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Ameren Illinois Adding Technology To Enhance Reliability In Alton; Relocating Poles In Godfrey

3 days 17 hours ago
ALTON – Ameren Illinois is taking another step forward in its modernization of the electric grid in Alton with the installation of new smart switches and stronger electric infrastructure in town. Work is currently underway to upgrade power lines between the Alby and North Alton substations, which will add capacity to the local grid for nearly 1,300 customers. The added capacity is similar to expanding a two-lane highway to a four-lane highway. In addition, three IntelliRupters, also known

Shiloh Teen Found Safe After Morning Disappearance

3 days 17 hours ago
SHILOH — A 14-year-old boy reported missing Friday morning, Nov. 7, 2025, was found safe by Shiloh Police Department officers later that day. Authorities received the missing juvenile report at 7:42 a.m. on Nov. 7. The boy was not considered a danger to himself and was believed to remain in the local area. Police said they received multiple tips and followed up on each lead. At 2:15 p.m., officers located the juvenile, who was unharmed, and he was safe and sound. The Shiloh Police

Veterans Day Parade Route Released by O'Fallon Police Department

3 days 18 hours ago
O'FALLON - The O'Fallon Police Department announced some details and a map for the Veterans' Day Parade on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. The parade starts at 2 p.m. The event will take place in downtown O'Fallon, where street closures will begin at 11 a.m. on Tuesday to clear the parade route. Police officials advise residents and visitors to use caution and allow extra travel time in the downtown area due to the closures. While downtown businesses will remain open during the event, parking may

Troy Police Launch Holiday Traffic Safety Campaign

3 days 18 hours ago
TROY — The Troy Police Department is partnering with the Illinois State Police and other local agencies to enforce traffic safety laws during the “Click It or Ticket” and “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign running from Nov. 21 to Dec. 2, 2025. Officers will focus on seat-belt violations, speeding, distracted driving, and impaired driving caused by alcohol or drugs, including cannabis. The campaign coincides with the Thanksgiving holiday, a period marked by

Altonized Community Federal Credit Union Male Athlete Of Month: Springman Posts Top Performance At State Cross Country Meet

3 days 18 hours ago
PEORIA — Southwestern junior Thor Springman set a new school record at the IHSA Class 1A State Cross Country Meet on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, finishing 79th overall with a time of 15 minutes, 50 seconds. The meet took place in Peoria. Springman’s performance capped an impressive season for the Piasa Birds’ standout runner, who also earned all-conference honors in cross country. Earlier in the season, he placed 10th at the Trenton-Wesclin Sectional on Nov. 1, 2025, with a time

Sierra Club Illinois to Host Invasive Species Removal Workday On Friday, Nov 14, 2025

3 days 18 hours ago
ALTON - The Three Rivers Project of Sierra Club Illinois is calling for volunteers to support an Invasive Species Removal Workday 11/14/25 The Invasive Species Removal Workday will give local community members the opportunity to take action to protect the environment here in the Metro East by removing invasive species from the bottom of the trail closest to the River Road at La Vista Park “The Metro East is home to a unique ecosystem that contains three great rivers, oak-hickory

Colorful Mural Transforms Alton Police Department Hallway

3 days 19 hours ago
ALTON - The Alton Police Department unveiled a new mural in one of its main hallways, thanks to a collaboration with Sacred Spaces of CARE and Hype of Type. Alton Police Chief Jarrett Ford said the mural features vibrant colors and messages aimed at inspiring the department’s officers as they go about their duties. Ford also added that the mural replaces previously gray walls that officers passed daily on their way to their squads. “The gray walls our officers used to walk past

RiverBender Blog: The Holidays are (Sort of) Here

3 days 19 hours ago
Well, almost. The holidays are coming up quick, anyway. And suddenly, it’s time to prepare for all the decorating, gift-giving and togetherness of Thanksgiving and Christmas. During a recent conversation with CJ Nasello on “Our Daily Show!,” I was adamant that it was way too soon to start decorating for the holidays. I’m not anti-Christmas, but I’m also not one to break out my jingle bells on Nov. 1. I argue that Thanksgiving is the perfect time to string up

Difference Makers: Riverbend East Rotary Service Above Self Honors Go To Dalton Carriker and Alix Hernandez

3 days 19 hours ago
ROXANA — The Riverbend East Rotary Club honored Roxana High School seniors Dalton Carriker and Alix Hernandez with the October Service Above Self awards, recognizing their dedication to community service and leadership. Mark Smith, president of the Riverbend East Rotary Club, presented the awards to Carriker and Hernandez during a recent ceremony. Both students exemplify the Rotary’s core value of putting others first through their various volunteer efforts and school involvement.

How to Make Your Own Homemade Fall Soups

3 days 20 hours ago
Did you know that homemade soup can retain more nutrients than many store-bought options, offering deeper flavors and healthier benefits with minimal effort? This makes crafting your own soups not only a culinary adventure but also a smart choice for nourishing meals. If you’ve ever wondered how to elevate simple ingredients into a bowl of comforting, flavorful soup, this guide will walk you through the essentials of making your own fall soups from scratch. Understanding the Foundations

Tips for Planning a Stress-Free Holiday Season

3 days 20 hours ago
Did you know that nearly 60% of people report feeling more stressed during the holiday season than at any other time of the year? This statistic might seem paradoxical, considering holidays are meant for relaxation and joy. Yet, the pressures of planning, shopping, socializing, and juggling responsibilities often overshadow the festive spirit. What if the secret to enjoying the holidays lies not in the perfect gift or the flawless dinner but in how you prepare and manage expectations? Understanding

The History and Significance of Veterans Day in the U.S.

