Riverbender 🕸

GRANITE CITY - Kyleigh Fisher has launched a GoFundMe campaign to fulfill the final wish of her mother, Helena, before her health deteriorates further. Helena was diagnosed in March 2024 with stage 4 breast cancer that has since spread to her bones, liver, lungs, and brain, her daughter said. She added that the disease has severely compromised her spine, with tumors causing fractures. Despite undergoing chemotherapy, Helena’s prognosis remains limited, with doctors estimating she may have up to 18 months to live, Fisher said. One of Helena’s greatest desires is to visit Louisiana and swim with otters at Magnolia Wilds in Ethel, an experience she has long hoped for. Helena is not only a mother to Kyleigh and her two brothers, including one with Down syndrome, but also a grandmother to five granddaughters. Before her illness, she worked as a nurse in various settings such as nursing homes, home health, hospice and behavioral health. Kyleigh’s GoFundMe campaign aims

Continue Reading

ST. LOUIS - President Megan E. Green addressed the temporary removal of Sheriff Alfred Montgomery from office, expressing confidence in the officials overseeing the Sheriff's Office during this period. In a statement released Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, Green said, "I have full faith and confidence in Circuit Attorney Gore, Chief Tracy, and the presiding judge to run the Sheriff’s Office following Sheriff Montgomery’s temporary removal from office." The statement also outlined the Board of Aldermen's preparedness to collaborate with the Mayor and the Comptroller should Sheriff Montgomery be permanently removed. "The Board of Aldermen stands ready to work with the Mayor and the Comptroller to run a transparent process for appointing an interim Sheriff—as it did previously in 1972, 1977, and 1978," Green said. Additionally, the Board affirmed its commitment to holding a special election in accordance with state law to ensure residents retain their democratic right to

Continue Reading

CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced a federal judge blocked the Trump administration from illegally cutting some congressionally approved funding for K-12 mental health programs. He and a coalition of 16 state attorneys general filed suit in June , alleging Department of Education funding cuts violate the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) and the U.S. Constitution. On Oct. 21, U.S. District Court Judge Kymberly Evanson rejected the U.S. Department of Education’s motion to dismiss the case. In a preliminary injunction issued Monday, she said the department appears to have acted in an arbitrary and capricious manner, violating the Administrative Procedure Act. Evanson limited her injunction to grantees that had submitted declarations to the court explaining how they’d been harmed by the cuts. “This preliminary injunction means that vital congressionally approved funding will not be blocked at the expense of Illinois students’ mental health,&rdquo

Continue Reading

Dairy foods and fiber: A smart pairing for diabetes management November is National Diabetes Month — a national proclamation designed to raise awareness and education about diabetes. In the United States, approximately 38.4 million people have this chronic disease that affects how an individual’s body turns food into energy. Food choices, in conjunction with medication and physical activity, are key to managing diabetes. Protein-rich, low-fat dairy, paired with fiber-rich foods, can play an integral role in this management. Following a meal, the body’s digestive system breaks down carbohydrates — starches and natural or added sugars — into glucose, a simple sugar that is the body’s preferred energy source. To provide the body’s cells with this energy, the pancreas produces the hormone insulin, which allows glucose to enter the body’s cells. However, when people have diabetes, they no longer make insulin (type 1 diabetes), or they make

Continue Reading

PEORIA — Sean Grayson was found guilty of second-degree murder on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, for the fatal shooting of Sonya Massey during a police encounter in Springfield. The verdict came after an eight-day trial. The incident occurred shortly before 1 a.m. on July 6, 2024, when Sangamon County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a 911 call at Massey’s residence on the 2800 block of Hoover Avenue. During the interaction inside the home, Deputy Grayson discharged his firearm, striking Massey and causing her death. Body camera footage showed Massey, who was compliant and apologetic, picking up a pot of boiling water from the stove. The footage also captured Grayson escalating the situation by shouting and drawing his weapon before firing three shots that struck Massey in the head. Grayson faces up to 20 years in prison, with the possibility of probation and parole. His sentencing is scheduled for 9 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, in Sangamon County. In response

