Riverbender 🕸

CHICAGO – The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) and the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) are thrilled to announce the second cohort to complete the Next Generation Capacity Building Initiative (Next Gen), a program designed to strengthen the pipeline of emerging affordable housing developers in the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) industry across Illinois. “Everyone in Illinois deserves access to affordable housing, and our Next Gen program is providing

ALTON – The Alton Educational Foundation recently awarded eight grants to Alton School District teachers and staff as a part of their Fall 2025 Grant Application Cycle. The programs and projects proposed and awarded will serve over 3,100 students across six schools. Each year, the Foundation raises funding through their Guardians of Education Program which is specifically targeted to provide staff grants designed to expand innovative programs and projects for Alton students. To date,

WOOD RIVER — A two-vehicle crash on Illinois Route 143 near Enviroway left one critically injured Wednesday morning, Dec. 3, 2025, Wood River Police Chief Brad Wells said. The accident occurred shortly before 8:48 a.m. on Wednesday when a small passenger vehicle, driven by a woman, attempted to turn left onto Enviroway from eastbound Route 143. The vehicle collided with a white pickup truck traveling westbound in the slow lane, also driven by a woman. Chief Wells said the driver in the

EDWARDSVILLE – The Edwardsville Police Department participated in the statewide “Click It or Ticket” and “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” mobilization over the Thanksgiving holiday period to reduce crashes and save lives. Enforcement focused on seat-belt use, speeding, distraction, and alcohol- and drug-impaired driving, including cannabis. During a seven-hour enforcement detail, officers made five traffic stops for various traffic violations, resulting in two arrests

CARROLLTON — The Greene County Health Department is proud to announce that Molly Peters, their Public Health Administrator, has been appointed by Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Director Sameer Vohra MD, JD, MA as Co-Chair of the SHA/SHIP Partnership—the statewide team guiding the development and implementation of Illinois’s five-year statewide public health blueprint under the “Healthy Illinois 2028” initiative. In her role, Ms. Peters will help steer

EAST SAINT LOUIS — The East Saint Louis Police Department welcomed six new police officers on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, marking a significant step in bolstering the city’s law enforcement team. The recruits will begin a 16-week training program at the Southwestern Illinois College Police Academy, followed by a period of field training. The department emphasized that this marks the start of their careers in serving the City of Champions. The East Saint Louis Police Department encouraged

CARROLLTON – The Greene County Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan, outlining projects and activities to reduce damages caused by severe weather and other natural hazards, will be available for public review and comment starting Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. A public forum will be held at the Greene County Health Department, 310 5th Street in Carrollton, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 10. Individuals can come and review the Plan at any time during the forum. Those unable to attend can

PIASA — A group of education pathway students from Southwestern High School spent Tuesday exploring the teaching profession during Future Teacher Day at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE). The event, held Nov. 18, 2025, gathered aspiring educators from across the region for a day of inspiration, hands-on learning, and professional development. The day began with a keynote address by Dr. Victor Gomez, Illinois Teacher of the Year, who shared his personal journey and encouraged

ALTON - The Hayner Public Library District’s Genealogy & Local History Library will be transformed into a Victorian-inspired holiday wonderland when the library hosts its annual Holiday Open House on Saturday, December 6, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. “This is always a fantastic event,” said Executive Director Mary Cordes. “The Genealogy and Local History Library is one of the most beautiful buildings in our District (which covers Alton, Godfrey, and Foster Township), and

CHICAGO — Today, Governor JB Pritzker joined members of the Illinois America 250 Commission at Navy Pier’s iconic Centennial Wheel on Lake Michigan to announce a series of statewide initiatives to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026. Celebrations marking the nation’s birth in 1776 with the signing of the Declaration will take place across the country in 2026, culminating on July 4. “The story of Illinois has always been the story

