Riverbender 🕸

EDWARDSVILLE - Birth to Five Illinois advocates for kids and families. Based out of Edwardsville, the Birth to Five Illinois Region 41 chapter serves Madison County. They offer several resources and councils that aim to increase support for community members with young children. “We have families, we all have kiddos, but everyone feels like they’re doing this journey alone,” said Malayna Hutchins, Family and Community Engagement Specialist. “So when we bring them together and they say, ‘Oh, you know what, I’m going through the same thing, I’m struggling with this too’ — they’re like, ‘Why isn’t there anything where these people can come together and meet and share resources and talk about the struggles?’ That’s something that’s been really passionate for them.” Hutchins oversees the Family Council, a division of Region 41 that brings together “family voices.” Adrienne

Continue Reading

ALTON - The Marie Meyer Flying Circus performed in the flying field near Wood River on Saturday, July 25, and Sunday, July 26, 1925. The American Legion sponsored the shows, which began at 3 p.m. both days and featured three planes. A parade took place on Friday, July 24, to promote the shows. Planned events at the Flying Circus included wing walking by Marie Meyer, “said to be the only woman stunt flying in the country.” Meyer also planned to stand in the middle of the top of a plane while her pilot made the plane loop the loop. Meyer’s husband, Charles Fowler, was another one of the pilots. Fowler was well-known for his ability to fly upside down for long distances. There was an attempt at the “leap of death” by Bertie Brooks, movie stunt flyer, who also planned to hang from a trapeze by his teeth. In the leap of death, Brooks jumped from one end of the plane, hanging onto a rope, and attempted to climb back up the rope into the plane. Before

Continue Reading

ST. CLAIR COUNTY — A St. Clair County jury has found Sabrina Dunigan, an East St. Louis woman, responsible on two of five counts of endangering the life or health of her children for the deaths of her five kids in a tragic fire that occurred four years ago. Dunigan’s sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 26, 2025. The fire took place in the early morning hours of Aug. 6, 2021, at an apartment building on North 29th Street in East St. Louis, where Dunigan and her five children lived. The children, ranging in age from 2 to 9, were home alone when the fire broke out. The children who died in the fire were identified in descending age order as Deontae Davis Jr., 9; 8-year-old twins Neveah Dunigan and Heaven Dunigan; Jabari Johnson, 4; and Loy’el Dunigan, 2. The deaths also tragically occurred on the birthday of their mother, Sabrina. The East St. Louis Fire Department said at the time that Dunigan had briefly left the apartment to pick up her boyfriend from work.

Continue Reading

ALTON - The Hayner Public Library District gives back to the community, and you can help. Through the end of July, Hayner’s fine amnesty program “Supplies for Summer” will allow patrons to return overdue library materials and pay no fine if you also donate a personal care item. Mary Cordes, the library’s executive director, explained that the goal is to support local organizations. “It’s twofold. It helps us get our materials back so they’re available for the next patron and then it also helps these entities,” she said. “We do this quarterly. Every quarter, we have a fine amnesty program. Through the end of July, we have ‘Supplies for Summer’ going.” Items like shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant and other hygiene products can be dropped off at Hayner Library along with your overdue materials. The library will waive the fine. At the end of the month, they will donate half of the supplies to Crisi

Continue Reading

CARROLLTON — The Greene County Health Department confirmed the detection of West Nile Virus in two mosquito pools within Greene County, officials announced this week. West Nile Virus, transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes that have fed on infected birds, can cause symptoms such as fever, nausea, headache and muscle aches. While most people infected—about 80%—do not show symptoms, some may experience illness lasting from a few days to several weeks. In rare cases, severe complications including meningitis, encephalitis or death can occur, particularly among individuals over the age of 60 who are at higher risk for serious illness. To reduce the risk of infection, the health department advises residents to follow the three “R’s”: reduce exposure, repel mosquitoes and report mosquito breeding sites. Reducing exposure includes avoiding outdoor activities when mosquitoes are most active, especially between dusk and dawn, ensuring doors an

