Riverbender 🕸

JERSEYVILLE – Jersey Community High School recently released their Honor Roll and High Honor Roll lists for grades 8-12 for the second semester of the 2024-2025 school year. HIGH HONOR ROLL Seniors Baro, Jayce C. Bellet, Jacob R. Benedict, Katreona G. Benz, Abbigail M. Bockstruck, Charlie L. Bolds, Jordan M. Brunaugh, Jaxon J. Burney, Ava L. Carey, Gage V. Carter, Halie M. Coffman, Adam R. Dahn, Noah L. Dean, Jacob D. Deist, Bradley M. Derrick, Corah M. Dougherty, Meredith J. Eads, Jaren A. Finkes, Peyton R. Finkes, Talan W. Goetten, Dax J. Hansen, Angela C. Hardwick, Aiden W. Heineman, Hailey M. Herrera, Timothy S. Hileman, Jovee E. Hudson, Kate M. Huitt, Logan M. Hutchens, Reese M. Johnson, Camryn A. Johnson, Tyler J. Jones, Jayden L. Kelly, Addison G. Kiel, Joseph C. Koenig, Hunter A. Kuebrich, Alexis M. Laird, Ellie M. Lamparter, Olivia R. Leslie, Arianne R. Lorton, Reese A. Maag, Matthew J. Marmino, Hayleigh M. Marshall, Jac

Continue Reading

JERSEYVILLE - On Friday night, Jerseyville will welcome a local legend to the Rock the Block stage. Mattie Schell, a Jerseyville native, will return to the Riverbend with Jackson Stokes to open the free summer concert series Rock the Block at City Center in Jerseyville. From 7–11 p.m. on Friday, May 30, 2025, community members can enjoy a free concert from Schell and Stokes as part of their Midwest Express tour through the region. “I would just say come with a lawn chair, be prepared to have a good time, and be prepared to sing along,” Schell said. “You’ll want to sing along.” Schell recently released her album “Everything Means Nothing,” and she looks forward to sharing new music with the Jerseyville crowd. She will play an hourlong set, followed by an hourlong set from Stokes and then a “super set” with the two of them playing Midwestern classics. As part of the Midwest Express tour, Schell and Stokes will make

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE - Annie Fitzgerald, on behalf of Faith Jordan, of Edwardsville, has launched a fundraiser to help cover the costs of inpatient mental health care for one of Jordan’s daughters, who has been battling multiple mental health challenges and requires long-term inpatient treatment to ensure her safety and support her recovery. The fundraiser was announced recently to assist with the significant out-of-pocket expenses associated with treatment. While insurance covers part of the treatment, Faith Jordan faces a 40 percent coinsurance cost, amounting to approximately $7,500. Additional expenses include travel and lodging for family members to visit and support the daughter during her stay. The daughter is expected to remain in a facility for one to three months initially, with plans to transition to a 12-month program in coordination with the local school district. Annie Fitzgerald and Liz, lifelong friends of Faith Jordan and considered “aunts” to her children

Continue Reading

May 30 has been a day marked by monumental achievements and memorable moments across the world’s history, spanning science, politics, culture, and exploration. 1431 – The Trial of Joan of Arc Concludes On May 30, 1431, the trial of Joan of Arc ended with her condemnation for heresy and witchcraft by an ecclesiastical court in Rouen, France. Joan, a young peasant girl who claimed divine guidance, had led French forces to key victories during the Hundred Years’ War. Despite her pivotal role, political and religious authorities found her guilty, and she was sentenced to death. Her execution took place shortly after, making her a martyr and later a symbol of French unity and resistance. 1539 – Hernando de Soto Reaches the Mississippi River Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto’s expedition became the first recorded European expedition to encounter the Mississippi River on May 30, 1539. This discovery significantly impacted the European understanding

Continue Reading

GRANITE CITY – A man from Granite City faces five charges after strangling and battering a victim with his fists and a firearm. Dominique D. Perry, 25, of Granite City, was charged on May 23, 2025 with the following offenses: Aggravated domestic battery (Class 2 felony) Aggravated battery (Class 3 felony) Possession of cannabis with the intent to deliver (Class 3 felony) Domestic battery (Class A misdemeanor) Aggravated assault (Class A misdemeanor) On May 22, 2025, Perry allegedly strangled a household or family member, struck them about the body with a closed fist, and struck them in the face with a firearm. The Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to deny Perry’s pretrial release. According to the petition, the victim told authorities they had been strangled and battered by Perry before he retrieved the firearm, then continued to batter them with the firearm. Officers later located Perry and the firearm used in the

