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COLLINSVILLE - The Collinsville Police Department is seeking assistance in locating Chester Hamilton, who faces multiple warrants related to retail theft. The department announced on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, that Hamilton, nicknamed “Sticky Fingers,” has two outstanding warrants from Collinsville authorities for retail theft exceeding $300. Additionally, he has two more warrants from another local law enforcement agency. Authorities describe Hamilton as having a pattern of taking merchandise without payment. The Collinsville Police Department urges anyone with information on his whereabouts to call 618-344-2131, extension 5209. Callers can remain anonymous. The department also encouraged Hamilton to surrender voluntarily to resolve the outstanding charges. “These charges and statements made herein are based upon probable cause. The defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty,” the department noted in its statement.

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JERSEY COUNTY – Attorney General Raoul announced a Jersey County man was sentenced to 50 years in prison for possession of child sexual abuse material. The case is part of Raoul’s ongoing work, in collaboration with federal law enforcement agencies and local law enforcement officials throughout Illinois, to apprehend offenders who download and trade child sexual abuse material online. Donald J. Herring, 58, of Piasa, was sentenced today by Jersey County Circuit Court Judge Allison Lorton after pleading guilty in May to five counts of possession of child pornography, Class 1 felonies, and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon. “Today’s sentence represents justice for innocent children and their families who are victimized each and every time one of these heinous images or videos are downloaded or shared,” Raoul said. “My office will continue to collaborate with local law enforcement agencies to protect Illinois children.”

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CHICAGO - The Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) is encouraging individuals and businesses to take advantage of the 2025 Illinois Tax Amnesty Program, a unique opportunity to settle outstanding state tax liabilities without paying penalties or interest. Authorized by the Illinois Tax Delinquency Amnesty Act, this program allows taxpayers to pay eligible past-due tax liabilities and have penalties and interest forgiven on taxes paid in full during the amnesty period. Eligible liabilities are taxes due from periods ending after June 30, 2018, and prior to July 1, 2024, and taxpayers must make full payments October 1, 2025, through November 17, 2025. "This initiative demonstrates Governor Pritzker’s ongoing commitment to supporting taxpayers, particularly those facing financial hardships or economic uncertainties," said Illinois Department of Revenue Director David Harris. "We encourage both individuals and business owners to use the amnesty period to resolve outstanding tax

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MARYVILLE - The Home Builders and Remodelers Metro East Association has worked hard to bring infill programs to local communities. HBRMEA has helped establish infill programs in Granite City and Belleville. Executive Director Shannon Stelling said she is also in conversation with the City of Alton about starting a program in the Riverbend. She believes infill programs allow more first-time homebuyers to get into homes and build neighborhoods. “The whole goal is to bring neighborhoods back to these communities, to put homes where homes once sat, to give opportunities to first-time homebuyers or maybe even retirees,” Stelling said. She explained that the infill programs allow municipalities to work with builders. They acquire the lots for one dollar, and then the builders do not charge the consumer for the cost of the property. Stelling said that consumers are “basically getting the land for free” as a result, saving anywhere from $30–50,000.

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CHICAGO – Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul co-led a coalition of 17 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief supporting a legal challenge to two of President Trump’s executive orders targeting diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility initiatives. Raoul and the coalition filed their brief in Chicago Women in Trades v. Trump before the United States Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit. Chicago Women in Trades (CWIT) is a nonprofit organization that helps women overcome discrimination, harassment and other obstacles to entering and staying in skilled trade professions. CWIT challenged multiple provisions in the executive orders, asserting that they unlawfully threaten its federal funding and its First Amendment rights, including a requirement that recipients of federal grants and contracts certify they do not operate any “programs promoting DEI that violate any applicable Federal anti-discrimination laws.” The Trump administration has not defined

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PEORIA - As a part of his Driving Change campaign, Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias hosted a sixth virtual Town Hall for Peoria residents Wednesday evening to discuss the skyrocketing cost of auto insurance. Between the first six virtual Town Halls, over 850 Illinoisans have participated to learn more about the issue and share their stories. Residents shared their first-hand accounts of auto insurance rates increasing due to a recent move, a poor credit score or advanced age – reasons that have nothing to do with their driving record. This was the sixth of a series of virtual Town Hall meetings that the Secretary of State’s office is conducting over the next several weeks to gather feedback from Illinoisans to help inform state legislation for members of the General Assembly to consider. “We’re over halfway through our Driving Change virtual town hall visits, and the resounding message from hundreds of Illinois families could not be clearer:

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ALTON – The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) is preparing to host its second Illinois grain tour of 2025, welcoming international buyers from six Middle Eastern and Asian countries (China, Vietnam, Egypt, Jordan, Singapore and the island of Mauritius) as part of a four-day event. “Thanks to Trump’s reckless economic policies, Illinois’ $26.4 billion agriculture industry is being pummeled by tariff-driven trade disruptions, costing farmers income and jeopardizing jobs across rural communities,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “As we find ways to address the impact of these disastrous economic policies, I commend IDOA for hosting a second grain tour to showcase our leading agriculture industry while attracting international buyers.” Last month, buyers from Latin American countries took a similar tour. The groups were split for the first time because of the overwhelming success of the program and the number of people interested in participating.