3 days 20 hours ago
Did you know that Veterans Day is the only federal holiday dedicated solely to honoring military veterans who are still living? Unlike Memorial Day, which commemorates those who died in service, Veterans Day celebrates the service and sacrifices of all U.S. military veterans. But how did this important day come to be, and why does it hold such a special place in American culture? Origins Rooted in Armistice Day Veterans Day traces its origins back to the end of World War I, a conflict often

This Day in History on November 10: Aftermath of the Fall of the Berlin Wall

3 days 20 hours ago
November 10 is a day packed with history that has shaped the world in remarkable ways. Arguably, the most impactful event linked with this date isn't the exact day but closely associated with it: the fall of the Berlin Wall, which began on the night of November 9, 1989, and whose reverberations were deeply felt on November 10 and the days that followed. The Berlin Wall stood as a stark symbol of Cold War division for nearly three decades, physically and ideologically splitting East and West

Today's Weather: Mostly Sunny and Brisk

3 days 22 hours ago
Expect a mostly sunny and brisk day, high will reach 38 degrees with a low of 23. Northwesterly winds will blow around 15 mph, gusting up to 30 mph, making it feel colder than the actual temperature at times. The morning starts chilly, and the wind chill will keep things feeling near 20 degrees. As the day progresses, skies will stay mostly sunny with only a few clouds moving in. The wind will maintain its brisk pace, so bundle up if you're heading outdoors. Evening will bring mainly clear skies

Schaub Projects Acquires Metheny Architects; Founder Jon Metheny Joins as Junior Partner and Director of Design Acquisition

3 days 23 hours ago
ST. LOUIS, MO. — Schaub Projects, a leading St. Louis–based residential architecture firm, today announced the acquisition of Metheny Architects. As part of the agreement, founder Jon Metheny will join Schaub Projects as Junior Partner and Director of Design, working alongside Founder and Managing Partner David (Dave) Schaub and CEO/Partner Andrew (Drew) Schaub at the firm’s headquarters at 6651 Dale Avenue in St. Louis. The acquisition, made official on November 1, 2025, positions

City of St. Louis and Community Partners Make Emergency Shelter Available

4 days 12 hours ago
ST. LOUIS – Ahead of the freezing temperatures anticipated in St. Louis until early Tuesday, the City of St. Louis and several organizations in the community have worked together to make emergency shelter available for St. Louisans who are unhoused or whose homes were damaged and are uninhabitable due to the May 16 tornado. Emergency shelter is available at several locations in St. Louis between the hours of 6 p.m. and 9 a.m., starting tonight, Nov. 9, and ending the morning of Tuesday,

Congressman Krishnamoorthi Visits Cahokia Heights Hospital to Highlight Harm Of Medicaid and ACA Cuts

4 days 15 hours ago
CAHOKIA HEIGHTS — Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) visited Touchette Regional Hospital this week to underscore how President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act — which he calls the “Large Lousy Law” — is endangering access to care for working families and safety-net hospitals across Illinois. Joined by Touchette leadership and front-line staff, Congressman Krishnamoorthi warned that the law’s Medicaid and Affordable Care Act funding cuts will drive

Two Airlifted After Explosion In Calhoun County

4 days 17 hours ago
CALHOUN COUNTY — A propane tank explosion and fire in the Calhoun Point hunting area injured three people Sunday morning, prompting a multi-agency emergency response, officials said. The Point Fire Protection District received a call at approximately 9:50 a.m. reporting an explosion and fire involving a duck blind, according to a report relayed to the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office. The incident occurred within the Calhoun Point hunting area near Brussels. Emergency personnel from

Byron, Carlson, Petri & Kalb Female Athletes Of The Month: Father McGivney Girls Place Ninth In IHSA Sectional Swim Meet

4 days 18 hours ago
GLEN CARBON - Father McGivney Catholic had an outstanding showing in the Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, IHSA Girls Sectional Meet at Edwardsville, placing ninth out of 23 teams, and head coach Tara Thompson couldn't have been more pleased with the Griffins' showing. "Yes, I am very happy with the girls' performance," Thompson said. "We've swam both our relays faster than we've done in the past, all of our girls are performing well, and we couldn't be happier." The Father McGivney swim girls are Byron,

This Weekend in History on November 9 and 10: John F. Kennedy Elected President

4 days 20 hours ago
November 8 and 9 have long been dates marked by pivotal moments across history, touching on politics, culture, science, and social movements. Let's go back to 1895, when Wilhelm Röntgen announced the discovery of X-rays, an innovation that revolutionized medicine and science. His breakthrough allowed for non-invasive imaging of the human body, fundamentally changing diagnostics and treatment in healthcare worldwide. On November 8, 1923, a different kind of upheaval occurred in Germany.