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March 26 has witnessed a multitude of significant events throughout history, spanning various fields such as politics, technology, culture, and social movements. First and foremost, we look back to 1979, a pivotal year in the realm of international relations. On March 26, President Jimmy Carter and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat signed the Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty. This landmark agreement marked the first peace treaty between Israel and an Arab nation, significantly altering the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East. The treaty was a result of the Camp David Accords, where both leaders, with the mediation of U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, negotiated terms that would eventually lead to diplomatic relations between the two countries. The agreement resulted in Israel agreeing to withdraw from the Sinai Peninsula, which they had occupied since the 1967 Six-Day War, in return for Egypt's recognition of Israel's right to exist as a sovereign state. This deal set a precedent

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This Weekend's Go Guide is packed! From fish fries and historical reenactments to engaging workshops and live music performances, there's something for everyone to enjoy. For a full listing of all upcoming events, visit Riverbender Events . If you want to make sure even more of the region is aware of your event email cj@riverbender.com and explore our range of Event Promotion Services! Featured Join Fish Haven at Alton VFW Post 1308 for a Fish Fry Every Friday in Lent from March 7 to April 11. 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 will host Friday Fish Frys every Friday from March 7 through April 11, 2025, from 4-7 p.m. at the McNicholas Club on Stamper Lane. Enjoy an array of options including Buffalo, whitefish, whole catfish, shrimp, and baked fish, with

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MARYVILLE, IL. – Our Lord’s Lutheran Church (OLLC), 150 Wilma Dr., Maryville, will hold a Pet Expo from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 12, 2025. This outdoor event will include canine demonstrations, rescue organizations, face painting, a teddy bear clinic, reading to pets, vendors, a booth for pets and owners to receive a blessing, and many door prizes. This event is free and open to all ages and pets of all kinds. Simple lunch items will be available for a small donation. Rescue organizations such as Catty Shack and Renee’s Rescue will be present. Horseshoe Lake Animal Hospital will provide nail trims and education. Freedom Dogsports is returning to showoff the training young people have given their dogs by demonstrating the dogs agility and ability to follow commands on an obstacle course. Got Your Six Support Dogs will have a booth and a recipient of a trained support dog from Got Your Six will speak at 11 am. There will be facepainting and child friendly

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Letter To The Editor: The City of Alton needs you to vote. Your neighbors need you to vote. Your friends need you to vote. Your personal interest needs, need you to vote. There are many important things we can and should do as members of a society. Depending upon one’s perspective, the range of importance could include: helping and protecting others, mentoring others, volunteering, respecting laws, and faith. The list can go on and on. But as members of this society, voting is in a category of importance that seems to be all too often neglected. Election day in the City of Alton is rapidly approaching. Once again, the future direction which Alton will follow will be determined by who is elected to influence and to guide the City towards its future. “Every election is determined by the people who show up”, L.J. Sabato. “Bad officials are elected by good citizens who don’t vote”, George Nathan. The aforementioned quotes highlight the concerns

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GLEN CARBON – The Glen Carbon Police Department gained four new officers on Tuesday night as each were sworn in and introduced to the community. At this week’s Village Board meeting, Mayor Bob Marcus administered the official oaths for new officers Zachary Keplar, Keonta Lane, Myron Jackson, and Blake Barth. Police Chief Todd Link said a fifth new officer, Mike Brown, will be sworn in at a later date. While training five incoming officers at the same time proved challenging for the village’s smaller police department, Link commended each for making the process “seamless” with their exceptional training performance. He highlighted the experience and education each of them brings to the department. Zachary Keplar (Badge G71) Keplar didn’t just take his oath of office on Tuesday – he also celebrated his 23rd birthday. A born and raised Maryville native, Keplar played football and baseball at Elmhurst University before graduating in 2024

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CARTERVILLE - Centerstone’s CASTLE program provides evidence-based therapy for children ages 3-12 diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The goal is to help children develop essential skills in communication, daily living, and social interaction while reducing challenging behaviors. The Centerstone office is located in Carterville, Illinois, and serves Southern Illinois–including Williamson, Jackson and Franklin counties and beyond. Centerstone's CASTLE Program can help with a variety of challenges faced by children diagnosed with Autism, including: developing complex language and social skills – and engaging in conversations with peers completing daily living skills like toileting and dressing learning age- and developmentally-appropriate crucial pre-academic and intellectual skills decreasing challenging behaviors Why Refer to CASTLE? Individualized therapy tailored to each child’s needs, led by board-certified behavior analysts (BCBAs) Ski

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ALTON - Over 100 Alton Community Unit School District #11 students have written their first books. Kindergarten through eighth grade students in the district had the opportunity to participate in Young Authors, a program that encourages students to write and illustrate their own books. Of the 118 Alton participants, 28 were selected to advance to the county conference on April 26, 2025. “The goal is to be fostering that love of writing at an early age, which not only strengthens their literacy skills, but it builds their confidence and their critical thinking,” explained Rene Hart, ACUSD11 Director of Curriculum and Instruction. “Our students really take pride in that work.” Students sign up for the Young Authors program in the fall and have a few months to write and illustrate their books. They can work with Alton staff members and their families to create their manuscripts. On March 5, 2025, the Alton School District hosted all of the Young Authors

