fans around the world. A downtown Chicago resident, David lived in a condo in a former garment factory on Adams Street, across the street from the iconic “Begin Historic Route 66” sign. “Dave,” as his friends knew him, passed away on Tuesday, January 4, at the age of 64. On Thursday evening, January 6, many of his friends and fans were online, ready to enjoy one of Dave's monthly Route 66 programs, presented virtually for many months during Covid. But for those attempting to enter the program, all anyone could access was the message, “waiting for host to begin the meeting.” It was an ominous start to what was anticipated to be an enjoyable evening. Later that night, the news began to spread – Dave had died on Tuesday, after

Continue Reading

AMES, Iowa (March 11, 2022) – An Edwardsville and Glen Carbon student are both ranked among the top 2 percent of students in their college at Iowa State University. The two are: Edwardsville, IL Kurt Brase , senior, College of Engineering Glen Carbon, IL Jack Raffaelle , senior, College of Engineering

Continue Reading

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) is supporting measures to ensure that Direct Support Personnel are fairly compensated for the assistance they provide to individuals with developmental disabilities. “Support workers are essential workers,” Belt said. “These individuals care for residents who rely on them to do basic day-to-day tasks that many of us do without thinking. It’s vital that these workers are taken care of and paid a fair wage.” DSPs are vital in community residential settings, where they help residents with daily personal care like eating and hygiene as well as teaching life skills and attending to complex medical needs. While funding for these services has increased over recent years, starting wages remain barely above minimum wage, and vacancies remain high. This disparity is because the state does not always require community agencies to pass wage increases through to the workers. Belt joined State Senators

Continue Reading

SEE VIDEO: ST. LOUIS – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) St. Louis District kicked off its 150 th Anniversary celebration with great reception recently at the National Great Rivers Museum in Alton. Col. Kevin Golinghorst, Commander, USACE St. Louis District, Grafton Mayor Michael R. Morrow, and Alton Mayor David Goins, signed proclamations recognizing the District’s history, partnerships, and contributions to the region. On February 19, 1872, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers established a new district in Saint Louis, the Gateway to the West, and few could have foreseen this auspicious occasion of their 150th Anniversary would usher in a successful long-lasting partnership between the states of Missouri, Illinois and the U.S. Army Corps in Saint Louis. “Today, we celebrate a history of innovation with our partners, without which we could not deliver the vital engineering solutions that contribute to the growth and prosperity of the regions we are so

Continue Reading