AMES, Iowa – Iowa State University awarded degrees to 1,751 graduates this fall. Graduate and undergraduate commencement ceremonies were held Dec. 19-20 at Hilton Coliseum. The following graduate is from the Riverbend region: Edwardsville, Illinois: Mitchell Henry Steinkuehler, Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering, B.S., Cum Laude (Iowa State University)
PONTIAC — Today, Governor JB Pritzker attended the ribbon cutting for five brand-new IONNA electric vehicle (EV) charging station sites, or “rechargeries,” across Illinois, totaling nearly 40 live charging bays. Illinois continues to deliver a strong environment for private investment in EV infrastructure by expanding access to reliable, convenient charging for drivers. “Whether you’re headed out on a long-range road trip, taking the kids to school, or on the job
ALTON - Community members have several upcoming opportunities to support the Overnight Warming Locations. On Jan. 15, 2026, Old Bakery Beer Company will host their monthly “Drink for a Cause” night, where proceeds from drink sales go to the Overnight Warming Locations (OWLs). People are also encouraged to mark their calendars for March 7, 2026, when the OWLs will host their second annual trivia night. “It's just a good way to come and have fun while making a commitment
High Honor Roll Graduation Year: 2026 Ava G. Custer Carson R. Flowers Lexi T. Heath Julia A. Heil Blaine L. Kaiser Kirsten E. Lair Hannah C. Lake Tessa F. Price Eli M. Rhoades Mabry J. Robeen Reed J. Schnettgoecke Gunnar L. Sharrow Alex W. Vandersand Graduation Year: 2027 Lily B. Clough Shannen J. Holmes Alexis P. Martin Hayden R. McMurtrie Carter L. Osterman Wyatt J. Ross Jayce D. Steinkuehler Courtney J. Waldheuser Graduation Year: 2028 Nolan M. Baumgartner
ALTON — Woody’s Chicken, a longtime local favorite, is making a comeback this Sunday, Jan. 18, with a new twist: serving chicken tenders from a food truck. Nate and Lilly Dettmers, third- and fourth-generation family members behind the legendary brand, announced a trial run to test community interest in reviving the business on the Our Daily Show! on Riverbender.com with host C.J. Nasello this week. Woody’s originally closed in 2014, but the recipe, batter, and spirit have neve
ALTON – Major membership changes were approved for the Alton Amphitheater Commission at this week’s Alton City Council meeting, including the resignation of Chair Dan Herkert and the appointment of three new members. Dan Herkert, who volunteered with the Alton Amphitheater Commission since 2013 before becoming its chair in 2021, wrote in his December 2025 resignation letter that his time with the amphitheater has been an overall “rewarding experience.” “From
GRANITE CITY — Heidtman Steel Products Incorporated and Steel and Pipe Supply Co., Inc. announced the formation of a joint venture, Granite City Processing LLC, effective Jan. 1, 2026. The new partnership will operate from the former Heidtman Steel facility in Granite City, combining resources to enhance steel processing capabilities and customer service across the region. Granite City Processing will function as a toll operation, utilizing existing equipment including a coil pickle line
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement after the Senate failed to pass a bipartisan War Powers Resolution —which Duckworth cosponsored—that would have prevented the use of the U.S. Armed Forces to engage in hostilities within or against Venezuela unless authorized by Congress. Last week, the same resolution advanced in the Senate by a vote of 52-47. “It is indisputable that Nicolás Maduro
HARDIN – Calhoun High School has officially released the Honor Roll and High Honor Roll lists for the first semester of the 2025-26 school year: Senior High Honors: Anabel Eilerman, Marissa Fraley, Stella Gress, Hannah Klaas, Mia Krysl, Alivia Ralston, Emma Rose, Tyler Van Dyne, Jack Zipprich Senior Honors: Addison Becker, Reagan Clendenny, John Glynn, Jack Goode, Tyler Grimes, Abigail Hammond, Layla Johnson, Sadie Kiel, Canyon Leavell, Karleigh Mason, Blake Nolte, Tamara Osterman,
You can love a break and still feel oddly bad at life the moment it ends. One day you’re sleeping in, eating when you feel like it, and letting your phone steal an hour without guilt. Then you try to go back to “normal,” and even simple routines—waking up on time, cooking, exercising, focusing—feel harder than you remember. It’s not just laziness or weak willpower. It’s your brain doing exactly what it was built to do: follow the easiest, most rewarding
