Pictured in Pana Community Hospital’s newly renovated Chemotherapy clinic are Vickie Coen, Pana Community Hospital Chief Clinical Officer/Chief Nurse Executive, Dr. Hanna Saba and Dr. Ben Esparaz of Cancer Care Specialists of Central Illinois, S.C.

Pana Community Hospital and Cancer Care Specialists of Central Illinois, S.C. (CCSCI) have announced that Dr. Hanna M. Saba, medical oncologist/hematologist with the CCSCI-Crossroads Cancer Center in Effingham, is now seeing patients in the Pana Community Hospital specialty clinic in the hospital’s Medical Mall.  Dr. Saba joins Dr. Ben Esparaz in seeing oncology and hematology patients in Pana.

Pana Community Hospital’s medical mall provides office space for many specialists from the area to allow patients in the hospital's service area to see doctors close to home instead of having to travel to Decatur or Springfield. 

Dr. Saba is seeing patients in the Pana Community Hospital Medical Mall specialty clinic on Tuesday afternoons beginning July 1^st.    Dr. Esparaz continues to see patients in Pana on Wednesdays. 

For more information or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Saba or Dr. Esparaz at the Pana Community Hospital Medical Mall, call 217-562-2131.

There is a move to better educate young people on how to create or run a business.  Dee Krueger, Assistant Director for the Lincoln Land College Taylorville campus says the course will cover a lot of ground:

[audio:kruegerceo062714.mp3]comment here[/audio]

The goal is to have the new program available by the beginning of the 2015 school year.   

A local group is pushing legislation for equal visitation time of children between parents. Shane Bouvet, a Stonington resident and who is with Illinois Fathers, tells Regional Radio News that it is important to have both parents involved in a child’s life:

[audio:bouvetillinoisfathers063014.mp3]comment here[/audio]

If you would like more information, visit their website illinoisfathers.org.

The Christian County Fair is less than a month away, and the County Farm Bureau plans to be a big part of it.  Melissa McMillan of the Christian County Farm Bureau says the 5k run will be part of the Fair this year:

[audio:mcmillanfair062514.mp3]comment here[/audio]

The Christian County Fair is July 22^nd through the 27^th at the fairgrounds in Taylorville.

Toronto,  ON (SportsNetwork.com)  - Jose  Quintana combined  with two  Chicago 
relievers  on a  four-hit shutout to lead  the White Sox to a 4-0 victory over 
the Toronto Blue Jays. 

Quintana  (5-7) yielded  just three  hits  along with  a pair  of walks  while 
striking  out  seven during  his seven-inning masterpiece,  which was aided by 
a  two-run single  from Tyler  Flowers and  Moises Sierra's  solo homer. 

"He  attacked the zone,  and if he can get ahead and stay there and mix speeds 
like  he did  today, he's  tough," White Sox  manager Robin  Ventura said  of 
Quintana. 

Jose Abreu  added  an RBI  single to  help Chicago  close out  an 11-game road 
trip with wins in the final three tests of this four-game set. 

The  Blue Jays' inability to generate any offense against Quintana and bullpen 
members  Eric  Surkamp and Jake Petricka  resulted in a fourth straight losing 
decision  for Mark Buehrle (10-5). The former White Sox hurler pitched well in 
defeat, however, allowing two runs on six hits through eight innings. 

Buehrle's only two blemishes came in back-to-back innings. Gordon Beckham came 
through  with  a ground-rule double  with two out in  the third and Abreu sent 
him  home on a  single to left, with Sierra making it a 2-0 lead by clobbering 
a changeup over the Blue Jays' bullpen in the fourth. 

"I  threw a  changeup pretty much right  down the middle," said Buehrle of the 
homer. "It's frustrating, because you know you don't have to throw much in the 
strike zone [to Sierra] and I pretty much teed one up for him." 

The  veteran  lefty was  nearly spotless thereafter,  finishing out his strong 
stint  by recording  eight straight  outs.  Problem was,  Quintana was  simply 
better. 

Toronto  mustered  only two singles through  the first four frames against the 
Chicago  southpaw,  fresh  off another  outstanding  seven-inning  performance 
Tuesday  in  Baltimore in which he  permitted one run, and didn't put multiple 
men on base until Jose Reyes doubled in the sixth and Edwin Encarnacion drew a 
two-out walk. 

Quintana  got the dangerous Jose Bautista to harmlessly hit into a force play, 
however, to end the Blue Jays' best scoring chance of the day. 

"I  tried to keep the ball down with him," said Quintana of Bautista's at-bat. 
"I was behind the count 2-0. I wanted to keep the ball away. I think I threw a 
good pitch after I was behind in the count, and I came up with the ground ball 
for the out." 

                                   Game Notes 

Abreu's  single extended  his hitting streak to 14 games ... Sierra and Alexei 
Ramirez  both  finished 2-for-4 for  Chicago ... Bautista  did not start for a 
seventh straight game as he deals with a strained hamstring, but was used as a 
pinch  hitter in the seventh ... Buehrle is in the midst of his longest losing 
streak  since a  four-game slide with Miami from June 1-19, 2012 .... Quintana 
improved to 4-1 in five lifetime starts against the Blue Jays. 

Cardinals have a day off today and will begin a series with the Giants on Tuesday.

Los Angeles, CA (SportsNetwork.com) - Clayton Kershaw polished off a brilliant 
month  of June  with a 13-strikeout performance on Sunday, and the Los Angeles 
Dodgers  took a  6-0 decision from the  St. Louis Cardinals in the finale of a 
four-game set. 

Kershaw  (9-2) scattered five hits with two walks over seven scoreless innings 
to win his sixth straight decision, all in June. 

"As  a  starting pitcher, you try  to make it  through the first three or four 
innings  for  your team,"  said Kershaw.  "(St. Louis) is  a veteran team over 
there. I just tried to take advantage of some of their weaknesses." 

The  reigning NL Cy  Young Award winner went 6-0 with a minuscule 0.82 ERA and 
61  strikeouts  in six starts  throughout the  month, highlighted by his first 
career no-hitter on June 18 against Colorado. 

If  all that  wasn't enough, Kershaw is  in the midst of a 28-inning scoreless 
streak. 

Andre Ethier hit a three-run homer, while Adrian Gonzalez and Yasiel Puig each 
scored twice for the Dodgers, who have won 10-of-13 and tied the San Francisco 
Giants for first atop the NL West. 

St. Louis starter Shelby Miller (7-7) was charged with the loss after allowing 
six runs on seven hits and three walks over five innings on the hill. 

"They  threw the  ball  well," Cardinals manager  Mike  Matheny  said of  the 
Dodgers' rotation throughout the series. "We expect to score runs. It's one of 
those things we have to fight and figure it out." 

Kershaw  opened the game with two strikeouts in a scoreless first inning, then 
Miller  one-upped his counterpart in the home half by striking out the side in 
order. 

Yadier  Molina doubled  to lead  off the  second, but  Kershaw pitched  around 
trouble  with strikeouts to Peter Bourjos and Shane Robinson before Mark Ellis 
grounded out to end the inning. 

Kershaw continued to mow through the Cardinals order in the third, although he 
had  to contend with another threat. Miller was called out on strikes to begin 
the frame and Matt Carpenter followed with his second hit of the day, a single 
to right. As Matt Holliday struck out swinging on a breaking ball in the dirt, 
Carpenter swiped second for his third stolen base of the season. 

After  a  walk to  Jhonny Peralta,  Kershaw froze Allen  Craig with a backdoor 
curveball to end the inning. 

Miller  was up to  the task in opposing one of baseball's best, easily getting 
through  the first  eight Los Angeles hitters before issuing a two-out walk to 
Kershaw  in the third.  Dee Gordon stepped in and ripped a line drive to Craig 
at first for the third out. 

The  Dodgers  southpaw continued  his barrage  with two  more punchouts in the 
fourth, marking nine of the first 12 outs coming via the strikeout. 

Los  Angeles  finally broke through against  Miller in the fourth. Puig drew a 
walk  to begin  the inning and Gonzalez  alertly placed a bunt down the third- 
base line to beat the shift for the Dodgers' first hit of the day. 

Matt  Kemp then muscled a single out to center that scored Puig and Juan Uribe 
skied a sacrifice fly out to center two batters later for a 2-0 edge. 

"We've  been  scoring in a  lot of different  ways," said Kershaw. "That's the 
sign of good team." 

A big second inning lifted the Dodgers to a 9-1 win on Saturday, and LA used a 
four-run fifth on Sunday to break it open. 

With  two  outs, Puig legged  out a double and  scored on Gonzalez's single to 
center.  Matt Kemp  followed with a double  to move Gonzalez over to third and 
Ethier  chased them home with a towering drive to right that pushed the margin 
to 6-0. 

"Clayton  set  the tone early,"  said Dodgers manager Don Mattingly. "Adrian's 
bunt  was  big for us  in the fourth  and Andre's homer  was huge. I feel good 
about the way we're playing." 

Brandon  League and  Jamey Wright each pitched a scoreless inning in relief of 
Kershaw to finish off the shutout. 

                                   Game Notes 

Kershaw  struck out his  100th batter of the season early in the contest. With 
only  nine walks  on the year, Kershaw  issued the fewest walks at the time of 
his  100th K in  Dodgers history. Sandy Koufax had 19 at the time of his 100th 
strikeout  in 1965 ... It was the 12th six-win month in Dodgers history ... LA 
has made up 9.5 games in the last 21 days with San Francisco ... Carpenter had 
three  of the Cardinals' six hits ...  St. Louis went 0-for-9 with runners in 
scoring position. 

THE CHRISTIAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE REPORTS THE FOLLOWING ARRESTS:

Jae M. Ealey, 28, of 100 Circle Place, Kincaid, was arrested June 27 on a bond forfeiture for theft.

Jeremy D. Key, 26, of 35 Ridgeway, Decatur, was arrested June 29 on a bond forfeiture for the issuance of a warrant.

Vivian L. Basil, 39, of 1335 N 850 East Rd, Taylorville, was arrested June 29 on a bond forfeiture for driving under the influence of alcohol.

George T. Bailey, 40, of 411 Glenn St., Kincaid, was arrested June 29 for assault.

Ronald D. Fisher, 19, of 208 East Poplar, Taylorville was arrested June 30 for domestic battery and resisting a peace officer.

Aaron M. Steele, 24, of 4 Lydia Lane, Riverton was arrested June 30 for possession of methamphetamine manufacturing materials.

TAYLORVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORTS THE FOLLOWING ARRESTS:

On June 27 at 3:55 pm, Taylorville Police Department officers conducted a traffic stop on East Lakeshore drive after gaining information that a wanted subject was in the vehicle. Subsequent to the stop, Jae M. Ealey, 28, of Kincaid was arrested for a Sangamon County failure to appear warrant.

On June 28 at 1:19 pm, a Taylorville Police Department officer was advised by dispatch of a possible suspended driver traveling into Taylorville on Route 29. The officer located the suspect vehicle and made a traffic stop. The officer made contact with Shawn C. Stevens, 29, of Taylorville and ran his information through Law Enforcement Agencies Data System and found that his driver's license was suspended. Stevens was placed under arrest and released on a notice to appear.

On June 30 at 12:12 am, Taylorville Police Department officers were dispatched to Casey's on East Park St. in reference to a female having been attacked. When officers arrived they were unable to locate the female at Casey's. A Christian County Sheriff's Deputy assisting Taylorville Officers was able to locate a male, later identified as Ronald Fisher, 19, of Taylorville, a female, later identified as Devun Rohdemann, and a juvenile male, walking West on Poplar St. Rohdemann was crying and had injuries. After an investigation, Fisher was arrested for domestic battery and resisting/obstruction of a police officer. Fisher was transported to Christian County Correctional Center.

On June 29 at 12:05 am, while on patrol Taylorville Police Department Officers noticed a convertible car traveling East on Spresser St. past Shumway St. with two individuals sitting on the top of the back seats. Officers conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle at the KFC parking lot. Officers made contact with the driver of the vehicle, Brandon J. Gardner, 24, of Taylorville whom officers knew to not have a valid driver's license. Gardner was transported to the Taylorville Police Department, processed and released with a notice to appear.

On June 29 at 7:58 pm, the Taylorville Police Department got a call about an intoxicated man at Kiwanis Park. Upon arrival, Jeremy J. Beard, 40, of Kincaid was found passed out on a picnic table. Beard was arrested and transported to the Taylorville Police Department.

On June 26 at 7:46 pm, Taylorville Police Department Officers were dispatched to the 700 block of W. Vandeveer in reference to an intoxicated male yelling at vehicles. Officers arrived, and subsequent to investigation Joshua A. Westerfield, 29, of Taylorville was arrested for Public Intoxication and Criminal Trespass to Residence.

CRASHES:

On June 27 at 12:11 pm, both Donna W. Beard, 74, of Taylorville and Kimberly A. Geary, 51, of Tovey were traveling West on Springfield Road, with Beard following Geary. Geary stopped for traffic near the intersection of Springfield Road and Knute Rockne Drive. Beard was not able to stop in time and struck Geary. Both vehicles were able to drive from the scene. Geary's passenger, Charles R. Geary, 58, of Tovey was transported to Taylorville Memorial Hospital with injuries described as minor by the report. No other injuries were reported.

On June 25 at 1:06 am, John A. Cray, 27, of Morrisonville was traveling South on Route 48 when a deer entered the roadway. Cray struck the deer with the front driver's side portion of the vehicle. No injuries were reported.

On June 27 at 1:50 pm, David A. Blevins, 34, of Taylorville was traveling west on
Route 48 and was traveling through the intersection of Route 48 and Shumway Street. A 16-year-old male from Decatur was traveling South on Shumway Street and stopped at the intersection. The 16-year-old did not see Blevins and proceeded into the intersection, striking Blevins. Both vehicles were towed from the scene. No injuries were reported.

On June 26 at 9:17 pm, Stephen R. Chapman, 24, of Flint was turning into the Dollar General parking lot on the East side of the road. Stephanie M. Dotzert, 25, of Taylorville failed to reduce speed and struck the back end of Chapman. Dotzert was transported to Taylorville Memorial Hospital with injuries described as minor by the report. No other injuries were reported.

On June 23 at 5:49 pm, Taylorville Police Department Officers were sent to a two vehicle accident at Spresser and Shumway. Alyssa L. Wagoner, 24, of Taylorville stated she was stopped for the traffic light and was struck in the rear by John W. Simmons, 23, of Assumption. Simmons stated he applied his brakes and they did not work and he struck the rear of Wagoner. Simmons was issued a citation for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident. No injuries were reported. Simmons' vehicle had to be towed from the scene.

On June 24 at 8:37 pm, Taylorville Police Department Officers were dispatched to Casey's West in reference to a hit and run involving a pedestrian. The officers arrived and located Rachel A. Dixon, 28, of Taylorville sitting on the ground next to her vehicle which was on the east side of the Country Kitchen parking lot. Dixon was crying and appeared to be in pain. Michael Alberts was nearby, and was pacing and appeared to be upset. Ronnie Samson, Dixon's uncle, was also standing nearby. An officer asked Alberts what had happened. Alberts said Matthew S. Tarrant, 25, of Bulpitt had ran over Dixon in a black Lincoln and left. An officer asked Alberts to elaborate, and he asked the officer if they were going to find Tarrant. The officer relayed the information to another officer, who was attempting to locate the vehicle. Fire and EMS arrived and began tending to Dixon. The officer asked Dixon what happened but she was upset and unable to provide much information. The officer asked Samson what had happened. Samson said he had seen Tarrant drive around the south side of Casey's and strike Dixon, then drive off.

The passenger side door of Dixon's door was open, and an officer could see in plain view of a 24 ounce can of beer that was opened in the cup holder. An officer could see a large metal club laying on the passenger side floor board. The officer removed the can of beer from the vehicle and poured it out. Alberts stated that the beer was his. Dixon was transported to Taylorville Memorial Hospital with minor injuries reported. The vehicle was not immediately located.

At 8:54 pm Matthew Tarrant called post to speak with an officer. There was no body available to speak with him at that moment. Tarrant informed Dispatch that Dixon was attacking him with a metal bat. Tarrant said Dixon struck his vehicle with it, and he may have hit her with his car as he was driving away. An officer later called him back. Tarrant said he was walking into Casey's when Alberts started talking trash to him. Tarrant said he took his shirt off, and approached Alberts. Alberts ran off behind the building. Dixon then came around the building swinging a bat at the ground. He said he got into his car when Dixon came up and started banging on his car. He opened the door and yelled he called the police. She started running away, and he attempted to follow her in his vehicle. He said he rounded the building, and she stopped running. He stepped on the brakes and slid into her. He then took off because he was scared. Dixon and Tarrant used to be in a relationship.

At 9:14 pm, Fara Miller, who is a employee at Casey's, called post and informed Dispatch she had observed the two males arguing. She said there should be video of them arguing, and Tarrant take his shirt off.

At 9:16 pm, Officers were dispatched to Taylorville Memorial Hospital ER in reference to Alberts being unruly. The officers escorted him out of the ER. The officers went out to Dixon's truck, and located the metal club. It was taken as evidence.

On June 25 at approximately 2:30 pm, an officer spoke with Dixon over the phone. The officer asked her about the incident. She informed the officer that Tarrant and Alberts had got into an argument at Casey's. Dixon said she had a metal club, and was hitting it against the ground. Dixon said she only hit his car with her hands.

At approximately 7:30 pm, Tarrant came to post and wrote out a statement form. An officer collected the insurance information for the vehicle, which is a 2000 Black Lincoln LS. The officer also photographed the vehicle. The officer did not see any damage to the vehicle, but did see handprints on the windows on trunk lid.

TAYLORVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTS THE FOLLOWING CALLS:

June 27
2 EMS, 2 motor vehicle accidents, and one public assist

June 28
6 EMS

June 29
4 EMS

June 30
2 EMS

The Taylorville Police Department reports the following details on a hit and run incident that occurred last Tuesday. At 8:37 pm, Taylorville Police Department Officers were dispatched to Casey's West in reference to a hit and run involving a pedestrian. The officers arrived and located Rachel A. Dixon, 28, of Taylorville sitting on the ground next to her vehicle which was on the east side of the Country Kitchen parking lot. Dixon was crying and appeared to be in pain. Michael Alberts was nearby, and was pacing and appeared to be upset. Ronnie Samson, Dixon's uncle, was also standing nearby. An officer asked Alberts what had happened. Alberts said Matthew S. Tarrant, 25, of Bulpitt had ran over Dixon in a black Lincoln and left. An officer asked Alberts to elaborate, and he asked the officer if they were going to find Tarrant. The officer relayed the information to another officer, who was attempting to locate the vehicle. Fire and EMS arrived and began tending to Dixon. The officer asked Dixon what happened but she was upset and unable to provide much information. The officer asked Samson what had happened. Samson said he had seen Tarrant drive around the south side of Casey's and strike Dixon, then drive off.

The passenger side door of Dixon's door was open, and an officer could see in plain view of a 24 ounce can of beer that was opened in the cup holder. An officer could see a large metal club laying on the passenger side floor board. The officer removed the can of beer from the vehicle and poured it out. Alberts stated that the beer was his. Dixon was transported to Taylorville Memorial Hospital with minor injuries reported. The vehicle was not immediately located.

At 8:54 pm Matthew Tarrant called post to speak with an officer. There was no body available to speak with him at that moment. Tarrant informed Dispatch that Dixon was attacking him with a metal bat. Tarrant said Dixon struck his vehicle with it, and he may have hit her with his car as he was driving away. An officer later called him back. Tarrant said he was walking into Casey's when Alberts started talking trash to him. Tarrant said he took his shirt off, and approached Alberts. Alberts ran off behind the building. Dixon then came around the building swinging a bat at the ground. He said he got into his car when Dixon came up and started banging on his car. He opened the door and yelled he called the police. She started running away, and he attempted to follow her in his vehicle. He said he rounded the building, and she stopped running. He stepped on the brakes and slid into her. He then took off because he was scared. Dixon and Tarrant used to be in a relationship.

