Riverbender 🕸

January 25th has witnessed numerous significant events throughout history that have had lasting impacts on societies across the globe. One of the most notable events on January 25th occurred in 1961, when President John F. Kennedy delivered his inaugural address, famously stating, 'Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.' This speech came at a pivotal time during the Cold War, reflecting the urgency and hope of a nation facing numerous challenges. Kennedy's call to action inspired a generation to engage in public service and activism, shaping the political landscape in the United States and beyond. Moving back to the year 1858, we remember the day when the first public demonstration of a telephone was held by inventor Alexander Graham Bell. Although Bell is often credited with the invention of the telephone, it was actually his demonstration that brought the concept to the forefront of public consciousness. This day marked the beginning of

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE – Dr. Rachel Glik, EdD, LPC, a licensed professional individual and relationship counselor, is thrilled to announce the launch of her new book, A Soulful Marriage. This book launch event, is free to attend and will be held on February 4th, at 5:00 PM at Glik’s in Edwardsville, IL, 124 S. Buchanan St. Edwardsville, IL 62025. This will be an evening full of engagement, community and insight on how to create a relationship where love lasts and grows. The book launch will kick off with a live reading from A Soulful Marriage , followed by an engaging Q&A session for attendees to gain a deeper insight from Dr. Glik. Afterward, guests will have an opportunity to meet the author during a book signing and enjoy complimentary refreshments. In addition to celebrating the launch, attendees will have a chance to enter a sweepstakes for a romantic date night featuring local businesses. This exciting opportunity encourages couples to explore what the community has t

Continue Reading

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) invites the public to eagle-watching events across the state in January and February. The best time to see the majestic bald eagle in Illinois is during the winter when the raptors seek open water areas for fishing. Illinois has more than 3,000 bald eagles during winter – more than any other state outside of Alaska. Certain Illinois state parks and locations, including Starved Rock State Park and Illinois State Museum’s Dickson Mounds, host eagle-watching programs during this period. “Illinois residents have a unique advantage when it comes to opportunities to catch a glimpse of eagles soaring over our scenic waterways and river bluffs,” said IDNR Director Natalie Phelps Finnie . “I invite everyone to bundle up, grab their binoculars, and head outdoors to one of the many eagle-watching events happening throughout the state this winter.” Visitors can participate in eagle-watches

Continue Reading

BRIGHTON – A Brighton resident faces multiple stolen vehicle charges in two separate cases recently filed in Madison County. Bradley W. Crane, 47 of Brighton, was charged with one count of offenses related to motor vehicles on Nov. 6, 2024. In that case, he was charged with unlawful possession of a 2013 Honda motorcycle he allegedly knew had been stolen. In another case, on Dec. 20, 2024, Crane was charged with knowingly possessing a stolen 2017 Ford F-350 pickup truck. He was additionally charged with possession of over 15 grams of methamphetamine. Both cases were presented by the Metro East Auto Theft division of the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. In both cases, Crane was granted pretrial release from custody. The issuance of charges is based solely upon probable cause and is not an indication of guilt. All subjects charged with criminal offenses are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Continue Reading

ALTON - There are a few new members of Alton High School’s custodial staff. The school recently introduced two robots, a CenoBot sweeper and scrubber, that will keep the floors of the high school clean. Dave Allison, head of custodial at the high school, explained that the robots are an exciting addition that will make the jobs of the custodial staff a little easier. “It’s really difficult to get the floors of a high school where you want them when you have a high school that is all about their students,” Allison said. “This school never sleeps. There’s always something going on here. From a custodial standpoint, to ensure that the hallways stay clean, it's difficult because there’s always people in the hallways.” The sweeper and scrubber robots can be programmed to travel around the school and clean the floors. They then return to their docking stations on their own to recharge. The sweeper must be manually emptied, but the scrubber

Continue Reading

YORK, Neb. - York University announced an area student to the York University Dean's List for the Fall 2024 term. A total of 151 students were recognized with this distinction at the university. Wood River's Jayden Miles was named to the York University fall list. To be named to the Dean’s List, students must carry 12 or more graded hours and achieve a semester grade point average of at least 3.75 with no incomplete grades and no grade below “C” for the semester.

Continue Reading

ALTON - Dr. Kathie Wuellner has released a new resource to empower parents with essential medical information for their children. The 244-page book titled "The Kids Medical Care Handbook," is designed to help parents navigate common childhood health concerns. The book, featuring graphics and illustrations by Cristina Serafini, is available for purchase on platforms such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble, with plans for wider distribution in retail stores. Dr. Wuellner has had a long and storied career as a beloved pediatrician in the Alton area. Many of her families started their children with her at birth and the children often continued with her until adulthood. Dr. Wuellner graduated from Saint Louis University School of Medicine after receiving her undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois. The handbook was born out of Wuellner's desire to provide a straightforward, accessible guide for parents, especially given the limited time available during doctor visits. "There are

