WHOW and WEZC Radio were the recipients of the "Public Relations Recognition Award" presented at the American Legion Department Convention in Springfield on July 13th.

Illinois State American Legion Adjutant and Clinton American Legion Finance Officer Josh Thielen nominated the stations for the award, and presented it today.

Thielen told Regional Radio News the stations do a great job of promoting local non-profits.

WHOW features the Clinton American Legion as part of its Morning Show each month.

Produce in Illinois is in full bloom, but how do we make it last?

Caitlin Mellendorf, a nutrition educator, raves about the produce that is grown right here in Central Illinois. She encourages consumers to buy local produce to support local farms and businesses, but most of all she says to eat it. Fruits and vegetables have numerous health benefits and can be the perfect addition to any dish. 

But what do we do when there is a surplus? Mellendorf explains the different methods of preservation, so no food goes to waste. You can freeze, can, dehydrate, or even ferment your vegetables to keep them good for longer. 

There are lots of online resources where you can find recipes and ideas for your summer vegetables, but Mellendorf recommends www.extension.illinois.edu, where you can find a whole page on food preservation. 

Late Monday night and early Tuesday, severe weather rolled through central Illinois and more is on the way.

On the WHOW Morning Show Tuesday, Ed Shimon at the National Weather Service in Lincoln told Regional Radio the storms of late Monday and early Tuesday were certainly severe in nature. Forecasters were thrown off by Tuesday morning's storms continuing on the way they did.

Shimon says it is important to be prepared during stretches like this. More severe weather is on the way beyond Tuesday and Shimon encourages knowing the lingo of the weather service.

According to Shimon, storm chances will last all the way through Thursday.

Shimon recommends having a weather radio in your home - especially during the overnight when that mobile device is off or on silent or the outdoor sirens cannot be heard.

Keep it to Regional Radio for the latest in those watches or warnings as they are issued and visit weather.gov/lincoln for those weather forecasts and weather information. 

A significant milestone has been met as a DeWitt County non-profit moves forward to comply with state standards.

Encore Developmental Services has for two years now been working to meet the code of the State Fire Marshal's office after a surprise visit found the non-profit woefully short of the State's mandates. Executive Director Stephanie Coonce says they have recently made positive progress to that end.

Coonce reminds a yearly inspection with the Fire Marshal's office a couple of years ago brought up several issues with the safety of their building on Clinton's east side. It was a new inspector after many years with the same individual and in that time, the agency has had a lot of back and forth with the State over its plans.

Now Encore is trying to assess its next step and determine a cost for the approved improvements and set out to fundraise to reach that figure.

Through all the stress and chaos of trying to plan for these updates, Coonce and her staff have kept the doors of Encore open to serve the most vulnerable in our community. They've also dealt with some adversity through it all as well. This past winter, they had a water pipe burst in the facility that caused quite a bit of damage. 

Wings And Wheels is this weekend at The Decatur Airport.

Monday, on the WHOW Morning Show, Ken Frye with the Decatur Park District explains Wings and Wheels is at The Decatur Airport Saturday and Sunday from 2 pm to just after dark. The event will feature a car show on Saturday night, and different trucks and planes on display all weekend. 

Frye says the event will also feature a chicken wing eating contest on Saturday, with 4 heats of 12 participants. There will even be a trophy for whoever can eat their 12 wings the fastest. 

According to Frye, there will be plenty of food vendors, art vendors, and an entire kids area. That area will feature bounce houses, laser tag, and a foam area. He also mentions on Sunday there will be a tractor and motorcycle show, and is asking for participants for that show. 

The event will be this weekend, August 3rd and 4th, at 2 pm. You can get more information on the event at www.decatur-parks.org

It was another cool week in Illinois although rainfall was below average.

State Crop Statistician Mark Schluessner - in this week's crop report - indicates topsoil moisture is 82 percent adequate this week.

Soybeans remain largely in good to excellent condition and the crop is ahead of the five-year average.

The corn crop remains mostly ahead of schedule and it remains in mostly good to excellent condition.

Zero percent of pasture conditions are in poor condition with 63 percent good to excellent. 

At this year's show, the Illinois State Fair plans to highlight agriculture from across the state.

One of the main stopping points for fairgoers is visiting livestock exhibitors, who feature show animals from across the state. Rebecca Clark, State Fair Manager, says one of the highlights is the sale of champions, which recognizes animals from across the state as the best in class.

Meanwhile, this year's grandstand lineup features country star Keith Urban to rock legends Motley Crue.

The State Fair runs from August 8 through the 18th.

The new USDA Rural Development State Director has both federal and state government experience. Pam Monetti has been in her new role for about a month.

Monetti is from Macoupin County.

Warner Hospital has brought audiologists to their staff.

Courtesy of Illinois State University, audiology will be the newest service at Warner Hospital. Hospital CEO, Paul Skowron, explains that there are almost no audiologists in the area, calling it an "audiology desert." 

Skowron explains will hav free screenings in ISU's truck near the wellness center, and they will also provide a specialty clinic. He says the audiologists will work closely with the hospital's ear, nose, and throat doctor or ENT.

Skowron adds it's important to have parallel services because it keeps patients in town, rather than referring them to other places. They want to offer as many services at the hospital as possible, in order to serve the community better.

The Hospital hopes to have the screening services up and running by September, and the full audiology services open by October.

Sun Protection is always important, but so is vitamin D.

Caitlin Mellendorf is a Nutrition Educator at the University of Illinois Extension in DeWitt, Macon, and Piatt Counties and explains that it's important when using sun protection often, to make sure you are still getting enough Vitamin D. There are many ways you can get Vitamin D and still be protected from the sun.

Mellendorf explains how Vitamin D benefits our bodies, and why it's so important. Vitamin D is vital to the human body, and when it doesn't get enough, it can be detrimental to your health.

She reminds to read the labels when buying vitamin D-infused products, to see how much of your daily Vitamin D you're getting. 

Security plans are being outlined for the Democratic National Convention that is coming to Chicago in less than a month. The DNC will be split between McCormick Place and the United Center. Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling says the area will be secure but people coming will be able to express themselves.

The Secret Service, FBI, Chicago Police Department and many other law enforcement agencies are all working together on security for the event.

Scammers keep coming for your information and money and Social Security says this is an issue that is not going away.

Jack Myers with Social Security says a common tactic they use is posing as federal agents or other law enforcement officials. They may claim your SSN is linked to a crime or your finances are in jeopardy. They may even threaten to arrest you if you don't follow their instructions. 

When trying to identify if contact is a scam, remember we will never threaten you with benefit suspension, arrest, or other legal action or promise a benefit increase or other assistance in exchange for payment.

If the caller claims to be from Social Security, report the scam to oig.ssa.gov to notify the law enforcement team in our Office of Inspector General. 

For more info visit www.ssa.gov/scam. 

How will the issue of trade factor into the Presidential race? And what does U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois want to hear from both candidates?

Duckworth just returned from a trade trip to Vietnam earlier this month.

Nutrition is very important for seniors, in order to keep their bodies working as well as possible.

Nutrition educator, Caitlin Mellendorf, suggests home-delivered meals for those who are not able to get out of the house easily. There are also congregate meal options, where seniors can go to be social, play some games, and enjoy a healthy meal.

You can find out more about these resources at www.extension.illinois.edu/family

The Warner Hospital ER has been undergoing renovations and is looking to get a new Emergency Room sign.

CEO of Warner Hospital, Paul Skowron, explains that with the new modern look of the inside of the building and the new design on the doors, they need a new entrance sign to match. 

Skowron says many of the projects for the new ER were expensive and lengthy, but this process should not take long, because they can outsource the project locally. This is not only good for the hospital but also supports Clinton's small businesses. 

The new signage for the hospital should be the cap on the renovations, and you can look forward to a new and improved emergency room. 

Last week at the DeWitt County Board meeting, the Board discussed the remaining dollars from the American Rescue Plan Act - or ARPA.

