The DeWitt County Government continues to fill vacancies to fight employee turnover. 

DeWitt County Board Chair Joe Witte explains they've filled the role of Ethics Officer. John Butts will be responsible for investigating any possible internal misconduct. 

Grace Moore has recently been hired as the Animal Control Administrator following the departure of Tony Harris. Witte says things are so far, so good. 

The county has recently hired Liz Weikle as Zoning Administrator and will look to fill the 9-1-1 Center positions also previously held by Tony Harris. 
 

In terms of snow, it’s been more winter-like in southern Illinois compared to northern Illinois.

Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford speaking to RFD Radio earlier this week.
 

An annual event in Clinton has a date set. 

On the WHOW Morning Show Friday, Janice Peterson Executive Director of the Clinton Chamber of Commerce told Regional Radio that their annual dinner is set for Saturday, February 15th at the Georgia Jill.

Register for the event at clintonilchamber.com/annual-dinner.

It's been a typical winter at the Clinton hospital this year.

That's according to Paul Skowron who told Regional Radio on the WHOW Morning Show Thursday they are dealing with the typical flu-like illnesses that is some flu and some just regular respiratory illnesses.

As a new administration with unique ideas about health takes over in Washington, DC, Skowron is carefully listening to their comments about funding for healthcare in the country.

Just this week, Skowron celebrated ten years as the CEO of the City-owned hospital. Next week we'll hear from him as he reflects on his decade in DeWitt County.

Students from the last stop on the High School Road Tour who want to enter the workforce are being set up for success.

On the WHOW High School Road Tour Thursday, Argenta-Oreana High School Principal Sean German told Regional Radio that they've partnered with the Decatur Chamber of Commerce to expose students to local industry leaders. 

German notes that the relationships with ADM and Caterpillar have been very beneficial for students. He says they do a good job of teaching students what's expected when they enter the workforce. 

One might think some students wouldn't take an opportunity like this seriously, but German points out that it's just the opposite at Argenta-Oreana. He feels his seniors asked good meaningful questions during their first meeting. 

German explains that his students have a good understanding of what is expected of them, and they have no trouble living up to that standard. 

Find more information at argenta-oreana.org. 

Tremendous reach for the "We are the 96" campaign, which was launched on Super Sunday in 2023. The campaign received the New Horizon Award at the American Farm Bureau Annual Convention, which recognizes the most innovative state farm bureau program says Illinois Farm Bureau's Gracie Pierson.

The "We are the 96" campaign highlights that 96 percent of Illinois farms are family owned. The work was through the Illinois Farm Families coalition, a collaboration between Illinois Beef Association, IL Corn, Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Pork Producers Association, Illinois Soybean Association, and Midwest Dairy.

Ameren Illinois is asking state regulators for a rate hike for its natural gas delivery service. 

Filed on January 8, the request is for a $134.4 million gas rate hike, which the state's top consumer watchdog organization says is actually closer to $187 million when accounting for taxes. The utility says if the plan is approved as filed, the annual impact for the typical residential customer would be an increase of approximately $9.09 per month for delivery service. Jim Chilsen, spokesman for the Citizen's Utility Board, disputed the math.

Ameren Vice President, Regulatory Policy and Energy Supply Matt Tomc says in a prepared statement that the request "requests the resources we will need to upgrade and maintain our critical energy infrastructure." The ICC will consider the request and make a ruling sometime in December. You can read the full statement by Tomc and listen to the interview with Chilsen at this story at AdvantageNews.com.

Identity theft awareness week and some reminders from Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza.

The Illinois Attorney General's Identity Theft Hotline is 866-999-5630.

The three credit bureaus are Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

Flu season continues to go strong, according to a doctor with OSF Healthcare. 

Other viruses like COVID-19, RSV, norovirus, HMPV, and others are all in this year's respiratory illness mix, but Influenza A is dominating other viruses in the sheer number of diagnoses. Doug Kasper, MD, an infectious disease specialist with OSF HealthCare says that the increase in flu cases is "typical and expected" for this time of year. Why are the numbers up?

Seasonal flu shots are available and recommended for anyone six months and older, according to the CDC. Kasper says that while the influenza vaccine is not perfect, as far as protecting against infection, cumulative influenza vaccine is associated with less severe illness. So over time, if you're exposed to a strain, even if it's changed, potentially had you been vaccinated or exposed to that strain in the past is beneficial for the future.

Since the pandemic many schools have dealt with participation issues in their clubs and sports and one local school district is continuing to rebuild. 

On the WHOW High School Road Tour Thursday, Argenta-Oreana High School Athletic Director Mike Williams told Regional Radio that they are beginning to recover from a numbers issue that resulted in multiple forfeited varsity football games at one point. 

This issue goes further than the football team. Williams states the boy's soccer team only had 11 players this season, but he looks forward to welcoming the 8th-grade students that will come out next year. 

Amanda Spinner is the FFA Chapter Sponsor, and she has dealt with similar issues. They took a hit in membership during the pandemic, but since then Spinner has grown the program up to 90 students. 

The Argenta-Oreana High School staff looks forward to the future of their programming and student body. Get more information at argenta-oreana.org
 

The deadline to register for a long-running program through the University of Illinois Extension is Friday, highlighting a growing hobby in the Midwest.

Terri Miller-Casey is the Extension Director for the University of Illinois Extension in Logan, Menard, and Sangamon Counties and indicates they have a series coming up that focuses on the growing hobby of beekeeping.

According to Miller-Casey, a scholarship is also being offered to help pay for this series. The scholarship is for young people who want to participate between the ages of 8 and 18. 

Because bees are pollinators and are so vital to a thriving ecosystem, Miller-Casey indicates this hobby has really grown in popularity in recent years.

The deadline to register is Friday for this series begins on Thursday, February 13 in Springfield. Get registered and more information at extension.illinois.edu/lms. And again, that registration deadline is Friday.

Snappers Bar and Grill in downtown Clinton is installing a new, vertical sign above its front door

There have been several improvements made to Clinton's athletic spaces over the past years.

On the WHOW High School Road Tour Wednesday, Clinton High School Athletic Director Matt Koeppel told Regional Radio that phase 1 of the football field renovations is complete, and phase 2 will include brand new bleachers. 

The varsity baseball and softball fields are also soon to have turf. Koeppel explains with changes in weather, this could possibly result in getting a few extra home games during the season. 

Koeppel notes that it's a good time to be involved with Clinton athletics. He is proud of the success all the sports and athletes have found this year, and will continue to find throughout the rest of the year.

Koeppel gives the credit for all the athletic success to his dedicated student-athletes and coaches.

Clinton High School seeks to go the extra mile in trying supporting the community. 

On the WHOW High School Road Tour Wednesday, Clinton High School National Honors Society President, Lydia Cahill told Regional Radio community service is important because it's a pillar of what NHS is all about. 

National Honors Society hosts a full slate of community service projects throughout the year. Cahill notes events from reading to elementary students to helping seniors learn how to use smartphones. 

Principal of Clinton High School, Jerry Wayne tries to cultivate a community that gives support to it's families and students. He wants everyone to have a voice. 

Get more information on all things Clinton High School at cusd15.org or find their many social media pages. 

Keep it to Regional Radio Thursday Morning to hear from the final stop on the 2025 High School Road Tour: Argenta-Oreana.

The registration deadline is fast approaching for a popular ag event in Christian County next month.

On the WHOW Morning Show Wednesday, University of Illinois Extension Director for Logan, Menard, and Sangamon Counties Terri Miller-Casey told Regional Radio the Dudley Smith Farm Field Day registration deadline is this Friday.

The field day is always popular among a wide range of producers. Miller-Casey explains the Dudley Smith Farm's connection to the University of Illinois makes it a destination for excellent research and information.

According to Miller-Casey, there's going to be a wealth of knowledge to be gained on a variety of topics from experts Central Illinois is fortunate to have right in its backyard.

The event is next Tuesday, Feb. 4 in Christian County. Register by Friday by visiting extension.illinois.edu.

It's the responsibility of all staff and students to make school a fun place to be. 

On the WHOW High School Road Tour Tuesday, Lincoln Community High School Student Body President Alex Steffens told Regional Radio he is the liaison between students and staff. His job is to make sure the students' voices are being heard. 

Steffens feels he's been successful at making students want to come to school and take pride in going to LCHS. He notes the focus that staff has on building relationships makes the school a more welcoming place. 

According to Activities Director and Head Basketball Coach Neil Alexander, the unending support for LCHS's sports and clubs has been consistent in his over 35 years of coaching. 

Get more information on Lincoln Community High School at lchsrailers.org. Keep it to WHOW Wednesday morning to hear from the next stop on the WHOW High School Road Tour: Clinton.

Preservation and education are the goals of a local historical society. 

Bob Marsh, with the Kenny Heritage Association, explains they work to restore and maintain the historic Kenney Community Center. He's grateful to their dedicated volunteers who help in that effort. 

The money for these repairs comes from donations and fundraisers including the biggest effort of the year, the annual pancake breakfast which took place this past Saturday.

One of the ways the Community Center is a resource to the community is its availability for events or gatherings of all kinds. For such a small community, the Kenney Community Center is used frequently by people and groups from all corners of DeWitt County. 

Find more information about the Kenney Heritage Association by calling 217-853-0626 and following them on Facebook. 

A Logan County High school tries to remove students' obstacles rather than punish them. 

On the WHOW High School Road Tour Tuesday, Lincoln Community High School Principal David Helm told Regional Radio they've created a process to assess what is causing students to struggle. 

Janet Lovdahl has worked on truancy issues at LCHS for 27 years and will retire in May. She takes a constructive approach to addressing issues and removing students' obstacles rather than threatening them with punishments. 

FFA Section 14 President and LCHS student Kristy Morrow finds satisfaction in leadership. She feels a good leader builds people up.

Get more information on all things Lincoln Community High School at lchsrailers.org.

Keep it to Regional Radio Wednesday morning to hear more about LCHS from the Activities Director and Student Body President. 
 

The newest edition of the DeWitt County Board will have a few renewable energy initiatives to focus on going into 2025.

Board Chair Joe Witte indicates the Board's Land Use committee has been focused on setting its priorities for the year ahead.

Witte indicates there is likely to be some movement on a solar developer that is seeking to build in DeWitt County this year. For wind, he is not aware of any potential development.

Many wind ordinances have been taken out of the hands of local communities thanks to state laws that went into effect last year.

Trying to get a feel for the reach of its impact, a Clinton non-profit is starting the year with a deep dive into its internal data.

Clinton YMCA Executive Director Rennie Cluver has always wondered just how far the impact of their mission goes and this year he went a little deeper into some of the internal data they have to try to find that answer.

Cluver wanted to do a comparison to 2021 when we were coming out of COVID. One data point that stood out was the senior population that is coming to the Y.

