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Justice Department announces results of Operation Restore Justice 205 child sex abuse offenders arrested in FBI-led nationwide crackdown, four facing charges in the Southern District of Illinois EAST ST. LOUIS — The Department of Justice announced Wednesday, May 7, 2025, the results of Operation Restore Justice, a nationwide enforcement initiative aimed at identifying and arresting child sex offenders. Over five days, the FBI led a coordinated effort involving all 55 of its field offices, the Department’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, and U.S. Attorney’s Offices across the country, resulting in the rescue of 115 children and the arrest of 205 individuals accused of child sexual abuse offenses. In the Southern District of Illinois, four individuals face federal charges related to child sexual exploitation. Jared K. Galbraith, 38, of Belleville, is charged with sexual exploitation of children and transportation with intent to engage in criminal sexual

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GODFREY – Lewis and Clark Community College’s inaugural Blazer Con drew fans and community members to campus for an unforgettable day of fun, fandom and connection across sci-fi, fantasy, comics, and pop culture. The convention, held from 1-8 p.m., Saturday, April 12, saw a turnout of around 700 students, team members and community members. Con attendees shopped with local vendors, enjoyed delicious food options, and engaged in friendly conversations about their favorite fandoms. “It was truly incredible to see the community come together and celebrate the things they love,” said Blazer Con director and LC Media Specialist Jared Smilack. “Everyone had a blast, from the cosplay contest to the diverse range of vendors. The sense of community was electric, and that’s exactly what we hoped to create with Blazer Con.” One of the major highlights of the day was the cosplay contest, which took place at 3 p.m. and attracted some of the best-dressed

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ALTON - In January 2025, Alton Memorial Hospital Chief of Staff and Chief of Anesthesia, Dr. Juri McDowell, traveled to Africa as part of an effort by regional business leaders to strengthen business relations between the St. Louis Metro area and Kigali, Rwanda. The overarching initiative, led by the World Trade Center and Nexus Group, is to establish a sister city agreement between St. Louis and Kigali. Dr. McDowell specifically wanted to learn more about the disparities in specialty medical care in the area and the innovations Rwanda has implemented in the setting of resource-strained healthcare delivery. While in the area, the group made an unscheduled stop at a local school for the blind named Seeing Hands Rwanda. The founder, Beth Gatonye, gave a tour of the small school and told the story of how she started it with her own money in her home not long after the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi people. Students learn a variety of skills depending on their individual needs. Gaton

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BETHALTO - McKenzie Sutton wants to be like the teachers she had growing up. Sutton teaches ninth and eleventh grade English classes at Civic Memorial High School in Bethalto Community Unit School District #8. She loves watching her students grow throughout high school and beyond, and she tries to inspire them like her teachers did for her. “I had several teachers throughout my primary and secondary education that left a lasting impact on me, and I wanted to try and be that type of role model for kids in the future,” Sutton said. “I love building relationships with kids that help them to not only be successful in my classroom and throughout their high school experience, but beyond high school as well.” Sutton often goes out of her way to cheer on her students. She tries to meet each student where they’re at and provide them with the individualized support they need to succeed. She said there are “several rewarding experiences” every

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O’FALLON, Ill. — Prairie Cardiovascular is pleased to welcome Sydney Pollmann, FNP, to its team of advanced practice providers. Pollmann is seeing patients at Prairie Cardiovascular at HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, located at 3 St. Elizabeth’s Blvd. in O’Fallon. Pollmann is a board-certified family nurse practitioner specializing in cardiology with a clinical focus on arrhythmias and electrophysiology. She provides comprehensive care for patients with heart rhythm disorders and other cardiovascular conditions, emphasizing education, prevention and long-term heart health. Pollmann is passionate about building strong relationships with her patients and helping them improve their quality of life through personalized care and collaborative treatment planning. Pollmann earned a Master of Science in nursing with a family nurse practitioner emphasis from Chamberlain University in Addison, Illinois, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Chamberlain

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EDWARDSVILLE - Beth Langendorf has always loved school, and now she’s imparting that joy to her students. Langendorf has spent over 30 years teaching third grade at Worden Elementary School in the Edwardsville Community Unit School District #7. This Teacher Appreciation Week, she’s reflecting on her decision to pursue a path in education and her passion for teaching that remains strong after all this time. “I may be biased because I have taught third grade for 33 years, but I feel this age is the perfect age,” Langendorf said. “Most of them still love school and they want to please their teacher. They are curious and want to learn more. They love to tell me about their families and their hobbies, and I love getting to know each of their individual personalities so that I can better help them not only be successful in third grade, but hopefully a well-rounded, responsible citizen in our community.” Langendorf decided to become a teacher when

