With a long Fourth of July weekend ahead, celebrations will carry on as we celebrate America's 250th.

Whether you're firing up the grill or baking goods in the house, University of Illinois Nutrition Educator Caitlin Mellendorf is sending out some food safety reminders ahead of the long weekend. The four core pillars of home food safety are clean, separate, cook, and chill. She emphasizes these foundational guidelines apply equally whether cooking in an indoor kitchen or at an outdoor grill station. 

Maintaining clean culinary surfaces is a vital part of seasonal safety. Mellendorf advises grill operators to thoroughly scrub down grill grates with soap and water between cooking different types of food.

According to Mellendord, the "chill" protocol dictates leftovers cannot sit out at room temperature or outdoors for an extended period. Because summer temperatures frequently climb into the high 80s and 90s, bacteria grow rapidly in the heat.

Beef and pork should cook to 145°F internal and allow the meat to rest for at least 3 minutes before cutting or eating, while ground meats like beef and pork should cook to 160°F internal, and no rest time is required before consuming them.

Additionally, all Poultry - including breasts, whole birds, legs, thighs, and wings need to reach 165°F internal before they are ready to eat. 

If you have questions about safe food handling, storage, or holiday cooking rules, you can contact the USDA's food safety experts directly, by calling 888-MPHotline, or 888-674-6854. You can also email MPHotline@usda.gov. The hotline is staffed by food safety specialists on weekdays, Monday through Friday, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM Eastern Time.

Local drivers may have noticed some significant construction at a high school just off US Highway 51. 

Maroa-Forsyth Schools Superintendent Adam Ibbotson says the press box at the football field has been completely removed to make way for concrete work and preparation for the new press box. He hopes the project will be complete in time for the football season to begin in August. 

Other than the outdoor facilities, Ibbotson says general maintenance will be taking place all summer long in the high school. Through all the work, Ibbotson feels that summer activities should not be interrupted. 

The district is also hiring this summer. Ibbotson indicates that they are in need of some grade school classroom teachers, as well as substitute teachers and bus drivers. He notes that after condensing bus routes in light of potential transportation cuts, they are fully staffed with full-time bus drivers. 

The district shifted building start times for the upcoming school year to accommodate having to staff fewer bus drivers. 

Those looking for more information on hiring at Maroa-Forsyth should visit the school website at mfschools.net or find the district's Facebook page. 

Warner Hospital and Health Services is announcing the expansion of an existing partnership and is touting partnerships as instrumental to its success.

CEO Paul Skowron explains that while Warner Hospital remains one of the last independently owned rural hospitals, its ability to offer specialized care is built entirely on these collaborations.

Warner is adding Dr. Sid Rohrscheib to its primary family medicine and general surgery practices. Dr. Rohrscheib, a bariatric and general surgery specialist with decades of local experience, is permanently moving his clinical operations into Warner Hospital.

Skowron credits positive word-of-mouth patient experiences for driving the hospital's growth, particularly at its newly expanded west side access.

Last week at the Hart Media Group, Skowron indicated the City-owned hospital will have to continue to rely on and grow its partnerships because of nearly a trillion dollars in cuts to Medicare starting in 2027. 

There are two different disability benefit programs at Social Security, and understanding the difference is the goal for the agency this month. 

You must recognize which benefits you receive to fully understand your reporting responsibilities. Jack Myers with Social Security explains that Social Security Disability - or SSDI - is payable to adults who are younger than full retirement age. But you must have a history of working and paying into Social Security or be eligible on the record of someone who does.

The benefit amount is going to be based on earnings history. Myers indicates that unearned income and resources are not relevant. Earned income must be reported. 

According to Myers, if you are receiving SSDI or SSI benefits, you must contact Social Security when you start a job. If you receive SSI and live with your spouse, you must report their changes, and parental changes must be reported when minor children receive SSI. 

Visit www.ssa.gov/myaccount. You’ll simply log into your account and be able to report wages for yourself, and if applicable, your spouse
 

The DeWitt County Fairgrounds have been a beehive of activity this summer and that activity carried on Saturday despite some unexpected morning rain showers.

Part of the WHOW Fair Tour coverage on Saturday, DeWitt County 4-H Fair Board President Dan Enos told the Hart Media Group, the annual DeWitt County 4-H horse show took place despite the elements putting a wrench in the plans of the participants.

Stephanie Neisen was among over 30 participants this weekend. She had a mix of young horses and an older horse she was showing this year. She is new to training horses and is learning all the time.

