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Free Video Editing Masterclass Set for July 1 at The Wedge in Alton

1 month 3 weeks ago
ALTON – Whether you're a business owner, content creator, entrepreneur, or simply looking to improve your social media presence, this free event will provide practical strategies to create more engaging and professional videos. Beyond Creative AI is hosting a Free Video Editing Masterclass on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM at The Wedge , located at 620 E. Broadway, Alton, IL 62002 . The masterclass will be led by Tyler Duty , founder of Beyond Creative AI,

Cambridge House of Maryville Celebrates 20 Years of Support

1 month 4 weeks ago
MARYVILLE, IL. - Cambridge House of Maryville Supportive Living marked its 20th anniversary with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Troy/Maryville/St. Jacob/Marine Chamber of Commerce and Maryville Mayor Wayne White, followed by a party for residents, families and guests. The celebration took place in Maryville, where Cambridge House serves adults ages 65 and older who need some help to maintain their independence. Cambridge House also offers a financial assistance program for those

Two Drivers Hurt In Wood River Truck Crash

1 month 4 weeks ago
WOOD RIVER - Two teenage drivers were injured Thursday, June 25, 2026, in a two-vehicle crash on the 1900 block of Edwardsville Road in Wood River after a westbound Ford Ranger crossed into the eastbound lane and struck another truck, according to preliminary investigation findings, Chief Brad Wells announced on Friday, June 26, 2026. The crash happened a little before 5 p.m. Thursday in Wood River. Chief Wells said that, according to a preliminary police report, the red truck was traveling westbound

Alton Nearing Gordon Moore Sinkhole Resolution, City Attorney Says

1 month 4 weeks ago
ALTON – Two years after a mine collapse created a large sinkhole on the Gordon Moore Park soccer field , Alton officials are moving closer to resolving the situation. Corporation Counselor Heidi Eckert said at the City Council meeting on June 24, 2026 that documentation of costs incurred by the city has been compiled and will soon be sent to an attorney for New Frontier Materials. She estimated the situation would be resolved within 30 to 60 days. “It is moving along,”

Block Party for Good Canceled in June, Resumes in July

1 month 4 weeks ago
ALTON/SWANSEA - The monthly Block Party for Good will pause in June and resume in July. Soulcial Kitchen and other community partners host monthly Block Parties for Good on the last Friday of each month in Alton and Swansea. Community members can pick up free groceries and hot meals while also engaging with rotating services like the OSF OnCall Connect On the Go van and free haircuts. Because the St. Louis Area Foodbank is completing annual inventory and maintenance on June 26, 2026, there

Beverly Farm Postpones Fireworks Over Storms and Wet Grounds

1 month 4 weeks ago
GODFREY - Beverly Farm Foundation said tonight’s fireworks display and the scheduled appearance of the Quick Bite Frozen Treats ice cream truck on its campus were postponed because of forecasted ongoing thunderstorms and extremely wet lawn conditions. The foundation announced that the fireworks display has been rescheduled for Friday, July 10, 2026, with fireworks planned to begin at approximately 9:30 p.m. The postponement applies to the event on the Beverly Farm campus.

Rebuilding Metro East: Construction Season Brings Another Round Of Major Improvements To Region

1 month 4 weeks ago
COLLINSVILLE – Rebuild Illinois is continuing to improve mobility, safety and quality of life in the Metro East, with the Illinois Department of Transportation delivering multiple major projects this construction season. Made possible by Gov. JB Pritzker’s historic capital program, 23 projects combined represent a total investment of nearly $960 million, creating and maintaining good-paying jobs throughout the region. “The historic Rebuild Illinois program continues to transform

Attorney General Raoul Protects Elections From Federal Overreach, Permanently Blocks Trump Administration's Unlawful Executive Orders

1 month 4 weeks ago
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul scored two separate legal victories permanently blocking the implementation of key provisions in President Trump’s unlawful executive orders that attempted to interfere with states’ constitutional authority to administer elections. “These rulings are a win for democracy. They acknowledge that Congress and individual states – not the president – have the authority to oversee the elections process,” Raoul said. “Nothin

250 on the Mississippi at Rotary Park to Mix Family Fun with American History

1 month 4 weeks ago
ALTON - Alton’s 250 on the Mississippi celebration promises three days of fun. An Alton-Godfrey Rotary Club member shared more about the July 2, 2026, event at Rotary Park. From July 1–3, 2026, downtown Alton will celebrate Independence Day with events at Haskell Park, Rotary Park, and the Alton Amphitheater. You can read more about the plans in this article on RiverBender.com . John Hopkins, a longtime Rotarian, noted that the July 2 event at Rotary Park will be fun for

Jaydon York Honored After Child Recovery in Shiloh

1 month 4 weeks ago
O'FALLON/SHILOH - A Life Saving Award was presented at a Village Board meeting to O’Fallon-Shiloh firefighter and Village of Shiloh Public Works employee Jaydon York for actions on Friday, May 22, 2026, that officials said led to the safe recovery of a vulnerable child in a potentially life-threatening situation. York serves as both an O’Fallon-Shiloh firefighter and a Village of Shiloh Public Works employee. Shiloh Police Chief Rich Wittenauer, O’Fallon Fire Chief Brad White

