Riverbender 🕸

ALTON - Illinois Main Street, a statewide coordinating program of Main Street America, recently announced the 2025 Lt. Governor Awards for Excellence in Revitalization during the Illinois Main Street Conference in Dixon, Illinois. The program recognized more than two dozen projects, organizations, and local leaders who are transforming downtowns and neighborhood business districts in communities of all sizes across the state. Alton Main Street was honored for a study that was completed in partnership

ALTON/EDWARDSVILLE/GRANITE CITY - The Overnight Warming Locations (OWLs) are once again active and making sure there’s a warm place for people to sleep on the coldest nights of the year. Located in Alton, Edwardsville and Granite City, the OWLs open when the forecast overnight temperature in Alton is 20 degrees or lower. Unhoused community members or folks with insufficient heat are invited to come in, enjoy a hot dinner, take showers, and spend the night. In the morning, guests

ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County Police continue to investigate a homicide that resulted in the death of a 52-year-old man following a domestic disturbance in the 300 block of Greycliff Bluff Drive. Officers from the South County Precinct responded to a call at 11:18 p.m. on Nov. 18, 2025. Upon arrival, they found Emil Schmidt IV unresponsive inside the residence. Schmidt was transported to a local hospital, where he died from his injuries on Nov. 29. St. Louis County Police said preliminary

ALTON/EDWARDSVILLE/BELLEVILLE - Illinois Department of Transportation engineer Joe Monroe commended his crews for their efforts overnight to manage state roads during the morning commute on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, amid challenging winter weather conditions. The area was hit with sleet and 4-6 inches of snowfall throughout most of the region on Tuesday, making it almost impossible for IDOT to clean the roads in their mission. The precipitation was non-stop throughout most of the day, Monroe said.

EDWARDSVILLE - Fans of the hit TV show “Friends” have a unique, “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity to see some of the original props in Edwardsville. EXO Lounge’s Christmas pop-up, titled “The One With the Christmas Pop-Up,” runs through Dec. 31, 2025. Owner Gina Gamblin can’t wait to share themed cocktails, snacks, trivia and karaoke with guests. But she is most excited to showcase the original couch, door, clothing and other memorabilia from

GODFREY - Lewis and Clark Community College canceled all welding classes Tuesday morning, Dec. 2, 2025, after a fire broke out in the Weber Workforce Center building on the Godfrey campus. The fire, reported at 10:29 a.m. Tuesday, involved two acetylene tanks venting and multiple oxygen tanks. Fire departments from Godfrey, Alton, and Fosterburg responded to the scene. Authorities confirmed the fire was extinguished by 10:50 a.m., with no injuries reported and all individuals evacuated safely.

GODFREY — Freer Auto Body will host its annual Cookies and Cocoa for Community Christmas event from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at 4512 N. Alby in Godfrey. The roads and highways around the Godfrey area have dramatically improved since the snowstorm on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025. Margaret Freer, one of the organizers of this event and one of the owners of Freer Auto Body, said this year's Cookies and Cocoa for Community Christmas is especially important. The event aims to support loca

Did you know that nearly 70% of consumers express a preference for personalized holiday decorations over store-bought items? This trend reflects a growing desire to infuse homes with unique touches that tell personal stories, rather than relying on mass-produced décor. Creating your own holiday decorations not only saves money but also fosters creativity and provides a meaningful way to celebrate traditions. However, embarking on DIY projects can be daunting without a clear approach. Thi

December 2nd holds a unique place in history, marked by events that have shaped the course of nations and influenced global movements. 1804 – Napoleon Bonaparte Crowned Emperor of the French On this day in 1804, Napoleon Bonaparte crowned himself Emperor in a lavish ceremony at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris. Defying tradition, he took the crown from Pope Pius VII and placed it on his own head, symbolizing his authority derived not from the Church but from himself. This event marked

It's a very cold Tuesday in the River Bend, with high temperatures only reaching around 28 degrees and lows dipping to near 18 degrees. Winds will be light from the west-southwest at about 7 mph, gusting up to 10 mph. While it feels colder outside, with a "feels like" temperature near 24 degrees in the afternoon, there is no rain in the forecast, so you can leave your umbrella at home. This morning starts off very cold with some areas of low clouds. The day will feature a mix of sun and clouds,

