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HARDIN - Calhoun County Fair Queen Abby Johnes couldn’t be more excited to be the face of her hometown. “I love Calhoun and everybody in it, so of course, it’s great to be able to represent them,” she said. Johnes, 18, recently won the Calhoun County Fair and was named Miss Calhoun for the 2025–2026 year. With this title, Johnes will represent Calhoun County at events and area fairs until September 2026. She looks forward to advocating for her county and representing the community. Beyond her fair queen duties, Johnes works 30 hours a week as a bank teller in Brussels. She also attends Lewis and Clark Community College, where she is studying architecture. While her schedule keeps her busy, she loves everything she is doing. She shared that she decided to enter the Miss Calhoun pageant on a whim. She “always knew” she wanted to compete, but it was a last-minute decision to enter this year. “It sounded exciting, something that

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Did you know that Oktoberfest attracts over six million visitors annually, making it the world’s largest folk festival? But beyond the sea of frothy beer steins and traditional Bavarian garb lies a rich tapestry of history, cultural identity, and communal spirit. Oktoberfest is not merely a party; it is a living tradition that reflects the values and heritage of Bavaria while inviting the world to partake in its joyous customs. The Origins and Cultural Roots of Oktoberfest Oktoberfest began in 1810 as a royal wedding celebration in Munich, Bavaria, to honor the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig and Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen. The citizens of Munich were invited to join the festivities, which included horse races and agricultural shows. The event was so popular that it evolved into an annual celebration. Over the years, Oktoberfest grew beyond its initial festivities, incorporating Bavarian music, dance, traditional clothing like lederhosen and dirndls, and, of

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ALTON — The Alton Police Department received a donation of three tactical trauma bags filled with lifesaving medical supplies from Justin Chapman, Regional Manager of Ground EMS Services with Survival Flight, and his son, Grayson Chapman, a student at Alton Middle School. The donation was made to ensure that officers and staff at Alton Middle School have immediate access to critical medical tools during emergencies. The kits will be kept on hand at the school to assist in the event of a critical incident where rapid response is essential. School Resource Officer Ashley Clare will oversee the placement and readiness of the trauma bags. The Alton Police Department expressed gratitude to the Chapman family and Survival Flight for their commitment to student and community safety.

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October 21 has been a day marked by significant events that have shaped our world across centuries and continents. Turning back the clock to the 18th century, October 21, 1805, stands out with the Battle of Trafalgar, a naval engagement during the Napoleonic Wars. The British Royal Navy, under Admiral Lord Nelson, defeated the combined fleets of France and Spain, decisively asserting British naval dominance. This victory not only prevented Napoleon’s invasion plans of Britain but also shaped European geopolitics for years to come. Nelson’s leadership and sacrifice during the battle have become iconic symbols in naval history. In the realm of politics and governance, October 21, 1965, marks the establishment of the Indo-Pakistani ceasefire after the intense and brief conflict known as the Second Kashmir War. The ceasefire, brokered by international actors, helped de-escalate tensions on the Indian subcontinent, although the underlying issues remained unresolved for decades.

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You can expect a mostly sunny day in the River Bend and Metro East areas with a high of 61 and a low of 40. Winds will be quite breezy, coming from the west at 17 mph with gusts up to 43 mph. Despite the sunshine, the afternoon will feel a bit cooler with a feels like temperature around 57. This morning starts out clear and crisp, then the afternoon stays mostly sunny but windy. The wind will be strong enough to remind you to hold onto your hats. Evening brings clear skies and a chilly feel with temperatures dropping into the 40s and wind gusts still around 25 mph. Overnight remains clear and chilly with lows around 40. The allergy outlook shows moderate mold levels and low ragweed, with air quality considered moderate for particle pollution. Tomorrow will be sunny and breezy as well, with a high near 61 and a low around 38. Expect another cool but bright day. For live updates throughout the day, visit RiverBender.com/weather .

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ALTON – Plans to repair six ramps at Hellrung Skate Park are moving forward with approval from the Alton Committee of the Whole. Committee members on Monday night unanimously approved a resolution awarding a $34,100 bid for the skate park repairs to Stutz Excavating, Inc. The item now goes to the Alton City Council for final approval this Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025 . Parks and Recreation Director Lyndsey Younger said that after going an estimated 20 years without repairs, all six ramps throughout the Hellrung Skate Park will be restored to their original condition. Alderman Chris Bohn suggested that going forward, the Parks and Recreation Department take a more “proactive” approach to ensure preventative maintenance is performed on a more regular basis. Aldermen Rosetta Brown and Martha Pfister emphasized how heavily the skate park is used by local children, underscoring the need for these repairs and future maintenance. Stutz Excavating representatives

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ALTON — Alton Police Department, with assistance from Madison County Sheriff's Office authorities, responded to a disturbance in the 800 block of Highland Avenue in Alton in the evening of Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025. The call came in at 8:40 p.m. to the Alton Police Department. Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford said, "The disturbance involved a male subject who fled on foot, prompting a search of the area. The individual was located and taken into custody. Madison County Sheriff's Office assisted us in the situation." Chief Ford stated the case will be reviewed by the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, to determine appropriate charges.

