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GODFREY – A Godfrey resident faces multiple child pornography charges after “numerous cybertips” spurred a multi-agency investigation and search of his home. Matthew P. Costello, 51 of Godfrey, was charged on Jan. 30, 2025 with five counts of child pornography, each Class X felonies. Costello is accused of disseminating child porn via the Kik application throughout the summer and fall of 2024. The offenses reportedly occurred on Aug. 8, Oct. 9, July 17, and July 27, 2024. A petition to deny Costello’s pretrial release states the case against him began on Jan. 23, 2025, when the Madison County Sheriff's Department started investigating “numerous cybertips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children” (NCMEC) which had been transferred from the Edwardsville Police Department. “NCMEC originally forwarded these cybertips of an individual disseminating child pornography on the Kik application,” the petition states. “Edwardsville

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GODFREY/JERSEYVILLE - Riverbend Dental and Jerseyville Dental Group are excited to offer excellent patient care throughout the Riverbend region. Riverbend Dental, located at 5209 Mae Drive in Godfrey, recently acquired Jerseyville Dental Group at 105 South State Street in Jerseyville. They closed their Alton office and merged their doctors and patients into the Godfrey and Jerseyville locations. Throughout the month of February, you can call either office to schedule an appointment and mention RiverBender.com for a discounted whitening treatment. “No one likes going to the dentist. We know that. We don’t even like going to the dentist when it’s our turn,” joked Danielle Schmidt. “But it is a very warm and inviting office. All of our clinicians, our assistants, our hygienists, our doctors, I feel like they pride themselves on patient care, patient education. We want you to be as comfortable as possible and have the best experience that you can.&rdquo

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COLLINSVILLE - Collinsville Township Supervisor Derrick Cox has released information in response to some questions and concerns raised recently about real estate tax exemptions for vulnerable residents in the township. In his information release, Cox clarified that he had recently discovered a costly plan by the Collinsville Township Assessor’s Office to send out several thousand “Exemption Reminders” via first-class postage at a cost of 73 cents each. He argued that this approach resulted in several thousand dollars in unnecessary expenses for taxpayers. Instead, he advocated using a mail house, specifically, Mailing Methods in Caseyville. He said there were also a few other mail house businesses in the area that could be used to send the mailings at a reduced rate. Cox said Mailing Methods quoted him a price of 32 cents per letter, saving the township a significant amount of money. He said he had used Mailing Methods in Caseyville on multiple occasions for mailings

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JERSEYVILLE — A trivia night benefiting the scholarship fund at St. Francis/Holy Ghost Catholic School is set for Saturday, March 8, 2025, at the Knights of Columbus in Jerseyville. The event aims to raise funds to support local students while providing an evening of entertainment. Participants can register teams of up to eight people for $200 per table, which breaks down to $25 per person. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own food, while drinks must be purchased on-site. The trivia night will feature a mix of music and general trivia questions, offering a diverse experience for participants. In addition to trivia, the evening will include 50/50 tickets, raffle baskets, and door prizes. The event will be hosted by Brian Hutchinson, who is expected to contribute to the lively atmosphere. To secure a table, payment must be made by check or cash at the time of registration. Interested individuals can contact event organizer Kelli Travers for payment details and to reserve

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EAST ST. LOUIS – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announces lane restrictions will be encountered on I-55/70 in the eastbound direction beginning on Monday, February 3, 2025 through Wednesday, February 5, 2025 between I-64 and IL 203, weather permitting. The left two lanes will be closed beginning at 9 a.m. on Monday, February 3, 2025 and will be reopened no later than 3 p.m. on Wednesday, February 5, 2025. All entrance, and exit ramps, will remain open. These restrictions are needed to do emergency bridge deck repair work. IDOT District 8 Operations crews will make the needed improvements and restore full access as soon as possible. Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to changed conditions and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits, refrain from using mobile devices and be alert for workers and equipment. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow u

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MOUNT VERNON – U.S. Representative Mike Bost has nominated 17 local students for admission to various U.S. Service Academies, a move that highlights the commitment of Southern Illinois youth to military service. Several nominated students hail from several high schools in the region. O'Fallon Township High School had three nominated to service academies. The nominations followed a thorough review process conducted by an independent panel that assessed applications and conducted formal interviews. The final decision on admissions rests with the individual academies. "Southern Illinois is home to some of the brightest and most patriotic young men and women," Bost stated. "It’s exciting to see that the fire of service still burns bright. These students are outstanding members of our community, setting a great example both in and out of the classroom. They represent the next generation of leaders, and I have no doubt they have bright futures ahead." Notable nominations include:

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ROXANA — Andrew Kopp, a teenager from Roxana, was reported missing after he was last seen leaving Roxana High School at 2:58 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025. The Roxana Police Department announced on Monday morning, Feb. 3, 2025, that Kopp has been located and is safe. The police department expressed gratitude to the community for their assistance in the search for the missing juvenile. Further details regarding the circumstances of Kopp's disappearance and subsequent recovery have not been disclosed.

