The Taylorville Park Board met Monday Evening to discuss new and old business covering various topics including updates on the pool, a space rental agreement between the park district and Taylorville Music Lessons, and to hear the regular reports from the Maintenance Superintendent Ben Dempsey, Recreation Director Evan Mitchell, and Office Coordinator Linda Moomey.

The meeting began with the approval of the minutes from the June meeting. This approval was made with all in favor. For the Treasurers Report, which included discussions on the balances of the beginning financial balance for the month of June, the balance received during the month, and the balance dispersed. The motion to accept the treasurers’ report was approved with no opposition.

Under new business, the park board discussed Geri Nieman and their relation to Perkinson Park. Nieman is a master Gardner, who wants to see if she can get approved to gather a group of volunteer’s that would be volunteering to take care of the fruit plants and other edible plants that are growing at Perkinson Park. The allocation of Nieman to maintain Perkinson Park was approved with no opposition. Park Board President Marlane M. Miller said they would love to haver her on board. 

Next on the agenda for the evening was discussion of old business. Topics discussed under old business included an update on the manners park pool.

For the Pool update, the park board has been working with contractors to renovate the pool area, and it seems like a larger portion of the time it’s taking to re-open has been due to decisions on how to maintain the new pool, and time being allocated to get the renovation project started and moving. There also have been delays in assigning an arbitrator and needing a demolition contract to take out the old pool before renovations can begin. 

The park board also gave the public a chance to speak towards the beginning of the meeting, and closed out with an executive session. The monthly reports from Ben Dempsey, Evan Mitchell, and Linda Moomey were all approved.

Follow along with taylorvilledailynews.com for updates after future meetings. 

The National Weather Service has reported yet another round of extreme heat indexes across Illinois. In some parts of the state, communities are seeing heat indexes as high as 117 degrees, which for areas surrounded by corn, can easily become between 120 and 125 degrees. Cooling centers in many communities are available to provide those who cant find air conditioning or ways to stay cool an option to not overheat. 

Taylorville’s Fire Department have announced on social media that during the extremely hot portion of today, the fire department can be used as a cooling center. To find a cooling center in your community, reach out to your local emergency management, or call the local police stations non-emergency number.

Aside from extreme heat, the NWS is also urging residents across Central and Eastern Illinois to remain weather aware this afternoon and evening as the potential for severe thunderstorms continues.

Forecasters say there is still some uncertainty regarding exactly how the storms will develop. A level 2 out of 5 risk is in place for Christian County and for most of the central portion of the state, but a Level 3 out of 5 risk for severe weather is in place for areas east of a line extending from Henry to Bloomington and south to Paris, Illinois.

The primary threat will be damaging straight-line winds, with some wind gusts potentially exceeding 70 to 75 miles per hour. Isolated large hail is also possible with the strongest storms. Tornado potential has not been ruled out but is deemed by the NWS as unlikely. There is still a potential for a pop up tornado, which are usually on the weaker end and don’t stay on the ground for long. 

The highest threat for severe weather is expected between 2:00 o'clock this afternoon and 9:00 o'clock this evening, with storms moving from north to south across the region. Residents are encouraged to monitor the latest forecasts throughout the day, have multiple ways to receive weather warnings, and be prepared to take shelter quickly if severe weather develops.

More information on the National Weather Service can be found at www.weather.gov.

Stay up to date with your local weather, news, sports, and more at taylorvilledailynews.com.

Hart Media Group interviewed Democratic candidate for Illinois Lieutenant Governor Christian Mitchell on Saturday to discuss his public service career and his priorities for the state if elected.

Mitchell previously served as Illinois Deputy Governor under Governor JB Pritzker, where he worked on initiatives involving infrastructure, energy, and statewide development. He also currently serves in the Illinois National Guard and said his commitment to public service was inspired by his mother, and grandfather.

When asked about his top priorities, Mitchell said he would focus on lowering costs, raising wages, and supporting Illinois farmers, businesses, and workers while working to keep the cost of living affordable.

In his interview, Mitchell was asked about his top priorities are for the state of Illinois should he be elected. Mitchell stated that his main priority would be to lower costs and raise wages. Mitchell also states he plans to stand up for our farmers, businesses, and our workers in the state to ensure that the cost to live in our state remains affordable.