Attorney General Raoul Obtains 20-year Prison Sentence For Jefferson County Woman Convicted Of Second-Degree Murder

1 month 4 weeks ago
CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced a Mt. Vernon, Illinois woman was sentenced to 20 years in prison for her role in a 2025 murder that took place in the home where she was living. Laura Beneway, 61, was sentenced today in Jefferson County Circuit Court after pleading guilty to one count of second-degree murder. Raoul’s office is also prosecuting a second defendant in this case, Peter Harris, 67, of Mt. Vernon, whose trial is set for Oct. 6 at the Jefferson County Circui

Wood River Business Alliance Celebrates Ribbon Cutting and Main Street America Accreditation Today

1 month 4 weeks ago
WOOD RIVER – The Wood River Business Alliance (WRBA) invites the community, local leaders, and members of the media to join in celebrating a major milestone today, Friday, June 26 , with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Main Street America Accreditation Celebration. The ceremony will begin at 3:00 p.m. at the Wood River Business Alliance's newly renovated office, located at 61 E. Ferguson Avenue in Downtown Wood River . The event celebrates the completion of the WRBA's new headquarters

Jeep Show Planned to Help Local Animal Shelter

1 month 4 weeks ago
WOOD RIVER - A Jeep show promises plenty of fun while raising money for Partners 4 Pets. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 27, 2026, community members are invited to Pinto’s Kustoms at 1368 Vaughn Road in Wood River for the event. Hosted by Duckin’ Jeepers, the Jeep show doubles as a fundraiser for Partners 4 Pets and will feature over 50 Jeeps, food trucks, snow cones, raffles, a foam party for kids, and more. “We just want to do something for the community,”

Durbin Blasts Supreme Court Ruling Allowing End Of TPS For Syrians And Haitians

1 month 4 weeks ago
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement after today’s Supreme Court decision that allows the Trump Administration to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Syrian and Haitian nationals: “The Trump Administration just got the greenlight to terminate TPS without any judicial review to ensure that Trump officials followed the TPS statute, paving the way for this

Granite City High School Names Wall of Fame Class of 2026

1 month 4 weeks ago
GRANITE CITY – Granite City High School congratulates six graduates who are entering the GCHS Wall of Fame Class of 2026. Jennifer E. Ambuehl (Class of 2001), Brent Broshow (Class of 1990), Derrick Kingsley (Class of 1992), Mike Konzen (Class of 1980), Chad Miner (Class of 1994) and Bob Richardson (Class of 1969) will be honored on Saturday, November 7 during induction ceremonies in the GCHS atrium. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., dinner will be served at 6 p.m., followed by the inductio

Bethalto School Board to Implement AI in Board Meeting Summaries

1 month 4 weeks ago
BETHALTO - During their regular meeting on June 25, 2026, the Bethalto Community Unit School District Board of Education learned about ways to implement artificial intelligence. Director of Teaching and Learning Alyssa Smith explained that the district’s AI Committee, which was created last year, recently went to a training and finalized their first recommendation of how to implement AI in the district. The Board of Education meetings, which are recorded and posted to the district’s

Why People Still Love Road Trips Despite Faster Ways to Travel

1 month 4 weeks ago
A road trip can turn three boring hours on a map into one of the most memorable parts of a trip. That is part of the mystery. Flying is faster. Trains can be easier. Video calls let people stay home. And yet many people still love loading a car with snacks, arguing over playlists, and watching the landscape slowly change outside the window. Road trips ask for more time and effort than other forms of travel. In return, they offer something people often want more than speed: freedom, connection,

June 26 in History: UN Charter Signing, Berlin Airlift and Marriage Equality Among Key Milestones

1 month 4 weeks ago
June 26 is closely tied to one of the defining moments of the modern era: the signing of the Charter of the United Nations in 1945. On that day in San Francisco, representatives of 50 countries agreed on the framework for a new international organization created to prevent another world war. The charter mattered immediately because it offered a structure for diplomacy, collective security, and international cooperation after years of global destruction. It still matters today because the United

State Rep. Schmidt Co-Sponsored Law Aimed at Lowering Prescription Costs

1 month 4 weeks ago
CAHOKIA HEIGHTS - State Representative Kevin Schmidt (R-Millstadt) is highlighting a new law he helped pass that reduces prescription drug costs, increases accountability for pharmacy middlemen, known as pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), and delivers vital support to both rural and medically underserved pharmacies across the 114th District. Representative Kevin Schmidt was Co-Sponsor and helped pass the Prescription Drug Affordability Act (Public Act 104-0027), which puts patients first

Alton Faces Growing Fines As Financial Reports Remain Unfiled

1 month 4 weeks ago
ALTON – The City of Alton is facing fines of over $13,000 from the Illinois Comptroller’s Office over financial reports that were due nearly nine months ago. The issue was raised by Alderman Michael Velloff, who cited a “Fine Notification” from the Illinois Comptroller’s Office included in the Alton City Council’s meeting packet for June 24, 2026. The city is currently facing a growing fine of over $13,650 regarding “delinquent Annual Financial Reports”