Riverbender 🕸

A widely recognized global turning point tied to this date came in 1972, when the last United States ground combat troops left South Vietnam. Although American involvement in Vietnam did not end completely on that day, the withdrawal marked a major shift in a long and costly war that had shaped international politics for years. For the United States, it was a sign that direct battlefield involvement was winding down after heavy casualties, public protest, and growing doubt about the war’s

ALTON – Reports of the Alton Public Works Department potentially going on strike have prompted calls for updates as contract talks remain underway. At the Aug. 10, 2026 Committee of the Whole meeting , Alderwoman Rosie Brown said reports of a possible Public Works strike raise concerns given the impact of the department’s work on local families. Brown commended Director John Mitchell and his staff for recently completing new crosswalks as the Alton School District’s first

BETHALTO — The Bethalto Board met Monday night in Bethalto for a brief meeting with little on the agenda, hearing monthly reports from department heads and voting on liquor license and zoning changes. Bethalto Fire Chief Jay Grant told board members the fire department responded to 146 calls last month. He also said the new Starcom radio system should be done Sept. 14. Bethalto Police Chief Ryan Dugger reported that the police department had 651 calls last month. He also reminded everyone

SOUTH ROXANA - For the second time in two days, South Roxana Police responded to a standoff, this time involving an armed suicidal subject barricaded inside a residence in the 400 block of Roxana, where officers worked to resolve the incident peacefully. The South Roxana Police Department said officers established a perimeter and communicated with the subject during the incident. Because the residence was near Dads Club Park and the American Legion, both organizations were notified and asked t

JERSEYVILLE - Jersey County Correctional Officer Bethany Krankel has graduated from the Southwestern Illinois College Corrections Academy after completing an intensive eight-week program in corrections training, the Jersey County Sheriff’s Office said. The program included training in defensive tactics, firearms and legal academics, according to the sheriff’s office. The Jersey Sheriff's Office said the training is intended to prepare participants for the challenges and

GODFREY - Jamie Criter is the owner of Modern Daisy Boutique . Before opening her business, she spent her entire career in healthcare. Most of that time was spent working in Ophthalmology (the branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders of the eye). Mrs. Criter was the director of a surgery center and worked on one of the largest Ophthalmology randomized clinical trials, OHTS, and published in JAMA Ophthalmology medical journal for various glaucoma

JERSEYVILLE/GRAFTON - The community has a chance to support local emergency services at the fifth annual Lucky Duck Derby Race for the Rescue. From 4:30–8 p.m. on Sept. 10, 2026, the JCH Foundation will host their annual Lucky Duck Derby at Raging Rivers WaterPark. This event brings together community members to bet on rubber duck races at the water park while enjoying raffles, a silent auction, games, water attractions and more. All proceeds go to the JCH Foundation, which supports

GLEN CARBON – The Riverbend’s latest child solicitation suspect is now in custody following an online predator sting operation and arrest by Glen Carbon Police. Kyle V. Green, 43, of O’Fallon, Ill., was charged on Aug. 7, 2026 with one count each of traveling to meet a minor (a Class 3 felony), indecent solicitation of a child, solicitation to meet a child, and grooming (each Class 4 felonies). From Aug. 4-6, 2026, Green allegedly used the dating application Jaumo to solicit

EDWARDSVILLE - Bonifest, a two-day Memorial Day weekend tradition in Edwardsville for 40-plus years, has permanently shut down because of rising costs and increasingly complex insurance, security and safety requirements, event co-chair Emily Gates said. The event was held on the St. Boniface Church grounds at North Buchanan and Fillmore streets in Edwardsville. It featured carnival rides by American Banner Amusements, pork steaks, fried fish, bands and a 5K and 3K run/walk that Gates described

ST. LOUIS – A man from Sparta, Illinois has been accused of promoting and facilitating the prostitution of a woman found dead of an overdose in 2025. Jared Anders, 30, was indicted in U.S. District Court in St. Louis on July 22 on three felonies: sex trafficking, use of interstate commerce with intent to distribute prostitution and use of interstate facilities to promote prostitution. He appeared in court Friday and pleaded not guilty. The indictment alleges that Anders benefited

