The Clinton Community Education Foundation could use some more board members.

That's the message from Board Secretary Chris Schaffer who says they currently have a group of eight board members and she feels it is a dedicated group that gets along very well.

Schaffer says being a board member is mostly pretty laid back but they do have a few projects and fundraisers they are known for they plan.

CCEF15.org has all the information on the organization or you can follow them on Facebook, X, or Instagram.

The vacation season is in full swing and a local non-profit is reminding you to take its membership on the road with you.

Rennie Cluver is the Executive Director of the Clinton YMCA and reminds its members that as you're on the road this summer, Y memberships can be used at the Y in the community you're visiting.

A simple Google search of the community you're visiting will help you find a local YMCA. You can also learn more about the Clinton YMCA by visiting clintoncommymca.org or find them on Facebook. 

'Inside Out 2' is one of the top summer movies aimed at kids and a local mental health professional is giving it his stamp of approval.

Tony Kirkman is the Executive Director of the Piatt County Mental Health Center and indicates if you have young people in your home, it is a great move to check out this summer.

Kirkman believes the film gives both parents and young people the language to express their feelings using their words.

The animated film features the voices of Amy Poehler, Diane Lane, and Phyllis Smith. 

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Illinois Department of Agriculture are teaming up to offer two nights of free camping at select state parks for anyone who purchases a 2024 Illinois State Fair admission book online between today and July 3. They’re calling it the “Stay and Play” promotion says Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello.

Again, the Stay and Play promotion will be offered today through July 3 at dnr.illinois.gov.

The Illinois State Fair runs Aug. 8-18.

Today, the Superintendent of Clinton Schools will wrap up a 33-year career in education.

Curt Nettles walks out the doors of Clinton Schools for the final time this morning and on the WHOW Morning Show Thursday reflected on his time in Clinton and in education.

A person close to Nettles shared this with Regional Radio ahead of the veteran educator's appearance on the Morning Show: 

"There is no doubt that one of Curt's biggest accomplishments during his tenure as Supt is that he has changed the culture of our school district.  There is a great team feeling across all K-12 staff and administrators that we haven't had before. Even more importantly we have quality Administrators seeking out employment in our school district.  CUSD15 has become a place outsiders want to come and work and that's due to Curt.  He will be greatly missed but we have a great duo in Drew [Goebbel] and Kara Jensen to carry the torch and keep making improvements."

Nettles will head up a professional developmental initiative through the Illinois Association of School Administrators starting in the fall. This summer Nettles has a trip planned and also helps lead a local camp for a week in July. 

A DeWitt and McLean County non-profit is welcoming to its staff a Hispanic advocate.

On the WHOW Morning Show Thursday, Neighborhood Care Center leadership introduced Marianne Garcia who will join the staff of the Care Center as its Hispanic Advocate. Network Director Cody Monkman says this is a growing need they are noticing.

Garcia came to Clinton after a few stops in other central Illinois communities. She explains she found the Neighborhood Care Center to be very different from other benevolent organizations she sought assistance from.

Garcia explains NCC became a place she enjoyed going and it got to a point she started wanting to give back and inquired about getting more involved.

In this new role, Garcia has a lot of ideas for how to reach the Hispanic community in Clinton and provide opportunities for them to be involved with the Neighborhood Care Center.

Find the Neighborhood Care Center on Facebook or Instagram, or visit neighborhoodcarecenter.net for more information. 

June is National Dairy Month and one non-profit is promoting a dairy product for post-workout recovery.

Monica Nyman with the St. Louis District Dairy Council says chocolate milk’s carb-to-protein ratio helps to replenish energy stores that are lost during exercise and helps to rebuild and repair muscles. Additionally, chocolate milk also contains water and electrolytes that help to rehydrate the body and replenish the nutrients that are lost with sweat, such as calcium, potassium, magnesium, and sodium.

According to Nyman, chocolate milk also contains the same 13 essential nutrients as regular milk, making it an important part of an athlete’s training.

With the summer Olympics right around the corner, the theme for this year's National Dairy Month coincides with the Olympics and the benefits of dairy for athletes.

Milk contains 13 essential nutrients. This includes calcium to help keep bones strong, protein to help build muscle, vitamin D, phosphorus, B vitamins, potassium, and more. Milk is also the main ingredient in dairy foods, creating a variety of delicious and nutritious foods for all consumers

Nyman reminds the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends 3 servings of dairy every day. 90% of Americans do not get enough dairy in their diet. 

How warm will July be in Illinois?

Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford speaking to the RFD Radio Network this week

Independence Day is approaching, and the Illinois State Fire Marshall's Office wants to remind residents to be safe during the holiday.

While large fireworks are illegal in Illinois, some fireworks, such as sparklers, can burn as hot as one thousand degrees.

JC Fultz is a public information officer for the Department.

Fultz says to use a level surface away from grass and a home for those lighting off fireworks from the ground.

Since 2023, over one hundred Illinoians visited a hospital with an injury related to a firework.

This weekend, the Miller Park Zoo will host its annual 'Brews at the Zoo' and the funds raised will help fund the restoration of its carasoul.

Executive Director Jay Pratte indicates the carousel was recently taken apart piece by piece and will be restored and brought back in six to eight months to be put back together.

According to Pratte, the carousel was functional but you could tell it needed repair. He explains it was to the point they either had to replace it or have it restored - which they were fortunate to find someone to do for them.

The zoo is hoping to get the carousel back before its big holiday season event, 'Wild Lights'. Pratte explains they should have it back in time for the busy spring and summer season.

Pratte indicates the carousel has been a point of nostalgia for many in the community and because of that, they received a lot of financial support and are seeing a lot of people reconnect with the zoo because of this project. 

As the country reviews the decisions made during COVID and its impacts on youth, a Clinton education leader anticipates her young students being impacted by COVID.

Jessica Patrick is the Principal of Lincoln and Douglas Elementary Schools. She says while older students are impacted socially and academically, younger students have been affected in their early childhood development.

According to Patrick, lessons that young kids coming into her building this year will have to be taught that in the past, they would already have known.

Resiliency and grit, or a lack thereof, are challenges older youth are faced with according to many education and mental health professionals. Patrick says those will be things they are focused on as young kids go through their buildings in the years ahead.

Patrick indicates they have had some summer programming in the school buildings this summer and held programs late last year to introduce kids to the school setting. Additionally, she offered tips to parents to help prepare their little ones for the new school year in August. 

A new state agency is coming online.

The Department of Early Childhood was signed into law on Tuesday by Governor JB Pritzker. The Governor had pushed for the creation of the agency, he says it will result in a single place to go for families to find the support they need.

The new agency will officially begin operation in 2026.

Prairie Farms Dairy making a donation to end June Dairy month says the co-op’s Darin Copeland.

Illinois recipients include the Greater Chicago Food Depository, Northern Illinois Food Bank, Eastern Illinois Food Bank, and Central Illinois Food Bank.

For the first time in this Presidential cycle, former President Donald Trump and President Job Biden square off in a debate Thursday night.

The highly anticipated debate features the two Presidents who last appeared on the debate stage before the 2020 election.

For Central Illinois Republican Congressman Darin LaHood, the debate provides the candidates a platform to discuss many topics.

Thursday's presidential debate is one of a handful of debates hosted by major television networks instead of the Commission on Presidential Debates.

Thursday night's primetime debate airs at 8 p.m.