At 9:14 pm, Fara Miller, who is a employee at Casey's, called post and informed Dispatch she had observed the two males arguing. She said there should be video of them arguing, and Tarrant take his shirt off.

At 9:16 pm, Officers were dispatched to Taylorville Memorial Hospital ER in reference to Alberts being unruly. The officers escorted him out of the ER. The officers went out to Dixon's truck, and located the metal club. It was taken as evidence.

On June 25 at approximately 2:30 pm, an officer spoke with Dixon over the phone. The officer asked her about the incident. She informed the officer that Tarrant and Alberts had got into an argument at Casey's. Dixon said she had a metal club, and was hitting it against the ground. Dixon said she only hit his car with her hands.

At approximately 7:30 pm, Tarrant came to post and wrote out a statement form. An officer collected the insurance information for the vehicle, which is a 2000 Black Lincoln LS. The officer also photographed the vehicle. The officer did not see any damage to the vehicle, but did see handprints on the windows on trunk lid.

This week Crimestoppers is seeking information in regards to a burglary that occurred in Taylorville.

Sometime after 3:00 am on Thursday June 26, 2014, person or persons unknown made entry into National Rent to Own, located at 906 Springfield Road.  While inside the unknown subject or subjects took a small safe.  Two doors were also damaged when entry was made.  The total dollar amount of damages and items taken is unknown at this time. 

Please contact Crimestoppers if you any information on this crime or any other crimes or wanted persons.  Crimestoppers will pay cash rewards of up to $1000.00 for information that leads to an arrest and you do not have to give your name.  Crimestoppers will pay double the normal reward for information that leads to an arrest for the crime of the week. 

 You can contact Crimestoppers at 824-9100, at our website Christiancountycrimestoppers.org, or by texting CRIMES  (274632) and then your tip.  As always, you will remain anonymous. 

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Lake Shelbyville will be hosting a Quilt Show from Tuesday, July 8 to Sunday, July 13 at the Lake Shelbyville Visitor Center during normal hours of operation.  The Visitor Center is open Sunday through Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Friday and Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Quilts must be dropped off at the Lake Shelbyville Visitor Center from June 30 to July 6 during normal hours of operation.  Quilts should be in a cloth bag or a pillowcase to protect the quilt from handling damage.  Both the quilt and the bag need to be clearly labeled.  The quilt must consist of three layers and be quilted (by machine or hand) not tied. 

For additional information, contact the Lake Shelbyville Interpretive Services and Outreach Department at 217-774-3951 ext. 2.

Lincoln Land Community College has announced its part-time President’s and Vice President’s lists for the spring 2014 semester. To be eligible for the part-time Vice President’s and President’s lists, students must be enrolled in six to 11 credit hours. Students named to the President’s List (noted with an asterisk) earned a GPA of 4.0. Those on the Vice President’s List earned a GPA of 3.50-3.99. The students so honored in hometown order are:

Assumption - Alyssa R. Dexheimer*

Auburn - Johanna T. Bryan, Daniel T. Bublitz, Isabella R. Cassens*, Whitney N.. Devine, Robert D. Downs*, Jonathan W. Gordon*, Veronica L. Hartman*, Sharon M. Hashman, Briar O. Miles*, Zachary P. Morgan*, Nikki L. Norris*, Colton D. Sandidge*, Robert J. Walters*, Aubrey A. Watson*, Pamela J. Willard*, Nicholas A. Willis, Diane M. Wilson*

Beardstown - Antonio M. Avalos*, Kodjo M. Aziamble*, Alicia L. Beck*, Lakeshia N. Dunn, Mario A. Flores*, Alissa B. Fritz, Daniel B. Gbedagba, Kokou M. Gbekou*, Yawo A. Glissou, Jenna L. Goerlich*, Kennedi J. Lindley*, Michael J. Lucas*, Arely Madrid*, Brooke E. McGuire*, Myrna M. Montilla*, Robert Ndaye Muange*, Salami Ouro-Koura, Austin M. Unland, Mariah L. Warden*

Bulpitt - Chelsey L. Las

Chatham - Jessica L. Akers*, Gabriel Armah, Emily K. Bell*, Daniel K. Bonn, Karrie M. Clark*, Patricia L. Cross*, Alexandria G. Dalano, Alexander R. Dean*, Blake D. Delong, John R. Essig*, Amanda N. Graves, Brian W. Gray, Grant E. Gruen*, Evan D. Hay, Grace E. Hedinger*, William Z. Heim*, Dawn A. Hermes*, Krystle M. Horner*, Braden A. Isbell*, Brandon P. Jaynes*, Sara J. Jewett*, Cassandra G. Johnson, Jennifer L. Jones, Ashley M. May*, Coleton A. Meseke*, Cory J. Moore*, Kelly S. Moore*, Isaac Njimoluk Nguepnang, Joy L. Paice*, Melissa S. Plummer*, Lori A. Schacht, Angela L. Shutt*, Eliana K. Thorpe*, Ashley L. Weber, Laura S. Wilson*, Payton L. Wilson*

Coffeen - Arturo E. Azpeitia*, Amanda L. Dever*, Jessica L. Greenwood*

Decatur - Anthony P. Anello*

Divernon - Lillian F. Audi

Edinburg - Omi W. Hart*, Michelle R. Petersen*, Shannon R. Sebben Melton*

Farmersville - Jared R. Butler*, Desteny D. Constable, Jeremy L. Jones*

Gillespie - James A. Graves*, Dayna E. O'Connell*

Girard - Demeri A. Adams*, Jordan M. Emery, Shane M. Fugate*, Kristin M. McCaskey*, Alyssa S. Meyers*, Paul S. Norman*, Wendy A. Pocklington*, Bart Robinette*, Jonathon E. Smith*

Glenarm - David A. Adams, Whitney R. Davidson*, Michael S. Dozier*, William D.. Garcia*, Casey J. Garrison*, Sarah E. Kincaid*, Lauren R. McGrath*

Hillsboro - Madison M. Baker, Ginger K. Ballhurst*, Andrea C. Chesser*, Zachary A. Daugherty, Paige M. Dobson*, Rhett A. Eskew*, Kelsey K. Flack*, Jordan M. Harling*, Amy J. Jeffers, Paul L. Liebscher, Pacer D. Neisler*, Payton R. Reeves, Mitch K. Reitz, Joseph M. Rhoades*, Haley E. Sawyer*

Irving - John W. Jolliff*, Cody Payne*, Joseph M. Rudis, Jeffrey S. Singleton*

Jacksonville - Emily N. Ankrom*, Heather J. Balfour, Brett S. Brockhouse*, Jill A. Byal*, Jessica N. Cameron, Meghan E. Carriger*, Jessica L. Chaney*, James G. Charles*, Susan M. Clark*, Renee J. Fox*, Brandynne M. Fry*, Regina K. Fry, Robert D. Gallup*, Katie J. Greenstreet*, Jennifer D. Gregory, Mary M. Hayes*, Shelly L. Huckabay, Matthew M. Kephart, Ashley N. Lancaster*, Emily L. Long, Katie L. Malin, Callie D. McDade*, Danielle E. McLaughlin, Darin F. Michael, Heather D. Michael, Michele L. Mitchell*, William C. Peek*, Amy L. Pollard, Jordan M. Post*, Debra D. Putman*, Sophie L. Quigg*, Joseph J. Reynolds*, Zachary P. Schippel*, Andrea L. Staples, Kimberly D. Stewart*, Angela K. Surratt*, Lee E. Taylor, Ethan G. Toney*, Katie A. Waggener*, Richey K. Willis*, Michelle A. York*

Kincaid - Eric M. Martin, Jennifer G. Moore*

Lincoln - Brooke E. Buttell, Christopher M. Olesuk

Litchfield - Janet L. Andrews*, Dennis R. Billiter*, Amy Carter*, Alyssa M. Cline*, Corey D. Cotner*, Shannon L. Dewitt*, Kimberly L. Eichelberger*, Craig J. Entrikin*, Terri K. Eppinger*, Terrie R. Grimes*, Shelia L. Jack, Adam M. Jackson, Jeremy L. Lake*, Melissa L. Snow*, Sarah L. Tarter*, Elizabeth L. Taylor, Dale T. Volentine

Mechanicsburg - Andrew M. Goldstein, Shannon E. Murphy*

Morrisonville - Marissa L. Bockewitz*, Rachel A. Dougherty, Kortney L. Fisher, Robert C. Goebel, Ellie D. Held*, Tammy L. Jones, Rebecca M. Marsch, Abigale C. Millburg*, Morgan M. Riggs*, Russell J. Taylor*, Aubrey N. Vickers

Mt. Auburn - Brooke E. Ward*

Nokomis - Heather N. Cachera*, Nicole M. Cook*, Joshua S. Eickhoff, Richard B.. Engelhart, Brian K. Keagy*, Griffen R. Sanders*, Devon J. Wright

Owaneco - Merisha K. Mollet, Ian M. Redman*

Palmer - Hailey N. Samson*

Pana - Heath Evrley*, Alexander M. Goodwin*, Nicholas J. Temmen*

Paris - Scott G. Dunn

Pawnee - Travis L. Blanton*, Jacob T. Bloome*, Megan Boarman*, Melissa A. Klein*, Ashley N. Lewis*, Kelsie R. Nichols*, Hannah M. Phillips, Donald R. Rhoades*, Jeffrey T. Stelte*, Chad G. Stevenson*, Jordan L. Surber*, Shanna L. Wall*

Raymond - Jacob J. Kuchar*, Krystin N. Law*, Darcy R. Weinheimer*

Rochester - Mai Britt*, Chloe M. Butcher*, Megan A. Crenshaw*, Theresa M. Denler*, Adam M. Doedtman*, Emily E. Fisher*, Charles (Trey) F. Harris, Drew W. Hill*, Stephen M. Honigman, Troy D. Kissel*, Kristina M. Martin*, Shannon Mikesell*, Andrew P. Moore*, Joshua W. Moore*, David J. Parris, Andrea L. Robert*, Laura E. Schartz, Bradley W. Scott*, Haley L. Shures*, Jeremiah B. Smith*, Ann M. Sullivan*, Kristofer L. Tackett*, David R. Western*, Nichole D. Wilson*, Victoria N. Wilson*

Shelbyville - Lori L. Gordon*

Springfield - Alexandra M. Adams*, Amy L. Agirbas*, Ayoola O. Alao, Krystal L. Alexander*, Hope R. Allen, Megan Andreson, Nicholas J. Antonacci*, Cibele L. Arruda*, William D. Asher*, Laura L. Atterberry, Amanda D. Aulich*, Rebecca R. Bailey*, Leah M. Balen, Andrew J. Barlick,  Cuneyt Y. Barutcu*, Katie L. Baughman, Bryan R. Bearden, Aaron M. Beatty,  Rose E. Beauchamp*, Michael H. Becerra*, Christopher A. Beckstrom*, Jessika R. Bedolli*, Corbyn D. Bell, Garrett L. Belville, Katelyn R. Bercaw*, Liam J. Biesiada, Kevin L. Bowman*, Steven R.. Boyd*, Diane M. Boyle*, Robin D. Bradford*, Ira L. Bradley*, Darin J. Brauer*, Michael J. Bredemeyer*, Victoria D. Brinkley, Jordan C. Brooks*, Lilia M. Brown, Andrea E. Brush, Kimberly A. Buchanan Alwood, Lucas R. Burgar, Robert E. Burton*, Emily G. Cameron, Garrett D. Camp, Olivia C. Carey*, Samuel J. Casson, Brittney D. Caufield*, Erin S. Cetindag, Sean P. Chapin*, Lacrisha B. Christaldi, Ashley M. Christine*, Dustin P. Cole*, Kierra J. Collins, Julie G. Conrad*, Joan E. Coons*, Natalie E. Cota, Emily A. Couch*, John C. Coultas*, Diana J. Crouch*, Yvette M. Cundiff-Granzeau, Dana N. Cunningham, Mallory A. Darnell*, Carrie A. Darr, Jessica Daum*, Allison M. Davidsmeyer*, Danielle C. Davis, Ronald E. Davis*, Adam J. DeMarco*, Melissa L. Dodd*, Avery D. Dodwell*, Kirk A. Donley, Donald L. Dorrough*, James A. Douglas*, Patricia A. Duknoski, Danesha N. Dunbar, Abbie E. Dupont*, Katie J. Dupont*, Neil D. Durre*, Jennifer L. Dutton*, April L. Edwards*, Blake G. Edwards, Kendra L. Elledge, Betty D. Eskew, Erika A. Eskridge, William D. Evans, Jakob D. Ewing, Andre J. Farias-Herschelman*, Kala A. Farley*, Elizabeth L. Ferguson, Jacqueline A. Ferguson*, Rebbeca L. Field, Patrick B. Flattery, Patty L. Florence, Tyler C. Florian*, Michael S. Flynn*, Caitlyn J. Fore, Bree A. Fox, John H.. Fugate*, Candice A. Geist*, Lindsay E. Gill*, Emily A. Gladden*, Rachel L.. Glodich*, Grace E. Gollon, Dayana Gonzalez Cabrera*, Adam G. Green*, Kenneth R. Greer*, Maria E. Gum, Dylan B. Handlin*, Andrew A. Hanson, Angela N. Harhausen*, Jennifer K. Hart*, Rachael L. Harvey, Matthew D. Haury*, Adrian L. Hayes, Patricia J. Henderson*, Mark L. Hendricks*, John E. Hibbs*, Tori M. Higgason*,  Kimberly N. Higgerson-Crifasi, Tavis T. Hill*, Carl A. Hinman*, Christina M. Hornback*, Cassandra I. Hornshaw, Russell J. Horrighs*, Zachary P. Howard*, Dejuan M. Hudson-Williams*, Stephanie M. Hudson*, Kerstin A. Huffman*, Celeste J. Hughes, Chad M. Hughes*, Carly D. Hunt*, Norman E. Jackson*, Matthew A. Jaynes, Diane N. Jett, Amelia A. Kearnes, Kayla R. Kelly, Tabitha N. Kennedy, Paxton L. Kerber*, Sherri L. Kerz*, Antonio D. Kidd, Anna J. King*, Jimese E. Kirkham, Garry W. Klasing*, Donald A. Knaub, Austin T. Korty, Zachary A. Kotner, Steven M. Krisfalusi*, Travis J. Krofchick*, Angela D. Kruger*, Ashley N. Lawrence, Benjamin J. Layne*, Brittney A. Leach*, Marissa A. Lesko*, Danelle P. Lester, Morgan A. Linehan, Joseph K. Link*, Cassie M. Lloyd*, Jessica L. Lloyd*, Ian Loeffelholz, Catherine M. LoGrasso, Douglas A. Longstaff*, Christine C. Lopez*, Amanda M. Lott, Amanda M. Lott, Lisa J. Lyons*, Rachel M. Maas, Tina M. Maguire, Roger L. Mallicoat*, Scott A. Manley, Megan R. Martin, Irina A. Mason*, Melanie K. Mathewson, Conor S. McBrien, Lindsay M. McCloughan*, Caytlin R. McCormick*, Mason T. McCoy*, Max A. McElfresh, Lucas M. McGeath, Brandon N. Melcher*, David T. Melik*, Brittiany N. Meredith, Charity A. Miller, Kayla M. Miller*, Virginia R. Moore, David A. Morehead*, Emily D. Morehead, Samuel S. Morse*, Kayla J. Morton*, Orman Mukeba*, Brandie J. Murphy*, Linda A. Murphy*, Noah A. Murray, Patricia A. Mutchler*, Philip Nass, Grant R. Naughton*, Rekha N. Nazar*, Amanda C. Nelson*, Huy H. Nguyen*, Douglas M. Nickelson, William Noble, Gildas Nkwesseu Noumen, Jacquelyn R. O’Neal, Jeffrey B. O'Shea*, Prisca Y. Obega*, Emmanuel O. Olaoye, Joseph S. Ollis*, Andrew W. Oreshkov*, Leah M. Ortman*, Kellee G. Pacelli, Shanaya L. Painter*, Cody B. Parker*, Alexis L. Parrish*, Miranda N. Patterson*, Mariah D. Pattie*, Jill M. Paul*, Michelle K. Pickford, Zackariah L. Pierceall*, Paul E. Pierski*, Adrienne D. Powers*, Carla J. Powers*, Travis J. Primm, Cody J. Prosperini*, Andrea K. Purnell*, Kelly K. Puyear*, Emily R. Ransdell, Lawrence F. Ray, Molly G. Rearden*, Matthew T. Reavis*, Olivia K. Reed*, Allison B. Reible*, Anne E. Reis, Cara Q. Resch, Allen T. Reyne*, Sarah R. Ricca*, Coral L. Rickel*, Valerie A. Rife*, Deserae J. Romero, Jonathan S. Sabath, Nicholas L. Saccaro*, Ashleigh D. Sanderfield*, Jonathan M. Schnapp*, Kayla L. Schneider*, Jamie J. Schniederjan, Kailey M. Schuckman*, Luke T. Schwarm, Christopher Seals, Daniel L. Seaver*, Joshua Seed*, Bernard W. Seitz*, Kimberly A. Selby, Marcelo A. Seminara*, Grace K. Settles*, Erin A. Shaefer*, Stephanie A. Shomidie, Shawn M. Skaggs*, Douglas G. Smith*, Zachary T. Smith, Adam L. Sneed, Anthony J. South*, Courtney M. Spann, Amie Stegall, Sheena R. Stegmann*, Megan E. Strohm*, Margarite L. Suarez*, David E. Summers, Hui C. Summers*, Samuel A. Susko*, Trevor D. Tapscott*, Lauren F. Tarpley, Ian S. Tate*, Andrea E. Till*, Katherine A. Turley, Jordan K. Urish, Raul Valero Aguila, Nick J. Venturini*, Meri-Lynn K. Wake*, Cortland J. Walker*, Michael A. Walker*, Stacey A. Walker*, Sean M. Wallace*, Robert C. Wankel*, Jacqueline M. Ward, Lauren J. Warneke*, Kirston D. Warren*, Kelly M. Watts*, Brenda R. Weber*, Jacqueline Wheeler*, Morris D. Williams, Christopher M. Wilson, Nichol C. Wilson*, Amber N. Wise, Deni M. Withrow, Matthew R. Wood, Timothy Wudiyono*, Sara Wurtzler*, Angie A. Young*, Brian N. Young*, Joshua B. Zack*,  Jessica J. Zalewski*, Najibah R. Zaman

Stonington - Katelyn B. Cornell, Susan D. Good, Kaitlyn J. Nolen*, Bruce E. Reinheimer*, Courtney N. Sharp

Taylorville - Matthew T. Adermann*, Anthony S. Aldridge*, Emilee A. Allen*, Joel F. Ashburn, Amber J. Braun, Ashley L. Buchanan*, Tyler Bucshon*, Tiffany M. Coleman, Hannah R. Collier, Thomas A. Compton*, Maggie C. Daniels*, Michelle M. Declerck*, Dylan C. France, Vincent Friedrichs*, Abby A. Goeckner, Kathryn E. Graham*, Tyler R. Hendricks*, Scott A. Hill*, Corrina C. Hosto, Stacey L. Jackson, Toni B. Johnson, Aspasia Kavafis*, Gwen K. Kersey, Daniel A. Kiesow*, Jacob Koniak, Jaime L. Kotys*, Matthew D. Kress*, Chad I. Lavin*, Nicholas L. Logue*, Brendan K. Lowry*, Bonnie K. Matheny, Susan R. McClure*, Morgan M. McDowell, Alison P. McQuire, Kile W. Micek, Katrena L. Mills*, Brittany N. Moore, Melissa A. Neal*, Clayton J. Nichols, Victoria E. Owens, Elizabeth M. Patrick*, David A. Patterson*, Johnathan T. Pearson*, Anna Robertson, Dalton T. Runge*, Rachel N. Smith*, Kelsey E. Speagle, Alexis Stocks*, Heidi J. Vota, Shawn D. Watkins*, Jill A. Whitfield, Melanie M. Willings*

Tovey - Brett N. Brooks

Virden - Dalton S. Allen, Britany D. Bell*, Timothy C. Clarkson, Derek M. Coppinger*, Deborah D. Eck*, Jessica R. Green*, Alison M. Griffiths*, Kayla M. Hull*, Ginger L. Jackson, Olivia E. Langheim*, Lorne K. Langstrom*, Ashley A. McCloughan*, James E. Montgomery*, Devon R. Murphy*, Jonathan T. Nelson*, Lori M. Smith, Jerald W. Wake*

The Dudley Smith Farm was the location for the University of Illinois Extension's annual Cow Calf Field Day.  The Extension's Gary Letterly says the farm was given to the university:

The Taylorville and Christian County 175^th Anniversary Committee is starting a weekly history series. Each week the history of a different Christian County town or towns will be featured. The first article of the series features the history of Christian County and Taylorville. The series will run for 14 weeks and the articles will be posted under the letter section of taylorvilledailynews.com every Monday beginning today. Most of the information comes from the quarterlies and library of the Christian County Genealogical Society. Click this link to be taken to the letters page: https://taylorvilledailynews.com/pages/index.cfm?id=121

Toronto,  ON (SportsNetwork.com) - Jose Abreu hit two solo homers, tying Edwin 
Encarnacion  for  the major-league lead, and  the Chicago White Sox held on to 
beat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 on Friday night. 