ST. LOUIS – The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is intensifying its fight against the deadly threat of synthetic opioids with the launch of Fentanyl Free America, a comprehensive enforcement initiative and public awareness campaign aimed at reducing both the supply and demand for fentanyl. Through intensified enforcement operations and heightened intelligence, DEA is applying unprecedented pressure on the global fentanyl supply chain, forcing narco-terrorists, like the

WASHINGTON, D.C. – After the Trump Administration cruelly provided only four percent of the air traffic controller (ATC) and technician workforce with $10,000 bonuses, despite all of them working without pay during the Republican-led government shutdown, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—Ranking Member of the Senate Subcommittee on Aviation, Space and Innovation—demanded U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy award those bonuses to every single ATC and technician. In

MARYVILLE – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that the intersection of Illinois 162 and Keebler Road will be closed to all traffic for one day starting at 8 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, weather permitting, to allow crews to replace two crossroad culverts. The intersection is expected to reopen by 6 p.m. the same evening. During this closure, no through traffic will be permitted, and motorists will encounter limited opportunities to turn around at the intersection. Motorists

ALTON - A new downtown Alton shop has quickly become a local favorite. Persnickety by Jen Farley offers a wide variety of antique, vintage and new items, from lamps and furniture to home decor and jewelry, as well as a fresh flower bar. As the holidays approach, Farley shares that she hopes to help Riverbend residents find the perfect gifts and items to keep them happy all season long. “I never know what I’m going to find. I like to say that my items find me so I can help

ALTON – OSF HealthCare Rehabilitation Services in Alton will be holding its monthly lymphedema education meeting on Thursday, December 4, which will serve as a Christmas party with a Lymphedema and Christmas trivia game for attendees. Riverbend region residents are invited to join the OSF Lymphedema Therapy Team for this free educational session about Lymphedema and meet other people with lymphedema. The December lymphedema education meeting will be held: Thursday, December

TROY - The Troy/Maryville/St. Jacob/Marine Chamber of Commerce is seeking college juniors and seniors for its spring internship program, offering hands-on experience in various aspects of chamber operations. Students enrolled in mass communication, social media, video, public relations, business, marketing, or office management are encouraged to apply. The unpaid internship provides opportunities to engage in office processes, event planning, event attendance, and networking with Chamber members.

ALTON - The Alton Municipal Band continues its tradition of bringing holiday cheer to the Riverbend with a free concert at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025. Part of the “Music on the Riverbend” concert series at the First Presbyterian Church of Alton, the concert will feature local singer Robyn Brandon with director David Drillinger. Traditional carols and new holiday favorites alike will be performed, along with several toe-tapping jazz tunes. The historic music ensemble

EDWARDSVILLE – The Edwardsville Fire Department welcomed two new members on Tuesday night. Brandon Hoguet and Jake Hildenbrand were both officially sworn in as probationary firefighters at the Dec. 2, 2025 City Council meeting. City Clerk Michelle Boyer administered the Oaths of Office for both of the city’s newest probationary firefighters. Hoguet’s young son clung tightly to his father’s side as he took his oath, and both he and Hildenbrand took photos with city

EDWARDSVILLE - EXO Lounge has several fun December events planned. In addition to their restaurant, led by a Michelin-star chef, and med spa and nail bar services, which are always available, you can check out a variety of holiday- and winter-themed activities through the end of December. EXO is also hosting a “Friends” pop-up experience with real props from the TV show through Dec. 31, 2025. “We’ve got a fun month of December coming up with some things that we’re

WOOD RIVER — Two were injured in a near head-on collision Wednesday morning, Dec. 3, 2025, at the intersection of Illinois Route 143 and Enviro Way, authorities said. The Wood River Fire Department responded to the crash at 8:41 a.m. on Dec. 3. Upon arrival, one patient was found unresponsive, Wood River Fire Chief Wade Stahlhut said. Stahlhut said that the individual was airlifted to a hospital in St. Louis in serious condition. A second patient, who was stable, was also transported by