Coming out of COVID, Clinton Junior High School Principal Jim Peck is closely watching a couple of areas of concern with his students.

Peck recently called this last school year one of his favorites since he's been at Clinton Junior High, he recognizes there are still challenges facing his students. One of those facing students across the country is the social and emotional wellness of their kids.

Peck believes students today face many of the same challenges that kids did many years ago. He feels junior high is a very unique time of transition where students are learning a lot about themselves and each other.

Getting kids to come to school has become a challenge of its own. While not exclusive to Clinton, Peck says they are trying to reinforce to parents and students the importance of having kids in class every day.

Peck believes there is some correlation between kids not knowing how to get through a situation they may be experiencing and coming to school to potentially avoid those circumstances.

Peck credits having teachers and staff in the building who care about their students and are willing to be there for them when they are in a time of struggle or a time of need. 

Weather forecasters are predicting a rather strong signal for above-normal temperatures in July.

We are closing out June on warm and dry note and John Bumgardner at the National Weather Service in Lincoln says the warm weather is going to carry into July.

According to Bumgardner, July rain tends to come in the form of thunderstorms and there are some years those thunderstorms will provide all the rainfall that a month will receive.

Bumgardner emphasizes the above-normal temperature signal is rather strong so anticipate some warm days over the next month. 

More than 70 million people depend on Social Security benefits and millions more reach out each year for other services like requesting a new SS card. 

Jack Myers with Social Security explains at the same time they are experiencing an increasing number of customers, fewer operating funds per customer, and fewer employees. 

On the new SecurityStat page www.ssa.gov/SecurityStat, the public can easily view the progress they are making on certain priorities including the 800 Number performance, the average processing time for disability determinations, and the average processing time for retirement, survivor, and Medicare claims. 

The website again is ssa.gov/securitystat. 

Clinton High School Principal Jerry Wayne is wrapping up the 2023-24 school year in Germany, the veteran educator recently put a wrap on the school year with Regional Radio.

Wayne says between the success of the athletic programs and the progress academically, it was another great year at Clinton High School.

Wayne says it was the extracurricular activities that ended up being very strong this year. From banner seasons for the various boy's sports programs to having an FFA student win a national competition, it was a great year at Clinton High School.

According to Wayne, they continue to deal with the impacts of COVID on students. He explains they continue to try to get kids caught up academically and students are dealing with the isolation of that time mentally and emotionally.

Students persevering and powering through difficult situations is something Wayne continues to see lacking in the students in his building.

Wayne credits his staff for being willing to help students work through the challenges they face. He says each kid is different and the challenges they face are unique to them. 

The incoming superintendent of Mt. Pulaski Schools is excited about a new opportunity in central Illinois.

Jason Spang comes to Mt. Pulaski from Peotone and says small school districts are all he's ever known.

Spang started as a coach and teacher and moved into the administration side of education. He felt he could have a greater impact if he had a relationship with all his students rather than a percentage on his teams.

Getting to hear from the administration and staff will be Spang's focus in his first year on the job. He feels Mt. Pualski has a great foundation and he looks forward to carrying on the good things going on in their buildings.

Outgoing Superintendent Fred Lamkey says as he's gotten to know Spang has become impressed with the person he is and how good he is at building relationships.

Spang walks into a district that has invested millions to update its facilities in the last few years and is working to expand its outdoor sports complex. 

He officially takes over the district on July 1. 

June is National Dairy Month.

Each year, the St. Louis District Dairy Council highlights a unique fact related to dairy. Monica Nyman with the S-T-L Dairy Council explains this year is the 100th anniversary of the 'Standard Milk Ordinance'.

According to Nyman, the 'Standard Milk Ordinance' brought a lot of attention to milk. That led to 20 states making milk its official state drink.

Pasteurization is a common term used when talking about dairy and is prominent in dairy containers. Nyman explains it is basically the process of killing the organisms that cause spoilage.

Milk contains 13 essential nutrients and it is recommended to get three servings of dairy per day. Nyman says 'June Dairy Month' is a perfect time to remind consumers to be mindful of these dietary guidelines. 

June is trending warmer and dryer.

John Bumgardner at the National Weather Service in Lincoln says thanks to this dry, warm stretch we've experienced the last few weeks, the monthly temperature is rising while the precipitation total is stagnant.

According to Bumgardner, the average temperature is only slightly above normal for June. He explains the month started with very seasonable temperatures before we warmed up the last several days.

Severe weather was hit and miss in Illinois during June. Bumgardner says there were some pretty nasty storms a few weeks ago but spared many parts of central Illinois.

July is shaping up to be warm and dry as well. We'll have more on the July outlooks later this week on Regional Radio. 

The Warner Hospital in Clinton is starting over on a planned project.

Hospital CEO Paul Skowron indicates its planned entrance installation on the west side of the community came in over budget and now they are stepping back and starting over on what that part of the hospital will look like going forward.

Skowron views the project as behind schedule and puts that on them. He wants a good return on the investment with a nice entrance for patients.

In simplifying the plans, Skowron explains they are going to eliminate the covered entrance. He points out that ADA accessibility will be there. 

Skowron is excited to announce the emergency room expansion is complete. There are more private treatment, exam rooms, and isolation rooms. Additionally, they've installed a nurse's station like in the larger hospital systems. He says it is sending the message they can offer better service for a variety of responses. 

Last week on Regional Radio, we heard from Clinton Police Chief Ben Lowers about vacation safety tips and the promotion of the Department's vacation watch program.

This week, the Monticello Police Department is promoting a similar program. Chief Rob Bross says their vacation watch program offers an online registration option and during its shifts while you're away, officers will drive by the home to make sure everything is in order.

Chief Bross has some general tips if you're headed out on vacation like secure all entry points, put any valuables out of site, and make sure those 'Ring' camera-like security systems are charged and operating properly.

According to Chief Bross, Amazon delivery boxes stacked up can be a giveaway of an absence from a home. 

Chief Bross indicates most crimes they have regarding burglary and others like it are often crimes of opportunity. 

Kiwanis Park in Clinton in recent years has recently been the center of attention because of its disrepair and a community effort just a few years ago helped restore much of the aging playground.

At this week's Clinton City Council meeting, Commissioner of Public Safety Dan Ballenger indicated they are getting close to having to tear some of it down because it is a safety issue.

Funds held by the Chamber of Commerce for Kiwanis Park from when it was built were left over and ended up being used to help repair some of the equipment.

A social media push at that time helped save the park from being torn down. 

The Miller Park Zoo in Bloomington is hosting its signature events next weekend.

Brews at the Zoo has grown in popularity over the last few years and Executive Director Jay Pratte says the event brings together breweries and local restaurants for a relaxed night of fun in their facility.

The event will raise money for restoration efforts of the Zoo's antique carousel. Find tickets by searching for the Miller Park Zoological Society or the Miller Park Zoo on Facebook.

We'll have more on the restoration efforts of the Miller Park Zoo's carousel next week on Regional Radio.

If you are a caregiver to someone with dementia, a local non-profit is offering a program for stress management starting this week.

The nine-week class is hosted by Community Care Systems starting Friday, July 26. They will be from 1:30 pm to 3 pm at the Warner Library in the Revere Room. 

The program will offer stress management techniques, relaxation and coping strategies, and small group discussions with others going through similar challenges. 

For more information, contact Rebecca Wheat by calling 309-445-7098. 

