Seemingly unconcerned about appearing without a mask, A 52-year-old Oakville man is now under arrest for armed robbery. Before the spree ended a total of sixteen robberies were committed From Saturday, February 8, 2025, until Tuesday, February 25, 2025. The manhunt involved officers from the Hamilton Police Service, Toronto Police Service, Guelph Police Service, Peel Regional Police Service, Halton Regional Police Service and Niagara Regional Police Specifically, fourteen were financial institution robberies and two were retail store robberies.

In each occurrence, a lone male suspect displayed a knife, approached an employee demanding cash and in multiple incidents the suspect wore a mask to disguise their identity. However he did not wear a mask in two Hamilton Robberies and the last two robberies in Niagara Region. In both cases surveillance video showed a man without a mask, sporting a Boston Red Sox toque.

The six police services pooled information and finally yesterday Toronto Police Service located the suspect and arrested him.

Alan Haaksma, 52 years-old of Oakville has been charged with armed robbery and seven instances of disguise with intent to commit a crime.

Anyone with any information that could assist police with the investigation are asked to contact Hamilton Police Service B.E.A.R. investigator, Dominic DiCienzo at 905-546-8934 or Detective Sergeant Shane Groombridge at 905-546-2991

For those who wish to provide information anonymously, they can reach out to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit anonymous tips online at Crime Stoppers Hamilton’s Website.

Essex County OPP charge individual following Intimate partner violence investigation

On February 26, 2025, at 8:18 a.m., members of the Essex County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were dispatched to an address in Kingsville for the report of an intimate partner complaint.

As a result of the investigation, a 31-year-old of Windsor man has been charged under the Criminal Code with:

• Uttering Threats – Cause death or Bodily harm

The accused has been released from police custody and is scheduled to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice at a future date to speak to the charges.

Victims of domestic violence are not alone. If you or someone you know needs support, there are local resources available to help.

One organization you can contact is Victim Services of Windsor Essex County at 519-723-2711.

The OPP can be contacted at anytime at 1-888-310-1122 or if an emergency at 9-1-1.

Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or leave an anonymous online tip at www.catchcrooks.com where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.

The post Intimate Partner Investigation Results In Charges appeared first on Kingsville Times.

Toronto police said in a news release Tuesday that Andrew Sutton had been found. A family member confirmed in a social media post that the husband and father is dead.

Police in York Region have identified a man found dead in a restaurant fire in King Township earlier this month.

An Ontario  court has dismissed an appeal by Peter Khill, a Hamilton man who was given an eight-year prison term for manslaughter in the 2016 death of an Indigenous man.

There will be a Regular meeting of Essex County Council on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, which is scheduled to commence at 6:00 PM.

As permitted pursuant to By-law 2024-26, being a by-law to provide rules governing the order and proceedings of the Council of the Corporation of the County of Essex, adopted on June 5, 2024, the meeting will take place with members of County Council in person at the County of Essex Administration Building.

Essex County Council meetings are open to the public. Seating is limited in Council Chambers at the County of Essex Administration Building. As such, members of the public who wish to attend the meeting in person are encouraged to pre-register. Pre-registration allows for a more expedient check in procedure.

Registration in person is permitted on the day of the meetings as well. Attendees can proceed to the registration kiosk at the West Entrance of the County of Essex Administration Building beginning at 5:00 PM.

Overflow seating is not available. Once the capacity limit of 97 people is reached, no further people will be admitted to the Administration Building, and will instead be invited to view the meeting from home or may wait until a seat is vacated.

The County will be live streaming the meeting at the following link: https://video.isilive.ca/countyofessex/live.html.

The meeting will also be broadcast by YourTV Cogeco cable.

The agenda for this meeting is available for viewing or download on the County website.

Everyone attending Essex County buildings or County Council meetings agrees to abide by all County of Essex policies and procedures. To review the policies and procedures, please visit the County Council page on the County of Essex website.

