Letters

Letters Policy
 
DeWittDailyNews.com welcomes letters to the editor, as a way we can let our readers and listeners sound off on the issues most important to them. If you wish to submit a letter, please note the following guidelines: 
 
  • All letters should be no more than 500 words in length, and should include the writer's name, address and phone number. We will not publish street address, e-mail address or phone number; rather, we reserve the right to contact writers to determine their validity.
     
  • We do not accept handwritten letters or letters submitted on paper.  All letters must be submitted electronically to whow@randyradio.com
     
  • If the editor comments about a letter, the reader may respond with at least as many words as were used by the editor. We would like to stimulate a sincere dialogue.
     
  • All letters become property of DeWitt Daily News.com and Kaskaskia Broadcasting, Inc., dba WHOW/WEZC Radio, and are subject to editing for length, content, grammar, punctuation at the editor's discretion.
     
  • Material that may libel or slander an individual or group will neither be accepted nor posted.
     
  • You may email letters to whow@randyradio.com; to ensure your message is received, please include "Letter to the Editor" in the subject line.
 
We look forward to hearing from you.

Station Editorial: Stop California Emissions Law From Coming to Illinois

STATION EDITORIAL

Posted March 7, 2024

 

This is a station editorial, I’m Randal J. Miller, station president.

A news release came across my e-mail from the Illinois Corn Growers Association that I took note of.   On February 22nd, Illinois state lawmakers tried hitting the gas to incorporate California’s extreme vehicle emissions standards into the Midwest.

HB1634 allows California to govern Illinois Vehicle Code and would essentially require 35% of new light duty vehicles including cars, SUV’s and pick-up trucks sold must be electric by 2026. By 2035, 100% must be electric.

The bill also mandates 75% of all new heavy- duty truck sales and 40% of class 7 and 8 tractor sales must be zero emission by 2035, and requires new trucks sold to be zero emission starting in 2036. Requires used trucks owned by medium and large fleets also be zero emission by 2042.

Illinois Corn Growers Association President Dave Rylander was quoted as saying if this bill passes, it will have drastic impacts on agriculture, trucking and transportation industries, and also open the door for more aggressive regulations without the voter’s consent in the future.

I can’t believe that in one of the largest corn producing and ethanol producing states in the nation, a bill like this would even see the light of day.

But, some Chicago Democrats that don’t understand agriculture or anything south of Interstate 80, are pushing this and introduced the bill in the first place.

The Corn Growers are trying to stop this bill before it ever gets a hearing, and they need YOUR help.   Please click HERE to voice your concern with HB1634.  

Please take the time to respond NOW before this bill gets any further.   Its passage will mean higher prices for our vehicles, higher costs for agriculture, trucking and transportation, which means even MORE inflation put on our backs.

That’s our opinion, we welcome yours.   Our e-mail address is editorial@randyradio-dot-com.

Letter to the Editor: Vote for Regan Deering in the IL Republican Primary March 19

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Posted February 26, 2024

 

If you are planning to vote in the Republican primary for State House District 88, consider casting that vote for Regan Deering. Regan is a family-oriented person, wife and mother of three, who has served as the volunteer Chair of the Decatur Public School Foundation, oversaw the building of a new community food bank, and currently sits on her local school board. She's a former educator and small business owner. 
 
When you meet Regan, you meet the real Regan, not someone who has been in politics for over a decade. Regan is conservative in her approach to issues that plague Illinois and pledges to stand up to the Chicago cabal in the General Assembly that seeks to rule downstate Illinois. 
 
Her opponent in the primary, lawyer Chuck Erikson, has served for 12 years on the McLean County Board and chairs the Land Use Committee. He bears the responsibility, by his voting record, for the proliferation of the ruinous wind energy projects that carpet McLean County and pollute the night sky with flashing red lights. Rural living has been tainted all for a negligible impact on global CO2 emission. He should not be elected to the state house.
 
Instead of another lawyer, let’s put Regan in the state house to fight for local governance in downstate Illinois. 
 
Pat Ryan
Dewitt County Board Member
Farmer City, IL 

Station Editorial: Illegal Immigrants Attack 2 NYPD Officers; We Can't Live Like This

STATION EDITORIAL 

Posted February 8, 2024

 

This is a station editorial, I’m Randal J. Miller, station president.

The dis-respect for the rule of law among those who are citizens of this country, is bad enough.   But for dozens of illegal immigrants who are being housed as sanctuary citizens in New York City, to beat 1 city police officers January 27th, is beyond belief.

According to CBS News, as the NYPD continues its search for six more suspects, pressure is mounting to deport the asylum seekers accused of attacking officers in Times Square.

The NYPD says of the dozen migrants involved in attack on January 27th, six are still wanted. Six were arrested, but only one is in jail; the rest were released.

