A central Illinois community is in mourning a day after two local teens were killed while sledding at a Colorado ski resort.

Paula Crane, superintendent of the Prairie Central school district in Fairbury, confirmed Monday that two students from Prairie Central High School died in a “tragic accident.”

She declined to identity them out of respect for their families. A local church will be offering counseling for any students or staff.

The two students, ages 18 and 17, had been on spring break.

The young men were riding in tandem down the halfpipe at Copper Mountain Ski Resort in Summit County when they launched off a large snowbank at the bottom, according to the Summit County Sheriff’s Office.

Authorities say both teens then landed on hard ice and suffered blunt force trauma. They were pronounced dead at the scene.

The teens’ bodies have been turned over to the county coroner’s office, which will determine the exact cause and manner of death.

Authorities did not release further details.

Copper Mountain Ski Resort, which lies roughly 75 miles (121 kilometers) west of Denver, is a popular draw for skiers and riders with over 2,500 acres (1,012 hectares) of high alpine terrain.

A Clinton non-profit is excited about the last leg of a recent facility update that should start in the next few weeks.

On the WHOW Morning Show Monday, Rennie Cluver, Executive Director of the Clinton YMCA told Regional Radio the facility anticipates the gymnasium floor to be replaced starting Monday, April 3.

According to Cluver, all the improvements are going to bring a new dynamic of possibilities for Y programming. He envisions a reduced burden of asking the school district for its facilities and increasing adult opportunities.

Cluver notes the cost has been pretty reasonable on the project despite the continued reports of increasing costs of supplies and materials for other sectors.

Cluver reminds this project was made possible thanks to grant dollars DeWitt County made available through the American Rescue Plan Act funds.

Once the gym project wraps up, the YMCA's strategic planning committee will begin to look at the rest of the facility and where they could improve next. Cluver notes they could target making the flooring across the main level more uniform. He says they could use updated cardio equipment in the wellness center.

Cluver notes they are targeting the first week of April for the installation because there will be Y-Zone Extreme next week as it is spring break in the school district so there will be students in the gym at that time.

The Lincoln Speedway is requesting an agreement for the extension of the racing curfew during the racing season and the new language will clean things up.

That's according to Lincoln Mayor Tracy Welch - who anticipates the approval of the agreement this week - that gives the Lincoln Speedway a 30-minute of extension of four races throughout the racing season depending on the day of the week.

The Mayor indicates Lincoln Speedway is a great partner to the community that brings in some big-time race names and offers a great economic boom to the community.

Like many issues, the Mayor notes there are residents in Lincoln, and more specifically those that live near the speedway, that understand that the noise is a part of the venue, and those that are opposed to it altogether. 

He notes, this was a discussion brought up by Council members that enjoy the events at the speedway. 

LEGISLATION PENDING IN THE ILLINOIS HOUSE MAKES IT ILLEGAL TO DRIVE WITH YOUR PET IN YOUR LAP. 

THE CONCERN IS THAT PETS CAN BE A DISTRACTION, ESPECIALLY IF THEY ARE BEHIND THE WHEEL WITH YOU. THE BILL FROM REPRESENTATIVE JAWAHARIAL (jah-wah-harial) "OMAR" WILLIAMS OF CHICAGO MAKES IT AGAINST THE LAW FOR YOUR POOCH OR CAT TO RIDE IN YOUR LAP.

 HE NOTES THAT CURRENT STATE DISTRACTED DRIVING LAWS DON'T ADDRESS THE PROBLEM.

THE BILL UNANIMOUSLY PASSED A HOUSE COMMITTEE AND NOW AWAITS A VOTE ON THE HOUSE FLOOR.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture continues to promote the Farm Family Resource Initiative. IDOA Director Jerry Costello says it’s all about making sure mental health services are available to farmers.

The Farm Family Resource Initiative is administered through the SIU Med School. Again, the Farm Family Resource Helpline is 833-FARM-SOS.

ILLINOIS ATTORNEY GENERAL KWAME RAOUL IS URGING LAWMAKERS TO PASS THE "WORK WITHOUT FEAR ACT."

