In recognition of her outstanding dedication and compassionate care, Cheyanne Renek, RN, has been named the Colleague of the Month for April at Taylorville Memorial Hospital.  Renek works in the Emergency Department (ED). Renek, has been a part of the hospital since 2021 and the hospital says she has exemplified excellence in nursing, earning praise from grateful parents whose child received care under her watchful eye.

Renek's nomination for this recognition came from the parents of a young patient who required urgent care in the ED. They commended Renek for her exceptional nursing skills and her unwavering commitment to keeping them informed and supported throughout the entire process.

Her nominator expressed gratitude, saying that she was adamant about advocating for us when we had questions and concerns about how to proceed with the workup. Her nominator says that Renek always had her daughter’s best interest at heart, and never wavered. The nominator further highlighted Renek's thoughtful gesture of providing a handmade doll to comfort their daughter during a difficult time.

Renek's colleagues and hospital staff alike have applauded her dedication to patient care and her exemplary professionalism. Renek has worked for Taylorville Memorial Hospital since 2021. 

The Taylorville Kiwanis Club heard from the City of Taylorville’s Building and Zoning Officer, who is also the Manager of Taylorville Municipal Airport, at their weekly Tuesday meeting at the Taylorville Moose Lodge.

Club president Chuck Martin (left) presided at the meeting.  Andy Goodall (center) wears multiple hats and told Kiwanis members how to research City of Taylorville City Codes, Animal Control issues and Tax Assessor information.   

He also shared information on the Taylorville Municipal Airport, telling Kiwanis members the airport property includes 292 acres including buildings, three runways and leased ground for grass to feed livestock.   Goodall added there were some 186-thousand dollars in self-serve aviation fuel sales in 2023, with about a thousand flights per year.

Club secretary Martin Vota (right) was Tuesday's program chair.

Kiwanis Membership Chair Adam Jeffrey (right) inducted new member Trisha Phillips (left), manager at Spurling Title in Taylorville.

The Taylorville Kiwanis Club is part of a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time.  Weekly meetings are held Tuesdays at noon at the Taylorville Moose Lodge.  For information on the club, go to taylorvillekiwanis.com.

The Taylorville Police Department has announced its Officer of the Quarter. Officer Matthew Nichols was named the recipient of the award for his performance this cycle.

Taylorville Police Chief Dwayne Wheeler says Officer Nichols, a valued member of Platoon A, has demonstrated unwavering dedication and outstanding commitment to his duties, particularly in the area of apprehending individuals with outstanding warrants. Wheeler says his relentless determination has made a significant impact on ensuring the safety and security of our community.

In addition to his exemplary work in the field, Officer Nichols has displayed a strong commitment to professional development. His enrollment in sniper school and continuous pursuit of self-improvement as a sniper highlight his dedication to enhancing his skills and expertise for the betterment of the department and the community.

Chief Wheeler continued by commending Officer Nichols for his positive attitude, willingness to collaborate with colleagues, and eagerness to embrace learning opportunities exemplify the values and principles of the Taylorville Police Department.

We here at Regional Radio News salute you Officer Nichols!

When Robin Williams passed away in 2014, one of the last things he said was “I just want to reboot my brain.”  An autopsy showed Williams suffered from Lewy body dementia or LBD.  LBD is still relevant for over 1.4 million Americans says Courtney McFarlin, PA, an OSF HealthCare provider who specializes in geriatrics.  It’s the second most common type of dementia behind Alzheimer’s disease. 

McFarlin says LBD is associated with Parkinson’s disease in that they both have Lewy bodies as a medical finding.  This is usually in an autopsy.  If the person is living, McFarlin says an LBD diagnosis is one of exclusion after providers have ruled other things out.  A Lewy body is an abnormal protein clump that forms in the brain’s neurons.  It’s named for Frederic Lewy, the neurologist who discovered it. 

McFarlin says that he symptoms start in conjunction with Parkinson’s type features.

The National Institute on Aging says LBD symptoms include things like visual hallucinations, changes in concentration and alertness, loss of thinking abilities, movement issues, sleep issues, behavioral changes, changes in body temperature, sensitivity to heat and cold, a poor sense of smell, and urinary incontinence. 

Treatment for LBD includes medication like Namenda, Aricept, and Exelon.  Since it’s related to Parkinson’s, Sinemet can help as well.  Patients and their caregivers must also commit to changing daily habits to make the person comfortable. There are also support groups, whether online or in person, for those who help loved ones with dementia. 

Learn more about LBD, by talking to your primary care physician. 

Soon there might be no excuse to send your child off to college without a college savings fund, as new legislation is pushing for these savings to roll over into a Roth IRA if the money is not used. Illinois State Treasurer, Michael Frerichs began this initiative in late March and says accounts like Illinois 529 savings funds, if not used, would be transferred into an IRA to kick start that student's career post-college.

Frerichs 1                     KEY                     LENGT: 38

Parents often think for their child's future before the child can, Frerichs says these funds can ultimately lead toward retirement savings.

Frerichs 2                     KEY                     LENGT: 26

Frerichs says getting this higher education is important, but many graduated students feel the looming pressures of acquiring income before things like student debt kick in.

Frerichs 3                     KEY                     LENGT: 33

For more information about Illinois college savings funds and the legislation click here.

Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show.

Lincoln Land Community College’s Athletic Director and Head Baseball Coach has recently received the National Junior College Athletic Association’s Loyalty Award for his dedicated service to the program since 1997 with 33 baseball seasons under his belt.

Ron Riggle has earned the NJCAA Loyalty Award for 2024, a recognition that goes to one junior college athletic director per year. Kyla Kruse, Chief Communications Officer at LLCC says Riggle’s focus on the student-athlete's success on and off their respective playing fields was the difference.

Kruse speaks on the loyalty award that Riggle received and how his consistent dedication to the students' success made the award very deserving.

The team average GPA sits at a number of which the athletes, the athletic director, and the administration are proud of, says Kruse.

More information about NJCAA Loyalty Award Winner Ron Riggle can be found here.

Kyla Kruse appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show.
 

The Lake Land College Center for Business and Industry welcomed 41 students from Effingham Junior High School to campus on Friday, April 26 for “Flex Tech Friday.”

During the event, students attended four sessions to explore campus, view demonstrations, and participate in hands-on activities. They also met with faculty from the Lake Land College Technology Division and learned about the many opportunities available in trades, technology, and manufacturing.

Director of the Center for Business and Industry, Bonnie Moore says it was great to share programs and resources with eager students.  She says it was rewarding to see the students take an interest in technology and learn about high-demand careers at such a young age. 

“It was great to be able to share our programs and resources with so many eager students,” Director of the Center for Business and Industry Bonnie Moore said. “It’s rewarding to see the students take an interest in technology and learn about these high-demand careers at such a young age.”

To learn more about the trades and technology programs available at Lake Land College, contact Counseling Services at 217-234-5232 or counsel@lakelandcollege.edu.