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ALTON – Multiple felonies have been filed against a local woman accused of fleeing from Alton police officers on two occasions: once after a retail theft and again in a stolen vehicle. Shamiya M. Seay, 30, of Cahokia Heights, was charged with one count each of aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer (a Class 4 felony), unlawful possession of a stolen motor vehicle (a Class 2 felony), retail theft over $300 (a Class 3 felony), and fleeing or attempting to elude a peace

ALTON – The Alton Educational Foundation recently released their second grant opportunity this school year for the teachers and staff of the Alton School District. The Foundation provides grant funding to increase innovative programs and projects which directly benefit students, classrooms and schools. The new spring grant cycle, with applications due March 13, will once again seek new ideas and proposed projects from teachers and staff. Over the past 25 years, the Foundation has funde

GRAFTON — Three trips to Normandy, France, were "life-changing" for Grafton Mayor Mike Morrow and his wife, Lynne, and are a part of their beautiful love story. Normandy is a region in France, and its coastline includes legendary cliffs and beachheads, including Omaha Beach, the site of the famous D-Day landing. The Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer, France, is a permanent concession granted by France to the U.S government for the efforts in World War II to protect

GODFREY - A local playwright is ready to share her latest work with the community. “A Lil Sugar Will Do,” written by Leah Becoat and produced by 3 Purple Coats Productions, will premiere at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 21, and 3 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, at Hatheway Hall on the Lewis and Clark Community College campus in Godfrey. Becoat, an Alton native, expressed her excitement to produce the play, complete with original music, “magical storytelling,” and a cast of

EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville’s Leclaire Elementary School celebrated its 100th day of student attendance with activities, prizes and more fun. On Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026, the kindergarteners, first graders and second graders came prepared, dressed as 100-year-olds or pirates who “arrrr” 100 days smarter. Teachers filled the day with activities based around the number 100, including counting games and STEM activities. To Principal Donny Gunter, this dedication shows why Leclaire

EDWARDSVILLE - Shannon O’Brien, a 28-year-old described by her family as “an extraordinary person,” died last Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, in a tragic shooting in Ferguson, Mo., and her former high school cross country coach in Edwardsville said he was shocked and saddened when he learned the news. O'Brien died after shots were fired in the 1700 block of Windward Court in Ferguson, Mo. She was pronounced dead at the scene. St. Louis County Police have not yet released full details

A lot of people assume they want to be left alone more when it’s cold and dark. Yet for many of us, the opposite happens: we start reaching out, checking group chats more often, and feeling a sharper sting when plans fall through. That pull toward other people in winter isn’t just “being needy” or “not handling it well.” It’s a mix of biology, habit, and culture. And once you understand it, the craving makes more sense—and becomes easier to work

On February 5, 1958, a U.S. Air Force B-47 bomber collided with an F-86 fighter jet during a training flight over Georgia, and the bomber crew released a Mark 15 nuclear bomb into the waters near Tybee Island to land safely. The weapon was never recovered. At the time, the incident underscored how quickly Cold War routines—constant drills, high readiness, and large stockpiles—could create real-world danger even without an enemy attack. It still matters today because it helped shape

This morning starts off with intermittent clouds and temperatures near 29 degrees. By afternoon, expect clouds to give way to some sunshine as the high reaches around 37 degrees. Winds will be from the south-southwest at about 9 mph, gusting to 18 mph, adding a slight chill to the air. This evening, skies clear to mostly clear with temperatures cooling off into the low 30s. Overnight, conditions stay mostly clear with lows dropping to near 29 degrees and a gentle west wind at 7 mph. Tomorrow's

ALTON – Plans for a permanent flood wall in downtown Alton are no longer moving forward as city officials consider other possible flood mitigation projects. At a meeting on flood mitigation options held at Alton City Hall on Feb. 4, 2026, Scott Weiner with Sheppard, Morgan & Schwaab (SMS) Inc. presented three potential projects aimed at preventing flooding in downtown Alton: A permanent concrete flood wall topped by removable aluminum planks which could be temporarily installed as

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt advanced a measure that would allow volunteer fire departments to apply for and receive state grants through the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal. “We have several volunteer fire departments in the Metro East that would be able to take advantage of new funding,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “Right now, only city-run fire departments have access to state grants for equipment and building upgrades; this will change that.”

