Taylorville City Council met for the second regular monthly meeting to discuss ordinances, a motion to approve the purchase of a new fire engine, a motion to authorize and direct the mayor to sign the pay application from Kinney Contractors for work performed at Lake Taylorville, along with the motion to approve bill payments and the city attorney and mayoral updates.

During the chance for the public to comment, President of The Christian County Republican Women’s Group, Sharon Peabody, gifted a check to the City of Taylorville for the 2026 4th of July fireworks display.

Pictured below is the Christian County Repuublican Womens Group members, surrounding the group's President Sharon Peabody (MIDDLE LEFT) and Mayor Bruce Barry (MIDDLE RIGHT)

A highlight from this month’s second meeting, Taylorville Mayor Bruce Barry also recognized the Taylorville Junior High School (TJHS) Scholastic Bowl Team. According to Mayor Barry, the scholastic bowl team had quite the streak, with a record of 25 and 5. Because of their success, this date has been deemed by Mayor Barry as the TJHS Scholastic Bowl Team Day.

The first item on the meeting agenda was an ordinance to provide for the purchase of five vehicles equipped with the associated equipment and accessories for the Taylorville Street and Sewer Department, along with authorizing the borrowing of funds. This motion was approved 6 -0 with no discussion and no issues.

A motion to approve Fire Chief Matt Adermann to contact vendors through Sourcewell for the purchase of a new fire engine was approved 6-0. Under this approved motion, it states that if there is not a suitable fire engine available through Sourcewell, then Chief Adermann shall be authorized to solicit bids for the purchase of a new fire engine.

A motion was also approved 6-0 to authorize and direct the mayor to sign the pay application from Kinney Contractors for work done at Lake Taylorville. This pay contract is in the amount of $268,650.00. The necessary funds would be paid out of the OSLAND Grant. Towards the end of tonight’s meeting, following updates from the city attorney, Taylorville Mayor Bruce Barry gave his mayoral update.

Keep your eyes on taylorvilledailynews.com for updates on all of the upcoming Taylorville City Council Meetings.
 

Strasburg residents are already beginning to see the signs of Memorial Day as members of the Strasburg American Legion Auxiliary Liberty Unit Number 289 spent Sunday afternoon honoring local veterans.

Even with the weather not being favorable, there were still ten American Legion Auxiliary members from Strasburg who traveled to several area cemeteries on May 17th to place American flags on the graves of veterans ahead of the Memorial Day holiday. In total, 227 flags were carefully placed throughout the community to recognize and remember those who served our country.

The Strasburg American Legion Auxiliary traditionally places the flags one week before Memorial Day. Organizers say the early placement allows family members and visitors time to see the flags decorating the graves of their loved ones before the holiday weekend officially begins.

The largest number of flags this year were placed at Saint Paul’s Cemetery, where volunteers honored 88 veterans. Another 87 flags were placed at Grace Cemetery, while 45 veterans were recognized at Richland Cemetery. Four flags were placed at Wade Cemetery, and two additional flags will also be placed at Lookout Cemetery.

Members of the Auxiliary say the annual tradition is an important reminder of the sacrifices made by veterans and their families, while also helping younger generations understand the meaning behind Memorial Day. 

Those assisting with the flag placement included Auxiliary members Bonnie Lawrence, Skylar Vonderheide, Sarah Wyckoff, Diana Arthur, and Linda Oakley. Junior members Abby Brown, Anna Brown, Aubrey Brown, Adeline Brown, and Shae Vonderheide also took part in the project, continuing the tradition of service and remembrance with additional help from volunteer Riddick Reed.

The American Legion Auxiliary has long played an active role in honoring veterans and supporting military families in communities across the country, and local members say projects like this are one small way to show appreciation for those who served.

As Memorial Day approaches, community members are encouraged to take a moment to visit local cemeteries, observe the rows of American flags, and remember the men and women who gave their lives in service to the nation.

For more news like this visit taylorvilledailynews.com or stay tuned to WTIM, Your Only Local News Radio.

Beginning on Thursday, May 21st, Assumption Fest 2026 is set to bring three full days of entertainment, family activities, and hometown tradition to the community as residents celebrate America’s 250th anniversary under the theme, “Together We Shine.”

