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.

GRANITE CITY – A sex offender from Granite City faces multiple felonies after allegedly failing to register and being in possession of methamphetamine on the same day. Stephen M. Jackson, 33, of the 1700 block of Bremen Avenue in Granite City, was charged on April 16, 2026 with unlawful possession...
ALTON – Residents of East Alton and Wood River face felonies in two connected cases for their alleged involvement in shots fired towards an occupied vehicle. Peyton A. Maddox, 18, of Wood River, and Jeremiah E. Thornton, 18, of East Alton, were both charged on April 16, 2026 with one count...
JERSEYVILLE – Short term rental properties across Jersey County will be subject to a new 5% tax after recent County Board approval of certain Hotel and Motel Tax changes. Jersey County Board members approved a recommendation from the county’s Legislative Committee to codify changes t...
JERSEYVILLE – Residents across Jersey County will soon have access to the Jerseyville city dump site with newly added recycling services under a recently approved partnership between the city and county. Jersey County Board members unanimously approved an intergovernmental agreement with th...
ALTON – A Missouri man accused of fleeing from multiple Madison County law enforcement agencies within two days faces charges in two felony cases. Jeremy W. Chaffin, 46, of Troy, Mo., was charged on April 2, 2026 with a Class 4 felony count of aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a peace...
MADISON – A Madison resident accused of firing a weapon at three women and initiating a shootout has been released from custody while facing felony charges. Jasper A. Belt, 29, of Madison, Ill., was charged on April 6, 2026 with three counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm, each Class...
BETHALTO – Leaders of the Bethalto Police and Fire Departments gave updates this week on their total calls for service, new equipment, pending grants, and more. At the April 13, 2026 Village Board meeting , Fire Chief Jay Grant said his department has taken on 175 calls for help so far...
BRIGHTON – A Brighton man accused of attacking another individual over “inappropriate messages” the victim allegedly sent the suspect’s wife faces criminal charges in Madison County. David W. Gotter, 56, of Brighton, was charged on April 10, 2026 with one count each of...
EDWARDSVILLE – The Edwardsville Police Department is applying for two state grants to assist with traffic enforcement and retail theft investigations. City Council members unanimously approved two resolutions last week allowing the Police Department to apply for the Organized Retail Crime...
JERSEYVILLE – From the classroom to the theater, musical pit, and beyond, Josie Lakin excels. For her consistency, talent, and more, Lakin is being honored as an April 2026 Medford Wealth Management Student of the Month for Jersey Community High School. As a junior at JCHS, Lakin has been...