Riverbender 🕸

MADISON COUNTY — A 25-year-old man from Phoenix, Ariz., was killed Thursday night, July 24, 2025, after being struck by a semi tractor-trailer on Interstate 70 in Madison County, authorities said. The accident occurred around 10:30 p.m. on July 24, 2025, on the westbound lanes near the 20.4-mile marker, close to the intersection of Illinois State Route 4 and Interstate 70. Madison County Coroner Nicholas P. Novacich on Monday, July 28, 2025, identified the victim as Amisi M. Wilondja. The Madison County Coroner’s Office was notified at 10:39 p.m. on July 24, 2025, and Investigator Samuel T. Stone responded to the scene, pronouncing Wilondja dead at 11:14 p.m. The driver of the semi stopped at the scene and is cooperating with the ongoing investigation. The preliminary cause of death was listed as multi-system trauma, the Madison County Coroner said. Routine toxicological testing has been conducted, but results are still pending. The final cause of death will be determined

Continue Reading

ALTON – A man from Alton faces a felony arson charge after setting fire to a home on 6th Street . Joey L. Holoman, 35, of Alton, was charged on July 23, 2025 with a Class 1 felony count of residential arson. On July 7, 2025, Holoman allegedly damaged a residential property in the 1100 block of E. 6th St. by means of fire which was the dwelling place of another individual. According to the state’s petition to deny Holoman’s pretrial release from custody, a cab driver reported seeing a male and female leaving the residence as the fire ignited. “While getting into the cab, the male admitted he lit the fire, but claimed he put it out,” the petition states. “Officers located the female witness, who indicated that defendant had ignited the fire prior to leaving, saying he was upset at his ex-girlfriend. Defendant admitted to setting the fire, saying he lit a candle on a bed in the residence after taking his property.” Alton Fire Chief Jesse

Continue Reading

ALTON – Following the recent implementation of earlier bar closing times and increased police presence in the downtown entertainment district, the Alton Police Department is pleased to report overwhelming support and compliance from both patrons and business owners during the first full weekend of enforcement. From Friday evening, July 25, 2025, through early Sunday morning, July 27, 2025, Alton Police Officers maintained a heightened presence in the downtown area to ensure public safety, discourage disorderly conduct, and support the newly established 1 a.m. closing time for several local establishments. “We were encouraged by the cooperation we saw this weekend,” said Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford. “Patrons complied with the new closing times, left the area promptly, and conducted themselves responsibly. This is exactly the kind of community response we were hoping for.” There were no major incidents throughout the weekend. However, officers will b

Continue Reading

MADISON COUNTY — The Madison County Sheriff's Office honored telecommnicator Cynthia Tweedy on Friday, July 25, 2025, as she retired after more than 20 years of public service. Tweedy began her career with the sheriff’s office in 2005 and transferred to the Dispatch Center in 2007, where she served as a telecommunicator. In her final year of service, Tweedy was recognized with the Telecommunicators Award, acknowledging her exceptional career and strong reputation within the law enforcement community. The Madison County Sheriff’s Office expressed gratitude for her dedication and hard work, noting the positive impact she had on both the department and the citizens of Madison County. “Telecommunicator Tweedy, we are so thankful for your years of hard work and dedication to the Madison County Sheriff’s Office and the citizens we serve,” the office said in a statement. “Happy retirement, Friend! You will be missed.”

Continue Reading

GODFREY - Lewis and Clark Community College is a great spot for students looking to push themselves out of their comfort zones. In an interview on “Our Daily Show!” with C.J. Nasello at Centerstone’s recent resource fair , Sebby, a student ambassador at LCCC, shared stories of working with the college and pursuing a degree in accounting. As a student ambassador, Sebby attends events like the resource fair and talks to prospective students about the college’s offerings. “We have a lot of new programs every single day with our sports teams and clubs. We’re just growing and growing all of the time,” Sebby said. “We just hope to get the word out there and show that even though we’re a community college, we still offer the same plus extra things.” Sebby shared that the student ambassador gig is “the best job I’ve ever had.” The coworkers are “really lovely,” and it’s been a great