Continue Reading

ALTON – Three Alton residents were charged on the same day with possessing a series of stolen vehicles in Madison County. Douglas F. Manns, 47, Edwanda L. Smith, 28, and Justin G. Rodewald, 37, all of Alton, were each charged on May 22, 2025 with Class 2 felony counts of offenses related to motor vehicles. Manns allegedly possessed a 2019 Barlow trailer which he knew to be stolen on April 10, 2025. Smith was charged with knowingly possessing a stolen 2012 Ford Explorer on March 20, 2025, while Rodewald is accused of knowingly possessing a stolen Chevrolet Equinox on March 6, 2025. The Metro East Auto Theft Task Force of the Madison County Sheriff’s Office presented each of the cases against Manns, Smith, and Rodewald. All were granted pretrial release from custody. All individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law

Continue Reading

CHARLESTON - Metro East Lutheran High School junior John Shank achieved a personal record of 4 minutes, 39.60 seconds in the 1,600-meter run on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at the 1A IHSA State Track and Field Meet in Charleston. Thursday was Shank's first time breaking the 4:40 barrier. The performance took place recently during a competitive meet where Gillespie’s Chaz Oberkfell posted the top 1,600-meter time of 4:20.77. Shank is a BJ's Printables Male Athlete of the Month for MELHS. Shank, who placed 29th overall, said the experience was meaningful. “It was really special. A lot of kids don’t get to be out here. I know a lot of seniors who were way behind me and were not able to have this experience,” he said. “I shaved off 15 seconds on my 1,600, so it was very successful.” The junior credited his improvement to new distance coach Cam Johnson, describing him as “great.” Shank’s goal was to run a sub-4:40 or 4:40 flat time,

Continue Reading

ALTON - After suffering a stroke in 1923, Captain Joseph True (J.T.) Dodge (1845 – 1930) had been an invalid for nearly two years when he woke up on May 30, 1925, and went on an excursion trip to Jefferson Barracks. Dodge wanted to see some of his friends in Ransom Post, No. 131, Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) of St. Louis. Dodge’s friend, “young” Joab Watkins (91 years old), escorted him to the wharf, where Dodge boarded the excursion steamer “J.S.” He got off the boat at Jefferson Barracks, witnessed the flag ceremonies there at noon when the flag was hauled to full mast, then walked around looking for fellow Ransom Post members. He failed to find any of them but “had a very pleasant day while playing truant.” For more information on the very active G.A.R. Ransom Post, there are records available online here: https://www.suvcwmo.org/uploads/3/0/9/6/30960503/131_ransom_update_3-2025.pdf . Additional materials, including photo

Continue Reading

JERSEYVILLE - The City of Jerseyville has experienced a great loss following the death of Franny Fosha. Known as “everyone’s grandma,” Franny was a business owner in Jerseyville. But more than that, she was a friend to all. Her loved ones said she lived well and loved hard. “She was just a downright good person,” said Kathy Smith, her daughter. “The community is pretty much everything, and they’ve been awesome through this so far. The love she had was unreal.” In 1980, Franny opened the Donut Kitchen on Highway 16, then eventually expanded to Fran and Marilyn’s on State Street. Her pie-baking was “phenomenal,” with people traveling from across the Midwest to enjoy her pastries. After the restaurant was sold, Franny would often spend her days at DJ’s Pub & Grill, owned by Kathy, to make pies to share with the community. Allen Fosha, Franny’s son, remembers the farmers who would come in every morning

