Riverbender 🕸

ALTON – Another judge substitution marks the latest delay in an ongoing legal battle between Mayor David Goins and the Alton City Council. On Aug. 27, 2026, Goins filed a motion through his legal counsel for a substitution of judge in Goins vs. City of Alton, classified as a “Miscellaneous Remedy” case in Madison County court. Under state law, each party has the right to request one substitution of judge without providing a reason. This latest request on the mayor’s behalf

A room that feels perfect at bedtime often feels almost too cool at first. That is not a flaw. It is a clue. Humans usually sleep better, feel calmer, and rest more deeply when the night around them is cooler than the day. This preference shows up in bedrooms, architecture, daily habits, and even language. People crack a window before bed, flip pillows to the cool side, and complain about “a stuffy room” more than a chilly one. Cooler nights are not just a comfort habit. They match

This Day in Music History: Aug. 28, music as a force for change and connection Aug. 28 holds one of music’s most meaningful moments in public life. On this date in 1963, performers helped give voice to the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, where more than 250,000 people gathered at the Lincoln Memorial to demand civil rights and economic opportunity. The day is chiefly remembered for the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, but its musical program

On August 28, one of the most important turning points in modern civil rights history took place in Washington, D.C., in 1963, when hundreds of thousands gathered for the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. The event is most widely remembered for Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, but its importance went far beyond one address. The march brought national attention to unequal treatment in jobs, education, housing, and voting, and it showed the power of peaceful

GRANITE CITY – State Senator Erica Harriss (56th-Glen Carbon) and State Representative Amy Elik (111th-Alton) are calling on state and federal authorities to investigate allegations involving the possible misuse of taxpayer funds and financial practices at Gateway Regional Medical Center (GRMC) and its parent company, American Healthcare Systems, following recent reports by local media. On Friday, Senator Harriss and Representative Elik sent letters to Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raou

O'FALLON, IL. – Attorney General Kwame Raoul charged an O’Fallon, Illinois, man with possessing child sexual abuse material. The case is part of Raoul’s ongoing work, in collaboration with federal law enforcement agencies and local law enforcement officials throughout Illinois, to apprehend offenders who download and trade child sexual abuse material online. The Attorney General’s office charged Henry Alvarez-Mendez, 21, in St. Clair County Circuit Court with 10 counts

JERSEYVILLE - Laird Conditioning and Heating is eager to announce they’re back in business. Laird Conditioning and Heating offers residential and commercial HVAC services. The family-owned business was established in Jerseyville, but had to take a hiatus after owner Drew Laird suffered a stroke last November. Now that Laird is healthy again, he is eager to give back to the community and provide top-notch service. “We’re trying to let the community here in Jerseyville know

EDWARDSVILLE – A Canadian man taken into Vermont custody last week on an Edwardsville arrest warrant faces newly unsealed felony charges of child porn, solicitation and grooming. 40-year-old David Zouzout of Cote-Saint-Luc, Quebec, Canada was charged on Dec. 19, 2025 with two Class X felony counts of child pornography, a Class 1 felony count of child pornography, a Class 3 felony count of indecent solicitation of a child and a Class 4 felony count of grooming. The charges against Zouzout

WOOD RIVER - Nevaeh Flowers has spent years building the qualities that now define her volleyball career at East Alton-Wood River High: steady effort, teamwork and a connection with teammates she describes as family. Flowers, a senior at EAWR, is being recognized as a Midwest Members Credit Union Female Athlete Of The Month for volleyball during her senior year for her work ethic inside and outside the classroom and for being a good teammate over the years. Her coach is Bethany Hoyland. Flowers

ALTON - The community is invited to the monthly Block Party for Good for free groceries, hot meals and more. From 2:30–4:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, community members can stop by Soulcial Square in the Morningstar Baptist Church parking lot across from The Salvation Army in Alton. You can receive free groceries, a hot meal from Big Meechie Food Truck, and basic healthcare services. “Our monthly Block Parties are what community looks like when nobody has to earn their sea