Continue Reading

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MO. — Several roads in north St. Louis County remain closed Friday, July 25, 2025, due to a hazardous materials incident at the former GKN Aerospace building on James S. McDonnell Boulevard in Hazelwood, Mo. The eastbound lanes of McDonnell Boulevard between Lindbergh Boulevard and Byassee Drive were shut down as of 10 a.m. on Friday, July 25, 2025, according to the Hazelwood Police Department. Authorities have not provided a timeline for when the roads will reopen. The incident occurred around 9:10 a.m. when a truck was loading nitric acid at the facility, now owned by Boeing, located on the 100 block of McDonnell Boulevard near Lambert-St. Louis International Airport. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources confirmed that up to 3,000 gallons of nitric acid leaked onto the parking lot, entered a storm drain, and flowed into Coldwater Creek. The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District's response involved the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, the

Continue Reading

MARINE - Illinois State Police Troop 8 provided an update on Friday morning, July 25, 2025, to a truck-tractor-pedestrian fatal crash late Thursday night, July 24, 2025. ISP said officers responded to a fatal crash involving a truck-tractor semi-trailer and a pedestrian on Interstate 70 westbound near milepost 20, just west of Illinois Route 4 in Madison County. The incident occurred at approximately 10:30 p.m. on July 24, 2025, and ISP received a call about the crash shortly after. According to preliminary ISP information, the pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene. The Illinois State Police closed the roadway at about 10:42 p.m. on July 24, 2025, to conduct an investigation, reopening it at approximately 4:40 a.m. on Friday, July 25, 2025. No additional details have been released at this time. The victim's name has not yet been released.

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE — Godfrey artist Jennifer Rulo will be among the featured artists at the Edwardsville Arts Fair, scheduled for Sept. 26-28, 2025, at Edwardsville City Park. Rulo specializes in wire-wrapped jewelry, drawing inspiration from the colors and textures found in nature, the structural patterns in architecture, and the flowing lines of script. Her preferred materials include copper and semi-precious stones, with a particular attraction to the warm caramel tones of antiqued copper. She also works with sterling silver, shells, and pearls. Her jewelry pieces often blend elements of fun and elegance, sometimes incorporating hints of Celtic style as a tribute to her heritage. "I delight in turning nature into wearable art. Using hard stone and cold metal, I attempt to create beauty," Rulo said. "My jewelry leans toward clean lines to highlight the character of the stones I wrap. I draw inspiration from everything I see — the colors and textures in nature, architectural

Continue Reading

O’FALLON — Lindsay Beaston has been appointed as a fourth-grade teacher at Estelle Kampmeyer Elementary School in O'Fallon. She is a very experienced instructor with nine years of fifth-grade teaching experience and three years of K-5 technology instruction. Beaston expressed enthusiasm about joining District 90, citing its “strong reputation for academic excellence, inclusive educational practices, and commitment to supporting both students and educators.” She also acknowledged the support she received from the building principals at Estelle Kampmeyer and Evans throughout the hiring process. “Everyone I have talked to within District 90 has been welcoming and so nice,” Beaston said. “I am excited to start this new chapter of teaching fourth grade!” Outside of the classroom, Beaston enjoys golfing as a way to relax and unwind.

Continue Reading

GRANITE CITY – A Granite City man accused of domestic battery, weapon offenses, and more is the subject of two different felony cases filed on the same day. Travis R. Stevenson, 37, of Granite City, was charged on July 14, 2025 with the following offenses: Criminal damage to property (Class 4 felony) Domestic battery (Class A misdemeanor) Interfering with the reporting of domestic violence (Class A misdemeanor) Stevenson was charged in a separate felony case, also filed on July 14, with the following offenses: Possession of a firearm by a repeat felony offender (Class X felony) Fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer (Class A misdemeanor) On July 13, 2025, Stevenson allegedly struck the victim about the head and face with a closed fist, causing bodily harm to the victim, who was a family or household member of Stevenson. He was additionally accused of causing over $500 worth of damage to the victim’s iPhone and preventing them from calling 911