Abreu opened the scoring in the fifth inning with his 24th homer of the season 
and hit his 25th in the seventh to spark a three-run rally that gave the White 
Sox a 5-2 lead against knuckleballer R.A. Dickey. 

In  between, Encarnacion went back-to-back with Dioner Navarro in the sixth -- 
reaching 25 homers for the season -- and the Blue Jays rallied for two runs in 
the ninth inning before Jake Petricka was able to close the door. 

Dayan  Viciedo and Alexei  Ramirez also hit Solo homers for the White Sox, who 
bounced back from a 7-0 loss in the opener of the four-game series on Thursday 
to snap a two-game losing streak. It was their fourth win in 15 games. 

Colby  Rasmus started the ninth with a pinch-hit homer off Ronald Belisario to 
get the Blue Jays within 5-3. 

Munenori  Kawasaki and  Anthony Gose both hit one-out singles and pinch-hitter 
Adam  Lind -- facing  Eric Surkamp after a pitching change -- reached on Conor 
Gillaspie's error at third to load the bases. 

Jose  Reyes beat  out a double play ball  at first base, knocking in a run and 
keeping  the  rally alive  until Petricka  got Melky Cabrera  on a grounder to 
second to end the game and secure his second save. 

"We  made a run  late, that's all you ask for," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons 
said. 

John  Danks (7-6)  gave up Encarnacion and Navarro's homers but earned the win 
in six innings. He allowed five hits, no walks and struck out two. 

"I'm  happy to  get a win," Danks  said. "Didn't do myself any favors with the 
two homers in the sixth." 

Dickey  (6-7)  remained winless in  his last  four starts despite striking out 
nine in six-plus innings, including the 1,000th strikeout of his career. 

Abreu  drove a Dickey  fastball over the center field wall and just out of the 
reach  of a leaping  Gose leading off the seventh inning, giving Chicago a 3-2 
lead. 

Adam  Dunn then drew a walk and Ramirez golfed a low knuckleball off the left- 
field foul netting to make it 5-2. 

Dickey  had faced the minimum through four innings, striking out six. The only 
baserunner reached on an error and was erased on a double play. 

But Abreu hammered a 3-2 pitch into the left-field seats leading off the fifth 
for  Chicago's first  hit and Viciedo slapped a one-out fastball the other way 
for a solo blast to right field to make it 2-0. 

Encarnacion  teed off on a 3-2 fastball in the sixth and Navarro tied the game 
five pitches later. 

                                   Game Notes 

Abreu  and  Encarnacion have one  more homer  than Baltimore's Nelson Cruz ... 
Dickey  recorded  his 1,000th  career strikeout  in the  third inning, when he 
struck out the side. Tyler Flowers was the victim ... A fire alarm went off in 
the top of the second inning, delaying the game as strobe lights flashed above 
center field, distracting Chicago's Ramirez at the plate ... The White Sox are 
2-7 on an 11-game road trip. 

Chicago,  IL (SportsNetwork.com)  - John Baker drove in four runs to help lead 
the  Chicago Cubs to  a 7-2 win  over the Washington  Nationals in the second 
installment of a four-game set from Wrigley Field. 

Baker,  hitting just .160 at the plate entering Friday's contest, went 3-for-3 
and  doubled his season  RBI total in the triumph. Chris Coghlan had two hits, 
while he and Luis Valbuena each scored twice. 

"It feels great," Baker said. "I finally hit a couple baseballs that didn't go 
right  at somebody. Baseball  will rip your heart out, but we love it so much. 
It's fun to contribute." 

Jason Hammel (7-5) continued his dominance of the Nationals, allowing two runs 
on five hits with six strikeouts over 6 1/3 innings. Hammel improved to 7-0 in 
nine career starts against Washington. 

His  counterpart,  Tanner Roark  (7-5), lost  for the first  time since June 1 
after  getting roughed  up for  four  runs on  10  hits over  six innings.  He 
hadn't  given up  more  than three  runs  in a  start since  May  3, when  the 
Phillies scored seven in four innings against him. 

Adam LaRoche had a solo home run in the setback. 

Washington  scored  a run in  the second  inning and a  run in the fourth, but 
Chicago countered with two runs in the bottom half of both. 

Ryan  Zimmerman  gave the Nationals an  early 1-0 lead, plating LaRoche with a 
double  to left. Zimmerman  moved to third on an error and Wilson Ramos walked 
to  put  runners on the  corners, but Hammel  stranded both runners with three 
straight outs. 

Baker and Darwin Barney hit consecutive RBI singles to center in the bottom of 
the second to make it 2-1. 

"They're  a good  hitting ball club," said Roark. "They didn't hit home runs, 
they hit  one  extra base hit  off me  that I remember.  Other than that, they 
were hitting singles and putting pressure on us." 

LaRoche  tied the game in his next at-bat with a solo blast to right. The draw 
lasted  for just  minutes, as  Ryan Sweeney  drove in  Coghlan and  Baker with 
a poke to center to put Chicago back in front. 

Baker  broke  the game open  in the seventh inning,  clearing the bases with a 
three-run double down the right field line off Jerry Blevins. 

                                   Game Notes 

Eight  of nine Cubs starters,  including  Hammel, had  at least  one hit  ... 
Washington finished 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position. 

Coverage of today's Cards and Dodgers game can be heard on Newstalk 97.3 WTIM beginning at 5:40pm.

Los Angeles, CA (SportsNetwork.com) - Jhonny Peralta hit the tie-breaking two- 
run  double  in the  fifth inning and  the St. Louis Cardinals topped the Los 
Angeles Dodgers, 3-1, in the second contest of a four-game series. 

Yadier  Molina homered and Carlos Martinez gave up six hits and a run over the 
first  4 1/3  innings. Seth Maness (3-2)  gave up just one hit the following 2 
1/3 frames. Trevor Rosenthal pitched the ninth for his 24th save. 

The game had its share of great defensive plays. Cardinals right fielder Allen 
Craig made a sliding grab to rob Scott Van Slyke of a hit in the third inning. 
The next frame, Craig made a sliding stop of an A.J. Ellis hit down the right- 
field  line. Craig  got quickly to his  feet and threw out Ellis at second. In 
the  sixth,  Jon Jay raced  back toward  the wall in  center and made a diving 
catch to take away a hit from Juan Uribe. 

Those plays helped the Cardinals secure their fifth victory in seven games. 

"We  have  been pretty good  defensively all  season. Those defensive plays we 
made came at a good time tonight," Craig said. 

Hyun-Jin  Ryu (9-4) fanned seven over seven innings, but gave up nine hits and 
three runs to lose for only the second time in his last eight starts. 

"Ryu  was  good, he  changed speeds  and threw the  ball to  both sides of the 
plate.  They  made some plays,  they're a  good ballclub," Dodgers manager Don 
Mattingly said. 

Dee  Gordon  totaled three hits, including  an RBI single, for the Dodgers. LA 
had a three-game winning streak broken and lost for only the third time in its 
last 11 games. 

Uribe flied out to leave the bases full in the opening inning, but the Dodgers 
broke  on  top the next  frame when Gordon's  grounder into right field plated 
Ellis.  Miguel Rojas, who reached via infield hit earlier in the inning, tried 
to score on a wild pitch. Molina, though, threw to Martinez covering the plate 
in time for the out. 

Molina  homered  off the pole  in left field in  the fourth, and the Cardinals 
pushed  ahead  in the fifth.  Martinez singled to  center for his first career 
hit.  Matt Holliday singled with one out, and with two down Peralta hit a ball 
to  right-center field. Van Slyke seemed to pull up on the ball as Yasiel Puig 
was  racing  from right  to possibly  make the catch.  The ball landed between 
fielders. 

Maness  escaped  trouble in the  fifth. With two  men on base, Adrian Gonzalez 
grounded into an inning-ending double play. 

Ellis grounded into a double play to end the game. 

                                   Game Notes 

Van  Slyke was ejected  for arguing balls and strikes at the conclusion of the 
sixth  inning.  Andre Ethier replaced  him in center  field ... Ryu walked one 
batter.  Dodger starting  pitchers  have walked  two or  fewer  batters in  31 
consecutive  games,  the longest  single-season streak  in the National League 
since  the 1990  Pittsburgh Pirates' 31-game streak and the second-longest run 
by a National League club since 1914. 

The Illinois State Police reports that a semi-truck caught fire early Wednesday morning on Interstate 55. Around 3:05am, 65-year-old Dale M. Hoinoski of Greenwood, Missouri had been driving his semi-truck south on the on-ramp to Interstate 55 southbound from Toronto Road when he was reportedly distracted and lost control of the semi.  The semi went off the left side of the ramp, through the grass ditch and became stuck on Interstate 55, partially blocking the right lane.  63-year-old Karl W. Warn of Grand Rapids, Michigan had been driving his semi-truck south on Interstate 55 in the right lane north of Hoinoski’s location.  Warn reportedly did not see Hoinoski’s semi in the right lane until the last moment and struck the semi on the driver’s side.  Warn’s semi immediately caught fire and veered off the west side of the roadway.  Both drivers were able to escape without injury. Hoinoski was cited for improper lane usage. 

Lincoln Land Community College has announced its full-time President’s and Vice President’s lists for the spring 2014 semester. Full-time students are those enrolled in 12 or more credit hours. Students named to the President’s List (noted with an asterisk) earned a GPA of 4.0. Those on the Vice President’s List earned a GPA of 3.50-3.99. The students so honored in hometown order are: 

Auburn - Ryan C. Brown, Gregory D. Coffman, Ashley R. Curtis*, Hanah E. Groeninger*, Russell J. Michelich, Lori S. Morrison*, Andrew M. Stupka*, Maggie C. Weber, Ryan C. Wilson

Beardstown - Teknema D. Dunn, Kayla S. Ford, Kirstin J. Kitch*, Katheryn A. McClure*, Brandi N. Miller, Abby Newman, Tillitt J. Pratt, Dustin C. Rhoades*, Chase J. Sommers*

Carlinville - Deirdre D. Humphreys

Chatham - Stephanie A. Adkins, Adam D. Bunch, Pui Ying Chan*, James A. Dewey, Jennifer E. Estill, Carys A. Fritz, Paulina M. Gonzalo*, Marcus G. Graham, Amy L. Lilly*, Matthew T. Montgomery, Jennifer E. Nigh, Ashley E. Park*, Richard J. Reimann*, David W. Robertson, Caitlin E. Schlussler, Andrew H. Townsend*, Shu-Mei Tsai*, Ellen E. Williams, Rachel L. Wright*

Clinton - Parker G. Kirby*

Coffeen - Ann M. Whalen

Decatur - Evan R. Leeper

Dieterich - Shelby A. Kroeger

Divernon - Jared J. Williams

Edinburg - Timothy E. Bohlen, Orville A. Harris, Kelsey R. Lebshier

Elkhart - Michael T. Lanyon

Farmersville - Clark W. Johnson*

Girard - Caleb S. Crawford*, Daniel A. Hall*, Brian M. Myers*, Madison C. Starks, Daniel E. Thompson*

Glenarm - Dara M. Bose*, Abigail B. Dudley*, Cody M. Newtson

Hillsboro - Noah D.Emerick*, Olivia C. Ervin*, Adam A. Faith*, Hannah E. Forester*, Rachel L. Reynolds, Bryan W. Zimmerman*

Illiopolis - Adam J. Hild*

Irving - Ethan J. Dixon*, Hannah S. Wiggins

Jacksonville - Erica C. Beard, Sarah M. Brown*, Christopher D. Buchanan*, Kimberly K. Carter, Matthew T. Chumley*, William R. Delaney, Payton A. Dugan, Karlee N. Dyson, Kandy L. Ferry, Sheldan B. Grable, Logan M. Griffin, Alexia R. Helmer*, Nichole L. Hester*, Savannah R. Holloway, Carol A. Howard, Harry G. Jennings, Jacob E. Jokisch, Barbara A. Karsgaard, Karl A. Kochman, Wayne E. Kretzer, Alexander N. Krol*, Brian J. Leach, Patrick B. Martin, Tiffany S. McDannald, Conner Meek, Jonathan Z. Mudd, Dhiren Patel, Roberta A. Platt*, Ashley N.. Rouland*, Marshall A. Smock, Christina M. Stampf, Dara A. Sweatman*, Kevin M. Tartis, Andrew J. Villa*, Ellen C. West*, Derrick J. Wolf-Lakin*

Kincaid - Sara E. Cappellin, Jacob P. Gulso, Michael D. Watson*

Lincoln - Anastasia D. Cochran, Scott A. Goodman, Donald R. Heyen, Trevor W. Matheny*,

Abigail J. Neece

Litchfield - Tyler J. Brandt*, Zachary A. Grosenheider, Megan M. Hollers, Alayna C. Kolb, Kristin N. Koonce, Andrew J. Schmidt, Joshua P. Street*, Donald P. Webb*, Ernest Young*

Mattoon - Kayla N. Jacobs*

Mechanicsburg - Lindsey R. Downing*, Nicole A. Henton, Justin E. Watkins

Morrisonville - Donald A. Dennison*, Cody A. Kunkler, Abigail J. McKinnie

Mt. Auburn - Abby K. Winans

Nokomis - Briar W. Fortkamp*, Kara K. Gibbs, Austin T. Leigh*

Palmer - John J. Kuhajda

Pawnee - Michelle L. Davidson*, Jeffery W. Packenham*, Rebecca S. Rhoades

Raymond - Karli R. Butler*, Jacy L. Littrell

Rochester - Ellyn K. Baker, Emily A. Blankenship*, Steven T. Bowden*, Emanuela I. Bruce*, Mariah A. Cherry, Samantha J. Comerford*, Danielle M. Croll, Clay J. Godar*, Jacob S. Joslin, Annisa N. Kumerow, Kathryn R. Long*, Stephanie A. Menezes*, Jacob S. Roy, Matthew D. Ruggless, Connor L. Sturdy, Gregory H. Tanner*, Lauren E. Webber*, Ian Wells*

Springfield - Neal S. Aherin, Gabriella R. Antonacci*, Robert E. Asbury, Daniel E. Bakunas, Natsagdorj Baljinnyam, Daniel J. Barlow, Michael A. Bartletti*, Christopher G. Bazuzi, Aaron M. Beatty, Kathryn D. Bender*, Brian R. Blythe*, Bobby M. Bolt*, Laura K. Bonds, Bronson E. Borowiak, Ashley M. Boyle*, Desiree M. Brown, Nicole S. Brownfield*, Samuel R. Brubaker, Christine Campbell, William S. Caporale, Tiffany M. Catalano, Steven T. Coats*, Kyle A. Cockerill, Anna E. Coffin, Cassie M. Crawford, Connor S. Creasey*, Yvette M. Cuellar*, Cameron L. Curran, Kerry E. Cusick, Abby J. Dalsin*, Anna P. Davidson, Brittany T. Davis, Evan E. Delude, Benjamin D. Dietrich, Allen J. Dixon*, Morgan N. Dunbar, Emily T. Durham, Addison L.. Elliott*, Jacob T. Elliott, John R. Esela*, Corey M. Evak, Diamond A. Evans, Klaire E. Evans, Michael W. Feagans*, Stephen T. Feurer, Jessica R. Fix, Mary E. Flesch*, Conor T. Ford, Kyle L. Fry*, Zenia Garcia, Paige A. Garecht, Oktay Gelincik, Jefferson D. Gentry*, Shelby K. Gouchenouer, Dawn M. Gwinn*, Lucas J. Hall*, Kelcie N. Harding*, Taylor L. Harper, Aaron M. Harrell, Travis B. Harris, Lindsay S. Hathcoat*, Elijah N. Hayes, Meghan K. Heisler, Haleigh M. Hergenrother, Aidan B. Hill, Amber L. Hill*, Marissa P. Hollis, Sarah M. Hoppe*, Emily R. Hull, Kenneth T. Hyde, Madeline K. Jefferies, Haley S. Johnson*, Jackson P. Johnson, Jeremy K. Johnson, Kyle E. Johnson, William L. Johnson, Stefani L. Jungjohann*, Khin M. Khine, Adam A. King, Michael C. King*, Julia M. Kirk, Katherine E. Kolkmeier, Kasi M. Korza, Gabriel J. Krukowski, Dominique A. Lamp, Emily G. Lascody, Quintin C. Lemme*, Kimberly S. Lewis*, Erin M. Lindstrom*, Shannon T. Lionberger, Amy L. Loschen*, Samantha N. Lounsberry, Rebecca J. Marshall, Matthew A. Matrisch, Rylie N. Matulis, Michael R. Maurer, Jason L. McAfee*, Jessica L. McArthur, Tara G. McDonald, Brittany N. McGrath, Michael W. McKay*, Shelby S. Melzer, Michael R. Meyer*, Austin T. Miller, Lindsey M. Miller*, Amanda R. Monke*, Matthew J. Morgan*, Aliyah R. Moskus*, Nicole J. Murphy*, Amy J. Murray*, John R. Nuss, Devon J. O'Connell, Kaitlin N. O'Neill*, Devlin T. O'Reilly, Andrew J. O'Shea, Jill S. O'Shea*, Brennan J. Pappas*, Radhika M. Patel, Sean D. Paul*, John S. Perks, Valerie J. Perrero*, Michaela C. Perry*, John T. Peters, Rachel A. Pharris, Clare M. Phillips*, Janna N. Potts, Cody M. Primas, Damien Prince, Matthew D. Pryer*, Abigail A. Quinn, Vincent V. Rawe*, Brooke E. Ray*, Angela C. Rebeck*, Johnathan R. Reeves, Kevin J. Ressel*, Dane M. Rhoades, Seth M.. Riggle, Kirstyn J. Riley*, Joseph P. Roach, Anita L. Robinson, Laura F. Rosenthal, James L. Rychel, Micah A. Salter, Kelcie S. Salvo, Nicholas D. Sanderlin, Michael J. Schaefer, Mary R. Schrenk, Karl Schroeder, Nathan E. Schroeder*, Christopher M. Scott, Jordan A. Seitz*, Justin T. Sheehan*, Paul A. Simpson, David L. Smith*, Emily L. Smith, Leonard R. Smith, Alexandra C. Soland, Jose H. Sorto*, Brent A. Spindler, Jenna R. Spurlock*, Mitchell Stancil, Timothy J. Steinwart, Troy A. Stephenson*, David A. Stewart, Brennan E. Stidham, Joy A. Stillwell, Shelby P. Stouffe, Angela D. Swenson*, Steven A. Sylvia, Margaret L. Szelinski, Ashleigh N. Taylor, Shelby M. Thompson, Carla M. Townsend, Donald F. Triche, Pamela S. Tuchmann, Gregory A. Tucker, Samantha L. Turnbull, Jarely H. Ventura, Ryan P. Walker*, Jessica T. Ward*, Starre A. Williams, Lauren E. Windisch, Samuel J. Woolsey*

Stonington - Torie L. Brinkoetter, MacKenzie R. Nagele

Taylorville - Allison C. Bagby, Kilian T. Bialas, Paula S. Brun-Sabattini*, Kayla C. Cooper*, Nichole S. Denning, Bayleigh Durham*, Dylan A. Eggimann*, Morgan A. Ess, Jordan D. Foor, Carmen Grendze, Ricky L.. Hobbs*, Katrina J. Hogge, Justin J. Huber*, Steven M. Jordan*, Quentin T. Kuntzman*, Aundrea N. Marsh*, Abigail L. Moats, Norma C. Oldham*, Bryan M. Stone*, Andrea M. Swinford*, Angela M. Tolle, Christopher A. Wintermeyer*, Regan E. Yard

Tovey - Beau D. Davis

Virden - Jade E. Crawford, Julia E. Hannah*, Skyler G. Maguire*, Jacob C. Webb, Tanner S. Yancik*

The Pana Police Department reports that a Pana resident had a wooden patio glider stolen. On Tuesday at 12:20pm, Rebecca S. File of Pana contacted Pana Police to report the theft of a Jordan brand wooden bench style glider from 401 South Walnut Street. The incident occurred sometime between 7:00pm Monday and 7:00am Tuesday. The stolen glider is valued at $250.

