Riverbender 🕸

WOOD RIVER - Brooke Moran, a senior at East Alton-Wood River High School, has been recognized for her achievements in cheerleading. Moran has been part of the cheer program since seventh grade and credits her confidence, self-awareness, respect, and empathy as key qualities that contributed to her receiving this Midwest Members Credit Union Female Athlete of the Month honor for the Oilers. “I love being under the Friday night lights and wearing cute uniforms,” Moran said, highlighting what she enjoys most about cheerleading. She also expressed gratitude toward her mother, who she said “pushes me to be the best I can be no matter what.” Under the guidance of coach Alison Beachum, Moran has developed perseverance and determination through her high school sports involvement. “My high school involvement has helped me develop into the person that I am today by showing me perseverance. I am capable of easily facing challenges along with becoming more determined,”

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RIVERBEND - Diana Maul Halstead never asked her father about the war. She grew up under the shadow of World War II and came of age in the Vietnam era, but her dad, Alton native Henry Maul, never spoke about his experience as a prisoner of war in Germany. When Maul passed away in 1997, Halstead was devastated that his story had died with him. But she was wrong. Her sister found Maul’s diary, and, 23 years after he had died, Halstead finally read it. She knew immediately that she had a new calling. “Before you know it, I was reading through everything. I was researching everything,” Halstead remembered. “About three years later, I put it all together into a book, and that was my dad’s diary.” “Writings From the Barbed Wire Hotel” is Maul’s memoir, written by Halstead. It’s an 800-page compilation of his diary entries, which included coded poetry and illustrations from his time in a POW camp, and Halstead’s

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FREEBURG - Ameren Illinois literally had to go underground to do some "cosmetic surgery" to several of its natural gas storage fields, but the results are reshaping these 60-year-old-plus facilities. The company is utilizing horizontal drilling in its shallow depleted reservoirs in Tilden, Freeburg, Eden and Centralia – an approach that’s proving to be both technically innovative and economically transformative. The concept of horizontal drilling first surfaced at Ameren Illinois around 2016. While a few other storage operators had experimented with it, Ameren Illinois faced a challenge: aging infrastructure across multiple farmer's fields, including Tilden and Freeburg, with dozens of legacy wells and miles of vintage pipeline nearing the end of their useful life. Tilden had 51 wells and Freeburg had 81 wells – most which were installed in the 1960s and could not be modernized to comply with evolving Federal Regulations. These wells were scattered across many acres

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EDWARDSVILLE - Shanyra Cox, an elementary technology coach for Edwardsville Community Unity School District #7, has received a $1,000 grant from the Illinois Education Association (IEA) through their Schools and Community Outreach by Educators (SCORE) program. The grant supports educators and local associations who collaborate to create meaningful community service projects that foster deeper connections with students, families, and the broader community. Cox’s winning proposal centers on an annual “Embracing Inclusion” sensory-friendly event held each May that she helps coordinate. This event was inspired by her ten-year-old son Cross, who is on the autism spectrum. The event is designed especially for neurodiverse children. It provides a welcoming and safe environment where children can interact comfortably with first responders from the Edwardsville Police and Fire Departments as well as community members, all while respecting their unique sensory needs.

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GODFREY - Village of Godfrey Mayor Mike McCormick was happy to present members of the Godfrey Fire Protection District with a $50,000 check in his office today. The check represents the sixth annual installment Godfrey has made toward the purchase of Firetruck #1422, a critical asset in the district’s emergency response fleet. This agreement has not only facilitated the acquisition of this vital vehicle but also cemented the financial cooperation between the two entities. Ten payments will be made via this agreement, for a total of $500,000. While the Village of Godfrey and the fire department are separate government bodies, the two entities have a shared sense of responsibility and cooperation in serving the community. “We’re happy to uphold our commitment to support the brave men and women serving on the Fire Protection District,” said McCormick. Fire Chief Eric Cranmer and Board President Matt Horn represented the Godfrey Fire Protection District and accepted

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MARYVILLE, IL. — Maryville Christian School inducted 25 new members into its National Honor Society chapter during a ceremony held Wednesday evening at the school. The students were recognized for their achievements in scholarship, leadership, service, and character. The induction ceremony featured guest speaker Mike Rumsey, who delivered an inspiring message to the attendees. Chapter president Ella Boushard also addressed the audience, representing the student body. School officials expressed pride in the inductees, highlighting their commitment to serving others and embodying the values of the National Honor Society. The event celebrated the students’ readiness to take on leadership roles and make positive contributions to their community.

