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ALTON – A free new outdoor workout center is officially coming to the Alton riverfront. Alton City Council members on Wednesday unanimously approved an intergovernmental agreement between the city and Alton Township. Under the agreement, the township will provide $100,000 for the construction of a Fitness Court, as previously reported on Riverbender.com . What Is A Fitness Court? Developed by the National Fitness Campaign (NFC), a Fitness Court is basically an outdoor gym which is free and open for the public to use. Seven different “movement zones” feature equipment focused on certain workouts and muscle groups, such as pull-up bars for upper body workouts, platforms for squats and lunges, and more. The NFC claims each court is “designed to provide a full body workout in only seven minutes.” The City of Jerseyville opened its own Fitness Court in 2022 during the first phase of its Lions Club/Wittman Park improvement plan . Shown above

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ALTON - Hundreds of community members came together to welcome home Celia Sinclair, a 12-year-old girl who has been battling leukemia for the past five months. It was an emotional afternoon on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, as Godfrey and Alton residents gathered at the Alton Amphitheater for a homecoming parade. St. Mary’s and Evangelical students waved signs and popped confetti as Celia and her family traveled into the park with a police escort. “This is the best way to welcome her home,” said Tony Keller, who organized the parade. “We just said, we’ve got to do this all together. We’ve got to come together and let Celia know that, hey, you are #CeliaStrong and we’re here for you.” Keller is a close friend of Celia’s mother, Stephanie Schwegel. He explained that five months ago, Celia returned home looking pale. She had a regularly scheduled doctor’s appointment a few days later and underwent bloodwork that revealed somethin

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ALTON - Centerstone’s Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic offers a holistic approach to mental health and substance use care. Elaina Ward explained that the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHC) are “a really different shift in model” that provides wraparound care for clients and additional support for staff. Instead of solely focusing on a client’s mental health symptoms, clinicians within the CCBHC model coordinate with other providers to address physical and mental health needs. “If someone walks through Centerstone's door, the goal is that whatever your needs are, we’re going to get you linked up with someone to be able to address those needs,” Ward said. “That is the goal of CCBHC: open door, no wrong door, whatever you need, we’re going to try to help you meet those needs, trying to provide that holistic, wraparound safety-net kind of care.” Ward noted that clinicians start with an

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JERSEY – The JCH Foundation Ambulance Association is proud to announce the purchase of 40 LifeVac devices, which are being distributed by the organization to local restaurants in Jersey County. This proactive initiative aims to enhance public safety and ensure that restaurant patrons have immediate access to a life-saving device in the event of a choking emergency. The LifeVac device is a non-invasive, easy-to-use tool designed to clear airway obstructions and save lives in critical choking situations. With the addition of these devices, Jersey County’s local dining establishments will be better equipped to respond to choking incidents, ensuring the safety of their customers and providing peace of mind to both restaurant staff and diners. "The JCH Foundation is deeply committed to improving the health and safety of our community," said Charity Roth, JCH Foundation Director. "By providing LifeVac devices to local restaurants, we are not only enhancing the safety o

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ALTON - St. Mary’s Catholic School will have their second annual O’Baby Resale event to raise money for their classrooms. Community members are invited to purchase a table in Suddes Hall to sell children and baby items, clothing, toys and more. From 4–7 p.m. on Friday, April 4, and 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, April 5, and Sunday, April 6, 2025, the Riverbend community can stop by St. Mary’s to shop the sales and support the school. “It’s amazing how much stuff we have there, everything that you could think of that you would need for your kids,” said Mary Rivera, principal of St. Mary’s. “Everything that we make off of it goes directly back into replenishing our classrooms with the supplies that they need to teach our students.” Sellers can purchase a table in Suddes Hall for $20, and then set up their items on April 2 and 3. The sale starts on Friday, April 4, and is open to the public. The early-bird sale on

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Equal Pay Day yesterday, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) along with the entire Senate Democratic caucus in reintroducing the Paycheck Fairness Act, legislation to combat pay discrimination and help close the gender pay gap by strengthening the Equal Pay Act of 1963, ending the practice of pay secrecy and strengthening available remedies to help ensure wronged employees can challenge pay discrimination and hold employers accountable. U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03) led the reintroduction of the Paycheck Fairness Act in the House. “Every single day, women across our nation contribute so much to the success of their families, their communities and their country—and yet, women continue to make hundreds of thousands of dollars less over the course of their lifetimes due to pay disparities,” said Senator Duckworth. “When women are hel

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CHICAGO - Attorney General Kwame Raoul and Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings led a coalition of 21 attorney generals in issuing an open letter to the legal community warning of illegal attempts by the Trump administration to deter lawyers from challenging the administration’s actions or representing clients disfavored by the administration. The attorneys general call on the legal community to resist attempts at bullying or retribution and uphold the values of their profession. “Attacking attorneys because they argued a case against the government or represented a particular client cuts to the heart of the legal profession and threatens our work,” Raoul said. “It is also dangerous for the president to attempt to vilify the judiciary whenever they don’t agree with him. I join my fellow attorneys general to make clear that we will not allow the rule of law to be undermined by political retribution. We will stand with all our colleagues in the legal