The Village of Raymond is celebrating our nation's independence a little early, as the annual Raymond Independence Day Celebration began Thursday night.

The festival continues through Saturday night.  Attractions include nightly stage shows, a carnival, and music in the beer tent.  A lucky child will win a bicycle every night, with the drawing held at 9:15.  There is also a rib cook off, along with a wide variety of other food and beverage choices. The event winds up with a giant fireworks display Saturday night at 10:00.

If you plan to take a vacation this summer and wonder what to do with your dog, Tail Command in Taylorville is available to do the job.  Ian Wilson, owner of Tail Command says your dog will feel like he's on vacation too:

[audio:ianpools062714.mp3]comment here[/audio] 

Tail Command is located in Taylorville.  For info, call 824-TAIL, that's 824-8245.

A group of lilies at one of the gardens on the Walk.

The annual Christian County Garden Walk takes place tomorrow.  This year's event, put on by the Christian County Master Gardeners, will feature locations in Stonington and Taylorville.  Master Gardener Gwen Podeschi says it's not too late to buy advance tickets and save a couple of dollars:

[audio:podeschitickets062714.mp3]comment here[/audio]

Six Gardens will be featured this year.

The Taylorville Main Street Farmers Market continues every Saturday.  Market Manager Ed Downs says one of the most anticipated commodities of the season should be available in time for the 4^th of July:

The Project 29 Committee met Wednesday night. Mike Bell of the Committee tells Regional Radio News that the project is already showing signs of economic development especially in Edinburg:

[audio:bellproject29062714.mp3]comment here[/audio]

Bell says a used car dealership in Edinburg has also expressed interest in moving to a location along the highway. Bell says that after delays due to the weather and the movement of several gas pipelines, the new completion time frame is Fall of 2015.

Brooklyn, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - The Chicago Bulls acquired the draft rights 
to  Creighton star Doug McDermott on Thursday night in a trade with the Denver 
Nuggets. 

The  Nuggets drafted McDermott No. 11 overall and dealt him to the Bulls along 
with  Anthony Randolph  in exchange for the  rights to the 16th and 19th picks 
this year and a second-round selection in 2015. 

NBA commissioner Adam Silver announced the trade during the first round. 

Denver  ended  up with Croatia's  Jusuf Nurkic at  No. 16 and Michigan State's 
Gary Harris at No. 19. 

McDermott  ended  his four-year career  as Creighton's all-time leading scorer 
after  averaging  21.7 points  over 145  games and  was the consensus national 
player of the year as a senior. 

Randolph  has  averaged 7.1  points and  4.3 rebounds in  six NBA seasons with 
Golden State, New York, Minnesota and Denver. 

Toronto,  ON  (SportsNetwork.com) -  J.A. Happ tossed  7 2/3 scoreless innings 
as  the Toronto Blue Jays blanked the Chicago White Sox, 7-0, in the opener of 
a four-game set. 

Happ  (7-4)  struck out  eight and  scattered four hits  while walking two for 
Toronto, which had dropped six of its last nine games coming in. 

"The  goal was to  be aggressive," said Happ. "To force contact early, use all 
four quadrants and just be aggressive." 

Adam Lind posted three hits and three RBI in the triumph, while Jose Reyes had 
four hits, two runs scored and an RBI. 

Scott  Carroll  (2-4) yielded five  runs on nine hits  and two walks over five 
innings  for  the White Sox,  who  have dropped  seven  of  their last  eight 
contests. 

"We  didn't  play very  well behind  (Carroll)," said White Sox manager Robin 
Ventura. "We just have to play better behind him." 

The  Blue Jays plated  two runs in the first inning, one in the second, two in 
the  fourth, another  in the seventh and  one last one in the eighth for their 
scoring total. 

Reyes  and Melky Cabrera began Toronto's half of the first with singles before 
Lind  brought home  Reyes with  a double  down the  right-field line.  Cabrera 
also  scored on right fielder Moises Sierra's throwing error to the plate that 
got past catcher Adrian Nieto. 

Juan  Francisco worked  a leadoff walk in  the second and later came around on 
Reyes'  triple  into right-center  that bounced  off the top  of the wall. The 
triple was reviewed to see if it was a home run, but the play stood as called. 

Anthony  Gose and  Reyes reached  with  two-out singles  in the  fourth and  a 
Cabrera  free  pass loaded  the bases. Lind  then rolled a  single back up the 
middle to plate Gose and Reyes for a 5-0 lead. 

Cabrera  coaxed a leadoff  walk in the seventh and scored two batters later on 
Edwin  Encarnacion's  two-bagger into right-center. Cabrera's RBI groundout in 
the eighth made it 7-0. 

                                   Game Notes 

The  Blue Jays were 3-for-12 with runners in scoring position, while the White 
Sox  finished  0-for-10 ... Chicago center  fielder Adam Eaton was replaced by 
Leury Garcia in the first inning due to cramps in his left leg. 

Chicago,  IL (SportsNetwork.com)  - Justin  Ruggiano's two-run  double in  the 
seventh  inning gave  the Chicago Cubs a 5-3 win over the Washington Nationals 
in the opener of a four-game series. 

Starlin  Castro also drove  in two runs while Anthony Rizzo was 3-for-4 with a 
run scored for the Cubs, who had lost four of five coming into the game. 

Travis  Wood gave  up  three runs  on  seven  hits with  five  walks and  four 
strikeouts over 6 2/3 innings. Neil Ramirez (1-1) got his first career win for 
recording the final out of the seventh. 

"I  kind of spaced out there for a bit and gave up too many walks," said Wood. 
"The guys really had my back tonight." 

Denard Span drove in two and Anthony Rendon brought home the other run for the 
Nationals, who have dropped their past two after winning four straight. 

Doug  Fister allowed  three runs  on seven  hits in  six innings,  while Craig 
Stammen  (0-3)  was handed the loss  for giving up  two runs in two innings of 
relief. 

"They  battled  well tonight, but  I didn't execute  some of my pitches," said 
Fister.  "They  took advantage  of it and  were able to  produce some runs off 
that." 

The  Nationals  had tied the game  with a two-run  top of the seventh, but the 
Cubs got a one-out double from Darwin Barney and Chris Coghlan followed with a 
walk  in  the  home  seventh.  A  fielder's  choice  from  Ryan  Sweeney  left 
runners at the  corners, and Ruggiano came through with a double to left for a 
5-3 lead. 

Pedro  Strop  faced the  minimum in  the eighth while  Hector Rondon pitched a 
flawless ninth for his ninth save of the season. 

Chicago  took a  3-0 lead  in the  fourth as  Castro brought  home two  with a 
single,  moved  to second on  a wild pitch  and scored on Welington Castillo's 
single. 

Span  doubled to  start  the sixth  and  scored on  Rendon's  single, and  the 
Nationals tied the game in the seventh on a two-run double from Span. 

                                   Game Notes 

The  Nationals took  four of seven from  the Cubs last season ... Tanner Roark 
pitches  for Washington  on  Friday, while  Jason Hammel  takes  the hill  for 
Chicago. 

Coverage of today's Cards and Dodgers game can be heard on Newstalk 97.3 WTIM beginning at 8:35pm.

Los Angeles, CA (SportsNetwork.com) - Justin Turner singled in the only run of 
the  game  in the eighth inning  to lead the Los  Angeles Dodgers in a 1-0 win 
over the St. Louis Cardinals in the opener of a four-game set. 

Juan  Uribe, activated  off  the disabled  list before  the  game, scored  the 
winning  run  while Miguel  Rojas had two  hits for the  Dodgers, who have won 
eight of their last 10 games. 

Josh  Beckett  pitched seven strong innings,  giving up just four hits and two 
walks  with four  strikeouts. Brian  Wilson (1-2)  got the  win for  tossing a 
flawless eighth inning. 

"He's  been pretty  amazing this year," said Los Angeles manager Don Mattingly 
about Beckett. "That's a good hitting club over there. He used all his pitches 
tonight. This was kind of like a playoff game." 

Adam Wainwright (10-4) suffered the tough-luck loss as he gave up just one run 
on five hits with a walk and seven strikeouts in eight innings of work for the 
Cardinals, who had won four of five coming in. 

"It  was a tough loss," said Wainwright. "I felt I threw the ball well. I left 
a  couple over the  plate in the eighth inning and they got a hold of them. We 
faced a good pitcher over there. It's disappointing, but I'm not going to hang 
my head about it." 

Uribe  led off  the eighth with a  single and moved to second on Drew Butera's 
sacrifice  bunt. Rojas then beat out an infield single before Turner dropped a 
pinch-hit single to left and Turner came home for a 1-0 lead. 

Kenley  Jansen  struck out Matt Holliday  to start the ninth before Matt Adams 
punched  a single to left. Peter Bourjos came on to run for Adams and appeared 
to  steal  second base,  but his leg  came off the  bag on  the tag and he was 
called  out. Jhonny Peralta then lined out to give Jansen his 24th save of the 
season. 

St.  Louis  left runners  on first and  second in the  fourth when Allen Craig 
struck out to end the inning. 

Wainwright  carried  a no-hitter into  the sixth, but  Rojas led off the frame 
with a single to break it up. 

In the seventh, Craig doubled with two outs and Jon Jay followed with a single 
to  left. Matt Kemp  fielded the ball on the run and went home with the throw, 
nailing Craig at the plate to end the inning. 

                                   Game Notes 

Uribe  had been  out since  May 20  with a  right hamstring  strain. Infielder 
Carlos  Triunfel was  optioned to  Triple-A Albuquerque  to make  room on  the 
roster  ... Wainwright,  who was looking to become the first 11-game winner in 
the  National League,  threw his  third complete  game of  the season  ... The 
Dodgers won four of seven from the Cardinals last season. 

THE CHRISTIAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE REPORTS THE FOLLOWING ARRESTS:

Melissa L. Handlin, 43, of 336 East Main Street, Mt. Auburn, was arrested June 26 on a bond forfeiture for an issuance of warrant.

Shane M. Leady, 28, of 3950 East Camelot Circle Apt. 201, Decatur, was arrested June 26 for violating an order of protection and resisting a peace office.

Alex M. Collingwood, 24, of 970 North Front Street, Clarksdale, was arrested June 27 for OB Cemetery Manager License/Fraud. 

Heather Meinart, 32, of 814 East Cleveland Street, Taylorville, was arrested June 27 for methamphetamine manufacturing.

Jaclynn E. Hill, 29, of 500 South Benton Street, New Berlin, was arrested June 26 for criminal damage to property.

THE TAYLORVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTS THE FOLLOWING CALLS:

One of the sights Garden Walk participants will see Saturday.

The Master Gardeners of Christian County are gearing up for the 2014 Christian County Garden Walk event this Saturday.  The Garden Walk gives people a chance to see what works and what doesn’t for the homeowners who have taken up the challenge of sharing their ideas, their successes and their gardening projects with visitors. 

This year the Walk will feature gardens in and around Stonington and northeastern Taylorville. Six garden growers have agreed to open their gardens to visitors on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., rain or shine.  Tickets are $8 in advance or $10 if purchased at the garden sites on the day of the event.  

For more information, call the Extension Office at 217-287-7246 .

BauerFinancial, Inc., the nation’s credit union and bank rating firm, commends Taylorville Community Credit Union for proving once again that it is a steadfast and invaluable partner to the members it serves. TCCU’s latest 5-star rating is based on March 31, 2014 financial data and signifies that it is one of the strongest credit unions in the nation. Having earned and maintained a 5-star rating for 76 consecutive quarters, TCCU is now put into the elite group of “Exceptional Performance Credit Unions” which is a designation reserved for those institutions that have earned 5-stars for ten consecutive years or longer. TCCU has locations in Hillsboro, Litchfield, and Taylorville. 

The University of Illinois Extension has a number of programs for youth this summer. Community and Economic Development Educator Chris Casey tells Regional Radio News about the “Next Top Product”:

If you have lost your Social Security card, it may not be that difficult to replace.  Jack Myers, Public Affairs Specialist for Social Security in Springfield, says you just need to stop in at your local office:

[audio:myersreplacementcard062614.mp3]comment here[/audio]

Find out more about at socialsecurity.org.

The Taylorville TRIAD organization will have a presence at this week's Taylorville Main Street Farmers Market.  The group's Richard Peters says they will be pushing their Yellow Dot Program:

Baltimore, MD (SportsNetwork.com) - Nelson Cruz hit a game-tying grand slam in 
the  eighth inning  Wednesday night and the Baltimore Orioles beat the Chicago 
White Sox 5-4 on a wild pitch hours later in the 12th. 

The  Orioles were being shut out in the three-game series finale before Cruz's 
two-out blast, which came on Chicago's fourth pitcher of the inning. 

The  game was delayed for more than an hour between the ninth and 10th innings 
because of rain. 

In  the 12th,  Nick Hundley drew a  leadoff walk against Daniel Webb (4-2) and 
pinch-runner David Lough went to third base on Nick Markakis' single. 

Lough  stumbled  and fell making  the turn and had  to scramble back to third, 
then  scored moments later when Webb uncorked a low pitch to Steve Pearce that 
kicked past catcher Tyler Flowers. 

The  Orioles bounced back from Tuesday's 4-2 loss to win for the sixth time in 
their last eight games. 

Jose Abreu homered for the White Sox, who have lost 10 of their last 13. 

White  Sox  starter Hector  Noesi gave  up consecutive  singles to Hundley and 
Markakis  to  start the bottom  of the eighth inning  and was relieved by Zach 
Putnam, who then retired Pearce and Adam Jones on fly balls. 

"(Noesi)  threw a  great game," praised White Sox manager Robin Ventura. "This 
was really the best he's thrown since he's been here." 

Scott  Downs came in  and walked Chris Davis at the end of a nine-pitch at-bat 
to load the bases, bringing on Javy Guerra. 

Cruz slapped a 2-1 fastball the other way and off the top of the wall in right 
field  for  his 24th homer  of the season. Moises  Sierra, who was a defensive 
replacement in right for Dayan Viciedo, jumped at the wall but his glove was a 
good foot away from where the ball struck. 

Noesi,  who had  been cruising before the  eighth, was charged with two of the 
runs.  He gave up nine hits, no walks and struck out two and was six outs from 
snapping a two-start losing streak. 

"He  was in  the bottom  of the  zone all  night," said  Orioles manager  Buck 
Showalter.  "He didn't  throw more than two  or three balls above the belt all 
outing. He was good." 

Orioles  right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez is still seeking his first home win as an 
Oriole after allowing four runs on eight hits and two walks in 6 1/3 innings. 

Both teams stranded runners in 10th inning. The White Sox had runners at first 
and  second  in the  top of  the 12th  when Tommy  Hunter (2-1) replaced Brian 
Matusz and struck out pinch-hitter Paul Konerko to end the threat. 

Abreu  hit his  23rd homer  of the  season on  the first  pitch of  the fourth 
inning, driving it over the wall in left field to give Chicago a 1-0 lead. 

Alejandro  De Aza drew  a leadoff walk in the fifth and scored on Adam Eaton's 
triple  to  the warning  track in right-center  to make it  2-0, but Eaton was 
thrown out at home plate on Gordon Beckham's grounder to third. 

Chicago pushed its lead to 4-0 in the seventh, chasing Jimenez from the game. 

After  Viciedo  walked leading off and  De Aza doubled, both runners scored on 
Flowers'  hit  to the left-field wall.  Flowers was originally ruled safe on a 
slide  at  second base  but the  call was overturned  on an Orioles challenge. 
Jimenez was replaced by Brad Brach after giving up a single to Eaton. 

                                   Game Notes 

The Orioles are 4-12 in Jimenez's last 16 starts. That now includes a 1-7 mark 
at  home ...  Jimenez had six strikeouts ...  De Aza reached up at the wall in 
left  field to  steal a potential home  run from Cruz in the second inning ... 
Cruz  tied Toronto's  Edwin Encarnacion  for the  MLB lead  in homers  ... The 
Orioles  will  continue an 11- game  homestand with a four-game series against 
Tampa  Bay beginning Friday ... The White Sox finish an 11-game road trip with 
a four-game series in Toronto starting Thursday. 

Chicago,  IL  (SportsNetwork.com) - Jay Bruce  drove in two runs and Mat Latos 
pitched  seven strong  innings as the Cincinnati  Reds took a 4-1 win over the 
Chicago Cubs in the finale of a three-game series on Wednesday. 

Latos  (1-0) gave up  just a run on five hits while striking out five and Joey 
Votto  and Skip Schumaker  each drove in a run for the Reds, who have won four 
of their last five. 

"When you can go deep into your game it can help out your bullpen a lot," said 
Latos. "It's always key to go as deep as you can in every outing." 

Starlin  Castro drove in  the only run of the game for the Cubs, who have lost 
four of their past five. Edwin Jackson (5-8) gave up all four runs on six hits 
with four walks and two strikeouts over 5 1/3 innings. 

"Aside  from the  start in  San  Diego I've  been feeling  pretty good,"  said 
Jackson.  "It's tough when you're not getting the results on how you feel, but 
it's a long season and things can turn around quick." 

In  the first  inning, Bruce  doubled to  right with  two outs  to score  Todd 
Frazier. Votto, though, was nailed at home to end the inning. 

Chicago  had  just one baserunner through  the first three innings, but got on 
the  board in  the fourth  as Ryan  Sweeney doubled  to start  the inning  and 
Castro  singled  to batters later to  tie the game. Luis Valbuena singled, but 
Nate Schierholtz and John Baker popped out to end the frame. 

Cincinnati  went back on top in the sixth as Frazier walked to start the frame 
and  Votto scored  him  with a  double. After  Devin  Mesoraco singled,  Bruce 
brought home Votto with a double. 

Chris  Heisey  then struck  out and  James Russell took  over for Jackson, but 
Schumaker laid down a perfect suicide squeeze for a 4-1 lead. 

Jonathan  Broxton tossed  a flawless eighth for Cincinnati and Aroldis Chapman 
allowed  a two-out double from Justin Ruggiano before striking out Mike Olt to 
end the game and pick up his 14th save of the season. 

                                   Game Notes 

Cincinnati  begins a four-game series in San Francisco on Thursday ... Chicago 
hosts  Washington for  a four-game set starting Thursday ... The Reds have won 
five of eight games against the Cubs this season ... Cincinnati center fielder 
Billy  Hamilton went 0-for-5 to have his 12-game hitting streak broken. It was 
the  longest  by a National  League rookie this  season and the longest active 
streak in the NL. 

Coverage of today's Cards and Dodgers game can be heard on Newstalk 97.3 WTIM beginning at 8:35pm.

Denver, CO (SportsNetwork.com) - Matt Carpenter's two-out double in the bottom 
of  the  eighth inning  drove in the  deciding run as  the St. Louis Cardinals 
rallied for a 9-6 victory over the Colorado Rockies. 