EDWARDSVILLE — The Madison County Clerk’s Office is responding to recent public questions and social-media claims concerning vote-by-mail ballots for the November 3, 2026 General Election. There has been no change to Madison County’s current vote-by-mail procedures, and the Clerk’s Office is not holding back vote-by-mail ballots. Under Illinois law, election authorities may begin mailing regular vote-by-mail ballots 40 days before the election. For the November 3 General

ILLINOIS — On Thursday, August 20, the Tennessee Valley Authority Board of Directors voted to sell its federally-owned mineral rights to the Sugar Camp mine in Illinois. TVA’s decision to divest its ownership in Sugar Camp ensures that one of the nation’s largest mines will continue to operate — despite the alarming environmental issues and safety violations that have plagued the mining complex. "TVA divestiture or sale of Illinois coal rights will mean 30 more year

WOOD RIVER – A Wood River resident has been detained after his latest DUI offense reportedly caused a crash which severely injured an elderly victim. Tanner D. Stallings, 30, of Wood River was charged with three counts of aggravated driving while under the influence, each Class 4 felonies, on Aug. 18, 2026. He was also charged with three petty offenses on the same day, including making an improper left turn and driving with expired registration and without a license. Stallings allegedly

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today that the unemployment rate was 4.9 percent in July, down -0.2 percentage point from June, and up +0.6 percentage point from the same month, one year ago, based on data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The revised June unemployment rate was 5.1 percent. Total nonfarm payrolls saw a fifth consecutive over-the-month increase in July, up +11,700 (+0.2%) to 6,176,400, a record high.

CHICAGO — Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a coalition of 23 states, filed a lawsuit to block a new federal policy that threatens to strip federal family planning funding from states and providers unless they meet a variety of new and ambiguous conditions. The lawsuit, filed today in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, defends Title X funds, which support family planning, pregnancy testing and counseling, basic infertility services, cancer screenings, and othe

ALTON - The Alton VFW Post 1308 encourages students to participate in a variety of essay and art scholarship contests, with a grand prize of up to $35,000 possible. The students who win these contests locally will go on to compete at the state and national levels. Becky Willmore with Post 1308 noted that there are major prizes available. But most importantly, these contests encourage students to think about patriotism, the country’s values, and veterans’ sacrifices. Willmore

MILLSTADT - One person was killed around 6:25 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, in a crash involving a car and a garbage truck at Illinois Route 158 and Douglas Road southwest of Millstadt, Illinois State Police said. Troopers said the crash occurred at the intersection, prompting a closure while law enforcement investigated. Millstadt Ambulance Service said Millstadt EMS, Millstadt Fire, Millstadt Police and Illinois State Police were on the scene, and accident reconstruction was underway.

JERSEYVILLE - Employees of Jersey State Bank donated $725 and supplies to the Jersey Community High School Learning Lab to help purchase clothing and supplies for students in need, the Jersey Community Unit School District No. 100 announced. The funds were collected through an employee donation program held on Fridays, and the bank selects an organization each quarter to receive the funds, Jersey State Bank Chief Operations Officer Kim Murray said. “The money was collected from

FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS - The Fairview Heights Police Department is conducting a death investigation after a female resident of the Winchester Apartment complex was found deceased in a small lake between apartment buildings at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026, in Fairview Heights. The Fairview Heights Police Department received a call about a body floating in the lake, according to information released by Fairview Heights Police Chief Steve Johnson. Officers and the Fairview Fire Department

GRANITE CITY - An upcoming job fair invites community members to meet with employers. From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in Granite City, the job fair will feature over 50 local and state employers. It is free and open to the public, and attendees are encouraged to bring copies of their resume and “dress for success.” Hosted by State Representative Amy Elik and State Senator Erica Harriss, the fair aims to connect businesses and organizations with new employees. “Anyo