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ROXANA - The Roxana Cheer Team has qualified for the IHSA State Championships in Bloomington this Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, and Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025. The girls also advanced to the Illinois Cheerleading Coaches Association (ICCA) State Championships, marking a significant achievement for the program. The announcement came following their recent performance, and the squad was praised for its excellence. The Roxana cheerleading girls are Midwest Members Credit Union Female Athletes of the Month. The team’s success is attributed to the dedication and hard work of its members, as well as the longstanding tradition of achievement fostered by Coach Stephanie Palen over the past two decades. Palen has established a legacy with her highly talented cheer squads. Coach Palen made this statement about her squad: "I am beyond proud of my girls for their incredible hard work and resilience this season. These athletes have faced every challenge with determination and a positive spirit, proving

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Did you know that over 75% of the world’s population speaks more than one language? As globalization continues to blur national boundaries, the ability to communicate across cultures has become not just a skill but a necessity. In 2025, learning a new language opens doors to opportunities that extend far beyond mere communication. From enhancing cognitive abilities to expanding career prospects, the benefits are multifaceted and undeniable. Cognitive Enhancement: More Than Just Words Learning a new language is like giving your brain a workout. Research has shown that bilingualism can improve cognitive functions such as problem-solving, multitasking, and critical thinking. A study published in Cognitive Science found that bilingual individuals performed better on tasks requiring attention and memory than their monolingual counterparts. Imagine a student juggling multiple languages while studying for exams. The mental gymnastics involved in switching from one language to another

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February 4th has witnessed a range of significant events throughout history, spanning various fields such as politics, science, arts, and social movements. In the realm of politics, February 4th is significant for the 1997 signing of the Kyoto Protocol, an international treaty that aimed to combat climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The protocol represented a landmark agreement among nations to address the pressing issue of global warming, showcasing a collective commitment to environmental sustainability. The Kyoto Protocol laid the groundwork for future climate agreements, and its anniversary serves as a call to action for continued efforts in combating climate change. In the world of sports, February 4th has also been a day of historic moments. For instance, in 2018, the Winter Olympics opened in Pyeongchang, South Korea, marking a significant occasion for athletes from around the world to showcase their skills in winter sports. The Olympic Games are not only

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EDWARDSVILLE - In Spring 2023, food insecurity, housing insecurity and/or homelessness were reported among 52% of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville students who responded to a national Basic Student Needs Survey, conducted by the Hope Center at Temple University and administered by SIUE’s Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs. Now, Student Affairs is addressing this growing problem with the help of the recently awarded Illinois Board of Higher Education’s $200,000 End Student Housing Insecurity (ESHI) grant, according to Assistant Dean of Students Mindy Dilley, EdD. Writing and bringing the grant to SIUE were Dilley, Associate Vice Chancellor and Dean of Students Rony Die and Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Miriam Roccia. “Over the past two years, SIUE has worked to expand awareness, eliminate barriers, and scaffold support for students who are faced daily with barriers to securing critical basic needs,” said Roccia. “To expect

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BELLEVILLE — The Belleville Police Department is investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on Monday, Feb. 3, 2025, in the 100 block of North 81st Street. At approximately 5:31 p.m., police received reports of multiple shots fired in the area. Upon arrival, officers discovered a 16-year-old male on the ground in front of a residence, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. First aid was administered at the scene by Belleville Police and Fire personnel before the victim was transported to Memorial Hospital in Belleville by Abbott EMS. He was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. Belleville Police Detectives and the Crime Scene Unit were dispatched to the scene to begin their investigation. As of now, the investigation is in its early stages, and authorities have indicated that further information will be released as it becomes available.

