Riverbender 🕸

ALTON – In response to our nation’s mental health crisis, as well as the need for mental health resources in the Riverbend region, OSF Saint Anthony’s Health Center – Psychological Services will offer FREE mental health first aid training to interested individuals. This groundbreaking skills-based training session will give participants the tools to identify, understand and respond to someone who might be struggling with a mental health or substance use challenge — and connect them with appropriate support and resources when necessary. The Mental Health First Aid training course will be held on Friday, July 25, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., at in the 3rd floor Psychological Services Group Training Room at OSF Saint Anthony’s Health Center (1 St. Anthony’s Way, Alton, IL, 62202). Lunch will be provided during this all-day training course. Space is limited for this FREE training session and registration is required – online registration

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BELLEVILLE – Illinois American Water is increasing the income threshold for customers to receive assistance through its Income-Based Discount Program, beginning July 1, 2025. The program aims to support more customers paying their monthly water and/or wastewater bills. “The expansion of the Illinois American Water Income-Based Discount Program will help our residential customers who need financial help the most,” said Rebecca Losli, president, Illinois American Water. “Our goal is to make water and wastewater service affordable to our customers while continuing to make strategic investments in our water and wastewater infrastructure.” Illinois American Water has partnered with Dollar Energy since August 2023 on the income-based discount program. As part of the program, approved water and/or wastewater customers receive a monthly discount on their water and/or wastewater bill. Starting July 1, 2025, the Income-Based Discount Program eligibility

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FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS — A 33-year-old man was critically injured after being struck by a vehicle late Saturday night, July 5, 2025, in Fairview Heights, police said. Officers from the Fairview Heights Police Department responded at approximately 11:37 p.m. July 5, 2025, to the intersection of St. Clair Avenue and 3rd Avenue following reports of a vehicle-pedestrian crash. Upon arrival, emergency personnel found the man unresponsive in the roadway. The pedestrian was transported to a local hospital where he remains in critical condition, according to police. The driver of the vehicle stayed at the scene and cooperated fully with the investigation. Authorities said there was no indication the driver was impaired. Preliminary evidence suggests the pedestrian was crossing outside of a designated crosswalk and against the traffic signal at the time of the crash. The Fairview Heights Police Department continues to investigate the incident. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the

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EDWARDSVILLE — The Edwardsville Police Department announced Monday, July 7, 2025, that it is collaborating with the Illinois Department of Transportation, the Illinois State Police, and more than 200 law enforcement agencies statewide to reduce speeding throughout July. Beginning July 8, 2025, and continuing through July 31, 2025, drivers in Edwardsville can expect increased patrols focused on enforcing posted speed limits and addressing other traffic violations. The initiative aims to address the risks associated with speeding, which can impair a driver’s ability to safely navigate around other vehicles, hazardous objects, or unexpected road curves. This enforcement campaign is part of the "Speeding Catches Up With You" effort, supported by federal highway safety funds administered by IDOT. It also aligns with IDOT’s broader "It’s Not a Game" media campaign aimed at promoting safer driving behaviors. Officials emphasized that the stepped-up patrols are intended

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ST. CLAIR COUNTY — The body of Demontray M. Collins, 25, was discovered Friday, July 4, 2025, morning in a lake at Frank Holten State Park near East St. Louis, authorities said. St. Clair County Coroner Calvin Dye Sr. identified Collins as the man found by kayakers at approximately 8:33 a.m. on Friday. The coroner pronounced Collins deceased at the scene at 9:41 a.m. that morning. Collins’ last known address was in the 1800 block of Central Avenue in East St. Louis. The cause of death has not been determined. Illinois State Police Troop 8, based in Collinsville, responded after two men kayaking in the lake observed the body and called 911. St. Clair County Special Emergency Services retrieved the body from the water. The incident occurred in the 7300 block of Lake Drive at Frank Holten State Park.

