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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Authorities did not release further details.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

THIS BILL IS DESIGNED TO FURTHER PROTECT EMPLOYEES.

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

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

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

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

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