Local News

50th Annual Apple and Pork Wrapped Up Sunday

A cast of thousands descended upon Clinton once again for the Apple and Pork Festival
on Sunday.

 

DeWitt County Museum Director Joey Woolridge, indicated with the weather and
various food booths there was something for everyone. Woolridge says that the weekend
would be one of the last to feature a special exhibit on display at the Museum.

 

 

Billy Irvin, Museum board member, said that the Farm Museum was open to the public
with a host of antique tractors and a farm lighting display.

 

 

Clinton Police Chief Ben Lowers reported that the official estimate for the Sunday crowd
was 38,380 and 106,502 for the total weekend.

50th Annual Apple N Pork Sees Huge Crowds

The cooler weather on Saturday brought thousands into Clinton for the 50th Annual Apple N Pork Festival.

 

 

 

Joey Woolridge, DeWitt County Museum Director, indicated that the festival kicked off at 9am and the Museum and the grounds were full of people all day long. Woolridge notes that the proceeds from the Apple N Pork Festival go towards the uptake of the Museum.

 

 

Clinton Police Chief Ben Lowers says that the weather was perfect for the festival and was expecting the large crowd. Chief Lowers reminds that all of the emergency services at located at the corners of Woodlawn and Center streets.

 

 

Chief Lowers reports the official number for the first day of Apple N Pork is 68,122. The Apple N Pork Festival concludes Sunday from 9am-5pm in Clinton. Broadcasting resumes tomorrow from 11am-4pm.

 

 

Harold continues to travel state in her quest to become Attorney General

Former Miss America Erika Harold continues her campaign for Illinois Attorney General. The Republican candidate has been traveling the state leading up to November.

 

 

Harold won the Miss America Pageant in 2003. She ran for Congress in 2014, losing to Rodney Davis in the Illinois 13th Congressional District Republican Primary.

Grundy County State's Attorney seeking Illinois Secretary of State position

It wasn’t that long ago that Jason Helland was walking the hallways of Seneca High School. That was back in 1994. Just one year shy of his 25-year reunion he has taken on the task of challenging Jesse White for Illinois Secretary of State. White has been in office since 1999. Helland is in his second term as Grundy County State’s Attorney.

 

 

Helland’s education background included a stop at Joliet Junior College before receiving his undergraduate degree from the University of St. Francis in Joliet. He then received his law degree from the John Marshall Law School.

Waynesville Women's Club Making Cookies!

The Apple'n Pork Festival is just a day away now! The CH Moore Homestead gets ready for its 50th-anniversary celebration of the festival. The 25 plus vendors also get ready to come to Clinton to sell some of their goods. One of those vendors is long time repeaters Waynesville Women's Club. Waynesville Women's Club has been coming to the festival for around 42 years now. The club every year brings their 7000 handmade cookies that takes a lot of ingredients says, Patty Klemm

After selling all their cookies Klemm talked about what all their money goes to, for example, this year the club helped rebuild their community pavilion. 

You can find the Waynesville Women's Club above the kettle corn at the top of the stairway, inside their hut with tons of cookies for people to try. 
 

Blacksmiths at the Apple'n Pork Festival

The Annual Apple'n Pork Festival is getting ready to kick off this weekend. The festival is celebrating its 50th anniversary, where 25 plus vendors come out to celebrate the long tradition at the CH Moore Homestead. CH Moore Homestead has many attractions this year including a demonstrator in blacksmithing. Terry Husted, the blacksmith, who got into blacksmithing because of a hobby. 

Husted mentioned that he sometimes helps make the stands for kettle pots, just like the ones used to help cook some of ham and beans at the Apple'n Pork Festival.

Husted will be down in the museum's blacksmith shop behind the homestead next to the antique shops and farm equipment. 

DeWitt County is Excited for U of I

DeWitt County Board gets ready for U of I to come to Clinton. 

DeWitt County's Chris Rogers, who is in charge of Public Safety has been working with the University of Illinois to bring a program of young students in veterinary school to spay and neuter and work with feral cats. 

The program will be free for DeWitt County. Chris Rogers and Sue Whitted will present a powerpoint later on to discuss more of what the program will entail. 

Newberg said that this program will help people of DeWitt County who would like to use these services as well. 

The county board and U of I will work on a later date to bring the vets. 

IDOT Announces I 80 Upgrade

A major interstate is getting an upgrade to smooth the flow of traffic. Interstate 80 from I-355 to US 30 will see an additional lane each way along with an improved interchange with US 30. Illinois Department of Transportation Secretary Randy Blankenhorn says the $47 million dollar project will make the commute along the interstate safer and allow traffic to flow along a freight heavy corridor. 

 

 

The project gets going in a major way in the spring of 2019 and will take a few years to complete.

NATIONAL CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY WEEK

THIS IS NATIONAL CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY WEEK AND SECRETARY OF STATE JESSE WHITE IS REMINDING FAMILIES ABOUT A NEW CAR SEAT LAW TAKING EFFECT IN JANUARY. 

CAR CRASHES ARE A LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH FOR CHILDREN AGES 1-13…SO IT’S IMPORTANT TO FOLLOW THE LATEST SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS. THAT INCLUDES THIS NEW LAW SAYS SECRETARY WHITE.

 

 

ALL KIDS MUST BE IN A PROPER CAR OR BOOSTER SEAT UP UNTIL AGE EIGHT AND REAR FACING SEATS SHOULD NEVER BE USED IN FRONT OF AN ACTIVE AIRBAG. PARENTS ARE URGED TO KEEP CHILDREN UNDER 13 IN THE BACK SEAT WHERE THEY ARE THE SAFEST.

Weekly Crop Report

THE DRY WEATHER GAVE FARMERS PLENTY OF TIME IN THE FIELDS FOR HARVESTING AS WE HEAR IN THE WEEKLY CROP REPORT. 

WITH SIX DAYS SUITABLE FOR FIELDWORK, HARVEST PROGRESS PICKED UP SPEED. CROP STATISTICIAN MARK SCHLEUSENER SAYS CORN HARVESTING IS NOW 28 PERCENT COMPLETE. THAT COMPARES TO 13 PERCENT FOR THE FIVE-YEAR AVERAGE.

 

75 PERCENT OF SOYBEANS ARE DROPPING LEAVES AND 17 PERCENT HAS BEEN HARVESTED. THE CROP IMPROVED TO 79 PERCENT IN GOOD TO EXCELLENT CONDITION. AVERAGE STATEWIDE TOPSOIL MOISTURE FELL A LITTLE THIS PAST WEEK TO FOUR PERCENT VERY SHORT, 18 PERCENT SHORT, 73 PERCENT ADEQUATE AND FIVE PERCENT SURPLUS.

Apple'n and Pork Festival known for food

The Apple'n Pork Festival is Clinton's biggest festival, and one of the biggest in Illinois. 
 
While some festivals bring in small stands with some fried food and rides, the Apple'n and Pork Festival has carried on a tradition that's important to lots of vendors. The CH Moore Homestead is hosting more than 25 vendors and other fun activities for the families to enjoy. Director Joey Woolridge says that the festival has helped bring in these groups to help raise their funds and the county. 
 

 

 
The festival provides a bit of music with a long list of local and outside artists that were supported by local organizations.
 

 

 
The Apple and Pork Festival is this Saturday and Sunday at the CH Moore Homestead in Clinton. Visit CHMooreHomestead.org or find the Apple and Pork Festival Facebook page. 

Apple'n Pork Rotary Club

The Apple'n Pork festival is just a day away, and Clinton along with many other vendors get ready. Some of the vendors will be cooking their secret dishes like the Rotary Club. The Rotary Club will be pairing up with students from the Christian church to help cook pulled pork sandwiches says Tom Reddington.
 

 

 

The rotary club has a prime location where tourists get off the tram.

 

 

 
The Apple'n Pork Festival runs from 10am-5pm Saturday and Sunday, September 29 and 30, in Clinton.
 

Advanced Mechanical Solutions Inc. Moving Locations

Advanced Mechanical Solutions Inc. is moving locations in Clinton next month. The commercial plumbing, heating and air conditioning, and solar system design installation company will be having their grand opening with door prizes says, Jacob Taylor.
 

 

 
The new location for the grand opening will be at 217 East Main Street in Clinton. The opening will be on October 4th from 4 pm to 6 pm. 

Rauner Tours Steel Works Facility in Southern Illinois Monday

Governor Bruce Rauner made a campaign stop in southern Illinois Monday afternoon, visiting the Magnum Steel Works plant in Mt. Vernon and talking about the importance of bringing and keeping skilled works in the state.
Rauner told workers that taxes are not the answer for economic growth in the state.
 

 

 
Rauner says the success of small manufacturing businesses is essential for Illinois.

Bow Hunting Restrictions From Some

Bow hunters will have a few restrictions to begin the hunting season. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources says they will restrict the killing of antlerless deer in Douglas, Macon, Moultrie and Piatt counties in an effort to boost herd size. Ed Cross with IDNR says it’s a familiar restriction for many hunters.
 
 
The restriction for archery hunters in those five counties will run from October 1st to the 15th.
 

 

 

Playoff Tickets Precautions

The Major League Baseball postseason is just around the corner, and fans looking to score tickets may become a score for counterfeiters if they aren’t careful. Fans need to be alert to scammers that could be selling bogus tickets, according to a spokesman from the Better Business Bureau. The opportunity for sports fans to be scammed by fake ticket sellers occurs most often when people buy tickets from individuals outside the stadium, on the street or through online auctions, classified ads and bulletin boards. BBB spokesman Don O'Brien says if you buy in the secondary market, seek out a source you can trust.
 

 

 
Tickets purchased for sports and entertainment events are the source of hundreds of BBB complaints by consumers nationwide. O'Brien says this is also prime time for merchants that peddle unlicensed team merchandise.

YMCA Pork Cutlets

The Annual Apple'n Pork Festival is coming up for Clinton. The festival is on its 50th Anniversary. The festival brings in vendors and nonprofit organizations to sell some of their products. One of those vendors will be Clinton's YMCA. 
 

The YMCA will be making pork cutlets this year.

 

 

 
Executive Director Rennie Cluver said that they will be serving pork cutlets as early as 9 am on the first day of the festival. The festival will be on September 29th and 30th from 9 am to 5 pm. 

