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EAST ST. LOUIS – Nefer Ojeda-Elenes, a 33-year-old man from California, was sentenced to 228 months in federal prison for his role in trafficking fentanyl to the Metro East region. The sentencing took place following Ojeda-Elenes’ guilty plea to conspiracy and distribution charges related to the powerful synthetic opioid. U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft described fentanyl as a "ruthless killer" that devastates families and communities. He emphasized the seriousness of Ojeda-Elenes' actions, and said, “This defendant conspired to bring seven kilograms of fentanyl into the Metro East region, when as few as two milligrams is lethal to most adults.” Weinhoeft asserted that the 19-year sentence reflects a commitment to justice for those affected by drug trafficking. Court documents reveal that Ojeda-Elenes was involved in a conspiracy to deliver two kilograms of fentanyl to the Metro East in April 2020. He later agreed to deliver an additional five kilograms

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GODFREY – Gov. J.B. Pritzker and other Illinois lawmakers visited Lewis and Clark Community College Monday, March 3, 2025, to propose a new community college baccalaureate program. “Community colleges like Lewis and Clark have been at the center of our economic agenda from day one of my administration,” Pritzker said. “To build an economy where every Illinoisan can get ahead, we need an education system that can meet people where they are, regardless of their age, background or zip code.” The proposed legislation, HB 3717, would amend the Public Community College Act to allow community colleges to offer baccalaureate degrees in high-demand career paths. The bill would cap the cost of the final two years of a four-year degree to 150 percent of the associate degree cost, an average of $7,500 annually. Tuition and fees at Lewis and Clark are currently around $4,500 per year for a full-time student, lower than the average paid by full-time student

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison led a coalition of 21 attorneys general today in filing an amicus brief in continued opposition to President Donald Trump’s unlawful attempt to remove Gwynne Wilcox, a member of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). Dismissing Wilcox would leave just two members remaining on the five-member board, which cannot act without a quorum of at least three members. Last week, a federal judge ruled in Wilcox v. Trump, that Trump’s attempt to fire Wilcox was illegal and ordered that she remain on the board. The Trump administration has asked for a stay to stop the ruling from going into effect while it seeks an appeal, effectively allowing her firing to take effect. In their brief, Raoul and attorneys general urge the court to deny the administration’s request for a stay. The coalition argues that if allowed to stand, the attempt to dismiss Wilcox would undermine protections for worker

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SPRINGFIELD – The 2025 Illinois spring trout fishing season will open Saturday, April 5 at 58 ponds, lakes, and streams throughout the state. An early opportunity at select trout sites – the spring catch-and-release fishing season – will open Saturday, March 22. No trout may be kept during the catch-and-release period, but anglers can keep trout after the opening of the regular season beginning April 5. The daily harvest limit for each angler is five trout. The Illinois Catchable Trout Program receives funding support by those who use the program through the sale of inland trout stamps. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources stocks more than 80,000 rainbow trout each year in bodies of water where trout fishing is permitted during the spring season. An additional 80,000 trout will be stocked for the fall trout season, which begins in October. New for 2025: In McHenry County, spring trout will be stocked into Rush Creek Pond in Harvard due to ongoing constructio

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EAST ST. LOUIS – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that rehabilitation of a crossing by Terminal Railroad on Illinois 3 between Packers Avenue and North First Street in St. Clair County will require a full closure beginning, weather permitting, Tuesday, March 25. A posted detour will be in place to safely guide motorists around the closure, which is expected to conclude Thursday, March 27. Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to detour signs in work zones, obey the posted speed limits, refrain from using mobile devices and be alert for workers and equipment. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on Twitter at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.

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JERSEYVILLE - Amelia Strebel, a standout student-athlete from Jersey Community Unit School District No. 100, has earned a place on the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Academic All-State Honorable Mention team. The announcement was made following the selection of 76 students across the state, with each school permitted to nominate one male and one female student for the honor. Amelia Strebel is also a Sparklight Female Athlete of the Month for Jersey. The recognition comes at a time when Strebel is balancing her academic responsibilities with her participation in track and field, where she is an area standout in the shot put and discus. Jersey head girls track and field coach Kevin Strebel, who is also her father, expressed pride in her accomplishments both academically and athletically. "I am certainly proud of how she handles herself and takes care of everything the right way academically and athletically," he said. "She makes sure to prepare for any tests, and it is nice

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GLEN CARBON - Owen Kolesa, a junior forward for the boys' basketball team at Father McGivney Catholic High School, has played an important role for the Griffins this season, and will be a key factor in the success the team enjoys in the upcoming IHSA Class 1A playoffs. He averaged 7.5 points per game and 2.7 rebounds a game on the season. He is a Byron, Petri, Carlson & Kalb Male Athlete of the Month for the Griffins. On Feb. 15, 2025, Kolesa had an outstanding game against Jersey contributing 17 points. The Griffins finished with a 15-18 overall record in the 2024-2025 campaign. Kolesa was interviewed after McGivney's 38-35 win over Maryville Christian on Feb. 15. He agreed that the comeback win over Maryville helped build up the team's confidence going into the final week of the regular season and the postseason run. "It really did build some confidence," Kolesa said after that encounter. "We were down, we battled through as a team. it gave us a lot of confidence through everything."

