Central Illinois has had its fair share of severe weather in the last few weeks, and a Clinton financial expert is advising folks to be on the lookout for individuals looking to take advantage of the crisis. 

Connie Miller with DeWitt Savings Bank explains that it is common for scammers to pose as contractors and target areas recently hit by weather to get you to pay for fake or unreliable repairs to your home or property. 

Calling your insurance should always be the first step when it comes to damage to your home. You can find out if you are covered, and often your agent will be able to provide recommendations for reputable contractors in the area. 

While having insurance can help in an emergency, Miller recommends having emergency savings ready for urgent home repairs or other unexpected costs that are not covered. Even if you are covered, she reminds you that you need to have enough for the deductible.
 

One person was killed, and two others were hospitalized in a car crash on Illinois State Route 10 outside Clinton on Thursday night. 

Officers from the Illinois State Police Troop 5 responded to a two-vehicle crash at IL-10 and Plow Road just after 9 PM on Thursday. Reports indicate that one driver was pronounced dead at the scene, while a passenger and the other driver were transported to Champaign to receive medical attention. 

The two vehicles collided while one was traveling eastbound and the other westbound on Route 10. 

The road was closed for investigation and reopened in the early morning hours of Friday. ISP, the DeWitt County Sheriff's Office, and the DeWitt County Coroner's Office are investigating the crash. 

The identity of the deceased is being withheld until the family is notified. 
 

The DeWitt County Board approved planned expenditures and a raise for the Public Defender Thursday night at its monthly meeting.

Three holding tanks in the County Building were approved at a cost of just under $10,000. Chair of the Property Committee, Terry Ferguson, told the Board the tanks were required when the building was erected. 

County Highway Engineer Mark Mathon provided information to the Board regarding a surprise inspection of the County's Highway building by the Department of Labor that revealed three safety and documentation compliance citation which are being addressed through policy adoption and notification to other county departments.

The County Board approved a raise for the County Public Defender, Tim Holl. State's Attorney Dan Markwell explains that the State of Illinois reimburses the County for this when they document having a public defender.

Also at the Thursday night meeting, the Board approved an engineering agreement with Cummins Engineering to provide building permit review and construction observation services for Prairie Flats Solar Farm.

The Board approved a 3.5-percent increase for non-union workers for Fiscal Year 27.
 

A biannual survey of Illinois school-aged children has been released, and a central Illinois mental health expert is weighing in on this year's data trends.

Tony Kirkman is the Executive Director of the Piatt County Mental Health Center and reminds people that the Illinois Youth Survey is given to youth in Illinois schools with a variety of questions surrounding mental health challenges and substance use. He says the data from this past spring's assessments was recently released.

According to Kirkman, there are four specific questions in this survey that he looks for first each year. The questions he seeks out deal with suicidal ideation in teens, having a trusted adult other than a parent they can talk to, and substance use.

For Kirkman, a success in the data from the Illinois Youth Survey is the dramatic decrease in alcohol and illegal substance use. He feels this is a direct result of education efforts they've taken in recent years.

There are many other data points that Kirkman is analyzing, as the data has just been released. He is noting that increased access to marijuana and marijuana infused consumables is increasing among youth. However, vaping - identified as a major challenge - is down. We'll hear more from Kirkman in the weeks ahead at the Hart Media Group. 
 

The use of e-bikes, particularly among school-aged kids, has skyrocketed in communities across the country, prompting warnings from local authorities as kids use them to get to and from school.

Clinton Police Department School Resource Officer Kody Mair indicates they spent the days and weeks leading up to the start of school educating kids that e-bikes follow the same rules of the road as automobiles.

According to Officer Mair, young people can ride these e-bikes; however, come January 1, 2027, new laws will come into play for e-bikes that will put age restrictions on them. He encourages parents to become familiar with these laws and how they will impact their child and any e-bike they may own.

Last month with the Hart Media Group, Clinton Police Chief Ben Lowers discussed in-depth the many issues e-bikes are presenting the community, but as it relates to the community's youth, he is not imploring the owners of these e-bikes to be mindful of the rules of the road, he is hoping motorists will keep a keen eye out for kids utilizing them until the law changes on Jan. 1.

