The City of Clinton is turning the space formerly known as the Roque Court Peace Park into a toddler park.

On the WHOW Morning Show Wednesday, Clinton City Administrator Tony Harris told the Hart Media Group the project was spearheaded by Public Works Director Steve Lobb, who worked alongside the city council to secure funding for the development in the current municipal budget. 

The inspiration for the project stems from a desire to safely accommodate different age groups within the community's recreational areas. According to Harris, Director Lobb recognized a need to separate smaller children from older kids playing at the nearby Kiwanis Park. 

Harris anticipates the park being ready for use this summer.

Residents may remember, about a decade ago, the Clinton High School Class of '73 renovated that space for Roque court. While underutilized in recent years, the space offers a pergola and benches along with custom-fit fencing. 

The cost of the project was approved at a cost of just under $100,000.
 

With the summer boating season about to kick into high gear this Memorial Day weekend, local outdoor authorities are sending along annual reminders about the consumption of alcohol in those watercrafts. 

Department of Natural Resources Conservation Police Officer Noah Workman explains that extended exposure to summer heat can rapidly deplete a boater's water storage, making consistent hydration essential.  

While State law permits the consumption of alcohol on a boat, operators must strictly adhere to legal impairment limits. Officer Workman emphasizes that impairment thresholds fluctuate heavily from person to person, and individuals can display distinct signs of slurred speech and coordination issues well below the legal 0.08 blood alcohol concentration mark.

Officer Workman reminds that, unlike traditional motor vehicles, boats feature open compartments without seatbelts. Because a boat is subjected to constant fluid motion and pivoting on open water, impaired decision-making or sudden impacts drastically increase the probability of an occupant being violently thrown and ejected from the vessel.

Furthermore, alcohol heavily impairs reaction times and crucial judgment calls regarding right-of-way navigation when encountering oncoming vessels. Operators are urged to consume water between drinks or step back from navigating entirely if they begin to feel any effects of alcohol.

Conservation police will continue actively patrolling local waterways throughout the seasonal stretch to enforce standard safety protocols, including life jackets, proper throwables, and OUI regulations.
 

Prices at the pump remain at record levels across Illinois as many fuel up their cars for one of the busiest travel days of the year.

As the war in Iran lingers on, Patrick DeHaan, the Head of Petroleum Analysis at GasBuddy, reports prices will remain at record levels as long as the Strait of Hormuz remains closed.

Last week, Illinois set a record for diesel prices, with the average price above six dollars a gallon.

While the U.S. continues to tap the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, DeHaan reports, the level in reserves is now under 375 million barrels.
 

The summer grilling season is upon us, and a local food safety expert is offering some annual reminders to keep those foodborne illnesses out of sight and out of mind.

For many households, grills are coming out of sheds or garages after months of storage. Caitlin Mellendorf, Nutrition Educator with the University of Illinois Extension in DeWitt, Macon, and Piatt Counties emphasizes before any cooking begins, the grill must be thoroughly cleaned of dust and debris. 

The first step, cleaning, requires washing hands with soap and water. Mellendorf is stressing the importance of handwashing - especially critical when transitioning between separate kitchen tasks, such as switching from preparing side salads to handling raw meats.

The second pillar focuses on separating raw meats from other items to avoid cross-contamination. Mellendorf warns that raw chicken or ground beef must stay completely isolated from utensils, cutting boards, and ready-to-eat foods. 

We'll have more with Mellendorf later this week about making sure those cooking surfaces are also a safe zone, as an unclean or unscraped cooking surface can also cause problems when dealing with different proteins. 

The USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline is available toll-free at 1-888-MPHotline, or 1-888-674-6854. You can also email MPHotline@usda.gov, or a live chat option is available via www.ask.usda.gov

The USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline is manned weekdays, Monday through Friday, from 10 am to 6 pm ET.
 

A Piatt County nonprofit is introducing a new collaborative effort to provide local support, education, and resources.

On the WHOW Morning Show Tuesday, Executive Director of the Piatt County Mental Health Center, Tony Kirkman, told the Hart Media Group the Piatt County Mental Health Initiative brings together local non-profits, healthcare providers, and small businesses to design a community-wide approach to emotional well-being.

