BETHALTO - The Bethalto Police Department said it investigated 17 vehicle burglaries and one stolen vehicle case in the community during May 2026, and urged residents to take precautions after a stolen vehicle containing a firearm was recovered this morning. In a public safety announcement, the police department said the cases underscore the need for residents in Bethalto to secure their vehicles and valuables. In one incident, police said, a vehicle was stolen with a firearm inside.
EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville School District 7 Board of Education recognized four administrative retirees during its May 2026 meeting, honoring more than a century of combined service to students, staff, and families. Those recognized were Dr. Cornelia Smith, director of diversity, equity, and inclusion, with 28 years of service; Dr. Steve Stuart, executive director for the EGHM Foundation, with 26 years; Bill Miener, director of special projects, with 25 years; and Lori Compton,
SWANSEA - Illinois State Police arrested a 23-year-old Swansea woman on a first-degree murder charge Friday in connection with the fatal shooting of a 24-year-old St. Louis woman at an East St. Louis intersection earlier this week. The arrest of Brion D. Bess was announced on Friday, June 5, 2026, by the Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation Public Safety Enforcement Group. Authorities said the case stems from a Wednesday, June 3, 2026, homicide investigation at the intersection
CHICAGO - The Chicago Bears said Friday, June 5, 2026, that their board has voted to advance a stadium development project in Hammond, Indiana, marking the latest shift in the team’s long-running search for a new home as Illinois officials continued efforts to keep the franchise in the state. In a joint statement, Bears Chairman George H. McCaskey and President and CEO Kevin Warren said the board met on Thursday, June 4, 2026, and voted to move forward with the Hammond project, although
TROY - Reagan Jumper is a sophomore striker who has scored five goals this season, but her fifth and most recent goal was, by far, the biggest of her career so far. Jumper scored in the 58th minute of the IHSA Class 3A Normal Community sectional semifinal match, off a perfect cross from Astri Selberg that allowed the Tigers to dethrone defending Class 3A champion O'Fallon 1-0 at Knights Field at Triad High in Troy on May 26. The Tigers beat New Lennox Lincoln Way Central in the super-sectional
JERSEY - For four years, Cameron Judkins has been a key contributor to Jersey’s track and field program, and this season the senior added a milestone performance by breaking 11 seconds in the 100 meters while also contributing in relays and being top-notch in the 200 meters, according to his coach. Judkins ran 10.93 in the 100 meters at the Mississippi Valley Conference Meet outdoors, where he finished fourth. He later posted an 11.09 to place 10th at the IHSA sectional at Triad. In
SPRINGFIELD — On Friday, the Chicago Bears organization announced it will advance its stadium development in Hammond, Indiana. Upon learning the news, State Senator Jason Plummer (R-Edwardsville) issued the following statement: “While I cannot say I am shocked by today’s announcement, I am extremely disappointed that Illinois has once again found itself on the losing end because of failed leadership in Springfield. "The Chicago Bears moving forward with stadium development
Sixty-seven people lost their lives over the Potomac River on Jan. 29, 2025, when a U.S. Army Blackhawk helicopter collided with American Airlines flight 5342. It was a horrifying tragedy — and because it was entirely preventable, it was not just a tragedy, but a travesty. The National Transportation Safety Board final report on the incident left no room for interpretation: The Federal Aviation Administration’s failure to act on prior safety recommendations had led to this
ST. CLAIR COUNTY — Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has charged a 20-year-old Coulterville man with possessing and reproducing child sexual abuse material after investigators and St. Clair County sheriff’s officers conducted a search Wednesday at his workplace in Belleville, authorities said. Cameron D. Gasser was charged in St. Clair County Circuit Court with four counts of reproducing child sexual abuse material, Class X felonies each punishable by up to 30 years in prison,
CHICAGO – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement after Senate Republicans jammed through nearly $70 billion to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) without any reforms to the agencies: “Not one penny included in this legislation will help struggling American families with the rising cost of gas, groceries, housing, or health care. But Republicans
ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County Police on Thursday, June 4, 2026, released a critical incident briefing video in the April 22, 2026, officer-involved shooting in Wildwood, Mo., while saying there are no further updates in the investigation. The Critical Incident Briefing video for the officer-involved shooting that occurred on April 22, 2026, is available here: https://youtu.be/ePROObSrcrU . The St. Louis County Police Department said the video concerns a shooting that happened about
GODFREY – The Adult Education program at Lewis and Clark Community College held its 2026 Illinois High School Diploma graduation ceremony on June 2 at the Ann Whitney Olin Theatre in the Hatheway Cultural Center. There were 101 students in this year’s graduating class. Pictured, graduate Brianna Stewart celebrates as she crosses the stage to receive her high school diploma. For more information on how LC can help you earn your Illinois High School Diploma (formerly known
BELLEVILLE - The newest Mac’s location will open in Belleville next week. Mac’s on Main, located at 4204 West Main Street in Belleville, will welcome customers starting next Wednesday or Thursday, June 10 or 11, 2026, said owner Rob Lenhardt. He is eager to introduce the Mac’s brand to St. Clair County, with an identical menu to the downtown Alton location, including Olga’s products. He hopes the new restaurant is a positive experience for diners. “There’s
WOOD RIVER - The Wood River History Museum has extended its Clint Walker Exhibit through June 2026 at 40 W. Ferguson St. in Wood River, giving visitors additional time to view the tribute ahead of what would have been the actor’s 100th birthday on May 30, 2026. The exhibit is open free of charge from 1 to 4 p.m. every Saturday in June 2026 at the museum. Walker, a Riverbend native, was known for a long career in film and television. He was best known for his role in “The Dirty
ALTON - As RiverBender.com and host Brian Trust celebrate the two-year anniversary of the podcast “You’re Beautiful,” Trust explains how the experience has shaped his faith. “You’re Beautiful” features powerful conversations about faith at 2 p.m. every Thursday on RiverBender.com . Trust often invites local guests to share their testimonies, and he is open about his own budding relationship with God. “My mission has always been, at the
GODFREY – Godfrey is the latest community to honor Alton’s Rayna Raglin – not only for her athletic accomplishments, but also for her character. Raglin made her community proud when she took first place in both the 100 and 200 meter races at the IHSA Class 3A Girls State Track and Field Meet on May 23, 2026. She also placed eighth in the 400 meter race. At the last Godfrey Village Board meeting, Raglin was honored with the proclamation of June 2, 2026 as “Rayna Raglin
As a pediatrics expert and mother of an eight-year-old, Emily Isom has seen the screen time debate firsthand. “Kids are being introduced to technology early,” says Isom, a certified medical assistant in pediatrics at OSF HealthCare. “COVID was one of the reasons. Kids did schoolwork on their devices. That turns into using technology throughout the day. They get attached and addicted to scrolling and swiping. It’s glued to their hands.” One way to break the cycle?
COLLINSVILLE — Illinois State Police announced the results of roadside safety checks conducted in Madison and St. Clair counties in May, reporting 65 total citations and arrests, including three DUI citations, as part of an effort aimed at improving roadway safety. ISP Troop 8 Commander Capt. Casey Faro announced the results of the Roadside Safety Checks, or RSCs, in a statement released from Collinsville. The enforcement activity also resulted in two other alcohol- or drug-related citations,
O'FALLON - Officers with the O’Fallon Police Department responded about 8 a.m. Thursday, May 21, 2026, to the 100 block of North Vine Street in O’Fallon after a shooting that left a 36-year-old woman wounded and led to the arrest of a Fairview Heights man, authorities said. Police said officers found the woman on the front porch near the entrance of the residence, suffering from a gunshot wound. A 29-year-old man and 36-year-old Tyrell Billey, of Fairview Heights, were
ALTON - The hosts of the Mississippi Earthtones Festival are searching for an artist to design entryway banners for the 20th Annual Mississippi Earthtones Festival on September 19, 2026. Hosts Sierra Club Illinois’ Three Rivers Project, Alton Main Street, and the Jacoby Arts Center encourage interested artists to apply for this exciting opportunity. The banners will greet thousands of festival-goers each year as they arrive at the Alton Riverfront - they will be the first thing people
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