Lexi Merriman has been around horses her whole life and says she is still learning in her pursuit of training and showing horses.

The DeWitt Count 4-H horse show wrapped up Sunday. It's off to the general projects and livestock shows in two weeks at the fairgrounds.

Hear live coverage from the fair on WHOW Saturday, July 11, from 10 am to noon. 

You may see American flags going up across the community this weekend thanks to efforts by the Clinton America 250 Committee. 

Bobbie Perryman explains that the Committee will be decorating yards and properties with American flags. She says it was a fundraising and beautification effort for their Fourth of July festivities next weekend.  

Perryman is grateful to all the community members and volunteers who are not only assisting in this effort but who are helping to make the entire celebration possible. 
 

The Federal government plans to cut Medicaid by a trillion dollars starting January 1, 2027.

Warner Hospital CEO Paul Skowron indicates that while the city-owned hospital is operating at budget for now, these cuts are going to force them to consider further expansion of services going forward. 

Despite 25-percent of the Hospital's patient volume being Medicaid patients, they do not know the total impact on those individuals or the hospital. 

Next week on Regional Radio, we'll hear from Skowron about the expansion of an existing partnership within its system.

In the meantime, Skowron implores those interested to visit warnerhospital.org or find them on Facebook for more information.
 

The City of Lincoln is finally seeing over a year's worth of hard work pay off to honor the Route 66 Centennial.

Lincoln Mayor Tracy Welch explains that the City has been putting a huge focus on Rt. 66 to honor its 100th anniversary, and he indicates that a soft-launch event was hosted for the community's new Rt. 66 Museum and Economic Development Incubator, and since people have been visiting often. He adds that the grand opening will be on July 11th.

The Mayor indicates that the World's Largest Covered Wagon has been relocated from the edge of town to the old Welcome Park in the community's downtown area. He notes that some damage was found during the relocation, which they plan to repair. 

Mayor Welch says the purpose of moving it was to draw more people to the shops and restaurants in that area. While its previous spot was great for photo ops, he feels that it did not bring people into Lincoln well enough. 

The City of Lincoln took over its own tourism last year. Learn more by visiting lincolnillinoistourism.com or by finding the community on Facebook. 
 

The Clinton School Board approved its amended budget for fiscal year 2026 earlier this week, noting sharp increases in operational deficits, driven primarily by rising health insurance claims.

At the Tuesday night Clinton Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Drew Goebel detailed a worsening deficit in the district's education fund. The fund is currently facing a negative balance of $3.89 million, a significant drop from the $2.3 million structural deficit originally anticipated when the budget was approved earlier this year.

According to Goebel, the district operates under a self-funded model where the district covers its own medical claims up to a stop-gap threshold - Clinton schools ran $1.15 million over budget this year alone.

Minor deficits were also logged in the operations and maintenance fund, which finished $22,000 in the red due to escalating utility rates and ongoing athletic facility upgrades. Goebel notes those expenses included tree removal, stadium fence repairs, drainage improvements, and lighting adjustments on the baseball fields, coming on the heels of the district's recent $5 million multi-sport facility project.

To balance the shortfalls, Goebel indicates that a $5 million fund transfer was made. He adds the adjusted tax levy allocations to pull accumulated surplus funds out of the district's tort and transportation funds, transferring that revenue into working cash bonds to support the education fund.

Board member Tammie Ennis urged the community not to view the amended budget as cause for panic, emphasizing that despite the heavy operational deficits, the district maintains a healthy overall ending fund balance. Additionally, she highlights that long-term fiscal relief is on the horizon, pointing to the power plant expansion projected to be larger than expected, which will make the facility a massive property tax revenue asset for the school district moving forward.

While the reserves of the district have fallen off in recent years, Goebel and Ennis point to the fact that the district has been able to use bonds to maintain its operations as a good thing. 

The district Fiscal Year 26 budget ends on June 30. 
 

This weekend, young equestrians will be showing off their animals and skills at the DeWitt County 4-H Horse Show. 

4-H Youth Development Educator with the University of Illinois in DeWitt, Macon, and Piatt Counties, Henry Craft, indicates that the horse show takes place this Saturday and Sunday. He says a year's worth of work or more for students culminates in this moment each year. 

From July 9th to July 12th, Craft invites the community to come and appreciate the over 1,500 projects that around 500 4-Hers have put their hearts into. He notes that this fair features students from all three counties in the service area. 

From arts to science, to livestock, Craft feels that the Extension provides the space for students to explore their own interests and cultivate new ones. He notes that to achieve that, it takes a lot of dedicated volunteers. 

