Local News

DeWitt County Museum Recognizing Impact of Women on CH Moore Homestead

The DeWitt County Museum is promoting women who have had an impact on the CH Moore Homestead during this Women's History Month.

 

Joey Long says the conversation starts with Minerva Moore-Bishop, CH's sister, who was the first to reside in the home. Long indicates CH Moore actually lived outside of Clinton before moving into the mansion on Clinton's north side.

 

 

According to Long, the second woman to live in the house was CH Moore's second wife. Long explains upon the passing of CH Moore's sister, Minerva, CH bought the property and then moved in.

 

 

CH Moore's son's widow also lived with Rose after CH's passing. According to Long, finding information on Nellie, Moore's son's widow, was limited. While she did not have children when she was married, but several years later married an old friend who had five children. 

 

 

Long points out, when the Museum re-opens in April, the story of these three women and a few others can be told by taking a tour of the Museum.

 

For re-opening dates, museum hours, and admission prices of the Museum, visit chmoorehomestead.org or find them on Facebook. 

Spring Trout Season Coming Up

The spring trout season is right around the corner.

 

April 6 opens the annual spring trout season and DNR Conservation Police Capt. John Williamson encourages fishermen to get a jump on things and get that fishing license renewed and that trout stamp.

 

 

According to Capt. Williamson, Weldon Springs has a spring trout season and a fall trout season. He indicates other than the middle of the summer, trout fishing is generally good at the Springs.

 

 

Trout season opens April 6 and those fishing licenses come up for renewal on April 1. Visit dnr.illinois.gov for more information on the closest trout fishing site near you. 

Social Security Addressing Misleading Advertising, Communications

Just a few weeks ago was 'Slam the Scam Day' and Social Security was heavily promoting imposter scams - those impersonating a Social Security representative.

 

A similar, nefarious effort is often made to impersonate someone from Social Security to help you with services that are otherwise free. Jack Myers with Social Security says those types of efforts can come with penalties of the individual, or individuals, are apprehended.

 

 

Myers explains Social Security may impose a penalty against anyone who is charging a fee for a service that Social Security provides free of charge without providing clearly visible notice that Social Security provides the service for free. 

 

 

If you receive misleading or suspicious Social Security-related advertisement or communication, please let the Office of the Inspector General know at oig.ssa.gov or send an e-mail to OIG.1140@ssa.gov.

 

 

It helps if you can gather as much info as possible like a a screenshot of the page, the website address or social media link- and how you came across it. For e-mails and text messages, please capture the entire message and any message links.

 

For telephone solicitations, please note caller ID number (may or may not be spoofed) and any company name or call back number that the caller or recorded message provides. 

 

To learn more, check out the publication called 'What You Need To Know About Misleading Advertising' available at www.ssa.gov/pubs.

Illinois FFA President Wants to See Ag Education Line Item Increased

Illinois FFA President Thaddeus Bergschneider making the most of his Illinois Ag Legislative Day experience. He wants to see the ag education line item increased. He spoke with the RFD Radio Network about the issue.

 

 

Bergschneider will finish up his term in June. Illinois Ag Legislative Day was held last week in Springfield.

Warner Library Welcomes New Video, TV Streaming Offering

If you're a library card holder at the Warner Library in Clinton and enjoy movies and TV shows, a new service they have is something you are going to want to check out.

 

Bobbi Perryman is the Executive Director of the Warner Library in Clinton and says the new service is called 'Kanopy' which is a video and TV show streaming library.


 

 

According to Perryman, you will need a current library card with a pin set up. You can contact the library to update those, otherwise, the app is available on most formats, and again, you receive a certain number of streams per month. 

 

Visit vwarner.org or more information or call the library at 217-935-5174. The library is at 310 North Quincy Street in Clinton behind the DeWitt County building.  

Clinton Police Reporting Positive Staffing News

Staffing at the Clinton Police Department is improving.

 

Clinton Police Chief Ben Lowers is excited to report they have three new hires they are bringing on and starting the training process for.


 

 

The Clinton Police Department - like other agencies - has to heavily compete to not only attract but retain police officers as a nationwide police officer shortage has impacted agencies large and small. 

Lincoln Mayor Reacts to Announcement From State for Corrections Facilities Improvements

The State of Illinois announced Friday morning plans to rebuild its two corrections facilities in Lincoln, Illinois but local officials are uncertain about the future of one of them.