Mitchell also said that, based on conversations with voters, the issues he hears about most are the rising cost of living and access to healthcare. Mitchell also added that he would continue efforts to improve Illinois roads and bridges to help ensure safe travel for residents across the state.

Learn more about the Illinois General Assembly at www.ilga.gov. For more local news, weather, sports, and community updates, visit taylorvilledailynews.com.

The Christian County Health Department has confirmed the county's first West Nile virus-positive mosquito sample of the 2026 season. Thankfully, state health officials report there have been no confirmed human cases of West Nile virus in Illinois so far this year.

The mosquitoes were collected in Taylorville on July 20 and tested by the department's Environmental Health staff on July 22nd. Confirmatory testing was completed at the Christian County Health Department laboratory. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, a county is considered positive for West Nile virus when the virus is detected in a mosquito, bird, horse, or human.

Health officials say recent warm and humid weather has created ideal conditions for mosquito populations across the area. Public Health Administrator Dr. Chad Anderson says the department conducts mosquito surveillance throughout the season to identify West Nile virus activity early and keep residents informed.

Anderson adds that ongoing surveillance, combined with community efforts to eliminate mosquito breeding sites and prevent mosquito bites, plays an important role in protecting public health.

The Christian County Health Department will continue monitoring and testing mosquitoes throughout the county for the remainder of the season.

Residents are encouraged to reduce standing water around their homes, where mosquitoes breed, and take precautions to avoid mosquito bites when spending time outdoors.

For more information about West Nile virus or other disease-carrying insects, contact the Christian County Health Department at 217-824-4113.

Get all your local news, weather, sports, and more, at taylorvilledailynews.com.

The Christian County Prevention Coalition wants community members to know of the host of recovery resources with which they are partnered.  Celebrate Recovery, Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, and Safe Passage each have their own defined target audience.  Nic Banning, a member of the Coalition, says AA and NA meet most days of the week in Taylorville. 

Celebrate Recovery meets Tuesdays at Davis Memorial Christian Church, also in Taylorville. 

Banning adds that the CCPC looks to understand the needs of the community when refining the work they do

The Christian County Prevention Coalition meets once a month at the Taylorville Public Library, and the public is invited. 

More information on the Christian County Prevention Coalition is available at www.cc-pc.org.

Nic Banning appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show. 

The Taylorville Park Board is set to meet for its regular monthly meeting tonight at 7 PM to discuss various approvals, new and old business, and hear departmental reports.

The park board is set to begin the meeting by considering approval of the minutes from their June 22 meeting, followed by a review of the treasurer's report.

Under new business, the board will discuss Perkinson Park with Geri Nieman. Under old business, members are expected to receive an update on the city pool, review an Environmental Protection Agency letter dated July 10, acknowledge receipt of a letter from Sikich, and continue discussions regarding Taylorville Music Lessons rentals.

The board will also hear reports from Maintenance Superintendent Ben Dempsey, Recreation Director Evan Mitchell, and Office Administrator Linda Moomey. The meeting will conclude with committee reports before board members consider approval of bills and departmental reports.

Keep following along with taylorvilledailynews.com for updates after tonight’s meeting.

See below for tonights meeting agenda:

Fans of antique treasures and hidden history may soon have a chance to see their collections featured on national television.

The hit History Channel series American Pickers is planning to return to Illinois and Iowa this September to film new episodes, and the show's hosts are looking for private collections filled with unique antiques, rare artifacts, and memorable stories.

The documentary series follows expert pickers as they travel the country's back roads searching for historically significant items and one-of-a-kind collectibles. Producers say they're especially interested in meeting people with unusual collections and learning the stories behind the objects they've spent years preserving.

The show is not looking for retail businesses, flea markets, antique malls, museums, auction houses, or other collections that are open to the public. Instead, producers want to visit private properties where forgotten treasures may be tucked away in barns, garages, basements, or outbuildings.

If you or someone you know has a unique collection and would be willing to sell some of the items, the American Pickers team is encouraging you to reach out by phone at (646) 493-2184 or email at AmericanPickers@cineflix.com.