The initiative features specialized workshops held every Wednesday in May, covering topics such as emotional wellness, mindfulness, trauma-informed care for first responders, and suicide awareness. 

Among a great deal of local participation, Kirkman indicates that high school and middle school students in Monticello have created custom coffee sleeves featuring messages of hope and encouragement, which are currently being utilized at local coffee shops.

The broad involvement from schools, civic organizations, and local business owners underscores a shared commitment to keeping mental health support strictly localized. Kirkman emphasized that utilizing local strengths to meet community needs allows neighbors to better support and take care of one another.

Find the Piatt County Mental Health Center on Facebook for more about this initiative and the happenings in real-time. 
 

A local school district is working to return to normal after being faced with significant damage due to a severe weather event. 

DeLand-Weldon Schools Superintendent Dr. Michael Tresnak explains that just a few weeks ago, they were frantically moving items out of classrooms and trying to minimize water damage after part of the elementary school roof was damaged in a severe storm.

Dr. Tresnak states that after two days of hard work from the community, they were able to bring students back into the building and resume in-person education in other, non-damaged classrooms. 

The district is fortunate not to be taking a large financial hit due to the damage. Dr. Tresnak indicates that working with insurance has been easy, the roof is already repaired, and the calendar for the district only had to be pushed back by a single day. 

Dr. Tresnak is very grateful to everyone involved in getting the district back on track as they finalize repairs and recover from the damage. Learn more about DeLand-Weldon Schools at dwschools.org or by finding the district on Facebook. 
 

As the unofficial kickoff to the summer boating season approaches with Memorial Day weekend, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources is reminding boaters to prioritize safety equipment alongside mechanical prep.

DNR Conservation Police Officer Noah Workman notes that while boat owners are often eager to get their vessels onto the water, they frequently overlook required safety items after a winter in storage. Life jackets, fire extinguishers, and throwable flotation devices remain a few of the most common violations on the water. 

According to State regulations, every boat must be equipped with at least one Coast Guard-approved life jacket per occupant, and crucially, those jackets must properly fit the passengers on board. Officer Workman emphasizes that a life jacket cannot perform its function if it is sized incorrectly for the individual wearing it.

We'll have more with Officer Workman throughout the week leading up to the busy Memorial Day holiday boating season in Illinois. 
 

While spring rains have largely eliminated drought conditions across most of Illinois, meteorologists are monitoring the potential for a shift toward an active summer weather pattern.

Ed Shimon with the National Weather Service in Lincoln says a 45-day stretch through April brought eight to 12 inches of rainfall to central Illinois, effectively wiping out the region's moisture deficit. 

The primary concern for the upcoming season is the potential development of a "flash drought." Shimon explains that the combination of intense summer heat and high winds can rapidly accelerate evaporation, sucking the moisture directly out of the topsoil and creating a sudden deficit.

According to Shimon, a broad below-normal precipitation outlook stretching from Texas through South Dakota this summer could limit the frequency of organized storm tracks moving through the Midwest, which means central Illinois may have to rely on scattered, localized afternoon thunderstorms to maintain soil moisture during the peak agricultural growing periods of July and August.

It has also been one of the warmest 12-month stretches on record in Illinois. 
 

This June, a local museum is putting a patriotic twist on its annual quilt show. 

On the WHOW Morning Show Friday, CH Moore Homestead Director Joey Long told the Hart Media Group that they are still asking the community to lend their USA-themed quilts for this summer's quilt show. They are looking for quilts that are red, white, or blue, or honor the Country and its history in some way. 

Long reminds that quilts are lent to the museum each year for the quilt show for the entire month of June, and returned in July after its conclusion, meaning no two years are exactly the same. If you'd like yours to be included, the last day to drop it off at the homestead is May 26th. 

If you'd like to see these beautiful quilts on display at the homestead, you can do so from June 2nd to June 30th. Long notes that regular admission fees do apply. 

We'll have more with Long in the weeks ahead on the homestead's year-long series of America 250-themed events. Learn more by visiting chmoorehomestead.org or by finding them on Facebook. 
 

The University of Illinois Extension in Logan County is working with the Illinois Soybean Association on a plot of land in Hartsburg on the north side of the County.