The warmest stretch of the year so far is upon us and the National Weather Service in Lincoln says some severe weather threats could be on the way in the next few days.

On the WHOW Morning Show Friday, John Bumgardner at the National Weather Service in Lincoln told Regional Radio the most severe weather should stay to the northwest of the area and weaken as it approaches central Illinois.

According to Bumgardner, temperatures will start in the low 90s and then slightly come down for Sunday.

June so far has been above-average for temperatures thanks to the heat of the last several days and soil moisture are declining quickly in some areas thanks to how dry it has been. 

The rehabilitation of Revere Road in Clinton has been looked forward to by residents for years and this is finally the year it gets needed attention.

Following the Thursday night DeWitt County Board meeting, DeWitt County Highway Engineer Mark Mathon told Regional Radio the project is in the second phase as it closes in on completion.

It took a couple of summer cycles to get here but the road should be greatly improved. For those wondering, the railroad is in charge of the crossing near the Route 10 intersection.

Mathon reminds that roughly 80 percent of this project was funded by the federal government. The total cost is roughly $ 4 million.

According to Mathon, the new surface could provide the County with 25-plus good years of road surface.

What's the next big project? Mathon indicates Washington Street bridge just east of Clinton will begin the early stages of improvement later this summerr. 

The latest school year was a good one says the principal of a Clinton school building.

Clinton Junior High School Principal Jim Peck says the latest school year was a good one and felt it was one of his favorites that he's had in Clinton. He points out this was a record year for student participation in extracurricular activities. 

Peck says there was a lot of success for different programs and individuals within the junior high school for those extracurricular activities.

According to Peck, they are trying to get the kids to think about not having any regrets that they wish they would have tried more things when they were in junior high school and also to think about that as they prepare for high school.

Peck believes students' academic success and their growth are starting to normalize as we get farther away from the pandemic and its impacts. 

The fight continues for Lincoln leaders and residents as they try to make their voices heard to keep Logan Correction Center open.

On the WHOW Morning Show Thursday, State Senator Sally Turner told Regional Radio they continue to host meetings and provide testimony.

The Lincoln Republican believes the decision surrounding Logan will come down to the administration's mindset to have fewer prisons and reduce the prison population. 

Sent. Turner encourages residents and those in central Illinois to continue to reach out to the Governor's office and Illinois lawmakers to let them know they support Loga

The State of Illinois announced earlier this year they would be closing and tearing down Logan Correction Center and Stateville Correction Center with plans to rebuild Stateville at its current site. However, no announcement was made where Logan would be rebuilt. 

Ameren Illinois is out with ways to stay cool and save on the power bill as the summer months heat up.

With prices rising, Tucker Kennedy from Ameren says one way to save is to bump the thermostat by seven to ten degrees. That move could save consumers as much as 10 percent a year on their electric bill.

Ameren plans to help consumers this summer by offering a smart thermostat. Those who want a free G-E Smart Thermostat can head to Ameren Illinois dot-com.

The high heat and humidity is expected to remain with us at least through part of next week, so a local health professional is repeating the warning about the dangers of extreme heat. 

The body cools itself by sweating, but when as this hot out, sweating sometimes isn’t enough. Bethany Huelskoetter (HULL-sketter), Nurse Practitioner with OSF HealthCare says the cumulative effect of an extended heat wave can be very dangerous.

In the case of heat exhaustion, move the person to a cool place and give them plenty of fluids. If it’s heat stroke, cool the person off with cold water, do not give fluids, and get them to the hospital.

The Clinton YMCA will roll out a new app for its members next month.

Executive Director Rennie Cluver says the new app will be a great marketing tool for its members to keep them in the know.

Members of the Y will be able to track their payments, learn more about upcoming programs, and get a schedule of the programs and activities at the YMCA.

Y members can follow the YMCA Facebook page for more information on the release date. Cluver says you'll be seeing a lot of promotion of it at the Y itself for members that are in frequently. He is excited about all the possibilities the app could provide. 

A central Illinois law enforcement official is highlighting some trends he's noticing in his community.

Monticello Police Chief Rob Bross indicates they are experiencing an uptick in minor vehicle accidents involving very young drivers and very veteran drivers. With the advent of great technology in cars, some drivers are getting too reliant on those things.

While many may assume teens are susceptible to driving distracted, everyone has access to these devices and there are similar issues to distracted driving no matter the age.

As for older drivers, Chief Bross indicates they are encountering some drivers who should really not be behind the wheel any longer. While difficult, he understands the conversations families have to have with those older loved ones.

Follow all things Monticello PD by finding them on Facebook. 

Here is an update on the latest Illinois Ag Leadership Foundation class. Lauren Doeling is a fellow from the West Salem area.

The first Illinois ag leadership class graduated in 1984. This latest class will finish in 2025. Those interested in participating in the class of 2027 can learn more at agleadership.org.

A Supreme Court decision that knocked down a federal law preventing the sale of bump stocks will not impact the already banned sale of them in Illinois.

Governor JB Pritzker says it was a decision focused on a federal law not tied to a Constitutional right under the Second Amendment, so for now, you still won’t be able to buy them in the state.

The US Supreme Court could take up Illinois' recent laws on banning the sale of bump stocks and assault weapons.

Illinois already feeling the summer heat.

DTN ag meteorologist John Baranick speaking to the RFD Radio Network this week.

Last month, Regional Radio brought you the news that the City of Clinton will be pursuing a new City Hall building that will house City administration, police, and fire.

Tuesday night at the Clinton City Council meeting, the Council heard from the construction and engineering group that will lead the project. Tim Erickson from CORE Construction and John Bishop with the Farnsworth Group presented their intent for the project. City Administrator Taylor Baxter (left) reminds of the challenges the City faces in its current facility.

Erickson worked 25-plus years ago on the DeWitt County Building. While they have turned into a top-five builder in the country, he touts the company's ability to keep things local.

Erickson (pictured left) also points out CORE Construction and the Farnsworth Group are not strangers - they have worked extensively together over the years.

Bishop (pictured right) stressed the outlook to give the Fire Department the ability to handle the ever-growing fire trucks to avoid the problem of today, where the City's facility is barely able to accommodate the larger modern fire engines.

The $64,000 question is what is the roadmap to completion and the completion date itself. The pair gave an outlook of roughly three years once all the plans have been put into place and everyone has signed off.

Also at the Tuesday night Clinton City Council meeting, the Council approved the engineering contract with Cummins Engineering for the upcoming South Jackson Street Project at a cost of just short of $105,000. 

Reading and its importance in a child's development is right up the alley of a Clinton school administrator.

Jessica Patrick is the principal of Clinton's Lincoln and Douglas Elementary Schools and is highlighting the importance of reading this summer for students of all ages.

As elementary students prepare to return to Lincoln or Douglas Schools in a few months or maybe a student is heading to school for the first time this fall, Patrick highlights some things parents can be doing at home to prepare those kids for the school setting.

This past year, Patrick introduced a new program called 'Camp Kindergarten' and at this event that introduced young students to the school setting, she talked to parents about things they can do to prepare students for coming to school for the first time.

For Patrick, she hopes to see congruency between what is taught at school and reinforcement of those lessons at home.

Patrick says they are encountering some challenges that stem from COVID - even among the young kids they have. We'll have more with Patrick about that next week on Regional Radio. 

There is a new home for the Illinois High School Association state bass fishing finals next year. The event is moving from Carlyle Lake to Lake Shelbyville says the IHSA’s Kurt Gibson.