Miller Park Zoo send off seals but gain some alligators

Miller Park Zoo is losing some animals this year. The seals will be leaving the Miller Park Zoo to go to a bigger zoo says, Director Jay Tetzloff.
 

 

 
With losing the seals though, Miller Park Zoo will be gaining some new animals. 
 

 

 
Miller Park Zoo stays open all year round, so you can check out the new alligators this year. 
 

This is National Rail Safety Week; 25 deaths at Illinois crossings last year

Illinois has just under 8,000 railroad crossings. And there are a few reminders with this being National Rail Safety Week says Chip Pew, coordinator of Illinois Operation Lifesaver for the Illinois Commerce Commission.
 

 

 
According to statistics from the Federal Railroad Administration, there were 109 collisions at Illinois rail crossings in 2017, which accounted for 25 deaths and 29 injuries. Only California had more fatalities at crossings with 38. 

FLU SHOT SEASON

THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH SAYS IT’S TIME TO GET YOUR ANNUAL FLU SHOT. 
 
THE VACCINE ISN’T PERFECT…BUT IT GOES A LONG WAY TOWARDS PROTECTING YOU AND YOUR FAMILY FROM GETTING SICK SAYS THE STATE’S CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER…DOCTOR JEN LAYDEN. SHE SAYS THOSE AFRAID OF NEEDLES WILL BE RELIEVED TO HEAR THE NASAL SPRAY IS BACK THIS YEAR.
 

 

 
LAYDEN SAYS THIS IS THE IDEAL TIME TO GET IMMUNIZED SINCE FLU SEASON USUALLY BEGINS IN OCTOBER AND IT TAKES TWO WEEKS FOR THE VACCINE TO BECOME MOST EFFECTIVE.

Illinois Community College Board looks to boost adult education

The Illinois Community College Board is turning to billboards to urge more adults to help more than 4 million Illinoisans with key education needs. 
Community College Board Deputy Director Jennifer Foster says the "Do it for You, Do it for Them” campaign will help adults who lack a high school diploma or have a language other than English as their primary language......
 

 

 
Foster says the change adult education offers is game changing.....
 

 

 
Adult education programs not only pave the way for a G-E-D but adult literacy programs, English as a Second Language instruction, and college and career preparation.

Ameren reminds farmers of power line safety during harvest

Harvest in full swing and Ameren Illinois on a publicity blitz to remind farmers to be careful when driving their harvest equipment under power lines. Director of Electric and Gas Operations Daetta Jones says there was an incident in the Galesburg area last week where a farmer’s harvest equipment came into contact with power lines.
 

 

 
Jones says there should be a ten-foot clearance between equipment and power lines. Another thing to remember is to stay inside a vehicle that power lines have fallen on so you can avoid touching them.

Apple'n Pork Festival Parking

The Apple'n Pork Festival is coming up and parking will be hard to find. With the help of Clinton High School and The Clinton Athletic Boosters, parking will be available at the Clinton High School. President of The Clinton Athletic Boosters Brian Ennis spoke with Regional Radio News how the parking works. 
 

 

 
Ennis also mentioned that there will be golf cart transportation from the parking to the Apple'n Pork Festival. 
 

 

 
The golf cart transportation from the parking lot to the festival is free. Parking will be $5 dollars and go all weekend long from 7:30 am to 5 pm, September 29th, and 30th. 

Ham and Beans at the Apple'n Pork Festival

The Apple'n Pork festival is just a few more days away. With the Apple'n Pork festival come all sorts of different recipes and dishes people cook. One of the many foods to try is the ham and beans says Clinton Administrator Tim Followell.
 

 

 
Not only are the ham and beans good but Tim mentioned some gingerbread. 
 

 

 
The Annual Apple'n Pork festival will be going on all weekend long September 29th and 30th, from 9 am to 5 pm. 
 

AMS Inc. Willing to Train

Advanced Mechanical Solutions Inc., a company that has been around the Clinton area since 2009 is looking for help. 
 
Though you may not have the full experience to work there well Jacob Taylor says they will be willing to train and send to schools.
 

 

 
Taylor will also be willing to train in plumbing as well.

 

 
AMS Inc. continues to grow every year and is looking to hire a few people. Call (217) 521-7310 for more information. 

State Rep. Butler calls for House investigation of Lincoln Library Foundation

State Rep. Tim Butler is calling for the Illinois House to hold hearings on the actions of the Springfield based Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation, in particular it's acquisition of a stovepipe hat said to be worn by Abraham Lincoln. Chicago radio station WBEZ reports failed efforts to authenticate Abraham Lincoln's ownership of a stovepipe hat by the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation were kept secret for years. Butler believes the actions of the foundation are often falsely seen as being the actions of Library and Museum officials...

 

 

 
The hat is the $6.5 million centerpiece of the foundation's $25 million acquisition of Lincoln-related artifacts in 2007. The foundation still owes $9.7 million on a loan used to buy the collection and has begun preparations to auction some items . Meanwhile, library and museum curator James Cornelius has been terminated after previously being on administrative leave since the spring. FBI agents reportedly went to collect DNA samples from the hat in 2015 and WBEZ reports Cornelius encouraged them to pretend to be part of the news media and kept word of the testing secret from library and museum officials.

Rauner Fires At McCann at Debate

Governor Bruce Rauner came out firing at candidates at last night’s gubernatorial debate in Chicago. Rauner took exception to Conservative candidate Sam McCann being on stage.
 

 

 
The debate was the first of three that Rauner and Democrat JB Pritzker have agreed to.

National farm leader: "...we can't be patriots if we're going broke"

The president of the nation's largest farm organization says the group has urged the Trump administration to go on the offensive and negotiate successful trade deals to help bolster the farm economy. American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall told Illinois and other state Farm Bureaus Thursday that deals like a new North American Free Trade Agreement with Mexico and Canada, and bilateral ones with Japan and countries that make up the European Union are needed to move mounting stocks of commodities such as soybeans and corn;
 

 

 
The A-F-B-F leader says the group continues to urge Congress to pass a new federal farm bill before the current one expires at the end of the month;
 

 

 
Duvall says the farm economy was reeling even before the current trade war. He says he hasn't seen the state of agriculture like it is now since the mid-1980s when several farmers exited the business.

Ticker-borne Heartland Virus

THE TICKBORNE HEARTLAND VIRUS IS SHOWING UP IN ILLINOIS…AND STATE PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS WARN THAT TICKS ARE STILL A PROBLEM THIS TIME OF YEAR. 
 
JUST ONE CASE OF HEARTLAND INFECTION, A KANKAKEE RESIDENT, HAS BEEN CONFIRMED IN ILLINOIS SO FAR. SYMPTOMS INCLUDE FEVER, HEADACHE, MUSCLE ACHES AND DIARRHEA. THOSE AFFECTED USUALLY HAVE TO BE HOSPITALIZED AND THERE IS NO MEDICINE TO TREAT THE INFECTION. STATE VETERINARIAN DOCTOR CONNIE AUSTIN SAYS THAT’S WHY IT’S IMPORTANT TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM TICK BITES BY STAYING OUT OF WOODED AREAS AND TALL GRASSES.
 

 

 
PETS SHOULD ALSO BE CHECKED. AUSTIN SAYS TICKS CAN SPREAD OTHER DISEASES LIKE LYME AND ROCKY MOUNTAIN SPOTTED FEVER.

Route 66 Festival Opens

Route 66 and car enthusiasts are making their way to Springfield this weekend for the mammoth 17th annual Mother Road Festival. Classic cars and trucks will cruise the streets of the Capital City and will go on display as well in the streets of Downtown Springfield. Festival founder Kim Rosendahl (Rose-en-dawl) says it's not exactly what you'd call a local car show....
 

 

 
The event kicks off with a cruise across Springfield this (Friday) evening. The event will mix in live music, a burnout competition, a performance marketplace for restoration enthusiasts and a Miss Route 66 Pin Up contest. The festival runs through Sunday.

WATCH FOR EHD

EPIZOOTIC HEMORRHAGIC DISEASE IS A VIRAL ILLNESS IN DEER THAT CAN CAUSE LOCALIZED DIE-OFFS. INFECTED DEER DEVELOP A HIGH FEVER AND ARE OFTEN FOUND DEAD NEAR BODIES OF WATER SAYS D-N-R SPOKESPERSON ED CROSS.
 

 

 
E-H-D CAN AFFECT LIVESTOCK BUT IS NOT HAZARDOUS TO HUMANS OR PETS. CONTACT I-D-N-R IF YOU SUSPECT A DEAD OR DYING DEER NEAR YOU MAY HAVE THE DISEASE.

Toohill Beef Products on Display at Apple and Pork Festival

A local family farm will be supplying the meat for various vendors at this year's Apple and Pork Festival.
 
Rachael Rackowski, Toohill Beef shop manager, indicates that they will be supplying the meat for the AmVets and the YMCA as well as having their shop open.

 

 
Rackowski says that they supply the AmVets and the YMCA because they are two charities that are close to the Toohill's hearts. In addition to the Apple and Pork Festival, Toohill Beef will be over in Lincoln for the last day of the Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital Market.
 

 

 
The Toohill Beef Shop will be open on Saturday from 9am-5pm. The Apple and Pork Festival runs from 10am-5pm Saturday and Sunday, Septermber 29 and 30, in Clinton.

Foodmobile Coming to Clinton

Eastern Illinois Foodbank is coming to Clinton soon to help hungry families. The food mobile will be held at the Clinton American Legion on October 20th from 10 to 11:30 am. All DeWitt County residents who meet income eligibility criteria are welcome. 
 
Regional Radio News spoke with Kristen Costello, saying volunteers are needed. 
 

 

 
All eligible residents of DeWitt County who are in need of food and grocery products are welcome to attend the Foodmobile distribution.  You can go to wwww.eifoodbank.org to find more information. 

Community Leaders and Schools Help Support Students

Future of our students are very important and District 5 along with other businesses look to give them an extra hand. The extra hand is with the CEO Program or Creating Entreapernual Opportunities is to help students learn what it is like to run their own business. 
 
Superintendent Curt Nettles of Clinton talked about what the students will be doing in the program.
 

 

 
Nettles also talked about what the students will be doing in their second semester.
 

