Riverbender 🕸

A large audience attended the Alton Y.W.C.A.’s May Frolic performance at Spaulding Auditorium on May 21, 1926. The Y.W.C.A.’s Physical and Health Education Department staged the program, with Miss Harriet Hyndman, head of the department, serving as director. The May Frolic began at 8:15 p.m. Miss Flora Damas made a beautiful appearance as May Queen. The first half of the program, described as natural rhythm and dances, featured children aged three to six. An article in the Alto

ST. LOUIS – Did you know that in the time it takes to sing the chorus of Take Me Out to the Ball Game, 13 units of blood will be transfused to patients in need. For over 20 years, the St. Louis Cardinals have partnered with the American Red Cross, helping to collect over 20,000 units of lifesaving blood. This year, the community will once again have the chance to step up to the plate and help save lives. “20 years of teamwork. Over 20,000 units of blood. This partnership with the

ALTON - Marquette Catholic High School’s baseball team won its 19th regional championship in program history Saturday, May 30, 2026, defeating Gillespie 6-4 in the IHSA 2A Gillespie Regional to advance to the sectional round next week. The Explorers will play sectional host Pleasant Plains at 7 p.m. Wednesday, June 3, 2026. Eli Rodgers led Marquette with two hits and two RBIs. Keller Jacobs, Jack Pea, Joe Stephan, Kooper Morrissey, Carson Bauer, Chris Hankins, and Toby Matthews

CHARLESTON — Civic Memorial’s Max Weber created even more of a legacy in Bethalto on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at the Class 2A IHSA Boys State Track and Field Meet by winning the 3,200-meter race championship at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston. Weber, who won a state cross-country title in the fall for Civic Memorial, finished first in the 3,200 in 9:05.86. Everett Swanson of Morris was second in 9:06.68, Gabriel Greer of Marion was third in 9:12.18, Quaid Berger of Richland

CHARLESTON — Jersey’s Bradley Tueth delivered a career-best performance Saturday, May 30, 2026, at Charleston, breaking the 49-second barrier in the 400 meters and finishing third at the IHSA Class 2A state track and field meet in 48.80 seconds. Tueth said afterward he was ecstatic about the result, which also earned him recognition as a Sparklight Male Athlete of the Month for his state performance. “I was third place last year. I had a down year and didn’t make state.

CHARLESTON — Edwardsville sophomore Parker Owens won the IHSA State Class 3A championship on Saturday, May 30, 2026, in the pole vault, clearing 4.95 meters (16 feet, 2.75 inches) to give the Tigers a state title performance. William Mercure of Lake Villa finished second at 4.85 meters in the pole vault, so Parker Owens had strong competition in his event. Owens is a sophomore at Edwardsville High School. The win came after he fell short a year ago, and he worked back from an early-season

MADISON COUNTY - Authorities in Madison County have charged a 22-year-old man in connection with an April house fire and explosions in Troy, IL., that left three people dead, officials said after what they described as an extensive investigation involving local, state, and federal agencies. Colton K. Cissell, 22, of Troy, is charged with: • One count of Unlawful Possession/Storage/Transfer of Explosive Material with Intent to Commit Another Offense (class 1 felony) • Two counts of

TROY – The Tri-Township Public Library District successfully launched its 2026 Summer Reading Challenge this past Saturday, May 23, with a morning of prehistoric excitement at Tri-Township Park. Families from across the community gathered at Pavilion #10 to "Unearth a Story," marking the official start of what promises to be the library's most adventurous season yet. The park was transformed into a prehistoric playground, featuring bounce houses, an interactive bubble station, and loca

GODFREY – Fran Scheurer, President, introduced Ginger Woodman and her therapy dog, Koda as Godfrey Women’s Club 2026 recipient of the Golden Leaf Award. "Ginger and Koda are well known in the Riverbend area," Scheurer said. "They have logged many hours visiting area senior living homes, memory care homes, hospitals, cancer centers, schools and churches, several times per week. "It is an honor to present one of our past members with our Golden Leaf Award. Thank you for your continued

ALTON – An Alton man accused of fleeing police at high speeds in a residential neighborhood and nearly striking an officer’s car has been detained on felony and misdemeanor charges. Kenneth E. Douglas, 37, of Alton, was charged on May 19, 2026 with two Class 4 felony counts of aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer, one Class 4 felony count of aggravated assault of a peace officer, and one count each of resisting a peace officer and driving while license is revoked,