The Horse Show and General Project Show take place at the DeWitt County Fair Grounds on US Business 51, north of the CH Moore Homestead. Learn more about 4-H in DeWitt, Macon, and Piatt Counties by visiting extension.illinois.edu/dmp. 

As the City of Monticello prepares for its upcoming July 3rd celebration next week, local authorities are encouraging the community to be aware of new traffic patterns as the celebration takes on a new location. 

On the WHOW Morning Show, Monticello Police Chief Rob Bross told the Hart Media Group that a comprehensive site update for the main festival will be used adjacent to Monticello Middle School.

Chief Bross reminds of fireworks are illegal in the State of Illinois, but he is not naive that people will take advantage of the opportunity to buy them in neighboring states and bring them back. 

Chief Bross is calling for neighborhood mindfulness, asking residents to be respectful of their neighbors. Because central Illinois captured roughly six inches of rainfall over the past three weeks, local fire hazards are lower, but residents should still practice caution during all holiday activities.

Authorities across central Illinois are gearing up for festivities happening in their communities with the 250th celebration of America on top of a three-day weekend. 
 

Clinton staff filled the junior high school library Tuesday night for the Board of Education's monthly meeting.

Frustrations from district staff have boiled over in recent weeks regarding compensation, support, and questions of district leadership. Speaking for Clinton Education Association President Nathan Wheeler, Jim Rhoades presented a statement for the district's band director, who is currently overseas with students visiting Germany.

The letter from Wheeler highlights statements shared by Board President Dan Matthews concerning the Clinton Education Association's leadership.

Additionally, the statement from Wheeler noted 80% of the district's professional staff recently completed a school climate and leadership survey. While the specific results have been compiled and shared with the administration and board members, the union chose to let the administration decide how to use those results rather than releasing them to the public immediately.

Board members went back and forth later in the meeting over a compensation increase for district athletic director Matt Koepel. The item was removed from the agenda, but the Board sparred over going to executive session to discuss the matter.

Because the administrative compensation item on the agenda was removed, there was no vote out of the executive session; in fact, the Board adjourned the meeting after the executive session.
 

Area superintendents have been closely following the legislation passed in the recent Illinois State Legislative cycle. 

Maroa-Forsyth Schools Superintendent Adam Ibbotson explains that while he is disappointed by budget cuts, particularly mandated categoricals like transportation, he isn't surprised. He is also interested in the cell phone ban that was passed easily through the House and Senate. 

Maroa-Forsyth already practices its own restrictions on phones that are age-group appropriate. Ibbotson says he trusts instructors to employ their own phone rules per classroom, which many already do in the form of phone caddies. 

Ibbotson understands that the ban is to be implemented in the 2027-28 school year, and it seems to ban phones from the start of the day to the dismissal bell. He and other superintendents around the State look forward to guidance on this issue from the Illinois State Board of Education. 

Ibbotson feels that the balancing act between students having phones for safety purposes and the harmful impact phones can have on them is very delicate. He is encouraging parents to make sure they have access to their kids' phones and to monitor their online activity.

Ibbotson plans to navigate these issues as a community over the next year as he and other administrators learn more about applying this ban. Learn more about Maroa-Forsyth schools at mfschools.net or by finding them on Facebook. 
 

For survivors of domestic violence, breaking free from an abuser is only the initial step in a complex journey toward reclaiming independence, and a Piatt County non-profit is shedding light on the multi-layered support system required to help victims successfully navigate life after leaving an abusive relationship.

Andrea Kocher, Executive Director of Services at Willow Tree Missions in Piatt County, explains that every survivor's situation is entirely unique - while some require emotional support or legal tools like an Order of Protection, many face a total loss of their material lives and rely on the agency's specialized services.

When an abuser strips away a victim's external support systems, their personal items often become all they have left, representing either hard-won personal achievements or cherished family heirlooms. Kocher says survivors will often endure continued volatility just to keep those items out of an abuser's total control.

While legal interventions like Orders of Protection are vital, Kocher emphasizes they are ultimately just a tool. The reality of domestic violence is that an abuser seeking to maintain dominance can be highly unpredictable and willing to go to extreme lengths.

To accommodate these unpredictable dynamics, Kocher reminds Willow Tree Missions tailors safety plans to the specific timeline and comfort level of the individual.

Because victims commonly have every micro-decision dictated to them by an abuser—from their social interactions to how they act in public—Willow Tree Missions implements a strictly victim-centered philosophy from the very first phone call.