ALTON — Highway of Holiness Church of Deliverance in Christ Inc., Sacred Spaces of CARE and the Alton Police Department hosted a Back to School Resource Event this past Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026, in the Alton Police Department front parking lot to help children prepare for the school year. Organizers said free backpacks with school supplies were distributed, along with wellness resources, treats, and snacks. Highway of Holiness Church of Deliverance in Christ Inc. described the event as

ALTON - A local attorney and financial advisor will team up to educate community members about estate planning and taxes. At 6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, community members can attend an educational dinner at The Wedge in Alton for free pizza, giveaways and advice. Elizabeth “Liz” Heller with Goldenberg Heller & Antognoli, P.C., and Curtis Stephens with Stephens Planning will host the seminar, and they encourage attendees to come with questions. “We work well together,”

ALTON - A legal dispute between Mayor David Goins and the Alton City Council over challenged ordinances and appointed positions is scheduled to be heard at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026, in Madison County Court, with Judge Sarah Smith presiding. The temporary restraining order filed by Goins prohibits implementation of the challenged ordinances at issue in the litigation and bars any further action against them. It also requires that those removed from their appointed positions be reinstated

WOOD RIVER - Two people were taken to a hospital after a two-vehicle crash about 5:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7, 2026, at the intersection of Illinois Route 143 and Wood River Avenue, Wood River Deputy Police Chief Tim Gegen said. The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Gegen said the two vehicles collided in the intersection and sustained serious damage. Everyone was out of the vehicles when officers arrived, he said. Two people were transported with injuries that were not life-threatening,

ALTON/EDWARDSVILLE/BREESE - St. Peters Hardware and Rental stays busy year-round, and owner Dan St. Peters is proud of the business his family has built. With locations in Alton, Edwardsville and Breese, the store offers tools and equipment as well as a wide selection of rental items, from tents and chairs to dunk tanks. St. Peters noted that while the business has grown a lot over the past few decades, the core of their mission — to serve the community — is always the same.

Note: The Edwardsville Art Fair is an annual three-day outdoor juried arts celebration presenting the work of approximately 100 talented local, regional, national, and international artists, and local performing arts. The fair is Sept. 25, 26, and 27, 2026, in Edwardsville City Park. Artist: Rosaria Wilson Medium: Emerging Artist Location: Edwardsville, IL Artist Statement: " My hand-knitted animal characters are three-dimensional storytelling objects. Each figure is individually

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that the application period for the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program is now open. With $157 million available, the program’s latest funding cycle is the largest ever thanks to Gov. JB Pritzker’s Rebuild Illinois and again dedicates resources to communities with the greatest needs. Projects eligible for funding through ITEP include biking and walking paths, trails, streetscape beautification

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt’s measure to reduce unfair barriers to employment for people living with disabilities was signed into law. “Everyone in our state deserves the opportunity to earn a living and support their family,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “Too many people are being shut out of good jobs because of requirements that have nothing to do with the work, and this measure will help change that.” The legislation will prohibit employers an

ST. LOUIS — The American Red Cross continues to urge donors of all blood types to act now and make an appointment to give blood or platelets amid the ongoing national blood crisis. Just three additional donors at every blood drive could help further stabilize the blood supply and ensure patients continue receiving lifesaving care. Since issuing only the second blood crisis in Red Cross history in late July, thousands of generous donors have stepped up to help save lives. At the same time,

EDWARDSVILLE — Josie Proctor, a graduate of Edwardsville Senior High School, has been awarded a Stamps Scholarship at the University of Mississippi, earning one of the nation’s most prestigious merit scholarships for undergraduate students through a competitive process recognizing academic achievement, leadership, initiative and service. The Stamps Scholars Program recently announced its 21st class of Scholars and will welcome 393 students from 34 partner institutions across the Unite