Riverbender 🕸

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today participated in a spotlight forum entitled “Dismantling Education: What the Trump Administration’s Illegal Attacks on Federal Programs Mean for Students, Families, and Educators.” The forum, convened by U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI), focused on the dangerous consequences of the Trump Administration’s efforts to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education (ED) for the nation’s students, families,

BENTON – A district judge sentenced an Effingham County man to 12 years’ imprisonment after he admitted to exploiting an 89-year-old man out of more than $400,000. Edward L. Stief, Jr., 42, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud, one count of mail fraud and one count of unlawful monetary transactions in criminal derived property. The judge ordered him to pay $411,773.51 in restitution. “Not only did Stief manipulate his victim into cashing life insurance policies

GRANITE CITY – Granite City Elks Lodge #1063 recognized Granite City High School seniors Chloe Book and Evan Connolly as Students of the Month for November. The Elks Student of the Month Program is designed to recognize outstanding young men and women for achievements in school and community life-fine arts, hobbies, athletics, church, school, club and community service, industry and farming. Nominees are judged on multiple achievements including leadership skills, good moral

MORO/EDWARDSVILLE - The Madison County Board did not approve a solar project in Moro during their regular meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025. Larry and Charlene Bandy have requested a special use permit to develop a commercial solar energy facility in an agricultural district in Moro Township. On Nov. 19, 2025, the Madison County Board denied this special use permit. During the public comment period of the Dec. 17 meeting, several people spoke against the solar project and thanked the

What if the simple act of singing door to door could trace its roots back over a thousand years and reflect a tapestry of cultural, religious, and social transformations? Christmas caroling is more than just cheerful melodies echoing through neighborhoods; it is a tradition steeped in history, community spirit, and evolving meaning. Origins of Christmas Caroling: From Medieval Roots to Modern Practice The word “carol” originally referred to a type of dance song in medieval Europe,

December 18 has been a date of remarkable significance throughout history. Going back to 1865, December 18 marks a monumental milestone in human rights history with the ratification of the 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution. This amendment abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime, formally ending centuries of legalized enslavement in the U.S. Its ratification was a critical turning point in American history, profoundly reshaping the nation’s

Expect a wet and windy day in the area. Today’s high will reach 55 degrees with a low around 22. Winds will come from the southwest at 18 mph, gusting up to 43 mph. It will feel chilly, especially in the wind. There’s an 86 percent chance of rain with a thunderstorm possible this morning. This morning starts off with rain and thunderstorms, heavy at times. Winds will be strong and gusty, creating a very blustery start. By afternoon, rain will taper off but cloud cover will remain thick

CHICAGO — On Wednesday night, Dec. 17, 2025, Donald Trump spent 18 minutes boasting that he’s delivering on the economy, despite the fact that all he’s delivered is higher prices, stagnant wage growth, and extreme uncertainty for American families. And the Illinois GOP is letting him get away with it. “Donald Trump’s primetime address celebrating his failing economy was an insult to the millions of Americans spending more than ever on their groceries, electric bills,

EDWARDSVILLE — Dr. Pamela Denise Long, a former Newsweek columnist and conservative political commentator, officially filed her nominating papers recently to run for U.S. Senate in Illinois. Long aims to become the first Republican to win statewide office in Illinois since 2014 and, if successful, would be the first legacy Black American Republican woman elected to the Senate from the state. Long, a downstate resident and occupational therapist, launched her campaign in May and has since

ALTON – Alton city officials are moving forward with plans to redevelop an approximately 30-acre piece of currently vacant land into the Wadlow Town Center . Alton City Council members on Wednesday unanimously passed a resolution directing the Director of Planning & Development to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the development of the Wadlow Town Center. “ Wadlow Town Center” refers to the former site of the Robert P. Wadlow Golf Course, located between the Alton

CAHOKIA HEIGHTS, Ill. — Shawn L. Williams, 54, of Belleville, Illinois, was charged Thursday with two counts of murder following a double homicide investigation in Cahokia Heights, the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis announced. Williams faces charges of murder with intent to kill or injure, according to the St. Clair County State’s Attorney James Gomric’s Office. He is currently being held at the St. Clair County Jail pending a detention hearing in accordance with the

ALTON — The Alton Police Department responded to a report of a male subject carrying what appeared to be a handgun on Main Street Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 17, 2025, Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford said. Officers located the man, who immediately removed the firearm and dropped it to the ground. Upon inspection, the weapon was determined to be a BB gun, Chief Ford said. Chief Ford said the subject was also found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia. He was transported to the Alton Jai

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned nominees at a Senate Judiciary Committee nominations hearing. Durbin first questioned Justin Ross Olson, nominated to the U.S District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, about the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Mr. Olson previously worked pro bono to assist two individuals seeking status under DACA. “What was your impression

GRAFTON — The City of Grafton is moving forward with plans to operate a new ferry service connecting Missouri and Illinois, with payments coming from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) in a grant. Godfrey Mayor Mike Morrow described IDOT District 8 as a “fantastic partner” in the project, which is also receiving support from federal funding sources. The ferry service aims to serve not only Grafton but the entire region, including Missouri. “The entire region

EDWARDSVILLE — Edwardsville High School’s Performing Arts Department raised $1,944.22 during its Dec. 3, 2025, holiday concert, marking the largest donation collection in the event’s history. The funds will be split evenly between the Main Street Community Center and the performing arts department at Edwardsville High School. The concert, held in the EHS gymnasium, featured performances by approximately 450 students. Victoria Voumard, orchestra director and fine arts department

Chicago – Attorney General Raoul today announced a $4.25 million multistate settlement with home improvement retail chain Menard Inc. (Menards). The bipartisan settlement resolves claims that the company deceptively marketed its merchandise credit check program, commonly known as the Menards 11% Rebate Program. Raoul co-led a coalition of attorneys general in investigating a number of problems with Menards’ sales practices, including allegations that the company’s prolific

GRANITE CITY — In a strategic move to bolster grid resilience and reduce storm-related outages, Ameren Illinois and Ameren Missouri are installing composite utility poles manufactured by Trident Industries at their Granite City facility. These fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) poles, branded as TridentStrong™, are engineered to withstand extreme weather conditions while offering a safer and more efficient alternative to traditional wooden poles. The initiative comes amid growing concern

ALTON – Two men from Alton face felony charges after reportedly burglarizing a home and vehicle in separate cases. James A. Charles, 50, of Alton, was charged on Dec. 11, 2025 with one count each of burglary (a Class 3 felony) and possession of another’s credit, debit, or identification card (a Class 4 felony). Charles allegedly knowingly entered a Ford SUV parked at the Alton Square Mall without authority and with the intent to commit a theft on July 22, 2025. Charles is also accuse

MADISON COUNTY — A vehicle traveling northbound on Montclair Avenue swerved into the southbound lanes and struck a ditch Tuesday evening, Dec. 16, 2025, causing the vehicle to roll over, Madison County Chief Deputy Sheriff Marcos Pulido reported on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025. The incident occurred around 5:49 p.m. Dec. 16 at the intersection of Montclair Avenue and Ebbeler Lane. According to Pulido, the reason for the driver’s sudden swerve remains unknown. Witnesses at the scene

CAHOKIA HEIGHTS — One adult and one child were shot Wednesday morning, Dec. 17, 2025, at an apartment complex in Cahokia Heights, authorities said. The shooting occurred around 10:15 a.m. Dec. 17 at a complex in the 200 block of Miller Court in Cahokia Heights. Preliminary findings from police indicate that both an adult and a child were injured in the incident. Officials have not released details about the victims’ conditions or whether a suspect has been apprehended. Several polic