THE BILL AIMS TO PROTECT WORKERS WHO COME FORWARD ABOUT PROBLEMS ON THE JOB. ATTORNEY GENERAL RAOUL SAYS FEAR OF RETALIATION IS THE NUMBER ONE REASON EMPLOYEES DON'T REPORT ABUSE OR POOR WORKING CONDITIONS, NOTING THIS IS ESPECIALLY TRUE OF IMMIGRANT WORKERS.

THIS BILL IS DESIGNED TO FURTHER PROTECT EMPLOYEES.

THE BILL HAS PASSED A HOUSE COMMITTEE AND NOW AWAITS A VOTE ON THE HOUSE FLOOR.

THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH IS REPORTING AN INCREASE IN SERIOUS CASES OF STREP THROAT IN CHILDREN.

IT'S THE GROUP "A" STREP CASES THAT ARE RISING, LEAVING FIVE ILLINOIS CHILDREN DEAD DUE TO STREP-RELATED COMPLICATIONS SO FAR THIS YEAR. THE STATE'S CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER, DOCTOR ARTI BARNES SAYS SYMPTOMS CAN COME ON FAST AND INCLUDE A VERY SORE THROAT AND A FEVER. SHE RECOMMENDS GETTING YOUR CHILD A RAPID STREP TEST SO THEY CAN START ANTIBIOTICS IF NECESSARY.

THE TROUBLE STARTS WHEN KIDS DON'T RESPOND TO THE MEDICATION AND DEVELOP OTHER SYMPTOMS.

DOCTOR BARNES SAYS IF YOUR CHILD DOESN'T SEEM TO BE GETTING BETTER AND IS COMPLAINING ABOUT A COUGH, STOMACH ACHE, WEAKNESS OR OTHER NEW SYMPTOM, IT'S A GOOD IDEA TO CHECK WITH THEIR DOCTOR TO MAKE SURE THE INFECTION HASN'T REACHED THEIR BLOOD STREAM.

March has turned colder in Illinois and things aren’t going to radically change in the next few weeks. Meteorologist Eric Snodgrass says overall the extended forecast is for chilly weather to continue.

Snodgrass says the forecast is indicating that there won’t be much opportunity for early field work for farmers.

When the DeWitt County Museum opens for the season on Saturday, April 1, patrons will be able to view a new exhibit as well as building updates.

DeWitt County Museum Director Joey Long told Regional Radion on the WHOW Morning Show, while the museum was closed for the winter the carpet on the staircase was replaced and the visitor bathroom was renovated.

Another update to the house was returning a doll display into a linen closet. Long felt this was appropriate due to the museum's intent and purpose.

The 'Historic Houses of DeWitt County' is a new exhibit that will be debuting when the new season opens. Long mentions this exhibit could not have happened without the response she received from the community and is thankful for their support.

The DeWitt County Museum opens for tours on Saturday, April 1. For information on admission and hours visit www.chmoorehomestead.org or call (217) 935-6066.

Community Action is beginning to accept applications for its preschool program for next year.

Jennifer DeWeese, Executive Director of Community Action, indicates they are currently accepting applications for Head Start for the 2023-24 school year. The selection process will begin in May.

DeWeese notes Head Start is a preschool program for qualifying families that uses a curriculum comparable to other local preschools. Another program Early Head Start is center-based and operates similarly to daycare.

To apply for Head Start visit capcil.org or visit any Community Action location. Applications are due May 1.

The 2023 Illinois Master Farmers are being celebrated. Among the honorees is David Meiss (meese) from Gridley.

Other 2023 Illinois Master Farmers--Martin Barbre of Carmi, Ron Moore of Roseville, and Curt Strode of Marietta.

A University of Illinois Extension Educator is reminding March is National Nutrition Month.

Caitlin Mellendorf, U of I Extension Nutrition Educator for Piatt, DeWitt, and Macon counties, says six key nutrients are essential to overall health and wellness. The first three are water, vitamins, and minerals.

Mellendorf indicates while we need small amounts of water, vitamins, and minerals, the last three key nutrients our bodies require large amounts of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.