In 2025, the Y should eclipse 2,000 members. While Cluver is always striving for more, he points out the penetration of the market in DeWitt County and the surrounding area is quite remarkable compared to many Y's across the state and country.

The Clinton Y does not receive any tax dollars so relying on grants and donations are the driver of its annual budget. Cluver is always so impressed and grateful by the support they receive each year from generous donors in the community.

During the biggest fundraising effort at the Y, the 'Strong Kids Campaign', the Y promotes the scholarship dollars it puts back into the community to support access to the Y. Cluver broke down the impact of that nearly $150,000 annual give-back.

The Y's summer camp, Camp Osage, in Clinton and Monticello, saw a record enrollment this past summer. Cluver adds the addition of programming in Monticello has been a huge boost for both the Y and the Monticello community.

Cluver is excited about the participation of its membership and looks forward to bringing in more members in 2025. 

If you have never been to the Clinton YMCA, he encourages a visit and tour of their facility at 417 South Alexander Street in Clinton or visit clintoncommymca.org. You can also follow along with the Y on Facebook.

A central Illinois school district is giving its students a leg up through dual credit courses and a hands-on business class. 

On the WHOW High School Road Tour Monday, Bement Junior High and Senior High School Principal Doug Kepley told Regional Radio they offer opportunities like dual credit classes and the CEO Program. 

Kepley notes a new program coming to Bement High School will allow students to go and work during the school day. He hopes this will help them build skills and learn about industries they may be interested in. 

Gabrielle Block is the President of the FCCLA, Student Council, and the National Honors Society. She explains involvement and community service are big pillars for Bement students. 

Tune into the next stop on the WHOW High School Road Tour on Tuesday, Lincoln High School.

A local school district continues to make improvements to their aging building.

On the WHOW High School Road Tour Monday, Bement Schools Superintendent Mary Vogt told Regional Radio that they've been making repairs to the building, such as fixing a pipe burst as well as an old chimney. 

The district's next project will be installing air conditioning in the Walsh Gymnasium. Vogt says this will be paid for through a donation from the estate of Jeffery Mills. 

Athletic Director Christy Sweet explains the success they find comes from the dedication of the athletes, and the leadership skills demonstrated to them by their coaches. 

To get more information on Bement Schools, visit bement.k12.il.us

Keep to Regional Radio Monday Morning for more from the students and staff of Bement. 
 

Late last year, Piatt County voters gave the thumbs up to a mental health tax that would establish a Board to direct funds to address the growing mental health and substance abuse needs of the community.

That Board is in the early stages of implementation and organization and as it gains momentum, Piatt County Sheriff Mark Vogelzang is excited for what that could mean for Piatt County.

According to the Sheriff, they are seeing an increase in calls that have a component of mental illness or substance abuse. With a 708 Board, his hope is this will allow better collaboration between community organizations that help with these issues.

Law enforcement in all corners of the country is dealing with increases in response calls involving mental health issues or substance abuse cases. The Sheriff indicates Piatt County is no different.

The Piatt County 708 Board will soon have its first round of tax dollars collected and will be tasked with how to distribute those throughout Piatt County. Sheriff Vogelzang says the Piatt County Mental Health Center is a great resource for Piatt County and helps the Sheriff's Department frequently with any issues they encounter that require its assistance. 

ver the weekend on Regional Radio, we broke the news that DeWitt County could become the new home to a major manufacturer.

In the next three weeks, DeWitt County Board Chair Joe Witte indicates Kwik-Wall will be connecting with various taxing bodies in DeWitt County seeking some abatement for a multi-million dollar renovation to the former RR Donnelly building in Clinton.

DeWitt County Development Council leadership and executives from Kwik-Wall at last week's DeWitt County Board meeting presented an exciting development about the company. 

According to Witte, the company is growing and expanding and the former RR Donnelly building on Clitnon's east side is seen as the perfect fit.

The RR Donnelly building needs a new roof and some other improvements to accommodate Kwik-Wall.

Kwik-Wall has signed a contract to move into the former RR Donnelly building, however, Witte indicates there is a 30-day opt-out for them for any reason.

Social Security benefits are part of the retirement plan of many American workers and as you think about when to start receiving your retirement benefits, there are several issues to consider.

Medicare on the basis of age starts at 65. Jack Myers with Social Security is highlighting if you retire at 62, how that will impact your insurance.

You can apply up to 4 months in advance of when you want payments to start. Myers points out there is no retroactivity for reduced benefits but up to 6 months of retroactivity is possible if you are over FRA.

If you are under FRA and want to receive your first payment in April, apply in November, December, January, February or March and choose March as the month you want benefits to begin. Myers notes you will get your first payment in April.

If you are a widow or widower, Myers adds you have the option to start receiving survivor benefits as early as age 60 - or 50 if disabled - and can then switch to your own retirement benefit later. You can even wait until age 70 to switch.

Visit the retirement webpage at www.ssa.gov/retirement for more information that will help guide your retirement planning.

Could immigration policy and mass deportations have an impact on commodity markets?

Joe Camp is with Commstock Investments.

The ink may be dry on more than one hundred executive orders, but a petroleum analyst from GasBuddy has some thoughts on President Donald Trump's energy orders.

During his first day in office, President Trump signed multiple executive orders related to energy, including declaring a national energy emergency. Patrick DeHaan from GasBuddy says those executive orders may not work as quickly as the President thinks.

While signing executive orders in the Oval Office, Trump flirted with the idea of imposing 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico.

According to DeHaan, those tariffs could hurt consumers since oil companies are beholden to economics.

County fairs across the state are working those business sponsorships. Doug Telford is with the Marion County Fair.

Telford also serves as Southern Zone Director for the Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs.

Illinois is always looking for more ag teachers. An update from Casey Bolin with Facilitating Coordination in Agricultural Education.

More information at ilaged.org.

Tax season is right around the corner and the Better Business Bureau is again warning about scammers posing as tax preparers, and even legit tax preparers that just don't do a good job. 

Some tax preparation companies are open for only a few months every year, and it can be hard to track the preparers down if there are problems with your return. BBB Investigator Don O'Brien says it's a good idea to get your taxes done as soon as you have all of your documentation together.

O'Brien says some tax preparers may offer you a check or debit card rather than wait for the IRS to mail your refund. The BBB says these are typically loans, sometimes with hidden fees and interest rates of 50 to 500 percent. In most cases, tax refund loans give consumers their refund no more than a few days faster than the IRS.

The transition from junior high to high school can be scary for incoming freshmen. 

Link Crew Coordinator Adriane Moody told Regional Radio on the WHOW High School Road Tour Friday, that the Warrensburg-Latham High School Link Crew's goal is to make new students feel more welcome and comfortable. 

Senior Bella Griffiths says her favorite part of being a link crew leader is connecting with the students and being a role model. For Neeley Powell, it's giving the freshman opportunities to interact with and befriend upperclassmen. 

Keep it to Regional Radio Monday Morning to hear more from students and staff of Warrensburg-Latham High School.

Get more information at wlhs.wl.k12.il.us.

A major central Illinois employer could be looking to occupy a recently vacated space in DeWitt County.

On the WHOW Morning Show Friday, DeWitt County Board Chair Joe Witte told Regional Radio at the Thursday night DeWitt County Board meeting, DeWitt County Development Council leadership and executives from Kwik-Wall presented an exciting development.

According to Witte, the company is growing and expanding and the former RR Donnelly building on Clinton's east side is seen as the perfect fit.

Now, DCDC and representatives from Kwik Wall will be seeking some tax abatements from the various DeWitt County taxing bodies to help make improvements to the facility. 

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

A weak La Nina signal is expected to gradually fade away as we progress to the spring.

John Bumgardner at hte National Weather Service in Lincoln indicates that will set up a wet outlook for February.

February is where we start to see the temperatures warm back up. Bumgardner explains the days are colder at the start of the month but start to warm up by the time we get to the end of the month.

Bumgarnder told Regional Radio earlier this week, January is very likely to finish below normal for both temperatures and measurable precipitation. 
 

Schools utilize school report card data to help drive curriculum decisions.

Mt. Pulaski Schools are celebrating the improvement in test scores from last year's report card data. Superintendent Jason Spang explains it is a lot information to take in on a yearly basis.

Chronic absenteeism has been a big time data point for schools. Spang explains it is a heavily waited part of the report card but it has been a challenge to keep the importance of coming to school top of mind for families.

While districts want to celebrate the successes and progress of a given report card, there's always room for improvement and Spang says Mt. Pulaski is no different. They've identified areas where they are going to dial in on going forward.
 

Looking for a mock government opportunity for your student?

Josh Thielen, State Adjutant for the American Legion explains they've got an opportunity for youth to learn about running a government coming this summer. He says Boy's and Girl's State Programs are unforgettable experiences. 

Although not all students would be interested in learning about the government, Thielen notes there are plenty of fun team building activities and sports. Best of all, it's all free. 

Many students return from the program with fun stories from their experience. Thielen remembers the story of a law suit between feuding cities, all because of a prank. 

Thielen states there is currently no co-ed States Program. Boy's state takes place for one week in June, and Girl's State follows the week after. 

Register for Boy's or Girl's State online at illinoisboysstate.org. We'll Have more with Josh Thielen in the days ahead on Regional Radio. 

A DeWitt County non-profit is at a standstill as it awaits answers regarding mandates to improve its facility.

Just over two years ago, the Illinois Fire Marshal's office indicated Encore Developmental Services building on Clinton's east side was out of compliance and needed a major overhaul. Executive Director Stephanie Coonce indicates they are ready to take the next major step forward, except they cannot get contractors to bid on the work they need to be done.

According to Coonce, they feel they have made good progress even to this point. They have addressed some small safety concerns and have installed a new fire alarm system in the building.

For Encore, while they continue to seek grants, donations have been a big part of the ability to pay for improvements to this point. Coonce explains they seem to get a better response when they know what the immediate need is and how much it is going to cost.

For more information on all things Encore Developmental Services, visit encoreservices.org or find them on Facebook.

There's no relationship comparable to an athlete and their coach. 

On the WHOW High School Road Tour Wednesday, Heyworth High School Athletic Director, Coach Mitch Neally told Regional Radio that they've created a board of student-athletes to improve the programs. 

One idea that came from the Student-Athlete Board was to host fun fan events during half time at basketball games. This was to try to increase the number of students at the games. 

The relationships that students build with athletic staff is something Coach Neally is very passionate about. He says this practice has even led to wedding invites from former students. 

Coach Neally is in his second year as Athletic Director at Heyworth High School.

High school student at a local high school can trust their student council to make things fun.

On the WHOW High School Road Tour Wednesday, Heyworth High School Student Council President Jacob Hartwig told Regional Radio that he's working on starting a new tradition. 