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ALTON - Aline Russell believes in helping where she’s needed. Russell, one of six candidates for the Alton Community Unit School District #11 Board of Education, shared more about who she is and what she stands for. She expressed her excitement to potentially join the school board and create better schools for kids. “I’ve thought about someday running for school board because, with my mother and sister being public school teachers, I know about some of the challenges and joys, but also because I’m really proud of my kids who graduated from Alton High,” Russell said. “We were really happy with Alton High. I’m a real fan of the school system. Just with the possible serious challenges coming up for public schools, I wanted to get in and see if I could help, if there was a need for me.” Russell previously worked as a marriage and family therapist with an office in Alton, and she still occasionally offers her services doing interim

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Mayor Jones Issues Statement On Bill Passage To Strip St. Louis Control Of Metro Police Department ST. LOUIS – Today, the Missouri Legislature passed a bill that would strip St. Louis City of its local control over the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. Mayor Tishaura O. Jones issued the following statement in response: “There is one thing that the bill sponsors and I agree on - that this bill is not a crime plan,” said Mayor Tishaura O. Jones. “My administration and I have spent the last four years addressing the realities of crime in our city. We continue to improve 911 response times, we’ve introduced call diversion programs, we’ve invested in community organizations that address the root causes of crime, and all this has resulted in a historic decrease in crime. All this bill does is halt and reverse our progress in service of allowing a small number of non-city-residents to pat themselves on the back because they succeeded in taking

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EAST ST. LOUIS – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced a daytime ramp closure will be encountered on the ramp from westbound I-55/64 to Tudor Avenue, east of the Poplar Street Bridge. The ramp will be closed from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday & Thursday, March 12 & 13, 2025, weather permitting. During this time, westbound motorists traveling to Tudor Avenue will need to utilize alternate routes. This ramp closure is necessary to allow IDOT crews to complete routine inspections scheduled for this structure. Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to changed conditions and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits, refrain from using mobile devices and be alert for workers and equipment. For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on the social media platform X at @IDOTDistrict8 or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information

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ST. LOUIS — Dr. Bruce Vest of the Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Clinic crew secured first place in the "Wheels" (FLOAT) section of the St. Louis Mardi Gras parade for the second consecutive year. The event took place recently in Soulard, a neighborhood known for its vibrant Mardis Gras celebration, one of the largest in the country. Dr. Vest’s float featured a striking combination of medical-themed dragons, skeletons, and a fiesta food menu, creating a lively atmosphere that resonated with attendees. This year’s parade was not only a celebration but also a tribute, as Dr. Vest dedicated the float to the memory of his son-in-law, Dr. Sanjay Patel, who recently died from lung cancer. “Sanjay always gave 100 percent effort to all endeavors,” Dr. Vest said, appreciating his work to his float projects each year. In addition to his success at the Mardi Gras parade, Dr. Vest continues to hold the first-place title in the Commercial division of the Alton Halloween

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) sent letters to five telehealth companies that have held contracts with Pfizer and Eli Lilly, inquiring about their financial relationships and possible influence on prescriptions for medications from those two pharmaceutical manufacturers. These new arrangements can use direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertisements that steer patients toward particular medications and create the potential for inappropriate prescribing that can increase spending for federal health care programs. Along with Durbin, the letters were also signed by U.S. Senators Peter Welch (D-VT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Bernie Sanders (I-VT). The letters are addressed to the CEOs of 9amHealth, Thirty Madison (Cove), Form Health, Populus Health Technologies, and UpScriptHealth. “Through a partnership with , Eli Lilly/Pfizer has launched a new telehealth platform that links patients interested in receiving its medications with a health care provide

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The highly pathogenic avian influenza – commonly known as bird flu – is wreaking havoc on American agriculture. This devastating virus, carried by birds worldwide, is currently spreading among U.S. poultry and dairy cattle, with several recent human cases reported among dairy and poultry workers. Since the outbreak began in 2022, more than 162 million birds have been culled. In the past 30 days alone, bird flu has been detected in 24 states. The virus has been confirmed in poultry in all 50 states and, as of December 2024, dairy cattle infections have been reported in 16 states. The situation is worsening. Herd, flock and human infections have risen, farmers are grappling with market uncertainty, and consumer prices continue to rise. The economic impact of this outbreak is staggering, threatening farmers’ livelihoods across the country. In the last quarter alone, more than 20 million egg-laying chickens in the United States have died due to bird flu,