Drinking eight glasses of water per day is not always accurate according to Mellendorf. She notes children may not be able to drink that much water, and people working outside during the summer heat may need to drink more than that.

Mellendorf says it is better to get vitamins from food rather than supplements. She says if you are taking a multivitamin supplement be sure to read the label and make sure it does not contain one hundred percent of any recommended daily values.

Mellendorf points out anyone seeking more information on nutrition or wanting to work with a registered dietician to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics website, eatright.org/nnm.

Although it’s been around for a while, an investigator with the Better Business Bureau reminds you can take a look at what scams are being reported in your neighborhood or anywhere else in North America just by going to their website. The agency has a tool called Scam Tracker, which maps out the various reports of scammers in near-real-time. BBB Investigator Don O’Brien says one of the riskiest scams being reported is the “employment scam,” with the average loss in 2022 coming in at about $1,500.

Employment scams topped the list. He says you can search scams by name or type, spot trends, or track scams using demographic data. You can find the Scam Tracker at www.bbb.org/scamtracker

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and Health Departments across the state of Illinois are providing information on how early detection is the key to saving lives. RaeAnn Tucker is with the Henry and Stark County Health Department...

Colorectal cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths in Illinois

An Illinoisan playing a key role in helping organize Tuesday’s National Ag Day event in Washington D.C. Amy Bradford says it’s an important responsibility.

Bradford works for Bloomington based GROWMARK.

HOUSE LAWMAKERS PASSED A BILL THURSDAY BANNING CAT DECLAWING.

DECLAWING WOULD BE OUTLAWED UNDER THE MEASURE, EXCEPT FOR CERTAIN MEDICAL REASONS. IT’S SPONSORED BY REPRESENTATIVE BARBARA HERNANDEZ OF AURORA WHO SAYS THE PROCEDURE IS CRUEL.

BUT OPPONENTS, LIKE REPRESENTATIVE CHARLES MEIER (meyer) OF OKAWVILLE SAY THERE DOESN’T NEED TO BE A BAN.

VIOLATORS FACE FINES STARTING AT 500 DOLLARS. OPPONENTS ARGUE THAT SOME OWNERS HAVE AN IMMUNE DISORDER AND A SCRATCH FROM A CAT’S CLAW COULD LEAD TO INFECTION. THE BILL WILL NEXT BE CONSIDERED BY THE ILLINOIS SENATE.

THE ILLINOIS HOUSE PASSED A BILL THIS WEEK THAT AIMS TO KEEP RIDSHARE CUSTOMERS SAFE. 

THE LEGISLATION PLACES COMPANIES LIKE UBER AND LYFT UNDER WHAT'S CALLED "COMMON CARRIER" LAWS. THAT MEANS THEY WOULD BE HELD TO HIGHER SAFETY STANDARDS, JUST LIKE TAXI'S ARE SAYS REPRESENTATIVE JENNIFER GONG-GERSHOWITZ OF GLENVIEW.

BUT OTHERS, LIKE REPRESENTATIVE PATRICK WINDHORST OF METROPOLIS, HAVE CONCERNS.

THE BILL STILL NEEDS TO BE PASSED BY THE SENATE.

Clinton Junior High School Family and Consumer Science students this school year have been allowed to put into practice what they have learned.

Michelle Knap, CJHS FACS teacher, indicates her advanced class has been providing food for tournament hospitality rooms.

Students from the hosting school providing food for hospitality rooms have been a growing trend recently.

Trivia Night returns in Piatt County hosted by Willow Tree Missions.

Executive Director Jill Maxey indicates it will take place on Saturday, April 1 at the Monticello Community Building. Tickets are on sale now at willowtreemissions.org.

Maxey indicates Willow Tree Missions is halfway through its ongoing capital campaign and April's fundraiser will help them raise money for egress windows on the second level of the building and a new sign. 

Doors open for Trivia Night at 6 pm and games start at 7 pm. Find the 'Trivia Night' tab at willowtreemisssions.org. Tickets are $15 for an individual or a table is $150. Tickets are available at the Willow Tree Missions resale shop as well. 