The funds have been hugely beneficial to DeWitt County with projects inside the courthouse and the jail, sheriff's office, and 9-1-1 center and helping non-profits in Clinton and DeWitt County. Those dollars are set to expire at the end of the year and Board Chair Dan Matthews says the County needs to start planning for what budgets will look like without that money.

There's roughly $200,000 left from the ARPA funds the County received. Matthews is supportive of the Board taking a look at what is left and finding a path that is best for using those dollars.

As budget time approaches for the County Board, Matthews anticipates the County being in good shape once again this year. He credits County Administrator DeeDee Rentmeister and Finance Chair Melonie Tilley for their hard work on the budget. He also gives credit to County Department heads for their dedication to keeping spending down and maintaining responsible budgets. 

The City of Lincoln is lowering it's number of video gaming terminals.

Mayor Tracy Welch wants to work on lowering the amount of video gaming terminals in the city. He explains in his time as mayor, they've already lowered the amount, but there is more work to be done. He mentioned that the council approved guidelines last week, to put limits on this topic into the city code. 

One of the main concerns for this action was the loss of revenue. Mayor Welch assures that this is not the case, and city revenue continues to rise despite lowering the amount of terminals. Even if this was not the case, this process can be slow so the loss of revenue would not be immediate. 

Mayor Welch feels it's important to make this change in order to improve the perception of the town for future residents and businesses. He claims to have received complaints about all the signage and flags on the street, calling it a "mini Vegas."

Welch explains the appropriations process can be long, and that funding has to be prioritized correctly, but remains focused on this problem in Lincoln. 

The First day of the McLean County fair was yesterday, there is plenty of fun to be had.

Fair Manager, Mike Swartz, explains his role in the commercial side of planning a fair. It's his job to organize the contract with the carnival, the food stands, the free on-grounds entertainment, and more. 

Swartz notes the school supply drive, and the impact that has on McLean County, as well as all the fun events that are put on at the festival. 

Farm Bureau Assistant Manager, Anna Ziegler, explains the Food and Farm Fun Zone where people can experience different kinds of farm equipment, baby animals, and make-&-take activities. The goal is to inform people of where their food comes from, and what that process looks like. She notes its for all ages, and they also host day care groups!

The Mclean County Fair continues on through the weekend with more fun events. You can find out more about the fair at mcleancountyfair.org/

Heading toward the new school year. How many ag teaching openings remain. An update from FCAE's John Heiser.

More info on the ag teaching front at ilaged.org.

The family of woman killed by a Sangamon County Deputy in Springfield say they want to know more about the immediate investigation that surrounded her death and why they were first told that she had possibly been shot by a neighbor or had committed suicide.

Sonya Massy's family members say they didn't know for a day that she had been shot by a Sangamon County Deputy. They learned those details by hearing it on the news. Massy's father James Wilburn says without the body camera video, he figures they would never know the truth and he wants Jack Campbell, the Sangamon County Sherriff to step down.

Civil Rights Attorney Ben Crump says they want to see all the body camera video of that night as police began to respond to the shots fired call.

And to see how police handled communication to family members who arrived at the house and then at the hospital.

The Warner Hospital Foundation is readying for its golf outing next month.

On the WHOW Morning Show Wednesday, Executive Director Curt Homann told Regional Radio the golf outing is moving up a month this year and will take place on Friday, Aug. 9 at the Clinton Country Club.

The Foundation golf outing does not raise money for a specific effort inside the hospital. Still, Homann reminds of the importance of the Foundation and being there to help the Warner Hospital.

For rural hospital systems like Warner Hospital and Health Services in Clinton, foundations like the Warner Hospital Foundation are necessary to continue to serve their communities.

Reach out to Homann to get registered for the golf outing that comes up on Aug. 9 by calling 217-377-3174. He also encourages finding the Warner Hospital on Facebook where a link will be posted this week to get registration information. 

Through the National Highway Safety Administration, July is Speed Awareness Month. 

Monticello Police Chief Rob Bross explains that Speed Awareness Month is not just for the police to give out more tickets than usual, but rather it's about community outreach and trying to get drivers to slow down. This is especially important, because school will be starting again soon, and the school zone speed limits will be in effect. 

Chief Bross reminds even if there are no flashing yellow lights, if school is in session then the school zone speed limit is in effect. He also explains how to safely navigate the roads when school buses are out. 

Although July may be coming to an end, safe driving is of the utmost importance in our community, especially while children are present. 

Ag in The Classroom is right around the corner as the school year approaches. 

Jennifer Fink, Ag Literacy Coordinator for The Macon County Farm Bureau, explains what Ag in The Classroom looks like in Macon County. She says that it's not only about educating students but teachers as well. 

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Fink explains all the lesson plans align with the Illinois State Learning Standards, which helps with getting the program into schools. Once teachers see the importance of the program it takes off and can be very beneficial for students. 

One might think this program would work differently in rural areas such as central Illinois, than in more urban areas, but Fink found this notion to be false. Just because a student lives in a rural area, does not mean they are already versed in ag education.

You can find out more about things like member benefits at www.maconcfb.org. You can also download the IL Farm Bureau Member Benefits app on the Google Play and Apple App stores. 

Looking at tenure characteristics of Illinois farmland. That's the latest piece authored by Illinois Farm Business Farm Management's Brad Zwilling on the FarmDocDaily website, looking at farm operators and percentage of farmland owned, cash rented, and crop shared.

You can find the article at farmdocdaily.illinois.edu.

Celebrating the history of the butterfly porkchop. The tradition started in Illinois, at the Heart of Illinois Fair in Peoria about 50 years ago. Buddy Courdt of Raber Packing says his grandfather was involved in the story and Courdt still has one of the original signs promoting the product.

Raber packing dates back to 1954 in the West Peoria area.

Illinois Congressman Darin LaHood says the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump is 'embarrassing' on the national stage.

Even with Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle submitting her resignation this week, LaHood says the American public deserves more answers.

LaHood added that House lawmakers plan to vote on a bipartisan task force this week with subpoena power to gather more answers. Cheatle, a Danville native and Eastern Illinois University grad, is replaced by Ronald Rowe Jr. until President Biden selects a new Director. LaHood, a former Federal Prosecutor himself, says that despite the' embarrassment' on the national stage, Secret Service members are the top service members in the country.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that after decades of decline, drowning deaths are on the rise in the United States. 

With that in mind, a doctor with OSF HealthCare has some tips to keep you and your family safe around the water this summer. Jon Gehlbach says swim lessons and adult supervision are two of the most important things for kids getting in the water. One of the most common reasons for child drowning, Dr. Gehlbach says, is when a child enters the pool without adults even knowing.

Over 4,500 people died each year from drowning from 2020-2022, reported in the CDC's Vital Signs study. The study shows drowning to be the number one cause of death for children ages 1-4. The research points out that 55% of American adults have never taken a swimming lesson, and that drowning death rates for Black people were 28% higher in 2021 than 2019.

Can we expect an extended heat wave to end the summer in Illinois? State Climatologist Trent Ford was asked that question.

Ford says storms may also be a feature of August weather.

A public safety request from DeWitt County Sheriff Mike Walker was the topic of much debate last week at the DeWitt County Board meeting.

Sheriff Walker was requesting 20 new portable radios for his staff. He says that will cover everyone who uses a unit with a few spares. Sheriff Walker explains the current units are very old and starting to fail.

The debate was not about the need for the new radios but rather where the funding was coming from. Board member Joe Witte questioned dedicated American Rescue Act Funds, or ARPA funds to the Sheriff's Office before other County departments had a chance to make a bid for those dollars.

Board Chair Dan Matthews balked at the idea of putting off the purchase of the radios but did support looking into the remaining COVID dollars and how to best spend those.

Sheriff Walker says if he has an issue and can't get emergency services somewhere because of the failing radios, he would tell the public he asked for new radios and was told no.

