Riverbender 🕸

EDWARDSVILLE - Senior tennis player Chloe Koons is emerging as one of the best girls tennis players in the St. Louis area and is one of the top players on a very talented Edwardsville High team as fall practice began last week. Koons won 35 matches last season en route to a sectional championship in 2021, and feels confident in having a big season as practice began. "I think things are going really well," Koons said in an interview conducted during a practice session last week. "I feel really good and everything's smooth." Chloe is an iCAN Clinic Female Athlete of the Month For EHS. Koons has some big expectations going into the 2022 season as a senior. "Well, I'm definitely hoping to go to state this year, for sure," Koons said. "Like win sectionals, then go to state. I want to make it the furthest, like, anyone from EHS. I think that's my goal." Koons took a break during the summer and it helped refresh and reenergized her for tennis this fall. "Summer went really well," Koons

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville junior receiver Kellen Brnfre enjoyed some success as a sophomore for the Tigers football team in the 2021 season, catching 25 passes for 330 yards and three touchdowns and also ran 13 times for 144 yards and a touchdown, scoring a total of five touchdowns on the season. His breakout game was against Belleville East. where he caught seven passes for 69 yards and also ran for 35 more yards in the Tigers' win over the Lancers. Brnfre felt that the summer season went well for himself and his teammates, overcoming a slow start to keep improving throughout the offseason. "Yeah, it was a good summer," Brnfre said. "It was a little slow, but I think we're starting to pick up the speed and pick up the pace." Brnfre feels that setting the bar high at the start will set a good example for younger players on the team. "Yeah, we work hard," Brnfre said. "We've got to set the bar, me and two other of my teammates, we've got to set the bar for the younger kids looking

Continue Reading

WOOD RIVER - Senior football lineman Richard Seitzinger is one of the key linemen that East Alton-Wood River High will be depending on when the Oilers open their 2022 football season on Aug. 26 at home against Harrisburg. Seitzinger is one of the team's hardest workers, both on the field and in the weight room, leading by example for his teammates while encouraging them to work together to be successful. For his efforts, Seitzinger has been named a Midwest Members Credit Union male Athlete of the Month at EAWR. Seitzinger, who plays for head coach Garry Herron, has played football for nearly a decade and enjoys both working with and helping out his teammates. "I've been playing football for eight years," Seitzinger said, "and the most I like about football is being with my friends and working together in tough situations." Seitzinger thanked his family for their support in his football endeavors. "I would like to thank my mom, dad, sisters and brother-in-law for pushing me to the

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE - The BuseyBank Edwardsville Rotary Criterium Festival bicycle road race series in Edwardsville was once again a community success. The race takes an abundance of volunteers and crew and once again they all came through like clockwork. There were 170 volunteers who took part this year. The records set in both pre-registration and racers competing are a great testament to the growing popularity of the event, and Race Director Brian Mulhill has a theory on why. "You know, I think it's just delivering a consistent, safe course," Mulhill said, "year in and year out. And the riders, when they know they show up, they're going to be treated professionally and with great courtesy, and efficiency and the crowd's going to be huge. They'd rather have that than the payouts. And I've learned that in the last year, listening to a lot of meetings with directors, these racers anymore are much more about the environment than they are about winning 50 bucks, or even the pros, maybe winning

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE - Edwardsville Fire Chief James Whiteford said Saturday the bodies of two construction workers who had been operating at a residential development in the 100 block of East Union Street were recovered Friday, August 19. He said the two men were found deceased in a manhole that led to storm sewer piping. The Edwardsville Police and Fire Departments responded to the scene at about 6:55 p.m. Friday for a 911 call about a person in need of rescue from a manhole. It’s believed the two workers had entered the manhole sometime in the late afternoon. Fire Chief Whiteford said the atmosphere where the men were located was found to contain very little oxygen and a buildup of toxic gases, as is common in confined underground spaces. The two men were nonresponsive, and rescue was attempted. Upon determining the men were deceased, the operation transitioned to a recovery effort. The victims were recovered about 8:30 p.m. Friday. A member of the Edwardsville Police Department

Continue Reading

ALTON - The James Killion Beautification & Enhancement Committee brings back another Movie Night Saturday night at James Killion Park. This week’s movie is “The Bad Guys," presented by JK-Bec. Last week’s movie was “The Good Dinosaur” and was very well attended. Tredell Jones of Bridging The Gap was a key sponsor for last week’s movie and said he enjoyed the night tremendously. “It means so much to me knowing that I have come so far from my past and I am dedicating the rest of my life to be part of the solution to our problems,” he said. “We are getting amazing feedback from the Movie Nights. I have witnessed so much positive in our community and I truly believe investing resources in youth is the answer. I am appreciative to be a part of it all.”