The Cardinals trailed  5-1 after four innings and 6-4 through six, but scored 
once  in the seventh prior to reaching Adam Ottavino (0-3) for two runs in the 
eighth to claim the rubber match of this three-game set. 

Daniel Descalso added a pinch-hit double that tied the game and scored the go- 
ahead run on Carpenter's grounder up the middle that caromed into center field 
after being deflected by Rockies' shortstop Troy Tulowitzki. 

Matt  Holliday  went 3-for-4  with an RBI  to aid the  comeback and Matt Adams 
contributed a pair of hits, including a two-run homer. Carpenter also finished 
with two RBI. 

Corey  Dickerson had a two-run double for the Rockies and Drew Stubbs belted a 
solo homer in the loss, Colorado's eighth in nine games. 

"It's just a little tough period we're going through right now," Dickerson 
said. "It's not about just the bullpen, it's about us [hitters], too. We've 
just got to pick it up as a team and play some team ball and we'll pick up 
some wins." 

Ottavino  came  on in the  eighth to protect  a 6-5 lead  and was greeted by a 
single  from  Allen Craig, but retired  the next two batters before Descalso's 
liner to left dropped in fair territory and Mark Ellis slid just under the tag 
of catcher Wilin Rosario to score the tying run. 

After Carpenter sent St. Louis in front and the Rockies failed to score in the 
bottom of the eighth, the Cardinals tacked on two more runs in their final at- 
bat.  Yadier Molina and Craig each delivered sacrifice flies to bring in Adams 
and Jhonny Peralta, who had reached on a single and a walk, respectively. 

"It's encouraging for the guys [to know] that if they keep squaring them up, 
good things are going to happen," said Cardinals manager Mike Matheny. 
"Overall, just a real solid approach all the way around and we really took 
advantage of what they gave us." 

Carpenter's  double made a  winner out of Pat Neshek (2-0), who tossed a 1-2-3 
seventh.  Trevor  Rosenthal recorded the last  four outs to nail down his 23rd 
save. 

The game featured a matchup of pitchers both making their major league debuts, 
with the Cardinals promoting prospect Marco Gonzales from Double-A Springfield 
and  Colorado sending  out 28-year-old  career minor  leaguer Yohan  Flande in 
place of an injured Christian Bergman. 

Gonzalez,  a native of nearby Fort Collins and the Cardinals' first-round pick 
in the 2013 First-Year Player Draft, had an impressive beginning to his intro. 
The 22-year-old allowed just a walk through the opening three innings, laced a 
double  in  his initial at-bat  and scored the  game's first run when Holliday 
drilled a single to left two batters later in the top of the third. 

The  young lefty, whose father, Frank, is a minor league pitching coach in the 
Rockies'  organization, was  shellacked in  the fourth,  however, as  Colorado 
struck for five runs to move in front. 

Stubbs jump-started the Rockies' offense by cranking Gonzalez's first pitch of 
the frame over the wall in left, and five of the next six hitters reached base 
as  well.  Dickerson's hard  two-run double  into the gap  gave Colorado a 3-1 
advantage,  with D.J. LeMahieu following with an RBI single and Flande getting 
into  the act with a grounder to third that plated Dickerson for the fifth run 
of the inning. 

Gonzalez  made  it through the fifth  unscathed, finishing with a line of five 
runs allowed on seven hits. 

"To be honest, it's one of the best times I've had as far as strength-wise and 
health-wise and things like that," said Gonzalez afterward. 

Flande  also had his  moments early on. The left-hander struck out the side in 
order  in the second  and permitted just one run until the Cardinals got their 
bats untracked in the fifth. 

Ellis led off the inning with a deep double and later came home on a Carpenter 
sac  fly to bring  St. Louis within 5-2. Holliday then doubled off the center- 
field  wall in  front  of Adams'  third  homer of  the  series, which  trimmed 
Colorado's lead to a run. 

The  Rockies extended  the  margin  in the  sixth,  though,  as Josh  Rutledge 
greeted  reliever Seth  Maness with  a single  and was  brought in  on Charlie 
Blackmon's two-out double. 

St.  Louis answered  in the seventh, with Carpenter's leadoff walk against Rex 
Brothers preceding Holliday's third hit of the day and a Peralta sacrifice fly 
that trimmed the deficit to 6-5. 

Flande  also  lasted five  innings, surrendering  four runs  on six hits while 
fanning four. 

                                   Game Notes 

Gonzales, called up when Michael Wacha and Jaime Garcia landed on the disabled 
list  earlier this  week, gave St. Louis  a pitcher to advance to the majors a 
year  after being drafted in back-to-back seasons. Wacha accomplished the feat 
last  year ... Gonzales  is also the first Cardinal hurler to go straight from 
Double  A to  the majors since Donovan  Osborne in 1992 ... Flande is the 12th 
pitcher to start a game for Colorado this season, tops in the majors ... Adams 
now  had six homers and 16 RBI in 13 games since returning from the DL on June 
13 ... Holliday is 15-of-26 over his last six games at Coors Field. 

This week Crimestoppers is seeking information in regards to criminal damage that occurred in Taylorville.

Sometime between Thursday June 19, 2014 and Friday June 20, 2014, person or persons unknown damaged a freshly poured driveway, located at 315 South Simpson Street in Taylorville.  The unknown subject or subjects made tracks and marks into the wet concrete, prior to drying, and this caused damage to the driveway.   The damage is estimated at over  $1700.

Please contact Crimestoppers if you any information on this crime or any other crimes or wanted persons.  Crimestoppers will pay cash rewards of up to $1000.00 for information that leads to an arrest and you do not have to give your name.  Crimestoppers will pay double the normal reward for information that leads to an arrest for the crime of the week. 

 You can contact Crimestoppers at 824-9100, at our website Christiancountycrimestoppers.org, or by texting CRIMES  (274632) and then your tip.  As always, you will remain anonymous. 

THE CHRISTIAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE REPORTS THE FOLLOWING CRASH:

On June 21 around 2:21am, a Christian County Sheriff's deputy was sent to a two vehicle accident on Illinois Route 16 east of Pana. The deputy arrived on scene and saw Bree A. Thompson, 17, of Pana parked on the north shoulder of Illinois Route 16 and David W. Swanson, 39, of Broadway, NC, parked on the south shoulder. The deputy spoke with Thompson who stated she was eastbound on Route 16 and attempted to make a left turn and was struck by Swanson. Thompson stated she crossed over into the westbound lane and Swanson went around her on her left on the shoulder and through a yard on the north side of Route 16. Thompson stated she stopped her vehicle on the north shoulder of Route 16 just east of the road she intended to turn onto. Swanson stated he was traveling east on Route 16, following Thompson. Swanson stated he observed Thompson stopped in the eastbound lane with no tail/turn lamps. Swanson stated he attempted to go around Thompson lane to avoid rear-ending her vehicle. Swanson stated that Thompson turned left into him. The deputy asked Thompson to activate her turn signals. The deputy observed Thompson's vehicle did not have tail lights or turn signals. The deputy issued Thompson a citation for no signal lamp/signal device. No injuries were reported.

ARRESTS:

James R. Koehne, 46, of 210 Hickory Street, Kincaid, was arrested June 25 for domestic battery.

Wayne J. Sowers, 21, of 215 North Main Street, Bulpitt, was arrested June 25 for theft under $500.

THE TAYLORVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORTS THE FOLLOWING ARRESTS:

On June 19 at 9:57am, a Taylorville Police Department officer was sent to South Wyandotte Street in regards to a fire. The officer arrived along with the Taylorville Fire Department. No one reportedly answered the door and entry was made by the Taylorville Fire Department. While attempting to check the residence for any people, some illegal fireworks were located inside. The owner of the residence, Scott B. Wingo, 43, of Taylorville, was later contacted and issued a ordinance violation for possession of fireworks.

On June 24 at 8:56pm, a Taylorville Police Department office conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle at Madison and Adams. Following the stop, Anthony D. Benavides, 18, of Pana, was arrested for a Christian County failure to appear warrant.

On June 24 at 5:41pm, Taylorville Police Department officers were sent to 1025 East Franklin in reference to a domestic disturbance. Officers arrived, separated the parties involved, and the female subject left the scene. Officers then cleared the scene. Shortly after, officers were sent back to the residence due to the male subject involved screaming obscenities. Following the investigation, Jericho W. Dickey, 18, of Taylorville was arrested for disorderly conduct.

THE TAYLORVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTS THE FOLLOWING CALLS:

The addition of a 5^th broadcast studio, at the Miller Media Group studios at 918 East Park in Taylorville, is nearly complete.

Carpet work was completed this week, and the new counter and frame was put in place today (Thursday). Contractor and electrical work is to be completed in the next few days, then the work begins to wire a new broadcast console, microphones, and related equipment into the studio.

The new studio will originate what will be WRAN groovy 97-point-3 come August First, when the company does a major re-alignment of formats and frequencies in its cluster of signals that serve the Taylorville-Pana-Shelbyville area.

General contractor for the new studio work is Brad Siegrist, with electricial work done by Star Electric. Carpet work was done by DeMichiel Floors and More, and heating and cooling work is being done by Blakley Heating and Cooling.

The Miller Media Group will originate programming for 6 signals, from its Taylorville studios, come August First when the format and frequency re-alignment takes place.

The company also owns and operates 2 stations on 3 signals in the Clinton, Illinois market.

THE TAYLORVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTS THE FOLLOWING CALLS:

A jury on Tuesday returned a verdict of guilty for a Taylorville man on a charge of aggravated criminal sexual abuse. 62-year-old Jerry H. Bunning of Taylorville was accused of sexually abusing a child. Following the trial, State made a motion that Bunning be held without bond which was approved. The Probation Department ordered to prepare a pre-sentencing investigation report and arrange for sex offender evaluation. Bunning’s sentencing hearing is set for July 31 at 1:15 p.m.

Pana Community Hospital’s Excel Sports Enhancement Program will once again be available to athletes that want to improve their skills and capabilities.  The program can also be designed for athletes rehabilitating from an injury.  This is the third year the Rehab Center has offered this program to athletes. 

The goal of the Excel Sport program is to assist the athlete in increasing their level of function, improve physical fitness and develop and enhance skills specific to the desired sport.  The program can also help bring an injured athlete back to their sport in the best possible condition. 

The Excel Sports Enhancement Program is provided by Pana Community Hospital’s Doctor of Physical Therapy, Bryce Fortner. 

The Excel Enhancement Program will be offered now through the end of the second week in August.  The program involves an initial assessment followed by 12 one hour sessions.  Sessions will be scheduled between 8:00 am and 4:30 pm on Monday through Friday. 

For more information or to register for the program call the Rehab/Wellness Center at 562-6328.  

The annual Assumption Fest gets underway Thursday. Fest President Angela Ohl-Marsters says they have lots of events lined up including some special guests on Saturday:

[audio:ohlmarstersspecial062414.mp3]comment here[/audio]

Ohl-Marsters says Miss Illinois will also be singing on the main stage at 7:15pm Saturday. For a full schedule of events, visit the Assumption Fest Facebook page. Assumption Fest runs Thursday through Saturday. 

The Christian County Sheriff’s Office reports that 1-person was sent to the hospital following a 1-vehicle crash Sunday. Around 1:30am, 48-year-old Karen J. Gross of Taylorville was northbound on County Highway 22 when she reportedly ran off the roadway just south of 1622 North 1250 East Road. Gross hit a metal culvert and the embankment and also struck the driveway markers. Gross continued across the driveway and struck the mailbox for 1622 North 1250 East Road. After the hitting the mailbox, Gross continued north. The vehicle had significant damage to the driver's side front wheel that reportedly caused the tire to leave marks on the roadway and to pull the vehicle off the road from time to time. Gross went approximately 600 feet to the next drive and turned around. Gross then proceeded south back towards town. Gross eventually pulled off the roadway just north of 1600 North Road. Gross was transported to Taylorville Memorial Hospital with injures described as serious by the report.

The Taylorville Police Department recently conducted compliance checks on all registered sex offenders living within the City of Taylorville. Currently there are 22 registered sex offenders in Taylorville. During the compliance checks, 21 of 22 registered offenders were found to be in compliance

38-year-old Antwain Riles was found to be out of compliance during the checks. Following the investigation, the case was forwarded to the Christian County State’s Attorney for criminal charges to be filed.

Chicago,  IL (SportsNetwork.com) - Jake Arrieta continued his recent dominance 
Tuesday night by taking a perfect game into the seventh inning, as the Chicago 
Cubs beat the Cincinnati Reds, 7-3, in the second test of a three-game series. 

Arrieta retired the first 18 batters he faced before Billy Hamilton singled up 
the  middle to start the seventh. The right-hander went on to give up two runs 
in the inning before exiting. 

Arrieta  (4-1), who had  nine strikeouts, is 3-0 over his last five starts and 
has tossed seven frames in each of his previous three outings. 

"I  knew that's  kind of what was going  on from the get-go, most guys do when 
you're in a situation like that," Arrieta said of the perfect-game bid. "But I 
just wanted to continue to execute pitches and try and pitch deep in the game. 

"That was the only couple of thoughts going through my head." 

A Cubs pitcher has never thrown a perfect game. The last Cubs pitcher to throw 
a no-hitter was Carlos Zambrano on Sept. 14, 2008. 

Anthony Rizzo went 3-for-4 with a solo homer and two runs scored for the Cubs, 
who snapped a three-game skid. Welington Castillo knocked in two runs. 

Devin  Mesoraco  homered in his  fifth straight game  for the Reds, matching a 
franchise record. He finished with two RBI and two runs scored. 

Cincinnati starter Homer Bailey (7-4) failed to continue his domination of the 
Cubs, giving up four runs on four hits with six strikeouts over 5 1/3 innings. 
The  Reds  had won his  previous 10 starts  against Chicago, during which time 
Bailey went 7-0. 

Both  Arrieta and Bailey  were in command early on, and neither team had a hit 
until Rizzo homered to right-center-field with two outs in the fourth. 

Castillo hit an RBI double in the fifth to make it 2-0. 

The Cubs tacked on two more runs in the sixth. Arrieta and Junior Lake walked 
and Rizzo singled to load the bases with one out. Bailey hit Starlin Castro on 
the  right hand with a pitch to force in Arrieta. J.J. Hoover took over on the 
mound and Nate Schierholtz greeted him with a sacrifice fly. 

After  Hamilton  singled to  start the  seventh, Arrieta  retired the next two 
batters.  Mesoraco's RBI single and Jay Bruce's run-scoring double cut the gap 
to 4-2. Ryan Ludwick struck out swinging to end the inning. 

The Cubs used four relievers to get through the eighth. 

The  home team  followed with three insurance  runs off Sam LeCure in the home 
half.  With  the bases loaded  and one out,  Schierholtz reached first on Joey 
Votto's  fielding error that scored Lake and Rizzo. Castillo added a sacrifice 
fly. 

Mesoraco hit a solo homer off Neil Ramirez in the ninth. 

"It  doesn't  mean as much because  we lost," Mesoraco said. "The other homers 
seemed  to help  us  win. It  was  late in  the game  and  really didn't  mean 
anything. It's nice to be in that company." 

                                   Game Notes 

The  start of  the game was delayed 53  minutes by rain ... Bailey fell to 8-3 
lifetime against the Cubs. 

Coverage of today's Cards and Rockies game can be heard on Newstalk 97.3 WTIM beginning at 1:35pm.

Denver, CO (SportsNetwork.com) - Justin Morneau homered and drove in a season- 
high  six  runs as  the Colorado  Rockies outslugged  the St. Louis Cardinals, 
10-5, in the second tilt of a three-game set. 

Drew  Stubbs  also homered  and Ryan Wheeler  had a pair  of RBI for Colorado, 
which snapped a seven-game losing streak. 

"He's  been  great for us,"  Rockies manager Walt  Weiss said of Morneau. "Not 
just  what he does for us but what kind of leader he is. He's having a heck of 
a season." 

Rockies starter Jorge De La Rosa (7-6) grabbed the win after surrendering five 
runs -- four earned -- on nine hits over seven frames. 

Nick  Greenwood (1-1) took the loss after relieving starter Shelby Miller, who 
left after 2 2/3 innings with back tightness. 

"Mid-back  spasm," Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said of Miller's injury. "We 
seem pretty confident he'll be ready for his next start." 

Greenwood allowed three runs on five hits in 1 2/3 frames in relief. 

Jhonny  Peralta hit his 11th home run of the season for the Cardinals, who had 
their three-game winning streak halted. 

Matt Carpenter, Allen Craig and Tony Cruz each had an RBI in the setback. 

Colorado came out swinging in the first, jumping out to a 3-0 lead after one. 

Charlie  Blackmon singled before Corey Dickerson and Troy Tulowitzki walked to 
load  the bases. Morneau's single to right scored Blackmon and Wheeler poked a 
two-run single two batters later to push the margin to three. 

St.  Louis got  one back in the  third after Cruz reached second on a throwing 
error  by De La  Rosa to open the inning, Miller moved Cruz over to third on a 
bunt and Carpenter plated him with a sacrifice fly to right. 

St.  Louis took a brief lead in the fourth courtesy of a three-run inning that 
was answered with three from the Rockies in the home half. 

Peralta clubbed a two-run homer to tie the game at 3-3 following a single from 
Matt Adams. Peter Bourjos and Mark Ellis then singled and Cruz knocked Bourjos 
in with a groundout to give the Cardinals a lead. 

Dickerson  singled  and Tulowitzki walked to  open the home half of the fourth 
and  Morneau  chased the  two home  with a blast  to right  to put Colorado in 
front. 

Craig cut into the deficit with an RBI single in the fifth after Matt Holliday 
doubled to left. 

Morneau  added  to the lead  with a two-run single  in the seventh that scored 
Blackmon and Dickerson. 

Stubbs  homered to begin  the eighth and Blackmon added an RBI single later in 
the inning to account for the final margin. 

                                   Game Notes 

Miller  was charged with three runs on six hits and five walks in his two-plus 
innings of work ... Colorado had 17 hits, while St. Louis had 11 ... The Cards 
went  2-for-6  with runners in scoring  position ... The Rockies went 7-for-21 
with RISP. 

The Project 29 Committee is meeting tonight at 6pm. Stakeholders and members will discuss the status of completing the new 4-lane route around Edinburg, as well as the importance of the corridor to local economic development. The meeting will be held at Jan’s Bar and Grill located at 103 East Washington Street in Edinburg.

The Central Illinois Community Blood Center is offering several opportunities to donate blood in Christian County. On Tuesday, July 1^st, there will be a blood drive at the Midland Fire Protection District, located at 200 Springfield Street in Kincaid, from 3PM to 6PM. Then on Thursday, July 3^rd, there will be a blood drive held at the Christian County YMCA at 900 McAdam Drive in Taylorville from 10 AM to 2 PM. You can call the blood center to sign up toll free at 1-866-GIVE-BLD or schedule an appointment online at www.bloodcenterimpact.org. Walk-ins are also welcome. 

The C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) will begin taking applications for summer energy assistance on July 7, 2014 and will conclude on July 23, 2014 or when funds are exhausted.   Appointments will be set on a first come, first serve basis.  Due to the short time frame of the program, appointments for summer energy assistance will only be accepted by phone or in person; no e-mail, voice mail, text or written requests can be accepted.                               

To make an appointment for summer energy assistance, contact the C.E.F.S Christian County Outreach office in Taylorville at 217-824-4712.   The Taylorville office is located at 311 South Main Street.

The Pana Police Department is seeking information on a break-in that happened over the weekend. On Sunday around 6:39pm, Reese J. Henschen of Pana contacted Pana Police to report that sometime between 10am and 6:30pm, an unknown person or persons entered his garage located at 2346 East 200 North Road and started a vehicle. The person or persons left the garage with the vehicle running and the garage doors closed. There were 2 dogs locked inside the garage. Nothing else was taken or damaged and the dogs did survive. If you have any information, contact the Pana Police Department at 562-2141 or the Christian County Crime Stoppers at 824-9100.