At 3:00 PM on March 5, 2025, Essex County Council will meet in a Closed Meeting Pursuant to Section 239 (3.1) of the Municipal Act, 2001, as amended. (3.1) A meeting of a council or local board or of a committee of either of them may be closed to the public if the following conditions are both satisfied:

1. The meeting is held for the purpose of educating or training the members.

2. At the meeting, no member discusses or otherwise deals with any matter in a way that materially advances the business or decision-making of the council, local board or committee.

At 5:15 PM on March 5, 2025, Essex County Council will meet in a Closed Meeting Pursuant to Section 239 (2) (b), (f) and (k) of the Municipal Act, 2001, as amended for the following reasons:

(b) personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees;

(f) advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose;

(k) a position, plan, procedure, criteria or instruction to be applied to any negotiations carried on or to be carried on by or on behalf of the municipality or local board.

The post Essex County Council Meeting Notice for March 5, 2025 appeared first on Kingsville Times.

Ontario is reporting 84 new measles cases over the last two weeks, nearly doubling the province's total count since an outbreak started in the autumn.

Brown-John, Lloyd

84 years, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 24, 2025. Beloved husband and world travel partner of Marilyn (nee Fairhurst). Adored father of Lara Seguin (Keith) and Michelle Brandie. Precious grandfather of Natasha Ashley-Smith (Chris), Ryan Seguin, Spencer Seguin, Storm Brandie, Hunter Brandie (Karlie), Sage Brandie (Jordan), and great grandfather of Xavier Ashley-Smith and Felix Ashley-Smith.

Dear brother of Steven Brown-John (Carla) and many nieces and nephews. Lloyd will always be remembered and never forgotten by cousins Ken Livingtone (Steve Sterritt), and Doreen Livingstone.

Lloyd received his PhD at the University of Toronto in 1971. He taught at the University of Windsor Political Science program specializing in Public Administration starting in 1968. As a result, he was very involved with the Institute of Public Administration of Canada. He was the first Director of the Teaching and Learning Program at the University of Windsor.

Lloyd went on to be the founder and Director of the Federalism Research Committee of the International Political Science Association. Lloyd’s true passion was writing for the Windsor Star and was a commentator for CBC Radio and Television which also led to him doing Election coverage for Cogeco.

In following with Lloyd’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A private family gathering will take place at a later date.

As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations to Canterbury ElderCollege or to Erie Shores Health Foundation (MRI Suite) may be made by contacting Reid Funeral Home & Cremation Centre, 14 Russell Street, Leamington (519-326-2631).

Family and friends are invited to share their words of comfort at www.reidfuneralhome.ca

The post C. Lloyd Brown-John Obituary (February 24, 2025) appeared first on Kingsville Times.

A driver has died after a single vehicle rollover on Highway 407 in Markham on Thursday morning, Ontario Provincial Police said. The incident happened around 10 a.m. eastbound on the highway near Kennedy Road, police said in a post on X. 

The Hamilton Indoor games, now underway at the Hamilton Armoury is the oldest running track and field meet in North America, and dates back to 1908 when the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada (Princess Louise’s) founded the first meet.  The Games quickly achieved international status and in 1925 featured Finland’s legendary Paavo Nurmi. The meet has been held annually ever since (except during war years and recently the global COVID-19 pandemic) and now features elementary and high school  athletes.  In 1986 the games were moved to Copps Coliseum where in 1988   before 17,000 spectators Ben Johnson set a world indoor record for the 50 Yard Dash.  Almost 40 years later the track and the games have returned to the Armoury.

The 1991 Hamilton Spectator Indoor Games attracted over 400 media representatives from around the world. A record 17,052 spectators and 3.9 million viewers watched the event on CTV.

The 1992 Games were televised on TSN, some 1300 elementary students, 1400 high school, 10 universities teams and international athletes from 20 countries participated. These athletes were the up-and-coming athletes of the time and served on future Canadian Olympic teams. The legacy of the Hamilton Spectator Indoor Games is long standing and will continue to serve the community and world with dedication and pride. The games are being televised on Cable 14.

Niagara Police are releasing images of two thieves who broke into shipping containers in St Catharines to steal items. Police say the pair rolled in on ATV’s to a commercial address in the area of First Street Louth and Rykert Street in St Catharines on Tuesday in the overnight hours.

