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ALTON - There will be a special visitor at this week’s Farmers' and Artisans' Market in Alton. This week’s “Christmas in July” theme will welcome Santa and Mrs. Claus to the Alton Farmers’ and Artisans’ Market from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, July 26, 2025. The two characters will visit with kids and take photos throughout the morning. Vendors are also invited to sell their holiday-themed wares. “There's really nothing like the look on a kid’s face when they look across the way and they see Santa Claus in a Hawaiian shirt walking toward them in the middle of summer,” said Sara McGibany with Alton Main Street. McGibany noted that this weekend is also a chance for crafters to “break out their totes of Christmas gear.” Vendors are encouraged to bring holiday-themed crafts and products to share with the community. “A lot of our crafters make specific things for Christmas when it rolls around,” she

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Police (ISP) is hosting two all-women recruitment events simultaneously on July 31, 2025, in Belleville and Chicago, to encourage women to explore the many career paths available both as sworn police officers and as civilian employees. ? ISP’s first all-women recruiting event was held in March at the ISP Academy in Springfield, IL and was met with great success. The Southern Illinois event will take place at the Southwestern Illinois College campus, located at 2500 Carlyle Avenue in Belleville, IL 62220, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The northern Illinois event will be held at XS Tennis Village, located at 5336 S. State Street in Chicago, IL 60609, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Both events are free to attend. ? ISP will share employment information and provide opportunities to meet professionals in various law enforcement specialties and attendees can learn about careers within the different divisions of ISP – Academy and Training, Patrol, Crimina

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GODFREY — St. Ambrose Catholic School continues to prioritize the safety and security of its students and staff by completing a series of major facility upgrades. In recent years, the school has invested approximately $225,000 into building-wide security improvements. Most recently, St. Ambrose completed two grant-funded projects: the replacement of four sets of main school entrance doors and the installation of security film on all windows and glass surfaces throughout the building. This effort is part of a larger, long-term strategy developed in collaboration with the St. Ambrose Safety and Security Committee, established in 2020. This committee is composed of dedicated parents and parishioners with professional backgrounds in safety, law enforcement, and emergency response. The group meets regularly to review protocols and recommend updates to both school facilities and safety procedures. Early committee recommendations led to a phased approach for improvements. Initial upgrades

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PONTOON BEACH – Madison County Transit (MCT) has announced a series of service changes set to take effect on Sunday, August 10, 2025, including updates to MCT Micro zones and fixed-route services. In addition, MCT will host public meetings in early August to collect feedback on proposed changes under consideration in 2026. Changes in August include the following: MCT Micro Logistics Valley - The existing MCT Micro zone serving the Logistics Valley area will be replaced with a fixed-route shuttle service due to road construction challenges and passenger feedback. New #23 Logistics Valley Shuttle – A new shuttle will replace the microtransit service operating within the commerce centers. Once IL-111/270 construction has concluded, a new schedule will be released to further improve service to Gateway Commerce Center, Lakeview Commerce Center, and Gateway Tradeport. MCT Micro – Bethalto | Cottage Hills - The microtransit zone will add MCT Wood River Station a

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ALTON - The community is invited to downtown Alton to enjoy the final two Night Markets of the season. From 7–10 p.m. on Thursday, July 24, and Thursday, July 31, 2025, community members can stop by Sugar Alley — the alley that runs parallel to 3rd Street and intersects State Street — for the Night Market, complete with vendors and live music. Sara McGibany with Alton Main Street noted that the events have been a great summer activity for the Alton community, and she hopes the final two nights go off without a hitch. “It’s wonderful to see the sidewalks bustling with people. All the patio seating has people eating dinner at it. All the shops have reported that they’ve had a lot more foot traffic than a regular Thursday,” McGibany said. “Everything that we had hoped would happen has come true.” This is the first year that Alton Main Street has hosted the Night Market in its new spot. Live music is staged in the greenspace

