Riverbender 🕸

GILLESPIE - A Gillespie teenager was charged Tuesday, June 30, 2026, by the Macoupin County State’s Attorney’s Office with two misdemeanor counts stemming from allegations that he spray-painted a brick wall at Dee Dee’s Florals on May 16, 2026. Damien J. Bentancourt, 18, a white male born April 24, 2008, was charged by the Macoupin County State's Attorney’s Office with one count of Criminal Damage to Property (Class A Misdemeanor) and one count of Criminal Defacement

EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Police Department said it will use remotely piloted aircraft at the upcoming Independence Day Celebration on July 4, 2026, at the American Legion to help monitor the event and support personnel on the ground. The Edwardsville Police Department said the drones will be operated by trained and certified personnel and will provide “an added vantage point” during the celebration. The department said the aircraft will help officers respond

ALTON - The Alton Police Department said it is reminding local retailers in Alton that a new state law now prohibits the sale of intoxicating hemp products to anyone younger than 21, and that officers will actively enforce the measure through investigations and random compliance checks. The Alton Police Department said the law applies immediately to intoxicating hemp products such as Delta-8, THC-P, HHC and similar substances that had previously been sold outside Illinois’ regulated

ALTON/EDWARDSVILLE/FOSTERBURG - A local writer is sharing the stories of his best friend after losing him. Bill Roseberry, known for his local journalism, has started a new storytelling adventure with “The Reedy Chronicles.” This magazine tells the adventures of Roseberry and his best friend, Jason Reedy, who passed away in January 2025. Roseberry noted that “The Reedy Chronicles” is growing on Substack in addition to his other writing projects, and he is grateful

CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul and a coalition of 21 other attorneys general won their case challenging a new rule from the U.S. Department of Education that unlawfully restricted eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, which allows government and nonprofit employees to have their federal student loans forgiven after 10 years of qualifying public service. The U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts granted Raoul and the coalition’s

ALTON – The 5th Annual OSF Saint Anthony’s Health Center Back-to-School Celebration will be held on Saturday, July 25, from 10:00 a.m. to Noon at Alton Square Mall (200 Alton Square, Alton, IL 62002). This year’s Back-to-School Celebration is FREE, and the event is open to the public. The first 500 children aged 4-12 will receive a free backpack filled with school supplies, including notebooks, paper, pens, pencils, and crayons. “The need for this event is greater

BELLEVILLE - The Belleville Police Department is urging residents to celebrate Independence Day safely and legally over the holiday weekend in Belleville, reminding the public that most consumer fireworks are prohibited under Illinois law and city ordinance and that extra officers will be on patrol. In a public safety message posted ahead of the Fourth of July, Belleville Police said aerial fireworks, firecrackers, bottle rockets and Roman candles are prohibited within the city

ALTON/GODFREY - The Hayner Public Library District has made headlines in recent weeks as they begin the process of designing a new building. Executive Director Mary Cordes shared more about where they are in this process and what people can expect. “It’s one of the things where we don’t even know if we can do a new library. We’re still in the very early stages. We’re trying to figure this whole thing out,” she said. Cordes emphasized that the library might

TROY - The Troy/Maryville/St. Jacob/Marine Chamber of Commerce said June 26 that it has added 50 new members since Jan. 1, 2026, a milestone the organization said reflects continued momentum in the local business community it serves in Troy, Maryville, St. Jacob, Marine and surrounding areas. The chamber said the new members represent a range of industries and services, adding “fresh energy, new ideas, and added strength” to its network. It said the increase highlights the value of

TROY – Over three tons of suspected illegal fireworks were seized from two Troy residents accused of illegally selling the fireworks from a tractor-trailer which has also been seized. The investigation began after a Troy Police Department detective received a call on May 22, 2026 concerning possible illegal fireworks, according to an affidavit filed in support of forfeiting the seized property. The call came from a concerned resident who reported that her neighbors, Jason and Rachel Ellis