The festival officially kicks off Thursday evening on Chestnut Street in Assumption, with the carnival opening at 5 PM. Opening ceremonies begin at 6:30 at the main stage. Openers for the ceremony include the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion Honor Guard, and Assumption Mayor Bill Herbord.

On Thursday night, immediately following the National Anthem, the local pageants will crown this year’s Little Miss Assumption, Junior Miss Assumption, and Miss Assumption, with the winners scheduled to ride in Saturday’s parade.

Thursday night entertainment will include performances by Dr. Incredible the Magician, from 5 until 8 PM, both on the main stage and throughout the festival grounds. Family Night at the carnival runs from 5 to 10 PM, while bingo, the beer tent, flea market vendors, and food stands will all be open throughout the evening.

Thursday night’s live music headliners feature Circle H Music and Noah Hebert. The festival continues Friday evening with the carnival, concessions, mini-golf, and flea-market vendors opening again at 5 PM.

Bingo returns Friday night, along with live music from South of 16J performing in the beer tent beginning at 8 PM. Raffle sign-ups and 50-50 ticket sales will also continue throughout the evening.

Saturday’s activities begin early with registration for the 4th Annual Conner Rowcliff Memorial Run and Walk at 7 AM, followed by the race at 8 AM near the middle school on Colgrove Street. Parade lineup begins at 10 AM, with the Grand Parade stepping off at 11. 

Saturday’s schedule also includes the Assumption Fest Car Cruise and Show, a petting zoo, bean bag tournament, kiddie tractor pull, adult tractor pull, carnival rides, food vendors, and bingo throughout the day and evening.

The weekend celebration wraps up Saturday night with the drawing of the 50-50 raffle winner, a performance by hypnotist Terry Blome on the Main Stage, and live music from Brushville in the beer tent from 8:30 PM until after midnight.

For more information on the festival, go to the Assumption Fest official Facebook page. 

The Peoples Bank and Trust and WTIM Taylorville High School Students of the Month have been announced!

Pictured below are the Students of the month for May.

Freshman Sydney Brown (Far Left), Sophomore Autumn Bates (Left), Junior Josephine Durbin(Middle), Senior Albin Letniku (Right), and PBT Representative Adrianna Allen (Far Right)

The Taylorville City Council is set to meet this evening at 7 PM at the Municipal Building for its regular monthly meeting. 

During the meeting, Mayor Barry, alongside the city council, will give recognition to the Taylorville Junior High School Scholastic Bowl Team.

Other discussions include an ordinance to provide for the purchase of 5 vehicles with associated equipment and accessories for the Taylorville Street & Sewer Department, as well as authorizing the borrowing of funds.

The Taylorville City Council members will also discuss a motion to bid and/or advertise a vacant second shift position as the Plant Operator at the water treatment plant. Taylorville Mayor Bruce Barry will also see a motion directing him to sign the pay application received from Kinney Contractors for $268,650, and will also see a motion to approve some changes in the staffing at the Taylorville Fire Department.

At the end of the meeting, there will be a motion to approve and or ratify payment of bills equaling $601,567.60, as well as updates from Mayor Barry and updates from the city attorney.

The meeting is open to the public and there will be a section for public comments. For updates following the Taylorville City Council meeting, keep an eye on taylorvilledailynews.com

Optimist International is preparing to welcome some of the Midwest’s top young golfers to Central Illinois this summer for the 2026 Midwest Qualifier of the Optimist International Junior Golf Championship. The event will take place June 8th through the 10th at the beautiful Red Tail Run Golf Course, a championship course designed by legendary PGA Hall of Famer Raymond Floyd.

Young golfers from across the region, ages 10 through 18, both boys and girls divisions, will compete for a chance to advance to one of the most prestigious junior golf tournaments in the world. Registration for the Midwest Qualifier remains open through June 5th and can be completed online at OIJGC.org.

The tournament experience will include much more than just competition rounds. Participants will have the opportunity to take part in practice rounds and two official competition rounds during the event. A skills contest will also be held during the practice rounds, giving players the chance to win prizes while showcasing their abilities.

Golfers will also receive daily access to the driving range, along with range balls provided each day to help them prepare for competition. Lunch will be provided for all participants throughout the tournament as well.

