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EDWARDSVILLE – An improvement project is scheduled to begin Monday, March 17, on Troy Road between Franklin Avenue and Fifth Avenue. As part of the work, this section will be resurfaced, some existing gaps in sidewalk infrastructure will be filled, and two crosswalks will be added -- one signalized and another with a flashing beacon -- to increase visibility for pedestrians and cyclists. Drivers are asked to remain alert for workers as well as lane shifts that will be necessary while the road’s three lanes are milled and resurfaced. Slowdowns are to be expected; drivers may want to consider alternate routes. Barring unforeseen or weather-related delays, the work is expected to wrap up in about 12 weeks. Among planned improvements are the addition of a signalized crosswalk at the intersection of Troy Road and Montclaire Avenue. Sidewalks also will be added along portions of the west side of Troy Road. A crosswalk with a flashing beacon to alert drivers to pedestrians and

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EAST ALTON – A local sex offender is facing his second charge of failing to register with authorities. Gary L. Vancil, 62, listed as homeless out of East Alton, was charged with unlawful failure to register as a sex offender, a Class 2 felony and his second or subsequent such offense. On Jan. 8, 2025, Vancil allegedly failed to register with local authorities within three days after moving from his Sangamon County address, as required under the Sex Offender Registration Act. Vancil had previously been convicted of the same offense in a Madison County case from 2022. The East Alton Police Department presented the case against Vancil, who was granted pretrial release from custody. All individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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WOOD RIVER – A Wood River resident with an extensive criminal past faces new charges after being found with drugs and a firearm. Timothy R. Vanausdoll III, 38, of Wood River, was charged with possession of a firearm by a repeat felony offender (a Class X felony), felon in possession of a weapon (a Class 2 felony) and possession of a controlled substance (a Class 4 felony). On March 5, 2025, Vanausdoll allegedly possessed a Smith & Wesson M&P .45 Shield M2.0 handgun. The weapon was unlawful for him to possess as a felon previously convicted of unlawful possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine in a 2021 Madison County case. A petition to deny his pretrial release states authoritative made contact with Vanausdoll after he was seen exiting stolen vehicle. At the time of these latest offenses, Vanausdoll was reportedly on parole and had an active arrest warrant out of St. Clair County from February of 2025. “Defendant was placed under arrest and found to be in possession

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ST. LOUIS - Residents in the area should prepare for potentially severe thunderstorms on Friday, March 14, 2025, as the National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm risk warning. The storms are expected to bring widespread damaging winds, with gusts exceeding 70 mph possible, according to Marshall Pfahler of the National Weather Service in St. Louis. The threat of tornadoes cannot be ruled out, Pfahler said, and large hail is also a concern. Pfahler emphasized that the most significant risk is associated with damaging winds, which are anticipated to be the primary hazard. The NWS predicted timeframe for these storms is projected to occur between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. Friday, March 14, 2025. Pfahler noted that the storms are expected to move quickly, impacting locations for only a short period but delivering intense conditions. He advised residents to have a reliable method for receiving weather warnings and to be prepared with a plan in case of severe weather alerts. As

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Letter To The Editor: The residents of Alton are lucky to have Cheryl Ingle as their City Clerk and would be wise to reelect her for a second term. I had the great pleasure of working with Cheryl Ingle in the City’s Community Development Department for several years. Prior to that, I was aware of Cheryl’s friendly disposition and her willingness to help anyone in need, but it wasn’t until I worked alongside her that I became truly aware of her intelligence, vast knowledge and dedication to the City of Alton. Cheryl’s technical expertise regarding government guidelines, her ability to work on complicated budgets, and her immense number of personal contacts were a huge benefit to our department. These skills, abilities and relationships are what have led her through a successful first term as City Clerk. Cheryl possesses all the traits that make someone a great public servant: she has a desire to work for the good of the people of the City of Alton, she is

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ALTON – The Alton Police Department is currently investigating a burglary that took place at Funky Cards and Collectibles shortly after 11 p.m. on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. Officers responded to a report of a broken window at the store, located at 104 W 3rd Street. Upon their arrival, officers found evidence of further damage inside the business and confirmed that several items had been stolen. No suspects were present at the scene when law enforcement arrived. The case has been assigned to the Criminal Investigation Division of the Alton Police Department, which is actively pursuing leads related to the incident. Authorities are urging anyone with information about the burglary to contact the Alton Police Department at 618-463-3505 ext. 634.