Continue Reading

ALTON — The Madison County State's Attorney's Office announced on Friday, Jan. 24, 2025, that it will not pursue charges related to the death of Roedecker D. Watts, 68, of Alton. The decision comes after a thorough review by the state's attorney's office of the evidence stemming from an investigation initiated by first responders on June 7, 2024. First responders were called to the 200 block of West 19th Street in the early morning hours of June 7, 2024, where they found Watts and another man in the front yard of the residence. Both men were taken to a local hospital with injuries, police reported. Watts was later pronounced dead around 5 a.m. that day. An autopsy conducted by the Madison County Coroner's Office on June 8, 2024, revealed that Watts died from "blunt cervical trauma" complicated by "acute ethanol intoxication." Police reports indicated that there were signs of a physical altercation between Watts and the other man present at the scene. In its statement, the Madison

Continue Reading

ROXANA, — In a triangular wrestling match held Thursday night at Roxana High School, teams from East Alton-Wood River (EAWR), Mascoutah, and Roxana faced off in a series of competitive bouts, with injuries impacting the performance of some wrestlers. In the opening match, EAWR took on Mascoutah, where EAWR managed to secure only two victories out of 13 matches. Tyler Adams won a closely contested match in the 144-pound weight class, finishing with a score of 10-7. Drake Champlin also recorded a win for EAWR, securing a pinfall in the 215-pound weight class. However, the majority of Mascoutah's victories came from forfeits, as EAWR was unable to field a complete team due to injuries. The final score for the match was 70-9 in favor of Mascoutah. Roxana then faced Mascoutah in the second match of the evening. Roxana's wrestlers performed strongly, with Lyndon Thies winning by pinfall in the 175-pound class. Cy Courtney (285 pounds), Ari Walker (120 pounds), and Lleyton Cobine also

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine announced today that a man who attacked a librarian has been convicted and sentenced to the maximum term of five years in prison. Terrell E. Porter, 46, of Alton received the sentence after pleading guilty to one count of aggravated battery. The charge, a Class 3 felony, carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison. Porter pleaded guilty to punching a librarian at Hayner Public Library in Alton on Oct. 10, 2024. Porter was taken into custody near the library by Alton Police Department officers who responded to a report of a librarian being punched. There was no known motive for the attack. Porter had been the subject of recent misdemeanor complaints in the area for disorderly conduct and trespassing. He has previous felony convictions for drug offenses in 2003, 2009 and 2022, as well as damaging government property in 2024 and violating an order of protection in 2024. “This was an unprovoked attack on

Continue Reading

ALTON — Lauren Wilson, the current Deputy Clerk of Alton, is officially running for City Clerk in the upcoming Consolidated Election on April 1st . With nearly four years of experience in the clerk’s office, Wilson has already proven her dedication to the role, having stepped up as acting Clerk for over two years when needed. “I don’t see myself as a politician — I’m a public servant,” Wilson shared during her appearance on Our Daily Show . “This job is about working for the people, and that’s what I’ve always strived to do.” Wilson described the clerk’s office as the backbone of city government, where all municipal business begins. From managing vital records to preparing resolutions and preserving decades of city history, she emphasized the importance of efficiency and accessibility in the office. “All business flows through the clerk’s office, whether it’s handling contracts or connecting

Continue Reading

ALTON - Jillian Dwiggins is the Art Fahrner-Edward Jones Alton High School Remarkable Redbird of the Month. Nobody puts together a more successful combination of A's, strikes and goals than the most recent Remarkable Redbird, sophomore Jillian Dwiggins. Jillian is in her second year of varsity bowling and is a leader of the Redbird bowling team that placed fourth at the recent Southwestern Conference Tournament. She ranked sixth of all individual bowlers in the Southwestern Conference earlier this year. Jillian went to the state tournament during middle school and also last year as a freshman. Her individual highlights this year was bowling a 299 game, just one pin short of a perfect game of 12 strikes in a row. Jillian, who bowled in her first tournament when she was 8 years old, gives a lot of credit to her parents who have been avid bowlers themselves. With Jillian's talents and interest in bowling, her parents were able to introduce her to the Junior Bowling Club of St. Louis,

Continue Reading

ALTON - The Salvation Army locations in Alton and Granite City are facing a significant shortage of food items for their pantries, prompting a community response through a food drive organized by Freer Auto Body at 4512 North Alby Road in Godfrey. The "Have a Heart" food drive has started and will continue until Feb. 15, 2025. The recent winter storms have slowed typical food donations to The Salvation Army. Community members are encouraged to drop off food donations at Freer Auto Body. Additionally, those who wish to collect items at their own businesses, churches, or other locations can coordinate with the organizers for pickup. Margaret Freer, one of the owners of Freer Auto Body, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “The need in our area is great. In today’s world, no one should be hungry. We should count our blessings every day, and if you have the ability to give, you should help those in need.” She urged the public to participate in the campaign,