 

 
The programs board is very excited to start the program which will start next school year but the board will meet up October 10th at the Country Club to tell people about the CEO program and what it means. 
 

Illinois Prairie Community Foundation Moving to a new building

Illinois Prairie Community Foundation in looks to move location. The foundation connects donors who care with causes that matter by offering philanthropic leadership, organization, and grant-making for the long-term enrichment of our community.
 
Grants and Communications Director Michele Evans came in to discuss with Regional Radio News where they are moving.
 

 

 
Evans said that even with the busy times she is very confident and excited to move to their new location. 

ICCB launching new billboard campaign

THE ILLINOIS COMMUNITY COLLEGE BOARD IS LAUNCHING A NEW STATEWIDE BILLBOARD CAMPAIGN TO HELP MORE ADULTS MEET THEIR EDUCATIONAL GOALS. 
 
WHETHER IS BE FINALLY GETTING THEIR G-E-D OR FINISHING UP AN ADULT LITERACY, ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE OR COLLEGE PREP CLASS…THE BOARD WANTS PEOPLE TO KNOW HELP IS AVAILABLE. DEPUTY DIRECTOR JENNIFER FOSTER SAYS ADULTS NEED THESE SKILLS TO EARN A LIVABLE WAGE.
 

 

 
FOSTER SAYS THERE ARE 79 PROVIDERS AROUND THE STATE OFFERING ADULT EDUCATION AND LITERACY PROGRAMS. VISIT THE WEBSITE: IL ADULT EDUCATION DOT ORG TO FIND ONE NEAR YOU.

DeWitt County Teen Killed In ATV Accident

A Clinton teen was killed in an ATV accident Saturday night. 

 

The DeWitt County Coroner’s office reports 14-year old Kloe Weiss, of Clinton, was involved in a four wheeler accident Saturday night in rural DeWitt County.  Weiss and a passenger were riding a four wheeler and lost control.  Both were thrown from the vehicle.  Weiss was pronounced dead at the scene at 7:20 Saturday night.  The passenger, who’s name was not released, was transported to OSF St. Joseph Medical Center in Bloomington.  She was treated for broken bones and was released. 

 

Weiss was a freshman at Clinton High School.  School officials opened the building for students Saturday night.  Staff, grief counselors, and administration were on site.  The Vault also opened its doors for students and families over the weekend.

 

The Coroner’s office and the DeWitt County Sheriff’s office are investigating the accident.  

Bustos talks Farm Bill following QC area farm visit

Western Illinois Congresswoman Cheri Bustos believes there’s plenty on consensus on a new Farm Bill, but she says there’s one holdout—House Republicans—and the work requirement issue involving the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. She spoke on the subject following a visit to a Quad City area farm this week and listed the items that are important to her.
 

 

 
Bustos, along with Illinois House colleagues John Shimkus and Rodney Davis, serve on the Farm Bill Conference Committee. The current Farm Bill is set to expire on September 30th.

ISBE Addressing Teacher Shortage

Illinois has a teacher shortage. And the state board of education is trying to address it. They found that 90 percent of the state’s vacancies are in districts that are struggling. So State Superintendent Tony Smith says for some it comes down to money.

 

The pressure is also on trying to find special education teachers and ones with bilingual skills. ISBE also wants to address supporting young teachers once they start so they will keep teaching. 

Eligible seniors and disabled

ENROLLMENT IN THE STATE’S WINTER HEATING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM OPENS IN A FEW WEEKS. 
 
ON OCTOBER FIRST…ELIGIBLE SENIORS AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES CAN BEGIN APPLYING TO THE ILLINOIS LOW-INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM…OR “LIHEAP.” DEIDRE COUGHLIN WITH THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY SAYS HOUSEHOLDS SHOULD CONTACT THEIR LOCAL ADMINISTERING AGENCY FOR AN APPOINTMENT. THEY WILL NEED TO BRING PROOF OF INCOME, A CURRENT UTILITY BILL AND PROOF OF SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS FOR ALL FAMILY MEMBERS.

 

 
CALL 1-877-411 WARM TO FIND A LOCAL LIHEAP AGENCY NEAR YOU…OR VISIT: LIHEAP ILLINOIS DOT COM. 

Drivers Can Help in Farm Safety

It’s National Farm Safety and Health week and the Illinois Department of Agriculture says that the commitment to be safe shouldn’t be just for farmers. Denise Albert says farm accidents happen between the farm and field.
 

 

 
The business of agriculture is the biggest in the state and the most dangerous. Over all its ranked as the 8th most dangerous in the nation. 

First Responders in North Carolina

A 13-MEMBER TEAM OF FIRST RESPONDERS IS IN NORTH CAROLINA HELPING WITH HURRICANE RECOVERY EFFORTS. 
 
THE ILLINOIS TASK FORCE ONE SWIFTWATER TEAM WAS DEPLOYED AS PART OF A MUTUAL AID SYSTEM BETWEEN STATES AND IS LEAD BY CHUCK GROS (gross). HE SAYS IT’S THEIR FIRST TIME BEING SENT TO A HURRICANE SITUATION AND THAT THEY HAVE ALREADY MADE 14 RESCUES.
 

 

 
THAT INCLUDES EVERYTHING FROM DEALING WITH RISING FLOODWATERS TO HOOKING UP GENERATORS SO GAS STATIONS CAN PUMP FUEL.

Washington Street Haunted House

The month of September is halfway over, that means getting closer to the 25th anniversary of Clinton's Terror On Washington Street Haunted House. The haunted house will be open for nine nights this year. To help tweak some things they changed some of the rooms at the haunted house this year. 
 

 

 
The haunted house will be open every Friday and Saturday night starting on October 5th from 7:13 pm to 11 pm.
 

Homecoming Parade

As fall moves along Clinton schools move closer to having their homecoming. With homecoming comes the parade and Clinton Police Chief Ben Lowers wanted to remind everyone where the parade would be taking place.
 

 

 
The homecoming parade will be on Friday, October 5th kicking off at 3 pm. 
 

Monticellobration

Monticello gets ready for their annual celebration this year. Some of the Monticellobration festivities will be back such as knockerball, food trucks, makers and crafters. This year though Monticello will be kicking festivities off with something new says Director of Community Development Callie Jo McFarland.
 

 

 
The Monticellobration is on September 29th starting at 7 am in Downtown Monticello. 
 

COUNTRY Financial Names New CEO

Country Financial in Bloomington released a letter Thursday stating that Jim Jacobs as its new CEO for the year 2019. Jacobs will take over for Kurt Bock, who will retire after serving as CEO for seven years.
 
Jacobs has worked for Country Financial as a general counsel, secretary, and chief legal officer. He has also worked with other affiliated companies such as Illinois Farm Bureau working as an attorney and assistant corporate secretary.  
 
Jacobs currently serves as a board member for the Special Olympics of Illinois. He has also tutored for Star Literacy and was part of the board of directors for Heartland Head Start.

Harvest Off to Fast Start

Harvest is underway in almost every part of Illinois. The state’s farmers are making quicker work this year than last when it comes to harvesting soybeans. USDA’s Mark Schleusener says things are coming along nicely as four percent of the crop is out of the field.
 

 

 
Farmers will be working for the next six to eight weeks to harvest the majority of the state’s corn and soybeans. 

Southern Illinois House Candidate Calls Recent Trade Policy One Example of Lack of Congressional Oversight

In the latest tariffs announced by the Trump administration, the U.S. will be putting 10 percent on $200 billion in Chinese imported goods. That new tariff will grow to 25 percent in 2019. China has since announced tariffs on $60 billion of American made goods, including meat, alcoholic drinks, chemicals, machinery, and auto parts. Illinois 12th district house candidate Brendan Kelly says Congress has been passing the buck, and it has hurt Illinois residents for a long time.
 

 

 
Kelly is looking to unseat incumbent Mike Bost in November’s election. Bost has held the 12th district house seat since 2015.

Some Illinois farmers growing weary of tariff and trade war

Even before President Trump announced another round of tariffs on some goods imported from China, Will County farmer John Kiefner had seen the market for soybeans and other products shipped to China in containers come to a halt;
 

 

 
Kiefner says thousands of containers loaded with big box and dollar store goods from China coming into Chicago-area rail yards will likely return empty. He's not thrilled with the plan for U-S-D-A to pay him and other farmers for being victims of the tariff and trade war;
 

 

 
Kiefner and some other Illinois farmers want the Trump administration to get to the negotiating table with China - and complete a new North American Free Trade Agreement with Mexico and Canada.

Infant Mortality Rates in Black Communities Addressed

State lawmakers are asking questions about the death rate among African American babies and why it’s higher than that of white babies. 
 
The mortality rate can be as much as three times higher for black infants and Rush University Medical Center Pediatrician Gina Lowell says black families bring babies into bed, and while co-sleeping presents dangers she says that some mothers have far greater concerns about keeping their children safe.
 

 

 
Experts are suggesting more in home follow up care for mothers and helping expect one’s with prenatal checkups.

Duckworth weighs in on Kavanaugh developments

Sen. Tammy Duckworth is weighing in on the latest developments in the Brett Kavanaugh case, in particular word that university professor Dr. Christine Blasey Ford will get the discuss her claims of sexual assault against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh when they were in high school.....
 

 

 
Duckworth is hopeful the FBI can take a closer look at the claims...
 

 

 
 

Clinton Police Get Ready for Apple'n Pork Festival

The Annual Apple'n Pork festival is right around the corner, and Clinton preps for the thousands of people coming. The festival is on its 50th year now and usually reaches up to around 100,000 people attending says Clinton Police Chief Ben Lowers. 
 
 

 

Chief Lowers also mentioned some available parking for people coming in that will help shuttle people to the festival.

 

 

 
The Apple'n Pork Festival will be September 29th and 30th, all weekend long.
 

Monticello Growing Businesses

Economic developments have changed over the years, making it harder for some smaller rural towns. Monticello though hasn't let that stop them as they look to continue to grow businesses through the Monticello Bootcamp program says Director of Community Development Callie Jo McFarland.
 

 

 
The boot camp brings many of people from not just Monticello but from other areas as well. McFarland says that the program brings in different speakers to help growing businesses.
 

 

 
The Monticello Bootcamp program has been going on for a few years and is now on its 7th round looking to grow more businesses in the future. 
 

