Riverbender 🕸

A cracked window can change your whole mood—even if the room looks exactly the same. The air feels lighter. Your head feels clearer. You might even stand up straighter without meaning to. That reaction isn’t just “in your head.” It’s a mix of biology, memory, and the way humans are built to read the world through smell, temperature, and movement. Fresh air feels like a reset button People often describe fresh air as “clean,” “crisp,” or

On April 10, 1912, the RMS Titanic set out from Southampton on its first voyage, carrying more than 2,200 passengers and crew toward New York. At the time, the ship stood for modern engineering and confidence in new technology: it was larger, faster, and more luxurious than most ocean liners of its era, and it was widely described as exceptionally safe. What followed—after the Titanic struck an iceberg four days later and sank—became one of the best-known maritime disasters in

WOOD RIVER – A new work schedule for the Wood River Fire Department was approved this week on a one-year trial basis in an effort to boost the wellness and work-life balance of the city’s firefighters. On April 6, 2026, City Council members unanimously approved an ordinance amending the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the city and the International Association of Firefighters Local 2371 to modify the work schedule of union Fire Department employees for a one-year trial

EDWARDSVILLE – A New Mexico resident accused of hiding the proceeds of illegal activity in a vehicle while driving through Madison County faces felony charges. Antonio Hernandez, 22, of Las Cruces, N.M., was charged on April 1, 2026 with two counts of money laundering, both Class 1 felonies, in Madison County. On March 30, 2026, Hernandez reportedly knowingly transported $285,000 in U.S. currency which was “wrapped in bundles and hidden within a concealed compartment of a motor

HARDIN - The Calhoun Sheriff's Office has announced charges for a Godfrey man after a complaint alleging child sexual assault in rural Calhoun County. A 38-year-old Godfrey man was arrested Dec. 30, 2025, after Calhoun County authorities investigated the complaint, according to the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office. On December 30, 2025, Sheriff Zach Hardin arrested Tommy R Thompson, age 38 of Godfrey, Illinois, for the following offense: Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault – Victim

TROY, IL. - The Madison County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday, April 9, 2026, released the names of three victims killed in a house fire that followed multiple explosions in rural Troy, Illinois, on April 5. The victims were identified as Madeleine I. Maxeiner, 18, of Troy; Ayden R. Hendrickson, 19, of Collinsville; and Paisley Nishwitz, 12, of Troy, the sheriff’s office said. Maxeiner was positively identified through dental examination. She was pronounced dead at the scene at

BETHALTO - Civic Memorial’s boys 4x200 relay team of Parker Walters, Ty Books, Reed Wallace and Grady Farrell set a new school record last week at the O'Fallon Relays, recording a time of 1:33.22 to break a mark that had stood since 1979. “The 4 x 200 relay record has been longstanding,” Civic Memorial head track and field coach Jacob Peal said. “It was awesome to see this group of guys break it last week, we think we can go faster and would love to be able to ru

ALTON - Students at Eunice Smith Elementary School in Alton learned what it means to be courageous this month. The students learn about a different character trait every month, but most recently, they were asked to write about “courage” and a time they were brave. Principal Christina Coy emphasized that activities like this aim to empower the students while building up their characters. “They’re still learning who they are, and they’re learning these skills

GODFREY - Vitality Women’s Clinic will host its annual fundraiser this weekend, but there are other ways to support the pregnancy center. Vitality will welcome nearly 400 community members to Lewis and Clark Community College on Friday, April 10, 2026, for their dinner fundraiser. While all the seats are full, Executive Director Jackie Duty outlined several additional opportunities for people to donate toward the clinic in the coming weeks. She believes this is a great way to support

EAST ST. LOUIS - The East St. Louis Police Department responded to an incident involving a suicidal individual on the Eads Bridge in East St. Louis on Thursday, April 9, 2026, where officers found a person who had climbed over the railing on the westbound side of the bridge and threatened to jump. As a safety precaution, westbound traffic was temporarily shut down, the East St. Louis Police Department said. The department requested assistance from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department t

