Heyworth Schools recently installed a new turf football field, but that is not the end of those facility upgrades. 

Superintendent Dr. Lisa Taylor indicates that the new scoreboard should be ready for their Homecoming football game against Alton Marquette Catholic. She says the turf project ended up costing less than they had predicted, giving them the opportunity to add the scoreboard. 

Dr. Taylor explains that while it is fun to celebrate and watch the students take pride in their school, she says it is one of the most exhausting weeks of the year for staff. Dr. Taylor adds that Thursday will host many of the Homecoming activities, including the parade, bonfire, and presentation of the Homecoming court. 

The Heyworth Hornets will take on Alton Marquette Catholic to celebrate Homecoming this year. Learn more about the week-long celebration by visiting husd4.org or finding Heyworth Schools on Facebook.

The weather has been hot and dry, causing many farmers to get out and begin the harvest a little early this year. 

DeWitt County Sheriff Mike Walker may sound like a broken record, but he is asking drivers to be patient with large farm implements driving on roadways. He reminds that this time of year can be very stressful for farmers, especially if drivers are being unsafe. 

The Sheriff recommends giving yourself some extra time to get to your destination. He notes that some equipment can be so large that it is impossible to pass, and you never know where one might be. 

The harvest season can also disturb local wildlife populations, especially when it comes to deer. Sheriff Walker explains that roads in wooded areas could see increased deer activity, so it's important to be vigilant. 

The fall is not the only season to make sure you are driving carefully. It is essential to always be alert while driving and to wear a seatbelt. 

Solar development began in Lincoln a few years ago with the construction of a solar farm on Kickapoo Street. 

Lincoln Mayor Tracy Welch explains that the purpose of that solar farm was to generate enough power to run the Waste Water Treatment Plant. He says that with the increased energy costs of late, solar has really started to grow in the Logan County community. 

The Mayor states that when the City decides to build a community solar project, it can be a long process, even though it is completed entirely internally. He notes that when it comes to residential solar, they try to make the process as easy as possible. 

As the Mayor of Lincoln, it is Welch's responsibility to have the best interests of the City at heart. He admits that too much solar development could land lock the community, and make future City development very difficult. 

The City of Lincoln is staying open to the financial benefits of having solar farms in the community, while maintaining the need to regulate it responsibly. 

It's the week that high schoolers and alumni all look forward to in Clinton: Homecoming.

Clinton High School Principal Jerry Wayne explains that Homecoming week starts with a day off for students; however, teachers will still be in the building for a School Improvement Plan Day. He says the scheduling of this day is an intentional choice. 

This week's dress-up days will feature classics like pajama day, but all with a Harry Potter-themed twist. He adds that the theme may also appear in some of the Homecoming Parade floats. 

It wouldn't be Homecoming week without the Powderpuff Football game, where Clinton's junior girls take on the senior girls. Wayne reminds us that the game is on Wednesday night at 7 PM, and takes place in the gym, a successful change that came about by accident. 

The Homecoming Parade will kick off Friday's festivities at 3 PM and leads right into the football game when the Maroons take on the Tri-Valley Vikings. 

Wayne hopes that the community shows their support for the Maroons all week long, and especially at this Friday's parade and Football game. Hear all the Homecoming football action on WHOW and all its digital platforms. 

You can learn more about Homecoming in Clinton by going to cusd15.org

A Piatt County school district recently approved a nearly $2-million renovation that will connect two of its buildings.

Superintendent Mary Vogt told Regional Radio on the WHOW Morning Show on Friday that they currently have students who need to walk between two buildings on their campus. The Bement Board of Education earlier this month approved a $1.9-million project to enclose and secure that section of the campus.

A major part of the project will be coming into compliance with ADA, or Americans with Disabilities Act, standards at the entrance and its restrooms. Vogt hopes the newly created space could also serve as a community gathering place in the event of an emergency.

According to Vogt, this project will be funded thanks to a private donation as well as issuing bonds.

Vogt hopes to have the space completed and the entrance and restrooms up to ADA compliance by the middle of next summer. 

The Board of Education approved this project at its meeting on September 10. 

The 2025 edition of the Apple n' Pork Festival is in the books and despite some unexpected heat this weekend, a good crowd populated.

Clinton Police Chief Ben Lowers says a crowd of just over 38,000 came out for Sunday and felt, despite the heat of the weekend, a lot of people braved the elements for a weekend in Clinton.

CH Moore Homestead Director, Joey Long felt there was a different energy at the festival on Saturday and was very encouraged by that.

Chief Lowers commends the people who attend the annual festival and notes the only issues were minor things like some heat-related illnesses, bee stings, and minor traffic and parking issues.

Long continues to be encouraged by the number of young people who take an interest in the history of the CH Moore mansion. She feels the enthusiasm for the Homestead and the history of the community is getting passed down to the next generation.

Many groups on the Homestead grounds were running out of food and beverages by the early afternoon hours. The Festival set an attendance record in 2022 and organizers were surprised to see this year's attendance be as strong as it was.

Despite some unexpected heat to central Illinois, the first day of the Apple n' Pork Festival could not have gone better.

Clinton Police Chief Ben Lowers indicates over 55,000 came to the Apple n' Pork Festival this weekend. It was the Saturday of the Festival's best attendance since a record 2022 Festival.

Normally, Apple n' Pork Festival crowds get very heavy by late-morning and into the afternoon, but the Chief started to take notice of the crowds mid-morning.

The Apple n' Pork Festival will conclude on Sunday in Clinton - with another hot day in the forecast. 

The Apple N' Pork Festival is the biggest event of the year in Clinton, and the wait is finally over. 

Joey Long, Director of the CH Moore Homestead and DeWitt County Museum explains that in the Apple N' Pork Festival's 57 year history, it has always been a well attended event. This is still reflected today in the roughly 80,000 visitors that the event brings to Clinton. 

Visit the Homestead grounds this weekend and support the DeWitt County Museums and Clinton's non-profits at the Apple N' Pork Festival. The event is open this Saturday and Sunday from 9 AM to 5 PM. 

Stay tuned to Regional Radio as we continue comprehensive coverage of this year's Apple N' Pork Festival in Clinton. 

The Friends of the Warner Library is a non-profit that fundraises for and supports Clinton's local Library. 

Ron Sprague with the Friends explains that they are always in search of more people to help them support the Warner Library and literacy in Clinton. He adds that the group meets on the first Saturday of each month. 

If you're interested in getting involved with the Friends of the Warner Library, find their Facebook page or send an email to friendsofvwarnerlibrary@gmail.com

Frozen dollars from the State of Illinois to DeWitt County's Highway Department are now flowing to local municipalities, and summer maintenance work is underway.

At last Thursday's DeWitt County Board meeting, Highway Engineer Mark Mathon indicated his office continues to catch up on paperwork, with having everything completed and submitted very soon.

According to Board Chair Joe Witte, the County is starting to focus on some bigger projects that will be coming up.

While unrelated to the Highway Department's ongoing funding saga, last Thursday, the County Board approved multiple solar permitting agreements.

Each year, the Apple N' Pork Festival draws tens of thousands of people to Clinton, all in search of good wholesome family fun, as well as good food. 

Joey Long, Director of the CH Moore Homestead and DeWitt County Museum, points out as you approach the Homestead grounds, you will smell the classic scents of the Apple N' Pork Festival. 

A favorite of the Festival, Abraham Lincoln, is back this year to give three presentations a day about the 16th President's life and how he was connected to Clinton and CH Moore. Long commends him for being humorous while maintaining historical accuracy. 

Long credits the well-oiled machine that is the annual Festival to all of the volunteers who set everything up and take it down. It is, and has always been, volunteers in Clinton that make the Festival an annual success. 

While Festival hours are 9 AM to 5 PM on both days, Long notes breakfast will be available starting at 7 AM at a few tents on the Homestead grounds. 

Find festival updates, entertainment schedules, and lost and found information by finding the Apple N' Pork Festival on Facebook. 

Keep it to Regional Radio in the days ahead for more comprehensive coverage of the Apple N' Pork Festival in Clinton.

Recently on Regional Radio, we highlighted scams that are continuing to be effective locally, but there’s a new twist on a common scam.

Connie Miller with DeWitt Savings Bank indicates phishing scams are starting to infiltrate email and text messages. She says these come off very alarming, and that is how they grab your attention.

According to Miller, the presentation of these scams has improved, and they are also starting to utilize text messages. She encourages doing any double-checking before committing information to these messages.