Food Pantry Coop

Community Action Partnership of Central Illinois is offering a new program to help people in need. Instead of coming to a food pantry to go and get food people can now do what is called a food pantry coop says Director of Nutrition Services Becky Leamon.
 

 

 
The food pantry coop is in DeWitt and now just started up in Logan County. The idea of the food pantry coop is to help people not only be fed but also build some work ethics as well. 

Mother Road Festival

Route 66 is getting ready for its large festival, the Mother Road Festival. The annual festival will take place in downtown Springfield to celebrate the golden age of route 66. 
 
Guest speaker Assistant Director of the Route 66 Scenic Byway Geoff Ladd talks about some of the attractions at this year's festival. 
 

 

 
Mother Road Festival will be in Downtown Springfield September 21-23. 6 to 10 pm Friday, 9 am to 10 pm Saturday and 9 am to 2 pm Sunday.

Plenty of Illinois-grown pumpkins to pick

Illinois is the leading pumpkin-growing state in the nation, and as far as those used for jack-o-lanterns and other decorative purposes there will be plenty to pick this year. Jake Goebbert's (GO-burt) family has been growing pumpkins for decades near the northern Illinois village of Pingree Grove;
 

 

 
The Goebbert family grows pumpkins on 100 acres not far from the intersection of Interstate-90 and Illinois Route-47 in Kane County;
 

 

 
Goebbert's allow customers to pick pumpkins right out of the field. They're busy this time of year, opening their farm in Pingree Grove, and another in the Cook County Village of South Barrington seven days a week.
 

Clinton Lake Sailing Association Teaching Sailing

At Clinton Lake some people fish, some people like to swim but for Eric Bussell and some others, they like to sailing. Eric Bussell is part of the Clinton Lake Sailing Association, a group of people that do competitive sailing but also sail as a hobby. Bussell mentioned that people interested can join to learn more about sailing. 
 

 

 
You can contact Eric Bussell by looking up Clinton lake sailing association, or look up freesailinglesson.org and search for Clinton lake sailing association for classes. 

Railroad Safety Week

Railroads have been a big part of Clinton's history. With the railroads running through we should take precautions when it comes to those railroads. To help with that is Railroad safety week which takes place from September 23-29th. Clinton Police Chief Ben Lowers talks about some of the precautions we should take with railroads.
 

 

 
Chief Lowers mentioned that some people misunderstand railroads thinking that they can be used for whatever use.
 

 

 
Chief Lowers wanted to remind everyone to be safe around railroads with the safety week coming up, that will be from September 23-29th to make sure everyone is safe and follows the laws. 
 

Friendship Center plans for Live Charlie Brown Show

Paula Jiles has been planning big plans at the Friendship Center. Jiles worked with the rest of the seniors to set up a trip for them to attend.
 

 

Registration for the Charlie Brown Live Show begins November 15th. The show has limited seats so if you would like to attend, go to the Friendship Center at 410 E. Main Street in Clinton. 

SIU School of Medicine launches new department to address rural health

The Southern Illinois University School of Medicine is retooling to meet the needs of rural residents. Sameer Vohra (vor-uh) is the Founding Chair of the new Department of Population Science and Policy. He says the new department will address key needs in Downstate Illinois....
 

 

 
Dr. Vohra discusses the department's plan of attack for improving the health of Southern and Central Illinois...
 

 

 
The new department will target the opioid epidemic in the Illinois Delta Region, childhood growth and development, cancer disparities in rural communities, and building community capacity for health improvement.

Conservation Foundation Bike Ride

Rock Springs Nature Center is getting ready for its Prarie Pedal bicycling event. The event is where bike riders can come out and ride around Macon County to help support Macon County Conservation Foundation. Rock Springs Nature Center Director Richie Wolf says its one of their largest fundraisers for the foundation. 

 

 
Wolf talked about how much it was that gets you different prizes and that all that money goes to conservation efforts.
 

 

 
To register or find more information on the event go to maconcountyconservation.org/prarie-pedal or by contacting Rock Springs Nature Center at 217-423-7708.
 

ILLINOIS TOP 10 SCIENTISTS

VOTERS ARE CHOOSING ENRICO FERMI AS THEIR NUMBER ONE PICK FOR ILLINOIS SCIENTISTS IN THE LATEST TOP 10 POLL.
 
FERMI CAME TO THE U-S IN 1939 AND IS BEST KNOWN FOR HIS WORK WITH NUCLEAR ENERGY SAYS ABRAHAM LINCOLN PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY SPOKESPERSON CHRIS WILLS.
 

 

 
OTHER SCIENTISTS MAKING THE TOP 10 INCLUDE JAMES WATSON WHO DISCOVERED THE DOUBLE HELIX SHAPE OF D-N-A, ANDREW MOYER WHO WORKED IN AN AGRICULTURE LAB IN PEORIA TO PRODUCE LARGE BATCHES OF PENICILLIN…AND U OF I PROFESSOR JOHN BARDEEN WHO IS THE ONLY PERSON TO WIN THE NOBEL PRIZE IN PHYSICS TWICE.

This is farm safety week; expert recommends taking breaks during harvest season

The harvest season in full swing and running at a feverish pace throughout most of Illinois, but even with a prolonged stretch of dry weather, farmers must take breaks. So says University of Illinois Extension farm safety specialist Bob Aherin.
 

 

 
The third week of September is National Farm Safety and Health Week. 

State lawmaker hosts forum on opioid epidemic; won't be his last

A Quad City area state lawmaker has hosted an informational forum on the opioid epidemic. And it won’t be the last for State Senator Neil Anderson of Andalusia. 

 

 

Anderson also works as a firefighter and paramedic and he says he sees the effects of the problem first hand. The Illinois Department of Human Services, Division on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse has rolled out a helpline for opioids and other substances at “1-833-2FINDHELP”.

Library Card Month

Setempber is signing up library card month, a national event that Vespasian Warner Public Library is taking a part of. When you sign up for your new library you can participate in the event that the library is hosting. The event is to help the library find library cards from villains says, Samantha Rusk.
 

 

 
The superhero event with the library will be going all month long. You can find the Vespasian Warner Public Library at 310 N Quincy St, in Clinton. 

Lego Historian Coming to Macon Museum

As the weather turns colder, activities around the Macon Country History Museum begin to pick up again.  Returning to the museum this year will be Dr. Bob Card, a historian of the construction toys - LEGOs - for over 25 years. Dr. Card came to the museum a few years back with all sorts of his buildings, and Nathan Pierce with the Macon County History Museum thought it would be good to bring him back.
 

 

 
Pierce says this event is geared towards a different crowd than most that take place at the museum.
 

 

 
Dr. Card and his LEGO presentation will make an appearance at the Macon County History Museum on October 13th at 1:30 pm.
 

Hunter Safety Course at Rock Springs Nature Center

Hunting season is right around the corner and to help prepare for that, Rock Springs Nature Center has teamed up with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to host a hunters safety course. 
 

 

 
The courses are available on October 19th and 20th. You can be a first timer or veteran hunter if you would like to attend. If you have any questions call the Rock Springs Nature Center at 217-423-7708. 
 

Illinois Emergency Management Agency Advice

THE ILLINOIS EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY HAS SOME ADVICE ABOUT HOW YOU CAN HELP THE VICTIMS OF HURRICANE FLORENCE. (two stories, same lead).
 
BEFORE YOU DONATE YOUR TIME OR MONEY…IT’S BEST TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE GOING THROUGH A REPUTABLE ORGANIZATION SAYS I-EMA SPOKESPERSON REBECCA CLARK.
 

 

 
THE ORGANIZATION’S WEBSITE IS: NVOAD.ORG.

Madison County Democrats choose replacement candidate for fallen board member

Madison County Democrats have picked a new board member to fill the ballot slot for the County Board seat held by Helen Hawkins, who recently collapsed at a committee meeting and died hours later. Pontoon Beach Village Board member Chris Hankins was chosen by a nominating committee of the precinct committeemen of County Board District 16. They fulfilled the wishes of Hawkins herself, who had written a letter to the Madison County Board Chairman asking that Hankins be her replacement in the event she retired from her board seat. 
 

Annual Monticello Railroad Days This Past Weekend

An annual train event took place this weekend in Monticello.
 
The Monticello Railway Museum hosted their annual Railroad Days this weekend and drew a large crowd. 
 
Ted Lemen, with the Monticello Railway Museum, indicated that each ticket allowed unlimited rides on diesel 
 
and steam engine trains.
 

 

 
In addition to the trains rides, there was an abundance of festivities on the museum grounds. Event Chairman 

Bill Chris noted that there were Hodge pedal cars, food vendors, face painting, hula hooping, music, and more.

 

 

 
Proceeds from the Railroad Days go towards the efforts of the Monticello Railway Museum. Railroad Days runs again Sunday, September 16, from 10 am to 5 pm.

Weekly Crop Report 2

CORN HARVESTING IS UNDERWAY AS WE HEAR IN THE WEEKLY CROP REPORT. 
 
56 PERCENT OF CORN IS MATURE AND FOUR PERCENT HAS NOW BEEN HARVESTED. THE CROP IMPROVED SLIGHTLY WITH 77 PERCENT IN GOOD TO EXCELLENT CONDITION. AS FOR SOYBEANS…
 

 

 
CROP STATISTICIAN MARK SCHLEUSENER SAYS 56 PERCENT OF SORGHUM IS MATURE AND THE THIRD CUTTING OF ALFALFA IS NOW 92 PERCENT COMPLETE. AVERAGE STATEWIDE TOPSOIL MOISTURE INCREASED TO THREE PERCENT VERY SHORT, SIX PERCENT SHORT, 65 PERCENT ADEQUATE AND 26 PERCENT SURPLUS.

Apprenticeship program for high school students signed into law

Illinois high schools will soon have the opportunity to offer on-the-job apprenticeships. Legislation sponsored by Peoria State Senator Chuck Weaver has been signed into law.

 

 

 
Rules about how the registered apprenticeship program will operate must still be developed and federal approval is also needed for the initiative. 

Save Back to School Receipts

It’s not quite tax season but as you wrap up back to school shopping the money you spent may be tax deductible. The Illinois Department of Revenue says a few of your purchases can be deducted on your taxes.
 

