42Fifty

Editor's Note: This article has been updated as of 12:45 with current information. Sept 25, 2026 — The Oswego Police Department (OPD) just lifted the shelter in place for Colchester drive and the immediate vicinity. As of 10:00 am they have the subject in custody, and have cleared and secured the subject's residence. Police are still on the scene completing an investigation. An initial press release has been issued, with more information on the way. According to the Village of Oswego Police, IL Facebook post with an initial press release, the incident began as a domestic disturbance before escalating to an armed conflict. Earlier this morning, officers helped a female resident safely retrieve her property and leave the residence. Later, at 1:19, a male called 9-1-1 requesting medical assistance. Upon arrival of officers, they heard yelling and threats toward officers, as well as a firearm discharge. The subject was taken into custody without further incident, and the investigation is still ongoing.

On July 28, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed a bill that would restrict cell phone use in all Illinois high schools. This decision was passed with the intention of engaging students in material, while freeing teachers from needing to manage their classes behavior. “I don’t think [students] are ready [to have phones] yet," said OH Social Studies teacher Sarah Carlson. "We need to switch to something else.” At OH, many classes require students to put their phones up in a pouch before the start of the class period. According to OH classroom cell phone practices, often published in course syllabi, the main concern with phones in the classroom is that students will get distracted by them, keeping them from paying attention in class. In theory, if they don’t have access to their phones during class, they will be more likely to stay engaged with material.

Can you put a price on a student's education? America’s federal government just did, removing $1.9 billion funding for vital school programs, like tutoring, which for OH comes from Title I Grants.  It is not always clear how federal government decisions impact OH students, yet it is clear with the absence of Oswego’s after school tutoring program.  OH Assistant Principal Tania Sharp said, “Our after school tutoring program is actually funded through Title I federal funding, and [that] funding was significantly cut, therefore, [OH lost] every single program that we were able to offer [which] utilized those funds."  While administration is looking at ways to offer support in other ways that do not require Title I funding, the gap is noticeable for the school community.