One way to make sure you haven't fallen victim to a scam is to frequently check your accounts. While Miller recognizes many do not keep track of transaction-to-transaction details, utilizing your institution's mobile capabilities is a great way to make sure your money is safe.

People with online profiles should be wary of scams on places like Facebook or dating apps. Miller indicates there are several ways people are being scammed and even becoming victims of crimes. We'll have more on that next week on Regional Radio. 

The summer heat challenged the electric grid this past summer and Constellation is touting its ability to help meet that demand. 

On the WHOW Morning Show Thursday, Brett Nauman, Communications Manager for Constellation, told Regional Radio during the summer of extended heatwaves and record-breaking humidity, Constellation’s emissions-free clean energy centers ran at nearly full power.

According to Nauman, there is an increased demand on the grid. He notes Constellation runs its fleet a little higher than most.

Constellation's Clinton Power Station is currently undergoing its biennial outage. Nauman notes the outage began on September 2. 

Last week, the Clinton Board of Education approved its Fiscal Year 2026 budget.

Schools Superintendent Drew Goebel explains there were some changes from the tentative budget they put on file last month to the budget they approved for this upcoming year. 

According to Goebel, the budgeting process for schools can be very confusing. There is a tentative budget that is approved, and then the budget is finalized the next month. However, Goebel indicates at the end of the fiscal year - which would be next summer - the district approves its final budget.

Among the unknowns Goebel identifies are things like grants.

The district will approve the finalized budget at the end of Fiscal Year '26 next summer. 

The Apple n' Pork Festival is the biggest fundraiser on an annual basis for many of the community's non-profits. 

Rennie Cluver, Executive Director of the Clinton YMCA, says the annual Apple n' Pork Festival is such a great opportunity to fundraise for the Y, but also for numerous non-profits in Clinton and DeWitt County. He notes funds raised from Apple N' Pork sales go towards the organization's general fund. 

Last year, the Clinton Community YMCA combined spaces with their neighbors in the Otter Swim Team tent, which was a huge success. Cluver explains that they will continue that partnership at this year's festival.

The Otter Swim Team will be returning their baked potatoes at the Apple N' Pork Festival. Cluver says that the festival is the team's biggest fundraiser of the year. 

The YMCA and Otter Swim Team tents are located right outside the Homestead this weekend at the Apple N' Pork Festival. 

Keep it to Regional Radio in the days ahead for more comprehensive coverage of the big weekend in Clinton.

A warmer-than-normal weather pattern is setting up in the Midwest as we get set to usher in October.

Ed Shimon at the National Weather Service in Lincoln indicates the outlooks show a warmer-than-normal trend heading into October and then through October. 

September is going to close out a little warmer than normal. Shimon indicates the September start was unusually cool and became warmer - particularly last week, when he says we reached the hottest air temperatures.

As we move through the fall, daylight becomes less and less. Shimon points out that we lose about an hour of daylight moving through October. 

Making sure roughly 80,000 people stay safe at the Apple N' Pork Festival is no small task. 

DeWitt County Sheriff Mike Walker explains that part of where the Festival takes place is actually outside of the Clinton City limits, meaning the Sheriff's Office has to work with City law enforcement to make sure everyone has a safe and enjoyable weekend. 

While the Apple N' Pork Festival brings tens of thousands of visitors to the area, Sheriff Walker says issues are typically few and far between. He attributes the well-behaved nature of the event to its focus on being family-friendly. 

The Sheriff recommends using the shuttle to get back and forth from the homestead grounds to prevent traffic with the high volume of pedestrians. He appreciates drivers who go slowly and practice caution this weekend. 

The Apple N' Pork Festival is this Saturday and Sunday, September 27th and 28th, and you can learn more by finding the Apple N' Pork Festival on Facebook. 

Keep it to Regional Radio all week long for more comprehensive coverage of Clinton's biggest event of the year. 
 

At last Thursday's DeWitt County Board meeting, the Board approved a contribution to the DeWitt County Development Council.

DeWitt County Board Chair Joe Witte says the County's support of the DCDC is something they want to continue because of the overall benefit of the organization to the County.

According to Witte, not only has the DCDC done great work in the County already under the leadership of Curt Homann, but he believes more positive things are on the way.

The DeWitt County Board approved $60,000 for the DCDC last week. 

County farm bureaus can again apply for nutrient stewardship and pollinator conservation grants. Bena Pegg is the Environmental Program Manager with Illinois Farm Bureau.

For a recap of previous nutrient stewardship field days, funded by the grants, visit ilfb.org/fielddays.

We’re well into September, and the American Red Cross is still looking for blood donors. The summer months are usually a slower time for donations, and even now, as summer is wrapping up, the need remains.

Type O can be used when a patient’s blood type is unknown, so that type is of particular need. Red Cross spokesperson Sharon Watson tells The Big Z blood and platelet donors are critically needed:

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

National Farm Safety and Health Week is underway and COUNTRY Financial agriculture senior underwriter Zach Hinthorn is offering a few reminders about confined spaces.

Hinthorn says there should always be someone outside when a farmer enters a confined space.

The United States Postal Service has been the focus of lawmakers more frequently in recent months. 

In August, an audit showed the St. Louis Processing and Distribution Center had more than 2.5 million delayed pieces of mail between June 3-4, which is a record for the largest delayed mail backlog in USPS field audit history. Now, an Illinois Congresswoman is calling for action. Nikki Budzinski has joined with fellow Democrat Congressman Chris Pappas of New Hampshire and Republican Congressmen Jack Bergman of Michigan and Andrew Garbarino of New York as co-chairs of the Congressional Postal Service Caucus. Budzinski says the USPS needs to do better.

She also says the jobs of the more than 6,000 employees must be protected. Earlier this year, Congresswoman Budzinski introduced the bipartisan Protect Postal Performance Act, which would prevent the USPS from downsizing facilities in underserved areas, provide more oversight over modifications to delivery schedules, and increase public transparency on proposed changes.

A local car dealer wants the community to come out to show off their sweet rides.

Janelle Baum Thomas with Baum Chevy Buick in Clinton explains that the 19th annual car show will take place on September 28th at 9 AM. She adds that this year the event will benefit God's Shelter of Love, a women-only homeless shelter in Decatur. 

Owner Scott Baum indicates that judging is split into categories based on the age of the car, but they see things from modified modern cars to the stock classics. 

Baum's annual car show takes place on Sunday, September 28th, at 9 AM at the dealership. Learn more about the event at baumchevybuick.com or find Baum Chevrolet Buick on Facebook. 
 

While local authorities say bringing 80,000 or more to Clinton for the Apple n' Pork Festival doesn't create too many issues, Warner Hospital is beefing up its readiness for the weekend.

On the WHOW Morning Show Tuesday, Warner Hospital CEO Paul Skowron told Regional Radio he and his staff are ready for the annual crowds that come to Clinton. Unless there is a big heat wave, Skowron notes they tend not to be very busy.

Skowron reminds of the hospital's 'Swifty Swine 5K' on Saturday morning. You can register all the way up to the morning of the run at Weldon Springs State Park.

The Apple n' Pork Festival is this weekend in Clinton. Learn more about the Swifty Swine 5K by finding the Warner Hospital on Facebook. 

As the City of Clinton leadership moves forward with its execution of the strategic plan, the Mayor says the big focus right now is what is the future of its facilities.

Mayor Helen Michelassi calls progress very positive as she and many inside City Hall mark off things they are accomplishing and prioritize what is next.

What is being prioritized right now is the location for a new City Hall, police station, and fire station.

Currently, Clinton Police cars sit out in the elements every night when officers return home. Mayor Michelassi says that is unacceptable and wants a facility where those vehicles can be housed.

Mayor Michelassi recognizes the City cannot keep kicking the can down the road on this project; she hopes over the next few months to settle on a property and begin pursuing funding, as the City budget likely cannot pay for the entire project.

The Mayor has been focused on the strategic plan since she took office in May.

Roughly 80,000 plus people will populate Clinton this weekend for the annual Apple n' Pork festival. 

It's a massive population boom and local authorities are reminding of best practices for all those coming to Clinton. Chief Ben Lowers says while you might think it creates a lot of problems, after 57 years, it is a well-oiled machine.

Because of all the people coming to Clinton, Chief Lowers indicates many visitors do not realize all the parking that is available near the Homestead grounds and you'll see people parked out along the highway. 

Chief Lowers reminds, Center Street from the former Save A Lot location to the Homestead grounds will be closed off as a significant amount of foot traffic occupies that portion of Clinton leading to the Homestead.

