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.
O’FALLON - Glow For Hope, a new organization that promotes mental health awareness, will host their signature “Spike Out Suicide” glow volleyball tournament. Starting at 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 18, 2024, 12 teams will compete at The Hut Sports Bar in O’Fallon. Attendees...
ALTON - A new band has arrived on Alton’s music scene. Shareholder, a rock group made up of several local musicians, released their first single “Candlelight” on Friday, May 3, 2024. Members Cameron Goewey (guitar), Brett Kutter (guitar), Andrew Robertson (drums), Thomas Tavolacci...
EDWARDSVILLE - The Edwardsville Community Unit School District #7 has recently attracted attention for Superintendent Dr. Patrick Shelton’s sick day policy. Shelton has a bank of 108 paid sick days. This is in addition to 25 vacation days and four personal leave days. Additionally, the contract...
ALTON - The Alton Police Department is hiring. They’re looking for both entry-level and lateral-level police officers. APD has multiple positions open and several candidates who are currently in the hiring process. Police Chief Jarrett Ford explained that it’s a long process, but worth...
ALTON - Local “Welcome to Alton” signs have received an update thanks to Pride, Incorporated , Alton Township , Alton Public Works and Route 3 Films . Pride, Inc. is a local organization that completes beautification projects throughout the Riverbend region. When Natalie...
ALTON - The National Great Rivers Museum will host their annual R.E.C. Fest to promote recreation, education and conservation. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 18, 2024, community members can enjoy a variety of presentations and stations, from a mobile planetarium to a snake-identifying...
It’s springtime, and you know what that means! It’s time for fresh plants. I am not a good gardener. In fact, I might as well be the Grim Reaper for my plants, because as soon as they see me, they know bad news is coming. Even starter plants aren’t safe with me. I once killed...
ALTON - At age 16, Isabelle Flener dove into the shallow end of a swimming pool. Her next three years were spent at Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital, undergoing therapy as she regained her memory and learned how to live following a traumatic brain injury. Now 21, Flener is not only doing...
ALTON - On Monday morning, May 13, 2024, Pride, Incorporated was out at the Alton Police Station to clean up the landscaping and beautify the building. The nonprofit often undertakes beautification projects around Alton, but this was their first time working with the Alton Police Department in...
EDWARDSVILLE - Amanda Youngman is a teacher in honor of all the teachers who came before her. A second-grade teacher at Edwardsville Community Unit School District #7, Youngman is grateful for the educators who inspired her throughout her school career. She hopes to have the same impact on her...
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