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EAST ST. LOUIS – Angela L. Cooper, a 47-year-old former office manager from Collinsville, was sentenced to 51 months in federal prison for embezzling more than $158,000 and committing identity theft while employed by AMK Heating and Cooling in Edwardsville. The sentencing followed Cooper's guilty plea to multiple charges, including wire fraud, bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, and tax fraud. The U.S. District Judge also ordered Cooper to pay $168,536.12 in restitution and to serve three years of supervised release after her prison term. The case was highlighted by U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft, who emphasized the severe impact of identity theft on victims. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office aggressively prosecutes identity theft because the crime causes so much harm,” Weinhoeft said. “Its victims suffer not only drained bank accounts, but they also endure sleepless nights, and it can sometimes take years to undo the damage.” Court documents

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ST. LOUIS - The Saint Louis Zoo announced a significant change in its polar bear exhibit this week, bidding farewell to resident polar bear Kali and welcoming a pair of twin polar bear brothers from the Toledo Zoo & Aquarium. The transition took place as part of a breeding exchange designed to enhance genetic diversity among the species. Kali, a 12-year-old polar bear, has been a popular figure at the Saint Louis Zoo since his arrival in 2015. He has been described as gregarious, curious, and intelligent. Kali has now relocated to Toledo, where he will be paired with a female polar bear named Crystal. This move marks Kali's first opportunity to mate, taking advantage of the limited seasonal window for polar bear breeding. “Kali is a special bear beloved by so many people here in St. Louis,” said Julie Hartell-DeNardo, the Zoo’s Kevin Beckmann Curator of Carnivores. “While we’ll miss him greatly, this important opportunity allows Kali to contribute t

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ELSAH - Principia College’s mediation team recently won big at the Fourth Annual International Academy of Dispute Resolution (INADR) Conciliator Tournament. John Williams, J.D., is a professor at Principia, the previous Principia College president, and the current mediation team coach. He recently stopped by “Our Daily Show!” with C.J. Nasello to talk about the art of mediation and the students’ success at the INADR tournament. “Mediation is an alternative to litigation and going to court,” Williams explained. “Why not find a way of resolving your conflicts where you bring the pressure down? Bring in a mediator who’s a nonpartisan sort of person with the skill to build trust and work with the two sides to find something mutual.” Williams noted that there are a lot of reasons why a person or company might want to avoid going to court. Mediation offers an alternative way to resolve disputes. In a mock case, like

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EDWARDSVILLE – St. Patrick’s Day will be here before we know it, bringing with it parades, parties, green beer and more to communities throughout the state. To remind motorists of the dangers of impaired driving and to help keep our streets safe, the Edwardsville Police Department is teaming up with the Illinois State Police and Illinois Department of Transportation for a stepped-up traffic safety campaign. “With St. Patrick’s Day falling on a Monday this year, we expect increased celebrations throughout the weekend prior,” said Lt. Brandn Whittaker. “We urge everyone to celebrate responsibly. Please plan ahead for a sober ride home before you leave the house — your safety and the safety of others depend on it.” In addition to looking for alcohol- and cannabis-impaired drivers, the Edwardsville Police will be stepping up seat belt enforcement, particularly at night when seat belt usage rates are lowest. Speeding, distracted driving and

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EDWARDSVILLE - SIUE Lovejoy Library will host a special Lunar New Year event. At 4 p.m. on Thursday, March 6, 2025, students, faculty, staff and community members are invited to Lovejoy Library to celebrate the Year of the Snake. The event will include a lecture on the history of the holiday, a kung fu demonstration, an origami station and the lion dance. “It’s very important,” said Simone Williams, Diversity and Engagement Librarian at SIUE. “This is also to celebrate our Asian students, faculty and staff and anybody in the community. It’s just so they can see themselves represented on campus and in the community.” Attendees are encouraged to stop by the Information Desk on the first floor of the library to pick up a red envelope, which traditionally represents good fortune. There will also be a book display with several books that cover Asian history and culture. Williams noted that this is the first year that Lovejoy Library has hosted

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O’FALLON — The 42nd Annual Hoyleton Honors celebration took place last Friday evening, Feb. 28, 2025, at the Regency Conference Center in O'Fallon, IL., showcasing the work of Hoyleton Youth and Family Services under the theme "Be the Light." The event highlighted the organization’s commitment to assisting clients and families in navigating challenging circumstances toward brighter futures. The evening featured a cocktail hour, silent auction, dinner, live auction, and a paddle raise, all aimed at supporting Hoyleton's programs and services. The event concluded with music and dancing, providing a festive atmosphere for attendees. Hoyleton’s annual fundraising celebration serves as an opportunity to recognize individuals and partner organizations that have significantly contributed to the mission over the past year. Among this year’s honorees was St. Paul UCC Church in Floraville, which received the Mission Companion title for its contributions toward securin