 

 
That’s Revenue’s Terry Hortman. He says that purchases for homeschooled kids count just the same as they do for kids going to public or private schools.

State Far Attendance Lower This Year

The State Fair packed fewer people into the grounds over its 11 day run but those who showed up spent more money. The Illinois Department of Agriculture says that they counted 369 thousand people attending the fair. That number is lower than last year but Denise Albert with IDOA says that vendors reported higher sales this year than last.
 

 

 
The fair has changed the way they count visitors beginning in 2015. Since then the fair has averaged about 384 thousand attendees a year.

Monarch Madness

Rock Springs Nature Center gets ready for their annual event called Monarch Madness. You can learn about monarch butterflies from naturalists, then help capture and tag live butterflies says Rock Springs Nature Center Manager Richie Wolf.
 

 

 
The event is free and open to the public, no registration is required. 
 

DeWitt Family Fun Night

Celebrating the new 4-H year this September the U of I Extension of DeWitt County looks to host a Family Fun NIght. The free event is a new one where it brings an opportunity to meet with leaders, staff, and other 4-H members. 
 
Guest speaker Kim Gibbons talked about having at the Family Fun Night.
 

 

 
The fun night will have inflatable slides, food, and games for everyone. The event will be at the 4-H Fairgrounds in Clinton, IL September 16th from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Register by September 13 online or call the DeWitt County Extension office at 217-935-5764. If you need more information call Gibbons at 217-935-5764 or email at kkgibbon@illinois.edu.
 

Eastern Illinois Foodbank Foodmobile Giveaway In Clinton, IL

Eastern Illinois Foodbank is in need of volunteers for their distribution at the Clinton American Legion in Clinton, IL. 
 
The distributions are part of the Foodbank's Foodmobile program a system of mobile food pantries designed to help bring nutritious food to areas in need. Through the program, local companies and organizations are invited to contribute a new day distribution of food.
 

 

 
The giveaway will be on October 20th from 10-11:30 a.m. You can visit the Foodbank's website at www.eifoodbank.org and click "find help" to volunteer. 
 

Richland Courses from Workforce Investment Solutions

Jobs can be difficult to get without some of the qualifications you need to work them. Some of those qualifications could be school or trade skills needed to work. Richland College offers different courses to learn those skills and Workforce Investment Solutions can help you with that says Consultant Larry Peterson.
 

 

 
Not only do they teach you some of the basic skills but trade skills as well. 
 

 

 
If you want to find out about Richland's opportunities call Workforce Investment Solutions at 217-875-8751 or by going to Workforce over in Decatur at 757 W. Pershing Road.

Weekly Crop Report

CORN HARVESTING IS UNDERWAY AS WE HEAR IN THE WEEKLY CROP REPORT. 
 
JUST FOUR DAYS WERE SUITABLE FOR FIELDWORK LAST WEEK…BUT SOME PRODUCERS GOT A LITTLE HARVESTING IN SAYS CROP STATISTICIAN MARK SCHLEUSENER.
 

 

 
77 PERCENT OF THE CORN CROP IS RATED IN GOOD TO EXCELLENT CONDITION. 37 PERCENT OF SOYBEANS ARE DROPPING LEAVES AND 56 PERCENT OF SORGHUM IS MATURE.
 
THANKS TO WIDESPREAD RAINS…AVERAGE STATEWIDE TOPSOIL MOISTURE IMPROVED TO THREE PERCENT VERY SHORT, SIX PERCENT SHORT, 65 PERCENT ADEQUATE AND 26 PERCENT SURPLUS.

Free and Reduced School Lunches

NEW ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES FOR FREE AND REDUCED SCHOOL LUNCHES ARE BEING RELEASED AND LOW-INCOME FAMILIES ARE ENCOURAGE TO APPLY TO THE PROGRAM. 
 

INCOME LIMITS ARE SET EACH YEAR AND ROXANNE RAMAGE WITH THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION SAYS THE BREAKFASTS, LUNCHES AND AFTER SCHOOL SNACKS HELP MAKE SURE STUDENTS DON’T GO HUNGRY.

 

 
THE NEW INCOME STANDARDS ARE IN PLACE AND HOUSEHOLDS CAN APPLY ANY TIME DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR. THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION’S ROXANNE RAMAGE SAYS PARENTS SHOULD CHECK TO SEE IF THEIR SCHOOL DISTRICT IS PARTICIPATING.
 
 
MANY FAMILIES RECEIVING PUBLIC AID WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE ENROLLED FOR FREE MEALS. SCHOOLS CAN HELP OTHER HOUSEHOLDS APPLY AT ANY TIME DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR. JUST ONE APPLICATION PER HOUSEHOLD IS NEEDED IF ALL KIDS ARE IN THE SAME SCHOOL DISTRICT.

 

 

 

Warner Hospital Fair Touts New Physical Therapy Equipment

 

The Warner Hospital held their annual health fair in Clinton Thursday, offering those in attendence free clinics from various area specialists, as well as some local.  The hospital's physcial therapy department recieved new equipment and tables this week courtesy of the Warner Hospital Foundation, and were on display at the event. Physical therapist Cheryl DeMent says the new furniture will be benefitial for both patients and staff.
 

 

 

 

 
The Warner Hospital physical therapy department offers free screenings, and DeMent invites those interested to stop by the facility to check out the new equipment.

Tailgating Safety

Football season has kicked off and that means fans are out tailgating, celebrating their favorite teams. With tailgating comes grilling hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken wings, etc. and we need to be careful says USDA Janell Goodwin.
 

 

 
Even going by the color of food is not the best way to determine if something is cooked.
 

 

 
If you have any concerns about the safety of tailgate cooking you can call 1-888-MPHOTLINE or visit the US Department of Agriculture website at www.usda.gov.

Hurricane Florence will result in dry weather for Illinois

Illinois won’t feel any harsh effects from Hurricane Florence. That outlook from agriculture meteorologist Eric Schmidt at EJS Weather in Newton.
 

 

 
Schmidt says most parts of Illinois will also see temperatures climb into the 80’s into the weekend through early next week. 

One of state's longest running antique tractor show set for this weekend

One of the longest running antique engine and tractor shows in Illinois set for later this weekend. It takes place near Geneseo in Henry County Friday through Sunday. It marks the 57th year for the Antique Engine and Tractor Association Farm Show says committee member Phil Jordan. 
 

 

 
Further information is available at “ae-ta.com”.

Illinois Picks Up Needed Rain in Parts of State

A soggy September has been welcome for parts of Illinois. The remnants of Tropical Storm Gordon dumped rain over a large portion of the Illinois. State Climatologist Jim Angel says this month state wide rain fall totals are already at three and half inches. That’s more than some areas got for a large portion of the summer and so the soaking rains were welcome.
 

 

 
Area’s south of St. Louis picked up the most rain in the state this past 
weekend with reports of 10 inches or more over Friday and Saturday.

A Celebration for Veterans!

Clinton AMVETS Post 14 had their regularly scheduled meeting on September 10, and the Post celebrated a night for the Danville VA hospitalized Veterans. The Clinton Power Station Interns entrusted AMVETS Post 14 with their “Project.”  They raised $1,275.00 designated for the Clinton AMVETS Post 14 to help Veterans, and the CPS Management matched the intern’s efforts with an added $1,475.00 donation.  
 
Post 14 decided that the funds, plus $1,250.00 from Post 14, for a total of $4,000.00, would be donated to support the Danville VA Hospital.
 
AMVETS Post 14 thanked the CPS Interns and Management for entrusting Clinton AMVETS Post 14 to fulfill their project to help Veterans. 

Two New Births at Scoville Zoo

The Scoville Zoo usually waits around mid-summer to see if any their animals would give birth. This year two of their animals gave birth in late summer this time. Ken Frye came in to talk about the new howler monkey.
 

 

 
The new howler monkey wasn't the only one to be born as a new red panda would also be born at the Scovill Zoo.
 

 

 
The Scovill Zoo will still be open till October 8th and will also be at the Warner Hospital Annual Health Fair this Thursday.

Congressman Davis and Congress Look To Sign New Bill

Congress has been looking to sign a new bill to help people get more funding toward new careers. Getting the money though is hard for some who already struggle. Congress is investing money into a program to help workers. The raised money is to help support workers get higher paying jobs and get them out of poverty levels. Congressman Rodney Davis with more on the new bill.
 

 

 
Unemployment has been decreasing in the nation to around 4%, and Congress continues to look forward to decreasing that even more. 

Illinois State Fair

ATTENDANCE WAS DOWN AT THIS YEAR’S ILLINOIS STATE FAIR BUT VENDOR SALES WERE UP. 
 
MORE THAN 369 THOUSAND PEOPLE VISITED THE STATE FAIR IN SPRINGFIELD LAST MONTH. THAT’S A DECREASE OF EIGHT PERCENT COMPARED TO LAST YEAR. FAIR SPOKESPERSON DENISE ALBERT SAYS ALL IN ALL IT WAS A GREAT FAIR WITH GOOD WEATHER AND HIGH VENDOR RECEIPTS.

 

 
ALBERT SAYS GRANDSTAND CONCERTS SALES WERE SOLID…WITH MORE THAN 50 THOUSAND PEOPLE ATTENDING SHOWS AND OVER ONE POINT EIGHT MILLION DOLLARS IN TOTAL TICKET REVENUE. LUKE COMBS DREW THE BIGGEST CROWDS THIS YEAR.

Alert About "Green Electricity" Plans

With the advent of electric aggregation, Illinois consumers have been almost constantly bombarded with offers from electricity suppliers trying to get you to switch to their service. The latest angle appears to be the offering of "green plans," apparently trying to appeal to the consumer that wants to take a stand against fossil fuels. But Citizen's Utility Board spokesman Jim Chilsen says there is no way to guarantee a "green" plan will only send you "green" power.
 

