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 - The League of Women Voters and the NAACP hosted a candidate forum ahead of the primary election on March 17, 2026. Candidates for Madison County Clerk and Recorder — Linda Andreas and Kurt Prenzler — spoke about their platforms. During the candidate forum on Feb. 25,...
EDWARDSVILLE - The City of Edwardsville has begun construction of The Courthouse 618 at Plummer Family Park. On Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, community leaders gathered at Plummer Family Park for a groundbreaking ceremony to commemorate the construction of The Courthouse 618, an indoor recreational...
JERSEYVILLE - Community members can support athletics in Jersey County while watching local kids compete in a 3v3 basketball tournament. Starting at 8 a.m. on Sunday, March 1, 2026, kids in third through eighth grade will compete in the tournament at Jersey Community High School. Parents and...
EAST ALTON/WOOD RIVER - Noah Norton gives everything his all. For his dedication, Noah Norton is a Fischer Lumber Student of the Month for East Alton-Wood River High School. Norton, a senior, has participated in the school’s Drama Club since his freshman year. He loves collaborating...
BELLEVILLE - College students and community members can come together for a Take Back the Night walk. On Thursday, April 30, 2026, Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC) in Belleville will host the annual demonstration and resource fair, which aims to raise awareness about sexual assault prevention...
COTTAGE HILLS - Community members gathered at Community Hope Center in Cottage Hills to learn about the new proposed site of the Hope House, a 48-bed homeless shelter operated by The Salvation Army. On Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, leaders with Community Hope Center and The Salvation Army introduced...
ALTON - Megan Dees knows firsthand the value of book clubs. After all, she has started several through Hayner Public Library District — and the lucky librarian recently won a major prize through her own book community. Dees, who oversees the TeenSpace programming at Hayner, started the...
ALTON - The Alton-Godfrey Rotary Club will host their 40th annual Chili Chowdown to support their community projects. On Monday, March 2, 2026, community members can stop by Main Street United Methodist Church in Alton from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 4:30–7 p.m. for a chili meal. For $10, you...
ALTON - Associated Physicians Group says hormone replacement therapy might be the answer you’ve been looking for. Hormone replacement therapy, or HRT, is a way to adjust hormone levels in your body to mitigate symptoms like chronic fatigue, decrease in muscle mass, low libido, and menopausal...
ALTON - According to Hayner Public Library District Executive Director Mary Cordes, the spring season at Hayner might be their best yet. Cordes explained that most of the winter programs are coming to an end while the spring programs will start up in March. She is excited to share more opportunities...
Did you know Riverbender.com is free for you thanks to our awesome advertisers? We noticed you're using an ad block software. Please give our sponsors some exposure by disabling your ad blocking service for Riverbender.com.