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Letter To The Editor: I am writing this letter in support of Godfrey Village Clerk, Susan Robbins. I first met Susan in October 2021 at a week-long training. During that week, I was impressed with Susan’s knowledge of City government, her very kind demeanor, and professionalism. My opinion of Susan has not changed since that week, and as I have gotten to know her over the past 4 years, I am 100% confident she is the best choice to continue as the Godfrey Village Clerk. What you may not know is that Susan is a Certified Municipal Clerk. That is an extraordinary accomplishment, and an achievement that requires dedication, determination and a willingness to devote a lot of time outside of work to achieve. In addition to that, she is working on the Masters Municipal Clerk certification, a designation that few Clerks achieve. I am so proud of what she has accomplished and am excited to see what she will accomplish in the future for the Village. Beyond a doubt, Susan Robbins is

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WOOD RIVER — Camden Seibert, a senior at East Alton-Wood River High School, is being recognized for his dedication to baseball, a sport he has played for approximately 10 years. Seibert, who has consistently demonstrated a strong work ethic both in athletics and academics, attributes much of his success to the unwavering support of his mother. Seibert expressed gratitude for his mother's encouragement throughout his baseball journey. "She’s been my biggest supporter throughout my baseball career and I wouldn’t be anywhere without her support and her belief in me through the years," he said. Under the guidance of Coach Tim Bond, Seibert has developed skills that have contributed to his recognition. He noted that balancing sports and academics has honed his time management abilities, allowing him to excel in both areas. Seibert is a Midwest Members Male Athlete of the Month for the Oilers. "You’ll never see me half-working for anything," he said, emphasizing

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EDWARDSVILLE - At a recent candidates forum, candidates for the Lewis and Clark Community College District 536 Board of Trustees introduced themselves to voters. On Wednesday, March 12, 2025, community members gathered at The Wildey Theater in Edwardsville for the forum, hosted by the League of Women Voters and the NAACP. There are four candidates running for three seats. Tammy Smith-Williams was unable to attend the forum. Abigail Eilerman, Donna Ware and George Ellis introduced themselves and answered questions about their goals for the students and administration at LCCC. Abigail Eilerman is a first-time candidate and lifelong Riverbend resident. She graduated from Jerseyville High School and attended SIUE School of Pharmacy. She opened and managed a specialty pharmacy for Walgreens in Springfield. Currently, she teaches at the SIU School of Dental Medicine. She has four children and lives in Jerseyville. “I think that I’m kind of uniquely qualified for a

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WOOD RIVER - Camey Adams, a senior at East Alton-Wood River High School (EAWR), is being recognized for her outstanding achievements in softball. With a decade of experience in the sport, Adams has dedicated herself to honing her skills year-round, supported by her coach, Mike Beachum, and her family. Adams is a Midwest Members Credit Union Female Athlete of the Month for the Oilers. Adams attributes much of her success to the encouragement from her mother and younger sister, who have been her steadfast supporters throughout her athletic journey. “My mom and my little sister have always been there to support me,” she said. Playing softball for approximately 10 years, Adams has developed a passion for the sport, particularly enjoying its competitive nature. “I love the competitiveness of it,” she said, highlighting how the sport has shaped her character and leadership abilities. In addition to her accomplishments on the field, Adams has excelled academically.