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - On Monday, Feb. 3, 2025, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office issued charges on suspect Devon Brison, 16 years of age, of the 9700 block of Balboa Drive in St. Louis, Missouri 63136, for Assault First Degree, Assault First Degree Special Victim, two counts of Armed Criminal Action, and Stealing – Motor Vehicle. A booking photo of Brison is not available. Brison is being held on a $150,000 cash only, no 10% bond. On Monday, February 3, 2025, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office issued charges on suspect Ajhoni Carter, 18 years of age, of the 11100 block of Pasture Drive in St. Louis, Missouri 63114, for Assault First Degree, Assault First Degree Special Victim, two counts of Armed Criminal Action, Stealing – Motor Vehicle, and Resisting Arrest. A booking photo of Carter is attached. Carter is being held on a $150,000 cash only, no 10% bond. Please note, charges are merely an accusation, and Defendants are

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BLOOMINGTON – Illinois Farm Bureau President Brian Duncan today expressed concern about harm to Illinois farmers resulting from tariffs potentially being imposed on the United States’ top three agricultural trading partners Mexico, Canada and China, respectively. “Illinois Farm Bureau supports a rules-based approach to trade, and our farmers simply cannot afford the uncertainty of a potential trade war. Farm income has declined for a second straight year, and we know from experience that farmers and rural communities are the first to suffer from retaliatory tariffs. We are pleased that the administration is delaying tariffs on Mexico, but the uncertainty surrounding tariffs and the potential for retaliation makes it difficult to plan for the future. We hope the administration will consider the economic impact on Illinois farmers and rural communities when contemplating tariff implementation.” “Export markets for agricultural goods are essential for

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ALTON – With local elections fast approaching, YWCA Southwestern Illinois and the Alton Section of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) invite the community to an evening of conversation and civic engagement at “Coffee with the Candidates,” taking place at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, at the YWCA (304 E. Third St., Alton). This casual meet-and-greet event offers voters a unique opportunity to speak one-on-one with candidates running for office in the City of Alton and the Village of Godfrey. Candidates for mayor, alderman, and board of trustees have all been invited to attend, making this an excellent chance for community members to get to know those seeking to represent them. Madison County Clerk Linda Andreas will also be present to provide essential election information, including details on early voting (starting February 20), vote-by-mail options, polling places, and more. Clerk Andreas will also demonstrate how to navigate the MadisonVotes.com website

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ALTON - The Hayner Public Library District has been busy, but they have great programs planned for kids, teens and adults in the next few weeks. Hayner’s Alton Square Mall location was temporarily closed on Monday, Feb. 3, 2025, due to an obstruction in the sewer line. They hope to reopen on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. You can visit the library’s official website or Facebook page for more information. In the meantime, Megan Dees, who oversees most of the teen programs at the library, explained that the library has several events for all age groups in the month of February. From Feb. 5 through 14, 2025, kids can enjoy a Valentine’s Day drop-in station where they can make their own Valentine’s Day cards from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m at the KidsSpace section of the Alton Square Mall library. Kids ages 3–7 can also participate in Yoga Time for Kids on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025, at Alton Square Mall. From 10–11 a.m., children and their adults

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DUPO – The Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis has been activated following a shooting that left one person dead and another injured on Monday morning, Feb. 3, 2025. According to a statement from the Major Case Squad, officers arrived at the scene to find two individuals with apparent gunshot wounds. Both victims were transported to hospitals in the Saint Louis area for treatment. However, one of the individuals later succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased. The Major Case Squad was requested to assist with the investigation by Dupo Police Chief Dennis Plew. Sergeant Justin Biggs of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office has been assigned as the deputy commander for the case. In light of the ongoing investigation, local schools are on lockdown as a precautionary measure. The Major Case Squad is urging anyone with information related to the incident to come forward. Tips can be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-866-371-TIPS (8477). The Command Post

