Riverbender 🕸

ALTON - Christina Foster Beegle knows grief. She has lost three brothers to suicide and a best friend to a drug overdose. Beegle herself was once homeless and struggling with substance use. Today, Beegle is 26 months clean, and she has decided to do something with her pain. She started Foster’s Light in the Dark, an organization that aims to bring awareness to suicide and overdose deaths while commemorating the loved ones who are lost. Foster’s Light in the Dark has a goal to eventually create a memorial park for people who die by suicide or overdose. “Me helping others helps me in my grief,” Beegle explained. “I can show people that, look, I've been through three suicides. All my mom's sons are dead by suicide and a best friend to a drug overdose. If I can try to help the next person, so can anybody, because we need to get through this together. We need to be a voice for people that can’t." While it’s a big goal, Beegle knows how much

Continue Reading

GRANITE CITY - The Granite City Police Department provided information about a response at 12:17 a.m. on Feb. 23, 2024, in the area of Leonard Avenue at Myrtle Avenue about a caller who reported hearing gunshots. The Granite City Police said upon arrival, officers encountered a subject who had sustained at least one gunshot wound which is non-life threatening. "A person of interest has been identified throughout this investigation," Major Gary Brooks, assistant chief of police of the Granite City Police Department said. "This investigation is currently ongoing and no further information will be released at this time."

Continue Reading

CHICAGO – Today, Carol Moseley Braun, the former U.S. Senator from Illinois and Ambassador of the U.S. to New Zealand, published an op-ed in the Chicago Tribune about how this Black History Month, Democrats are celebrating – and making – Black history. Ambassador Mosely Braun is a history maker herself as the first Black woman and first Black Democrat elected to the U.S. Senate. She highlights the progress the Biden-Harris administration has delivered for Black communities, what’s at stake in 2024, and how Democrats are continuing to make history leading up to this year’s Democratic National Convention. Key Excerpts: Black history can’t be confined to just one calendar month. It’s an integral part of our national identity that deserves far more than just an annual commemoration. But every year, marking February as Black History Month feels more and more essential. In a country where extremist forces and Republican politicians are fighting

Continue Reading

EAST ST. LOUIS – The Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Public Safety Enforcement Group is requesting assistance in identifying a person of interest. On December 5, 2023, ISP agents were requested by the East St. Louis Police Department to assist with a homicide investigation that occurred in the 600 block of South 15 th Street. The victim, 47-year-old, Dariell Braddix of East St. Louis, IL., was pronounced deceased. The photos below and the video link here are of a person of interest. Anyone with information can contact Crimestoppers at 314-725-8477 (TIPS) or ISP Special Agent Shaun Dannenbrink, 618-301-0807. Witnesses can remain anonymous. The public is reminded that all persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Continue Reading

ST. CHARLES COUNTY, MO. - St. Charles County Police announced Thursday that a murder charge was filed against a Godfrey man - Clyde E. Young - who is alleged to have killed his girlfriend Thursday morning, Feb. 22, 2024, around 3:15 a.m. in the 1000 block of North Service Road in Foristell, Mo. Police said that the 28-year-old Godfrey man contacted dispatchers at 4:40 a.m. Thursday to inform them a woman was deceased at the North Service Road location. When officers arrived at that location, they discovered a female shot to death in a Freightliner semi. Young and the female were involved in a romantic relationship, police said. The St. Charles County Police Department said Young contacted them again and stated he would turn himself in to the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. However, he changed his mind and said he would surrender to St. Charles authorities. Young confessed to police that he and the female argued the previous night and he then grabbed his shotgun and shot the woman

Continue Reading

EAST ALTON - A man from Cottage Hills faces several counts of battery and more after allegedly striking two family members in the head and kicking an officer in the chest on Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024. Joshua S. Foutch, 39, of Cottage Hills, was charged with six total counts, including three felony counts of aggravated battery and three misdemeanors: two for domestic battery and one for resisting an officer. According to a petition to deny Foutch’s pretrial release, he was identified by officers as “the suspect who battered his elderly mother and stepfather.” Once officers arrived at the scene to intervene, court documents state Foutch pulled his arms away to resist his arrest and kicked an officer in the chest. Foutch reportedly struck one victim in the head, causing lacerations, and the other in the face, causing bruising. Both were 60 years or older at the time of the offense. Foutch’s case was presented by the East Alton Police Department. Court documents

Continue Reading

WOOD RIVER - The Wood River City Council on Tuesday approved a three-year $75,000 commitment to financially support the “Wood River Business Alliance,” an Illinois Main Street organization formerly known as Wood River Economic Development. The final vote was cast after much discussion and debate, when the organization’s legitimacy was called into question by community members. The item appeared on Tuesday’s agenda as a “resolution offering financial support for the next three years to the Wood River Business Alliance, a Main Street Organization, as submitted by the City Manager,” Steve Palen. As previously reported on Riverbender.com , the city’s financial obligation to the organization amounts to $25,000 per year for three years, totaling $75,000. The item had been tabled twice by Councilman Bill Dettmers - once on Dec. 18, 2023 and again on Feb. 5, 2024 - in an attempt to give local businesses in and out of the organization more

