Riverbender 🕸

BELLEVILLE – Residents from around the Riverbend have been charged with stolen vehicle possession in a series of unrelated felony cases. Patsy N. Willis, 38, of Belleville, was charged on July 17, 2025 with offenses related to motor vehicles, a Class 2 felony. Willis allegedly possessed a 2007 Toyota Camry which she knew to be stolen on June 12, 2025. The Bethalto Police Department presented the case against Willis, and she was granted pretrial release from custody. Amy E. Rives, 41, of Cottage Hills, was charged with a Class 2 felony count of offenses related to motor vehicles on July 17, 2025. Rives allegedly knowingly possessed a stolen 2009 Ford Flex bearing an Illinois registration number on June 16, 2025. George Garcia-Flores, 22, listed as homeless out of Granite City, was charged on July 18, 2025 with offenses related to motor vehicles, a Class 2 felony. On July 3, 2025, Garcia-Flores was reportedly in possession of a stolen Jaguar X-Type which he knew had been stolen.

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ALTON – Two individuals from Alton have been charged in separate cases with domestic battery and more. Kelvin D. Mays Jr., 37, of Alton, was charged on July 18, 2025 with two counts of aggravated domestic battery (both Class 2 felonies) and one count of criminal damage to property (a Class 4 felony). Mays allegedly strangled the victim and forcefully grabbed their finger, causing a fracture of the finger on July 5, 2025. He was additionally accused of causing over $500 worth of damage to the victim’s furniture and electronics. A petition to deny his pretrial release from custody states Mays became angry with the victim under the belief she was “cheating on him with other men.” Mays then reportedly “choked her and pointed a gun at her,” according to the petition, which adds: “During the altercation, he grabbed her finger forcefully to remove a ring, causing a fracture.” The Alton Police Department presented the case against Mays, wh

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CAHOKIA HEIGHTS — Authorities have arrested a man in connection with the shooting of an 11-year-old child that occurred earlier this week in Cahokia Heights. The Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis has been investigating the incident for the past four days, with 20 investigators following up on more than 75 leads. Their efforts led to the arrest of 33-year-old Jeremiah A. Johnson of Cahokia Heights. Johnson faces charges of aggravated battery, mob action, and obstructing justice. He is currently being held at the St. Clair County Jail. The Major Case Squad continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting and is urging community members to come forward with any information. Tips can be reported to the Major Case Squad Command Post at 618-332-4277 or submitted through Crimestoppers at 1-866-371-8477.

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY - A Critical Incident Briefing report for the officer-involved shooting which occurred on May 26, 2025, in the 1300 block of Eagles Way Court in the City of Hazelwood, Mo., has been released by St. Louis County Police. The incident occurred at approximately 11:32 a.m. on May 26, 2025, when the officer responded to the call and encountered the man armed with a knife, according to a briefing from the St. Louis County Police Bureau of Crimes Against Persons. The officer fired his service weapon, striking the man, who sustained a non-life-threatening gunshot injury. The injured man was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. The Hazelwood officer involved is 29 years old and has two years of law enforcement experience. The shooting remains under investigation. Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact the St. Louis County Police Department at 636-529-8210. CrimeStoppers can be reached at 1-866-371-TIPS for those wishing to remain anonymous

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COLLINSVILLE - At the July 21, 2025, meeting, the Collinsville Unit School District 10 Board of Education recognized Collinsville High School drama students and members of the Kahok Special Olympics team for their recent achievements. Four CHS students earned superior rankings at the 2025 International Thespian Festival held in June. Mya Parker received the designation for solo musical performance, Nathalia Lebron-Suarez and Holiday Johnson were honored for scenic design, and Ailee Murphy was recognized for solo acting. Additionally, Lebron-Suarez was named to the 2026 All-State production crew. The board also acknowledged the accomplishments of Kahok Special Olympics athletes who competed in the recent Summer Games. Eli Pollard earned a bronze medal in the tennis ball throw. Maliyah Pfeil won a gold medal in the softball throw and placed seventh in the 50-meter run. Bethany McCullar finished sixth in the 50-meter run, while Brandon McCullar secured a gold medal in the softball throw.

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EAST ST. LOUIS – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced lane and ramp closures on westbound Interstate 55/64 in St. Clair County for roadway construction. Beginning, weather permitting, at 5 a.m. Saturday, July 26, westbound I-55/64 will be reduced to one lane between the Collinsville Road overpass and Missouri Avenue overpass. The following ramps will also be closed during this time: St. Clair Avenue to the westbound I-55/64 entrance ramp Westbound I-55/64 to the left-side Martin Luther King Bridge exit ramp Westbound I-55/64 to the Third Street exit ramp All lanes and ramps are expected to reopen by 5 p.m. Saturday, July 26. 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

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EDWARDSVILLE – The City of Edwardsville is now offering a Bike Rack Grant Program in an effort to support and boost the availability of bicycle parking in public spaces throughout the City. Businesses, nonprofits and other groups can apply for a grant of up to $925 to help cover the costs of buying and installing bicycle racks for public use. The program is an initiative of the City’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, which addresses issues related to safety and accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists in Edwardsville. The grant program received City Council approval in July 2025. Committee members hope the program will help make biking throughout the community even easier and offer a secure, convenient alternative to driving. Currently, the City offers bicycle racks at many of its parks and public facilities, but the program would help fill in some bike rack gaps in other community locations. Applicants may be eligible for up to a $925 reimbursement toward

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GRAFTON - Kids are invited to Raging Rivers WaterPark for the chance to train as a lifeguard. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on July 28 to Aug. 1, 2025, kids ages 7–14 can learn the basic skills needed to become a lifeguard. Kids will learn water safety and life-saving skills while having fun at the park. Jeremy Hayes, general manager at Raging Rivers, explained that the goal is to encourage water safety while preparing kids to one day become lifeguards. “They’re geared to come in and do training with lifeguards and enjoy the day with lifeguards,” he said. “They’re actually learning the basic life-saving skills, CPR, swimming, how to save and what to look for.” Registration for the Junior Lifeguard Camp closes on July 27. You can register your child here . It costs $110 per child; this registration fee is waived for the first 25 children to register in each age group. Kids will work in groups of ages 7–10 and 11–14. They will

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DU QUOIN – Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 7 announce the arrest of 70-year-old Jon W. Montgomery of Du Quoin, IL for multiple counts of Possession and Dissemination of Child Pornography. On June 11, 2025, ISP special agents executed a search warrant at Montgomery’s residence in rural Du Quoin and collected electronic evidence. The evidence was analyzed and revealed child sexual abuse materials. Montgomery was booked into the Perry County jail on July 23, 2025, and a detention hearing is set for July 24, 2025. Montgomery was charged with seven counts of Possession of Child Pornography (Class 2 Felony) and four counts of Dissemination of Child Pornography – Victim Under 13 Years of Age (Class X Felony). Any individuals with further information are encouraged to contact ISP Zone 7 Investigations at 618-542-2171. There is no additional information. The Illinois State Police provides resources for parents, for the public to report

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EAST ALTON — Emergency responders from the East Alton Fire Department and East Alton Police Department responded Thursday afternoon, July 24, 2025, to the intersection of West St. Louis Avenue and Niagara Street following a traffic accident involving a truck and a Jeep. Upon arrival, first responders found a truck in the intersection and a Jeep a short distance down the road, both vehicles showing signs of damage. East Alton police assisted with traffic control due to the intersection being busy. Survival Flight ambulance also responded to the incident and transported one to a local hospital. The East Alton Police Department is currently investigating the cause of the crash.