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski(IL-13) released the following statement on Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s visit to Springfield: “Secretary Noem’s visit to Springfield was nothing more than political theater—something she’s all too familiar with. Of course, I believe that anyone who commits violent crimes should be held accountable. Unfortunately, today’s visit does nothing to further that cause or make us safer. The secretary should focus on doing her job and upholding the rule of law, rather than holding unnecessary press conferences. “What she has done is create a distraction—a distraction from the Trump Administration’s failed policies that are driving up costs for seniors, starting trade wars, and threatening to strip away health care and food assistance from our rural communities. The American people deserve real leadership, not empty gestures.” Gov. Pritzker's

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PIASA — Matthew Ready, a 6-foot-3, 300-pound offensive lineman for the Piasa Birds, has signed a scholarship to play football at Greenville University. Ready, a two-year starter for the Piasa Birds, was recently named the Altonized Community Federal Credit Union Male Athlete of the Month for the team. “He played well upfront for us this past season,” said Piasa Birds head coach Pat Keith. Keith also praised Ready’s academic performance, calling him an outstanding student and an excellent choice for Greenville University as he continues his football career.

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BETHALTO - Angie Parish has been chosen as a Madison County New CTE Teacher of the Year. Parish, who teaches health, PE and driver’s ed at Civic Memorial High School in the Bethalto Community Unit School District #8, recently started a Medical Occupations class to train students on basic medical skills. Parish has taught for over 30 years, but she just recently became a CTE teacher, and she has enjoyed every minute of it. “This has really reignited a whole flame,” Parish said. “I come to school excited. I’m here early, I stay late, I come in on weekends, I come in on holidays, I’m here all summer. It’s just fun. It’s fun again to teach.” Parish has organized her classroom to look like a hospital room, with a hospital bed and plenty of medical supplies for the students to practice with. She asks the community to donate any excess medical supplies they may have. In addition to teaching medical skills in the classroom, Parish

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SWANSEA — Commissioner Dennis Blick retired Monday night, May 5, 2025, after 44 years of service to the Swansea community, the Swansea Police Department announced. At the Swansea board meeting, outgoing Mayor Mike Leopold honored Blick with a special award recognizing his leadership, dedication, and commitment to public safety. The department expressed its gratitude for Blick’s tireless service and the lasting impact he has had on the community. “Thank you, Commissioner Blick, for your tireless service and the lasting legacy you leave behind. You’ve made Swansea a better, safer place — and we will never forget it,” the department said in a statement. Blick’s retirement marks the end of an era for the Swansea Police Department, which praised his decades of commitment to the safety and well-being of residents.

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BETHALTO - Civic Memorial High School’s graduating seniors declared their next steps at CM Next Day. On Wednesday, May 7, 2025, the Class of 2025 gathered in Civic Memorial’s auditorium to celebrate their futures on their final day of school. Principal Justin Newell announced each student’s plans for after graduation, and the students cheered each other on and celebrated the end of their K–12 career. “CM Next Day is about taking ownership of your future,” Newell told students. “Whatever path you’ve chosen, please go all in.” The students had a wide range of plans for after graduation, with many students declaring nursing as their major, others enrolling in cosmetology school, and one student planning to study mortuary science. Students from Bethalto Community Unit School District #8 will be attending schools all over the country come fall. Newell expressed his pride in each senior who walked across the stage. He encouraged

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SPRINGFIELD - Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias unveiled the Springfield Flagship Center today, designed to improve the DMV experience and offer more services to Central Illinois residents. The Springfield Flagship Center, located at the site of the Secretary of State’s former driver’s facility, 2701 S. Dirksen Parkway, operated since 1975 as a standard DMV until it closed in July 2022 for renovations and repairs. The Flagship Center now offers 32 full-service counters, or more than twice as many the former facility. In addition, each of those employees has now been cross-trained, enabling them to offer drivers and vehicle services at every station, which will reduce wait times and get customers out the door faster. The employees staffing the new Flagship Center were transferred from three relocated local DMV facilities. Those facilities include the DMV facility located at 316 N. Klein Street; the DMV facility located at 1650 Wabash Avenue; and the Vehicle

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ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — A fatal motor vehicle crash involving three vehicles occurred Tuesday evening in the 3200 block of Baumgartner Road near Blackforest Drive, St. Louis County police said. Officers from the South County Precinct responded to the scene at 6:58 p.m. Tuesday, May 6, 2025, and found the crash had resulted in serious injuries to an adult female occupant of one of the vehicles. She was transported to a local hospital but later died from her injuries, according to the St. Louis County Police Department Bureau of Crimes Against Persons and Accident Reconstruction detectives, who are leading the investigation. The circumstances surrounding the crash remain under investigation, and authorities have not released additional details at this time. Further information will be provided as it becomes available.