Interested collectors should provide their name, phone number, location, a description of the collection, and photos for consideration.

For more news, weather, and sports for your local area, visit taylorvilledailynews.com.

A new Illinois law is aimed at improving how schools support students who rely on service animals.

Legislation championed by State Senator Doris Turner of Springfield requires schools to include training on the proper handling of service animals as part of the Americans with Disabilities Act training already provided to teachers, administrators and school support staff.

Federal law already protects the rights of students with disabilities to use service animals in public schools. Supporters say the new measure will help ensure school personnel better understand those protections while promoting a more welcoming and inclusive learning environment.

The legislation was inspired by a Rochester High School student who relies on a medical alert dog to help manage Type 1 diabetes. The dog alerts the student when her blood sugar drops to dangerous levels, allowing her to respond before the situation becomes life-threatening.

Last year, the student reported repeated harassment involving her service animal, including classmates stepping on the dog's legs, pulling its tail, throwing food at it, and barking at it in school hallways. She also shared her concerns publicly, saying more needed to be done to protect both her and her service animal.

Senator Turner says every student deserves to feel welcome at school and that families who depend on accommodations should be met with compassion rather than discrimination.

Senate Bill 2761 was signed into law on Friday and is scheduled to take effect January 1st, 2027.

Information on the Illinois General Assembly can be found at www.ilga.gov.

For all of you local news, weather, sports, and more, visit taylorvilledailynews.com.

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is inviting families to kick off the back-to-school season with a free day of educational fun during its annual Back to School Bash on Saturday, August 1, in Springfield.

The event will take place from 9 AM to 1 PM at Union Square Park, located at 500 East Madison Street next to the Lincoln Presidential Museum. If rain is in the forecast, activities will move inside the presidential library. Free parking will be available in the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum parking garage at Sixth and Madison Streets.

Children attending the event will have the opportunity to answer trivia questions, participate in hands-on art and science activities, meet animals from the Henson Robinson Zoo, and enjoy a variety of interactive exhibits. New this year, Foam and Flight Bubble Parties will provide bubble-filled entertainment, while the StoneLion Puppet Theatre will bring bears, monsters, and giant insects to life through live puppet performances. A food truck will also be on-site offering snacks and drinks for purchase.

The Back to School Bash also offers resources for parents and caregivers. Families can take advantage of free children's haircuts, learn about programs available through the Lincoln Public Library, receive safety information, and connect with local organizations offering educational and community services.

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Executive Director Christina Shutt said the event is designed to help children transition from summer vacation back into the classroom through fun, hands-on learning experiences while also providing parents with valuable back-to-school resources.

Several organizations are expected to participate, including the Illinois State Fire Marshal, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Illinois State Museum, University of Spa and Cosmetology Arts, the YMCA, Sangamon County Health Department, iMagic Nation, and many other community partners.

Get all your local news, weather, sports and more at taylorvilledailynews.com.

One member of the Christian County Prevention Coalition is sharing his story of recovering from drug abuse.  Richard “Chase” Holbrook is now three years sober, thanks in part to the services of a local resource known as Celebrate Recovery.  The Coalition promotes the availability of this resource and others as part of its mission to bring such partners together and help community members in need.

Holbrook says a near-death experience from drug use is when he first saw the need to pursue recovery. 

Holbrook says discovering the Celebrate Recovery program showed him that escaping drug addiction was possible and feasible. 

Holbrook adds that the program helped him discover that the underlying challenge he faced was not the drug use but rather emotional and mental challenges. 

Learning about others’ journeys and working through setbacks were other major factors in his road to sobriety. 

The Celebrate Recovery chapter at Davis Memorial Christian Church in Taylorville meets Tuesday evenings at 5:30 p.m.  More information is available at www.davismemorialchristian.org/celebrate-recovery-taylorville.

Richard “Chase” Holbrook appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show. 

Jill Ruot was welcomed by Kiwanis Members as their guest speaker as they met for their Tuesday noon luncheon at the Taylorville Moose Lodge. 