The IHSA began the state series in bass fishing in 2009.

A history lesson from Monica Nyman with the St. Louis District Dairy Council. This marks the 100th anniversary of the Standard Milk Ordinance.

June is National Dairy Month.

If you are planning a move, the Better Business Bureau has some tips to lessen the possibility of misunderstandings or outright scams. 

The agency recently issued a warning about hiring moving companies. The agency took nearly 6,000 complaints about moving companies last year, averaging about a $350 median loss. Among the alleged schemes are bumping up the estimated price to move the belongings at the last minute. Better Business Bureau Investigator Don O'Brien says there are even some movers that become confrontational, holding your belongings hostage until you fork over more money.

Before hiring a moving company, O'Brien suggests you watch out for fly-by-night companies, be wary of unusual requests, get everything in writing, and keep an inventory of your belongings.

A group of Clinton High School students will be in Germany over the next few weeks.

The program is part of the German class at Clinton High School. Principal Jerry Wayne says the students will visit the Germans during their end-of-year time.

According to Wayne, the education system in Germany is very different from the American education system and he is excited to learn more about how they do things.

Wayne is excited for his students to have a new experience abroad and learn what school looks like in another place.

Students took off from St. Louis last Friday and will return later next week.

An exact date for the opening of a grocery store coop in Farmer City isn't exact yet but efforts to secure funding continue.

Curt Homann the Executive Director of the DeWitt County Development Council and indicates the State of Illinois has a couple of rounds of grant funding for food deserts in the State they are pursuing.

Homann reminds the Farmer City grocery coops is aimed to be a place of locally sourced food with an emphasis on fruits and vegetables, meat, and dairy.

While a specific open date has not been announced, Homann remains optimistic by the first of the year, the grocery store could be opened up in Farmer City. 

The latest Illinois budget will go into effect July 1 and a local lawmaker isn't impressed by the Governor's claims of a balanced budget.

The first issue Sen. Chapin Rose has with the budget is a billion dollars in tax increases on Illinois residents to pay for a billion dollars in benefits for illegal aliens in Illinois.

On top of the increase in spending during the Governor's tenure, Sen. Rose indicates COVID money from the federal government is set to run out after this year which will create a huge hole in revenue next year.

One of the selling points of the budget has been the elimination of the grocery tax but the Mahomet Republican says that isn't really a revenue stream controlled by the State of Illinois. It is imposed by local governments.

Sen. Rose feels Illinois' most vulnerable citizens were left behind in this budget to prioritize illegal aliens who are able-bodied and can get to Illinois on their own.

Since its passage in 2020, the Government has committed to using revenue from the legalization of marijuana to fund mental health services but that hasn't happened. Sen. Rose says it is the lottery tax promise all over again.

Sen. Rose hopes the people of Illinois are beginning to see through the "all is well" messaging as grocery prices and all prices continue to soar. 

It was an ideal week for producers to get planting wrapped up.

State Crop Statistician Mark Schluessner indicates nearly every day was suitable for fieldwork, temperatures were above normal and rainfall was well below normal.

Schluessner says soybean planting is nearly wrapped up in Illinois...

As for corn...

Pasture conditions are 69 percent in good to excellent condition. Schluessner notes to look out for the June acreage survey which will come out in next Friday. 

Tracking the county fair scene in Illinois. It takes strong support from the agri-business community and the community in general says Jessie Burrell on the Sangamon County Fair Board.

The county fair season runs through mid-September in Illinois.

The summer vacation season is in full swing and if you're planning to hit the open road this summer, local authorities are reminding of the vacation watch program through the Clinton Police Department.

Chief Ben Lowers says the vacation watch program through his department is a great resource for residents to use that offers an officer drive-by of your house at the beginning and end of their shift.

If the vacation watch program isn't something you feel you need because you may have someone looking after your home, the Chief still reminds to have that individual or those individuals to make the home look occupied.

While many like to share those photos of their real-time experiences on vacation, Chief Lowers notes that can be a giveaway to potential criminals that your home is in fact, unoccupied and leave you susceptible to criminal activity while away.

To get signed up for that vacation watch program through the Clinton Police Department, call the non-emergency line at 217-935-9441. 

The Governor has returned from a trade mission to Canada.

The trip was designed to forge stronger relationships north of the border. Pritzker was in Toronto and Montreal. While there, he said Illinois and Canada have many ways to further a trade relationship that totaled $92 billion of bilateral trade last year.

Illinois exports to Canada increased 30% from 2021 to 2022.

Last month Social Security released the national and state-specific baby name data for 2023.

Its annual data released by Social Security says Jack Myers who indicates you can see the top 10 boys and girls names of 2023 for the U.S. and you can also see state-specific lists to see how Illinois or any other states differ from the national naming trends. 

If you want to check the historical popularity of a specific name - you can do that too. But Myers often gets asked, why they keep track of this information. He says the answer is simple - they already have the data.

Myers points out that, for the last several years the top baby names have remained the same or the same names are remaining popular.

Social Security compiled baby names starting in 1997, with names dating back to 1880. Myers notes pop culture tends to have an influence on baby names from year to year.

Because the information is sought after, the release typically generates a lot of extra visits to the Social Security website. Check it out at www.socialsecurity.gov/babynames. 

An Illinois Congressman joined several lawmakers recently to block Congress from getting a pay raise.

Democratic Congressman Eric Sorensen, joined Congresswoman Angie Craig and Congressman Chris Pappas in the effort. The goal is to urge leaders to block an effort to increase Congress members' pay.

Members of Congress receive one hundred 74 thousand dollars in annual salary.

Sorensen, Craig, and Pappas cite rising costs of everyday household items as a reason for not voting for a pay raise.

US Senator Tammy Duckworth's Right to IVF Act – failed to pass the Senate last week, with every Republican voting against it. The act would have established a right for women to choose IVF and protect patients and doctors against criminal prosecution for using the procedure.

In 2018, Duckworth became the first Senator to give birth while serving in office.

There has been an unusual uptick in the response calls for loose dogs in Clinton so far this summer.

That's according to Clinton Police Chief Ben Lowers who indicates it is mostly repeat violators and they've even had a few incidents of bites.

Chief Lowers says the loose animals have gotten to the point that for some repeat offenders, they are going to and in fact, have started taking enforcement action for those instances.

The Chief stresses it is City law to have dogs on a leash when they are not in a fenced-in area. He also encourages dog owners to pick up after their dogs' messes when out whether at city parks or on city sidewalks. 

A DeWitt County law enforcement official is expressing his support for the Logan County Correctional Center.

The Logan Correction Center faces the possibility of being torn down and rebuilt outside Logan County. DeWitt County Sheriff Mike Walker says Logan Correction Center is one of the few female intake centers in the state and would create quite a travel burden for many departments in Illinois.

Sheriff Walker notes that is going to put a strain on departments not only from a travel standpoint but then staffing and budgeting.

The DeWitt County Board in May passed a resolution of support for the Logan Correction Center. 

As annual summer maintenance work gets underway in Clinton, the next big street project is on the horizon.

Steve Lobb is the Public Works Director for the City and indicates the engineering agreement for the next big street project in Clinton will be taken up by the Council next week.

Lobb reminds as the Park Lane West subdivision development continues, there will be a rehabilitation of Liberty Lane.

The Clinton City Council will meet on Tuesday evening at 7 pm. 