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GODFREY – A convicted sexual predator from Godfrey faces a new felony charge after his latest failure to register with local authorities. Jason M. Clapper, 42, of Godfrey, was charged on July 14, 2025, with his latest offense of unlawful failure to register as a sex offender, a Class 2 felony. On May 25, 2025, Clapper allegedly failed to register his new address within three days of moving from his previously listed address in the 4700 block of Iriquios Trail in Godfrey. Under the Sex Offender Registration Act, he was legally required to register his new address with the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. Charging documents state Clapper had previously been convicted of failing to register as a sex offender in four prior Madison County cases – two from 2012 and one each from 2020 and 2024. According to the Illinois State Police Sex Offender Registry , Clapper was also convicted in Macoupin County of aggravated criminal sexual abuse. Clapper was reportedly

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JERSEY — Tanner T. Eyler, 28, was charged with multiple felonies on July 22, 2025, following events that unfolded in and around Pere Marquette State Park in Grafton this past weekend, according to Jersey County State’s Attorney Ben Goetten. Eyler faces charges including Possession of a Firearm by a Repeat Felony Offender, a Class X felony; Unlawful Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, a Class 2 felony; and Theft, a Class 3 felony. He is currently being held at the Jersey County Jail. On Sunday, July 20, 2025, Deputy Jeff Klunk of the Jersey County Sheriff’s Office encountered Eyler near a pickup truck that had run off Scenic Drive. Eyler fled into the woods down a steep ravine as Deputy Klunk approached. Subsequent investigation revealed the pickup and an attached camper had been stolen from Missouri several days prior. Additionally, Eyler had reportedly fled from police in the East Alton area the previous evening while driving the stolen vehicle. Following Eyler’s

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SPRINGFIELD - The popularity of residential pools has increased over recent years raising the risk for accidental drownings meaning homeowners and parents need be extra vigilant to protect kids who have access to the water. Public pools are a popular summer destination for people to beat the heat, but they can pose some hidden dangers. “Pools have been a popular way to cool off this summer, but we can’t afford to get complacent — drownings can happen in an instant and often without a sound. It’s not like the movies,” said Illinois State Fire Marshal Michele Pankow. “If children are in or around the pool, stay off your phone, put down your book, and keep your eyes on them at all times. Staying cool at the pool is fun — but it comes with serious responsibility.” Statistics from the American Red Cross show a four-sided isolation fence (separating the pool area from the house and yard) reduces a child’s risk of drowning 83% compared

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GRAFTON – On July 22, 2025, Jersey County State's Attorney Ben Goetten charged Tanner T. Eyler (age 28) with multiple felony charges stemming from his actions on July 20 in and around Pere Marquette State Park in Grafton. Eyler was charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Repeat Felony Offender (Class X felony), Unlawful Possession of a Stolen Vehicle (Class 2 felony), and Theft (Class 3 felony). Eyler is being held at the Jersey County Jail. On July 20, Jersey County Sheriff's Office (JCSO) Deputy Jeff Klunk, while patrolling along Scenic Drive, came across Eyler standing near a pickup which had run off the road. As Deputy Klunk made contact with Eyler, he fled into the woods down a steep ravine. Subsequent investigation revealed that the pickup, along with a camper, had been stolen from Missouri days prior. In addition, on the evening prior, Eyler fled in the stolen pickup from police in the East Alton area. JCSO Deputies and Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR)

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GLEN CARBON – Glen Carbon Village Board members on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, approved an agreement to look into expanding and renovating the village’s Police Department. Police Chief Todd Link shared more about the department’s expansion plans at this week’s Village Board meeting. “The police department would like to pursue an agreement with FGM Architects to perform a feasibility study for expansion and upgrades to the police department,” Link said. “The cost would not exceed $20,000 and we would pay for this out of our seized assets.” With the board’s approval, t he feasibility study will start in August of 2025 and will “explore options for upgrading, expanding, and renovating the current PD floor plan,” Link said. As previously reported on Riverbender.com , the full scope of the project includes the following under the current proposal from FGM Architects: The Police Department’s

