Riverbender 🕸

ALTON - The Alton Expo promises another fun weekend on the riverfront. From Sept. 4–7, 2025, community members can enjoy carnival rides, food vendors, games, live music and more fun at the Alton Amphitheater. Admission to the Expo is free, and Riverbend residents are encouraged to come out and enjoy the weekend. “We think we’re going to have a pretty big crowd on the riverfront,” said Dan Herkert, Alton Amphitheater Commission Chair. “It’s really just turned into another chance for the community to come together. It’s a lot of family fun. It’s a safe opportunity and a positive opportunity to show off our community and our riverfront.” On Thursday, Sept. 4, the Expo opens from 5–10 p.m. and CLUless performs from 7–10 p.m. The carnival opens from 5–11 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 5. DJ She BEATz will spin tunes from 5:30–7:30 p.m., followed by Dirty Muggs from 8–11 p.m. On Saturday, Sept. 6, the fun

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GRAFTON/JERSEYVILLE - JCH Foundation will sponsor their fourth annual Lucky Duck Derby to raise money for a new ambulance at Jersey Community Hospital. From 4:30–8 p.m. on Sept. 11, 2025, community members can come out to Raging Rivers WaterPark in Grafton for food, drinks, live music, basket raffles and rubber duck races. Charity Roth with JCH Foundation explained that the event is a fun way to help the community. “Our community is so incredibly generous, and we’re so grateful for our business sponsors and those in the community who donate to us,” Roth said. “It’s an amazing event.” You don’t need to be present to win the duck races, though Roth encourages people to attend because the event is “a lot of fun.” The Quacker’s Cup, which is the sponsored race, will commence at 5:45 p.m. This will be followed by the Hometown Heroes Race at 6:15 p.m. For $9.11, the Hometown Heroes Race invites community members

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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski this week urged the United States Postal Service to halt plans to downsize the Springfield Processing and Distribution Center and consolidate its operations with the St. Louis facility, citing concerns over delivery delays and job losses. Budzinski requested that the USPS permanently halt any plans to downsize or consolidate the Springfield facility, located at 2105 E. Cook Street. She emphasized that maintaining the center would protect local postal jobs and prevent further delays. In a letter addressed to Postmaster General David Steiner, Budzinski highlighted that under the previous Postmaster General Louis DeJoy’s “Delivering for America” plan, the Springfield center was targeted for downsizing. She warned that routing mail from Springfield to St. Louis, over 100 miles away, before final delivery would exacerbate existing delays for Central Illinois residents. Budzinski noted that only 73 percent of First-Class

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ALTON - A free event encourages community members to connect with their spirituality. From 1–2 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025, at River Bend Yoga in Alton, Riverbend residents are invited to learn more about Eckankar and spirituality through an interactive conversation titled “Experience the Reality of Past Lives, Dreams, and Soul Travel.” This is the second of a three-part series called “Ancient Wisdom for Today,” with conversations planned for the first Thursday of every month through October. “This is one of our favorite ones of all the ones we do, because it’s a culmination of the tenets, if you will, of Eckankar, which is the path of spiritual freedom,” said Flora Van Koten. “Everybody has inner guidance, whether they call it my own mind telling me what to do, or God, or Christ, or Buddha. It’s an exciting journey for everybody. They can relate to at least one of these topics. Organizers Van Koten and Sheila Aehl

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ST. LOUIS – Today, Mayor Cara Spencer announced the formation of two committees to advise her and the newly established Recovery Office on the City’s recovery vision and priorities after the devastating May 16 tornado. “One thing that’s clear to me from being in our hardest-hit neighborhoods, talking with residents, listening to frontline organizations, and learning from national recovery experts, is that St. Louis’ recovery depends on collaboration,” said Mayor Spencer. “The recovery cannot be mapped out from within City Hall. Through these committees, the people whose lives were abruptly changed on May 16, and the people who have stepped up to serve ever since, will play vital roles in helping us put St. Louisans' needs and wishes into action.” Residents and business owners in the impact zone, as well as community members who serve those in the impact zone, are invited to apply to the Resident and Community Recovery Advisory Committee.

