ST. LOUIS - St. Louis County police are investigating a crash on Wednesday morning, Feb. 4, 2026, in Earth City that injured a police officer and a civilian driver, after an officer responding to a separate crash call struck another vehicle at an intersection, authorities said. The crash happened about 7:41 a.m. on Feb. 4 at Earth City Expressway and Rider Trail South in St. Louis County, Mo., according St. Louis County Police. Police said a Central County Precinct officer was traveling
GRAFTON - Steve and Jackie Duty of Grafton say their relationship has endured because it was built on what Jackie Duty described as “a real story, rooted in commitment through the ups, the downs, the tragedies, the rebuilding, the laughter.” The couple met on Feb. 21, 1998, at Riverbend Billiards and Grill and married on Nov. 3, 2000, in a small courthouse ceremony, according to Jackie Duty. She said the relationship began in an “ordinary, hometown” way and grew as they
ALTON - William and Jeanettea Bowens of Alton say their relationship, which began Feb. 18, 2011, and led to their marriage on Nov. 18, 2018, is rooted in faith and a commitment to support each other through both joy and grief. In information submitted for “Love" stories near Valentine's Day, Jeanettea M. Bowens described her relationship with husband, William, as “two very different people” who “respect and embrace one another's differences by demonstrating unconditional
ALTON - The Alton High School music department announced with pride that several of its student musicians participated in the 2026 Illinois Music Educators Association (IMEA) All-State Festival, on Jan. 29-31, 2026, in Peoria. Alton High School Orchestra Director Laura Plummer said, “We are incredibly proud of the dedication and perseverance our ILMEA All-State students have shown and the pride they bring to Alton High School, our music program, and the entire Alton community.” From
ST. LOUIS - Among the finalists at the recent Fox Performing Arts Charitable Foundation's St. Louis Teen Talent competition were instrumentalists Henry and Kaitlyn Foppe. Henry Foppe, a junior at John Paul II Preparatory School, and Kaitlyn Foppe, a senior at Father McGivney High School, competed as a piano and violin act. Fourteen teen acts took the stage at the Fabulous Fox Theatre in St. Louis on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, as the Fox Performing Arts Charitable Foundation presented scholarship
ALTON - Keith Short has practical advice for people before their first appointment with a lawyer. Short, who owns Keith Short and Associates in Alton, encourages his clients to come into every first meeting with an open mind and as much information as they can. This can help your case start off strong as attorneys like Short begin the process of researching and filing it. “The first thing you do before you go to a lawyer’s office is, sit down and compile a list of all the
EDWARDSVILLE - Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026, congratulated First Assistant State’s Attorney Chad Loughrey after Loughrey was selected for an associate judgeship in Edwardsville, calling the appointment “well-deserved” and praising Loughrey’s work in the office and across the local legal community. “Congratulations to First Assistant State's Attorney Chad Loughrey and his entire family on his well-deserved selection as
Valentine’s Day is all about celebrating love—the big moments, the small gestures, and the stories that make your relationship one-of-a-kind. This year, RiverBender.com wants to spotlight local couples by publishing reader-submitted love stories free-of-charge thanks to our community sponsors. How to submit Submitting your love story is easy. You can fill out our Love Story form at https://contribute.riverbender.com/page/tell-us-your-love-story/ or email us at news@riverbender.com
EDWARDSVILLE — An overtime finish, energetic cheerleaders, and a Unified basketball exhibition at halftime helped make the Edwardsville-Staunton High boys basketball game a memorable night for Edwardsville High School fans. Edwardsville High School defeated Staunton 48-43 in overtime in Edwardsville. The game featured energetic support by EHS and Staunton cheerleaders, as well as music from the EHS pep band during the contest. A Unified basketball exhibition was held at halftime.