Ruot is the human resources and special events coordinator for the Christian County YMCA.  Ruot focused on the many programs that are scheduled for area youth, including a back-to-school basketball skills camp, along with fall soccer and basketball leagues.  New this year is a "Punt, Pass, and Kick Day" scheduled to be held in October and a "Santa Shoot-Out" for girls. 

Ruot also informed members that there are many programs designed for adults as well, including racquetball and pickleball.

The YMCA is involved in community events in an effort to assist area youth on a year-round basis.  Ruot stated that the Y will be seen at several events throughout the year, including Chillifest and the Christian County Fair.

The Y also hosts several events throughout the year, including the Back to School Health and Resource Fair and the Strong Kids Sustaining Drive.

To find out more about what the Christian County YMCA has to offer, visit their web page at www.ccymca.org. 

The Taylorville Kiwanis Club is part of a global organization focused on supporting youth and the local community.  Weekly meetings are held Tuesdays at noon at the Taylorville Moose Lodge.  For information on the club, go to www.taylorvillekiwanis.com or email the club at TaylorvilleKiwanis@gmail.com.

The Christian County Historical Society is reaching the end of its summer concert series.  The final show for 2026 takes place this Wednesday at 7 p.m.  It’s set to round out a series full of uniquely themed shows.  Co-President Jodi Heberling says the most recent show was an interactive one geared towards kids. 

The Historical Society is now turning its attention to a busy late fall.  The schedule then begins with the annual Persimmon Party on Saturday, November 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

On Friday, November 20 at 6 p.m., community members will be able to take part in a Christmas decoration creation event at the Historical Society.  Participants will learn how to create “half-wreaths,” which they can then use as home décor. 

The Historical Society is also hoping to host a square dance event.  Part of their aim is to attract a younger audience than they have for other events. 

Find out more about the CCHS at www.christiancountyhistorical.com.  More information is also available at their Facebook page.

Jodi Heberling appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show. 

Hart Media Group interviewed several county fair sponsors at the Community Day Vendor Fair on Wednesday. The event took place at the Christian County Agricultural Fair.

There were just over 90 booths set up at yesterday's event. Among the 90 were informational booths where local companies and fair sponsors handed out trinkets such as stress balls, little canvas bags, can cozies, water bottles, hand fans, and pens. Some of the booths were selling award-winning produce or art projects.

The first interview during the live broadcast, heard on Groovy 97.3 WRAN, was with Angela Ohl-Marsters. Ohl-Marsters was the organizer of Community Day. During her interview, she mentioned that she was proud to see the outcome. With there being over 90 individual booths, and a healthy-sized crowd perusing through the County Fair’s Expo Building. Ohl-Marsters also stated that it was hard work, but worth the effort and time, especially considering how successful the event was.
Pictured below is Angela Ohl-Marsters at the entrance to the vendor fair.

The second interviewee was Tammy Middlestadt, owner of Five Star Bath Solutions.
Middlestadt was there representing her company, and even doing a drawing to win a free shower door installation, as well as a drawing to win gift cards for Amazon. In her interviews, Middlestadt spoke about what her company does. As Middlestadt says, Five Star Bath Solutions is one of the top bathroom remodeling companies in Illinois. Five Star Bath Solutions offers free in-home estimates and will give you a price on the spot for your new bathtub or shower remodel. For more information, go to fivestarbathsolutions.com.
Pictured below is Tammy Middlestadt with her booth.

The third individual to be interviewed was Jay Boulanger, the Community Health Coordinator for Taylorville Memorial Hospital. During the interview, Boulanger spoke about what they were offering at their booth, which was free blood pressure and bone density checks. Boulanger also mentioned some of their upcoming events. There is an upcoming back-to-school prep event that offers free school supplies, haircuts, vision and hearing checks, and more. For more information on upcoming events through Taylorville Memorial Hospital, visit memorial.health/about-us/events.
Pictured below is Jay Boulanger (back middle) accompanied by his booth mates.

The next to be interviewed was Brenda Herman – a Family Nurse Practitioner for Springfield Clinic. During her interview, she explained what she was doing with her booth. Aside from gifting pens and stress balls, Herman’s booth was there to inform people about some of the things that Springfield Clinic can take care of and to explain the “Emerald Laser” system they have now.
Pictured below is Brenda Herman with her booth.

