GODFREY - Beverly Farm Foundation said tonight’s fireworks display and the scheduled appearance of the Quick Bite Frozen Treats ice cream truck on its campus were postponed because of forecasted ongoing thunderstorms and extremely wet lawn conditions. The foundation announced that the fireworks display has been rescheduled for Friday, July 10, 2026, with fireworks planned to begin at approximately 9:30 p.m. The postponement applies to the event on the Beverly Farm campus.
COLLINSVILLE – Rebuild Illinois is continuing to improve mobility, safety and quality of life in the Metro East, with the Illinois Department of Transportation delivering multiple major projects this construction season. Made possible by Gov. JB Pritzker’s historic capital program, 23 projects combined represent a total investment of nearly $960 million, creating and maintaining good-paying jobs throughout the region. “The historic Rebuild Illinois program continues to transform
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul scored two separate legal victories permanently blocking the implementation of key provisions in President Trump’s unlawful executive orders that attempted to interfere with states’ constitutional authority to administer elections. “These rulings are a win for democracy. They acknowledge that Congress and individual states – not the president – have the authority to oversee the elections process,” Raoul said. “Nothin
ALTON - Alton’s 250 on the Mississippi celebration promises three days of fun. An Alton-Godfrey Rotary Club member shared more about the July 2, 2026, event at Rotary Park. From July 1–3, 2026, downtown Alton will celebrate Independence Day with events at Haskell Park, Rotary Park, and the Alton Amphitheater. You can read more about the plans in this article on RiverBender.com . John Hopkins, a longtime Rotarian, noted that the July 2 event at Rotary Park will be fun for
O'FALLON/SHILOH - A Life Saving Award was presented at a Village Board meeting to O’Fallon-Shiloh firefighter and Village of Shiloh Public Works employee Jaydon York for actions on Friday, May 22, 2026, that officials said led to the safe recovery of a vulnerable child in a potentially life-threatening situation. York serves as both an O’Fallon-Shiloh firefighter and a Village of Shiloh Public Works employee. Shiloh Police Chief Rich Wittenauer, O’Fallon Fire Chief Brad White
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced a Mt. Vernon, Illinois woman was sentenced to 20 years in prison for her role in a 2025 murder that took place in the home where she was living. Laura Beneway, 61, was sentenced today in Jefferson County Circuit Court after pleading guilty to one count of second-degree murder. Raoul’s office is also prosecuting a second defendant in this case, Peter Harris, 67, of Mt. Vernon, whose trial is set for Oct. 6 at the Jefferson County Circui
WOOD RIVER – The Wood River Business Alliance (WRBA) invites the community, local leaders, and members of the media to join in celebrating a major milestone today, Friday, June 26 , with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Main Street America Accreditation Celebration. The ceremony will begin at 3:00 p.m. at the Wood River Business Alliance's newly renovated office, located at 61 E. Ferguson Avenue in Downtown Wood River . The event celebrates the completion of the WRBA's new headquarters
WOOD RIVER - A Jeep show promises plenty of fun while raising money for Partners 4 Pets. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 27, 2026, community members are invited to Pinto’s Kustoms at 1368 Vaughn Road in Wood River for the event. Hosted by Duckin’ Jeepers, the Jeep show doubles as a fundraiser for Partners 4 Pets and will feature over 50 Jeeps, food trucks, snow cones, raffles, a foam party for kids, and more. “We just want to do something for the community,”
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement after today’s Supreme Court decision that allows the Trump Administration to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Syrian and Haitian nationals: “The Trump Administration just got the greenlight to terminate TPS without any judicial review to ensure that Trump officials followed the TPS statute, paving the way for this
GRANITE CITY – Granite City High School congratulates six graduates who are entering the GCHS Wall of Fame Class of 2026. Jennifer E. Ambuehl (Class of 2001), Brent Broshow (Class of 1990), Derrick Kingsley (Class of 1992), Mike Konzen (Class of 1980), Chad Miner (Class of 1994) and Bob Richardson (Class of 1969) will be honored on Saturday, November 7 during induction ceremonies in the GCHS atrium. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., dinner will be served at 6 p.m., followed by the inductio