Illinois FFA has a new state officer team. The president is Trenton Payne from the Olney FFA Chapter. He spoke with RFD Radio just moments after leaving the stage at the Bank of Springfield Center Thursday afternoon.

The rest of the new FFA state officer team--Vice President Brody Will, Dieterich FFA; Reporter Sidney Stiers, Williamsfield FFA; Secretary Owen Torrance, West Prairie FFA; and Treasurer Emma Dinges, Amboy FFA.

If you've driven by or around the area of Clinton High School's campus, you've likely noticed a lot of changes.

Installation of the high school football field turf is underway. Principal Jerry Wayne explains about mid-May the process of fencing getting pulled up and the old, visitor side bleachers were removed in preparation for the installation.

A lot of the installation of the turf will be weather-dependent. The last few weeks have been very favorable and Wayne hopes to see the turf installed around the first of August.

Wayne reminds the turf is the first of a two-phase plan at the football field. Clinton High School is one of the few central Illinois fields where the home fans face the setting sun on Friday nights but he notes, that will soon change.

Wayne would not divulge the details of the design of the turf. He says there will be things that will be unique to Clinton.

Carbon capture and pipeline legislation gained plenty of attention during the spring legislative session in Springfield. But not enough was done to protect private property rights says Illinois Farm Bureau Director of Business and Regulatory Affairs Bill Bodine.

The legislation is Senate Bill 1289.

The plan to close two prisons in Illinois and rebuild them is not without critics and worry in the communities where they are located.

The Governor and Department of Corrections say those two facilities will be rebuilt; Stateville in Joliet and Logan in Lincoln.

State Senator Don DeWitte of St. Charles questioned Latoya Hughes, Acting IDOC Director, on a firm commitment to reopen Stateville, after a planned demolition.

He’s not convinced that the prison will be rebuilt if prisoner populations continue to decline. Hughes says IDOC needs an updated prison on the current grounds.

The state hasn’t committed to rebuilding Logan in downstate Lincoln.

A central Illinois lawmaker is not happy with Gov. JB Pritzker over action that he believes will impact the Mahomet Aquifer.

State Sen. Chapin Rose says the Governor's action to approve carbon sequestration under the Mahomet Aquifer completely contradicts his environmentally friendly stances.

The Mahomet Republican contends that most of Illinois' sub-terrain would be appropriate for carbon sequestration but does not believe storing carbon under the Mahomet Aquifer is appropriate.

Sen. Rose points to other issues as it relates to the imminent domain in the agreement. He calls it cleaning up someone else's mess and putting it in our backyard. 

Sen. Rose believes there are plenty of places to do this in Illinois that aren't under the source of drinking water for a half-million Illinois residents.

A significant warm-up is expected as we get into the weekend.

Clinton Police Chief Ben Lowers on the WHOW Morning Show is encouraging everyone to remember those heat safety basics like drinking plenty of water and checking on your neighbors and relatives.

During this time, Chief Lowers also reminds to keep those pets in mind. While most animal owners will make appropriate accommodations for that pet, even if they are an outside pet, some will still leave those outdoor dogs outside.

Leaving pets or even kids in a car during this extreme heat is highly discouraged. Chief Lowers reminds it takes just a few moments for a car to reach 100 degrees and to keep climbing.

Clinton is among many communities in central Illinois with an older population that also is low-income, creating its own set of unique challenges. Chief Lowers encourages checking on those elderly neighbors.

Temperatures will briefly tough 90 degrees on Thursday then by Sunday, a stretch of 90-degree days is anticipated. 

The first year is in the books for Cerro Gordo Schools Superintendent Dr. Emily Weidner who put a bow on the 2023-24 school year. 

Dr. Weidner recently highlighted some of the things they've done this past year. She points to a new elementary reading curriculum, but an issue that is being dealt with by districts across the state is attendance and improving attendance numbers.

According to Dr. Weidner, contacting families and making sure they are aware of the importance of kids being in school every day. She explains a child missing just one day a week or a couple of days per month can really set them back over their 12 or so years in the K-12 education system.

This past year, Cerro Gordo schools introduced e-learning. Dr. Weidner credits her staff for adjusting to the uncertainty of when a snow day would strike and heard from teachers about being on the same page for those days.

This summer, Dr. Weidner notes they do not have any big projects but a lot of smaller projects that are going to improve the facilities and the district. 

The American Red Cross is asking you to donate blood as we head toward the summer months. The organization says there is traditionally more of a need at this time of year and all blood types are needed, especially Type O, which can be used when a patient’s blood type is unknown.

Red Cross spokesperson Sharon Watson says as World Blood Donor Day approaches on June 14, blood and platelet donors are critically needed.

If you want to donate blood, you can find information on where and how to do so through the link at this story at Advantagenews.com, or you can download a free Red Cross app, which uses your location to allow you to find the nearest donation center near you. www.RedCross.org

As the state continues to move ahead with plans to tear down two prisons and rebuild them, leaders at the Department of Corrections are facing questions about the process.

Republican State Rep. Don DeWitte at a recent field hearing was looking for a commitment to make sure if the prison is closed and torn down that it would be rebuilt.

IDOC leaders at the meeting said Stateville prison is critical to the IDOC mission and will be rebuilt. The prison was built in 1925 and officials say is well past its useful life.

The summer reading club at the Warner Library in Clinton has begun.

Things kicked off with an event on June 1. Executive Director Bobbi Perryman indicates the event was forced inside but that didn't keep kids and families from coming out and getting signed up for summer reading '24.

Perryman indicates sign-ups for summer reading will last all summer. The program doesn't wrap up until Jul 31.

According to Perryman, you can sign up for this year's summer reading club online at vwarner.org or you can stop at 310 North Quincy Street as well. 

Be sure to follow along with all the happenings at the library by following them on Facebook and Instagram. 

After unexpected delays to the start of its season, the Farmer City pool is going to open just in time for a heatwave starting today.

On the WHOW Morning Show Tuesday, Farmer City Administrator Sue McLaughlin told Regional Radio they had to delay the opening of the pool by a couple of weeks due to some unexpected issues during the seasonal preparation process.

The opening of the pool was delayed by 19 days. In response to that, Farmer City has reduced its price for its seasonal pass. McLaughlin says it remains a really good deal for a family pass for the season.

According to McLaughlin, they have a new pool manager this year and the goal is to offer some lap swim hours, swim lessons, and a few other unique opportunities.

McLaughlin points those interested in learning more about the Farmer City pool to follow the City of Farmer City Facebook page. 

A new investigation from the Better Business Bureau shows that phishing scams are on the rise.

In the B-B-B's latest report, leaders say scammers use common means of communication like texts, calls, and emails, to push the scam. The scam often includes a link to a website where users will input their personal information. Don O'Brien serves as a scam investigator with the B-B-B.

Since 2021, the B-B-B recorded more than 23 thousand reports related to online phishing.

Last year, the B-B-B recorded over nine thousand scams, nearly double the record from the previous year.

The Governor is in Canada this week and he’s doing what he can to further the trading relationship between the state and the province of Ontario.

JB Pritzker says $29 billion in trade goes between the two and Ontario is the state’s second largest export market. A new MOU was signed between the two to promote investments and an effort to see if the state and province can share skills and people to support new and emerging technologies.

Ontario would be the nation’s third largest trading partner if counted by itself. Only trailing Mexico and China.

A new Clinton Lake Marina owner is operating as the official sale of the Marina continues to play out.