Continue Reading

Mom! I have to go!” “Hold it!” It's an exchange you probably had as a kid on long car rides. But Uwais Zaid, MD, says it’s not just a funny vacation story. A person of any age or profession can find themselves holding their urine for a long time. “In the medical field, we see this all the time,” says Dr. Zaid, a urologist who sees patients at OSF HealthCare. “When you’re rushing from patient to patient, doctors, nurses and technicians might not go to the bathroom as much as they should. They hold their urine the whole day.” Dr. Zaid is sharing his playbook: why this phenomenon happens, how to fix it and what can happen if you don’t. Why do we hold our pee? Dr. Zaid says some people hold their urine simply based on the situation. They’re on a long car ride, and stopping will make them late. Or they might be at a dinner party and don’t want to seem rude by leaving the table. “Then there’s another

Continue Reading

ALTON – An Alton man accused of invading his ex-girlfriend’s home, attacking her, and slashing her vehicle’s tires now faces multiple felony charges. Craig D. Stepheny, 31, of Alton, was charged on July 22, 2025 with a Class X felony count of home invasion and a Class 4 felony count of criminal damage to property. Stepheny allegedly entered an occupied Alton residence without authority and intentionally injured one of the home’s occupants on May 17, 2025. He is also accused of slashing two tires on the victim’s vehicle with a knife, causing over $500 worth of damage. A petition to deny Stepheny’s pretrial release from custody was filed by the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office. According to the petition, the victim reported that Stepheny, her ex-boyfriend, entered her home while she was with another individual and began striking her in the face before throwing her to the ground. “ then destroyed her property and slashed

Continue Reading

CALHOUN COUNTY, Ill. — The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office in Hardin is warning residents about a phone scam involving callers impersonating law enforcement officials. The Calhoun Sheriff’s Office has received complaints from individuals who were contacted by someone claiming to be “Deputy Parker” and told they had a federal warrant for missing jury duty. According to the office, the scammers are also allegedly “cloning” phone numbers belonging to the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office or the now defunct Hardin Police Department to make the calls appear legitimate. “This is a scam,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement. “Nobody has a federal warrant for missing jury duty. Also, our own former Deputy Pat Parker is happily enjoying his retirement, and is not telemarketing on the side.” Residents are advised not to provide any personal information over the phone. Anyone who receives such a call is urged

Continue Reading

MICHAEL, Ill. - Tory Bates of Michael, Ill., is facing a crisis after recent flooding left their basement submerged under four feet of water, destroying belongings, disabling their furnace and water heater, and leaving them without heat or hot water. A GoFundMe has been launched to help cover basic recovery needs, including food, clean water, generator fuel, and transportation, as they work to rebuild. Areas in Calhoun County encountered nearly 10 inches of rain from Saturday, July 26 to Sunday, July 27, 2025, and caused enormous countywide flooding issues. Bates described the impact on their home, noting that the basement is submerged under four feet of water. “This has not only destroyed personal belongings but has also severely affected our furnace and water heater, leaving us without heat and hot water during this challenging time,” Bates said. The fundraiser aims to provide financial assistance for basic necessities such as food, clean water, gas for a generator,

Continue Reading

EAST ST. LOUIS – State Senator Christopher Belt is encouraging local community organizations and education institutions to apply for grants from the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program to give more young people a path into the trades. “We have seen local success with the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “There is a pool of money out there for the entire state, so the more local organizations apply, the more we can get our share of it to help our community.” This latest round of funding provides $25 million to support pre-apprenticeship programs that aim to create pathways for underrepresented groups in the construction industry, including women, veterans and people of color. The program offers comprehensive, tuition-free training and certifications, along with supportive services to help individuals gain entry to apprenticeships and ultimately secure stable, well-paying careers. Since its inception in 2021, Illinois

Continue Reading

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Police (ISP) continues to target vehicle theft, hijacking, and related violent crimes using grant funding from the Illinois Secretary of State Illinois Vehicle Hijacking and Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention and Insurance Verification Council. ? ISP was awarded a $10 million grant for the first fiscal year, another $677,000 in June 2024, and $637,500 in July 2025. From April through June 2025, ISP missions resulted in the following: Vehicles recovered – stolen and/or hijacked: 225 Stolen vehicle arrests: 6 Hijacked vehicle arrests: 0 Firearms seized as a result of stolen/hijacked vehicle recovery: 15 Missions targeting stolen/hijacked vehicle recovery and related violent crime: 48 K9 used for stolen/hijacked vehicle recovery and related violence crime: 27 Air Operations targeting stolen/hijacked vehicle recovery and related violent crime: 48 Forensic laboratory assignments related to stolen/hijacked vehicle: 1,215 Highlights of IS

Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and their fellow Senate Democratic colleagues in pressing the Trump Administration for answers on the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). In the letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the Senators called on the Administration to immediately cease funding for GHF and restore support for existing United Nations aid distribution mechanisms. The Senators’ letter comes as the people of Gaza face a looming famine due to lack of aid and hundreds have been reported killed while seeking food at GHF distribution sites. The Senators begin, “We write with grave concerns regarding the U.S. role in and financial support for the troubled Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a private group supported by U.S. security contractors and connected to deadly violence against starving people seeking food in Gaza. Blurring the lines between

Continue Reading

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MO. — Daniel Douglas, 19, of the 4200 block of Tupelo Drive in St. Louis, was identified as the victim in a fatal shooting that occurred Friday, July 25, 2025, in the 2200 block of Union Road, the St. Louis County Police Department confirmed Monday, July 28, 2025. Officers from the South County Precinct responded at approximately 7 p.m. on July 25 to reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, police found Douglas suffering from life-threatening gunshot wounds. He was transported to a nearby hospital but later died from his injuries. Detectives from the Bureau of Crimes Against Persons are actively investigating the homicide. No suspects have been taken into custody at this time. Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact the St. Louis County Police Department at 636-529-8210. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through CrimeStoppers at 1-866-371-TIPS (8477), with a possible reward offered. Further details will be released as the investigation

Continue Reading

ALTON — The Melvin Price Lock and Dam in Alton is expected to be fully open by the end of Monday, July 28, 2025, according to lock officials. The move comes after some torrential rains around the Grafton and Calhoun areas and Alton region this past weekend, in anticipation of rising Mississippi River water levels. Lock and Dam officials reported that the lock has opened 150 feet over the past day and a half and is preparing to reach an open river status for the first time in a year and a half on Monday. This marks a significant change for the river, which has been constrained by the lock for an extended period. “We are most likely to have it completely open by the end of the day,” a lock official said. “All this depends on Mother Nature. We are hoping that if it goes completely open, it will settle, and river levels will drop back down.” The reopening is anticipated to improve river conditions and navigation along this stretch of the Mississippi River.

Continue Reading

BETHALTO — Madison County State's Attorney Tom Haine has modified the charges against Joshua J. Morrison after a vicious assault incident on July 19, 2025, at an apartment complex in Bethalto . Morrison was initially charged with aggravated arson, arson, aggravated battery, and now, as of Monday, July 28, 2025, is charged with a hate crime, authorities said. The State's Attorney now charges that Morrison faces a Class 4 felony hate crime charge for battering Winston Rulo because of his perceived sexual orientation after an investigation of the incident. This is the exact new charge filed by the Madison County State's Attorney's Office: COUNT IV: HATE CRIME (CLASS 4 FELONY): "in that said defendant, by reason of the perceived sexual orientation of Winston Rulo, knowingly battered the victim in violation of 720 ILCS 5/12-3(a) in that defendant repeatedly struck the victim about the face and head with his fists, in violation of 720 ILCS 5/12-7.1." Karen Alexander Mack,