Continue Reading

ST. LOUIS — Two Belleville East High School students showcased their talents at the 15th Annual St. Louis Teen Talent Competition on Jan. 18, 2025, held at the Fabulous Fox Theatre in St. Louis. Seventeen-year-old Hannah Joyner performed Stevie Wonder's "Don’t You Worry ‘bout a Thing," while 16-year-old Jillian Ritter, known as Jillyb, presented her original song "Too Good to be True." Joyner, a senior, has developed her vocal skills through self-teaching and training with Steve Neale Music. Her dedication has led to significant opportunities, including performances of the national anthem at CITY SC matches. "I want to bring my signature style and talent to the stage," Joyner said, expressing her excitement about the competition. Jillian Ritter, a junior, aspires to be a pop artist and has received training at Patterson Performing Arts. "I am passionate about creating and sharing my own music," she stated, emphasizing her commitment to pursuing her artistry after

Continue Reading

CHICAGO – Today, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced $7 million in funding for the Tech Incubator Enhancement Grants Program (TIEG) to support entrepreneurship and innovation in key growth industries through startup incubators. This grant funding will strengthen Illinois’ technology network by increasing the resilience of existing technology incubators. Grantees will be selected through a competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) process. “Here in Illinois, we’re providing the critical support that startups need to grow and drive the future of technology,” said Governor JB Pritzker . “Thanks to the TIEG program grants, we’re strengthening our innovation system, modernizing incubators, and solidifying Illinois as a leader in cutting-edge industries. I highly encourage all eligible entities to apply for this funding opportunity." TIEG was designed to modernize and revitalize

Continue Reading

EAST ALTON – A new addition to the Wilson family arrived at 6:49 p.m. on August 24, 2023, at St. Luke's Hospital. Tauren Matthew Wilson, weighing 8 pounds 3 ounces and measuring 21 inches long, is the son of Daniel and Darcy Wilson, who reside in East Alton. The Wilsons, who have been married, welcomed their second child into the family. The couple's first child, Danny, is four years old. Tauren's maternal grandparents, Mike and Myla Dixon, are from East Alton, while his paternal grandparents, Bill and Sandi Grebe, live in Granite City. Tauren also has great-grandparents, Bill and Margie, who reside in East Alton. The family is celebrating this joyful occasion as they expand their household with the arrival of their new son.

Continue Reading

OAK LAWN - Today, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) announced the addition of 5,150 publicly funded preschool seats as the result of the fiscal year 2025 Early Childhood Block Grants. The grants mark the second year of Governor JB Pritzker’s Smart Start Illinois plan, which aims to expand access to early childhood education by increasing the number of preschool seats available to working families. A total of 11,000 seats have been added under Governor Pritzker’s leadership. “This is another historic step forward for early childhood education in Illinois, bringing us 5,150 seats closer to our goal of Universal Pre-K,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Every Illinois child deserves our full investment starting in their earliest years. Smart Start Illinois will put our children on the path to growth and opportunity while making our communities stronger, healthier, and more connected.” "When we educate our children,

Continue Reading

COLLINSVILLE — The Collinsville Police Department recognized significant personnel changes during a promotional ceremony held Tuesday evening, following the recent appointment of Chief Brett Boerm as the new Chief of Police. Lieutenant Mark Kuechle has been promoted to the rank of major/assistant chief of police, a position in which he will oversee all operational functions of the department. Sergeant Brad Akers has moved to lieutenant and will be reassigned to the patrol division. At the same time, Police Officer Jay Edwards has been elevated to sergeant and will command one of the department's four patrol squads. In addition to the promotions, the department introduced Jeremy Moore as its newest police officer. Moore is currently attending the police academy at Southwestern Illinois College. "Congratulations Major Kuechle, Lieutenant Akers, and Sergeant Edwards on your well-deserved promotions and welcome aboard Officer Moore," the department stated. The Collinsville

Continue Reading

EAST ST. LOUIS - In a demonstration of community service and collaboration, members of AmeriCorps joined students from the Peace Warriors program at Gordon Bush Alternative Center and East St. Louis Senior High School recently for a Day of Service honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The initiative took place at the Flyers Feeding Families Mobile Food Pantry, where participants worked together to serve the East St. Louis community. The event aimed to embody the spirit of Dr. King's legacy by promoting unity and support within the community. The Peace Warriors program, which focuses on leadership and service, played a central role in the initiative, highlighting the importance of volunteerism and civic engagement among local youth. The collaboration between AmeriCorps and the Peace Warriors is part of a broader effort to foster community involvement and address food insecurity in the area. Participants emphasized the significance of their work, noting that such initiatives help

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE – The Edwardsville Police Department announced on Friday, January 24, that a 24-year-old Edwardsville man was taken into custody and is facing charges stemming from an investigation into the distribution of child pornography. The investigation began on September 11, 2024, based on information received from the Illinois Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC). On Thursday, January 23, 2025, the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office issued a formal charging document known as a criminal information on the suspect: James Tyler Berry M/W, 24 years of age. The criminal information included the following offenses: COUNT 1 – Child Pornography, a class X felony COUNT 2 – Child Pornography, a class X felony COUNT 3 – Child Pornography, a class X felony COUNT 4 – Child Pornography, a class 2 felony COUNT 5 – Child Pornography, a class 2 felony COUNT 6 – Child Pornography, a class 2 felony COUNT 7 – Chil

Continue Reading