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.
EDWARDSVILLE - Community members are invited to stop by Lovejoy Library at SIUE for a special traveling exhibit. From now until Nov. 8, 2025, Lovejoy Library will host “Unissued Diplomas,” an exhibit that spotlights 40 Ukrainian students who were killed in the war with Russia. Simone...
EAST ALTON - Veterans and their families are invited to the eighth annual “Breakfast for a Hero” event on Veterans Day. From 8–10 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025, veterans can enjoy a free breakfast, a keynote speaker, and music by The Gibson Girls at Julia’s Banquet Center...
WOOD RIVER - As Wood River’s Downtown Trick-or-Treat on Oct. 22, 2025, came to a close, Kristen Burns reflected on another successful event. Burns serves as the executive director of Wood River Main Street. She noted that the event on Oct. 22 was busy, but enjoyable for all who attended....
WOOD RIVER - Downtown’s WestEnd and Courtyard is celebrating its six-month anniversary in Wood River. Located at 10 W. Ferguson in Wood River, Downtown’s WestEnd and Courtyard combines vendors, a t-shirt press, and coffee. Jennifer Donohoo encourages people to come by and try...
WOOD RIVER - Pfund Construction has a new home at 56 E. Ferguson Avenue in Wood River, and they’re excited to join the Wood River community. “We’re really excited to be downtown,” said Laynie Pfund. “We’re growing, and this is a really cool spot to expand to.”...
EDWARDSVILLE - During their regular meeting on Oct. 27, 2025, the Edwardsville Community Unit School District #7 Board of Education received an update on the Edwardsville High School softball field project. Acting Superintendent Dr. Allen Duncan explained the Board’s current commitment...
GODFREY - The Godfrey Fire Protection District celebrated the addition of a new ladder truck with a traditional push-in ceremony. On Monday, Oct. 27, 2025, firefighters, Godfrey Fire Protection District trustees, and Godfrey Mayor Mike McCormick manually pushed the new firetruck into the fire...
ALTON - First responders could stop by Duke Bakery for a free breakfast on National First Responders Day, courtesy of Centerstone. On Oct. 28, 2025, first responders were recognized for their service with two free donuts and a milk or coffee at Duke Bakery in Alton. Sponsored by Centerstone,...
WOOD RIVER - Wood River Main Street has two new junior representatives, and they’re eager to be part of the organization’s work. Eva and Jace, juniors at East Alton-Wood River High School, shared that they started work with Wood River Main Street a few weeks ago. During Wood River’s...
ALTON - October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and representatives from Challenge Unlimited are sharing their work to help individuals with disabilities secure employment. “Just recognize that people with disabilities have the same dreams and value as anybody else,”...
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