 

 
And that means that by buying a certificate, somewhere along the power grid, renewable energy will be added. You can get the agency's free "Guide to Renewable Energy Plans" emailed to you through at CUBHELPCenter.com

Smithsonian exhibit on rural America opens in Illinois

The Washington D-C-based Smithsonian Institution opened an exhibit over the weekend in Illinois about change in rural America. The exhibit will be hosted in small Illinois communities over the next eight months. Matt Meacham with the Chicago-based Illinois Humanities helped coordinate the Smithsonian exhibit in Illinois, one of three states selected;
 

 

 
The exhibit called "Crossroads: Change in Rural America" is part of the Smithsonian's Museum on Main Street program to bring exhibits to communities of less than 25-thousand people. Meacham says the six Illinois communities selected had to compete and create a complimentary local exhibit on the topic;
 

 

 
The Smithsonian's "Change in Rural America" exhibit opened over the weekend in the Randolph County community of Chester. It moves on to Winchester in Scott County in late October, then to Shelbyville in mid-December. The communities of Atlanta in Logan County, Marshall in Clark County and Sycamore in DeKalb County will host the exhibit in 2019.
 

The Warner Hospital Health Fair September 13th

Warner Hospital gets ready this week to host its Annual Health Fair this Thursday. The annual event will be taking place across the street from the hospital with over 40 different vendors coming out to Clinton. CEO and guest speaker Paul Skowron mentioned a new attraction coming to this year's Annual Health Fair.
 

 

 
The Annual Health Fair will be this Thursday, September 13th, from 5 to 7 p.m.

AMVETS Look To Expand Building

Over time the AMVETS have looked into getting a building to support veterans. They were able to acquire the building and now look to expand in Clinton. Darrel Tucker and Marc Rogers have asked the state for a grant to help expand that new building.
 

 

 
Tucker mentioned that the state has put restrictions on the specifics of the grant.
 

 

 
If you want to help with veterans or you are a veteran who wants a place to talk visit the Clinton AMVETS at 302 N. Monroe St. Clinton, IL or visit ilamvets.org for more information.

Workforce Investment Solutions Training Money

Finding new jobs can be hard, and sometimes you need to meet different qualifications for those jobs. Trying to meet some of those qualifications can cost you thousands of dollars. You either need years of schooling or training in that career. Workforce investment solutions can help you with that says Consultant Larry Peterson.
 

 

 
Not everyone though can receive the funding, you still have to meet the requirements for Workforce Investment Solutions.

 

 
If you need help finding jobs or need extra schooling/training call Workforce Investment Solutions at 217-875-8751 or by going to Workforce over in Decatur at 757 W. Pershing Road.
 

The Vault Open House

 
With the first week of September now over we move closer to Clinton opening a new teen center called The Vault. Michelle Witzke wanted to help create a new fun safe space for teens to hang out. 

 

 
The Vault is looking to have an open house in mid-September, but right now they are still in the middle of building phases.
 

 

 
Phase 3 fundraising is now beginning for The Vault to redo the AC units in the building. Witzke is hoping to have the open house September 23rd and fully open sometime in October. 
 

DeWitt County Emergency Managment Agency's Coordinator Retiring and Kurt Tweedy Taking Over

DeWitt County Emergency Managment Agency's Coordinator Teresa Barnett is retiring this year. Barnett has worked with the agency for over 8 years and has decided to take a step back.  
 

Barnett said that she has enjoyed working with the agency, but it is time now to retire.

 

 

 
Kurt Tweedy who will be taking over as the coordinator is from Branson, Missouri. He attended school down in St. Louis and has come up for DCEMA. Tweedy will continue to coordinate and make sure DeWitt County is safe from all emergencies. 
 

 

Hunger Action Month

It is now September and with this month comes Hunger Action Month. Hunger Action Month is where Eastern Illinois Foodbank has an event every day for people to learn more about hunger says Development Relations Manager Kristen Costello.
 

 

 
One main event that Eastern Illinois Foodbank has in September is the Snap Hunger Challenge.
 

 

 
You can find more information on Hunger Action Month or Snap Hunger Challenge at eifoodbank.org.
 

State promoting update to IllinoisJobLink.com

A couple of state agencies are collaborating to expand mobile services for those seeking a job in Illinois and those trying to find employees. Late last month, the Illinois Department of Employment Security and Department of Innovation and Technology jointly announced the release of mobile functionality for the website “IllinoisJobLink.com” says Bob Gough with IDES.
 

 

 
Gough says job openings are populated both by IDES staff and employers in a nightly exchange of job order information with the National Labor Exchange. 

September is Disaster Preparedness Month

THIS IS DISASTER PREPAREDNESS MONTH IN ILLINOIS AND GOVERNOR BRUCE RAUNER IS THANKING FIRST RESPONDERS FOR THE WORK THEY DO IN TIMES OF CRISIS. 
 
MORE THAN 600 EMERGENCY WORKERS HAVE BEEN IN SPRINGFIELD ALL WEEK FOR A TRAINING SUMMIT…HEARING ABOUT HOW TRAGEDIES IN OTHER STATES WERE HANDLED…SUCH AS THE LAS VEGAS SHOOTING…AND WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN DONE BETTER. GOVERNOR RAUNER ALSO ADDRESSED THE GROUP.
 

 

 
PLENTY OF TIPS FOR GETTING YOUR FAMILY, PETS AND HOME READY FOR A DISASTER ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE AT: READY.ILLINOIS.GOV.

ISP announces results from last month's Saturation Saturday effort.

A 10-HOUR STATEWIDE EFFORT TO CATCH DRUNK DRIVERS LAST MONTH NETTED 39 D-U-I ARRESTS. 
 
SATURATION SATURDAY ON AUGUST 26TH INCLUDED ROVING PATROLS AND ROADSIDE SAFETY CHECKS…AND EIGHT OF THE 39 DRIVERS BUSTED WERE FOR MORE THAN TWICE THE LEGAL ALCOHOL LIMIT. ILLINOIS STATE POLICE LIEUTENANT MATT BOERWINKLE SAYS TROOPERS WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT DRUNK DRIVING AND ASKS THE PUBLIC TO HELP AS WELL.
 

 

 
TROOPERS MADE 162 OTHER ARRESTS FOR OUTSTANDING WARRANTS, OPEN ALCOHOL AND DRUGS DURING THE ONE-DAY EFFORT.

Increase Load Limits

FARMERS WILL BE ABLE TO CARRY A LITTLE HEAVIER LOADS DURING THE FALL HARVEST IN ILLINOIS. 
 
GOVERNOR BRUCE RAUNER IS SIGNING AN EXECUTIVE ORDER TO INCREASE LOAD LIMITS BY 10 PERCENT. THAT HELPS PRODUCERS MOVE GRAIN QUICKER AND HAS AN ADDED BENEFIT SAYS STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE DEPUTY DIRECTOR WARREN GOETSCH.
 

 

 
FARMERS CAN APPLY TO I-DOT FOR A SPECIAL PERMIT TO CARRY MORE CROPS. A NEW STATE LAW MAKES THE INCREASED LIMIT DURING HARVEST SEASON PERMANENT…BUT THAT DOESN’T TAKE EFFECT UNTIL NEXT YEAR.

Vaccination Agaisnt Hepatits

THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH IS WORKING TO GET MORE PEOPLE VACCINATED AGAINST HEPATITIS A.
 
I-D-P-H IS SENDING HEP-A VACCINE TO NEARLY A DOZEN LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS…IN HOPES OF VACCINATING THOSE MOST AT RISK WHICH INCLUDES DRUG USERS, MEN WHO HAVE SEX WITH MEN AND THE HOMELESS. DIRECTOR DOCTOR NIRAV SHAH SAYS HEPATITIS A IS AN INFECTION THAT CAN DAMAGE THE LIVER.
 

 

 
SHAH SAYS THERE HAVE BEEN OUTBREAKS OF HEPATITIS A IN SEVERAL OTHER STATES…BUT NONE SO FAR IN ILLINOIS.

Weather forces cancellation of DeWitt County Farm Bureau Tractor Drive

CLINTON, ILL. - Organizers announced Friday the cancellation of the 2018

DeWitt County Farm Bureau Tractor Drive due to forecasted rains and expected
wind for Saturday, Sept. 8.

 

The drive, which raises funds for the DeWitt County Farm Bureau Foundation,
was scheduled to depart the Farmer's Grain Elevator and Excel Railcar
Grounds in Kenney at 12 noon on Saturday, and travel about 26 miles before
returning to Kenney at about 5:30 p.m. 

 

Because many of the drives' volunteers are farmers, it will not be
rescheduled for this year due to proximity to fall harvest. Drivers who were
pre-registered and pre-paid will receive a full refund. 

 

Despite the rains, which forecasters say are remnants of the tropical storm
Gordon, the Farm Bureau encourages residents to keep the Kenney Fall
Festival in your weekend plans as events including the Kenney Fire Chicken
Supper will continue.  

 

DeWitt County Farm Bureau thanks its Drive sponsors: AHW, Inc., Anderson
Ford, Baum Chevrolet Buick, Central Illinois Ag, Douglas Dodge Ram, and Farm
Credit Services.

 

Questions may be directed to DeWitt County Farm Bureau at 217-935-2126.

Rescheduled Brain Tumor Nature Walk

The Annual Brain Tumor Nature Walk over at Weldon Springs State Recreation Area was supposed to take place this weekend. But due to bad weather, Lauren Johnson decided to reschedule the walk for October 6th. 
 
With the nature walk being a month later Johnson was able to get more activities added into the event.
 

 

 
There will also be a new activity for "teams" to earn prizes.
 

 

 
The goal of the event is to raise $25,000 dollars for the National Brain Tumor Society and find a cure for brain tumors. The nature walk will be on October 6th at 10 a.m. For more information on the event visit nbtsevents.braintumor.org or by calling Lauren Johnson at (217)-622-8294.

Are You Ok?

We always want to try and keep an eye on our loved ones. Well with the help of the Clinton Triad Committee and CenCom Coordinator Tony Harris you can. Harris and the committee have created a program called "Are you ok?" 
 

 

If you have loved ones that you would like to have on the "Are you ok?" program call CenCom at 217-935-9441.
 

Safety Glasses For Workers

Working in certain jobs can be difficult and may require some protective eyewear. Clinton Prarie Eye can help workers with that. Guest speaker Seth McCormick talks about some of those services available to workers.
 

 

 
McCormick said that the glasses are made with a specific lens that makes them safety glasses.
 

 

 
If you qualify for a pair of safety glasses or are interested in a set, contact Clinton Prarie Eye at 217-937-1111 or by going to their website at prairieeyecenter.com.
 

