Riverbender 🕸

O'FALLON, IL. - The O’Fallon Police Department recently held its 2025 awards banquet to recognize the dedication, service, and professionalism of its team, honoring employees for career milestones and presenting commendations for work ranging from DUI enforcement to investigations. At the banquet, the department recognized retirement and service milestones, issued letters of appreciation, and presented major awards, including Officer of the Year and Civilians of the Year. Major

ALTON - Local entrepreneurs and project leaders had the chance to share more about their work in downtown Alton. On Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, community members gathered at The Wedge Innovation Center for Alton Main Street’s quarterly “What’s Up Downtown” meeting. Business owners and stakeholders shared information about their organizations and projects. Scot Heathman, CEO of The Wedge , shared information about Entrepreneurship Week, planned for Feb. 17–20,

A kiss at an airport isn’t just a private moment that happened to be public—it’s a message. Even if no one says a word, the couple is quietly telling the world, “This person matters to me.” Public affection can look small: holding hands in a grocery store aisle, a quick hug outside a school, a partner brushing lint off someone’s jacket. Yet people do it across ages, cultures, and settings. The reasons are not only romantic. Public affection helps humans signal

On February 11, 1979, crowds in Tehran celebrated the collapse of Iran’s monarchy and the victory of a revolution that quickly reshaped the country’s government, laws, and foreign relationships. The Iranian Revolution mattered immediately because it ended a centuries-old royal system and replaced it with a new political order led by religious authorities, changing how power was organized inside Iran. It also mattered beyond Iran’s borders, because it altered the balance of influence

This morning starts off clear and chilly with temperatures around 30 degrees. The air feels cold as north-northwest winds gently breeze at about 7 mph with gusts up to 15 mph. By afternoon, expect mostly sunny skies with a high near 49 degrees. Evening turns partly cloudy with mild winds shifting to the east at around 5 mph. Overnight lows will dip back to about 30 degrees under partly cloudy skies. Tomorrow's forecast calls for intermittent clouds with some sun breaking through. Temperatures

ROSEWOOD HEIGHTS - Tuesday in Rosewood Heights, firefighters working a grass fire on West Woodland reported that a driver refused to turn around at a road shutdown and instead drove through residents’ yards to get around the scene. The Rosewood Heights Fire Department described the incident in a reminder posted to its Facebook page, alongside video from the department. “Emergency workers shut down roads so we can safely operate at the scene, hoping not to have to worry about being

PIASA - Mikayla Means, a wrestler for Southwestern, placed third at the regional on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, and will advance to sectionals. The regional this past Saturday was held at Jacksonville ISD. Means finished third at 235 pounds, winning her final bout over Sophia Brown of Shelbyville by medical forfeit. Southwestern's wrestling coaching staff and head coach Shain Bates said Means’ performance came while she was “the only girl in the lineup,” adding that “being

WOOD RIVER - Ethan Barrett, a senior at East Alton-Wood River, is being recognized for bowling after four years in the sport that culminated in his highest high school game, a 244. Barrett said his progress came through “practice and more practice,” adding that “with hard work, I got to a point where I felt that I was at the best point in my high school career, it took me to my senior year, but I got it.” He credited coaches Garry Herron and Gary Quigley, saying, “With

WOOD RIVER - Aubrey Cathey, a senior at East Alton-Wood River High School, is being recognized for cheer after a decade in the sport and a senior season that included learning and performing advanced stunts in new roles. Cathey said her “strong passion and love for cheer” helped lead to the recognition. “I was never able to do anything, and cheer wasn't how I expected it, but I was able to start as a base and then my senior year I was a backspot and with both positions I wa

JERSEYVILLE — Jude Jones, a senior multi-sport athlete at Jersey Community Unit School District No. 100, has committed to Greenville University to continue his education and play baseball and join the Panthers baseball program, according to a district announcement. Jones is a Sparklight Male Athlete of the Month. “Committed! We’re excited to announce that Jude Jones has committed to Greenville University to continue his education and join the Panthers Baseball program.