Homecoming is a big deal for any student council, and Hartwig states that with an early celebration this year, the heyworth student council had to get right to work. 

Hartwig looks forward to Field Day at the end of the second semester each year. He says this half day will include competitions like "Waterslide kickball" and a volleyball tournament. 

The second year student council president also participates in speech. 

Keep it to Regional Radio to hear more from Heyworth High School. 

A school's job is to prepare students for life after education, and a McLean County high school is doing just that.

On the WHOW High School Road Tour Wednesday, Heyworth High School College and Career Coordinator Dr. Katie Bruemmer explains she begins working with students as early as 6th grade. 

Being a part of a small town can be a benefit, says Bruemmer, because they are well connected with community member that can offer opportunities for students to shadow career fields they may be interested in. 

Heyworth High School has a College and Career Readiness fair coming up. Bruemmer indicates this will give students an opportunity to connect with local industry leaders. 

Learn more about all Heyworth High School has to offer at husd4.org

We'll have more from the students and staff of Heyworth in the days ahead on Regional Radio. 

It has been a January to remember at Clinton Schools.

From a snow storm to a days-long boil order and battling frigid temperatures, Superintendent Drew Goebel told Regional Radio Wednesday on the WHOW Morning Show, each decision about the status of the school is made carefully with a lot of input from various places.

Monday, Clinton schools were out of school for MLK Day. Tuesday, Goebel faced a decision because of bitter cold temperatures in the area.

Some of the days school has been called off in January in Clinton have been designated e-learning, others have been emergency days. Goebel indicates each has its time and place. Emergency days impact the school calendar and he is going to be looking this week at how much those emergency days so far this year, will impact the school calendar.

The boil order provided a different set of challenges for school leadership earlier this month. We'll hear the school's side of the situation in the days ahead on Regional Radio. 

It has been a cold month but despite a lot of snow, it is still generally dry.

John Bumgardner at the National Weather Service in Lincoln indicates it would take quite a turnaround in weather conditions to get the area of its projected path of ending January cooler than normal.

According to Bumgardner, bouts of cold air have inundated the midwest. Snowpack from the recent snowstorms has helped solidify those patterns locally.

La Nina is active right now but because it is a very weak signal, Bumgardner says it is hard to know its true impact on some of the systems we've seen so far this winter.

Bumgardner reminds when eight or twelve inches of snow melts, that does not equate to eight or twelve inches of moisture going into the ground.

As La Nina weakens, Bumgardner indicates the spring outlooks right now are signaling normal temperatures and normal precipitation.

We'll have more with him on that in the days ahead on Regional Radio. 
 

It was recently announced that the Miller Park Zoo would help grow the Red Wolf population. 

Jay Pratte, Executive Director of the Miller Park Zoo in Bloomington, explains that these are some of the most endangered mammal species in the country; however, they are doing their part to try to change that. 

The introduction process is slow and thought out. Pratte says during the female's quarantine period, they could still sense each other without being able to see each other. 

The goal of the red wolf breeding program is to raise pups that can be potentially released into the wild. Pratte notes the numbers and repopulation is the most critical part. 

This decline in population is due to the encroachment of humans in their natural habitat. Pratte points to things like roads and railways that are dangerous for animals to cross. 

Pratte mentions the California condors as an example of reproduction and reintroduction programs being successful. Learn more about the Miller Park Zoo's conservation efforts at mpzs.org. 

A boil order struck the city of Clinton spanning six days.

At Tuesday night's Clinton City Council meeting, Water Commissioner John Wise listened to questions from the public and stated it was five consecutive failed water tests that triggered the order.

Wise points to the plant's age as the reason for the failed tests. He assures that improvements to the facilities are coming, however the city has many projects they are working on. 

The city is unsure of what caused the five failed tests. Wise explains they haven't found the answer yet, but they are continuing to look at every possible failure point. With the lack of communication from the EPA, the water department was left in the dark.

Wise also took the time to deplore the prank calls to local businesses. Callers pretended to be personnel from the water department and reported that water was unsafe to use. He says they will press charges if they can find the culprit. 

Wise stated he will not be resigning from his position as Water Commissioner. 
 

If losing weight or being more active was on your resolution list for 2025, this is about the point of the process where many fall off.

If things aren't going your way or you don't have the momentum you hoped, a local wellness center leader has some encouragement. Rennie Cluver is the Executive Director of the Clinton YMCA and he is encouraging you not to give up regardless of your circumstances.

The Clinton Y offers a robust variety of group exercise options. While it may sound intimidating, Cluver encourages trying it - you might find a good community of people that you look forward to seeing regularly.

Cluver recently sat down and did an analysis of the Y's data and he found they have a strong group of older adults that utilize the Y. He says the one thing he hears often from that sub-set of people at the Y is they wish they would have started their health and wellness journey sooner. He's hoping younger people take that message to heart.

While the Y's signature program, Survivor is well underway, Cluver hopes you'll stop by the Y and take a tour of the facility and try out the facility for a day or two and learn more about membership.

Visit them at 417 South Alexander Street in Clinton or find them on social media. You can also visit their website, clintoncommymca.org. 
 

Join the Kenney Heritage Association for its annual pancake breakfast Saturday at the Kenney Community Center.

On the WHOW Morning Show Tuesday, Bob Marsh with the Kenney Heritage Association told Regional Radio the pancake breakfast is from 6 am to noon. 

According to Marsh, they serve upwards of 500 people at their annual breakfast. He believes there are a lot of things that bring people out to the small town of Kenney each January to support them.

The Heritage Association's annual pancake breakfast goes towards the maintenance and upkeep of the Kenney Community Center. Marsh indicates they have been fortunate to be able to do some necessary maintenance projects in the last few years.

To learn more about Saturday's pancake breakfast, the Kenney Heritage Association or the Kenney Community Center, find the Kenney Heritage Association on Facebook.

Residents of McLean County will soon cast their vote on a tax that could benefit local schools.

Superintendent of Blue Ridge Schools, Dr. Hillary Stanifer explains the April election will have a referendum on the ballot for a one-percent sales tax. Although Blue Ridge Schools would not hugely benefit from this, she feels it would be a helpful boost to all the districts of McLean County. 

The amount a school district receives is prorated to the amount of students that reside in McLean County. Dr. Stanifer notes in Blue Ridge that only covers around 60 students, meaning they would receive roughly $80,000. 

This tax would not apply to all purchased goods in McLean County. Dr. Stanifer explains the tax would be on non-essential purchases like gas and pre-prepared food from a grocery store or restaurant. 

Dr. Stanifer asks anyone with questions on this tax to reach out to her, and that she would be happy to have any individual conversations. 

Several counties in central Illinois already have this sales tax in place including Logan, Macon, and Piatt Counties. 

With blood donations typically at a year low in January, the American Red Cross wants to use the month to highlight the need for blood.

In doing so, the Red Cross dubbed January Blood Donor Month to encourage residents across the state to donate after the holidays. Jayce Ustes serves as a Public Affairs Specialist at the Red Cross.

According to Ustes, the Red Cross must collect 13 thousand pints of blood nationwide daily to meet the demand. Ustes says someone in the U.S. needs a blood transfusion every two seconds.

The Illinois Association of Agricultural Fairs hosted their annual convention this past weekend in Springfield. The president of the group is David Hake from Washington County. He says there are a couple of issues drawing attention on the county fair circuit.

The 2025 county fair season kicks off with the Martinsville Ag Fair on May 26.

Among many of the items facing the incoming Trump administration is disaster relief funding for California wildfire recovery and how that is tied to other issues.

Ryan Whitehouse is the Director of National Legislation for the Illinois Farm Bureau.

Registration opens Feb.1. for Illinois Farm Bureau Rules for the Road seminars, which highlight trucking regulations says Associate Director of Transportation & Infrastructure Rodney Knittel (kuh-nittel).

You can find more info at ilfb.org. Under the Get Involved section, click on Events.

Tax season is right around the corner and the Better Business Bureau is again warning about scammers posing as tax preparers, and even legit tax preparers that just don't do a good job. 

Some tax preparation companies are open for only a few months every year, and it can be hard to track the preparers down if there are problems with your return. BBB Investigator Don O'Brien says it's a good idea to get your taxes done as soon as you have all of your documentation together.

O'Brien says some tax preparers may offer you a check or debit card rather than wait for the IRS to mail your refund. The BBB says these are typically loans, sometimes with hidden fees and interest rates of 50 to 500 percent. In most cases, tax refund loans give consumers their refund no more than a few days faster than the IRS.

A bill spearheaded by an Illinois lawmaker to reform the child welfare program is now law.

Republican Congressman Darin LaHood's bill, Supporting America's Children and Families Act, is a first-in-a-generation bipartisan bill that reforms part of the Social Security Act.

Some key takeaways of the bill feature the reduction of paperwork for state agencies and caseworkers by 15 percent.

According to LaHood, the law has the backing of 228 child welfare organizations and 26 governors.

It's been a great collaboration between Illinois Farm Bureau, the Illinois Specialty Growers Association, and the Illinois Farmers Market Association as the three get set for the Everything Local conference Jan. 29-to-31 at the Bank of Springfield.

You can register at specialtygrowers.org.

A DeWitt County historical site uses the off-season to finish a much-needed renovation.

Joey Long, Director of the CH Moore Homestead and DeWitt County Museum explains they are replacing the wood flooring in two of the mansion's rooms. She notes this project can only be completed while they are closed to tours for the season.  

When making necessary renovations to the building, Long says they seek to be as historically accurate as possible. For the floor, that means finding the right type of wood and recreating how it was originally constructed. 

Long assures the project will be completed by the time the museum reopens to the public on April 1st. She looks forward to showing off the improvement to the guests of the 2025 season. 

Visit the CH Moore Homestead when it opens for the season this April. Find more information at chmoorehomestead.org. 

We'll have more on the off-season projects at the DeWitt County Museum this week on Regional Radio. 
 

The coldest stretch of weather we've experienced in a few years is only going to last another day or two and then temperatures should moderate.

That's according to John Bumgardner at the National Weather Service in Lincoln who told Regional Radio on the WHOW Morning Show Monday that temperatures will remain bitterly cold into Tuesday before a mid-week rebound.

This cold air hasn't gotten nearly as cold as it could have. Bumgardner explains because much of the snow melted in central Illinois over the last week, that has kept temperatures from getting even more cold than they already are.

The cold won't last much longer. Bumgardner indicates there is relief on the way as we'll begin to moderate later in the week and even slightly get above normal for temperatures into the weekend.

Barring an unforeseen warm-up and wet weather pattern, January is almost certain to come in below normal for both temperatures and precipitation. We'll have more on that later this week on Regional Radio.

A Clinton grocery store owner has become known for incredibly low prices that draw people to his store from communities around central Illinois.

