Riverbender 🕸

May 16 has been a date marked by significant events throughout history, spanning continents and centuries, each contributing uniquely to the tapestry of our global story. From monumental battles that changed empires to groundbreaking cultural milestones, this day offers a fascinating glimpse into the forces that have shaped our world. One of the most impactful events on May 16 occurred in 1521: the fall of Tenochtitlán, the capital city of the Aztec Empire, to Spanish conquistadors led by Hernán Cortés. This moment marked a turning point in the history of the Americas, signaling the beginning of Spanish dominance in the region and the eventual establishment of New Spain. The conquest not only reshaped the political landscape but also had profound cultural, social, and demographic consequences that reverberate to this day. In the early 16th century, the Aztec Empire was one of the most powerful and sophisticated indigenous civilizations in the Americas. Its capital,

Continue Reading

Did you know that approximately one-third of the food we consume every day relies directly on pollination by bees? Despite their small size, bees play a colossal role in maintaining biodiversity and ensuring food security worldwide. Yet, these industrious insects are facing unprecedented threats that jeopardize not only their survival but also the health of ecosystems and economies globally. The Crucial Role of Bees in Ecosystems Bees are among the most efficient pollinators on the planet. Pollination—the transfer of pollen from the male parts of a flower to the female parts—enables plants to produce fruits and seeds. While many animals contribute to pollination, bees stand out for their effectiveness and specialization. Pollination and Biodiversity Over 80% of wild plants depend on animal pollinators, with bees being the primary agents. This process supports biodiversity by enabling flowering plants to reproduce and maintain genetic diversity within populations. For

Continue Reading

WOOD RIVER — The Wood River Police Department and Wood River Fire Department responded Thursday night, May 15, 2025, to a reported shooting in the alley behind the 200 block of East Ferguson Avenue. Officers arriving at the scene found a victim who had been shot. Firefighters and Alton Memorial EMS provided lifesaving measures before transporting the victim to a hospital in Alton. The victim was later airlifted by medical helicopter to a hospital in St. Louis. Wood River Police Chief Brad Wells said investigators are speaking with a person of interest. Multiple area police departments assisted Wood River authorities in securing the scene. Ferguson Avenue was closed in the 200 block while police conducted their investigation. The condition of the shooting victim has not been released. More information to come.

Continue Reading

PONTOON BEACH – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced upcoming lane and ramp closures at the Interstate 270/Illinois 111 interchange in Madison County, as part of an ongoing reconstruction project. All work is weather-permitting. Closure schedule and details: Weekend lane closures on I-270 between Interstate 255 and Illinois 203 start at 9 p.m. Friday, May 16. I-270 will be reduced to one lane in each direction. All lanes will reopen by 5 a.m. Monday, May 19. Inner-loop ramp closures at the I-270/Illinois 111 interchange start at 9 p.m. Friday, May 16. The following inner-loop ramps will remain closed for the duration of the project: Northbound Illinois 111 to westbound I-270 Eastbound I-270 to northbound Illinois 111 Southbound Illinois 111 to eastbound I-270 Westbound I-270 to southbound Illinois 111 Full closure of Illinois 111 at the interchange between the ramp from southbound Illinois 111 to westbound I-270 and the ramp from northbound

Continue Reading

CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today issued the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in three lawsuits, including one filed by Raoul and three attorneys general, challenging President Trump’s unlawful executive order attempting to unilaterally end birthright citizenship. Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield and Washington Attorney General Nicholas W. Brown joined Attorney General Raoul in filing the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington at Seattle. In February, the federal court granted the coalition’s motion for a nationwide preliminary injunction, halting implementation of the executive order. “As Illinois’ Attorney General, I swore an oath to uphold the Constitution and to protect the rights of all Illinois residents. And as a birthright citizen myself, born to an immigrant mother not yet naturalized at the time, the fight to preserve birthright

Continue Reading

ST. LOUIS – United Way of Greater St. Louis (UWGSL) is asking the community to give back, get involved, and make a difference at the second annual UWGSL Unite With Us Day, a community-wide day of service where thousands of volunteers come together to help our neighbors. Registration for Unite With Us Day will begin on May 15, 2025, and the event will take place on June 21 where individuals and families are encouraged to sign up for one of the volunteer projects. You can register to participate in a project at www.stlvolunteer.org/unite . Spots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Projects will benefit nonprofit partner agencies throughout Missouri and Illinois. Hundreds of volunteer opportunities are available for everyone, ranging from 5 years old and up. Volunteer events will include sorting and packaging food, community cleanup efforts such as yard work and garden maintenance, organizing clothing donations from the community, and more. “We are so excited

Continue Reading

COLUMBIA – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that pavement patching on northbound Interstate 255 from the Illinois 3 on-ramp to Davis Ferry Road will begin, weather permitting, this evening, Thursday, May 15, 2025. All lanes will reopen to traffic by Friday morning, May 16. Work will continue over the weekend, with crews starting again Friday evening, May 16. At least one lane of traffic will remain open throughout the project. All lanes will reopen to traffic by Monday morning, May 19. Motorists should expect delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes during this work. Drivers are urged to reduce speed, be alert for changing conditions, obey all construction signage, and refrain from using mobile devices while approaching and traveling through the work zone. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on the social media platform X at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com

Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) led Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Assistant Minority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and nine other Democratic colleagues across U.S. Senate Armed Services, Appropriations and Intelligence Committees in demanding that the Department of Defense be transparent with them about the substantial national security and operational risks posed by President Trump’s plan to accept a $400 million aircraft “gift” from the Qatari royal family. In a letter sent to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink last night, the Senators called for answers from the Department of Defense about how it would prevent these national security risks if Donald Trump accepts this gift, and how much taxpayers will have to pay for the extensive upgrades that would need to be made on this unvetted aircraft in order to protect the President, servicemembers and sensitive information from nefarious espionage,

Continue Reading

GRAFTON - Kick back for a weekend of soul stirring blues music during the 15th Annual Grafton Winery Blues Festival Saturday, May 17 and Sunday, May 18, 2025 at Grafton Winery The Vineyards, 21028 Eckert Orchard Rd., Grafton. This free event features the music of regional blues bands at the scenic winery nestled in the hills of Grafton. The Vineyards will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 17 and May 18 serving award-winning Grafton Winery wines, beer and drinks along with a special Blues Festival Menu. No outside food or drinks will be allowed as per state law. The Blues Fest weekend will preview Friday, May 16 with a special event at the Grafton Winery & Brewhaus, 300 W. Main St., Grafton. The Mojo Express Blues Band will perform from 6 to 9 p.m. at the downtown Grafton location. Kicking off the weekend of music on Saturday, May 17 at The Vineyards will be a classic blues band lineup including: Ivas John Band from 1 to 4 p.m. Soulard Blue Band from 5 to 8 p.m. Entertainment

Continue Reading

ROXANA – State Senator Erica Harriss (56th-Glen Carbon) has released the below statement following the recent complaint from the Illinois Attorney General’s Office and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency against the operators of the Roxana Landfill: “As a result of countless conversations with community leaders and residents, I introduced and passed legislation last year that directly addresses many of the issues now highlighted in the Attorney General’s recent complaint against the Roxana Landfill,” said Senator Erica Harriss. “These newly enacted laws were driven by my commitment to constituent services and by the tireless advocacy of local leaders and community stakeholders who have long pushed for cleaner neighborhoods and safer, healthier communities. I’m grateful to the Attorney General’s Office for taking action and treating these complaints with the seriousness they deserve. This is a big step forward, and I will continue

Continue Reading

ST. LOUIS - Kick off the summer party season with the the iconic Westport Plaza event series - Parties On The Plaza - which is back for summer 2025 and better than ever. The parties will rock Westport Plaza's outdoor event venue on the third Thursday of each month from May through September from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Tonight's party includes music from Dr. Zhivegas, the popular St. Louis-based band rocking the region since 1995. The band is billing 2025 as its final season. The 10,000-square-foot outdoor party venue is located in the middle of the village at Westport Plaza. Equipped with concert staging and sound systems, the venue offers a stellar festival experience. Bar service will be active within the space and Westport's popular restaurants will serve food and beverages on their patios surrounding the space. Guests can play beer pong, bags and other lawn games during the event. Admission to Parties On The Plaza is free. This is a 21+ event. Upcoming Parties On The Plaza include

Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Former Blackhawk helicopter pilot and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation (CST) and Ranking Member of the Aviation Subcommittee—today pressed top FAA officials on what the agency is doing right now to prevent further failures like the ongoing situation at Newark Airport from happening at other airports across the country, in addition to addressing the urgent need to update our air traffic control systems over the long term. The Senator’s opening statement and questioning can be found on her YouTube . “The deadly DCA crash, spike in near misses and recent air traffic control equipment outages impacting Newark have been terrifying, but they are not surprising,” said Duckworth. “I’ve been sounding the alarm about close calls and aging equipment for years—because the urgent need to overhaul our air traffic control systems, which will

Continue Reading

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and 79 Senators welcomed the Senate’s unanimous passage of their resolution designating May 12-17, 2025 as “National Police Week” and reiterating the Senate’s unwavering support for law enforcement officers across the United States. “Every day, our country’s law enforcement officers put their lives at risk to keep us safe. Officers and their families make great sacrifices in the name of service, including the tragic cases of those who have lost their lives in the line of duty. We’re grateful for their heroism, and we must make sure that officers serving with dignity and integrity have the support and resources they need to do their jobs,” Durbin said. “Law enforcement officers in Iowa and across the nation work tirelessly to protect and

Continue Reading

FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS - Fairview Heights Police detained a murder suspect during a traffic stop for expired vehicle registration on May 14, 2025. At approximately 3:30 p.m., on Wednesday, May 14, Fairview Heights Police Officer Jacob Marino was on patrol when he observed a silver 2012 Chevrolet Traverse with expired registration. The vehicle was stopped, and the driver, who initially did not have identification, provided a name and date of birth. A records check confirmed the driver held a valid driver’s license under that name. Officer Marino requested a photograph from MECOMM associated with the provided name, which did not match the driver. Upon further inspection, an unsealed bag of cannabis was found in the vehicle, which is illegal in Illinois. The driver was detained and subsequently gave a different name: Joshua W. Jones, age 21. Further investigation revealed that Jones had an outstanding felony warrant for murder (case #23CF1801) from 2023, issued by the City of Madison,