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County Police Department Bureau of Crimes Against Persons detectives are investigating a homicide in the 2500 block of Saddle Ridge Drive that resulted in the death of an adult male. On Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at 12:25 p.m., St. Louis County police officers from the North County Precinct responded to a call for service for a shooting in the 2500 block of Saddle Ridge Drive. An adult male was found suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. The male was transported to an area hospital for treatment but succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased. There are no suspects in custody currently. The investigation is ongoing. Additional information will be disseminated as it becomes available. Please contact the St. Louis County Police Department at 636-529-8210 to speak with investigators if you have any information regarding this incident. To remain anonymous or potentially receive a reward, please contact CrimeStoppers at 1-866-371-TIPS (8477).

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Letter to the Editor: Godfrey has been so blessed to have Mike McCormick as Mayor. Mike has set the bar very high for those aspiring to fill his shoes. He has brought the Village the lowest taxes in the county while expanding our quality of life. Godfrey is safe, peaceful, and a lovely place to live and work and raise a family. And he did all this while refusing a salary increase! The best news of all is that Mike McCormick is running for re-election. Please join me in voting for Mike McCormick for Mayor of Godfrey so he can continue to work for the good of all citizens. Thank you. Sue Goers Active participant in the Godfrey community

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EDWARDVILLE - This weekend, community members can experience a dinner auction while supporting a great cause. At 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 29, 2025, the community is invited to enjoy dinner, raffles, live music and live and silent auctions at the Edwardsville Moose Lodge. Proceeds benefit Stridin’ and Survivin’, a local organization that provides support and resources to patients undergoing cancer treatment. “I think almost everybody in the world has been somehow affected by cancer,” said Alice Bartels, founder of Stridin’ and Survivin’. “If you want to try to help make a difference, ours may be a small difference that we’re making for people, but we get such rewarding thank-you notes from these people thanking us for helping them.” Tickets to the dinner auction cost $30 for adults, and kids ages 7–12 cost $15. You can purchase tickets online or at the door. Dinner is catered by Cygan Delaney, and alcoholic

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JERSEYVILLE – A man from Godfrey is the subject of a Jersey County criminal case after committing home repair fraud against a Jerseyville resident. Scott A. Pritchard, 37, of Godfrey, was charged on March 18, 2025 with one count of home repair fraud, a Class 4 felony. On Feb. 25, 2025, Pritchard allegedly entered into a contract for home repair work totaling $6,800, which he had no intention of completing or knew would not be completed. The home in question was located on Hollow Avenue in Jerseyville. Pritchard was granted pretrial release from custody, with a summons to appear in court on April 22, 2025. All individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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COLLINSVILLE - Community leaders came together to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new Collinsville Area Vocational Center (CAVC) expansion. On March 25, 2025, local elected officials, school administrators, educators and students commemorated the expansion with a groundbreaking ceremony at the construction site, located at the intersection of South Morrison and Caseyville Roads in Collinsville. The new CAVC will expand career and technical education (CTE) opportunities for students at ten Metro East high schools. “This project represents the largest investment in career and tech ed in the State of Illinois since the 1970s. That is historic,” said Joe McGinnis, CAVC director. “The impact that it’s going to have on our local education, our local workforce, and for our local businesses is almost immeasurable.” The CAVC serves Civic Memorial High School, Collinsville High School, Dupo High School, East Alton-Wood River High School, Edwardsville

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EAST ST. LOUIS – State Senator Christopher Belt is highlighting nearly $1 million in grant funding to the East Side Health District. “Securing this funding for the East Side Health District is a proud moment in our continued effort to advance public health, clean energy and workforce development,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “The work we’ve done with the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act is just beginning, and with initiatives like these, we are ensuring that communities in the Metro East are not left behind.” The East Side Health District received a significant boost in their mission to improve public health and the environment by advancing clean energy and workforce development, securing approximately $1 million to implement energy efficiency measures and expand solar energy initiatives across its six health clinics, serving Stites, Canteen, East St. Louis and Cahokia Heights—areas recognized as environmental justice communities. The Equitable

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EDWARDSVILLE - Students from Metro-East Lutheran High School celebrated a significant achievement on Monday, March 24, 2025, as their Scholar Bowl team secured a State Championship at Heartland Community College in Normal, Illinois. The team, comprised of Dean Hemmer, Peter Curtis, Dalton Beers, Erik Neath, Andrew Maske, Logan Abbot, Evan Klaustermeier, and Grant Moss, has now claimed the title for the second consecutive year. Rob Stock, the assistant principal at Metro-East Lutheran High School, expressed pride in both the team's victory and the efforts of the students and their coach. “We are very proud of the win obviously but proud of students and coach of efforts put in for second state title in a row," he said. "It is a huge accomplishment. I know they all worked very hard." Stock also praised Coach Shanna Covarrubias for her efforts. “This is a group that put in a lot of work the last two to three years, continued to get better and better each year," Stock said.