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BELLEVILLE - Caritas Family Solutions is hosting its 12th annual Heart & Soul Gala on Feb, 8, 2025, at The Regency in O’Fallon, Illinois. The human services agency currently serves more than 6,300 people annually including 1,700 foster children throughout Southern Illinois and the Metro East region. The nonprofit also has service lines which include pregnancy care for women, adoption, counseling, community family stabilization for families experiencing homelessness, youth therapeutic treatment center, emergency shelter, intact family services, assisted living for seniors and independent living for adults with disabilities. The gala serves as the nonprofit’s largest fundraising event, supporting its mission of strengthening the social and emotional well-being of individuals and families to create healthy relationships, loving homes and strong communities. “This is our largest fundraising event of the year and it makes a tremendous difference in our ability to help

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ALTON - The East End Improvement Association is organizing candidate forums for Alton and Godfrey's aldermanic, trustee, and mayoral candidates in advance of the consolidated election scheduled for April 1, 2025. Riverbender.com will televise both the Alton and Godfrey events live. The Alton forum will take place on Feb. 4, 2025, at the Great Rivers Hotel, while the Godfrey forum is set for Feb. 11, 2025, at the Trimpe Building at Lewis and Clark Community College. The forums, which will begin at 7 p.m., aim to enhance voter engagement and provide a platform for candidates to present their views to the community. Steve Schwartz and John Keller, members of the East End Improvement Association, discussed the events on Our Daily Show! with host C.J. Nasello. Schwartz will moderate the forums. Keller highlighted the importance of these forums, noting the low voter turnout in the 2021 election, where less than 25 percent of the population participated, with only 3,700 ballots cast out

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ST. LOUIS — As temperatures fluctuate in the coming days, residents in the St. Louis area can expect a mix of warmer days and cooler air as the week progresses. According to Jared Maples, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in St. Louis, the region is experiencing its warmest day of the week today, Feb. 3, 2025, with temperatures reaching the upper 50s. Maples indicated that there is a possibility of freezing temperatures in the northern parts of Missouri on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, such as near Quincy and Bowling Green, Mo. He said the forecast for the St. Louis area suggests lows of 34 to 35 degrees early in the morning. He noted that any significant impact from colder temperatures is expected to remain limited and confined to areas north of the city. The forecast shows a cooling trend beginning Tuesday, with highs only reaching the low 40s. Following this, temperatures will bounce back to the mid to upper 50s by Thursday, before another shift occurs over the weekend

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ST. LOUIS — A minor earthquake measuring 2.4 in magnitude occurred near the Missouri-Illinois border on Saturday evening, Feb. 1, 2025. The U.S. Geological Survey reported that the seismic event occurred at approximately 6 p.m. on Saturday Central Time. The epicenter of the earthquake was located about 2.3 miles south-southwest of Valmeyer, Illinois, and 6.9 miles northeast of Festus, Missouri. The quake was recorded at a shallow depth of 3.1 miles below the surface. This earthquake is part of the Illinois Basin – Ozark Dome region, which is known for its moderate earthquake activity. While the frequency of earthquakes in this area is lower compared to regions like the West Coast, tremors can be felt over broader areas due to the geological structure of the region. As of now, there have been no reports of damage or injuries resulting from the quake.

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DUPO - A double-shooting took place around 11:30 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 3, 2025, in the 100 block of North Second Street in Dupo. Police said that two were shot in the incident and that two suspects were in custody after the shooting. Police had not yet released the conditions of the two victims. Dupo Community Unit School District 196 announced schools were placed on lockdown Monday afternoon following reports of gunfire in the surrounding community. The incident, which did not involve any students or staff, prompted the district to take precautionary measures as advised by the Dupo Police Department. Dr. White, the district's superintendent, communicated to the community that the lockdown was initiated "out of an abundance of caution." He emphasized that the safety of students and staff remains the district's top priority and stated, “We are working closely with the Dupo Police Department and will lift the lockdown as soon as we are given the all-clear.” Initially, Dupo