The Apple n' Pork Festival is this weekend in Clinton, Saturday, Sept. 27, and Sunday, Sept. 28. Find the Apple n' Pork Festival Facebook page for more information, and keep it to Regional Radio for continued comprehensive coverage of this year's Festival. 

It's considered the 'mother road' stretching across the United States - Route 66 - the iconic highway, turns 100 in 2026.

The historic Route spans over 300 miles in Illinois, from Chicago through St. Louis, and in 2026, small towns want to take advantage of the historic milestone. For small towns like Lincoln, leaders are working around the clock to establish a Route 66 museum and to attract tourism dollars. Scott McCoy serves as the Director of Tourism for Lincoln.

According to McCoy, leaders in small towns across the state have spent the past three to four years designing and implementing destination stops along Route 66 in anticipation of the historic milestone.

Route 66 spans nearly 2,500 miles from Chicago to California.

City of Lincoln officials are putting a focus on the 100th Anniversary of Route  66 when it comes to tourism. 

Lincoln Mayor Tracy Welch explains that early plans for the City's newly instated Tourism Department consist of a new Route 66 Train exhibit and a celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the historic highway next year. 

The City is making a big push to grow its tourism efforts, and Mayor Welch says they have been working tirelessly to stay on track for the goal of opening the new exhibit this spring. He feels that Tourism Director Scott McCoy has a great vision.

Mayor Welch indicates that the City is working to rebuild its Historic Preservation Commission as well, which will work closely with the Tourism Department in its effort to create the exhibit and connect it to Lincoln's local history. 

The City of Lincoln took over its tourism from the Logan County Tourism Department just a few months ago, with the goal of putting a higher focus on Route 66 and its connection to the City. 

It'll be a little soggy in the days leading up to this weekend's Apple n' Pork Festival in Clinton, but the weekend itself looks stellar.

That's according to Ed Shimon at the National Weather Service in Lincoln, who on the WHOW Morning Show Monday, told Regional Radio the rain of the last few days is going to last a little longer, with the most rain coming Tuesday night into Wednesday.

Temperatures will start around 80 degrees on Monday and Tuesday, but gradually tail off as the week moves along. Shimon notes Thursday and Friday are going to be the highlights of the week.

According to Shimon, the weather for the Apple n' Pork Festival on Saturday and Sunday is going to be ideal. Temperatures around 80 degrees, low humidity, and plenty of sunshine.

Getting into October, the outlooks show a warm month ahead and possibly dry. The Apple n’ Pork Festival is this Saturday and Sunday in Clinton. Learn more by finding the Apple n’ Pork Festival Facebook page and following Regional Radio this week for comprehensive coverage of Clinton’s largest event.

The DeWitt County Board has been busy hearing from solar companies seeking to develop in DeWitt County.

In just the last month, the County Board has had four applications come to them and Board Chair Joe Witte reminds these applications have to have a hearing within 60 days of the filing. This has been a huge time commitment by the Board because of a change the County made to the hearing process.

At last week's DeWitt County Board meeting, Witte indicates the County approved agreements with Chastain and Associates for supervision during the building process. He reminds, the County has a part time Zoning Administrator and so they need this oversight during the building process.

Many are watching the proposed solar development process in Farmer City because the Farmer City Council has not given the blessing on that project, however, depending on how it plays out, Witte indicates the Board has been advised by their legal representation - the State's Attorney - they would likely need to approve the project if the company meets all the guidelines laid out by the State of Illinois.

Witte indicates the process to get an application through the local government could be even less than 60 days. While not imminent, Witte has heard rumblings the State could be considering condensing the timeline even further.

The 57th annual Apple n' Pork Festival will take place this weekend in Clinton. 

Joey Long, Executive Director of the CH Moore Homestead and DeWitt County Museum, explains the Apple N' Pork Festival was originally established to raise funds to restore the CH Moore Mansion, and that goal is still true today. 

Long indicates as the Mansion was almost ready to be torn down, John Warner III reached out to the historical society and invited them to relocate into the Mansion. The Apple N' Pork Festival was created to restore it and eventually turn it into the museum it is today. 

The growth of the Apple N' Pork Festival did not come overnight; rather, Long points out it has been decades of hard work and community support that made the event what it is now. 

The Apple n' Pork Festival is this Saturday, September 27th and Sunday, September 28th on Clinton's north side. Learn more about all there is to see at the Apple N' Pork Festival by finding them on Facebook. 

Be sure to find comprehensive coverage of this year's Apple n' Pork Festival at dewittdailynews.com and on Regional Radio. 

Social Security's performance metrics show they are handling more customer requests than ever, with shorter wait times - in fact - they estimate that due to the reduction in wait times, they have saved Americans 43 million hours over the last year

Jack Myers with Social Security indicates the messaging about the benefits of conducting business with them online has resulted in more and more people choosing this option.

According to Myers, there are three primary ways to conduct services. Those are online services, phone services, and in-person. He points out they have expanded the hours of availability of online services by eliminating 29 hours a week that services were offline for maintenance. 

Nearly 90% of callers now use our automated phone services and average wait times dropped from 24 minutes in July 2024 to just eight minutes in July 2025, and the answer rate increased to 78%.

The data is available at www.ssa.gov - then scroll down the Social Security performance section and click “See how we’re doing”.

Clinton Mayor Helen Michelassi is calling on the community to get involved in next week's Apple n' Pork Festival in Clinton. 

Mayor Michelassi is excited to experience the Apple N' Pork Festival for the first time as the City's leader and notes that this year, she and her husband have volunteered to be docents at the CH Moore

 Mansion. She is encouraging the community to get out and volunteer at the festival. 

The Apple N' Pork Festival takes place on September 27th and 28th. Learn more by finding the Apple N' Pork Festival on Facebook. Follow along with comprehensive coverage of this year's Festival at dewittdailynews.com and on Regional Radio. 

The importance of good bus drivers often goes unrecognized by the public. 

Finding bus drivers is an ongoing challenge for local schools, and Maroa-Forsyth Schools Superintendent Adam Ibbotson explains that the district needs more bus drivers. So much so that they have been forced to combine some of the routes. 

Ibbotson indicates Maroa-Forsyth is not the only district that has struggled in the search for bus drivers.

If you are interested in becoming a bus driver in Maroa-Forsyth Schools, learn more at mfschools.net. 
 

Oftentimes, the development of the DeWitt County Museum grounds is the barometer for how close we are to the Apple n' Pork Festival, but local business leaders and non-profits, that is, how much of their inventory is ready going into the Monday before the festival.

Dave Jackson owns the Clinton Save A Lot and has been working with groups for several weeks now, helping them get ready for the biggest weekend of the year in Clinton.

Rennie Cluver is the Executive Director of the Clinton YMCA and indicates that the more he takes care of the Apple n' Pork Festival from a YMCA perspective, the more it just takes care of itself.

The Apple n' Pork Festival is Sept. 27-28 this year in Clinton. Keep it to Regional Radio in the days ahead for the most comprehensive coverage of Clinton's biggest event of the year. 

It's been about a year since the DeWitt County Board established an ethics commission and an IT ad hoc committee.

Thursday night at the DeWitt County Board meeting, Board Chair Joe Witte updated on the status of the ethics commission - noting this is a committee that is largely called upon for ethics investigations.

The IT ad hoc committee met earlier this month, and Pat Ryan made note of the discovery of the help they, in fact, needed to keep the County's digital information safe.

According to Witte (right) , the ad hoc committee has a little more work yet to do before its one-year sunset, but he hopes to see another year granted to this group.

Thursday night, the DeWitt County Board approved Brenda Reeser, Joseph Summers, and Aaron Kammeyer to the Ethics Commission.

The Warner Library hosts spots on its property for vendors at the annual Apple N' Pork Festival. 

Bobbi Perryman, Executive Director of the Library, explains that the Friends of the Warner Library have taken over the responsibilities of renting out spots in the green space for the big weekend. She says they are looking for people who sell crafts and other homemade items.

As always, the Library will be giving away free books over the Apple N' Pork weekend. Perryman says they do this to educate people on what their library can do for them, because many attendees come from out of town. 

Ron Sprauge with the Friend of the Library is looking forward to seeing the smiling faces and hopefully good weather at this year's Apple N' Pork. He notes that many of the vendors they are using to fill spots come back every year, which makes his job a little easier. 

Perryman indicates that all the funds raised by the Friends of the Library go back into improving the Warner Library for the community. 