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JERSEYVILLE – With the April 1, 2025 municipal elections just one week away, here’s a look at what Jersey County voters can expect to see on their ballots. Jersey County won’t see many contested races this election, with most candidates running for township or school board positions. Elsah Township Elsah Township will see some of the county’s few contested races. One such race is between Democrat Billy Greding and Republican Russell Wittman, both of whom are vying for Township Highway Commissioner. The winner will replace current Township Highway Commissioner Glenn Vetter, who is running as a Democrat for Township Trustee . Along with Vetter, six other candidates will compete for four Elsah Township Trustee positions. Those other candidates include Democrats Gene Heafner and Jason McDaniel, as well as Republicans Jacob Wells, Clarence Allen Davenport, Robert Corenelius, and Hubert Croxford. Village of Fieldon In Fieldon, voters will choose

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – On MSNBC, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of both the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) and Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC)—called on Pete Hegseth, Tulsi Gabbard, Marco Rubio, John Ratcliffe and every other Trump Administration official who discussed our nation’s war plans in an unclassified Signal group chat to resign immediately. During the interview with Jonathan Capehart, Duckworth underscored that this was an egregious national security failure that put the lives of our men and women in uniform at greater risk and that every single official in the Signal chat should lose their jobs. Video of the full interview can be found on the Senator’s YouTube . Key Quotes: “The fact that every single one of those people on was okay with using this non-classified product for multiple days to conduct their war plans shows a complete lack of professionalism and oversight b

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ALTON – What’s popular on Fridays during Lent? A fish fry of course. Our Mission Partners at OSF Moeller Cancer Center (2200 Central Ave, Alton, IL 62002) are sponsoring a fish fry on Friday, April 4, to benefit their Relay for Life team "Team Hope" as part of their annual fundraising efforts supporting the American Cancer Society. Meals can be purchased for: Lunch service: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Carry-out only Tickets can be purchased via cash or through Venmo Tickets are available for purchase Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. -2 p.m., through Tuesday, April 1, at the OSF Moeller Cancer Center front desk. Carry-out orders can be picked up at the back entrance to OSF Moeller Cancer Center adjacent to the main parking lot of OSF Saint Anthony’s Health Center. Meal tickets are $12.00, and each meal includes: Fish Bread Pickle Chips Coleslaw Dessert Bottled water For more information or to purchase tickets, call (618) 433-7600.

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Letter To The Editor: Early voting is not off to a good start, and that’s a problem. Local elections decide who runs our cities, schools, and communities. These races impact your taxes, your roads, your safety—everything that is essential to building the American dream. When turnout is low, a small group of voters ends up making big decisions for everyone else. It’s easy to complain on social media or vent in public—we’ve all seen it, and we can all do it. Yet, when it’s time to take action—when it’s time to vote—many of those same people don’t show up. It’s sad, honestly, and reflects poorly on our city's image. Whether you're new to voting or you've voted before, it’s crucial to step up and make your voice heard. Your vote matters. On April 1st, take the opportunity to shape the future of your community. It’s the most powerful tool we have as citizens, and it starts with showing up at the ballot box.

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EDWARDSVILLE – At the Edwardsville Community Unit School District #7 Board of Education meeting on Monday, March 24, the difficult decision to dismiss and not renew the employment of 16 certified non-tenured probationary teachers was made. This decision was not made lightly and reflects the district’s commitment to financial efficiency. Some of the dismissed probationary teachers' positions will be filled by existing employees who will be reassigned. There are no planned reductions to any programs, including those in special education, or high school programs such as agriculture/FFA. The district’s goal is to ensure each program remains sustainable within our available revenue sources. Additionally, District #7 remains committed to maintaining appropriate class sizes to support student learning. Each year, District #7 evaluates staffing based on student enrollment and available resources to the District, which come from various revenue sources that collectively

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EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Rotary Club has chosen to honor Edwardsville High School student Jackson Pender with the Student of the Month Award for March. Lincoln was nominated by Edwardsville High School teacher, Mrs. Angie VanBuskirk. Jackson is the son of Keith and Melissa Pender. He participates in advanced placement classes and consistently achieves honor roll status at Edwardsville High School. His dedication to academics earned him recognition as a Illinois State Scholar Finalist. After school, Jackson is a member of the Ma Alpha Theta, as well as the EHS Math Team. In his spare time, Jackson enjoys programming and video games. He also likes listening to music and playing games. In the future, Jackson plans to attend SIUE and receive a master’s degree or higher in either electrical engineering or computer science. Specifically, he desires to go into circuitry; he also stated that he would be open to teaching within the field someday. The Edwardsville Rotary Club

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