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ALTON/COTTAGE HILLS – Two Riverbend residents have been criminally charged in separate but related cases of mob action. The following individuals were each charged with a Class 4 felony count of mob action on March 18, 2025: Kiana D. Garrett, 25, of Alton Recardia C. Bailey, 28, of Cottage Hills According to court documents, both individuals acted together and without legal authority by using force against the same victim on Jan. 1, 2025. Specifically, they are accused of striking the victim “about the face and body.” Both cases against Garrett and Bailey were presented by the East Alton Police Department. While both were remanded to jail for their initial court appearance, Madison County Sheriff’s Office records indicate they have since been granted pretrial release from custody. All individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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ALTON – Two Alton organizations have joined forces to help promote the city and keep it beautiful with a T-shirt fundraising campaign. Carolyn MacAfee and Missy Kasten with Pride, Inc., joined Cory Jobe, president and CEO of the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau on Our Daily Show! on Riverbender.com to discuss their joint venture for a good cause. “We have been watching Pride, Inc. and their efforts downtown here … and it really is nice,” Jobe said. “To continue to attract visitors and spending in our downtown area, we’ve got to create a nice atmosphere.” To support Pride Inc.’s ongoing community beautification efforts, they and Great Rivers & Routes have launched a new line of Alton-themed T-shirts which are only available at the Alton Visitor Center at 200 Piasa St. The center is open Wednesdays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The new blue T-shirts feature illustrations of downtown Alton, the Piasa Bird painting, an

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Letter To The Editor: GODFREY - When Godfrey voters go to the polls on or before April 1st, they can be confident that casting a vote for Susan Robbins will ensure they have chosen the only qualified candidate for the position. Susan is a certified municipal clerk who understands the levity of the office, which is tasked with statutory compliance and memorializing Village business, among many other duties. Susan Robbins has been a valued Village staff member since 2001, filling various roles. In 2019, she was promoted to Deputy Clerk. Soon after, beloved Clerk Bethany Bohn suffered a lengthy illness and untimely death. Susan stepped up to fill her role. I witnessed Susan’s ability to make a seamless transition in what could have been a chaotic time, had it not been for her steadfast professionalism and grace under pressure. Besides running an efficient office, Susan is a people person who serves the public with a great attitude and a welcoming smile. She knows how to have

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PEORIA – OSF HealthCare has once again been recognized by Fortune as one of America's Most Innovative Companies for 2025. OSF first received this distinction in 2023. This ranking is highly competitive, with only the top 300 companies selected from thousands analyzed. Winners were determined by Fortune and Statista, the world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider, through a rigorous evaluation process that included a survey of 40,000 U.S. employees and 2,500 industry experts, as well as patient data and expert advisory board reviews. Organizations were assessed in three key areas: product innovation, process innovation, and innovation culture. Of the 300 U.S. companies with the highest score awarded by Fortune as America’s Most Innovative Companies 2025 OSF was rated at 264 overall with an improvement in its culture (249) and process (202) scores from 2023. OSF was the only health care system in Illinois to make the list. The recognition highlights significan

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ALTON - Senior Services Plus has several events on the horizon, including an Elder Abuse Prevention Panel and a Parkinson’s Awareness and Support Health Fair. Hosted by the Ombudsman Program , t he Elder Abuse Prevention Panel is scheduled for April 8, 2025. Community members can come out and enjoy a free lunch in the Schoolhouse Grill at SSP, located at 2603 N. Rodgers Avenue in Alton. Lunch is served at 11:45 a.m. and speakers start at noon. “They're going to be out there talking about how to spot and prevent cases of elder abuse,” explained Leslie, a representative with SSP. “The presentation isn’t only for older adults, but also their care providers and their families. Everybody can keep an eye on what to look out for and who to report it to, all the stuff that goes on for that.” There will also be a Q&A session following the panel. The panel is free but registration is required; you can RSVP by calling 618-465-3298 ext. 123 Leslie

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FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS — A traffic crash in Fairview Heights on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, resulted in the death of one individual, prompting an investigation by local authorities. At approximately 11 a.m. on Tuesday, officers from the Fairview Heights Police Department responded to reports of a collision at the intersection of North Illinois Street and Salem Place. Upon arrival, they found one occupant of a vehicle unresponsive and trapped inside. Emergency personnel from the Fairview Fire Department assisted in extricating the individual and initiated life-saving measures before transporting them to a local hospital. Despite the efforts of medical staff, the individual was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. The identity of the deceased has not been released, as authorities are withholding it pending notification of family and loved ones. The Metro East Crash Assistance Team was also called to investigate the incident. The Fairview Heights Police Department expressed its condolences

