Riverbender 🕸

FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS — The Fairview Heights Police Department announced lane closures on Longacre Drive beginning Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025, due to concrete joint replacement work. The westbound and center lanes, starting at the rear entrance of Total Wine and More and continuing west, are closed to traffic, Fairview Heights Police said. Officials advise motorists to use caution and be alert for construction crews and equipment in the area. The closures are expected to remain in place until the work is completed, with updates to be provided once all lanes reopen.

Continue Reading

JERSEYVILLE — Junior Kaden Strohbeck is making a notable impact in boys' cross country this season for Jersey Community High School, earning recognition as the Sparklight Male Athlete of the Month for the Panthers. Strohbeck has posted several personal records and strong finishes in recent meets. On Sept. 10, 2025, he placed third in the Twi-Light Meet with a personal best time of 18 minutes, 6 seconds for the 5,000 meters. He also achieved a personal record in the three-mile race with a time of 17:22.1 at the Highland Invite, where he finished 23rd. Other notable results include 14th place at the Carlinville Early Meet with a time of 18:32.8 for three miles and eighth place at the Alton Invite, completing the three-mile course in 17:37.8. When asked about his goals for the season, Strohbeck said, "I am hoping just to run some good times." He also expressed a team-oriented mindset, adding, "I just want to do the best I can and help my team try to win." In addition to cross

Continue Reading

ALTON - The Hayner Public Library District has three major programs for the month of October. The 2025 Illinois Heartland Library System Library Crawl encourages people to visit different libraries across the state. Similarly, Hayner’s Adult Fall Scavenger Hunt aims to bring patrons into the library and take them through the community. Hayner will also host a “Food for Fines” amnesty program where you can return overdue materials and donate a canned good to waive your fee. “We’ve got a ton of stuff happening this month,” said Mary Cordes, Hayner’s executive director. Cordes explained that the Library Crawl features libraries across Illinois. You can kick off the crawl by stopping by Hayner and picking up a passport. Then, visit at least five participating libraries and get your passport stamped at each one. Most libraries will give you “a little freebie prize,” and Hayner has a few grand prize drawings

Continue Reading

EDWARDSVILLE – Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) and the Friends of Art are excited to announce its ANNUAL ART AUCTION on November 14, 2024, with funds raised supporting the Art & Design department’s visiting artist program as well as student scholarships, assistantships, and awards. This long-standing (since 1979) annual event will take place in the ART & DESIGN WEST GALLERY at SIUE, starting with a preview at 6 pm and the LIVE auction at 7 pm by local auctioneer Gary Niemeier. This year’s auction will showcase a diverse array of artworks from both local and national artists, faculty, alumni and current students. Some highlights include pieces by Salvador Dali, Agnes Martin, Alexander Calder, Lewis Badalamenti, Mike Smith, Jack Decoteau and many more! Proceeds from the auction provide a unique opportunity for attendees to acquire unique and original pieces while contributing to the growth of the SIUE art community. The auction directly benefits programs

Continue Reading

BELLEVILLE – Two women from Belleville and Granite City have been charged in separate but similar cases after allegedly sharing sexual images of victims without their consent via text and Facebook Messenger. Airryana L. Johnson, 20, of Belleville, was charged on Oct. 2, 2025 with of non-consensual dissemination of private sexual images, a Class 4 felony. Johnson allegedly sent a photo of a 24-year-old woman engaged in sexual acts to multiple people via Facebook Messenger on May 26, 2025. Johnson is accused of knowingly sharing the image without the victim’s consent, while the victim was identifiable from the image itself or information displayed in connection with the image. The case against Johnson was presented by the Collinsville Police Department, and she was ordered released from custody pending trial. In a similar but separate case, Jennifer L. Wood, 59, of Granite City, was charged on Sept. 29, 2025 with a Class 4 felony count of non-consensual dissemination

Continue Reading

CHICAGO – Following widespread reports of children being zip tied, separated from their parents, and detained for several hours on the evening of September 30 at an apartment building in the South Shore neighborhood of Chicago, Governor JB Pritzker directed the Illinois Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) and the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) to provide support services and evaluate the treatment of children involved. “Today, I am directing state agencies to coordinate support for the innocent children and families impacted by this event and determine any formal steps or investigations that the state should initiate to hold federal agents accountable,” said Governor Pritzker . As part of this directive, DCFS and IDHS will engage community-based partners to support families in the building impacted to ensure they are connected to appropriate resources. DCFS will make contact with impacted families and children to gather more information

Continue Reading

ALTON – A man from Alton has been charged with strangling a prior domestic battery victim and more, marking the latest in his series of domestic battery cases across Jersey , Madison , and Macoupin counties. John T. Tanner, 36, of Alton, was charged on Sept. 29, 2025 with one count each of aggravated domestic battery (a Class 2 felony), unlawful restraint (a Class 4 felony), aggravated assault, and criminal damage to property (both Class A misdemeanors). On Sept. 27, 2025, Tanner allegedly intentionally strangled a family or household member, held a steak knife to their throat, and would not allow the victim to leave the residence after taking their phone and car keys. According to the state’s petition to deny Tanner’s pretrial release from custody, Tanner refused to let the victim leave for approximately three and a half hours. The petition adds Tanner was on probation at the time of this offense from a prior case of domestic battery involving the same