Continue Reading

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Police (ISP) commissioned 10 new Troopers today from Cadet Class 137 at a graduation ceremony at the Illinois State Police Academy in Springfield. The total number of ISP troopers added since 2019 now stands at 305. The new Troopers will report to eight ISP patrol districts throughout the state on Monday, August 22, 2022. Cadet Class 137 marks the eighth cadet class graduation under Governor JB Pritzker. The Governor’s proposed ISP budget for Fiscal Year 2023 is the largest in ISP history and allows for an additional 300 new Troopers. “Congratulations to our new troopers on their graduation from the Illinois State Police Academy,” said Governor JB Pritzker . “If we want to create safer streets, then I know we need to get more experienced Troopers on the expressways and in our communities — and that’s exactly what we’re doing. Since 2019, we’ve added more than 300 ISP Troopers who patrol

Continue Reading

PIASA – After an interesting 5-5 season, where the Southwestern Piasa Birds won their first four games and then lost the next four, they earned a playoff game, but were shutout 42-0. There are worse things than finishing a season 5-5, but seniors Jacob Fischer and David Watkins believe that they can do better than that. The two are both Altonized Community Federal Credit Union Male Athletes Of The Month For Southwestern. “We can always do better,” Fisher said. “I’m looking forward to our team working hard, staying together, and just winning. I mean, that’s all we want and we’re going to keep going.” They’ve been working hard all summer and they can’t wait for their season to kick off this Friday, August 26 th against Staunton. They believe that they have what it takes to get off to another great start to the season. “I think our team is very well rounded and I think we can do it this year. We’re going to go

Continue Reading

EAST ST. LOUIS – An Illinois State Police investigation led to the arrest of Cedric D. Allen, a 29-year-old male of East St. Louis, for First Degree Murder (Class M Felony). At 7 a.m. on April 20, 2022, the East St. Louis Police Department and the Illinois State Police responded to a female lying in the roadway near the 2600 block of Illinois Avenue in East St. Louis. The female was pronounced deceased by the St. Clair County Coroner’s Office and was later identified as Camesha McCline, a 33-year-old female of Cahokia Heights. The incident was jointly investigated by the ISP Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Zone 6 – Public Safety Enforcement Group (PSEG), and the East St. Louis Police Department. On August 19, 2022, the U.S. Marshals Service, ISP, East St. Louis Police Department, and the East St. Louis Housing Authority arrested Allen in the 1300 block of 44 th Street in East St. Louis. He is being held at the St. Clair County Jail on a $1,000,000, 10%

Continue Reading

WEST ALTON, MO. – The US Army Corps of Engineers, Rivers Project Office, will temporarily close the Ellis Island parking lot in West Alton, MO., to both vehicle and foot traffic beginning as early as Friday, August 19 th , 2022. The closure will last for a duration of approximately two weeks during which time concrete improvement work of the parking lot will occur. Further information will be made available when these areas are again accessible for recreation. While Ellis Island Trail may be inaccessible during this time, please consider visiting one of the many other trails at Riverlands such as Two Pecan or Heron Pond for alternative hiking options. For more information please contact the Rivers Project Office at 618-462-6979.

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE – Southern Illinois University Edwardsville welcomed its first cohort of Community-Oriented Digital Engagement Scholars (CODES) and their families to campus Tuesday, Aug. 16 for a special reception honoring the participants and kicking off the fall 2022 academic year. The CODES program is an innovative, first-of-its-kind general education program comprising 25 students with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities. CODES is designed for students who are first-generation, Black, Latinx, and/or Pell-eligible, are interested in research and active learning, and are committed to taking action in the community. SIUE Chancellor James T. Minor, PhD, addressed the scholars and their families at the CODES reception with excitement for the transformational journey ahead. “The integration of an innovative general education curriculum, built-in academic support, and meaningful undergraduate research opportunities is truly special,” Minor told the

Continue Reading

PONTOON BEACH - The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced lane restrictions will be encountered Monday, August 22, 2022, through Thursday, August 25, 2022, on Southbound I-255 over Illinois Route 162 near Pontoon Beach. The lane restrictions will cause delays in the area. "These restrictions are needed to complete work on a bridge structure," IDOT said. "IDOT District 8 Operations will make the needed improvements. Full access will be restored as soon as possible." IDOT added that motorists should allow extra time for trips through the area. "To avoid the work area, when feasible, use of alternate routes should be considered," IDOT said.

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE – Edwardsville Fire and Police Department were called to the scene of a manhole accident Friday night. When they arrived, two construction workers were discovered deceased in a manhole in the 100 block of East Union Avenue. The call came out at 6:55 Friday night, Edwardsville Police Chief Mike Fillback said. An Edwardsville first responder attempted to save the two and was injured in the process and transported to a hospital. Fillback said that the first responder's injuries were non-life threatening. The first responder struggled with the decreased oxygen level as he entered the manhole. The Edwardsville Fire Department was using special gear to recover the two in the manhole, the chief said and the coroner's office has been called to the scene. The two victims have not been identified at this time. More to come.

Continue Reading

ALTON - While gas prices are starting to come down, they remain nearly a dollar higher than they were at this time last year - but even as more customers ask about switching to electric cars, dealerships like Roberts Motors in Alton simply aren’t being given the supply to meet their growing interest. John Roberts, general manager of Roberts Motors in Alton, said there has been more interest from customers in electric vehicles lately, but he currently doesn’t have any electric vehicles for sale on his lot. “Right now, supply is hard to get for every car dealer as it is and EV vehicles haven’t been readily available from a Ford perspective,” Roberts said. “I think the awareness has increased, I think we have more people asking about them, but part of the issue is that we don’t have them on the lot.” Roberts added that the only electric vehicles that have been sold at the dealership were custom-ordered by individual customers.