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ALTON - Following a July 4, 2025, shooting that claimed the life of 17-year-old Shabrya Hudson, the community will come together for a bowling benefit to help her family with funeral costs. From 1–4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025, community members are invited to Bowl Haven in Alton for a benefit complete with bowling, a strike pot, and raffles. Proceeds will go to Hudson’s family to support funeral expenses and other costs. “This is a bowling benefit for a girl, Shabrya Hudson, who tragically lost her life to gun violence on July 4,” said Brittany Baker, organizer of the event. “We’re just doing a benefit to help the family out and everything like that. It's a bowling benefit, something that even kids can do, just have fun, kind of like a celebration of life.” Baker explained that she is close with Hudson’s older sister, and the family is struggling with the emotional toll of Hudson’s death. Many family members have also

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ALTON — The Alton Police Department commemorated Patrolman Addis Miller on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, marking 88 years since he was killed in the line of duty. Alton Police Patrolman Miller died on July 22, 1937, after being shot while arresting a suspect wanted for questioning in a series of burglaries. The incident occurred at Alton City Hall on East 3rd Street. According to the department, after Miller took the suspect into custody, the individual retrieved a hidden pistol from the patrol car and opened fire. Despite being mortally wounded, Miller returned fire and wounded the suspect, who was subsequently arrested in Missouri. The suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to 100 years in prison but served only 24 years. Miller had served with the Alton Police Department for a decade and is remembered for his dedication and bravery. He was survived by his wife “88 years later, we still remember. We still honor. We still carry his memory,” the Alton Police

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FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS — Officers Jon Henne and Shayne Korte of the Fairview Heights Police Department have been presented with a lifesaving award for their actions on Feb. 8, 2025, when they responded to a medical emergency involving a 27-year-old woman experiencing a seizure and respiratory failure. Fairview Heights police dispatch alerted the officers that the woman was no longer breathing and that her stepfather was performing CPR upon their arrival at the residence. The officers immediately began administering CPR, alternating as necessary, and connected an automated external defibrillator (AED). Over the course of approximately 10 minutes, three shocks were delivered while CPR continued, Fairview Heights Police Department officials said. Emergency medical services arrived on scene shortly after. Officer Henne assisted EMS personnel, while Officer Korte gathered information from family members and provided reassurance. Once the patient was stabilized, the officers

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Do you ever get a loud ringing in your ears? What about a hissing or whooshing or clicking sound? Chances could be that you have tinnitus. And you’re not alone. Many people have a ringing or another sound in their ears from time to time. But tinnitus (tin-NITE-us or TIN-ne-tus) can be both persistent and frustrating for people with a severe case of it. “Anywhere between 10 to 20% of the population may have tinnitus at one time or another. Estimates of 50 million people in the country which is quite significant," says Chris Workman, AuD, an audiologist with OSF HealthCare. "For most of those people, it's not something that's significantly disabling. However, there is a percentage of population where it can cause significant issues.” That includes having trouble sleeping or concentrating. Being alone in a quiet room can exasperate the situation. Dealing with tinnitus on a daily basis can make people feel angry, depressed and feeling irrational. Tinnitus is a symptom,

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WOOD RIVER - Dog owners can trust Triune Canine Training and Event Center to help teach their dogs manners, tricks and more. Located at 1903 E. Edwardsville Road in Wood River, Triune Canine offers one-on-one training and group classes, from basic obedience training to agility training that helps dogs win big in competition. Joan Meyer, owner of Triune Canine, is passionate about helping dogs and owners live their best lives. “I’ve built my dream and now I’m living my dream,” Meyer said. “It’s a blessing. Just being able to read dogs and understand dogs and feel like they’re communicating with me what their needs are has really helped me with my training.” All dogs start with a Basic and Family Manners class to encourage good behavior. Dogs learn how to respond to commands like “sit,” “stay,” and “come,” and they’re taught not to jump or run out the door. Triune Canine also has an advance