Continue Reading

GRANITE CITY - The Multicare Market encourages community members to join the “health movement.” From 4–7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 10, 2025, Multicare Specialists in Granite City will host their third biannual Multicare Market. Modeled after a vendor fair or farmers’ market, the event features over 20 vendors, several giveaways, and plenty of opportunities to learn how to improve your own health. “This, for me, is a health movement,” said Dr. Ashley Eavenson, owner of Multicare Specialists. “Each vendor has its own intention of why I brought them in. You get to know their product and you get to actually talk to them.” Vendors include Oaklee Rose Farms, Daddy’s Dills, Farm Truk Foodtruck, SMB Boutique, Green Gaia Essentials, Earth Candy, Meme’s Coffee Shop, Freshness in a Bottle, Wild Wolff Pastures, Christine’s Salsa, Sinfully Safe by Sarah, Nourishing Nelli, Wheelhouse Fish Co., Larder and Cupboard, Ann’s

Continue Reading

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MO. — Detectives with the St. Louis County Police Department’s Bureau of Crimes Against Persons are investigating a murder-suicide that left two adults dead on Sunday night, Oct. 5, 2025, in the 100 block of Chinon Drive. At approximately 11:36 p.m. on Oct. 5, officers from the South County Precinct responded to a report of a shooting at a residence on Chinon Drive. Upon arrival, they found an adult male and an adult female suffering from gunshot wounds. Both were pronounced dead at the scene. A preliminary investigation has revealed that the adult male shot the adult female and then shot himself. The deceased has been identified as Nicki Ketterling, 77 years of age, of the 100 block of Chinon Drive, St. Louis, MO, 63129, and Larry Ketterling, 77 years of age, of the 100 block of Chinon Drive, St. Louis, MO, 632129. The investigation remains active, and authorities have not released further details. The St. Louis County Police Department is asking

Continue Reading

EAST ALTON — The third annual East Alton Food Truck Fest took place Sunday at Van Preter Park, drawing families and community members to enjoy a variety of activities and food offerings. The event ran from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, and featured several food trucks, vendors, a bounce house for children, a cornhole tournament, and a car show for adults. Gray Entertainment provided DJ services throughout the day, contributing to the festive atmosphere. Organizers noted that the weather was favorable, enhancing the overall experience for attendees. "The car show had 75 vehicles, and it was in memory of Mac McCormick, East Alton police detective Mike McCormick's father, who was a big car collector. The weather was also great," East Alton Mayor Darren Carlton said. The festival aimed to offer entertainment options for all ages, combining food, games, and music in a community setting.

Continue Reading

BREESE, GREENVILLE, HIGHLAND & O’FALLON, Ill. — High school students interested in a career in healthcare are invited to apply for the Winter 2025 High School Healthcare Bootcamps at HSHS hospitals in Breese, Greenville, Highland and O’Fallon. The bootcamp is designed for high school juniors and seniors interested in a career in healthcare to experience a realistic look into various health care roles and make connections in their field of interest. “This job shadowing experience is a great opportunity for students interested in choosing a career in health care to learn about the different roles at our hospitals and experience hands-on skills sessions with our health care professionals,” said Ericka Mulroy, Nursing Professional Development Specialist for Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS). “Interested students will be able to talk directly to HSHS employment specialists about opportunities available to them in the field, opening a door in

Continue Reading

ALTON – OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony’s Health Center is extending an invitation to residents in and around the Riverbend region to celebrate the hospital’s first 100 years of their health care Ministry in Alton by hosting a celebratory Open House event on Thursday, October 23, 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. The Open House takes place a little more than exactly 100 years to the date of the very first Open House held by the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George celebrating the opening of the hospital on October 1, 1925. “On April 1, 1925, our first Sisters arrived in Alton and undertook six months’ worth of physical labor, community engagement, and lots of prayers to establish our health care Ministry in the Riverbend region,” says Sister M. Beata Ziegler, F.S.G.M., vice president of operations and special projects, OSF Saint Anthony’s. “The culmination of those six months of

Continue Reading

CARLINVILLE — A Carlinville woman faces felony retail theft charges after allegedly stealing more than $300 worth of merchandise from the Carlinville Walmart on September 29, 2025. Sharayah R. Decker, 37, is accused of taking items, including a coffee maker and clothing, from the store. Charging documents say the total value of the stolen goods exceeded $300. Decker has a prior conviction for retail theft from Morgan County in 2011. The Carlinville Police Department presented the case. All individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Continue Reading

