ALTON – An Alton triple shooting suspect facing a retrial following an overturned conviction faces new charges after multiple witnesses expected to testify were allegedly harassed via Facebook. Steven Foster, 39, of Alton, was charged on May 22, 2026 with four counts of harassment of a witness, each Class 2 felonies. The charges stem from a series of Facebook posts, including one each from Nov. 2 and Nov. 17, 2025, as well as two posts from May 21, 2026. In each of the posts, Foster
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs is recognizing 529 Day today, May 29, by encouraging families to save for future education through Illinois’ highly rated Bright Start 529 or Bright Directions 529 college savings plans. Frerichs also announced new enhancements to the advisor-guided Bright Directions 529 plan. “While ‘529 Day’ is tied to the calendar date of May 29, the observance highlights the importance of planning ahead and making education
CASEYVILLE - Caseyville Police said four children ages 3 to 6 were found with visible injuries consistent with ongoing physical abuse after officers responded May 26, 2026, to a report at the Days Inn in Caseyville, and two women were later arrested and charged. Officers were sent to the hotel at 2423 Old Country Inn Drive regarding “a report of possible child abuse involving multiple juvenile victims,” according to the Caseyville Police Department. When officers arrived,
JERSEYVILLE - The City of Jerseyville will host its first “Rock the Block” concert of the season tonight, and musician Jake Maurer can’t wait to take the stage. From 7–10 p.m. on Friday, May 29, 2026, Maurer will perform a mix of covers and original songs at City Center Plaza between Germania and Dairy Queen in downtown Jerseyville. The free “Rock the Block” concert has a block party feel with live music and fun for all ages. “It’s always
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following a new round of strikes in Donald Trump’s costly, disastrous war of choice against Iran, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today called on Chair of the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE) Cheryl Mason to follow the law and designate a lead Inspector General (IG) to conduct comprehensive oversight over all aspects of Operation Epic Fury and the Trump Administration’s ongoing military operations
TROY, IL – The Troy/Maryville/St. Jacob/Marine Chamber of Commerce invites the community to kick off summer at First Fridays: Crafts. Corks. Casks. on Friday, June 5, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in Downtown Troy. This popular community event will transform downtown into a vibrant destination filled with live music, local shopping, food, family-friendly activities, and a unique tasting experience featuring regional breweries, wineries, and distilleries. Guests can stroll through
SPRINGFIELD – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement after the Supreme Court limited federal judges’ discretion under the compassionate release provisions of the First Step Act in rulings in Fernandez v. United States and Rutherford v. United States today: “The Supreme Court just significantly weakened a landmark, bipartisan criminal justice reform law in defiance of Congressional
High Honor Roll Graduation Year: 2026 Savannah E. Buerke Elijah L. Cox Ava G. Custer Carson R. Flowers Julia A. Heil Hannah C. Lake Tessa F. Price Eli M. Rhoades Mabry J. Robeen Alex W. Vandersand Graduation Year: 2027 Lillian G. Bauer Lily B. Clough Shannen J. Holmes Alexis P. Martin Hayden R. Mcmurtrie Carter L. Osterman Wyatt J. Ross Jayce D. Steinkuehler Graduation Year: 2028 Nolan M. Baumgartner Aubrey R. Crocker Maggie F. Custer Chloe E. Mcadams
ST. LOUIS COUNTY - A 6-year-old boy who was critically injured in an accidental shooting earlier this week in north St. Louis County has died, and a 19-year-old man previously was charged in connection with the case, according to St. Louis County police and prosecutors. St. Louis County police said Antone Little, of the 400 block of Midlothian Road in St. Louis, died at about 1:30 a.m. Thursday, May 28, 2026. Police identified him as the child injured in the shooting in the 400 block o
BELLEVILLE — A 35-year-old man’s body was discovered Thursday morning, May 28, 2026, near a bike trail in the 900 block of North Illinois Street, close to the Richland Creek Greenway Trail, according to Belleville Police. Police said the man was found around 11:30 a.m. Thursday. Belleville police investigated the situation and said there were no signs of foul play. No suspects are being pursued in the case.