The Apple N' Pork Festival takes place on September 27th and 28th, and you can learn more by finding the Apple N' Pork Festival on Facebook. 

Learn more about the Warner Library by going to vwarner.org. Keep up with all the latest from the Friends of the Warner Library by finding them on Facebook. 

A local non-profit is reminding people that the income guidelines for LIHEAP are changing. 

Anita Russell with Community Action explains the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, provides financial support to low-income individuals and families when it comes to their energy bills. She says the guidelines to determine if someone is considered low income have changed this year. 

Once you are approved to receive LIHEAP assistance, Russell says the amount you get is dependent on the number of people who live in the household and the total household income. 

When it comes to when the funds approved can be used, Russell indicates the decision is completely up to the individual, as long as it is used for energy bills. Some use the credit immediately, while others wait until a time when they know money will be tight. 

Russell mentions once LIHEAP funds are gone, they are gone. The program begins on October 1st and runs until August 15; however, last year, they ran out of funding in early May. She adds that if you miss out, Ameren Illinois also has good financial assistance programs. 

To learn more about applying for LIHEAP and all of the services offered by Community Action, visit capcil.info or find Community Action on Facebook. 

An issue that will likely gain more and more attention in the next few years in education is the lack of readiness for school in young students.

On the WHOW Morning Show, Wednesday, Clinton Schools Superintendent Drew Goebel told Regional Radio that in just the last few years, the district has been leaning into data to help make it easier on the staff on the ground level with these kids, particularly on the academic side.

While it's been something they've done for quite a while, Goebel indicates it has been fine-tuned in the last few years to make sure they are completely able to help students and place them where they need to be.

The Social Emotional Learning curriculum, or SEL, has come a long way. Goebel credits Assistant Superintendent Kara Jenssen for leading the charge in that effort.

The English as a second language population in the district is growing as well, and Goebel indicates they have had to hire additional staff to accommodate those students.

Many school leaders speculate that a lot of the emotional challenges of young students stem from access to devices like iPads and cell phones at a very early age, while some also note that COVID likely stunted some development of young people. It is leading to districts having to respond to those challenges and bring kids up to the level they should be at. 
 

City of Clinton officials are calling on the community to help plan a celebration of America's 250th birthday.

Next July 4 marks 250 years since the country was founded and on the WHOW Morning Show Wednesday, Mayor Helen Michelassi told Regional Radio around 20 individuals met earlier this month for a brainstorming session of the celebration in Clinton next July.

According to the Mayor, this will not be something they anticipate having to fundraise for. She hopes the City will be able to contribute to some of the things they want to do like have bands and special items like that.

Mayor Michelassi points people interested in volunteering to help plan this celebration to follow the City of Clinton on Facebook for the details on the next meeting - likely later in October. She indicates there are a lot of great ideas already on the table - like potentially making this a two-day celebration. 

The Clinton Board of Education approved its Fiscal Year 26 budget Tuesday night at its monthly meeting. 

Superintendent Drew Goebel discussed the revenue sources with his Board noting, thanks to the Clinton Power Plant, the district's reliance on State of Illinois dollars is minimal.

According to Goebel, there are many unknowns with this budget. He explains while some revenues are coming through, there are some expenditures that are still up in the air.

The buildings and maintenance fund saw the most drastic change from the tentative budget to the final budget, and Goebel points out they have done some great things - especially as it relates to security.

Last year, the District approved a contribution to the Bloomington Area Career Center to help purchase and use the former State Farm building in Bloomington. Goebel - who is on the BACC Board - says it is a phenomenal facility.

Also part of the budget, the district is utilizing technology in its buses. The devices will check students in and also offer GPS tracking. 

The Board approved the budget on Tuesday night.

Domestic violence does not always present itself as physical; more often, abusers use mental tactics to control their victims. 

Andrea Kocher with Willow Tree Missions in Piatt County explains that the intent of emotional abuse is to gain power and control over their victim. This can start with behaviors like blaming, but can be as extreme as threats and constant ridicule. 

Oftentimes, abusers will use intentionally confusing behavior to hold control over a victim. Kocher says sometimes an abuser will do something nice, followed by something extremely cruel to prey on the insecurities and self-worth of their victim. 

Creating a chaotic or unstable home is another way abusers take advantage of their victims. They want to eliminate places where the victim feels comfortable and perpetuate the need to keep the abuser happy in order to stay safe.  

Kocher indicates that gaslighting and making a victim feel crazy are the behaviors she sees most often. Denial is a behavior that is used to make a victim feel like they are not being abused, even when they are. 

There are so many ways that a domestic abuser uses mental attacks to control their victims, and we'll have more on that topic with Kocher in the days ahead on Regional Radio. 

Learn more about the services offered by Willow Tree Missions in Piatt County by visiting willotreemissions.org.

It's a first-of-its-kind program in Warrensburg-Latham Schools, aimed at providing support to students struggling in a variety of areas.

On the WHOW Morning Show Tuesday, Superintendent of Warrensburg-Latham Schools, Cheryl Warner, told Regional Radio Radio they have an interventionist from the Regional Office of Education for the Macon and Piatt County offices to work with students grades 4-12.

According to Warner, Mariah Koehler (co-lur) will be an addition to the District's existing support staff to intervene with students with specific needs. Warner notes they are noticing the need for this program as their enrollment continues to grow. 

Koehler indicates she sees kids for a variety of things and sometimes multiple things. She indicates communication with teachers and parents is vital in the success of her program and that student.

While the program is beneficial, Warner hopes to eventually receive state funding to expand to Pre-K through third grade because that is where she says the need is most visible. And it is not just in Warrensburg-Latham. Many school leaders report challenges with young students coming to school not emotionally ready for school.

Scams continue to be an issue locally.

Connie Miller with DeWitt Savings Bank in Clinton says the old, tried-and-true scams continue to be an issue. One you may encounter at the gas pump is called the skimming scam.

According to Miller, diligence in checking your accounts is the number one way to make sure your banking information has not been compromised. Most institutions offer online banking of some sort, allowing you 24/7 access to your transactions.

Miller points out many institutions will also offer fraud alert notifications. If a transaction takes place on your card that could be suspicious, there are algorithms in place to catch those and notify you to confirm the purchase. 

As the fall veto session approaches in Springfield in a few weeks, area school leaders will be watching closely for some proposed legislation that will likely impact them.

On a nearly annual basis, legislation aimed at Illinois schools is passed through the legislature, and Illinois State Representative, Dr. Bill Hauter, says Illinois schools are often failing at the most basic tasks of educating kids, while the cost to educate kids goes up.

Dr. Hauter says the process of properly educating kids has not been forgotten, but the best practices are not being done. Like many issues, he calls is multifactorial.

The Morton Republican feels family atmosphere plays a large role in the educational success of a child. 

Based on the latest 2024 Illinois Report Card data from the Illinois State Board of Education, statewide proficiency rates on the Illinois Assessment of Readiness for grades 3-8 show 41% of students meeting or exceeding standards in reading and 28% in math, while 80 Chicago Public Schools reported 0% math proficiency in 2024.

Overall, two-parent homes correlate with 20-45% higher proficiency and attainment per national data. A 2015 national study found single-parent households were weakly associated with lower math/reading scores, and according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development 2009 data - single-parent students scored 16% lower in reading on average. Specifically in the U.S., it was up to 45% lower.

The Illinois Farm Bureau Actively Engaged Student of the Month is back for a second academic year. The September honoree is Louis Barnes from Pleasant Hill in Pike County.

An FFA’er and 4-H’er, three-sport athlete, NHS and student council member, and also helps out at the Pike County Fair and American Legion in Pleasant Hill.

Information on nominating a student for the recognition visit farmweeknow.com/activelyengaged.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture getting a firsthand look at a community food plot planted by the Crete-Monee FFA Chapter in Will County. Dakari Howard is a senior policy analyst with the agency.

The University of Illinois College of ACES is also involved in the project.

The Monticello Board of Education this week will hear its Fiscal Year 2026 budget.

On the WHOW Morning Show, Monday, Superintendent Adam Clapp told Regional Radio the District has been told, Corporate Personal Property Replacement Tax dollars, or CPPRT dollars, will be increasing this year.

Clapp reminds that CPPRT dollars ebb and flow with the State of Illinois economy. Because of that, they cannot overspend when the years are abundant to be prepared for the sparse years.

According to Clapp, CPPRT revenues, combined with the one-cent sales tax, have allowed the district to abate taxes several times in the last ten years. Monticello is regularly recognized as an area of central Illinois with a very low tax rate.