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ALTON - On August 26, 1925, an article in the Alton Evening Telegraph titled “Alton Gave to Nation 3 Men for the Senate” described a request received by Alton Postmaster P. B. Cousley. The Joint Committee on Printing for the United States Senate was gathering information on all the men who had served in the Senate, and the Committee hoped to verify or correct what they had gathered with relatives or others living locally who might have had connections to them. (The first female senator from Illinois, Carol Moseley Braun, was not elected until 1992 and served from 1993–1999). The three senators were David Jewett Baker, James Semple, and Lyman Trumbull. David Jewett Baker was appointed to the United States Senate as a Democrat in 1830 to fill a vacancy. He served one month. He was also a United States District Attorney from 1833 to 1841. Afterwards, he retired to Alton, where he practiced law. Baker died August 6, 1869, and is buried in Alton Cemetery. James Semple

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SPRINGFIELD – Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) called on the United States Postal Service (USPS) to halt plans to downsize the Springfield Processing and Distribution Center (P&DC) and consolidate its operations into the St. Louis P&DC. In the letter to Postmaster General David Steiner, Budzinski raised concerns that the plan, spearheaded by former Postmaster General DeJoy, would lead to further delivery delays for Central Illinois residents and hurt local postal employees in Springfield. Budzinski wrote, “As you may know, under your predecessor’s “Delivering for America” plan, the Springfield P&DC was targeted for potential downsizing and consolidation into the St. Louis P&DC. This plan would have forced mail from the Springfield region to travel hundreds of additional miles to St. Louis before being sent out to its final destination…Given that across downstate Illinois, just 73 percent of First-Class three-to-five day mail is being

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OLD SHAWNEETOWN – Governor JB Pritzker joined the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and state and local leaders at the Shawneetown Regional Port District today to break ground on a new fertilizer distribution center along the Ohio River. This fertilizer terminal will boost regional freight activity, create jobs, and reinvigorate economic opportunity in the region. Made possible by $12.6 million from Governor Pritzker’s Rebuild Illinois capital program, the project also will make local agriculture operations more efficient by reducing the traveling distance to the next closest port, resulting in improved safety as well as less wear and tear on local roads. “The Shawneetown Regional Port will soon be revitalized with new activity–moving millions of pounds of fertilizer for Illinois’ thriving agriculture industry,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Through this funding and partnership, we’re bringing jobs, investment, and opportunity

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ST. LOUIS – Mayor Cara Spencer and Provisional Personnel Director John Unnerstall today announced changes to the City’s family and medical leave (FML) policy, bringing it more in line with that of other cities and governments. The changes, effective immediately, mean that City of St. Louis staff must now first tap accrued medical leave, sick leave, vacation leave and compensatory time before taking paid family and medical leave, a benefit passed by city ordinance in 2022 providing six weeks of paid leave for specific medical situations. An exception is made for the birth, adoption or foster care placement of a child, which City employees can take as paid leave before exhausting other forms of leave. Intermittent use of paid family is no longer allowed. Additionally, the City now has a separate leave policy to address the unique circumstances related to military leave. Unpaid family and medical leave provisions of the policy are unchanged. “I appreciate Director

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O'FALLON, IL., - The Illinois State Police are investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred in the 600 block of West Madison on Friday evening. Authorities said the incident involved an O’Fallon Police officer, who was not injured. Authorities said there is no danger to the public, and no suspects are being sought. The investigation is being conducted by the Illinois State Police in accordance with state law and department policy. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.