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CHICAGO – Governor JB Pritzker today announced the appointment of members to the newly created Autism Data Privacy Advisory Group, established under Executive Order 2025-02 to strengthen protections for the civil and human rights of people with autism in Illinois. “More than ever before, protecting the rights and dignity of people with autism requires both innovation and vigilance,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “This Advisory Group reflects the breadth of expertise and lived experience we need to make Illinois a national leader in autism rights and data privacy. I am grateful to these distinguished volunteers for their service.” The Executive Order came in response to a flurry of concerning actions and statements from Trump’s Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., including falsely linking vaccines to autism , announcing a national autism patient registry , and diminishing the abilities of people with autism . The

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ST. LOUIS, MO — As fall officially begins, the American Red Cross urges people to mark the new season with a lifesaving blood or platelet donation to help keep the blood supply strong. Donors of all blood types, especially those with types O positive and B negative blood, are needed now. For many, daily routines shift as the seasons change, but blood and platelet donations must remain top of mind. Every single donation is key to making sure all patients relying on critical transfusions, including car accident victims, those living with sickle cell disease and those facing cancer, get the care they need. Fall into donating blood or platelets. Make an appointment to give now 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, 2025, will receive a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. For details, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Fall . Upcoming blood donation opportunities

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Today in the Riverbend area, expect a high near 81 degrees with a low around 52 degrees. The day will be mostly sunny and pleasant with light north-northwest winds at about 5 mph. The air feels very comfortable with highs that seem warmer at around 85 degrees in the sun. Allergy alert: Mold levels are moderate, so those sensitive should take precautions. Grass and ragweed pollen are low, and the UV index stands at a moderate level of 5, so appropriate sun protection is advised. Tomorrow's forecast calls for a high of 83 degrees and a low of 53 degrees. It will be sunny with warm temperatures and light southwest winds. A beautiful start to the weekend is expected with plenty of sunshine and pleasant conditions. For the latest weather updates, visit https://riverbender.com/weather .

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EDWARDSVILLE — The Edwardsville School District 7 Board of Education unanimously voted to suspend Superintendent Dr. Patrick Shelton with pay amid an ongoing investigation, the board announced Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025. The decision was made during a specially called school board meeting. In the same vote, the board appointed Assistant Superintendent Dr. Allen Duncan as the interim superintendent. Dr. Shelton’s contract with the district extends through June 2028. Dr. Shelton joined Edwardsville School District 7 in 2021 after serving as Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Education in the Lee’s Summit R-VII School District in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. Before that, he was the Coordinator of Customized Learning in the Parkway School District and held principal positions in both Parkway and Wood River-Hartford School District #15. He began his career as a K-12 music teacher in Staunton CUSD #6. The school board did not provide further details regarding the nature

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a coalition of 22 attorneys general and the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, today filed a motion for a preliminary injunction to block the Trump administration from enforcing the “Defund Provision” in the recently enacted federal budget reconciliation law. The Defund Provision was designed to exclude Planned Parenthood facilities and other health centers that provide abortions from receiving federal Medicaid reimbursements, even though federal dollars do not pay for abortions. The excluded centers also provide essential health care services to low-income patients who receive Medicaid, including cancer screenings, testing for and treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), birth control, and other critical medical services. Raoul and the coalition filed the motion asking the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts to grant a preliminary injunction in a lawsuit the coalition filed July 29 ove

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SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Herrin Police Department announced Officer Kevin R. Bailey as the first new hire in the state certified through the military police reciprocity program launched earlier this year by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board (ILETSB). The swearing-in ceremony on Wednesday, September 17, at Herrin City Hall , marks a significant milestone between Illinois law enforcement and state officials in an effort to streamline hiring for qualified U.S. military police veterans. Illinois joined 18 other states in May of this year, allowing for Military Police veterans to qualify for law enforcement training requirements . "It’s exciting that we could lead the way in this new hiring pipeline,” said Herrin Police Chief David Dorris . “It was a simple process, and I thank both the U.S. military and the state of Illinois for their collaboration." Military Police were previously ineligible for certification reciprocity and were required

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MARYVILLE, Ill. — Jeffrey Fields, 59, of Maryville, has been identified as the man who died in a single-vehicle crash Thursday morning, Sept. 18, 2025, in Fairmont City, according to St. Clair County Coroner Calvin Dye Sr. The crash occurred at approximately 11 a.m. Sept. 18, in the 1900 block of Collinsville Road when Fields’ vehicle struck a support column for a train trestle, the coroner’s office reported. There were no witnesses to the crash; a passerby discovered the wreckage and alerted police. Fields was pronounced dead at the scene. Teat Funeral Home in Fairview Heights is in charge of arrangements for Jeffrey Fields. The obituary for Fields at Ignite Ministries and Fellowship Church is linked below: https://metroeaststar.com/2025/09/18/jeffrey-fields/

