Riverbender 🕸

CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) announced today that 24 more professions are now available for licensure via the Department’s new online licensing system, CORE (Comprehensive Online Regulatory Environment). Today’s announcement marks the successful completion of CORE’s Phase 2.3, with the final part of Phase 2 set for completion this summer. The Department will announce when Phase 2 is completed, including which professions are added to CORE. Phase 2 focuses on adding license types to CORE that are currently exclusively available as paper applications and not through IDFPR’s legacy online licensing system , which will eliminate the need of paper applications altogether (which require longer processing times to review all submitted materials). Individuals seeking their first license and whose professions are now available on CORE should utilize IDFPR’s new licensing system to apply for licensure

Continue Reading

ALTON - Two upcoming vigils will honor those lost to drug overdose and suicide. From 4–8 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, community members are invited to Russell Common Park in Alton for the second annual Drug Overdose Awareness Day Candlelight Vigil. This will be followed by the first annual Suicide Awareness Candlelight Vigil at 4 p.m. on Sept. 13, 2025, at the park. Both events are hosted by Foster’s Light in the Dark, a local nonprofit that aims to spread awareness about recovery. “We’ve been there,” said Christina Foster, who founded the organization. “It’s by the grace of God that any of us made it out of addiction alive and in recovery. We can’t forget where we came from. We help others. Every eight minutes, an addict will die in the United States from a drug overdose, and that is just sad…If they show up to our event, they will know how to get help.” In addition to the candlelight vigil and dove release b

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE - Crews have installed a new bridge deck on Center Grove Road as part of an ongoing replacement project east of Esic Drive in Edwardsville, officials said. The construction, which involves replacing a 35-year-old bridge over the Nickel Plate Trail, is progressing well and remains on schedule for completion before mid-August 2025, before the start of the school year. Edwardsville High School, Metro East Lutheran High School, and multiple businesses are located close to the bridge work, which makes it even more important to be completed by that deadline. Keller Construction crews are working six to seven days a week to advance the project despite weather challenges. The trail beneath the bridge will be intermittently closed for safety but will remain open at times for public use. The section of Center Grove Road east of Esic Drive, just past Edwardsville Township Park, is currently closed to all traffic while work continues. The City of Edwardsville advised drivers to

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE - Fifth Avenue in Edwardsville will be closed starting Thursday, July 17, 2025, for up to two weeks to accommodate utility work by Ameren Illinois, city officials announced Tuesday, July 15, 2025. City officials said the closure will affect a section of Fifth Avenue adjacent to an alley west of Troy Road in Edwardsville. Ameren Illinois crews will conduct a pipeline inspection that involves excavation, pipeline repairs, and road restoration in that area. Officials said all homes and businesses west of the closure, including the Glen-Ed Pantry at 125 Fifth Avenue, will remain accessible via alternate routes such as streets north of Fifth Avenue and Longfellow and Bryant avenues. The road is expected to reopen once Ameren completes the necessary work, which could take up to two weeks.

Continue Reading

WOOD RIVER - Riverbend Family Ministries will host a golf tournament to raise money for their work. On Friday, July 25, 2025, community members are invited to Belk Park Golf Course in Wood River to play golf and support RFM. Tammy Iskarous, the executive director of RFM, looks forward to sharing RFM’s mission with the community while encouraging their support. “It takes all of us to help an individual,” Iskarous said. “Through their partnership, their donations, their involvement in some of the different fundraisers that we do, it allows us to do the work.” Registration and lunch start at 12 p.m. on July 25, followed by the four-person scramble shotgun start at 1 p.m. Dinner will follow. RFM is still looking to fill a few team spots, as well as a couple of sponsorships. For more information about how to sponsor or sign up as a golfer, click here . Located at 144 E. Ferguson Avenue in Wood River, RFM houses several nonprofits under one roof,