Reagan Tibbs, a commercial agriculture educator at the University of Illinois Extension in Logan County indicates the 10-acre plot is part of the "Yield Challenge" program. The project specifically focuses on testing different soybean varieties and management practices to see which combinations perform best in the specific soil conditions of central Illinois.

The research at the Hartsburg site goes beyond simple variety testing. Tibbs explains they will be evaluating the impact of different planting populations and the timing of fungicide applications. By collecting data on how these variables interact throughout the growing season, the Extension aims to provide farmers with more precise, data-driven recommendations for their own operations.

Local weather has played a significant role in the plot's early development. Despite some heavy rains in early May that caused localized concerns, the Hartsburg plot was planted in ideal conditions and has shown strong initial emergence. The research team will continue to monitor the site for pest pressure and nutrient uptake as the soybeans move into the reproductive stages.

According to Tibbs, a field day is being planned for late August or early September, allowing area farmers to tour the plot and see the performance of the different treatments firsthand.

Tibbs will be blogging about the summer of research at the Extension website, extension.illinois.edu/lms. 
 

Social Security services are available to you whether you are at home or on the go, even if you are in another country

However, Jack Myers with Social Security explains you should be careful about conducting sensitive business on free public Wi-Fi, but if you have a secure connection, enjoy the conveniences that Social Security online services offer.  

If you already receive Social Security or Medicare, you can create or access your personal mySocialSecurity account, get your benefit verification letter, check your information and benefit amount, change your address and telephone number, or start or change your direct deposit.

Myers says checking out mySocialSecurity is a great way to spend a morning with just you and your coffee while you wait for everyone else to get moving this season. 
 

For the second year in a row, a local school district is sending a group of students to compete at the international level of a STEM competition. 

DeLand-Weldon Schools Superintendent Dr. Michael Tresnak told the Hart Media Group that they had to shift the date of their eighth-grade promotion ceremony because, for the second consecutive year, the district will be sending a group of students to compete at Kid Wind Worlds. 

Dr. Tresnak feels that Kid Wind Worlds is an excellent opportunity for students to learn about potential career paths, as well as experience different cultures as they interact with competitors from around the world. He is also excited that the district is able to cover the full cost of the trip for the kids. 

The DeLand-Weldon Kid Wind competitors will be heading to Madison, Wisconsin, this weekend to compete. Learn more about the event at kidwind.org, and follow along with the school district at dwschools.org. 

Clinton High School seniors will walk across the stage this Sunday afternoon for graduation, and local authorities hope the graduation celebrations of graduation will be safe.

Clinton Police Chief Ben Lowers is emphasizing that while graduation is an incredibly exciting "curtain call" for the Class of 2026, it is also a time for students to be mindful of the choices they make as they move on to the next chapter of their lives - promoting the longstanding program, 'Project Grad'.

Chief Lowers urged students to communicate their plans with their parents and to look out for one another during the festivities.

While Friday was the final day of classes for seniors, the rest of the Clinton School District student body will continue on until June 1. 
 

The Clinton Community Education Foundation is highlighting some of their recent events, all of which happen in support of the Clinton School District. 

CCEF Secretary Chris Shaffer shares her gratitude for the community and the Clinton Eagles as they helped to bring back the fan favorite Derby Day fundraiser. Dollars raised from this event mostly go towards classroom grants. 

Shaffer explains that the Gold Star Banquet is an evening put on by the school district to honor all of the hard work from the students throughout the year. She says that this year, they also got to announce the group's scholarship recipients as well. 

The CCEF's next big fundraiser comes up at the start of June when they host their Trivia Night. We'll have more on that event with Shaffer in the days ahead from the Hart Media Group. 

In the meantime, learn more about the Clinton Community Education Foundation by visiting ccef15.org or by finding them on Facebook. 
 

DeWitt County has once again taken up the discussion of emergency sirens that are set to be decommissioned by Constellation Clean Energy. 

For the last three years, the County has discussed the topic of taking over emergency sirens that are currently owned by Constellation, and are set to be taken down in 2027. At Thursday Night's Public Safety Committee Meeting, Emergency Management Agency Coordinator Will Paveleck updated the members on a meeting he recently had with the power plant. 

