JERSEYVILLE - The 7th and 8th grade students at St. Francis Holy Ghost School have proven that young people can make an extraordinary difference in their community. Through more than 15 creative and entrepreneurial projects completed throughout the school year, students collectively raised an incredible $21,676 to support women, babies, and families across the region. The students organized and led a wide variety of fundraising initiatives from October 2025 to May 2026, including: handmade craf
GODFREY – Godfrey trustees agreed to move forward with a study to possibly build a new shared use path. At their May 19, 2026 meeting , Village Board members unanimously approved up to $9,900 for Oates Associates to perform a concept plan study for a potential shared use path near the F.E. Widman Trail. As previously reported on Riverbender.com , the proposed path would branch off from the F.E. Widman Trail at Rocky Fork Road, then run south along Boy Scout Lane before turning west
ALTON - One of the longest-running Memorial Day parades in the country will once again take to the streets of Alton. The parade kicks off at 10 a.m. on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, 2026. The route runs up College Avenue and through Upper Alton. Organizers Steve and Greg with the East End Improvement Association are eager to share the parade and its impressive 159-year history with the community. “The history is kind of amazing,” Greg said. “1868 is when it started,
MARINE - Madison County Coroner Nicholas P. Novacich on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, identified a 24-year-old Marine man who died after being struck by a vehicle early in the morning along Illinois State Route 4. The man was identified as Tyler C. Robinson, 24, of Marine. Robinson was found alongside the roadway on Illinois State Route 4, about 0.4 miles south of Illinois State Route 143, according to information released by the coroner’s office. Illinois State Police received a call at approximately
EDWARDSVILLE - Jude Jones, a senior pitcher and outfielder for the Jersey Community High School baseball team, has enjoyed a good season for the Panthers. He has emerged as an ace pitcher for the Panthers. Jersey has enjoyed one of its better seasons in some time and is currently 19-11 going into the final week of the regular season. Jude is a Sparklight Male Athlete Of The Month for the Panthers. In a game against Edwardsville May 15, 2026, at Tom Pile Field, Jones pitched well, going four
JERSEYVILLE - The Jerseyville Police Department has added a new officer to its ranks, announcing that Police Officer Ruf will soon begin academy training before starting field work. The department said in a statement that it would like to welcome Officer Ruf to the Jerseyville Police Department. Officer Ruf will attend SWIC Police Academy for 16 weeks, the department said. After completing the academy, he will begin a 12-week field training program, according to the statement.
ALTON - Riverbend residents can join the 21st annual Memorial Day Sunset Ceremony to pay tribute to service members who made the ultimate sacrifice. At 6:30 p.m. on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, 2026, a group will gather at Alton National Cemetery for a ceremony featuring veteran speaker Joseph Boston, the Alton High School ROTC, a prayer led by Mayor David Goins, a gun salute by the Alton VFW, and patriotic music. The goal, explained organizer Bob Baird, is to honor fallen service members
ST. LOUIS – U.S. District Judge Henry E. Autrey on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, sentenced a man who recorded his sexual abuse of an 8-year-old to 25 years in prison. Jacob J. Hampton, 33, placed a hidden camera in a bathroom to record an 8-year-old girl. Police found images on Hampton’s phone of Hampton abusing the victim, as well as child sexual abuse material that he’d obtained online. Hampton, of O’Fallon, Missouri, pleaded guilty in January of 2025 to one count o
EDWARDSVILLE/GLEN CARBON - Public universities develop and nurture the workforce of the future and are critical to our state's economic growth. Institutions like Southern Illinois University Edwardsville prepare students for successful careers in nursing, education, health, business, neuroscience, and engineering, who contribute to the economy and shape the world. SIUE has a remarkable economic impact throughout the state and region. The university generates over $1.3 billion in economic impact,
BETHALTO – A Bethalto man accused of causing a police officer’s injury during a high-speed police chase remains in custody on his latest set of felony charges. Taylor J. Leonard, 32, of Bethalto, was charged on May 11, 2026 with three Class 4 felony counts of aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer and a Class A misdemeanor count of driving while license is suspended. Leonard allegedly knowingly attempted to flee at over 21 miles per hour above the legal speed