Continue Reading

MARYVILLE, Ill. — The Maryville Police Department reported one impaired driving arrest and 16 seatbelt citations during the Fourth of July enforcement campaign that ran from June 20 through July 7, 2025. The department participated in the statewide effort alongside 200 other local and state law enforcement agencies. The campaign, which included the “Drive Sober Or Get Pulled Over,” “Drive High Get a DUI,” and “Click It or Ticket” initiatives, aimed to remove impaired drivers from the roads and promote seatbelt use. In addition to the impaired driving arrest, Maryville officers issued 13 speeding citations, six distracted driving citations, five other citations, and made one warrant arrest. The Illinois Department of Transportation supported the campaign by providing federal traffic safety funds. Law enforcement agencies across the state collaborated to enhance road safety during the holiday period.

Continue Reading

EAST ST. LOUIS - East St. Louis officials say the city is no longer among the most dangerous cities in the country, reflecting a decline in crime amid ongoing challenges faced by other U.S. cities grappling with violent offenses. The East St. Louis Police Department issued a statement expressing gratitude for the crime decrease in the city: "We want to thank our dedicated and hardworking officers. We want to thank the outstanding assistance we receive from outside agencies." The Illinois State Police have also played a role in the crime decrease in East St. Louis with a partnership with the city police. A recent analysis of crime data highlights the 10 most dangerous cities in the United States, ranked by homicide rates and other violent crimes. Explore USA released a list that ranked St. Louis, Mo., top of the list with a homicide rate of 66 per 100,000 residents, followed by Memphis, Tenn., and Baltimore, MD.. Other cities in the top 10 include Detroit, Mich.; Little Rock,

Continue Reading

MARYVILLE/GRANITE CITY/BELLEVILLE - Chestnut Health Systems will offer free virtual NARCAN training. At 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Thursday, July 17, 2025, community members can attend a virtual training over Zoom where they will learn how to access and administer NARCAN. NARCAN, also known as Naloxone, is a nasal spray that can reverse an opioid overdose. Chestnut Health Systems offers free virtual NARCAN training every third Thursday of the month. Hosted over Zoom, you can attend without leaving your home. You can also attend anonymously if desired. The training will cover when to use NARCAN, how to recognize the signs of an overdose, and how to administer the medication. Opioids like heroin, fentanyl and prescription medications can be deadly. NARCAN blocks opioid receptors in the brain and reverses an overdose, which can be life-saving. NARCAN is available over the counter at pharmacies and for free at certain organizations. For more information about the free virtual NARCA

Continue Reading

GLEN CARBON – State Representative Amy Elik is offering a FREE Shred Day in Glen Carbon! Paper documents will be accepted for safe and secure destruction. Cardboard boxes used to transport documents will be returned to each person. The shredding company will accept a maximum of two bankers’ boxes per person. “I’m pleased to bring this free event to Glen Carbon,” Rep. Elik stated. “I hope that residents will take this opportunity to get rid of some documents you’ve been holding on to that need secure disposal. See you in Glen Carbon!” Event details are as follows: Saturday, July 26, 2025 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Glen Carbon Village Hall 151 N Main Street, Glen Carbon To participate, simply drive to the location where staff will be there to assist. Questions can be directed to Rep. Elik’s office at elik@ilhousegop.org or 618-433-8046.

Continue Reading

ALTON - As Alton prepares for the Alton Midwest Nationals F1 Powerboat Championship, Event Boat Patrol Lead Mike Farmer shares his insights on powerboat racing. Farmer, a local powerboat racing expert, is excited to welcome the community to the event. He looks forward to hosting the championship in Alton for the next several years. “I hope everybody comes and enjoys the show,” he said. “We want to put on a good enough show that they can’t wait to get back here next year. There’s a three-year contract, and we want it to grow and grow and grow. It would be awesome if we filled every hotel in the area and restaurants all boomed and everybody had a good time at the races. That would be a great weekend.” Farmer has been following powerboat racing since he was a child. His father introduced him to the sport and started a family boat repair business, where Farmer would help out. Powerboat racing is a family sport for Farmer and many of the

