In 2016, a crisis associated with big cities came to our own backyards as local leaders began to work together to inform the public of the spike in heroin overdoses in the community.
Clinton First Christian Church's Pastor Greg Taylor says when you think Clinton, Illinois, you think you are immune to those types of challenges. He says it came as a shock to him the struggle was in his backyard.
The churches in the Clinton and DeWitt County community have collaborated and pulled resources to create a documentary about the challenge locally. Pastor Taylor says it features testimonial from local residents who have overcome their own addictions.
DeWitt County Sheriff Jered Shofner indicates the epidemic is as bad as he's seen in his time in DeWitt County.
The Sheriff indicates the issue presented with heroin is that it is becoming more potent and at the same time it is becoming more inexpensive.
The drug is taking it's toll on the community. Sheriff Shofner indicates one day a person may get a batch that won't kill them but that doesn't mean the next one won't.
Tim Ryan, a recovered addict from the Chicago area, shared his story of addiction and recovery with students in Clinton Schools in early November and then the community as a whole.
Ending more than a century of flops, futility and frustration, the Chicago Cubs won their first title since 1908, outlasting the Cleveland Indians 8-7 in 10 innings of a Game 7 thriller early Thursday.
They even had to endure an extra-inning rain delay to end the drought.
All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman blew a 6-3 lead with two outs in the eighth when Rajai Davis hit a tying, two-run homer.
But the Cubs, after tormenting their fans one more time, came right back after a 17-minute rain delay before the top of the 10th.
Series MVP Ben Zobrist hit an RBI double and Miguel Montero singled home a run to make it 8-6. Davis delivered an RBI single with two outs in the bottom half, but Mike Montgomery closed it out at 12:47 a.m., and the celebration was on.
World Series favorites since spring training, Chicago led the majors with 103 wins this season.
Zobrist got a Series-high 10 hits, a year after he helped the Royals win the championship. Zobrist was among the players brought to the Cubs by Theo Epstein, the baseball guru who added another crown to his collection. He also assembled the Red Sox team that broke Boston's 86-year drought by winning in 2004.
Dexter Fowler homered on Corey Kluber's fourth pitch of the game, 23-year-old Javier Baez and the 39-year-old Ross - set to now retire - also went deep for the Cubs, who led 5-1 in the fifth inning and 6-3 in the eighth.
Chapman wound up with the win, and Montgomery got one out for his first save in the majors.
Bryan Shaw, who gave up a leadoff single to Kyle Schwarber in the 10th, took the loss in just the fourth Game 7 that went to extra innings.
Albert Almora Jr., pinch-running for Schwarber, alertly took second on Bryant's long fly to center. Rizzo was intentionally walked, and Zobrist slapped an opposite-field double past a diving third baseman Jose Ramirez. Montero singled to make it a two-run lead.
Then in the bottom half, Carl Edwards Jr. struck out Mike Napoli, Ramirez grounded out, Brandon Guyer walked and Davis hit an RBI single. Montgomery took over, and helped set off a wild celebration on Chicago's North Side.
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The community showed up in full support of legislation that will allow the Exelon Nuclear Power Station in Clinton to remain open and viable.
Vice President of Clinton Power Station, Ted Stoner, says it was amazing to watch the General Assembly work to get the legislation passed. He thanked Representative Bill Mitchell and Senator Chapin Rose for their leadership in getting the bill through.
Governor Bruce Rauner says this bill received mass opposition but they were able to get it passed. He said it was about protecting good paying jobs in the state of Illinois.
The Governor also added, the bill would allow businesses to grow and thrive in Illinois, something his administration is committed to.
Communications Manager at the Clinton Power Station, Brett Nauman, called it a great day for DeWitt County and was very pleased with the turnout of the community.
State Sen. Chapin Rose says the bills passage has everything to do with the local leaders and citizens spurring this on and the Governor stepping in to get it to the finish line.