The Hart Media Group has been in central Illinois for nearly a year, and as the first anniversary approaches, ownership is excited about what is still to come.

On the WHOW Morning Show Thursday, owner Matt Hart reiterated his commitment to connecting people and providing those avenues of dewittdailynews.com, WHOW/WEZC, and the adjacent social media platforms, totally free of charge now and into the future.

One of the most noticeable improvements in Hart Media Group's content has been the addition of video clips of the WHOW Morning Show, interviews, local government meetings, and general happenings in the community. 

Hart on Thursday offered a bit of a tease for what could be next for his company. Starting with the website, a refresh is coming soon with a mobile-friendly option. Additionally, he looks forward to continuing to be the driver of local content in DeWitt County.

We'll have more with Hart next week on expansion for ILSportsWire this fall and what other things he has planned as his company continues to grow. 

Ground has been broken in Decatur on land for a new place for seniors to socialize and recreate. 

Ken Frye with the Decatur Park District indicates that plans for a new senior center feature things from pickleball to game tables to workout equipment. He says the huge facility will be the perfect place for seniors to socialize and stay active.

Frye says construction recently began on the project, with hopes of its completion by the summer of 2027. He hopes that the effort will help seniors stay in their homes by keeping them active.

Learn more about the Decatur Park District by going to dectur-parks.org or by finding them on Facebook.

Vouchers for the annual city-wide clean-up in Clinton are now available.

City Administrator Tony Harris indicates those can be picked up at City Hall and are good until September.

According to Harris, this is something the City offers in partnership with the landfill to help in the effort to keep the City cleaned up.

Harris reminds you can get those vouchers at City Hall, and those can be used between the end of July and the middle of September. 

While just July, a Clinton non-profit is already thinking about the fall.

On the WHOW Morning Show Friday, Clinton Chamber Executive Director, Janice Petersen told the Hart Media Group preparations are already underway for the annual haunted house season, and they need volunteers.

Petersen feels fortunate to have a really good core of volunteers who are always stepping up to help at the house. She is hopeful they could find around 10 to 15 more volunteers to be a part of their efforts.

Contact the Chamber at 217-93-3364 for more information on volunteering at the haunted house. 

Petersen also indicates they are recruiting for the upcoming haunted house season, noting they will be open every Friday and Saturday in October, including Halloween. 

It’s not too late to get in on the fun of the summer reading club at the Warner Library in Clinton. 

Mel Snow, Youth Program Coordinator at the Library, explains that over the next few weeks, they will continue to host weekly events like garden club on Thursdays, and the new Movie "Nights" for kids on Tuesday mornings.

When it comes to programming for teens, Snow says they host a Dungeons & Dragons event on Saturdays, and a crime club is another group for teens. 

Snow reminds of recurring children's programs like Barbie Club and Lego Club, all of which are also giving out prize tickets for attendance. All of these events lead up to the Summer Reading Celebration on August 1st. 

There's still time to sign up for the Summer Reading Club. Learn more by visiting vwarner.org or by finding the Warner Library's Facebook page.

Research farms continue to play an important role for the Southern Illinois University College of Agricultural, Life and Physical Sciences. There’s one in Carbondale and another in Belleville, says Amir Sadeghpour (sod-i-pour), SIU professor of soil fertility.

The Carbondale location is hosting a Nutrient Research Field Day on July 14.

The Illinois Ag Leadership Foundation continues to make an impact. Among the 2027 fellows is Eric Mueller with Nutrien Ag Solutions.

Mueller is from Libertyville in Lake County. The Illinois Ag Leadership Foundation was founded in the 1980's.