Dave Jackson owns the Clinton Save A Lot and says one thing that drives his desire to keep prices low is always comparing what he charges to larger retailers.

Jackson has hoped to make his shoppers and the community aware that things are not always cheaper to leave town. 

The items consumers rely on the most, Jackson strives to be lower than his competitors. While those margins are consumer-friendly, they aren't always business-owner-friendly.

According to Jackson, over 50 percent of Save A Lot business comes from people outside of Clinton. 

Jackson is also a very good community partner. He made sure his store had plenty of water on hand during the recent city-wide boil order. He's also often praised for his partnership with local non-profits during the Apple n' Pork season for supplying them with all their needs for that weekend.

A local museum has a new way to experience the architecture and history of Bloomington-Normal.

Candace Summers with the McLean County History Museum explains they have converted two of their walking audio tours into online experiences through a new app called 'Tourient'. 

This was a big task for the museum. Summers explains not only did they have to convert them into a format suitable for online use, but they also had to update the tours to be accurate today. 

This is a great resource for teachers, as it's a fun interactive way to teach students about the history of Bloomington Normal. Summers points out they worked hard to create tools for local educators. 

Find these online tours on the Tourient app or the McLean County History Museum's website, mchistory.org.

Social Security benefits are part of the retirement plan of many American workers. As you think about when to start receiving your retirement benefits, several issues must be considered.

Jack Myers with Social Security indicates that you should consider full retirement age and when to start receiving benefits. 

When to start collecting benefits impacts many people because of pension rates. Myers explains Social Security works very similarly.

For many individuals, completely stepping away from working is not what they have in mind for their retirement years. Myers indicates Social Security can accommodate a working individual.

According to Myers, there are some things to consider about working and collecting benefits. He indicates there are some things to consider surrounding that full retirement age.

Visit the Social Security retirement webpage at www.ssa.gov/retirement for more information that will help guide your retirement planning.

DeWitt County EMA Coordinator has requested a change to his job description to better reflect other nearby counties. 

At Thursday night's DeWitt County Public Safety Committee meeting, EMA Coordinator Will Paveleck approached the committee to remove the in-county residence requirement from his job description. Committee Chair Tom Farris pointed out that neither animal control nor deputy sheriffs are required to live in the county.

After deliberation from the committee, they ultimately decided to grant Paveleck's request with the catch that he must live within 25 miles of the courthouse. 

Paveleck has been the EMA Coordinator since May 20th, 2024.

The animals at the DeWitt County Animal Control Facilities are well taken care of, but who takes care of them on weekends and holidays?

At the DeWitt County Public Safety Committee Meeting Thursday Night, the committee reviewed the contract they have in place with J&M Critter Care. This is the team that cleans the facilities and feeds the animals when Animal Control staff are not in. 

State's Attorney Dan Markwell had reviewed the contract already and made his recommendations to the committee on what language should be altered. 

With snow on the ground and frigid temperatures, the last thing on many people's mind is the summer fair season. 

Henry Craft, 4-H Youth Development Educator of the University of Illinois Extension in DeWitt, Macon, and Piatt Counties explains they're already preparing for the 4-H fair season this summer. 

Craft urges 4-H students to get their projects started early so they're ready on time. Get more information at extension.illinois.edu/dmp.

A six-day long city-wide boil order in Clinton created many challenges for not only residents but community businesses.

One community business leader had to tap into several resources to make sure they did not run out of drinking water for the community. Dave Jackson owns the Clinton Save A Lot and indicates Clinton schools even asked if they could help supply them with water to be able to have school during the boil order.

According to Jackson, they limited cases of water to two per family to make sure it went as far as possible. The city-wide boil order was lifted Tuesday.

Former 9-1-1 center coordinator Tony Harris has made his way across the street to the City of Clinton, leading the future of the role to possibly be changed.

At Thursday Night's DeWitt County Public Safety Committee Meeting, DeWitt County Sheriff Mike Walker stated they've reviewed the job descriptions of the positions that were both previously held by Tony Harris. 

The position of 9-1-1 systems manager will report directly to the Emergency Telephone System Board. This will save the county money by ending the need for CENCOM to pay a portion of the salary. 

The Lead Telecommunicator role will oversee the day-to-day happenings of the 9-1-1 center and will report directly to Sheriff Walker. 

Also during Thursday night's meeting, the committee amended the job description of EMA Coordinator Will Paveleck to no longer require him to live in the county but rather within a 25-mile radius of the courthouse. This was done at his request. 

The committee also reviewed the contract of J&M Critter Care to clarify some of the language. This is the team that cleans the Animal Control Facilities and feeds the animals on weekends and holidays. 

The recent avian influenza outbreak has affected zoos throughout the county, and a local zoo leader is closely monitoring the situation.

On the WHOW Morning Show Thursday, Miller Park Zoo Executive Director Jay Pratte told Regional Radio that the spread of avian influenza is terrifying because of its constant mutations. 

According to Pratte, the most common way this disease is spread is through things like fecal matter and urine. This can be problematic in waterways that are inhabited by geese and other birds. 

There have been no reported cases in the Miller Park Zoo area, and Pratte says at the moment guests should not notice any differences in their visits to the park. 

To get more information on the Miller Park Zoo in Bloomington, visit mpzs.org or find their social media pages. 
 

A new bank is setting up shop in Clinton and its leadership is hoping for a spring opening.

Longview Community Bank is building a new location on Clinton's west side next to Dairy Queen. Branch Manager Nate Sams tells Regional Radio Longview has a great customer base already established in Clinton and DeWitt County and will offer many traditional banking services.

According to Sams, when the bank opens in the spring, he believes they will have excellent customer service and that will be what they hang their hat on.

Longview Community Bank will focus on its ag products for local producers. Sams notes he is set up in downtown Clinton while they await the opening of the bank if producers want to visit with him.

Visit longviewcb.com for more information on all the services provided by the bank coming to Clinton.

Getting college credits during high school can give students a big leg up after graduation.

On Wednesday's WHOW High School Road Tour, DeLand-Weldon Guidance Counselor Sam Kirkton told Regional Radio the school partners with schools like Parkland College and Richland Community College to introduce students to college-level courses. 

Kirkton explains DeLand-Weldon students have no trouble taking these opportunities to further their education. She points to networking as the main way to build relationships with the colleges. 

Helping students figure out their path after they leave the district is something Kirkton is very passionate about, whether it's learning what they're interested in or not interested in. 

Keep it to Regional Radio this afternoon to hear from DeLand-Weldon's Student Council sponsor on a unique tradition at the high school.

Meeting season includes the Midwest Truck and Trailer Show Feb. 7 and 8 at the Peoria Civic Center.

Don Schaefer with Springfield, Illinois based Midwest Truckers Association says more information available at midwesttruckers.com.

Last week's January USDSA World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates or WASDE report was a significant market mover, but what about the importance of next month's report? Commstock Investments Joe Camp weighs in.

The next USDA WASDE report is released on Feb. 10.

Watch out for California wildfire scammers; at least, that's the word from the Better Business Bureau. Don O'Brien is a scam investigator.

To find trustworthy sites to donate to, visit B-B-B dot-org.

As the death toll continues to rise in California, the Illinois chapter of the Red Cross plans to provide continued relief for those in need.

Across the nation, Illinoisans can help with everything from monetary and blood donations to time. Jayce Ustes serves as the Regional Communication Manager at the Red Cross.

According to Ustes, several Illinoisans from the Chicagoland area to the state's southern portions are traveling to California. Their mission is to provide critical care to those in need.

In the last report, more than 12,000 homes, businesses, and schools burned by the wildfires in the southern portion of California.

The Illinois Farm Bureau Actively Engaged Student of the Month for January is Freeburg Community High School senior Max Biehl. He told the RFD Radio Network that he is a proud FFA'er.....

He's also a member of the Turkey Hill Busy Bees 4H Club in St. Clair County and participates in MANRRS--Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences. Biehl is also an IHSA bowler and roams the outfield on the Freeburg baseball team.

To nominate a student for the Illinois Farm Bureau Actively Engaged Student of the Month, visit farmweeknow.com/activelyengaged.

Roadways are feeling some pressure from recent winter weather, but it hasn't been too bad yet, according to an IDOT Engineer. District 8's Joe Monroe says they are keeping an eye on the roads, as the freeze-thaw cycle that is fed by swings in weather conditions may ramp up later this week and into the weekend.

Moisture that gets down into cracks in the pavement and stays liquid during the day may freeze at night, causing the pavement to fail.

In just a matter of days, a new president will reside on Pennsylvania Avenue, and an Illinois Republican plans to have legislation waiting for him.

Darin LaHood serves on the Ways and Means Committee, the oldest tax-writing body in the House of Representatives. The Dunlap Republican says the committee plans to have tax cut legislation waiting on former President Trump in the Oval Office.

During his previous term in the White House, President-elect Trump issued sweeping tax cuts for Americans in 2017.

Trump promised to extend the tax cuts on the campaign trail if he was re-elected.

Despite their political differences, Illinois' senior senator wants to work with President-elect Trump.

In Trump's previous administration, Democrat Dick Durbin worked with Republican lawmakers and Trump on criminal justice reform. According to Durbin, the bi-partisan agreement prepared inmates to reenter society successfully. In the second go-around, Durbin says he wants to find common ground with the incoming President on several issues.

This week, Durbin spent time on Capitol Hill grilling President-elect Trump's higher picks for cabinet positions.

President-elect Trump takes the oath of office on January 20.

A Piatt County school district has been working to improve their facilities. 

On the WHOW High School Road Tour Wednesday, DeLand-Weldon High School Principal Matt Goldman told Regional Radio they are working to put a fresh face on their building without making things harder on taxpayers. 

Goldman explains he works closely with Superintendent Dr. Michael Tresnak when forming a plan for building improvements. While there were no pressing issues to be fixed, he says they want to modernize the schools. 

This summer, the district will work on its ag program space, which Goldman states will include the family and consumer sciences classroom. He hopes they will be able to get professional kitchen space for students hoping to enter the culinary field. 

We'll have more from the staff of DeLand-Weldon Schools on Thursday on Regional Radio.

Get more information at dwschools.org
 

A local historical society has received a grant that will allow them to reorganize their art storage. 

Candace Summers with the McLean County History Museum explains they've received funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The $72,000 grant will give them the opportunity allow them to overhaul their art storage space and expand it. 

With this money, Summers says they will not only improve the storage space but make it safer for the art. The museum will purchase new shelving in order to better navigate the space without the risk of damaging the art. 

This reorganization effort will allow the museum the opportunity to revisit pieces that have been in storage for some time. She points to Curator of Collections Jackie Cain as the driving force behind this project. 

Summers notes the museum is always in pursuit of grants to complete their ongoing projects. One of which involves reimagining their current jail cell exhibit. 