On February First,  scores of Midtown South police officers were in the courtroom when a judge ordered one of those arrested, held on $15,000 bail for second-degree assault and obstructing governmental administration. The Manhattan District Attorney says he's the man accused of starting the fight. Police say they identified him by the tattoo on his neck.

In court, he was wearing a shirt that said, "Work hard. Be kind."

The head of the police union asked why 4 of the attackers were released on their own recognizance.  

New York Governor Kathy Hochul reiterated calls to deport them, quoting the Governor:    "Get them all and send them back. You don't touch our police officers. You don't touch anybody," she said.

When are we as a people, going to begin respecting the rule of law, and those whose job it is to enforce the law?   It goes back to what I’ve been saying for months.   It seems what was wrong is now right.   

A democracy can’t live like this.   Human beings created by God can’t live like this.   Something’s gotta change.   Inside of each one of us.

That’s our opinion, we welcome yours.   Our e-mail address is editorial@randyradio.com. 

Station Editorial: The Pendulum Is Swinging

STATION EDITORIAL

Posted December 26, 2023

 

This is a station editorial, I'm Randal J. Miller, station president.

I think I shared with you in this space a few months ago, how a friend told me his philosophy of the world as it's playing out:  Since we've conquered about everything that was thought to be impossible 100, 50, 25, or even 10 years ago, we have nothing left to fix or solve.   As a result, my friend says, we've gone to thiking today that what was wrong is now right.

Take the case of of Hamas' attack on Israel in October.   The United States has been a long-time ally of Israel, but sadly much of the sentiment in this country has been it's the Palestinians who have been wronged despite the horrible atrocities Hamas had inflicted on Israeli hostages.   Hamas has showed pictures of dragging or beheading babies and children.

And, this is supposed to be right?

Major U-S university presidents were grilled by Congress earlier in December on the fact demonstrations supporting the Palestinians have broken out on their campuses.  And what did they do?   Support such demonstrations under the guise of free speech.

I go back to what I said at the start of this editorial.  So, what's wrong is now right?   Evil is now good?

But, there IS hope.  A colleague of mine forwarded an article by marketing guru Roy Williams who read the book Don Quixote, written in 1605.  Williams extracts from the book, that civilization has lived in 40 year pendulums from good to evil, and back to good.  Williams' opinion is that we've had 40 years of evil, and that 2024 will be the year that pendulum swings back to starting towards good again.  I hope he's right.

That's our opinion.  We welcome yours.  Our e-mail address is editorial@randyradio.com.

Letter to the Editor on Carbon Capture

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Submitted December 7, 2023

 

Dear Editor:

 

The Illinois Chamber of Commerce takes pride in supporting employers across Illinois by coordinating with local governments to bring more economic development and employment opportunities to our state, building a more resilient local economy. 

To that extent, our Chamber hopes to see Wolf Carbon Solutions’ Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) pipeline break ground to begin construction soon. The Mt. Simon Hub will have significant positive economic impacts that will benefit Illinois’ economy, workforce and longstanding industries – while attracting new ones. 

The development of carbon capture infrastructure will position Illinois as a viable option for traditional industrial CO2 emitters looking to expand their operations. Conversely, we may see industries expand to neighboring states, or leave our state in the years to come, due to a lack of CCS infrastructure. In addition to attracting new industries and their investment dollars to Illinois, the Mt. Simon Hub will have an outsized impact on our long-standing agriculture industry as well. 

The ethanol plants that purchase corn from Illinois farmers will be able to increase their production while meeting emission standards by capturing their CO2. This will increase the volume of corn that ethanol producers can purchase and process from farmers – putting more money in the hands of our local farming community.  

These newfound revenues will ultimately find their way into our local economy, creating more local jobs and investments in local businesses. With an estimated $1.7 billion in total benefits from construction and a further $941 million in benefits from 2025-2036, the Mt. Simon Hub will be a landmark project and an economic boon to the Illinois economy. 

With that in mind, we hope our community will support this project to give Illinois a competitive edge in the race to retain and attract new industries while also playing our part in reducing global carbon emissions. 

 

Sincerely,

Clark Kaericher, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Executive Director of Technology and Healthcare, Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Springfield, IL

Station Editorial: It's Time to Say "Thank You!"

STATION EDITORIAL

Posted October 20, 2023

This is a station editorial, I'm Randal J. Miller, station president.   Well, there's a chill in the air, the leaves are turning colors, and that means we're headed for the holiday season.

As we pause to reflect on 2023 and look ahead to a new year, it's time to say thank you.   Thank you to our thousands of listeners across Central Illinois that rely on our on-air and on-line platforms to get their information and entertainment every day.

Thank you to our many advertisers in both our Taylorville and Clinton markets, that see the value we bring to them in delivering customers to them on-air and on-line.

And, most of all, we thank God for the opportunity of serving you every day, 7 days a week.

