Riverbender 🕸

September 11 is most widely remembered for the attacks carried out in the United States in 2001, an event that changed international politics, security policy, and public life around the world. On that morning, hijacked commercial airliners were used in coordinated attacks against the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon near Washington, D.C., while a fourth plane crashed in Pennsylvania after passengers resisted the hijackers. Nearly 3,000 people were killed. At the time, the

ALTON — Teamsters Local 525, representing the dedicated members of the City of Alton Public Works Department, announced on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026, that its members are prepared to initiate a lawful strike in 15 days following months of prolonged stall tactics, bad-faith bargaining, and a lack of meaningful negotiation from city leadership. Despite repeated attempts by the union to negotiate fair, competitive wages and address critical workplace concerns, the City of Alton has consistently

EDWARDSVILLE – A man from Edwardsville accused of leaving the scene of an accident while driving with a revoked license for the eighth time faces new charges in Madison County. Clayton C. Shaffer, 50, of Edwardsville, was charged on Sept. 2, 2026 with one count each of driving while license is revoked (a Class 4 felony) and leaving the scene of an accident (a Class A misdemeanor). Shaffer allegedly drove a 2005 Lincoln Navigator on State Route 143 in Edwardsville on July 20, 2026, while

EDWARDSVILLE – Three Edwardsville High School seniors have been named semifinalists in the 2027 National Merit Scholarship Program, placing them among a select group of academically talented students from across the country. Alan Chen, Jude Luesse, and David Maloney were named National Merit Semifinalists as part of the 72nd annual National Merit Scholarship Program. More than 16,000 students nationwide were named Semifinalists in this year’s program, representing less than one

SWANSEA - A traffic stop attempt over mismatched license plates led to a crash and arrest Sept. 7, 2026 near North Belt West and North 17th Street, according to the Swansea Police Department. Tazia J. Beison was arrested at approximately 3 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 7, after a Swansea Police officer attempted to stop a 2003 Hyundai Sonata because the license plates displayed on the vehicle did not return to the Hyundai, police said. The driver, identified by police as Beison, did not stop

EAST ST. LOUIS - A woman was arrested Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2026, in East St. Louis after police said a male victim reported she injured him with a knife and bit him when he tried to intervene in a physical altercation inside a residence. Officers with the East Saint Louis Police Department were dispatched Sept. 8, 2026, to the 1800 block of Missouri Avenue in reference to a reported aggravated battery. Police said the victim reported he had been assaulted by a female later identified as Bonnie

BETHALTO - It was an exciting morning for senior students at Civic Memorial High School as they learned more about available scholarships. On Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, senior students gathered to engage with the high school’s CM Next initiative, which encourages students to think about their future after graduation. As part of this, all students learned more about their individual scholarship offers through VU Scholarships, a program offered by the Bethalto Community Unit School District

WOOD RIVER – Wood River officials have placed new restrictions on where future businesses and transitional living facilities can be located within the city. A series of three zoning-related ordinances gained unanimous approval from City Council members at their Sept. 8, 2026 meeting. “Transitional living facilities” are the subject of one ordinance, which only allows such facilities to be located with I zoning districts. These refer to “any dwelling house containing

BETHALTO - The Bethalto Volunteer Fire Department welcomed an impressive crowd to the 107th Bethalto Homecoming. From Sept. 4–7, 2026, the homecoming offered a carnival, vendors, live music and plenty more fun to enjoy. The event serves as a fundraiser for the fire department. Riverbend residents enjoyed the homecoming tradition and look forward to another great event next year. “I think the community really enjoys this because it’s a time to get together,” said voluntee

Weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy are more popular than ever, leading people to seek options that are quicker, cheaper and involve less prying questions than a traditional in-person doctor visit. But here’s a statistic that should give you pause: Casey Zaring, RPh, PharmD, a clinical pharmacist at OSF HealthCare, says a 2023 audit by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration found 95% of online pharmacies were not legitimate. This leads to concerns about getting bilked out of