Continue Reading

ALTON - The Alton Police Department arrested Nathan A. Johnson, 37-year-old male, of East Alton, on Aug. 14, 2022. Johnson, of East Alton, was charged on Aug. 15, 2022, by the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office with the offenses of Armed Habitual Criminal, Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm, and Unlawful Possession of Weapons By a Felon. Johnson's bond was set at $150,000 by Judge Heflin. He has since been transported to the Madison County Jail. The police department became aware of a shooting on Aug. 12, 2022, when a community member reported hearing a gunshot in the area of Condit Avenue and Brandt Street in Alton. Further investigation revealed that Johnson had a dispute with another male and subsequently discharged a firearm at the male. No injuries were reported. Johnson was located on Aug. 14, 2022, and taken into custody. Alton Police said the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information pertaining to the incident is asked to call the Alton Police Department’s

Continue Reading

BRIGHTON - The First Presbyterian Church of Brighton will celebrate its 175th Anniversary with an event on Sunday, September 4 starting at 9 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Brighton, located at 402 N. Main St. “We have a special worship service which will have a previous pastor attending and helping lead worship,” Wendleton said. “Also, we’re going to have some leadership from our presbytery that oversees the church, be attending the event.” “We also expect to see older members and friends of the church to be attending,” Wendleton added. After the service, Wendleton said a brunch will be held, with an added history lesson. “Following , we’re going to have a brunch and celebration after that, kind of discussing the history of the church,” Wendleton said. For more information, call The First Presbyterian Church of Brighton at (618) 372-8241.

Continue Reading

EAST ALTON-WOOD RIVER - The school districts in East Alton and Wood River are off to a solid start and an abundance of events both before school opened and at the onset have set the spark for success. An Oiler Nation Celebration started the process and it had significant participation. East Alton-Wood River Community High School, East Alton School District, and Wood River-Hartford School District all participated. A Freshman Orientation Day was held on Aug. 16 and on Aug. 17, school officially started. A Senior Sunrise was one of the early highlights on Aug. 17 at the high school. Athletics will get underway in full force next week and the Oilers have their home football opener on Friday, Aug. 26, against Harrisburg. The Oilers have 16 seniors back this season and expect a strong year under Head Coach Gary Herron. Patrick Anderson, superintendent of the Wood River-Hartford District, loved the collaboration for the Oiler Nation Celebration. “We were here to create a stronge

Continue Reading

(This is one in a series of articles with photos and descriptions of entries in the Edwardsville Arts Fair at City Park on September 23-24). EDWARDSVILLE - Today, the work of artists Edwardsville's Elsa Taricone, St. Louis' Cindy Hose, and Marion's Erin Gray is showcased. The three will all participate in the Edwardsville Arts Fair. Artist Name: Elsa Taricone Location: Edwardsville Artist Statement: "I enjoy designing and creating unique jewelry that is full of endless design possibilities, and is like revealing a fun little gift once the process is complete. The designs I create are laser cut in bamboo and then paired with a complementary, hand-cut fabric peeking through the design cutouts." Artist Name: Cindy Hose Location: Saint Louis, MO. Artist Statement: "Inspiration comes from my garden, have you ever really looked at a passion flower, or a piece of dragon fruit? I enjoy painting abstract sunsets, taking me to my favorite place in my soul."

Continue Reading

ST. LOUIS COUNTY - St. Louis County Police Crimes Against Persons detectives are investigating a homicide in the 10300 block of Tuxford Drive which resulted in the death of an adult male and gunshot wounds to another adult male. On August 19, 2022, at 3:26 AM, St. Louis County police officers from the Central County Precinct responded to a call for service for an assault in the 10300 block of Tuxford Drive. Responding officers located two adult males suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. Both males were transported to area hospitals. One male was later pronounced deceased. The other male is expected to survive. St. Louis County Police said they are not currently looking for any additional suspects. St. Louis County Police Department’s Crimes Against Persons detectives are leading the investigation. The investigation is very active at this time. Additional information will be disseminated as it becomes available. Please contact the St. Louis County Police Department at

Continue Reading

MARYVILLE – To encourage residents to visit his office with comments or concerns, State Senator Kris Tharp is extending his office hours next week to accommodate the schedules of Metro East working families. “With the school year starting, many families have more hectic schedules and could benefit from having my office open later into the evening,” said Tharp (D-Bethalto). “I encourage anyone who needs assistance, has ideas, or just wants to talk to attend.” To allow residents the opportunity to access state services and discuss legislative matters directly, Tharp’s Maryville office, located at 35 Executive Plaza Ct., will be open until 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 23. The office is typically open weekdays until 4:30 p.m. Appointments are encouraged, but not required and can be made by calling (618) 251-9840.

Continue Reading