Riverbender 🕸

MARYVILLE, IL. — Gabby Wood, a registered nurse at Anderson Hospital’s Pavilion for Women obstetrics unit, was honored Jan. 23, 2026, with The DAISY Award® for Extraordinary Nurses. The award, presented by the DAISY Foundation, recognizes nurses for their exceptional care and dedication. Wood received the award following a nomination from a patient who described her as calm, reassuring and attentive during two separate pregnancy-related hospital visits. The patient recounted that

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) testified before the House Rules Committee, underscoring the need for Congress to allow year-round, nationwide sale of gasoline blended with up to 15 percent ethanol, also known as E15. Her testimony follows House Republican leadership’s decision to drop the policy from the funding bill after a bipartisan compromise deal had been reached. “We had a deal – a real compromise – yet House Republicans couldn’t

SPRINGFIELD – Land of Lincoln Honor Flight is accepting applications from World War II, Korean era and Vietnam era veterans for the 2026 flying season. Veterans who served any time between 1942 and May 7, 1975 – regardless of their duty assignment or where they were assigned for duty – are eligible to participate on an Honor Flight. These veterans are all heroes and deserve the experience of a day of gratitude as we visit the memorials in Washington, D.C. dedicated to their

GODFREY - "Let me tell you 'bout a place up on Godfrey Road a way Where the kids love it they say Dancin’ the time away Here they have a lot of fun Puttin' trouble on the run Ah, you find they’re learnin’ young Dancin’ the time away" — Sam Cook And where will you find them dancing the time away? Right there at Alton Academy of Dance (AAD). While it might have Alton in its name, it has been in Godfrey during its 12 years in business. It

JASIONKA, POLAND – On her official visit to Poland and Portugal this week, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) traveled to Poland’s border with Ukraine where she visited sites of joint NATO military logistical efforts that support Ukraine. At the Jasionka military base cluster, Duckworth underscored America’s bipartisan support for Ukraine and NATO, in the midst of Donald Trump’s escalating and increasingly erratic threats against Greenland. During her visit in Rzeszów,

FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS — The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Illinois collected more than $8.1 million in civil and criminal actions during fiscal year 2025, U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft announced. The office collected $3,937,603 in criminal actions and $4,188,354.34 in civil actions, totaling $8,125,957.90. In addition, the Southern District collaborated with other U.S. Attorney’s Offices and Department of Justice components to secure $367,003.26 in jointly

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Nearly 100 days after calling for an independent investigation into the outrageous use of force by ICE federal agents in Chicago, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) reiterated and broadened her request to the U.S. Departments of Homeland Security (DHS) and Justice (DOJ) Offices of Inspectors General (OIG) asking that the offices establish a joint task force to investigate the disturbing pattern of violent behavior by Trump’s agents in Chicago, Minneapolis

EAST ST. LOUIS — A Fayette County woman was sentenced to 30 months in prison for her role in a foreign-based scam conspiracy that defrauded victims of tens of thousands of dollars through identity theft and money laundering. Elizabeth Conrad, 55, of Ramsey, pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit mail fraud, mail fraud, conspiracy to commit access device fraud, access device fraud, money laundering, and aggravated identity theft. She was ordered to pay $78,480.26

EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Rotary Club has chosen to honor Edwardsville High School student Madeline Redden with the Student of the Month Award for January. Madeline was nominated by Edwardsville High School chemistry teacher, Melissa Barnett. Madeline is the daughter of Brad and Jessica Redden and is eighteen years old. Madeline is a member of the National Honor Society and the Science National Honor Society at EHS. She is a member of the Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois and is the FIRST

QUINCY - Jerseyville's Ryleigh Jones, recently graduated from Quincy University in the winter commencement ceremony with a bachelor of science in Elementary Education. Quincy University hosted its Winter Commencement ceremony on December 13, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. in Quincy University's Pepsi Arena in the Health and Fitness Center, 20th & Oak Street. The 2025 winter graduating class is composed of 36 undergraduates and eight graduate degree recipients. Sarah Vordtriede-Patton, PhD, provost and vic