Continue Reading

CHICAGO - Today, Governor JB Pritzker joined Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton, Attorney General Kwame Raoul, legislative leaders, and stakeholders to sign two bills focused on improving gun safety in Illinois. The Safe Gun Storage Act (SB 0008) outlines strengthened safe storage requirements in homes where a firearm could be accessed by a minor, an at-risk person, or someone otherwise prohibited from using firearms. Governor Pritzker also signed HB 1373, which requires every law enforcement agency in Illinois to participate in the federal firearm tracing platform eTrace to strengthen investigations and make communities safer. “Illinois has been one of the most aggressive states in the nation in combatting the epidemic of gun violence that has plagued our communities for far too long,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “We’ve spent the past six years working with law enforcement, engaging with frontline communities, and studying the most effective policy solutions

Continue Reading

CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul joined Governor JB Pritzker today as the governor signed two gun safety bills into law, including Raoul’s legislation to require all local law enforcement agencies in Illinois to participate in the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) eTrace platform. The eTrace platform allows law enforcement to submit crime-gun tracing information to the ATF National Tracing Center. House Bill (HB)1373 was initiated by Attorney General Raoul and sponsored by Rep. Curtis Tarver and Sen. Bill Cunningham. The legislation was passed by the Illinois General Assembly with bipartisan support and goes into effect immediately upon being signed. “Advocating for commonsense gun safety measures has been one of my top priorities throughout my career. I initiated House Bill 1373 as part of that work because law enforcement agencies’ participation in the ATF’s eTrace platform is needed to identify gun traffickers

Continue Reading

BELLEVILLE - IMPACT Strategies, Inc. is currently making significant progress on the medical office renovation project that SIHF Healthcare has undertaken at 180 S 3rd Street in Belleville, Illinois. This project is a phased comprehensive renovation involving all floors of the existing medical office building, which was recently purchased by SIHF Healthcare. In our role as the construction manager, IMPACT Strategies provided pre-construction services to support design, budgeting, scheduling, permitting, and subcontractor selection. As our role has transitioned into construction execution, we are transforming the space across multiple phases to include a Pharmacy, Intensive Outpatient Program, Specialist services, InstaCare, and Family Medicine suites, totaling 7,300 square feet. IMPACT is targeting a mid-fall completion. IMPACT Strategies’ President, Mark Hinrichs said, “With our extensive healthcare experience and long-standing relationship with SIHF Healthcare, we

Continue Reading

JERSEYVILLE/HARDIN - Illinois American Water reported significant flooding and sewer backups in its Jerseyville and Village of Hardin operating districts following approximately 10 inches of rain in those vicinities. The heavy rainfall, which occurred Saturday night, July 26, 2025, and early Sunday, July 27, 2025, has overwhelmed local sewer systems and led to backups in many areas of the communities. The company stated that crews have been actively working to address the sewer issues on Sunday and Monday, but officials noted that the sewer collection systems are currently at capacity due to the volume of rain. It will take time for the systems to recover once the rainfall subsides, the company said. “We appreciate your patience,” said Terry Mackin, communications and external affairs representative for Illinois American Water. Residents in the affected areas are advised to stay informed and exercise caution as crews continue mitigation efforts.

Continue Reading

ALTON - Mental Health First Aid is an important skill for community members to learn, says instructor Isaac Sandidge. In an interview on “Our Daily Show!” with C.J. Nasello at Centerstone’s recent resource fair , Sandidge explained what Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is and how people can benefit from taking a class. He believes MHFA is a vital way to help people experiencing a mental health challenge or crisis. “Have you ever heard of CPR? It’s like that for mental health,” Sandidge said. He explained that MHFA covers a variety of mental health and substance use challenges that community members might encounter, including panic attacks, overdoses, psychosis and suicide. The training explains how to help someone experiencing these challenges. Sandidge has served as an MHFA instructor for the past ten years. There are now 4.3 million Americans certified in MHFA, a big step up from Sandidge’s first year in 2016 when the organization

Continue Reading