Riverbender 🕸

ALTON – Alton officials recently passed new regulations on sidewalk pop up shops in an effort to prevent them from undermining the city’s current businesses. City Council members on Aug. 26, 2026 unanimously passed a resolution to introduce an ordinance allowing sidewalk pop up shops in the City of Alton. The item will return in ordinance form for a first reading and final vote at future meetings. Under the new regulations, those looking to operate a sidewalk pop up shop must

CHICAGO — Governor JB Pritzker today announced that Illinois has received its 11th credit rating upgrade since 2021, as Moody’s upgraded the State’s general obligation bonds to A1, Illinois’ highest Moody’s rating since December 2011 and the second upgrade from Moody’s in the last year. Moody’s cited Illinois’ sustained financial improvement and strengthened governance, as well as confidence in the State’s management team’s ability

EDWARDSVILLE — Logan Garman, a senior guard on the Edwardsville football team’s offensive line, is expected to be one of the Tigers’ top leaders as Edwardsville embarks on its 2026 campaign. Garman is helping anchor the line for a team that finished 4-6 last season and reached the IHSA Class 7A playoffs before losing in the first round on the road to Oak Lawn Richards. The Tigers opened practice Aug. 5 at Tiger Stadium, where Garman said summer sessions went well and that ha

ST. LOUIS – A man from Jefferson County, Missouri, on Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026, admitted requesting and receiving child sexual abuse material from a teen and then forcing her to produce more. David Paeper, 20, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to one count of receiving child pornography. He admitted meeting a 15-year-old girl on Instagram and requesting and receiving sexually explicit images of her. When she later refused his request for more images, he threatened to

BETHALTO — Bethalto Police executed a search warrant Aug. 25, 2026, at Sasa Massage, 408 W. Bethalto Drive, as part of an ongoing criminal investigation into suspected criminal activity at the business, the department said in an Aug. 26, 2026, information release. The Bethalto Police Department said it was assisted by the Illinois State Police and the Madison County Sheriff’s Enforcement Team in the warrant execution. Bethalto Police said the warrant followed a long-term

GRANITE CITY – Two separate cases of theft involving packages delivered to Granite City addresses were filed in Madison County last week. Bobby D. Watson, 33, of Granite City, was charged with a Class 3 felony count of theft by deception on Aug. 20, 2026. From March 2 to Oct. 17, 2025, Watson allegedly knowingly obtained approximately 146 packages by means of deception. Charging documents state the stolen packages had a value between $500 to $10,000 and were property of Amazon.com Services

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has confirmed the first human case of West Nile virus (WNV) in Illinois for 2026. The confirmed case involves a resident of Piatt County. In addition, IDPH has identified three other probable human cases of WNV from northern Illinois. About one in five people who contract the disease caused by a bite from an infected mosquito may develop common symptoms, including fever, headache, body aches, joint pain, or other potentially

JERSEYVILLE – A Jerseyville resident was charged last week with possessing individually packaged fentanyl and cocaine allegedly intended for delivery. James G. Hillmann, 37, of Jerseyville, was charged in Jersey County court last Friday, Aug. 21, 2026 with three counts of unlawful possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, each Class 2 felonies. Hillmann also faces a Class A misdemeanor count of unlawful possession of a hypodermic syringe or needle. Hillmann was allegedly

EDWARDSVILLE — Madelyn Ohlau, a four-year varsity player for the Edwardsville High School girls volleyball team, is preparing for her final season with the Tigers as the team opens Sept. 1, 2026, at Collinsville, aiming to build on last year’s 26-12 finish and contend in an expanded Southwestern Conference. Ohlau, an outside hitter and defensive specialist, said during a preseason practice break that Edwardsville’s preparation has been encouraging. “I think things

ALTON - Local businesses have a unique chance to support and celebrate Alton students. Alton Community Unit School District #11 will start a new initiative to distribute Redbird Reward Cards to students who meet academic and attendance goals. Community partners can provide a benefit such as a discount, a complimentary item, or a buy-one-get-one offer that students can redeem with the card. Superintendent Elaine Kane believes it’s a great opportunity to connect the school district and