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — An adult male died Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026, after a single-vehicle crash near South Lindbergh Boulevard and Lemay Ferry Road, St. Louis County police said. Officers from the South County Precinct responded at 11:05 a.m. Sept. 10, 2026, to a call for service at the intersection. Police said officers found the driver in the vehicle with injuries sustained in the crash. The driver was taken to an area hospital for life-saving treatment but died from his injuries,

EDWARDSVILLE - An Edwardsville photographer is among the artists who will showcase their work at the Edwardsville Art Fair event Sept. 25-27, 2026, at Edwardsville City Park. Also included here are other artists who will be present that weekend. Artist: Jeff Bohnert Medium: Photography Location: Edwardsville, IL Artist Statement: "My work explores the quiet, magnetic pull of places, those fleeting intersections of light, atmosphere, and emotion that most people pass by without noticing.

GODFREY — Women in the Riverbend are invited to connect, learn, and grow at the upcoming LeadHERship Seminar, taking place Friday, September 25, at Enjoy Church in Alton. Presented by the RiverBend Growth Association and co-sponsored by Cope Plastics and Waggoner Equipment Rental, the LeadHERship Seminar is designed to empower women through professional development, meaningful connections, and conversations focused on leadership, personal growth, and success. The event will bring together

EAST ST. LOUIS — A former Bethalto attorney appeared in federal court Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, on 15 federal charges alleging he stole more than $400,000 from bank accounts belonging to minors he had been appointed to represent in Madison County. David K. Elliott, 41, was indicted by a federal grand jury Aug. 18, 2026, on bank and mail fraud charges related to his appointments as guardian ad litem for four minors. The indictment alleges Elliott used fraudulent court orders to withdraw

ALTON - Alton’s film industry is coming to life with new filming and economic development opportunities. “Herbert West: Reanimator” is a psychological horror movie that was filmed in Alton earlier this summer. Between this movie, which will likely premiere in theaters later this year, and the “Food Is Love” TV show’s decision to center several episodes around Alton, John Simmons believes Alton’s film industry is on the rise. “The future

O'FALLON — The NAACP Illinois State Conference of Branches is pleased to announce the 89th Annual NAACP Illinois State Conference Convention, hosted by the NAACP O'Fallon Branch, September 18–20, 2026, at the Regency Conference Center, 400 Regency Park, O'Fallon, Illinois. This year's convention theme, "We the People," is a reminder that equal rights, quality education, accessible healthcare, and diversity, equity, and inclusion are within reach when communities come together with

Kids are back in school, and between early bus rides, a packed day of classes and after-school activities, they can get hungry. So, what should parents pack to give their children the energy they need throughout the day? Nicole O’Neill, RD, a dietitian with OSF HealthCare, says parents should remember that kids have different nutritional needs than adults. “They need fuel, so you have to give them good fuel,” she says. “Things like protein, fiber and fats are going

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC)—is pushing to require the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) by law to provide clarity and due process to officers whose promotions are withheld, delayed or removed, including the more than 40 whose careers were already blocked by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. In her letter, Duckworth urged SASC and U.S. House Armed Services Committee (HASC) leadership to adopt

ALTON - Alton Community Unit School District #11 staff members have the opportunity to move their bodies and build the district’s culture with Wellness Wednesdays. For three years now, Lawrence Gordon has invited ACUSD11 staff members to join him for these weekly workouts. Gordon, who owns U FIT Fitness and Wellness in Godfrey, takes participating staff members through weight training, circuit training, and other basic workouts with the goal of building camaraderie and encouraging fitness

JERSEYVILLE – Wyatt Perry makes a positive impact on his fellow students and teachers every day at Jersey Community High School. For helping others and showing kindness to all, Perry has been named a September 2026 Jersey State Bank Student of the Month at Jersey Community High School. Currently in his freshman year at JCHS, Perry has been a member of Blue Crew for three years, Glow Crew for two years and Special Olympics for one year. He also won 2nd place in the shot put competition