EAST ST. LOUIS - Illinois State Police and the East St. Louis Police Department are investigating what authorities described as a targeted mass shooting against a family in East St. Louis that left five people dead and at least two others shot, officials said Sunday, July 12, 2026. The five victims, all from East St. Louis, were identified as 49-year-old Cherie L. May, 24-year-old Devin D. May, 74-year-old Patricia A. May, 21-year-old Quentin L. Thompson and 25-year-old Shania W. Thompson. Accordi
ST. LOUIS - The National Weather Service in St. Louis issued a flood warning Saturday morning, July 11, 2026, for the Meramec River at Pacific in Franklin and Jefferson counties, forecasting minor flooding from Sunday evening, July 12, 2026, to Wednesday afternoon, July 15, 2026, as Southern Missouri continues to respond to widespread flooding that has prompted at least 350 rescues. At 9 a.m. CDT Saturday, the river stage at Pacific was minus 0.8 feet, according to the weather service.
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS/SAINT LOUIS - A national organization will raise money for pregnancy centers with a bike ride through Southern Illinois. Biking for Babies encourages adults ages 18–39 to bike 600 miles across the country every summer. The money raised goes to pro-life pregnancy centers. This year, riders will travel through towns like Virden, Carlinville and Alton on July 17, 2026, before heading to St. Louis for their annual “Celebration of Life” dinner and speaker
SPRINGFIELD – As electric bikes become increasingly popular, Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is urging parents to do their homework before purchasing one for their child, warning that many marketed as e-bikes are actually much faster and more powerful devices that pose safety risks. To help families make informed choices, Giannoulias released a new public service video as part of the Secretary of State’s Ride Safe, Ride Smart, Ride Ready campaign and directs parents
EAST ST. LOUIS - Illinois State Police said a two-day violent crime suppression detail in St. Clair and Madison counties resulted in 13 arrests, 18 criminal charges and the seizure of seven firearms as officers focused on East St. Louis and nearby Metro East communities on July 8-9, 2026. The operation targeted known high-crime areas, violent offenders and structured criminal groups, according to Illinois State Police, which said it used intelligence and technology to guide enforcement efforts
BRIGHTON - Brighton Police said officers arrested a 20-year-old man on DUI-related and weapons charges late Saturday, July 4, 2026, after stopping a recklessly driven vehicle near the Prairie Center and finding a firearm inside. The Brighton Police Department said the stop happened at about 11:55 p.m. on July 4 during proactive patrols in the area. After stopping the vehicle, officers found that the truck’s registration was expired and that the driver was intoxicated, according
MILLSTADT – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that Illinois 163 will be reduced to one lane 2.4 miles north of Illinois 158 at Prairie DuPont Creek in St. Clair County beginning Monday, July 13, weather permitting, for bridge maintenance. Flaggers will maintain two-way traffic. The work is expected to be completed by the end of July. Motorists should expect delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes during this closure. Drivers are urged to reduce speed,
JERSEYVILLE — Jerseyville Police said officers were dispatched at about 11:22 a.m. Friday, July 10, 2026, to the area of Blue Bird Lane after a report of a deceased individual found in a field, and authorities said there is currently no indication of foul play and no known danger to the public. The Jerseyville Police Department said in information issued on July 10, 2026, that the investigation remains active as officers continue to gather information. Police said no further information
COLLINSVILLE — The Collinsville Police Department said Friday, July 10, 2026, that investigators believe they have identified the parents of an infant abandoned at Cahokia Mounds, but also believe the parents have fled the United States. In a statement issued Friday, July 10, 2026, the department said the infant is healthy, safe and in the care of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. Collinsville Police said they could not release additional information
EDWARDSVILLE – Water bills for Edwardsville customers will increase later this year as the city faces its own rising costs related to water infrastructure improvements. Edwardsville City Council members approved an ordinance updating water service rates and billing procedures at their July 7, 2026 meeting with Alderman Chris Farrar absent. In addition to moving the city from bimonthly to monthly billing, the ordinance also raises the water rates for customers in and out of the city. Unde