The Taylorville Police Department arrested one person for theft and criminal damage to property on Friday. Around 12:43pm, a Taylorville Police Department officer was told by dispatch that a male subject had broken into a vehicle and fled the scene. The male was later located and identified as Michael E. Durbin, 48, of Taylorville. Durbin was placed under arrest for burglary from a motor vehicle, criminal damage to property, and theft under $300. Durbin was transported to Taylorville Police Department, processed, and then taken to the Christian County Correctional Center for lodging.

One of the biggest undertakings in years for the Taylorville area is in the preliminary stages.  Mayor Greg Brotherton tells Regional Radio that a new water plant will be expensive, but it's a necessary step:

[audio:mayorwater062414.mp3]comment here[/audio]

The Mayor also says one of the first things prospective businesses ask about is the availability of water.

Baltimore,  MD (SportsNetwork.com)  - After  being  left out  of the  starting 
lineup,  Chris Davis made the most of his pinch-hitting appearance by smacking 
a  three-run walk-off homer that lifted the Baltimore Orioles to a 6-4 victory 
over the Chicago White Sox. 

With  Ronald  Belisario (3-4) on  the mound for Chicago  in the ninth with the 
White  Sox holding a 4-3 lead, Steve Pearce singled and Adam Jones was plunked 
with  no outs. Belisario struck out Nelson Cruz, but Davis entered the game to 
hit for Delmon Young and crushed a slider over the wall in right for the win. 

"Honestly,  I was  just trying to put  something in the gap and tie the game," 
Davis said. "I hit it pretty good." 

Caleb  Joseph  and Jones both  homered earlier  and Young finished 3-for-4 for 
Baltimore, which has won three straight and five of its last six. 

Brad Brach (1-0) earned the win after not allowing a hit across the eighth and 
ninth innings. Orioles starter Wei-Yin Chen gave up three runs on six hits and 
two walks in 5 2/3 innings of work. 

Jose  Abreu homered  among his two hits  and drove in three runs for the White 
Sox,  who lost  their fifth straight game and eighth consecutive road contest. 
Starter Chris Sale gave up two runs and a career-high 11 hits in six innings. 

"One thing leads to another and it becomes a tough loss. You got to be able to 
bounce back," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. 

Pearce  took  a one-out  walk in the  first inning and  was brought home after 
Jones'  blast bounced  off the  top of  the center-field  wall and  went over, 
giving the O's an early 2-0 lead. 

Adam  Eaton singled and  Gordon Beckham doubled to put men on second and third 
for  Chicago with  one out in the  third. Eaton scored on Abreu's groundout to 
first, making it a 2-1 game. 

Baltimore  loaded the  bases in  the fourth  when Manny  Machado and  Jonathan 
Schoop  singled  and moved up on  Joseph's sacrifice bunt before Nick Markakis 
was hit by a pitch. Sale got out of the jam, however, by getting Pearce to fly 
out to right and striking out Jones. 

After  Baltimore squandered  another  bases-loaded opportunity  in the  fifth, 
Chicago went ahead in the sixth. 

Abreu  crushed a  leadoff blast  to center  and Dayan  Viciedo doubled.  Three 
batters  later, Conor  Gillaspie's fly  ball  to left  came out  of the  glove 
of  a  diving Cruz for a  double, giving the White Sox a 3-2 lead and chasing 
Chen from the game. 

Chicago  added another run in the seventh. Tyler Flowers opened the frame with 
a leadoff single and came home on Abreu's deep RBI double to left. 

Joseph got the O's within one during the eighth after connecting on a splitter 
from reliever Zach Putnam for a home run to left. 

                                   Game Notes 

Davis'  homer was  Baltimore's  first pinch-hit,  walk-off  homer since  Larry 
Sheets  in 1988 against Seattle ... Davis was hitting .130 (7-for-54) over his 
last  14  games ... Abreu's 22  home runs are the  most by a rookie before the 
All-Star  break since  Mark McGwire hit 33  in 1987 ... Eaton has reached base 
safely in 18 straight games. 

Chicago, IL (SportsNetwork.com) - Billy Hamilton drove in the go-ahead run and 
Devin  Mesoraco  added a  game-sealing grand  slam in the  ninth inning as the 
Cincinnati Reds downed the Chicago Cubs, 6-1, at Wrigley Field. 

The  Reds went hitless over five straight innings before Chris Heisey, who was 
mired  in an 0-for-16 slump, stepped in as a pinch-hitter with two outs in the 
ninth and blooped a single to right. 

Heisey  stole second  to get into scoring position, and Hamilton's dribbler up 
the middle snuck past a diving Starlin Castro to break a 1-1 tie. 

A  single and walk loaded the bases for Mesoraco, who cleared the netting over 
the  wall  in left-center  for a clinching  slam that sent  the Reds over .500 
(38-37) for the first time all season. 

Todd  Frazier went  3-for-5 with a run  scored and an RBI, while Alfredo Simon 
was  terrific  in another  quality start  for Cincinnati,  which has won three 
straight and six of its last eight. 

Hector  Rondon  (1-2), who  had given  up seven earned  runs in 27 appearances 
coming into the opener of this three-game series, surrendered all five runs in 
the ninth to take the loss, Chicago's third straight. 

The  Reds  were poised  for a  big first inning  when Hamilton  led off with a 
double and scored on Frazier's triple to the right-field gap. 

Jeff  Samardzija  kept the damage  to just the one  run, however, and wound up 
giving up only two more hits during his six-inning start. 

"He settled down...and did a nice job," Cubs manager Rick Renteria said of his 
starter. 

Simon  worked  out of several jams  himself, first shaking off Darwin Barney's 
leadoff  double in  the third,  then retiring  three straight  after the Cubs 
opened the fourth with a single and a double. 

Anthony  Rizzo, however,  solved Cincinnati's  starter  in the  sixth with  an 
incredible  display  of power. Simon's  hanging curveball was well outside the 
strike  zone,  and Rizzo  reached out  and muscled  it the  other way into the 
bleachers in left-center for his 16th home run of the season. 

Simon went on to pitch seven innings, allowing just five hits with one walk. 

"To  do  what he's  done this  year has been  spectacular," Reds manager Bryan 
Price said of Simon. 

Jonathan Broxton (3-0) hurled a perfect eighth to claim the victory 

                                   Game Notes 

Mesoraco,  who worked two walks and was hit by a pitch twice, has three career 
grand  slams and has homered in four straight games ... All but two of Simon's 
15  starts this year have been quality outings ... Samardzija struck out seven 
and walked two ... Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips sat out with a bruised 
left heel ... Cincinnati has won 18 of its last 20 at Wrigley Field. 

THE CHRISTIAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE REPORTS THE FOLLOWING ARREST:

Kim E. Parrish, 56, of 524 West Carpenter, Springfield, was arrested for June 23 on a bond forfeiture for manufacturing/delivery of controlled substances.

CRASHES:

On June 22 at 1:30am, Karen J. Gross, 48, of Taylorville was northbound on County Highway 22 when she reportedly ran off the roadway just south of 1622 North 1250 East Road. Gross hit a metal culvert and the embankment and also struck the driveway markers. Gross continued across the driveway and struck the mailbox for 1622 North 1250 East Road. After the crash, Gross continued north. The vehicle had significant damage to the driver's side front wheel that caused the tire to leave marks on the roadway and to pull the vehicle off the road from time to time. Gross went approximately 600 feet to the next drive and turned around. Gross then proceeded south back towards town. There were black marks in the roadway from the tire. Gross eventually pulled off the roadway just north of 1600 North Road. Gross was transported to Taylorville Memorial Hospital with injures described as serious by the report.

On June 21 at 7:29pm, Taylor N. Tucker, 17, of Kincaid was traveling west on 500 North Road. Around 200 East 500 North Road, a deer came onto the roadway. Tucker struck the deer with the front, right part of the vehicle. There was damage to the hood of the vehicle. Tucker was able to drive the vehicle from the scene. No injuries were reported.

On June 20 at 7:50pm, Larry R. Garner, 73, of Taylorville was traveling south on Route 48. Around 1500 North, a deer ran into the roadway. Garner hit the deer causing damage to the vehicle. No injuries were reported.

On June 20 at 9:02pm, Robert E. Fassero, 47, of Tovey was traveling east on Route 104. Around 185 East, a deer ran into the roadway. Fassero hit the deer causing damage to the vehicle. No injuries were reported.

On June 21 at 5:14am, Anderson J. Himes, 21, of Moweaqua was eastbound on County Highway #4. Around 2700 East, a deer ran into the path of Himes. Himes swerved to miss the deer and ran off the roadway to the right. Himes then struck a large tree about 10ft off the roadway. The vehicle received major damage but no injuries were reported.

On June 21 at 11:43am, Neal Nichols, 82, of Edinburg was westbound on Township Road 2100 North. Just west of Star Bridge, a deer ran into the path of Nichols. Nichols was unable to avoid the deer and struck it with the front end of his pickup truck causing damage. Nichols was able to drive the vehicle from the scene. No injuries were reported.

On June 22 at 12:40pm, a vehicle registered to Gina R. Runge of Taylorville was parked facing east on Southeast Sixth Street in Morrisonville. The vehicle was parked about 60 feet east of Prairie Street and mostly on the grass of the Morrisonville Park Property. Sherry L. Millburg, 45, of Morrisonville was backing from a private drive at 601 SE Sixth Street which is on the north side of the street. Millburg backed into the roadway and struck Runge's vehicle. Millburg's vehicle did not receive any noticeable damage. Runge's vehicle received driver's side door damage. No injuries were reported.

THE TAYLORVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTS THE FOLLOWING CALLS:

The Christian County Steering Committee called “Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities”, or C-E-O, has announced it will hold a meeting to ask for potential investors in the high school business training program, on Monday, July 21^st at noon at the Taylorville Memorial Hospital auditorium.

Guest speaker will be former Taylorville native Craig Lindvahl, who is executive director of the Midland Institute of Entrepreneurship. The local committee is working with the institute, to bring the year-long program to Christian County high schools.

Plans call for 18 to 24 Christian County High School seniors to participate, with 3 to 5 from each school. Students will be selected thru a rigorous application process, meeting for 90 minutes each day and utilizing area businesses as classrooms.

The program's ultimate goal is to provide the opportunity for each student to start their own business in Christian County.

Lunch will be served, and those who would like to attend should R-S-V-P by calling the Greater Taylorville Chamber of Commerce at 824-4919.

Taylorville mayor Greg Brotherton found quite a surprise this week, when he was cleaning out a stack of magazines in his office in city hall.

What Brotherton found was quite a surprise.

[audio:BrothertonaudioJun2414.mp3]comment here[/audio]

The mayor hopes the money will be used for a scholarship.

The letter from the exchange student as well as the Mayor's response letter can be seen below:

The Christian County Economic Development Corporation board of directors met for their quarterly meeting during the noon hour on Tuesday at Krieger's Sports Grill in Taylorville, to review current economic development efforts in the county.

Executive director Mary Renner reported to the board on several on-going projects that she continues to work on, including the proposed medical cannabis growing facility that several different developers are interested in at the former Rock Solid Greenhouse west of Taylorville.

Renner told Regional Radio News after the meeting, that the current stumbling block to use that location to grow medical cannabis, is a state law that prohibits such a facility close to a residential area.

[audio:Rennercut1Jun2414.mp3]comment here[/audio]

And Renner added that current law keeps the local building from being used.

[audio:Rennercut2Jun2414.mp3]comment here[/audio]

Renner says that there may be changes to the setoff restrictions for such facilities, in the fall veto session of the Illinois General Assembly.

[audio:Rennercut3Jun2414.mp3]comment here[/audio]

It was the last meeting for long-time treasurer for the organization John Lawrence, who is retiring from the position June 30^th. Matt Beckley was named the corporation's new treasurer effective July First.

Officials with the Taylorville Development Association, a local economic development group, announced today (Tuesday) that as a result of months of work, a land swap will be taking place with T-D-A getting 96 acres near the Wal-Mart Super Center between Illinois Routes 104 and 29, in exchange for 84 acres T-D-A currently owns near the A-D-M grain facility on Taylorville's northeast side.

Ken Hart of T-D-A told Regional Radio News that once the swap is completed, they intend to sell off about 40 acres to generate cash to build infrastructure at the new location.

[audio:HartaudioJun2414.mp3]comment here[/audio]

It would have cost as much as 2-million dollars to run utilities to the A-D-M property, while a large sewer line installed to take care of the Wal-Mart Super Center in 1999, is adjacent to T-D-A's proposed new property between Routes 104 and 29.

The Philip and Mary Kathryn Trutter Museum at Lincoln Land Community College is hosting the Springfield Civic Garden Club’s Standard Flower Show to honor the club’s 85th anniversary. The flower show is being held Friday, June 27 from noon to 5 p.m. and Saturday, June 28 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Trutter Center on the LLCC-Springfield campus, 5250 Shepherd Road. The event is free of charge and open to the public.

The theme of the flower show is “Our Legacy of Growing.” The exhibit will feature 70 floral designs, with an emphasis on table settings, artistic craft exhibits and educational displays on honey bees, daylilies and organic lawn care.

The U. S. Government is warning citizens about a new scam involving federal grants. Public Advocate Mac McGuire says it's a positive that the government is becoming aware of the surge in such activity, and is starting to warn people:

[audio:macfedswarning061714.mp3]comment here[/audio]

The Federal Trade Commission is among government agencies that are warning citizens of the scams.

This summer and fall, the Christian County TRIAD will begin promoting the Yellow Dot Program. Taylorville Deputy Police Chief Brian Hile tells Regional Radio News that it is designed to provide medical information on vehicle drivers and passengers to responding emergency personnel in the case of a car crash:

[audio:hileyellowdot062114.mp3]comment here[/audio]

TRIAD will have a booth at the Farmers Market on the Taylorville Square this Saturday, June 28^th, from 8:30am-11:30am with more information available and local emergency personnel on hand to answer questions. 

The Greater Taylorville Chamber of Commerce Chillifest will be one for the books this year.  The annual event joins with the 175^th anniversary of Taylorville and Christian County for a super-celebration.  CEO of the Chamber, Patty Hornbuckle, says this year there will be more for the kids to do:

[audio:pattytimstoys062014.mp3]comment here[/audio]

Chillifest and the 175^th anniversary celebration will take place in Downtown Taylorville October 4^th and 5^th.  

Minneapolis,  MN (SportsNetwork.com)  -  Joe Mauer  and  Josh Willingham  each 
knocked in two runs as the Minnesota Twins beat the Chicago White Sox, 6-5, to 
complete a four-game sweep on Sunday. 

Brian  Dozier and Sam  Fuld added an RBI apiece for the Twins, who saw starter 
Phil Hughes (8-3) give up five runs on eight hits over five innings. 

"I  just  struggled with  command," Hughes  said. "Our  bullpen stepped up big 
today." 

Jose  Abreu  and Gordon Beckham  each had  two RBI for  the White Sox, who got 
swept  in  a four-game  set by Minnesota  for the first  time since June 9-12, 
1994. 

Chicago  starter John  Danks (6-6),  who had  won his  previous three  starts, 
allowed six runs on 10 hits with four walks over five-plus innings. He fell to 
0-6 over his last eight starts against Minnesota. 

"It's just one of those days I guess, it certainly wasn't fun," Danks said. 

The  Twins  jumped out to  a 1-0  lead in the  first. Danny Santana and Dozier 
walked  to get  things going. Santana moved  to third when Mauer flied out and 
Dozier  advanced  to second on  a wild pitch.  Willingham followed with an RBI 
fielder's choice. 

Minnesota  tacked on  two more runs in  the second. Kurt Suzuki led off with a 
double  down the  left-field line, but was  thrown out at the plate on Eduardo 
Escobar's  single.  Fuld followed with  an RBI double  to right. He then stole 
third and raced home on Mauer's single to center. 

The White Sox scored  all five  of their runs  in the  third. With the bases 
loaded  and one  out, Beckham hit a two-run double to left-center field. Abreu 
added a two-run single up the middle. 

With Adam Dunn at the plate, Twins manager Ron Gardenhire was ejected by home- 
plate  umpire D.J. Reyburn for arguing balls and strikes. Dunn then struck out 
swinging  before Alexei Ramirez's infield single put men on the corners. Conor 
Gillaspie's RBI single to left-center field made it 5-3. 

But  the  Twins went  back in front  with a three-run  fourth. Fuld walked and 
Santana  singled to put men on first and second with one out. Dozier and Mauer 
hit  consecutive  run-scoring singles, and  Willingham's sacrifice fly made it 
6-5 Minnesota. 

The Twins' bullpen closed out the game from there. 

Anthony  Swarzak  tossed two  scoreless innings, Casey  Fien pitched a perfect 
eighth  and Jared Burton retired the side in order in the ninth to pick up his 
first save of the season. 

                                   Game Notes 

Danks fell to 6-12 lifetime versus Minnesota ... The White Sox have lost seven 
straight road games ... The Twins had 11 hits. 

Chicago,  IL  (SportsNetwork.com) - Travis  Snider homered and Brandon Cumpton 
tossed  seven shutout  innings as  the Pittsburgh  Pirates held  on for  a 2-1 
victory  over  the Chicago Cubs in  the rubber  match of  a three-game set at 
Wrigley Field. 

The Cubs  mustered only  two hits  off Cumpton  (3-2) before mounting threats 
against the Pittsburgh bullpen in the final two innings. 

Junior  Lake  and Darwin  Barney opened the  eighth with back-to-back singles, 
but  Tony Watson escaped the jam by striking out two batters after a sacrifice 
bunt. 

"Obviously not an ideal situation, but pound the strike zone, make a pitch and 
get them to chase," Watson said. 

The Cubs  had men on  the corners after Pirates  closer Mark Melancon gave up 
consecutive  singles  to begin the  ninth. Chicago got  on the board when Nate 
Schierholtz  hit  into a  fielder's choice, with  second baseman Josh Harrison 
flipping to shortstop Jordy Mercer for the second out. 

Melancon  then  retired Lake  on a  flyout to right  for his  12th save of the 
season. 

"To  get those two  runners on early and not capitalize on it is unfortunate," 
said Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo. 

The Pirates scored both of their runs in the third against Jason Hammel (6-5). 

Snider led off with a blast to center field, then Josh Harrison came up with a 
two-out infield single. 

Chris Stewart followed the Snider home run with a walk, advancing to second on 
a  sacrifice bunt and a groundout before scoring on Harrison's comebacker that 
struck the Chicago right-hander. 

Hammel gave up six hits and struck out six over seven innings of work. 

                                   Game Notes 

Pittsburgh   right  fielder  Gregory  Polanco  finished  0-for-3,  ending  his 
career-opening  hit streak at  11 games ... The Pirates are 8-1-1 in series at 
Wrigley  Field  since the start  of 2011 ... The  teams wore uniforms from the 
1953  season on  Sunday ... Chicago had  homered in each of its previous eight 
games  ...  The Cubs  activated  catcher  Welington  Castillo (left  rib  cage 
inflammation)  from  the  15-day  disabled list  and  designated  catcher  Eli 
Whiteside for assignment prior to the game. 

Coverage of today's Cards and Rockies game can be heard on Newstalk 97.3 WTIM beginning at 7:05pm.

St. Louis, MO (SportsNetwork.com) - Jhonny Peralta and Mark Ellis each knocked 
in  a  pair of  runs to  help the  St. Louis Cardinals  to a  5-3 win over the 
Philadelphia Phillies in the finale of a four-game set. 

Carlos  Martinez (1-3)  picked up the win  after giving up three runs on three 
hits over five innings of work. 

Phillies  starter Kyle Kendrick (3-7) was charged with the loss, allowing five 
runs on eight hits over six innings to snap a two-start winning streak. 

Cody  Asche went  2-for-4 and  knocked in  all three  Philadelphia runs.  Ryan 
Howard  also  collected a pair  of hits and  Cesar Hernandez accounted for the 
Phillies' only other hit in the setback. 

"It's  not  easy to come in  here and win two  games," said Asche. "I think we 
played  really well  the first two days.  We could have played better the last 
two but we'll take the positives from it and go from there." 

The  Phillies  jumped all over  Martinez in the second  with three runs on one 
swing of the bat. 