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GILLESPIE - Gillespie Community will host a Community Blood Drive with ImpactLife, the provider of blood components for local hospitals. The blood drive will be from 1 to 6 p.m. on Monday, February 17, 2025 at 900 Broadway, inside Gillespie Methodist Church Gym. What: Gillespie Community Blood Drive When: Monday, Feb. 17, 2025, 1-6 p.m. Where: Gillespie Methodist Church Gym, 900 Broadway, Gillespie, IL. Appointments: To donate, please contact Brenda Lowe at (217) 710-1336 or visit www.bloodcenter.org and use code 60020 to locate the drive. Appointments are requested. You may also call ImpactLife at 800-747-5401 to schedule. 2801 South 10th Street | Springfield, Illinois | (217) 753-1530 Donor Eligibility Criteria: Potential donors must be at least 17 years of age (16 with parental permission form available through www.bloodcenter.org ) and weigh more than 110 pounds. A photo I.D. is required to donate. For questions about eligibility, please call ImpactLife at (800)

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation (CST)—helped reintroduce bipartisan legislation alongside U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) aimed at addressing freight fraud. The Household Goods Shipping Consumer Protection Act would help provide the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) with the tools needed to protect consumers from fraud by scammers in the interstate transportation of household goods. “Bad actors are constantly developing new ways to defraud hardworking Americans, so it’s critical we keep our legislation up to speed so we can protect our constituents from the latest scamming techniques,” said Senator Duckworth. “Moving is stressful enough without worrying about whether your movers are actually scammers trying to steal your money and belongings. I’m proud to help introduce this bipartisan legislation alongside Senator Fischer

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is announcing a monthlong focus on heart health during American Heart Month in February. The annual observance serves as a reminder to the public about the dangers of cardiovascular disease and the resources that are available to help people maintain heart health. Governor JB Pritzker and Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton joined IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra in urging the public to be aware of, and to take care of, their heart health. “Heart disease remains the number one cause of death both nationally and right here in Illinois,” said Director Vohra. “But heart disease can be preventable when we are aware of our own personal risk factors. The first step in prevention is identifying what can make your heart unhealthy, such as untreated high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high levels of stress. Next, create a heart-healthy action plan. Finally, schedule a check-up with your medical provider

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GRANITE CITY - The employees of Revity Credit Union continue to showcase their dedication to community service and giving back. For 2025, they have pledged a remarkable total of $10,143.50 to United Way. The Board of Directors at Revity Credit Union has committed to donating $14,586.50, resulting in a substantial total donation of $25,000.00 for United Way. The United Way is an organization dedicated to improving lives by harnessing the caring power of communities globally to advance the common good. With generous support from organizations like Revity Credit Union, United Way is able to provide essential services to families and individuals, such as: Food Security: Helping families and individuals put food on the table. Housing Stability: Ensuring people stay safe in their homes. Mental Health Resources: Connecting individuals to necessary mental health support. Revity Credit Union is known for its strong support of various charitable organizations each year. Some of

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SPRINGFIELD – Hunters in Illinois harvested a preliminary total of 170,758 deer during all 2024-2025 archery and firearm seasons, which concluded Jan. 19. 2025. The preliminary total for 2024-2025 compares with a total harvest of 160,313 deer for all seasons in 2023-2024. During the 2024-2025 deer seasons, hunters took 46.27% females and 53.72% males. Final harvest totals by season and county can be found in the annual deer harvest report, which will be published later this spring. Totals from specific seasons: Archery deer hunters took a preliminary total of 73,598 deer during the season that began Oct. 1 and concluded Jan. 19. The total archery harvest during the 2023-2024 season was 71,226 deer. Youth deer hunters harvested a preliminary total of 4,057 deer during the three-day Illinois youth deer season Oct. 12-14, compared to 4,576 in 2023. Firearm season hunters took a preliminary total of 82,496 deer during the firearm season Nov. 22-24 and Dec. 5-8. This

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FAIRMONT CITY — Marleen Menendez Suarez, a local attorney, has seen a surge of clients seeking legal assistance since she offered to prepare guardianship and power of attorney documents for free in response to fears of deportation. Her Facebook post on Jan. 20, 2025, has drawn several individuals to her Fairmont City law office in recent days. Suarez commented: “People are very afraid, and they're very afraid for their children because many of them are U.S. citizens. What they're facing is, if both mom and dad get deported, what happens to their kids, and this is what occurred to me, too. This is why I started doing what I was doing.” Recently the small attorney's office in Fairmont City was filled with women, children, and a few men, many of whom had been waiting for about an hour to finalize their legal documents. The clients often arrived with family members who could assist in translating the legal jargon for their mixed-status families. Located approximately

