Riverbender 🕸

EAST ST. LOUIS – Larry W. Hale, 54 of Belleville, Illinois, was sentenced to 15 years in the Bureau of Prisons in a U.S. District Court on Wednesday for Sexual Exploitation of a Minor and Transportation with Intent to Engage in Criminal Sexual Activity. According to court documents, Hale, who was 51 at the time, traveled to Atlanta, Georgia, in February 2020 to pick up a 16-year-old female and bring her back to Illinois to live with him. She was discovered in his home in July 2020. In a voluntary, videotaped interview with law enforcement, Hale admitted to engaging in a sexual relationship with the minor, stating that it began shortly after she moved into his residence. He also admitted to knowing she was 16 years old when he picked her up in Georgia and transported her to Illinois to live with him. Finally, he admitted that there was a video of the victim performing a sex act on his cell phone. “Sex crimes against children are particularly disturbing, and Larry Hale deliberately

Continue Reading

After professional football player Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest during a game, experts are talking about the importance of knowing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). CPR is a life-saving skill. And for Jordan Meeks, a pediatric wellness specialist at OSF HealthCare , it’s a critical skill for young people to learn. “Most cardiac arrests happen in people 40 years and older, a lot of teachers, parents, grandparents, coaches, and those that young people are spending a lot of time with,” Meeks says. “And young people are getting to a point where their body is maturing, so they’re able to do those compressions with enough strength to be helpful.” Meeks visits schools across Illinois teaching students hands-only CPR. Recently, she was in Fisher, a small, rural town where it might take first responders a little longer to get to an emergency - all the more reason to equip junior high and high school students with CPR skills. CPR basics Me

Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Senator and combat Veteran Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) that would establish a new memorial in Washington, D.C., to honor the contributions of the estimated 18 million women who helped keep our nation’s economy and society running during World War II by working as pilots, engineers, taxi drivers, letter carriers, code breakers and more was recently signed into law by President Biden. The legislation was co-sponsored in the U.S. Senate by U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Mike Braun (R-IN) and in the House of Representatives by Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC). The concept for this memorial came from Raya Kenney, who has been advocating tirelessly for it for more than a decade. “It’s long past time we recognize the contributions hardworking women made during World War II—they rolled up their sleeves and took whatever job was necessary to keep the country they loved moving forward,”

Continue Reading

ST. LOUIS - Neurosurgery of St. Louis (NSL), an independent physician’s group serving St. Louis and Metro East Illinois, is starting the new year by nearly doubling its footprint in the region. The practice, which began last year, has added three additional locations and expanded its team of highly trained neurosurgeons and nurse practitioners to twelve. The group now has six locations in Illinois and Missouri, as well as a new Specialty Surgery Center of St. Louis which is located in the Walker Medical Building. The practice specializes in treating common brain and spine conditions including brain tumors, cervical and lumbar spine conditions, and spinal stenosis. “It’s a very exciting time to be part of NSL because of what this growth will allow us to achieve from a quality care standpoint,” said NSL’s Managing Partner Dr. Michael Polinsky. “What this means for patients is that we’re able to offer even more highly specialized care in a more

Continue Reading

ST. LOUIS - Talented teens have the chance to perform before a live audience on The Fabulous Fox Theatre Stage. Fox Performing Arts Charitable Foundation is proud to underwrite and produce an adjudicated competition showcasing teens of the St. Louis region. Teens are encouraged to compete in a talent category of their choice, whether they sing, dance, act, or do something eccentric. All talent is welcome For the chance at $8000 towards a college scholarship, head over to FOXPACF.ORG and complete the “St. Louis Teen Talent Competition Registration Form”. From there, registrants will be able to submit details about their act. REGISTRATION IS OPEN UNTIL JANUARY 31. THERE ARE NO FEES TO PARTICIPATE. Open to High School students that live within 50 miles in any direction of the St. Louis Gateway Arch. Students must be enrolled in grades 9, 10, 11, or 12 during the 2022-2023 academic year to participate. Performers under the age of 18 will need a parent or guardian