Continue Reading

ALTON — OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony’s Health Center celebrated 100 years of service to the Riverbend community with an Open House event on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025. The free event invited the public to tour the hospital, meet staff, and explore more than 20 departments offering a wide range of medical services. Founded in 1925 by the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George, Saint Anthony’s began after six months of preparation and remodeling before opening its doors to local residents. Sister M. Beata Ziegler, vice president of operations and special projects, reflected on the hospital’s origins with Our Daily Show! host C.J. Nasello on the day of the open house, noting the strong community support that helped establish the facility. “The Sisters were blessed by receiving extraordinary support from residents who believed in our Mission to follow Christ unconditionally and witness to the beauty and totality of being given over to the One who has

Continue Reading

ALTON - Community members have the chance to support the YWCA’s programs at their upcoming trivia night. At 7 p.m. on Nov. 8, 2025, at Great Rivers Ascend Hotel in Alton, the YWCA will host a trivia night to raise money for programs like their child enrichment, health and wellness, economic empowerment and advancement, and racial and social justice initiatives. Executive Director Dorothy Hummel noted that the organization works hard to support kids and adults in the Riverbend region. “We’ve got good things going on,” she said. “We're excited to offer these programs to support the community in new ways or expanded ways from what we’ve had in the past.” A table of eight costs $200 or you can purchase an individual ticket for $25. In addition to the trivia, which Hummel promises will be “challenging yet fun,” attendees can enjoy a silent auction, raffles, and additional prizes. Participants are encouraged to bring their ow

Continue Reading

St. Ambrose Catholic School 2025-2026 1st Quarter Honor Roll 4th Grade High Honor Roll Vivian Kerkemeyer Theadora Mendoza 4th Grade Honor Roll Chase Baumgartner Avenly Burns Jackson Hoefert Vincent Hollinger Margaret Kessler Lea Kiel Jonah Krueger Vivienne Morrissey Nolan Nixon Lucas Pulaski Bianca Rodrigeuz-Frias 5th Grade High Honor Roll Chrisley Bechtold Thatcher Gregory Sophie Hoefert Hunter Johnson Cayla Kory Lucas Lacy Reid Pruetzel 5th Grade Honor Roll Colton French Jordan McCormick Samantha McCormick Leo Noss Ella Schroeder Lily Yemm 6th Grade High Honor Roll Elijah Baird Benjamin Burns Tucker Eberlin Audrina Klasner Maizy McCahill 6th Grade Honor Roll Julian Certa Holly Franklin Kamryn Hollinger Alysa Kochan Barrett Kohl Jackson Lacy Marley Palmer Helen Rakers 7th Grade High Honor Roll Finn Kane Lydia Lara Caroline Morrissey 7th Grade Honor Roll Collin Cruse Charlie Droste Charlotte Hendrickson Emma

Continue Reading

BELLEVILLE – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that Illinois 177 will be reduced to one lane approximately 2.5 miles east of South Green Mount Road in St. Clair County beginning, weather permitting, Tuesday, Oct. 28, for intersection improvements. Two-way traffic will be maintained using temporary signals. Motorists should expect delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes during this closure. Drivers are urged to reduce speed, be alert for changing conditions, obey all construction signage, and refrain from using mobile devices while approaching and traveling through the work zone. The work is expected to be completed by spring 2026. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on Twitter at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.

Continue Reading

EAST ST. LOUIS — Illinois State Police conducted a three-day violent crime suppression detail from October 20 to 22, 2025, targeting high-crime areas and violent offenders in St. Clair and Madison counties, with a focus on East St. Louis and surrounding Metro East communities. The operation, which leveraged intelligence and technology, resulted in 29 arrests, 31 felony charges, 53 criminal charges, 15 firearm-related charges, and the seizure of six firearms. The effort aimed to disrupt structured criminal groups and reduce violent crime in the region. During the detail, several notable incidents occurred. On October 21, troopers stopped a vehicle near 25th Street and Bellevue Drive for an Illinois Vehicle Code violation. A probable cause search uncovered a firearm, controlled substances, drug paraphernalia, and suspected cannabis. Both the driver and passenger were taken into custody, with charges pending. Later that same day, another traffic stop on St. Louis Avenue near 12th