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ALTON - The Alton Band and Orchestra Builders (ABOB) will host their annual virtual auction later this month. The Music Matters Virtual Auction begins on March 27 and ends on March 29, 2025. All proceeds will go back to ABOB to support local students in the Alton Community Unit School District #11 music program. The organization noted that they are still looking for donations and sponsors ahead of the auction. “ABOB, with the support of its generous donors, ensures that all kids in the Alton School District, regardless of financial resources, are able to experience the joy of playing an instrument,” said Jodi Baum, chairperson for the auction. “It’s incredible to see just how many kids come through the music program in the Alton district every year.” The auction will utilize the Zeffy Fundraising Platform, and 100% of proceeds will go back to ABOB. In addition to countless baskets and services that are up for auction, a few lucky winners will also

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ALTON - Rebecca “Becky” Cowart cares about the future, so she acts today. Cowart, one of the YWCA’s ten 2025 Women of Distinction, will be honored at the Y’s annual gala for her commitment to the community. Cowart is involved in several local organizations, from the YWCA to the NAACP, and she shared that her mission to get involved started with her own children, ages 9, 8 and 1. “My children are the most important children in the world to me,” she said. “Essentially because of them, I’ve made choices because I want them to experience community and I want them to experience a diverse community so that they can see the importance of making space, celebrating, respecting and learning from diversity.” Cowart homeschools her children and makes sure they are involved in the community through initiatives like Diverse Story, a YWCA program that offers storytimes with diverse characters and books that kids can take home. She also

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) testified before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government about President Trump’s proposal to dissolve the USPS’s bipartisan Board of Governors and place the agency under the Department of Commerce, with further threats to privatize the organization. She also discussed the impact of the proposed consolidation of Processing and Distribution Centers – like the ones in Springfield and Champaign, Illinois – and outgoing Postmaster General DeJoy’s Local Transportation Optimization (LTO) plan. If implemented, the LTO plan would reduce the frequency of mail pickups from local post offices that are more than 50 miles away from a Regional Processing and Distribution Center, leading to delayed outgoing mail from rural communities. WATCH HERE: Budzinski Testifies on Danger of USPS Privatization Budzinski’s testimony as submitted

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ALTON - RE/MAX River Bend Inc. is set to undergo significant leadership changes as Keith Jackson steps into the role of Managing Broker on Jan. 4, 2025, succeeding Sharon Pratt, who will maintain her position as Co-Owner and realtor. This transition marks a pivotal moment for the agency, which will celebrate its 25th anniversary in May 2025. The business is located at 2735 Homer Adams Parkway, Suite B, Alton. Keith Jackson, who became a licensed Managing Broker in 2024, brings over 15 years of experience in multifamily housing before transitioning to residential sales in 2022. He expressed his commitment to upholding the values imparted to him by Pratt and retired broker Terry McKinzie. “I want our agents to be prepared, trained, and to be honest when they hit the ground running, providing all clients with a smooth transaction,” Jackson stated. He emphasized the importance of keeping agents informed in the dynamic real estate market. In addition to his new role, Jackson

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ST. LOUIS – Diarra Williams, 30, and Nicholas Warford, 31, both from Edwardsville, Illinois, were indicted on Feb. 26, 2025, for their alleged involvement in a scheme that defrauded more than $7 million from school meal programs intended for low-income children in Missouri. The couple, who operated a local non-profit organization, were arrested on March 4, 2025, following the indictment, which charges them with multiple counts of wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and money laundering. The indictment details a fraudulent operation that reportedly lasted from March 2020 through July 2022, during which Williams and Warford allegedly misrepresented their service of over 2.2 million meals through Missouri’s At-Risk Afterschool Program and Summer Food Service Program, both funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. According to the indictment, Williams claimed that her non-profit, The Bailey Foundation, served large quantities of meals while in reality, Warford's

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GLEN CARBON/EDWARDSVILLE — High winds led to power line malfunctions in Glen Carbon and Edwardsville on Wednesday morning, March 5, 2025, leaving approximately 1,800 customers without electricity for a short period. The incident occurred at around 9:55 a.m. Wednesday when winds caused a power line to malfunction in Glen Carbon, affecting 1,600 customers in that area and 200 in Edwardsville, according to Brian Bretsch, a spokesperson for Ameren Illinois. "Crews quickly spotted the issue and safely secured the area," Bretsch said. He noted that while the crew faced strong winds, they were able to successfully repair the power line. Power was restored to all affected customers by 10:20 a.m. Wednesday, just 25 minutes after the initial outage began.

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GODFREY — Firefighters from the Godfrey Fire Protection District responded to a structure fire in the 100 block of Lakeside Drive early Tuesday morning, March 4, 2025, successfully containing the blaze that threatened to engulf the home. The fire was reported shortly after 5 a.m., with crews arriving to find heavy flames emanating from the garage, which were quickly spreading to the attic. Firefighters initiated an aggressive attack on the fire, working to protect the rest of the home from further damage. In addition to their firefighting efforts, the first-in engine crew conducted multiple animal rescues, ensuring that both residents and pets were safely evacuated from the burning structure. The Godfrey Fire Protection District said the prompt response and tactical operations played a crucial role in preventing what could have been a total loss of the home. "We are incredibly proud of our Godfrey firefighters for their outstanding work, professionalism, and dedication on this

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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt introduced a new measure that looks to crack down on companies that contract out more than 10% of their agreed-upon work for the state overseas. “We’re finding out that companies across Illinois and the United States are bidding on state contracts and then turning around and contracting out 50% of the work to India or China,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “We shouldn’t allow this to continue. Companies that use workers in the United States should get priority for all state contracts.” Illinois has an established process for entering into contracts for services, construction and goods between a unit of state government and a person or entity. Some examples of state contracts include construction projects and software development. The majority of state contracts receive bids from multiple parties, and Belt’s legislation would ensure that companies using overseas workers get penalized for doing so.

