The Memorial Day weekend is the jumpstart to the busy boating season in Illinois and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources is gearing up for a busy boating and camping weekend.

DNR Conservation Police Captain John Williamson encourages boaters to get those boats out and do a once-over of maintenance. He indicates one of the biggest issues they encounter is boats that break down or are not ready for the water and then experience problems on the water.

Capt. Williamson says a bad combination is when you start to involve alcohol in your on-the-water activities. While you can have open alcohol containers on a boat, you do need a sober operator.

DNR authorities are very active in monitoring life jackets. Capt. Williamson stresses you need to have a life jacket that fits each occupant on the boat at a given time.

The veteran game warden has seen many dangerous maneuvers by boaters on the water over the years. Fortunately, most go executed without incident but he cautions boaters because those boats do not have breaks.

The busy Memorial Day weekend impacts more than just state waterways. Campgrounds on state grounds are busy as well. We'll hear more from Capt. Williamson on that later this week on Regional Radio.

In May our nation celebrates Memorial Day to honor military service members who have given their lives for our country.

Social Security is reminding families who have lost loved ones that Social Security benefits may be payable to surviving family members including spouses and children. Jack Myers with Social Security notes they also recognize and support our wounded warriors.

Social Security disability benefits can help financially if you are unable to return to work. Myers says as a thank you for your service, Social Security expedites disability claims through its Wounded Warrior initiative if you became disabled while on active military service on or after October 1, 2001. They also expedite your disability claim if you have a VA Compensation Rating of 100% Permanent & Total. 

Myers encourages veterans and their families to check out its new fact sheet - “Social Security Disability and Veterans Affairs Disability -How do They Compare?”

Learn more about disability programs, the expedited claims process, and other info for veterans at: www.ssa.gov/people/veterans/. Find the fact sheet and more at www.ssa.gov/pubs, then type “Veterans” in the filter box.

Families across Illinois will be able to tap a new federal program to keep kids fed during the summer.

The state is among the first in the nation to participate in the summer EBT program or “Sun Bucks”. It provides an extra $120 per child for eligible families – the goal - to fill the gap of feeding kids who are otherwise able to get a meal or two at school. Republican State Senator Sue Rezin says the program is the right way to get food to kids.

The program could reach more than 1 million children and officials say it could reduce child hunger by 30%.

Illinois Congressman Darin LaHood critical of the Biden administration’s trade policy and its impact on agriculture. He spoke on the subject in a recent conversation with RFD Radio.

LaHood represents Illinois’ 16th Congressional District, which covers 21 counties in central and northwestern Illinois, ranging from McLean and Peoria County to Winnebago and Jo Daviess County. He serves on the Ways and Means Committee.

With the school year wrapping up in Clinton, so too is regular programming at The Vault.

Executive Director Tammy Wilson says as students prepare to leave for the summer months, they are doing a first-time survey of students to find out what they like or do not like to find out how The Vault can improve.

Wilson indicates the survey is roughly five minutes but The Vault leadership hopes to learn about how they can enhance the experience of the kids that come through their doors.

The Vault held its final event for the school year Thursday night and now staff turns its attention to the Summer Career Camps in June and July.

The City of Farmer City will be able to open its pool on time thanks to the hiring of a pool manager.

City Manager Sue McLaughlin reminds they had been working with the Clinton YMCA to operate the pool but because of a staffing shortage within the Y, that was not going to be feasible this summer but the City has secured a manager for the pool this summer.

According to McLaughlin, the preparation for the pool is ongoing as they prepare it for the summer season starting next weekend.

The City has decided they are going to increase admission to the pool this summer because of the rising costs of labor and materials. McLaughlin notes a pass for the pool quickly pays for itself.

The pool opens for the season starting Saturday, May 25. Get more information on this year's pool hours and other activities by following the City of Farmer City on Facebook. 

The May Days Festival opens tonight in downtown Clinton and the excitement it brings to some of the youth of the community is why Clinton Police Chief Ben Lowers annually looks forward to this event.

Chief Lowers says the May Days Festival may not be something the whole community looks forward to and some may even grumble about it but he reminds that this is - for some - as close to a 'Disney World experience' as they'll get.

While there have been few issues with May Days in the past, the Chief says they will continue to have a presence at the annual festival just because crowds at a festival like May Days can offer challenges.

Chief Lowers encourages attendees to leave their dogs and bikes or skateboards at home for the May Days Festival. He says with large crowds both of those can become a liability in the blink of an eye.

When law enforcement is summoned at May Days, Chief Lowers says it is often just minor complaints and credits those that attend the May Days Festival for largely being a good crowd that is just out for the fun of the carnival and entertainment.

The May Days Festival is tonight through Sunday in downtown Clinton. Get more information by finding the Clinton Chamber of Commerce on Facebook or visiting clintonilchamber.com. 

