Riverbender 🕸

GLEN CARBON — Father McGivney Catholic High School has earned the Illinois Purple Star School designation for its support of military-connected students and families, the school has announced. The designation recognizes schools that help students whose parents or guardians serve in the military by easing transitions, providing resources for families and preparing staff to understand military-connected children’s experiences. For Bobbie Madura, the school’s studen

ALTON - Alton Community Unit School District #11 students raised over $12,000 to help children undergoing cancer treatment. Over the past few weeks, Alton elementary school students and Mark Twain students were tasked with collecting change in yellow socks. All proceeds go to Kellsie’s Hope Foundation, a Maryville nonprofit that then donates the money toward childhood cancer research. "One of the things that makes our Redbird community so special is the way we come together,”

COLLINSVILLE - Hundreds of lineworkers from across North America will gather this October for the Safety and Training Conference, held ahead of the annual International Lineman's Rodeo in Overland Park, Kansas. Among those helping lead the event will be Chad Schimpf, an Ameren Illinois operations safety supervisor from Marion. Part of Schimpf's territory is in St. Clair County. A former lineworker with 20 years of field experience, Schimpf serves as facilitator and chair of the conference, considered

ALTON - Community members have a unique opportunity to connect with substance use resources at the upcoming Recovery Cafe event. From 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 20, 2026, Riverbend residents are invited to stop by OSF St. Anthony’s Health Center in Alton for Recovery Cafe, a resource fair and networking event. Sara Bennett, LCSW, explained that the goal is to bring people together for coffee, pastries, live music and resources. “It’s kind of like a substance

ST. LOUIS — Homicide detectives asked for the public’s help on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in identifying two additional people connected to the fatal shooting of a 23-year-old man during an apparent robbery attempt at St. Louis Fish and Chicken. The appeal from St. Louis Metropolitan Police follows the arrest of Tah’Jae Reed, 21, of St. Louis, in connection with the Sept. 4, 2026, death of Reginald Holmes of St. Louis County. District 6 officers responded to the restaurant

EDWARDSVILLE — Fewer fatal overdoses have not ended the toll of opioid addiction in Madison County, where Chairman Chris Slusser gathered emergency responders, health professionals, judges and recovery advocates Friday to examine the crisis and its effects on families, public safety and taxpayers. “This issue, I think, has touched everyone in Madison County,” Slusser said, calling the opioid crisis a top priority of his administration. The discussion included

GREENVILLE — Alton Mayor David Goins won a court ruling Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, allowing City Attorney Rodney Caffey and Planning and Development Director Greg Caffey to continue working until the case is resolved. Judge Christopher Bauer considered Goins’s original motion for a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) in the case of Goins vs. the City of Alton at the Bond County Courthouse in Greenville and ruled in the mayor’s favor on Oct 9, 2026. Both sides presented thei

BETHALTO - Civic Memorial senior Logan Kearbey finished third at the Triad Invitational on Sept. 30, 2026, then stayed at the finish line to help a competitor who had fallen with temperatures in the 90s — putting his Coach Jake Peal's constant emphasis on sportsmanship into practice. For his efforts that day and this season, Civic Memorial cross country runner Logan Kearbey is a Tom Lane State Farm Insurance Male Athlete Of The Month. Kearbey and race winner Lucas Wiegma

PONTOON BEACH - A new business is helping people make the most money on their precious metals at an upcoming event. Mark Nasello started 618 Precious Metals because he was “tired of the community getting ripped off” when people sold their jewelry and collectibles. His goal is to pay people what their items are worth. From 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 20 and 21, 2026, you can stop by the Fairfield by Marriott in Pontoon Beach to meet with Nasello and sell your precious metals onsite.