Howard  singled,  John Mayberry  was hit  by a pitch  and Domonic Brown walked 
to  load the bases with no outs. Asche stepped in and lofted a double into the 
left-center gap that cleared the bases and staked the visitors to a 3-0 lead. 

St.  Louis, however,  answered with a four-run fourth. Matt Adams doubled with 
one  out,  Allen Craig walked and  Yadier Molina singled sharply to right. Jon 
Jay  singled home Adams, and Peralta followed with a single that plated a pair 
to tie the game. 

Ellis  then  laid down  a safety  squeeze that  scored Jay  and gave the Cards 
a 4-3 advantage. 

With  runners at  the  corners and  two  outs  in the  sixth,  Ellis added  an 
insurance run with an RBI single that allowed Molina to cross home. 

"We played well," said Adams. "Everything clicked this homestand and hopefully 
we carry the momentum over into the road." 

Philadelphia  struggled  to muster anything  on offense after its third-inning 
outburst. 

Trevor  Rosenthal came  on to pitch the  ninth and allowed a one-out single to 
Asche,  who reached second on defensive indifference with two outs. He was the 
first Phillies player to reach scoring position since the third inning. 

Rosenthal  proceeded to  get Marlon  Byrd to  line out  to second  to end  it, 
picking up his 22nd save of the season. 

                                   Game Notes 

The  Phillies finished 5-2 on their seven-game road trip ... St. Louis went 5- 
for-10  with  runners in  scoring position ...  Philadelphia went 1-for-5 with 
RISP  ... Phillies  shortstop Jimmy  Rollins  had his  15-game hitting  streak 
stopped. 

THE CHRISTIAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE REPORTS THE FOLLOWING ARRESTS:

Tyler D. Smith, 20, of 202 North Elm Stonington, was arrested June 21 for criminal damage to property and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Ryan M. Tester, 31, of 1523 West Elm Street, Taylorville, was arrested June 22 for domestic battery.

Curtis L. Worker, 41, of 509 North Poplar Street Apt B2, Pana, was arrested June 21 for threatening a public official, aggravated battery, and resisting a peace officer.

Ashley D. Selzer, 30, of 624 Tower Road, Kincaid, was arrested June 21 for driving under the influence.

Michael E. Durbin, 48, of 413 Taylorville Boulevard, Taylorville, was arrested June 20 for burglary.

Amanda J. Haddock, 32, of 222 East Palmer, Taylorville, was arrested June 20 for driving on a suspended/revoked license.

Casey D. Denton, 27, of 700 East Lincoln Street, Pana, was arrested June 22 on a bond forfeiture for possession of drug paraphernalia and for theft of a motor vehicle and theft under $300.

Cortney M. Chaplin, 27, of 213 Kennedy Street, Pana, was arrested June 21 on a bond forfeiture for driving with a revoked/suspended license.

Aaron W. Wemple, 42, of 304 East Pleasant Street, Taylorville, was arrested June 21 on a warrant for threatening a public official.

Nolan R. Neal, 18, of 2616 Piper Lane, Springfield, was arrested June 22 for operating a boat while under the influence of alcohol/drugs.

Gary D. Tarrant, 52, of 810 East Lewis, Taylorville, was arrested June 22 for aggravated battery.

Gary J. Fore, 22, of 609 Paris Avenue, Pana, was arrested June 21 for domestic battery.

THE TAYLORVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORTS THE FOLLOWING ARRESTS:

On June 20 at 12:43pm, a Taylorville Police Department officer was told by dispatch that a male subject had broken into a vehicle and fled the scene. The male was later located and identified as Michael E. Durbin, 48, of Taylorville. Durbin was placed under arrest for burglary from a motor vehicle, criminal damage to property, and theft under $300. Durbin was transported to Taylorville Police Department, processed, and then taken to the Christian County Correctional Center for lodging.

On June 20 at 4:17pm, Taylorville Police Department officers were sent to the 1218 Pauline apartments in reference to a fight in progress. Following an investigation, Ernest Stewart, 25, was arrested for battery,

On June 22 at 7:13am, Taylorville Police Department officers were sent to 1523 West Elm Street for a disturbance that was physical. Officers arrived and spoke to Ryan M. Tester, 32, of Taylorville and Amanda Carnahan. After speaking with both parties, Tester was arrested for domestic battery. Tester was transported to Taylorville Police Department, processed, and lodged in Christian County Correctional Center in lieu of bond.

On June 22 at 7:34pm, a Taylorville Police Department officer was on patrol when the officer saw Amanda Kee, 37, of Taylorville operating a vehicle on Long Street near Ash. The officer suspected Kee had a suspended driver's license. Dispatch verified through the Law Enforcement Agencies Data System that Kee was suspended. Taylorville Police Department officers made contact with Kee at 820 East Oak. Kee was placed under arrest for driving while license suspended.

On June 21 at 3:00am, a Taylorville Police Department officer initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle. The male registered owner, Jamie A. Buss, 20, of Taylorville, was arrested for driving while license suspended. Buss was transported to Taylorville Police Department for processing and released on a notice to appear.

THE TAYLORVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTS THE FOLLOWING CALLS:

The Christian County Genealogical Society and Historical Society will be hosting a program entitled Preserving Historic Illinois Cemeteries Tuesday night at 7:00pm. Charles Dilley, a member of the societies, tells Regional Radio News a variety of tombstone repair topics will be discussed:

[audio:dilleycemrepair062314.mp3]comment here[/audio] 

The event will be held in the Pence building on the Christian County Historical grounds located on Morrison Drive in Taylorville. If you have any questions, call 823-9952 or 824-5796. The event is free and open to the public.

The Taylorville Park Board received some good news at their Monday night meeting. Secretary/Bookkeeper MaryAnn Becker says their application for the Department of Natural Resource’s Youth Recreation grant was approved:

[audio:beckeryouthgrant062414.mp3]comment here[/audio]

Becker says the DNR hopes next year the grant will be approved quicker. If the grant was approved earlier, it would have covered the salaries of several pool employees.

The Taylorville Park Board received an update on the Manners Park Pool at their Monday night meeting. Recreation Director Bailey Hancock says they received their first unannounced audit from Ellis and Associates:

[audio:hancockaudit062414.mp3]comment here[/audio]

Hancock says they have also had a great turnout for their various swim classes.

Maintenance Superintendent Gary Brown told the Park Board while the pool passed the State Inspection this year, if they do not fix the broken pipe in the zero depth area after the pool season is over, they will not be allowed to open next year. The Park Board approved the prevailing wage rate. The Park Board tabled the discussion on the Caretakers House as several Board members were absent.

The meeting adjourned at 7:25pm.   

The University of Illinois Christian County Extension still has openings for its next Safe Sitter class. The class for girls and boys ages 11 to 13 will be held on Wednesday, July 9 and Thursday, July 10 from 8:00 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. at the U of I Extension Christian County Office, located at 1120 North Webster Street in Taylorville.

During the course, students get hands-on practice in basic life-saving techniques so they are prepared to act in a crisis, with medical information taught by a certified professional.

Safe Sitter participants also receive helpful tips on safety and security precautions, such as what to do if a stranger comes to the door and when and how to call for help.  Information on child development and age-appropriate activities, and the business aspects of babysitting are also taught.

For a registration form or information, call the Christian County at 287-7246.

The Christian County Sheriff’s Office reports one person was sent to the hospital following a car crash Wednesday. Around 4:46pm, 19-year-old Luke W. Waddington of Assumption was traveling south on Route 29. Just north of 725 East Road, Waddington reportedly fell asleep, crossed the center line and struck 26-year-old David L. Carron of Springfield in the left rear of his vehicle. Rhonda M. Law of Owaneco was driving behind Waddington and saw him swerve, go off the road, and then cross over the center line striking Carron's vehicle. Waddington reportedly told police that he did not remember anything and that he must have fallen asleep. Waddington was transported to Memorial Medical Center in Springfield for treatment of injuries described as minor by the report. Carron reported no injuries. Both vehicles were towed from the scene.

When a family member suffers from a memory loss disease, it can be tough on the rest of the family. Deb Scott, Executive Director at Gowin Parc in Pana, tells Regional Radio News they offer a support group to help those families:

[audio:scottsupportgroup.mp3]comment here[/audio]

For more information, call Deb Scott at 562-3004.

People's Bank and Trust in Taylorville is hosting a Customer Appreciation Luncheon next Friday. Sarah VanHuss of People's Bank and Trust tells Regional Radio News that this will be their 1^st Annual event:

If your kids are interested in the arts, they may want to attend an event next week at the University of Illinois Extension.  4H Youth Development Educator Peggy Hampton tells Regional Radio News they are offering Arts and Crafts:

[audio:hamptonartsncrafts062014.mp3]comment here[/audio]

Contact the Extension Office at 287-7246.

The annual Assumption Fest is coming up next week. Fest President Angela Ohl-Marsters tells Regional Radio News they will have a new carnival this year:

[audio:ohlmarsterscarnival062114.mp3]comment here[/audio]

Tickets are available at: Wash House Equipment, Assumption Library, 1st National Bank of Assumption, and CNB Bank & Trust in Taylorville. For more information, contact Angela at 820-1690.

The Taylorville Park District Board will meet Monday night at 7:00pm at the Manners Park Office Board Room. Items on the agenda include: the Caretakers House, approving the prevailing wage rate, Maintenance Superintendent’s report, and the Recreation Director’s report. We will have details following the meeting at taylorvilledailynews.com.

Minneapolis,  MN (SportsNetwork.com)  - Brian Dozier's RBI single in the ninth 
inning sent the Minnesota Twins past the Chicago White Sox, 5-4, on Friday. 

Twins  closer Glen Perkins  squandered a 4-2 lead in the top of the ninth, but 
Minnesota  rallied  in the bottom half  as Eduardo Escobar slid in safely with 
the game-winning run, narrowly beating Dayan Viciedo's throw from left field. 

Escobar  added a two-run double earlier in the game, while Kurt Suzuki went 3- 
for-4  with a  run scored and an RBI  for the Twins, who had dropped five in a 
row before taking the first two meetings of this four-game set. 

In  the top  of the ninth, Viciedo legged  out a triple with one away and came 
around  to score  on Paul Konerko's pinch-hit single, pulling Chicago within a 
run. 

Tyler Flowers moved the tying run into scoring position with another base hit, 
and Adam Eaton's double down the third-base line brought in the tying run. 

The  Twins  opted to walk  Gordon Beckham to load  the bases, and the decision 
paid off with Perkins (3-0) inducing an inning-ending double-play ball off the 
bat of Conor Gillaspie. 

Daniel  Webb (4-1)  walked Escobar with one  away in the ninth and was saddled 
with the loss when Ronald Belisario gave up Dozier's walk-off hit. 

White  Sox  starter Hector Noesi surrendered  four runs on six hits over seven 
innings for Chicago, which lost for the sixth time in eight games. 

Minnesota's  Ricky Nolasco  served up solo home runs to Beckham and Jose Abreu 
in the first but left in line for the win with the Twins ahead by a 4-2 count. 

A  walk, double and  hit batsman loaded the bases in the second, and all three 
runners  scored, with Kendrys Morales and Suzuki coming in on Escobar's double 
and Oswaldo Arcia trotting home on Sam Fuld's sacrifice fly. 

Suzuki added a two-out RBI single in the third. 

                                   Game Notes 

This  was Perkins' third  blown save of the year ... Abreu has 21 home runs in 
his first 60 big league games ... Nolasco lasted 5 1/3 innings and was charged 
with  two runs  on six hits and  two walks ... Minnesota won back-to-back home 
games for the first time since May 16-17. 

Chicago,  IL (SportsNetwork.com) - Starlin Castro hit a three-run homer, Chris 
Coghlan  had a solo blast and the Chicago Cubs beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-3 
on Friday to open a three-game series. 

Coghlan  also tripled  and scored two runs  for the Cubs, who have won four of 
their last five. 

Edwin Jackson (5-7) picked up the win, just his second in his last six starts. 
He  struck out eight and allowed three runs on five hits and two walks but was 
pulled after five innings because of leg cramps. 

"Fortunately I was able to finish the inning and the bullpen came in and did a 
hell of a job," Jackson said. 

Brian  Schlitter,  Wesley Wright, Neil  Ramirez, Pedro Strop and Hector Rondon 
combined to throw four shutout innings with Rondon earning his eighth save. 

"We  kept battling.  We  couldn't  break them  throughout  the game,"  Pirates 
manager Clint Hurdle said of the Chicago pitching. 

Jordy  Mercer had a  three-run homer for the Pirates, who have dropped four of 
five. 

Charlie  Morton  (4-8) had a  three-start winning streak snapped, yielding six 
runs on eight hits and two walks in six innings. 

Gregory  Polanco  led off  the game  with a single,  extending his own Pirates 
record by hitting safely in his first 10 major league games. 

The Cubs took a 5-0 lead in the third inning after Anthony Rizzo roped a two- 
run  double into  the right-field corner with the bases loaded and Castro teed 
off on a low pitch for a three-run blast, his 11th homer of the season. 

Mercer  stroked his fifth homer of the season to left field in the fifth after 
Josh  Harrison and Pedro Alvarez started the inning with consecutive walks but 
Coghlan  led off the  bottom of the inning with his second homer of the season 
to get one of the runs back and give the Cubs their 6-3 lead. 

There were two replay reviews early on. 

The  Pirates successfully challenged  a call in the first inning to take a run 
away  from the Cubs.  Replays showed Rizzo was hit on the back foot by a pitch 
he  swung through  that eventually went to the backstop. Coghlan, who tripled, 
was sent back to third base. 

In the second inning, a call at home plate was upheld after Ike Davis tried to 
score from third base when Alvarez was caught in a rundown following a single. 
Cubs catcher John Baker blocked the plate to tag Davis out. 

                                   Game Notes 

Morton had six strikeouts ... Chicago improved to 4-7 against the Pirates this 
season and 11-19 since the beginning of last season ... The Cubs, coming off a 
5-5 road trip, started a 10-game homestand. 

Coverage of today's Cards and Phillies game can be heard on Newstalk 97.3 WTIM beginning at 2:35pm

St.  Louis, MO  (SportsNetwork.com) -  A.J. Burnett  battled the  elements and 
limited  the St. Louis Cardinals to just a run over nine strong innings as the 
Philadelphia  Phillies continued  their winning  ways with  a 5-1  decision on 
Friday. 

Despite  a 50-minute rain  delay at the start of the game and a swarm of moths 
that covered nearly the entire field, Burnett (5-6) kept his focus and allowed 
seven hits and a walk en route to his first complete game of the season. 

Burnett's  last  complete game  came in a  5-1 win over  the Rockies on August 
4  of last season  while pitching for the Pirates. It was his only nine-inning 
start in 2013. 

Marlon  Byrd homered  for the Phillies, winners in a season-high five straight 
games.  John Mayberry  had a pair of  hits and scored twice, and Jimmy Rollins 
drove in two. 

Rollins went 1-for-4, giving him exactly one hit in 14 straight games. His 14- 
game hit streak matches his longest since 2007. 

Jaime  Garcia (3-1)  was charged  with four  runs on  seven hits  in five-plus 
innings, absorbing his first loss of the season. 

The top of the Cardinals order manufactured the game's first run in the bottom 
of  the  third inning. After Burnett  plunked Matt Carpenter with a pitch, Jon 
Jay  singled to  put runners on the corners and Matt Holliday plated Carpenter 
with a poke to center. 

Holliday and Yadier Molina each had two of the seven Cardinals hits. 

Philadelphia  claimed the  lead for good two innings later, with three doubles 
in  four batters making  it 2-1 in favor of the visitors. Mayberry led off the 
frame with a two-bagger and moved to third on Cody Asche's groundout to first. 
Burnett  then helped himself,  crushing a double off the wall in center to tie 
the  score. Jimmy Rollins' sharp grounder down the third base line was touched 
by a fan for a ground-rule double and a 2-1 Phillies lead. 

Byrd  padded  the cushion  an inning later,  leading off with  a solo homer to 
left.  Domonic Brown  followed with a double, chasing Garcia from the contest, 
but  reliever Seth  Maness did not fare much better. Mayberry greeted him with 
an  RBI single  to center, and Rollins' sacrifice fly three batters later made 
it 5-1. 

Burnett  didn't  strike out a batter  until the seventh inning, when he fanned 
Kolten   Wong  and  Daniel  Descalso  back-to-back.  He  finished  with  three 
punchouts, the last of which came on Jhonny Peralta with one away in the ninth 
inning. 

                                   Game Notes 

Burnett pitched the 24th complete game of his career ... The Phillies have won 
nine  of  11 ...  Philadelphia is  on its first  five-game road winning streak 
since  a six-gamer in  May, 2012 ... Asche was activated off the disabled list 
earlier  in the  day. He hadn't played  since May 22 with a strained hamstring 
... St. Louis has dropped three in a row. 

The Taylorville Police Department is reporting a hit and run incident that occurred Monday. Around 3:06pm, an unknown vehicle backed out of the drive at 1608 West Elm and struck the driver's side door panel of Diana Corso's vehicle. The unknown vehicle reportedly drove away from the scene without attempting to contact Corso. Corso said a motorist who was eastbound on West Elm stopped and said she saw the vehicle back out, hit Corso's vehicle, and then flee the scene. The motorist said the vehicle was being driven by 2 males and was a small pickup truck.

The Pana Police Department is reporting the one person was arrested for criminal damage to property Monday. After an incident at 200 North Pine Lot 31, Jessica A. Lees of Pana signed a temporary complaint for criminal damage to property against 37-year-old Rodney J. Broux of Pana after he allegedly threw rocks at her west windows breaking one of them. Broux was processed and given a notice to appear.

Rodney Davis with Eugene “Sonny” Bertucci and Harold “Slick” Parish (both in blue) 

U.S. Congressman Rodney Davis of Taylorville recently gave a personal welcome to World War II veterans visiting Washington, D.C. Congressman Davis says he was proud to welcome Eugene “Sonny” Bertucci and Harold “Slick” Parish:

[audio:davishonorflight061814.mp3]comment here[/audio]

The Congressman also spent time in D.C. with kids visiting from Taylorville Jr. High School:

[audio:davisjrhigh061814.mp3]comment here[/audio]

Congressman Davis represents the 13th District in Illinois.

When it comes to most things, not everyone's needs are the same. That includes investing. Financial Professional Steve Henry, owner of CSH Investment Management in Taylorville says investing for income is a tricky matter:

[audio:henryclients061914.mp3]comment here[/audio]

CSH Investment Management is at 926 W. Spresser in Taylorville.

Pictured left to right: 2013 Junior Miss Strasburg Marcail Clark and 2013 Miss Strasburg Sarah Locke, both of Strasburg. 

The annual Miss and Junior Miss Strasburg Pageant is now open for registration. The event will be held in conjunction with the annual Strasburg Hog Roast and Gnome-fest on Saturday, August 30.

The junior miss competition is open to young women who live in Strasburg or Stewardson and have completed the 6th, 7th, or 8th grades. Judging criteria will include: a brief interview with the judging panel, personal introduction on stage, modeling a dress of choice, raising money through decorated cans, and a response to a word as drawn out of a bowl.

The Miss Strasburg competition is open to young women who live in Strasburg and have completed 9th, 10th, 11th or 12th grade. Judging criteria will include: selling raffle tickets, speech/introduction, interview, modeling and a pop question.

For additional information, or to register, contact Lisa Shelton at 217-690-6606 by July 14.

This week the Taylorville Main Street Farmers Market unveils another commodity. According to Market manager Ed Downs, green beans will make their debut Saturday:

[audio:farmersmktgbeans062014.mp3]comment here[/audio]

The Farmers Market, which takes place on the Taylorville Square every Saturday from 9am to 12:30pm, also regularly features baked goods and arts and crafts.

The Christian County Economic Development Corporation Executive Committee met Thursday afternoon. Executive Director Mary Renner tells Regional Radio News that one of the main topics of discussion was the Christian County CEO program:

Minneapolis,  MN (SportsNetwork.com) - Joe Mauer's RBI double in the bottom of 
the  eighth propelled the  Minnesota Twins to a 4-2 win over the Chicago White 
Sox in the opener of a four-game set. 