It's baby animal season in Illinois the Department of Natural Resources is sending reminders when you encounter a baby animal and no mom is in sight.

On the WHOW Morning Show Wednesday, DNR Conservation Police Captain John Williamson told Regional Radio they receive calls all the time in the spring for responses to baby animals without a mom in sight.

Capt. Williamson reminds animals will leave their young during the day while the pursue food. He notes, more often than not, they return.

Capt. Williamson says there are professionals that will help animals that need rehabbed or rescued to recover and get ready for life in nature. 

A 2023 study found that if you gained some weight back that you lost, there’s still a benefit to your heart. 

It’s a reminder that it’s never too late to turn your health around. Laurinda Harjai (lore-RIN-dah HAR-jhi), a cardiology provider at OSF, says obesity brings abnormal blood pressure and cholesterol, and thus an increased heart disease risk. To turn things around, she says to start with small, daily tasks like taking the stairs.

Other tips include ditching cigarettes and making healthy choices at the grocery store. That way if you snack, at least it’s good for you.

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that Illinois 54 between Wren Road and DeWitt County Road 1650 East near Clinton will closed starting  May 16.

The closure is necessary for Constellation Energy to replace its railroad crossing and is expected to last 10 days. A detour will be posted.

Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. To avoid the work area, when feasible, the use of alternate routes should be considered. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to changed conditions and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits, refrain from using mobile devices, and be alert for workers and equipment.

For more information on IDOT projects, click on the traveler information map at GettingAroundIllinois.com.

As the spring weather becomes more consistently pleasant, more and more individuals are sure to be out and about on the community's streets.

With that increase in foot traffic annually comes an uptick in minor crime. Clinton Police Chief Ben Lowers says that crime is likely to be consistent because of the elimination of cash bail in Illinois.

According to Chief Lowers, rarely is there a forced entry into a home, a vehicle, or a garage. He notes these are crimes of opportunity and individuals seeking out those vehicles that are unlocked.

Chief Lowers notes while home burglaries are not very common, they do encounter those and says it is often a case of someone known to you. There are a couple of main reasons for that being the case.

As the weather gets nicer, there are more complaints of trespass to property, disorderly conduct, and other small crimes. Chief Lowers encourages being a good neighbor to those around you and keeping an eye out for your neighbors. 

The annual May Days Festival opens tomorrow night and runs through Sunday in downtown Clinton.

Executive Director of the Clinton Chamber of Commerce, Janice Peterson reminds the carnival rides have started to arrive and if you try to make your way through parts of downtown Clinton, you'll notice some street closures.

Last month, Peterson indicated the Chamber was seeking a new group to volunteer for the ticket sales at the carnival but Second Chance for Pets was able to step up again this year.

The support of the business community is always a huge boost to making May Days a profitable event for the Chamber and Peterson thanks those that have stepped up, many for a long time running.

Again, the May Days Festival kicks off Thursday night and runs until Saturday evening. Pre-sale carnival wristbands are on sale now at several locations in Clinton. You can get more on that and all things May Days Festival by visiting the Chamber of Commerce Facebook page or clintonilchamber.com. 

Firefighters who gave their lives in the line of duty in the past year were honored in Springfield along with others being recognized for bravery.

Among those recognized for brave actions were fire fighters responding to an anhydrous ammonia truck accident in rural Tuscola. Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton spoke in honor of the fallen.

Already this year one fire firefighter in the state has been killed already in the line of duty.

Are the Bears any closer to landing the needed approval of the state legislature to fund part of the building of a new stadium and the infrastructure to go along with it?

Chicago’s mayor Brandon Johnson was at the State House last week to discuss many issues with lawmakers including a new football stadium. Johnson says the current Solider Field is too old and in too much debt to be viable.

The Bears have offered to chip in more than $2 billion to help build a new domed stadium they say will cost $4.75 billion. But including costs outside of just building the stadium – some experts suggest the total cost to tax payers will be close to $6 billion.

Join the Clinton High School Interact Club for a fundraiser Wednesday evening.

It will be a boy's volleyball game between the junior class and the senior class. Karla Ramirez with the Interact Club explains Rotary is focused on bettering its communities and the focus of that mission is on veterans in the community. 

According to Ramirez, the volleyball game on Wednesday will pit the junior boys against the senior boys. She says they got this idea at a recent conference they attended in talking with other chapters of Rotary.

Ramirez specifically noted the Clinton AmVets organization that helps students with scholarships and they also help veterans afford visits to doctors or provide transportation for those individuals. 

The volleyball match again is Wednesday, May 14 at the Clinton High School gymnasium at 6:30 pm. Veterans can attend the event for free. 

Outlooks for the summer are holding strong to a warmer-than-normal temperature signal.

Ed Shimon explains May is trending cooler than normal for a short time but that should change as we get into July and beyond for the summer.