We've been honored to serve our Taylorville, Pana and Shelbyville area folks for 31 years come December First.

And, we just passed the 16th anniversary of our acqusition of our Clinton media platforms.

We've continued to invest back into our communities by providing news, local sports, and more ways that local businesses can deliver their message to prospective customers.   Our new digital electronic sign went on-line in Taylorville in August providing advertisers another way of promoting their brand.  Our newest station 965thechill.com in Taylorville just celebrated its first anniversary in August, providing on-air and streaming platforms with cool hits from the 50's thru the 80's for businesses to reach the 50 and over demographic.  And, we have plans in the works to begin a new WTIM Morning Show every Monday from Pana; this in addition to our WTIM Morning Show originated from Shelbyville every Friday and from our Taylorville studios other days of the week.

As I tell my staff every day, we're here to serve, and our goal as we head towards the end of 2023 and begin 2024, is to continue to do that, constantly improving what we do for you along the way.  

On behalf of myself, my staff and family, THANK YOU for allowing us to serve you and we look forward to doing the same in 2024.

Station Editorial: Spending Ourselves Into Oblivion

STATION EDITORIAL

Posted September 4, 2023

 

This is a station editorial, I'm Randal J. Miller, station president.  Myself and many others have long lamented about the lack of self-control in government spending on both the state and federal levels, no matter what party is in power.   

Seems like those running Illinois' checkbook just keep taxing us to fund what they think the priorities are but many times they aren't what Joe and Nancy Lunchbucket want.  What looms in Springfield is the public pension debt which according to the illinoispolicy.org web site, is now 4-point-4 billion because legislators are supposedly underfunding that pension fund on purpose.

And, on the federal level, politicians think they have an open-ended credit card and as a result the country now has a debt the legislators claim is only 32-trillion, but according to the web site "truthinaccounting.org" where the national debt tally shows by the second, the true U-S debt is closer to 159-trillion dollars.   That's just short of one MILLION for each U-S taxpayer.

The sad part about all this, is that spending both in Illinois and in Washington is in the "runaway" category with no signs of ending.

The U-S government is the biggest borrower in the country.   Can you imagine what the true interest rate you and I pay to borrow, would be, if our country didn't have to make principal and interest payments on that 159-trillion dollar debt?

This issue doesn't make the headlines because frankly politicians want to ignore it.  Passing out money, whether it's COVID funding or pork projects, get them re-elected.   It's like being on an addictive drug.  Once you've tasted the candy, you don't want to stop.

With an election year looming next year, it's time you and I start asking the question to whoever runs for any office:   What are you going to do about the out of control government spending, whether in Springfield or Washington?   If they give you a gobbly-gook answer, you know they're either not going to answer the question, or do nothing about it.
And, that unfunded state pension obligation, and the national debt clock, both continue to roll on.   That's our opinion, we welcome yours.   Our e-mail address is editorial@randyradio.com.

Unsung Heroes at Local Fairs

EDITORIAL written 7/27/23 

This is a station editorial, I'm Randal J. Miller, station president.   

Our local county, 4-H, junior, and livestock fairs around Central Illinois have been in full swing this summer.

Our announcers have traveled to many of these fairs interviewing 4-H'ers and adults that have shown their cattle, pigs, rabbits, chickens, and culinary exhibits, that they've put hundreds of hours of work into.

One of the greatest pleasures I have as a radio station owner, is to hear these interviews and the passion these kids and adults put into their animals and projects.   You can sense it just from how they shared how they turned their animal or exhibit into something they were proud to show at their Fair.

There's another group of people that are quite literally the unsung heroes of all the Fairs we broadcast from each summer.   That's the HUNDREDS of Fair board members and volunteers all over Central Illinois, that do the work most people DON'T see, to get their Fairgrounds ready for the animals and exhibits to show up.

That work is YEAR-round, but especially in the days before and during a Fair.   You'll see them working in the barns, or on the grounds, or making sure an event goes off without a hitch.

That includes all the livestock shows, the pageants, the auctions, the pulls, and the Demo Derbys.

It takes HUNDREDS of people that volunteer their time, to make the Fairs in Central Illinois, some of the BEST in the state.

So, if you know of someone who's involved in one of the Fairs you attend, shoot them an e-mail, text or phone call, and let them know they are APPRECIATED.  They quite literally are the unsung heroes of our Central Illinois fairs.

We are grateful for their commitment and passion to keep our fairs going and thriving across our coverage areas.   Thank you Fair volunteers, and know that we all APPRECIATE what you do!

That's our opinion, we welcome yours.  Our e-mail address is editorial@randyradio.com.

Station Editorial: Supreme Justice Gorsuch Comments on Civil Liberties During COVID

STATION EDITORIAL

Posted June 17, 2023

 

This is a station editorial, I'm Randal J. Miller, station president.  Some comments that got little traction from the mainstream media from Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch on what he considered government overreach of our civil liberties during the COVID pandemic, I thought were worth pondering over with you.