Like Officer Mair, the Chief is imploring parents to be intentional about making sure their kids understand that those bikes must adhere to the rules of the road. He feels it is a matter of when, not if, they have an incident involving an e-bike and a motorist. 

While some high schoolers utilize e-bikes, he indicates they see them predominantly used by kids at Clinton Elementary School and Clinton Junior High School.
 

DeLand-Weldon Schools continue to see repairs moving forward after severe weather in the spring impacted its facilities. 

Schools Superintendent Dr. Michael Tresnak explains the finishing touches are being put on the school as they get ready to welcome kids back on Friday. Many may notice ongoing work on the roof, but he says it is preventive maintenance that should be wrapped up soon. 

Dr. Tresnak credits the speedy response to the strong relationships the district has with local contractors, as well as the staff and community members who helped to clear items out as water poured from the ceilings. 

While there are often new renovations to surprise students at the start of the school year, Dr. Tresnak looks forward to students and staff getting to see the new classrooms that had been flooded just a few months ago. 

Follow along with all the back-to-school updates and information by visiting dwschools.org or by finding their Facebook page.
 

The City of Clinton on Tuesday night approved the purchase of property on Illini Drive in Clinton for its new City Hall.

Clinton Mayor Helen Michelassi has made a new City Hall a priority since she campaigned for Mayor in the spring of 2025 and feels this is a big step forward. City Administrator Tony Harris indicates it was conversations with the property owner that led to the purchase of a former medical center.

The purchase price of the property was just over $700,000, which Harris points out was the appraised value. Mayor Michelassi says the building is very well suited to accommodate the needs they would have for a City Hall facility.

Harris indicates they have not started to come up with designs or renovation plans for the building because they are seeking to keep the costs down. The renovation of the interior will be the next step in the process.

Mayor Michelassi hopes to have a location announced for a new fire station in the next few weeks and soon after, a location for a new police station. She emphasizes that the police and fire will not share a facility or location. 
 

The Clinton City Council Tuesday night received an update on its ongoing water tower replacement of the Quincy Street water tower.

Kurt Carlson with the engineering firm Mead and Hunt reminded the council of the need and scope of the project, including several components of the water treatment plant and water tower that had reached the end of their life.

The project would cost roughly $13 to $ 15 million, and Carlson indicates the City is pursuing a low-interest loan through the Illinois EPA.

According to Carlson, the City of Clinton hopes to submit its plans for the water tower by the end of the month, with the hope of it being approved by the Illinois EPA around July of next year.

Carlson says the water main they will have to replace will be under a separate application process and loan. 

Also at the Tuesday night Clinton City Council meeting:

>>Sue Whitted was sworn in as Commissioner of Accounts and Finance

>>The Council approved an increase in compensation for City Commissioners, effective for Fiscal Year 27. 

>>The Council approved the purchase of property at 803 Illini Drive, the future site of a new Clinton City Hall

With kids back in class, local authorities continue to emphasize safety around school buses and in school zones. 

School Resource Officer and Piatt County Sheriff's Deputy Lindsay Bross is beginning another school year of bouncing around the County's school buildings to build relationships and ensure student and staff safety. Sheriff Mark Vogelzang says the SRO program has been very successful for almost eight years, largely thanks to Dep. Bross. 

One of Deputy Bross' biggest concerns this time of year is traffic enforcement and distracted drivers in and around school zones. She points out that it is especially a problem when it comes to the stop signs and other signals displayed on school buses while children are getting on and off the bus. 

While writing tickets is never fun, Dep. Bross does write tickets for school zone and bus violations because of how dangerous those situations can be for unaware or unsafe drivers. 

Dep. Bross and Sheriff Vogelzang encourage motorists to be mindful of those school zones, the laws around them, and children in neighborhoods who are walking or biking to school. 

We'll have more with Dep. Bross about e-bikes in Piatt County as well as some tips for first-time drivers.
 

The Clinton YMCA is reminding the community of its before- and after-school care program, Y-Zone.

Executive Director Rennie Cluver indicates this program provides parents a place to send children before and after school, where they will have opportunities to do homework and receive help with that homework, as well as an outlet to play and have fun.

Clinton Schools are going to the learning center model for Lincoln and Douglas Schools, which has resulted in the Y making Clinton Elementary School the primary attendance center for Y-Zone. Cluver indicates students will be bussed from Lincoln and Douglas to CES.