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — Two St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department officers were seriously injured and two men died following a crash on the flyover ramp from southbound Interstate 170 to eastbound Interstate 64 on January 23, 2026, authorities said. The incident occurred just before 2:30 p.m. in Richmond Heights, Missouri, as officers in full uniform and a marked patrol vehicle responded to assist in apprehending a suspect vehicle occupied by three males connected to a City of St. Loui

GODFREY – A Godfrey man faces felony charges in multiple recent Madison County cases involving identity theft, forgery, and more. Cory M. Breuer, 43, of Godfrey, was charged on Jan. 23, 2026 with a Class 2 felony count of identity theft after being charged just days prior on Jan. 20, 2026 with two counts of forgery (both Class 3 felonies) and one count of unlawful use of a credit or debit card (a Class 3 felony). On July 1, 2025, Breuer allegedly knowingly delivering a fraudulent check

PLEASANT HILL — At 6:07 p.m. on Jan. 22, 2026, the Pike County Sheriff’s Department responded to a report of a juvenile allegedly in possession of a firearm during a school sporting event at Pleasant Hill School. School administrators and staff monitored the juvenile until deputies arrived. Upon contact, law enforcement located an item resembling a handgun, which was later determined not to be a firearm. The Pike County Sheriff's Office said the juvenile was then released

EAST ALTON — A lumber delivery truck crashed into a vacant building at the corner of West Main in East Alton on Friday afternoon, Jan. 23, 2026, after the driver failed to stop at a stop sign, authorities said. The incident occurred at approximately 1:31 p.m. on Jan. 23, 2026, when the driver, hauling a load of lumber from St. Louis, was traveling east on Main Street in East Alton. According to East Alton Police Major Al Adams, the driver did not stop at a stop sign at the intersection.

In accordance with ISP’s commitment to integrity and public transparency, the video of the event is being made available to the public and can be found HERE . EAST ST. LOUIS — The Illinois State Police released video footage Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, of an officer-involved shooting that occurred Jan. 4, 2026, in East St. Louis, where a trooper fatally shot a woman after she allegedly struck a police vehicle and failed to comply with commands. At approximately 10:08 p.m. on Jan

ILLINOIS - Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D) is making a bid for the Senate. Krishnamoorthi recently stopped by “Our Daily Show!” with C.J. Nasello to share more about his platform and his priorities if he wins the Senate seat. Currently serving the 8th Congressional District in Illinois, including parts of Chicago, Krishnamoorthi emphasized the importance of bipartisan efforts and his commitment to “less talk” and “more results.” “I will

BRUSSELS and KAMPSVILLE — The Illinois Department of Transportation announced the closure of the Brussels and Kampsville ferries on the Illinois River on Friday afternoon due to hazardous ice floes, effective on January 23, 2026. The Kampsville Ferry closed at noon on Friday , while the Brussels Ferry is scheduled to close at 6 p.m Friday. The closures will remain in effect until river conditions improve and the ferries can safely operate again. IDOT said motorists are advised to use

ALTON - A new scholarship opportunity will be available to Alton High Seniors this spring thanks to the family of Jim and Emily Wigger. The Wigger Memorial Scholarship is designed to support a college-bound senior pursuing a career in the service of community values. The family has entrusted the Alton Educational Foundation to administer the new scholarship fund and award process. Jim and Emily Wigger were longtime educators in the Alton School District. Jim also served as a beloved coach

MADISON COUNTY - With dropping temperatures and a winter storm incoming, there are several warming centers available for community members throughout the Riverbend region. We encourage you to check that these locations are open, as some might be closed due to inclement weather. ALTON Hayner Public Library District With branches located at 326 Belle Street and 401 State Street in downtown Alton and inside the Alton Square Mall, the library serves as a daytime warming center during

ST. CLAIR COUNTY - With dropping temperatures and a winter storm incoming, there are several warming centers available for community members throughout the Riverbend region. We encourage you to check that these locations are open, as some might be closed due to inclement weather. BELLEVILLE Belleville Public Library The library opens every day at 9 a.m. except for Sundays. Belleville Public Library West Branch This library is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday