Riverbender 🕸

RIVERBEND - As America celebrates its 250th birthday, the Riverbend is ringing in the anniversary with a bang. Here’s the ultimate fireworks and drone show guide for 2026. FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 2026 Godfrey What: Beverly Farm’s Annual Fireworks Display Where: Beverly Farm When: 9–10 p.m. More information: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1594388006023273&set=pb.100063562664610.-2207520000&type=3 Trenton What: America 250 Bash Where: Trenton

GODFREY - The Village of Godfrey’s Recreation Center Committee will hold a public meeting at 8 a.m. Thursday, June 18, 2026, at Village Hall, as the village continues a feasibility study on a possible recreation and community center. The meeting comes as village officials seek more public input and data on whether residents would use such a facility and what type of center might best fit the community. “You learn a lot from these committee meetings. That is the reason we are having

MARYVILLE, Ill. — Cambridge House of Maryville recently celebrated Supportive Living Week, including a visit from the Green Mount Road HOG motorcycle group, which gave residents a 7-mile motorcycle ride. The event took place at Cambridge House of Maryville, according to information provided by Angie Hillis. Hillis said the motorcycle group participated during Supportive Living Week. Cambridge House of Maryville said the Green Mount Road HOG group came to the community and gave residents

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Police (ISP) is celebrating its 40th anniversary of certification by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). CALEA is an internationally recognized gold standard in public safety excellence. On June 15, 1986, ISP became the first state police agency in the United States to achieve CALEA accreditation, highlighting ISP’s vision of being one of the nation’s premier policing agencies. “ISP’s vision, mission,

O’FALLON, Ill. – HSHS Medical Group welcomes , to HSHS Medical Group Multispecialty Care - St. Elizabeth’s, at 3 St. Elizabeth’s Blvd., Suite 5000, in O’Fallon, Illinois. She provides comprehensive gastroenterology care for adults, evaluating and managing conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease, inflammatory bowel disease, liver disorders and irritable bowel syndrome. Croessman-Marshall earned a Master of Science in nursing from Walden University

EDWARDSVILLE — State Senator Jason Plummer and State Senator Erica Harriss are set to host an End of Session Town Hall event on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, to provide residents with an update on recent legislative activity from the 2026 spring session. The events are free and open to the public. Residents are encouraged to attend to learn more about actions taken during the spring session, ask questions, and share feedback on issues important to their communities. Edwardsville Town Hall

CARLINVILLE - Carlinville will host a Community Blood Drive with ImpactLife, the provider of blood components for local hospitals. The blood drive will be from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm on Wednesday, July 1, 2026 at 201 West Main Street, inside Elks Lodge. What: Carlinville Community Blood Drive When: Wednesday, July 1, 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm Where: Elks Lodge, 201 West Main Street, Carlinville, IL Appointments: To donate, please contact ImpactLife Springfield at (800) 747-5401 or visit

SPRINGFIELD, IL. - Members of the Jerseyville FFA chapter were honored June 9-11, 2026, at the 98th annual Illinois State FFA Convention in Springfield, Illinois, where more than 5,000 FFA members, advisers and guests gathered for the three-day event themed “Sparking Your Future.” The convention recognized achievements of Illinois FFA members, elected the major state officer team and celebrated agriculture. During the event, Jerseyville FFA members received several honors, with

CHICAGO – Today, Governor Pritzker walked the Puerto Rican People's Day Parade to celebrate the vibrant Puerto Rican community that enriches neighborhoods across Illinois. He greeted attendees and joined in the celebration alongside Chicago’s Puerto Rican community “Illinois is home to hundreds of thousands of Puerto Ricans who have shaped and strengthened our communities for generations," said Governor Pritzker. "It is my honor to stand with this community to celebrate the

CHICAGO — The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) approved measures to allow the extension of gambling operations at the Chicago and Waukegan temporary casinos, while the permanent Bally’s Chicago and American Place Casino facilities are under construction. In addition, the IGB shared an update about its ongoing, data-based review of its voluntary Self-Exclusion Program with an announcement about significant enhancements and initiatives forthcoming. The IGB’s approval of the extensions

Intoxicating Hemp: Refers to products such as Delta-8, THC-P, and HHC that are currently unregulated and sold outside of the state’s regulated adult-use cannabis market. Adult-use cannabis sold in licensed Illinois dispensaries is only available to people who are 21 years or older. CHICAGO — Today, Governor JB Pritzker signed SB 3222 – landmark hemp legislation that strengthens social equity and medical access, reduces regulatory burdens, strengthens oversight,

CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today joined a coalition of 23 attorneys general in urging congressional leaders to restore Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and eligibility protections in the upcoming Farm Bill and reject efforts to reduce food assistance. In a letter to Senate leadership and the leaders of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, Attorney General Raoul and the coalition warned that recent federal SNAP cuts –

GODFREY - Community members can reflect on race in America during a special collaborative theater performance by local actors. The show starts at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at Hatheway Hall at Lewis and Clark Community College. Written by Leah Becoat with 3 Purple Coats Productions, the one-act play — called “A Day in the Life” — came together after several workshops with the actors and encourages conversations about race. “Do I believe that, with a

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), who served in the Reserve Forces for 23 years and is a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), successfully secured several important provisions to support Illinoisans, servicemembers, Veterans and our state’s economy that passed SASC this week. Among the provisions Duckworth secured are measures to protect jobs at the Rock Island Arsenal, invest in Illinois military bases and infrastructure,

COLLINSVILLE - The World’s Largest Catsup Bottle Festival will return to Collinsville on Saturday, June 20, from 2 to 7 p.m. at Old Herald Square, with this year’s event marking the 100th anniversary of Route 66 and the 77th birthday of the World’s Largest Catsup Bottle historic landmark. The festival will feature the Giant Idaho Potato Truck Tour and the Great Race Route 66 Road Rally. Organizers said the event will include activities such as the Princess Tomato and Sir Catsup

WASHINGTON, D.C. – After Donald Trump signed a bill that gifts $70 billion to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today highlighted a list of ways this money could be used to lower costs and improve lives of Illinoisans instead. Duckworth and Durbin have repeatedly opposed any more funding for ICE and Border Patrol in their push for commonsense

ST. LOUIS - A sinkhole near Interstate 44 and North Broadway in downtown St. Louis continued to disrupt traffic Sunday, June 14, 2026, as the City of St. Louis and partner agencies, including the Missouri Department of Transportation, responded ahead of the Monday morning commute. In an update issued June 14, 2026, city officials said the sinkhole site has been contained and secured, while multiple street and highway closures remain in place in the area. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources

CHICAGO – Today, Governor JB Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), and the Illinois Retail Merchants Association (IRMA) announced $24.7 million in funding for 434 entities through the Illinois Pharmacy Support Program, an initiative to strengthen access to pharmacy services across Illinois. The program was designed to assist pharmacies around the state most at risk of closure or financial strain, particularly those serving in rural areas,

BELLEVILLE – Designed for rising students in grades 10 to 12, the Crime Scene to Court program introduces students to the investigation of a possible crime, the processing of forensic evidence, and using the analysis of that evidence at a mock trial. Students will process a mock crime scene where they will learn through experience as they collect evidence. They will complete laboratory analyses on some of the evidence acquired and conclude with legal training, to prepare as witnesses

GLEN CARBON - Lyla Hickam was a freshman for the girls soccer team at Father McGivney Catholic High School this season and made key contributions to the Griffins' IHSA Class 1A state championship season as a defender, which ended with a 3-0 win over Pleasant Plains in the final on June 6, 2026, at North Central College in Naperville. During the season, Hickam also scored one goal and had two assists for four points, providing a lift of energy throughout the season as a freshman starter. She