To the Editor, As President of the Alton Branch of the NAACP, I cannot remain silent while the Madison County Board chooses to celebrate Charlie Kirk on Oct. 14, 2025. This decision is not only deeply offensive-it is an outright insult to every Black man, woman, and child in our country. Charlie Kirk has built his platform on belittling Black people, spreading dangerous stereotypes, and spewing rhetoric that divides rather than unites. His words have not been slips of the tongue or isolated incidents; they are consistent attacks aimed at downgrading the worth, dignity, and humanity of so-called "Black people". For the County Board to lift him up as someone worthy of celebration is to endorse those attacks and to tell our community that our pain and our struggle mean nothing. Let's be clear: this is not about politics. This is about decency, morality, and respect. Public officials should never place a spotlight on voices that mock, demean, and degrade a people who have fought for

Continue Reading

O’FALLON – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that intermittent lane closures on eastbound and westbound Interstate 64 between West Highway 50 (exit 14) and Illinois 158 (exit 19) will begin, weather permitting, Friday, Oct. 10, for road construction. One lane of traffic will be maintained in each direction throughout the duration of the project. To minimize the impact on commuters, lane closures will be scheduled to avoid peak travel times. Eastbound I-64: All lanes will be open from 6 to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday. Westbound I-64: All lanes will be open from 6 to 9 a.m., Monday through Friday. The daily lane closures are expected to continue through mid-December 2025. This work is part of advance preparations for a $72.45 million project that includes widening, resurfacing, interchange improvements and drainage system upgrades along a 3-mile stretch of I-64 from west of Green Mount Road to 1.1 miles west of Illinois 158 in St. Clair County

Continue Reading

COLLINSVILLE - Collinsville High School’s Marching Kahoks took second place out of 17 bands at the Gene Hunt Invitational on Saturday evening, Oct. 4, 2025, in Washington, Mo. The Washington, Mo., event is one of the longest-running marching band festivals in the state and each year features bands classified by school size. The Kahoks earned a score of 78.8, marking a notable improvement from their earlier performances this season. The competition was part of the marching band circuit leading up to next week’s Illinois State Marching Championships. Collinsville’s strong showing at the Gene Hunt Invitational underscores its continued progress and preparation for the upcoming state-level contest.

Continue Reading

EFFINGHAM - Civic Memorial High School’s marching band earned top honors at the Effingham Marching Invitational on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, taking home Best Percussion and Best Color Guard awards in Class 4A. The Marching Eagles competed in Effingham, showcasing their skills in front of judges and a large audience of spectators. The accolades recognize the band’s strong performance and the dedication of both students and directors. “We are so proud of our students and directors for their hard work, dedication, and passion,” the Bethalto School District 8 said in a statement. “Way to represent Eagle Nation with excellence.” The awards highlight the band’s continued commitment to musical and visual excellence in competitive marching events.

Continue Reading

BETHALTO — Friday night, Oct. 3, 2025, the Bethalto community and Civic Memorial High School (CMHS) students and staff filled Hauser Stadium with pink in a powerful show of love and support for Nicole Parris, a CMHS football mom courageously battling breast cancer. The stands were a sea of pink as families, players, and fans joined together to honor Nicole and all those whose lives have been touched by this disease. “It was truly inspiring to see our school and our community come together as one family to lift up one of our own,” said event organizer Selina Brawner. Nicole, a single mother and special education teacher in the Collinsville School District, has faced not only the physical and emotional challenges of her diagnosis, but also the mounting costs that come with treatment. Her son, Ephriam, is a junior on the CMHS football team—and when the CM Football family learned of their struggle, they immediately stepped up to help. So far, between direct donation

Continue Reading

ALTON — Charges have been filed in connection with a fatal traffic crash that claimed the life of 17-year-old Grace Bustos of Alton on October 3, 2025. Zachary A. Shewmake, 28, of Glen Carbon, was charged Monday, Oct. 6, 2025, by the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office with two counts of aggravated driving under the influence, including a Class 2 felony and a Class 4 felony. The crash occurred around 9:05 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3, 2025, at the intersection of Homer Adams Parkway and Seminary Road. Alton Police responded to the scene where Bustos, the driver of one vehicle, was pronounced dead. Meghan Bustos, her mother and passenger in the vehicle, was airlifted to a hospital in the St. Louis area and is reported to be in stable condition. The driver of the other vehicle involved, identified as Shewmake, showed signs of impairment and was booked into the Alton Police Department. He remains held pending a detention hearing in accordance with the Illinois Safe-T Act.

Continue Reading

CAHOKIA HEIGHTS — Firefighters responded to a large fire at a vacant strip mall on Route 157 near Range Lane in Cahokia Heights on Sunday evening, Oct. 5, 2025. A large number of firefighters battled the blaze, attacking the fire from the roof as smoke remained visible. Fire department officials confirmed the building was unoccupied at the time of the fire. The cause of the fire has not been disclosed, and no injuries were reported. Fire crews worked to bring the situation under control.

Continue Reading