ALAMEDA, Calif. - A fishing vessel trapped in Antarctic ice 900-miles northeast of McMurdo Sound, Antarctica, for nearly two weeks is free following an international rescue operation that ended successfully Sunday at approximately 8 p.m.

The Antarctic Chieftain, an Australian-flagged fishing vessel, was rescued by the 150-person crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star. The rescue operation spanned more than 860 miles and required the crew to break through 150 miles of thick Antarctic ice and navigate around icebergs that were miles wide.

"We are proud of the commitment and dedication of the Coast Guardsmen aboard Polar Star, but most importantly, we are grateful they were able to safely reach Antarctic Chieftain and rescue 26 people in distress," said Vice Adm. Charles W. Ray, Pacific Area commander. "This was a complex and dangerous rescue mission; however, the crew rose to the challenge, and they exemplify the Coast Guard's Core Values of Honor, Respect and Devotion to Duty and our service's commitment to excellence."

The crew navigated through difficult weather conditions during the five-day rescue operation including heavy snow fall, high winds and extreme ice conditions. Coast Guardsmen aboard the Polar Star reported whiteout snow conditions early in the operation, and they were required to break through ice that had built up over several years making it extremely thick.

"I doubt any medium icebreaker could have made the rescue since we had to go on turbine to get through the multiyear ice that appeared to be as thick as 20 feet in places. The amount of icebergs in the region suggested that the area was extremely hazardous to navigation," said Capt. Matthew Walker, the commanding officer of Cutter Polar Star. "This rescue demonstrates the importance of our nation's only active heavy icebreaker in the Polar Regions."

Antarctic Chieftain damaged three of its four propeller blades in the ice, which required the Coast Guardsmen aboard Polar Star to tow the vessel through about 60-miles of ice into open water. Towing the 207-foot fishing vessel through heavy ice placed varying strain on the tow line, which broke three times during the rescue mission. Once in open water, the Antarctic Chieftain was able to maneuver under its own power. The crew of the fishing vessel Janas will escort the Antarctic Chieftain to Nelson, New Zealand.

"There were some very happy sailors aboard Antarctic Chieftain upon our arrival," said Walker.  "The ice conditions that we found the fishermen in were dire, more so if Antarctic Chieftain had to stay much longer."

Coast Guardsmen reached the crew of the fishing vessel Friday after traveling across more than 150 miles of ice. The fishermen requested assistance from Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand Tuesday evening after becoming trapped in the ice. RCC New Zealand requested U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star, homeported in Seattle, to respond to the Antarctic Chieftain's request for assistance. The crew of Polar Star was deployed to McMurdo Station, Antarctica, as part of Operation Deep Freeze, which provides military logistical support to the U.S. Antarctic Program managed by the National Science Foundation.

The crew of Polar Star will continue their journey home to Seattle. The Polar Star is the nation's only heavy icebreaker capable of operating in the thick Antarctic ice for a mission such as breaking out the Antarctic Chieftain or clearing McMurdo Sound for the annual resupply of McMurdo Station. The 399-foot cutter is one of the largest ships in the Coast Guard and one of the world's most powerful non-nuclear icebreakers.

For photos of the rescue, please click here - https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/antarctichieftain

For video and photos of Polar Star's recent operations in support of the National Science Foundation's Antarctic program in McMurdo Sound, please click here -

https://www.dvidshub.net/portfolio/1099389/george-degener

To read the cutter's blog posts about their, journey please click here - http://coastguard.dodlive.mil/tag/operation-deep-freeze-2015/.

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SPRINGFIELD - Each year, Career and Technical Education (CTE) provides opportunities for over 13 million postsecondary students across the county.  Illinois has seen continued growth and demand for CTE through higher completion rates and new program offerings.  CTE plays a vital role in meeting workforce demands by preparing individuals for high-skill, in-demand jobs that further Illinois' global competitiveness.

In recognition of February as National Career and Technical Education Month, the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) underscores the State's commitment to postsecondary career and technical education.  In fiscal year 2013 roughly two-thirds (68.5%) of all Illinois community college graduates earned a CTE degree or certificate. To meet workforce demands, 267 new CTE programs were approved in fiscal year 2014.

