A local zoo has been putting in the work as they get ready to unveil the new home for some large reptiles. 

Scovill Zoo Executive Director Heather Purdeu explains that they are still in the design phase of the new exhibit for the alligators; however, construction should begin after Boo at the Zoo. 

Purdeu says the 2026 summer season has been a success, and notes that the Free Admission Thursdays will be continuing until October 8th despite the recent return to fall hours. 

Learn more about the fall season at the Scovill Zoo in Decatur by visiting decatur-parks.org/scovill-zoo or by finding them on Facebook.

A local law enforcement agency is planning an event for this fall aimed at new parents.

Piatt County Sheriff Mark Vogelzang explains that this September, an organization called Brightpoint will be coming to the Monticello Police and Fire Station to host a safety event all about child safety, just in time for Child Passenger Week. From car seat inspections to water safety tips, he says the event will feature life-saving information. 

Again, the event takes place on September 24th at the Monticello Police and Fire Station, from 3:30 to 6 PM. To learn more, visit brightpoint.org or find the Piatt County Sheriff's Office on Facebook.
 

Central Illinois has had its fair share of severe weather in the last few weeks, and a Clinton financial expert is advising folks to be on the lookout for individuals looking to take advantage of the crisis. 

Connie Miller with DeWitt Savings Bank explains that it is common for scammers to pose as contractors and target areas recently hit by weather to get you to pay for fake or unreliable repairs to your home or property. 

Calling your insurance should always be the first step when it comes to damage to your home. You can find out if you are covered, and often your agent will be able to provide recommendations for reputable contractors in the area. 

While having insurance can help in an emergency, Miller recommends having emergency savings ready for urgent home repairs or other unexpected costs that are not covered. Even if you are covered, she reminds you that you need to have enough for the deductible.
 

One person was killed, and two others were hospitalized in a car crash on Illinois State Route 10 outside Clinton on Thursday night. 

Officers from the Illinois State Police Troop 5 responded to a two-vehicle crash at IL-10 and Plow Road just after 9 PM on Thursday. Reports indicate that one driver was pronounced dead at the scene, while a passenger and the other driver were transported to Champaign to receive medical attention. 

The two vehicles collided while one was traveling eastbound and the other westbound on Route 10. 

The road was closed for investigation and reopened in the early morning hours of Friday. ISP, the DeWitt County Sheriff's Office, and the DeWitt County Coroner's Office are investigating the crash. 

The identity of the deceased is being withheld until the family is notified. 
 

The DeWitt County Board approved planned expenditures and a raise for the Public Defender Thursday night at its monthly meeting.

Three holding tanks in the County Building were approved at a cost of just under $10,000. Chair of the Property Committee, Terry Ferguson, told the Board the tanks were required when the building was erected. 

County Highway Engineer Mark Mathon provided information to the Board regarding a surprise inspection of the County's Highway building by the Department of Labor that revealed three safety and documentation compliance citation which are being addressed through policy adoption and notification to other county departments.

The County Board approved a raise for the County Public Defender, Tim Holl. State's Attorney Dan Markwell explains that the State of Illinois reimburses the County for this when they document having a public defender.

Also at the Thursday night meeting, the Board approved an engineering agreement with Cummins Engineering to provide building permit review and construction observation services for Prairie Flats Solar Farm.

The Board approved a 3.5-percent increase for non-union workers for Fiscal Year 27.
 

A biannual survey of Illinois school-aged children has been released, and a central Illinois mental health expert is weighing in on this year's data trends.

Tony Kirkman is the Executive Director of the Piatt County Mental Health Center and reminds people that the Illinois Youth Survey is given to youth in Illinois schools with a variety of questions surrounding mental health challenges and substance use. He says the data from this past spring's assessments was recently released.

According to Kirkman, there are four specific questions in this survey that he looks for first each year. The questions he seeks out deal with suicidal ideation in teens, having a trusted adult other than a parent they can talk to, and substance use.

For Kirkman, a success in the data from the Illinois Youth Survey is the dramatic decrease in alcohol and illegal substance use. He feels this is a direct result of education efforts they've taken in recent years.

There are many other data points that Kirkman is analyzing, as the data has just been released. He is noting that increased access to marijuana and marijuana infused consumables is increasing among youth. However, vaping - identified as a major challenge - is down. We'll hear more from Kirkman in the weeks ahead at the Hart Media Group. 
 

The use of e-bikes, particularly among school-aged kids, has skyrocketed in communities across the country, prompting warnings from local authorities as kids use them to get to and from school.

Clinton Police Department School Resource Officer Kody Mair indicates they spent the days and weeks leading up to the start of school educating kids that e-bikes follow the same rules of the road as automobiles.

According to Officer Mair, young people can ride these e-bikes; however, come January 1, 2027, new laws will come into play for e-bikes that will put age restrictions on them. He encourages parents to become familiar with these laws and how they will impact their child and any e-bike they may own.

Last month with the Hart Media Group, Clinton Police Chief Ben Lowers discussed in-depth the many issues e-bikes are presenting the community, but as it relates to the community's youth, he is not imploring the owners of these e-bikes to be mindful of the rules of the road, he is hoping motorists will keep a keen eye out for kids utilizing them until the law changes on Jan. 1.

Like Officer Mair, the Chief is imploring parents to be intentional about making sure their kids understand that those bikes must adhere to the rules of the road. He feels it is a matter of when, not if, they have an incident involving an e-bike and a motorist. 

While some high schoolers utilize e-bikes, he indicates they see them predominantly used by kids at Clinton Elementary School and Clinton Junior High School.