Continue Reading

BETHALTO – Following are the High Honor Roll and Honor Roll lists for the second semester of the 2024-2025 school year at Civic Memorial High School: Seniors - High Honor Roll Alexander Arnold Katelyn Attebery Lauren Bagby Andrey Ballard Elouise Bargiel Aliza Beaty John Bowker Ryne Breyer Meredith Brueckner Mackayla Byrd Miriam Calixto Abigail Clowers Caitlyn Colley Alexis Collins John Collins Sylvia Crockett Connor Damm Emma Davis Gabrielle Davis Alicia Dominguez Kayleigh Donahue Eliza Donaldson Austin Droit Kira Eberlin Aubrey Falk Brea Farrell Elliana Fiorino Brody Floyd August Frankford Jayna Halley Dawson Hanneken Lauren Hardy Brooke Harris Avery Huddleston Taylor Hunter Kylee Jenkins Ashton Johnsey Alora Kincade Haley Klaas Matthew Knight John Lewis Kyleigh Lowrance Matthew Lyman Bryce McArthur Erica McGaughey Madalynn McKey Peyton Minner Sydney Moore Kendall Moss-Smith Isabella Murray Andrew Nation Adam Ogden

Continue Reading

June 3rd – Summer Kick-Off Community Resource & Outreach Market at Tri-Township Park Pavilion #1, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM Bluey Meet & Greet, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM Bounce House Games Giveaways Free hotdog & chips Fresh food market with Link match – Spend $25 in Link, get $25 in Free Produce Interested in being a vendor? Click Here or email us at the Chamber! June 6th – First Fridays in Downtown Troy (Main & Market), 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM Shotgun Creek will be playing Food & Vendors https://www.troymaryvillecoc.com/first-friday-in-troy June 7th – E-Cycling / Shredding Event at Triad High School , 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM https://www.troymaryvillecoc.com/e-cycle June 12th – Chamber Social at McDonald’s in Troy, 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM Attendees buy their own lunch June 18th – Business Before Breakfast at Brightly Senior Living , 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM Speaker: Michael Monken & Laura Griffith,

Continue Reading

GREENVILLE – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that lane closures will be in place on Interstate 70 near Greenville in Bond County beginning, weather permitting, Monday, June 2. Eastbound and westbound I-70 will be reduced to one lane in each direction. One lane will remain open at all times. The closures are necessary to complete bridge repairs and are expected to remain in place through Dec. 25. Motorists should expect delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes during this closure. Drivers are urged to reduce speed, be alert for changing conditions, obey all construction signage, and refrain from using mobile devices while approaching and traveling through the work zone. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on the social media platform X at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.

Continue Reading

JERSEYVILLE – Two local car clubs will be cruising in style to a car show coming soon to Liberty Village of Jerseyville. The car show will be held on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Liberty Village of Jerseyville, located at 1251 N. State St. in Jerseyville. The event is free and open to the public and will feature a variety of classic rides proudly on display from members of the Jersey County Street Machine Association and White Hall Drag-O-Way. Liberty Village residents will get a chance to visit with attendees and see some of the timeless makes and models that dominated the roads in decades past. Stop by Liberty Village on June 4 to see some of the area’s coolest cars, and stay tuned to Riverbender.com for more car show coverage from the event.

Continue Reading

CHARLESTON — Father McGivney’s 4x800 relay team of Will Rakers, Liam Boeving, Gus Range and Liam Schmidt secured a spot in the 1A IHSA State Track and Field Finals on Saturday, May 31, 2025, after finishing seventh in the preliminaries Thursday, May 29, 2025, with a time of 8:15.09 at the Charleston meet. The boys are Byron, Carlson, Petri & Kalb Male Athletes of the Month for Father McGivney. Speaking for the group following the qualifying round, junior Liam Schmidt said, “It is nice to qualify for the finals. We PR’d a month ago in the 4 x 800 relay. We have been working hard in practice. It is nice for things to come together. We thought we should win the heat. We took it out aggressively in the race. We ended up and qualified for the state finals.” Schmidt added that the team’s goal was to qualify for state and earn a medal. “We worked really hard in practice for the 4x800," he added. "We had ambitious goals going into this season and

Continue Reading

GRANITE CITY — The Rotary Club of Granite City honored juniors Myla Layne and Megan Sykes as Students of the Month for May during a ceremony Thursday. The recognition, based on academic achievement, scholastic and extracurricular honors, civic involvement, and leadership roles, highlights outstanding high school juniors nominated by their teachers. Layne, daughter of Freddie and Melissa Layne, serves as co-captain of the Scholar Bowl team and has maintained High Honor Roll status for two years. She is an Alpha Peer Leader, volunteers at Peer Tutoring and Relleke Farms, and holds the position of Science Club treasurer. Sykes, daughter of Craig and Ann Sykes, is a three-year varsity letterwinner in girls basketball, soccer, and swimming. She has earned Secondary Honors for three years and holds multiple Microsoft Office Specialist certifications, including Excel 2019 Associate, PowerPoint 2019 Associate, and Word 2019 Associate. Sykes also volunteers as a cafeteria worker and