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EDWARDSVILLE/CHICAGO – Today, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS) announced two Spring Career Fairs this month targeting former federal workers: one in Edwardsville and one in Chicago. Taking place March 6 at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and March 20 at Malcolm X College, former federal workers along with members of the public will be able to explore diverse job opportunities, connect with hiring professionals, and take the next step in their public service journey. “In response to the indiscriminate firing of workers, I directed CMS to host these fairs and recruit experienced workers who can bring their strong work ethic and talents to the State of Illinois," Pritzker said. Job opportunities are available in a variety of fields at the State, including Engineering, Healthcare, Accounting, Auditing, Environmental Services, Fiscal Management, Legal, and more. Representatives from multiple different agencies wil

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EDWARDSVILLE - City Engineer Ryan Zwijack will be the new Public Works Department Director for the City of Edwardsville, effective Monday, March 24. He was appointed by Mayor Art Risavy and unanimously approved by the City Council during the Tuesday, March 4, meeting. Mr. Zwijack will replace Public Works Director Eric Williams, who will step into the role of City Administrator on March 24. “Ryan Zwijack has the experience and knowledge to ensure a seamless transition at our Public Works Department and to continue to deliver the quality our residents deserve,” Mayor Art Risavy said. “He is committed to providing exemplary public service and I know he will be a tremendous asset for this community in that role.” Mr. Zwijack has been with the City’s Public Works Department since April 2009, including nearly 11 years as Edwardsville’s City Engineer. He first joined the City as its Project Engineer, advancing two years later to Assistant City Engineer

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EAST ALTON - Wieland, a cornerstone of the East Alton community for over a century and a leading global supplier of high-quality copper and copper alloy solutions, is excited to break ground on a significant modernization project. This initiative expands the facility's capabilities, enhances operational efficiency, and delivers even higher quality and reliability standards. The $500 million project underscores Wieland's dedication to technological advancement and its valued North American customer base while preserving its legacy as an essential employer in the area. "This investment positions Wieland as the undisputed leader in North American rolled products and underscores our commitment to the revitalization of American manufacturing," says Dr. Erwin Mayr, CEO of the Wieland Group. The plans include adding a state-of-the-art hot rolling mill that will enable Wieland to increase and improve the production of essential copper and copper alloy components. These components are crucial

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FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS – U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi has appointed Steven D. Weinhoeft to serve as Interim U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois. Weinhoeft, returns to the role he held from 2018 to 2022, bringing decades of experience in federal law enforcement and complex litigation to the position. “I am honored and excited to return to this role to serve the people of the Southern District of Illinois,” said Weinhoeft. “I look forward to working with Attorney General Bondi, our talented team, and our law enforcement partners to uphold the rule of law with integrity and resolve.” Weinhoeft has served in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Illinois since February 2008, holding multiple leadership roles, including United States Attorney (2018–2022), First Assistant U.S. Attorney, Chief of the Criminal Division, and Supervisor of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force and Dangerous Drugs Division.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation (CST)— and U.S. Representative Steve Cohen (D-TN-09) reintroduced legislation to help keep our kids safe as they travel to and from school. The School Bus Safety Act of 2025 would implement safety recommendations from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to make school buses safer by ensuring there are seat belts at every seat and buses are equipped with safety measures like stability control and automatic braking systems. The bill would also create a grant program to help school districts modify school buses to meet these important safety modifications. “No parent should have to worry about the safety of their children when they get on a school bus—but school buses often lack seat belts and other basic safety equipment that every parent demands,” said Senator Duckworth. “Nothing is more important

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CAHOKIA HEIGHTS — A community is rallying to support a grieving family following the death of 15-year-old Charles E. Jones, who was fatally injured in a shooting on Saturday, February 22, 2025. The shooting incident occurred in the 100 block of Lazarcheff, and Jones succumbed to his injuries three days later, on Tuesday, February 25. In response to this tragedy, his sister, ShaMarla, has organized a GoFundMe campaign to assist with funeral expenses. She noted that the family did not have insurance for her brother. “No amount is too big or small and I appreciate any amount given,” ShaMarla stated in the campaign. She also provided an alternative method for contributions, stating, “If you don’t want to give through GoFundMe you can cash app $Destinymarj. Thank you for your support during this hard time.” The GoFundMe effort reflects the family's need for community support during this difficult period. To contribute to the GoFundMe for Charles E. Jones

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