Continue Reading

CAHOKIA HEIGHTS — A 23-year-old man has been charged in connection with a shooting that left an 11-year-old boy in critical condition in Cahokia Heights, authorities said on Friday morning, July 25, 2025. Jeremiah Johnson, of Cahokia Heights, was charged July 23, 2025, with aggravated battery, mob action and obstructing justice following the July 21, 2025, incident on the 1600 block of Andrews Drive in Cahokia Heights, according to Lt. Tim Lawrence of the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, who serves as deputy commander of the Major Case Squad investigating the case. The shooting occurred around 3:30 p.m. Monday after a verbal disturbance among several individuals in the area escalated into gunfire, Lawrence said. The juvenile victim was leaving a friend’s house on his bicycle when he was struck by gunfire. First responders transported the boy to a St. Louis-area hospital, where he remains in critical condition. “The victim is an 11-year-old boy and a Cahokia

Continue Reading

FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS — Two detention facility employees were recognized for lifesaving actions after they discovered a detainee experiencing a medical emergency on March 17, 2025. Community Policing Assistants Marissa Lager and Brayden Harder were conducting intake procedures at the Fairview Heights detention center when they noticed a detainee lying on the floor of a cell rather than on the bed, where the individual had been just six minutes earlier. Harder is also a volunteer with the Glen Carbon Fire Protection District. After attempts to get a response failed, they immediately alerted a sergeant. Upon entering the cell, the sergeant found the detainee actively seizing. Emergency medical services were called, and the detainee was transported to a hospital. Medical personnel later confirmed a brain bleed caused the seizure. The Fairview Heights Police Department acknowledged Lager and Harder’s quick thinking and decisive action, stating their attentiveness and willingness

Continue Reading

ALTON - Centerstone and Birth to Five Illinois recently hosted a wellness fair, and representatives from the organization spoke about Centerstone’s commitment to the community. On Saturday, July 19, 2025, Centerstone staff members came together to provide health and wellness resources to the community. In interviews on “Our Daily Show!” with C.J. Nasello , they spoke about the organization’s work and their plans for future events like this. “I was envisioning a one-stop shop,” explained Jen, a community liaison with Centerstone. “Whatever they needed to know that maybe they don’t have time to do in our busy lives Monday through Friday from 8 to 5, they can do it on a Saturday and knock everything out.” There were 52 vendors at the fair at the YWCA. Attendees could talk to legal aid resources, undergo health screenings, learn about local organizations, and much more. Centerstone is a national resource for mental healt

Continue Reading

O'FALLON - State Representative Kevin Schmidt (R-Millstadt) partnered with ImpactLife to host a Blood Drive yesterday at O’Fallon Township. “I want to thank everyone who attended my blood drive because all of you made a difference in helping to save lives,” said Schmidt. “There is such a drastic shortage in blood, and donating blood is a small gesture that leaves a big impact.” ImpactLife provides lifesaving blood products and services to patients in need across Illinois. Their team works directly with doctors and researchers to improve treatments and methods for delivering transfusion medicine to communities. To find blood drives in our region, visit ImpactLife.org.

Continue Reading

BETHALTO - During their regular meeting on July 24, 2025, the Bethalto Community Unit School District #8 Board of Education approved the reorganization of six committees. The Board previously had committees on Construction, Calendar, Insurance, Finance, Operations, and Policy. Following a unanimous vote on July 24, the committees have been restructured to include Budgeting and Finance, Insurance/Calendar, Policy and Procedure, Facilities and Construction, Human Resources, and Operations. Board member Michael Kirby suggested reorganizing the committees. He expressed his opinion that the committees could streamline the process of discussing and voting on items. He also suggested including community members in some of the committees to get the community’s input. “If we get people with that kind of a background that are quite knowledgeable in the financial sector, et cetera, they can be placed on these committees, and anything of a financial concern, they basically giv

