Riverbender 🕸

GODFREY – A recent house fire and domestic battery incident in Godfrey has resulted in felony charges filed against a Godfrey man with a criminal past. Jeremy A. Ward, 49, of the 900 block of Enos Lane in Godfrey, was charged on Dec. 29, 2025 with a Class 1 felony count of residential arson, a Class 2 felony count of arson, a Class 2 felony count of aggravated domestic battery, and a Class 4 felony for his second or subsequent offense of domestic battery. On Dec. 28, 2025, Ward allegedly

EDWARDSVILLE - SIUE Athletics mourns the loss of beloved staff member Lindsey Schmidt , who passed away on Tuesday, December 23. Lindsey has served as an Academic Advisor at SIUE since 2008. "This is heartbreaking for all who knew Lindsey," said Andrew Gavin , Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics. "She has long been a beloved member of our athletics family, because of her infectious energy, positive attitude, and incredibly helpful and loving heart. She has provided so much support

EDWARDSVILLE – A major improvement project to modernize and upgrade the infrastructure along a portion of North Main Street in downtown Edwardsville is scheduled to begin in January, the City of Edwardsville announced. The project will include the replacement of a more than 120-year-old water main, the addition of pedestrian-friendly safety and accessibility upgrades, enhanced streetscape features, road resurfacing and an overhaul of sewer lines in the area. The North Main Street Water

EAST ALTON — Officer Jack Stalcup Jr., a dedicated law enforcement professional who served the community for more than four decades, died suddenly on Dec. 25, 2025, at his residence. He was 69. The East Alton Police Department described Stalcup’s passing as sudden and said it will be deeply felt by all who knew him. "Heroes take on many forms, but someone who served their community with such pride and distinction is without a doubt a hero," the East Alton Police Department said in

ALTON - A local nonprofit is working to support survivors of human/sex trafficking. Tigerlili Resources offers a three-pronged approach to help survivors and their loved ones. Based in Alton, the nonprofit is asking community members to consider donating to their cause so they can fund their programs, including a new retreat center that will provide a safe space for families to heal together. “There’s just not enough services for these kids in the whole Midwest,” said

GRAFTON - Grafton is known for its New Year’s Eve fireworks and fun. Starting on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, and continuing through Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, this weekend promises plenty of excitement in Grafton. Paula Jameson, who runs the Enjoy Grafton Facebook page , is eager to see people come out to Grafton and have a great weekend. “Grafton is really coming together as a family destination. I love that. It really showcases that around the holidays,” Jameson said.

GRANITE CITY – Granite City police have charged two local residents with burglary of a vehicle and Granite City home. Angela R. Brown, 40, of East St. Louis, was charged on Dec. 18, 2025 with one count each of burglary (a Class 3 felony) and theft (a Class A misdemeanor). Brown allegedly knowingly entered another individual’s 2011 Ford F-250 without authority on Nov. 19, 2025 with the intent to commit a theft. On the same day, she reportedly stole a tan purse containing a wallet,

ST. LOUIS – The City of St. Louis Department of Human Services and its partners are activating emergency shelters on Sunday at 6 p.m. and will keep most of them open through Tuesday at 9 a.m. Currently, 290 emergency shelter beds are available, in addition to 400 year-round shelter beds. Walk-up shelter is available at the following locations: North City: Peter & Paul - Jugan Shelter (single men, single women, and family rooms) 3225 N. Florissant Ave. Central City: Biddle Housing

PERRY - When Brian White and his wife decided to purchase a wood stove, they had no idea they’d one day be the people selling them. White now owns Backyard Boilers, a wood stove business out of Perry that sells stoves from Central Boiler. He emphasized that comfort, safety and savings are the best parts of owning an EPA-certified wood stove, and he believes these stoves are perfect for anyone in the Riverbend area who needs a little extra warmth. “We thought if we sold two o

O’FALLON, Ill. — The O’Fallon Police Department is investigating the death of an adult female found inside a residence on the 1300 block of Bossler Lane. Officers responded to the home at approximately 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, and discovered the deceased individual. A person of interest is currently in custody in connection with the investigation, but no charges have been filed at this time. Authorities described the incident as isolated and stated they do