Continue Reading

ALTON - Marquette Catholic High School students were spotted picking up trash in Alton on Feb. 22, 2024. Principal Tim Harmon explained that service is an important part of the house system that Marquette implemented earlier this school year, which promotes connection and faith within the school community. The school’s motto, serviam, means “to serve,” another reason why Marquette is eager to participate in more community service opportunities in the area. “Honestly, it's one of the most important things that we do here,” Harmon said. “I think that is the main message that we want our kids to be taking away, along with their faith, is that we are here to serve. And so if we can be doing that out in the community, fantastic.” Harmon said the idea to pick up trash was suggested by the students. Half of the juniors and seniors picked up trash on Feb. 22 and the other half will be out on Feb. 23, 2024. “We didn't want to try and

Continue Reading

BUNKER HILL - A student from Bunker Hill High School has signed with the Central Illinois Cougars semi-pro football team. Drake Rose, a running back on the Bunker Hill team, will begin playing with the Cougars in the fall 2024 season. Drake is the son of Keith and Keri Rose from Bunker Hill. “We are so proud of what Drake has accomplished in his football career,” Keith said. “His coach has said that he sees Drake making it even further than this.” Drake’s coach, Kenny Miles, noted that Drake is “one of the best athletes” he has seen at the high school and that he might make it as far as the NFL. Drake will primarily play offense with the Cougars, but Keith said he will also use his skills on defense. “Drake is looking forward to putting Bunker Hill on the map,” Keith added.

Continue Reading

ALTON - Phone and internet service has been spotty for most people in the Riverbend region throughout the morning on Feb. 22, 2024. This is largely due to an AT&T outage that has affected customers nationwide. Jarvis Swope, the IT support person for the City of Alton, said most people are using cellular data to complete work at City Hall. “Unfortunately, we are still one of the affected sites,” he said. “We’re managing. It put us down a little bit, but there’s enough things that people can do to keep working.” He said the fire department does not currently have internet, but it is not affecting calls for service. FirstNet, a broadband network for first responders, is already back up and running. Swope said the “hearsay” is that a semi-truck hit a telephone pole and “broke the fiber,” which would cause widespread outages like the Riverbend is experiencing. “We just have to just unfortunately deal with what

Continue Reading

ALTON - Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford said the Clark Bridge has reopened after a St. Charles County Police standoff with a suspect ended late Thursday morning, Feb. 22, 2024. The police chief recommended that people avoid the area if possible until normal traffic conditions resume. Alton Police blocked the Clark Bridge entry point during the St. Charles Police investigation that occurred Thursday near the West Alton, Mo. The suspect was shot and died in the incident. St. Charles Police had not announced whether or not the person shot himself or was shot by police. The St. Charles Police investigation into the case continues.

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE - Tensions were high at the Madison County Board meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024, when the Board voted to publicly censure County Chairman Kurt Prenzler following allegations that he had been campaigning on county time and property . “This is a lynching with no due process” Prenzler said during the meeting. Prenzler allegedly handed out campaign cards to a vendor and an assistant state’s attorney on two separate occasions while on county time and property. Upon investigation, Prenzler was found in violation by Ethics Advisor Bruce Mattea, based on concerns that he was electioneering on county time and property. In an earlier meeting on Feb. 21, 2024, the Executive Committee voted to recommend a censure to the County Board. Bobby Ross and Ryan Kneedler were the lone “no” votes, with Chris Guy and Dalton Gray absent from the Executive Committee meeting. During the meeting of the full County Board, Mick Madison, Chairman Pro Tem

Continue Reading

FORISTELL, MO. - St. Charles County Police reported Thursday morning, Feb. 22, 2024, that they are investigating an early-morning homicide that occurred in Foristell, MO. A person that St. Charles County Police was attempting to talk to in the case was shot and killed near West Alton, MO., later in the morning. Police said law enforcement was called to the 1000 block of North Service Road around 3:15 a.m. after a caller reported hearing gunfire. When responding officers arrived, they located a woman deceased in a vehicle. The vehicle was parked in a trucking company lot, police said. Police also confirmed the shooting did not appear to be random. The investigation by St. Charles, MO., Police continues at this time. For more information, read this article on Riverbender.com .