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GRANITE CITY - The Granite City Police Department is investigating a shooting that left a woman injured near the intersection of Veteran’s Parkway and Cleveland Boulevard on Friday morning, Aug. 29, 2025. At approximately 10:20 a.m. on Aug. 29, 2025, officers responded to Gateway Regional Medical Center after a gunshot victim was dropped off at the emergency room. The victim was later transported to a hospital in the St. Louis area and is currently listed in stable condition. Authorities identified the suspect as a black female who fled the scene in a black Dodge Challenger. No additional description of the vehicle or suspect has been released. Granite City Police believe the suspect and victim are known to each other and have stated there is no immediate threat to the community. The Granite City Police Department is asking anyone with information about the incident to contact them at (618) 877-7111 or Crime Stoppers at 1-866-371-TIPS (8477). No further comments will be made

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EDWARDSVILLE – Here are six things to know this week about Southern Illinois University Edwardsville: Homecoming & Family Weekend Registration continues for the 10th Annual Cougars Unleashed Homecoming Run & Pancake Breakfast. During SIUE’s Homecoming & Family Weekend campus visitors can choose from a 10K, 5K, or Fun Run—whether you’re a competitive runner or just in it for the pancakes, there’s something for everyone. On Saturday morning of SIUE’s Homecoming & Family Weekend, run or walk, then enjoy a delicious pancake breakfast. Later in the evening head to the Cougar Fan Zone for food trucks, music, games, and activities for all ages leading up to the Men's Soccer game! Cougars Unleashed Homecoming Run & Pancake Breakfast takes place at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 27 on the Stratton Quad. Lovejoy Library Lovejoy Library has partnered with Student Affairs to sponsor a wellness cart. These carts contain a number of wellness resources

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SPRINGFIELD, IL.— Gabriel P. Calixto, 27, who has ties to the Metro East, was wanted in connection with the stabbing death of his girlfriend in Springfield, IL., and was captured in Mexico and will be returned to the United States to stand trial, federal authorities announced. Calixto faces three counts of first-degree murder and one count of aggravated domestic battery in the 2023 death of 24-year-old Emma Shafer. On July 11, 2023, Springfield, IL., Police responded to a residence in the 1000 block of South 8th Street, where Shafer was found dead from multiple sharp force injuries, according to the coroner’s office. Following the discovery, Calixto went on the run. The U.S. Marshals Service collaborated with Mexican authorities to locate and apprehend him. His arrest was announced by Sangamon County State’s Attorney John Milhiser, the Springfield Police Department, and the U.S. Marshals Service. Authorities expressed appreciation for the assistance provided by

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EAST ST. LOUIS — A house fire in East St. Louis early Friday morning, Aug. 29, 2025, has claimed the lives of three people, officials said. The fire broke out just before 7 a.m. Friday in the 3300 block of Bond Avenue, according to St. Clair County authorities. Emergency crews from the East St. Louis Fire Department and Police Department responded and remained at the scene as of 10 a.m. The St. Clair County Coroner's Office identified the three victims. They are Sylvester Reeves, 94, Pierre Manley, 56, and Cheryle M. Johnson, 59. The coroner's office said the three died from smoke inhalation. All three were pronounced dead at the scene. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, and investigations are ongoing.

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FRANKLIN COUNTY, IL. — The U.S. District Court in St. Louis on Friday announced that Timothy Brandon Parsons, the former manager of the MC#1 Mine in Franklin County, Illinois, pleaded guilty Tuesday to conspiring to defraud the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration in connection with an underground fire that occurred in August 2021. Parsons, 38, of Louisa, Kentucky, admitted to conspiring to conceal the fire that was ignited on Aug. 12, 2021, when a cutting torch was used to cut collapsed steel beams underground. Court documents state that after the fire could not be extinguished within 10 minutes, Parsons and others agreed not to evacuate miners or notify MSHA, despite gas detectors alerting to dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. Coal mining continued during informal firefighting efforts over three shifts from Aug. 12 to 13. The next day, Parsons attempted to hide the fire by ordering a mine evacuation under the false claim that a coal belt was broken. MSHA later received