Clapp points out that CPPRT dollars make up roughly 50 percent of the district's revenue on a year-to-year basis. 
 

The leaves are starting to change, and cooler temperatures are in our future, which means Clinton's scariest attraction is right around the corner. 

Janice Petersen, Executive Director of the Clinton Chamber of Commerce, indicates they were pleased to have the help of students from Illinois State University’s School of Business to help get the haunted house ready for opening weekend.

The haunted house opens up on Friday, October 3rd, and Petersen notes they are open five weekends this season, including Halloween night. She adds they will be continuing the online ticket sales that they introduced last year and tickets are already on sale.

For the folks waiting in line, Petersen mentions there will be concessions for people to enjoy, and she is working to add more. The escape room also returns this year.  

The house is open on Friday and Saturday nights from October 3rd to November 1st. Learn more about the Terror on Washington Street Haunted House and purchase tickets by visiting clintonhauntedhouse.com
 

This year's harvest could come under ideal conditions for producers.

That's according to Ed Shimon at the National Weather Service in Lincoln. While some producers already have the fields, the October and November forecasts are showing above normal temperatures with the potential for normal rainfall.

According to Shimon, the outlook for October through December is showing above normal temperatures and not a strong indication for above or below normal rainfall.

A challenge during the harvest season is the decreasing daylight hours. Between the start of September and the end of September, daylight reduces by about 70 minutes.

As producers get out in the fields more and more in the weeks ahead, authorities are reminding motorists to be patient and mindful of the heavy implements that will be out - especially on rural roads - over the next couple of months.

A local non-profit provides support on utility bills, but they are letting people know the enrollment process is a little different this year. 

Anita Russell with Community Action explains the Low Income Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, provides financial aid to low-income families when it comes to their energy bills. She notes the LIHEAP year begins on October 1st. 

Community Action rolls out LIHEAP enrollment in stages to give priority to groups like those that are 60 and up, people on long-term disability benefits, and those whose gas or electricity has already been disconnected or have a notice of disconnection. This year, Russell says they are trying to make things easier for the elderly and people with disabilities. 

Russell indicates those who choose to utilize their auto-enrollment service will be able to this year and next year; however, the following year they will be required to come in for an appointment. 

Community Action prefers whatever name is on the person who needs assistance; it is the person who makes the appointment. Russell understands this may not always be possible, but emphasizes the name on the bill needs to at least be someone who lives in the residence full-time. 

Russell adds while they are trying to make enrollment for LIHEAP as easy as possible, there is a limited amount of funds that can be distributed. Learn more about LIHEAP and all of the services offered by Community Action by visiting capcil.info.

Social Security pays disability benefits to people who can’t work because they have a medical condition that’s expected to last at least 1 year or result in death, as well as disability benefits through 2 programs: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). 

Jack Myers with Social Security reminds SSDI is for those who have worked and paid enough into Social Security to be “insured” for disability benefits. At the same time, SSI is a needs-based program that does not require a history of paying into Social Security. 

 According to Myers, SSI has income and resource limits. 

After you start receiving SSDI benefits, you may want to try working again. Social Security has special rules called Work Incentives that allow you to test your ability to work and still receive monthly disability benefits. Myers notes there are some SSDI Work Incentives.

Myers explains after your trial work period, you have 36 months during which you can work and still receive benefits for any month your earnings aren’t “substantial.”

Benefits may stop because of substantial earnings; however, Myers points out you have 5 years to ask us to restart your benefits if you’re unable to keep working because of your condition. 

If your Social Security disability benefits stop because of your earnings, and you still have a disability, your free Medicare Part A coverage will continue. Your Medicare Part A coverage will continue for at least 93 months after the 9-month trial work period. 

For more info, please check out the publication called the “Red Book” at www.ssa.gov.

The fall agritourism season is ramping up. An update on the apple crop from Jenna Spychal at Jonamac Orchard in Malta in northern Illinois.

Spychal also serves as chair of the Illinois Specialty Growers Association.

The Illinois Farm Bureau Nurse Practitioner Scholarship Program continues to make a difference in rural underserved health care areas. Among the recent scholarship recipients is Amber Sowers from Jasper County.

She is receiving a $4,000 scholarship. To learn more about the IFB Nurse Practitioner Scholarship Program visit rimsap.com, which is the Rural Illinois Medical Student Assistance Program.

A local library is making it easier for you to get or replace your library card during the month of September. 

Bobbie Perryman, Executive Director of the Warner Library in Clinton, reminds that if you live within the Clinton Unified School District 15, you can receive a free library card. This month only, they are waiving the $1 replacement fee for lost library cards. 

The Warner Library is located at 310 N Quincy Street in Clinton. Keep up with all the latest by visiting vwarner.org or by finding the Vespasian Warner Public Library District on Facebook. 
 

Each fall, a local zoo hosts one of its biggest fundraisers of the year, an adults-only evening. 

Heather Perdeu, Director of the Scovill Zoo in Decatur, explains that the Zoorific Evening takes place on September 20th and begins at 5:00 PM. The $100 ticket price includes some free beverages, dinner, and animal encounters that are exclusive to this event. She notes that Zoorific is their biggest fundraiser of the year, so it's a great way to come out and support the organization. 

Funds from this year's Zoorific Evening will go towards the construction of the new alligator exhibit, a project the zoo has had in mind for some time. Perdeu adds that they will soon be meeting with architects to discuss the plans. 

Zoorific is on September 20th at 5:00 PM at the Scovill Zoo in Decatur. Learn more and purchase tickets while they are still available at decatur-parks.org/scovill-zoo. 
 

Last month, DeWitt County provided notices to Clinton, Farmer City, and Wapella that the current intergovernmental agreements regarding animal control will be coming to an end. 

The County has reiterated its willingness to renegotiate the IGAs, and at Thursday night's DeWitt County Public Safety Committee meeting, County Clerk Dee Dee Rentmeister provided the Committee with the full documentation of the current IGAs so that they can be reviewed. 

Clinton and Wapella have renewed their IGAs with the County in recent months, which means the County will have to wait to renegotiate those. Myers indicates that Farmer City's IGA is still on the table. Animal Control Administrator Grace Moore also reached out to McLean and Macon Counties to gauge interest. 

Myers also asked Moore for her input on her responsibilities when it comes to the IGAs. She says that those are also up for discussion as the agreements are renegotiated. 

Myers recognizes that municipalities do pay some County taxes; however, she says that animal control services are not figured into those dollars. She also cites stray animals as a big cost for the County, which does not recoup money because there is no one to receive a citation. 

Moore suggested an idea she received from the Peoria County Animal Control, and that is multi-pet licensing. This would put a limit on the number of pets a resident could have, unless they renew a yearly license to allow them more. 

Committee Member John Werts inquired if the multi-pet licensing would apply to the entire County, or just the incorporated areas, but Moore indicated she was unsure and would have to do more research. 

The Committee will take the IGAs back up at next month's Public Safety meeting once they have had more time to review. 
 

The weather over the next week is expected to be warmer relative to how the month started; however, it could be a pleasant finish to the month.

Ed Shimon at the National Weather Service indicates a signal for moderate temperatures and below normal precipitation dominates the last half of September.

September is trending to be one of the driest on record. With little rain in the forecast for the next few weeks, Shimon indicates it could end up very dry.

Shimon reminds us that we are in the thick of the hurricane season, and any tropical storm could make its way to central Illinois. He notes, though, that there are not any imminent tropical storms developing.

This weekend is expected to be very warm with temperatures in the 80s and 90s over the next few days. 
 

Small schools in rural Illinois can sometimes struggle to maintain a varsity, 11-on-11 football program.

For Cerro Gordo's program, they were in danger of not having a varsity season this year because of a lack of numbers. On the WHOW Morning Show Thursday, Superintendent of Cerro Gordo Schools Dr Emily Weidner told Regional Radio they searched for a co-op partner for most of the summer.

According to Dr. Weidner, just before Cerro Gordo was ready to commit to a JV only schedule, Arcola reached out to coop, and so the district has been in a football coop with them for the first third of the football season.

Dr. Weidner credits the Cerro Gordo-Bement coaches for helping facilitate daily transportation for students to Arcola for practices. The community is stepping up in a big way to try to build back football in Cerro Gordo.

Homecoming is a big part of the high school football season, and while Cerro Gordo will not get to host a football game for its Homecoming week, they are still planning for a normal week of activities otherwise.