Continue Reading

ALTON - Veterans can access benefits and receive mental health help through Centerstone. On a recent episode of “Our Daily Show!” with C.J. Nasello , Centerstone’s veteran care navigator Jeremy Lile shared that he works closely with veterans to connect them to resources through the VA, the State of Illinois, or Centerstone’s own programs. Centerstone aims to be a “one-stop shop” to help veterans access these services. “The goal at Centerstone is to actually walk them and connect them with names, with faces, with people, not just give them the information and send them on their way,” Lile said. “We want to make sure that there’s a good connection and they’re being integrated into other programs and other community-based services. We’re actually walking beside them and helping them get in touch with the benefits that they’re desperately seeking or have been seeking for a long time.” Lile,

Continue Reading

You might get a text from an unknown number saying it’s the Illinois DMV. It warns that you have an unpaid traffic ticket. It says your license and registration will be suspended tomorrow unless you “Pay Now” via the link provided. This is not a real notice. It’s a scam designed to make you panic and hand over your money or personal data. Scammers use urgency to cloud your judgment. The message will quote state codes and deadlines. It may even threaten to report you to a “violation database,” suspend your driving privileges, or hurt your credit score. Real DMV penalties never arrive by random text. Official notices come through the mail, and you always have weeks to respond. The link in the message often looks almost official. It might read something like “idot-illinois.gov-ldwg.live/portal.” But notice the extra words or unusual domain ending. True government sites end in “.gov” and don’t include odd dashes or “.live.”

Continue Reading

SPRINGFIELD – Governor JB Pritzker, Illinois State Police (ISP) Director Brendan F. Kelly, the Law Enforcement Medal of Honor Committee, and law enforcement officials from across the state gathered today for the Law Enforcement Medal of Honor Ceremony in Springfield to honor officers who performed acts of heroism. The Law Enforcement Medal of Honor Committee awarded 23 officers from 10 agencies the Medal of Honor in recognition of their brave and sacrificial service to the people of Illinois. Granite City Police Department Officer Douglas B. Nicoson was recognized at the Medal of Honor ceremony. “Today, we pay tribute to our heroic police officers who have gone above and beyond the call of duty while protecting our communities,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “From Palatine to Chicago to Granite City, our honorees saved lives and offered comfort and support to countless others. While we will never be able to repay their bravery in full, we hope that this recognitio

Continue Reading

Discover an exciting array of events across the region, from lively music performances and engaging markets to family-friendly activities and unique community gatherings, offering something for everyone to enjoy. For a complete listing of upcoming events, visit https://www.riverbender.com/events/ and plan your next adventure today! Featured THE MIDWEST EXPRESS feat. Mattie Schell and Jackson Stokes at Rock the Block is set to roll into Jerseyville on May 30, 2025, at City Center Park. This unforgettable night of music promises undeniable Midwest charm brought to you by two of St. Louis' most exciting artists, Mattie Schell and Jackson Stokes. Both are band leaders and professional singer-songwriters joining forces for a fun-filled evening. Expect heavy grooves, soaring harmonies, and searing guitar solos backed by a super group of musicians with regional guest artists. The show features two sets of original music from each artist, followed by a Super Set of familiar songs with guest

Continue Reading

BELLEVILLE - The St. Clair County Transit District (SCCTD) today announced it has been awarded $3,000,000 in funding through the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP) for the development of Phase 2 of its Bunkum Road Trail. This 0.8-mile trail segment is part of a series of trails that will combine to create a new 4.8-mile bike path corridor extending from the intersection of Highway 161 and Sullivan Drive in Belleville to The REC Complex of Fairview Heights on Bunkum Road in Fairview Heights. This is all part of the MetroBikeLink System, which currently consists of more than 39 miles of interconnecting trails and bike paths in St. Clair County that connect to six Metro Transit Centers. The project will enhance local transportation and boost quality of life for all community residents. Phase 2 of the Bunkum Road Trail will be a 10-foot-wide bike path running from Emma Lane to Lea Drive. It will include a large pedestrian bridge over I-64 and connect directly to The

Continue Reading