WOOD RIVER - Wood River residents will have a chance to meet local first responders and take part in family activities during National Night Out from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at 550 East Madison in Wood River. The event will include police and emergency vehicle displays, face painting, free food and drinks, and game activities for all ages. “Bring the whole family for a night of free fun, food, and community spirit,” Wood River Police Chief Brad Wells said. “This
BETHALTO - Community members can learn more about retirement planning at an upcoming free seminar. From 5–6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at the Bethalto Senior Citizen Center, Bill Kinkel with Genesis Financial Group will offer “Retirement Ready: A Practical Retirement Planning Workshop.” Attendees will learn more about Medicare, Social Security, taxes, market volatility and more. “We have 74 million Baby Boomers that are getting ready to retire,”
EAST ALTON/WOOD RIVER - As a senior hockey player, Owen Timmins of East Alton-Wood River is recognized for his accomplishments on and off the ice. He points to leadership, work ethic, and family support as key parts of his success. Timmins, who has played hockey since he was 7 years old, is being recognized for a career that includes being an MVCHA JV All-Star for the past three years, Oiler Hockey Varsity Offensive Player of the Year as a sophomore, and Varsity MVP and alternate captain as
EDWARDSVILLE - On Friday, July 24, 2026, 12 students graduated from the Environmental Resource Training Center in the School of Engineering at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. The program involves comprehensive education that prepares them for certifications as Illinois and Missouri public water and wastewater treatment system operators. Dean Emeritus Cem Karacal, PhD, who retired at the end of June, delivered remarks to the graduates preparing to enter the public workforce. Seventeen
EDWARDSVILLE – A Pontoon Beach resident accused of committing a battery on a public transit bus in Edwardsville faces a felony in Madison County. John E. Newsome II, 45, of Pontoon Beach, faces a Class 3 felony count of aggravated battery filed on July 29, 2026. The day prior on July 28, Newsome allegedly knowingly struck another individual without legal justification while on a Madison County Transit (MCT) bus at the intersection of S. Buchanan Street and E. Schwarz Street in Edwardsville.
EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County has reported 58 confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis, a gastrointestinal illness caused by the Cyclospora parasite, as Illinois recorded 995 confirmed and probable cases statewide as of 7 a.m. Aug. 4, 2026, according to the data provided. The illness affects the stomach and causes diarrhea. Statewide, 58 hospitalizations have been reported, and no deaths have been reported. Symptoms include watery diarrhea, gas, cramping, bloating, nausea, weight loss, appetite
EAST ST. LOUIS – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced a full closure of westbound Interstate 64 between I-255 and 18th Street in St. Clair County beginning at 9 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14, weather permitting. During the closure, westbound I-64 will be closed for bridge repairs. Additionally, the Illinois 111 westbound access ramps will remain closed. A posted detour will be in place to direct motorists to northbound I-255, then westbound I-55/70. The interstate
WOOD RIVER — The wait is almost over. The Cannaisseur Dispensary will celebrate its grand opening and official ribbon cutting on Friday, August 7, 2026, at 40 E. Ferguson Ave. in downtown Wood River, Illinois. The Cannaisseur team recognizes that the community has waited a long time for the dispensary to open—and sincerely appreciates everyone’s patience, encouragement and continued interest. “ Opening a dispensary is a complex and highly regulated process,
ALTON - Music lovers from across the region will gather in Alton this weekend for Rock the Hops. From 2–8 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2026, you can shuttle between five locations in downtown Alton and enjoy music from 28 bands and artists. Rock the Hops is an annual event that promotes the local music scene. Organizers Hope and Drew Mader couldn’t be more excited to bring musicians from across the Greater St. Louis region to Alton. “I hope that everyone has a great day.
EAST ST. LOUIS - A convicted felon from East St. Louis admitted Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, that he possessed a firearm after shooting a homeless man in downtown St. Louis in October 2024, according to federal authorities. Travion X. Cutler, 34, pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Authorities said Cutler admitted that on Oct. 21, 2024, he was walking around a tent in Downtown St. Louis when a man who shared the tent returned from showering at a friend’s house.