Arcola's coop with Cerro Gordo and Bement allows them to remain in the Lincoln Prairie Conference. It remains the district's goal to have 11-on-11 football in Cerro Gordo in the future.

Medicare Part D open enrollment is right around the corner, and seniors are being encouraged to make those appointments to see their Community Care Systems representative.

Paula Jiles with the DeWitt County Friendship Center says Community Care Systems appointments fill up very quickly when Medicare Part D open enrollment comes around, so she is encouraging seniors to make those appointments now.

Contact the Friendship Center for more information at 217-935-9411. 

During the spring State legislative session, a regulation was passed that requires public schools to adopt a wireless communication device policy that limits phone usage during instructional time. 

Blue Ridge Schools Superintendent Ryan Peyton explains that they already are setting a good expectation of what appropriate phone usage looks like in the district. He says that in both the junior high and high school, students do not have access to their phones during class time. 

Peyton indicates that in the first weeks of the school year, kids have done a great job of abiding by these rules. He feels that it has paid dividends when it comes to student attentiveness, and when the expectation has been set, it is easy for it to become second nature. 

The State-wide cell phone ban in schools is only one of many regulations that the State government has and will continue to create to encourage a better learning environment in schools. Peyton believes that more regulations will be coming down the pipeline regarding topics like Social Emotional Learning. 

SEL has become an integral part of education, and we'll have more with Peyton in the days ahead on Regional Radio on how they are implementing that in Blue Ridge Schools. In the meantime, learn more at blueridge18.org. 
 

Families and businesses are feeling the crunch of the extremely high energy bills this summer.

On the WHOW Morning Show, Wednesday, State Representative Dr. Bill Hauter told Regional Radio that the deal between Constellation and Meta that will keep the Clinton Clean Energy Center open for another 20 years is only a piece of the conversation that he's been having about nuclear energy. 

Dr. Hauter understands that his constituents, and Illinois residents as a whole, are facing the challenges of increased energy costs. He feels that the State is focusing too much on switching to green energy and should be focusing on providing more reliable and affordable energy. 

While it's easy to say what the State needs to do, Dr. Hauter admits that it is a long process to make meaningful changes to the State's grid. He feels for his constituents who are impacted by energy prices; however, he notes that there is no overnight fix. 

Dr. Hauter adds that legislators who represent Chicago have a lot of power, which he says unfairly underrepresents the majority of the State's counties. 
 

Clinton School Resource Officer Cody Mair is in Clinton district buildings this week, going over protocols in the case of an emergency.

It's called 'ALICE Training' and on the WHOW Morning Show Wednesday, Clinton Police Chief Ben Lowers told Regional Radio it is emergency readiness training.

According to the Chief, ALICE training has become a huge part of emergency response and readiness since the Columbine High School tragedy in 1999. He indicates it is always being updated and has shifted the way authorities respond to disasters in schools.

Officer Mair is a certified ALICE training instructor. The Chief indicates it is one of those things they hope they never have to use it but want to be prepared if they have to. 

DeWitt County has been inundated with solar applications in the last several weeks, which has added a significant workload to the County board. 

At Monday night's DeWitt County Land Use Committee Meeting, Committee Member Pat Ryan shared his concerns with the frequency of the solar hearings that have been taking place as applicants have sought out siting permits. He points to the four hearings that took place over a 15-day period. 

State's Attorney Dan Markwell warned Ryan that if the hearings are not completed in a timely manner, it could open up the County to legal action from applicants. This is due to a 60-day timer that the County has to complete the hearings due to State statutes. 

Joe Witte believes this issue should be left up to State legislators. He adds that they are following the statutes that they are required to, because if they don't, the County could be left vulnerable. 

Buck Carter points out that solar companies are moving quickly to get applications in, to receive the Federal Investment Tax Credit. This would get them a 30% tax credit if construction begins before January 1st, 2033. 

There was no further discussion on the matter, as Carter quickly adjourned the meeting due to the ZBA meeting that was scheduled to follow Land Use.

August was ushered in and out with cooler-than-normal temperatures, but it only ended up a degree below normal.

Ed Shimon at the National Weather Service in Lincoln indicates there were some pretty hot and humid days in the middle of the month.

According to Shimon, a cool air mass settled in over the Midwest, creating a nice cool stretch that lasted all the way into the start of September.

Shimon points out Springfield saw a couple of record lows for September, but other than that, there were no out-of-the-ordinary temperature extremes in central Illinois. 

Listeners of The Big 1520 AM WHOW have likely noticed intermittent silences throughout the last week.

Matthew Hart (right), owner of Hart Media Group and new owner of WHOW and all its adjacent platforms, reports that our engineering team here at WHOW is working to restore the AM signal for WHOW.  On Tuesday morning, we detected a technical issue that resulted in the failure of the transmitter for WHOW’s AM radio signal.  Thankfully, all of our WHOW programming can still be heard 'loud and clear' on your FM dial at 92.3.
 
Hart says, “We sincerely apologize for the temporary loss of our AM signal on 1520, but rest assured that we are working as fast as possible to make repairs, and we will have WHOW back up and on air on the AM dial very soon.”  Hart continued, “We know how important local radio is to our community and to our listeners, and we will have our transmitter repaired as soon as possible to restore WHOW’s signal on The Big 1520.”
 
Until the AM transmitter is fully repaired, we encourage listeners to tune in to WHOW at 92.3 FM, stream us on your phone, or click on the Listen Live button on DewittDailyNews.com.

A group of business students is embarking on a program that begins its lessons from day one.

The Central Illinois and Sangamon Valley CEO students in their first week of class must come up with a way to purchase name badges for the entire school year; however, Melanie Brown, Facilitator for the Central Illinois CEO Chapter, indicates they have to come up with the money on their own.

Lisa Shephard facilitates the Sangamon Valley CEO program and explains that the name badge program promotes a sense of teamwork, but also valuable lessons in the first few weeks of their class getting together. 

While the CEO class isn't always for that student with a lot of ambition, many are very ambitious, and Brown says it is interesting to watch students realize they are working with people with a lot of drive, just like them.

The Central Illinois CEO program has students from Blue Ridge, Clinton, Maroa-Forsyth, and Warrensburg-Latham High Schools, while the Sangamon Valley CEO program has students from Argenta-Oreana, Bement, Cerro Gordo, DeLand-Weldon, and Monticello. 

Visit centralillinoisceo.com or find the Central Illinois CEO chapter on Facebook and Instagram. You can also find the Sangamon Valley CEO chapter on Facebook and Instagram or at sangamonvalleyceo.com. 
 

With a big interest in solar development in DeWitt County and numerous hearings already in the books, County leadership believes it can do more to beef up its ordinances. 

At Monday night's DeWitt County Land Use Committee meeting, Committee Chair Buck Carter feels now that they have a few siting hearings under their belts, they need to adjust and tighten up some of the language in the County's solar ordinances - referencing cybersecurity concerns. 

Chris Hammer feels if the State of Illinois were to overrule the County's ordinance by passing their own, then all they would have to do is revert the ordinance back. But Board Chair Joe Witte points out the County is being too restrictive compared to the State's regulations in some circumstances. 

Carter believes Witte is being too conservative; however, Witte says he is trying to protect the County from potential lawsuits from solar applicants. 

The Committee agreed that Ryan would draft a document asking for an affidavit from solar applicants agreeing that they would not use parts from adversarial nations that could risk cybersecurity. This will go to the full Board for consideration later this month. 

Now that the summer fair season has passed, a new 4-H year is already underway. 

Kendra Wallace, 4-H Youth Program Coordinator for the University of Illinois Extension in DeWitt, Macon, and Piatt Counties, explains the new 4-H year begins right away on September 1 - giving prospective students plenty of time to get involved. 

Students in the three-county area can register for 4-H any time. Wallace notes like last 4-H year, the DeWitt County 4-H Foundation is covering the costs of dues for DeWitt County students. 

While registration opens on October 1st, you can join 4-H at almost any point throughout the season. Wallace points out in order to show at the fair, students must be registered by April 30th.

Wallace reminds 4-H has projects that can interest any student. Learn more about 4-H in DeWitt, Macon, and Piatt Counties by visiting extension.illinois.edu/dmp.

All good things must come to an end, and unfortunately, that means this very mild, fall-like weather we've had for the better part of two-and-a-half weeks.

On the WHOW Morning Show, Monday, Ed Shimon at the National Weather Service in Lincoln told Regional Radio a warm-up is coming with the warmest days likely this Friday through Sunday.

