Riverbender 🕸

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered an opening statement at his and U.S. Senator Alex Padilla’s (D-CA) spotlight forum entitled “Protecting the Future of American Democracy: Fighting a Surge in Voter Suppression.” Today’s spotlight forum examined the recent surge in voter suppression by Republican state legislatures and the Trump Administration, ranging from attempts to purge voter rolls to the push to invalidate the results of the 2024 North Carolina State Supreme Court election through targeted disenfranchisement of voters after they had cast their ballots. Today’s spotlight forum comes after Durbin and U.S. Senator Reverand Raphael Warnock (D-GA) led all Senate Democrats in reintroducing the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act , legislation that would update and restore critical safeguards of the original Voting Rights Act . Key quotes: “

Continue Reading

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MO. — Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey announced that a grand jury on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, has returned a felony indictment against St. Louis County Executive Sam Page, charging him with two counts of election law violations and a count of stealing $25,000 or more and one count of stealing $750 or more. “I conducted this investigation into Sam Page’s alleged misuse of public funds because the people of St. Louis County deserve accountability, not corruption,” said Bailey. “Public officials must follow the law, and my Office will work to ensure that they always do.” The Missouri attorney general issued this statement: "The charges stem from allegations of Page’s deliberate misuse of public resources to oppose Proposition B, a local ballot initiative presented to voters on April 8, 2025. The allegations include that Page purposely expended more than $35,000 in county funds to produce and distribute over 50,000

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE - Gillian Trover, a compassionate nursing student at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, is preparing for a medical mission trip to Costa Rica aimed at providing healthcare to underserved communities. The trip, organized through her School of Nursing, is scheduled to take place in the near future, with Trover and her fellow students offering basic medical care, health education, and emotional support to individuals who often lack regular access to healthcare. Trover described nursing as a calling rooted in compassion and service. “Nursing isn’t just a career for me — it’s a calling,” she said. The mission trip will allow her to treat patients with limited healthcare options, teach basic health practices, and learn cultural humility, all while gaining hands-on experience that will shape her future nursing career. The total cost of the trip is $3,625, covering flights, transportation, lodging, meals, program fees, and travel insurance.

Continue Reading

JERSEYVILLE – The City of Jerseyville announced a series of storm recovery measures are being taken as residents deal with major flooding following heavy rains in the area. In a Storm Recovery Announcement on the city website, Jerseyville officials list several new developments concerning flood and storm waste disposal, as well as methods to report damage, sewer problems, and other infrastructural issues. The city is also opening “cooling centers” amid high temperatures and extreme heat. “The heavy rains the area received in the early morning hours of Sunday, July 27, have had a devastating impact on many people living in and around our community,” city officials announced. “The City is dedicated to helping our community recover from the storm as quickly as possible. Your safety is, and will remain, our top priority as clean-up and repairs continue over the coming days.” The following cooling centers remain open today, Wednesday,

Continue Reading

O’FALLON, IL. – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that daily lane closures will be in place in both directions of Interstate 64 between Green Mount Road and Illinois 158 in St. Clair County beginning, weather permitting, Saturday, Aug. 2, for roadway improvements. Traffic will be reduced to two lanes in each direction. All westbound lanes will be open Monday through Friday from 6 to 9 a.m. All eastbound lanes will be open Monday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m. Motorists should expect delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes during this closure. Drivers are urged to reduce speed, be alert for changing conditions, obey all construction signage, and refrain from using mobile devices while approaching and traveling through the work zone. The project is expected to be completed by summer 2027. Over the next six years , IDOT is planning to improve more than 3,200 miles of highway and nearly 9 million square feet of bridge dec

Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, D.C. - No two veterans have the same experience during service or during their transition to civilian life. But there is one common thread: the duty we have as Americans and especially as Members of Congress to support them when they come home. When I first convened my Women Veterans Advisory Council last year, I was shocked by the members’ honesty. We had a raw and difficult conversation about a range of topics including adjusting to civilian life after years of active duty, dealing with PTSD, and living as a survivor of military sexual trauma (MST). In retrospect, their strength was unsurprising; after all, this was a group of brave, bold women who have dedicated themselves to advocating for the veteran community just as they dedicated themselves to serving our country. With these women so driven to make their voices heard, the question quickly became: how do we channel their lived experiences into real change? I had my mission. As a member of the House

Continue Reading

TROY - The City of Troy’s first responders will connect with the community at their National Night Out event. From 6–8 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025, community members can stop by Tri-Township Park for National Night Out. Hosted by the Troy/Maryville/St. Jacob/Marine Chamber of Commerce, the event encourages community members to engage with first responders and enjoy a touch-a-truck, K9 demonstrations, bounce houses and more. “It’s to celebrate first responders and to let people get up and close with them,” explained Dawn Mushill, president of the Chamber of Commerce. The touch-a-truck will feature police cars, a SWAT vehicle, trash truck, tractor, dump truck, tow truck, racecar and more. At 6:30 p.m., a medical helicopter will land at the park. This will be followed by a K9 demonstration by the Illinois State Police at 7 p.m. Kids and families can check out “Photo Op with a Cop” and get to know the Troy Police Department. They