According to Shimon, we're not expecting intense heat this summer - at least into August. He says it should be a pretty typical summer.

As far as precipitation, the summer should meet the averages for the summer. 

Drought could become an issue later in the summer but in the meantime, he does not see it being an issue which should lend to an ideal growing season for producers. 

It was another wet week in Illinois, slowing planting progress.

State crop statistician Mark Schluessner says it was a little dryer than last week but still only two days were suitable for fieldwork.

Soybean and corn planting progress continued but remain behind both the yearly and five-year averages.

Pasture conditions improved from last with 79 percent rated good to excellent. 

Winter wheat crop improved from a week ago and the first cutting of hay is seven percent complete and two percent harvested. 

A truck inspection blitz throughout the country and throughout Illinois this week says Don Schaefer with the Mid-West Truckers Association. It runs today, tomorrow, and Thursday.

Schaefer says it’s not just interstates, but the inspections can also occur on state highways.

State lawmakers are involved in the grind of budget-making now.

Last week they were given a memo from Governor JB Pritzker. It lays out if revenues aren’t set to increase from changing sports betting taxes to other changes, then the spending plan will need to include cuts.

The first deadline for a state budget is the end of the month.

Spring is the time many of us clean up or clear out clutter. 

The Better Business says don’t forget to do the same with the digital device on which you surf the web or conduct online business. An agency investigator says there's probably a bunch of digital data clutter that lives on your electronic devices. Taking some simple, proactive steps will go a long way in safeguarding against any number of potentially disruptive issues like identity theft, loss of funds or credit card fraud. Investigator Don O’Brien says to keep an eye on your seniors.

You should also update your system and software; back it up; make sure you are using secure passwords; and clean up your online presence.

This weekend is the annual May Days Festival in Clinton.

It's an event hosted by the Clinton Chamber of Commerce and is also a fundraiser for the non-profit. Executive Director Janice Peterson indicates the May Days Festival is on the Clinton Square this Thursday through Sunday with a carnival, food vendors, and entertainment.

Thursday kicks the weekend off with a flag raising with the veterans organizations of the community. Peterson looks forward to the Clinton High School thespians sing-off that night from 6 pm to 8 pm on the square. Then there's other entertainment going on throughout the week on the square.

This year, Peterson has brought in a good variety of food trucks and vendors that will set up across the downtown square. She has way more food vendors this year than in years past.

Discounted wristbands are on sale now for the carnival over the weekend. According to Peterson, they sold those out quickly last year. They doubled what they sold from last year hoping that will be enough for this year's pre-sale wristbands that are available throughout the community.

We'll have more this week with Peterson on May Days this year, which again kicks off Thursday evening and concludes on Sunday. For more information, visit clintonilchamber.com or find the Clinton Chamber of Commerce on Facebook. 

Last week on Regional Radio, we heard from a Social Security expert regarding a new scam trend revolving around QR Codes.

Quick Response codes, better known as QR codes are a popular way to get information. They are scannable bar codes - often squares - that will direct you to a website. Jack Myers with Social Security encourages verify the source. When you hover over a QR code, you should see the site you are going to be directed to.  Pay attention to the URL. For example, a Social Security QR code will always show you a secure page that has www.ssa.gov in it.

Inspect the code. Myers explains that means taking a moment to look closely as see if the QR code appears to be stuck over the top of another one.  Look for signs of tampering or misspellings, even color mismatches. If something seems suspicious don’t scan the code. 

According to Myers, be cautious of unsolicited QR codes that arrive via text or e-mail - Social Security will never send a QR code via text or e-mail asking you to confirm your information. Additionally, be wary of urgent requests using QR codes. They may send you a fake QR code via text or e-mail to request payment.

The question becomes, does Social Security use QR codes? Myers confirms Social Security does, in fact, use QR codes, and a couple of examples are that they use them on some of its publications as shortcuts or on signage at our field offices for mobile check-in. 

Learn more about fraud and scams at www.ssa.gov/scam. If you’ve come across a scam including a fraudulent QR code related to Social Security, there is a link to report it to Social Security on that website. 

Macomb, Illinois celebrating their connection to the landmark boardgame Monopoly. A special event was held last week says Jock Hedblade, executive director of Visit Unforgettable Forgotonnia, the actual name of the Macomb visitors bureau.

State tourism dollars helped fund the project.

The Illinois Department of Health has given out more than 100,000 free Gun Locks as part of a partnership with County Health Departments. RaeAnn Tucker is with the Henry and Stark County Health Department...

In Illinois you can contact your local County Health Department and get as many free Gun Locks as you would like.

The 2024 Illinois Invasive Species Symposium set for May 22 at the Champaign County Extension office. Erin Garrett is a Natural Resources, Environment and Energy Educator with the Illinois Extension

You can register at go.illinois.edu/InvasiveSymposium.