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CHICAGO – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), a senior member and former chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, today sent a letter to the President and CEO of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) urging them to embrace their bipartisan legislation, the Drug-price Transparency for Consumers (DTC) Act, to empower patients and providers and commit to voluntarily disclosing list prices in DTC advertisements. The Senators wrote, “The United States is one of only two developed countries in the world that permits such pharmaceutical commercials. President Trump’s nominee for Health and Human Services Secretary has expressed interest in outright banning this practice. It would be wise for drug companies to adopt commonsense solutions to address the concerns that have been raised about DTC prescription drug advertising. As you are aware, the United States Senate previously voted unanimously

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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Erica Harriss (56th-Glen Carbon) is set to take on a key leadership role once again, continuing as the Minority Spokesperson for the Illinois Senate Local Government Committee in the 104th General Assembly. “There are so many committees to serve on, but as a former county board member, I’ve found my experience to be especially useful in this role,” said Senator Harriss. “I’m excited to keep working on the issues that matter to our communities.” The new General Assembly kicked off on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, bringing new leadership roles and committee assignments. This year, Senator Harriss will serve on six different Senate committees: Energy and Public Utilities, Licensed Activities, Local Government (MS), Transportation, Veterans Affairs, and Appropriations – Health and Human Services. “I’m really looking forward to diving into my work on the Transportation and Licensed Activities committees,”

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Duckworth Statement on Trump’s Dangerous Attack on USAID WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC)—released the following statement after President Donald Trump took several actions to freeze funding and operations at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) this week, an agency that is critical to advancing American interests and supporting millions across the globe: “Donald Trump’s attack on USAID will have devastating, far-reaching consequences at home and abroad. Injecting this deliberate chaos into such a core agency will not only jeopardize the safety and well-being of innocent people around the world who rely on USAID for critical humanitarian assistance, but it will also undermine the United States’ global standing, our interests and national security. “Make no mistake: this short-sighted agenda is yet another illegal

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CHICAGO - Today, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker released the following statement on Donald Trump signing an executive order that would impose tariffs on trading partners integral to the Illinois economy: “Let’s call these tariffs what they are: Trump’s Taxes on Working Families. If these tariffs remain in place, it will jack up the price of groceries and goods, make gas more expensive, and raise utility bills. While Donald Trump is making millions off his corrupt crypto schemes and memes, working families will pay the price. ? “Trade is an anchor of the Illinois economy. Illinois is the single largest exporting state in the Midwest and fourth largest exporter in the United States. Our jobs and economic success are linked to our top two trading partners, Canada and Mexico, and also China. No other state in the nation imports more goods to Canada than the Land of Lincoln, and Illinois is one of the top five of all 50 states in exports to both Canada and

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EDWARDSVILLE - Most people would agree that there is more to an athlete than what meets the eye, and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Josh Wooten , PhD, professor and chair of the Department of Exercise, Sport, and Nutrition Sciences, has been working to quantify that information and parlay it into a more healthy, well-balanced and adept player. The means in which Wooten and his team plan to help reach this goal is through a Performance Survey for SIUE’s women’s volleyball team. In developing the Performance Survey, Wooten realized the volleyball coaching staff wanted to better understand and quantify both psychosocial and physical factors that may influence the performance of their athletes. “Our primary aim was to provide the team’s coaches and support staff with data they need to make decisions that would maximize player readiness and reduce the risk for injury during their competitive season,” said Wooten. “Our hope was

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ALTON – The Alton Square Mall branch of The Hayner Public Library District is temporarily closed due to an obstruction in the sewer line. The line has been repaired. The District is now working with restoration professionals to get all affected areas cleaned, sanitized and restored. It is expected that the library will reopen on Tuesday; however, this is a tentative timeline. Updates will continue to be posted on Hayner’s website and social media pages. The Downtown branch of The Hayner Public Library District continues to remain open during its regular hours. Patrons are encouraged to visit the Downtown Library during the temporary closure of the Alton Square Mall branch. The Genealogy & Local History Library will also remain open during regular hours. According to Kevin Botterbush, president of Hayner’s board of trustees, the main focus now is to ensure that the Alton Square Mall space is cleaned and restored as quickly as possible. “Our first priority is

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BETHALTO - Charlie Brown is not a normal teacher. Before he taught culinary arts at Civic Memorial High School, Brown lived in Nashville, where he wrote and recorded songs. You might recognize Brown’s name on Blake Shelton’s “Pure B.S.” album with the song “What I Wouldn’t Give,” also recorded by Lila McCann. When Shelton released the song, Brown knew he had hit it big. And then he did what most people wouldn’t: He came home. “I just wanted to be home,” he said. “I just knew I was a Riverbend guy, so I came back to my roots.” Brown grew up in Wood River, where he and his family listened to music constantly. In college, he saved up enough money to buy a guitar and taught himself how to play. He wanted to be a teacher, but he couldn’t ignore the calling he felt toward music. After a few years teaching at East Alton-Wood River High School, he pulled the trigger and moved to Tennessee. To Brown, Nashvill

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