Shimon indicates the next few weeks could be rather warm. While this weekend will be the hottest of this stretch, days will be consistently in the 80s for a stretch.

The next few weeks are going to be rather dry. Shimon points out that the rest of the month looks to be pretty dry overall.

September is a month of great transition. Shimon notes the highs from the start of the month to the end drop off by nearly ten degrees, but the overnight lows are where you see the biggest difference in temperatures. Additionally, we lose over an hour of daylight from the start of the month to the end of the month. 
 

You can now text 9-1-1 in DeWitt County.

On the WHOW Morning Show Monday, DeWitt County Sheriff Mike Walker told Regional Radio, the new service went live a few weeks ago. He is excited about what this will mean for the public and its access to emergency services.

According to the Sheriff, authorities still prefer a phone call; however, this service will be great for those situations where the person sending the text needs to be discreet about their activity.

Sheriff Walker credits the new 9-1-1 Coordinator, Karen Clevinger, for seeing this project to the finish line. This is a part of the ongoing NextGen 9-1-1 efforts the County has been pursuing for several years.

The Sheriff reminds, just simply send your emergency via text to 9-1-1, and DeWitt County dispatchers will be notified and quickly respond to get you the help you need. 

Data mining is a contentious topic, and while many feel strongly about it, a local non-profit is working to take what is available and use it to its benefit. 

Executive Director of the DeWitt County Development Council, Curt Homann, explains they would be tracking the movement of people and would only receive the grouped data, not individual data. This would allow them to determine when people are most frequently visiting the County, how long they stay, and where they are traveling to most often.

This project is going to be very expensive, but Homann indicates they just received more funding for it thanks to a grant; however, they are still looking for a way to cover roughly $5,000. 

When it comes to putting the information they would receive into practice, Homann hopes to split it up into sectors - then the DCDC could assist local businesses based on the traffic in their area. 

They are very close to making this idea a reality. Homann hopes DeWitt County businesses will see the potential value of this service and consider helping to cover the remaining costs. 

Last year was Adam Ibbotson's first year as the Superintendent of Maroa-Forsyth Schools and his theme for the year was 'Excellence and Pride'.

This year, in his second year, he wants everyone to feel included in the culture of Maroa-Forsyth, regardless of whether you're a lifelong resident or are new to the district.

According to Ibbotson, building a good culture is the responsibility of the Superintendent and wants everyone to be pulling in the same direction.

With the new school year underway, Ibbotson indicates there's a lot of opportunity for everyone to feel included, including with the upcoming strategic planning going on, as well as student activities coming up like Homecoming and other extracurriculars. 

Social Security has added 13 new conditions to the 'Compassionate Allowances' list.

Those living with a serious medical condition know how crucial it is to receive timely support. Jack Myers with Social Security indicates Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefits can provide financial support, but it takes time to get approved.

The 'compassionate allowances' are Social Security's way of fast-tracking disability applications for those with the most severe health problems. Myers indicates if you have a condition that is on the list, and you meet the non-medical requirements, your disability claim can be approved much quicker than others. 

With the recent addition of 13 new conditions to the CAL list, the list is now up to 300 total conditions. Myers points out many of these conditions have technical names.

The easiest thing to do if you are curious about the list is to view it on the Social Security website at www.ssa.gov/compassionateallowances. If you think a condition should be considered for the list, you can find out how to submit the name of the condition and other info for consideration.

The Apple N' Pork Festival is Clinton's biggest event of the year, and it takes a lot of hands to make it all happen. 

Joey Long, Director of the CH Moore Homestead and DeWitt County Museum, explains that they could always use more help during the festival. She says responsibilities can vary from setting up, to cooking food during the festival to cleaning up after the weekend is over. 

To learn more about volunteering and the Apple N' Pork Festival, find The Apple N' Pork Festival on Facebook. Check out the museum's website at chmoorehomestead.org.

Gail's Pumpkin Patch, Beason, IL, will be opening for their 19th season, Wednesday, September 10th, 2025. The pumpkin patch will be open on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from noon to 5:00 PM. They will be closed on Tuesday. The final day of the season is October 31st, 2025. 

The pumpkin patch has over 60 varieties of pumpkins & gourds, popcorn, Nate’s Honey & apple cider donuts, straw, apples, cider, mums, maze, baked goods, and lots of crafts. They are loaded with fall decorations and fun for the whole family. Free admission and U-Pick or We-Pick pumpkins available. 

New this year! John Deere barrel train rides and Duck Races. They will also offer Harvest Pumpkin workshops -- make a flower arrangement in a pumpkin!

Gail’s Pumpkin Patch is a family-owned pumpkin patch in Logan County. You will be able to find the “perfect pumpkin.” For more information, call 217-447-3409 or visit them on the web at www.gailspumpkinpatch.com or email them at gail@gailspumpkinpatch.com. Come join the fun!

At Tuesday night's Clinton City Council meeting, the City Council voted to demolish two properties, one on Quincy Street and one on Main Street.

City Administrator Tony Harris says one is the old Doc Allen property. He indicates this is the City's side of cleaning up the community. 

At one point, it was proposed that this area of the community would be where the City would put its new water tower. Harris indicates that a decision has not been made; however, the City administration continues to explore the best place for that water tower.

Harris indicates the strategic plan is one of the primary focuses of Mayor Helen Michelassi in her short term as Mayor. 
 

If you made a charitable contribution at last week's Farm Progress Show, your contribution likely went to an effort to assist farmers who need a helping hand. 

Vain Clayton is one of those volunteers who make Farm Rescue an organization that is growing in its mission. He indicates they are a volunteer group who will bale hay, plant crops, and even harvest for farmers who are faced with obstacles like health issues or natural disasters. 

Farmers can be quick to refuse help; however, they are trying to break the "prideful farmer" stereotype. Vain encourages family members or friends to call on behalf of farmers who may need that extra push to ask for help. 

Farm Rescue is always looking for more sponsorships and donations to fuel its growth. They began serving Illinois two years ago, and since then have expanded to Wisconsin and Kentucky on top of their previous 10 states, and they are looking to go even further. 

Clayton notes the Farm Progress Show is a big part of how they get their message out to local farmers. He boasts the organization's focus on community and serving your neighbors. 

You can register as a volunteer, donate, and learn more about the organization by visiting farmrescue.org. 

As he takes over the district in his first year, a DeWitt County school leader is pleased with recent efforts to improve the curriculum. 

On the WHOW Morning Show, Thursday, Blue Ridge Schools Superintendent Ryan Peyton told Regional Radio they are beefing up the literacy curriculum across the K-8 levels.

The high school's dual credit program continues to make strides - adding new courses to its offerings this year. In fact, Peyton was thrilled when he received notice that they have a private donor who is going to cut the cost of those courses in half for Blue Ridge students.

Peyton is in his first year in the Superintendent's chair at Blue Ridge. He takes over for the retired Dr. Hilary Stanifer. Peyton previously served as an elementary principal in the district. 
 

A central Illinois entrepreneurship program is underway in area schools, and local leaders say it is shaping up to be a great year.

On the WHOW Morning Show, Thursday, Melanie Brown, Facilitator of the Central Illinois CEO Program, told Regional Radio she has 15 students in her business class this year. 

Lisa Sheppard, Facilitator of the Sangamon Valley CEO Program, has 12 students in her class this year.

Sheppard reminds the CEO that programs give juniors or seniors hands-on experiences in the world of business, as well as a front row seat to businesses in central Illinois and all the things they do.

According to Brown, the program is more than field trips; there are many benchmark moments along the way, and each student is assigned a mentor who works with them as they embark on their class business and individual business.

The CEO program is supported through funding from the business communities in these districts. Sheppard stresses a business can only contribute up to a certain dollar amount to keep from control becoming an issue.

You can follow along with the Central Illinois CEO Chapter at centralillinoisceo.com or follow them on Instagram. You can also keep up with the Sangamon Valley CEO program at sangamonvalleyceo.com and follow them on Facebook. 
 

In the last ten days, the Kiwanis Park playground rebuild has taken major steps forward, and City of Clinton leadership is optimistic it could be ready to use in just a few short weeks.

It's been a long journey to this point, but the progress has been noticeable as construction has picked up steam, says City Administrator Tony Harris.

According to Harris, there were a few things that had to be ironed out, and so the process ended up getting stretched out. He explains it was largely due to the transition in the City Administrator's job.

Check out the WHOW/WEZC/dewittdailynews.com Facebook page for the video of the conversation with Harris at Kiwanis Park on Wednesday afternoon. 