Finally, the last interview was with one of the marketing team members from Brandt, Lance Wells. Wells is in charge of the show car that is sponsored by Brandt. This show car is a NASCAR-worthy Chevy Camaro that at one time did actually see track time. Wells was very friendly and explained some details about the car. Yes, it drives. It still has all of the equipment found in a NASCAR Stock Car. The car can top out at around 190 MPH and has upwards of 650 horsepower.
Pictured below is Lance Wells next to the Number 7 show car.

Following Community Day were stock car races. A group of custom stock racing cars roared around the track for several hours at high speeds. Like most stock car races, there were crashes, spin-outs, and dirt-flinging, high-speed turns.
Pictured below are photos from the stock car races that took place Wednesday evening. To watch a video snippet from the races, CLICK HERE.

The results of the races are as follows:

DIRTcar Modifieds

24 Entries
A Feature 1 – 20 Laps

DIRTcar Sportsman

18 Entries
A Feature 1 – 15 Laps

DIRTcar Street Stocks

20 Entries
A Feature 1 – 15 Laps

Crown Vics

9 Entries
A Feature 1 – 12 Laps

Keep following along with taylorvilledailynews.com for updates from the Christian County Agricultural Fair.
 

The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) and MaxPreps have officially released the schedules for the 2026 Illinois high school football season.

The season will kick off with Week One games taking place August 20th through the 22nd, while the road to the state championship will feature a major change for teams across Illinois.

For the first time since 1985, the IHSA football playoffs are expanding. Beginning this season, each of the eight enrollment classes will increase from 32 playoff qualifiers to 48 teams. That means the total number of playoff participants statewide will jump from 256 schools to 384 schools.

To accommodate the expansion while maintaining consistency in the playoff structure, the IHSA will use new round designations, including an opening round, first round, second round, quarterfinals and semifinals before the state championship games.

The playoffs will begin with opening round contests on October 23rd and 24th, followed by the first round on October 30th and 31st. Second round games are scheduled for November 6th and 7th, with quarterfinal matchups taking place November 13th and 14th. The semifinals will be held November 20th and 21st.

The 2026 IHSA Football State Finals are set for November 27th and 28th at Hancock Stadium on the campus of Illinois State University, located in Normal.

The nine-week regular season will determine the playoff field, with all 384 postseason qualifiers set to be announced during a statewide live selection show at 9 PM on Saturday, October 17th.

Fans can now begin following their favorite schools and conferences as teams prepare for the start of another Illinois high school football season.

For more details, visit maxpreps.com or go to www.ihsa.org.

The FFA building at the Christian County Fairgrounds was full of livestock, FFA members, and spectators for the fair’s livestock judging competitions on Wednesday.  Shows took place for swine, sheep, goat, and beef, and the Master Showmanship competition rounded out the day’s schedule. 

Opal Ryan was among the participants showing sheep.  She says their muscle mass is a key component in the judging. 

Maleah Repscher showed sheep and goats and says there are many steps to ensuring they are show-ready.

Layne Bliler, another competitor who showed sheep, says washing them – especially on their legs – is another essential step, if also a tricky one.

For Ryker Beckmier, the livestock shows are a way for him not only to compete but also to inspire those younger than him.

More information on the livestock showings and auctions is available on the Christian County Fair’s website, www.christiancountyfair.com.

Ryker Beckmier, Layne Bliler, Maleah Repscher, and Opal Ryan appeared as guests on a special edition of the WTIM Morning Show live from the Christian County Fair.

Incoming students at Lake Land College will be able to attend a new workshop on technology use relating to college studies and careers.  The course aims to teach students how to use the various software platforms they will frequently use while studying at Lake Land and beyond.  Students can take the course in a drop-in format or a more spread-out series of sessions.

The workshops will take place starting Tuesday, August 18, all in the Luther Student Center on the Mattoon campus.  Stephanie Anderson, a career readiness coordinator at Lake Land College, has worked to organize the workshop.  She says students’ familiarity with software from word processors to email, learning management systems, and even remote communication is critical for learning. 

Anderson adds the course will support students across the wide range of their backgrounds.

