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Like everything else in the nineteenth century, the Civil War was a male-dominated affair. But one woman proved invaluable to the Union armies and was revered by even the likes of William T. Sherman. “Mother” Mary Ann Bickerdyke became one of the war’s larger-than-life figures, but in 1861, she was a 43-year-old widow from Galesburg, Ill. whose occupation was listed as “botanic physician.” That spring, she was moved during a local church sermon by Rev. Edward Beecher, the brother of Uncle Tom’s Cabin author Harriet Beecher Stowe, on the misery of military hospital conditions at Cairo, Ill. A relief collection was raised, and Bickerdyke was sent to distribute the contribution. Arriving in the calico dress and Shaker bonnet that became her signature, she was appalled at what she saw at Cairo, and quickly went to work. Among her first actions was to locate two hogshead barrels, saw them in two, and create a makeshift bathtub in which she washed dozens

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CENTRAL ILLINOIS NATIVE WON OSCAR IN 1950 For movie fans, the Academy Award carries a mystique like no other, and represents the pinnacle of cinema in any given year. Sixty-nine years ago, a central Illinois native took home an Oscar, a highlight in a lengthy movie career spent behind the scenes. Marjorie Best, an acclaimed Hollywood costume designer who was born in Jacksonville on April 10, 1903, won an Oscar for her work on The Adventures of Don Juan, a 1948 film starring Errol Flynn and Raymond Burr. Film critic Leonard Maltin referred to The Adventures of Don Juan in 2004 as a “handsome tongue-in-cheek swashbuckler” with Flynn playing the lead. It was one of four Oscar nominations for Best Costume Design for Best, who was also mentioned for Giant, the winner of Best Picture in 1956. Best’s work was also recognized in 1960 for Sunrise at Campobello, which portrayed Franklin D. Roosevelt and starred Greer Garson, and in 1965 for The Greatest Story Ever Told, featuring

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ALTON - On Sunday, March 20, 2022, Meadowbrook First Southern Baptist will celebrate 75 years as a constituted church. The church is located at 105 Fairway Drive in Moro, on Highway 140, across from the Casey's General Store. The church was a mission church, that was started in 1945 by Calvary Baptist Church in Alton, under Pastor Guy P. Hall. Meadowbrook First Southern Baptist Church existed first in the prayers and hearts of people that felt a need for mission work in Meadowbrook. Rev. Kevin Auten said he anticipates a large crowd for Sunday, March 20, services and celebration. "It will be a celebration for what God has done for the church in the past, and what He is going to do at Meadowbrook in the future. They are planning a big reunion celebration, with Sunday Worship at 10:45," Rev. Auten said. "Lunch at noon Sunday, and then an afternoon service at 2. Pastor David Denton, who grew up in the church, and now pastors at Bethesda Baptist in Granite City, will be preaching in the

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ALTON - An Alton home in the 3200 block of Duco Street suffered significant damage in the basement area Friday morning after a serious blaze, but because of Alton Fire Department efforts and a quick hit, the home was salvaged. The call to Alton Fire Department came in at 7:07 a.m. Friday. The home damage was not very visible on the outside, but most was located in the basement. The Alton Fire Department arrived at the Duco scene quickly and did "a tremendous job stopping the fire," Alton Battalion Chief David Eichen said. "There was visible damage downstairs." Battalion Chief Eichen said the house should be repairable. However, he said a licensed electrician will have to be hired to fix all the wiring damage, and right now the house is safe but has no power or gas. He also said Alton Building and Zoning would have to inspect and approve the home is safe before residents could return.

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MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL, Minn. - University of Minnesota junior, Maryn Heidt, of Edwardsville, has been named to the 2021 fall semester Dean's List at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, the university announced today. To qualify for the Dean's List, a student must complete 12 or more letter-graded credits while attaining a 3.66 grade point average.

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ALTON - A man and a woman from Bowling Green, Ky., are charged with robbery for allegedly taking a car and house keys from an Alton man. Jasmine C. Watley, 33, is accused of taking the car and the keys, as well as hitting a household member in the back with a metal rod. She was also charged with battery for hitting a woman over the head with a metal rod. The robbery charge is a felony; the other two charges are misdemeanors. Also charged with the robbery of the same victim is Aaron A. Longstreet, 36, Bail for each suspect is $50,000. The incident was on Feb. 28. The charges were filed on March 15. ALTON - Clarence Estelle, 30, of the 300 block of Big Arch Road, Alton, is charged with felony criminal damage to property and misdemeanor domestic battery. He allegedly damaged a 55-inch television of a woman on March 7. He is also accused of p utting his hands on the victim’s throat and pushing her backward. Bail is set at $25,000. ALTON - Jason W. Pellazari, 20, of the

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ALTON – Excited. Impressed. Hungry. That’s how local restauranter Laura Windisch wants people to feel when they think about Alton’s new food truck park, Flock, which is scheduled to officially open in early May. “I believe people want locally grown and sourced food, both on their tables at home and when they go out to dine,” said Jayne Simmons, President of AltonWorks and Alton resident. “I have dreamed of opening a food truck park for quite some time – a place where friends and families can go to pick up a quick, delicious meal and just spend time together. The last two years have really opened people’s minds to how they get their food, where it comes from, and what they want to experience when they nourish themselves and their families. I hope when they think of great food and great conversation, they think of Flock.” Flock, located at 210 Ridge between Broadway and Landmarks and adjacent to the Jacoby Arts Center, will serve peopl

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EDWARDSVILLE - Former Madison County Administrator Doug Hulme filed to run for County Treasurer in the Republican Primary on June 28th, 2022. Hulme spent over six years working at Madison County as Kurt Prenzler’s Chief Deputy Treasurer and later County Administrator. “I am a qualified, experienced, conservative Republican running for Madison County Treasurer,” said Hulme. “I worked side by side with Chairman Kurt Prenzler as County Administrator and his Chief Deputy Treasurer. I share in his conservative values of smaller government, better ethics, and lower taxes.” As the former Chief Deputy Treasurer under Kurt Prenzler, I have the education and experience of operating the Madison County Treasurer’s Office for Prenzler, and his resume includes a Masters in Business Administration and all Illinois CPA education requirements. The current county treasurer has no financial, business, or accounting education at the college undergraduate or graduat

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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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