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ALTON/WOOD RIVER – Residents of Alton and Wood River have been charged with unlawful weapon possession in separate felony cases. Brennen R. Sykes, 18, of Wood River, was charged Aug. 20, 2025 with one count each of aggravated unlawful possession of weapons (a Class 4 felony) and resisting a peace officer (a Class A misdemeanor). On Aug. 19, 2025, Sykes allegedly carried an EIG .22 caliber revolver on his person which was uncased, loaded, and immediately accessible; he also allegedly had no valid Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) card at the time of the offense. He was additionally accused of resisting arrest by fleeing on foot from a police officer. Wood River Police officers responded to “a report of a suspect brandishing a firearm at 11:15 a.m., walking two blocks from East-Alton Wood River High School,” according to the state’s petition to deny Sykes’s pretrial release from custody. Once officers located Sykes, he reportedly fled

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GRAFTON - Local firefighters will honor those lost on Sept. 11, 2001, in a unique way. On Sept. 11, 2025, community members are invited to QEM Fire Protection District in Grafton to watch the firefighters climb 2,071 stairs or 110 floors, the number of stairs climbed by firefighters on 9/11. Fritz Meat Market will sell food to spectators. Firefighters Cameron Mank and Victoria Westfall believe it will be a powerful way to remember 9/11. “It’s just going to be a meaningful event to try to memorialize those who are lost, all the thousands of lives affected,” Mank explained. “Just the idea of it is going to really put it into perspective.” QEM Fire Protection District has a burn tower on their property at 14905 Elsah Road in Grafton. The firefighters, wearing their gear, will climb the three stories on the burn tower and then back down, and repeat this process for 2,071 stairs. Mank and Westfall noted that the stair-climb is a way for them to understand

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GLEN CARBON - Drew Kleinheider was part of the "heart and soul" of the Father McGivney Catholic boys baseball team this past season. He has played the past three years as the starting shortstop and was one of the captains for his high school baseball team. McGivney was 38-4 overall during last year's baseball season. He played in every game during his senior season, and Kleinheider never went a season without recording more than 50 hits. He finished with a batting average of .413 last year. Kleinheider is a Byron, Carlson, Petri & Kalb Male Athlete of the Month for the Griffins. Kleinheider’s offensive contributions were matched by his speed and versatility. Last season, he stole 49 bases, showcasing his ability to impact the game on the basepaths. Known for his grit and consistent performance, he frequently hit third in the batting order and was a key run producer for his team. He was a guard for the Griffins boys' basketball team. Defensively, Kleinheider maintained a hig

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ALHAMBRA - Alex Odom and two others are organizing a fundraiser to support the Legendary Mustang Sanctuary after a recent fire damaged the sanctuary’s home. The Legendary Mustang Sanctuary, which rescues and rehabilitates wild mustang horses and burros, suffered fire damage to one room and smoke damage throughout the rest of the home. The sanctuary’s mission focuses on healing sick and abused animals, restoring their natural spirit, and ultimately placing them in permanent, loving homes. The Legendary Mustang Sanctuary is located at 10107 Klenke Road in Alhambra, IL., 62001. “I volunteer for the Legendary Mustang Sanctuary, and their core mission is to rescue as many of the wild mustang horses and burros as we possibly can, gentling them by healing the sick and abused, restoring the natural spirit, and winning their confidence and trust,” Odom said. “They have helped me and many others countless times, and their selfless actions are why I wish to try

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ALTON – Alton residents living near the State Street Trails voiced opposition to the property becoming a commercial development at Wednesday’s City Council meeting. Nicholas Goewey, who has reportedly been working on the trails for the past 19 years and secured city approval to operate them years ago, wrote in a June 2025 post on the State Street Trails Instagram page that the property was being targeted by a “troubling neighbor” who was allegedly getting other residents to complain to city officials about the trails. Goewey said he was told by the Alton Police Department at the time that if enough neighbors complained to the city’s Building and Zoning Department, the trails may be shut down entirely. A follow-up post on Aug. 22, 2025 confirmed the trails would likely be shut down because they “are not zoned properly.” Keeley Bogart, who lives in the nearby Norside neighborhood, thanked city officials at Wednesday’s meeting