 

On the WHOW Morning Show Friday, Lincoln Mayor Tracy Welch told Regional Radio the Governor's announcement leaves some questions regarding whether one of the facilities will be rebuilt in Logan County or elsewhere.

 

 

According to the Lincoln Mayor, the Logan Correctional Facility employs over 400 people and it is a huge piece of the economic footprint of the City of Lincoln.

 

 

In the Governor's press release Friday morning, the Governor notes the funding is included in the capital proposal the governor presented to the General Assembly as part of his FY25 budget proposal.

 

Rebuilding Logan Correctional Center in Lincoln and Stateville Correctional Center in Crest Hill addresses critical infrastructure needs at both facilities.

 

The plan estimates construction costs will total between $805 to $935 million. Governor Pritzker's proposed FY25 capital budget included $900 million in new funds to demolish and rebuild these facilities. 

Clinton Police Add Body Cameras

Clinton Police Officers will patrol with body cameras moving forward.

 

On the WHOW Morning Show Thursday Clinton Police Chief Ben Lowers told Regional Radio his officers started wearing the cameras about three weeks ago. He explains it took about a year to get the cameras in their possession and reminds - it is a response to the Safe-T legislation in Illinois.

 

 

Some law enforcement officials - Chief Lowers included - early on scoffed at the idea of body cameras on officers, however, body cameras to the surprise of many, have become a tool that in a lot of cases exonerates police in the actions they take in most cases.

 

 

While he was resistant to the idea of body cameras but then discovering their benefits, Chief Lowers believes it is still a shame there is the necessity for these devices and the deterioration of the trust in an officer's word in the court of law.

 

 

According to Chief Lowers, the effort to get body cams on its officers was quite the undertaking because they were simultaneously working on upgrading the dash cams on their vehicles.

 

 

While some critics of body cameras have been silenced, others still will say officers are behaving differently because of the accountability of body cameras. Chief Lowers believes that is not the case at all and feels it re-enforces the consistently good work of law enforcement in our communities. 

Clinton Community Education Foundation Awards Annual Teacher Grants

Teachers across Clinton schools were surprised this week when leadership from a non-profit showed up with grant money for their classrooms.

 

The Clinton Community Education Foundation recently awarded its annual teacher grants. CCEF Secretary Chris Shaffer says this is an annual effort they do that helps bridge the gap that can enhance school classrooms but may be things the district cannot afford to fund.

 

 

Shaffer notes they awarded 15 individual grants across the various Clinton school buildings late last week and early this week.

 

 

Shaffer reminds they also sponsor recurring grants - most notably for the Challenger program at Heartland Community College and for 'Read Across Clinton'.

 

 

In total, the CCEF awarded 15 individual grants across the various school buildings totaling just over $20,500. 

 

The CCEF also recently announced it is bringing back its annual Derby Day - Kentucky Derby-themed - fundraiser in May. We'll have more on that next week on Regional Radio. 

Local Domsetic Violence Advocates Say Rates of Stalking Increasing

Stalking is increasingly becoming more common in cases of domestic abuse.

 

Director of Services for Willow Tree Missions in Piatt County, Andrea Kocher says stalking is always an intentional action directed at a specific person. Oftentimes the victim is fearful for their safety and experiences a great deal of emotional stress.

 

 

One might think that stalking is growing in its occurrences thanks to the advent of social media but Kocher says social media is actually only a tool. Stalking is much more of a sinister activity than harassment through social media.

 

 

Stalking is not unlike other forms of abuse in that when a victim is sharing its experiences, the stories can often sound unbelievable. Kocher explains a person who has never experienced this before is likely to think the situation is exaggerated. 

 

 

A victim of stalking changes a lot both during and after abuse happens through this method. We'll have more on that in the days ahead with Kocher on Regional Radio News. 

 

To learn more about Willow Tree Missions, visit willowtreemissions.org and find them on Facebook. 

Illinois Farm Bureau Promoting IVET Program

Demand remains strong for large animal vets in Illinois. And the Illinois Farm Bureau continues to promote the IVET program says the organization’s Tasha Bunting.

 

 

Information on the program can be found at ilfb.org/IVET.

Looking at Advanced Placement Exam Results in Illinois

The State of Illinois continues to see high achievement in Advanced Placement Exams. 