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SHIPMAN – Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced that his office obtained a guilty plea from a former village trustee and treasurer in Macoupin County who misused village funds by collecting pay she was not entitled to and spending funds on personal expenses. Elizabeth Robinson, 47, of Shipman, pleaded guilty to Class 1 felony theft of governmental property, Class 3 felony forgery, and Class 3 felony official misconduct. Macoupin County Circuit Court Judge Joshua Meyer sentenced Robinson to two years of felony probation and 100 hours of community service. She was also ordered to pay $60,000 in restitution, with $30,000 to be paid immediately and the remaining $30,000 to be paid over the course of her probation. “Government employees have an obligation to use government funds and property responsibly,” Raoul said. “Taxpayers must be able to trust that those who serve on their behalf use their authority for the public good and not to enrich themselves. I will

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul issued the following statement after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit affirmed a nationwide injunction in a lawsuit he filed challenging President Donald Trump’s executive order ending birthright citizenship. “No president can arbitrarily pick and choose which children born in the United States are allowed to be citizens of this country. Birthright citizenship has been enshrined in our Constitution in unambiguous language for more than 150 years, and no president has the authority to override the Constitution. The district court could not have been more right in February when it deemed the president’s order as being ‘blatantly unconstitutional.’ “The universal injunction was both necessary and appropriate, and I appreciate the 9th Circuit’s decision. As a birthright citizen, I will not stop fighting to protect the constitutionally-protected right to citizenship that is unquestionably

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BETHALTO - Winston Rulo, a 22-year-old nursing student and certified nursing assistant, remains hospitalized after a brutal assault at his apartment complex in Bethalto on July 19, 2025. Karen Alexander Mack described the severity of her son's injuries and has called for the attack to be prosecuted on a higher scale. She has had contact with Madison County officials about the issue. Mack said the assault left Rulo with multiple head and eye lacerations requiring extensive suturing, a crushed fingertip that necessitated nail removal, and fractures in his face repaired with titanium plates and screws. He also suffered bruises on his hands and feet. Rulo was transported to a St. Louis hospital for surgery after the incident. His current condition has improved from critical status out of the ICU, and his mother hopes he is at the end of his surgeries. "I held his uninjured hand as he lay there with a neck brace in place, with tears streaming down both our faces. I tried to comfort him

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ALTON - John “Jack” Gilbert Helmkamp Jr., a longtime community leader and advocate for civic progress in the region, died at his home on Saturday, July 19, 2025. He was 78 years old. Helmkamp was born March 24, 1947, in Alton. He married Elizabeth “Beth” Whitney on January 23, 1971, in Anderson, Ind.. He is survived by his wife, their three sons — John Gilbert Helmkamp III of Edwardsville; Ryan Helmkamp of Newell, Iowa; and Darren Helmkamp of Kirkwood, Mo. — and their families. He is also survived by two sisters, Janice Farrell of Marco Island, Florida, and Jane Hadley of Charlotte, North Carolina. Helmkamp’s service was recognized with multiple honors, including the Riverbend Growth Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award, induction into the East Alton-Wood River High School Hall of Fame, the Charles A. Bane Humanitarian Award of Excellence from United Way, and the “Service Above Self” Award from the Alton-Godfrey Rotary

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ALTON — The Alton Police Department arrested Andre L. Darden, a 45-year-old man from East Alton, in connection with a shooting that took place on July 5, 2025, in the 300 block of State Street in downtown Alton. The incident drew widespread local attention after video footage of the shooting circulated on social media. Darden was taken into custody earlier today and has been charged by Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine with aggravated battery with a firearm, felon in possession of a weapon, and reckless discharge of a firearm. He is currently being held pending a detention hearing as outlined in his arrest warrant. The Alton Police Department emphasized the significance of community cooperation in addressing violence. “This arrest highlights the importance of the community and police department standing together and calling out bad actors who choose disorder and violence in our community,” the department said. It also reiterated its commitment to justice,

