Riverbender 🕸

ALTON - The New iMerge Community Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit for youth, is off and running in strong fashion after a large turnout on Friday night at 200 W. Third St. in Alton. IMerge is the name for the new operators of the old Riverbender Community Center. “I was very happy about tonight’s turnout. We are hopeful to continue and excited to continue the mission of the community center,” iMerge owner Brigit Holt said. “It was so much fun, and the kids had a blast.” Daniel Nosce, the iMerge Assistant Director said: “I was so delighted to see the smiling faces of all those that missed coming to the community center. It means a lot to me, and I really hope that the community can rally behind the mission of this memorable and unique organization. Our youth need gems like the iMerge Community Center. It’s one of the many places that make Alton special.” There were a variety of activities Friday night from music to a balloon drop, and

Continue Reading

SPRINGFIELD – As the New Year begins, employers and employees across the State should be aware of new laws taking effect that impact workplace rights. “Legislation passed by the General Assembly and signed into law by Governor JB Pritzker in 2022 expands upon and changes certain rights and protections in the workplace,” said Illinois Department of Labor Acting Director Jane Flanagan. “It’s important for employers and employees to be aware of the new laws taking effect January 1st, and those already in effect.” In 2019, Governor Pritzker led the effort to increase the minimum wage for workers in Illinois. The law passed increases the wage by $1 every year through 2025. This year the minimum wage increased to $13 an hour, and $7.80 an hour for tipped workers. Workers in the Chicago and Cook County areas should be aware that the minimum wage may be higher there due to local ordinances. Unpaid leave rights are being expanded for employees. Th

Continue Reading

DELHI - Delhi Baptist Church, 18151 Church Lane, Jerseyville, will host a community blood drive with the American Red Cross from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, January 16, 2023. Appointments can be scheduled at RedCrossBlood.org and enter DelhiBaptist or use the direct link: https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor =DelhiBaptist January is National Blood Donor Month, the perfect time to make a lifesaving donation, organizers of the blood drive said. "The American Red Cross is committed to strengthening our community and helping meet hospital and patient needs through blood donation," blood drive organizers added. "This blood drive is an opportunity to help save lives. "Blood donations help ensure that patients have a supply of blood ready and waiting before an emergency occurs. Blood is a perishable product that can only come from volunteer donors, and blood products must be constantly replenished." Donors with all blood types are needed, especially those

Continue Reading

MARYVILLE - Anderson Hospital in Maryville is pleased to introduce its first baby of 2023. Anderson released the information on Monday and said: "Join us in welcoming Zyaire Jordan T. to the world." "Zyaire was born today at 11:38 a.m., weighing 6 pounds, 10 ounces, and 19.5 inches long. Welcome, Zyaire!"

Continue Reading

ALTON - St. Mary's Catholic Church Father Christopher Uhl issued a statement after Pope Benedict XVI died. "Please pray for the repose of his soul...Bishop Paprocki has sent these suggested prayers... Pastors should notify their faithful of his death and request their prayers for the repose of the soul of the Pope Emeritus, especially the recitation of the Our Father, the Hail Mary, and the Glory Be to the Father. The following prayer, adapted from the Order of Christian Funerals, may also be suggested: O God, from whom the just receive an unfailing reward, grant that your servant Benedict XVI, our Pope Emeritus, whom you made Vicar of Peter and shepherd of your Church, may rejoice for ever in the vision of your glory, for he was a faithful steward here on earth of the mysteries of your forgiveness and grace. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. Peace, Father Ohl

Continue Reading

GRANITE CITY/WOOD RIVER - The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will host two in-person “Open House” meetings later this month to introduce Madison County residents to their updated preliminary flood insurance rate maps. The Madison County public is invited to attend these meetings to learn more about how the new maps may impact their property and flood insurance rates. The first meeting will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 18 at the Granite City Township Hall, located at 2060 Delmar Ave. in Granite City. The second meeting will be held the next day, Thursday, Jan. 19 at the Wood River Public Library, located at 326 E. Ferguson Ave. in Wood River. Both meetings are scheduled from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., but attendees don’t need to be there at exactly 5:30 p.m., and they don’t have to stay the entire time. The event will have “information stations” with different experts, so attendees can choose which stations they want to visit. There will

Continue Reading

ST. LOUIS COUNTY - 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. On Saturday, December 31, 2022, at approximately 6:10 p.m., 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 fire personnel located an adult male in the rear interior of the apartment. No other injuries were reported. The investigation is active at this time, a cause has not been determined. Additional information will be disseminated as it becomes available. Please contact the St. Louis County Police Department at 636-529-8210 to speak