Find more information on all the ongoing projects at the McLean County History Museum at mchistory.org

During the city-wide boil order in Clinton, a non-profit was instrumental in ensuring the community had enough drinkable water to make it through the six-day-long saga.

Cody Monkman is the Director of Mission at the Neighborhood Care Center and indicates early on during the boil order he brought together numerous parties to make sure they could get drinking water to the people of Clinton. 

Monkman was able to secure water for Clinton Schools, Liberty Village, and Encore Developmental Services over the weekend. He explains that effort was quite an undertaking because he was able to secure a lot of water but was not sure if the need for it all was there.

Monkman estimates that 28,000 bottles of water were donated between the Neighborhood Care Center's distributions.

The boil order in Clinton was lifted early in the day Tuesday.

Join the Friends of the Warner Library for a fundraiser at Texas Roadhouse in Forsyth on Thursday.

From 3 pm to 10 pm, guests at Texas Roadhouse can mention they are dining to support the Friends of the Warner Library, and ten percent of their bill will go to the non-profit that supports the Warner Library.

The Friends are fundraising for a canopy cover for the outdoor seating area at the library to provide shade during the summer months. The canopy would also be beneficial for any outdoor programming the library offers. 

Again, that is Thursday, January 16 at Texas Roadhouse in Forsyth. 

The WHOW High School Road Tour continues at Maroa-Forsyth High School.

On the WHOW Morning Show Tuesday, Maroa-Forsyth High School Principal Brice Stewart told Regional Radio that he leads with an emphasis on building personal relationships with students. 

FFA President Taylor Crouch explains the impact that FFA Alumni has on her and her chapter. She notes their involvement in selecting the president as well as the guidance the alumni provide. 

Phil Applebee is the Athletic Director at Maroa-Forsyth, and he highlights all the success of the sports programs so far this year. He mentions that success comes from staff, parents, and most importantly students. 

Student Council President Grace Allsup finds fulfillment through leadership, not only in the student council but through all of the organizations and groups she's involved in.

Tune in to WHOW on Wednesday to hear from the next stop on the Road Tour, DeLand-Weldon. 
 

Are you looking to expand your knowledge and improve your agriculture operation? 

The University of Illinois' agronomy summit coming up next week is going to offer a wealth of information to help. Doug Gucker, with the University of Illinois Extension serving DeWitt, Macon, and Piatt Counties, explains the agronomy summit will be at Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield on Wednesday, January 21st. 

The summit will include lunch and a full slate of speakers to keep you informed on the latest agriculture research. Registration is $30 and closes tonight at 5 PM. 

Again registration closes this evening. Register at extension.illinois.edu/dmp.

A days-long boil order in Clinton has been lifted.

The City made the announcement just after 9 am on Tuesday morning. 

The boil order went into effect last Wednesday. 

Last week, residents were reporting unpleasant smells and discoloration stemming from the water supply. The City indicated it was due to a level sensor that went bad and took ten days to get a new sensor. 

There was also issues with the lime-softening system but it had been up and running since January 3, however, the City Water Department noted it could take up to two weeks to get water to properly flush out iron in the water.

Chlorine and bleach odors have been reported in the Clinton water for a few months now but the Water Department indicated at the time of the reported other issues, tests on the water were normal.

The water department says there was a miscommunication with the Illinois EPA office in Springfield about a sample that was submitted last week. The failed sample from last Wednesday triggered the boil order and a re-sample was immediately submitted.

The prolonged nature of the boil order stemmed from communication issues between the Illinois EPA office in Springfield and with the City of Clinton.

Clinton officials hoped to receive notice of the re-sample results late last Friday or Saturday, however, after several attempts to reach the Illinois EPA were unsuccessful, the boil order lasted through the weekend and into Monday. 

School was postponed last Thursday and yesterday (Monday) in Clinton due to the boil order.

Many local establishments have been impacted in recent days due to the boil order as well. 

Commissioner John Wise has requested representatives from the Illinois EPA attend the Clinton City Council meeting next week for answers regarding why communication during the process broke down. 

There are new ordinances taking effect this year, but they aren't quite done yet.

At Monday night's DeWitt County Land Use Committee Meeting, Committee Member Pat Ryan inquired about the status of new ordinances that will affect wind, solar, and storage batteries in DeWitt County. 

Ryan was probing the committee to try and assess what issues could arise without the updated ordinances. After the meeting, he told Regional Radio they had to improve on what they had and build a new set of ordinances for storage batteries. 

Committee Chair Buck Carter joined Pat Ryan to state that the ordinances are put in place to make sure things are regulated well and safely in the county, but that can take a long process of creating and altering the rules.

During the meeting, the board also asked that the soon-to-be zoning administrator follow up with Enel Energy in order to get the latest updates on the flashing lights atop the turbines, which according to ordinance are to turn on only when air traffic is present.  

The WHOW Road Tour continues at Monticello High School. 

On the WHOW Morning Show Monday, Monticello High School Principal Travis Courson told Regional Radio that during the first semester the school feels filled with energy and Sages pride. 

Athletic Director Dan Sheehan explains now that The Holiday Hoopla basketball tournament is wrapped up, winter sports are in full swing and are finding success. 

Looking ahead to the second semester, Pep Club President Catie Swartz looks forward to submitting a school spirit video to the IHSA's Student Section and Spirt Showdown. She says she took on the role of president after being inspired by students who came before her. 

Megan Allen is the Student Council Secretary, and she takes pride in the planning and execution of Homecoming. This year, her responsibility was the bon fire and powderpuff football game. 

Keep up with all things Monticello at sages.us and tune in to WHOW on Tuesday Morning to hear the next stop on the High School Road Tour: Maroa-Forsyth.

The City of Clinton is providing an update on the ongoing city-wide boil order.

Monday afternoon, Water Commissioner John Wise announced the Illinois EPA has indicated the results of the latest round of water testing should be returned to the City Tuesday morning, at which point they hope the boil order will be lifted. 

The City attempted to contact the Illinois EPA multiple times Monday for an update regarding the test results that were sent last Thursday. City officials were supposed to of had an official report by Friday end up day or Saturday but nobody from the EPA has contacted us or returned our phone calls at this time. 

The boil order remains in effect until the City receives official notice from the EPA. 

In a statement Monday afternoon, Commission Wise said quote - "I am truly sorry that we cannot get this rectified any sooner. We truly are doing our best."

January has been one to remember but the weather could turn around if the long-term outlooks are correct.

Nicole Albano at the National Weather Service in Lincoln indicates February and March are showing temperatures and precipitation moderating.

According to Albano, a moderating precipitation outlook should help drought conditions. Central Illinois is not in a serious drought now but that could change if we don't start to get more moisture.

Albano reminds that the six to ten inches of snow that's fallen in parts of the listening area does not equate to six to ten inches of measurable moisture. 

The Warner Library is expanding a program inside its walls thanks to a recently acquired grant. 

Bobbi Perryman, Executive Director of the Warner Library, explains they secured a grant from the Illinois Prairie Community Foundation's Youth Engaged in Philanthropy program to add to its youth programming lineup. 

According to Perryman, the money will be used for take-home science kits. They range from pre-k to junior high level with lessons focused on animals to renewable energy. 

Perryman adds nothing compares to learning by being hands-on. She notes there are not many nearby children's museums, so this is a big help when it comes to educating youth in Clinton. 

This is not the first time the Warner Library has been supported by IPCF grants. Perryman points out the IPCA has been a big supporter of the library over the years. 

Once the library receives the kits, they will be located on the children's floor at the library, and Perryman hopes that will be in about a month. Get more information at vwarner.org.

As crime in a Logan County community goes up, it is not going unnoticed by its law enforcement leader.

Lincoln Police Chief Joe Meister says property crimes in Lincoln are on the rise and he points to the Safe-T legislation as the turning point for the spike in criminal activity.

Chief Meister is doing a deep dive into the crime data in his community and the data is backing up what he and the community are taking notice of - crime, especially property crime, is going up.

In a few weeks, Chief Meister plans to release all his findings specific to Lincoln. He will share that will the Lincoln City Council, and local lawmakers but he also plans to share the data with the newest version of the Illinois General Assembly.

The Chief feels often the message they'll be sending to lawmakers in Springfield could be dismissed because they are just a small, rural, downstate community.

Producers will want to keep a seminar in Champaign on their radar this week.

Doug Gucker at the University of Illinois Extension in DeWitt, Macon, and Piatt Counties indicates this Tuesday and Wednesday is a seminar for the required pesticide training and certification that is now mandatory for anyone handling those products.

Additionally, Thursday will be dedicated to private applicators. Gucker indicates testing for private applicators is free.

Gucker reminds this is a three-year certification and can even apply to home applicators. 

Get more information at extension.illinois.edu.

Mayor Pro-Tem Tom Edmunds is recovering from a bout with pneumonia that has kept him from being at City Council meetings the last few months.

Commissioner - John Wise who has served as the acting Mayor in Edmunds' absence - gave an update on his condition and hopes to see Edmunds back in the Council chambers at the next meeting.

There is a special election for the Mayor's chair on April 1. The Mayor's seat has been vacant since July 2023.

A local library is offering programs that are entertaining and educational for young children.

Executive Director of the Warner Library, Bobbi Perryman explains they are bringing back Toddler Story Time, Preschool Pals, and their Lego clubs for the youth and families of the community. 

As all things are at the library, these programs are free to all. Keep up with all of the library's events and programming and vwarner.org

The Farmer City Heritage Days Committee is announcing its main events for this year’s festival along with a new location. 

In a partnership with T&A Bucking Bulls and Rugged Cross Cattle Company, Heritage Days will feature a two-day rodeo event this year. Bull riding, ranch bronc riding, barrel racing, and mutton busting are among the attractions for this coming summer. 

This year, the committee is collaborating with the Farmer City/Dewitt County Fairgrounds, which will serve as the new venue for the Heritage Days festival in 2025. This location not only offers ample space for more vendors and diverse food trucks but also allows for expanded free kids' activities and the highly popular 5K run. 

Clearing Main Street will enable us to organize a festive "Cruise" down the street, which will coincide with this year's car show entries, bringing together car lovers and the community in celebration.

Each night after the rodeo will be concerts on the main stage concerts in the arena. On the evening of Friday, May 30, 2025, Cody Canada and The Departed will be the headlining act. Canada, renowned as the frontman of the iconic band Cross Canadian Ragweed, has been a pivotal figure in the Red Dirt music genre for over a decade, boasting millions of album sales and performances before enthusiastic crowds across the U.S. In 2011, he established The Departed, blending sounds inspired by the legendary outlaw country icons of the 1970s and the rock trends of the 1990s, ensuring a night of memorable music.

On Saturday, May 31, 2025, Drew Baldridge will be the headliner. An Illinois native who is currently making waves in the music scene from Tennessee, his new single "Tough People," alongside his recently acclaimed viral hit, "She's Somebody's Daughter," achieved number one status.

