Riverbender 🕸

On April 21, 753 BCE—according to Roman tradition—Rome was founded. The story centers on Romulus marking out a new city beside the Tiber River, a moment that later Romans treated as the start of their civilization. Whether the founding happened exactly as the legend says mattered less than what the date came to represent: a shared origin story that helped unify a growing community and justify its institutions. Over time, Rome expanded from a small settlement into a republic and then

ALTON – Plans to install planters along Broadway in Alton are moving forward as some call for the city to expand its beautification efforts to help businesses beyond downtown. After much discussion, committee members unanimously approved a resolution to consider an ordinance authorizing the purchase of Earth Planter containers for Broadway Street in downtown Alton using Food and Beverage Tax funds. According to the proposed ordinance, these planters are meant to promote beautification

ALTON - Community members are invited to the Pop-Up Clothing Swap to trade out clothes and keep textiles out of the landfills. From 12–4 p.m. on Sunday, April 26, 2026, Alton Main Street will host their annual Pop-Up Clothing Swap in the ballroom at Mineral Springs Mall. You can bring old clothing to trade and pay $5, or come empty-handed and pay $10, and take as much as you want. AMS Executive Director Sara McGibany looks forward to welcoming the community for another great swap. “T

COLLINSVILLE - The Collinsville Police Department has named Officer Trenton “TJ” Gallion its March 2026 Officer of the Month after he located and helped lead to the arrest of two suspects wanted in connection with a shooting in East St. Louis, the department has announced. “Please join us as we recognize Officer Trenton ‘TJ’ Gallion as the March 2026 Officer of the Month,” the department said. According to Collinsville Police, Gallion joined

ALTON - Over the weekend of April 18, 2026, members of the Calvary Baptist Church youth group and their youth leaders in Alton volunteered at the Alton Police Department. The youth group and leaders worked to freshen up the landscaping around the department, according to a statement from the police department. The youth group and youth leaders are Difference Makers in their community. The volunteers helped with tasks including “pulling weeds” and “sprucing up

JERSEYVILLE – Jersey County Board members voted overwhelmingly last week to reject a bid of over $350,000 to build an evidence storage shed for the Jersey County Sheriff’s Office. A bid totaling $364,000 from Jun Construction to build the evidence shed was rejected by a vote of 9 -2. The scope of the project called for a 42 by 80 by 18 foot evidence storage building to be constructed at 207. W. Exchange St., near the Jersey County Sheriff’s Office. Board Member Ken

CHICAGO — Today, Governor Pritzker released the following statement after the U.S. District Court concluded Illinois v. Trump , the case concerning the Trump Administration’s illegal attempt to deploy National Guard troops to Illinois: “Today’s order concluding Illinois v. Trump confirms what has been clear to the people of Illinois from the beginning — Donald Trump’s deployment of the National Guard to occupy our streets was a reckless and illegal

GODFREY - The Village of Godfrey will host two of their biggest events this weekend. On Saturday, April 25, 2026, community members can stop by Glazebrook Park for the Annual Youth Fishing Derby and Arbor Day Celebration. Both events speak to the Parks and Recreation Department’s efforts to make Godfrey a great place to live. “There’s a lot of communities that do a great job, but not every community is able to offer all these things,” said Parks and Recreation

ALTON - Jami Jones, a senior at Marquette Catholic High School, is being recognized for her accomplishments in track and field in the shot put after earning two conference titles and a county title, along with ranking second in the school record and being among the top throwers in the River Bend area. Jones said she has competed in the sport for three years and has come to value the competitive nature of an individual event. “This is my third year in track and field. I like the competition

BETHALTO - Civic Memorial High School recently celebrated 10 seniors who will pursue a career in education. On Friday, April 17, 2026, Bethalto Community Unit School District #8 administrators, teachers and families gathered at Civic Memorial for a signing ceremony. Ten seniors will go on to study education after taking classes with CMHS teacher Angie Neilson as part of her Educators Rising program. “This has been a wonderful group of students, and incredibly inclusive!” Neilson