ALTON – If you missed Alton High School’s 2026 graduation ceremony, Riverbender.com offers multiple ways to watch the full event anytime, on demand . Here’s an inside look at the community members who have been there to cultivate and capture the moment, from our staff to the Alton School District. Ryan Schlueter, a photographer and videographer for Riverbender.com , has played a major role in running the livestream production of the AHS graduation, though it hasn’t
ILLINOIS - Hundreds of people will travel on Route 66 this weekend for a casual cruise organized by a St. Louis man. Aaron Koehler has always been “a big Route 66 fan.” As the U.S. celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Mother Road this year, he decided to spend Sunday, May 31, 2026, cruising the route from Chain of Rocks Bridge to Springfield. He invited a few friends to join him, who invited their friends, and then it “kind of just exploded.” “Let’s
ST. CLAIR COUNTY - The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department announced on Friday morning, May 29, 2026, it is conducting a search and rescue operation in the Signal Hill area with assistance from the Signal Hill Fire Department, St. Clair County Special Emergency Services, and the S.A.R. K9 group. The department said numerous fire department personnel and officers with K-9 units are walking in the area and using UTVs as part of the operation. The Signal Hill Fire Department
BETHALTO - The Bethalto Community Unit School District #8 Board of Education approved the Consolidated District Plan for Fiscal Year 2027. During the Board’s regular meeting on Thursday, May 28, 2026, the Board approved several items, including the 2026–2027 Bethalto Employee Handbook and student handbooks for Trimpe Middle School, Civic Memorial High School, and pre-k–5 students. They also unanimously approved the Consolidated District Plan, a strategic plan required by
On May 29, one of the most significant events in world history took place in 1453, when Constantinople fell to the Ottoman Empire. After a long siege, the city that had served for centuries as the capital of the Byzantine Empire was captured by the forces of Sultan Mehmed II. At the time, the fall of Constantinople marked the end of the last major remnant of the Roman Empire. It also shifted the balance of power in the eastern Mediterranean and changed trade, diplomacy, and military strategy
BELLEVILLE – A Belleville resident accused of fleeing from Madison County deputies at over 100 mph while on pretrial release from custody faces a new set of felony charges. Michael C. Ault, 41, of Belleville, was charged on May 21, 2026 with a Class 3 felony count of unlawful possession of methamphetamine and two Class 4 felony counts of aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer. Ault allegedly knowingly attempted to flee from a Madison County Sheriff’s Deputy
EDWARDSVILLE - Metro East Lutheran’s Jack Shank delivered one of the top performances in the IHSA Class 1A Boys state track and field preliminaries Thursday, May 28, 2026, in Charleston, running a personal-record 4 minutes, 26.41 seconds in the 1,600 meters to advance to the finals in fourth place. Shank, who entered with a previous best of 4:36.81 from the IHSA Gillespie Sectional, cut more than 10 seconds from that mark in the state prelims. Shank was excited about his time and said,
ATLON - Rosetta Brown and Tammy Perry will launch their Youth Summer Road Trip program on Friday, May 29, 2026, in Alton with a trip to see the St. Louis football Battlehawks play the Dallas Renegades at the Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis. The annual program is intended to provide safe, engaging, and memorable summer experiences for local youth. Organizers selected the UFL game as the opening event, with participants set to experience the Battlehawks’ home crowd atmosphere
EAST ST. LOUIS - East St. Louis School District 189 says a state grant aimed at easing Illinois’ teacher shortage has helped the district sharply reduce vacancies, improve retention, and recruit 23 international teachers to fill hard-to-staff classrooms. East St. Louis School District 189 Superintendent Arthur R. Culver said the Illinois State Board of Education’s Teacher Vacancy Grant has been “transformational” for the district, where shortages in areas including
Troy-Maryville-St. Jacob-Marine Chamber Of Commerce Upcoming Events June & July June 2nd - Creating Business Connections at Tri-Township Park, Pavilion 10, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Join us for our summer kick-off featuring yard games & attendance prizes! Register yourself and a guest (or two!) — each invited guest who attends earns you an extra chance to win a prize! Menu: Wing Zone $15 Preregister or $18 At the Door Click Here to Register! June 10th - Culinary
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