As has become a tradition at Heritage Days, the carnival and kids zone will both be located at the fairgrounds. Additionally, the Heritage Days Committee is inviting everyone to join them for Community Night, which will take place on Thursday, May 29, 2025, also hosted at the fairgrounds ahead of the weekend festivities.

Gates for both the rodeo and the concerts will open promptly at 5 PM each evening. The rodeo will kick off at 6:30 PM, followed by the concert starting at 9 PM. General admission is free for both the rodeo and the concert. After the conclusion of the rodeo, the track gates will open, welcoming those with party pit tickets to enjoy an up-close experience right in front of the stage.

For the latest information and updates, check the Heritage Days official website at www.farmercityheritagedays.com.

This week it was announced Tony Harris, DeWitt County's longtime 9-1-1 center director, will be making a jump across the street to become the Clinton Administrative Assistant to the Council.

John Wise has been the acting Mayor in the absence of Mayor Pro-Tem Tom Edmunds who recovers from pneumonia at Liberty Village. Wise indicates Harris' job will look very similar to the way Tim Followell operated the position before his retirement.

The City sought for several years to fill the Administrator's role after Followell retired as City Administrator. However, after having three come and go in that time, the title of City Administrator seems to be done away with in Clinton. Wise says how the City Administrator's role fits in Clinton has to be evaluated by the Council.

Wise calls Harris the 'easy, no-brainer decision for our problem'. He credits Harris' familiarity with the County already and looks forward to him being able to hit the ground running. 

Harris begins his new role with the City of Clinton on Monday.

A DeWitt County non-profit is looking forward to 2025 after a very successful 2024.

Curt Homann, Executive Director of the DeWitt County Development Council, explains they do whatever is in the best interest of the community's local businesses. Right now, that means adding a new member to their board of directors. 

Homann hopes to have their new website completed as soon as possible. Additionally, he stresses wanting to support DeWitt County businesses through the DCDC's low-interest loans and grants.

The DCDC works alongside the DeWitt County Board to promote the county's economic development. Homann

has full confidence in newly elected Board Chair Joe Witte to continue their success. 

Keep up with all the updates on the DCDC's soon-to-be-new website at dcdc-illinois.net.

Not a lot of snowpack to the north of Illinois. What does that mean for the Mississippi River, which has been challenged over the last two summers with low water levels. DTN ag meteorologist John Branick discussed that issue with RFD Radio this week.

Baranick resides in Minnesota.

Commodity markets are awaiting the first big report of 2025. The January USDA World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates or WASDE report is released later this week says Joe Camp with Commstock Investments.

The report is released at 11 a.m. Friday.

Big numbers for next month's Illinois Farm Bureau Young Leader Conference.

Illinois Farm Bureau Young Leader Program Coordinator Perry Harlow says the conference is Feb. 7 and 8 in East Peoria. Illinois Farm Bureau Young Leaders are those members ages 18-to-35.

Illinois Congressman Eric Sorensen says he's ready to reach across the aisle and work with Speaker of the House Mike Johnson.

Sorensen says his second term will look much different from his first—with a Republican President and Republicans with a stronghold in the Senate and the House. However, the former meteorologist is ready to work with Republicans no matter the issue.

Congressman Sorenson recently won a second term after defeating Republican and former Judge Joe McGraw.

Sorensen's district spans from Rockford to the Quad Cities to McLean County.

More snow is coming to central Illinois, so it's especially important to practice safe driving.

Piatt County Sheriff Mark Vogelzang reminds when warming up your car this winter, to be weary of anyone who may take the opportunity to steal it. 

When hitting the roads, the Sherriff implores people to clear their windows completely to ensure the best visibility possible. Check online for road conditions before setting out, and if you don't have to leave the house, stay off the roads. 

Clinton Police Chief, Ben Lowers says taking the extra few minutes to prepare your vehicle before getting out on the slippery roads will pay dividends. He also stresses slowing down and moving over for emergency and service vehicles. 

If you are to become stuck, Chief Lowers recommends putting on your hazard lights, staying in your vehicle, and calling for assistance. He says your vehicle is your best protection until you can be helped. 

So as central Illinois finds itself getting snow, always remember to drive slow, allow plenty of travel time, and to always wear a seatbelt. 

The City of Clinton released the following statement regarding the water situation in the community on Thursday afternoon:

In regard to testing, monthly, there are there are two groups of samplings done with EPA-provided sites. Once those samplings are provided to the Illinois EPA it takes 24/30 hours to be analyzed. Upon a failed test we are notified immediately. It is not uncommon to get a failed sample. Upon a passed test, we are notified weeks later with the results.

The initial testing tests total coliform bacteria, which is a generic test for the presence of bacteria. If that initial test comes back as a failure, we then are required to resample at the site upstream and downstream, which gives them three samples per site. The resample is then tested more specifically for bacteria such fecal coliform, e-coli, etc.

The timeline that has led up to this week’s events. There was a miscommunication in offices, we stated that the sample was taken Monday, January 6th when it was in fact taken Tuesday, January 7th. The City of Clinton provided the Illinois EPA with a monthly sampling Tuesday, January 7th. We were then notified Wednesday, January 8th that those samplings failed, and the public was notified immediately. Thursday, January

9th the Illinois EPA has been provided with the retest samplings. The results from those samples should be in within 24/48 hours, we then will await further instruction from the Illinois EPA.

The statement released yesterday January 8th regarding the issues with odor and color, the issues and remedies related to color and odor have been an ongoing issue for months. The lime softening system and CO2 systems have been experiencing issues for the last couple of months, the sampling from these tests have come back with no issue as well as multiple boil order samples throughout town. It is possible to produce water with no lime or CO2 systems running that is safe to drink.

The City of Clinton Water Department along with Illinois Rural Water Association IRWA has been working expeditiously, we will keep the community aware as we are given notification from the Illinois EPA.

Illinois EPA can be reached at 217-782-3397.

City of Clinton Water Department 217-935-6511 or 217-935-3432.

A central Illinois lawmaker is sounding off on lawmakers on the other side of the aisle for what he calls misplaced priorities during the latest lame-duck session.

State Senator Chapin Rose is calling out Illinois Democrats for ignoring issues impacting Illinois residents and focusing on an issue that he says will invite risks.

The Mahomet Republican says the message from the Illinois legislature is clear, if you're an Illinoisan struggling, your concerns have to wait.

Lawmakers conducted the lame duck session before the newest general assembly was sworn in earlier this week, all within a matter of days in Springfield. Now it's off to the Governor's State of the State and budget address in the next few months.
 

A central Illinois lawmaker is sounding off on lawmakers on the other side of the aisle for what he calls misplaced priorities during the latest lame-duck session.

State Senator Chapin Rose is calling out Illinois Democrats for ignoring issues impacting Illinois residents and focusing on an issue that he says will invite risks.

The Mahomet Republican says the message from the Illinois legislature is clear, if you're an Illinoisan struggling, your concerns have to wait.

Lawmakers conducted the lame duck session before the newest general assembly was sworn in earlier this week, all within a matter of days in Springfield. Now it's off to the Governor's State of the State and budget address in the next few months.

The DeWitt County Development Council, or DCDC, is looking back at what it calls a successful 2024.

DCDC Executive Director Curt Homann explains they gave away more money in the form of grants than ever before. He hopes to be able to match that this year. 

Homann takes pride in the projects being accomplished this year - some of which have been in the works for multiple years. He points to the new grocery store in Farmer City as an example of the necessary process. 

While deciding on the biggest accomplishment of the DCDC in 2024 is difficult, Homann believes giving businesses and entrepreneurs the resources to be successful is a part of the job he enjoys the most. 

Find more information on the DeWitt County Development Council's website at dcdc-illinois.net.

The world can be tough to figure out, and it's always changing. Luckily, a local extension office has a webinar to help you in your day-to-day.

Extension Director for the University of Illinois Extension serving Logan, Menard, and Sangamon Counties Terri Miller-Casey explains one of the more timely Lessons For Living topics will be inflation. 

Unfortunately, Miller-Casey states there are no in-person options for this series, but she encourages getting with an in-person group to view these videos together. She looks forward to all the Extension will have to offer in 2025.

Find the Lessons For Living webinar series and more information at extension.illinois.edu/lms

Clinton Schools have canceled school on Thursday due to the community-wide boil order.

The notice was sent out to parents via a phone call around 7 pm Wednesday. 

The district says it is attempting to acquire bottled water in hopes of resuming class on Friday.

The City of Clinton is under a boil order after issues with the water arose Wednesday and multiple tests on the water came back problematic. City officials anticipate the boil order to last multiple days. 

The City of Clinton is under a boil order until further notice.

City officials tell Regional Radio issues with water came up in the afternoon Wednesday and after tests on the water showed issues, a boil order was issued under an abundance of caution.

More tests will be done on Thursday, Friday, and then again on Saturday. Officials say they will continue to monitor the water status and lift the boil order when they get the all-clear.

Keep it to Regional Radio information as it becomes available. 

Update From The Water Department:

We have had several inquiries from the public regarding issues with the water, please know the City of Clinton Water Department is aware and are working on the issues, it will take time to work itself out and at no point has the water been unsafe to consume.

The sulfur (rotten egg) smell and yellow tint of the water is due to the lime softening system being down previously for two weeks. There was a level sensor that went bad, it took 10 days for us to receive the new one. Lime helps strip out the iron content, when the iron content is higher you get the strong sulfur smell and discolored water. The lime softening system has been repaired and back up and running since January 3rd. It may take a week or two to fully flush out all of the high iron water with the property treated lime softened water. Regardless of the smell or the color, the iron residuals were well below maximum content levels and all water was well chlorinated and filtered prior to entering the system.

Regarding the chlorine and bleach odor, all chlorine levels are on the low end of the residuals we are required to have leaving our treatment plant. However, we do have parts of the CO2 system that are down, this helps control the PH leaving the facility. This CO2 system mixes with water forming carbonic acid, when the carbonic acid is mixed with chlorine the smell becomes more potent. While you may smell a strong odor of chlorine the residual is actually the same or lower than it always has been. The schedule for a technician to arrive and repair the issues is between January 9th and January 13th. Once the repairs are complete, the chlorine/bleach smell should reside within a couple of days.

With the lime system up and running and once the CO2 system is fully repaired all issues will be resolved.

Perhaps the coldest stretch of the winter is upon and local authorities say now is not the time to let your guard down after the biggest winter storm to roll through central Illinois just left the most snow in the area in a couple of years.

On the WHOW Morning Show Wednesday, Chief Ben Lowers told Regional Radio he applauds the public for their caution taken during the Sunday winter weather event.