One of the highlights of the week will take place the evening of June 8th, when a banquet will be held at the Decatur Conference Center and Hotel. The banquet will feature door prizes for every golfer in attendance, along with a special appearance from the Illinois Optimist Governor, who will serve as a guest speaker for the evening.

For many competitors, the ultimate goal will be earning a qualifying score in their division. Each division winner will have the opportunity to move on to the Optimist International Junior Golf Championship, which will be held at the world-famous Trump National Doral in Miami, Florida.

The Optimist International Junior Golf Championship 2026 Midwest Qualifier will be held June 8th through the 10th at Red Tail Run Golf Course, with registration available now through June 5th at OIJGC.org.

The Taylorville Police Department is stepping up efforts to keep local roads safe this summer after receiving a large traffic enforcement grant from the Illinois Department of Transportation.

The department announced that several traffic safety campaigns will take place throughout the summer months, with the first enforcement period beginning May 15th and continuing through May 26th during the busy Memorial Day travel period.

During the upcoming campaigns, officers with the Taylorville Police Department will be conducting increased patrols throughout the city and focusing on enforcing all traffic laws. Officials say the goal is simple; to reduce crashes and to make sure residents and visitors can travel safely during one of the busiest travel weekends of the year.

According to the department, Taylorville Police respond to approximately 350 to 400 vehicle accidents every year. Police say those numbers highlight the importance of proactive traffic enforcement and public safety initiatives. Officers hope the increased visibility on city streets will encourage drivers to slow down, pay attention, and follow traffic laws.

The department says the grant funding from the Illinois Department of Transportation will help provide additional enforcement efforts that otherwise may not have been possible. 

In addition to announcing the upcoming campaign, the Taylorville Police Department is also asking for help from the community. Residents are encouraged to share concerns about areas in town where traffic issues are common. Police say if there are neighborhoods, intersections, or streets where drivers are speeding or creating safety concerns, notify the department so patrol officers can spend extra time monitoring those locations.

The Taylorville Police Department says it looks forward to working together with the community throughout the summer to help keep Taylorville safe for everyone on the road.

For more details on the Taylorville Police Department, or to call in and report non-emergency traffic issues, call (217) 824-2211. For emergency related calls of course dial 911. 
 

Shelbyville High School seniors officially turned their tassels Saturday during the 2026 Commencement Ceremony, celebrating the accomplishments of the graduating class before family, friends, and community members. 

The ceremony opened with a welcome from Shelbyville High School Principal Kyle Ladd, who talked about "Andy" Cichalewski and his impact on him and his graduation.

Students were recognized throughout the ceremony for academic achievement, including Top Ten Recognition, Academic Excellence Awards, and Military Recognition. The program also featured speeches from the class salutatorians and valedictorian.

Salutatorians Lilyann Price and Sara Tynan spoke to their classmates about the memories, friendships, and lessons learned during their years at Shelbyville High School while encouraging graduates to look ahead to the future with confidence.

Valedictorian Elizabeth Kirkbride reflected on the class’s journey and thanked family members, teachers, and classmates for their support throughout the years.

Following the presentation of diplomas, the Class of 2026 was officially recognized as graduates of Shelbyville High School. The ceremony concluded with a benediction from Meredith Chambers and the recessional, Bryce Canyon Overture.  The ceremony was also broadcast on Cruisin 98.3 WSVZ.

A Christian County farmer has been selected to take part in a national agricultural leadership program. Mathew Heberling of Christian County is among 10 agricultural leaders chosen for the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 13th Partners in Advocacy Leadership, or PAL, class. The program is designed to help agricultural leaders strengthen their advocacy and leadership skills while promoting issues important to farmers and rural communities.

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall says effective advocacy at the local, state and national levels has never been more important to advancing policies that support agriculture and strengthen rural America.

The PAL program includes four learning modules over a two-year period, featuring hands-on training in leadership development, legislative policymaking, issues management, social media and media relations.

To qualify for the program, participants must be Farm Bureau members between the ages of 30 and 45 and demonstrate strong leadership abilities. The program is sponsored by the American Farm Bureau Federation along with Farm Credit, Syngenta, John Deere and Merck Animal Health.