Continue Reading

ALTON – Alton City Hall saw some new and returning elected officials sworn into office at the City Council meeting on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. As the meeting of the old City Council drew to a close, outgoing members expressed their appreciation for fellow city officials – starting with outgoing Third Ward Alderman Raymond Strebel. “I’d like to thank the citizens of Alton,” Strebel said. “I was honored to serve as an alderman and I truly wish only the best for the future of the City of Alton.” Alderman John Meehan and Alderwoman Rosie Brown wished all the best to the outgoing council members, thanking them for their dedication to the city. Mayor David Goins presented a plaque to longtime City Clerk Cheryl Ingle, commemorating her 29 years of service to the City of Alton. “I’m sorry to be going, but I loved working here my whole 29 years, and enjoyed all the departments I worked in and all the people I’ve worked with,”

Continue Reading

ALTON - Brittany Best, BSN RN and Stroke Navigator at OSF Healthcare in Alton, discussed the significance of Stroke Awareness Month on C.J. Nasello's Our Daily Show! and the critical need for recognizing stroke symptoms and seeking immediate care. Best, who recently transitioned to her current role after 12 years working in the emergency room area, emphasized that strokes can occur at any age and remain the fifth leading cause of death and a major cause of long-term disability. “It has been a good change, it has been a good transition,” she said of her new position. She highlighted the importance of the “BE FAST” acronym for identifying stroke symptoms: sudden loss of balance, facial drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulties or slurred speech, and the urgency to call 911 if any of these signs develop. Best noted that symptoms can be one or multiple and stressed, “If you see one, seek attention.” Women face unique risks, with one in five experiencing

Continue Reading

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — Cedric Gerald, a 48-year-old former principal at Westview Middle School in St. Louis County, faces nine criminal charges related to sexual misconduct involving minors, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office announced Wednesday, May 14, 2025. Gerald, who has served as principal since 2023, was arrested and is being held on a $1 million cash-only bond without the option of a 10% payment. Gerald has been charged by the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office with second-degree sexual trafficking of a child under 18 years of age, sexual exploitation of a minor, possession of child pornography, attempted statutory sodomy – person less than 14 years of age, sexual misconduct involving a child under 15, first-degree harassment, sexual contact with a student, and two counts of second-degree statutory sodomy. The St. Louis County Prosecuting Office said there may be additional victims due to the extent of Gerald’s interaction

Continue Reading

ST. LOUIS - The City Of St. Louis Emergency Management Agency will conduct additional siren testing as studies continue toward installing new outdoor warning sirens within the city. The audible siren testing will occur on Thursday, May 15, 2025, beginning at 12:00 p.m. (noon). Sirens will sound once every 30 minutes, and testing could occur for up to four hours. Residents will be notified of the testing through CEMA’s NotifySTL alerts and social media accounts. “This testing will assist with the research necessary to ensure new sirens have the best reach possible to everyone in the City of St. Louis, residents and visitors alike,” said Sarah Russell, Commissioner of the City’s Emergency Management Agency. “The City installed the current Outdoor Warning Siren system 25 years ago, and over that time, the City’s landscape has changed substantially in some areas. The City of St. Louis has allocated $3.9 million toward a replacement system. Upgrading

Continue Reading

ST. LOUIS, MO. – On Thursday, May 15, 2025, Mayor Cara Spencer announced that she is appointing Colonel Benjamin Jonsson as chief operating officer for the City of St. Louis, bringing internationally recognized leadership to the position directly overseeing the city’s operations. “Colonel Ben Jonsson has spent a long career serving our nation in a host of demanding leadership roles in the Middle East and at home,” said Mayor Spencer. “Having a leader of this caliber run City operations is a windfall for St. Louisans. I am immensely grateful to Colonel Jonsson for his service to our nation, and now, our city.” Jonsson has served in the U.S. Air Force for more than 25 years, including at the highest levels of the national security community and international operations. In his final assignment, he served as chief of staff at the Air Mobility Command at Scott Air Force Base since 2023, driving strategic alignment and execution for a 1,300-person globa

Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Thursday, May 15, 2025,, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) announced that she worked to secure millions in much needed disaster aid for the City of Springfield and St. Clair County. Specifically, the city was awarded $1,387,003.38 to help address debris removal from severe flooding in the summer of 2023. The grant is awarded through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Budzinski has been a consistent advocate for additional FEMA funding for the federal government to appropriately respond to disasters impacting families across the nation. Additionally, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS) announced that Illinois counties impacted by July 2024 storms and flooding, including St. Clair County, are now eligible to apply for FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. IEMA estimates that there will be around $20 million in funding available for all applicants

Continue Reading