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BETHALTO - Following reports of discolored water in the Village of Bethalto, Bethalto Community Unit School District #8 Superintendent Dr. Jill Griffin gave an update on the district’s water use during the regular Board of Education meeting on Aug. 28, 2025. Griffin thanked many community members and public officials for donating water to the district’s students and staff members. She noted that while this week’s water has been “the clearest water that we’ve had consistently” in some time, they still need water donations to ensure the school community has safe water for drinking and cooking. “We bring quality water into our kitchens to cook with and prepare food,” she explained. “We’re bringing water in right now in all of our kitchens, and then we’re also bringing water and bottles of water for students and staff right now while we wait for things to clear up with the Village.” Griffin thanked the kitchen

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BETHALTO - During their regular meeting on Aug. 28, 2025, the Bethalto Community Unit School District #8 Board of Education voted to table two items regarding the use of AI and the implementation of Constitution Day. Both items were spearheaded by Board member Dallas Zimmerman, who explained that he wants to see “responsible AI use” by the school district, starting with Board operations. He proposed using AI to record, transcribe and summarize Board meetings. “It’s just about good governance,” Zimmerman said. “Board members are charged with ensuring the efficiency and the accountability and the transparency of our district operations, and adopting AI for Board use is a step forward in that.” Director of Teaching and Learning Dr. Alyssa Smith added that the district put out a survey to the district community to create a committee to build an AI policy. This committee includes Board members, union leaders, and other teachers and administrators.

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EDWARDSVILLE – The City’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee is encouraging everyone who can to try going a week without driving, and is offering students a chance to do their part by traveling to school via the Bike Bus. The Week Without Driving challenge and Bike Bus are two initiatives championed by the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, which focuses on education and accessibility issues for pedestrians and cyclists in Edwardsville. The Week Without Driving is happening this year from September 29 to October 5. The idea is simple: Try to avoid taking a solo trip in a vehicle during the designated week. Instead, consider walking, biking, taking public transportation, carpooling or hailing a ride service. It’s not a failure if you must drive, but organizers suggest using the opportunity to consider the costs and impact on people whose options aren’t so varied. “Encourage others and your family and your neighbors to try it out,”

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Did you know that 70% of people say they feel more relaxed and connected when dining outdoors? Sharing a meal outside isn’t just about food—it’s about cultivating an atmosphere that encourages conversation, laughter, and lasting memories. Hosting an outdoor brunch with friends offers a unique opportunity to blend culinary delight with the natural environment, turning an ordinary gathering into an extraordinary experience. Planning the Perfect Setting: Location and Ambiance Choosing the right location sets the foundation for your outdoor brunch. Whether it’s a spacious backyard, a cozy balcony, or a nearby park, the environment will shape the mood of the event. Consider factors such as space, privacy, and accessibility. Creating Atmosphere: Use elements like string lights, lanterns, or candles to add warmth, even during daytime. A simple tablecloth or runner can elevate the dining area while coordinating with the natural surroundings. Comfortable seating

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August 29 has been a day of significant historical events that have shaped societies, cultures, and even the natural world. Perhaps the most profound event associated with August 29 is the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927. This catastrophic flood is often considered one of the most destructive river floods in the history of the United States. It began when heavy rains swelled the Mississippi River beyond its banks, overwhelming levees and inundating vast areas of the Mississippi Delta. By the time the waters receded, approximately 27,000 square miles of land were underwater, displacing nearly 700,000 people. The flood's devastation extended across Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, and other states, decimating homes, farms, and entire communities. The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 had far-reaching consequences beyond the immediate physical destruction. It exposed glaring racial and economic inequalities, as the majority of those displaced were African American sharecroppers and tenant