HSHS Good Shepherd Hospital is recognizing members of its nursing staff and support teams following National Nurses Week, which was celebrated May 6th through the 12th.

Hospital officials announced the winners of the 2026 Nursing Exemplar Awards during a special ceremony honoring employees who go above and beyond in patient care and service.

Chief Administrative Officer Anthony Powers praised the hospital’s nursing staff for their dedication and compassion. Powers said nursing is more than a career and titled it a true calling rooted in service, compassion, and commitment to others.

Powers also added that nurses at Good Shepherd Hospital continue to provide exceptional care to patients while supporting the community with professionalism and grace.

During the annual Nursing Exemplar Awards Ceremony, nominations were submitted by fellow employees, physicians, hospital leaders, and other staff members to recognize individuals who demonstrate excellence in their roles.

This year’s Preceptor of the Year Award was presented to Regina Waddington, a registered nurse recognized for mentoring and supporting fellow nurses.

The Clinical Excellence in Nursing Award went to registered nurse Mary Thull for outstanding patient care and dedication to the profession.

Trevor Storm was named Rookie of the Year, while Gloria Manship received the Ancillary Team Member of the Year Award for her work as a Patient Safety Assistant.

Hospital leadership also recognized two additional employees through special honor programs celebrating extraordinary service.

The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses was presented to Angie Jesse, an LPN 2. At the same time, Kimberly Williams received the Bee Award, honoring exceptional ancillary team members, for her work as a Patient Care Assistant 2.

Hospital officials say the awards highlight the dedication and hard work of employees who continue making a difference in the lives of patients and families throughout the community.

For more information about Hospital Sisters Health System, go to www.hshs.org

For info on Good Shepherd Hospital, visit www.hshs.org/good-shepherd

The Illinois State Police has released video connected to an officer-involved shooting involving a Decatur man armed with a crossbow.

According to investigators, the incident happened on April 22nd at around 9:22 in the morning. Officers with the Decatur Police Department were called to the 300 block of East William Street for reports of an armed subject. Police say 54-year-old Michael Boliard of Decatur was later followed into a building in the 400 block of East William Street.

Authorities say Boliard then pointed a crossbow at officers. In response, officers fired their weapons, striking Boliard. Officers immediately began providing medical aid at the scene before he was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

Police say Boliard survived the shooting and was released from the hospital on May 5th. He was then taken into custody and is now facing several charges, including aggravated assault of a peace officer, armed violence, unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, possession of a controlled substance, and multiple counts of threatening public officials.

Boliard is currently being held at the Macon County Jail while court proceedings continue.

The Illinois State Police say the shooting investigation was requested by the Decatur Police Department and remains ongoing. Once completed, the case will be turned over to the Macon County State’s Attorney’s Office for review.

State police also say the video is being released as part of their commitment to public transparency. No additional information has been released at this time.

To view the released body cam footage from this incident, CLICK HERE.

The Hart Media Group invites the community to its first ever golf outing.  The Summer Scramble is set for Friday, June 26 at Lakeshore Golf Course in Taylorville.  Sponsorship opportunities are available, and prizes are on hand through raffles and the golfing itself.  Matt Hart, who owns the Hart Media Group, says the golf outing is designed to appeal to everyone, including non-golfers, and funds raised will support the company’s work.

Registration opens at 10:30 a.m., with the lunch and raffle drawings beginning a half-hour later.  The golfing will commence at noon.

Prizes include tickets to the Illini, Cardinals, and concerts.  Hart says the prizes line up with the Hart Media Group radio stations’ programming. 

The Hart Media Group has already secured a presenting sponsor in Refreshment Services Pepsi.  Several other sponsorship tiers are available, as well.  Interested sponsors must register by the end of May to ensure the advertising they pay for can be produced. 

Registration for the Summer Scramble – whether as a participant or a sponsor – can be completed here.

Matt Hart appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show. 

Taylorville Memorial Hospital is gearing up for the next iteration of its Community Health Needs Assessment.  The assessment will formally be carried out next spring, with the results released immediately after.  However, the process begins long before then, with efforts to collect feedback from patients and other key organizations and stakeholders.  Aaron Puchbauer, TMH’s new president and CEO, says the provider hopes to compare goals and outcomes between the next assessment and the previous one from two years ago. 