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE — James T. Berry, 24, of Edwardsville, was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty Wednesday to a Class X felony count of disseminating child pornography, Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine announced on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025. Berry admitted to sharing a video file depicting an unclothed child via the Kik application on Sept. 14, 2024. The video was not created by Berry. The investigation began after the Edwardsville Police Department received a cybertip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, leading to the discovery of child pornography on Berry’s mobile device. Haine praised the Edwardsville Police Department for their work on the case and commended Assistant State’s Attorneys Ali Foley and Rebecca Buettner, who prosecuted the case as part of the Children’s Justice Division at the State’s Attorney’s Office. In addition to the prison sentence, Berry is required to register as a sex

Continue Reading

ALTON — Duke Bakery, a longtime fixture in the Alton community, is set to relaunch its Duke Beverage line with a launch party scheduled for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. The event will celebrate the return of the bakery’s soda offerings. The Doucleff family purchased Jackson Bottling Co. on Oct. 25, 1943, which is the reason for the significance of Saturday's date for the anniversary event. The soda plant closed in 1954. Mike and Helen Doucleff opened Duke Bakery in 1951. The business now has locations at 819 Henry St. in Alton and 3202 Nameoki Road in Granite City. The current Duke Bakery beverage lineup includes orange, cocoa crème, root beer, cola, grape, strawberry, and blue raspberry — a modern addition to fit the tastes of Hollis’s 14-year-old daughter and the youth of her generation. All beverages will be sold in glass bottles, emphasizing the nostalgic appeal. Ben Hollis, representing Duke Bakery, shared details during a recen

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE – The Edwardsville Police Department is proud to announce it has been awarded a federal fiscal year 2026 Sustained Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) grant. Funded by federal highway safety dollars through the Illinois Department of Transportation, the grant will support increased traffic safety enforcement efforts aimed at saving lives and reducing crashes. “We are grateful for this grant, which allows us to step up enforcement of impaired driving, seat belt, speeding, and other traffic safety laws. One of our many priorities is the safety of everyone on our roadways.” said Lt. Matt Senci. The STEP grant year runs from Oct. 1, 2025, through Sept. 30, 2026. During this time, the Edwardsville Police Department will conduct additional enforcement operations, particularly during high-risk periods. These operations will focus on dangerous driving behaviors, including speeding, impaired driving, distracted driving, failure to yield, disobeying traffic signals,

Continue Reading

WOOD RIVER – Three redevelopment projects worth a total of up to $305,000 are moving forward in downtown Wood River with City Council approval. Council members on Monday unanimously approved three agreements authorizing Tax Increment Financing (TIF) assistance for various redevelopment projects in downtown Wood River, each on Ferguson Avenue. 59 & 61 E. Ferguson Under one agreement concerning 59 and 61 E. Ferguson Ave., the city has agreed to reimburse the developer, Crown Auto Properties II LLC, up to $240,000 or 43.24% of the redevelopment costs incurred, whichever amount is less. This will be paid in annual installments of $40,000 per year for six years. The full scope of the project involves renovating two adjoining commercial properties, including improvements to the building facade and interior, according to the application for TIF funds submitted by property owner Bob Federicho. Once an estimated $555,123 worth of improvements are made to the property, its fair

Continue Reading

WOOD RIVER — The Wood River Business Alliance's Annual Downtown Trick or Treat event attracted a large crowd, and many children left the event with bags full of candy on Wednesday, Oct. 22, from 6 to 8 p.m. along Ferguson Avenue in Downtown Wood River. Children and families walked through Downtown Wood River and visited participating businesses, and enjoyed an evening of costumes, candy, and community activities. “This event showcases the teamwork and community pride that continue to make our downtown grow,” said Kristen Burns of the Wood River Business Alliance. Burns emphasized that the event is a community effort, noting that police and fire departments, local churches, coffee shops and other businesses all took part. “It is great to see so many people enjoy our downtown,” she said. Burns also highlighted ongoing improvements in the area, including recent construction projects and new murals. “A building across the street from us has been redone,&rdquo