The County Board took a vote to table the purchases and failed on a 5-5 vote. The vote to approve the purchase passed on an 8-2 with Jamie Prestergaard and Buck Carter voting against. 

For nearly 90 years Social Security programs have helped create financial independence for millions of hardworking people.

Whether you are approaching retirement age or decades from it, if you are an adult who is working and paying into Social Security now is a good time to start thinking about Social Security.

That's Jack Myers with Social Security who says there are other ways you can benefit from having a mySocialSecurity account. You can conduct many types of business through your account independently without needing to contact Social Security. 

That URL is ssa.gov/myaccount. 

A day after video was released from the officer involved shooting death of a Springfield woman, the Department of Justice, will conduct its own investigation.

Sonya Massey was killed after being shot in the face by Sangamon County Deputy Sean Grayson on July 6th.

Massey family attorney Ben Crump says he and the family welcome additional eyes on the case.

Crump says the State's Attorney has been transparent and helpful in the investigation.

Now they are seeking all the body camera video from that night to further understand the law enforcement response to the aftermath and early investigation of Massy's killing.

As Vice President Kamala Harris starts gearing up to run for the President as the Democratic nominee – she needs to pick a Vice President. And Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has often been thought of as a possible candidate for higher office in the future.

But what about now? Pritzker told MSNBC that he has received no vetting materials to be a possible running mate. But when asked if he would be interested in the job, he didn't say no.

The Democratic National Convention will be in Chicago on August 19.

Can we expect an extended heat wave to end the summer in Illinois? State Climatologist Trent Ford was asked that question.

Ford says storms may also be a feature of August weather.

The DeWitt County Museum has a new plan to preserve historic pictures. 

The Picture Perfect Photo Preservation Initiative stemmed from photos in the gallery fading and degrading over time, due to light and age. According to Museum Director Joey Long, many of these photos are one of a kind. 

Long explains the solution to this problem is to reprint, enlarge, and enhance these photos onto museum-grade material. This not only helps to preserve the images, but also can provide more detail to the photo giving some more historical context. 

The DeWitt County Museum is looking for sponsorships to help make this initiative happen. For each $100 sponsorship, you can choose which photo you'd like to be restored, or Long will choose one for you. You also receive recognition of your sponsorship on a plaque. 

You can find out more about the museum, and how to sponsor a historical image for the Picture Perfect Initiave, at www.chmoorehomestead.com

Supporting the Logan Correction Center will be the goal of an event on Friday night in Lincoln.

Lincoln Mayor Tracy Welch indicates there will be a softball tournament at the Lincoln Park District. He explains they want to raise awareness in the fight to keep Logan Correction Center open.

Mayor Welch is encouraged that a few of the COGFA, Committee on Government Forecasting and Accountability, have been engaging and seem to understand the importance of the facility to the City of Lincoln. He is hopeful the energy of the event will somehow reach the other members of the committee and the Governor.

COGFA held a hearing at Lincoln Junior High School last month and Mayor Welch indicates since then, it has been radio silent.

Softball opens at 5 pm Friday night at the Lincoln Rec Center on the community's southeast side. The Mayor invites anyone from the area out to show their support for Logan Correction Center or to learn more about the efforts to save it. 

It was another wet and cool week in Illinois.

State Crop Statistician Mark Schluessner (shloy-snurr) reported that it was cooler than average temperatures, and higher than average rainfall to help crop conditions improve.

Schluessner explains that 81% of soybean acres are now blooming, which is ahead of the average from last year.

80% of corn acres are silking, which is behind pace compared to last year, which was 83% at this point, however, conditions improved slightly. 

Schluessner also thanks all who responded to the crop progress survey this week, and questionnaires for the August crop productions report and asks farmers to respond. 

Checking in on the Illinois Ag Leadership Class of 2025. Brett Dienst of Kane County is in the crop insurance business and is participating in the program.

The first Illinois Ag Leadership Foundation Class was in 1984.

Those interested in participating in the 2027 class can learn more at agleadership.org.

Some producers are seeing tar spot in their corn crop this summer. Jeff Guilander (guy-lander) farms near Jerseyville.

He also says waterhemp and shattercane are making a comeback in his part of the state this summer.

The City of Clinton has demolished Kiwanis Park with plans to rebuild.

The good news, according to City Administrator Taylor Baxter, is a rebuild could happen as soon as later this fall.

Baxter stresses the park will be rebuilt. It was torn down last week. The splash pad was temporarily shut down but it is re-opened. The goal is to quote - "make a statement".

According to Baxter, the companies they are turning to will come up with a design within the budget set by the Council. He explains they can provide input into what they want but the City looks forward to what comes from the planning by the designers.

Kiwanis Park faced demolition a few years ago, but thanks to leftover money that was left from when it was first built, the park was able to receive the necessary improvements to avoid that. 

The City announced a few weeks ago, the park was in too much disrepair to continue to remain and was a safety liability for kids and families. 

Dove Inc In DeWitt County, is hosting a fundraiser event to support domestic violence victims.

On Tuesday, Ashlynn Burrus, from DOVE Inc in DeWitt County. She explains the event "High Tea With Friends," which includes plenty of desserts, hors d'oeuvres, and many flavors of teas to enjoy. The event will be held at The First Church of The Navarene in Clinton, on August 17th, and will feature multiple speakers. 

Burrus says the money raised will be split between their Domestic Violence Progam in DeWitt County, which supports victims for any needs they may have, and their Financial Assitance Program in DeWitt County, which can benefit everyone, not just those in domestic violence situations. 

Their goal is to sell 80 tickets, and with only a month until the event, hopes to reach that goal are high. Tickets are 20 dollars, and there are still plenty left, but make sure to get them ahead of time, because they will not be sold at the door

Once again, the fundraiser is August 17th, from 11-1pm at the First Church of the Nazarene in Clinton. You can get tickets at their office or call them at 217-935-6619. Thank you once again to Ashlynn Burrus and Dove Inc in Dewitt County!

Social Security is introducing a new, more convenient way for the public to connect with a Social Security representative.

Jack Myers with Social Security explains they are always trying to find ways to make doing business with us easier. With their Social Security Video Connect option, you can conduct business with Social Security using video on your personal device, from your preferred location. 

You will need a computer, tablet, or smart phone with a webcam and internet access. Myers explains you can request a video appointment by calling your local Social Security office or the national 800 number - 800-772-1213. Then you will need to provide Social Security with an e-mail address to which we can send the link for the Microsoft Teams meeting.

Again, you can request a video appointment by calling your local Social Security office or the national 800 number- 800-772-1213. 

Illinois Farm Families taking the show on the road earlier this month. They had a presence at the Square Roots Festival in Chicago. Jon Griffell is a Macoupin County farmer and an IFF ambassador.

Illinois Farm Families is a collaboration between Illinois Farm Bureau, IL Corn, Midwest Dairy, Illinois Beef Association, Illinois Pork Producers, and Illinois Soybean Association.

US Senator Dick Durbin wants more answers from the Secret Service and the FBI as to how a shooter was allowed to climb on top of a roof and fire shots at former President Donald Trump. Durbin says nothing about it makes sense.

The head of the Secret Service will be testifying in front of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee on Monday.

House lawmakers will hear from the head of the Secret Service today. Director Kimberly Cheatle will answer questions from a House Oversight Committee. Illinois Republican Congressman Darin LaHood says no matter what she says today, she needs to leave her job.

This isn't expected to be Cheatle's only appearance before a Congressional hearing.

In a new development in the world of scam artists, the more impatient ones have recently been turning to couriers to steal money from victims of fraud faster. Couriers usually are dressed in plain clothes and arrive in normal-looking vehicles. In some cases, you may be instructed to meet the courier away from the victim's home in places like public parking lots.

Better Business Bureau Investigator Don O'Brien says in one recent case, an elderly man nearly lost a lot of money.

Be wary of random calls or messages in which the person on the other end instructs you to download unfamiliar apps to your phone or go to unfamiliar websites on a computer. Communication between the scammer and the victim is frequent. If you are told to keep something a secret, something is wrong.

