Riverbender 🕸

ALTON - Ameren has provided the City of Alton with a major grant that aims to increase electric vehicle use in the city. The $75,000 grant will lead to either more electric vehicle charging stations installed in Alton, or the city will transition to electric vehicles for their police and public works vehicles. This is part of a community engagement and consultation program that allows Ameren and Alton to analyze the best use of electric vehicles in the city. “We create this plan

SPARTA — Carrie J. Kelley, 43, of Sparta, was arrested Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, on multiple felony charges related to the alleged theft of more than $1 million from MedStar Ambulance Inc., authorities said. The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office announced Kelley’s arrest on warrants for two counts of theft of property over $1 million, a Class X felony; one count of wire fraud, a Class 3 felony; and four counts of fraudulent filing of Illinois income tax, Class 4 felonies. The arrest

FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS - The St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office has issued an arrest warrant in connection with the death of a 3-month-old infant last year. On Nov. 21, 2025, State’s Attorney James Gomric announced a warrant for Shannon L. Williams Jr., 24, charging him with Endangering the Life or Health of a Child/Causing Death, a Class 3 felony. The charge stems from the death of Williams’ son, identified by the initials A.W., on May 26, 2024. Fairview Heights

ALTON — Corbin Radford Barnard, a senior at Marquette Catholic High School, is being recognized for his achievements in bowling. Barnard has averaged a 223 score throughout the 2025-2026 season and was part of the first Marquette bowling team to qualify for the state competition last year. Barnard is a Tucker's Automotive Male Athlete of the Month for the Explorers. Barnard has played bowling for all four years of high school and credits his success to the strong bond he shares with his

ALTON – State Representative Amy Elik (R-Alton) is hosting a Holiday Food Drive at her district office in Alton. The food drive will run from December 8th through December 19th. “I’m happy to host my fifth annual holiday food drive this holiday season,” said Elik. “If you are able, please join me in helping provide food that will be delivered to local food pantries. Anything you can provide will help local families have a happy Christmas season.” Non-perishable

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Fair is excited to announce that country music sensation Ella Langley will take the Grandstand Stage as part of the 2026 Illinois State Fair lineup on Friday, August 21, 2026. Langley, one of country music’s most dynamic and fastest-rising new voices, has rapidly become a force in the genre. Her debut album, hungover, earned widespread critical acclaim from Rolling Stone, The New York Times, Billboard and more, while her 3x Platinum-certified

JERSEYVILLE – A Jerseyville man is the latest Riverbend resident to be charged with grooming, child solicitation, and more after authorities uncovered Grindr messages between himself and an adult posing as a 14-year-old child. Matthew H. Edens, 31, of Jerseyville, was charged on Nov. 24, 2025 with one count each of indecent solicitation of a child, traveling to meet a minor (both Class 3 felonies), solicitation to meet a child, and grooming (both Class 4 felonies). From Nov. 21-22,

ALTON - Mac’s Downtown Alton is partnering with Olga’s Kitchen to bring the restaurant’s fan-favorite dishes to the local community in the coming weeks. The collaboration was announced recently, with plans to launch the new offerings by late December when Olga's closes its location at Alton Square Mall. Rob Lenhardt, one of the owners of Mac’s, shared details about the partnership and the history of Olga’s Kitchen. He noted that Olga’s has been a staple for

ALTON - Community members have the opportunity to celebrate Christmas and give back at an upcoming party. From 6–11 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, you can come out to Bowl Haven in Alton for the 19th annual Christmas party organized by the nonprofit Something Bigger Than Yourself. The party benefits Alton Catholic Children’s Home, Beverly Farms, and the Alton Boys and Girls Club. Everyone in the community is invited to come, have fun, and give back. “When you come to

WOOD RIVER — Madison County residents are now able to send a text message directly to 911 when calling isn’t safe or possible. The Madison County Emergency Telephone System Board (ETSB) launched Text-to-911, a new communication option that allows residents to contact emergency dispatchers via text message during life-threatening situations. “Sometimes, calling just isn’t an option,” 911 Director Arron Weber said. “If you’re hiding during a domestic

