Riverbender 🕸

ALTON - The Alton Police Department will host its 11th annual “Ballin’ With a Cop” youth basketball event from noon to 2 p.m. on May 9, 2026, at the YWCA gym in Alton, partnering once again with A Precious Organization and the YWCA of Southwestern Illinois to bring local kids together with officers for food and a scrimmage game. The event is scheduled for the YWCA Gym at 304 E. Third St. It will include pizza, drinks, and cookies, along with a basketball scrimmage

If you’ve ever wondered why Tax Day lands on April 15—why that date, of all dates—the answer isn’t “because that’s when the government wants it.” The deadline is a patchwork of history, politics, and practical timing, shaped by wars, paperwork, and a few calendar quirks. Tax Day feels like a fixed point on the American calendar, but it’s actually the result of decisions that changed as the country changed. The modern income tax is younger than

In 1755, English writer Samuel Johnson published A Dictionary of the English Language . Before Johnson’s dictionary, English spelling and definitions varied widely from place to place and from printer to printer. His work did not “freeze” the language—English kept changing—but it provided a shared reference point that influenced education, publishing, and public debate for generations. It also reflected a growing belief in the value of organizing knowledge in a

MASCOUTAH - State Representative Kevin Schmidt (R-Millstadt) has recognized Mascoutah Community Lanes as his March ‘Business of The Month.' Rep. Schmidt visited with Jen and Dan, operators of Mascoutah Community Lanes, to present them with an official certificate from the Illinois House of Representatives. “Jen and Dan have operated this local bowling alley for fifteen years and has truly made it a special place for league nights, birthday parties, fundraisers, meetings, or simply

GODFREY - A local physician assistant has some advice on how to manage your health this spring, whether you’re navigating allergies, experiencing increased stress levels, or simply trying to make the healthiest choices you can. Lucas Edwards works for OSF St. Anthony’s Health Center at the OSF PromptCare center in Godfrey. He shared some tips on how to manage your health this spring and year-round. When you’re completing your spring cleaning, Edwards suggests it’s

GLEN CARBON – Construction of a nearly $16.5 million water treatment plant in Glen Carbon is moving ahead with unanimous Village Board approval. Trustees approved several resolutions related to the long-planned water treatment plant at their April 14, 2026 meeting. These include: Approval of the $16,449,000 construction bid from Korte and Luitjohan Contractors, Inc. Approval of a 7 acre land parcel purchase totaling $155,000 and a $90,000 easement purchase to facilitate the construction

ST. LOUIS COUNTY - Prosecutors in St. Louis County have filed charges against a second 19-year-old suspect in the February shooting death of Lionel Steed, who was killed during an alleged attempted robbery in the 11400 block of Maridosa Trail, authorities said. The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office on Monday, April 13, 2026, issued charges against Jonathan Phillips Jr., 19, of the 5600 block of Hiller Place in St. Louis. Phillips is charged with second-degree murder, two count

ALTON - A local wiffleball tournament will raise money for a Marquette Catholic High School scholarship in honor of Jack Warren. At 10 a.m. on May 30, 2026, community members will come together for Wifflefest, an annual 2v2 tournament for players of all ages, genders and abilities. Noah Fahnestock, who helps organize the tournament, said the event will be a lot of fun while raising money for a good cause in honor of his friend. “It’s my favorite day of the year,” Fahnestock

GRANITE CITY – Two men from Belleville and Caseyville faces felony charges in separate cases of burglary recently filed in Madison County. Marlon A. Taylor, 41, of Caseyville, Ill., was charged on April 2, 2026 with a Class 1 felony count of residential burglary. He allegedly entered a Granite City residence in the 3300 block of Lydia Lane with the intent to commit a theft on April 1, 2026. The Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to deny Taylor’s

ST LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County prosecutors have charged a Texas man in connection with a 1992 sexual assault near Parkway North High School, according to the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. On Thursday, April 9, 2026, the office issued charges against Miguel Canizares, 56, of the 7500 block of Spring Stuebner Road in Spring, Texas. Canizares was charged with two counts of sodomy and one count of first-degree sexual abuse. He is being held on a $500,000 cash-only