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CAHOKIA HEIGHTS - The Jarrot Mansion State Historic Site, the oldest brick building in Illinois, will open to the public on July 12, 2025, to offer a rare opportunity to tour the historic home and to celebrate the state’s French heritage in honor of Bastille Day. The mansion, typically accessible only by request, will welcome visitors from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. Located near the intersection of Illinois 3 and Illinois 157 in Cahokia, the site is managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources with support from volunteers of the Jarrot Mansion Project. The nearby Cahokia Courthouse State Historic Site will also be open to visitors that day. Built in 1810 by Nicholas Jarrot, a refugee from the French Revolution, the mansion stands as a significant example of Federal-style architecture. Jarrot, who became a prominent landowner and businessman in the formerly French region of Illinois as the area approached statehood, constructed the imposing brick home in contrast

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COLLINSVILLE - Collinsville Faith in Action will host their annual dinner auction to raise money so they can continue to support senior citizens. On July 11, 2025, community members are invited to Gateway Convention Center in Collinsville for this year’s dinner auction, themed “Country Fair Flair.” Attendees can enjoy a full dinner and silent auction. The organization is still looking for donations and sponsorships to support their work. “I always say the fundraising is critical, but so is the friend-raising,” said executive director Lisa Brennan. “We’re very much looking forward to watching the whole community pull together and really step up to make this a great and fun event.” Brennan explained that the dinner auction supports Collinsville Faith in Action, which serves Collinsville, Granite City, Troy, Fairmont City, Caseyville and Maryville. As a national organization, Faith in Action teams up with local churches, schools

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — A motor vehicle crash on Lilac Avenue near Duberry Lane resulted in the death of a 70-year-old man Friday night, July 4, 2025, St. Louis County police said. At approximately 10 p.m. on July 4, officers from the North County Precinct responded to a crash involving two vehicles. St. Louis County Police said preliminary investigation indicated that a Toyota Camry, traveling northbound on Lilac Avenue, crossed into the southbound lanes and collided with a southbound Nissan Rogue. The driver of the Toyota Camry, identified as Corbett Scott of the 1000 block of Farmview Drive in St. Louis, was transported to a hospital for lifesaving treatment but later died from his injuries. The driver of the Nissan Rogue was also taken to a hospital and treated for non-life-threatening injuries. The St. Louis County Police Department’s Bureau of Crimes Against Persons and Accident Reconstruction detectives are actively investigating the crash. Additional

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BUNKER HILL - Karrington and Zachary Bostick of Bunker Hill are raising funds to obtain a Diabetic Alert Dog (DAD) for their youngest son, Declan, who was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in January 2024. The fundraiser aims to cover the extensive and costly training required for the service dog, as well as travel expenses for trips approximately six hours away. Declan is hypo- and hyper-unaware, meaning he does not recognize when his blood sugar levels are dangerously low or high. According to Karrington Bostick, a DAD could alert the family 15 to 30 minutes before Declan’s Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) detects a problem, potentially preventing emergencies. “Those minutes could be the difference between a normal day and an emergency,” she said. Bostick shared an example to illustrate the potential benefit of a DAD: “He had been dosed for a snack and then we had an impromptu dance party in the living room. His CGM told me that he was at 85, which is a perfectly

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HARDIN — On May 5, 2025, at approximately 3:30 p.m., the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office was alerted to a disturbance near the intersection of Park Street and Main Street in Hardin. Authorities were informed that a male suspect had threatened another individual with an axe before fleeing the scene in a vehicle. Shortly after, at about 3:37 p.m. on May 5, Chief Deputy Zach Hardin located the suspect parked along Illinois River Road, armed with a large axe. Sheriff Bill Heffington arrived to assist. The suspect made threatening statements to law enforcement, expressing a desire to commit “suicide by cop,” and then fled into nearby woods toward the Illinois River. Recognizing the suspect was in crisis, first responders from the Calhoun Ambulance Service were called to the scene. Sheriff Heffington and Chief Deputy Hardin found the suspect near the river, where he threatened to take his own life before jumping into the water. The Illinois Conservation Police were subsequently