SPRINGFIELD – A comprehensive new report released today by the University of Illinois’ Project for Middle Class Renewal (PMCR) finds that while Illinois has made meaningful progress toward gender pay equity since implementing pay data reporting requirements under a 2021 amendment to the Equal Pay Act of 2003 (EPA), significant occupational disparities in pay persist—particularly for Black and Hispanic workers in low-wage sectors. The analysis, conducted by Dr. Tingting Zhang

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois State Police (ISP) Director Brendan F. Kelly gathered today with ISP staff and their families, local law enforcement officers, and distinguished members of the public for the annual ISP Awards Ceremony. The ceremony was held to recognize individuals for their significant contributions and dedication to public safety in 2024. Director Kelly presented individuals with the following awards: Director’s Award of Distinction, Medal of Valor, Medal for Honor, Achievement

SPRINGFIELD – Youth between the ages of 10 and 17 who would like to participate in the annual Central Illinois Youth Goose Hunt sponsored by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources can register now for the event, which is scheduled for Jan. 19, 2026, in Fulton County. Registration is open through Dec. 31. To participate, youth hunters must go online for additional information and to register . The hunt will be hosted at private waterfowl hunting clubs near Canton in Fulton County,

GRANITE CITY – State Senator Erica Harriss (56th-Glen Carbon) has released the below statement following the officer-involved shooting Friday afternoon in Granite City: “The attack on a Granite City police officer Friday afternoon is a stark reminder of the danger our officers face every single day. I am grateful the officer is currently stable after surgery, and my thoughts are with him, his family, and the entire department as they work through this traumatic event. “This

GRANITE CITY – The suspect in the recent shooting of a Granite City police officer is now in custody, the Illinois State Police has announced. The suspect, 26-year-old DJ Marshall of Granite City, IL, who is believed to have shot a Granite City Police Department officer has been taken into custody. This case remains under investigation. Individuals with information are encouraged to send it to ISP.CRIMETIPS@illinois.gov or call (618) 346-3990. On Dec. 5, 2025, at approximately 2:19

Did you know that the average American spends over 20 hours shopping during the holiday season, often feeling overwhelmed and rushed? The pressure to find the perfect gifts, manage budgets, and coordinate with busy schedules can turn what should be an enjoyable experience into a source of significant stress. But what if the key to a calm and successful holiday shopping season lies not just in what you buy, but in how you plan your shopping schedule? Understand Your Priorities and Budget Early

December 8 has long been a date marked by events that have shaped the world in profound ways. On December 8, 1980, the world was stunned by the news that John Lennon, former member of The Beatles and a prominent peace activist, was shot and killed outside his apartment building in New York City. Lennon was just 40 years old when Mark David Chapman fired five shots, ending the life of a man whose music and messages had inspired millions. This tragic event sent shockwaves across the globe, sparking

Expect a cold day with a high near 32 and a low around 27. Morning temperatures start around 20 but will feel quite cold. Winds will be light, ranging from about 3 to 9 mph, mainly from the west-northwest in the afternoon with gusts up to 15 mph. There is no rain expected today, with mostly intermittent clouds through the daylight hours. In detail, the morning will have some cloud cover but still allow patches of sunshine. The afternoon remains partly sunny with intervals of clouds and sunshine,

GRANITE CITY - Evan Brewer, a senior center for Granite City High's boys basketball team, is off to a great 4-2 start. Brewer scored 12 points in a 58-39 win over Metro-East Lutheran at Granite City Memorial Gym on Dec. 4, and is currently the team's leading scorer, averaging 17.3 points-per-game. He's also averaging 9.3 rebounds-per-game, and also has nine assists and eight steals in the Warriors first games. Last season, on a team that finished 9-23, he averaged 15.4 points-per-game to lea

EDWARDSVILLE - Ciara Cunningham, a senior hitter who helped Edwardsville advance to the IHSA Class 4A girls volleyball sectional this season, signed a letter of intent to play for Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Okla., in a ceremony held in the auditorium of the Jon Davis Wrestling Center. Cunningham, one of two seniors on this year's Tigers team, helped the Tigers go on to a 25-12 record this season, advancing to the O'Fallon sectional, losing to Belleville East 25-17, 25-14 on Nov. 4.