BREAKING NEWS:   President Biden released this letter at 1:52 Sunday afternoon announcing he will not seek re-election this fall:

Stay tuned to Regional Radio for updates each hour from our national news partner SRN News.

The Farmer City Fair Comes To a Close after another successful year.

Fair Director, Kurt Homann, explains what makes the Farmer City fairgrounds so great, it's volunteers. A year of planning and a hundred volunteers go into fair week, but volunteers also work during the racing season. 

Three fair queens are named every year, and Anita Villanueva goes into just what it means to earn that title, and what kind of preparation to win the judges over. 

The Farmer City Fair concludes this evening with a tractor pull beginning at 6:00. You can find more information, or sign up to volunteer, on their Facebook page, or you can reach out at 217-3778-3174.

The Warrensburg Corn Festival wrapped up this weekend and the event continues to grow.

Board member Tim Hoffman says the festival kicked off Saturday with a 5K and throughout the three days of the event they had food and entertainment for all ages.

The corn festival has a corn shucking contest and corn eating contest according to Hoffman.

95.9 FM WEZC was at the Corn Festival for a live broadcast Saturday. It was sponsored by our TITLE sponsor Rise Broadband. RISE above the rest in Warrensburg with FAST FIBER INTERNET!

And by RWE Clean Energy, building long-term partnerships with the communities where we all live and operate!

Registration for the Clinton YMCA's after-school program, "Y-Zone," begins in just a few days!

Rennie Cluver, Director of the Clinton Y, reminds that registration will be beginning early this year, in order to get a better head count for the program. Cluver says that Y-Zone provides a safe space for students before and after school, to complete homework and interact with other students, while their parents are at work.
 
 

Registration begins this Monday, July 22nd, and more information can be found at www.clintoncommymca.org

Project Lotus is up and running this summer, giving kids an opportunity to spread kindness in the community. 

Tammy Wilson, Executive Director of The Vault in Clinton, says Project Lotus: The Summer Kindness Club provides kids an outlet to take part in selfless acts that positively impact the community. This includes bringing homemade treats to the animal shelter, making cookies for first responders and even cleaning soldiers' tombstones. 

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Project Lotus is a program through The Vault, which is a charity organization located in Clinton, and you can find more information on their Facebook, at www.thevaultclinton.org, or call them at 217-934-4003.

Leading up to the 56th Annual Apple 'N Pork Festival, DeWitt County Museum Director Joey Long shared details on the Pigs On Parade Contest

On the WHOW Morning Show, Friday, Joey Long explained the DeWitt County tradition, The Parade of Pigs. For only $5 to register, participants recieve a plywood pig silhouette that they can paint and enter to be judged at this year's Apple 'N Pork Festival! 

Long says registration for the contest is August 20th-24th, but only while supplies last. You have one month to work on your pig, and drop off is September 20th-22th. There will also be cash prizes for first and second place. 

You can find more information on the Pigs On Parade contest, and more information about the DeWitt County Museum at www.CHmoorehomestead.org or call the museum at 217-935-2066.

This summer has seen some ideal days to be on that local river or stream for an afternoon on the kayak.

Kayaking has increased in popularity in recent years and Department of Natural Resources Conservation Police Captain John Williamson implores kayakers to be mindful of the conditions downstream when they're on the water.

According to Capt. Williamson, because of all the rain we've received in the last few weeks, some places are seeing very quick currents. He also encourages not drinking and driving.

Capt. Williamson indicates Clinton Lake has seen its share of quiet days thanks to some pretty windy days but he calls it a good summer so far. 

At various points Thursday night, the DeWitt County Board made preparations for an upcoming meeting with Enel Green Energy - the proprietor of the Alta Farms II wind farm in DeWitt County.

During public participation, Betsy Schiflet called on the Board to be more assertive in its enforcement of violations against County codes by Enel.

There was continued conversation Thursday regarding the line of credit for decommissioning of the towers and what institution that line of credit would be held with. State' Attorney Dan Markwell offered his opinion on the County's stance to have a local institution take that on.

Joe Witte chairs the Land Use Committee and chimed in with the wording of the ordinance. Markwell clarified some of the questions the County Board brought up earlier this year regarding Enel posting cash. 

The Board approved the line of credit with Enel but they will want to hear more from the representatives when they come to the Board next month. 

Board Chair Dan Matthews told Board members Witte would lead the conversation with Enel representatives and encouraged Board members to get any questions they wanted to be asked to him before the meeting next month. 

Drew Goebel is in his first few weeks on the job as the Superintendent of Clinton Schools and feels ready to slide into the new position.

Goebel takes over for the retired Curt Nettles and says it felt a little different making the drive to the school as the leader of the district.

Goebel's parents were instrumental in his decision to pursue education. While he never had visions of being a superintendent, he did have his sights set on being an administrator.

It was Mr. Nettles who pushed Goebel over the top to pursue a Superintendency and become the head of the district. While he believes he is good at the business side of running a district, his heart remains wanting to be around the students.

Goebel has been in Clinton for nearly 20 but has only worked as an administrator for the last 13. He bounced around districts around Clinton before finally settling at Clinton Junior High School as the assistant principal.

Goebel says one of the biggest lessons he learned under Nettles for the past few years has been to put family first and he hopes to continue the family atmosphere that has been cultivated in the buildings of the district.

There's still a month left to participate in the Clinton YMCA's Camp Osage.

Executive Director Rennie Cluver says the Clinton Y's summer camp program is very unique in the fact they do not require campers to attend camp every day to participate and there is no fee to hold spots in camp or participation limitations.

Cluver says this has been a great summer of camp so far and indicates there always seems to come a point in the summer when the kids start to get bored with the routine they've fallen into so counselors will begin finding new activities and sequences for them to do.

Cluver credits Camp Osage counselors for making the camp experience one that kids want to keep coming back for. He explains they seek to find young people who want to be around kids and they go through training to become camp counselors.

Kids can be a part of Camp Osage at any point in the summer. Cluver directs parents wanting to learn more to visit clintoncommymca.org or stop into the YMCA at 417 South Alexander Street. 

Pasture conditions have improved for much of Illinois compared to last year. Dave Mool farms in McLean County near Lexington.

The Drought Monitor has also improved for Illinois with only an abnormally dry area showing up from Christian County in central Illinois over to Clark County in eastern Illinois.

Republicans finishing their national convention and Illinois Congresswoman Mary Miller says President Joe Biden's immigration policy is treasonous.

The Republican National Convention wrapped up last night in Milwaukee.
 

President Joe Biden is said to be furthering considering whether or not to stay in the race for the White House.

As of Monday this week, US Senator Dick Durbin remained steadfast in his support of Biden. He says believes he's the strongest candidate for the party and he can still do the job, now and into the future.

Among Illinois Democrats calling for Biden to step aside, is Congressman Eric Sorensen from Illinois' 17th Congressional District.

The City of Clinton will soon have a new vision statement and a new mission statement.

Tuesday night at the Clinton City Council meeting, the Council put those on file to be approved next month. Wednesday on the WHOW Morning Show, City Administrator Taylor Baxter laid those out for the community.

The plan has goals that were ranked by importance and according to Baxter, a lot of what those goals include are already underway and gives priority and a path forward for them.

The strategic plan includes several long-term goals. Baxter explains one of those is what happens if a new City Hall cannot be built and also exploring a park district. The idea of a park district has been bandied about in the community for several years.

According to Baxter, the strategic plan has a large focus on economic development in addition to the City Hall building. 

Projects at Clinton High School are on pace to be ready for the first day of school next month.

On the WHOW Morning Show Wednesday, Clinton Schools Superintendent Drew Goebel indicates the football field project doesn't look like a lot is happening but crews are getting ready to pour concrete soon.

Goebel explains this phase of the project at the high school football field is also laying the groundwork to move the press box and home bleachers to the other side of the field next year.

