Riverbender 🕸

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) has filed a complaint in Cook County Circuit Court against That’s Gino and Marty’s, LLC, its management company White Glove Service and Management, LLC, and several individual owners and managers, alleging violations of the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act and the Illinois Minimum Wage Law . The complaint alleges that from December 2023 through August 2025, employees at the restaurant located in Chicago’s

ALTON – Challenge Unlimited is pleased to announce the newest addition to the Board of Directors, Reginald L. Harris. Reginald officially stepped into his new role January 20, 2026, bringing 17 years of experience as a federal prosecutor to the table. Harris’s connection to individuals with disabilities, both within his family and broader community, deepens his commitment to Challenge Unlimited’s mission and vision. “I believe strongly in the power of inclusion and opportunity,”

If every month were built on a clean, simple pattern, February wouldn’t exist the way it does. A year has about 365.24 days, which is an awkward number for a calendar that wants neat blocks of weeks and months. February is the “flex month” that makes the math work—most years it’s 28 days, and sometimes it grows to 29 to keep our dates from drifting out of sync with the sky. The basic problem: a year doesn’t fit neatly into months A calendar is a compromise

If a groundhog’s shadow can “predict” anything, it’s this: a small-town American festival can carry a surprisingly old European passport. Groundhog Day looks like pure North American folklore—top hats, cameras, cheering crowds, and one famous animal in Pennsylvania. But the basic idea behind it did not begin with groundhogs at all. It started as a religious calendar date, then picked up folk beliefs about animals and sunlight, and finally got translated into a ne

The most significant global event linked to February 2 is the 1848 signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which ended the Mexican–American War and redrew the map of North America. The agreement confirmed U.S. control over vast western territories—today including California, Nevada, Utah, and parts of Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Wyoming—while Mexico received a payment and the promise that many residents in the ceded lands would have their property and rights respected.

This morning starts off chilly with cloudy skies and temperatures around 31 degrees. As the day unfolds, expect periods of sun breaking through intermittent clouds with a high reaching near 37 degrees. A gentle west wind of about 6 mph will accompany the afternoon, making it feel just a touch cooler. By evening, clouds will return, keeping skies mostly cloudy, while temperatures dip into the upper 20s. Overnight, expect mostly cloudy conditions and a low around 27 degrees, with an east wind around

On January 31, 1958, the United States successfully launched Explorer 1, its first satellite, marking a turning point in the early Space Age. The flight mattered immediately because it showed that the U.S. could reach orbit just months after the Soviet Union’s Sputnik launches had shocked the world and intensified the Cold War race in science and technology. Explorer 1 also mattered for a quieter reason: it carried instruments that helped confirm the existence of the Van Allen radiation

SPRINGFIELD – Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias today announced a comprehensive, statewide initiative to protect pedestrians, riders and drivers by addressing the dangerous rise of high-speed e-bikes and other powerful electric transportation devices on Illinois streets and sidewalks. The multi-pronged campaign – “Ride Safe, Ride Smart, Ride Ready” – combines public education, updated driver training and a push for modernized safety laws to keep pace with

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, questioned witnesses during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled “Review and Reform: The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act and Executive Accountability.” In less than three months, Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) will expire. Durbin began his remarks by commenting on the lawlessness of the Department of Homeland Security’s

ALTON – Felony charges were recently filed against a St. Louis woman accused of breaking into an Alton residence while armed with a knife. Shania B. Cook, 21, of St. Louis, was charged on Jan. 26, 2026 with one count each of home invasion (a Class X felony), residential burglary (a Class 1 felony), criminal damage to property, and electronic harassment (both Class 4 felonies). Cook allegedly knowingly entered another person’s Alton residence without authority on Jan. 19, 2026 while

WOOD RIVER - Mayor Tom Stalcup and City Manager Steve Palen shared more about their plans for Wood River in the coming year. In a recent appearance on “Our Daily Show!” with CJ Nasello , Stalcup and Palen said there is “a lot going on” in Wood River, including downtown development, new major projects, and infrastructure upgrades. They thanked the community for their patience through these projects and expressed their excitement to see them come to fruition. &ldquo

EDWARDSVILLE - For the third consecutive term, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has posted an enrollment increase. SIUE’s overall enrollment for spring 2026 increased by 6.5% to 11,932 when including continuing, first-time, transfer and early college students. This is SIUE’s highest overall enrollment for spring since the Spring 2022 semester. Through intentional dual enrollment/dual credit partnerships, SIUE has strengthened the pathway to college, resulting in more

ALTON — Alton High School’s Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) chapter is preparing for its annual Trivia Night Fundraiser on March 6, 2026, at Godfrey First United Methodist Church, 1100 Airport Road, Godfrey. The event, which begins at 6 p.m., aims to raise funds to support FCCLA activities and cover expenses for the remainder of the school year. FCCLA, formerly known as Future Homemakers of America, focuses on addressing youth concerns such as parenting,

FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS - The French Village Fire Department has issued a safety advisory addressing the risks posed by extreme cold temperatures in the region, specifically regarding furnace exhaust vents. The department warned that vents can freeze or become blocked by ice or snow, potentially causing dangerous carbon monoxide buildup inside homes. To prevent such hazards, residents are advised to check furnace exhaust and intake pipes daily during periods of extreme cold. The department

SPRINGFIELD – National Unclaimed Property Day is this weekend, and Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs is encouraging people to visit the ICash missing money website to see if they have money or other unclaimed property waiting for them. “This Sunday, February 1, is National Unclaimed Property Day, and I hope people will celebrate by checking our ICash website to see if they or any loved ones have missing money to claim,” Treasurer Frerichs said. “If you want

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Acting Director James Jennings today announced an extension to the current Electric Vehicle (EV) Rebate Program application cycle from January 31, 2026 to May 31, 2026. Illinois EPA will process all applications received through January 31, 2026, including non-low income, given those individuals applied with the expectation that rebates would be processed at the end of the initial application cycle. After January 31, 2026, Illinois

ALTON - Alton High School’s mid-winter commencement exercises were held at the school the evening of Friday, January 29, 1926. Two students received special recognition. Valedictorian Caroline Haberer had attained high honors rank for every semester of her four years at Alton High. She also studied pipe organ and was so skilled that she played the accompaniment for the Sunday School orchestra of the First Presbyterian Church. She also served as class vice-president, sang in the chorus,

ROLLA, Mo. - Missouri University of Science and Technology announces the names of students who made the dean's list for the Fall 2025 semester. The dean's list can also be found online at studenthonors.mst.edu. To be included on the dean's list, students must carry a minimum of 12 hours and have a grade point average (GPA) of 3.2 or above out of a possible 4.0. The area students on the Dean's List are listed below. About Missouri University of Science and Technology Missouri University

EDWARDSVILLE — The Edwardsville Fire Department responded to a warehouse fire in the 100 block of First Avenue Saturday evening, officials said. The call came in just after 6 p.m. on Saturday, reporting a single-story warehouse on fire. Upon arrival, firefighters encountered heavy smoke and flames coming through the roof. A box alarm was requested, bringing additional support from Wood River, Glen Carbon, and Troy fire departments. Madison County Emergency Management also arrived on

GODFREY — The Godfrey Fire Department responded to a structure fire Saturday morning, Jan. 31, 2026, in the 5000 block of Staten Drive that trapped an elderly woman inside the home, officials said. The department received a 911 call at 9:41 a.m. Saturday, reporting the fire and the woman trapped inside. Three other residents inside the house managed to rescue the woman and move her across the street. During the rescue, a man suffered serious burns and was transported to a hospital in St