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GODFREY/ALTON - Community members have come together to make sure no child in the Riverbend region sleeps on the floor. As part of their 175th anniversary celebrations, Evangelical United Church of Christ has collected almost $20,000 worth of items and donations for Sleep in Heavenly Peace, an organization that builds beds for local kids. “It’s a perfect example of the community rallying around our mission and helping to get kids off the floor,” said Dave Hardwick, president of Sleep in Heavenly Peace. “We want to get them their own bed so that they get the quality rest they need to thrive in life.” Hardwick explained that Sleep in Heavenly Peace is an international organization that works to get kids between the ages of 3 and 17 into their own beds. He said that 3% of the child population is bedless, meaning they sleep on the floor, on the couch, or in bed with other family members. The local Sleep in Heavenly Peace chapter has provided bed

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WOOD RIVER - Keaton Magurany, a senior at East Alton-Wood River High School (EAWR), has been recognized for his outstanding performance in soccer, currently holding a high spot across the region for saves. Magurany has been playing soccer since elementary school and credits his perseverance and dedication to the sport for his success. Magurany is a Midwest Members Credit Union Male Athlete of the Month for the Oilers. “I never felt like I would ever quit and give up,” Magurany said about his passion for soccer. Alongside soccer, he also participates in baseball and basketball, demonstrating a well-rounded athletic profile. Magurany attributes much of his growth both on and off the field to the support of his parents. “My parents have always pushed me to be the better me, in not only sports but academics too,” he said. Under the guidance of coach Chris Johnson, Magurany has achieved significant milestones, balancing athletic commitments with academic improvement.

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ST. LOUIS, MO (Oct. 7, 2025) — The American Red Cross asks donors to make an appointment now to give blood or platelets to support patients counting on a consistent blood supply to survive and heal. While emergencies often grab headlines, the need for blood is constant. Especially in October, as donation appointments can often drop quickly when people settle into busy fall routines and make plans around upcoming school breaks. Additionally, the threat of hurricanes persists this month. Because blood has a short shelf life and can only come from volunteer blood donors, any disruptions in the ability to collect lifesaving blood can have serious consequences for those seeking medical care. Prepare now — Help patients this fall and make an appointment to give blood or platelets by visiting RedCrossBlood.org , calling 1-800-RED CROSS or by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App. All who come to give blood, platelets or plasma Sept. 22-Oct. 19 will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift

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ST. LOUIS - The Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis (BAMSL) announces the addition of Heather Esselborn as the director of accounting. She has experience in accounting as well as auditing and budgeting with several organizations including Stereotaxis, the Internal Revenue Service and Charter Communications. “Heather brings an extensive and diverse background in accounting and budgeting as well as great organizational skills to BAMSL,” said Susan McCourt Baltz, executive director of BAMSL. “We are happy to have her on board and are looking forward to her managing our accounting and finance work.” Esselborn is responsible for managing BAMSL’s and the Saint Louis Bar Foundation’s accounting and creating and monitoring budgets as well as assisting with financial analysis, projections and strategies. “I am excited to be joining BAMSL,” said Esselborn. “I am looking forward to working with the legal community and using my skills

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CHICAGO – Today, Governor JB Pritzker sent a letter to National Governors Association (NGA) Chair Kevin Stitt, calling for him to denounce the unconstitutional deployment of the Texas National Guard into Illinois. This action is an illegal abuse of federal power by the Trump administration, and Governor Greg Abbott’s willingness to exploit his own National Guard members to participate in a manufactured political stunt goes against the core principles of the NGA and our democracy. “This is precisely the federal and interstate overreach we warned against — gubernatorial authority being trampled, state sovereignty being ignored, and the constitutional balance between states being attacked,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “If the President continues overriding Governors to deploy military assets into another state against another Governor’s will, we have abandoned the foundational principles that have protected our Republic for nearly 250 years.”

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered a speech on the Senate floor condemning the Trump Administration for the cruel, inhumane raids being carried out by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents at the direction of President Trump and U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem during “Operation Midway Blitz.” In his remarks, Durbin shared disturbing details about these raids in Chicago, including stories of children being ripped from their beds in the middle of the night. Durbin also called on President Trump to immediately rescind his order to federalize 300 Illinois and up to 400 Texas National Guard troops and deploy them in Illinois. “On Friday, in the midst of a Republican-led government shutdown, President Trump revealed his priorities. It isn’t to protect the health care, the health insurance

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SPRINGFIELD — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) met with furloughed federal employees to hear how they have been affected by the ongoing government shutdown. Following the discussion, she rallied with the Illinois AFL-CIO, AFSCME, and AFGE to highlight the impacts of the Republican shutdown on federal workers in Illinois and families seeking to access critical services “As we enter the second week of the Republican government shutdown, we cannot forget that working people are the real victims of this manufactured crisis,” said Congresswoman Budzinski. “For six days, hardworking federal employees have been furloughed or forced to work without pay while House Republicans refuse to meet at the negotiating table. I’m once again calling on my colleagues across the aisle to reach a deal that reopens the government and prevents 15 million Americans from losing their health care.”