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ST. LOUIS — James Roach, 26, has been charged with first-degree murder and related offenses in connection with the fatal shooting of Colin Brown, an O'Fallon, Ill., teenage hockey player, on Interstate 55 last November, the St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office announced Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025. Roach faces charges including first-degree murder, first-degree assault, three counts of armed criminal action, and unlawful use of a weapon for shooting from a motor vehicle. The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department reported that Roach was previously in federal custody on unrelated charges. Colin Brown, 16, was struck by a stray bullet while riding with his father on Interstate 55 in the St. Louis on Nov. 23, 2024. Brown was a varsity hockey player at Christian Brothers College High School and a member of the Affton Americans Hockey team. He died four days later. He resided with his family in O’Fallon, Ill. Three other suspects — Donovan Baucom, Garret Jordan

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CENTRALIA - Community college presidents from across the region met in Southern Illinois this week to commemorate 60 years since the community college system was founded in Illinois. The anniversary came alongside another significant milestone for the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB), with enrollment in community colleges growing at the fastest rate in the system’s history. As the third largest community college system in the nation, Illinois community colleges serve over 600,000 students annually. Presidents and leaders from eight community colleges across Southern and Central Illinois met at Kaskaskia College (KC) Thursday, September 25 to celebrate the milestones and discuss how community colleges can continue to play a critical role in providing affordable and innovative educational opportunities to people of all ages. “Here at KC, we’re experiencing record-breaking enrollment, and the momentum shows no signs of slowing,” said George Evans, Presiden

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WEST FRANKFORT – The teachers in Frankfort CUSD #168 who are members of the American Federation of Teachers, Local 817, filed Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) charges on Wednesday with the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board (IELRB). Negotiations have been taking place since May - including two sessions with a federal mediator - yet an agreement has not been reached between the union and the district. The ULP charges the district with being disorganized, chaotic, and unprepared for bargaining and refusing to bargain in good faith, which is required by law. The superintendent and school board members have refused to make compromises and move off their unreasonable demands for cuts to salary and benefits. Local 817 President Tim Alderidge made the following statement about the ULP filing. "All along, our union team has come prepared to bargain and ready to work with the district to solve the challenges we face. Again and again, Superintendent Donkin and school board members

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ALTON – In another split vote, Alton City Council members narrowly passed $10,000 in funding for a six-week program aimed at curbing youth violence in the city. The resolution passed by a 4-3 vote tally that remained unchanged from Monday’s Committee of the Whole meeting . Aldermen Michael Velloff, Chris Bohn, and Patricia Ford voted against the item, while Aldermen Rosetta Brown, Martha Pfister, John Meehan, and Stephanie Elliott voted in favor. 40 Days of Nonviolence representatives say the initiative has had repeated success in East St. Louis, which has seen a decrease in crime and increase in youth engagement since the group’s founding in 2014. Their proposal is to help the City of Alton host six weeks of nonviolent activities promoting physical and mental health, career skills development, and more for the city’s youth. While an exact schedule has not yet been made official, those six weeks will include an “Opening Week” of orientation

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EDWARDSVILLE - After 27 years of service, Lt. Lawrence Warren of the Madison County Sheriff's Office has retired, concluding a career defined by dedication and leadership in law enforcement training. Lt. Warren's tenure included significant roles such as Field Training Officer, where he mentored and prepared new recruits, and as a Firearms Instructor and Range Master, positions in which he contributed to the safety and proficiency of his fellow officers. Warren's commitment to training the next generation of law enforcement personnel was a hallmark of his career. The Madison County Sheriff's Office expressed gratitude for Lt. Warren's integrity and countless contributions to the community. "We thank Lt. Warren for his dedication, integrity, and for the countless contributions he has made to the law enforcement community," Madison County Sheriff Jeff Connor said. "We wish him a well-deserved, happy, and healthy retirement. Once a part of our family, always a part of our family."

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GRANITE CITY - 8-year-old David Marty, a second grader at Holy Family Catholic School in Granite City, was diagnosed with leukemia this past spring in 2025. Since then, he has undergone numerous treatments and hospital stays, demonstrating resilience amid his cancer journey. To support David and his family, a fundraising dinner will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, at Holy Family Catholic School. Proceeds from the event will help alleviate the financial challenges associated with his medical care. David’s parents, Jessica and Dave Marty, describe him as a fighter who maintains his sense of humor and joy despite the difficulties. Jessica Marty expressed gratitude for the community’s support, saying, “Knowing that our community is walking alongside us means everything. David’s strength inspires us every day, but the strength of having an entire community at your back is more than I can even put words to. "We know brighter days are ahead

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