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.
ALTON - The City of Alton will host its 159th annual Memorial Day parade, and RiverBender.com will be onsite to stream it. The parade kicks off at 10 a.m. on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, 2026. The route runs up College Avenue and through Upper Alton. RiverBender’s CJ Nasello will...
MARYVILLE - The Village of Maryville will show off its new entertainment pavilion and celebrate America’s 250th anniversary at a Memorial Day event. On Saturday, May 23, 2026, community members from across the region are invited to Firemen’s Park in Maryville for a day of barbecue,...
EDWARDSVILLE/MITCHELL/PONTOON BEACH - With conversations about a possible sale of Special Service Area No. 1 to Illinois American Water, the Madison County Board heard from several residents, and Chairman Chris Slusser addressed “false information” surrounding the potential sale. Illino...
ALTON - As Alton Middle School’s eighth graders completed their final day of school, the community gathered to congratulate them. On Thursday, May 21, 2026, families and community members lined the sidewalks of Alton Middle School to honor the Class of 2030 as they prepare to transition...
ALTON - The crowd was fired up as Alton Middle School students took on staff members in an end-of-year basketball game. On Thursday, May 21, 2026, the school celebrated the start of the summer with a major game between staff members and the boys and girls basketball teams. Alton Middle School...
A LTON - First Presbyterian Church of Alton will host a jazz soiree and open house to celebrate its 195th anniversary. From 3–6 p.m. on Saturday, June 6, 2026, community members are invited to First Presbyterian Church in Alton for the event. Pastor Ian Caveny is excited to celebrate...
ALTON/GODFREY - The Early Childhood Center in the Alton Community Unit School District #11 has resources for all kids ages birth through 5. The center offers a preschool program for kids ages 3–5, but they also have in-home services for expectant parents, newborns and toddlers. Principal...
GLEN CARBON/EDWARDSVILLE - The Madison County Board did not vote on a motion to grant a special use permit to Trentino Solar, LLC, to develop a commercial solar energy facility in Glen Carbon. During the Board’s regular meeting on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, several representatives with Trentino...
WOOD RIVER - Wood River Main Street promotes the revitalization of downtown Wood River, and Executive Director Kristen Burns is pleased to see their efforts growing. “Wood River is hopping,” Burns said. “It’s been dead for so long. We had some momentum a couple of year...
ALTON - During their regular meeting on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, the Alton Community Unit School District #11 Board of Education approved a couple of key appointments. Starting this next school year, Michelle Sherwin will serve as the K–8 Behavior Systems Support Specialist, and Rebecca Hulle...
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