In a statement in a lawsuit over the Title 42 public health order, Justice Gorsuch gave a stern overview of how civil liberties were trampled during the COVID-era — and the lessons that America could learn from it.

He said that we should, quoting the Justice:  "Fear and the desire for safety are powerful forces.  They can lead to a clamor for action, almost any action, as long as someone does something to address a perceived threat".  End of quote.  

Justice Gorsuch added that a leader or expert who claims they can fix everything if we only do exactly as he says, can prove to be an irrestible force.   But the Justice said that we don't need to confront a bayonet, we need only a nudge, before we willingly abandon the nicety of requiring laws to be adopted by the legislative process and accept rule by decree.

Justice Gorsuch in his written statement, said the Title 42 case addessing response to the pandemic was, again quoting:  "illustrates the disruption we have experienced over the last three years in how our laws are made and our freedoms observed."saying we saw, "the greatest intrusions on civil liberties in the peacetime history of this country."

His statement continues.  Quote:  "Executive officials across the country issued emergency decrees on a breathtaking scale. Governors and local leaders imposed lockdown orders forcing people to remain in their homes. They shuttered businesses and schools, public and private. They closed churches even as they allowed casinos and other favored businesses to carry on. They threatened violators not just with civil penalties but with criminal sanctions too. They surveilled church parking lots, recorded license plates, and issued notices warning that attendance at even outdoor services satisfying all state social-distancing and hygiene requirements could amount to criminal conduct. They divided cities and neighborhoods into color-coded zones, forced individuals to fight for their freedoms in court on emergency timetables, and then changed their color-coded schemes when defeat in court seemed imminent," end of quote.

Couldn't have said it better myself.  That's our opinion, we welcome yours.   Our e-mail address is editorial@randyradio.com.

Station Editorial: Can't We All Get Along?

STATION EDITORIAL

Posted May 3, 2023

 

This is a station editorial, I'm Randal J. Miller, station president.   As I travel the communities in our Taylorville and Clinton stations' service areas, I continue to hear a common theme that I'm concerned about.  That is the rancor and dissention that is heard in conversations on just about everything.

The COVID pandemic has taken an emotional and mental toll on all of us.  For months at a time, we were unable to have the one thing we as humans must have:  Face-to-face relationships with family, friends, and community.

This is having a devestating effect on those same 3 groups.   We aren't communicating like we did before the pandemic.  Friends and acquaintenances are turning on each other.

We as a country, as a state, and as a community can't operate this way.  It takes communication.  And, as I've said the past 3 years, it takes all of us meeting in the middle.

In my devotions recently, I came across a passage in Galatians 5 that seems fitting to share.  In it, Paul the Apostle wrote the following:

"You, my brothers, were called to be free.   But do not use your freedom to indulge your sinful nature; rather serve one another with love.  The entire law is summed up in a single command:  Love your neighbor as yourself.  If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other."  end of quote.

While Paul was writing about being spiritually free, these verses can be applied to our personal freedom we enjoy in the United States, as well.

Whether it's in Washington, Springfield, or the town you live in, we as Americans must meet in the middle to tackle the challenges we face in 2023.  For without compromise, as Paul wrote, "You will be destroyed by each other."

Good words to follow to live life in our faith with our families and friends.

That's our opinion, we welcome yours.   Our e-mail address is:   editorial@randyradio.com.

Station Editorial: LOCAL Radio Still Important to LOCAL Economy

Station Editorial

Posted February 6, 2023

 

This is a station editorial, I'm Randal J. Miller, station president.   Today, all of us are bombarded with more information than we ever have, from more sources than ever before.

But, you know, there's still ONE LOCAL source for local news and sports, severe weather information, high school sports play by play, and community involvement.  And, that's LOCAL RADIO.

As radio celebrated it's 100th anniversary last year, it's continued its commitment to service in markets large and small.

Despite the additional choices all of us have to get our information, LOCAL RADIO is still delivering the LOCAL information you want, expect, and deserve.

And, in those 100 years, radio has also evolved to deliver its LOCAL content via a variety of platforms, whether they be AM, FM, streaming, live video streams, or podcasts. 

I've told many people over the years, that as long as WE in LOCAL RADIO continue creating the LOCAL CONTENT you want and expect, and deliver it in the many platforms we now have the opportunity to, you'll continue listening.

With the advent of the Internet, LOCAL RADIO is delivering that LOCAL CONTENT in streaming, live videos via Facebook and Youtube, and podcasts.  And, that LOCAL CONTENT is also being POSTED to read on our free, on-line daily newspaper in each of our 2 markets, Taylorville and Clinton.