CENTRALIA - Centralia Police responded to a reported shooting on Sunday evening, April 19, 2026, in the 900 block of Kell Street, and a 19-year-old male later died at an area hospital, according to Illinois State Police. The shooting occurred about 5:01 p.m. on April 19, 2026, in Centralia, Illinois, Illinois State Police Public Information spokesperson Trooper Genelle Jones said. "The Centralia Police Department requested Illinois State Police Zone 8 investigations to conduct the shooting investigation,"

EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Rotary Club has selected Edwardsville High School senior Jazmin Hayes as its Student of the Month for April, recognizing her involvement in school organizations and academic and extracurricular accomplishments in Edwardsville. Hayes, 18, was nominated by Edwardsville High School art teacher Cassie Flynn. She is the daughter of Jaimee and Joshua Hayes. Hayes serves as president of the National Art Honor Society and Diversity Club, vice president of HOSA and the

CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul issued the following statement after the U.S. District Court for the Northern District declared the case over National Guard deployment moot. “In October, the District Court for the Northern District took action to stop the unlawful deployment of National Guard troops in Illinois because the administration could provide no lawful explanation for its deployment. That is because none existed. This matter went all the way to U.S. Supreme

EDWARDSVILLE - Community members have the chance to celebrate the Kentucky Derby with a delicious twist at 1818 Chophouse. From 3:30–10 p.m. on Saturday, May 2, 2026, 1818 Chophouse in Edwardsville will host a Derby Day party so attendees can enjoy the 152nd running of the Kentucky Derby, featuring hors d’oeuvres and a picnic dinner followed by live music by the Bob Perry Band. Owner Megan Pashea encourages people to come out, sip a mint julep, sample the curated menu and have

EAST ST. LOUIS - East St. Louis School District 189 marked a major milestone in student opportunity and workforce development with the groundbreaking of its $17.2 million Career and Technical Education (CTE) facility expansion at East St. Louis Senior High School. The project, made possible through a $17 million state grant secured by the leadership of Senator Chris Belt, represents a transformative investment in career pathways and the future of East St. Louis students. “Workforce development

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Coastal Management Program has awarded $970,770 in grants to Illinois organizations for coastal education, recreation, water quality monitoring, planning, design and engineering projects along the Lake Michigan shoreline. The Coastal Management Program is a federal-state partnership between IDNR and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that provides federal funding directly to communities in the Illinois

SPRINGFIELD – Visitors are invited to commemorate the 222nd anniversary of the start of the Lewis and Clark Expedition with the annual Point of Departure Commemoration May 9-10 at the Lewis and Clark State Historic Site in Madison County. The free event will feature military demonstrators, historic artisans and hands-on history displays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both days. Artisans will demonstrate candle making, leatherworking, tanning, gunsmithing, spinning, blacksmithing and woodworking.

WOOD RIVER — In recognition of Earth Month, State Senator Erica Harriss (56th- Glen Carbon) and Representative Amy Elik (111th- Alton) are inviting residents to take part in a FREE Community Shred Event and Clean Up Day on Saturday, April 25, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Wood River Police Department parking lot (550 Madison Ave., Wood River, IL — entrance on IL Route 143). The event will provide secure, on-site document shredding to help residents safely dispose of sensitiv

EDWARDSVILLE — The City of Edwardsville officially broke ground Monday, April 20, 2026, on Goshen Commons, a new $3.95 million pedestrian-friendly public park planned for the heart of downtown. The project will transform one block of St. Louis Street between North Main Street and Second Street, along with the adjacent courtyard, into a vibrant public gathering space designed for both everyday use and special events. Goshen Commons will feature green space with trees and various plantings,

GRANITE CITY — Jersey junior Bradley Tueth set a new school record in the 400 meters at the Granite City Invite, winning the race in 48.86 seconds and earning track athlete of the meet honors. Tueth’s time broke the previous Jersey mark of 49.30 set in 2024 by Casey Borkowski. Lucas Ross holds the third-best 400-meter time in school history at 51.63, set in 2017. Tueth also placed fourth in the 100 meters at the Granite City Boys Invite, running 11.70. Tueth is a Sparklight Male