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GODFREY - Kids of all ages and the young at heart could enjoy the annual Big Truck Day at Glazebrook Park. From 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, community members could explore an ambulance, fire truck, school bus, trash truck, helicopter and more at the Big Truck Day festival. This annual event allows kids to climb into the trucks and explore them. “We’ve got a lot of different cool trucks here, and I know the kids are going to touch all of them,” said Chris Logan, Godfrey’s Parks and Recreation Director. “A lot of these kids may see them on TV or driving down the road, but they never really get to get that close to them. This is a chance for them to come out and do that.” Logan explained that this event welcomes hundreds of families every year. They also see a few school groups come through for field trips. “It’s kind of a nice thing they can have in their calendar and it’s an outdoor event they can plan

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ALTON - The Three Rivers Project of Sierra Club Illinois is calling for volunteers to support the Monthly Workdays at the Wadlow Town Center’s creek restoration area, formerly the Robert P. Wadlow Municipal Golf Course in front of the Alton Regional Multimodal Transportation Center that houses Amtrak. This activity will repeat throughout the year on the second Saturday of each month, except for August, when it will be on the second Sunday. The Wadlow Workdays will give local community members the opportunity to take action to protect the environment here in the Metro East by removing litter and invasive species from the creek restoration area , and to maintain the native flower and forb gardens along the trail. Community members are invited to register for this event at https://sc.org/MayWadlow . “The Metro East is home to a unique ecosystem that contains three great rivers, oak-hickory forests, rich floodplains, and endangered nesting yellow-crowned night herons. Removing

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BELLEVILLE/SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) announced today the expansion of the Domestic Violence Co-Location Program (DVCLP) into Sangamon and St. Clair counties. First launched in Winnebago and Lake counties in 2019 and expanded into Cook County in 2022, the DVCLP is an innovative and collaborative partnership between DCFS, domestic violence agencies and other community partners aimed at building DCFS’ capacity to effectively respond to and meet the needs of families experiencing domestic violence who are also involved with the child welfare system. Under the partnership, a domestic violence advocate employed by Sojourn Shelter and Services will be housed in the DCFS Springfield field office in Sangamon County, and an advocate employed by the Violence Prevention Center of Southwestern Illinois will be housed in the Belleville field office in St. Clair County. These advocates will consult with child welfare professionals as

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today issued the following statement after the Supreme Court ruled that the Trump Administration may start enforcing Donald Trump’s un-American, unjust trans military service ban while legal challenges to the ban are still ongoing: “Absolutely shameful. Trump’s trans military service ban hurts our military readiness, makes our military’s recruitment challenges even worse and disrespects Americans who are brave enough to serve in uniform. This ruling from the far-right, Trump-appointed Supreme Court majority will make our military less lethal and Americans less safe—it just empowered Donald Trump to fire a servicemember who flew more than 60 combat missions, including in Iraq and Afghanistan.” Last month, Duckworth led 13 of her fellow Senate Democratic colleagues in condemning President Trump’s transgender military service ban for being a blatant violation of our brave servicemembers’

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SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Museum invites the public to a volunteer recruitment night on Thursday, May 22, 2025. Participants will hear from museum staff about the many ways volunteers can be a part of the museum’s important work. Volunteer opportunities include being a greeter, assisting with special programs and education events, being a play museum facilitator, and helping with off-site events such as the museum’s Illinois State Fair tent. “The Illinois State Museum is looking for dedicated volunteers to help staff public programs, engage with students and the community, and support our mission of sharing Illinois stories, honoring its cultural and natural resources, and inspiring our future,” said museum director Jenn Edginton. “Volunteers make a difference at the museum, and we look forward to welcoming a new cohort to our building.” Volunteer recruitment night is at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 22 at the Illinois State Museum, 502

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Did you know that studies have shown exposure to flowering plants can reduce stress levels and boost overall mood by up to 15%? This powerful connection between humans and flowers explains why cultivating a flower garden is more than just an aesthetic pursuit—it can enhance mental well-being and create a sanctuary of calm. Yet, many aspiring gardeners shy away from flower gardening, intimidated by perceived complexity. The truth is, with thoughtful planning and consistent care, anyone can create a thriving flower garden that brings joy year after year. Planning Your Flower Garden: The Blueprint of Beauty Before digging your first hole or buying seeds, crafting a detailed plan is crucial. This phase determines the success and sustainability of your garden. Assess Your Space Start by evaluating the conditions of your garden area. How much sunlight does it receive throughout the day? Most flowering plants require at least six hours of direct sunlight, but some varieties thrive

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MASCOUTAH – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced lane restrictions will be encountered on IL 177 beginning at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, weather permitting. Traffic will be reduced to one-lane approximately 2 miles west of Mascoutah utilizing temporary traffic signals. The lane closure is necessary to allow IDOT District 8 Operations forces to perform emergency bridge deck patching on the bridge over Loop Creek. All lanes are expected to re-open by 5 p.m. on Monday, May 12. 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 map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.

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