Continue Reading

SPRINGFIELD - For the second year in a row, Comptroller Susana A. Mendoza is taking advantage of a law she sought allowing her office to pre-pay state pensions when state fund balances are strong. “I believe in the adage that time in the market beats timing the market. We know from last year that these pre-payments work. With more money in their investment portfolios for a longer time, the pension systems saw assets increase,” Mendoza said. “Sound budgeting and solid revenues allow the state to again implement this cash management tool.” Until last year, the Illinois Office of Comptroller could make just one payment to the pension systems each month. Mendoza worked to change the law so the systems’ assets could take advantage of more time to potentially lead to greater market returns. Following reported year-over-year growth in the state’s General Funds base revenues of $1.4 billion, with the General Revenue Fund ending June with almost $1.9 billion

Continue Reading

CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a coalition of 25 states and attorneys general, today announced a lawsuit against the Trump administration over its unconstitutional, unlawful and arbitrary decision to freeze billions of dollars that funds six longstanding education grants just weeks before the start of the school year. “With the start of the school year only a month away for many Illinois students, the Trump administration’s illegal funding freeze is wreaking havoc on school budgets, suspending programs and causing stress and anxiety for families who depend on them,” Raoul said. “I will continue to stand with other attorneys general against the president’s unlawful and arbitrary actions that threaten the separation of powers as well as the rule of law.” In their lawsuit , Raoul and the coalition argue that the Trump administration’s actions violate federal funding statutes, including the Anti-deficiency Act,

Continue Reading

Did you know that the first recorded lemonade stand in the United States dates back to the early 1900s and became a popular way for children to learn about entrepreneurship and money management? Building a lemonade stand with kids isn’t just a fun activity—it’s an opportunity to foster creativity, responsibility, and practical skills. This article explores how to make your own lemonade stand with children, providing a step-by-step guide that balances fun with learning. Planning the Lemonade Stand: Setting the Foundation Before gathering supplies and mixing lemonade, having a clear plan is essential. Engaging kids in the planning process encourages ownership and decision-making. Choosing a Location The success of a lemonade stand often depends on its location. Encourage children to think about high-traffic areas such as neighborhood parks, community events, or near playgrounds. Safe locations with good visibility and foot traffic can increase sales potential. Designi

Continue Reading

July 15th has been a day marked by groundbreaking achievements, significant political events, and cultural milestones that have shaped the course of history around the world. Going back in time, on July 15, 1099, during the First Crusade, Christian forces captured Jerusalem after a protracted siege. This event was pivotal in medieval history, influencing religious and political dynamics in the region for centuries. The capture of Jerusalem was significant not only as a military victory but also for its profound impact on Christian, Muslim, and Jewish communities. It set the stage for centuries of conflict and cultural exchange in the Holy Land, shaping the geopolitical realities of the Middle East well into the modern era. Fast forward to July 15, 1799, when French soldiers in Egypt discovered the Rosetta Stone near the town of Rashid (Rosetta). This artifact became the key to deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphs, unlocking vast knowledge about ancient Egyptian civilization that had bee

Continue Reading

EAST ALTON — The East Alton Police Department responded to a vehicle burglary late Monday night, July 14, 2025, into early Tuesday morning, July 15, 2025, and shortly afterward received a report of a stolen vehicle from Valley Drive. As officers arrived to investigate the stolen vehicle call, they spotted the vehicle leaving the area and attempted to stop it. The vehicle fled, prompting a brief pursuit that ended at West St. Louis Avenue and Haynes Street, where the two occupants abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot. One suspect was quickly apprehended, while the other escaped by running along nearby train tracks. East Alton Police Chief Scott Golike confirmed the vehicle burglary and stolen vehicle incident appear connected. He said one of the suspects was wanted on a felony warrant and is in custody, and the other is at large at this time, but the police department is still investigating. Multiple police departments assisted in setting a perimeter around the area. A