The workshop’s first available start date of August 18 was set intentionally.  This is to provide students the opportunity to take the course and absorb the information before classes begin and they become busy.  

Anderson says her team used data from usage of their website, student self-assessments, and a pilot run of the course to refine it ahead of its official debut this fall. 

More information on Lake Land College is available at www.lakelandcollege.edu.

Stephanie Anderson appeared as a guest on the WTIM Pana Morning Show. 

The Christian County Fair hosted its annual “Miss Christian County” pageants on Tuesday evening and the winners have been announced.

Starting off with Little Miss Christian County, the winner for 2026 is Blakley Fisher. Fisher's first and second runner up’s were Lainey Morris and Aryah Austin. The 2025 Little Miss Christian County winner who is passing the crown now to Fisher, is Avery Nation.

Pictured below is the line up of the 2025 Little Miss Christian County, accompanied by the 2026 winner and her two runner up’s. Photo courtesy of Teresa Nelson.

Left to Right: Front Row: 2025 Little Miss Christian County Avery Nation; 2nd Runner Up Aryah Austin; 2026 Little Miss Christian County Blakley Fisher; 1st Runner Up Lainey Morris
Back Row: 2025 Jr. Miss Christian County Jolie Cavatorta; 2025 Miss Christian County Lydia Repscher.

Next, the winner of Junior Miss Christian County was announced. The winner of the 2026 Junior Miss Christian County pageant is Thea Shanks with her first runner up, and Miss Congeniality, being Hollyn Becker, and her second runner up, Emma Grundy. The 2025 crown was passed on to Shanks by the 2025 Junior Miss Christian County, Jolie Cavatorta.

Pictured below is the lineup of the 2026 Junior Miss Christian County winner with her two runner ups along with the 2025 Junior Miss Christian County Winner. Photo courtesy of Teresa Nelson.

Left to Right: 2nd Runner Up Emma Grundy; 2025 Junior Miss Christian County Jolie Cavatorta; 2026 Junior Miss Christian County Thea Shanks; 1st Runner Up and Miss Congeniality, Hollyn Becker.

Finally, the announcement of the 2026 Miss Christian County winner, Alivia Kent. Kent’s first and second runner up were Miss Congeniality, Ella Reiss, with her 2nd runner up being Charlotte Stickel. The crown was passed off by 2025 Miss Christian County, Lydia Repscher. In this announcement, the winner of Miss Illinois County Fair Queen was also made. The Miss Illinois County Fair Queen for 2026 is Krista Phillips.

Pictured below is the lineup of the 2026 Miss Christian County winner, along with her two runner ups, the 2025 Miss Christian County winner, as well as the 2026 Miss Illinois winner. Photo courtesy of Teresa Nelson.

Left to Right: 2nd Runner Up Charlotte Stickel; 2025 Miss Christian County Lydia Repscher; 2026 Miss Christian County Alivia Kent; 2026 Miss Illinois County Fair Queen Krista Phillips; 1st Runner Up and Miss Congeniality Ella Reiss

Keep following taylorvilledailynews.com for more updates on events from the Christian County Agricultural Fair.

The current Republican candidate for Illinois Lieutenant Governor, Aaron Del Mar, recently interviewed with Hart Media Group during his Events and Media tour.

During the interview with Del Mar, the gubernatorial candidate spoke about what he believes should really change within the current legislation in Illinois. According to Del Mar, his three biggest focal points where change is needed are affordability, public safety, and education.

According to Del Mar, with the current state budget increase, many taxpayer families are hurting to save money or even pay their bills due to gas prices rising, and taxes on crucial products such as food and property tax. Del Mar states, this marks his top priority as affordability, and also states that our state budget doesn’t need to be this large.

When it comes to education, Del Mar believes that focusing the funding given into the current programs and education systems towards educational outcome is crucial. According to Del Mar, schools are in fact getting funding, but in some cities, the outcome of student education still falls short as many kids in those districts, can’t read, write, or do math at grade level.

There once was a program in Illinois that offered educational resources to students and teachers to really stretch the different learning opportunities and provide a better educational outcome.