ST. LOUIS COUNTY — Detectives with the St. Louis County Police Department are investigating the stabbing death of an 81-year-old woman in the 8500 block of Jenny Drive on Sunday morning, Dec. 28, 2025. Officers from the Central County Precinct responded at 10:53 a.m. Dec. 28, 2025, to a call reporting an accidental injury. Upon arrival, they found the woman suffering from stab wounds. She died at the scene. A preliminary investigation determined the injuries were not accidental but th

COTTAGE HILLS – A Cottage Hills man accused of striking a vehicle after fleeing from police through a construction zone at high speeds remains in custody. Anthony B. Adams, 25, of Cottage Hills, was charged on Dec. 22, 2025 with a Class 4 felony count of aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer. On Dec. 20, 2025, Adams allegedly failed to obey and attempted to elude a Madison County Sheriff’s Deputy who gave Adams a visual or audible signal to stop the vehicle h

ALTON - Alton Main Street announced changes to its leadership as the organization prepares for the year 2026. The group expressed gratitude to outgoing board members Chris Miller, Lauren Pattan, Hope Mader, Teri McGinnis, Jacob Goble, and Josh Dawdy for their contributions to advancing Alton Main Street’s goals. Sara McGibany, executive director of Alton Main Street, said the organization is welcoming new members to its Board of Directors. The incoming members for 2026 include

ST. LOUIS — The American Red Cross urges donors to make an appointment to give blood or platelets now to keep the blood supply as strong as possible in the final days of the year and into 2026. Types O, A negative and B negative blood donors are especially needed now. Record-setting travel is happening across the country. With more people headed away from home, blood or platelet donations can dip at a crucial time when patients count on care. Bad weather or shifting travel schedules could

This morning starts off mostly clear with temps near 15 degrees, but it feels much colder—around 0 due to the biting wind from the west-northwest. Light snow flurries will visit early on before the skies clear. As the day rolls in, expect partly sunny skies with a brisk wind gusting up to 40 mph from the northwest. The high will reach a chilly 30 degrees. The wind will keep it feeling cold, with gusts making it feel below freezing at times. Evening brings clear skies, still cold with

Did you know that approximately 80% of New Year’s resolutions fail by February? This startling statistic highlights a persistent challenge: while millions set goals to improve their lives at the beginning of each year, sustaining those commitments remains elusive for most. But where did this tradition of making resolutions originate, and why do so many struggle to keep them? Exploring the history of New Year’s resolutions reveals intriguing insights into human motivation and goal-setting,

Did you know that people who regularly engage in reflective journaling report a 23% increase in emotional clarity and goal achievement? This surprising statistic highlights the power of reflection as a tool for personal growth. As the year draws to a close, many seek ways to process their experiences, learn from challenges, and set intentions for the future. A structured, reflective journaling session can provide a meaningful opportunity to achieve these outcomes, but it requires thoughtful plannin

Imagine if a simple creative exercise could boost your motivation, clarify your goals, and strengthen your social bonds all at once. Vision boards, collages of images and words representing personal aspirations, have been shown to enhance goal-setting success by making ambitions tangible and visually stimulating. Hosting a vision board party takes this concept further by turning it into a shared, interactive experience that can inspire collective momentum for the new year. Why Host a Vision

December 29 has long been a day marked by significant moments that have shaped the course of history around the globe. One of the most notable events associated with December 29 took place in 1890, with the tragic and pivotal Wounded Knee Massacre. On this day, the U.S. 7th Cavalry Regiment confronted a band of Lakota Sioux near Wounded Knee Creek in South Dakota. The confrontation escalated into a violent clash resulting in the deaths of approximately 150 to 300 Native American men, women,

GODFREY - Madison County Sheriff’s Deputies are investigating a residential arson and domestic incident that unfolded Sunday afternoon near Godfrey Road and Enos Lane. At approximately 4:50 p.m., deputies were dispatched to a report of a single-vehicle crash in the area of Godfrey Road and Enos Lane. Upon arrival, they found the vehicle unoccupied with several shattered windows and deployed airbags. Around the same time, authorities received a report of a domestic battery at a nearby residence.