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ALTON – The Funky Cards & Collectables store in downtown Alton was broken into and robbed Tuesday night. Fortunately, an outpouring of community support has helped them reopen as of Wednesday. The suspect or suspects, who currently remain at large, smashed the store’s glass front door and a glass case of vintage Pokémon cards, stealing most of the cards inside. In an announcement on social media, store representatives said the “perpetrator rode away on a bicycle.” Several community members commented on the post stating they were willing to help with clean-up efforts. An employee of Players Corners Trading Cards said they will contact Funky Cards & Collectables if anyone attempts to sell them products they suspect were stolen from the store. As of Wednesday morning, March 12, 2025, Funky Cards & Collectables announced they had made repairs and were ready to reopen for the evening, thanking the community for their support. A GoFundMe campaign

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PIASA - Josie Hagen is another of Southwestern High School's strong student-athletes who participates in multiple sports. She is a standout basketball, volleyball and softball player. The 5-foot-7 junior was one of the Piasa Birds' leading scorers this basketball season and top rebounders, averaging over 4 rebounds a contest. She also will be counted on when Southwestern opens its 2025 girls softball campaign. Josie is an Altonized Community Federal Credit Union Female Athlete of the Month. Southwestern's girls basketball coach Darren Moseley commended Hagen for her defensive skills: "She has the task of guarding players taller than her every game and she usually makes the other team's post players work to get points. "She has also improved rebounding and has a good shot," he said. "We will need to put her in a position to get more shots next season." Hagen is now embarking on the girls softball campaign and then will turn her attention to volleyball preparation and summer basketball.

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EDWARDSVILLE - Candidates for the Edwardsville Community Unit School District #7 Board of Education introduced themselves to the community at a recent candidates forum. On Wednesday, March 12, 2025, candidates and community members gathered at The Wildey Theater in Edwardsville for the forum, hosted by the League of Women Voters and the NAACP. There are nine candidates competing for four seats. Sara Bauer, Matthew Breihan and William Duffy were unable to attend the forum. The remaining candidates — Alma Carver, Joshua Arnold, Terri Dalla Riva, Scott Ahart, Patricia Lowe and Jacob Goebel — shared their platforms and answered questions about board policies, bond projects, bullying and other topics. Terri Dalla Riva has served on the school board for 10 years. During her tenure, she said the school board has prioritized students’ mental health, created professional learning communities for teachers, and developed a long-term strategic plan. She added that sh

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The Riverbend area is buzzing with a diverse array of events that cater to all interests, from festive St. Patrick's Day celebrations and culinary delights to engaging community activities and live music performances, ensuring there's something for everyone to enjoy. For a complete listing of these exciting happenings, visit Riverbender Events . Featured Join Fish Haven at Alton VFW Post 1308 for a Fish Fry Every Friday in Lent . Come hungry, bring your crew, and enjoy great food, cold drinks, and live music! Dinner includes Fish (Buffalo, Catfish Filet, Catfish Nuggets, or Cod), Hushpuppies, 2 Sides, and Bread for $15. Available from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Godfrey Knights of Columbus Friday Fish Frys will be held Every Friday, March 7 through April 11, 2025 , from 4-7 p.m. at the McNicholas Club on Stamper Lane. Buffalo, whitefish, whole catfish, shrimp, and baked fish and cheese pizza will be served. Buffalo and whitefish are All You Can Eat. Sides will be fries, onion rings, coleslaw,

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ALTON - Christina Milien stays busy. Milien, one of six candidates for the Alton Community Unit School District #11 Board of Education, shared more about who she is and what she stands for. She has served on the board for the last four years, and she is excited for the chance to give back to the community for another four-year term. “I stay very busy pretty much all the time. I wouldn't have it any other way,” she said. “I get as much as I give, if not more, when I’m of service. I think that's what all of us are supposed to do. I think it’s the highest calling that any of us have, to figure out how we can help people just for the sake of being of service.” Outside of the school board, Milien is the mother of two boys in ACUSD11. She works remotely as a managing attorney with a firm in Chicago, and she appears in court at least three days a week in Missouri. She is licensed to practice law in Missouri, Illinois, Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa, s