With a bitterly cold stretch here for a few more days at least and more sure to come as the winter kicks into full swing, Chief Lowers reminds to be compassionate and check on those neighbors and friends who may not be as fortunate as you.

Chief Lowers is very passionate about the care and well-being of the animals of the community and hopes pet owners who may not allow those dogs or cats indoors that they make sure they have appropriate shelter.

With more snow sure to come at some point this winter, Chief Lowers has reminders about those safe travel plans and again gives credit to local residents and authorities for being careful and safe during this first winter storm of the season this week. 

The new year means new laws in Illinois. 

DeWitt County Sheriff Mike Walker received 17 pages of new laws passed by the Illinois legislature. One allows people to bid on foreclosed houses online rather than in person which the Sheriff believes will be a good thing. 

Law enforcement will now be required to receive training on identifying and responding to individuals with Autism. Sherriff Walker says although it's not a common occurrence, it is important to be trained. 

Snow plows and tow trucks are not uncommon to see when snow is on the ground, and this year, in Illinois, any state or municipality-owned service vehicles will be able to display green lights alongside the typical amber and white.

These new laws are all in effect as of January 1st, 2025.

Illinois Farm Bureau Consumer Engagement Manager Gracie Pierson expects an active 2025 in the consumer engagement space.

Pierson also plays a key role with the Illinois Farm Families coalition, which is a collaboration between Illinois Farm Bureau, IL Corn, Illinois Beef Association, Illinois Soybean Association, Illinois Pork Producers, and Midwest Dairy.

How Illinois regulates carbon emissions will get some attention in the New Year. Illinois Farm Bureau Director of Business and Regulatory Affairs Bill Bodine is following the issue.

And Bodine says opponents will present to the Illinois Pollution Control Board in March.

The City of Clinton made quick work in its pursuit of a replacement for Taylor Baxter, who has departed for Farmer City.

Tuesday night at the Clinton City Council meeting, the Council approved Tony Harris to replace Baxter. Harris, who was the longtime leader of the 9-1-1 Center for DeWitt County, says it was time for a change.

Harris' title will vary slightly from the departing Baxter who was the City Administrator. Harris will be the 'Administrative Assistant to the Council' and explains it will involve a lot of zoning duties.

Harris begins his new position with the City of Clinton next Monday, January 13. 

The WHOW annual High School Road Tour kicked off in 2025 with Cerro Gordo High School on Tuesday morning. 

On the WHOW Morning Show, Cerro Gordo High School and Junior High Principal Brandon Willard told Regional Radio they are working with the Macon County Chamber of Commerce to improve students' interview skills. 

Kirby Medical Center has collaborated with Cerro Gordo to keep kids fit and teach them that exercise doesn't stop when your sports season ends. Athletic Director Diann Durbin says the students who participate have loved the partnership.

Brenden Puckett is the Student Council President and explains that they just wrapped up their candle fundraiser to benefit the student council and the National Honors Society. 

Many of the student-run organizations at Cerro Gordo are self-sufficient, notes Math Teacher James Vogel. When students need an adult to make their ideas happen, he comes in as a sponsor. 

Keep up with all things Cerro Gordo High School at cgbroncos.org.
 

The farther north you went in Illinois, the less snow you likely encountered.

On the WHOW Morning Show Tuesday, Nicole Albano at the National Weather Service in Lincoln told Regional Radio areas from Decatur to Jacksonville and farther south to I-70 received about eight inches. But farther north, those totals fall off.

Albano indicates the storm was one of the biggest central Illinois has gotten in a few years. She indicates it was quite a challenge to track it leading up to its arrival on Saturday night and into Sunday.

It was very cold during this weekend's snow event. Albano indicates the cold temperatures are going to stick around for a few more days.

More snow could be on the way later this week. We'll have more on that with Albano this week on Regional Radio. 

The second phase of Clinton High School's football and track facility updates are underway.

Superintendent Drew Goebel indicates the complex will be getting new bleachers with a new press box.

According to Goebel, the structure under the what will become the visiting bleachers is going to be demolished and will be replaced by a pole barn. Additionally, there will be new sidewalks added around the facility for better access.

Goebel admits the high school parking lot is in bad shape and while he wants to address that area of the campus, he notes it is not only expensive but with all the work they have coming up, it would probably not last as long as it could.

Late last month, the district learned it would be receiving dollars from the City of Clinton as part of a TIF fund to help put turf on its baseball and softball diamonds. 

The DeWitt County Fair Board is fundraising for more improvements at the 4-H Fairgrounds in Clinton. 

On the WHOW Morning Show Monday, 4-H Youth Development Educator for the University of Illinois Extension in DeWitt, Macon, and Piatt Counties Henry Craft, Henry Craft told Regional Radio they have some existing and upcoming projects to keep the DeWitt County Fairgrounds in good shape.

These projects can cost a pretty penny and Craft explains they are raising those funds by applying for grants, business outreach, and most importantly personal asks. 

The Fairgrounds Board is hoping to have these projects by this year's fair coming in mid-July. Because they have already started construction, Craft says they're moving fast. 

Craft reminds the DeWitt County 4-H Fairgrounds hosts youth from the three County area now for not only the open show but for livestock and the horse show, making the Fairground a very busy place each summer. 

If you're interested in donating and DeWitt County Fairgrounds, visit extension.illinois.edu/dmp or call the DeWitt office at 217-935-5764.

Lawmakers return to Springfield for the lame duck session and then in February, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker will release his proposed budget for the State of Illinois.

Senator Sally Turner says the recent veto session was rather uneventful. With a quick turnaround from the lame duck session to new members getting sworn in, she says it is a busy time at the capitol. 

Lawmakers anticipate a tighter budget this year because COVID dollars the state leaned into during the pandemic are going away. Sen. Turner says it will be interesting how the Governor and Illinois Democrats prioritize spending this year.

Like many Illinois Republicans, the Lincoln Republican gets frustrated with how the budget process plays itself out. She says there is very little, if any, collaboration in forming the budget.

Sen. Turner says Illinois is going to have to make decisions on how and where its spends its money in the next year. 

In recent months, Illinois farmland owners have received random solicitations in the mail to sell their property. Some communications even include a purchase agreement. Illinois Farm Bureau Director of Business and Regulatory Affairs Bill Bodine says landowners should do research on the solicitor or even retain an attorney before signing any papers.

In one instance, a landowner was offered just over $122,000 for 77 acres or just under $1,600 per acre. The mailing came from a Chicago area firm.

The first major winter snowstorm in 2025 could force cancelations of blood drives across the state.

Typically, winter is a month of downtime for blood donations at the American Red Cross, but several inches of snowfall are worsening the situation. Jayce Ustes, a Public Affairs Specialist at the Red Cross, says the non-profit could experience a trickle-down effect after the storm.

In addition to the storm, the Red Cross also noticed a downturn in donations due to an uptick in the flu.

The American Red Cross provides services to over 12 million Illinoians across 88 counties.

Over the last few days, as much as 10 inches of snow fell in places throughout central Illinois, but the snow plows have been hard at work.

On the WHOW Morning Show Monday, DeWitt County Sheriff Mike Walker told Regional Radio that the roads are not looking too bad after the heavy winter storm. He says planning ahead is the key to safe travel. 

Sherriff Walker says residential roads may have been a little worse off due to houses blocking wind that would otherwise blow snow off the streets.  He states they've received no reports of weather-related accidents. 

The city of Clinton was close to the northern edge of the storm, and Sherriff Walker mentions that much of DeWitt County was unscathed by the snow. 

Always remember to drive slowly and give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination when the winter brings poor driving conditions. We'll have more this week with Sherriff Walker on Regional Radio. 

For four to six inches of snow falling in DeWitt County in the last 24 hours, the roads seem to rather passable.

That's according to DeWitt County Sheriff Mike Walker who told Regional Radio Monday morning he has been out since about 6 am and says things aren't too bad - all things considered.

Sheriff Walker says that so far, they've had no calls or incidents on the roads due to the weather. He says EMA is reporting about four to six inches of snow in DeWitt County.

Sheriff Walker adds the County Courthouse is open its regular hours and business will proceed as usual in the County Building. 

It's not often that students are excused from class for a sporting event during the school day but the rules for this rivalry game are a little different. 

Cerro Gordo-Bement basketball players Jillian Dervin, Brandan Puckett, and Cooper Benson explain this year is the 2nd Annual Corn Bowl Classic - where they will take on Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond. 

The Corn Bowl trophy is currently in the hands of Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond, and the students say they're looking forward to working together to bring the trophy home. 

Superintendent of Cerro Gordo Schools Dr. Emily Weidner notes this big event was started by Cerro Gordo High School's principal in collaboration with Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond's athletic director. 

Dr. Weidner invites the community to pack their gymnasium for this electric rivalry game. Both games will take place on Friday, January 10th. The girls will tip off at 10 AM, and the boys will begin at noon. 

A central Illinois University of Illinois Extension Director is hoping to encourage more kindness in her communities through an initiative she is introducing this year. 

Terri Miller-Casey, Director of the University of Illinois Extension for Logan, Menard, and Sangamon Counties explains her 'BE KIND 2025' initiative is focused on remembering to be kind when others forget. 

It's easy to think that generations younger than you are lazy or don't care, but Miller-Casey points out that people have said that for generations and that she sees every day just how kind and caring kids can be. 

According to Miller-Casey, the challenges faced by young people today are different than those of their elders, but kindness is a value that should and can be held by everyone. 

Miller-Casey plans to put up a poster in their office and maybe even make a t-shirt to help remind people of this initiative. 

For more information on programming, resources, and 4-H in Logan, Menard, and Sangamon Counties, visit extension.illinois.edu/lms

Ameren Illinois on alert during the winter season to respond to any power outages. If damage requires a large-scale effort to get the lights back on, Ameren Illinois is ready to hit the road as part of their ability to press their mobile storm trailers into service. Ameren Illinois spokesman Brian Bretsch says when they respond to an area, they have a strategy in place.

You may see an Ameren Illinois truck in the area before the actual repairs begin. That would be a unit scouting the area to see what kind of materials and resources are needed. Bretsch reminds that even if your entire neighborhood is without power, you should still call 1-800-755-5000 to report your own outage.

As road crews continue to respond to the wintry mix that has blanketed the area, the Illinois Department of Transportation reminds they are clearing the roads as quick as they can but need your help. That includes slowing down and giving their trucks plenty of room to operate. The best advice when roads are bad, as IDOT Engineer Joe Monroe says, may be to stay home.

If you do venture out, experts say you should avoid using cruise control when the roads are snowy and icy. To stay up to date on the latest winter road conditions, go to gettingaroundillinois.com.

The 2025 Miss Illinois County Fair Queen Pageant set for later this month in Springfield. Among the contestants—Miss Ogle County Fair Queen Blakelynn Swanson, who is also a livestock exhibitor during county fair season.