They used a grinder to break the locks on two shipping containers. The two suspects were able to steal two inflatable castles and a black HISUN 700 4×4 Utility Task Vehicle (UTV) with a plow attachment affixed to the front. The suspects then left the area. Detectives are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the two suspects in this matter.

One of the two suspect ATV’s was camouflaged in colour and had a snowplow attached to the front of the vehicle. The second ATV was black and white in colour and had a black cargo box affixed to the rear of the vehicle with only one functioning taillight.

The suspects are described as follows:

Suspect #1 was wearing a coyote brown and black winter jacket, black pants, black boots and a black helmet

Suspect #2 was wearing a black winter jacket with a fur lined hood, green and black gloves, coyote brown pants and black boots.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the lead investigator at 905-688-4111, option 3, ext. 1009405.

Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477.

The Hamilton Jewish Federation announces the return of the Hamilton Jewish Film Festival (HJFF) from March 23 to 25, 2025, to Peller Hall, Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre. This year’s lineup aims to  engage the Jewish community and foster understanding of Jewish culture, Israel, and Jewish history.

HJFF opens on Sunday, March 23 at 1p.m. with “Seven Blessings”; an award-winning film that portrays the unique tradition in Moroccan culture where families gave away their children to relatives unable to conceive, and, the reaction of a new bride who struggles with the traumatic discovery of being given away.

After a donor sponsored reception, the festival continues at 4:00 p.m. with the Ontario premiere of “Outsider, Freud” by renowned Israeli filmmaker Yair Qedar. This imaginative documentary blends rare archival footage with brilliant dreamlike animation to explore the life and work of Sigmund Freud. A prerecorded Q&A with the director follows.

The final film on Sunday is “Bliss” at 6 p.m. the latest feature film from acclaimed Israeli director Shemi Zarhin featuring performances by Israeli actors Sasson Gabay and Assi Levy.

On Monday, March 24 at 6:00 p.m., two documentaries open the second day of HJFF: “Thirteen,” a short that highlights a mother’s relentless quest to challenge societal barriers to hold a Bat Mitzvah for her daughter who is disabled; and “Mother,” in which three childfree Israeli women explain their life choices in intimate conversation, not with their own mothers, but “swapping seats” with the mothers of their friends.

At 7:00 p.m., “Rabbi on the Block” focuses on a Black Jewish rabbinical student and activist as she brings her faith from the synagogue to the streets of Chicago. After the film, there will be a Q&A with Beth Tikvah Synagogue executive director, Rivka Campbell, a Jew of Jamaican descent who fosters dialogue within the Jewish community about the experiences of Jews of colour.

The Festival closes on Tuesday, March 25 with “We Will Dance Again,” a deeply moving documentary recounting the stories of survivors from the Nova Festival massacre of October 7, 2023. Through powerful interviews, the film honours those who lived and pays tribute to those lost. A special post-film program follows.

Ticket price per film is $18 with a Festival pass at $90 and $60 for students. Administration fees apply. jewishhamilton.org/filmfestival

Browse the catalogue, renew checkouts, place holds, access eBooks and eAudiobooks, and discover upcoming events—all from your smartphones and tablets.

With an intuitive design and user-friendly features, the app makes it easier than ever to stay connected with the library anytime, anywhere.

“We’re thrilled to offer this new tool to our community,” said Adam Craig, Chief Librarian for Essex County Library.

“Our goal is to make library resources more accessible and convenient for everyone, and this app is a major step forward in enhancing our digital services. It’s one-stop-shopping for all your library needs.”

Download it today!

Apple Store (iOS)

The post Essex County Library’s App Now Available: Hello ECL Mobile! appeared first on Kingsville Times.

As Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) have made two more  auto-theft related arrests  Halton Police Chief Stephen Tanner is calling on government to toughen up the penalties for the epidemic.

The latest arrest took place Tuesday, at approximately 10:30 am when an HRPS officer conducted a traffic stop on an Audi sedan in the area of Neyagawa Boulevard and Gardenbrook Avenue in Oakville. During the stop, the officer spotted suspicious items such as balaclavas, gloves and tools. Police then began to tail the Audi.

