Riverbender 🕸

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement after the Trump Administration quietly implemented a policy banning the VA from providing abortion care to Veterans and their families—including in cases of rape, incest or to protect the health of the mother—despite widespread opposition from advocates and the Veteran community: “Our Veterans risked their lives to safeguard our freedoms. And yet a man who has never

CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today joined a multistate coalition of 20 attorneys general in suing the Trump administration to ensure the secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) cannot issue a declaration that baselessly and unlawfully threatens health care professionals who provide medically necessary gender-affirming health care to young people. The secretary’s declaration falsely claims that certain forms of gender-affirming care are “unsafe

WOOD RIVER - Riverbend kids had the opportunity to enjoy a shopping spree with the Alton branch of the NAACP. On Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2025, 25 kids from across the Riverbend region met with NAACP leaders at the Wood River Walmart. Each child was paired with an adult and had $200 to spend however they wanted. NAACP Youth Council President Tori Porter noted the importance of giving kids this opportunity to celebrate the holidays. “We try to help them out, or at least put smiles on the

CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul won his lawsuit to stop the Trump administration from unlawfully reallocating federal homeland security funding away from states based on their compliance with the administration’s political agenda. The U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island granted a motion for summary judgment brought by Attorney General Raoul and a coalition of 11 other attorneys general and the governor of Pennsylvania. “I’m pleased with the court’

WOOD RIVER - A local ministry has partnered with a Wood River art gallery to expand its offerings. A Place of Grace, which operates as a combined small business and ministry, will collaborate with Von Dell Gallery and Studios to offer spiritual pastoral care, reiki, one-on-one coaching, and art therapy. A Place of Grace founder, Pastor Julie Gvillo, clarified that she is not a therapist, but she has over 20 years of experience in pastoral care and wants to help people work through their challenges

Letter To The Editor: Some days, no one honks, but here is a bible for your trouble. Leading a meaningful life is difficult. Often, you're defined by what others consider meaningful. A few years ago, I unknowingly tapped into something worthwhile, and like most things I stumble upon, I tried to bully my way to an outcome that is most favorable to me. Some days it works, others it does not, but what I did not see coming was the ability to recognize how beautiful we all are. I see it every

SAINT LOUIS - When 15-year-old Chase was born, his parents questioned if he’d ever be able to use his hands. In this Christmas season, Chase and his family are so thankful for the miraculous work at Shriner's Children's Hospital in St. Louis that changed his life forever. Chase was born with polydactyly of a triphalangeal thumb (PPD2), a very rare congenital condition that means he had extra digits on his hands and an extra bone in his thumbs. Tess, Chase’s mother, watched all thre

HARDIN - A woman who has made a gigantic impact on the Calhoun County area, worked her last shift on Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025, as a full-time member of the sheriff's office team before retirement. Tammy Betts, a longtime Lead Dispatcher and Administrative Coordinator with the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office, ended her 18-year career on Christmas Eve. Tammy marked the end of a remarkable 18-year career dedicated to public safety and community service. Betts began her tenure with the sheriff’s

ALTON - On this Christmas Day, Alton Firefighters Local 1255 members will likely reflect for a moment on how much their turkey giveaway on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, at the Crisis Food Center means to families in the city in need. The Local 1255 provided funds for the annual event, and the Crisis Food Center donated sides for the families. The effort is led by Alton Fire Department Battalion Chief Derrick Richardson. The Alton firefighters are true Difference Makers in their community. The

DOW — A home in the 17000 block of Little Piasa Road was fully engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived Tuesday evening, Dec. 23, 2025, officials said. Members of the QEM, Brighton Fire, Jerseyville Fire, and Godfrey Fire Protection departments responded to the serious blaze. The homeowner was not inside the residence at the time and was unharmed. Fire officials described the home as “a total loss.” The exact cause of the fire has not yet been determined. Due to a

