ALTON – Alton Mayor David Goins recently warned ongoing efforts to require more transparent billing practices from a city attorney may be unconstitutional and lead to a potential lawsuit. At the May 27, 2026 City Council meeting, Goins presented his research findings on the subject, which he said were confirmed by the Illinois Municipal League. He and the IML said imposing billing requirements on the city attorney may amount to an “unconstitutional” alteration of his contract
WOOD RIVER - The Wood River Police Department executed a drug-related search warrant in the 500 block of Park Lane on the afternoon of Thursday, May 28, 2026, as part of an investigation that began with an aggravated battery reported early May 27, according to the department. Wood River Police said the search warrant was tied to an ongoing investigation into the aggravated battery. During that investigation, officers developed information regarding the suspected illegal use of narcotic
ALTON – OSF HealthCare has named Lisa Schepers, DNP, as the next permanent president of OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony’s Health Center in Alton, Illinois. Schepers has been interim president since February 2026, when Zach Yoder departed to lead three other hospitals in the OSF Western Region. As president, Schepers will oversee all operations at OSF Saint Anthony’s, with a focus on strengthening hospital performance, elevating patient experience and ensuring delivery of high-quality,
GLEN CARBON – Glen Carbon residents are set to pay more for their water service starting next year as the village builds a nearly $16.5 million water treatment plant. Trustees unanimously approved an ordinance amending the village’s water rates for Fiscal Years 2027 and 2028 at their May 26, 2026 meeting. The change reflects a 12% annual increase for both the service and usage charges for village-supplied water effective Jan. 1, 2027, with an additional 12% increase effective Jan.
LITCHFIELD/GRANITE CITY - Over 300 Jeeps will cruise Route 66 before coming together at Granite City’s Route 66 Centennial Grand Finale Celebration. On Saturday, June 6, 2026, Jeep owners are invited to join the Jeep run and travel the last 100 miles of Route 66 in Illinois. The run starts at 9 a.m. at Skyview Drive-In in Litchfield and travels through the countryside to Granite City. Jeeps are expected to arrive in Granite City in time for their Route 66 celebration from 4–10
ALTON - The Alton Police Department said it will increase enforcement of several city park ordinances after receiving concerns and complaints from neighbors and Park Commission members about activity in city parks. The Police Department announced the stepped-up enforcement in a public notice from Alton, saying the effort is intended to help keep parks “safe, clean, and enjoyable for everyone.” The notice did not specify when the increased enforcement would begin. According
CHARLESTON - Senior track and field star Tullio Zamperi is no stranger to statewide competitions, as he has represented the Eagles in both state track and field and cross country events. On Friday, May 29, 2026, Zamperi delivered a dazzling performance in the 800-meter prelims, posting a sixth-place time of 1:55.22. Zamperi will join CM junior Glenn Collins in Saturday's finals race. Collins was the second-place qualifier in the prelims. Zamperi is a Tom Lane State Farm Insurance Male Athlete
CHARLESTON — Civic Memorial junior Glenn Collins advanced to the boys' 800-meter final Friday, May 29, 2026, after finishing second in the prelims at the IHSA Class 2A State Track and Field Meet in Charleston with a time of 1 minute, 54.35 seconds. Collins trailed only Waterloo’s Luke Smith, who posted the top prelims time of 1:54.07, setting up what could be a close race in Saturday’s final. “My thinking was to get to the finals in the 800 meters,” Collins said.
ALTON – An Alton triple shooting suspect facing a retrial following an overturned conviction faces new charges after multiple witnesses expected to testify were allegedly harassed via Facebook. Steven Foster, 39, of Alton, was charged on May 22, 2026 with four counts of harassment of a witness, each Class 2 felonies. The charges stem from a series of Facebook posts, including one each from Nov. 2 and Nov. 17, 2025, as well as two posts from May 21, 2026. In each of the posts, Foster
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs is recognizing 529 Day today, May 29, by encouraging families to save for future education through Illinois’ highly rated Bright Start 529 or Bright Directions 529 college savings plans. Frerichs also announced new enhancements to the advisor-guided Bright Directions 529 plan. “While ‘529 Day’ is tied to the calendar date of May 29, the observance highlights the importance of planning ahead and making education
CASEYVILLE - Caseyville Police said four children ages 3 to 6 were found with visible injuries consistent with ongoing physical abuse after officers responded May 26, 2026, to a report at the Days Inn in Caseyville, and two women were later arrested and charged. Officers were sent to the hotel at 2423 Old Country Inn Drive regarding “a report of possible child abuse involving multiple juvenile victims,” according to the Caseyville Police Department. When officers arrived,
JERSEYVILLE - The City of Jerseyville will host its first “Rock the Block” concert of the season tonight, and musician Jake Maurer can’t wait to take the stage. From 7–10 p.m. on Friday, May 29, 2026, Maurer will perform a mix of covers and original songs at City Center Plaza between Germania and Dairy Queen in downtown Jerseyville. The free “Rock the Block” concert has a block party feel with live music and fun for all ages. “It’s always
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following a new round of strikes in Donald Trump’s costly, disastrous war of choice against Iran, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today called on Chair of the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE) Cheryl Mason to follow the law and designate a lead Inspector General (IG) to conduct comprehensive oversight over all aspects of Operation Epic Fury and the Trump Administration’s ongoing military operations
TROY, IL – The Troy/Maryville/St. Jacob/Marine Chamber of Commerce invites the community to kick off summer at First Fridays: Crafts. Corks. Casks. on Friday, June 5, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in Downtown Troy. This popular community event will transform downtown into a vibrant destination filled with live music, local shopping, food, family-friendly activities, and a unique tasting experience featuring regional breweries, wineries, and distilleries. Guests can stroll through
SPRINGFIELD – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement after the Supreme Court limited federal judges’ discretion under the compassionate release provisions of the First Step Act in rulings in Fernandez v. United States and Rutherford v. United States today: “The Supreme Court just significantly weakened a landmark, bipartisan criminal justice reform law in defiance of Congressional
High Honor Roll Graduation Year: 2026 Savannah E. Buerke Elijah L. Cox Ava G. Custer Carson R. Flowers Julia A. Heil Hannah C. Lake Tessa F. Price Eli M. Rhoades Mabry J. Robeen Alex W. Vandersand Graduation Year: 2027 Lillian G. Bauer Lily B. Clough Shannen J. Holmes Alexis P. Martin Hayden R. Mcmurtrie Carter L. Osterman Wyatt J. Ross Jayce D. Steinkuehler Graduation Year: 2028 Nolan M. Baumgartner Aubrey R. Crocker Maggie F. Custer Chloe E. Mcadams
ST. LOUIS COUNTY - A 6-year-old boy who was critically injured in an accidental shooting earlier this week in north St. Louis County has died, and a 19-year-old man previously was charged in connection with the case, according to St. Louis County police and prosecutors. St. Louis County police said Antone Little, of the 400 block of Midlothian Road in St. Louis, died at about 1:30 a.m. Thursday, May 28, 2026. Police identified him as the child injured in the shooting in the 400 block o
BELLEVILLE — A 35-year-old man’s body was discovered Thursday morning, May 28, 2026, near a bike trail in the 900 block of North Illinois Street, close to the Richland Creek Greenway Trail, according to Belleville Police. Police said the man was found around 11:30 a.m. Thursday. Belleville police investigated the situation and said there were no signs of foul play. No suspects are being pursued in the case.
ALTON – If you missed Alton High School’s 2026 graduation ceremony, Riverbender.com offers multiple ways to watch the full event anytime, on demand . Here’s an inside look at the community members who have been there to cultivate and capture the moment, from our staff to the Alton School District. Ryan Schlueter, a photographer and videographer for Riverbender.com , has played a major role in running the livestream production of the AHS graduation, though it hasn’t
ILLINOIS - Hundreds of people will travel on Route 66 this weekend for a casual cruise organized by a St. Louis man. Aaron Koehler has always been “a big Route 66 fan.” As the U.S. celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Mother Road this year, he decided to spend Sunday, May 31, 2026, cruising the route from Chain of Rocks Bridge to Springfield. He invited a few friends to join him, who invited their friends, and then it “kind of just exploded.” “Let’s
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