Another benefit is that LOCAL ADVERTISERS can reach LOCAL shoppers with these multiple platforms our LOCAL CONTENT is being delivered on, continuing to grow our economy in Central Illinois.

We're proud of our many stations' decades of LOCAL service to the communities we serve, and are THANKFUL for our thousands of listeners to our on-air platforms on-air and on-line, as well as THOUSANDS of readers to our free, on-line daily newspapers.  

We're here to continue helping our local economies GROW!

That's our opinion, we welcome yours.   Our e-mail address is editorial@randyradio.com.

Editorial Potpourri Posted January 3, 2023

EDITORIAL POTPOURRI posted January 3, 2023

This is editorial potpourri, I’m Randal J. Miller, station president.

Point number one:  Despite various legislators telling us over 5 years ago that Illinois Route 48 thru Macon, Christian and Montgomery Counties was part of the state’s 5-year road improvement plan to be re-paved, it hasn’t happened since telling us that 5 years ago.  It’s one of the roughest roads in the area for commuters, shoppers, and the general public to travel.  Here’s a public hint to our area legislators, that the road sure could use getting re-paved before another 5 years is up.

Point number 2:  We welcome new county board chairs across our 2 clusters’ coverage areas, and especially the new chairs in our stations’ home counties of DeWitt and Christian.  We hope with new leadership comes a new era of cooperation among county board members in their respective counties, to discuss the issues in a respectful manner with an outcome that’s positive for county residents, especially in the area of economic development.  

Point number 3:  Countless doctors and nurses we know thru-out Central Illinois, have shared that the demeanor of their patients during and since COVID, has been anger, demanding, and condescending.  While patients have long asked for understanding and emphathy from doctors and nurses, it’s time to remind those patients that health care is short-staffed and doing the best they can with the staff they have.   One of my daughters, who has been in the nursing profession some 15 years, tells me that during and since COVID, she has been yelled at and verbally abused by patients.  But!  So that hospitals will keep their high rating to continue receiving government payments, nursing staff are told to just take it.  Some nurses have even been told they can file charges against patients that physically abuse them.    Patients need an “attitude adjustment” and realize that a nurse isn’t going to answer their call button the second they hit it because they’re short-staffed.  Such abuse of nurses by patients is one reason thousands of nurses are leaving the profession in the first place.  So, next time you’re a patient in a hospital or doctor’s office, remember that courtesy and understanding is a 2-way street.

That’s our opinion, we welcome yours.  Our e-mail address is editorial@randyradio.com.

Letter to the Editor: Hackers Are Taking The Fun Out Of Facebook

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Posted December 1, 2022

 

Dear Editor:

 

'Hacking’ is taking the fun out of Facebook. We are ‘One Click Away’ from potentially harmful links sent via Messenger. Your privacy is only as secure as your friends’ privacy settings. Protect yourself and review your privacy settings and encourage your friends to do the same.

Nearly everyone on Facebook has been receiving bogus friend requests. Usually, they’re from ‘cloned’ or duplicate profiles. Some result from malicious links sent via Messenger. To protect yourself, review your privacy settings. Stop letting the entire world see your friends list.

Public friends’ lists make all of us far more susceptible to being targets of ‘cloned’ profiles. Bogus friend requests are targeting friends of those with ‘Public’ friends’ lists. Letting the entire world see your friends list is why so many people are getting ‘Hacked,’ and makes every one of your friends a target for mischief.

Review your Privacy Settings and change "Who Can See Your Friends List' from 'Public' to 'Only You.'

Settings & Privacy can be accessed several ways, depending on whether you use a phone or PC. Using the Privacy Shortcuts is the simplest. Review your settings, and change as many to Non-Public as necessary.

There are additional privacy settings that can and should be changed from 'Public' to 'Only You.' You could limit, for example, who other than friends, can follow or contact you.

Your activity log displays the history of access to your account, by any device, including unrecognized devices.

'Hacking’ is taking the fun out of Facebook. We are ‘One Click Away’ from potentially harmful links sent via Messenger. Your privacy is only as secure as your friends’ privacy settings.

Protect yourself and review your privacy settings and encourage your friends to do the same. Stop letting the entire world see your friends list.

 

Sincerely,

Brad Barnes

Clinton, IL

Station Editorial: Being Thankful

STATION EDITORIAL

Posted November 5, 2022

 

This is a station editorial, I'm Randal J. Miller, station president.  Well, it's the holiday season...the season of thanks for our many blessings and for the birth of Jesus Christ.  

Despite another year of rancor and division in our country, we still live in the greatest country in the world, where we can do and say just about anything as long as we follow the rule of law.  Not many countries have the freedoms we do and many times we don't stop and think about it.

Time marches on for us all.  I thank God for my faith, my family, and for the extended family I have in every one of you, our listeners.  