ALTON - For Brittany Blechle, creating art is “more easy on heart” than almost anything else. Blechle serves as December’s Artist of the Month at Milton Schoolhouse. Her nature paintings and drawings are on display at Milton and available for sale. Self-described as “kind of shy,” Blechle admits that it’s a bit nerve-wracking to share her art — but she’s proud of herself for doing so, and her loved ones are rooting her on. “I just wante

GODFREY – Godfrey Village Board members quickly and unanimously passed a corrected version of the decreased tax levy ordinance approved earlier this month. At their last meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025 , trustees were originally set to approve a “flat” tax levy representing neither an increase or decrease over last year’s levy. Trustee Mike Fisher then proposed lowering the levy by 0.5%, which passed by a vote of 5-1, with Trustee Rick Lauschke casting the sole vot

The Alton Playground and Recreation Commission announced in a December 24, 1925 Alton Evening Telegraph article that it had worked out a plan with the City of Alton to reserve four “good hills” for coasting when there was sufficient snow that winter. Superintendent John E. McWherter of the Recreation Commission met with Mayor George T. Davis, City Counsellor J.F. McGinnis, and Chief of Police Gustave Rotsch to work out a plan. “It was agreed that in case of snow, Summit

BETHALTO - Bethalto Community Unit School District #8 recently celebrated their integrated bowling team. This year, the Civic Memorial High School integrated bowling program had three teams make it to the state championship in Decatur, Illinois, on Dec. 6, 2025. The Bethalto Board of Education celebrated these students during their regular meeting on Dec. 18, 2025. “It was super exciting,” said Jen Weber, the district’s Coordinator of Special Education. “They had

EAST ALTON – An East Alton resident accused of stealing the identities of five different elderly victims and more faces several felony charges. James L. Lyons, 48, of East Alton, was charged on Dec. 19, 2025 with five Class 2 felony counts of aggravated identity theft, two Class 3 felony counts of forgery, and one count each of possession of a stolen title/certificate/plate, unlawful possession of methamphetamine, and duplicating/manufacturing/selling a fraudulent ID card, each Class

CASEYVILLE - Caseyville Police has issued a statement about the 3-year-old toddler who was wandering on the second floor of Red Lion Inn in Caseyville on Tuesday morning, Dec. 23, 2025. "The child is currently healthy and safe. Due to social media, the parents were made aware of the whereabouts of their child and responded to the Caseyville Police Department," the Caseyville Police Department said. "This case is under investigation by both the Caseyville Police Department and DCFS. We will not

ALTON - A local attorney breaks down how a lawsuit works and what to expect if you hire a lawyer. Keith Short, with Keith Short & Associates, P.C., in Alton, explained that he can quickly decide whether or not he is going to take a case based on the client’s demeanor. Unlike other lawyers, Short often brings cases to trial. He assesses cases to decide if they’re worth investing the time and energy before he agrees to take them. “It’s got to be trial-worthy from

Did you know that over 70% of people consider Christmas Eve the most cherished moment of the holiday season, even more than Christmas Day itself? This night holds a unique power to bring families together in ways that few other occasions can. But what truly makes Christmas Eve magical? Is it the anticipation, the traditions, or simply the presence of loved ones? Exploring how to craft an unforgettable Christmas Eve experience can transform this special night into a lasting memory for the whole

December 24th is a date rich with historical significance, spanning centuries and continents. Stepping back several centuries, December 24, 1814, is remembered for the signing of the Treaty of Ghent, which effectively ended the War of 1812 between the United States and Great Britain. This treaty restored relations between the two countries to their pre-war status, though news traveled slowly at the time and some battles occurred even after the treaty had been signed. The War of 1812 itself wa

Christmas Eve has arrived, and with it comes Santa Claus beginning his legendary overnight trip to deliver gifts to children around the world. Families in the Riverbend looking to keep tabs on Santa’s travels can do so through NORAD , which once again is tracking his progress throughout the night. The tradition adds a bit of excitement for kids — and a helpful reminder that Santa only stops once everyone is asleep. While the holiday mission is lighthearted, NORAD’s dail