Police followed the Audi sedan into Mississauga and eventually to a hotel where the two male occupants picked up a Toyota Tundra that had been previously reported stolen out of Toronto. The Tundra was driven to a new location by one of the men, while the second followed in the Audi.

At the second location, HRPS officers arrested both males. 

Luca Lacroix (21) of Saint-Hubert, Quebec has been charged with Possession of Property Obtained by Crime over $5000 and Possession of Break and Enter Instruments.

Lacroix is also wanted by police in Quebec for breaching conditions related to his release.

Teddy Sanon (22) of Montreal, Quebec has also been charged with Possession of Property Obtained by Crime over $5000 and Possession of Break and Enter Instruments.

Both accused were held in custody by the HRPS pending a bail hearing. The HRPS continues to investigate this occurrence and additional charges may be pending.

“As I continue to watch our officers make many arrests of individuals with stolen vehicles, often from the province of Quebec, and tied to organized crime and exports at the port of Montreal, it astonishes me that this continues to be an issue at the rate that it does,” said Halton Regional Police Service Chief, Stephen Tanner.  “Far too many of our citizens have suffered from auto theft, home invasions and violence, all so these individuals and organized crime groups could profit. Yet again, in this instance, I am forced to highlight the fact that one of the individuals arrested has been charged in the past for stolen vehicle offenses and is also wanted in the province of Quebec. Obviously, the profits of this crime outweigh any deterrence from our justice system. I continue to hope that the federal government will look at stricter laws around auto theft, and the other offences which put our frontline officers and citizens in harm’s way. Thankfully, the province, the Ontario Provincial Police and many municipal police services have worked together to target this crime that continues to be an epidemic.”

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact the 2 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4777 ext. 2216.

Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers. at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca.

Born October 5, 1923 in Banat, Romania. Passed away peacefully with her cousin Diane by her side at Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare on February 25, 2025 at the age of 101 years.

Maria was a seamstress alongside her sister at Vasity Sports for many years. Reunited with her parents Mathias (1992) and Katharina (1997) Stoffle and her sister, Barbara Stoffle (2018). She will be greatly missed by her cousins Diane (late Mike) Hodut and family along with Katie (Nick) Gasko and family (Newmarket) and cousins in the United States and Germany.

Special thank you to her cousins Barbara Barresi and Michele Sylvestre for assisting in Maria’s care.

Maria was a longtime resident at Chartwell Kingsville. Thank you to all of the staff and her friends who will deeply miss her.

Visitation will be held at St. John de Brebeuf Catholic Church on Friday, February 28, 2025 from 10:30am until the Mass of Christian burial at 11am. Burial will follow at Greenhill Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Kendrick Funeral Home Ltd.

If you wish, memorial donations would be appreciated to The Hospice of Windsor-Essex County, 6038 Empress St. Windsor, ON N8T 1B5.

Condolences and special memories can be shared with the family at www.Kendrickfuneralhome.com.

Service Details

Visitation

When
Friday, February 28, 2025 10:30am – 11:00am

Location
St. John de Brebeuf Catholic Church
67 Main St. E.
Kingsville, Ontario N9Y 1A1

Get Directions: View Map

Mass of Christian Burial

When
Friday, February 28, 2025 11:00am

Location
St. John de Brebeuf Catholic Church
67 Main St. E.
Kingsville, Ontario N9Y 1A1

Get Directions:View Map

Officiant
Fr. Nelson Cabral

Interment

When
Friday, February 28, 2025 12:00pm

Location
Greenhill Cemetery
Kingsville, ON

Donations

Donations are being accepted for: THE HOSPICE OF WINDSOR AND ESSEX COUNTY INC.

The post Maria Stoffle (October 5, 1923 – February 25, 2025) appeared first on Kingsville Times.

Scientists at Lawson Research Institute (Lawson) of St. Joseph’s Health Care London and London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute (LHSCRI) are the first in the world to study fecal transplants using capsules containing microbes from the gut of healthy volunteers to improve the response of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer to chemotherapy.