ALTON - The Alton-Godfrey Rotary Club donated materials to local Alton elementary schools to encourage letter-writing and literacy. On Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, Rotary Club members and Alton Community Unit School District #11 administrators gathered at West Elementary School to introduce the students to letter-writing. Students were encouraged to write a letter to their favorite person, with the goal to eventually expand this project so students write letters to veterans, domestic violence

GRANITE CITY - Granite City Wrestling’s Lady Warriors hosted a girls regional tournament over the weekend, facing large brackets in a 29-team field and finishing seventh as a team while advancing three wrestlers to next weekend’s sectional competition in Virden at North Mac. The team said the regional gave the Lady Warriors “the opportunity to host girls regionals this weekend,” adding that “every girl fought extremely hard.” Granite City's coaching staff

JACKSONVILLE — It is a rare feat for a freshman to advance high in the ranks of the Illinois High School Association postseason wrestling. However, Jersey Community High School's freshman standout Skylee Howell has done just that. Skylee is also a Sparklight Female Athlete of the Month for the Panthers. Jersey Community Unit School District No. 100 recognized Howell after she placed third in the 155-pound category of the IHSA girls wrestling regional at Jacksonville ISD o

GODFREY - Students at St. Ambrose Catholic School welcomed two exciting visitors from the St. Louis Cardinals. On Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, Cardinals announcer and former player Brad Thompson and mascot Fredbird stopped by St. Ambrose to teach students how to be good teammates. Students learned the importance of being active, being responsible, and being themselves. Principal Bob Baird noted the value of these lessons. “There’s excitement for that, but more importantly, it’s

EAST ALTON - The East Alton Police Department is warning residents about a recent surge in scams targeting area citizens, urging people to stop and verify any request for money before sending it. The police department said the scams are happening in several ways, including online phishing schemes, phone calls impersonating federal agencies, and AI-generated calls designed to sound like a grandchild. “The number one rule to remember is if you receive a phone call, email, letter in the mail,

GODFREY - Illinois American Water issued an urgent boil water order Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 10, 2026, for a portion of Godfrey as crews began emergency repairs tied to a hydrant repair on Vinca Drive. The work was scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, in Godfrey. Illinois American Water said residents in the affected area may experience a service interruption or low water pressure, and that repairs are expected to take about two hours. “At this time, the area indicated

EDWARDSVILLE— In an effort to ensure fair elections and strengthen election integrity, Madison County Clerk Linda Andreas is calling on the U.S. Senators who represent Illinois to support the SAVE Act. The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, also known as the SAVE Act, would require proof of citizenship to register to vote as well as presentation of an ID to cast a ballot. Andreas has written letters to U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin and U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, urging them to support

ST. LOUIS — Today, millions of Americans serve as caregivers, supporting both young children and aging loved ones — often at the same time. Yet many lack critical lifesaving training, including how to respond in a cardiac arrest emergency. Only about one-third of U.S. adults say they feel confident and ready to act if someone goes into cardiac arrest. More than 300,000 people experience cardiac arrest outside of hospitals each year in the United States. Infants, older adults and

A LTON - YWCA Southwestern Illinois is proud to announce its 2026 Women of Distinction honorees, an extraordinary group of trailblazing leaders whose influence, innovation, and service shape communities across our region. The 2026 honorees are Lynne Burnett, Tomieka Carter, Barb Erwin, Mary Jason, Carol Morris, Debbie Sheary, Dr. Tandra Taylor, Tracy Webster-Cooley, Kathleen Wilson, Beverly Woody, and Tracy Zerwas. These accomplished women represent the very best of leadership in education,

Valentine’s Day is almost here, and local businesses across the Riverbend are offering special deals, romantic experiences, and fun ways to celebrate. Whether you are planning a date night, shopping for gifts, or treating yourself, here is your guide to local Valentine’s specials. Duke Bakery's Treat for Someone Sweet Buy chocolate-covered strawberries and get a free decorated heart cookie when you purchase a half pound or more. Offer available February 7-14. Address: 819 Henr