Riverbender 🕸

ALTON - An Alton native is releasing his memoir. On Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, you can purchase your copy of “Mountains Within: A Life of Achievement, a Quest for Meaning, and the Mountain that Changed Everything” by Dr. Jack Groppel. Raised in Alton, Groppel is a world-renowned tennis coach, businessman and speaker. But his story is one of humility, faith and learning to foster relationships. “I’ve had this fairly outlandish career, and I’ve had people for

ALTON - The Hayner Public Library District has a busy January ahead. Executive Director Mary Cordes noted that the library is eager to jump back into the swing of things and host several exciting events and programs over the next few weeks. All of their events are free to attend and promise plenty of fun for patrons of all ages. “It is a busy season. The holidays are over and everybody’s back,” Cordes said. “That just means we’re offering really good things.”

GRANITE CITY - Sydney Houston emerged as a key player for Granite City High School’s girls golf team during the fall 2025 season, demonstrating consistent performance and skill on the course. The senior golfer, recognized as the Stillwater Senior Living Female Athlete of the Month, is praised by coach Ginger Harrison for her strong drives and strategic play. Harrison described Houston as a "consistent player" who averaged drives of about 200 to 215 yards. “She was a smart player

GRANITE CITY – Granite City Elks Lodge #1063 recognized Granite City High School seniors Toby Clements and Lily Meyenburg as Students of the Month for December The Elks Student of the Month Program is designed to recognize outstanding young men and women for achievements in school and community life-fine arts, hobbies, athletics, church, school, club and community service, industry and farming. Nominees are judged on multiple achievements including leadership skills, good moral character,

BELLEVILLE – Belleville officials are moving forward with $2.5 million worth of street maintenance over the next fiscal year, while tabling a joint funding agreement with IDOT to construct a roundabout amid maintenance concerns. Belleville City Council members unanimously approved a Resolution for Maintenance Under the Illinois Highway Code with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 in the amount of $2,546,098.50 with no further discussion. Under th

SHILOH — The Shiloh Police Department is seeking public assistance in locating 30-year-old Sahab Bashir, who was reported missing on Monday, Dec. 9, 2026. According to police, Bashir left her residence on foot around noon on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2025, and has not been seen since. Authorities noted that she is known to frequent the Washington Park, Illinois, area. Bashir is described as 5-foot-5 and weighing 235 pounds. At the time she was last seen, she was wearing a cheetah print shirt and

ALTON — Marquette Catholic’s Chase Jones scored 33 points to lead the Explorers to a 67-64 overtime victory over No. 9-ranked Columbia on Dec. 29, 2025, during the Columbia-Freeburg Holiday Tournament. The win marked Marquette Catholic’s 11th of the season under head coach Steve Medford. Jones, a sophomore, was named to the All-Tournament team alongside teammates Carson Jones and Cam Golike. Additionally, Chase Jones was recognized as Tucker’s Automotive Repair & Tire Mal

GODFREY — The Godfrey Fire Protection District welcomed a new member on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, adding Probationary Firefighter John Kloss to its team. Kloss, who joined the department on his first day, comes from Gillespie ambulance service. He is a resident of the village, married, and has one daughter with another child expected soon. Kloss has been assigned to Shift 2 and is scheduled to begin training at the Illinois Fire Service Institute Fire Academy in March.

COLLINSVILLE/O’FALLON - The Collinsville and O’Fallon communities have rallied to show their support for Terrie “Tracy” Nguyen, a nail salon owner who was murdered on Dec. 27, 2025. Nguyen owned and operated Magic Nails in Collinsville. Visitation will be held from 1–5 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, at Lake View Funeral Home in Fairview Heights, followed by a religious ceremony until 8 p.m. Another religious ceremony is planned from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Jan.