Continue Reading

GODFREY - Godfrey Village Board Trustee Jeff Weber announced Godfrey will be receiving $500,000 from Madison County Transit to improve the F. E. Widman Bike Trail in Godfrey. He made this announcement at the Village Board’s first regularly scheduled meeting of 2023 on Jan. 3. “Madison County Transit - in the past, they’ve never paid any attention to Godfrey at all. We’ve never got a dime out of them,” Weber said. “Under new management over there, which Mike has been working with, they’re going to give us $500,000 towards the Widman Bike Path.” Godfrey Mayor Mike McCormick named the “new management” as S.J. Morrison, the executive director of Madison County Transit (MCT). McCormick added that the process has “taken a lot of work,” and Weber complimented the mayor for his work securing this funding. Both McCormick and Weber confirmed that this is the first time MCT has been financially supportive of a project

Continue Reading

ALTON - Paul Lauschke Jr., a legendary Realtor/community activist, and a family man died early Wednesday morning, Jan. 4, 2023, at the age of 88. One of his sons, David Lauschke, said late Wednesday afternoon Paul had suffered from heart issues in the last months of his life. Paul was a father to six children and had many grandchildren. Several in the community considered him a mentor and someone they deeply trusted when it came to real estate matters and issues in the Alton area in general. Mac Lenhardt, an owner of Mac’s in Downtown Alton, purchased his building from Paul’s agency in 1983. He said he had only positive things to say about him. “Paul was a straight-shooter,” Lenhardt said. “You would get a straight answer from him. He was a strong man. I looked to him for advice on the first 10 of the 15 properties I purchased in Downtown Alton. I also have worked with Rick and Dave Lauschke, his sons, a lot over the years. They are all good people.”

Continue Reading

MADISON COUNTY - On behalf of the Circuit Judges of the Third Judicial Circuit, Chief Judge Stephen A. Stobbs announced that Emily Johnson Nielsen and Justin S. Zimmerman were elected to fill the Associate Judge vacancies in the Third Judicial Circuit. These Associate Judge vacancies were created by the retirements of Associate Judges Philip B. Alfeld and Thomas W. Chapman. Associate Judges are appointed by a majority vote of the Circuit Judges in each circuit as provided by Supreme Court Rule. Chief Judge Stobbs stated, “The Circuit Court welcomes these two accomplished attorneys to the bench, and stands ready to support them as they begin serving the citizens of Madison and Bond Counties.” Emily Johnson Nielsen has been practicing law for 17 years. She is currently employed by the Madison County State’s Attorney, Thomas Haine, as the Chief of the Civil Division. Ms. Nielsen received her undergraduate degree in 2002 from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri,

Continue Reading

COLLINSVILLE - Two individuals were found deceased in the parking lot in the rear of 103 W. Main St. in Downtown Collinsville on Jan. 1, 2023. Over the course of the last three days, Collinsville Police Department investigators have worked diligently on the case. The following individuals were pronounced deceased in the parking lot - Ricardo Correa, 20, of Collinsville, and Rodolfo Torres-Granado, 24, Granite City. The Collinsville Police Department said today that Edgar O. Torres Granado, 22, of Granite City, has been charged with one count of mob action, a Class 4 felony. The Honorable Judge Neil Schroeder set the bond for Granado at $50,000 - he posted the bond on Jan. 3, 2023, and was released from custody. The Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office has taken the case under advisement regarding any potential charges to any additional defendants at this time. The Collinsville Police Department was called to the scene at 12:45 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, with

Continue Reading

JERSEYVILLE - New details have emerged regarding a shooting in Jerseyville that occurred in the 700 block of Liberty Street on Christmas Day. New court filings name the victim of the shooting as well as the type of weapon that was used. Donald R. Jones Jr., 29, of Jerseyville, was charged with two counts of attempted first-degree murder, citing an “intent to kill” the victim, Derek L. Day. Both counts are Class X felonies for which “25 years or up to a term of natural life shall be added” to the term of imprisonment set by the court, which could be another six to 30 years. Jones reportedly shot Day with a Taurus GX4 9mm pistol. One bullet was fired through a rear window of Day’s residence and struck him, according to a press release issued by the Jerseyville Police Dept. shortly after the incident. A warrant was issued for Jones’ arrest with his bail set at $1 million. He was taken into custody on Dec. 27 at the Jersey County Jail and his