Del Mar also recently held a dinner at Angelo’s in Taylorville to allow the community to discuss their concerns and ask questions. See below for a photo.

Hart Media Group has scheduled an interview with the Democratic candidate for Lieutenant Governor, Christian Mitchell. 

Keep an eye on taylorvilledailynews.com to find out what is said in Mitchell’s interview. Our interview story should be posted Monday afternoon.

Spring Garden restaurant in Pana was forced to close early Monday evening after a vehicle driven by a juvenile male slammed into the building. 

Hart Media Group reached out and spoke to Pana Police Chief Daniel Bland, and Chief Bland stated that the 16-year-old driver claims that his vehicle malfunctioned, resulting in the car speeding up instead of braking. According to Chief Bland, three individuals were transported due to injuries, and the injuries were not life-threatening.

Chief Bland said that they are investigating this further, and currently they have not found any maintenance or equipment issues on the vehicle that hit the building. The investigation is still ongoing to get to the real reason that caused the vehicle to slam into the side of the restaurant. 

Due to cleanup and repair work, Spring Garden closed for the remainder of the evening on Monday, but returned to normal operations as of Wednesday under its normal business hours of 6 AM to 9 PM.

No additional information on the crash or the extent of injuries has been released at this time. The identities of the driver and the two inside the restaurant have also not been released.

Should any more information be received, you’ll find it at taylorvilledailynews.com.

The Pana Popcorn Festival is coming back to Kitchell Park this Saturday for its third edition.  The Pana Parks Revitalization Committee organizes the event, which runs from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.  Admission, parking, and popcorn are all free amid a schedule packed with sports competitions, live music, shows, a pageant, and more.

Nicole Blodgett is the president of the Pana Parks Revitalization Committee.  She says from the sporting events to volunteering, there are many ways for interested community members to be involved. 

Parking spots fill up quickly, so organizers have set aside space on the west side of the park for more parking. 

Blodgett acknowledges the many local organizations and businesses which have helped finance and execute the Pana Popcorn Festival this year and in the past. 

The paddleboat races will return this year from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.  In addition, a zip line is being added to the program for the first time. 

More information on the Pana Popcorn Festival is available at www.panapopcornfestival.org and the Pana Parks Revitalization Committee’s Facebook page.

Nicole Blodgett appeared as a guest on the WTIM Pana Morning Show. 

The Taylorville Police Department (TPD) is thanking two city leaders for helping enhance traffic safety efforts in the community.

TPD announced that Alderman Steve Dennis and Alderwoman Amy Hagen have purchased a new mobile speed awareness sign for the department. The new sign features advanced technology designed to do more than simply display a driver's speed.

According to the TPD, the equipment can collect important traffic information, including average vehicle speeds, traffic volume, and other data that can assist officers in identifying areas where additional traffic enforcement or safety measures may be needed.

The department says the sign will be moved to various locations throughout the city on a rotating basis. Officials hope the sign will encourage motorists to slow down, become more aware of their driving habits, and ultimately improve safety on city streets.

The Taylorville Police Department has also expressed its sincere appreciation to Aldermen Dennis and Alderwoman Hagen for their support, noting that the new equipment will serve as both an educational tool for drivers and a valuable resource for gathering traffic data as the department continues its proactive traffic safety initiatives throughout Taylorville.

For information on the Taylorville Police Department, visit taylorville.net/police-dept.

Keep following along with taylorvilledailynews.com for all of your local news, sports, weather, and more.

Lake Land College is inviting community members of all ages to explore the world of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) during its first-ever Community STEM Night in Effingham.

The event is scheduled for Wednesday, August 5th from 5 until 7 PM at the Lake Land College Innovation Center, found on the first floor of the Effingham Technology Center, located at 1201 Althoff Drive in Effingham.

This year's STEM night will place a special focus on video game development. Lake Land College staff will provide demonstrations and hands-on instruction, giving attendees an opportunity to learn more about the technology and skills that go into creating video games.

Participants won't just be watching demonstrations. Community members will also have the chance to practice coding and design their own video games during the event. Those attending are encouraged to bring a flash drive so they can save their projects and take their creations home with them.