DeWitt County Board Chair Dan Matthews indicates the new ownership group is operating on a short-term lease agreement while the sale of the Marina gets finalized. Matthews indicates the sale last month was pushed back a week to give Board members a chance to thoroughly review the agreement.

According to Matthews, things at the Marina are moving fast. The new owner has been fielding questions from renters regarding fees and other matters. He anticipates some improvements to be made out there as well.

The closing of the sale of the Marina should happen in short order. The sale itself came under scrutiny by the County Board in May due to an issue on slip rental fees - which Matthews discussed recently.

Matthews recently announced he will withdraw his name from the November ballot for re-election on the County Board. 

The first year is in the books for Clinton's first-year elementary principal, Jessica Patrick.

At Lincoln and Douglas Elementary Schools this year, Patrick was focused on community engagement and getting to know the families of her school.

Patrick introduced a new program this year called 'Camp Kindergarten' and on the WHOW Morning Show Monday told Regional Radio she thought it went very well.

To wrap up the school, Patrick says they were able to partner with the Clinton Community Education Foundation for 'Read Across Clinton' for that book distribution but then she also was able to secure a grant to give kids access to more books for the summer.

On the WHOW Morning Show Monday, Patrick also emphasized the importance of reading over the summer for the kids in her building and those coming in. She also discussed what parents can do to prepare kids for school this fall. We'll hear more from Patrick on that in the weeks ahead on Regional Radio.

Illinois finally had a week of below-normal rainfall allowing farmers to nearly finish planting.

State Crop Statistician Mark Schluessner indicates temperatures were also above normal for the week, allowing for nearly five days suitable for fieldwork.

Soybean planting is moving along. Schluessner indicates the condition of the crop is better than a year ago and is 87 percent finished, moving ahead of the yearly average.

Corn planting is nearly complete and Schluessner notes the corn planting progress has also now outpaced the yearly average.

Winter wheat harvest is underway in Illinois and Schluessner indicates the condition of the crop is better than it was a year ago.

Pasture condition improved from a year ago and alfalfa hay is 72 percent finished. 

An important milestone for the 4-H Memorial Camp in Monticello. The site is celebrating its 75th anniversary this summer says camp director Andy Davis.

The 4-H Memorial Camp has also made Newsweek's list of America's Best Summer Camps 2024.

June 7 was National Gun Violence Awareness Day and US Senator Dick Durbin says there have been moments where steps to address gun violence have gained momentum in the Senate but taking major action to preventing mass shootings or other tragic events are likely out of reach.

This year marked the 10th Annual Gun Violence Awareness Day. Supporters were asked to wear orange as one way to mark the day.

Cyber-security is on the mind of the Warner Hospital CEO almost daily.

Warner Hospital CEO Paul Skowron told Regional Radio last week that cyber-security is now a "daily obsession". He explains it isn't just the big healthcare systems at risk anymore.

According to Skowron, Warner Hospital was one of many healthcare systems impacted by a cyber attack. He notes they were in good enough financial standing to withstand the attack but it brought the realization, they needed to be ready for any future events.

Warner Hospital employees are trained on recognizing scams and not falling victim to an email scam or otherwise. Making the matter challenging is how realistic scam emails can be presented.

Personally, Skowron believes he needs to be better when it comes time for his quizzes on the scams attempted. He indicates there is also a component of artificial intelligence involved. 

While he admits it can be a pain, Skowron says it is so important for himself and all his employees to be trained and continue that training as scams evolve.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) provides monthly payments to adults and children with a disability or blindness and adults age 65 and older.

Jack Myers with Social Social explains SSI is a needs-based program which means to qualify, a person must have limited income and resources. He explains the difference between SSI and the Social Security program. 

SSI benefits help pay for basic needs like rent, food, clothing, and medicine. There is no requirement of prior work to qualify for SSI and benefits are not paid from Social Security trust funds. Myers notes if a person is receiving assistance from someone for these expenses, we count that assistance as income and call it “In-Kind Support and Maintenance”.

For more information on the SSI program, including who is eligible and how to apply, visit www.ssa.gov/ssi. 

Libraries across Illinois are being awarded $2 million in grants from the Secretary of State. Alexi Giannoulias says the grants are going to underserved communities that have facilities that need tech upgrades and help to bridge the digital divide.

113 libraries are eligible for the grants – they could be worth as much as $27,500 dollars.

The Governor signed the state budget last week, it wasn’t without criticism from Republicans and state spending came under critique from Democrat Comptroller Susana Mendoza.

She told a reporter that she would have liked to have seen “cuts across the board” in spending. But with no specific calls for cuts – Democrat Governor JB Pritzker says it’s an empty thought.

Mendoza says there are things to like inside the budget – increasing the state’s rainy-day fund. And she notes the good overall fiscal health of the state and the nine credit upgrades its received since 2021.

The City of Chicago is preparing to host the Democratic National Convention this summer – and protests to come along with it.

Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling says his officers are receiving training to handle protests, and peaceful protests will be allowed but breaking the law won’t be tolerated.

The DNC is coming to Chicago in late August.

Cicadas have been screaming for weeks now, but they are expected to go dormant again later this month. 

Those are the words of an expert with the University of Illinois Extension office, who says the end is likely near. In the meantime, Program Coordinator Sarah Ruth says the insects provide benefit to the world around us.

Cicada eggs will hatch after 6-10 weeks, and the cicada nymphs will burrow into the ground, attaching to a tree’s roots. They will remain dormant underground anywhere from 2-17 years, depending on the species.

The Clinton Fire Department is upgrading equipment that will keep dangerous chemicals from going home with its personnel.

At the Tuesday Clinton City Council meeting, Commissioner of Public Safety, Dan Ballenger told the Council the machine will better wash out chemicals firefighters encounter and will keep them from taking those home.

The cost was just short of $4,500. 

DeWitt County Recovery Oriented Systems of Care (ROSC) will sponsor the group’s first Speaker Jam from 1 to 4 p.m. in downtown Clinton. Free burgers, hot dogs, and drinks will be served.

The goal of the event is to share stories of strength, hope and resilience with the community, said Maggie Memmott, ROSC coordinator. 

The road to recovery from addiction can be a difficult and life-saving experience, according to five people who will share their stories on June 15 at an event on Mr. Lincoln’s Square.

Memmott says they want the community to hear from people who have entered recovery and succeeded. Adding it’s important that people know ROSC is here to help people change their lives.

Started in July 2023 with a grant from the Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery, ROSC provides services to DeWitt and Piatt counties. ROSC sponsors events for people in recovery and their families, public education, and NARCAN training. Support for employment, housing, driver’s licenses, and state medical assistance is also provided.

Individuals who need help with residential treatment receive ROSC support.

Volunteers with ROSC include people from law enforcement, public health, hospitals, mental health agencies, and people with personal recovery experience. The group welcomes new volunteers to their meetings on the third Monday of the month at 1 p.m. at the DeWitt-Piatt Bi-county Health Department in Clinton.  A Zoom link is available for meetings.

For more information on DeWitt County ROSC, contact Memmott at 217 935 3427. Tax deductible donations to assist ROSC with recovery support efforts may be sent to ROSC at 5924 Revere Road in Clinton.

Earlier this week, The Vault in Clinton received a grant from the Taco Bell Foundation. 

The $39,400 will go toward experiential learning and leadership opportunities that prepare students for future employment, leadership, and community service.