ALTON - The Old Bakery Beer Company has a special deal for community members who want to use their event space, plus plenty of fun events and specials coming up in the next few weeks. From now until June 15, 2026, anyone who rents the event space for a 2026 event will not pay the typical room fee. Owner Lauren Pattan hopes this deal allows more people to utilize the space. “I think people who like the general vibe of our restaurant will enjoy the vibe of the space as well. We’ve

ALTON - A local Alton High School student is making waves at Alton Little Theater as their youngest cast member for the past two productions. Ella Beauchamp, 16, enjoyed performing at ALT as a member of the ensemble of “Godspell.” She was also recently cast in “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” As Beauchamp prepares for her junior year, she hopes to continue performing in community theater as well as with AHS’s theater department. “I feel

COLLINSVILLE – Illinois State Police (ISP) Troop 8 Commander, Captain Casey Faro, announces the ISP will conduct Alcohol Countermeasure Enforcement (ACE) patrols in Madison and St. Clair counties during June. ACE patrols allow the ISP to focus on preventing, detecting, and taking enforcement action in response to violations associated with impaired driving and illegal transportation or consumption of alcohol or drugs. The ISP has zero tolerance for impaired driving in Illinois. Officers

GODFREY - Vitality Women’s Clinic is a faith-based, pro-life pregnancy center in Godfrey. Representatives from the clinic shared more about their work in the community. Vitality provides free pregnancy and STI testing and ultrasounds. They also offer parenting classes and resources. They do not provide or refer for abortions. Executive Director Jackie Duty believes the center is a great support for new and expecting parents. “Women walking into our clinic know that they’re

ALTON - YWCA is proud to host “A Day in the Life,” a powerful devised theater production presented by 3 Purple Coats Productions on Wednesday, June 24 at Hatheway Hall on the campus of Lewis and Clark Community College (5800 Godfrey Rd., Godfrey, IL). Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the performance beginning at 7:00 p.m. 3 Purple Coats Productions, under the direction of playwright and creative director LJ Becoat, partners with everyday community members to create powerful devised theate

ALTON – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that intermittent daytime lane closures will take place at the intersection of Illinois 100 and U.S. 67 in Madison County on Monday, June 1, and Tuesday, June 2, weather permitting. The lane closures are necessary for the evaluation of pavement conditions. Drivers are urged to reduce speed, be alert for changing conditions, obey all construction signage, and refrain from using mobile devices while approaching and traveling

ST. LOUIS – As Americans head to lakes and rivers for the 2026 recreation season, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is reminding everyone to make water safety part of every outdoor adventure. USACE manages more than 400 lake and river projects nationwide and welcomes millions of visitors each year. While those visits create opportunities for recreation and family memories, preventable tragedies still occur on public waters annually, many involving people not wearing life jackets. Statistics

On May 30, 1431, Joan of Arc was executed in Rouen, a moment that became one of the most remembered events of the late Middle Ages. Captured during the Hundred Years’ War and tried for heresy by a court aligned with English authority, she was burned at the stake at about 19 years old. At the time, her death was meant to weaken French resistance and discredit the young woman who had helped change the course of the war. Instead, her story endured. She remained a symbol of conviction, national

BERKELEY, MO. - One person was killed, and three others were injured, on Thursday evening, May 28, 2026, in a shooting at a birthday gathering at Ramona-Mathison Lake Park in Berkeley, Mo., where authorities said a family dispute over children playing too close to the lake triggered the gunfire. The victim was identified as Lamonte Keys. Authorities said four people were shot in the incident, which developed around 5:20 p.m. Thursday at Ramona Lake in Berkeley. On Friday, May 29, 2026, Devion

EDWARDSVILLE — Edwardsville’s boys volleyball season ended Thursday night, May 28, 2026, with a loss to O’Fallon in the IHSA Regional Final at Lucco-Jackson Gym, but coach Doug Allen said the Tigers’ 24-14 finish and returning experience point to a promising 2027 campaign. The Tigers fought hard against a top-notch O’Fallon boys volleyball team on May 28, 2026, closing a season that Coach Allen said surpassed what many expected from a roster that returned one varsity