“Pancreatic cancer has a poor survival rate of approximately 10 per cent over five years and is expected to be the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Canada in the next few years,” says Dr. John Lenehan, Scientist at LHSCRI and Medical Oncologist at the Verspeeten Family Cancer Centre at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC). “Through this study, we aim to offer a new, innovative treatment to patients.”

Research has shown that cancerous tumours have their own community of bacteria, viruses, and fungi that helps the cancer defend itself from conventional treatments like chemotherapy.

Early preclinical studies suggest that fecal transplants delivered via the innovative capsules – known as LND101 – could alter the microbial composition of the tumour and make it more receptive to conventional therapy.

In this new Phase I safety trial, the research team will test the treatment over two years in a small group of cancer patients recruited from the Verspeeten Family Cancer Centre at LHSC.

The process, called fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), involves taking stool from carefully screened healthy donors, processing it in the lab, and creating tasteless, odourless capsules, which are provided to patients participating in the study.

The goal is to enhance the patient’s microbiome (the collection of healthy microorganisms in the human body) which will boost the body’s immune response and potentially make chemotherapy more effective.

“We will study how the gut bacteria of pancreatic cancer patients change after treatment with fecal transplants using the capsules and how this affects their immune system. Our goal is to determine whether a successful shift in the gut microbiome is connected to a better response to chemotherapy,” says Saman Maleki, PhD, Scientist at LHSCRI.

The LND101 pills were pioneered and are produced at Lawson and are showing promise in the treatment of various cancers, including melanoma, through studies at Lawson and LHSCRI.

The trailblazing FMT team at St. Joseph’s is led by Lawson Scientist Dr. Michael Silverman, Medical Director of the Infectious Diseases Care Program, and Lawson Associate Scientist Seema Nair Parvathy, PhD.

“Earlier studies led by Lawson and LHSCRI have demonstrated that the treatment is safe in other cancers and appears to result in better responses to conventional therapies among patients with advanced melanoma, lung cancer and renal cell carcinoma,” says Parvathy, Research Director of the FMT program at St. Joseph’s. “We hope to achieve similar success with patients who have advanced pancreatic cancer.”

Parvathy emphasizes the critical role of poop donors in this groundbreaking field of cancer research. More information is available by calling 519-646-6100, ext. 65739 or emailing Liesl De Silva at [email protected].

The study is being funded by the London Health Sciences Foundation and the Weston Family Foundation.

The post Clinical Trial To Study ‘Poop Pills’ In Advanced Pancreatic Cancer Treatment appeared first on Kingsville Times.

Ontario's political party leaders have criss-crossed the province, released their platforms and made their pitches over the past month — now it's decision day for voters.

It was a busy day at Costco, as I went to get my weekly groceries. I strolled out with the cart towards the car. And as I was ready to put my groceries away, I noticed an adorable petite lady. She had to be in her late 70s, or early 80s. I noticed she had a brace on her hand, groceries, and two heavy cases of water inside the cart.

I said to myself, “There is no way I am going to let her pick that up.”

I slowly walked up to her, gently put my hand on her shoulder, and said, “Ma’am, can I please help you put your groceries in the trunk?”

She replied in a sign of relief, “Oh, please do. Thank you, dear.”

“No need to thank me,” I responded. Do you know why I said that? It is because it is the right thing to do.

Every day, we encounter people of different shapes, sizes, and ethnicities without considering where they are going or how they are feeling. We go about our day without a second thought. We come home, spend time with our family, pets, go to bed, and have another productive next day.

But, what if we took a moment to be mindful and consider that not everyone has a good life?

Mindfulness is beautiful. It allows us to make a realization that our actions and words can either make someone’s day, or ruin a day.

Mindfulness is like an angel whispering to us to think before we say or speak something hurtful.

The person you passed could be going through the darkest storms of their life. We are not mind readers, but we can be magical mental health healers.

We have the power to change someone's day with a powerful gift – the gift of kindness. By offering this inexpensive gift, we can make others feel rich inside, and foster a stronger, more compassionate community.