There are also opportunities for community members to provide input ahead of the next report. 

Puchbauer sees correlations between the results from the previous assessment and a recent four-star rating TMH received from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. 

In the meantime, Taylorville Memorial Hospital has set aside this week as Healthcare Week.  As part of it, they look to recognize their many healthcare workers and behind-the-scenes staff involved in the provider’s day-to-day operations. 

More information on Memorial Health is available at memorial.health.

Aaron Puchbauer appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show. 

The road across the main dam at Lake Shelbyville will be closed at 8 A.M. on May 18th till 5 P.M. on May 21st. The closures apply to both vehicle and pedestrian traffic; access to the Dam West Overlook area will also be closed at this time.

These closures are necessary to provide safety for workers and members of the general public while work is being conducted. The Corps of Engineers recognizes the impact of road closures on the public and appreciates your patience and understanding.

For the latest updates, please visit the Lake Shelbyville US Army Corps of Engineers Facebook page. For additional information, contact the Lake Shelbyville Project Office at (217) 774-3951.

The Christian County Health Department now offers quarterly breastfeeding courses to those who would benefit from them.  The most recent such session took place earlier this month.  This means the next one will happen in August, and it is set to coincide with national and international breastfeeding education initiatives.  The Health Department’s breastfeeding peer counselor Tahnee Callaway teaches the course.  She says it covers basic concepts related to that action.

Callaway also co-hosts the pregnancy/postpartum support groups alongside Peyton Langen, the Health Department’s mental health case manager.  The first one took place on April 30, and future sessions will happen the final Thursday of every month. 

Callaway and Langen say the partnership between them in running the meetings improves the support they provide to participants.

More information on the Christian County Health Department is available at www.cchdil.org.

Tahnee Callaway and Peyton Langen appeared as guests on the WTIM Morning Show. 

The Taylorville Police Department is warning local lending institutions and residents about a potential fraud scam that has recently come to light in Christian County.

According to authorities, an individual using the name James Alexander Liguori, along with an address listed in Muttontown, New York, has reportedly been using stolen identity information in attempts to apply for loans at local financial institutions. Investigators say the real James Alexander Liguori has no connection to Taylorville and is believed to be a victim of identity theft in the case.

Police say their investigation determined the actual Mr. Liguori was unaware his identity was allegedly being used and has since begun taking steps to protect his personal information and financial accounts. Officials have not released details on how many lending institutions may have been targeted or whether any fraudulent loans were successfully obtained.

The Taylorville Police Department is now asking any lending institutions in Christian County that may have extended credit or conducted business with the individual using the name James Alexander Liguori to come forward and contact investigators immediately. Authorities say the information could help determine the full scope of the alleged scam and assist in preventing additional fraudulent activity.

Police are also reminding businesses and residents to remain cautious when handling financial transactions and to closely verify identification and application information to help prevent identity theft and fraud-related crimes.

Anyone with information related to the investigation is encouraged to contact the Taylorville Police Department at (217) 824-2211 or stop by the police department found at 108 W Vine St, Taylorville, IL 62568

Springfield Clinic Taylorville continues to accept new patients, amid new names coming into the practice.  This includes many of the current primary care providers and runs across all patient age groups.  Dr. Pavi Gill is among the internal medicine providers and also serves as medical director.  He says despite recent local rumors, he is not retiring in the foreseeable future and is still accepting new patients. 

The room for new patients applies not just to general internal medicine but also to geriatrics and pediatrics. 

For a smaller city like Taylorville, Dr. Gill greatly values providing local access to care due to the difficulties patients can face reaching providers further away. 

More information on Springfield Clinic is available at www.springfieldclinic.com.

Dr. Pavi Gill appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show. 

The Christian County Health Department is augmenting its stock of online mental health resources.  It comes during Mental Health Awareness Month, which runs the month of May.  The changes are also happening in parallel with the opening months of the CredibleMind tool being made available to screen users for mental health challenges.  Peyton Langen, the Health Department’s mental health case manager, says many of the extra resources are simple online questionnaires through CredibleMind. 

In the interest of user privacy, the Health Department generally does not see information related to users and their responses and results.  It does, however, collect usage statistics, including based on what broad issues users are seeking support in. 