On January 15, 2001, Wikipedia went live and invited anyone with an internet connection to help build an encyclopedia. At the time, the idea sounded risky: opening reference writing to the public seemed like a recipe for mistakes and vandalism. Yet the project quickly showed a new model for sharing knowledge—one that relied on transparency, community rules, and constant revision rather than a small group of gatekeepers. It mattered then because it lowered the cost of learning and publishing
This morning starts off chilly with temperatures hovering around 28 degrees, feeling closer to 20 with the cold breeze from the west at about 12 mph. The sun will shine mostly sunny through the morning, bringing a high near 32 degrees this afternoon. Despite the sunshine, a breezy west wind gusting up to 26 mph will keep things feeling crisp. As the day moves into evening, skies turn partly cloudy with a chance of light snow showers, increasing to flurries late at night. Temperatures will drop
GRANITE CITY — Granite City School District #9 honored local first responders during a halftime ceremony Tuesday night, Jan. 13, 2026, at a basketball game, recognizing police officers, firefighters, paramedics and EMTs for their service to the community. The event, held at the Granite City High School gymnasium, was designated First Responders Night and featured free admission for first responders from the area. The ceremony included a special tribute to police officer Tyler Timmons,
DUPO — The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) has detected perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), a type of PFAS chemical, in the Dupo Community Water System’s (CWS) most recent water sample, officials have announced. The Illinois EPS said the most recent water sample showed PFOS at 4.5 parts per trillion (ppt), exceeding the federal Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) and Illinois Class I groundwater quality standard of 4 ppt. The Illinois EPA is notifying the owners
GODFREY/MARYVILLE - Gerard Fischer has announced his retirement from American Family Insurance, and two local agents will take his place at his Godfrey and Maryville offices. Fischer has served the Riverbend region for over 30 years as an insurance agent. His final day is Feb. 20, 2026. Jessica Eardley will take over his office in Godfrey and Dan McAteer will take over the Maryville office. “I think the cat’s out of the bag,” Fischer laughed. “American Family
ALTON — The Alton Branch NAACP will host a community event to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. from 3 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026, at the Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church, 2621 Amelia St. in Alton. The event, themed “The Fierce Urgency of Now,” invites community members, faith leaders, organizations, and 2026 election candidates to reflect on Dr. King’s message of courage, compassion, and collective responsibility. Illinois State Sen. Christopher Belt will
ALTON — The International House of Pancakes (IHOP) restaurant located at 181 Homer M. Adams Parkway in Alton will close permanently after Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. The announcement was posted on the restaurant’s front door on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, informing customers of the upcoming closure. The notice expressed gratitude to patrons, stating, “We are very sad to announce that Alton IHOP’s last day would be Jan. 25, 2026. Thank you for your support so far!” Leading
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE), both members of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today celebrated that their bipartisan Protecting Children with Food Allergies Act became law through an amendment in the newly signed Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act. Durbin and Fischer’s legislation will ensure school food service staff receive essential training about food allergies, so that they are better
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today released the following statement after the Trump Administration terminated an estimated $2 billion in grant funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to treat addiction, mental health, and provide homelessness services. The grant cuts also affect Durbin’s longstanding bipartisan priorities to address childhood trauma and bolster rural ambulance services. Durbin’s office
SPRINGFIELD – Today, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) announced $36 million in grant funding was awarded to 67 local park projects throughout Illinois to help communities acquire land and develop recreational opportunities. The grants were awarded through the Open Space Land Acquisition and Development, or OSLAD, program. For the fourth year in a row, the governor ensured funding was set aside for economically distressed communities, resulting
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