a Better Bubbleโ„ข

Riverbender ๐Ÿ•ธ

L&C Spring Career Fair Supports Students and Public Job Searches

2 weeks 2 days ago
LC to Welcome Employers, Job Seekers to 2026 Spring Career Fair GODFREY – Lewis and Clark Community College invites both students and members of the public to the 2026 Spring Career Fair, Wednesday, April 8. Those seeking full-time, part-time or seasonal employment are encouraged to bring their resumé and take advantage of the opportunity to interact with about 40 area employers that have positions to fill. This year’s Spring Career Fair will be held from 9:30

Glen Carbon Eyes Park Improvements With 2026 PEP Grant Application

2 weeks 2 days ago
GLEN CARBON – Glen Carbon officials have several park improvement projects planned pending approval of nearly $150,000 in grant funds. Trustees unanimously approved a resolution on March 24, 2026 to apply for $149,903.62 in grant funding under the annual Park Enhancement Program (PEP) from Madison County. The village plans to use these funds for improvement projects at four key recreational sites, including Miner Park, Schon Park, Green Space North, and Village Hall Park, as well as

Two From Wood River Face Felony Domestic Battery Charges

2 weeks 2 days ago
WOOD RIVER – Two Wood River residents have been charged with domestic battery in separate felony cases. Terry L. Baine Jr., 42, of Wood River, was charged on March 11, 2026 with one count each of aggravated domestic battery (a Class 2 felony) and domestic battery (a Class A misdemeanor). On March 10, 2026, Baine allegedly knowingly committed an act of domestic battery against a family or household member, causing the victim bodily harm without legal justification. The victim reported

March 27 in History: From Yuri Gagarin's Death to the First Cherry Blossoms in Washington

2 weeks 2 days ago
On March 27, 1968, Yuri Gagarin—the first human to travel into space—died in a routine training flight when his MiG-15 jet crashed near Moscow. His death mattered immediately because it shook the Soviet space program and the wider world at a time when spaceflight was closely tied to national pride, scientific ambition, and public imagination. It still matters today because Gagarin’s short life captures a lasting truth about exploration: breakthroughs can arrive quickly, but

Edwardsville Middle School Students Race Junk Cars for Unique Physics Lesson

2 weeks 2 days ago
EDWARDSVILLE - Liberty Middle School eighth graders had the chance to build mini cars as a physics lesson. Science teacher Anna Harris explained that students used CDs, water bottles, rubber bands, balloons and other “junk” materials to build the cars, which they then tested to see how far the cars could go. While the goal was to learn basic physics, like Newton’s Laws of Motion, the students and Harris had a lot of fun with the unique project. “I definitely think

Charges Issued for Murder, Armed Criminal Action

2 weeks 2 days ago
ST. LOUIS COUNTY - Charges were filed Monday against a 19-year-old St. Louis man in connection with the fatal shooting of Lionel Steed during an attempted robbery in St. Louis County, authorities said. The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office said March 23, 2026, it issued charges against Ta’Rez Roberson, 19, of the 2000 block of Jenner Lane in St. Louis, Missouri, 63138. Roberson is charged with second-degree murder, two counts of armed criminal action, two counts

Pritzker blasts Trump threat to deploy National Guard to airports instead of funding TSA

2 weeks 2 days ago
CHICAGO – On Thursday, March 26, 2026, Governor JB Pritzker denounced President Trump’s threat on Truth Social to deploy the National Guard to America’s airports instead of paying hardworking Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees. After refusing no-strings-attached funding for TSA workers , President Trump is instead again threatening to federalize National Guard troops against the wishes of Governors and make taxpayers bear the brunt of the costs. “Pullin

Power Lines Down Near 800 Block of Taylor Avenue in Godfrey

2 weeks 2 days ago
GODFREY - The Village of Godfrey issued a temporary road closure notice Thursday morning, March 26, 2026, after a report of downed power lines and a pole near the 800 block of Taylor Avenue, with emergency services and Ameren Illinois responding to the scene. The notice was issued at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 26, 2026. “There is a report of power lines and a pole down across the road near the 800 block of Taylor Avenue in Godfrey. Emergency services are already on the scene, and Amere

Former St. Louis Area Pediatrician Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Exchanging Prescriptions for Sex Acts

2 weeks 2 days ago
ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge John A. Ross on Tuesday sentenced a former St. Louis County, Missouri, pediatrician to 20 years in prison for prescribing pain pills and other controlled substances in exchange for sex acts, nude photos, or cash. From at least 2014 through May of 2023, Craig A. Spiegel, now 70, exploited his position to obtain cash, sexual acts or sexual photographs from at least 19 patients, many of whom he began treating as children. Spiegel illegally distributed an

Durbin Questions Durham County Sheriff About The Impact Of Trump's Mass Deportation Campaign On Local Law Enforcement

2 weeks 2 days ago
WASHINGTON – During today’s Senate Judiciary Subcommittee hearing, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, questioned Clarence Birkhead, Sheriff of Durham County, North Carolina, about the Trump Administration’s mass deportation campaign and its impact on local law enforcement. Durbin first asked Sheriff Birkhead about how immigration enforcement can erode trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve.

Giannoulias Issues Urgent Warning: Don't Click, It's a Trick

2 weeks 2 days ago
SPRINGFIELD – Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias issued another warning to Illinois residents about a surge in text-message scams impersonating the DMV and demanding payment and personal information. To raise public awareness, Giannoulias launched a statewide consumer protection campaign – Don’t Click. It’s a Trick – urging Illinoisans not to click on any links. Giannoulias emphasized that neither the Secretary of State’s office nor the DMV ever send text

Duckworth, Durbin, Colleagues Release New DHS Data Revealing Trump Admin Targeting Veterans, Families for Deportation After Promising Protections

2 weeks 2 days ago
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and their Democratic colleagues in releasing new data obtained from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) revealing that the Trump Administration has attempted to deport hundreds of Veterans and their family members after promising immigration protections at the time of recruitment. The new data also reveals that, in some

Alton Postpones Permit For Anzu Power Facility

2 weeks 3 days ago
ALTON – Plans to operate a waste-to-energy facility in Alton are on hold as city officials seek answers on its potential environmental impacts. At their March 25, 2026 meeting, Alton City Council members agreed to postpone a request for a special use permit from Anzu Power to operate a petroleum product manufacturing facility at 8 Cut Street, near the former site of Alton Steel. Orion Bailey with Anzu Power gave a presentation at the meeting highlighting several alleged benefits of

Lane Closures on Westbound I-64 in St. Clair County Begin April 1

2 weeks 3 days ago
EAST ST. LOUIS – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that westbound Interstate 64 will be reduced to one lane between Ninth Street and the westbound I-55 merge in St. Clair County for bridge maintenance. The lane closures will occur at the following times: Wednesday, April 1, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, April 2, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Beginning Friday, April 3, at 9 a.m. through Sunday, April 5, at 9 p.m. Motorists should expect delays and are encouraged

Pride Inc. Supports Beautification Mission with Upcoming Events

2 weeks 3 days ago
ALTON - Community members can support local beautification efforts through upcoming events sponsored by Pride Inc. As an organization, Pride Inc. works with the Alton and Godfrey communities to maintain garden beds, pick up litter, and advocate for beautification. People can support their work by donating to them during their 7–11 a.m. roadblock on Friday, April 10, 2026, at Humbert Road and Tolle Lane, followed by their Citywide Litter Cleanup from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday,

Three Jersey Students Join Illinois Senate Advisory Committee

2 weeks 3 days ago
JERSEY - Three Jersey Community High School students have been invited to the Illinois State Capitol to serve on the Illinois Senate Student Advisory Committee, according to Jersey Community Unit School District No. 100. The students — Cloud Sutton, Madalyn Bodenbach, and Rayven Utterback are shown in Springfield participating on the advisory committee. Serving on the statewide committee will leave a lasting positive impact on all three Jersey students.

Illinois Mother Wins $800,000 Lucky Day Lotto Jackpot Using Children's Birthdays

2 weeks 3 days ago
CHICAGO — An Illinois iLottery player is celebrating a big win after a casual at-home play landed her an $800,000 Lucky Day Lotto ® jackpot.The winner, who chose to remain anonymous under the name ‘Jenny,’ purchased her winning ticket using a meaningful set of numbers—her children’s birthdays. “My usual numbers are always a combination of my birthday and my kids’ birthdays,” Jenny said. “I was in complete shock when I saw I

Charges Issued in Fatal Traffic Crash Investigation

2 weeks 3 days ago
MONROE COUNTY - The Monroe County State's Attorney's Office has issued felony charges against a Millstadt man following an investigation into an October 2025 head-on crash in the unincorporated Columbia area that killed a Waterloo woman, authorities said. The sheriff’s department said on March 25, 2026, that its investigation into the crash on Bluff Road just south of Bottom Road was complete and that charges had been filed against one of the drivers involved. Deputies, along with Columbia

Schmidt, Schweizer, Push Illinois Kindergarten Mandate at Springfield Press Conference

2 weeks 3 days ago
SPRINGFIELD - State Representatives Kevin Schmidt (R-Millstadt) and Brandun Schweizer (R-Danville) held a press conference today, alongside Principal Darla Wall from Annette Officer Elementary School in East St. Louis to discuss their support for a Kindergarten requirement. HB 4253 , filed by Rep. Schmidt and co-sponsored by Rep. Schweizer, would require all students in Illinois to enroll in kindergarten to learn essential skills in reading, writing, and mathematics before entering 1st

Why Green Feels Like Growth, Progress, and Safety

2 weeks 3 days ago
Green shows up on “progress” bars, in health logos, on money apps, and on signs that say “Go.” That’s not an accident. For most people, green doesn’t just look pleasant—it feels like things are moving forward. Humans associate green with growth because our brains learned, over a long time, that green often meant “life is working.” Food is more likely nearby. Water is more likely close. The environment is more likely safe enough to stay