Continue Reading

JERSEYVILLE - New information regarding the break-in and burglary of the new The Cave location at 610 S. State St. in Jerseyville has been released. One suspect was named and issued three different felony charges relating to the incident. Kaleb G. Roth, 18, of Rockbridge, was charged with burglary (a Class 2 felony), theft between $500-$10,000 (a Class 3 felony), and criminal damage to property between $500-$10,000 (a Class 4 felony). A warrant was issued for Roth’s arrest on Dec. 29 and his bail was set at $25,000, but he had already been arrested by the Carrollton Police Department on the afternoon of Dec. 27. He was taken into custody at the Jersey County Sheriff’s Department, where he remains. His preliminary hearing is set for 1 p.m. on Jan. 4 at the Jersey County Courthouse. While the other suspect was not named in this case, Carrollton Police Chief Micheal McCartney said they are 17 years old and have since been released on bond with an ankle monitor.

Continue Reading

COTTAGE HILLS – Multiple fire agencies battled a serious fire in the 1300 block of Deanna Avenue in Cottage Hills around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday night. A Box Alarm was activated and Cottage Hills Fire Protection District firefighters were the lead, but Bethalto, Rosewood Heights, and Meadowbrook also responded. Fosterburg Fire Protection District members had a truck at the Cottage Hills Fire Station to back up Cottage Hills firefighters. The firefighters extinguished the fire in a quick fashion, but the home was heavily damaged. The homeowners were not inside the house at the time of the fire. Thankfully, no injuries were reported.

Continue Reading

ALTON - Television host Carson Daly is the latest celebrity to try what some call sleep divorce. Couples who sleep in the same bed but are not getting that coveted seven to eight hours of shut-eye will slumber with some degree of separation: in the same bed but with separate blankets, in separate beds in the same room or in separate rooms. Daly called the move the “best thing” for his marriage during a summer episode of the Today Show. “We both, admittedly, slept better apart,” he said. The concept is one worth exploring for couples who are kept up by snoring, restlessness, differences in sleep schedule or other nighttime issues, says Nadeem Ahmed, MD , a pulmonologist at OSF HealthCare in Alton, Illinois . But let’s get one thing straight. “I don’t like the term ‘sleep divorce’ because it tends to blame other people. It’s not a good word. It brings anxiety,” Dr. Ahmed says. “I like to use ‘sleep

Continue Reading

ST. LOUIS COUNTY - The deceased has been identified as John Hendrix, 71 years of age, of the 12400 block of Scenic Lake Drive in St. Louis, Missouri 63138, in a fatal house fire in the 12400 block of Scenic Lake Drive of the North County Precinct which resulted in the death of an adult male. Preliminary investigation has revealed the fire is believed to have been accidental. St. Louis Regional Bomb and Arson detectives are currently investigating a fatal house fire in the 12400 block of Scenic Lake Drive of the North County Precinct which resulted in the death of an adult male. At 6:10 p.m. Saturday, December 31, 2022, St. Louis County Police officers from the North County Precinct responded to a call for service for a residential house fire in the 12400 block of Scenic Lake Drive. Responding officers observed an apartment unit fully engulfed in flames with heavy smoke coming from the residence. Officers were unable to make entry through the front door due to the heavy smoke. Responding

Continue Reading

ST. LOUIS – The Point (105.7 FM) Radio announced The Rizzuto Show has dismissed well-known St. Louis personality Tony Patrico. The announcement was made on a Twitter page for the show, powered by 105.7 The Point. The Twitter message said: “Tony Patrico is no longer with Hubbard Radio or a member of the Rizzuto Show. The show returns as scheduled tomorrow at 6 a.m.” Patrico had been the co-host of The Rizzuto Show with Moon Valjean and the late Jeff Burton, who died last year after a battle with prostate cancer. Patrico was briefly on leave several years ago after surgery for kidney cancer. The Point and Hubbard Radio did not release any other information at this time about Patrico's situation. pic.twitter.com/Hokotifyex — The Rizzuto Show (@RizzShow) January 4, 2023