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MADISON COUNTY — Robert P. Glover, 53, was charged Thursday with multiple felonies related to alleged sexual solicitation and abuse of a minor, according to court documents filed in Madison County. The charges, filed Oct. 20, 2025, by the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office, accuse Glover of indecent solicitation of a child, traveling to meet a minor, solicitation to meet a child, and grooming. The alleged offenses occurred on or about Oct. 16, 2025, in Madison County. According to the information filed by State’s Attorney Thomas A. Haine, Glover is accused of knowingly soliciting a person he believed to be a 14-year-old male to engage in sexual penetration involving the defendant’s mouth and the child’s sex organ. The charges further allege that Glover traveled within Illinois for the purpose of engaging in aggravated criminal sexual abuse after using electronic devices to solicit the minor. One count specifies that Glover arranged to meet th

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EAST ALTON — Adam E. Walters is charged with attempted first-degree murder and multiple felony counts following a motor vehicle incident on Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, in Madison County, Illinois, according to court documents. Walters allegedly drove a Hyundai Sonata into a man on East Main Street in East Alton, striking him with the vehicle. Prosecutors say Walters acted with the intent to kill or cause great bodily harm and took a substantial step toward committing first-degree murder by knowingly hitting the person. The incident resulted in serious injuries to the person who was struck. In addition to attempted first-degree murder, Walters faces charges of failure to report an accident involving personal injury, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, and aggravated driving under the influence. Authorities allege Walters left the scene without reporting the crash to the East Alton Police Department within the required half-hour timeframe. Court records state Walters was under th

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SMITHTON - State Representative Kevin Schmidt (R-Millstadt) is hosting Mobile Office Hours in Smithton on October 21. This free event gives his constituents the opportunity to discuss topics regarding the state legislature and to talk about changes they would like to see in Illinois. “I look forward to meeting my constituents to have open conversations about what matters most to them and their families,” said Schmidt. “This event is designed to give individuals the time to share their thoughts with me so I can better serve them in Springfield.” Mobile Office Hours Details: When: October 21, 2025 Where: Smithton Village Hall Address : 101 S. Main Street, Smithton Time: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. For more information, please contact Rep. Schmidt’s office at (618)-215-1050, or his website, repschmidt.com Representative Kevin Schmidt represents the 114th District, which includes a portion of St. Clair County.

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ALTON — Centerstone announced the installation of a new NARCAN vending machine at its Alton office. Anyone can receive and carry doses of naloxone nasal spray, a medication that rapidly reduces the effects of opioids used to treat persons suspected of overdosing on opioid drugs. This lifesaving resource was made possible through a grant from Chestnut Health Systems. In collaboration with Centerstone, Chestnut will supply and restock the machine, while Centerstone ensures naloxone is available for Madison County residents in need. Centerstone Vice President of Clinical Services Stacy Seitz says the machine takes the element of asking another person for NARCAN out of the picture. It can help create awareness and knowledge of a life-saving treatment. “We have been giving out NARCAN for free for years, but people have to come to the front desk, and people might not want to come in and ask for it,” Seitz said. “That’s where the vending machine in a great

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FAIRMONT CITY — Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) today joined local officials, transportation stakeholders and labor leaders to celebrate another historic round of investments in Metro East infrastructure. As part of $400 million specifically identified to support 223 projects localities, Illinois announced a $670,000 commitment to Fairmont City to complete improvements to the North 42nd and 44th street corridors, as well as other investments in localities across the Metro East region. This investment is part of the largest infrastructure program in state history , totaling $50.6 billion over six years. “Across the state, our Rebuild Illinois program is getting shovels in the ground and putting Illinoisans to work on projects that are vital to community interest and helping grow the entire state,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Starting with improvements to major streets and corridors in Fairview Heights, Granite

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ALTON - Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski met with advocates to learn about the impact the government shutdown has had on senior citizens. On Monday, Oct. 20, 2025, Budzinski hosted a roundtable at Senior Services Plus in Alton to talk about concerns related to Medicare, Social Security, and similar programs. She welcomed area nonprofits and organizations that work primarily with seniors to talk about their experiences and concerns amid the government shutdown. “We live in the richest country in the world, and we shouldn’t have seniors that are going hungry,” Budzinski said. “I think it’s just important for people to understand that we have some very vulnerable seniors that can’t get out and just get a job and work their way through this. These are folks that are 80 years old that should be enjoying the twilight of their lives.” Budzinski was joined by Theresa Collins, CEO of Senior Services Plus; Chris Fulton, Home and Community-Based Service