Continue Reading

CHICAGO — A spur-of-the-moment decision turned into a life-changing windfall for an Illinois Lottery player who won a cool $1 million on a $10 scratch-off ticket. “I was planning to buy a different scratch-off game,” said the lucky winner, who chose to remain anonymous under the nickname Wishing Fish . “But as I looked over the other options, this ticket stood out. It was as if my vision blocked out all the other tickets—this one was meant to be.” The winning scratch-off ticket, Ultimate Bonus Payout, was purchased at Jewel-Osco, located at 696 Northwest Hwy in Cary. As a reward for selling the winning ticket, the store will receive a $10,000 bonus—1% of the prize amount. The newly-minted millionaire recalled the unforgettable moment she realized she had won: “I was at home eating a chocolate bar with the song Money by Pink Floyd playing in the background. I scratched the last symbol and immediately FaceTimed my son, repeating

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE — Yummy Donut Palace, a popular local bakery at 443 S. Buchanan Street, Edwardsville, IL, has remained closed since a fire in December 2024, with owner Akara Thap unable to resume operations due to an unresolved insurance claim involving a commercial fryer essential to the business. The fire forced the closure of the small business, and Thap has not received any income since. Thap said a new fryer, purchased shortly before the fire, is currently tied up in the insurance claim process, with no clear timeline for resolution. The cost to replace the fryer could be as high as $6,000, depending on the model. Josh Chavez, a community member, has launched a GoFundMe campaign to assist Thap in purchasing a new fryer. Chavez is collaborating with another local business owner, Emily Elliot, to raise funds. “The fact that such a necessary item is being withheld from them is deeply disturbing,” Chavez said in a message accompanying the fundraising effort. He encouraged

Continue Reading

SPRINGFIELD - Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is launching a statewide advocacy campaign aimed at preventing insurance companies from using socio-economic data – such as credit scores, zip codes and age – to charge Illinoisans higher auto insurance rates. As part of his “Driving Change” campaign, Giannoulias is seeking input from Illinoisans, asking them to share their stories about unfair and discriminatory ratemaking practices employed by auto insurance companies. Giannoulias launched the campaign today in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood, joined by supporters including AARP Illinois and legislative sponsors State Senator Ram Villivalam (8th District – Chicago) and State Representative Rita Mayfield (60th District – Waukegan). “As Secretary of State, I strongly believe that an individual’s driving record should serve as the primary factor that’s analyzed when setting auto insurance rates,” Giannoulias

Continue Reading

SPRINGFIELD – The Amateur Trapshooting Association’s (ATA) Grand American championships , one of the premier events in shooting sports, returns to the World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta July 30 through Aug. 9. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ (IDNR) 1,600-acre World Shooting and Recreational Complex has hosted the Grand American since 2006. The largest and oldest shooting event of its kind, the event features more than 20 events and attracts more than 5,000 competitors and spectators from across the globe annually. The Grand has an estimated economic impact of $25 million to $30 million annually in southern Illinois. “We’re thrilled to welcome competitors, spectators, vendors and sponsors for the Grand American once again at the World Shooting and Recreational Complex,” said IDNR Director Natalie Phelps Finnie. “Hosting the Grand brings an economic boost to the region, increases exposure to trapshooting, and offers

Continue Reading

To the Editor: I am writing as a concerned resident of the 1st Ward regarding the persistent lack of support for our community’s youth by both our alderman and the Alton Park and Recreation Department. Year after year, we see budget allocations fall short — especially for parks and programs aimed at helping inner-city kids. These children deserve safe spaces to play, learn, and grow, yet time and again, promises are made and resources are not delivered. There is a glaring lack of after-school and summer activities in our area. Our parks have outdated equipment and neglected grounds, and too often I see kids with nowhere to go and nothing productive to do. For a city that claims to care about its future, the inaction is unacceptable. It is the responsibility of our ward’s representative to advocate for our neighborhood and fight for the resources our children need. We need someone who both listens to residents and takes tangible, visible steps to improve ou

Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) met with Illinois members of the American Federation of Teachers to discuss how we can better support our state’s schools as the Trump Administration works to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, including by slashing its funding and reducing its workforce by nearly half. The U.S. Department of Education provides funding to help meet the needs of 4,000 K-12 schools and over 2 million K-12 students in Illinois, including resources needed to support students with disabilities and low-income students throughout the state. Photos from the meeting are available on Senator Duckworth’s website . “By working to shutter the Education Department, Donald Trump is turning his back on tens of millions of students and middle-class families across the country,” said Duckworth. “Our children deserve a quality education—regardless of their zip code, disability status or family’s income. We

Continue Reading

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Reverand Raphael Warnock (D-GA), along with U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and all other Senate Democrats, today reintroduced the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act , legislation that would update and restore critical safeguards of the original Voting Rights Act . This legislation is especially relevant in Texas where, following historic disapproval of Congressional Republicans’ tax bill, Texas state lawmakers are looking to add five additional Republicans. The move comes in direct response to President Trump’s fears that voters may flip the House in the 2026 midterms. “There is no freedom more fundamental than the right to vote. But between the Trump Administration’s executive order on voter registration and state legislatures gerrymandering districts, there