GODFREY - Vitality Women’s Clinic is preparing for their annual Jingle and Bid auction, and they’re asking for the community’s support. Vitality is a pro-life, faith-based pregnancy center in Godfrey that provides free STI and pregnancy tests and ultrasounds, as well as resources and parenting support. They do not perform or refer for abortions. Executive Director Jackie Duty and Board member Shannon Vitali explained that fundraisers like Jingle and Bid allow them to provide

ALTON — More than six decades after Donald A. Lovell began his career with the Alton Police Department, the department joined his family, friends, former colleagues and community members Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026, in Alton to say a final farewell as he was laid to rest. Lovell, a former Alton police chief, died Aug. 20, 2026, at age 85. He was honored for decades of service to the Alton Police Department and the people of Alton. The Alton Police Department extended its deepest condolences

ALTON - State Senator Erica Harriss (56th-Glen Carbon) has secured $95,000 in state funding for the City of Alton to support road improvements and new equipment for the Alton Police Department. “Roads and public safety are basic services our communities depend on every day,” said Senator Harriss. “I am proud to bring these dollars back to Alton and help the city move forward with these projects.” Of the funding, $75,000 will support two road improvement projects in Alton

GLEN CARBON – Glen Carbon Mayor Bob Marcus thanked local agencies and organizations for helping rescue multiple dogs from a village residence in what the mayor called a rare and “horrific tragedy.” At the Aug. 25, 2026 Village Board meeting, Marcus thanked members of the Glen Carbon Police Department, Building and Zoning Department and village staff for their assistance in recovering over 20 dogs from inside a home on Glen Carbon Road, including some that were found dead. “This

BETHALTO — Grady Farrell, a member of the Civic Memorial High School Class of 2027, has continued to make an impact for the Eagles in Bethalto through contributions in football, basketball, and track and field. Farrell, a wide receiver and defensive back, opened the 2026 football season as one of Civic Memorial’s top playmakers in a 36-26 victory over Newton this past Friday night. He caught three touchdown passes from quarterback Luke Clouser and finished with 134 receiving yards

CHICAGO — During the JB for Governor Fighting for You Tour, Governor JB Pritzker and lieutenant gubernatorial candidate Christian Mitchell held a “Standing Up for Workers” rally with Painters District Council #14 and other union members. Gov. Pritzker’s remarks were as follows: AS PREPARED FOR DELIVERY GOVERNOR JB PRITZKER'S STANDING UP FOR WORKERS REMARKS WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2026 Good morning to the men and women of organized labor! So great to be here with you.

CHICAGO – In recent weeks, the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) celebrated with its partners the grand opening of three residential senior developments located in northern, central, and southern Illinois that received IHDA funding. These developments collectively supply more than 160 affordable housing units, enabling Illinoisians to remain within their communities they call home. The three developments will provide much-needed rental options in regions that have experienced

ST. LOUIS — A 24-year-old man identified as Taron Exum died after an early morning shooting on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, in the 4300 block of Cottage Ave., where District 5 officers found him wounded in a parking lot after responding to a shooting call. Officers responded at approximately 7:40 a.m. Sunday and located Exum on the ground suffering from a gunshot wound. He was not conscious and was struggling to breathe. EMS responded and took Exum to an area hospital, where he died

EAST ST. LOUIS - Bi-State Development and Metro Transit marked the completion of Metro Transit’s $62 million Secure Platform Plan at the Emerson Park MetroLink Station in East St. Louis this week. The project's key goal at all 38 MetroLink stations was safer stations and simpler ways for riders to pay. The Emerson Park MetroLink Station is located at 929 N. 15th St. in East St. Louis. The plan includes automated security gates, upgraded fencing and expanded closed-circuit television

CHICAGO — Chicago Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced an up to $17.1 billion multistate settlement with Meta Platforms Inc., which is among the largest state consumer protection settlements in history. In addition to the payment, Meta must implement significant safety features designed to protect children on Instagram and Facebook. The agreement, which is subject to court approval, resolves claims that the company designed its social media platforms with addictive features, knowingly