 

That is from new numbers released by the Illinois State Board of Education. New data shows Illinois’ Class of 2023 achieved the second largest state 10-year increase in the percentage of graduates scoring a 3 or higher on an AP exam. Erica Thieman (Tee-Mon) is the K through 12 Curriculum and Instruction with the Illinois State Board of Education...

 

 

The Illinois State Board of Education is seeing so much success in Advanced Placement Exams that the state will soon add more Advanced Placement exam subjects including African American Studies.

Local Fire Departments Celebrate Successful Daytona 500 Fundraiser

The Daytona 500 may have been put off the Monday after the scheduled race date but local residents still came out in force to support local fire departments that Sunday.

 

The Daytona 500 was rained out until Monday, Feb 19 but the Clinton Eagle's annual fundraiser for area fire departments went off without a hitch. Kerry Coles, or KC, from the Kenney Fire Department, says the day was incredible despite not having a race to watch.

 

 

Fritz Robinson is on the Kenney Fire District Board of Trustees and says the funds raised and distributed to their department always help bridge the gap from what the department cannot afford but needs.

 

 

According to KC, the fundraiser is a great time and is open to the public at the Eagle's each year. He explains they have everything from reverse raffles, 50/50s, auction items, and food and drinks.

 

 

The Clinton, Kenney, and Wapella Fire Departments split the funds raised from the Daytona event each year. Those funds will be distributed in the next few weeks by the folks from the Eagle's. 

 

The Clinton Eagle's was recently named the Chamber of Commerce's non-profit of the year. 

State Senator Sounding Alarm on 'Dangerous' Legislation Proposal

A central Illinois lawmaker is sounding the alarm on what he describes as dangerous legislation every parent should know about.

 

State Sen. Chapin Rose says some of the upcoming legislative proposals in Springfield are ridiculous and he calls some ridiculous like a ban on gas-powered leaf blowers. But others are more serious like a ban on trucks built before 2010. 

 

 

Sen. Rose says those ideas aren't even the craziest that are coming up this year. He points to a Naperville lawmaker who is proposing having parents removed as legal guardians if they do not approve gender-affirming care for their minor children.

 

 

The Mahomet Republican says this proposal should send a chill down the spine of every parent in the State of Illinois. He says there are people now in the Democratic Party in Illinois that believe the government is better suited to parent a child than its parents and calls it 'insane'. 

United Way Teaming Up with Cardinals Legend

St. Louis Cardinals legend Adam Wainwright and United Way of Greater St. Louis are teaming up to increase community service across the nation in towns where Major League Baseball visits. 

 

Wainwright and his nonprofit organization, Big League Impact, will offer opportunities for players to serve nationwide, providing local people with basic needs such as food, healthcare, education, and more. United Way spokesperson Katie Felts says Wainwright is a very philanthropic person.

 

 

United Way’s Volunteer Center connects people to thousands of volunteer opportunities to serve the community every year. This opportunity in particular will give the nonprofits they’re helping more bandwidth to provide better support and resources to the people who look to them for help.

Congressman Sorenson Weighs In On TikTok Issue

House of Representatives passed a bill early Wednesday morning that could ban the social media application TikTok.

 

The bill received widespread support from both Democrats and Republicans. However, some feel the ban could destroy their businesses. Democratic Congressman Eric Sorensen says the move is not a ban but instead forces Bytedance, the app's owner, to keep data in the United States.

 

 

The bill now heads to the Senate, where the future is yet to be determined.

 

If the Senate passes the bill, it will head to President Biden's desk for approval.

Costello Leads Illinois Ag Legislative Day

Illinois Ag Legislative Day taking center stage in Springfield on Wednesday. Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello plays a key role in the event.

 

 

Wednesday marked the 54th Illinois Ag Legislative Day.

BBB Warns of Rental Scams

Those looking for housing in Illinois should think twice about putting down a deposit on an apartment.

 

The reasoning is that scammers want to take advantage of the housing crunch by creating a false sense of urgency. Don O'Brien with the Better Business Bureau sees this scam far too often.

 

 

From there, scammers ask for a downpayment on the home. Once they receive the money through an app like CashApp or Venmo, they stop responding to messages and disappear.

Farmer City Maintenance Shed Nearing Completion

It's been two years in the works and later this spring, the City of Farmer City is hoping to be moved into its new maintenance shed.