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ALTON - Alderwoman Rosetta "Rosie" Brown is asking the 4th Ward to give her another opportunity to give back. In a recent conversation on “Our Daily Show!” with CJ Nasello , Brown outlined her vision for the 4th Ward and the City of Alton. She explained that she has done a lot to empower and serve her constituents, and she hopes for another four-year term to do more. “I’m asking that you give another round to Rosie Brown,” she said. “I am encouraged, I am ignited, and I am determined to continue to move forward.” Brown is most proud of how she has connected with the people in the 4th Ward. She believes she has encouraged them to engage with the City of Alton and voice their concerns. She holds a monthly meeting with her constituents every third Thursday, and she has been pleased by the consistently high turnout. “My greatest accomplishment is empowering the people of the 4th Ward,” she said. “I was able

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BENTON – A Southern Illinois district judge sentenced a St. Louis man to 145 months in federal prison for his involvement in a vehicle sale scheme using fake cashier’s checks and targeting victims in Madison, Jasper, Bond and Fayette counties. Valentino Colic, 34, pleaded guilty in September to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, two counts of wire fraud, two counts of interstate transportation of property taken by fraud and six counts of aggravated identity theft. Following imprisonment, he will serve three years of supervised release. The 11-count indictment also named co-conspirators Alen Saric, 36, Almir Palic, 25, and Emad Hasanbegovic, 34, all of St. Louis. Saric pleaded guilty in January to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, one count of interstate transportation of property taken by fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 7. Palic was sentenced to 51 months in February. Hasanbegovic is

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CHICAGO - Today, Governor JB Pritzker released the following statement regarding Donald Trump’s executive order to attack free and fair elections in the United States: “Voting is a fundamental right and sacred responsibility of every American. Yet, once again Donald Trump is ignoring the rule of law and circumventing Congress. “We need to call this what it is: another illegal, extreme, and dangerous attempt to take power away from the American people and hand it over the wealthiest man in the world, Elon Musk, who wishes to decide which U.S. citizens can and can’t vote. “We will not blindly follow illegal orders because Donald Trump wrote them down on a piece of paper. Illinois follows the laws of the land – not the decrees of an aspiring king hell bent on disenfranchising millions of voters who deserve to have their voice heard. “In the face of these attacks on voting rights, Illinois will continue to administer free and fair elections

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EDWARDSVILLE - The refreshments gave off the trappings of an afternoon chai, with an assortment of teas and specialty wafers and crackers. However, the presentations and conversations at the “Teaposium” dealt with less palatable subjects – field mice and pouched rats. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Danielle N. Lee, PhD , assistant professor in the College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Biological Sciences, hosted her annual “Teaposium” on Friday, March 21 in the Science West Building. “The Teaposium highlights current and upcoming independent research activities of students, as well as invites students to consider joining the DN Lee Lab for hands-on science learning,” said Lee. “Student research assistants participate in ongoing field mice or pouched rat projects – scoring animal behavior videos and assistance with field or lab related research activities.” SIUE students of the latter

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned witnesses during the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution hearing entitled “The Censorship Industrial Complex.” Durbin began by asking Benjamin Weingarten, a Commentator and Senior Contributor to The Federalist, about the January 6 insurrection at the Capitol. Mr. Weingarten has written about the existence of a so-called Censorship Industrial Complex that he believes has been directed by the Biden Administration. As part of this, Weingarten has stated, “the Capitol riot fueled the war on wrongthink” and that “lemency for Capitol rioters, perhaps above all other opening actions , should represent the start of the end of that war.” “Do you think the January 6 riot at the Capitol was protected free speech?” Durbin asked. Mr. Weingarten responded, “I think to the extent there was peaceful

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today joined a multistate coalition of 19 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief supporting the plaintiffs’ challenge to the Trump administration’s early terminations of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designations for Haitians and Venezuelans. In the brief that was filed in Haitian-Americans United, et al., v. Trump, Raoul and the coalition urge the court to grant the plaintiffs’ request to postpone the terminations while litigation challenging the termination proceeds, arguing the terminations would irreparably harm Illinois and the coalition states' families and economies. “Haitians and Venezuelans who hold TPS designations have fled conflicts and environmental disasters in their home countries. Temporary Protected Status helps these immigrants work toward a better life for their families while also contributing to the nation’s workforce,” Raoul said. “I am the proud son of Haitian immigrants,

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with Illinois representatives from the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), including President of the Chicago Air Route Traffic Control Center (ARTCC), Toby Hauck. During their meeting, Durbin and the NATCA members touched on the industry’s critical staffing shortage and spoke about steps to recruit, train, and retain air traffic controllers. The leaders also discussed replacing outdated equipment and improving mental health support for air traffic controllers who often work 10 hour days, six days a week. “When we board a flight, we expect to arrive safely at our destination. But that’s not possible without the critical work of our air traffic controllers, who are strained by the industry’s staffing shortage,” said Durbin. “Today, I met with Illinois-based air traffic controllers and Toby Hauck, President of the Chicago Air Route Traffic Control

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