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ALTON/WOOD RIVER – Residents of Alton and Wood River have been charged with unlawful weapon possession in separate felony cases. Brennen R. Sykes, 18, of Wood River, was charged Aug. 20, 2025 with one count each of aggravated unlawful possession of weapons (a Class 4 felony) and resisting a peace officer (a Class A misdemeanor). On Aug. 19, 2025, Sykes allegedly carried an EIG .22 caliber revolver on his person which was uncased, loaded, and immediately accessible; he also allegedly had no valid Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) card at the time of the offense. He was additionally accused of resisting arrest by fleeing on foot from a police officer. Wood River Police officers responded to “a report of a suspect brandishing a firearm at 11:15 a.m., walking two blocks from East-Alton Wood River High School,” according to the state’s petition to deny Sykes’s pretrial release from custody. Once officers located Sykes, he reportedly fled

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GRAFTON - Local firefighters will honor those lost on Sept. 11, 2001, in a unique way. On Sept. 11, 2025, community members are invited to QEM Fire Protection District in Grafton to watch the firefighters climb 2,071 stairs or 110 floors, the number of stairs climbed by firefighters on 9/11. Fritz Meat Market will sell food to spectators. Firefighters Cameron Mank and Victoria Westfall believe it will be a powerful way to remember 9/11. “It’s just going to be a meaningful event to try to memorialize those who are lost, all the thousands of lives affected,” Mank explained. “Just the idea of it is going to really put it into perspective.” QEM Fire Protection District has a burn tower on their property at 14905 Elsah Road in Grafton. The firefighters, wearing their gear, will climb the three stories on the burn tower and then back down, and repeat this process for 2,071 stairs. Mank and Westfall noted that the stair-climb is a way for them to understand

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GLEN CARBON - Drew Kleinheider was part of the "heart and soul" of the Father McGivney Catholic boys baseball team this past season. He has played the past three years as the starting shortstop and was one of the captains for his high school baseball team. McGivney was 38-4 overall during last year's baseball season. He played in every game during his senior season, and Kleinheider never went a season without recording more than 50 hits. He finished with a batting average of .413 last year. Kleinheider is a Byron, Carlson, Petri & Kalb Male Athlete of the Month for the Griffins. Kleinheider’s offensive contributions were matched by his speed and versatility. Last season, he stole 49 bases, showcasing his ability to impact the game on the basepaths. Known for his grit and consistent performance, he frequently hit third in the batting order and was a key run producer for his team. He was a guard for the Griffins boys' basketball team. Defensively, Kleinheider maintained a hig

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ALHAMBRA - Alex Odom and two others are organizing a fundraiser to support the Legendary Mustang Sanctuary after a recent fire damaged the sanctuary’s home. The Legendary Mustang Sanctuary, which rescues and rehabilitates wild mustang horses and burros, suffered fire damage to one room and smoke damage throughout the rest of the home. The sanctuary’s mission focuses on healing sick and abused animals, restoring their natural spirit, and ultimately placing them in permanent, loving homes. The Legendary Mustang Sanctuary is located at 10107 Klenke Road in Alhambra, IL., 62001. “I volunteer for the Legendary Mustang Sanctuary, and their core mission is to rescue as many of the wild mustang horses and burros as we possibly can, gentling them by healing the sick and abused, restoring the natural spirit, and winning their confidence and trust,” Odom said. “They have helped me and many others countless times, and their selfless actions are why I wish to try

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ALTON – Alton residents living near the State Street Trails voiced opposition to the property becoming a commercial development at Wednesday’s City Council meeting. Nicholas Goewey, who has reportedly been working on the trails for the past 19 years and secured city approval to operate them years ago, wrote in a June 2025 post on the State Street Trails Instagram page that the property was being targeted by a “troubling neighbor” who was allegedly getting other residents to complain to city officials about the trails. Goewey said he was told by the Alton Police Department at the time that if enough neighbors complained to the city’s Building and Zoning Department, the trails may be shut down entirely. A follow-up post on Aug. 22, 2025 confirmed the trails would likely be shut down because they “are not zoned properly.” Keeley Bogart, who lives in the nearby Norside neighborhood, thanked city officials at Wednesday’s meeting

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