Continue Reading

ST. LOUIS COUNTY - On Sunday, January 1, 2023, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office issued charges on suspect Darrell Davis, 33 years of age, of the 8800 block of Blewett Avenue in St. Louis, Missouri 63136, for Second Degree Murder and Armed Criminal Action. A booking photo of Davis is attached. Davis is being held on a $250,000 cash only, no 10%, bond. Please note, charges are merely an accusation and Defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law. The probable cause statement reads: At approximately 2:12 AM police respond to a call for a disturbance in the 8800 block of Blewett Avenue in the City of Jennings, Saint Louis County, Missouri. Upon arrival to that location, Victim Akeem White is seen deceased in the middle of the street. Subsequent investigation connected the victim to the residence in the 8800 block of Blewett Avenue. Defendant was located in the residence and eventually admitted to shooting the victim. The deceased

Continue Reading

CHICAGO – An Illinois lottery player will end 2022 with a massive payday – $923,796 to be exact. Sharon, from Chicago, won the biggest Fast Play jackpot ever with Twenty 20s. Twenty 20s is a $20 progressive Fast Play game. The jackpot begins at $50,000 and grows with each ticket sold statewide until the jackpot is won. “When I saw how high the jackpot was, I decided to splurge a little and play online,” said Sharon. “When I realized that I won the big jackpot, I actually stopped breathing for a while.” “I spent $20 and won almost a million dollars - I can’t believe it actually happened to me - it still feels like a dream,” exclaimed Sharon. When asked who was the first person she told and why, Sharon quickly replied “my three children - they are my everything.” The Illinois native plans to do a little celebrating with her children in the new year, and then intends to invest the majority of the money for her children’s

Continue Reading

SPRINGFIELD - Bishop Thomas John Paprocki of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois issued the following statement in response to the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI: “Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI was an authentic example of faithfulness to God and Catholicism, living and preaching the Gospel message with truth and passion. Always writing and teaching, his warm smile, gentle demeanor, and pastoral approach to explaining and living out the Catholic faith inspired millions and brought people closer to Christ. His reverence toward the Eucharist, the Mass, and the sacraments are examples for us today on how we should all view and respect these treasures of the Catholic faith. His steadfast defense of our faith’s teachings and traditions and remaining faithful to them, despite the pressures of the secular world and from inside the Church, is the mark of a true leader. “To this day, I am humbled Pope Benedict appointed me as the ninth bishop of the Diocese of Springfield

Continue Reading

COLLINSVILLE - At 2:10 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, the Madison County Sheriff’s Office received a 9-1-1 call of a shooting and a male subject shot in a nearby vehicle in the 3300 block of Princeton Ave., Collinsville, Illinois. The male victim was transported to a St. Louis area hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. The decedent is identified as Miguel D. Villegas De-Santiago, a Hispanic male, 18 years of age from Collinsville, Madison County Sheriff's Office Detective Captain Brian Koberna, the Chief Illinois Deputy Commander of the Major Case Squad, said. The Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis has been activated to investigate this matter. At this time, approximately 20 investigators from the Major Case Squad are working on this investigation. Investigators are making significant progress in the investigation. Investigators are actively working leads in order to identify the person(s) responsible for this heinous crime and bring them to justice. Anyone with information

Continue Reading

ST. LOUIS - The term “plant-based diet” has garnered a lot of attention and headlines in recent years and for good reason. Research over many years has linked plant-based diets to lower rates of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers. What better way to start out the New Year than with a new diet rich in all the vitamins and minerals that plants and dairy foods have to offer? What does “plant-based” mean? So what exactly is a plant-based diet, and does it have superior health benefits? Plant-based diet has no official definition. For some, it means choosing plant foods first, including fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, and whole grains, before adding foods from animal sources, such as cheese, yogurt, chicken or beef. For others it means only choosing plant foods, omitting the other food groups, and potentially the nutrients they provide. According to registered dietitian, Maggie Cimarolli, “The term plant-based can allow for

Continue Reading

– U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today released her first Term in Review , highlighting her work and accomplishments for the people of Illinois throughout the past six years. The new report outlines Duckworth’s efforts to champion and pass legislation to help working families get ahead and keep more of their hard-earned money, protect our communities from crime and gun violence, defend women’s rights, create good-paying jobs across the state, help bring environmental justice to overlooked communities in Illinois, support our allies in Ukraine and improve the lives of servicemembers, Veterans and military families. “It has been a true honor to serve the great state of Illinois for the past six years, and I’m so proud of everything we’ve accomplished for hardworking Illinoisans from Chicago to Cahokia Heights, Peoria and beyond,” Duckworth said. “As I look forward to the years ahead, I know there’s still much work to do to help

Continue Reading

"On Sunday, January 1, 2023, the Pretrial Fairness Act will take effect in Illinois. A Kankakee County circuit judge ruled that he believes the law is unconstitutional and today issued a final order declaring as much. The order, however, is not an injunction that would prevent the law’s implementation. Every county in the state of Illinois is legally allowed to implement this historic law on January 1st, unless a judge with jurisdiction issues an injunction governing that county. If counties continue to set money bonds, they are choosing to ignore the will of the people of Illinois as expressed in the democratic legislative process. "We are excited to see the implementation of the Pretrial Fairness Act on January 1 in many of Illinois’ largest counties, but we are dismayed that in other parts of the state, judges and prosecutors who are stubbornly opposed to progress continue to impede implementation of these historic reforms. "We call on the Illinois Supreme Cour