January 6th is a date steeped in remarkable events that have shaped history across the globe. Moving back in time, on this day in 1838, Samuel Morse demonstrated the practicality of the telegraph for long-distance communication. This invention revolutionized how information was transmitted, shrinking the world in ways previously unimaginable. The telegraph laid the groundwork for the communication technologies we rely on today, from telephones to the internet, forever changing commerce, journalism,

This morning starts off chilly with clouds blanketing the sky and temperatures near 31 degrees. As the day progresses, skies will clear occasionally with intermittent clouds giving way to some sunshine by afternoon. The high temperature will reach 56 degrees, but a brisk west wind gusting up to 26 mph will keep it feeling cooler. Evening brings clear skies and colder air moving in with temperatures dropping again. Overnight, look for clear and crisp conditions with a low near 31 degrees, with light

WOOD RIVER – Wood River City Council members passed multiple items at Monday’s meeting to fund the latest phase of the Edwardsville Road Water Line Improvement Project. Public Services Director Michael Velloff said the scope of the project’s third phase includes improving the water main from Whitelaw Avenue to 3rd Street. The current 4-inch cast iron water main will be replaced by a 12-inch PVC water main, with Velloff estimating a completion date of around June 30, 2026.

EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville High School’s Marching Tigers traveled to London over winter break to perform in the London New Year’s Day Parade, showcasing their talents on an international stage. The trip, which took place during the holiday break, included visits to several historic sites across the city. Band directors Ryan Lipscomb and Dean Anderson led the group, which spent months preparing for the prestigious event. Victoria Voumard, Edwardsville High School’s

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is urging residents to take precautions against the spread of influenza (flu) and other seasonal respiratory illnesses, as rates continue to climb across the state. Flu activity in the state has climbed to “Very High” in recent days, the most severe of five categories of respiratory illness activity, as defined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In addition, COVID-19 rates have climbed

PIASA - Southwestern senior Bram Buettel has distinguished himself both on the soccer field and in cross country, while maintaining strong academic performance, according to Coach Steve Mitchell. Buettel, a senior and team captain, played a versatile role in soccer, serving as a center midfielder and contributing both offensively and defensively. He is an Altonized Community Federal Credit Union Male Athlete of the Month for the Piasa Birds. Coach Mitchell described him as "a good athlete and

ALTON - Karen Crites, a teacher at St. Mary’s Catholic School, was recently named the Most Inspirational Teacher in the Riverbend. The Boys and Girls Club of Alton hosted their annual Boots ‘n Bandanas fundraiser in November and declared Crites the winner of this prestigious award. Crites teaches social studies at the middle school level at St. Mary’s. Crites said she was “very surprised” when she learned her colleagues had nominated her and “shocked”

PIASA - Southwestern High School’s girls volleyball team is looking ahead to the 2025 season with optimism, and one of the leaders next year will be junior outside hitter Briann Anderson and fellow outside hitter Vivian Zurheide. Anderson, standing 5-foot-9, also plays forward on the Piasa Birds girls basketball team. Briann is an Altonized Community Federal Credit Union Female Athlete of the Month. According to Southwestern girls volleyball coach Derek Dempsey, Anderson showed significant

EDWARDSVILLE - As the New Year begins, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville invites students to set goals and envision the next steps in their educational journeys. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville invites these individuals and their guests to add a campus visit to their calendars this spring. “Whether you are just beginning the college search process or have already narrowed your list to your top schools, visiting campus is one of the surest ways to help you decide if that

ALTON - St. Mary’s Catholic School will host an open house so families can learn more about the school and the education it provides. From 12–2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2025, community members are invited to St. Mary’s elementary school in Alton to meet with teachers, tour the classrooms, and learn more about the St. Mary’s community. Principal Mary Rivera looks forward to sharing information about the school with parents and prospective families. “It is

ROXANA — The Roxana Shells cheerleading squad secured fourth place in the Small Varsity Division at a competition held Saturday, earning a spot in the Illinois Cheerleading Coaches Association (ICCA) State Competition scheduled for January 2026 in Springfield. The Roxana girls are Midwest Members Credit Union Female Athletes of the Month. The Shells’ performance qualified them to join other top teams from the region, including Columbia, East Alton-Wood River, Farmington