The Vault’s Founder, Michelle Witzke said in a statement it is a privilege to partner with the Taco Bell Foundation in educating and inspiring young people. She hopes they will continue to break down barriers to education and to help teens recognize their value, realize their potential, and reach their goals.

The Vault is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide a fun and positive environment for social, academic, and spiritual growth where teens can be encouraged to reach their full potential through a variety of opportunities and services. 

For more information, please visit www.thevaultclinton.org. 

The June meeting of the DeWitt County Genealogical Society will be held Tuesday, June 11, at 4 pm at the Vespasian Warner Public Library. 

The program will be "Elkhart Hill" about the early settlers of Elkhart in Logan County, presented by Gillette Ransom.  

The public is invited to attend the program.

On Tuesday night, the Clinton City Council approved over $100,000 in summer maintenance street work.

Steve Lobb is the Public Works Director for the City of Clinton and tells Regional Radio one change coming up for this year's cycle of work is an earlier start with the goal of an earlier finish.

Most of the street work again this year is going to be an oil and chip mix. Lobb indicates that has become the preferred method of road preservation because of its cost-effectiveness. He hopes the earlier start will make the preservation more effective.

Preliminary engineering has begun on the next big street project in Clinton which will be Jackson Street. We'll hear more from Lobb on that ahead of the Council's next meeting on June 18 - where the Council will take up the approval of that contract. 

After near-record precipitation in April, May ended just below normal for rainfall.

Mike Albano at the National Weather Service in Lincoln indicates some areas have received a lot of rain and others not so much but when you average it all out, May is just about average for rainfall.

Like the precipitation, temperatures were up and down. Albano points out when you average it all out, May came in right about in line with the yearly averages.

May experienced one of the more active weather patterns in recent memory. Albano points out it isn't unusual to see a lot of severe weather and tornadoes but May definitely saw an uptick this year.

A positive as we are now a week into June, Albano indicates thanks to the wet start to the spring, most of the country is beginning the traditional summer season without drought.

The latest Purdue University/CME group ag economy barometer is out. James Mintert is with the Purdue Center for Commercial Agriculture..

The index is based on a survey of 400 agricultural producers on economic sentiment each month.

The DeWitt County Board Chair will not seek re-election.

Dan Matthews announced at the May County Board meeting he would not be seeking re-election. He told Regional Radion on the WHOW Morning Show Wednesday the commitment is getting to be too much.

Matthews also serves on the Clinton Board of Education and says because he enjoys that role and it is not as great of a time commitment, he will continue there.

Matthews has come under scrutiny by an out-of-county government accountability outfit. He says anyone who knows him knows he is transparent.

The DeWitt County Republican Party will now seek to fill Matthews' place on the upcoming November ballot. 

The annual Quilt Show at the DeWitt County Museum is underway for June.

Joey Long indicates the quilt show showcases the Homestead with over 30 quilts across the home set up on all three levels of the home. The quilts are a combination of quilts in the Homestead collection and those loaned to the Homestead.

Long invites the community out this weekend for a special free event that highlights the Underground Railroad and its ties to Clinton and DeWitt County. Long says this is the second of three events they are hosting this summer.

For Long, this weekend's program highlights the many national historic events that have tied the local community to those events.

Follow along with all the happenings at the Musuem by visiting chmoorehomead.org. Find the Homestead on Facebook as well. 

The annual quilt show runs the entire month of June. 

After a 20-year hiatus, the boat races return to Decatur Lake this weekend. 

Ken Frye is the Public Relations Supervisor for the Decatur Park District and indicates Saturday is going to be a full day of fun on and around the Lake.

Leading up to the boat races this weekend, there will be entertainment at the Devon Amphitheater.

decatur-parks.org has all the details for this weekend's events. Frye also encourages a following of the Decatur Park District on Facebook. 

Governor JB Pritzker put pen to paper Wednesday on the state’s budget.

The $53 billion spending plan spends more on education, creates a new department of early childhood and increases pay for workers in group homes and direct care facilities. Gov. Pritzker calls the spending plan balanced and one that responds to the needs of citizens.

The budget is the largest in state history.

The President has issued a new border security order.

The executive order clamps down on migrants seeking asylum at the southern border. Governor JB Pritzker says comprehensive immigration reform is needed and a recent bill that was working its way through Congress was a step in the right direction. But that effort was derailed - so he says steps by President Biden needed to be taken.

Chicago had become a forced destination for migrants and asylum seekers last year and this past winter as the Governor of Texas was bussing people to the city.

The City of Clinton has several balls in the air as it tries to remedy its failing elevator at City Hall and explores the possibility of a new City Hall building.

At the Tuesday night Clinton City Council meeting, City Administrator Taylor Baxter told the Council they have a vendor that will do a complete assessment and give a bid to fix it.

In the meantime, there is the possibility the elevator could be patched enough to be functional. Baxter hopes to have more information on that possibility later this month.

Action from the Clinton City Council Tuesday night:

>>The Council approved the 2024 summer maintenance street work for just short of $109,000

>>The Council approved a PPE extractor for the fire department at a cost of just short of $4,500

>>The Council approved $10,000 for Celebrate Clinton's annual Fourth of July Fireworks display

A Clinton entity needs a new HVAC system and it is going to be quite the undertaking.

Executive Director of the Warner Library in Clinton, Bobbi Perryman told Regional Radio on the WHOW Morning Show Tuesday the current system is original to the newer addition.

According to Lucas Snow, maintenance director at the library, the system creates a lot of moisture build-up which can make the library uncomfortable for patrons but it also isn't great on the books - particularly the older books.

Perryman predicts the cost will end up over $ 1 million. She credits the Library Board for its fiscal responsibility.

The project should get underway next spring or summer. Perryman hopes to see limited interruptions to services however, notes they have backup plans in place in the event they need to temporarily vacate the building. 

Three priorities for Illinois Farm Bureau as the 2024 state legislative session comes to an end. Chris Davis is IFB Director of State Legislation.

The spring legislative session wrapped up last week.

The Illinois Specialty Growers Association promoting Summer Horticulture Day this Thursday at Jonamac Orchard in Malta. Jenna Spychal (spy-chul) is happy to be hosting.

More information at specialtygrowers.org.

An amendment to the 2024 farm bill could prohibit intoxicating hemp products across the nation.

The amendment, sponsored by Illinois Republican Congresswoman Mary Miller, would federally criminalize hemp-derived products. While the amendment passed out of the House Committee on Agriculture, Congressman Darin LaHood shared his thoughts.

Despite passing the House Committee on Agriculture, the farm bill amendment is up for debate on the House floor. If the bill passes the House, it heads to the Senate, where Democrats could vote against the amendment.

Clinton High School has gone dark and will stay that way for the next few months.

On the WHOW Morning Show Monday, Clinton High School Principal Jerry Wayne told Regional Radio it has been a strange start to the summer at the high school as they await some electrical work to be done.

In the meantime, Wayne indicates that access to certain things is going to be limited for him and his staff. He sent out a reminder to parents a while back but reminded some things requested by their students or parents may have to wait.

According to Wayne, there is not a lot being impacted by the power situation at the high school. Some sports programs are having to adjust and make other arrangements, but the learning side has adapted to go remote thanks to COVID.

Elsewhere on campus, the community may have noticed the football field of the high school has taken on a more open look. Turf installation is underway at Sprague Field. 

