Riverbender 🕸

Challenge Unlimited (CU), a national nonprofit headquartered in Alton, IL, is delighted to announce an innovative skills training program teaching people with all disabilities how to grow produce hydroponically. Challenge Unlimited is partnering with Theodora Farms , a produce farm headquartered in Godfrey, IL. Through this collaboration, CU participants are learning every detail involved with hydroponic farming including irrigation systems, plant nutrients, light cycles, cultivation

ST. LOUIS – The City of St. Louis has completed $2.4 million of improvements to Tuskegee Airmen Field in Tandy Park and held a rededication of the field. The field has newly-installed artificial turf - the only field of its kind in the city. Additional improvements to the field, next to Sumner High School, include a new track, bleachers, scoreboard, fencing, and an updated public address system. “The City of St. Louis, along with our Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Department, is

BELLEVILLE - Community members affected by suicide will gather Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, in Belleville for the annual Out of the Darkness Metro East Walk, a fundraising event supporting suicide prevention research, education, advocacy, and survivor support. Hosted by the Illinois Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, the walk will take place at The Square, 19 Public Square. Check-in, on-site activities and Honor Beads begin at 8:30 a.m., followed by the opening ceremony and

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation—today released the following statement after the U.S. Army released its report that detailed numerous systemic failures leading up to the deadly DCA mid-air collision between a commercial aircraft and a Blackhawk helicopter that claimed the lives of 67 people: “Ever since the tragic DCA midair collision stole 67 lives, the families of Flight

CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) announced today that the Restaurant Meals Program (RMP) has reached 50 participating restaurants in 16 counties, and that the state is expanding the program statewide. The program allows eligible Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) customers to purchase meals at participating restaurants using their Link card. The program provides access to prepared meals to over 400,000 households who may have difficulty purchasing

EDWARDSVILLE – When Howard Rambsy II, PhD, Distinguished Research Professor in Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's Department of English Language and Literature, began working at the university in 2003, Earleen Patterson, PhD, Associate Vice Chancellor and director of Student Opportunities for Academic Results (SOAR), invited him to make a brief visit to a class for first-year African American men and offer a few suggestions. That brief visit turned into more than 20 years of teaching,

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — Two women died and a juvenile passenger was injured in a three-vehicle crash Friday morning near Lucas and Hunt Road and Hord Avenue, according to St. Louis County Police. Detectives are investigating the crash, and its cause remains under investigation. Officers from the department’s City of Jennings Precinct responded at 7:23 a.m. Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, and found three vehicles involved. The St. Louis County Police said preliminary investigation indicates

GLEN CARBON — Father McGivney Catholic High School has earned the Illinois Purple Star School designation for its support of military-connected students and families, the school has announced. The designation recognizes schools that help students whose parents or guardians serve in the military by easing transitions, providing resources for families and preparing staff to understand military-connected children’s experiences. For Bobbie Madura, the school’s studen

ALTON - Alton Community Unit School District #11 students raised over $12,000 to help children undergoing cancer treatment. Over the past few weeks, Alton elementary school students and Mark Twain students were tasked with collecting change in yellow socks. All proceeds go to Kellsie’s Hope Foundation, a Maryville nonprofit that then donates the money toward childhood cancer research. "One of the things that makes our Redbird community so special is the way we come together,”

COLLINSVILLE - Hundreds of lineworkers from across North America will gather this October for the Safety and Training Conference, held ahead of the annual International Lineman's Rodeo in Overland Park, Kansas. Among those helping lead the event will be Chad Schimpf, an Ameren Illinois operations safety supervisor from Marion. Part of Schimpf's territory is in St. Clair County. A former lineworker with 20 years of field experience, Schimpf serves as facilitator and chair of the conference, considered