Continue Reading

ST. CHARLES COUNTY - A man was shot and killed during a police standoff Thursday morning in West Alton area in St. Charles, Mo., the St. Charles Police confirmed. St. Charles County Police said they are still checking to see if the man shot himself or was shot by police in the standoff. Both the Lewis and Clark Bridges were closed during the police operation. Police had the presence centered around the Phillips 66 at 14700 U.S. Route 67 in West Alton. St. Charles County Police said the situation started when officers tried to speak with the man about a homicide that occurred in Foristell, MO., earlier in the day. Police said the man refused to converse and became agitated. Officers continued to negotiate with him until the shooting occurred. Several agencies were involved, including the Alton Police Department, St. Charles County Police Department, Missouri State Highway Patrol and a regional SWAT team.

Continue Reading

ST. CHARLES COUNTY - The St. Charles County Police Department announced Thursday morning, Feb. 22, 2024, that it has a large police presence in the area of the Phillips 66 (14700 U.S.-67 West Alton. Both the Lewis and Clark Bridges are blocked to thru traffic. “Do not come to this area,” the St. Charles County Police Department said in a statement. “Stay tuned to our social media for updates.” Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford said his department has been requested to assist the St. Charles County Police in the operation. He said the Clark Bridge was closed around 7:45 a.m. on Thursday and as of 11:30 a.m. it remained closed. He said there are Alton Police cars and officers on the Alton side of the Clark Bridge. “The Clark Bridge will be closed until they give us word it is safe to open back up,” he said. “We are helping in any way we can.”

Continue Reading

Chicago – Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced that a Mt. Carmel, Illinois man co-prosecuted by the Attorney General’s office was sentenced to 40 years in prison after pleading guilty to the dissemination of child pornography. 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 pornography online. Raoul’s office prosecuted Alexander Knotts, 24, who was sentenced by Wabash County Circuit Court Judge William Hudson after he pleaded guilty to three counts of dissemination of child pornography, Class X felonies, and one count of failure to register as a sex offender, a Class 2 felony. Knotts immediately began serving his 40-year sentence. “This sentence ensures a child predator is held accountable and prevented from being able to exploit more innocent children,” Raoul said. “Collaborations lik

Continue Reading

ST. LOUIS COUNTY - The St. Louis County Police Department has announced that a preliminary investigation of a fatal fire in the 500 block of North Clay Avenue in Ferguson, Mo., has revealed this to be a murder/suicide. The deceased in the fire have been identified as Bernadine Pruessner, 39, an area college faculty member, and her children, Ivy Pruessner, 9, Ellie Pruessner, 9, Jackson Spader, 6, and Millie Spader, 2. All resided in the 500 block of North Clay residence in Ferguson. Bernadine was the mother of all four children. "It is believed that Bernadine intentionally set a mattress on fire as that was the point of origin for the fire," St. Louis County Police said. "A note was also left stating Bernadine’s intentions to take her life and the lives of her children." Please contact the St. Louis County Police Department at 636-529-8210 to speak with investigators if you have any information regarding this incident. To remain anonymous or potentially receive a reward, please

Continue Reading

JERSEY COUNTY - Jersey County Sheriff Nick Manns reported on Wednesday night, Feb. 21, 2024, that there was a three-wheeler crash just before 5 p.m. on Airport Road in Jersey County. Manns said a juvenile was flown out with a leg injury. "I believe the prognosis is good," Sheriff Manns said. No other details were available about the three-wheeler crash, but it is being investigated by the Jersey County Sheriff's Office.

Continue Reading

SPRINGFIELD – Building on five years of fiscal progress, Governor Pritzker’s sixth balanced budget proposal will continue on the path of fiscal responsibility, introduce new investments in healthcare accessibility and equity, and build on our historic progress in education and economic development. Please see below for links to the proposed FY25 budget as well as the Governor’s remarks as prepared for delivery: Fiscal Year 2025 Operating Budget Fiscal Year 2025 Capital Budget Fiscal Year 2025 Budget in Brief State of the State and Budget Address Wednesday, February 21 st , 2024 *Remarks As Prepared For Delivery* Speaker Welch, President Harmon, Lieutenant Governor Stratton, my fellow constitutional officers, members of the 103 rd General Assembly, Chief Justice Theis and members of the Supreme Court, honored guests, the First Lady of Illinois, my soulmate, MK, and all the people of the great state of Illinois, I am so grateful to be here t

Continue Reading

These are responses to Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker's State of the State address. Democratic Party of Illinois Statement on Governor JB Pritzker’s Address SPRINGFIELD — Following Governor JB Pritzker’s annual State of the State and Budget Address, Democratic Party of Illinois Chair Lisa Hernandez released the following statement: “Building on five years of fiscal progress and responsibility, Governor JB Pritzker once again laid out a positive vision for our state that invests in education, health care, infrastructure, public safety, and human services in his State of the State and Budget Address. Democrats across the state will work together to continue bolstering our finances while investing in budget priorities that move Illinois forward. Governor Pritzker, Comptroller Susana Mendoza, Treasurer Mike Frerichs, and Democrats in the General Assembly have put Illinois’ finances back on track over the past five years, with nine credit rating upgrades,

Continue Reading