JERSEYVILLE — Jerseyville’s Memorial Day ceremony will be held Monday, May 25, 2026, with Jerseyville’s Veterans of Foreign Wars 4528 hosting, according to the Veterans Assistance Commission of Jersey County. The day will begin with a parade at 9 a.m. Monday on West Prairie Street next to Wells Norris in Jerseyville. The Jerseyville Memorial Day Parade will proceed north on State Street, then east on Pearl Street, and continue east to Oak Grove Cemetery, a route listed as
Upcoming Events TROY, IL. — The Troy/Maryville/St. Jacob/Marine Chamber of Commerce invites professionals from across the region to attend its upcoming Business Builder Series: Presenting, Networking & Leading with Impact Workshop on Tuesday, May 19 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Tri-Township Public Library. This interactive, hands-on workshop is designed to help participants build confidence, strengthen professional relationships, and elevate their communication skills in a variety
ST. LOUIS, MO. — Soldiers Memorial Military Museum will hold its annual Memorial Day Observance on Monday, May 25 at 10:00 AM. This event is free and open to the public. This powerful event honors the memory of America’s fallen service members and includes a wreath-laying ceremony and musical tribute. There will be various musical selections performed, including the National Anthem, “God Bless America,” and more. At the wreath-laying ceremony, yellow carnations will b
GODFREY – A new shared-use path in Godfrey may soon be in the early planning stages. Village trustees are set to consider a proposal from Oates Associates to perform a concept plan study for a new shared-use path at a not-to-exceed cost of $9,900 at their May 19, 2026 meeting. The proposed path would branch off from the F.E. Widman Trail at Rocky Fork Road, then run south along Boy Scout Lane before turning west along West Delmar Avenue and routing back to the F.E. Widman Trail at LaVista
ALTON - Alton High School’s Class of 2026 received their diplomas after inspiring student speeches and musical performances on Saturday, May 16, 2026. The presentation of diplomas was done by the Alton Community Unit School District No. 11 Board of Education. The ceremony was led by Alton High School Principal Stacie Franke, and Alton School District Superintendent Elaine Kane presented the “Platinum Alphas” as Alton School Board members presented diplomas to class members.
ALTON - The Miles Davis Jazz Festival invites the community to celebrate the famous jazz musician’s 100th birthday. At 6 p.m. on Friday, May 22, 2026, the weekend kicks off with a free mini block party at the Miles Davis statue next to Catdaddy’s in downtown Alton. Attendees can enjoy music by Jim Manley and meet with the statue’s sculptor, Preston Jackson. Artist Michael Snider, who is creating a “Thousand Trumpets” tribute piece for Davis, will also be onsite.
ALTON - The Alton Police Department has named Police Officer First Class Burford its Officer of the Month for February 2026 after an investigation that began with a reported retail theft at Bath & Body Works on Homer Adams Parkway and expanded into what the department described as a “large-scale organized retail theft case.” The department announced the recognition, saying the case grew “due to PFC Burford’s determination, investigative skills, and commitment
STAUNTON – Madison Communications is proud to celebrate the 21st Annual Teacher of the Year Awards contest, continuing its long-standing tradition of recognizing outstanding educators throughout the communities it serves. The 2026 Teacher of the Year contest marked the biggest year in the program’s history, with record-breaking participation from local schools and communities. The contest takes place annually from March 1st through May 1st and is divided into nomination and voting
WOOD RIVER - Wood River Police Chief Brad Wells, joined by Wood River Mayor Tom Stalcup and Councilman Scott Tweedy, recently took part in an initial cleanup of a one-mile stretch at a key entry point into the city, partnering with local volunteer Rusty Wheat as part of a broader highway trash cleanup effort in Madison County. Wheat, who has adopted 11 miles of Madison County highways for cleanup with his group, the Chain Gang, said he had been looking for someone to take on the one-mile section
NORMAL – Today, Governor JB Pritzker joined Rivian and local leaders to highlight how Illinois’ investments in electric vehicle manufacturing, infrastructure, and workforce development are helping drive continued growth in the state’s electric vehicle ecosystem. As Rivian expands production of its R2 vehicle, the company’s growing footprint in Normal continues creating jobs and strengthening Illinois’ position as a leader in the future of manufacturing. Rivia
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