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Did you know that nearly 80% of Americans report feeling overwhelmed by their daily responsibilities? In a world where the demands of work, family, and social commitments can feel relentless, self-care is often the first thing to fall by the wayside. However, prioritizing self-care during busy months is not just a luxury; it’s a necessity for maintaining mental, emotional, and physical well-being. As we dive into the intricacies of self-care amid a whirlwind of obligations, we will explore strategies to not only survive but thrive during life’s most hectic periods. Understanding the Importance of Self-Care Self-care is often misconstrued as indulgence—think spa days and lavish vacations. In reality, it encompasses a wide range of practices aimed at nurturing one's health and well-being. According to the World Health Organization, mental health is just as critical as physical health, with neglect leading to conditions such as anxiety and depression. During particularly

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Welcome to this day in history, March 13th. First and foremost, one of the most impactful global events occurred on March 13, 1969, when the United States, amidst the fervor of the Cold War, launched the Apollo 9 mission. This mission was critical for the development of the lunar module, which would later play a key role in landing humans on the Moon. The Apollo 9 mission was also the first time that astronauts tested the Lunar Module in space. The successful completion of this mission marked a significant step towards the historic Apollo 11 Moon landing in July 1969, and it helped to cement the United States' position as a leader in space exploration during a time of intense rivalry with the Soviet Union. In a different realm, on this day in 1996, the world of sports witnessed a significant event as the National Football League (NFL) announced the creation of the NFL Europe League. This league was intended to promote American football in Europe and provide a platform for players

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ALTON – After a few passionate public comments, the Alton City Council voted on Wednesday to put a TIF agreement on hold which would expand the parking lot of a proposed tattoo parlor. As first reported on Riverbender.com , developer Kyle Hulker plans to open a tattoo parlor at 629 Ridge St. under the name “Blue Bird Tattoo.” Hulker was previously the owner of Alton Tattoo Company and Sherry’s Snacks, which were formerly located on College Avenue. The Ridge Street property is properly zoned, but lacks the required amount of on-site parking. Under the tabled agreement, the city would reimburse Hulker for up to $10,000 of a planned parking lot expansion totaling $40,000. Most of the evening’s public comments focused not on the parking lot expansion, but Hulker himself. Multiple members of the public claimed Hulker has been accused of sexual assault by up to 50 women. They asked council members not to allow Hulker to open another business in Alton.

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PEORIA — Twelve-year-old Cameron Travis of the Young Warriors Wrestling Academy in Granite City, secured a fifth-place finish in the Novice Boys-215 weight class at the Illinois Kids Wrestling Federation state tournament held this past weekend in Peoria. Having wrestled for four years, Cameron expressed his excitement about his recent accomplishment, and said, “It was really cool and exciting. I’m glad I got the opportunity to place and be on the podium with the best wrestlers in the state.” Cameron is a Stillwater Senior Living Male Athlete of the Month for Granite City. In addition to wrestling, Cameron has participated in soccer and baseball, and he plays the saxophone at school in Granite City. His diverse interests reflect a well-rounded approach to both athletics and academics. Looking ahead, Cameron has set ambitious goals for his future. “I see myself wrestling for the USA team or playing in The NFL,” he said. As he prepares for next season

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DUPO — A Dupo man faces multiple serious charges, including first-degree murder, following a lengthy investigation by the Illinois State Police (ISP) into the disappearance of a local resident. Kaylon T. List, 39, was charged on March 3, 2025, by the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office with first-degree murder, aggravated kidnapping inflicting harm, kidnapping, concealing a homicidal death, aggravated unlawful restraint, and unlawful restraint. These charges stem from the investigation into the case of Eric Grindstaff, of Wood River, who was reported missing on June 23, 2021. Authorities said at the time of the disappearance, Grindstaff was moving from his grandmother’s house in Wood River. The investigation began when the Dupo Police Department sought assistance from the ISP in locating Grindstaff. Officers responded to List's residence in the 4000 block of Elm Street in Dupo, where they discovered a suspicious vehicle partially concealed near

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