I'll be celebrating 50 years in the radio business I love, in 2023.  

I've been blessed to have been part of the Taylorville-Shelbyville-Pana communities with our Taylorville cluster of stations the past 30 years, and 15 years in our Clinton-Monticello-Lincoln markets.

Our 2 legacy stations this year celebrated anniversaries, too.  WTIM in Taylorville threw a party in May with the Greater Taylorville Chamber of Commerce to honor that station's 70th anniversary, and WHOW in Clinton is celebrating 75 years of service with a fun evening as well.

While all of us have challenges every day, it's important to stop, reflect, and be thankful for all that God has given each of us.

May you and your family have a most blessed holiday season, and may the love we share this time of year extend into the new year ahead.

Quoting Henry Wadsworth Longfellow from the poem "The Harvest Moon":  
"It is the Harvest Moon! On gilded vanes
And roofs of villages, on woodland crests
And their aerial neighborhoods of nests
Deserted, on the curtained window-panes
Of rooms where children sleep, on country lanes
And harvest-fields, its mystic splendor rests!" 

That's our opinion, we welcome yours.  Our e-mail address is editorial@randyradio.com.

Station Editorial: Help WHOW Celebrate Its 75th Anniversary and Raise Money for 2 Local Charities

STATION EDITORIAL

Posted November 1, 2022

 

This is a station editorial, I’m Randal J. Miller, station president.

The year was 1946.  A group of Clinton area residents decided it was time for the DeWitt County seat to have its own radio station.  After over a year of work, WHOW THE BIG 1520 signed on August 2nd, 1947.  WHOW has provided 75 years of service to Clinton, DeWitt County, and Central Illinois ever since, and since it's the station's 75th anniversary, it wants to CELEBRATE!  

We're inviting you to our WHOW 75th Anniversary Banquet taking place Saturday, November 12th at the Clinton Country Club!   We're footing the bill for everything—the venue, entertainment, food, everything—AND will debut the showing of the WHOW 75th Anniversary video! Social hour starts at 5:30, dinner is at 6:30, and the debut of our WHOW 75th Anniversary video at 7:30 that night.   

The evening includes entertainment by country singer Gracia Harrison, and a delicious plated pork chop meal with all the trimmings.  There'll even be a special WHOW 75th Anniversary cake to enjoy!  This special night will be a fund-raiser with all ticket sales going to the Neighborhood Care Center No Fee Grocery, and the Clinton High School Student Activity Fund.  

The clock is ticking to the deadline to buy tickets to this special night!  THIS FRIDAY, November 4th at 5pm is the absolute deadline for you to buy your tickets, so that we know how much food and cake to plan for.

Tickets are 50-dollars each or buy a table of 8 for 360-dollars!  Tickets can be purchased at the Clinton High School office during school day business hours.  Help WHOW raise money for these 2 special causes, and watch the debut of the WHOW 75th Anniversary video, Saturday, November 12th at the Clinton Country Club.

We hope you’ll support these 2 worthwhile local non-profit causes, and help WHOW celebrate 75 years of service to Clinton, DeWitt County, and Central Illinois, by purchasing your tickets at Clinton High School by the deadline this Friday at 5pm.  

Just as a group of local people had the vision of local radio in Clinton, let’s celebrate their legacy, WHOW’s past, and look to the future as we continue serving our listeners on AM, FM, audio and video streamed from the Big Red Barn!

Letter to the Editor: We Have a GREAT Community!

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Posted September 21, 2022

 

Dear Editor:

I felt the need to write about this subject for quite a while now.

 

I truly feel we live in one of the best communities that there is. Whether it's due to great neighbors, supportive individuals in the community, great jobs, or the plethora of quality locally owned businesses, we live in a great Community.

 

And it’s one of those quality businesses that I have to talk about, because they do not get the amount of recognition that they deserve.

 

Our local Save-A-Lot is hands down one of the best resources we have in our awesome Community. If you are a patron of the store, you can see how great the store is as far as quality of the items sold, cleanliness in general of the inside and outside of the property, the friendliness of the staff, great pricing, and the list goes on and on.

 

But what I don’t think that most people know is how supportive to the community they are. The Kenney Fire Department has been doing an annual Chicken Fry every year for the past 40+ years. We found ourselves in a major dilemma a few years back when the Pandemic hit. Most of the items we got from all over the Community were out of stock with no possible way of getting in time. Many hours of brainstorming and lost sleep happened… until we reached out to Save-A-Lot.

 

They somehow got us EVERYTHING that we needed, and at a generous price. Since then, they have been nothing short of amazing to us in helping get the needed items and showing their continued support.

 

Both Dave Jackson and Jon Groves came to us this year during set-up and cooking to make sure everything was up to our standards, and of course it was.

 

Their generosity and support mean everything to us and we are truly grateful for them and the amazing business Dave runs.