Continue Reading

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Alliance today urged Illinois House lawmakers to pass legislation to level the playing field for licensing fees on wineries across the state. The Illinois wine industry is a major agri-tourism draw and unique set of growing small businesses in Illinois that were singled out for a 60% licensing fee increase during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Senate Bill 1001 would help provide equity for wineries compared to its counterparts in the beer and spirits industries by reducing the significant licensing fee increase. SB 1001 passed the Senate unanimously, and IGGVA members are urging House legislators to pass the bill during the lame duck session. To summarize, SB 1001 will: Reduce to pre-pandemic levels a 60% license fee increase for Illinois wineries. Reduce winery licensing fees to level the playing field in the wine, beer and spirits industry. Put licensing fees on par with neighboring states, including Missouri,

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE – A teacher who is never too busy to help. A nurse or doctor who devotes extra time to a patient. A firefighter or police officer who always goes beyond the call of duty. These are among the “everyday heroes” the City of Edwardsville hopes to see honored as part of a new spring banner initiative. Much like the “Hometown Heroes” banners salute the service of area veterans, the spring banner program will recognize other noteworthy contributors in the community. “Our strength as a community comes from the many caring people who live and work here,” Mayor Art Risavy said. “This is a wonderful opportunity to show our gratitude to these everyday heroes.” The City is now accepting submissions for the new banners, which will adorn light posts in and around the business district each year from the beginning of April to the end of May. Honorees must have lived or worked in Edwardsville, and contributed to the community in a beneficia

Continue Reading

ALTON - This is my thirteenth update to the citizens of the 111 th district, as your State Representative. Happy New Year to all, I hope you had a happy and healthy Thanksgiving and Christmas season. I enjoyed spending time with my family over the holidays after a very busy 2022. I appreciate your kindness, prayers, and concern for me and my family during my first term and I am honored to serve you again for the next two years in the 103 rd General Assembly. After the General Election on November 8 th , the General Assembly went back to Springfield for the fall veto session. House Republicans met during veto session and elected Representative Tony McCombie from Savanna, Illinois to become our next caucus leader when the new General Assembly convenes on January 11, 2023. Representative McCombie will be the first female leader of either House caucus. She knows the Metro East well and she will be an excellent House Republican leader. Democrat Representative Chris Welch will again b

Continue Reading

PHOENIX - Illinois is the No. 49 growth state in America, according to the U-Haul ® Growth Index analyzing customer moves during 2022. People arriving in Illinois in one-way U-Haul trucks increased close to 6% over 2021, while departures rose 5% year-over-year. Overall moving traffic slowed throughout most of the U.S. but remained busy in the Prairie State in 2022. Do-it-yourself movers arriving in Illinois accounted for 49.3% of all one-way U-Haul truck traffic in and out of the state (50.7% departures). The U-Haul Growth Index is compiled according to the net gain of one-way U-Haul trucks arriving in a city or state, versus departing from that city or state, in a calendar year. Migration trends data is compiled from more than 2 million one-way U-Haul truck transactions that occur annually across the U.S. and Canada. Texas paced the nation in growth for the fifth time since 2016. Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia round out the top five growth states. California

Continue Reading

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Representative Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), submitted a comment letter in response to a Department of Justice (DOJ) Request for Information (RFI) regarding the regulations governing federal executions. The comment letter urges DOJ to rescind all of the Trump Administration’s November 27, 2020, amendments to the manner of execution regulations. These amendments allowed former Attorney General William Barr and DOJ to bypass certain regulatory steps in ordering federal executions; expand the permissible methods of execution beyond lethal injection; and authorize the use of state facilities and personnel in federal executions, among other changes. Twenty-six co-sponsors of the Federal Death Penalty Prohibition Act , of which Durbin and Pressley are the lead sponsors, subsequently submitted a letter to Attorney General Garland endorsing the Durbin/Pressley comment letter and

Continue Reading