 

On the WHOW Morning Show Tuesday, City Manager Sue McLaughlin told Regional Radio the former maintenance shed was destroyed in a fire and they are almost ready to move into the new shed later in April.

 

 

According to McLaughlin, not a whole lot will be new about this new shed but she points out, it should be much safer. 

 

 

One aspect of the City losing all its equipment in that fire was the fact so many communities around them stepped up to offer up their equipment to Farmer City. McLaughlin says as they restock what was lost, they are very grateful for so many surrounding communities and their generosity.

 

 

McLaughlin points city residents to its Facebook page to follow the latest updates on the building's progress and for when they will be able to check it out upon its completion. 

Above Normal Temperature Trend To Last All The Way Into Next Winter

An above-normal temperature trend should take us all the way into next winter.

 

Ed Shimon at the National Weather Service in Lincoln indicates the short-term outlooks show a little bit of a cool down next week, even some snow possible, but overall, the outlooks are solid for an above-normal temperature signal throughout the rest of the spring.

 

 

According to Shimon, El Nino is definitely driving some of the above-normal temperature trends. He says this trend is holding strong until next winter.

 

 

Despite the short cool down next week and the early part of the final week of March, Shimon anticipates March being warm enough that it ends up above normal for temperatures. 

 

2024 Nutrient Stewardship Field Days Begin This Month

Illinois Farm Bureau continues to support and promote nutrient stewardship field days throughout the state. The first two in 2024 are set for this month—hosted by the Greene and Calhoun County Farm Bureau and Montgomery County Farm Bureau. IFB started the Nutrient Stewardship Grant Program in 2015 says Environmental Program Manager Raelynn Parmely.

 

 

More info at ilfb.org/field days.

Warner Hospital Preparing Fiscal Year 25 Budget

Next month, Warner Hospital will present its FY25 budget to its ownership, the Clinton City Council.

 

CEO Paul Skowron says this upcoming budget will include a big budget item for more advancements to health records which he indicates was a big talking point among Hospital Board members.

 

 

Skowron calls the budget this year the tighest he's had in eight years in Clinton which he indicates shows the magnitude of the project they are taking on with the electronic medical records.

 

 

While the hospital is going to have to tighten things up a little bit in the year ahead, Skowron points out they also have to be mindful of things like increasing wages with minimum wage and other factors in their expenses.

 

 

According to Skowron, the hospital board is hoping to see more foot traffic at the walk-in clinic. With the transitioning season in Illinois, he anticipates more people coming in for allergies and seasonal illnesses. 

Getting Enough Protein in Our Daily Diets

Protein is a buzzword in the world of health and content creators are rather innovative when it comes to ways to get protein into tasty meals and snacks.

 

Monica Nyman from the St. Louis District Dairy Council reminds March is National Nutrition Month and the superfood - cottage cheese - has become the theme of many meal plans out there these days.

 

 

Cottage cheese is one of those foods that has so much protein per serving but Nyman reminds it also packs a great deal of other micronutrients that are so good for us.

 

 

Nyman reminds the dairy case at the grocery store has something for everyone. She points out like milk, cottage cheese has several versions and there is likely something there to fit your dietary needs.

 

 

stldairycouncil.org has all those recipes, nutrition tips, educational resources, and much more. Nyman notes this month the Dairy Council is also promoting staying nourished on a budget, seeing a registered dietician, and using a variety of foods from all food groups. 

Five Dead in West-Central Illinois Collision

Three children are among five people killed in a traffic crash involving a school bus near Rushville. 

 

The bus was from the Schuyler-Industry Schools and the Illinois State Police say all children on the bus, the bus driver and the driver of a semi-truck were killed. ISP Troop 6 Captain Jody Huffman says the accident happened as the bus crossed into on-coming traffic.

 

 

The Illinois State Police are conducting the investigation.

Former Illinois Governor Touting Illinois Ethic Initiative

A former Governor and current lawmaker are joining up to press the General Assembly to allow voters to have a say in the state’s ethics laws.

 

Democrat and one-time Governor Pat Quinn and Republican Rep. Ryan Spain say the Illinois Ethics Initiative would change the state’s constitution to let voters approve ethics laws. Quinn says past indiscretions showcase the need for a change.

 

 

The ComEd case convicted a former lawmaker who was working for the utility. Connected to that case will be ex-Speaker of the House Mike Madigan trial that starts in October.

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