GODFREY – Godfrey officials have placed a temporary pause on accepting liquor license applications. The Village Board of Trustees unanimously approved a resolution establishing a 60-day moratorium on the acceptance of new liquor licenses at their Feb. 3, 2026 meeting. According to the resolution, trustees are currently in the process of enacting new regulations on gaming and liquor licenses for businesses within the village and require additional time to review and finalize the newly
ALTON - Dr. Erin Benson of the Illinois State Archaeological Survey will speak about how archaeology and conservation efforts intersect in southern Illinois during an upcoming Sierra Club Speaker Series event in Alton. The event will be held at Old Bakery Beer Co., 400 Landmarks Blvd., Alton, Illinois. The talk is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., and attendees are encouraged to arrive early for food and beverages. Chris Krusa, program chair for the Sierra Club, said Benson will address “the relationships
O’FALLON – On August 29, 2025, the O’Fallon Police Department requested the Illinois State Police (ISP) Zone 6 to investigate an officer-involved shooting. At approximately 7:43 p.m. on August, 29, 2025, O’Fallon Police Department officers responded to a call in the 600 block of W. Madison St. in O’Fallon, IL for a report of a disturbance and a man armed with a knife. ? Upon arrival, officers saw two people covered with blood running from a man, 53-year-old Matthew
WOOD RIVER – A man from East Alton accused of recklessly fleeing police at high speeds faces a felony charge in Madison County. Michael A. Malloy, 45, of East Alton, was charged with a Class 4 felony count of aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer on Jan. 26, 2026. Malloy allegedly knowingly attempted to elude a police officer who had given him a visual or audible signal to stop the vehicle he was driving on Nov. 11, 2025, reportedly fleeing from the officer at over
GODFREY - St. Ambrose Catholic School recently celebrated Catholic Schools Week with a volleyball game, a basketball contest, and reminders that the students can always count on their Catholic education as they prepare to enter high school. Several eighth grade students recently stopped by “Our Daily Show!” with CJ Nasello to discuss their experience with Catholic Schools Week and their excitement to join the Marquette Catholic High School and Alton High School communities.
ALTON - As Duke Bakery gears up for its 75th anniversary, co-owner Ben Hollis is proud of the work they do to engage with the community. Hollis shared that he has been going on a “Baker Ben tour” to local schools and libraries to read to kids. Duke also implemented free breakfast programs and additional initiatives to help community members when SNAP benefits were paused. Hollis emphasized the importance of giving back like this and shared his excitement to continue providing
ST. LOUIS — A church official from Illinois accused of producing child pornography was arrested Wednesday and appeared in U.S. District Court in St. Louis, according to court documents. Michael William Mohr, 54, of Springfield, was charged by complaint in St. Louis with one count of producing child pornography. He waived his right to a detention hearing and will be held in jail until trial. Mohr is the president of the Central Illinois District of the Lutheran Church — Missouri
ALTON - Alton Memorial Hospital’s Emergency Department is asking the community to donate new teddy bears and other comfort items through April 30, 2026, as part of its annual Teddy Bear Collection Drive, an effort aimed at helping the nearly 3,000 children who come through the department each year as patients or visitors. A visit to an emergency department can be stressful for anyone, but hospital staff say it can be especially frightening for children amid loud noises, unfamiliar equipment
ALTON - Duke Bakery will introduce a mobile food trailer for parties and events. Starting in June 2026, the bakery will have a trailer that can travel to homes and event venues so you can enjoy your Duke Bakery favorites during special occasions. Ben Hollis, co-owner of Duke, shared that the trailer will travel to communities throughout the Riverbend to bring treats to people near and far. “We’re hoping to have that on the road by the first of June this year,” he said.
ST. LOUIS COUNTY - Prosecutors have charged a 49-year-old man with abandoning a corpse after police conducting a welfare check found a woman’s body inside an apartment in the 8800 block of Dragonwyck Drive, authorities said. The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office said Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, it issued a charge of Abandonment of a Corpse against Terrance Smith, 49, of the 8800 block of Dragonwyck Drive in St. Louis, Mo., 63121. Smith is being held on a $100,000 cash-only
ALTON - State Representative Amy Elik reflected on her plans for the year as the midterm election approaches. In a recent interview on “Our Daily Show!” with CJ Nasello , Elik pledged to focus on policies that will make life more affordable for District #111 residents. She emphasized her focus on affordability and helping people who are struggling, including those who recently lost their jobs through Alton Steel’s closure. “I have always told people who I am
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