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 - A new episode of “History’s Greatest Escapes with Morgan Freeman” on The History Channel features Alton City Jail. The episode, titled “Alton City Escape,” aired on Sept. 2, 2024. It tells the story of Quawntay Adams, who successfully broke out of a maximum-security...
WOOD RIVER - Renee Strowmatt has helped the community as an OB nurse at Alton Memorial Hospital for years. Now, she needs some help in return. Strowmatt was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer. Her family will be hosting a benefit from 6–9 p.m. on Oct. 6, 2024, at the Wood...
BETHALTO - Amare will host their annual Rockin’ for Recovery festival to raise awareness about substance use disorders and National Recovery Month. From 4–9:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, community members can enjoy the free music and food truck festival at Central Park in Bethalto...
TROY - The Troy/Maryville/St. Jacob/Marine Chamber of Commerce will host a festival to commemorate the organization’s 40th anniversary. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in downtown Troy, community members can enjoy food trucks, artisan vendors, a gaming truck, a car...
ELSAH/GRAFTON - The QEM Fire Protection District Auxiliary will host their annual fish fry to raise money for the fire department. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, community members can enjoy fish dinners, sandwiches and desserts at the QEM Fire Protection District, located...
ELSAH/GRAFTON - Four firefighters with the QEM Fire Protection District climbed 2,200 stairs to remember the firefighters who were lost in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. On Sept. 11, 2024, the firefighters climbed up and down the burn tower at the QEM Fire Protection District at 14905...
BETHALTO - This year, Parkside Primary School students learned about the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks from a member of the Navy who responded to the attacks — their principal, Aaron Kilpatrick. Kilpatrick explained that his aircraft carrier was rerouted to the Arabian Sea and participated...
ALTON - Calvary Baptist Church has a new club for local kids. The Awana Club meets from 5–7:15 p.m. every Sunday at Calvary Baptist Church, located at 1422 Washington Avenue in Alton. Kids aged 2 to fifth grade are invited to participate. Attendees will play games, enjoy refreshments...
MEDORA - The Village of Medora will host their sesquicentennial celebration this weekend. Starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, at Pavillion Park in Medora, community members can enjoy a parade, a car show, inflatables, games, a Little Mr. and Miss pageant, live music, food trucks...
ALTON - Community members have the chance to support a local family through a difficult pregnancy. Starting at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, at VFW Post 1308 in Alton, people can enjoy live music, food, a 50/50 raffle, basket drawings and more at a benefit for Alaina Jones. Alaina is 20...
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