The 2025 Miss Illinois County Fair Queen will be crowned on January 19.

Visiting every state park in Illinois. That's the goal of Stephanie Swieca and Emily Magrady from the Chicagoland area. They're blogging the experience and Swieca says it's called the Fresh Air Friendship.

The two have been named Outdoor Influencer of the Year by the Illinois Conservation Foundation.

The Regional Radio listening area remains under a Winter Storm Warning until noon on Monday.

Heavy snow will fall during the day Sunday into Sunday night with total snow accumulations 7 to 13 inches depending on where you are in Central Illinois. The heaviest snow will occur along and south of a Beardstown to Paris line where amounts of 8 to 12 inches will be likely. Further south, the snow will mix with sleet and freezing rain...with a light ice accumulation of less than 0.20 south of I-70.

The Weather Service says travel could be very difficult. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions will impact the Monday morning commute.

The Weather Service adds that if you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. The latest road conditions for
Illinois can found by clicking the “Road Conditions” icon at dewittdailynews.com.

Alternative energy is no stranger to DeWitt County, especially in the last few years, however, there could be a new source coming soon.

DeWitt County Board Chair Joe Witte explains Constellation Energy approached them in pursuit of a letter of support to assist in the US Department of Energy grant application, that will go towards constructing a small modular nuclear reactor. 

Witte feels this could be a good opportunity for DeWitt County, as it will provide reliable clean energy, as well as economic development through jobs offered by Constellation. 

The Board has agreed to give a letter of support to the US Department of Energy. Constellation will not be able to build anything regarding the reactor until 2026 due to the expiration date of Illinois' moratorium on their development. 

Millions of people suffer from anxiety about severe weather around the country. 

Ed Shimon at the National Weather Service explains they are hosting a webinar to help people cope with storm and weather-related anxiety on January 9th at 6 PM.

Registration is required for you to receive a link. Find more information on the National Weather Service in Lincoln at weather.gov/Lincoln. 

A Winter Storm Watch has been issued for much of central Illinois, with significant snowfall, ice accumulation, and strong winds forecasted from late Saturday night through Monday morning. The National Weather Service warns of hazardous travel conditions and the potential for power outages as the storm progresses.

At least six inches of heavy snow is expected across the region, with a strong likelihood of accumulation. Areas south of Interstate 70 may also see a narrow band of ice accumulation, with at least one-tenth of an inch possible. Blustery north winds, gusting between 20 to 30 mph, could cause blowing and drifting snow, especially on east-west highways, further complicating travel.

The storm is anticipated to impact portions of central, east-central, southeast, and west-central Illinois, with the heaviest snow expected north of Interstate 70. Meanwhile, areas along and south of Interstate 70 are more likely to experience ice accumulation. Hazardous conditions could make travel very difficult or impossible, especially during the Monday morning commute. Roads, bridges, and overpasses are likely to become slick, and sporadic power outages are possible due to the combination of ice and wind. 

Residents are urged to monitor weather updates closely and consider delaying any travel plans. If travel is unavoidable, exercise extreme caution and be prepared with a winter storm kit, including essential items such as jumper cables, a flashlight, a shovel, blankets, extra clothing, water, and a first aid kit.

Stay tuned to Regional Radio News for updates on this developing winter storm.

A new year is upon us and the Clinton Chamber of Commerce is back to work getting ready for its annual events.

Executive Director Janice Peterson indicates things begin with the annual dinner. Plans are still coming together for this event that gives a recap of the year in review and honors employers in DeWitt County through annual awards.

Peterson is still finalizing plans for the annual dinner she hopes to be able to share soon. If her plans can come together, she looks forward to a fun dinner again this year.

According to Peterson, the Chamber has talked about moving its annual business expo to Clinton Junior High School. The plans for that event are also still being worked out.

Once the business expo wraps up, the Chamber then moves on to May Days. Those dates have been locked for May 15-18 in downtown Clinton.

Follow along with all things Clinton Chamber of Commerce by finding them on Facebook or visit clintonilchamber.com.

Residents of Lincoln have seen the former location of Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital transformed over the last few years. 

In 2025, Lincoln Mayor Tracy Welch hopes to continue to develop that area of the community as a hub for activity for its residents.

According to the Mayor, that property at one point had a vision with a one million dollar price tag. The vision now is to perhaps develop an ampitheater type of space similar to a park in Sherman, Illinois. 

The Mayor believes they have a great community and hopes if you've not ever been to Lincoln or it's been a while since your last visit, swing into town and check out some of their popular attractions. 

destinationlogancountyil.com or lincolnil.gov are great places to find more information about the community. 

More facility expansion could be in the works for a rural Logan County school district.

Jason Spang is the first year Superintendent of Mt. Pulaski Schools and indicates they are in the early stages of an addition to its junior high school.

According to Spang, this year the district is going to enter into strategic planning and while they have maintained enrollment for several years, they are hoping to create a plan to recruit and attract new families to their community.

Spang indicates the current strategic plan is about to expire factors in the plans the district is discussing and the plans should be part of the new strategic plan once it is formed this year. He also notes they unveiled the renderings at its boy's holiday basketball tournament in November around Thanksgiving. 

Despite electing a new President, another election season is upon us, this time involving local elections across the state.

No pun intended, but this year's consolidated election, which deals with local board and township positions, falls on April Fool's Day. Matt Dietrich is the spokesman at the Illinois State Board of Elections in Springfield.

Out of any election, Dietrich predicts just a handful of votes could decide a couple of dozen races across the state.

USDA Rural Development offers many different programs—including those that provide funding for infrastructure needs in small towns says state director Pam Monetti.

More information on USDA Rural Development programs available at rd.usda.gov/il.

2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the Master Gardener program in Illinois. Candice Anderson is with the U of I Extension and she says the program has had a tremendous impact across the state.

In celebration of this milestone, the Extension will offer local and regional events, highlighting generations of volunteers and staff.

After deliberation from multiple county committees, the DeWitt County Board has hired some new faces for open positions. 

Joe Witte, DeWitt County Board Chair, explains last month they received official recommendations to fill the Zoning and Animal Control Administrator positions.  

Many employers face issues with employee retention, and Witte explains the county is no different. He hopes the work Tony Harris has put into Animal Control will help combat burnout in the department. 

Both Elizabeth Weikle and Grace Moore's employment will be contingent on pre-employment testing, but both the Land Use and Public Safety committees believe there will be no issues on that front. 

After 25 years of service, a central Illinois game warden is handing in his badge.

DNR Conservation Police Captain John Williamson is retiring. Thinking back on his 20-plus years in all corners of Illinois, he remembers finding a mountain lion as one of the craziest experiences of his tenure. 

Capt. Williamson has spent time with the DNR across the entire state and emphasizes how much the job changes with time and location. 

Capt. Williamson's retirement will be effective this week after 25 years of service.

A New Year's resolution for many is to lose weight and become healthier, and a local extension office is offering a resource to help keep you accountable. 

Terri Miller-Casey, Director of the University of Illinois Extension serving Logan, Menard, and Sangamon Counties explains they are hosting a webinar series about taking control of your health. The first session will focus on chronic pain management. 

Miller-Casey states that if you can't attend this free series live, it will be archived on the extension's website for you to view later. 

Register and find more information on this webinar series from the Univeristy of Illinois Extension at extension.illinois.edu/lms 

Snow and cold on the way for Illinois says Paul Otto with Freese-Notis Weather.

Otto says the top-end snow amounts will be around six inches.

Commodity markets reopen today for the start of 2025 after a challenging 2024. Joe Camp is with Commstock Investments.

The first USDA World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates or WASDE report of 2025 is released next Friday.

No 5 (From April 2024)

>>Clinton Elementary School Has New Principal

Last month, the Clinton Board of Education approved the resignation of first-year Clinton Elementary School Principal Kelly Morrison.

Earlier this month, the Board of Education approved the hiring of Paul Ranstead. On the WHOW Morning Show Wednesday, Superintendent Curt Nettles told Regional Radio Ranstead stood out among the other candidates for the position.

While the applicant pool for the position was not a large number, Nettles believes they had quality candidates with several who would have made great principals at Clinton Elementary School.

Nettles had high praise for Ranstead saying they searched high and low and found no one that could say anything bad about him. Nettles believes Ranstead will be a great leader.

Many may question the longevity of Ranstead in the district as this will be the building's third principal in three years. While he recognizes that is accurate, he says you know when you've got a good administrator. 

Ranstead comes to Clinton from Decatur where he is an elementary principal. 

No 4

>>Clinton City Council Receives Good News on City Hall Elevator

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.

Jan 1 update - The City Hall elevator is now functional again. The City has been exploring plans to build a new City hall in combination with a fire station and police station. Those plans have stalled recently due to the high costs of materials. 

No 3 (From March)

>>Clinton Elementary School Needs New Principal

Clinton Elementary School has a job posting for a new Principal for next year.

Clinton Schools Superintendent Curt Nettles confirmed Kelly Morrisson's resignation effective at the end of the year.

Morrisson was hired by the district last summer after the building went through a unique transition, simultaneously in need of two administrators at the end of the school year.

Jan 1 update: Clinton Elementary School has since hired Mr Paul Ranstead as its principal. 

No 2

>>DeWitt County Board Chair Reacts to Last Week's Presentation From Enel Green Energy

Last week, the DeWitt County Board heard from representatives from Enel Green Energy who told the Board leadership within the organization had been restructured and were remorseful over the deterioration of the relationship between the two sides.

Count County Board Chair Dan Matthews in the camp of 'wait and see'. On the WHOW Morning Show Friday, the Board President told Regional Radio they've heard this all before and nothing changed.

Matthews admits it was nice to have people present and now to have someone local to direct questions to. But he remains concerned about the issues that have been impacting local residents for the roughly year-plus that the farm has been operational.

Representatives last week told the Board they had only received one official complaint regarding the wind turbine issues but Matthews found that hard to believe given the fact so many people are watching to make sure Enel is doing what they said they would.

Matthews credits the personal approach taken by Enel this time around and reiterated his stance to give these individuals a chance to be better in their efforts but stressed the Board and community would be holding them accountable. 

No 1

>>Clinton KFC Closes Doors for Good (From March 8, 2024)

Clinton KFC has closed its doors for good.

According to signage at the restaurant Thursday, the location appears to be out of business.

Regional Radio News received information there were movers at the store Thursday clearing the location out of all chairs, tables, and kitchen equipment from the kitchen. 

By late afternoon, the facility had been shut down and the doors closed.

Clinton's KFC location underwent a significant renovation just a few years ago. City of Clinton officials told Regional Radio Thursday they became aware of the closure much like everyone else - through word of mouth. 

There is no indication of what could be next for the facility.

Jan 1 Update - The former KFC location remains vacant still.