Continue Reading

BELLEVILLE – Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced a Belleville, Illinois man was sentenced to 14 years in prison for possessing child sexual abuse material. The case is part of Raoul’s ongoing work, in collaboration with federal law enforcement agencies and local law enforcement officials throughout Illinois, to apprehend offenders who download and trade child sexual abuse material online. Joshua Gallant, 43, was sentenced today by St. Clair County Circuit Court Judge Zina Cruse after pleading guilty to two counts of possession of child pornography, Class 2 felonies. “This sentence represents justice for the innocent children and their families victimized by online exploitation,” Raoul said. “My office will continue to collaborate with law enforcement agencies to protect Illinois children by identifying and holding offenders who prey on them accountable.” Raoul’s investigators, along with officers from the Belleville Police Department,

Continue Reading

BELLEVILLE — The St. Clair County State's Attorney's Office has declined to file charges in a fatal shooting that occurred early Sunday morning, July 13, 2025, on North 40th Street. The St. Clair County Coroner's Office has identified the man who died of a gunshot as 50-year-old Monzelle Mason. At approximately 1 a.m. on July 13, 2025, officers responded to a report of a gunshot victim in the 500 block of North 40th Street. Upon arrival, they found an unresponsive adult male with multiple gunshot wounds. Despite life-saving efforts by officers and EMS personnel, the man was pronounced dead at the scene. According to the police investigation, Mason allegedly produced a firearm and threatened a 25-year-old woman who was inside a vehicle. The woman, who was also armed, discharged her firearm, striking Mason. Belleville detectives and the Crime Scene Unit conducted interviews and collected evidence. No additional suspects are being sought, and Belleville Police said the

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE - Alex Suhre, as a swimmer for the Paddlers Swim Club in Granite City, has enjoyed an outstanding season for the Pirates as she competed in a dual meet for the club against Montclaire Swim Club in Edwardsville on July 10, 2025. Suhre competed in two individual events – the 100-yard freestyle and 100-yard breaststroke – as well as two relay races, and felt she performed well in all of her events, with the Southwestern Illinois Swimming Association championship meet set to take place July 20 at the Summers-Port Swim Club in Godfrey. The Pirates' Suhre won the 100-meter freestyle in a time of 1:04.87 against Montclaire Swim Club. Alex is a Stillwater Senior Living Female Athlete of the Month for Granite City. During an interview conducted during a break in the action, Suhre expressed confidence that she had swum well in her events to that point. “Yes, I am looking forward to the SWISA Championships,” Suhre said. “It sounds fun and I think

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE - Beau Roberts, a 15-year-old swimmer for the Paddlers Swim Club in Granite City, enjoyed an excellent dual meet for the Pirates against Montclaire Swim Club in Edwardsville on July 10, 2025, and seems to peaking at the right time for the Southwestern Illinois Swimming Association championship meet, to be held July 20, 2025, at Summers-Port Swim Club in Godfrey. Roberts is a relay specialist who swims anchors in the freestyle legs of the medley relays for the Pirates, as well as in the freestyle relays, and usually does better in the relay races than in individual races. During an interview held during a break in the meet, he felt he was swimming well. Beau is a Stillwater Senior Living Male Athlete of the Month for Granite City. Roberts, as mentioned, is a relay specialist who swims the anchor legs of the medley relay races, as well as swims in the freestyle relays. “I do well at those relays,” Roberts said. “I do better in the relay than I

Continue Reading

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) spoke with KMOV about the status of education funding for Metro East schools. On May 30, Budzinski headlined a town hall at East St. Louis High School to call out the Trump Administration for withholding $19 million in funds for critical air conditioning and heating upgrades for the school district. While the funds were encouragingly released on July 8, the Administration continues to withhold $218 million in Congressionally approved education funds from Illinois. “This was actually scrutinized, reviewed, and approved. It is now, then, not up to another branch of government to decide whether or not to cut the check. “What we don’t need are further dramatic cuts in the public education system. We need to make sure that we are fulfilling our commitments to our children.” In addition to the HVAC funding, last week Budzinski sent a letter alongside 150 House Democrats to Education

Continue Reading