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE - There are many key contributors to Metro East Lutheran's football success in the 2025 season, but one of those is tight end Ian Skelton. Skelton has helped open up many holes for the Knights' backs through the season with his blocking, MELHS Head Coach Mike Koch said. "Ian does a great job," the coach added. "We would like to get him the ball more, but he is a key to our running game. He starts it off and gets an edge for us and opens things up for our quarterback and running backs." Skelton is a BJ's Printables Male Athlete Of The Month for the Knights. Skelton said earlier in the season that he and the other Knights players are looking to do better than last season in the playoffs and go "way farther." Skelton mentioned a team goal the Knights set before the start of the preseason. "One of the team goals we set was going 5-0 in the first five games," Skelton said, "and go on from there, try to beat last year's record." Skelton and the others are looking forward

Continue Reading

SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced the release of the new Illinois Official Highway Map. The map includes updates to listings and locations of colleges and universities, Amtrak service, tourist attractions, recreational areas – and more! It also commemorates next year’s 100th anniversary of Route 66, with updates that better represent the alignment of the historic road. “While your first choice for directions these days typically is a phone, paper maps continue to be popular with the public,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Gia Biagi. “They also are invaluable. You never know when cell service will drop in an unfamiliar area. It’s good practice to keep a paper copy on hand for these situations as well as for travel planning.” The map’s cover features a picturesque sunset along U.S. 34 between Mendota and Princeton, near La Moille. The photograph was the winner of IDOT’s employee map cover

Continue Reading

EAST ALTON – Students in Lewis and Clark Community College’s Child Development program will take part in a hands-on workshop about curriculum design and lesson planning through water education. The workshop is a collaboration between John Phillips, Associate Professor and Program Coordinator of Child Development & Education at Lewis and Clark, and Jolena Pang, Waterschool USA Program Manager at the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center (NGRRECsm), a division of the college. Pang—who also serves as Project WET (Water Education Today) Illinois State Coordinator— will lead activity demonstrations, while Phillips will facilitate debrief discussions and a curriculum design exercise. The session will introduce students to Getting Little Feet Wet, Project WET’s early childhood curriculum, which emphasizes a creative, play-based approach to teaching young learners about water, sustainability and environmental stewardship. Collaboration

Continue Reading

CHICAGO — Governor JB Pritzker today signed Executive Order 2025-06 to establish the Illinois Accountability Commission (IAC), an independent board tasked with capturing and creating a public record of the conduct of federal law enforcement agents and recommending actions to hold the federal government accountable as they continue conducting military-style operations in Chicago, collar counties, and other areas throughout the state. The Commission will determine how to safely and prudently collect testimony, hold hearings, and gather information from individuals, community members, subject matter experts, local officials, journalists, faith leaders, and organizations. These accounts will be used to shed more light on the misconduct of the Trump Administration's federal agents and document a formal, public record that can be used to pursue justice and accountability. “The federal government is pushing the boundaries of their authority to terrorize our communities while

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE – Your requests are about to arrive at your library faster thanks to the Illinois Heartland Library System (IHLS), the organization that handles interlibrary loan delivery throughout southern and central Illinois. It is now stepping into the future with a state-of-the-art automated material handling system. New Lyngsoe Sort Mate machines at IHLS hubs in Carbondale, Champaign, and Edwardsville are streamlining the delivery process to improve service for library patrons across the region. This significant upgrade marks a major step toward faster access to materials for patrons. Illinois Heartland Library System’s three hubs process over 3 million interlibrary loan items each year. Previously, system staff hand-sorted each of these items on their way to the borrower and on their return. This manual sorting process, which involved coordinating materials between 472 libraries, required extensive labor and time. Now, most materials are automatically sorted, reducing

Continue Reading