The high school building is having a complete makeover of its HVAC system and it is so extensive the high school has been without power all summer. According to Goebel, that project is progressing in hopes of being complete for the start of school next month.

According to Goebel, power should come back online in the middle of next week but they will still need to run tests on all the equipment and get the building cooled down. He reminds it is on schedule to be ready for the start of school next month. 

For years in Illinois and around the country, Democrats have largely been seen as the party that supports unions and gets that support back at election time.

So, it could have been a surprise when the leader of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters delivered a speech at the Republican National Convention.

Illinois State Senator Terri Bryant she says it was an important moment to witness.

Bryant says Republicans need to better direct their message of support for unions.

Two studies out of Finland show promising results for sauna users. The research implies there could be an added benefit to sweating profusely in the controlled setting of a sauna: a decrease in one’s risk for dementia or Alzheimer’s.

Dr. Deepak Nair, director of Ambulatory and Virtual Neurology Services at OSF HealthCare, studied the findings and says the results are promising.

Both sauna study conclusions admit that more research needs to be done on a larger scale, and Dr. Nair agrees. He recommends people consult their primary care physician first about sauna use and if it’s right for them, and adds that sustainable, healthy choices are extremely important.

As the Republican National Convention continues in Milwaukee, Congresswoman Mary Miller has always been a strong supporter of former President Donald Trump. She says Trump would be more popular in Illinois if given fair treatment by the media.

Miller didn’t point out the names Trump was called by the media and didn’t address the names Trump often uses to call out his opponents.

Last week, the City of Clinton announced it would be demolishing Kiwanis Park and rebuilding it.

The fact the park would be rebuilt was stressed by the Clinton City Council Tuesday night. Commissioner Dan Ballenger says the wood of the roughly 25-year-old playground is simply unsafe.

Commissioner John Wise asked Commissioner Ballenger to address some things brought up on social media regarding some markers that are at the park of historical significance for those who helped construct the park many years ago.

Commissioner Ballenger indicates when the time comes to construct the new park, they will be seeking volunteers to help. In the meantime, the Council put on file proposals for the playground to be approved at next month's meeting. 

The 2024 DeWitt County 4-H Fair is in the books.

The 4-H general show and livestock shows were this past weekend in Clinton bringing together 4-H students from DeWitt, Macon, and Piatt Counties. Bentley Tyler showed livestock and made a beach chair to honor his late grandfather.

Annie Blacker did a forestry project among almost a dozen entries she showed at this weekend's fair. For her forestry project, she took to all the trees she had at home to identify those.

Gideon Craft took the project - fishing sports. His project is the story of one of his favorite adventures while fishing.

The WHOW Fair Tour stopped by the fairgrounds in Clinton on Saturday morning. Hear more coverage from upcoming fairs in central Illinois on WHOW including coverage from the Illinois State Fair in August. 

The new State Director for USDA Rural Development is on the job. Pam Monetti is from Bunker Hill in Macoupin County. She was in Carterville late last week visiting, Food Works, which received a $168,000 grant to help purchase a food truck to serve as a mobile farmers’ market.

Food products from 14 local Illinois farms and small businesses will be sold through this mobile market in exchange for a small weekly fee, thus allowing the farms and businesses to expand their markets and increase their revenue.

US Senator Dick Durbin supports a full investigation into how a gunman was allowed to get on top of a nearby rooftop and attempt to assassinate former President Donald Trump.

Illinois’ Senior Democratic Senator says everyone involved in politics needs to be aware of how polarizing politics has become.

Durbin says he has received a briefing from the FBI on the investigation as they try to determine a motive for the shooting.

The U.S. Economic Development Administration plans to invest 51 million dollars into an agriculture tech hub in Central Illinois.

IFAB, which stands for Illinois Fermentaiton and Agriculture Biomanufacturing, was one of 12 that received millions from the government.

Mark Denzler is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Illinois Manufacturing Association.

With the funding, 40 million dollars will help expand the Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory, with other financing going towards production lines and the Tech Hub's management.

Governor Pritzker applauded the investment, saying the funding will help bring innovation and growth to Central Illinois for decades to come.

A new concept getting plenty of attention at a recent solar farm summit in Illinois.

Bill Bodine serves as Director of Business and Regulatory Affairs for Illinois Farm Bureau.
 

At the Republican National Convention, delegates from Illinois backed former President Donald Trump and his nomination for President. Here's Congresswoman Mary Miller from the floor.

At the RNC, Ohio Senator JD Vance was announced as Trump's Vice Presidential selection.
 

It was another wet and cooler week in Illinois helping crop conditions improve.

State Crop Statistician Mark Schluessner (shloy-snurr) indicates the second wet week helped soil moisture improve in Illinois.

The condition of the soybean crop improved from last week and Schluessner says the crop is ahead of pace.

The corn crop is also in good condition says Schluessner.

Winter wheat harvest is 96 percent complete. Schluessner notes pasture conditions improved to 78 percent good to excellent condition. 

There's one week remaining in The Vault's annual summer career camp for summer 2024.

On the WHOW Morning Show Monday, The Vault Executive Director Tammy Wilson told Regional Radio it's been a busy summer for students in Clinton.

There's one more camp session that is next week and Wilson says they still have room for their business creation camp.

According to Wilson, they noticed some students lacked direction and they wanted to provide them an outlet to explore what was out there for them after high school.

For more information on The Vault's summer career camps, visit thevaultclinton.com. You can also follow them on Facebook and Instagram. 

This year Social Security is celebrating 50 years of the Supplemental Security Income - or SSI - program. 

Jack Myers with Social Security indicates President Nixon signed the bill in 1972 and in January 1974, SSA began issuing the first SSI payments to nearly 4 million people.

The goal of the SSI program was to aid the aged, blind, and individuals with disabilities with very limited income and resources. 

According to Myers, the SSI program remains a lifeline by providing cash assistance to about 2% of the U.S. population, approximately 7.5 million people with limited income and resources including nearly 1 million low-income children with disabilities.

For more information on the SSI program, visit www.ssa.gov/ssior for information on efforts to eliminate barriers visit the Social Security press release section of its Communications Corner at www.ssa.gov/news.

Steamy and active weather for much of Illinois today with severe storms possible later in the day. Matt Friedlein (freed-line) is a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in the Quad Cities.

Cooler temps are expected later in the week.

Stellantis, the parent company of Chrysler and Dodge, plans to reopen a shuttered plant in Illinois after receiving hundreds of millions of dollars from the Biden Administration.

The plant, located in Belvidere, closed last year after Stellantis decided to invest over one hundred million dollars in three plants in Indiana. Leaders plan to reopen the plant in Belvidere to build electric vehicles. Illinois Manufacturing Association President and Chief Executive Officer Mark Denzler says it's a massive win for Illinois.

When the plant closed last year, 13 hundred Illinoians lost their jobs. It's unclear how many the company plans to hire when they reopen the plant.

The dog days of summer seem to be upon us and while it remains uncertain how hot it may get at points the rest of the summer, the National Weather Service isn't taking any chances and is promoting heat safety.

Ed Shimon at the National Weather Service in Lincoln implores the public to be prepared for any time you'll be out in the hot sun. Start with hydrating both before your time outside and while you're outside.

Shimon also notes just because the sun is behind the clouds on a cloudy day doesn't mean you are safe from sunburn. He says those UV rays from the sun can push through the clouds, so sunscreen is a must. 

Park Lane West in Clinton is moving right along.

The new subdivision was the topic of action at the July 2 Clinton City Council meeting. City Administrator Taylor Baxter says the development remains right on target thanks to a summer of cooperative weather.

The Clinton City Council meets again Tuesday night. 

Hunters likely don't need an incentive to get out in the woods and start prepping their tree stands and hunting grounds for the fall hunting season.

DNR Conservation Police Capt. John Williamson says hunters are already out getting those areas ready. One of the top safety concerns for authorities is tree stands and Capt. Williamson hopes if you're out prepping, don't forget to give that tree stand a good once over.