Continue Reading

COLLINSVILLE - Senior forward Tyrius Jones had one of his best games of the season on Dec. 28 in the Redbirds' opener of the 38th Prairie Farms Collinsville Holiday Classic basketball tournament, scoring 19 points in Alton's 67-41 loss to Quincy at Vergil Fletcher Gym in the final game of the tournament's opening day. Jones is one of the team's most dependable players, is very versatile and can play anywhere on the court. He also provides senior leadership to the team, rallying his teammates when needed and also provides a spark to the Redbirds, doing whatever he can to help the team. For all of his efforts both on and off the court, Jones has been selected as an Auto Butler Male Athlete of the Month at Alton High. Jones, who plays for head coach Dylan Dudley, helped spark a comeback in the second half after the Blue Devils took a big lead at halftime and the Redbirds kept battling throughout the entire game, never giving up. But it was the first half where Quincy took control of th

Continue Reading

O’FALLON – The Women and Infants Center at HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital was recently recognized by the National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program as a “Gold Safe Sleep Hospital,” for their commitment to best practices and education on infant safe sleep. The National Safe Sleep Hospital Certification Program was created by Cribs for Kids ® , a national infant safe sleep organization. Based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Cribs for Kids is dedicated to preventing infant sleep-related deaths due to Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID) and accidental suffocation. As a nationally certified Safe Sleep Hospital, St. Elizabeth’s is recognized for following the safe sleep guidelines recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and providing training programs for health care team members and family caregivers. “Sleep-Related Death (SRD) results in the loss of more than 3,500 infants every year in the U.S.,” said Michael

Continue Reading

CHICAGO – As Illinois prepares to celebrate the New Year, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) says the CDC is reporting 54 counties in the state are at an elevated level for COVID-19. Of those, five Illinois counties are at a High Community Level, compared to 33 a week ago; while 49 counties are at Medium Level, compared to 55 last week. IDPH is reporting 15,904 new confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 in Illinois since December 23, and 47 deaths. “I applaud Illinois citizens for practicing important preventative measures to reduce the spread of infection and protect our hospital capacity,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. “It is encouraging to see fewer Illinois counties at an elevated risk for COVID-19, with only five counties currently at high risk. However, as we continue to experience significant levels of flu, COVID-19, and other respiratory infections, it is important to continue protecting those most vulnerable to severe outcomes,

Continue Reading

SPRINGFIELD – Beginning January 1, 2023, upon a Firearms Transaction Inquiry Program (FTIP) approval, the Illinois State Police (ISP) will automatically renew a person’s Firearm Owner’s Identification Card (FOID) for individuals who have submitted a full set of fingerprints to ISP specifically for their FOID card or Concealed Carry License. The individual’s FOID card will remain active for a period of 10 years from the date of the FTIP approval so long as the cardholder is not subject to revocation or suspension under the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. As FOID cards are replaced, new cards will not include the issuance or expiration dates pursuant to FOID Act updates that took effect January 1, 2022. “The automatic renewal of a FOID card will expedite the process for many card holders while still ensuring people who are prohibited under the FOID Act do not have legal access to a card,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “Automatic

Continue Reading

SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White announced that all offices and facilities will be closed in observance of the New Year's holiday. • Offices and Driver Services facilities operating on a Monday through Friday schedule will be closed Monday, Jan. 2. • Offices and Driver Services facilities operating on a Tuesday through Saturday schedule will be closed Saturday, Dec. 31. All offices and facilities will be open on Tuesday, Jan. 3. Individuals can visit the Secretary of State’s website at ilsos.gov for online services including checking eligibility to renew their driver’s license online, applying for a duplicate driver’s license, or renewing license plate stickers. In addition, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has extended the federal REAL ID deadline to May 7, 2025.

Continue Reading

ST. LOUIS - This is a recipe for Peanut Banana Overnight Oats submitted by the St. Louis Dairy Council. Peanut Butter Banana Overnight Oats Start your new year with this easy, plant-based recipe for an on-the-go breakfast that will be sure to keep you fueled up all day long. With milk’s 13 essential nutrients, fiber from the oats, protein from the peanut butter and dairy foods, and not to mention the delicious taste, you will be ready to ring in the new year with a healthy routine! Prep time: 10 minutes Servings: 1 Ingredients: 1/3 cup old-fashioned oats 1/3 cup milk 1/3 cup plain yogurt ½ medium banana, sliced, divided 2 Tbsp. peanut butter ½ Tbsp. honey ¼ tsp. vanilla extract ¼ tsp. cinnamon 1 tsp. chia seeds (optional) Directions: Mix oats, milk, yogurt, peanut butter, honey, vanilla, cinnamon, and chia seeds together in bowl. Layer ½ mixture in a sealable container or jar. Top with half of the banana slices. Repeat

Continue Reading