ALTON - Community members have a unique opportunity to connect with substance use resources at the upcoming Recovery Cafe event. From 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 20, 2026, Riverbend residents are invited to stop by OSF St. Anthony’s Health Center in Alton for Recovery Cafe, a resource fair and networking event. Sara Bennett, LCSW, explained that the goal is to bring people together for coffee, pastries, live music and resources. “It’s kind of like a substance

ST. LOUIS — Homicide detectives asked for the public’s help on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in identifying two additional people connected to the fatal shooting of a 23-year-old man during an apparent robbery attempt at St. Louis Fish and Chicken. The appeal from St. Louis Metropolitan Police follows the arrest of Tah’Jae Reed, 21, of St. Louis, in connection with the Sept. 4, 2026, death of Reginald Holmes of St. Louis County. District 6 officers responded to the restaurant

EDWARDSVILLE — Fewer fatal overdoses have not ended the toll of opioid addiction in Madison County, where Chairman Chris Slusser gathered emergency responders, health professionals, judges and recovery advocates Friday to examine the crisis and its effects on families, public safety and taxpayers. “This issue, I think, has touched everyone in Madison County,” Slusser said, calling the opioid crisis a top priority of his administration. The discussion included

GREENVILLE — Alton Mayor David Goins won a court ruling Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, allowing City Attorney Rodney Caffey and Planning and Development Director Greg Caffey to continue working until the case is resolved. Judge Christopher Bauer considered Goins’s original motion for a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) in the case of Goins vs. the City of Alton at the Bond County Courthouse in Greenville and ruled in the mayor’s favor on Oct 9, 2026. Both sides presented thei

BETHALTO - Civic Memorial senior Logan Kearbey finished third at the Triad Invitational on Sept. 30, 2026, then stayed at the finish line to help a competitor who had fallen with temperatures in the 90s — putting his Coach Jake Peal's constant emphasis on sportsmanship into practice. For his efforts that day and this season, Civic Memorial cross country runner Logan Kearbey is a Tom Lane State Farm Insurance Male Athlete Of The Month. Kearbey and race winner Lucas Wiegma

PONTOON BEACH - A new business is helping people make the most money on their precious metals at an upcoming event. Mark Nasello started 618 Precious Metals because he was “tired of the community getting ripped off” when people sold their jewelry and collectibles. His goal is to pay people what their items are worth. From 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 20 and 21, 2026, you can stop by the Fairfield by Marriott in Pontoon Beach to meet with Nasello and sell your precious metals onsite.

ALTON – While academic success and athletic accomplishments often earn recognition, it is character and compassion that truly define Alton High School junior Claire Delehanty. She is an Art Fahrner-Edward Jones AHS Remarkable Redbird of the Month. Known for her positive attitude, willingness to help others and ability to make those around her feel welcome, Claire has become a source of encouragement for many students at Alton High School. Her commitment to supporting others, particularly

ALTON — For 15 years, Senior Chaplain Marc Lane has offered spiritual guidance and emotional support to Alton police officers and their families. On Thursday, Oct. 8, the Alton Police Department recognized that service with a plaque. Lane was sworn in Jan. 26, 2011, as the department’s first police chaplain. His work has included supporting officers and their families through everyday challenges and difficult times. “Throughout those years, Chaplain Lane has been a constant

ALTON - Alton High School senior Lauren Conwell, whose service includes mentoring elementary students and volunteering at community events, has been named the school’s October Alton-Godfrey Rotary Student of the Month in recognition of her academic achievement, leadership, and community involvement. Conwell has maintained an A average while taking honors, Advanced Placement, and dual-credit courses, earning a place on the honor roll every semester. She has been inducted into the Nationa

ALTON — Isabella Tran, a Marquette Catholic High School student whose activities include tutoring classmates and creating murals for local organizations, was honored as one of the Alton-Godfrey Rotary Club's Students of the Month for October 2026. The recognition highlighted her leadership, creativity and commitment to serving others. Tran was honored at a regular club meeting at Gentelin’s on Broadway Restaurant in Alton, accompanied by her mother, MaiLan Le, and brother, Andrew