The Captain reminds there are things you can legally do but most hunters are aware that there are some practices that are not allowed because of the risk of disease spreading through the deer population.

According to Capt. Williamson, hunters are also putting in for deer tags right now. He says the first round of tags has already taken place but encourages hunters to watch for that second round soon.

Hunters should also be connecting with landowners whose land they hunt on. Capt. Williamson says this is always a beneficial practice because a landowner may have sold some of his property or acquired more property you might be able to utilize. 

What do the weather conditions look like for the last half of July in Illinois?

Paul Otto is a meteorologist for Freese-Notis Weather. He made those comments to the RFD Radio Network this week.

Prime Day is coming up next week, but Amazon isn't the only retailer rolling out discounts during the summer months. 

A consumer watchdog wants to make sure you don't get caught up in the excitement and fall for phishing scams, misleading advertisements, and lookalike websites. Better Business Bureau investigator Don O'Brien says you should shop trustworthy websites.

O'Brien says if there's a question about the security of the site, look to the address bar. Secure sites will start with "https." This year's "Prime Day" is actually scheduled for two days: July 16 and 17.

At the start of the week, Governor JB Pritzker said in a press conference that "I'm for Joe Biden" then the other day at an event he was caught on a hot microphone telling someone "We're going to do what we have to do. I don't like where we are".

In the immediate aftermath, his spokeswoman says the Governor was talking about the Presidential race. On Thursday, the Governor says Biden still can win the Presidential election.

The Democratic National Convention starts in Chicago on August 19th.

The Governor gave his full support to President Joe Biden this week to stay in the race.

JB Pritzker was asked if the President would step aside - would he be interested in being considered to fill the open spot on the ticket.

Pritzker says he's expecting Biden to be in Chicago in August to accept the Democratic Presidential nomination.

The Farmer City pool could be shut down for the year after more issues arose recently.

On the WHOW Morning Show Wednesday, Farmer City Manager Sue McLaughlin told Regional Radio they encountered a leak in the pool and also an issue of kids getting their feet cut up by leftover plaster from it being repaired this spring.

While City leadership wants to provide the opportunity for the pool to be used by the community, McLaughlin indicates it is a service that loses the City money at a clip of about $1,000 a day.

McLaughlin is trying to base her decision on what the community wants and will touch base with the City Council.

The City earlier in the spring faced the challenge of finding a manager for the pool. Last summer, Farmer City partnered with the YMCA in Clinton to run the operations of the pool but that partnership did not last. 

The City hired a manager earlier this spring and McLaughlin notes they parted ways with that person. 

Illinois Democratic Congressman Eric Sorensen expressing concern about a second term for President Biden.

Despite a lackluster debate, President Biden remains steadfast in his efforts to remain as the Democratic nominee. However, Sorensen says even with the President saying he wants to stay in the race, he has unanswered questions.

Last week, President Joe Biden sent a letter to Democrats on Capitol Hill, encouraging the party to unite and move forward supporting his campaign.

Next month, leaders from the Democratic Party gather in Chicago for the Democratic National Convention.

Congressman Sorensen says he plans to skip the convention.

The summer Olympics are nearly upon us and an Illinois non-profit is promoting the benefits of milk for athletes.

June was National Dairy Month and the theme for this year coincides with the Olympics and the benefits of dairy for athletes. Monica Nyman with the St. Louis District Dairy Council highlights some of the benefits of milk for athletes.

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.

The summer sports season is in full swing with young athletes involved in summer teams, high school scrimmages and workouts and much more. Nyman points to chocolate milk's carb-to-protein ratio helps to replenish energy stores that are lost during exercise and helps to rebuild and repair muscles. 

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. 

Issues requiring the response of law enforcement are rarely in short supply at Clinton Lake but this year the Illinois Department of Natural Resources says many of their responses are not on the water.

On the WHOW Morning Show Tuesday, DNR Conservation Police Capt. John Williamson indicates vehicles are being burglarized at recreation areas all over the State this summer.

According to Capt. Williamson, DNR has also seen an uptick in response to domestic situations at the campgrounds. He says this is unfortunate because it can quickly ruin the experience of campers around those individuals.

While Clinton Lake has been spared of major incidents so far this year, Capt. Williamson indicates other areas of Illinois have not been so fortunate and it is a reminder to boat safely.

As for the burglaries to motor vehicles at Clinton Lake, Capt. Williamson says they are working with Decatur PD, Bloomington PD, and fewer smaller departments as they track down suspects in hopes of making arrests in those cases. 

A Decatur non-profit is teaming up with the City of Decatur for a beautification effort in the community.

Jerry Johnson is the Executive Director of the Decatur Area Arts Council and explains the revitalization of Jasper Street is among the target areas the Arts Council is working on.

According to Johnson, they are also working with the City on sprucing up some electrical boxes around the community. In total, there is about 12.

Ideas and themes for the art projects taken up by the Arts Council are coming from local stakeholders and there is also the ability for the artists to be creative through those ideas.

This is a series of projects for the Decatur Arts Council. Johnson says for now they do not need artists for these projects but they may need artists in the future. He encourages following the Decatur Area Arts Council Facebook page by searching 'Decatur Arts'. 

Five interns getting great experience with the State Ag Pest Survey Coordinator this summer, and also racking up miles.

You can follow Kelly Estes on X at IL Pest Survey.

Governor JB Pritzker says after his meeting with President Joe Biden that he is all in for the President.

Pritzker says the President needs to get out more and directly talk to voters and reporters and layout why he should be reelected.

Online summer savings are here, but scammers want to take advantage of shoppers looking for a deal.

Next week marks the kick-off of Amazon Prime Day, with many other big box retailers following suit with online deals. However, the Better Business Bureau says scammers exploit shoppers looking for a deal during the day. Don O'Brien, a scam investigator with the B-B-B.

According to O'Brien, online shopping scams comprised 68% of scam reports to the B-B-B in 2023. A report can be made at B-B-B dot-org for those falling victim to an online scam.

The City of Clinton is moving forward in its pursuit of a new facility and the next step is underway.

Last week, the Clinton City Council approved its designers and engineers for the project. City Administrator Taylor Baxter says the process focuses on a needs assessment.

While the needs assessment goes on, the City is in pursuit of a location. With a couple of ideas for locations, Baxter says the needs assessment will give them an idea of how much space they are going to need.

The City is targeting the greenspace on Center Street across from the library for its new building. The Warner Foundation owns that space currently and Baxter believes it would be an ideal location for a new facility.

Because of the limited space in town where the City wants to be, Baxter indicates renovating an existing building is not out of the question, however, it would have be ideal in size and affordability. 

The weather in Illinois will turn warm and dry the later we get into July.

Ed Shimon at the National Weather Service in Lincoln indicates initially, July is trending about normal for temperatures and precipitation.

According to Shimon, the jet stream shifts north and that creates large areas of warm air over the United States and that is what we will likely get later in July.

Average temperatures from the start of July to the end of the month do not tend to move much. Additionally, with precipitation starting slow this month and not a lot in the forecast for later in the month, it could get dry fast. 

Despite a nice wet start to the summer, Shimon notes things are getting dry in Illinois and drought is starting to be monitored in parts of Illinois. 

Corn and soybeans remain ahead of growing progress as we hear in this weekly crop report.

Corn silking is ahead of last year's pace and the five-year average says State Crop Statistician Mark Schluessner.

Soybeans are setting pods ahead of the five year average while Schluessner updates the condition of the crop.

Conditions varied across the state but Schluessner points out it was overall a cooler and wet week in Illinois.

Winter wheat harvest is ahead of last year's pace and the five-year average at 93 percent complete. Schuluessner says pasture conditions improved significantly. 

Schluessner says NAS will publish the monthly crop production report this Friday. It will include updates of yield forecasts for wheat and oats across the country. 