The website can recommend local resources for users to consider, based on screenings. 

Langen also spoke about an initiative she is participating in this month, which is to perform one act of kindness per day.  She says it connects well with Mental Health Awareness Month and encourages others to take it up, as well. 

You can access CredibleMind here.  More information on the Christian County Health Department is available at www.cchdil.org.

Peyton Langen appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show. 

State Representative Wayne Rosenthal is honoring a Staunton student for national success in agriculture.

Rosenthal passed House Resolution 882 on Tuesday, recognizing Molly McCalla for earning the 2025 National Agricultural Proficiency Award in Sheep Production. The award is considered the highest national recognition for excellence in agricultural entrepreneurship and supervised agricultural experience through the National FFA Organization.

Rosenthal says McCalla’s accomplishments highlight the importance of youth leadership in agriculture and the role young people play in innovation, sustainability, and stewardship within Illinois’ agriculture industry.

McCalla also earned the 2026 Illinois FFA Agricultural Proficiency Award for Diversified Livestock Production through her work in poultry egg production, Angus cattle operations, and sheep production. She is a senior member of the Staunton FFA and was recently named a recipient of the Murray State University Presidential Fellowship Scholarship.

Rosenthal also thanked McCalla’s FFA advisors, John Davin, Spencer Laughlin, and Maggie McCalla, for their support and mentorship.

The full presentation from the Illinois House of Representatives can be viewed here: Illinois House Presentation Video

A number of summer events are coming to Taylorville’s parks.  The farmer’s markets and car shows are among the headliners.  The Taylorville Park District is also continuing other annual traditions and bringing back the senior lunch after a hiatus which began earlier this year.

The farmer’s markets this year run every Saturday through September from 9 a.m. to noon at Manners Park.  The new recreation director, Evan Mitchell, has taken the lead on orchestrating the farmer’s markets along with the many other planned events.  He says at the markets so far, vendors have generally been set up in and around the Chautauqua building.

The car cruises, organized by Small Town Taylorville and the 40 M.P.H. Car Club, will also take place at Manners Park.  They are set for the first Friday of every month and will include live music. 

The car cruise on July 3rd will also act as a celebration of the United States’ 250th year of independence.  As part of it, the grounds will have extra décor and an exhibit showing the Park District’s history.

There will also be a mullet contest that evening.  The participant who is judged to sport the best such style will win a prize. 

The senior lunch is returning; the next such event is scheduled for Thursday, June 11.  Mitchell says the turnover in his role is part of why it had not taken place in the last few months. 

More information on the Taylorville Park District is available at www.taylorvilleparkdistrict.com.  You can also reach them by calling (217) 824-3110.

Evan Mitchell appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show. 
 

Christian County 4-H members earned multiple top finishes at the 2026 Illinois State Livestock Judging Contest held April 27 on the campus of the University of Illinois.

A total of 250 youth from across the state competed in the event, marking a 38 percent increase in participation from last year.

The Christian County Green team of Deacon Shanks, Olivia Mizeur, Luke Short, and Levi Paulek captured first place overall. The team also earned first in beef, second in swine, second in sheep and goats, and fifth in reasons competition.

The Christian County White team of Charlee Ryan, Olive Ryan, Cal Shanks, and Colbie Stremsterfer finished third overall. The team also placed first in swine, third in reasons, ninth in beef, and eighth in sheep and goats.

Individually, Deacon Shanks earned second overall honors and placed in the top 10 in reasons, beef, sheep, and swine. Ryker Beckmier finished third overall and won first place in swine judging. Levi Paulek placed seventh overall, while Luke Short earned second in beef judging. Charlee Ryan and Olive Ryan also recorded top-10 finishes in swine judging.

Shelby Carlson, interim 4-H livestock specialist with University of Illinois Extension, says the contest helps youth build confidence, communication skills, and decision-making abilities that prepare them for success beyond the judging arena.

Illinois 4-H is the youth development program of University of Illinois Extension and serves young people across the state through hands-on leadership and agriculture programs.