Bringing a new baby home raises the focus on their and mom’s well-being. Toward the top of the list: what and how the child is being fed. Whether you choose to breastfeed or use formula, misconceptions about infant nutrition are everywhere. Xandra Anderson, an international board-certified lactation consultant at OSF HealthCare, cuts through the noise. My baby needs water in addition to milk or formula. It’s a common thought, Anderson says. One, adults need water, so people assum
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Bipartisan legislation led by U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) to help protect children from the dangers posed by toys that use artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots successfully passed through the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation (CST) today. The Senators’ bipartisan Children’s Artificial Intelligence Toy Safety Act of 2026 would help equip families, pediatricians and policymakers with the independent
CHICAGO – Governor JB Pritzker’s education initiatives have led Illinois to a record-high completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. The state now ranks #2 nationally for FAFSA completion. In 2019, Gov. Pritzker signed into law a statewide FAFSA mandate , which requires Illinois public high school students to complete a financial aid application or submit a waiver. In 2025, Gov. Pritzker enacted legislation requiring public high schools to have a
GODFREY - Jessica Eardley is proud to be a new American Family Insurance agent in the Riverbend area. Eardley took over Gerard Fischer’s Godfrey office in February after Fischer’s retirement. She noted that it’s been “a whirlwind,” but a lot of fun to get to know the community and develop relationships with her clients. “I’m meeting a lot of new people, which is great, and reconnecting with the community, with those I’ve known in the past,
ALTON – Tonight marks a special meeting of the Alton City Council to discuss possible litigation between the city and Mayor David Goins. A special meeting has been scheduled for 6 p.m. on Aug. 5, 2026 in the City Council chambers at Alton City Hall. The meeting was requested by Aldermen Michael Velloff, Patty Ford, and Martha Pfister. Follow the discussion and possible action on these agenda items live on Riverbender.com/video/live , and stay tuned to Riverbender.com for the latest
EDWARDSVILLE - The Madison County Sheriff’s Office said it issued 26 speeding citations during a July 2026 traffic safety campaign in Madison County, Illinois, part of a broader speed enforcement effort aimed at reducing highway fatalities. The campaign was conducted throughout July by the Madison County Sheriff’s Office and other state and local law enforcement agencies across Illinois, according to the sheriff’s office. The agency said the effort was intended to
Founders Week, Rock the Hops Lead Weekend Events Around the Riverbend From community celebrations and live music to markets, movies, crafts and family activities, the Riverbend area has a busy weekend ahead. For the complete calendar of upcoming happenings, visit RiverBender.com Events . Jersey County Founders Week continues Friday, Aug. 7, at Jerseyville City Center Plaza as the Jersey County Business Association, in conjunction with the City of Jerseyville, celebrates 187 years of Jersey
MILLSTADT - Millstadt Ambulance Service said a motor vehicle crash with injuries and reported entrapment near Illinois Route 15 and South 11th Street in Millstadt injured nine people Sunday evening, Aug. 2, 2026, prompting a mass casualty response that sent multiple agencies to the scene. The ambulance service said the crash occurred around 8 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026, near the intersection of Route 15 and South 11th Street. It reported that the incident involved at least two vehicles
ST. LOUIS - Accident Reconstruction investigators are examining a fatal two-vehicle crash in St. Louis’ Kingsway East neighborhood that killed one person and injured four others Tuesday evening, Aug. 4, 2026, according to a preliminary investigation. Police said the crash happened at about 7:20 p.m. Aug. 4, 2026, at the intersection of Dr. Martin Luther King Drive and North Euclid Avenue. Investigators said a BMW 330i traveling westbound on Dr. Martin Luther King Drive violated a stop
WOOD RIVER - OSF Medical Group has opened a new primary care facility in Wood River, and Dr. Isha McConkey and Lisa Reid, APRN, can’t wait to provide care for you and your family. Located at 1853 Vaughn Road in Wood River, the new primary care facility will see all patients over age 2. While not technically a prompt care clinic, the facility offers same-day appointments as well as family medicine services, including well visits and sports physicals. McConkey and Reid agreed that the
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