Sydney Sinks grew up in the Riverbend area and graduated from Southwestern High School. She received a bachelor’s degree from Millikin University in 2022, where she majored in English-Writing with concentrations in journalism and professional writing and a minor in editing.
At Millikin, Sydney wrote and edited for The Decaturian and BURST Magazine. Her writing has also been published in Decatur Magazine, Gateway Journalism Review and others. She has received recognition from the Illinois College Press Association and the Society of Professional Journalists for her work.
ALTON - Community members are invited to Alton’s 35th annual Juneteenth event this weekend. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Killion Park in Alton, Riverbend residents can enjoy music, food vendors, crafts, free rides for kids and everything “from A to Z,”...
GODFREY - As Vitality Women’s Clinic continues their Baby Bottle fundraising campaign, the team shared more about their work to support individuals who experience abortions. Vitality Women’s Clinic is a faith-based, pro-life pregnancy center in Godfrey. They offer free STI and pregnancy...
ALTON - As summer heats up, the Alton Community Unit School District #11 is focused on completing several projects before students and teachers return to the classrooms this fall. Eddie McCrady noted that the maintenance crew is mostly focused on basic “regular preventative maintenance,”...
ALTON - The River Dragons are enjoying their season, and three players recently stopped by “Our Daily Show!” with CJ Nasello to share more about their experience on the team. Adam Moser, Ryan Hartz and Cole Hockman enjoy every game they play, and they’re gaining a deeper...
ALTON - Hundreds of people are slated to attend the 48th annual Mustang Round Up and All Ford Car Show in July in Alton. Starting at 8 a.m. on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at Roberts Motors, Inc., in Alton, community members from across the region are invited to view a wide variety of Mustangs...
ALTON - A few community members are coming together to make a difference, and you can help. Becca Mesey and her team will host their fifth annual Back the Backstoppers fundraiser on Sept. 12, 2026, at Bowl Haven in Alton. Attendees can bowl in a nine-pin tournament and enjoy a craft fair while...
BETHALTO - The Bethalto Fire Department will once again host its annual homecoming carnival, and they encourage people to mark their calendars now for a fun weekend. On Sept. 4–7, 2026, Labor Day weekend, community members can enjoy carnival rides and games, live music, food, vendors, an...
ALTON - Community members can learn more about estate planning and taxes at an upcoming free dinner seminar. At 6 p.m. on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, Stephens Planning and Goldenberg Heller & Antognoli, P.C., will host the seminar at The Wedge in Alton. Curtis Stephens and Mark Goldenberg emphasized...
WOOD RIVER - Chestnut Health Systems was founded in 1973, and it wasn’t long before the organization became one of the largest providers of substance use, behavioral health and physical health treatments in the Riverbend region. Started in “a modest house” on West Chestnut Stree...
ALTON - OSF St. Anthony’s will host a free Mental Health First Aid training for community members. On July 10, 2026, Riverbend residents can join a hybrid Mental Health First Aid training to learn how to respond when someone is having a mental health or substance use crisis. Rachel Yuhas...
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