ALTON Alton School District 11 representatives said its team assessed local streets before deciding to proceed with regular school operations on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025. The school district officials said the following: "Parents are advised to monitor the My Ride app for bus schedule updates, as drivers will exercise caution on side roads. Student absences will be excused if families determine it is unsafe to transport children to school." Officials also urged parents to remind students who wal

GODFREY – After 30 years of serving women, children, and families across the Metro East region, ThriVe Metro East is pleased to announce that the organization will officially transition its name and branding to Vitality Women’s Clinic effective January 1, 2026. This milestone marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter, one that honors a remarkable legacy while positioning the organization for expanded impact, enhanced visibility, and deeper connection with the next generatio

ALTON — The Illinois Department of Transportation is actively working to manage road conditions amid ongoing snowfall affecting St. Clair, Madison, and Monroe counties, officials said Monday evening, Dec. 1, 2025. Joe Monroe, an operations engineer with the department, provided an update around 5 p.m. on Dec. 1, 2025, describing the challenges posed by a storm that had brought continuous snow throughout the day. “We are just treating as much as we can, but sometimes the snow comes

WOOD RIVER – Wood River City Council members quickly and unanimously approved two business-related items at this week’s meeting . Councilmen approved an ordinance amending the City Code to raise the number of restaurant/bar liquor licenses in District 1 from one to two. City Manager Steve Palen said this liquor license will go to the future Bootleggin’ BBQ location, which is set to open in a building currently being renovated near the Downtown Dog Park . Wood Rive

ALTON — Charges have been filed against a local man in connection with a robbery at a Walgreens store on Nov. 28, 2025, the Alton Police Department announced Monday, Dec. 1, 2025. Marc D. Reynolds, 37, of Alton, faces charges of aggravated robbery and resisting a peace officer following the incident at the Walgreens located in the 1600 block of Washington Avenue. Reynolds was detained early Nov. 29 after deputies from the Madison County Sheriff’s Office located the suspect’s

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — St. Louis County Police announced the identification of a victim in the homicide that occurred in the 10000 block of Cloverdale Drive in St. Louis County on Nov. 26, 2025, as Bryola Carter, 25. Carter resided at that location and was transported to a nearby hospital after being shot, where she was pronounced dead. St. Louis County Police continue to investigate the homicide. Officers responded to a shooting call at 5:01 p.m.on Nov. 26, 2025, and found a 25-year-old

ALTON - Dr. Ed Hightower was a driving force behind the new Alton Sunnybrook Affordable Housing Development at 767 Washington Avenue in Alton. The development will provide 40 apartments for families earning at or below 60% of the Area Median Income, or $60,180 for a household of three. Dr. Hightower is a former superintendent of schools in Edwardsville and was a well-known national basketball referee during his elite career. He has now moved to campaigns that he believes will help Alton, his

GODFREY – OSF Medical Group – Pediatrics (Godfrey) is pleased to announce a new board-certified pediatric nurse practitioner has been added to its staff to better serve the increasing pediatric care needs in the Riverbend region. Marissa St. Peters, APRN, PNP-BC, is accepting new patients at OSF Medical Group – Pediatrics, located at 6702 Godfrey Road, in Godfrey. Ms. St. Peters will see patients Monday - Friday, 7 a.m. - 3 p.m. Ms. St. Peters is a board-certified pediatric

BETHALTO - Olivia Wiley, a sophomore cross country runner, was recognized as the Civic Memorial Female Runner of the Year at the Alton Road Runners Banquet on Sunday night, Nov. 30, 2025. Wiley, who served as the team’s number one runner throughout the season, posted a personal record time of 20 minutes, 36.1 seconds for three miles on Sept. 27, 2025, at the Freeburg Invitational. Wiley is a Tom Lane State Farm Insurance Female Athlete Of The Month for CM. Civic Memorial Head Cross Countr

CHICAGO – Ahead of Giving Tuesday, Attorney General Kwame Raoul cautioned potential donors to make wise giving decisions this holiday season. Under Illinois law, fundraisers and charitable organizations are required to register each year with the Attorney General’s office. “During this giving season, I encourage potential donors to take a few minutes to review my Charitable Trust Bureau’s tips before making any Giving Tuesday donations and throughout the holidays,”