Riverbender 🕸

HARDIN – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that intermittent daytime lane closures will take place on Illinois 100 between Illinois 16 in Hardin and Illinois 96 in Kampsville beginning at 7 a.m. Monday, Aug. 31, weather permitting, for pavement resurfacing. Flaggers will maintain two-way traffic. Work on the portion between Hardin and Kampsville is expected to be completed by the end of November. The remaining portion of the project is scheduled to begin and be completed

SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) today announced its intent to phase out two work camps and two impact program facilities as part of its ongoing efforts to operate more efficiently, reduce costs, and better support its mission to promote public safety and rehabilitation. These facilities are the Clayton and Greene County Work Camps and Dixon Springs and DuQuoin Impact Programs. Of the four facilities identified for closure, only one – Clayton Work Camp – currentl

This Day in Music History: August 26 On Aug. 26, 1968, the Beatles released “Hey Jude” in the United States, backed with John Lennon’s hard-edged “Revolution.” It was the first single issued on the group’s own Apple label, a step that signaled the Beatles’ ambition to control more of their work as artists and entrepreneurs. The release also challenged pop-radio expectations: “Hey Jude” built from Paul McCartney’s intimate vocal and

On August 26, one of the most significant events in global history is the adoption of the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen in France in 1789. Written during the early months of the French Revolution, the document set out basic ideas about liberty, equality before the law, national sovereignty, and the rights of citizens. At the time, it challenged the old system of absolute monarchy and inherited privilege. Its influence spread far beyond France, shaping later constitutions,

Upcoming Events Bring Music, Markets and Community Fun The Riverbend area’s upcoming calendar offers community service, live music, outdoor programs, markets, festivals and family-friendly entertainment. For the complete calendar, visit RiverBender.com Events . Alton Block Party for Good returns Friday, Aug. 28, at Soulcial Square in Alton as Soulcial Kitchen continues its monthly community gathering. The free event offers access to the St. Louis Area Foodbank’s Food on the Mov

GLEN CARBON – A new restaurant is one step closer to being built in Glen Carbon. Trustees unanimously approved a final site plan for Longhorn Steakhouse in Orchard Town Center at their Aug. 25, 2026 Village Board meeting. This marks the latest dining option to be added to the development following Chick-fil-A , Olive Garden , Panda Express , Dutch Bros Coffee and Shake Shack . Village Administrator Jamie Bowden said the Longhorn site plan includes a full-service restaurant located

ALTON — Don Lovell, who served 30 years with the Alton Police Department as a chief and officer, died Aug. 20, 2026, in Jerseyville. He was 85. Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford said he had not had the pleasure of meeting Lovell personally, but shared comments from officers who worked with him. “In speaking with the police officers who worked for him, they all said he was a great man and did a good job as chief,” current Alton Police Chief Ford said. “The common theme

Richard and Wilma Stinnett of Alton are celebrating their 65th anniversary on Sept. 2, 2026. Richard Stinnett and Wilma Sauerwein were married Sept. 2, 1961, at Zion Lutheran Church in Bunker Hill. The Rev. Henry F. Peckman officiated their ceremony. Richard is engaged in farming and is retired from Laclede Steel Company. Wilma is a retired schoolteacher from the Alton School District. The couple has three children, Sean (Cheryl) Stinnett of Gillespie, Dan (Shelia) Marcrum of Alton and Seth

GRANITE CITY – State Senator Erica Harriss and State Representative Amy Elik are teaming up with over 50 local and state employers to host a free job fair in Granite City. Attendees are encouraged to bring plenty of resumes and dress for success. Friday, August 28 9:00AM – 1:00PM The Commons at SWIC (Sam Wolf Granite City Campus) 4950 Maryville Road, Granite City The event is free and open to the public. Employers include: 1st MidAmerica Credit Union Alton School District

CHICAGO – Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) today announced the State of Illinois has been approved to receive $1.04 billion in funding through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program to support high-speed internet access statewide. The funding will connect approximately 350,000 residents through homes, businesses, and community institutions across Illinois by 2031. Between private investment, prior public funding,