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ALTON – Alton has taken the top spot in a new survey ranking the historic river town the “Culture Capital of Illinois.” When the language learning platform Mondly asked 3,012 survey participants which Illinois town best represented their “cultural identity,” they ranked Alton at No. 1, followed by Quincy at No. 2, with Effingham rounding out the top three. “Perched on the Mississippi with limestone bluffs and a haunted past, Alton is full of character and contradictions,” wrote Mondly representative Ally Clarke. “It’s part river town, part civil rights landmark, and fully proud of its weird. Blues bars, brick streets, and stories passed down through generations – this is Illinois with soul.” Respondents considered Alton their “spirit town,” described as the place that “speaks your language, cooks your comfort food, and lives by the rhythms that shaped you.” Their selection follows a similar

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TROY - Megan Kilfoy is organizing a fundraiser to support the Williams family after their son, Logan Williams, of Troy, IL., was critically injured in an accident on the morning of July 6, 2025. Logan is currently on life support and fighting for his life, according to a message from Kilfoy and her husband, Dan. Kilfoy said the Williams family is facing significant emotional and financial challenges as they remain by Logan’s side. Medical expenses are mounting, including costs for intensive care unit treatment, life support equipment, and more. The fundraiser aims to provide financial relief to Todd and Toni Williams, as well as their family. “Anyone who knows Logan knows the incredible heart Logan has always shown to others. Now it’s our turn to show up for him and for his family during this critical time,” the Kilfoys wrote in their appeal for donations. The Kilfoys emphasized that all funds raised will go directly to the Williams family to help cover

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JERSEYVILLE – A Jerseyville man accused of invading a home he tried breaking into earlier the same night faces multiple felonies after battering the home’s occupants and a responding police officer. Kaeleb D. Austin, 26, of Jerseyville, was charged on July 3, 2025 with a Class X felony count of home invasion, a Class 2 felony count of aggravated battery, and three Class A misdemeanors including two counts of battery and one count of criminal damage to property. On July 2, Austin allegedly entered an occupied Jersey County residence without legal authority, struck one of the occupants in the face with a closed fist, pushed another occupant, and kicked a police officer twice in the chest while the officer attempted to detain him. He is also accused of causing over $500 of damage to one of the home’s front windows. Austin first attempted to break into the home’s back door and window at approximately 10:52 p.m., according to the state’s petition to deny

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COLLINSVILLE - The Collinsville Police Department is seeking public assistance in locating a fugitive who has failed to comply with pretrial release conditions related to aggravated criminal sexual abuse charges. The individual, identified as Lamel T. Scott, faces charges involving a victim under the age of 13, stemming from allegations made earlier this year. Authorities issued the notice on Friday, July 4, 2025, as part of their "Fugitive Friday" initiative, aimed at encouraging those with outstanding warrants to surrender voluntarily. The department urges anyone with information about Scott’s whereabouts to contact them anonymously by calling 618-344-2131, extension 5209, or by sending a message through their Facebook page. The police department emphasized the importance of compliance, stating that failure to adhere to release conditions or to appear in court will result in the individual’s photo being posted online as part of the public notification effort. The departmen

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JERSEYVILLE — Two Jersey County Sheriff’s Office officers received the prestigious Sheriff’s Service Award for their roles in assisting neighboring counties with a multi-county burglary investigation earlier this year. Jersey County Sheriff's Office Detective Sally Arbuthnot and Telecommunicator Megan Ayres were recognized for their investigative efforts that helped identify and apprehend a suspect involved in a series of burglaries across Pike, Calhoun, and Jersey counties. The awards were announced by Jersey County Sheriff Nick Manns on Thursday. The investigation began when the Pike County Sheriff’s Office alerted Detective Arbuthnot to a string of burglaries occurring in Pike and Calhoun counties, sharing a surveillance image of a suspect vehicle. Although the image was of poor quality, Sheriff Manns said it provided details on the vehicle’s color and approximate model. Arbuthnot contacted business owners along State Route 16 in Jersey County to check