BETHALTO - During their regular meeting on June 25, 2026, the Bethalto Community Unit School District Board of Education learned about ways to implement artificial intelligence. Director of Teaching and Learning Alyssa Smith explained that the district’s AI Committee, which was created last year, recently went to a training and finalized their first recommendation of how to implement AI in the district. The Board of Education meetings, which are recorded and posted to the district’s
A road trip can turn three boring hours on a map into one of the most memorable parts of a trip. That is part of the mystery. Flying is faster. Trains can be easier. Video calls let people stay home. And yet many people still love loading a car with snacks, arguing over playlists, and watching the landscape slowly change outside the window. Road trips ask for more time and effort than other forms of travel. In return, they offer something people often want more than speed: freedom, connection,
June 26 is closely tied to one of the defining moments of the modern era: the signing of the Charter of the United Nations in 1945. On that day in San Francisco, representatives of 50 countries agreed on the framework for a new international organization created to prevent another world war. The charter mattered immediately because it offered a structure for diplomacy, collective security, and international cooperation after years of global destruction. It still matters today because the United
CAHOKIA HEIGHTS - State Representative Kevin Schmidt (R-Millstadt) is highlighting a new law he helped pass that reduces prescription drug costs, increases accountability for pharmacy middlemen, known as pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), and delivers vital support to both rural and medically underserved pharmacies across the 114th District. Representative Kevin Schmidt was Co-Sponsor and helped pass the Prescription Drug Affordability Act (Public Act 104-0027), which puts patients first
ALTON – The City of Alton is facing fines of over $13,000 from the Illinois Comptroller’s Office over financial reports that were due nearly nine months ago. The issue was raised by Alderman Michael Velloff, who cited a “Fine Notification” from the Illinois Comptroller’s Office included in the Alton City Council’s meeting packet for June 24, 2026. The city is currently facing a growing fine of over $13,650 regarding “delinquent Annual Financial Reports”
ALTON — Auto Butler, a full-service car wash in Alton, permanently closed this past week after 20 years in business as owners Lisa Heims-Stout and Gary Stout retire and transfer the property to Club Car Wash, Heims-Stout said. Club Car Wash purchased only the property, and the Auto Butler operation will not continue, the owners said. A sign on the front door of the old Auto Butler business reads as follows: "Thank you for all the years of supporting Auto Butler. To receive a refund for
GODFREY – Lewis and Clark Community College is inviting the community to its annual Summerfest event on Wednesday, July 8, 2026. The event will run from 4-7 p.m. and be held in The Commons and The Grove on the Godfrey Campus. The free, family-friendly event will feature a balloon twister, live music, food trucks, bingo, face painting and a bracelet making station. “Summerfest is a great opportunity to enjoy your summer together, as a family,” said LC Recruiter Kimberly Hausman.
ALTON - The Alton Police Department is urging residents and visitors to plan ahead for Fireworks on the Mississippi on Friday, July 3, 2026, at the Alton Amphitheater, where thousands are expected to gather for the finale of Alton’s three-day “250 on the Mississippi” celebration. The free public event in Alton will open its gates at 5 p.m., followed by a performance by The LustreLights at 6:30 p.m. The evening is scheduled to conclude with a fireworks display over the Mississippi
JERSEYVILLE – Jerseyville officials quickly approved multiple items at their June 23, 2026 City Council meeting, including library trustee reappointments and TIF applications for two buildings. Library Trustees Reappointed City Council members approved the reappointment of three trustees to the Jerseyville Public Library Board. These include Josh Hileman, Jerry Schleper, and Kevin Weber. Each of the three trustees will serve terms set to expire on June 30, 2029. Mayor Kevin Stork adde
ALTON - The City of Alton will celebrate America’s semiquincentennial with three days of fun at 250 on the Mississippi. From Wednesday, July 1, 2026, to Friday, July 3, 2026, community members can enjoy a variety of activities, live music, crafts, food and fireworks in downtown Alton. Sponsored by Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau, the experience promises to be a fun few days for all. “We're so excited to have 250 on the Mississippi here in Alton to really celebrate
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