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HERRIN – Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 7 arrested 23-year-old Peyton Steckenrider of Herrin, IL for multiple counts of Possession and Dissemination of Child Pornography. On August 28, 2025, ISP Special Agents executed a search warrant at Steckenrider’s residence in the 500 block of S. 26th Street in Herrin. The investigation revealed evidence of child sexual abuse materials. Steckenrider was booked into the Williamson County jail pending a detention hearing. Steckenrider was charged with eight counts of Possession of Child Pornography – Victim Under 13 Years of Age (Class 2 Felony) and eight counts of Dissemination of Child Pornography – Victim Under 13 Years of Age (Class X Felony). ISP Special Agents were assisted by the Illinois Attorney General’s Office High Tech Crimes Bureau, the Southern Illinois Enforcement Group, the Herrin Police Department, the Illinois Attorney General’s Office Internet Crimes Against

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GRANITE CITY – Two men from Granite City have been charged with battering different elderly victims just days apart in separate but similar felony cases. David M. Ramey, 50, and Nicholas K. Greene, 29, both of Granite City, were each charged on Aug. 18, 2025 with Class 2 felony counts of aggravated battery. Ramey was additionally charged with a Class 4 felony count of criminal trespass to a residence, while Greene was additionally charged with a Class A misdemeanor count of battery. On Aug. 17, 2025, Greene allegedly struck a 68-year-old family or household member in the mouth with a closed fist, causing a laceration. He also reportedly struck a different household or family member about the face with a closed fist, causing the second victim to also sustain a laceration. Two days earlier on Aug. 15, 2025, Ramey reportedly shoved a household or family member without legal justification. Charging documents state the victim was 67 years old at the time of the offense. He wa

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MINNEAPOLIS — Community members gathered Tuesday at a memorial outside Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis to honor the victims of a shooting that occurred the previous day during a Catholic school Mass, authorities said. The attack left two children dead and 18 others injured. The shooting took place as students and parishioners were attending a Mass marking the first week of school. The incident has prompted an outpouring of grief and statements from Catholic leaders across the country, including in Belleville and Springfield, IL. The Very Rev. Godfrey Mullen, OSB, administrator of the Diocese of Belleville, expressed solidarity with the local church community. “I have conveyed our support and concern to Archbishop Bernard Hebda,” Mullen said. He emphasized the church’s commitment to the sanctity of human life and called for building community to support those in need. “May God purify our world from the inclination to inflict terror and harm

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COLUMBIA, IL. — Jared M. Franke, 26, of Columbia, was charged Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025, following a standoff with law enforcement after allegedly stealing a firearm from his family’s home early Wednesday morning. At approximately 12:30 a.m. on Aug. 27, 2025, deputies from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department responded to a report of a stolen firearm on the 1800 block of Meadow Court. Investigators learned that Franke had taken the weapon and left the residence in a vehicle not belonging to him or his family. Due to Franke’s prior criminal history, possible narcotics use, and the belief that he was armed, deputies alerted neighboring agencies to be on the lookout. Later that morning, family members informed deputies that Franke had returned and was barricaded in the basement behind the home. When deputies attempted contact, Franke resisted violently by throwing knives, pool balls, and multiple shotguns at officers. Deputies also suspected he had access to additiona

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County Police have identified the man fatally shot in Jennings last weekend as 21-year-old Eric Baker of St. Louis. Officers responded shortly before midnight on Sunday, Aug. 24, to a ShotSpotter alert in the 2100 block of Fairhaven Drive in the City of Jennings, where they found shell casings. At midnight, hospital staff notified police that a male shooting victim had arrived at the emergency department and was pronounced dead upon arrival. The St. Louis County Police Department Bureau of Crimes Against Persons is actively investigating the homicide. Authorities have not released further details about the circumstances surrounding Baker’s death. Police are urging anyone with information to contact the St. Louis County Police Department at 636-529-8210 or CrimeStoppers at 1-866-371-TIPS. Additional information will be shared as the investigation continues.