According to Cluver, CES remains a great option for Y-Zone, but the challenge in the winter months is the sports programs that utilize the gym space, and the CES gym is used regularly for Y-Zone. 

They will continue to evaluate options for where they will house Y-Zone going forward after the first few months of the school year.

Additionally, new this year is the sign-up for Y-Zone online. Cluver points interested parents in the program to learn more or sign up at clintoncommymca.com. You can also stop into their facility on Alexander Street.

Students across central Illinois are returning to the classroom this week, if they haven't already, and while it can sometimes get put on the back burner, nutrition for our youth should be among the top priorities.

University of Illinois Extension Nutrition Educator Caitlin Mellendorf is reminding that the federal government recently readjusted its standards for nutrition in schools, and so now cafeterias are returning to more meals prepared by hand to meet those standards. 

According to Mellendorf,  a well-nourished student is going to be better prepared for success in school than students who are hungry.

August is National Sandwich Month, and while oftentimes a standard peanut butter and jelly or lunch meat sandwich is what kids have put into their lunchboxes, Mellendorf encourages very minor adjustments to those classics to complete the nutrition for your youngster.

Stay with us in the weeks ahead at the Hart Media Group as we'll hear more from Mellendorf on those garden-fresh fruits and vegetables that are starting to come into season.
 

It's back-to-school time for students in Maroa-Forsyth, and district leadership is reminding the community of some changes for this school year.

Superintendent Adam Ibbotson indicates the first day of class is tomorrow, Tuesday, Aug. 18. He is reminding the community of some of the changes for this upcoming school year, including staggered start times at their buildings as well as bringing back the breakfast program for the first time in several years at the grade school.

Ibbotson reminds that the staggered start times for the school buildings this year were the result of a pair of challenges facing the district, including rising transportation costs as well as a bus driver shortage.

Motorists who regularly take US Highway 51 around Maroa likely have noticed by now the speed limit change from the school buildings to the south side of the highway outside Maroa. Ibbotson is thankful for that change as both of those intersections have a lot of traffic, particularly at the beginning and end of the school day.

Like local law enforcement officials you've heard from on the Hart Media Group in recent days, Ibbotson is advocating for motorists in Maroa to practice safety in school zones and be aware of unique traffic patterns in their respective communities.

Ibbotson is also encouraging parents of students of all ages to make sure they are getting good sleep. He is emphasizing the importance of attendance and how impactful it is for students to simply be in class. 

Students in Maroa-Forsyth begin class on Tuesday. Follow all things Maroa-Forsyth schools by visiting mfschools.net and follow them on Facebook. 
 

Blue Ridge Schools students will be back in the classroom on Wednesday of this week, but there are activities that will lead up to the first day.

On the WHOW Morning Show Monday, Blue Ridge Schools Superintendent Ryan Peyton told the Hart Media Group they've got a couple of back-to-school nights happening leading up to that first day of class on Wednesday.

This will be year two of the district's English Language Arts curriculum, or ELA. Peyton also notes they have some changes to drop-off and pick-up at one of its campuses.

Thinking about student safety, Peyton is encouraging students who walk or bike to school to be mindful of the traffic as they make their way to class. Additionally, he is reminding motorists in their various school zones to be mindful of the kids and especially school buses.

Blue Ridge Schools are taking up an initiative aimed at professional learning and professional development. Those trainings will require early dismissals at various points of the school year, and the district is partnering with the Clinton YMCA for childcare on those afternoons. We'll have more on that in the days ahead at the Hart Media Group. 
 

Schools in Clinton are back in session this week, and local authorities are reminding motorists around school buildings in the community to be mindful of students walking, biking, or driving to school, and especially of school buses.

Clinton Police Department School Resource Officer Kody Mair reminds motorists that there are stiff penalties for those who disobey a school bus's signals.

According to Officer Mair, the first priority for local law enforcement is the safety of the kids and the workers around school buildings. He reminds that this includes the crossing guards who are helping students get to and from school safely.

Officer Mair encourages parents with students walking from building to building or to their homes to use crossing guards whenever possible.

When motorists approach a school bus, Officer Mair says the biggest thing you want to be on the lookout for is the stop sign and red arm bar that pops out from the school bus. He emphasizes this means children are either entering or exiting the school bus.

