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.
GRAFTON - As Grafton gears up to complete Phase One of the National Memorial of Military Ascent later this year, Mayor Mike Morrow couldn’t be more excited. Morrow shared that Phase One of the project will be unveiled on June 6, 2026, the anniversary of D-Day. The National Memorial o...
ALTON - Hayner Public Library District recently honored a local teenager for her participation in a yearlong reading challenge. Kiera Edwards, age 16, read a book in a different genre every month throughout 2025 and wrote a report about each one. Kiera and her mother, Ashley, expressed their...
ALTON - The Hayner Public Library District has a busy month ahead, with events that are perfect for those interested in reading, history, music and more. Mary Cordes, Hayner’s executive director, noted that the library offers a wide variety of free activities to promote community and...
ILLINOIS - The Illinois Heartland Library System (IHLS) recently invited school leaders to learn more about the benefits of school libraries and certified library staff. On Jan. 20, 2026, school administrators and school board members across the state joined a virtual town hall meeting to discuss...
BELLEVILLE - A historic building in Belleville has been restored. Located at 1112 West Main in Belleville, the new Harp Pub opened in December, but the journey to restoring the building was several years in the making. Co-owner Glen McElligott shared that the community has expressed excitement...
ILLINOIS - Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski has called for major reforms to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Following a check presentation in Glen Carbon on Jan. 27, 2026, Budzinski spoke to the press about ICE and changes she wants to see as tensions rise in Minnesota. She note...
SAINT LOUIS - A local doctor is providing a new kind of depression treatment with impressive results. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a modality offered by Precision TMS to treat depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Tom Malone, clinic director...
GLEN CARBON - Village of Glen Carbon officials gathered to greet Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski as she presented the village with $1.1 million for a water infrastructure project. “I’m just thrilled to be here to bring you some good news,” Budzinski said. “These investments...
ALTON - Community members have the chance to shop at women-owned businesses and support Oasis Women’s Center at an upcoming Galentine’s Experience event. From 4–8 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, at Post Commons in Alton, True North Aesthetic Co. owner Mandie Clark will host...
ALTON/JERSEYVILLE - Denise Sparks of Sparks Junk Removal wants to see more choice in the trash industry. Sparks recently stopped by “Our Daily Show!” with CJ Nasello to talk about Jerseyville’s public forum held on Jan. 20, 2026, regarding the city’s curbside trash...
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