The 4-H year has come to an end, and the University of Illinois Extension in DeWitt, Macon, and Piatt Counties is celebrating a successful fair season. 

On the WHOW Morning Show, Tuesday, 4-H Youth Development Program Coordinator Kendra Wallace told Regional Radio that they had a great turnout at the DeWitt, Macon, Piatt 4-H Show in Clinton. 

Wallace indicates that many of her 4-H'ers were nominated and moved on to the State Fair in Springfield. One DeWitt County student even won the grand champion prize for their beef steer. 

According to Wallace, visual arts and civic engagements were popular project areas among her kids this year. She notes that they had 204 visual arts entries alone. 

The 4-H year has already started, but that doesn't mean it's too late for your child to get involved, and we'll have more with Wallace on that in the days ahead on Regional Radio. Learn more at extension.illinois.edu/dmp. 
 

An exhibit surrounding the study and culture of death will be coming soon at a local museum. 

On the WHOW Morning Show, Wednesday, Candace Summers with the McLean County Museum of History told Regional Radio that the Mourning in McLean exhibit will take over display cases on every floor of the building. She says this idea was inspired by Joey Long and the CH Moore Homestead. 

Summers says that while nothing could replace the Cemetery Walks that ended last year, she hopes that this exhibit scratches a similar itch for museum-goers. She was amazed by all the information she was able to find. 

The exhibit will be up from September 15th to November 21st, just in time for the Halloween season. She adds that there will be programming events that follow the theme throughout the exhibit's span. 

Visit the McLean County Museum of History, located at 200 N Main Street in Bloomington, to see the Mourning in McLean exhibit. Learn more by going to mchistory.org or by finding the McLean County Museum of History on Facebook. 
 

The City of Clinton recently lost a very active member of the community, and Tuesday night, the Clinton City Council recognized Jerry Milton.

Commissioner Dan Ballenger spoke of Milton's dedication to the Clinton Fire Department, but moreover, his dedication to the City of Clinton.

The Fire Department was busy over the weekend battling a blaze at Stericycle outside of Clinton on Revere Road. Ballenger credited the fire crews for their quick and effective response.

Ballenger also reported the Kiwanis Park playground is getting closer to being complete, as significant work is well underway, and looks forward to a fall opening.

The Council on Tuesday approved the purchase of Air One equipment for the fire department at a cost of $9,275. 

The Council approved the demolition of the former Doc Allen property on Quicy Street as well as a property on Main Street. 

Local Officials have been discussing the need for housing when it comes to economic development in DeWitt County. 

On the WHOW Morning Show, Tuesday, Executive Director of the DeWitt County Development Council Curt Homann told Regional Radio that they are in the very early stages of running a housing study over the next year with the Illinois Housing Development Authority, and creating a housing revitalization plan. 

Homann says they can't wait the span of a year for a study to be completed, to start working on housing development. He adds that if there were 100 new housing units in the County, they would be filled very quickly. 

The County and the City of Clinton have numerous upcoming employment opportunities available from local businesses and manufacturers. Whether those roles are temporary or permanent, those employees will need somewhere to live. 

The DCDC was also tasked with creating a Downtown Clinton revitalization plan, and we'll have more with Homann on that in the days ahead on Regional Radio.

The Clinton Power Station will be staying open for another 20 years thanks to a deal made between Constellation and Meta. 

At Constellations' celebratory press conference, Clinton Mayor Helen Michelassi explained that she was once asked about the troubles at the plant in 2016, and how things are different now. She says that things are different because of the leadership and partnerships that made this deal possible. 

At the event, Constellation reaffirmed its pledge of $1 million over the next five years to go towards supporting the community. The Mayor emphasizes that Constellation has been supporting the community for a long time, and this is going above and beyond. 

Mayor Michelassi has a focus on economic development and growing the City of Clinton. She indicates that the deal between Constellation and Meta will drive economic development because of the new jobs it will bring. 

It was also announced at the event that the pledge of $1 million will start with $100,000 over the next five years to support the Clinton YMCA. 
 

It's very well known that mental health is a serious issue throughout the country and the world, and that includes young people. 

Cody Mair, Clinton Schools Resource Officer, explains that whether it is inside the school or not, there has been a clear increase in mental health issues and suicidal ideation in students. He believes that much of it comes from social media. 

Officer Mair says that if a student does confide in a faculty member or officer about suicidal ideation or thoughts, they are mandated reporters, so they are required by law to report it and escort the student to a hospital. 

In Officer Mair's experience, many resource officers did not choose to be in that position. He believes that this is very harmful to a school district because a big part of an SRO's job is to bridge the gap between youth and law enforcement. 

If you are a student who struggles with mental health, it is important to always remember to tell a trusted adult, because there are resources out there that can help you. 
 

A local early childhood education program aims to create well-rounded kids through their day-to-day activities. 

Head Start Director Krissy Conklen explains that they provide breakfast, lunch, and a snack to their students that complies with the Illinois State Board of Education through the USDA's Child and Adult Care Food Program. After breakfast, they break into small groups to focus on meeting children where they are in their educational journey. 

Some classrooms may also participate in large group learning with the whole class, which can take many different forms. They also focus on social and emotional learning, or SEL, during the school day. 

When you have young students at school for a certain number of hours, you are required to have a nap-time, which Head Start does. Conklen adds that when the weather cooperates, they have two opportunities during the day to go outside. 

Full Day Head Start Programming began on August 18th, while AM/PM Head Start began on August 25th. Learn more about Community Action's early childhood education program by visiting capcil.info/head-start. 
 

Last month, Social Security introduced an enhanced Security Authentication PIN - or SAP - feature for mySocialSecurity account holders.

Jack Myers with Social Security indicates this optional, new feature is designed to make the identity verification process faster and more secure when calling the national 800 number at 800-772-1213.

If you have a mySocialSecurity account, you will have the option to use the SAP feature to generate a PIN you will use when you call the national 800 number to authenticate your identity quickly and securely. According to Myers, this will allow Social Security representatives to assist you more efficiently and increase the number of services you can complete over the phone. 

Myers stresses this is not required. However, if you don’t have a mySocialSecurity account or choose not to use the enhanced SAP, Social Security will verify your identity over the phone using the existing verification process. He says there are certain changes, such as direct deposit, that can’t be completed over the phone without utilizing the Security Authentication PIN.
 

Producers in central Illinois are concerned about a couple of policies that are greatly impacting agriculture and were able to voice their concerns to a local lawmaker last week.

At the Super Bowl of Agriculture, State Senator Chapin Rose attended the busiest day of the annual Farm Progress Show and says the talk amongst Illinois farmers is the estate tax and energy costs.

The Mahomet Republican is tired of just stopping bad legislation and is working towards bringing forward and passing positive legislation. He says there is some positivity on that front.

Sen. Rose was recently instrumental in legislation that prohibited the storage of carbon below the Mahomet Aquifer as a part of carbon sequestration. 

The Clinton Power Plant will be staying open for another 20 years, and with rising energy needs and costs, they may need to expand their capacity. 

At last week's celebration of the deal between Constellation and Meta that will keep the plant open, State Senator Sally Turner called the plant a "cornerstone of stability" in her district. 

Sen. Turner believes that nuclear energy is the future of a better Illinois, which is why she is sponsoring a bill that would end the nuclear moratorium in the State and allow the plant to build another reactor and produce more energy. 

State Representative Regan Deering also spoke at the event, and she says as a mom of three, she is always amazed by just how much energy a single family can use. This is why she believes having affordable energy through nuclear is important for all. 

The Clinton Clean Energy Center supplies enough clean electricity to power more than 800,000 homes, and with this deal, it will continue to play a vital role in the local power grid.

It's September, which means it's time to start introducing fall foods into our diets. 

Caitlin Mellendorf, Nutrition Educator for the University of Illinois Extension, explains that as the summer wraps up, it's a great time of the year for sweet corn, but as the weather gets colder, the season will shift towards things like apples and pumpkins. 

Mellendorf adds that crops that grow in the spring can also be grown in the fall. She points to things like lettuce and cauliflower as examples, and says that these foods pair well with an animal or plant-based protein. 

If you're looking for something extra to enhance the flavors in your fall foods, Mellendorf says to use things like mustards and vinaigrettes. She notes that we can also start seeding many herbs and spices. 

No matter what you eat this fall, it's always important to make sure you are eating a well-balanced diet and getting all of your vital nutrients. Learn more at extension.illinois.edu/food.