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.
HIGHLAND - Sophie Schroeder manages sports and school with grace. For her hard work, Sophie Schroeder is a Platinum Transportation Student of the Month for Highland High School. Schroeder, a senior, has played varsity basketball since her freshman year. She received Athlete of the Month recognitio...
GODFREY - Vitality Women’s Clinic talks through what happens when you come to their clinic for services. Lori Saunders, Center Manager of the Godfrey clinic, remembers what it’s like to have an unplanned pregnancy. She shared that she was 25 when she became unexpectedly pregnant wit...
I returned to my roots this weekend in the form of a nice, long walk. I used to be quite the walker. I never kicked it into high gear and became a runner (at least, not yet; part of me still believes it’ll happen), but I would walk for hours every day, logging several miles around the...
ALTON/GODFREY - Great Rivers Choral Society will host a free spring concert to celebrate 25 years in the Riverbend community. At 7 p.m. on Friday, April 10, 2026, GRCS will sing at St. Paul Episcopal Church in Alton, followed by 3 p.m. matinees on Saturday, April 11, and Sunday, April 12, at...
ILLINOIS - An Ameren gas journeyman explains how the job works — and when customers should call for help. Jake Dukett, Supervisor of Public Awareness, loves his job as a gas journeyman and encourages others to consider the career. But most importantly, he breaks down what to do if you...
ALTON - As Alton Community Unit School District #11 prepares to say goodbye to long-time educator Mike Bellm, he is looking forward to retirement. But Bellm noted it will be a bittersweet departure, as he has spent his 33-year career in the Alton School District and has loved every minute. From...
GODFREY - Vitality Women’s Clinic will host their annual fundraising dinner next month, and a long-time volunteer shared more about the mission that keeps her coming back. Carol Gooding, RN, began volunteering at the clinic in 2014. She explained that the 2014 fundraising dinner was “a...
ALTON - During their regular meeting on March 18, 2026, the Alton Community Unit School District #11 Board of Education recognized the March Optimist Students of the Month. Amelia Patino was recognized as the Optimist Student for Alton Middle School, while Reagan Owen was named the Optimist Studen...
ALTON - Alton’s North Elementary School has raised over $5,000 for the Light the Night campaign. This three-week campaign encourages students and families to donate to Blood Cancer United, previously known as the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. As they finish up their third week of fundraising,...
EDWARDSVILLE - Administrators and volunteers at Columbus Elementary School in Edwardsville have come together to offer an art club for third grade students. When Principal Cole Kringlen assumed his role last year, he felt there was a need for more extracurricular activities for the kids at Columbus....
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