Public Health On Vaccination

THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH IS WORKING TO GET MORE PEOPLE VACCINATED AGAINST HEPATITIS A. 
 
ILLINOIS HASN’T HAD ANY OUTBREAKS YET…BUT OTHER STATES ARE REPORTING AN INCREASE IN HEPATITIS A CASES. HEP-A IS AN INFECTION THAT CAN DAMAGE THE LIVER AND IS SPREAD THROUGH FOOD, WATER, DRUG USE AND SEX. STATE PUBLIC HEALTH DIRECTOR DR. NIRAV SHAH SAYS THEY’RE SENDING PLENTY OF VACCINE TO ALMOST TWO DOZEN LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS TO HELP IMMUNIZE THOSE WHO CAN’T AFFORD IT.
 

 

 
THE LOCAL DEPARTMENTS WILL THEN OFFER THE SHOT FOR FREE OR AT A REDUCED COST. SHAH SAYS HEP-A IS A SERIOUS DISEASE THAT CAN BE PAINFUL AND CAUSE LONG-TERM CONSEQUENCES.

Durbin talks executive power in the opening salvo of Kavanaugh hearing

Senator Dick Durbin had lots to say about executive power in his opening remarks at the confirmation hearing for Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. Durbin says Judge Kavanaugh's judicial views on a key issue changed when he served in the Bush White House.....
 

 

 

Durbin says the question of Judge Kavanaugh beliefs on executive power are especially timely...

 

 

 
Durbin continues to pursue the issue of seeking records from Kavanaugh's time as a White House aide. He called the lack of paperwork from Kavanaugh's time in the Bush White House a 35-month black hole of missing documents. from Kavanaugh’s time as White House Staff Secretary.
 

Money Match

TREASURER MIKE FRERICHS’ NEW PROGRAM “MONEY MATCH” AIMS TO RETURN 12 MILLION DOLLARS TO ILLINOIS TAXPAYERS. 
 
“MONEY MATCH” TAKES ALL THE WORK OUT OF GETTING ANY UNCLAIMED MONEY YOU ARE DUE SAYS TREASURER FRERICHS.
 

 

 
THE TREASURER’S OFFICE IS SENDING AN ESTIMATED 63 THOUSAND NOTIFICATION LETTERS THIS MONTH AND CHECKS WILL BE MAILED AFTER ADDRESSES ARE VERIFIED.

UPDATED: Dead Male Found At Clinton Lake

Authorities are investigating a dead male recovered from Clinton Lake Thursday.
 
John Williamson with the IDNR Conservation Police said that it looked like the male was swimming from a boat, struggled in the water, went under then never came back up. 
 
 

 

The DeWitt County Coroner's Office reports the unidentified man was a 63-year old from the Peoria area.  The time of death was pronounced at 1:40pm Thursday.  
 
The death is still under investigation by the DeWitt County Coroner's Office, and IDNR Conservation Police.  
 
The identity of the man is being withheld pending notification of family.  
 
We'll have more on this story once it is released.
 
 
 

3rd Annual Brain Tumor Nature Walk

Over at Weldon Springs State Recreation Area, Lauren Johnson looks to host the 3rd Annual Brain Tumor Nature Walk. The walk is a national event that helps raise awareness and to honor all who have suffered the devasting effects of brain tumors. 
 
One of the participants and veteran, Norman Emery has brain tumors. Emery created a team that works closely with the veterans to help support and fight brain tumors.

 

 
Norman also expressed that other local vets are helping as well.
 

 

 
The walk will be this weekend September 8th and start at 10 a.m. where you can participate in the walk, activities, donate, or even be a vendor. To find more information go to nbtsevents.braintumor.org or by calling Johnson at 217-622-8294.

Warrensburg/Latham Adds Restorative Practices

School kids have it hard sometimes going through life. Trying to build relationships is one of those hardships. To help with building those, Warrensburg/Latham School and Superintendent Kristin Weikle is starting a program called Restorative Practices to help students grow and build relationships.
 

 

 
Weikle says that all staff and students will be practicing this program to help better everyone.
 

 

 
Warrensburg Latham School and Superintendent Weikle look forward to this school year and its new program, helping students grow.

Lincoln Works on Route 66 Road

Over the past 20 years, Lincoln has been trying to acquire the parcels for road construction over on route 66. Though not much luck has come with finishing the road says Lincoln Mayor Seth Goodman.
 

 

 
Unfortunately, Mayor Goodman did say that there is no set date for when the roadway will be updated or finished.
 

 

 
Lincoln will plan more on what to do with the roadway as time moves on. 

Prairie Eye Center Open House

 
Prairie Eye Center will have an open house this month. The open house is for their new facility over in Decatur to show off the new spa that they now offer. 
 

 

 
Leslie Andrews wanted to reach out to the people and let them know that this facility is still an eye center but with a new addition.
 

 

 
The open house will be Thursday, September 27th, to find more information go to prairieeyecenter.com.

I-74 Dedicated to Illinois State Police Trooper

A PORTION OF I-74 NEAR FARMER CITY IS BEING DEDICATED TO A FALLEN ILLINOIS STATE POLICE TROOPER. 
 
37-YEAR-OLD RYAN ALBIN WAS KILLED ON DUTY LAST YEAR ON I-74 WHEN HIS SQUAD CAR COLLIDED WITH A BOX TRUCK AS THEY ENTERED A CONSTRUCTION ZONE. GOVERNOR BRUCE RAUNER ATTENDED THE DEDICATION CEREMONY.
 

 

 
TROOPER ALBIN SERVED IN DISTRICT SIX AS A CANINE OFFICER AND WAS KNOWN FOR HIS DEDICATION TO HIS UNIT. THE RYAN ALBIN MEMORIAL HIGHWAY STRETCHES FROM MILE MARKER 155 TO 160 NEAR FARMER CITY.

Ag meteorologist provides outlook for last half of September

The first full week of September will bring with it some substantial rain chances for much of Illinois, but what about the latter part of the month. DTN Chief Ag Meteorologist Bryce Anderson provides his outlook.

 

 

 
Anderson says there’s been a corridor of heavy rainfall from central Texas all the way north and northeast into the Great Lakes with amounts over the last three weeks approaching 12-inches in some parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Bost on Trade

A new trade deal with Mexico is in place, one with Canada is in the works, and the president has his sights set on doing the same with the European Union. That is the summary from Congressman Mike Bost of Murphysboro, who says he likes what he sees as far as leveling the economic playing field with our country's trade partners. Bost says when American goods are sent to Europe, there is anywhere from an 8-25% tariff on each product, while European products have about a 2% tariff coming into the U.S.
 

 

 
Bost says it is vitally important to restore free and fair trade with the E.U.

Clinton High School Open House

Clinton High School looks to have an open house later tonight. The open house will allow all parents and teachers to interact with each other, getting to know who teaches their kids and help build some relationships. The open house helps bring an open environment says, Principal Jerry Wayne.
 

 

The open house tonight will be from 5 to 6 p.m.

Next Generation 911

CenCom, the Central Communication of DeWitt County has been working on a program called Next Generation. CenCom Coordinator of DeWitt County, Tony Harris, talked about the program and what new capabilities people will have to call for emergencies.
 

 

Harris mentioned that the new program requires a lot of funds, and to help cover those, DeWitt County will be partnering up with Piatt County. The two counties will support each other in order to get the new equipment.

Maroa-Forsyth Expands Pre-K

School has begun, and some of the schools look to see how enrollment is doing. For Maroa-Forsyth enrollment is up to its 2nd highest since the 80s says Superintendent Dr. John Ahlemeyer.
 

 

 
The new expanded pre-k program was able to become a reality with help of a grant-supported from the state.
 

 

 
Maroa-Forsyth started its new expanded pre-k this school year and will look forward to bringing in more kids.

Gordmans Comes to Lincoln

Over the years, Kroger over in Lincoln had been losing money. Eventually, those losses caught up as they would soon close their doors for good says Lincoln Mayor Seth Goodman.
 

 

 
With the loss of Kroger, Mayor Goodman did say that they would definitely welcome a new grocery store to help replace Kroger...
 

 

 
Losing Kroger was a big loss for the town of Lincoln but, with that loss, they gained another.
 

 

 
Gordmans is scheduled to open sometime in November, just in time for the holiday seasons. 
 

Walt Disney tops the list of the Top 10 Entertainers in Illinois.

WALT DISNEY LEADS THE LIST OF ILLINOIS ENTERTAINERS IN THE LATEST ILLINOIS TOP 10 POLL. 
 
DISNEY WAS BORN IN CHICAGO AND STUDIED AT WHAT IS NOW THE SCHOOL OF THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO. HE HOLDS THE RECORD FOR THE MOST ACADEMY AWARDS AS A FILM PRODUCER SAYS ABRAHAM LINCOLN PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY SPOKESPERSON CHRIS WILLS. ALSO AT THE TOP OF THE LIST:

 

 
OTHERS MAKING THE TOP 10 INCLUDE JOHN HUGHES, OPRAH, HUGH HEFNER AND T-V PRODUCER SHONDA RHIMES. VOTE NOW IN THE NEXT CATEGORY…TOP SCIENTISTS…AT: ILLINOIS TOP 200 DOT COM.

Clinton High School Gets Restorative Practices

We sometimes make mistakes as human beings, say something bad, ignore people, make the wrong decision, the list goes on. As people, we sometimes forget about how these affect us, and not just us but the people around us. To help correct these mistakes, Clinton High School and Principal Jerry Wayne are starting a program called Restorative Practices to help students grow.
 

 

 
Wayne explained how he came across the new idea.
 

 

 
Clinton High School and Principal Wayne look forward to this school year, to helping their students grow.
 

Warner Hospital Gets Ready for Health Fair

Warner Hospital has been busy planning new renovations to expand, but also getting ready for their annual event, The Health Fair. Guest speaker Paul Skowron explained the new attractions coming this year to the Annual Health Fair.
 

 

 
The Annual Health Fair will be on September 13th from 5 to 7 p.m. across the street from the hospital.

Work Starts on $24 Million Medical Office Building

As part of its ongoing investment in central Illinois, OSF HealthCare broke ground Wednesday on its new Medical Office Building in Bloomington. The new building will be located on the OSF HealthCare St. Joseph Medical Center campus at 210 St. Joseph Drive. The 24 million dollars, 53-thousand square foot, three-story building will be home to primary care providers, OSF PromptCare, Infusion Clinic, occupational health services and OSF HealthCare Cardiovascular Institute. 