SAINT LOUIS - As more people choose nursing as a “second career,” leaders at Goldfarb School of Nursing and BJC encourage students to consider their programs. Dr. Angela Clark, the president of Goldfarb School of Nursing, explained that Goldfarb is part of the BJC system. They offer an accelerated program and a variety of scholarships, making them a popular choice for nontraditional students. With an open house scheduled for June 6, 2026, Clark hopes many people come out to learn

ALTON - The Alton Owl’s Club will host their annual rummage sale and bake sale to raise money for their work. From 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 18, and 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Sunday, April 19, 2026, community members can support the Owl’s Club at the sale at 227 Blair Avenue in Alton. Mark Birmingham, a club member, noted that the proceeds will allow them to help other Riverbend organizations and nonprofits. “We try to support local charities,” he said. Birmingh

FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS — Federal prosecutors said a U.S. Marshals Service-led warrant enforcement operation in Southern Illinois over three days resulted in 21 arrests and the seizure of four firearms and 12 grams of narcotics, targeting violent fugitives with felony warrants and identifying gang members in the district’s southern counties. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Illinois announced the results today, describing the coordinated effort as carried

ALTON - As required by Alton City code 1-13-8.B.1, Mayor Goins submitted to the City Council a proposed budget compiled by the City Comptroller covering all municipal activities for the fiscal year that began on April 1, 2026. This proposed budget is an internal management tool based upon a careful consideration of departmental needs and fund resources, as presented to the Mayor by the Comptroller and department heads. A resolution regarding the adoption and use of an internal administrative

ST. LOUIS – As the severe weather season begins, the City of St. Louis is entering this spring significantly better prepared than it was one year ago, following substantial investments, structural reforms and ongoing improvements to its emergency management systems in the wake of the May 16, 2025, tornado. “Last year exposed serious weaknesses in how we prepared for and responded to emergencies,” said Mayor Cara Spencer. “We did not shy away from those findings —

ST. LOUIS – Mayor Cara Spencer announced today that the City of St. Louis, alongside taxpayer and Budget Director Paul Payne, has filed a lawsuit challenging the State Takeover Law (HB 495) as unconstitutional. The mayor expressed disappointment that legal action is now required, but also acknowledged this was a necessary step as the City and the Board of Police Commissioners have been unable to reach an agreement over the budget for the Police Department, which affects the budget of ever

GLEN CARBON – On camp time, Girl Scouts shine. These moments matter – from sparking up a campfire to counting the stars. Campers take on new challenges and discover new strengths, building bright futures while having the time of their lives. Smiles are sunnier, friendships form faster, dreams become bigger, and memories last forever. Time at Girl Scout Camp is time well spent! Not a Girl Scout? No problem! Girls can join Girl Scouts now through an extended membership so they can

ALTON - Swapping is the new shopping! Clean out your closets and join Alton Main Street on Sunday, April 26th from 12:00-4:00 p.m. for a Pop-Up Clothing Swap in Downtown Alton. The event will be held in the ballroom at Mineral Springs Mall, located at 301 E. Broadway; attendees should enter through the side door which faces Alton Street to the lower level. To participate, simply bring gently used clothing, accessories and shoes that you no longer wear and trade them for as many new-to-you items

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois youth turkey hunters set a new record, harvesting a preliminary total of 2,318 birds during the 2025 Illinois youth season. The total surpasses last year’s record of 2,099 birds and marks the third consecutive year of record-setting youth turkey harvest in Illinois. Participation also reached an all-time high this spring. Youth hunters purchased a record 7,369 permits in 2026, surpassing the previous record of 6,538 sold in 2025. Along with a success rate

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Police (ISP) continues to target vehicle theft, hijacking, and related violent crimes using grant funding from the Illinois Secretary of State Illinois Vehicle Hijacking and Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention and Insurance Verification Council. ISP was awarded a $10 million grant for the first fiscal year, another $677,000 in June 2024, and $637,500 in July 2025. From January through March 2026, ISP missions resulted in the following: Vehicles recovered