Kindness is the most beautiful vibration that people need. It is oxygen to those who struggle with adversity. Nobody in this world needs to struggle alone…and that includes YOU, the reader.

To me, Kindness is like a beautiful path. And as I walk along this path, I can hear the beautiful birds chirping, the cool breeze that brushes through my hair, the sun shining brightly upon me, and the angels singing and dancing above. There is nothing but peace and love.

Please, join me on this path. It will guide us towards personal growth and a fulfilling life. We are all part of this world together. We witness an abundance of hate, violence, and anger. While we may not be able to control these forces, we do have the power to see others with soft eyes, speak with compassion, comfort with empathy, and embrace with love.

Let’s choose to be the positive change we wish to see in the world. As a Canadian, I not only want happiness for my country but for all countries, Today, I want you to do something nice for someone. It can be a kind word, or buying them a cup of coffee. And when you have, that is only 50 percent of Kindness completed.

You might be wondering “Well, Danny … what is the other 50 percent? Well, my friends, the other 50 percent is looking at your reflection in the mirror and being proud of the person you are. And gently saying, “I love you and I am enough.”

Remember; let’s NEVER belittle people or yourself. Just “be” a “little” more kind.

To anyone struggling at this moment, I want you to know just how proud I am of you. You are one of the most courageous people because you are fighting something that bullies you and torments your mind each day. And yet, you find a way to fight through the day with indelible strength and resilience.

It is a special gift you have because you are special, you are loved, and you are never alone. This is just a small chapter of your inspirational story. One day, you’re going to go through the depths of hell and into a stronger, braver, and BEST version of who you are.

I have overcome my struggles to let you know that anything is POSSIBLE. I just want you to have FAITH that you can and will overcome any challenges you face with a strong mindset that is waiting for you to believe and utilize it. You deserve a life of much happiness, fulfillment, love, and “kindness.”

It is just like my hero, John Cena says, “NEVER GIVE UP.” Sending you all much love and blessings.

Image by Sasin Tipchai from Pixabay

The post Mental Health Mighties with Danny G: Hail King Kindness appeared first on Kingsville Times.

A baseball umpire from London, Ont., is among three Canadians selected to umpire at the 2025 Little League World Series tournament in Williamsport, Pa., this summer. 

Gabbie Hughes scored her second goal of the game 36 seconds into overtime to give the Ottawa Charge a 5-4 victory over the New York Sirens in Ottawa on Wednesday night in the Professional Women's Hockey League.

Environment Canada has issued a winter weather travel advisory for the GTA and parts of southern Ontario, warning of reduced visibility at times in heavy snow on Thursday morning. 

If it's election season in London, it's a guarantee you'll find small armies of unpaid volunteers knocking on doors, making phone calls and getting the word out about voting day. Here are three of them.

Here's what you need to know on election day in Hamilton, Burlington, Haldimand-Norfolk, Brantford and Niagara.

Polls close at 9 p.m. Afterwards, you'll find the results here for ridings in the Hamilton and Niagara areas.

If Ontario Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford scores a major electoral victory tonight, it will likely vindicate a strategy that centred the election campaign on U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff threat while overshadowing other key provincial issues, some analysts say.

The CBC Decision Desk is a critical component to election night coverage — but how does it actually work? CBC’s Julia Knope went behind the scenes to find out.

While in prison in 2011, former Canadian Olympian Ryan Wedding married a B.C. woman whose name surfaced in probes tied to drugs and money laundering, a CBC News investigation has found. The bonds Wedding was forging would place him at the nexus of Mexican drug cartels and Iranian-linked networks.

Police investigating one of the deadliest workplace incidents in Ottawa's history believe a chain of negligent acts caused the explosion at Eastway Tank, Pump and Meter that killed six employees in 2022, according to a substantially unredacted document exposing new details that was filed in court.

Here's what you need to know on voting day in Ontario.

Voters head to the polls today across Ontario, so here's a quick guide on how you can cast your ballot along with a summary of some of the issues.

Pride Toronto says three large corporate sponsors have pulled their funding from the festival this year in a move it says is connected to a backlash against diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs in the U.S.