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CHICAGO — While no one scored last night’s record-breaking Powerball jackpot, one lucky Illinois iLottery player woke up this morning a winner after matching four numbers plus the Powerball to claim a $50,000 prize. The winning numbers were: 9-12-22-41-61 and Powerball 25. The excitement isn’t over — Illinois Lottery players will have another chance at a life-changing fortune this weekend. Saturday night’s Powerball jackpot is now an astonishing $950 million, making it the sixth-largest jackpot in Powerball history and the game’s biggest in more than a year! Since the current jackpot roll began on June 2, 2025, Illinois players have been on a winning streak of their own: more than 750,000 winning tickets have been sold, collecting nearly $9.3 million in prizes statewide. For those planning to take their shot at the $950 million jackpot, the Illinois Lottery reveals its Top 10 “winningest” Powerball retailers in Illinois for 2025—stores

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BELLEVILLE - Though 2-year-old Oliviana lives in Arizona, she has many people from the Riverbend region cheering her on in the Toddler of the Year competition. Oliviana currently ranks first in her group in the Toddler of the Year competition. Merric Meehan, a family friend, shared more about Oliviana and her family, who are from Belleville. Meehan noted that Oliviana is learning who she is and loves her family. “She is into anything and everything right now,” Meehan said. “She’s at that fun age where she’s still exploring stuff, figuring out what she likes, what she doesn't like.” Oliviana loves swinging, being outside, reading, and baking cookies and pizza with her mom and dad. Her parents describe her as “so bubbly and affectionate,” quick to greet people with hugs, and “very independent.” She is the first to laugh at her own jokes and enjoys eating snacks and coloring at the same time. Meehan recently babysat Oliviana

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ALTON – In another split vote, Alton aldermen approved $14,616 in ARPA funds to hire an SIUE graduate student to conduct a data study as the city aims to earn “Child Friendly City” status. Alton City Council members on Wednesday voted 5-2 to approve the disbursement of $14,616 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to pay an SIUE graduate student to collect and analyze data as part of the city’s effort to become a UNICEF -certified Child Friendly City . This follows Monday’s 5-2 vote from the Committee of the Whole after some debate over the item’s benefit to the city, as previously reported on Riverbender.com . Each member voted the same way at both meetings, with Ward 1 Alderman Chris Bohn and Ward 3 Alderman Michael Velloff consistently voting against the resolution . A graduate research assistant ( GRA ) from SIUE will be tasked with collecting and analyzing data about Alton’s

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MOUNT VERNON – Governor JB Pritzker, Manner Polymers, and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) today joined local leaders and partners to cut the ribbon on the company’s new 108,000-square-foot, 100% solar-powered manufacturing facility in Mount Vernon. The plant will manufacture electric vehicle (EV) PVC compounds, components for solar panels, and materials for a wide range of industries. This will expand the company’s production capacity to 100 million pounds and create more than 60 high-quality jobs in Southern Illinois. “Powered by clean energy and serving a variety of industries, Manner Polymers will serve as a catalyst for an exciting new era for economic development in Southern Illinois—one built on high-growth industries of the 21st Century,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “The company’s investment in Illinois speaks to our highly qualified and skilled workers, strong manufacturing ecosystem and supply

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BETHALTO — Illinois Senator Harris and Representative Amy Elik issued a joint statement Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025, addressing ongoing concerns about brown and discolored water in the Bethalto area, signaling increased involvement from state officials and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) amid residents’ complaints. Since residents began reporting brown water coming from taps, showers, and toilets, state leaders said they have met with Village of Bethalto officials, reached out to the IEPA, and consulted outside water quality experts to assess the situation and determine appropriate next steps. The Elik-Harriss statement confirmed that the IEPA is conducting water quality testing this week in response to citizen-led tests that revealed concerning results. “Since learning of the brown water concerns in Bethalto, we have met with the Village of Bethalto and other local officials, contacted the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) and requested

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