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ALTON - A protest is scheduled for Monday, July 7, 2025, following a fatal shooting that claimed the life of a 17-year-old Alton girl . On July 4, 2025, police responded to reports of a shooting on Oakwood Avenue and found the victim with an apparent gunshot wound. The victim, a 17-year-old girl, later died from her injuries at a local hospital. At 6:45 p.m. on July 7, 2025, community members will rally at the Alton Housing Authority. “This is our community. That was one of our children,” said Lee Barham, who organized the protest. “Regardless of where she lives, it’s still one of our children. It’s one less that’ll be graduating. She was 17, so she probably would have been graduating next year. That’s one less in the 2026 class we’ll have. That’s one less too many. That’s unacceptable.” This is not the first time Barham has organized a protest or a vigil following gun violence in Alton, including shootings

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COLLINSVILLE - Madison County Transit honored former Board of Trustees member and Chairman Ron Jedda with a dedication ceremony at the MCT Schoolhouse Trail Tunnel under Illinois Route 157 in Collinsville. The event recognized Jedda’s years of service and his contributions to transit innovation and trail safety in Madison County. During his tenure, Jedda advocated for bus service enhancements and the expansion of the MCT Trails system. A significant part of his work focused on reducing at-grade crossings by supporting the construction of dedicated bridges and tunnels to provide safer and uninterrupted trail access. The commemorative plaque at the tunnel acknowledges his efforts, including the upcoming MCT Schoolhouse Trail Bridge over Illinois Route 111 in Pontoon Beach, which is scheduled for construction later this year. MCT expressed gratitude for Jedda’s leadership and commitment to improving mobility and connectivity for county residents.

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MARYVILLE - Anderson Hospital is excited to announce the construction of a brand-new Emergency Department—a major investment in the future of emergency care for the communities we serve. This project will be a completely new, state-of-the-art facility designed to enhance patient care, improve efficiency, and accommodate the growing number of emergency visits, which now exceeds 37,000 visits annually. This project reflects our commitment to meeting the evolving needs of our patients and community. The decision to build a new ER stems from several critical factors: Rising Patient Volume: Each year, we see a growing number of patients in our ER, underscoring the urgent need for expanded capacity. Facility Limitations: Our current space is outdated and challenging to support the high volume or complexity of care our team delivers. Behavioral Health Needs: There is an increasing demand for appropriate space to care for patients experiencing behavioral health crises. Trauma and

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BENTON – Following a two-week coordinated operation led by the FBI, eight individuals are facing federal charges for distributing meth or possession with intent to distribute in southern Illinois. A federal grand jury charged: Sarah L. Elverd, 35, of Centralia, with one count of possession with intent to distribute fifty grams or more of meth, Alan D. Fleming, 41, of Mount Vernon, with four counts of distribution of meth, John A. Fowler, 49, of Mount Vernon, with eight counts of distribution of meth, James B. Lockwood, 43, of Mount Vernon, with four counts of distribution of meth, Cedric R. Long, 32, of Bluford, with two counts of distribution of meth, Christopher L. Webb, 38, of Mount Vernon, with one count of possession with intent to distribute meth, Scott T. Miller, 40, of Centralia, with two counts of distribution of meth and one count of possession with intent to distribute meth, and Damion D. Thrailkill, 39, of Mount Vernon, with one count of distribution o

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BELLEVILLE — Charges have been filed in connection with a shooting incident involving a child that occurred on July 3, 2025, at a residence on the first block of North 42nd Street in Belleville, authorities said. Tyron L. Pembleton, 27, of Belleville, faces one count of unlawful possession of weapons by a felon, two counts of obstructing justice, and one count of endangering the life or health of a child, according to the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s office. The unlawful possession charge is a Class 3 felony, the obstructing justice charges are Class 4 felonies, and the endangering charge is a Class A misdemeanor. The child injured in the shooting is currently recovering at a local hospital, the Belleville Police Department reported. Pembleton remains in custody at the St. Clair County Jail pending a detention hearing and further court proceedings. Authorities emphasized that Pembleton is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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