The DeWitt County Development Council is prepared to begin its next round of grants for small businesses.

On the WHOW Morning Show Monday, DCDC Executive Director Curt Homann told Regional Radio they will have about $14,000 available for local businesses to take advantage of.

Homann indicates one of the benefits of having multiple grant opportunities in a calendar year is if previous applicants did not receive funding, they can take advantage of this opportunity.

The panel put together for this round of grant funding wants to know about how a project or piece of equipment will positively impact the business.

Homann hopes to have the details of the grants put out on the DCDC's Facebook page by the end of the week. 

The University of Illinois Extension in DeWitt County is in the process of moving locations.

On the WHOW Morning Show Monday, 4-H Coordinator for the Extension, Kendra Wallace told Regional Radio the move to space inside 'Flower Corner' is going to offer more access to those in the community that may not be able to get to the highway from their homes.

Because the space is being renovated, Wallace hopes by the end of the month they will be in the new offices. 

Another cool, wet week in Illinois offered limited windows for producers to be in the fields.

While planting continued to move forward, producers remained behind the yearly and five-year averages. State crop statistician Mark Schluessner breaks down soybeans - which have started to emerge.

According to Schluessner, the emergence of the corn crop is in line with last year, and the condition of the crop improved from last week.

Winter wheat improved from a week ago. Schluessner has an update on hay and pasture conditions...

As some producers continue to look for windows of opportunity to plant, Schluessner reminds we'll continue to see implements on the roadways until planting is complete in Illinois.

Thousands plan to flock to the Bloomington-Normal area to attend the three-day Special Olympic Summer Games.

The competitions will take place primarily at Illinois State University, with host sites at Grossinger Motors Arena, Normal Community High School, and Kingsley Junior High. Pete Beale (BEALE) Del Vecchio (VECK-e-oh) is Special Olympics Illinois's President and Chief Executive Officer.

The three-day games kick off with a welcoming ceremony Friday night at Hancock Stadium on I-S-U's campus.

More than three thousand athletes from 13-states are expected to compete in the three-day event.

Cicadas have been serenading us for weeks now, and they are expected to go dormant again by the middle of summer. 

An expert with OSF HealthCare tells us while they may be annoyingly loud, they are not dangerous to humans, our pets, or our crops. But Dr. Brian Curtis, the vice president of Clinical Specialty Services with OSF HealthCare, says they may gross you out.

Cicada eggs will hatch after 6-10 weeks, and the cicada nymphs will burrow into the ground, attaching to a tree’s roots. They will remain dormant underground anywhere from 2-17 years, depending on the species, according to National Geographic

Approaching the Illinois FFA Convention in Springfield later this month, current State FFA President Thadeus Bergschneider has advice for those seeking state office.

Bergshneider hails from the Franklin FFA Chapter.

The Illinois FFA Convention is June 11-13 in Springfield.

June is men's mental health month and a local mental health professional is offering encouragement to the men out there.

Tony Kirkman is the Director of the Piatt County Mental Health Center and tells Regional Radio men often are told to suppress their emotions and then when it comes to dealing with trauma or anxiety, they don't know where to turn.

For Kirkman, people are designed to be social and be in a community and that includes men. If therapy is necessary for you, he advocates for that but he also encourages men to connect.

Men are far more likely to be incarcerated and are more likely to commit suicide. Kirkman believes one thing men can do for one another is show boys how to be men.

Kirkman encourages men to be the first to speak out in a peer-to-peer situation to talk about tough topics. He says you never know where those conversations will lead. 

Learn more about the Piatt County Mental Health Center by visiting piattmhc.org or find the Piatt County Mental Health Center on Facebook. 

Social Security is promoting identity theft prevention and if you happen to become a victim, what do you do in that circumstance?

If you are a victim of identity theft you may never know how it happened if they didn’t contact you directly. Jack Myers with Social Security explains if they contacted you directly and stole your money, the impact is immediately clear. You may notice they bought items with your credit cards or bank accounts or even obtained new credit in your name.

How do you spot ID theft? Myers encourages keeping track of your mail for missing bills or other documents and review credit card and bank statements for unauthorized transactions. 

No plan is 100% foolproof, but there are steps you can take to minimize the risk of becoming a victim of identity theft. Myers recommends protecting documents that contain personal info and ask questions before giving out your SSN.

You should report fraud to the company where it occurred, and be wary of calls or text messages that come from them. If possible initiate all contact yourself.

You can contact a credit bureau to place a fraud alert on your credit report. Additionally, file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at www.identitytheft.gov orile a police report. 

For more info visit the Social Security website at www.ssa.gov and look for the publication: Identity Theft and Your Social Security Number. 

In the last 4 years there have been 40 dog bite incidents in which Ameren Illinois employees were bit. 

Brian Bretsch, spokesperson for Ameren Illinois, says that Ameren employees go through dog bite prevention training but it also takes some vigilance on the part of Ameren customers to keep everyone safe.

The dog encounter training is called Bulli Ray and is intended to prevent dog bites with neither the employee or the dog being harmed. Bretsch says that Ameren doesn't blame dog owners or the dogs who are simply guarding their homes. That said, if an employee is bit, it does require authorities to be called. Thus, it's important for Ameren employees and Ameren customers to take care when it comes to dogs.

Thanks to a new collaboration between Amazon and the Midwest Food Bank, almost eight hundred thousand pounds of food are in the hands of those fighting food insecurity.

Through the Amazon Local Good program, Amazon provides last-mile delivery to support the food bank, providing food to those in need. Patrick Burke serves as the Executive Director of the food bank in Normal.

The collaboration began in 2022 and has developed into a multi-faceted effort to address food insecurity. Amazon has been a partner of the Food Bank since 2022. In the past year, Midwest Food Bank distributed 482 million dollars worth of food.

The Illinois Nutrient Research & Education Council was created in 2012 and has funded a large number of projects around the state.

Executive director Julie Hewitt says the latest annual report is available at illinoisnrec.org

Things continue to make good time in the development of the Park Lane West subdivision in Clinton.

Lots will soon be going up for sale says Clinton City Administrator Taylor Baxter...

The Clinton City Council will meet again on Tuesday at 7 pm. 

Strategic planning will be the focus for City officials in the months ahead.

The process is already underway says City Administrator Taylor Baxter. He indicates the City is working with a professional that guides municipalities through strategic plans like this.

While not necessarily directly tied to strategy, the City's planning commission has been very active lately as well. We'll have more on that soon on Regional Radio. 

Could a small solar development be coming to Clinton?

It's an issue being taken up by the Clinton Planning Commission. City Administrator Taylor Baxter indicates it is one of many issues the planning commission has been faced with in recent months.

Baxter hopes to have a recommendation from the planning commission this month for those codes to send to the City Council. 

Kids and food preparation will be the theme of a few programs coming up this summer through the University of Illinois Extension.

Nutrition Educator at the University of Illinois Extension in DeWitt, Macon, and Piatt Counties - Caitlin Mellendorf says they will be offering a series for kids and their grandparents. 

For more on these programs and many others, the website again is extension.illinois.edu/dmp. 

A return to the La Nina weather signal is anticipated as we move through the summer.

Mike Albano at the National Weather Service in Lincoln indicates the summer will be a transition time to that signal later this fall and to the winter.

Albano reminds a transition to La Nina could result in a very active hurricane season. 

In the short term, June is expected to start with moderate temperatures and below-normal rainfall.