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COLLINSVILLE - Margot Schusky, a senior from Collinsville High School (CHS), has been selected to serve on the Student Board of Directors at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis for the 2025–2026 academic year. The Fed’s Student Board of Directors is a competitive and prestigious program that offers students a rare opportunity to engage directly with the nation’s central banking system. This honor is extended to a select group of high-achieving students from the St. Louis area. The program is designed to provide students with a deep understanding of the Federal Reserve’s role in the U.S. economy, hands-on financial literacy education and career development opportunities through direct interaction with Fed leaders, professionals and former interns. As a student board member, Margot will learn how the Federal Reserve influences everyday economic life, collaborate with fellow board members to create and present a financial education project at her school, and gai

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GRAFTON — A male dog found running loose in Grafton around Oct. 15, 2025, began showing signs of illness the following day and was taken to Hawthorne Animal Hospital in Glen Carbon, where staff suspected the animal might have contracted rabies. The dog was euthanized for testing, with results expected around Oct. 30, 2025, or later. Officials advise that anyone who had direct physical contact with the dog should consider consulting their physician. Rabies is typically transmitted to stray dogs through the bite of an infected animal. The virus is present in the saliva of a rabid animal and can also spread if saliva enters an open wound or mucous membranes. This can occur if a stray dog fights with a rabid animal such as a bat, raccoon, skunk, fox, or another infected stray dog. No further information will be available until the test results are received. Updates will be provided at that time unless the dog’s owner comes forward.

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ALTON – Hellrung Skate Park in Alton may get a series of ramp repairs pending approval from aldermen this week. Alton Committee of the Whole members are set to consider a resolution on Monday night which would award a $34,100 bid for Hellrung Skate Park repairs to Stutz Excavating, Inc. If approved, the item would go next to the Alton City Council for final approval this Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025 . Six total ramps would be repaired throughout the skate park if the resolution is given final approval on Wednesday. Stutz Excavating representatives wrote in a memo to city officials that each of these repairs would be made using an “epoxy grout that is used on bridge decks for a lasting repair.” Each ramp would see repairs to their existing sheet metal, which will also be repositioned. Replacement sheet metal would also be installed on each ramp, while the existing sheet metal “will still be partially bent and wavy even after repair and repositioning,” according

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Alton football Redbirds scored first and held the lead for a time, but eventually, Edwardsville went ahead and gained control of the game. Alton didn’t back down, and kept on fighting throughout the entire game, much to their credit, despite the 37-7 loss to the Tigers. Alton is 0-8 overall on the season but has shown growth and development throughout the season, Coach Cody Markel said. The Redbirds took the opening kickoff and drove 69 yards in five plays, climaxing with Cayden Robinson throwing 48 yards to Grant Ely to give Alton an early 7-0 lead. “That was a tremendous start for our program,” said Alton head coach Cody Markel, “and being able to open up the opening drive with a touchdown, that was huge for us. I really thought it gave us some momentum in he first quarter. The thing of it is, the boys fought all the first half. We’ve just got to find a way to put all four quarters together with the same mentality and toughness.”

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EDWARDSVILLE — Edwardsville High School students Gracie Cook and Schaefer Bates were crowned Homecoming Queen and King during halftime of Friday night (Oct. 17, 2025) football game against Alton. Edwardsville topped Alton 37-7 in the homecoming football game matchup. The crowning ceremony was led by last year’s Homecoming King and Queen, Jackson Ward and Lucy Schapman. The event took place at Edwardsville High School football field, marking one of the highlights of the school’s homecoming celebrations.

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ST. CHARLES, MO. — A 34-year-old man was fatally shot by a St. Charles County Police officer Friday evening, Oct. 17, 2025, following a domestic disturbance call that escalated into an armed confrontation, authorities said. At approximately 6:37 p.m. on Oct. 17, St. Charles County Emergency Dispatch received a 911 call reporting a domestic disturbance in progress in the 600 block of Hickory Dale Drive. Upon arrival, officers encountered a man armed with a knife engaged in a physical altercation with a woman on the front porch of the residence, both kneeling. According to the St. Charles County Police Department, an officer drew his firearm and issued multiple commands for the man to drop the knife and for the woman to move inside for her safety. The man, identified as Frankie L. Navarro, 34, of St. Charles, did not comply, broke free from the woman’s attempted restraint, stood up, and advanced toward the officer while still armed. The officer then discharged his weapon,

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ALTON - Hayner Library Presents Poe and Irving – An Evening of Recitations with Anne Williams Historic Interpreter and Performer to Delight Audiences with Haunted Tales in Time for Halloween With the lights turned down and the Gothic-style architecture of the Genealogy & Local History Library adding to the ambiance, patrons are in for an atmospheric treat as Anne Williams, historic interpreter and performer, will recite dramatically, from memory, several works by the author Edgar Allan Poe. Williams will also recite as well as an excerpt from another October favorite, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, by Washington Irving. Poe’s stories will include The Tell-Tale Heart, The Black Cat, The Raven, and others. Anne has shared the authors’ stories and poems with audiences at historic sites in New York, Philadelphia, Richmond, and regionally in Missouri and Illinois. She has worked with the National Park Service, St. Louis Public Radio, and many historic sites on various

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