 

There are so many great businesses in our Community who show their support to Non-Profit organizations like Kenney Fire Department, and we are truly blessed to live where we do.

 

Of these great businesses, Save-A-Lot is second to none. Keep running a great business, WE APPRECIATE YOU!!!

 

John Wrage

Kenney Fire Department

Fire Chief 

Station Editorial: What's Old is New Again

STATION EDITORIAL

Posted September 9, 2022

 

This is a station editorial, I'm Randal J. Miller, station president.

What's old is new again.  That's the subject of an article on "theringer.com" headlined "Is Old Music Killing New Music?"  The sub-headline says that the power of nostalgia in pop culture is bringing old music back again.

The article by Ted Gioia goes on to say that the song of the summer was Kate Bush's "Running Up That Hill" from 1985, launched by the most-watched global TV show of the summer "Stranger Things" which pays homage to the 1980's.

And, the writer says the biggest movie hit of the summer, "Top Gun:  Maverick" is a sequel to the 1986 film.  That was 36 years ago!

He adds that the 5 biggest movies of the year were all sequels as well.  

The writer of the ringer.com article says consumption of new music is down while the growth is in what's called "catalog music," or older songs.

He adds Wall Street is paying attention.  Investment groups are buying rights to old music catalogs dating back to the 70's or even further back than that.  Why?  Because that's what people are BUYING and listening to!

The writer points out it's the first time in one thousand years that people are investing in OLD songs, saying that consumption of older music went from 67 to 73 percent from last year to this.

While as the song goes, "the times they are a changin'", the global population is waxing nostalgic for memories of simpler times when people actually got along.

I suspect Frank Sinatra, Roy Orbison, Marvin Gaye, John Lennon, George Harrison, Andy Gibb, Tom Petty and thousands more singers that are in Rock and Roll Heaven, are having a celebration concert in heaven over the fact their music is "new" again.

Makes me feel good to play these and mamy other artists form the last over 40 years, on our Miller Media Group music stations.

Because, right now, in the times we're living in, what's old is new again, and that's a good thing.

That's our opinion, we welcome yours.  Our e-mail address is editorial@randyradio.com.

Letter to the Editor: Don't Like Your Choices for Illinois Governor?

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Posted August 20, 2022

 

Dear Editor:

 

Not 100% happy with your choices for Governor in November? You should inform yourself about Scott Schluter, the Libertarian candidate for Illinois governor. 

 

Scott is a pro liberty candidate that will work to make the authoritarian state of Illinois free again.  You can find more about him at https://scottschluter.com.

 

Nathan Florey

Clinton, IL 61727

Station Editorial: Guess Who Caused INFLATION?

STATION EDITORIAL

Posted August 6, 2022

 

This is a station editorial, I'm Randal J. Miller, station president.

The word INFLATION is one we hear practically every day in the news.
And, of course, both political parties are blaming each other for it.

Truth is, no matter where you go or what you buy, you're feeling its effects.

I want to delve into the WHY we have the inflation rate at plus or minus 10 percent over the past year.  

It's simple economics, capitalism, and the marketplace.

Reason # 1 of 2:  When BOTH parties pass legislation borrowing or printing over 2-trillion, that's trillion with a "T", dollars to pass out claiming the country needed it in 2021 despite signs the economy was doing OK, that's going to cause inflation, and a lot of it.

Reason # 2 of 2:  When politicians shut off the domestic oil spigot because the majority party is realizing that, instead of having 4 years to pass their green agenda they now have less than 3 months, they've got to stop anything that will increase the domestic oil supply, and more, begin ramping down anything that burns fossil fuel.  The problem is, when you shut down increased production of fossil fuels, that still power homes, businesses and factories, you can't ramp up the green agenda to generate power fast enough.  Wind and solar aren't being built quick enough to replace the fossil fuels the majority party are shutting down.  

That's why one of my transmitter site power bills last month went from $1200 to over $3100.  OUCH.

Well, there you have it. Simple economics, capitalism, and the marketplace.  And when politicians tamper with it, it turns it into a MESS, and is hitting OUR pocketbooks and will continue to do so for quite a while.

When the marketplace is LEFT alone WITHOUT any tampering by government, it works pretty well.  

When government—whether it's federal or state—DOES tamper with it, you and I will be paying MORE for our energy, goods and services, for a LONG time.

That's our opinion, we welcome yours.  Our e-mail address is editorial@randyradio.com.

Station Editorial: No One Is Willing to Meet in the Middle

STATION EDITORIAL

Posted June 26, 2022

 

This is a station editorial, I'm Randal J. Miller, station president.

 

Rulings by the U-S Supreme Court on June 23rd and 24th on 2 emotional issues, has re-charged discussions on gun control and abortion.

 

On June 23rd, the Court ruled that New York State's restrictive conceal-carry gun law was unconstitutional.   