As summer continues, the pull to the pool will be strong. It's fun and a way to cool off. But it can be dangerous.

In 2023 – 8 kids drown in pools, 4 in lakes, 2 in ponds and 1 at a water park across Illinois. The Illinois Department of Public Health wants kids and everyone to be safe while swimming and Graham Briggs, the State's epidemiologist says someone should always be watching people swim and they should be sober.

Accidental drownings also happen inside the house, last year four children drown in tubs and one in a washing machine.

County fair staples include livestock shows, country music concerts and a good old-fashioned demo derby.

But how about World War Two and Korea-era tanks? Four of them will be running at the Morgan County Fair on Wednesday; it will start with a tank meet and greet, giving people the chance to see those machines up close. Then Gary Hadden with the Morgan County Fair says, the real fun will start.

The tanks are part of a collection of military machines owned by Jacksonville native Rabbi Rob Thomas. The night will honor a 97-year-old World War 2 vet, feature a speech by Illinois Director of Agriculture and veteran Jerry Costello and a donation will be made to the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight. The Salute the Troops Tank Night gets underway at 6.

The Clinton Fire Department is inviting you to join them to celebrate 150 years on Aug. 10 on Mr. Lincoln Square in downtown Clinton.

Fire Chief Stephen Page says there will be demonstrations, food trucks, fire trucks from all over central Illinois, a firefighter competition, and much more.

Fire trucks from all over the area will be on the square for this celebration and Chief Page says you will be able to vote on your favorite trucks. There will also be a classic fire truck competition.

Chief Page says planning this has been a team effort across the department. He explains they visited a celebration in Champaign several years ago and took ideas away from their event. 

The 150th celebration of the Clinton Fire Department is on Saturday. Aug. 10 starting at 10 am on the Clinton Square. He indicates they will soon have an event up on Facebook. Look for it on the Clinton Fire Department Facebook page. 

July is National Sweet Corn Month.

Caitlin Mellendorf is a nutrition educator with the University of Illinois Extension in DeWitt, Macon, and Piatt Counties and indicates the heart of the sweet corn season is nearly upon us.

Mellendorf highlights some of the ways sweet corn can be prepared and how to deal with the pesky process of shucking it.

While corn can be eaten straight off the cob, Mellendorf says sweet corn can have a lot of other functions that add to those summer meals.

Mellendorf also notes that canned corn is a great alternative if you have difficulty shucking corn or don't want the hassle of preparing it. She points out they are getting reports of some of the frozen corn being very starchy, attributing it to the fact we're coming up on about a year since sweet corn was available. 

Earlier this spring, the City of Clinton started on a new strategic plan for the city.

Administrator Taylor Baxter indicates the strategic plan is complete. He indicates they held a series of meetings with community stakeholders to put together a list of priorities to guide the community into the future.

Baxter will return to the WHOW Morning Show later this month for a deep dive into the strategic plan and its contents. 

A familiar face is returning to the DeWitt County Friendship Center.

Diane Cusey is returning to the Friendship Center to assist seniors through Community Care Systems. She is going to have office hours across the County again.

If they are available, Cusey can also help seniors find discounts on internet and other services. Get a hold of her by calling 217-518-8010. 

The Clinton Board of Education will not meet in July.

Annually, the Board cancels its July Board meeting. Now retired Superintendent Curt Nettles explains the July Board meeting is usually very short with little to no business. 

The Board of Education will reconvene in August, the same week students head back to class. 

Earlier this week, the former Mayor of Clinton criticized the City Council over its handling of the pursuit of funds for an ongoing water plant project.

Ex-mayor Roger Cyrulik offered accusations the City had missed out on funds for a multi-million project. City Administrator Taylor Baxter says the project is rather complicated.

According to Baxter, the total project is roughly $9 to $10 million. But American Rescue Plan Act funds, or ARPA funds, are helping pay for a little less than a million dollars of it. Plus the City is pursuing low-interest loans.

Baxter believes there is a lot of confusion on this project. He indicates a lot of the planning for it is happening behind the scenes.

Ex-mayor Cyrulik resigned from the Council officially on July 30 of last year. 

Baxter reminds that the rate increases on your water bill recently are not tied to this project. He reminds those increases are related to the City looking to cover its costs for material increases. 

June ended up warm and dry.

The average temperature for June was two degrees above normal says Ed Shimon at the National Weather Service in Lincoln.

Precipitation ended up below normal and Shimon says if it wasn't for some pretty heavy downpours to end the month, June would have been even more dry. He adds we are starting to keep track of moisture deficits.

July will start about average for precipitation and temperatures but those signals will turn to above-normal temperatures and below-normal precipitation as we get deeper into July. 

We'll have more on that with Shimon next week on Regional Radio. 

Entertainment lined up for the Illinois Farm Bureau Annual Meeting later this year. Meet singer/songwriter Drew Baldridge.

The Illinois Farm Bureau Annual Meeting is Dec. 7-10 at the Palmer House in Chicago.

The Warner Library has set a record for participation in the 2024 summer reading club program.

Children's Librarian Mel Snow says they are just north of 775 enrollments in this year's summer reading club. 

One of the attractions of the summer reading club is the prizes that readers can win. Emily Dunham says they have had a great response from the community to step up and provide opportunities and gifts for this year's summer reading - which she notes, isn't just for kids.

It's already been a busy summer at the library. Snow explains they have some recurring programs as well as stand-alone programming to go along with the theme of conservation.

There's still plenty to come in July. Snow has a busy month planned for the kids.

Again, the summer reading club concludes on July 31. You can register up to the final days of the program. 

Get more information by visiting vwarner.org or visiting the library at 310 North Quincy Street. The Library is also active on Facebook and Instagram. 

If you are a restaurant owner and believe you have a unique take on macaroni and cheese, a Decatur non-profit is hoping you might consider putting it to the test at an upcoming event later this month.

Mac n' Cheese Fest comes up on Saturday, July 20 and Jerry Johnson, Executive Director of the Decatur Area Arts Council is calling on restaurant owners from Clinton to Decatur and down to Taylorville and Pana to consider putting their mac n' cheese on display.

Johnson is excited for the restaurants they have signed on and some of the things he's hearing they are going to be bringing.

decaturarts.org has all the information on the July 20 event, Mac n' Cheese Fest. 

The celebration of Independence Day is great fun and the Illinois Department of Public Health wants it to be safe too.

Graham Briggs, State Epidemiologist with IDPH says stay clear of fireworks and leave them to the professionals. Briggs says if you decide to use them take great care.

A number of state agencies held a joint press conference yesterday touting 4th safety.

The former Mayor of Clinton made an appearance at the Clinton City Council meeting to implore the Council to take advantage of funding that is available for improvements to the water plant in Clinton.

Former Mayor Roger Cyrulik wondered how much engineering had been done on the water plant and how much grant funding had been pursued this year. Commissioner John Wise explains the pursuit of those dollars falls on the engineers.

Cyrulik - who resigned as the Mayor in late July of 2023, had questions regarding why funds were not pursued last year and who put a halt to the pursuit of funds he questioned were available.

As a parting shot on his way out Tuesday, the ex-mayor told the Council to stay on the low-interest loan and said quote - "That's why I quit".

Commissioner Wise during his portion of the meeting told the Council and the public the audience they are at the mercy of both the engineers and the State of Illinois making loans and grants available.

Also at the Tuesday night Clinton City Council meeting....

>>The Council approved the purchase of 14 tasers for the Clinton Police Department at a cost not to exceed $50,000

>>The Council approved the engineer estimate for improvement to West Leander Street from Rosewood to Park Lane West at a cost of just over $73,000

>>The Council approved the designer and building contract with CORE Construction and Farnworth Group for the new City Hall building

It could be a wet Fourth of July for parts of Illinois.

On the WHOW Morning Show Tuesday, Ed Shimon at the National Weather Service in Lincoln told Regional Radio things will warm up as we get into the holiday later this week.

