Chris Rhodes is a photographer and reporter for RiverBender and EdGlenToday.com. He is a graduate of Lewis and Clark Community College in Godfrey, IL with a degree in Criminal Justice. He also runs the Madison County Scanner Page.
Chris loves camping,fishing, and photography. Chris is an Eagle Scout and lives in East Alton.
BELLEVILLE — A 33-year-old woman from Mascoutah was struck and killed by a vehicle early Thursday morning, Aug. 21, 2025, in Belleville, police said. Officers from the Belleville Police Department responded at approximately 3:30 a.m. to a report of a pedestrian struck in the 900 block of Sout...
COLLINSVILLE — After a three-year pause, the Collinsville Police Department is restarting its Citizen Police Academy to foster better understanding and cooperation between law enforcement and the community. The program, designed to educate residents about the criminal justice system and everyday...
EDWARDSVILLE — A Madison County jury on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, found Stanford Stokes, 44, of St. Louis, guilty of first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of Jarred Hayes, 32, at a residence on Seventh Street in Alton on Nov. 7, 2023. The jury also convicted Stokes of home invasion and...
EDWARDSVILLE — After approximately five hours of deliberation, a jury found Stanford Stokes guilty on all charges related to the shooting death of Jarred O. Hayes. The incident occurred at 9:16 p.m. on Nov. 7, 2023, in the 900 block of East 7th Street in Alton. Stokes was convicted of first-degree...
GILLESPIE — Brayden D. Parker, a 21-year-old man from Benld, was charged Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2025, with possession of methamphetamine, according to the Macoupin County State’s Attorney’s Office. Parker faces one count of possession of meth, a Class 3 felony. Authorities allege that...
MADISON COUNTY — The Madison County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Granite City man on felony charges related to the solicitation of sexual acts from a minor following an investigation that began on August 1, 2025. Deputies responded to the 2500 block of Meadowland Drive in unincorporated...
EDWARDSVILLE — The murder trial of Stanford Stokes began Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, in Madison County, where he faces charges including three counts of first-degree murder for the fatal shooting of Jarred Hayes. Assistant State’s Attorney Audrey Paulda told the court that Stokes went to...
WOOD RIVER — Will Stevens of Roxana captured the individual title at the Hickory Stick Invitational Golf Tournament on Monday, Aug. 18, 2025, shooting a 71 at Belk Park in Wood River. Stevens finished two strokes ahead of Bradley Goodwin of Father McGivney, who carded a 73. Rounding out...
STAUNTON — Brandon S. Hornback, 43, of Moro was arrested on July 8 for felony retail theft after allegedly stealing more than $300 worth of merchandise from Duda Ace Hardware in Staunton. According to the complaint, Hornback took a pin nailer and batteries with a total value exceeding $300....
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