 

The Court announced 2 rulings on June 24th.  The first centered on a Mississippi law that banned abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy. The State of Mississippi asked the Supreme Court to strike down a lower court ruling that stopped the 15-week abortion ban from taking place.   The Court voted 6 to 3 to uphold the Mississippi ban.

 

The second ruling the Court announced June 24th, was the pivotal one.  Voting 5 to 4, the Court said that a right to an abortion is not a constitutional right, and moving the issue to states to decide individually.  This overturned the Court's 1973 ruling of Roe versus Wade.

 

Those on both sides of both rulings, vowed that they would carry their fight into the mid-term elections.

 

Here's my fear.   On these and many other issues on the federal, state, and even local levels, the way the Founding Fathers set up our republic over 200 years ago, will begin to unravel.  As I've said in editorials for over 2 years, the answer to any issue—controversial or not—is in the middle, but in this emotionally-charged, politically-charged time we're living in, no one is willing to compromise. 

 

The sad part of all this, is that the segregation civil rights leaders fought to stop in the last century, is re-emerging as what I'm calling political segregation.  If you believe what a red state believes in, you may decide to make that state your new residence, and ditto if you believe in policies of a blue state.   People still vote with their pocketbooks.  But, the furthering of what I'm calling the political segregation of our country, may be a result.

 

All this will further divide an already-divided country.  No one is willing to meet in the middle.  

 

That's our opinion, we welcome yours.  Our e-mail address is editorial@randyradio.com.

Letter to the Editor: Supporting Sara Jade Russell in DeWitt County Treasurer's Republican Nomination Race

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Posted June 24, 2022

 

Dear Editor:

 

 I would appreciate your support of my niece, Sara Jade Russell, on June 28, 2022, as your next Republican DeWitt County Treasurer.  

 

Before Jade decided to run for this political position, she reached out to the treasurer's office to understand the duties and responsibilities.   She was advised that the treasurer does not employ advanced accounting methods.   It is a job which requires record keeping and basic bank transactions. With Jade's prior work experience and education, she is well qualified for this position.  

 

Being an accountant is not a requirement for the treasurer's position.  

 

Leslie Trimble Cyrulik  

Clinton, IL 61727

Letter to the Editor in DeWitt County Treasurer Republican Race

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Submitted June 24, 2022

 

Dear Editor:

 

DeWitt County is fortunate to have good people to run for office.   That is true of the race for the DeWitt County Treasurer's office. 

I am supporting Sara Jade Russell in this race.   I have known Jade all of her life as well as her grandparents, Glen and Mabel Trimble.

She is a hard worker now and always has been.   She is well educated and well prepared to handle the duties of the DeWitt County Treasurer.

I am asking that you give Sara Jade Russell your vote on June 28, 2022. 

Ray Moss
Clinton, IL 

Letter to the Editor Supporting Russell for DeWitt County Treasurer

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Posted June 23, 2022

 

Dear Editor:

 

 Letter to the Editor 

I am supporting Sara Jade Russell in the Republican DeWitt County Treasurer's race. 

I have known Jade for over 20 years.   She's a great neighbor and friend.    She is a hard worker and a very caring person.   She is trustworthy, intelligent, and well qualified for this position..

I ask my friends and family to join me in supporting and voting for Sara Jade Russell on June 28, 2022, as our next DeWitt County Treasurer. 

 

Pat Toohill
Clinton, IL 61727
 

Letter to the Editor on DeWitt County Treasurer Candidate

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Posted June 22, 2022

 

Dear Editor:

I’m writing to express my support for and also encourage you to vote for S Jade Russell as your next County Treasurer. 

 

Jade and her family have been planted in DeWitt County for many generations. As a past DeWitt County Board Member and Vice Chairman, I’m so proud to see Jade follow in the footsteps of her grandparents (Glen and Mabel Trimble) in seeking a life of service! 

 

Jade has the passion to help make a difference in DeWitt County, save the taxpayers’ money, and lead from a position of strong ethics, values, and morals. She also has 16 years experience in audits, invoices, receipts, bills, reconciling financial reports & training and leading employees.

 

Please cast your vote for S Jade Russell on June 28, 2022. A vote for Jade is a vote for the future of DeWitt County! 

 

Thank you, 
Levi Sturgeon

Bloomington, IL 
 

Letter to the Editor Supporting Jade Russell in DeWitt County Treasurer Race

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Posted June 22, 2022

 

Dear Editor:

 

I have known Jade Russell for more than 20 years. She has strong work ethics, is dependable and comes from a respectable family. She would be a great asset to this community as DeWitt County Treasurer.

 

Terry Hammer 

Clinton
 

Townhall Top of the Hour News

Local Weather - Sponsored By:

CLINTON WEATHER

Local News

DeWittDN on Facebook