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SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) Director Jerry Costello II, along with key stakeholders representing farmers, research institutions, and food banks, appeared before the General Assembly's House Agriculture & Conservation Committee hearing to discuss federal funding cuts and tariffs – which amount to taxes on working farmers. Costello’s testimony in Springfield focused on several agreements between USDA and IDOA, including the Local Food Purchase Assistance Program (LFPA) and the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program (RFSI) . Illinois was the only state in the nation to prioritize socially disadvantaged farmers. These same farmers will lose over tens of millions of dollars in fair market value payments for crops and livestock they are currently raising as well as the ability to invest in infrastructure for growth and sustainability. The purpose of the LFPA program is to “maintain and improve food and agricultural supply chain

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Illinois Federation of Teachers Statement on the Dismantling of the Department of Education WESTMONT – Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT) President Dan Montgomery issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Department of Education firing 1,300 employees, effectively gutting the department: “President Trump cannot dismantle the Department of Education without Congress, yet he is attempting to bypass the legislative process and override the will of the people. This is about consolidating power, rolling back civil rights, and diverting public funds to private interests. Legal experts agree that this move is unconstitutional and will face serious challenges, but the mere attempt exposes his reckless disregard for democracy and the rule of law. Public education is the backbone of our democracy, and his threats are a direct attack on it. "In Illinois, the Department of Education supports more than 2 million children across 4,000 K-12 schools. The 1.3 million

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AUSTIN - Governor Pritzker joined technology executives and enthusiasts at the South by Southwest Festival (SXSW) in Austin, Texas to showcase how Illinois is positioning itself as a leader in the sectors of tomorrow and growing the economy through high-tech industries. Governor Pritzker highlighted the state’s recent economic development success and pitched prospective businesses and entrepreneurs on building the future in Illinois. “Illinois has been an engine of innovation, growth, and discovery for generations,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “We will continue that tradition and keep bringing emerging industries like electric vehicles and quantum computing to Illinois. It’s good for business, good for jobs, and good for our future to have Illinois leading the way on some of the world’s newest technologies.” SXSW brings together major players at the intersection of technology, film, music, education, and culture for a nine-day festival that

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) and Congressman Abe Hamadeh (AZ-08) reintroduced the bipartisan Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship Opportunity Act to help veterans pursue degrees in science, health care and technology. The legislation would modify the requirements of the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship to make the program accessible to more veterans. “I have heard from veterans across my district about the financial obstacles they’ve faced since leaving active duty service. Reforming the Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship program will give more veterans the opportunity to advance their skills and fill high-demand roles,” said Congresswoman Budzinski. “I’m proud to introduce this legislation with Congressman Hamadeh, who I work with on the House Veterans Affairs Committee. Together, we hope to make it easier for our nation’s heroes to pursue careers in good-paying fields like health care, engineering an

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CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) is advising taxpayers to be vigilant when preparing tax returns in order to avoid several common errors which can lead to delays, rejections, or even penalties. “We encourage taxpayers to file electronically and review their information carefully in order to ensure their returns are complete and accurate,” said` IDOR Director David Harris . “Mistakes on returns can have negative consequences, such as delays in processing refunds, or even the rejection of returns.” Common Filing Errors to Avoid Incorrect Personal Information - Double-check names, Social Security numbers, and dates of birth to ensure they match the information on file with the Social Security Administration. Missing or Incorrect Bank Account Information - Taxpayers expecting refunds should choose direct deposit to their bank accounts to get refunds promptly. They should verify their account and routing numbers and ensur

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EAST ST. LOUIS — Authorities continue to investigate the shooting death of 19-year-old Pfc. Byron Gettis Jr., a soldier in the United States Army Reserve, who was found dead in an alley on Sunday, March 8, 2025, in East St. Louis. Gettis, a resident of Fairview Heights, was reported missing by his mother, Latricia Gettis, after he failed to return home from a Friday night, March 7, 2025, outing and subsequently missed his Army Reserve drill over the weekend. Latricia Gettis expressed her concerns on Sunday morning, March 9, 2025, when she filed a missing persons report, stating that her instincts told her something was wrong. Tragically, her fears were confirmed hours later when police located her son in an alley near the 1700 block of Gay Avenue in East St. Louis, where he had been shot to death. Gettis had plans with the Army Reserve for deployment to Kuwait at the end of March. His family, friends, and fellow soldiers are now left heartbroken, mourning a young man described

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GRANITE CITY – State Representative Amy Elik (R-Alton) is joining an expert from the Illinois Attorney General’s Office to host a Free Senior Fraud Protection and Advocacy Seminar at the Nameoki Township Building next week. They will give a presentation and take questions from seniors on how to better protect themselves from fraud. This event is free and open to seniors. The event details are: Friday, March 14, 2025 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Nameoki Township Building 4250 Highway 162, Granite City This seminar will help seniors understand how to recognize potential fraud attempts, learn how to be ready and stop them, and how to use the Attorney General’s Senior Help Line. “We have to ensure that our seniors are equipped to deal with the ever-growing, sophisticated scams that target our vulnerable,” said Rep. Amy Elik. “That’s why I’m teaming up with an expert from the Attorney General’s office to make sure our seniors

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