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs on Tuesday applauded a new law that will allow him to make investments to build more affordable housing. Gov. JB Pritzker signed into law Senate Bill 3086 , which passed with bipartisan support in late May. The bill allows Treasurer Frerichs to invest in the AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust, which focuses on building and preserving affordable and workforce housing, creating union construction jobs, and generating returns for investors

CHICAGO - Today, Governor JB Pritzker signed SB 3086, which enables the Illinois State Treasurer to invest in pooled investment trusts that meet certain requirements. ? Specifically, this will enable investment in funds such as the AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust (HIT) Fund – which provides capital to developers, aligning with Governor Pritzker’s goals under the ambitious Building Up Illinois Developments (BUILD) plan. “Illinois is putting its money to work in a responsible

SPRINGFIELD – Today the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced two new conditions have been added to the list of debilitating medical issues that can qualify an Illinois resident for participation in the Medical Cannabis Patient Program. IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra approved the addition of polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) with chronic pain and sickle cell disease after a thorough review by the Medical Cannabis Advisory Board (MCAB) and IDPH staff. Under

EAST ALTON – The National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRREC), a division of Lewis and Clark Community College, is celebrating a successful 2026 Waterschool USA summer season that connected middle school, high school and young adult learners with water science, wildlife and outdoor exploration. From June through July, NGRREC educators partnered with Lewis and Clark Community College TRIO Upward Bound, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s East St. Louis Center

ALTON – Alton officials may update the process to request an abatement of trash fees at a vacant residence. Committee of the Whole members approved an item to amend a section of the City Code regarding garbage and refuse charges and abatement at their Aug. 24, 2026 meeting . Under the current City Code, once a residential unit has gone over 31 days without city-provided water service, the city stops charging for trash service at the residence. However, the abatement of trash fees only

ALTON - Community members have the chance to win big while fundraising for a new ambulance. The 17th annual Duck Pluckers, Deer Skinners & Fish Hookers Ball on Sept. 12, 2026, is sold out, but you can still help the cause and join the fun by purchasing a raffle ticket. Raffle items include a Tory Burch handbag, a bourbon collection, a wheelbarrow of booze, fresh meat, and a helicopter hog hunting trip. Alton Memorial Health Services Foundation Development Manager Shannon Fraley noted that

BETHALTO - A local songwriter is polishing off a 25-year-old song to commemorate the anniversary of 9/11. Charlie Brown, a teacher at Civic Memorial High School , has always written and produced music in his free time. His upcoming album “Parking Lot Prayers” will pay homage to his hometown and the Riverbend. But his most recent song, titled “9/12,” speaks to a larger tragedy and sense of community that people felt after the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. “We

EDWARDSVILLE – A local man accused of causing extensive property damage and stealing items from the Metro East Lutheran High School locker rooms faces felonies in two Madison County cases. Trey A. Stone, 27, listed as homeless out of Granite City, was charged on Aug. 20, 2026 with a Class 1 felony coutn of burglary, two Class 2 felony counts of institutional vandalism, a Class 2 felony count of criminal damage to property and a Class 2 felony count of theft. Stone allegedly knowingly entered

BELLEVILLE — Belleville Police Chief Matthew S. Eiskant, a lifelong member of the Belleville community who led the Belleville Police Department after more than 25 years of service, died at approximately 4:30 p.m. Aug. 24, 2026, following a battle with cancer, the department announced on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026. He was 49 years old. “It is with profound sadness that the Belleville Police Department announces the passing of Chief of Police Matthew S. Eiskant,” the department said

ST. LOUIS - An early morning investigation into a fatal pedestrian crash on Interstate 55 on Monday, Aug. 24, 2026, led police to a nearby home, where officers found a man dead in what investigators are treating as a murder-suicide. St. Louis Metropolitan Police District 3 officers responded just before 5 a.m. Aug. 24 to a call for an accident on northbound I-55 before the Arsenal exit, where they found what is believed to be an adult male who had been struck by multiple vehicles and died at