Officer Mair encourages anyone who commutes through or around school zones to be mindful of the increased traffic that comes with school starting and find alternate routes to work if possible. He says the flow of traffic and ease of getting kids to and from school usually get better after the first week or two of class being back in session.
 

While the weather is still nice, a local historian is encouraging the community to join them in their walking tour series. 

Candace Summers, Senior Director of Education with the McLean County Museum of History, explains that the next opportunity to go on a Downtown Bloomington Architecture Tour led by her is Thursday, August 20th at 5:30 PM. She says they dive into the architecture itself and the history of the people and businesses that occupied the buildings. 

Two more opportunities are coming up to participate in the President Lincoln & Downtown Bloomington walking tours on August 29th and September 12th. These cover our 16th president and his involvement in the local judicial system, as well as the people who helped get him nominated for his presidency. 

Summers has received positive feedback on both of these walking tours from those who have participated. She says before Lincoln's presidency, Bloomington was likely the place he spent the most time in outside of his home in Springfield. 

The McLean County Museum of History is teaming up with the Bloomington Public Library to host a traveling exhibit this September, and we'll have more on that with Summers in the weeks ahead from the Hart Media Group. Learn more at mchistory.org or by finding their Facebook page.
 

The Security Authentication PIN (SAP) feature is an especially convenient option for mySocialSecurity account holders who need to change direct deposit information.

This optional feature is designed to make the identity verification process faster, and Jack Myers with Social Security indicates it is more secure when calling the national 800 number, 800-772-1213, or a local Social Security office.

According to Myers, direct deposit changes can no longer be done over the phone. You would either have to do it online through your mySocialSecurity account - which is only possible if you receive Social Security; this excludes SSI- or you would have to visit an office in person. Additionally, online direct deposit changes take longer to become effective - it will show you online when it will be effective, but it is generally 1 to 2 months later. He adds that if you need it changed sooner, visiting an office or using the SAP is the way to go.

Myers stresses that this is not a requirement, and if you don’t have a mySocialSecurity account or choose not to use the SAP, Social Security will verify your identity over the phone using the existing verification process. 

Myers reminds that the URLs for more information are ssa.gov/mysocialsecurity and ssa.gov/pin. The national number is 800-772-1213.
 

A Piatt County school district has decided to ease its students into starting the year. 

DeLand-Weldon Schools Superintendent, Dr. Michael Tresnak, indicates that students return on Friday, August 21st, which is an early dismissal day. He says the purpose is to create a basis to leap off of with full steam as they kick off the following week on Monday. 

Staff are back in the building on the 19th. We'll have more with Dr. Tresnak in the days ahead on the start of school, and an update on the storm damage the district suffered last April. In the meantime learn more at dwschools.org or by finding them on Facebook.

Although the leaves are not falling quite yet, a local zoo is returning to its fall hours. 

Scovill Zoo Executive Director Heather Purdeu explains that as students of all ages return to school, the Zoo sees a decline in young employees and guests at this time of year. This means that Monday through Friday, the Zoo will close at 5:00 PM with final entry at 4:00 PM. 

We'll have more with Purdeu in the weeks ahead on the fall programming at the Scovill Zoo. In the meantime, learn more on their Facebook Page or by visiting decatur-parks.org/scovill-zoo.
 

A local state park foundation is inviting the community out to learn about how they can support the park. 

Patti Kinder with the Weldon Springs Foundation told the Hart Media Group on the WHOW Morning Show Thursday that community members are invited to the Schoolhouse this Sunday at 10:00 AM to participate in the Rooted in Nature event and learn about the Foundation and how you can help. 

Two drawings will be hosted at the event. Kinder says you can enter your name for a children's and/or adult prize basket to be drawn on Sunday night. 

The Rooted in Nature event takes place at the Weldon Springs Schoolhouse from 10 AM to 2 PM this Sunday. Learn more by finding the foundation on Facebook or visiting wsfil.org.
 

Law enforcement agencies across central Illinois are asking drivers to be aware as we transition to the back-to-school season. 

Monticello Police Chief Rob Bross explains that whether it's students getting ready for new bus routes and classrooms, or parents getting back into the swing of pick-up and drop-off, this time of year always takes a little getting used to. He points out that snug-fitting helmets are crucial for students who ride their bike to school. 