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EAST ALTON - Have you caught the summer cold? A local nurse practitioner shares tips on how to feel better, faster. Elizabeth “Betsy” Dykeman operates Airline Care Clinic at 33 East Airline Drive in East Alton. She shared that while many people experience flu-like symptoms in the summer, these symptoms are usually the result of a virus or allergies. “Your body kind of reacts the same way if you’re fighting off a virus or if you’re fighting off allergens,” she explained. “There’s just a number of viruses that you can get that can get you to feel like you have the flu.” Unlike influenza, which usually affects people during the winter months, there is no vaccination against viruses like enterovirus, adenovirus or rhinovirus. But these viruses can mimic the flu, with symptoms like fever, body aches, chills and congestion. These viruses are airborne. Some people are also affected by summer allergies, which can turn into sinus

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BELLEVILLE — Tynika McKinzie was taken into custody on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, by Belleville detectives for outstanding felony warrants related to a shooting incident at a McDonald’s restaurant on July 16, 2025, the Belleville Police Department said on Wednesday, July 23, 2025. McKinzie was booked at the Belleville Police Department and later transported to the St. Clair County Jail pending further court proceedings. The incident that involved McKinzie unfolded at approximately 4:45 p.m. on July 16 at the McDonald’s located at 125 South Belt East in Belleville. Police responded to a disturbance call and were informed that an employee had discharged a firearm inside the restaurant. According to police reports, the altercation began when Kathy M. Bledsoe, 44, the manager on duty, instructed a juvenile employee to take out the trash. After the employee refused, police said Bledsoe told her to clock out and go home. The situation escalated, resulting in a shooting

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EDWARDSVILLE - The work of these three featured artists - Rachel Newell, Venus Cramer, and Darren Miller - will have their work showcased at the Edwardsville Arts Fair set for Sept. 26-28, 2025, at Edwardsville City Park. Artist #1: Artist Name: Rachel Newell Medium: Mixed Media Artist Statement: "My work is colorful, surreal, and sometimes absurd. When creating, I hope to give life to unique, dreamlike worlds by combining hundreds of various pieces into something that feels whole. "My work is often described as 'busy,' but it’s a direct reflection of how I feel, think, and experience the world. My intention is for my work to resonate with others — and hopefully bring some joy, wonder, and laughter to those who see it." Artist #2: Venus Cramer Medium: Jewelry Artist Statement: "My primary style of creating contemporary jewelry is fabrication. I use traditional materials such as silver, gold, and gemstones, as well as non-traditional mediums

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ALTON - Alton Police were called to the 300 block of East Ninth Street in Alton on Tuesday morning, July 22, 2025, after a report that a man had punctured his chest with an unknown object, according to an initial investigation. Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford said witnesses at the scene confirmed that the man caused the injury to himself. "The male refused medical treatment and was ultimately transported to Gateway Regional Hospital for mental health care," Chief Ford added. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org .

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ILLINOIS – Today, grid operator PJM announced results in its capacity auction that threaten to send electricity rates soaring for consumers in the ComEd region in Illinois. The overall cost of capacity, which PJM procures to ensure adequate resources to meet energy needs, jumped from $269.92 to $329.17. The Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition released the following statement: “The results of PJM’s capacity market auction are sobering, particularly when Illinois ratepayers are already facing skyrocketing energy bills. As Big Tech’s energy-hungry data centers sap up more and more power and President Trump’s Big Bill rolls back clean energy tax incentives that could save families hundreds, it is clear we need immediate action to protect Illinois consumers. While grid operators like PJM and MISO are slow to connect cost-effective clean energy to the grid and help meet growing demand, the Trump Administration is moving fast to bail out the fossil fuel industry at

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