Domestic violence survivors seeking confidential safety planning, emergency housing resources, or material rebuild assistance can contact the Willow Tree Missions 24-hour crisis line at (217) 762-2350.

You can also stop into the Willow Tree Missions resale shop at 351 West Monroe Street in Monticello, or find the agency on Facebook. 
 

Despite the green leaves on the trees and warm weather, the Clinton Chamber of Commerce is already thinking about the Haunted House Season. 

Chamber Director Janice Petersen says they have to get started early to craft the perfect scares and spooky surprises for guests. It takes not only time, but volunteers, and she says they are looking for extra hands now. 

The focus right now is on construction as they perform maintenance and change room layouts for this Halloween. Petersen adds that it is common to have to dry the basement due to flooding, which they deep clean before the house opens. 

Petersen emphasizes that volunteers need no experience to lend a hand. She notes tasks can be as simple as painting a wall or assisting with handywork, and they are happy to train any excited volunteers. 

The Terror on Washington Street haunted house is open every weekend in October, including on Halloween night. They are also actively searching for volunteer groups to work the house while it is open. Learn more by visiting clintonilchamber.com or by finding them on Facebook.
 

A growing trend for people of all ages is the use of e-bikes.

Clinton Police Chief Ben Lowers explains that e-bikes have quickly become one of the fastest-growing recreational and transportation trends in the community; however, they have come with an increasing volume of traffic complaints specifically involving younger operators.

Because state law categorizes e-bikes alongside standard pedal bicycles, operators are not required to hold a valid driver's license. Chief Lowers is urging parents who purchase e-bikes for their children to remind them of e-bike safety and standard traffic laws.

Historically, the summer months bring an increase in pedestrian traffic and community mobility extending late into the evening hours. To prevent crimes of opportunity, Chief Lowers reminds residents to lock up their properties and secure their vehicles.

Chief Lowers is imploring property owners to remove valuables—including cell phones, purses, wallets, and cash—from their vehicles each evening, or at a minimum, ensure they are entirely hidden from plain sight.

E-bike ordinances are something the City of Clinton leadership is looking into. Other communities have been proactive in addressing the use of these; however, pending legislation at the State level could impact what local governments are allowed or not allowed to do.
 

The search continues for a new Clinton City Hall, fire station, and police station.

Clinton City Administrator Tony Harris indicates no site has been established yet for those new building locations because land has not been acquired. 

According to Harris, input from the community is welcome. He indicates they have a general idea of the cost of the projects, but are waiting for more details before they commit to that figure.

City Hall, police, and fire stations have been among the top priorities from the City's strategic plan, completed nearly three years ago. 
 

Summertime means more mobility for just about everyone, and that is why a central Illinois domestic violence advocacy group is seeing an uptick in calls for services.

Andrea Kocher with Willow Tree Missions in Piatt County explains that while completely pinpointing the exact cause of the influx is difficult, the months of May, June, and July consistently experience a higher volume of service requests because the summer downtime allows victims to take the necessary steps to build a different life and safely separate from abusive environments before the upcoming school year begins.

According to Kocher, the absence of school schedules means family members spend significantly more time together inside the home. This lack of daily routines contributes to an increase in both the frequency and the overall severity of domestic violence instances.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence and needs assistance, please contact the Willow Tree Missions 24-hour support line at (217) 762-2350. Visit willowtreemissions.org or find them on Facebook. 
 

The top baby names from 2025 are out.

Last month, Social Security released its annual list of the top names given to babies born in 2025. Jack Myers with Social Security indicates this is an easy list for them to gather because the information is readily available to them.

According to Myers, the top baby names from 2025 were Liam for boys' names and Olivia for girls' names. There were also two variations of 'Sophia,' which both made the top 10 lists for the United States. And Liam and Olivia were both the top names for the State of Illinois.

Check out ssa.gov/babynames for the complete list for the nation as well as Illinois. 
 

Summertime can sometimes be a bit slower for the Clinton YMCA, as members often take a pause for vacations and opt for exercising outside. 

Rennie Cluver, Executive Director of the Y, says the one program that keeps the facility active is Camp Osage Summer Camp. However, he is noticing the traffic this summer hasn’t just been children.  

Cluver is grateful to all YMCA members and community members who speak highly of the organization and its staff. He indicates that it helps greatly in the effort of growing their membership. 

The Clinton YMCA recently announced a new facility project to be located just off the Clinton Square on the Safe Passage green space. Learn more by visiting clintoncommymca.org or by finding them on Facebook.

The Scovill Zoo is celebrating fathers day with free admission for dads all weekend long. 