ALTON – An Alton resident charged with attacking the same person with a wrench and chainsaw within the same day is currently detained on felony charges. Every L. Harris, 39, of Alton, was charged in Madison County on June 29, 2026 with two counts of aggravated battery, both Class 2 felonies. The charges stem from two incidents on June 26, 2026, when Harris allegedly struck the victim on the arm with a metal wrench and cut the same victim’s arm and hand with a chainsaw. While

ALTON - Duke Bakery marked its 75th anniversary on July 1, 2026 , at Haskell Park during the “250 on the Mississippi” Festival, where city officials proclaimed Duke Bakery Day in Alton and the business introduced its new “Duke on the Go” mobile trailer. The celebration featured a ceremonial cutting of a 75-foot-long cake, along with live music, contests and patriotic activities. The event highlighted the bakery’s long history in the community. Mayor David Goin

ALTON - Duke Bakery, a full-line retail bakery with a 75-year history in Alton, marked its milestone anniversary at a celebration event at Haskell Park on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, and said the turnout and community response was overwhelming. Founded in 1951 by Christ and Helen Doucleff, Duke Bakery has grown across generations while continuing to serve the Riverbend area with bakery items including wedding and specialty cakes, doughnuts, pastries, pies, breads, buns and cookies. Amy Hollis,

EDWARDSVILLE — Glen-Ed Pantry has received a $500,000 gift from Gordon and Holly Broom to support the nonprofit’s capital campaign to build a new facility, a project the organization says will expand its ability to serve individuals and families experiencing food insecurity throughout the region. The donation was announced as Glen-Ed Pantry works to raise $3 million by the end of 2026 for the new building. The pantry broke ground on the facility in May 2026 and expects construction

GRANITE CITY — Xavier Harris, a rising sophomore guard on the Granite City High School boys basketball team, is focused on helping the Warriors in the 2026-27 season after contributing as a freshman and continuing his development during summer play, according to coach Gerard Moore. Xaiver is a Stillwater Senior Living Male Athlete Of The Month. Harris, a 6-foot guard, said his approach entering the season is centered on doing his part as Granite City looks ahead to the new campaign.

EDWARDSVILLE – Madison County Clerk, Linda Andreas, announced that the recent United States Supreme Court decision regarding vote-by-mail ballots does not require any changes to how vote-by-mail ballots are administered or counted in Madison County. The court upheld the authority of states to count vote-by-mail ballots that are postmarked by Election Day and received within the time period established by state law. Illinois has long provided that vote-by-mail ballots postmarked on or before

ALTON - Community members can learn how to protect their financial futures at an upcoming seminar. From 12–1 p.m. on Friday, July 10, 2026, at The Wedge in Alton, Stephens Planning will host an Estate & Tax Planning Lunch & Learn. Curtis Stephens with Stephens Planning and Elizabeth “Liz” Heller with Goldenberg Heller & Antognoli, P.C., will share information about basic estate planning mistakes, how estate taxes can impact your family, and how to transfer wealth effectively.

JERSEYVILLE - July 2, 2026, marked 15 years since Jared Hanna, a Jerseyville man who was 28 at the time, disappeared without a trace after he was last seen July 2, 2011, in Centralia in Clinton County. Hanna, a 28-year-old father of two from Jerseyville, was last seen on the morning of July 2, 2011, when he left his home. Later that day, surveillance video captured him purchasing a soft drink at a convenience store before leaving the area. Cell phone records later showed his phone near East

CHICAGO — Today, Governor JB Pritzker joined legislators and community members at Sway Dispensary to celebrate the passage of SB 3222, landmark legislation that prohibits the sale of intoxicating hemp to minors and advances safety, equity, and oversight in the cannabis industry. Signed into law last month , SB 3222 provides commonsense regulations around intoxicating hemp products — including Delta-8, THC-P, and HHC — that had previously been sold outside Illinois' regulated

FERGUSON, MO. - A local family is grieving after a beloved mother was shot and killed in Ferguson, Mo., on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, after getting caught in crossfire at a BP gas station. The loved ones of 35-year-old Shakeela Martin, identified as the victim, are now turning to the community for help. Martin is a mother of five. Loved ones have asked the region for help with funeral costs and support for her children. According to a GoFundMe organized by Whittley Anderson , Martin had taken