ALTON – While academic success and athletic accomplishments often earn recognition, it is character and compassion that truly define Alton High School junior Claire Delehanty. She is an Art Fahrner-Edward Jones AHS Remarkable Redbird of the Month. Known for her positive attitude, willingness to help others and ability to make those around her feel welcome, Claire has become a source of encouragement for many students at Alton High School. Her commitment to supporting others, particularly

ALTON — For 15 years, Senior Chaplain Marc Lane has offered spiritual guidance and emotional support to Alton police officers and their families. On Thursday, Oct. 8, the Alton Police Department recognized that service with a plaque. Lane was sworn in Jan. 26, 2011, as the department’s first police chaplain. His work has included supporting officers and their families through everyday challenges and difficult times. “Throughout those years, Chaplain Lane has been a constant

ALTON - Alton High School senior Lauren Conwell, whose service includes mentoring elementary students and volunteering at community events, has been named the school’s October Alton-Godfrey Rotary Student of the Month in recognition of her academic achievement, leadership, and community involvement. Conwell has maintained an A average while taking honors, Advanced Placement, and dual-credit courses, earning a place on the honor roll every semester. She has been inducted into the Nationa

ALTON — Isabella Tran, a Marquette Catholic High School student whose activities include tutoring classmates and creating murals for local organizations, was honored as one of the Alton-Godfrey Rotary Club's Students of the Month for October 2026. The recognition highlighted her leadership, creativity and commitment to serving others. Tran was honored at a regular club meeting at Gentelin’s on Broadway Restaurant in Alton, accompanied by her mother, MaiLan Le, and brother, Andrew

FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS - The Southwestern Illinois chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness will host their first official NAMIWalks event. On Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, community members can join the event at Moody Park in Fairview Heights. The opening ceremony starts at 9 a.m. and the 1.5-mile walk kicks off at 9:30 a.m. There will be resources, live music, a kids’ zone, raffles, and more fun throughout the morning until 12:30 p.m. “It is a walk to raise awareness about

JERSEYVILLE – A Jerseyville man awaiting sentencing on battery and mob action charges is back in Jersey County custody after previously being released . 18-year-old Lucas C. Roberts of Jerseyville was booked into the Jersey County Jail at 8:21 p.m. on Oct. 8, 2026. Jersey County Sheriff’s Office records indicate Roberts was arrested by the Jerseyville Police Department and taken back into custody after reportedly violating the terms of his pretrial release. Roberts is still awaiting

FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS — After fights involving a crowd of roughly 250 teenagers led to two arrests near local restaurants, Fairview Heights Police reminded parents and teenagers ahead of Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, that officers would monitor the area to prevent further disturbances. The department’s message followed incidents after football games on Oct. 2, 2026, and Sept. 25, 2026. Fairview Heights Police said they would work to maintain a safe environment for businesses, employees

BETHALTO - Community members can enjoy a pancake breakfast while supporting aspiring aviators this weekend. From 7:30–11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Chapter 864 will host their breakfast at the St. Louis Regional Airport. Adults cost $10 and kids ages 4–12 cost $5. Kids 3 and under eat for free. All proceeds go toward EAA Chapter 864’s scholarships. “We’re really dedicated to bringing other people in,”

CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today, as part of a coalition of 45 states and territories, sought court approval of a settlement with Ascend Laboratories (Ascend), Citron Pharma (Citron) and Mayne Pharma (Mayne). The settlements will resolve allegations that the generic drug manufacturers engaged in a widespread, long-running conspiracy to artificially inflate and manipulate prices, reduce competition and unreasonably restrain trade with regard to numerous generic prescription

WASHINGTON, D.C. – As the USS Lincoln finally returns to port today in San Diego after over 300 days at sea, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) is renewing her call for public hearings to investigate the toll that Trump’s illegal war against Iran has had on our servicemembers, including the brave troops aboard the Lincoln , other ships and across bases in the region who suffered deteriorating conditions, rationed meals and dwindling supplies. Last month after Duckworth joined

ALTON – An Alton man with multiple prior convictions has been released from custody following new felony weapon and drug offenses. Brian E. Merrifield, 45, of Alton, was charged on Oct. 2, 2026 with two Class X felony counts of possession of a firearm by a repeat felony offender, two Class 1 felony counts of delivery of a controlled substance and one count each of possession of a controlled substance and resisting or obstructing a peace officer, both Class 4 felonies. Merrifield was allegedly