"Career and technical education programs are at the core of the community college's mission to provide educational opportunities tailored to local business and industry needs," said ICCB executive director Dr. Karen Hunter Anderson.  "Community colleges actively partner with local, regional and national employers to develop CTE programs that recognize rapidly changing industry standards."

Joliet Junior College, for example, has worked with Exelon, Lyondell-Bassel and other local employers to develop degree and certificate options in operations engineering.  Carl Sandburg College (Galesburg) recently partnered with Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad to develop an Associate of Applied Science for locomotive mechanics.  Last month, Harper College (Palatine) unveiled their new Career and Technical Education Center with state-of-the-art equipment to provide students with innovative industrial experience. Several other community colleges around the state have opened similar CTE centers including Richland Community College's Workforce Development Institute (Decatur). The new Institute has allowed many of the college's CTE programs to modernize and expand while also increasing dual credit opportunities for area high school students.

"Providing real world context to classroom materials through work-based learning is essential to the success of career and technical education," said Dr. Anderson. "Rend Lake College's simulated coal mine provides students with the ability to learn how to use mining equipment and work within a mining environment without actually leaving campus."

The coal mining program at Rend Lake College (Ina) provides a 10,000 square foot mock mine for students to utilize. The mine features a pitch-black interior, low roof conditions, and moveable walls. The realistic setting helps recreate the tough underground environment of a coal mine in a safe, manageable training situation.

The Illinois Community College Board is the state coordinating board for community colleges. Illinois is home to 48 community colleges in 39 districts and has the third largest community college system in the nation serving nearly 1 million residents each year in credit and non-credit courses.

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CHICAGO -- Governor Bruce Rauner announced today he has selected Jim Schultz, 55, as Director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Schultz's experience in agribusiness and as a banking entrepreneur gives him the breadth of knowledge to develop and support businesses across the State of Illinois. He will bring 30 years of experience to the position.

Schultz is currently the chairman of Open Prairie Ventures, Inc., a company he founded in 1997. Open Prairie provides private equity services and manages more than $135 million in fund commitments.

Prior to founding Open Prairie Ventures, Schultz was the chairman and CEO of Telemind Capital Corporation. The company provides merger and acquisition guidance, and financial consulting services to businesses. Schultz assisted clients in a number of industries, including: software development, banking, manufacturing, retail, healthcare and entertainment.

Schultz earned his bachelor's degree in business administration from Southern Methodist University in 1980. He holds a law degree from DePaul University and an MBA from Northwestern University.

Experience:

?     Open Prairie Management, LLC., Founder and Chariman of the Board (1997-Present)

?     Telemind Capital Corporation, Chariman/CEO (1990-2000)

?     Prime Banc Corporation

o   Chairman of the Board (1993-2001)

o   Board Member (1993-Present)

?     Pinnacle Ford-Lincoln-Mercury, Inc., Chairman and Founding Partner (1992-1996)

?     Physicians Clinical Laboratories, Ltd., Chairman and President (1990-1993)

?     Agracel, Investment Banking Parneter, General Counsel, CFO (1987-1992)

?     Effingham Hi-Tech Partners, Managing Partner (1987-1991)

?     Mark Twain Banks, Assistant Vice President (1985-1987)

Education:

?     Northwestern University, MBA (1985)

?     DePaul University, J.D. (1984)

?     Southern Methodist University, B.S. in Business Administration (1980)

Personal Information:

?     Age: 55

?     Hometown: Effingham

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack announced today that he will be touring manufacturing plants across Eastern Iowa as part of his Made in the USA Tour. Loebsack will be in Muscatine and Bettendorf on TUESDAY, February 17^th. As part of the tour, Loebsack will meet with management and employees at both large and small manufacturing plants to discuss his recent appointment to the House Energy and Commerce Committee. He will also discuss the importance of keeping and creating good paying jobs here at home. Media is invited to attend.

***THE TOUR OF BANDAG HAS BEEN CANCELLED***

Tour Bandag

6501 49^th Street South

Muscatine

1:00pm

Tour Sivyer Steel

225 33rd St.

Bettendorf

3:30pm