College officials say the event is designed to provide an engaging learning experience while showcasing the high-tech educational equipment and resources available through Lake Land College's Innovation Center.

The event is open to all ages and no registration is required, making it an easy opportunity for families, students and technology enthusiasts to explore STEM-related fields in an interactive setting.

For additional information about Community STEM Night, contact the Innovation Center Assistant, Tiffany Maillet-Gibson, at 217-234-5328. Contact is also available through email at InnovationCenter@LakeLandCollege.edu.

For all your local news, follow along with taylorvilledailynews.com

The next generation of firefighters is getting its start as the Taylorville Fire Department has officially relaunched its Fire Explorer Post.

The department welcomed its first three Explorer members, marking the beginning of the program's return. While the initial class is small, fire officials say they're looking forward to helping these young recruits gain valuable experience and develop the skills needed for a future in the fire service.

Their first day focused on one of the most important lessons in firefighting. That lesson is taking pride in the firehouse. The explorers learned about the importance of keeping the station clean, organized, and ready to respond at a moment's notice before moving on to hands-on training.

The new members were introduced to the department's first-due engine, where they learned about the tools and equipment firefighters rely on every day. They also received instruction on properly putting on and removing self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) equipment.

The Taylorville Fire Department says it's proud to invest in the next generation of firefighters and looks forward to watching the Explorers build their skills, strengthen their work ethic, and develop a passion for serving the community.

The department is encouraging the community to join them in welcoming the newest members of the Fire Explorer Post as they begin their journey in the fire service.

Find out more about the Taylorville Fire Department at taylorville.net/fire-dept.

Chili enthusiasts can take part in a cookoff at the Taylorville VFW this Sunday.  Aldo’s Chili Cookoff is back for another year.  The cookoff starts at 11 a.m. that day, but the doors open earlier than that.  Visitors can taste the chili and also enjoy food, alcohol, and live music.  The event is sanctioned by the International Chili Society (ICS) and is meant to follow the Christian County Fair and its chili cookoff on Saturday.

Tom Calvert is among the organizers of the event.  He says Sunday’s cookoff will feature four different categories of chili, each with their own strict specifications.  There is also a special crock-pot section for VFW members who wish to enter. 

Jennifer Davis, another event organizer, will open her well known Bloody Mary bar.  There will also be raffles for gift baskets. 

Calvert adds that the timing with respect to the fair also allows competitors at the fair’s cookoff to also enter Sunday’s competition. 

The organizers hope the event will not only attract visitors to another of the many chili cookoffs in Taylorville but also showcase the VFW and what it has to offer. 

More information on Aldo’s Chili Cookoff is available on the Taylorville VFW’s Facebook page.

Tom Calvert and Jennifer Davis appeared as guests on the WTIM Pana Morning Show.

The future of the proposed data center in Christian County is now uncertain after the withdrawal of a separate power plant project in Pawnee.  Bryan Sharp, chairman of the Christian County Board, shared the updates at Tuesday’s monthly meeting.  It took place at the Taylorville High School cafeteria due to high attendance and a large number of public commenters.  Sharp says the proposed data center was contingent on the power plant project being completed. 

Taylorville Daily News intends to confirm with Sharp what this means for the potential data center’s prospects.

Eleven public commenters spoke out against the proposal of the data center.  Many of them live within two miles of the proposed site.  John Fahl was among them; he called on board members to consider the implications of their potential vote on those who would be most affected.

Maureen Tarrant and Sarah McKavetz also spoke, urging board members to listen to the concerns of those who voted for them. 

Board Chairman Bryan Sharp’s aforementioned update came in remarks he delivered in the latter part of Monday’s meeting, lasting close to a half-hour.  He said while he is not advocating for the data center, he is taking into account the decrease in employment numbers within the county over the last quarter-century. 

Separate from the data center-related discussions, the board tabled a vote on a proposed kratom ban over concerns on the scope of the ban.  The Christian County Health Department’s board voted in May to propose a kratom ban ordinance.

The Christian County Board voted to approve purchases related to time tracking and scheduling for county employees, along with a state-mandated percentage increase for the state’s attorney, public defender, and Sheriff.  The next Christian County Board meeting is set for Tuesday, August 18.