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A LTON - Jacoby Arts Center has a new building. Jacoby will now be located at 208 State Street in Alton, the former site of State Street Market. Executive Director Rachel Lappin and Operations Manager Chantel Morrigan shared that the new space will open soon, with the goal to start programming in the spring. “We have keys to a building,” Lappin said. “Now we’re Jacoby Arts Center at State Street Studios.” The Jacoby Arts Center board has been looking for new locations since May 2024. Lappin and Morrigan said they had ten “very solid, viable options” in the Alton and Godfrey area. The owner of the building at 208 State Street — an artist who has had her work displayed at Jacoby — reached out to them and suggested they look at the site. At first, Lappin and Morrigan were hesitant. But they quickly realized the 4,000-square-foot space would be a good fit. While the new Jacoby Arts Center won’t be exactly like

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GRANITE CITY – The Rotary Club of Granite City recognized juniors Valeria Canales and Vanessa Canales as Students of the Month for January. Students were nominated by teachers, and were chosen on the basis of academics, as well as scholastic, extracurricular and civic honors and awards, and organization membership and leadership. Each honoree will receive a framed certificate and a gift card, and will be recognized at the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast on March 25, 2025. VALERIA CANALES Two-year member of girls soccer team ... Volunteer at Renaissance Survival Workshop and St. Elizabeth Picnic ... Member of Foreign Language Club and Renaissance Committee ... Saturday Scholars ... High Honor Roll and Secondary Honors ... Daughter of David Canales and Diana Rojas. VANESSA CANALES Two-year member of girls soccer team ... Saturday Scholars ... High Honor Roll and Secondary Honors ... Member of Foreign Language Club, Renaissance Committee and Science Club ... Volunteer

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GODFREY – A Godfrey resident faces multiple child pornography charges after “numerous cybertips” spurred a multi-agency investigation and search of his home. Matthew P. Costello, 51 of Godfrey, was charged on Jan. 30, 2025 with five counts of child pornography, each Class X felonies. Costello is accused of disseminating child porn via the Kik application throughout the summer and fall of 2024. The offenses reportedly occurred on Aug. 8, Oct. 9, July 17, and July 27, 2024. A petition to deny Costello’s pretrial release states the case against him began on Jan. 23, 2025, when the Madison County Sheriff's Department started investigating “numerous cybertips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children” (NCMEC) which had been transferred from the Edwardsville Police Department. “NCMEC originally forwarded these cybertips of an individual disseminating child pornography on the Kik application,” the petition states. “Edwardsville

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GODFREY/JERSEYVILLE - Riverbend Dental and Jerseyville Dental Group are excited to offer excellent patient care throughout the Riverbend region. Riverbend Dental, located at 5209 Mae Drive in Godfrey, recently acquired Jerseyville Dental Group at 105 South State Street in Jerseyville. They closed their Alton office and merged their doctors and patients into the Godfrey and Jerseyville locations. Throughout the month of February, you can call either office to schedule an appointment and mention RiverBender.com for a discounted whitening treatment. “No one likes going to the dentist. We know that. We don’t even like going to the dentist when it’s our turn,” joked Danielle Schmidt. “But it is a very warm and inviting office. All of our clinicians, our assistants, our hygienists, our doctors, I feel like they pride themselves on patient care, patient education. We want you to be as comfortable as possible and have the best experience that you can.&rdquo

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COLLINSVILLE - Collinsville Township Supervisor Derrick Cox has released information in response to some questions and concerns raised recently about real estate tax exemptions for vulnerable residents in the township. In his information release, Cox clarified that he had recently discovered a costly plan by the Collinsville Township Assessor’s Office to send out several thousand “Exemption Reminders” via first-class postage at a cost of 73 cents each. He argued that this approach resulted in several thousand dollars in unnecessary expenses for taxpayers. Instead, he advocated using a mail house, specifically, Mailing Methods in Caseyville. He said there were also a few other mail house businesses in the area that could be used to send the mailings at a reduced rate. Cox said Mailing Methods quoted him a price of 32 cents per letter, saving the township a significant amount of money. He said he had used Mailing Methods in Caseyville on multiple occasions for mailings

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