ILLINOIS HOUSE REPUBLICANS ARE PUSHING LEGISLATION TO HELP PREVENT FENTANYL-RELATED DEATHS. 

THE BILL LETS PHARMACISTS AND RETAILERS SELL FENTANYL TEST STRIPS. REPRESENTATIVE BILL HAUTER OF MORTON, ALSO A DOCTOR, SAYS THESE STRIPS NEED TO BE EASILY ACCESSIBLE.

UNDER THE BILL, RETAILERS AND PHARMACISTS WOULD BE ABLE TO SELL FENTANYL TEST STRIPS, AND COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENTS COULD DISTRIBUTE THEM FOR FREE. THE STRIPS CAN DETECT THE PRESENCE OF FENTANYL IN A DRUG, WHICH IS VITAL SINCE ONLY A TRACE AMOUNT CAN POTENTIALLY KILL SOMEONE. REPRESENTATIVE JEFF KEICHER OF SYCAMORE LOST A COUSIN TO A FENTANYL-RELATED OVERDOSE.

THE MEASURE HAS CLEARED A HOUSE COMMITTEE.

The State of Illinois has received another credit upgrade. Governor JB Pritzker says it’s a positive financial story that leads to taxpayer dollars being better spent in the state.

The upgrade was from Moody’s and now it joins S & P with giving the state a rating that begins with an A.

Last week ended with a cold stretch that will linger throughout the weekend. Temperatures will warm up to start the work week. University of Illinois Extentsion's Todd Gleason has this report...

Thursday morning the Clinton Community Education Foundation awarded its annual classroom grants.

Leslie Creager, a preschool teacher at Douglas School, received $540.07 for independent workstations.

Shannon O'Conner is the counselor for Douglas and Lincoln schools and she received $700 for the social-emotional learning curriculum.

The three kindergarten teachers at Douglas School received $1,320 for Osmo Learning. Paula Barton indicates it will allow students to be more hands on about what they are learning in the classroom.

Lincoln School kindergarten teacher Angela Ball received $450 for hands-on learning kits to help with reading development.

Second-grade teacher Bethany Coffman at CES received a grant to help with Read Across Clinton.

CES Reading Teacher Lindsey French received $100 towards purchasing a curriculum for English language learners.

$320 was awarded to Haley Bevans, a 6th-grade science teacher at CJHS, that will be used for volcano projects as part of the earth science unit.

CJHS seventh grade science teacher Kristen Cooper received $1,609.62 to help with her classes' STEM Day at the YMCA on May 12.

Michelle Knap is the junior high FACS teacher and she received $3,914 for a mobile demonstration table with a mirror and cooktop.

CJHS intervention teacher Kristi Payne received $949.75 for reading games.

Diana King, a CJHS special education teacher, received $500 to assist her living skills class take field trips.

Clinton High School shop teachers Fred Knap and Mark Tarbox were able to purchase a CNC plasma arc cutter with a $5,000 grant.

Joe Scanavino is a German teacher at CHS and he received $500 to start a German American Partnership Program at the high school. 

Terry Husted with CCEF notes the classroom grants help fill the gap that is left by regular school funding and to enhance the learning experience in Clinton schools.

Husted indicates in addition to regular classroom grants, CCEF also has recurring grants for projects that occur every year.

Universities across the Midwest have released nitrogen recommendations for 2023.

Doug Gucker, U of I Extension Educator indicates based on field research and tests from last year, 185 pounds of nitrogen per acre was more than enough for corn.

Gucker says the current recommendation will help producers stay profitable despite the increasing prices of nitrogen.

The nitrogen rate calculator can be accessed by visiting ifca.com/MRTN_tools.

The state of Illinois is expecting to bring in a billion dollars more in tax revenue than first expected for the existing budget year and the next one. So what do to do about the expected surplus is now drawing attention from the Governor and Lawmakers. Governor JB Pritzker says he’s glad to see the extra revenue arrive and its improved the overall fiscal condition of the state, so now might be time to really drill down and see what’s next.

The Governor and lawmakers have until the end of May to set and vote on a budget.