Pictured are the Senior Teams plus Individuals that Judged (L to R)

Cal Shanks, Luke Short, Levi Paulek, Charlee Ryan, Olive Ryan, Olivia Mizeur, Mallory Zimmerman, Colbie Stremsterfer, Ryker Beckmier, Deacon Shanks

Angelo’s Restaurant Group is giving back to the community through a recent fundraising campaign benefiting United Way of Christian County.

During the Greater Taylorville Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours event on May 13th in the Angelo’s Pizza Party Room, Angelo’s will present a donation check totaling 750 dollars to the organization.

Since March, customers ordering through the Angelo’s app and website have been able to round up their purchase total or make a small donation during checkout. Those contributions from customers at Angelo’s Pizza and Angelo’s Express raised more than 658 dollars, with the average donation coming in at less than 60 cents. Angelo’s Restaurant Group then rounded the total up to 750 dollars.

Owner J.I. McDowell says the company is thankful for the generosity of its customers and proud to support organizations making a positive impact in Christian County.

The fundraiser was coordinated in partnership with Amber Weickle and will be recognized during the Chamber’s Business After Hours event.

Angelo’s Restaurant Group includes Angelo’s Pizza, Angelo’s Express, and Angelo’s Catering, and has served the Taylorville community for the past 60 years.

A group of students at Pana Junior High School can now say they have run a 5K.  They completed the run on Wednesday as a culmination of an elective course.  The primary goal for students was to complete the run but also to learn running techniques and improve their nutrition, sleeping habits, and softer skills like endurance and perseverance.

Ashley Keeling, a science teacher at PJHS, teaches the course.  She says the course transforms students who start out lacking belief in their ability to run a 5K into ones who go on to do exactly that. 

The elective class was first offered 15 years ago.  Keeling has taken the reins in teaching it since then. 

The race finishes on the running track at the football stadium.  Elementary school students along with parents and other community members are set up either at the stadium or at other points on the route to cheer on the runners. 

Keeling says the community support helps the runners but also helps initiatives like this continue to operate. 

More information on Pana Junior High School is available at www.panaschools.com.

Ashley Keeling appeared as a guest on the WTIM Pana Morning Show. 

The Illinois State Police say a multi-agency enforcement effort in central Illinois led to dozens of arrests and the seizure of firearms and drugs during a six-day operation earlier this month.
ISP says the enforcement detail was conducted May 4th through the 9th in Macon, Champaign, and Vermilion counties, targeting high-crash areas, high-crime areas, and criminal groups using interstate highways to facilitate crime.

During the operation, officers arrested 34 suspects and filed 72 criminal charges, including 28 felony charges. Police also recovered five firearms and issued seven firearm-related charges. Authorities say more than 500 grams of cannabis and 67 grams of controlled substances were seized. Troopers also completed 100 motor carrier safety inspections, issued 204 citations, and handed out 442 warnings.
Among the notable arrests, police say troopers stopped a vehicle in Macon County on May 6th for a traffic violation and recovered a stolen firearm and suspected heroin from a passenger. The passenger, identified as a convicted felon, was jailed on multiple weapons, drug, and sex offender-related charges.

In another case on May 7th, troopers attempted to stop a vehicle for a traffic violation, but the driver fled both in the vehicle and on foot. ISP Air Operations tracked the suspect, who was later taken into custody. Officers reportedly recovered two firearms along with suspected cannabis and ecstasy. The driver now faces multiple felony weapons, drug, and fleeing charges.

The operation involved numerous law enforcement agencies, including ISP patrol troops, special agents, local police departments, sheriff’s offices, and task force officers from across central Illinois. State Police say they will continue using air operations, technology, increased patrols, and inter-agency cooperation to combat violent crime.

Illinois lawmakers are recognizing the sacrifices made by first responders across the state.

The Illinois House has adopted a resolution declaring June 2026 as Fallen First Responders Month in Illinois. The measure honors firefighters, paramedics, and law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty.

State Representative Patrick Sheehan sponsored the resolution and said the recognition is especially meaningful to him as a police officer.

Sheehan said first responders willingly put themselves in harm’s way to protect others, often responding during some of the worst moments in people’s lives.

House Resolution 718 encourages Illinois residents to observe the designation with ceremonies and events honoring fallen first responders. The resolution also expresses support and gratitude for the families of those who made the ultimate sacrifice, as well as the men and women who continue serving communities every day.