The Chief urges parents to inform their bike riders of the rules of the road, and emphasizes that we should never enter the roadway and expect vehicles to stop for us. He says the same goes for pedestrians.

The department is making a point to discourage students from crossing in the middle of a block, rather than using a crosswalk. He says crosswalks are where pedestrians are expected to be, and drivers should be most alert. 

Students in Monticello return on August 19th. Learn more about the Monticello Police Department by visiting their Facebook page.
 

The City of Clinton has added two more concerts for the summer Concerts on the Square series. 

City Administrator Tony Harris says Friday will be the last regularly scheduled concert as Ghost Stank takes the stage at 7:00 PM. He says this is a hard-rock band of local young adults. The City has rescheduled Boogie Republic, the 70s funk band, on the Clinton Square on August 28th due to rain. They have also added Owen Knap, a Nashville country act, to the lineup for September 5th. 

Harris says the concerts this summer have been lots of fun, and while they are not adding any more this year, they will begin planning for next summer around the end of this year. 

Harris feels lucky to have the Mr. Lincoln Stage and the space to hold these concerts for the community. He asks the community to come out and support the groups who take time to perform, even if it is just for a few minutes. 

Ghost Stank this Friday starts at 7:00 PM. Boogie Republic takes the stage at 7:30 PM on August 28th, and Owen Knap will begin on September 5th at 7:00 PM. Learn more about the upcoming concerts by finding the City of Clinton on Facebook.
 

The Midwest could be in for an El Niño winter.

That's according to Ed Shimon at the National Weather Service in Lincoln, who indicates the conditions at the equator are setting up for what could be a pretty strong El Niño signal this winter.

According to Shimon, any drought concerns going into an El Niño winter tend to intensify. Additionally, weather can be volatile during an El Niño winter, creating all sorts of possibilities for severe weather.

Outlooks for the fall don't have a strong signal for precipitation one way or the other; however, Shimon points out drought outlooks aren't showing any indication of an intensifying drought through the fall months.

Winter months are already dry months, so indications of a weather pattern that produces below-normal precipitation and above-normal temperatures can be concerning.
 

As students get back to class in central Illinois, a University of Illinois nutrition educator is hoping you'll make time to consider the items you're packing for your youngster if they are taking their lunch with them.

On the WHOW Morning Show Wednesday, Caitlin Mellendorf, Nutrition Educator at the University of Illinois Extension in DeWitt, Macon and Piatt Counties, told the Hart Media Group there are several things to consider when packing a child's lunch, but one of the main things is to consider the ease with which they will be able to consume those foods.

Mellendorf encourages parents and guardians to consider what their kids would enjoy having in their lunches to make sure everything gets eaten, and they are getting enough to eat.

According to Mellendorf, items of convenience are always great options, but she encourages exploring those items that offer more nutrition than just the salty and sugary quick snacks.

We'll have more with Mellendorf about the evolution of school lunches and how schools now serve meals that meet certain government guidelines in the days ahead at the Hart Media Group.
 

The Clinton City Council has named Sue Whitted the new Commissioner of Finance, replacing the unfinished term of Tom Edmunds, who passed away in July.

Mayor Helen Michelassi told the Hart Media Group that Whitted brings a great deal of knowledge about finance, local government, and business to the Council.

According to the Mayor, Whitted's community involvement stood out among the people the Council talked to. While not a prerequisite for getting the post, the Mayor points out that many individuals have made their intentions known that they wish to run for the Commissioner's seat when the election comes around next spring.

Whitted will be sworn on to the Council at its meeting next Tuesday night.
 

The DeWitt County Board is continuing to effort contact with representatives from Enel Green Energy regarding questions and issues with its Alta Farms II Wind Farm in northwest DeWitt County.

At the Monday night DeWitt County Land Use Committee Meeting, Zoning Administrator Elizabeth Weikle says the efforts to make contact with the renewable energy company continue to come up empty.

The renewable energy provider told previous iterations of the Board they would be better about communicating with County officials, however, since that time Board members have come off the Board and the representatives that made those commitments too have moved on and the Board and community remains frustrated by the lack of communication regarding curtailment issues during severe weather as well as the lighting system.