 

 
In this new building, OSF HealthCare Mission Partners will provide services tailored for each patient, no matter how they access health care.
 
According to Boore, the new medical office building will offer a valuable service to Bloomington and the surrounding communities, when it comes to access to care.
 

 

 
The first floor will contain an OSF PromptCare and occupational health services. The second floor of the building will house the OSF HealthCare Cardiovascular Institute. This will include 20 exam rooms, an Infusion Clinic and 6 procedure rooms for non-invasive testing. This new location will bring together cardiovascular services that are currently spread out over three locations on the medical center campus. According to Dr. Yogesh Agarwal, Lead Physician for OSF HealthCare Cardiovascular Institute’s Eastern Region, this setup could help improve a patient’s overall health. 
 

 

 
When construction is complete, a number of OSF HealthCare primary care and family medicine providers will be relocated to the third-floor clinic area. The new space will have 25 exam rooms, a procedure room and three stations for lab work such as blood draws.

 

 
Construction is expected to be completed in August of 2019.

National Weather Service Indicate El Nino Developing

It's looking to be a mild winter for Central Illinois due to a possible El Nino developing.
 

Chris Miller, with the National Weather Service in Lincoln, indicates they are keeping an eye out for a possible El Nino developing. 

 

 

Miller says with an El Nino we typically see a milder winter for Central Illinois with warmer temperatures and less winter precipitation.
 

 

Miller cautions that we can still see ice and snow storms with an El Nino even though they will be less often than during a regular winter.

Illinois apple orchards open up across the state

Who's ready to pick some apples? Illinois apple orchards are opening up across the state. Like the condition of other crops, this year's crop of apples varies depending on where you go. Stephen Miller runs Liberty Apple Orchard outside of Edwardsville and says his crop has fared pretty well;
 

 

 
Miller says the returns growing apples is better than growing corn or soybeans. But tending to an orchard can be very labor intensive;
 

 

 
The Illinois Specialty Growers Association says Illinois has 460 apple farms on close to a little over 21-hundred acres.

Harvest underway; watch for farmers on the road

The hot, dry weather last month resulted in corn maturing rapidly and harvest is underway in some parts of the state. That means more farmers need to share the road over the next few months to get from farm to field and back again. John Bartman farms in McHenry County, about 55 miles northwest of Chicago and says transporting harvest equipment can be a real challenge this time of year;

 

 
Michelle Aavang and her family also farm in McHenry County not far from the Wisconsin border. She says transporting farm equipment this time of year can be dangerous;
 
 
Illinois Farm Bureau developed what it calls ":rules of the country road." Some tips: drive the speed limit on country roads, especially hilly ones; be patient and pass farm equipment with caution; maintain a safe following distance behind farm equipment, and; keep the mobile phone down - it is the law.

Money pouring in and pouring out in Illinois gubernatorial race

Labor Day is the traditional start of the campaign season in Illinois. So says Jak Tichenor, host of Illinois Public Media’s Illinois Lawmakers series. And the money keeps on rolling in for the gubernatorial race. 
 

 

 

 
Pritzker is currently in the fundraising lead with $128 million in the bank with Rauner having just over $78-million in cash on hand. 

Rauner opportunity

Governor Bruce Rauner and University of Illinois officials have announced the first hub of the Illinois Innovation Network (IIN). The University of Illinois at Springfield has landed the honor after the school assumed leadership of 
Innovate Springfield an incubator designed to help start up businesses. 
Governor Rauner says the movement won't stop at the Capital City's borders...
 

 

 
The new initiative, led by the U of I System, was announced last fall and is being developed to accelerate statewide job creation and economic development through groundbreaking research and innovation. 

Springfield Couple Leave Lasting Legacy for Illini Football and U of I

A Springfield couple that left a considerable legacy in the Capitol City with a successful home grown pharmaceutical wholesale giant will now leave a significant legacy for the Fighting Illini Football Program and the University of Illinois as a whole. The H.D. Smith Foundation, led by Dale and Chris Smith, has announced a donation of $20 million to the University of Illinois Foundation, in honor of their parents Henry Dale and Betty Smith. It's the largest donation in Fighting Illini athletics history. $15 million will be dedicated to the Henry Dale and Betty Smith Football Performance Center. $3 million will be devoted to bringing former student-athletes back to campus for degree completion. $2 million will be applied toward the Illinois Carle College of Medicine for innovation at the intersection of medicine, engineering, and athletics. Chris Smith says the donation isn't just about money, it's about belief in the direction of the program....
 

 

 
Dale Smith says his parents were never fair weather Illini fans...
 

 

 
The new football performance center will be named after the Smiths and will feature a new statue of Illini legend Dick Butkus. The facility will feature new and expanded strength and conditioning and sports medicine space, coaches' offices, position meeting rooms, player development areas, locker rooms, and other areas for recruiting and prospect hosting. It's scheduled to be completed prior to the 2019 season opener.

Attorney General and Clergy Abuse Hotline

ATTORNEY GENERAL LISA MADIGAN’S OFFICE IS LAUNCHING A NEW CLERGY ABUSE HOTLINE. 
 

THE HOTLINE IS IN RESPONSE TO THE GROWING NUMBER OF REPORTS OF SEXUAL MISCONDUCT BY CLERGY MEMBERS. ATTORNEY GENERAL MADIGAN SAYS HER OFFICE HAS ALREADY BEEN GETTING CALLS SO THEY SET UP A HOTLINE.

 

 

 
CALLS WILL BE ANSWERED DURING NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS BY LAWYERS OR TRAINED STAFF. THE HOTLINE NUMBER IS 1-888-414-7678.

Small garden to Field of Vegetables

Growing vegetables can be a tough process, and for some people, not so much. People like the Fluegels, grow gardens in their backyards to start off and if they succeed they will try to grow more. When Chad Fluegel and his wife succeeded, they continued to grow. 
 

 

 
After growing more into the acre they owned, Fluegel started going around to different markets connecting with others.
 

 

 
Fluegel is looking to get 5 more acres to start growing even more crops in the future. 

More term limit talk in Illinois

A state lawmaker from northwest Illinois says the reason term limits get so much attention during election season is because of Democrat leader Mike Madigan. That's the opinion of Tony McCombie.
 

 

 
McCombie is the former Mayor of the Mississippi River town of Savanna.

Harvest underway; watch for farmers on the road

The hot, dry weather last month resulted in corn maturing rapidly and harvest is underway in some parts of the state. That means more farmers need to share the road over the next few months to get from farm to field and back again. John Bartman farms in McHenry County, about 55 miles northwest of Chicago and says transporting harvest equipment can be a real challenge this time of year;

 

 

 
Michelle Aavang and her family also farm in McHenry County not far from the Wisconsin border. She says transporting farm equipment this time of year can be dangerous;
 

 

 
Illinois Farm Bureau developed what it calls ":rules of the country road." Some tips: drive the speed limit on country roads, especially hilly ones; be patient and pass farm equipment with caution; maintain a safe following distance behind farm equipment, and; keep the mobile phone down - it is the law.

State, Local Police Stepping Up Patrols for the Labor Day Weekend

STATE AND LOCAL POLICE ARE STEPPING UP PATROLS FOR THE LABOR DAY WEEKEND.
 
IT’S SIMPLE: BUCKLE UP, DON’T DRIVE DRUNK, DON’T SPEED AND DON’T TEXT AND DRIVE SAYS STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SPOKESPERSON GUY TRIDGELL. HE SAYS TOO MANY PEOPLE ARE DYING ON ILLINOIS ROADS.
 

 

ENFORCEMENT WILL INCLUDE D-U-I PATROLS AND CHECKPOINTS. POLICE URGE EVERYONE TO FIGURE OUT HOW THEY ARE GOING TO GET HOME…BEFORE THE PARTY STARTS.

Governor Bruce Rauner Launches Driving a Cleaner Illinois Program

THE STATE IS USING ITS 108 MILLION DOLLAR VOLKSWAGON SETTLEMENT TO KICK OFF THE “DRIVING A CLEANER ILLINOIS” PROGRAM.
 
THE PROGRAM WILL HELP CITIES, SCHOOLS, MASS TRANSIT AND BUSINESSES REPLACE OLD DIESEL ENGINES WITH NEWER OPTIONS. JEN WALLING WITH THE ILLINOIS ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL SAYS THIS IS A TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY TO PROTECT THE STATE'S MOST VULNERABLE.
 

 

THE FIRST ROUND OF FUNDING WILL GO TOWARDS COMMUTER RAIL AND BUS PROJECTS IN THE CHICAGO AREA. FUTURE ROUNDS WILL GO TO THE EAST ST. LOUIS AREA AND SOME DOWNSTATE COUNTIES.

Taxpayers reminded they may be able to claim some K-12 school expenses

SAVE YOUR RECEIPTS…SOME OF THAT MONEY YOU JUST SHELLED OUT FOR SCHOOL MAY BE TAX DEDUCTIBLE.
 
THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE IS REMINDING THAT YOU CAN CLAIM SOME OF YOUR K-12 EXPENSES ON YOUR TAXES SAYS SPOKESPERSON TERRY HORSTMAN.
 

 

FAMILIES GET A 25 PERCENT TAX CREDIT ON THOSE EXPENSES. HORSTMAN SAYS THE AVERAGE CREDIT CLAIMED IS ABOUT 261 DOLLARS.

New Law Requiring coverage on Egg/Sperm Preservation

GOVERNOR BRUCE RAUNER IS SIGNING A NEW LAW TO HELP CANCER PATIENTS START A FAMILY. 
 
INSURANCE COMPANIES ARE REQUIRED TO COVER INFERTILITY TREATMENTS…AND NOW THEY WILL ALSO HAVE TO COVER EGG AND SPERM PRESERVATION. THAT’S A BIG DEAL FOR MEGAN CONNOLLY OF CHICAGO...A TWO TIME CANCER SURVIVOR WHO ADVOCATED FOR THE CHANGE.
 

 

ONLY TWO OTHER STATES MANDATE INSURANCE COVERAGE OF FERTILITY PRESERVATION.

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