Dalton Brown, News Reporter

Dalton Brown joined Riverbender.com in January of 2022. He grew up in Jerseyville and graduated from Jersey Community High School in 2017. Dalton earned a bachelor’s degree from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) with a major in Mass Communications and a minor in Political Science. 

During his time at SIUE, Dalton worked as a Copy Editor for The Alestle, the university’s news organization with print and online operations. As a small, student-run newspaper, he often found himself filling the role of reporter and writer and regularly wrote news, lifestyle, and opinion pieces for The Alestle. He received recognition from the Illinois College Press Association for his writing.

Dalton also interned at The Hauser Group, a St. Louis-based Public Relations firm with several clients around the Greater St. Louis area and beyond. During his internship, he wrote newsletter content, social media posts, and several press releases which were featured in publications including Riverbender.com, the Alton Telegraph, the St. Louis Business Journal, and more.

Dalton now covers local business, government/politics, crime, and general news for Riverbender.com.

JERSEYVILLE – A woman from New York has been charged in Jersey County with possession of a stolen firearm. Joanna A. M. Hodgins, 36, of Glen Park, N.Y., was charged with possession of a stolen firearm, a Class 2 felony. On Jan. 13, 2025, Hodgins allegedly possessed a 9mm Beretta pistol “with...
CARROLLTON - Carrollton High School is gearing up for its next Career Fair on Feb. 27, 2025, showcasing a variety of career options to students while shining a spotlight on the opportunities available from local businesses. Blaine Hartwick, Agriculture Teacher and FFA Advisor at Carrollton High...
EAST ALTON - A Staunton resident has been released from custody after driving under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident in East Alton with four child passengers in his uninsured vehicle. Joseph S. Smart, 35, of Staunton, was charged with aggravated driving while under the influence...
MARYVILLE - Two Madison County cases involving unlawful firearms include a Springfield woman accused of defacing a firearm and a Venice man charged with possessing a “ghost gun." Stephanie R. Glugla, 31, of Springfield, Ill., was charged with defacing identification marks on a firearm (a...
COLLINSVILLE - A Collinsville man with a criminal past faces several new charges after a domestic violence incident led authorities to search his home, finding drugs and firearms. Troy A. Fohne, 39, of Collinsville, was charged with the following: Unlawful possession of methamphetamine (Class...
MARYVILLE - A Granite City resident faces multiple felonies after allegedly burglarizing two Maryville homes and driving on a suspended license. Christian N. Calderon-Zarita, 25, of Granite City, was charged with two Class 1 felony counts of residential burglary and a Class A misdemeanor count...
GLEN CARBON - The Glen Carbon Police Department will get two new vehicles following unanimous Village Board approval on Tuesday. Also approved was the sale of a service weapon as a “parting gift” to a retiring officer who carried it throughout his career. As previously reported on...
ALTON - A 19-year-old Alton resident has been charged with carrying a stolen firearm in his vehicle and attempting to flee from Illinois State Police. Jermaine A. Hinton, 19, of Alton, was charged with unlawful possession of a stolen firearm (a Class 2 felony), aggravated unlawful use of weapons...
GLEN CARBON - Two contracts between Glen Carbon and TWM, Inc. for street improvement projects are up for a vote at Tuesday night, Jan. 14, 2025, Glen Carbon Village Board meeting. Trustees will consider the approval of two contracts with TWM, Inc. for construction engineering services under the...
ALTON - Five criminal charges have been filed against a Staunton man accused of driving recklessly through Alton while under the influence and endangering three child passengers. Chad R. Connoyer, 34, of Staunton, was charged with a Class 4 felony count of driving under the influence, three Class...