ST. LOUIS - St. Louis County police are investigating a crash on Wednesday morning, Feb. 4, 2026, in Earth City that injured a police officer and a civilian driver, after an officer responding to a separate crash call struck another vehicle at an intersection, authorities said. The crash happened about 7:41 a.m. on Feb. 4 at Earth City Expressway and Rider Trail South in St. Louis County, Mo., according St. Louis County Police. Police said a Central County Precinct officer was traveling

GRAFTON - Steve and Jackie Duty of Grafton say their relationship has endured because it was built on what Jackie Duty described as “a real story, rooted in commitment through the ups, the downs, the tragedies, the rebuilding, the laughter.” The couple met on Feb. 21, 1998, at Riverbend Billiards and Grill and married on Nov. 3, 2000, in a small courthouse ceremony, according to Jackie Duty. She said the relationship began in an “ordinary, hometown” way and grew as they

ALTON - William and Jeanettea Bowens of Alton say their relationship, which began Feb. 18, 2011, and led to their marriage on Nov. 18, 2018, is rooted in faith and a commitment to support each other through both joy and grief. In information submitted for “Love" stories near Valentine's Day, Jeanettea M. Bowens described her relationship with husband, William, as “two very different people” who “respect and embrace one another's differences by demonstrating unconditional

ALTON - The Alton High School music department announced with pride that several of its student musicians participated in the 2026 Illinois Music Educators Association (IMEA) All-State Festival, on Jan. 29-31, 2026, in Peoria. Alton High School Orchestra Director Laura Plummer said, “We are incredibly proud of the dedication and perseverance our ILMEA All-State students have shown and the pride they bring to Alton High School, our music program, and the entire Alton community.” From

ST. LOUIS - Among the finalists at the recent Fox Performing Arts Charitable Foundation's St. Louis Teen Talent competition were instrumentalists Henry and Kaitlyn Foppe. Henry Foppe, a junior at John Paul II Preparatory School, and Kaitlyn Foppe, a senior at Father McGivney High School, competed as a piano and violin act. Fourteen teen acts took the stage at the Fabulous Fox Theatre in St. Louis on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, as the Fox Performing Arts Charitable Foundation presented scholarship

ALTON - Keith Short has practical advice for people before their first appointment with a lawyer. Short, who owns Keith Short and Associates in Alton, encourages his clients to come into every first meeting with an open mind and as much information as they can. This can help your case start off strong as attorneys like Short begin the process of researching and filing it. “The first thing you do before you go to a lawyer’s office is, sit down and compile a list of all the

EDWARDSVILLE - Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026, congratulated First Assistant State’s Attorney Chad Loughrey after Loughrey was selected for an associate judgeship in Edwardsville, calling the appointment “well-deserved” and praising Loughrey’s work in the office and across the local legal community. “Congratulations to First Assistant State's Attorney Chad Loughrey and his entire family on his well-deserved selection as

Valentine’s Day is all about celebrating love—the big moments, the small gestures, and the stories that make your relationship one-of-a-kind. This year, RiverBender.com wants to spotlight local couples by publishing reader-submitted love stories free-of-charge thanks to our community sponsors. How to submit Submitting your love story is easy. You can fill out our Love Story form at https://contribute.riverbender.com/page/tell-us-your-love-story/ or email us at news@riverbender.com

EDWARDSVILLE — An overtime finish, energetic cheerleaders, and a Unified basketball exhibition at halftime helped make the Edwardsville-Staunton High boys basketball game a memorable night for Edwardsville High School fans. Edwardsville High School defeated Staunton 48-43 in overtime in Edwardsville. The game featured energetic support by EHS and Staunton cheerleaders, as well as music from the EHS pep band during the contest. A Unified basketball exhibition was held at halftime.