GODFREY – Preparations for road improvements along a section of North Alby Street in Godfrey are moving forward with recent Village Board approval. Trustees unanimously approved a construction engineering services agreement with Gonzales Companies, LLC for the North Alby Overlay Project at their April 7, 2026 meeting. The full scope of the project includes “full-depth concrete patching in various locations to address areas of structurally deficient pavement, cold-milling the entir

CASEYVILLE - A semitruck strike that brought down a highway sign across Interstate 64 near the I-255 exit was snarling traffic in the Caseyville area as of late Thursday morning, April 9, 2026, as transportation crews worked to reopen the roadway. The crash happened on I-64 approaching the I-255 exit. Illinois State Police rerouted traffic to Illinois 157 at Caseyville, and congestion backed up for several miles from I-255 past Illinois 159 in Fairview Heights, the Illinois Department of Transportation

ALTON - Community members are invited to learn their neighbors’ stories at an upcoming “Heartbreak to Hope” showcase through 3 Purple Coats Productions, the YWCA, and Healing Illinois. From 1–3 p.m. on Saturday, April 11, 2026, the YWCA will host the “Heartbreak to Hope” show, featuring six community activists’ stories about resilience. Leah Becoat, founder of 3 Purple Coats Productions, has recorded and edited videos of each person’s story,

– Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement after Donald Trump announced a “ceasefire” with Iran: “Before Donald Trump launched his illegal, unjustified and costly war, the Strait of Hormuz was open and violence free, gas was $1 cheaper and thousands more people were alive—including 13 American servicemembers. Only someone as deeply incompetent, delusional and unfit as Trump would see this as ‘winning’ when

The American Heart Association and 10 other leading health organizations say it’s time to start checking cholesterol sooner and treating it more aggressively. New, lower low density lipoprotein LDL cholesterol targets are aimed at preventing heart attacks and strokes before symptoms ever appear. Jason Trager, DO, a cardiologist with OSF HealthCare, says people at risk of heart disease should start trying to lower their cholesterol as early as age 30 and continue into old age. They

ALTON – A felony charge has been filed in the latest reported case of theft from Alton Materials. Steven C. Parrish, 42, listed as homeless out of Alton, was charged on March 30, 2026 with a Class 4 felony count of theft. Parrish allegedly knowingly obtained unauthorized control over various pieces of scrap metal which were property of Alton Materials on Jan. 8, 2026. Charging documents note Parrish had previously been convicted of burglary in a prior Madison County case from 2023.

BELLEVILLE/EDWARDSVILLE - CASA of Southwestern Illinois needs volunteers who are willing to be “a voice” for children in the foster care system. On Saturday, April 25, 2026, CASA will host an annual dinner and fundraiser at The Leclaire Room in Edwardsville. Community members are invited to come out and support the work of CASA, or Court-Appointed Special Advocates. These volunteers advocate for kids in court and help judges make decisions in the best interest of the child.

ALTON – Alton officials voted 6-1 on Wednesday, April 9, 2026, to further delay proposed cuts to Alton’s share of Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau funding until 2027. On April 8, 2026, City Council members approved an amendment to a previously postponed resolution which would have slashed the amount Alton contributes to the Bureau’s funding by approximately 68% via ordinance. The approved amendment shifts the date of the vote from May 15, 2026 to April 12, 2027. Alderwoman

SWANSEA — Federal authorities alerted Swansea Police to a social media post containing terrorist threats targeting Swansea Police Department officers, prompting an investigation that led to the arrest of a 28-year-old man and a felony charge, police said. The FBI notified the Swansea Police Department about the threats, and the department’s Criminal Investigations Division began investigating and identified a suspect, according to information released by police. Detectives developed

ALTON/GODFREY - Oasis Women’s Center will host a trivia night fundraiser to build up essential services in the Riverbend community. On Saturday, April 25, 2026, community members can join Oasis at the Alton Wood River Sportsman’s Club in Godfrey for an evening of trivia, a 50/50 raffle, a silent auction and more. Oasis Executive Director Jenna Giess explained that proceeds go toward helping domestic violence survivors, and these services are as needed as ever. “The amount