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EDWARDSVILLE - During their work session on Oct. 6, 2025, the Edwardsville Community Unit School District #7 Board of Education once again discussed the priorities of the 2023 bond money. At the previous Board of Education meeting on Sept. 22, 2025 , the Board discussed how to spend the remaining 2023 bond money — around $10 million — and identified the top priorities as asbestos abatement in Hamel Elementary School, Columbus Elementary School’s gymnasium, and the addition of a media center at Edwardsville High School. At the Oct. 6 meeting, Board members emphasized the need for action. Board member Matt Breihan voiced his “disappointment” that the agenda did not include an action item for spending the 2023 bond money. During the public comments portion of the meeting, a few community members spoke about concerns they have regarding Hamel Elementary School, including Justin Gerstner, mayor of Hamel. Gerstner requested an action item to be included

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EDWARDSVILLE – Southern Illinois University Edwardsville- SIUE will host the Illinois Association for College Admissions Counseling Illinois Regional College Fair (IRCF) from 6-7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 27, in the Meridian Ballroom at Morris University Center. This event, held on the Edwardsville campus, is free and open to all high school and transfer students, along with their families and guests. Nearly 100 colleges and universities from across the country will be represented at the IRCF, giving students the chance to connect directly with admissions professionals, explore academic programs, learn about application processes, and discover scholarship opportunities. “For students to be successful in college, they have to find the school that best aligns with the goals they want to achieve and provides the resources they need to thrive,” said Alicia Taylor, associate director of admissions in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. “A college fair like the IRCF

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, delivered a speech on the Senate Floor today after Russell Vought, Director of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB), announced that the Trump Administration would “put on hold” $2.1 billion in federal funding for Chicago infrastructure projects, including the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA)’s Red Line Extension Project and CTA’s Red and Purple Modernization (RPM) Program. Durbin began by outlining the history of the Red Line Extension Project and the importance of public transit for Illinoisans. Durbin said, “In 1969, 56 years ago, former Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley proposed extending the Red Line of the Chicago Transit Authority. And yet, still to this day, residents of the far South Side of Chicago don’t have that transit option, at least not as they should.” Durbin continued, “Transportation can make or

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OAK BROOK – Governor JB Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and NANO Nuclear Energy Inc . (NASDAQ: NNE) (“NANO Nuclear” or “the Company”), a leading advanced nuclear energy and technology company focused on developing clean energy solutions, will establish a manufacturing and research & development facility in Illinois. NANO Nuclear plans to make an investment of more than $12 million with the support from the Reimagining Energy and Vehicles in Illinois (REV Illinois) program, which will enable the company to establish its operations and create 50 new full-time jobs. “I’m proud to welcome NANO Nuclear to Illinois’ growing clean energy economy,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Our qualified workforce, unmatched infrastructure, and competitive incentives all make Illinois the best state for companies investing in clean energy production. With support from REV Illinois, this critical investment

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul issued a statement on efforts by state and local law enforcement to protect public safety and First Amendment rights amid ongoing protests in Broadview, Illinois. “At the request of the Broadview Police Department, the Illinois State Police (ISP), Cook County Sheriff’s Office, and multiple state and local law enforcement agencies have combined to form a unified command to coordinate public safety measures in Broadview. I support the mission of the unified command to create a safe space for the exercise of First Amendment rights while also protecting businesses and access to nearby roads. My office has been in ongoing consultation with ISP regarding the establishment and purpose of the unified command. In accordance with the TRUST Act, the purpose of the activities conducted by the unified command is to maintain public safety and the ability to lawfully exercise First Amendment rights – not to engage in federal immigration

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) have announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has declared Illinois to be “unaffected” by H5N1 avian influenza , a recognition of the state’s efforts working with local health departments, dairy farms, and agricultural organizations to keep the illness from impacting the state’s dairy supply. The USDA defines “unaffected” as “Ongoing testing and surveillance activities demonstrate absence of disease in dairy cattle in the State." At the same time, the agencies are reminding the public that with migration season underway, infected wild birds may be found in Illinois, and stressed the need for appropriate precautions to prevent the spread of H5N1. “Public health truly excels through the power of partnership,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. “We, at IDPH, are grateful for our colleagues

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SPRINGFIELD — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) announced that she is a cosponsor of the Feed Our Families Act, the Aviation Funding Stability Act, and the Fair Pay for Federal Contractors Act to support families and federal workers during the government shutdown. “Federal workers and families in my district shouldn’t be paying the price for Republicans’ refusal to make a deal to reopen the government and save healthcare,” said Congresswoman Budzinski. “That’s why I’ve cosponsored legislation to help protect the services and programs that folks rely on during this shutdown, as well as ensure that federal contractors - like food service and janitorial workers - receive fair backpay to make up for their lost wages and benefits.” The Feed Our Families Act would appropriate three months of funding into the SNAP reserve fund so that families do not lose access to nutrition benefits during the lapse of government funding.

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