MONROE COUNTY - Two Oklahoma residents, a 48-year-old pilot and his 22-year-old son, were found dead Friday, July 10, 2026, after their aircraft crashed in rural Monroe County, Ill., south of Waterloo, according to a joint statement from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department, Waterloo Fire Department and Monroe County Coroner’s Office. Authorities said emergency agencies were dispatched at about 2:34 a.m. Friday, July 10, 2026, after reports of a possible aircraft crash. The search,
EAST ALTON - The East Alton Parks and Recreation Department held its Annual Touch A Truck event at Van Preter Park on Friday, July 10, 2026, drawing families to see emergency, utility, and service vehicles, according to Mayor Darren Carlton. Carlton described the Touch A Truck event as a “big hit.” He said a Survival Flight helicopter flew in and landed, and the event also featured an Ameren Illinois Power boom truck, fire trucks, a police car, an MCT bus, and a Trickey Towing
MONROE COUNTY — A missing private aircraft was found south of Waterloo on Friday, July 10, 2026, after reports of a possible crash came in around 2:30 a.m., and authorities confirmed multiple fatalities as the response shifted from search and rescue to recovery. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office said the aircraft was located by 1 p.m. Friday, July 10, 2026. Authorities identified it as a Beechcraft Baron 55 private plane. The National Transportation Safety Board said it has opened
CARROLLTON — Intern Billy Springman, 20, of Carrollton, is working to increase public awareness of Greene County’s new official website after the County Board approved and launched it earlier this year. Springman was tasked by the Greene County Board in early 2025 with overseeing the creation of a modern, centralized county website. After months of development and collaboration with county officials, staff, and RiverBender.com, he formally presented the website to the board in March
SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois State Fair is turning up the volume for 2026 with the announcement of an impressive lineup of supporting acts set to join this year's Grandstand Concert Series. From country and rock to hip-hop and reggae, concertgoers can look forward to ten nights of memorable performances featuring some of today's most exciting artists. The 2026 Illinois State Fair Grandstand Concert Series includes: August 14 – Bailey Zimmerman with Jake Worthington August 15 &ndash
ROXANA - Community members can enjoy a local production of “Annie” later this month. Curtain’s Up Theater Company will perform “Annie” July 24–26 and July 31–Aug. 2, 2026, at The Roxana Community Theater. Directed by Christy Luster, the production promises to be a fun piece of community theater that brings people together and shares a larger message of hope and family with audiences. “It’s just the best feeling in the world,” Luste
BRIGHTON — The Village of Brighton said Friday, July 10, 2026, that some customers may not receive their water bills before the payment deadline and urged those who have not received a bill to contact the village office for their current balances. In a statement, the village said customers who have not received their bill should call the office at (618) 372-8484. Payment is due Wednesday, July 15, 2026. “If you have not received your bill, please contact our office at (618) 372-8484
ALTON – Alton City Council members approved changes to residency requirements for city employees this week, but not without making major changes in the absence of Mayor David Goins. At the council’s July 8, 2026 meeting, an ordinance amending a section of the Alton City Code regarding residency requirements for non-union city employees was given a second reading. Before the final vote was called, Alderman Michael Velloff made a series of amendments expanding the ordinance far
EDWARDSVILLE - Lucy Doyle’s sophomore girls track and field season was marked by a runner-up finish at the IHSA Class 1A Girls Track and Field Sectional in Carlinville on May 13, 2026, and a personal-best performance a week later at the state championships in Charleston. Doyle of Metro East Lutheran placed second in the 3,200 meters at the sectional with a time of 13:05.38 to advance to the IHSA 1A State Track and Field Championships at Eastern Illinois University. At state, she ran a
ST. LOUIS — Homicide detectives are investigating a fatal shooting in the Wells/Goodfellow neighborhood in St. Louis after police said officers responding to a disturbance Thursday night, July 9, 2026, encountered a gunfight and found a 44-year-old man wounded in the street. The shooting happened around 9:30 p.m. Thursday, July 9, in the 2800 block of Union near Maffitt and Union, according to police. District 5 officers responding to a disturbance call detained four people and found th
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