On top of free admission, Executive Director Heather Purdeu says they will be hosting Donuts with Dads on Saturday with morning refreshments and special presentations for families to enjoy. 

Again, dads get in free to the Scovill Zoo all weekend long. Learn more by visiting decatur-parks.org/scovill-zoo or by finding them on Facebook. 
 

Wednesday's severe weather forced a local nutrition educator to reschedule one of her classes. 

Caitlin Mellendorf, Nutrition Educator with the University of Illinois Extension in DeWitt, Macon, and Piatt Counties, explains that they had to reschedule the Sourdough Class at the Warner Library due to severe storms, and it will be moved to July 8th at 5:30 PM. 

We'll have more with Mellendorf next weekend in a class geared towards building bonds in the kitchen. In the meantime, learn more about the Extension's events by visiting extension.illinois.edu/dmp. 
 

An agreement to supplement funds related to highway engineer projects was discussed at DeWitt County's June Board Meeting. 

At Thursday night's meeting, Road and Bridge Committee Chair Jamie Prestegaard told his fellow board members that this motion would be an $85,000 addition to an agreement made with WHKS for engineering services. He pointed out that the agreement is already good for up to $85,000 and has no end date, bringing the total to $170,000. 

Prestegaard noted that since last July, they have used around $57,000 of the original $85,000 that was agreed upon. With the upcoming Barnett Township Overlay project, he feels that more funds need to be agreed on. 

Board Chair Joe Witte and Finance Chair Melonie Tilley brought up concerns over the timing of the agreement, stating that it should align more closely with the County's budget season in December. 

State's Attorney Dan Markwell clarified that with the extra roughly $27,000 that is left, on top of the additional $15,000 that was budgeted by the County, they could make it through with a supplemental agreement to get them to December.

The Board asked County Engineer Mark Mathon to come back with a rough estimate of the funds needed to get through the rest of the fiscal year, and tabled the discussion until next month. 

Also, during the Road and Bridge portion of the meeting, the Board approved a motion to increase the local share of the total cost of the Revere Road Project. Mathon noted this was due to the original number being based on an estimate that was too low. 
 

After some nasty weather left several central Illinois communities without power on Wednesday evening, a University of Illinois Extension Nutrition Educator is highlighting preserving food through a loss of power.

On the WHOW Morning Show Wednesday, Caitlin Mellendorf, a Nutrition Educator with the University of Illinois Extension, told the Hart Media Group when power goes out, the primary objective is to maintain thermal boundaries by keeping refrigerator and freezer doors completely closed.

According to Mellendorf, a refrigerator will hold a safe storage temperature for roughly four hours if left unopened. A fully stocked freezer can preserve food for approximately two days, while a half-full freezer drops that safety window to a single day.

If internal temperatures rise to 45 or 50 degrees or warmer, the risk of foodborne illness increases significantly. Mellendorf notes perishable items like raw or uncooked meats, prepared leftovers, milk, cream cheese, feta cheese, soft cheeses, and active baking batters or cookie dough—must be discarded to ensure safety.

Strategies like utilizing block ice or commercial dry ice within freezers to mimic historical "ice box" designs can help to extend the safe storage life of frozen products until the grid is restored.

If you're without power for an extended period to the point you need to restock your entire refrigerator and freezer, Mellendorf encourages checking with either your electric provider or homeowners' insurance to seek financial reimbursement for those groceries. 

Mellendorf had a sourdough course at the Warner Library from Wednesday get postponed to July. We'll have more on that course series over the weekend at the Hart Media Group. 

Severe storms and threats of tornadoes rolled through DeWitt County on Wednesday. 

DeWitt County Emergency Management Agency Coordinator Will Paveleck told the Hart Media Group that an earlier round of severe storms in the area paved the way for a second, stronger system to come through. 

According to Paveleck, the systems consisted of discrete super cells that had the potential to cause EF3 tornadoes and winds of 90 mph or more. He says the County was not impacted as badly as it could have been, and faced only a handful of downed trees and power lines. 

Paveleck emphasizes that downed trees, and especially downed power lines, can be extremely dangerous and should be reported to the authorities immediately. He notes that these storms are often times of high volume for calls, and hazards will be addressed as quickly as possible by the appropriate entity. 

Staying alert and informed is one of the most important things when facing severe weather, and Paveleck encourages having two methods to do so. He says having a plan in the event of severe weather is also critically important. 

Learn more about the DeWitt County Emergency Management Agency and find severe weather and emergency updates on their Facebook page.