Temperatures for the Fourth should be very mild. Shimon indicates we tend to see highs in the mid-to-upper 80s but after the mid-week warmup, things will return to mild getting into the Fourth of July weekend.

July temperatures are going to warm up and precipitation is going to fall off after a wet signal to start the month. We'll hear more from Shimon on the rest of July and get an update on the drought condition in Illinois in the days ahead on Regional Radio. 

Food, friends, and family are staples of our Fourth of July celebrations and a local nutrition educator is encouraging food safety this week.

Caitlin Mellendorf is a nutrition educator at the University of Illinois of Extension in DeWitt, Macon, and Piatt Counties. She says keeping hot foods hot and cold foods cold is instrumental in a food-safe holiday gathering.

Food preparation is also instrumental in a food-safe holiday. Mellendorf encourages keeping those surfaces you're preparing food on clean, using different utensils when preparing meats, and cleaning that grill surface between cooks.

The final tip from Mellendorf is to get those foods cooked to their appropriate internal temperatures. She says the most accurate way to make sure food is ready to eat is a food thermometer.

The Fourth of July can bring out some great meals thanks to those fresh fruits and vegetables now in season. 

Mellendorf encourages a visit to the Extension website, extension.illinois.edu or the USDA's Meat and Poultry Hotline number is 888-MPHOTLINE - 888-674-6854. You can also go online to Ask.usda.gov.

The US Supreme Court will not step in and directly review the state’s assault weapons ban.

That leaves the law in place and directs lower courts to hear cases before any action could be taken by the nation’s highest court. The ruling came two days before the second anniversary of the mass shooting at the Highland Park Fourth of July Parade. After 7 people were killed and dozens more injured, the state passed measures banning assault style weapons, bump stocks and other gun accessories. Governor JB Pritzker has maintained those laws make Illinois safer.

Pritzker is in Washington today with a number of Democratic governors meeting with President Joe Biden.

The Illinois State Museum seeking Route 66 stories for the Mother Road’s 100th anniversary in 2026. Oral histories with travelers, businesses, highway builders, and others will be recorded says the museum’s Amanda Bryden.

Those interested in participating in the project can email judy.wagenblast@illinois.gov.

Improving access to healthy food the goal of a USDA Rural Development Program. Details from Acting State Director for USDA Rural Development in Illinois Molly Hammond.

More info at rd.usda.gov/il.

Clinton - Friday, July 5 @ Dusk at Route 51/Kleemann Drive

Farmer City Raceway’s $5 Fan Appreciation Night - Friday, July 5 @ Dusk

Bement - Thursday, July 4 @ Dusk at Forest Preserve Park

Decatur - Thursday, July 4 @ Dusk at Devon Lakeshore Amphitheater

Lincoln - Wednesday, July 3 @ Dusk at Lincoln Park District

Monticello - Wednesday, July 3 @ Dusk at Lodge Park

Mount Zion - Wednesday, July 3 @ Dusk at 323 Fletcher Park Boulevard

Moweaqua - Wednesday, July 3 @ 9 p.m. at North Park

A warm, wet week moved the needle as the crop-growing season is now in full swing.

State crop statistician Mark Schluessner indicates temperatures and precipitation were above average for last week.

Corn silking is ahead of last year's pace and Schluessner updates on the condition of the crop...

Soybean conditions are also ahead of last year's pace...

Pasture conditions are 48 percent in good to excellent condition...

Winter wheat is 89 percent complete, ahead of the previous year's and five-year averages. 

Animal rescue agencies nationwide are asking you to consider your pet's health and well-being leading up to this Independence Day Holiday. The head of the Alton Area Animal Aid Association is reinforcing that plea, asking you to keep your pets inside and away from any commotion that may happen during the holiday.

5A's Executive Director Ric Jun says even the best-behaved dogs can get spooked around the boom of fireworks. He says you may want to keep your pet indoors and away from outside stimuli, whether you are shooting off the fireworks or someone is in the neighborhood.

Jun says if this week is like past years, they will start getting calls from residents whose pets ran away at some point during a fireworks display, likely having been spooked by the sounds.

The Fourth of July celebrations are already underway in parts of central Illinois and as the sun goes down this week, you're sure to hear the bangs and pops of local residents shooting off those fireworks from home.

As communities look forward to their own celebrations, Clinton Police Chief Ben Lowers is reminding of some safety concerns in Clinton. He reminds fireworks are illegal in the State of Illinois. 

Chief Lowers gives kudos to Josh Thielen for coordinating another Fourth of July celebration in downtown Clinton for families to enjoy free of charge.

For more information on the Fourth of July festivities in downtown Clinton, find the Clinton American Legion on Facebook. 

And again, the Fourth of July fireworks in Clinton will be on Friday evening on the west side of town. 

The Clinton Board of Education last week approved an accelerated placement policy and the transfer of one million dollars in its budget.

Now-retired Superintendent Curt Nettles indicates the accelerated placement policy largely deals with incoming kindergarteners and how quickly they can enroll.

The Board of Education also approved the transfer of one million dollars to its education fund. Nettles explains this is a standard practice in Clinton.

Other action items from last week's meeting included the approval of the Board Policy Update, Student Handbook, Paraprofessional handbook, the amended budget for FY 24, and sending the FFA to the National Livestock judging contest. 

A central Illinois leader is frustrated with how the state has handled the process surrounding the future of a major employer in his town.

On the WHOW Morning Show Friday, Lincoln Mayor Tracy Welch told Regional Radio COGFA - Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability - held a hearing recently that was supposed to be instrumental in the future decision of the Logan Correction Center in Lincoln. Unfortunately, there are now more questions than answers. 

According to Mayor Welch, the COGFA process is strictly a recommendation and now the question becomes, because there was no quorum in that meeting last month and no recommendation came out of it, can the Governor proceed with a decision?

This process is frustrating the Mayor because he feels COGFA and the State of Illinois are moving faster than himself and those in the trenches fighting can move to keep up. He feels they are reacting every step of the way.

Mayor Welch continues to encourage his residents to contact lawmakers. He notes Sen. Sally Turner and Rep. Bill Hauter are fighting on the front lines, he encourages contacting the Governor's office and other lawmakers' offices in Illinois to voice their support for Logan Correction Center.

Some people who receive monthly Social Security or SSI benefits may need help managing their money.

When we receive information that indicates you need help, we’ll work with you to find the most suitable representative payee to manage your benefits. Jack Myers with Social Security indicates your representative payee is someone who receives your monthly benefit on your behalf and must use the money to pay for your current needs. If you need help managing your benefits you can have a person you trust apply with Social Security.  

The person ideally will be someone you see often who will be in position to easily help you with your current needs. Myers notes if there isn’t an individual who can do this, organizations such as social service agencies, nursing homes, or others could do it.

Of course there are also circumstances where you may not recognize or be able to recognize the need for a payee.  

If a family member or organization applies to be your payee we will seek evidence that a payee is needed, and then notify you before the change takes place. Myers ecnourages you to contact Social Security to dispute the change if you don’t feel it is warranted or you would prefer a different payee. 

Social Security also offers Advance Designation, which allows you to designate a person or multiple people whom you would trust to serve as your payee should a need ever arise. Myers explains The Advance Designation option will be presented to you when you apply for benefits and your selections can be changed at any time through your mySocialSecurity account.

Again, find out more about the payee program at www.ssa.gov/payee.

Acting State Director for USDA Rural Development in Illinois Molly Hammond promoting Single Family Housing programs.

More info at rd.usda.gov/il.

Independent grocer summits have been held around Illinois last month—looking at the challenges they face. John Shadowens is with the U of I Extension. He’s helping compile the data.

The Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs is also involved in the process.

Promoting downstate attractions……Illinois Office of Tourism’s Daniel Thomas says it’s important. He was in Macomb this past spring—for Macombopoly—honoring Macomb’s connection to the inventor of Monopoly.

Information on many downstate attractions available at enjoyillinois.com.