Continue Reading

ALTON - Enjoy the sounds of smooth jazz and the taste of great wine as the successful Alton Jazz & Wine Festival returns to the Alton Amphitheater on Saturday, August 30st with gates opening at 6 p.m. Tickets for the Alton Jazz & Wine Festival will go on sale today, July 25th, at 10 a.m. “The Alton Amphitheater Commission is excited to continue bringing great jazz to the Alton Amphitheater with this popular and growing event,” said Dan Herkert, Amphitheater Commission Chair. “Alton is the birthplace of jazz great Miles Davis, and we’re proud to be part of the effort to ensure Alton becomes a jazz destination.” Kicking off this year’s Alton Jazz & Wine Festival is Arvell & Company , led by Arvell Keithly, a singer, percussionist, recording artist and consummate entertainer. He has been involved in the music industry for over 30+ years and has had the privilege of working with many talented artists enabling him to fine-tune his craft of musical

Continue Reading

Did you know that visual storytelling enhances memory retention by up to 65% compared to text alone? Imagine combining this power with the excitement of a scavenger hunt, turning an ordinary day into an engaging adventure. A summer photo scavenger hunt offers a creative way to encourage exploration, observation, and connection through photography. Whether organizing for family, friends, or community groups, this activity can foster interaction and spark creativity. Defining the Concept: What Is a Photo Scavenger Hunt? A photo scavenger hunt challenges participants to find and capture specific items, scenes, or themes using a camera or smartphone. Unlike traditional scavenger hunts that require collecting physical objects, photo hunts emphasize creativity and interpretation, allowing players to express their perspective through images. This modern twist on a classic game leverages the ubiquity of digital cameras and social media to enhance engagement. Planning Your Photo Scavenger

Continue Reading

July 25 has been a date marked by remarkable events that have shaped history. One of the most profound events occurred on July 25, 1610, when Galileo Galilei made a discovery that forever changed our understanding of the cosmos. Using his improved telescope, Galileo observed the four largest moons orbiting Jupiter—Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto—now collectively known as the Galilean moons. This was revolutionary because it challenged the long-held geocentric view that Earth was the center of the universe. Galileo’s observations provided strong evidence that not all celestial bodies revolve around the Earth, paving the way for modern astronomy and altering humanity’s place in the cosmos. Fast forward to July 25, 1794, during the French Revolution, when the fall of the radical leader Maximilien Robespierre took place. Robespierre, a key architect of the Reign of Terror, was arrested and executed on this day, marking a turning point in the revolution. His

Continue Reading

Today’s high will reach 93 degrees with a low of 75. Expect mostly cloudy skies in the morning, turning partly sunny with scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. It will feel very hot, with temperatures feeling as high as 105 degrees in some spots. Humidity is high, making it feel even warmer. An Extreme Heat Warning is in effect until 7 p.m. Tuesday for Madison County. Heat index values could hit 111 degrees, so be sure to stay hydrated, avoid the sun when possible, and check on neighbors and family, especially the elderly and young children. Allergy sufferers should note moderate mold levels and low pollen counts for grass, ragweed, and tree pollen. The UV index is high at 7, so sunscreen and protective clothing are recommended if you’re spending time outdoors. Tomorrow’s forecast calls for a high near 90 and a low around 75 with humid conditions and more scattered thunderstorms possible throughout the day. It will be partly sunny and still feel very warm, with

Continue Reading

MARINE, Ill. — Westbound Highway 70 is closed Thursday night at Route 4 outside Marine after a semi truck struck and killed a pedestrian. The Marine Fire Department was dispatched just before 11 p.m. for the report of a pedestrian struck by a semi truck. Firefighters initially requested a medical helicopter to be put on standby, but canceled the request upon arrival. Westbound traffic on Highway 70 was rerouted off at the Route 4 exit due to the closure. Westbound 70 will be closed for an extended period. The Madison County Coroner’s office responded to the scene, and the Illinois State Police are investigating the fatal accident. Further details have not been released yet.

Continue Reading