Continue Reading

TROY - Riverbend residents are invited to downtown Troy for their First Friday event. From 5–8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, the Troy community will welcome acoustic duo Lanny and Julie, several food trucks, and countless residents to come out and enjoy the evening. Dawn Mushill, president of the Troy/Maryville/St. Jacob/Marine Chamber of Commerce, promises a great night. “We have some fun coming up,” Mushill said. “Get some food and bring a lawn chair.” The Troy/Maryville/St. Jacob/Marine Chamber of Commerce has hosted two First Friday events so far this year and will conclude the series in September. Mushill looks forward to sharing another event with the community. All of the local businesses will be open, including The Happy Elephant, Salt Wellness, Rose MedSpa, Red Door Cottage, No Restrictions Tattoos and Mokka Bon. You can grab food and drinks from The Happy Elephant, the Troy VFW, The Buzzed Bee, Time Out, Kokomo Joe’s, and Wine

Continue Reading

COLLINSVILLE - Last Friday, July 25, 2025, the Collinsville Police Department concluded the 2025 session of its Youth Academy, providing cadets with an introduction to various law enforcement career paths and aspects of the profession. The program, held in Collinsville, Illinois, included physical training and team-building exercises designed to give participants a comprehensive experience. The Collinsville Police Department expressed gratitude to the numerous agencies and officers who contributed to the academy. The group included the Madison County Jail, retired Troy Police Department Officer Coyne, the Illinois State Police Airwing Unit, the Belleville Police Department Crime Scene Unit, and the Collinsville Fire Department, among others. "These collaborations aimed to offer cadets a broad perspective on public safety careers," the Collinsville Police Department said in a statement.

Continue Reading

SWANSEA - Swansea Police Officer Daniel Voelker received a Certificate of Recognition from Village Trustee Natalie Jablonski recently for his leadership in organizing the inaugural Swansea Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Charity Golf Tournament earlier this summer. The golf tournament event raised significant funds that were donated to several local organizations. The donations benefited the Tyler Timmons Foundation, which supports Fairview Heights Police officers injured earlier this year; the Illinois State Police Team Illinois Youth Camp; Brett’s First Responders; and the Swansea Fire Department Safety Training Program. Fairview Heights Trustee Natalie Jablonski expressed gratitude for Voelker’s efforts and the impact of the FOP’s contributions. “We are extremely grateful for your efforts and proud of the assistance the FOP has provided to these amazing organizations in our community,” she said. The FOP Charity Golf Tournament marked the first

Continue Reading

GRAFTON – One man’s mission to sail the 6,000 mile Great Loop in record time has taken him from Florida to New York City and beyond – including a recent stop in the Riverbend region. Austin, Texas native Robert Youens is attempting to set the new solo speed record in a jon boat normally designed for duck hunting in bayous. Since his July 12, 2025 departure from Pensacola, Fla., he’s been cheered on by a growing number of supporters from around the country – both in-person and on his Facebook page , where followers express their support under each new post updating them on his progress. Youens stopped in Grafton on Monday, July 28, 2025, for a trip to the Grafton Oyster Bar and to take shelter at a local residence. He told his followers there was a “rocking party at the Grafton Oyster Bar upon arrival,” remarking the night before: “I'm going to bed in a beautiful home in Grafton.” Following an overnight stay,

Continue Reading

WOOD RIVER - Adyson Bunt of East Alton-Wood River High School is being recognized for her dedication and leadership in cheerleading as she prepares to enter her senior year. Adyson is a Midwest Members Credit Union Female Athlete of the Month for the Oilers. Bunt, who has been cheering for six years, credits her success to her commitment to the sport and her ability to motivate her teammates. “I would like to thank my teammates for always supporting and motivating me to gain new skills,” she said. Under the guidance of Coach Alison Beachum, Bunt has developed qualities that have contributed to this recognition. What Bunt appreciates most about cheerleading is the strong bond shared among team members. She explained that her involvement in the sport has taught her valuable lessons in collaboration and the importance of having heart. These experiences have contributed to her personal growth throughout high school. Outside of cheer, Bunt enjoys spending time with family

Continue Reading

MONROE COUNTY — Emergency responders rushed to a rural Monroe County neighborhood Monday afternoon, July 28, 2025, after a one-year-old child was found unresponsive in a swimming pool, authorities said. At approximately 3:32 p.m. on July 28, 2025, Monroe County Sheriff’s Deputies, Monroe County EMS, and the Waterloo Police Department were dispatched to the Country Lake Subdivision following a report of the child’s drowning. While en route, dispatchers informed officers that the child’s family had placed the infant in a vehicle and was driving toward town to meet emergency medical services. Within two minutes of dispatch, officers located the vehicle in the 500 block of East 4th Street in Waterloo and immediately removed the child. Deputies and police officers began administering CPR and applied an automated external defibrillator. The child briefly showed signs of possible responsiveness and expelled what appeared to be water during the rescue efforts. Life-saving

Continue Reading