Paveleck reviewed some of the numbers for replacing the sirens that would be taken down, and what the yearly cost would be to the County for maintenance, as they would become responsible for upkeep of them. 

The Committee's previous understanding was that if they were to take on the sirens, the poles would be left intact for the County to utilize; however, Paveleck stated that after further communication with Constellation, this seems not to be the case, which led to confusion on why the power plant would spend the money to do so. 

The new emergency alert system for power plant emergencies will be via phone, similar to amber alerts or severe weather alerts. County Clerk Dee Dee Rentmeister pointed out that a previous Board voted no to taking over the sirens, and Buck Carter and John Werts pointed out some of the concerns regarding cell reception in rural areas of the County. 

With around a year and a half to make a decision, the Committee did not take any action on the agenda item and requested that Paveleck find out more about Constellation's plan to decommission the poles as well as the siren heads. 
 

A DeWitt County landmark has been restored thanks to the dedicated efforts of a local nonprofit. 

Terri Lemmel with the DeWitt County Genealogical Society explains they set out to clean up and restore the historical Soldiers' Plot at Woodlawn Cemetery, which started about three years ago.  Joey Long explains it quickly turned into not only a restoration project but also a research project as they tried to uncover and honor the identities of each Civil War-era soldier. 

In honor of this restoration project's completion, the Genealogical Society is hosting a Dedication Ceremony this Saturday at 10 am. Lemmel hopes local veterans and community members will attend as they honor the dedication of past and present armed service members. 

Lemmel and a group of volunteers put in hours of hard work, not only researching, but also cleaning and repairing all of the 80 headstones of the men who are buried there. Participants of this project were specially certified and trained in the correct process so the stones were not further damaged. 

According to Lemmel, repairing and cleaning each headstone presented its own unique challenge, from broken pieces buried underground to re-engraving. Due to the special cleaning process, many look almost as good as new. 

Saturday is also Armed Forces Day, which honors current service members ahead of the Memorial Day celebration. Join the DeWitt County Genealogical Society at 10 am Saturday at the Soldiers Plot in the Woodlawn Cemetery. Learn more by finding the Genealogical Society on Facebook. 
 

This weekend, the downtown Clinton Square will be the location for kids and families to have an enjoyable kickoff to the summer for the annual May Days Festival hosted by the Clinton Chamber of Commerce.

Clinton Police Chief Ben Lowers notes while the festival brings a unique energy to the community, it presents significant logistical challenges for his department. Extra staff will be on hand to manage crowds and secure the carnival area from the official kickoff on Thursday through the conclusion on Sunday.

Despite the strain on local resources and the extra work for city employees, the event remains a highlight for the community, particularly for local children who get to enjoy a festival right in their own backyard.

To ensure the safety of families exploring the rides and vendor booths, the Clinton Square will be closed to all motorized traffic starting late Friday afternoon. Chief Lowers urged drivers to be mindful of the barricades and noted that while the southwest quadrant may remain open for limited drop-offs, restricted areas are strictly off-limits for the protection of pedestrians.

The Chief reminds the festival has long-standing safety policies regarding pets and bicycles. To avoid potential accidents or incidents in the densely crowded carnival and concert areas, dogs must be left at home, and bicycles will not be permitted within the festival boundaries.

Residents are encouraged to utilize the ample municipal and street parking available around the downtown area.

Again, the May Days Festival kicks off this evening (Thursday) and runs through Sunday. Follow the Clinton Chamber of Commerce on Facebook for all the happenings this weekend. 
 

While many families this time of year are looking forward to the summer break, a local non-profit is reminding parents with preschool-age kids that it's time to start thinking about the fall. 

Breann Titus, Chief Visionary Officer with Community Action, explains that registration is now open for the Head Start Program, and spots are limited. She says if you have children five years old or under, Head Start is a great option for eligible families. 

The Head Start program is free to eligible families. Titus indicates that it focuses on creating well-rounded kids through academic, social, and emotional development.

In many ways, Head Start mirrors the experience of a typical elementary classroom, which prepares students to be more independent when the time for kindergarten comes. It also introduces concepts like reading and speaking skills at an early age. 