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ALTON - The Mississippi River Water Trail will host two fun events for paddlers who love the river. On Aug. 9, 2025, community members can participate in the Firecracker Race, a 15-mile race from Grafton to Alton. There are 13 different classes and over 60 racers who will participate in the event. On Sept. 20, paddlers can also join the Great River Rendezvous as another way to engage with each other and the river. “One of the things that is our biggest mission is to get people out on the Mississippi River and learn how to paddle it safely and see it from the view of the river,” said Melissa, president of the Mississippi River Water Trail. “It really is a different perspective. It’s fabulous to look up at the Alton Riverfront, to look up at the bluffs near Grafton, to see the wildlife. You feel like you’re transported into a whole different area of the country or the world, and it’s right here in our backyard, and we want people to know that.”

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ALTON/WOOD RIVER – The family of George and Donna Julian , a beloved Alton couple killed during a high-speed Wood River Police pursuit of another vehicle, has spoken out after filing a wrongful death lawsuit against the City of Wood River. The couple’s estate is suing the city for “initiating and continuing a deadly pursuit along commercial or residential roadways when it was unsafe to do so,” according to a press release from Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard, one of the law firms representing the family. “Just before 11 a.m. on July 3, 2025, a Wood River police officer attempted to pull over driver Miko D. Martin for a minor traffic violation near the intersection of 6th Street and Edwardsville Road,” the release states. “Martin refused to stop and immediately fled the intersection through a parking lot before heading southbound on 6th Street. “The officer pursued the vehicle Mr. Martin was driving for several minutes as he attempted

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EAST ST. LOUIS – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced lane and ramp closures on westbound Interstate 55/64 in St. Clair County for roadway construction. Beginning, weather permitting, at 5 a.m. Saturday, July 26, westbound I-55/64 will be reduced to one lane between the Collinsville Road overpass and Missouri Avenue overpass. The following ramps will also be closed during this time: St. Clair Avenue to the westbound I-55/64 entrance ramp Westbound I-55/64 to the left-side Martin Luther King Bridge exit ramp Westbound I-55/64 to the Third Street exit ramp All lanes and ramps are expected to reopen by 5 p.m. Saturday, July 26. 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.

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MILLSTADT - A local family farm has grown into a beloved spot in Millstadt, and community members can come check it out for themselves at an upcoming balloon glow and triathlon. On Sept. 5, 2025, Buttercup Ranch and Creamery will host a balloon glow featuring a concert and five to ten balloons. This will be followed by the CiderMan Sprint Triathlon on Sept. 6. Mary MacKeen, who owns the ranch with her husband Rich, shared that the events are a fun way to give back, with 20% of all proceeds from the weekend going to local first responders. “We just want to help out the community,” MacKeen said. “We feel really blessed that we have this place, but we just want other people to enjoy it as we enjoy it.” On Sept. 5, entrance to the balloon glow costs $20. You can also enjoy a concert by Scott Vignassi’s Big Little Big Band, featuring a “spot-on” Frank Sinatra impersonator, MacKeen said. The fifth annual CiderMan Sprint Triathlon follows th

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EDWARDSVILLE – Edwardsville Community Unit School District #7 will host a Substitute Teacher Job Fair on Thursday, July 31, 2025, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the D7 Center for Learning, located at 1210 N Main Street, Edwardsville, IL. The event is aimed at hiring substitute teachers for the 2025-26 school year. Individuals who attend the job fair and complete a substitute teaching application will receive a $15 Amazon gift card. Substitute Teacher Pay Rates for 2025-26: Daily Rate: $132.50/day Retired Teacher Sub Rate: $145.60/day Long-Term Substitute (11–29 Days): $155.00/day Long-Term Substitute, Retired Teacher (11–29 Days): $170.33/day Long-Term Substitute (30+ Days): $215.00/day Long-Term Substitute, Retired Teacher (30+ Days): $236.26/day Interested individuals are encouraged to register in advance at https://bit.ly/subjobfair . For more information, contact District #7 Human Resources at 618-655-6052.

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