May is National Community Action Month, which is a great opportunity for parents to visit one of the organization's open houses and learn more. You can also find out more by visiting capcil.info or by finding Community Action on Facebook. 
 

Gas prices in Illinois have officially hit record levels as tensions continue to grow between the U.S. and Iran over the Strait of Hormuz.

With a U.S. blockade of the Straight in place, prices at the pump across the state officially hit six dollars a gallon for diesel, eclipsing the previous record set in early May.

Looking to fill up? Gas Buddy’s Head of Petroleum Analysis, Patrick DeHaan, says prices at the pump are only going to get more expensive.

To help circumvent the high prices, the U.S. continues to release fuel from the Strategic Reserve.

Earlier this week, President Trump floated the idea of temporarily eliminating the federal gas tax; however, that would require congressional approval.
 

Illinois State Police promoting spring planting traffic safety awareness.

Trooper Ryan Wagand says if you’re following too closely behind a tractor and can’t see the side mirrors, then the farmer can’t see you either, so you should give them some space.
 

This week, the City of Clinton joins communities across the nation in observing National Police Week, a time dedicated to honoring the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers.

On the WHOW Morning Show Wednesday, Clinton Police Chief Ben Lowers told the Hart Media Group the week provides an opportunity to "humanize the badge" through community engagement and social media features that introduce individual officers and their motivations for serving in law enforcement.

In 2025, there were 115 line-of-duty deaths across the United States, including two officers in Illinois. Chief Lowers notes 2026 has already seen 38 line-of-duty deaths nationwide, highlighting the ongoing "Below 100" initiative aimed at reducing annual officer fatalities to double digits through enhanced safety and training.

Residents are encouraged to visit the emergency services memorial at Downey Park in Clinton. Dedicated in 2010 through the efforts of the late Police Chief Mike Reidy and the late Fire Chief Jeff Pearl, the memorial features bricks honoring those who have served the Clinton community in all facets of emergency services.

As National Police Week continues, Chief Lowers expressed his appreciation for the continued support from the Clinton community.

This weekend's May Days Festival in Clinton is being described as one of its most robust food, entertainment, and vendor offerings they've had in a few years.

Clinton Chamber Executive Director Janice Petersen shared that in addition to the diverse lineup of vendors on the downtown square, several community traditions are set to return to anchor the weekend festivities. 

The annual May Days Festival is one of the two biggest fundraisers of the year for the Chamber, which encompasses the entirety of the Clinton Square.

Additionally, Petersen is imploring visitors to the Festival to be mindful of trash and the many receptacles they are placing around the Square. She hopes those in attendance will take note of those and keep the square and the surrounding area clean.

Again, the Clinton May Days Festival is this Thursday through Sunday in downtown Clinton. Get more information by finding the Clinton Chamber of Commerce on Facebook. 
 

The latest mid-range forecasts from the National Weather Service are pointing toward a warm and active pattern for the remainder of the month.

Ed Shimon with the National Weather Service in Lincoln indicates both the 6-to-10 day and 8-to-14 day outlooks show a strong trend toward above-normal temperatures and precipitation through at least May 24th. 

According to Shimon, while the pace of gaining daylight has slowed compared to the spring equinox in March, central Illinois will still add about 30 to 35 minutes of sunlight over the course of May, eventually pushing twilight past 9 pm.

The months of April, May, and June represent the most active period for tornadoes and damaging storms in the region. Shimon emphasizes remaining weather-aware, particularly concerning lightning during outdoor activities.

"Lightning Safety Awareness Week" is the third week of June, and the National Weather Service is urging the public to head indoors immediately upon hearing thunder, noting that lightning can strike at significant distances from the core of a storm.
 

The trucking industry is being reminded of the International Road Check this week. Don Schaefer is with Springfield, Illinois-based Mid-West Truckers Association…..

Schaefer says last year, during the three-day check, more than 60,000 violations were written nationwide.
 

Looking ahead to the 2026/27 school year, how many ag teaching vacancies are there in Illinois?

Allie Bodie is the District 3 Program Advisor for Facilitating Coordination in Agricultural Education. Again, the website is ilaged.org, click under “careers”.