Danny  Santana  singled to open  the eighth off  Jake Petricka (0-2) and Brian 
Dozier followed by chopping a single to right that put runners at the corners. 
Mauer  then slapped an RBI double down the left-field line that plated Santana 
and gave Minnesota the lead. 

Kendrys  Morales  was intentionally  walked  to  load  the bases  following  a 
strikeout  of Josh  Willingham  and Kurt  Suzuki  added an  another  run on  a 
sacrifice fly to center. 

Casey  Fein (4-4)  earned the  win for  pitching a  scoreless eighth  and Glen 
Perkins tossed the ninth to capture his 18th save of the season. 

Mauer  finished with  two RBI and Willingham  homered to help the Twins snap a 
five-game losing streak. 

Minnesota  starter  Yohan Pino made  his major-league debut after spending the 
past  10 years in  the minors. Pino went seven innings and yielded two runs on 
five hits with seven strikeouts in the no-decision. 

"(Pino)  went  out there and did  a great job  for us," said Twins manager Ron 
Gardenhire. "Happy to win the ball game." 

Jose  Quintana opposed  Pino and was up  to the task, allowing two runs on six 
hits with six strikeouts over seven innings of work. 

"That  was wonderful to watch," said White Sox manager Robin Ventura, praising 
Quintana.  "He  changed speeds, mixed  it up. His  fastball looks a lot harder 
when he's using the curveball, the slider and the changeup. He has deception." 

Conor  Gillaspie  had the two RBI  for Chicago, which had its two-game winning 
streak halted. 

Willingham crushed a homer into the second deck in left to open the scoring in 
the second and give the Twins a 1-0 advantage. 

Alejandro  De Aza and  Adam Eaton singled around a Tyler Flowers popout in the 
third,  and Gordon  Beckham  walked to  load the  bases.  Gillaspie punched  a 
single  right back  up the box that plated  a pair to give the White Sox a 2-1 
lead. 

Minnesota tied it up in the home half of the third with an RBI single from Joe 
Mauer that scored Danny Santana, who doubled with one out. 

                                   Game Notes 

The start of the game was delayed two hours and six minutes ... Chicago opened 
an 11-game road trip on Thursday, its longest trip since April 18-28, 2011 ... 
Chicago  went 1-for-4 with runners in scoring position, while Minnesota went 
2-for-9 in those instances. 

Coverage of today's Cards and Phillies game can be heard on Newstalk 97.3 WTIM beginning at 6:40pm

St.  Louis,  MO (SportsNetwork.com)  - David Buchanan  pitched into the eighth 
inning and Ryan Howard drove in three runs as the Philadelphia Phillies opened 
a four-game set against the St. Louis Cardinals with a 4-1 win. 

Buchanan  (3-3) allowed  one run on four  hits with a walk and four strikeouts 
over  7  2/3 innings,  while Howard  hit a two-run  home run  and added an RBI 
single for the Phillies, who have won a season-high four straight games. 

"He rose to the occassion and I think he has that kind of makeup and that kind 
of character," Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg said of Buchanan. 

Chase Utley was 2-for-4 with a pair of runs scored for Philadelphia, which has 
been victorious in its first four games of a seven-game road trip, and has won 
eight of 10, overall. 

Matt  Carpenter drove  in a run while  Shelby Miller (7-6) was touched for all 
four  runs on  seven hits over 6  2/3 innings for the Cardinals, who have lost 
their past two games. 

"I  felt  good but  at the same  time I  didn't make the  best pitches at some 
points. I left the ball over the middle at times," Miller said. 

St.  Louis had  men on  the corners  in the  second with  one out,  but Jhonny 
Peralta struck out and Kolten Wong lined out to end the frame. 

The  Phillies went  on top  in the  fourth inning  as Carlos  Ruiz doubled  to 
lead  off and  Utley followed with a  single to put runners on the corners for 
Howard, who singled to right to bring home Ruiz. Domonic Brown later flied out 
to right, scoring Utley for a 2-0 lead. 

Philadelphia  added  to its advantage in  the sixth, as Utley singled with one 
out  and Howard  followed with a shot just  over the wall in left for his 14th 
home run and a 4-0 lead. 

Miller  doubled to  start the  sixth,  but Buchanan  set down  the next  three 
batters to keep St. Louis off the board. 

The Cardinals finally got through in the eighth, as Peralta walked to lead off 
the inning and later moved to second on a Mark Ellis groundout. Carpenter then 
punched a single to right to make it a 4-1 game. 

Jake Diekman took the hill and got Jon Jay to fly out and end the inning. 

Jonathan  Papelbon set  the Cardinals down in  order in the ninth for his 17th 
save of the season. 

                                   Game Notes 

Philadelphia third baseman Reid Brignac left the game after injuring his ankle 
on  a  groundout in the fifth  inning ... The Cardinals won five of the seven 
games  against  the Phillies last season  ... Philly last won four straight on 
the road from Aug. 18-Sept. 1, 2012. 

Dave Ryan at the 13^th Annual CDGA Senior Amateur Championship

Dave Ryan of Taylorville will be competing in the 95^th Chicago District Golf Association Amateur Championship. The championship will be held at the Hinsdale Golf Club in Clarendon Hills, IL, June 23-26. Ryan is coming off a victory at the 13^th Annual CDGA Senior Amateur Championship. The 95^th CDGA Am consists of 36 holes of stroke play qualifying on Monday, followed by a 16-player match play bracket. The final two golfers from match play will then compete in a 36-hole championship match on Thursday.    

High stalks of corn in central Illinois is good news for farmers, but not so good for drivers.  Some fields are four to five feet high.  Christian County Sheriff Bruce Kettlekamp says every year at least a few accidents are caused by drivers who can't see around corn fields.  He says several county roads have unmarked intersections, but its still very important to make a complete stop.  Kettlekamp says there have not been any corn-related accidents yet this year, but he wants drivers to be aware of the hazard.

THE CHRISTIAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE REPORTS THE FOLLOWING CRASH:

On June 18 at 4:46pm, Luke W. Waddington, 19, of Assumption was traveling south on Route 29. Just north of 725 East Road, Waddington reportedly fell asleep, crossed the center line and struck David L. Carron, 26, of Springfield in the left rear of his vehicle. Rhonda M. Law of Owaneco was driving behind Waddington and saw him swerve, go off the road, and then cross over the center line striking Carron's vehicle. Waddington advised that he did not remember anything and that he must have fallen asleep. Waddington was transported to Memorial Medical Center in Springfield for treatment of injuries described as minor by the report. Carron reported no injuries. Both vehicles were towed from the scene.

ARRESTS:

William R. Watring, 35, of PO Box 47, Mt. Auburn, was arrested June 19 on a bond forfeiture for reckless driving.

Brian M. Mahnke, 29, of 578 North US Highway 51, Pana, was arrested June 19 on a bond forfeiture for contempt of court.

Tanya K. Mansfield, 31, of 412 Northeast 15th Apt B5, Casey, was arrested June 19 on a warrant for manufacturing/delivery of cannabis.

Jessica M. Williams, 25, of 2100 Grand Boulevard Apt B5, was arrested June 19 for concealing a fugitive.

THE TAYLORVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORTS THE FOLLOWING CRASH:

On June 16 at 4:22pm, Alicia L. Gilbert, 67, of Taylorville was traveling west on Franklin Street. Gilbert stopped at the intersection of Shumway and Franklin Streets and then proceeded through the intersection. Scott A. Arkebauer, 29, of Nokomis was traveling south on Shumway Street and stopped at the intersection of Shumway and Franklin Streets. Arkebauer then went into the intersection and struck Gilbert's vehicle causing damage. Both vehicles were able to drive away from the scene and no injuries were reported.

THE TAYLORVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTS THE FOLLOWING CALLS:

June 19
1 Fire, 1 Carbon Monoxide, 1 EMS

The steering committee for the proposed Christian County “Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities” or C-E-O program for high school seniors, met Friday afternoon to review efforts to begin the program in the county beginning in the fall of 2015.

Steering committee co-chair Dee Krueger told Regional Radio News that the initial 20-thousand dollars to enroll Christian County into the Effingham-based program, has been raised, and the next step is to raise the 60-thousand dollars it will take to run the program each year.

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And Krueger emphasized that the program will be open to high school seniors from all Christian County high schools.

[audio:Kruegercut2Jun2014.mp3]comment here[/audio]

A meeting to ask county businesses and leaders to contribute toward the program, will be held next month, with a date, time, and location to be announced.

The proposed “C-E-O” program is a year-long course designed to utilize partnerships that provide an overview of business development and processes. Local businesses partner with area schools to create project-based experiences for students by providing funding, expertise, meeting space, business tours and one-on-one mentoring. Students will go thru an application process and be interviewed by a selection committee, before the first group will be picked.

The program's goal is to entice Christian County high school seniors to create businesses that can be operated from Christian County, thus keeping the graduates as businesspeople in the county in the future.

The two Taylorville residents involved in the armed robbery at Aaron’s Sales and Lease back in October were sentenced in court today. Christian County State’s Attorney Mike Havera tells Regional Radio News that 25-year-old Joshua M. Goodrich and 27-year-old Steven L. Goodrich both plead guilty to the armed robbery which is a Class X Felony and both were sentenced to 21 years in the Department of Corrections. Havera says the Taylorville Police Department did a phenomenal job when the call came on the robbery in October as they had both Joshua and Steven in custody within 2 hours of the incident.

Pictured Left to Right: Dr. Charles Lucore, CEO, St. John's Hospital, Springfield; Lori Williams, VP, Membership, IHA;U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-13); Dan Raab, CEO, Taylorville Memorial Hospital; Rex Brown, CEO, Hillsboro Area Hospital; and Tom Eckels, VP, Public Policy and Advocacy, Hospital Sisters Health System

The Illinois Hospital Association (IHA) presented its seventh annual Rural Legislator of the Year Award to U.S. Representative Rodney Davis of Taylorville for his strong commitment and support of small and rural hospitals. After accepting the award, Congressman Davis thanked small and rural hospitals for ensuring that his constituents have access to the same quality, life-saving care provided in more urban areas.

IHA's Rural Legislator of the Year Award recognizes state and/or federal leaders for their efforts to pass legislation and support initiatives that improve the ability of rural hospitals to serve their communities.
Recipients are based on nominations from small and rural hospital leaders. Taylorville Memorial Hospital President and CEO Dan Raab nominated Congressman Davis for the award.

Pictured left to right: Lake Land College board chair Mike Sullivan and ICCTA vice president Bill Kelley

Lake Land College Board of Trustees chair, Mike Sullivan, Mattoon, was recently recognized with the Illinois Community College Trustee Association’s (ICCTA) Trustee Education Award. This is the sixth time Sullivan has been honored with the award and he is only the fourth trustee in ICCTA history to achieve this level of dedication to trustee education.

The ICCTA board of representatives established the Trustee Education Award in 1992 to recognize outstanding achievement in the area of professional development. Most ICCTA meetings contain an educational program component that is usually offered on the Friday afternoon before the Saturday board of representative meetings. Over the years, the ICCTA has offered educational programs on such topics as trustee ethicsand legal requirements, home-schooled children coming to college, generational
differences of the population, election law, the Illinois Green Economy Network, legal updates, property tax levies and pension reform.

Sullivan has participated in at least 90 ICCTA educational programs during his tenure on the Lake Land College Board of Trustees. He has served on the board since 1987.

The Assumption Fest Committee has recently announced special guests for their parade. The Illinois Army National Guard's Company A and Company D, 1st Battalion, 106th Aviation Regiment in Decatur will be bringing their vehicle and color guard group to march in next Saturday's parade. The parade will begin at 11:00am. Entries for the parade and also the flea market are still being taken. To register, contact Angela Ohl-Marsters at 820-1690. Assumption Fest runs June 26-28.

The Missions for Taylorville was a big success this year. Pastor Bill Kerns, of Davis Memorial Christian Church, tells Regional Radio News they had a great turnout of volunteers:

[audio:kernsmissionsuccess061714.mp3]comment here[/audio]

Kerns says with the need in the community, they are planning on doing the event again in the fall.

A new business will soon open in a familiar location. “Dear Yesteryear” will be located in the former Brown's Barn building in Taylorville. Co-owner Lee Skinner says Dear Yesteryear will be more than an antique store:

The local American Cancer Society's Relay for Life is coming up. Lisa Sims, Publicity Chairperson for the event, says it's taking place next week:

[audio:simsrelay061714.mp3]comment here[/audio]

Relay for Life is the Christian County Chapter's biggest annual fundraiser.

Chicago,  IL  (SportsNetwork.com) - The Chicago White Sox used home runs from 
Jose  Abreu and Adam  Dunn to power past the San Francisco Giants, 7-6, in the 
finale of a brief two-game set interleague set at U.S. Cellular Field. 

Dunn  crushed  a three-run blast and  Abreu smashed a two-run shot, while each 
scored  a pair of  runs. Tyler Flowers drove in two and Alejandro De Aza was a 
homer shy of the cycle for the White Sox, who swept the Giants. 

Chris  Sale  (6-1), who  wasn't as  sharp as  normal, allowed  three runs on a 
season-high eight hits while fanning seven in six-plus frames to pick up a win 
for the first time in his last three outings. 

"Anytime you have a team like that coming in and you can take two games from 
them it's huge," said Sale. 

In  his worst  start of the season,  Tim Hudson (7-3) was tagged for a season- 
high  seven runs  and 12 hits in 4  2/3 innings to absorb his first loss since 
May 6. 

"It was frustrating no doubt," said Hudson. "They scored six runs on a day I 
pitched and we should win those games." 

Buster  Posey collected  two RBI and Gregor  Blanco had three hits with an RBI 
for  the Giants,  who have dropped a season-high five straight games and eight 
of their last nine. 

The White Sox brought a 4-0 advantage into the fifth before Sale ran into Some 
trouble. 

Three  consecutive  one-out singles put the  Giants on the board in the fifth, 
the  last  coming from Posey, who  plated Blanco from second. Pablo Sandoval's 
sacrifice fly to center cut the deficit in half. 

Dunn  answered in the home half with a three-run home run over the right-field 
fence  to put Chicago  up 7-2. Conor Gillaspie and Abreu each singled to reach 
base. 

Sale's day was done after a single and walk to start the seventh. Hunter Pence 
welcomed Jake Petricka with a single to load the bases before Posey's sac fly. 

After  a  Blanco double made it  7-4 in the eighth, Ronald Belisario inherited 
runners  in scoring position with one out. Pence grounded out to plate Brandon 
Crawford but Posey's slow roller to short ended the inning. 

Belisario had runners on the corners with no outs in the ninth after hits from 
Sandoval  and Michael  Morse. Following a strikeout, Tyler Colvin hit a fly to 
left,  scoring Sandoval  to make it a one-run spread. Ehire Adrianza flied out 
to center to end the game. 

Chicago jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first and doubled it in the fourth. 

Abreu  crushed a line drive, two-run home run to left to give the White Sox an 
early  lead.  It came  one batter  after Gillaspie doubled  to keep the inning 
alive. 

Sale  got Sandoval  to pop out in the  third with the bases loaded to keep the 
White Sox ahead. 

Dunn  led off  the fourth  with a  walk, then  Dayan Viciedo  and De  Aza both 
singled  to load the bases. Flowers' line-drive base hit to left scored two to 
increase Chicago's cushion. 

                                   Game Notes 

It  was Dunn's 452nd career homer, tying him with Carl Yastrzemski for 35th on 
the all-time home run list ... Abreu (58 games) is the third-fastest player in 
major  league history to reach 20 career home runs. Wally Berger (51) and Mark 
McGwire (56) did it faster ... It was Belisario's seventh save of the year ... 
The  Giants  were 5-for-12 with  runners in scoring  position ... This was the 
eighth  time in 440 career starts that Hudson did not have a strikeout ... San 
Francisco fell to 10-3 in Hudson's starts this season. 

Miami,  FL (SportsNetwork.com) - Nate Schierholtz hit a three-run homer to cap 
a  four-run sixth inning, and Chicago topped Miami, 6-1, in Wednesday's rubber 
match of a three-game series. 

Starlin  Castro finished 3-for-5 with two doubles, two RBI and two runs scored 
for  the Cubs, who  have won four of six overall. Anthony Rizzo also collected 
three hits and Darwin Barney drove in a run. 

Jake  Arrieta (3-1)  yielded  five hits  and  one run  with  a career-high  11 
strikeouts over seven strong innings. 

Giancarlo  Stanton  homered but left with  a wrist injury in the eighth inning 
for the Marlins, who have dropped five of seven. 

Nathan Eovaldi (4-3) was tagged in the loss for five runs on nine hits in six- 
plus frames. 

Rizzo reached in the sixth with a one-out single and scored on Castro's double 
to  the  wall in right center  to put the visitors  ahead by a 2-1 score. Ryan 
Sweeney's  single  placed runners  on the corners  and Schierholtz reached the 
facing of the upper deck in right for a 5-1 Cubs' edge. 

Chicago  tacked on  another run in the  eighth. Castro led off with an infield 
hit,  Sweeney singled,  a John Baker fielder's choice grounder left runners on 
the corners and a single to deep short from Barney plated Castro. 

Arrieta  retired the final six batters faced, then Pedro Strop worked around a 
leadoff  walk  to Rafael  Furcal in the  home eighth by  sending down the next 
three batters. 

James Russell capped the victory on a 1-2-3 ninth. 

In  the  first, Coghlan doubled  with one down and  scored on a two-out double 
from Castro, and Stanton equalized for the hosts. 

                                   Game Notes 

Chicago  took four of  six from Miami in the season series ... Last night, the 
Marlins reinstated Eovaldi from paternity leave and optioned pitcher Sam Dyson 
to  Triple-A  New Orleans ...  During the  contest, the Marlins announced that 
pitcher  Randy  Wolf cleared waivers and  has elected free agency ... The Cubs 
open  up  a 10-game  homestand  Friday  against  Pittsburgh, and  the  Marlins 
continue their current residency by hosting the Mets on Thursday. 

St.  Louis,  MO (SportsNetwork.com) -  Bartolo Colon worked eight innings, and 

Eric  Young's RBI ground-rule double in the seventh inning was the difference, 
as New York escaped St. Louis with a 3-2 victory in the finale of a three-game 
set. 

"Bartolo  is a  workhorse," remarked Young about the Mets' 41-year-old hurler. 
"It's a testament to him, still able to do it at his age." 

Colon  (7-5) scattered four  hits and one run and exited with a 3-1 advantage. 
Jenrry  Mejia entered  and gave  up  a leadoff  double to  Matt Carpenter  and 
plunked  Jon Jay.  A  Matt Holliday  double-play grounder  put  the former  in 
scoring  position,  then Allen  Craig bounced  a single  to third which scored 
Carpenter and pulled the hosts within a run. 

Dana  Eveland  put an end to  the rally by  retiring Matt Adams on grounder to 
third, earning his first save of the season. 

Young  ended up with  two hits and David Wright knocked in a run for the Mets, 
who avoided a sweep. 

Carpenter  scored twice  and drove in a run for the Cardinals, whose five-game 
win streak came to a halt. 

"Obviously  sweeps  are better than winning two-out-of-three," Carpenter said. 
"But at the end of the day, we won another series, and if we can continue that 
and win the rest of them, we'll be happy with how that works out." 

Lance Lynn (7-5) tossed six innings in defeat, allowing five hits and two runs 
while striking out five and walking four. 

Carpenter's  first-inning solo  homer put the Cards on the board, and Lynn had 
little trouble until the sixth. 

His  counterpart Colon smacked a leadoff double, then scored on Young's double 
to  tie the game  at 1-1. Young moved up on a groundout and scored on a Wright 
single,  but the  batter was thrown out at second. Curtis Granderson and Lucas 
Duda drew walks but Lynn prevented further damage by fanning Young. 

"I  thought  there was  no way  he was swinging.  And he  swung," Lynn said of 
facing Colon. "That at-bat right there cost us the game. If I make a couple of 
good  pitches  there to  get him  out, then  who knows  what that inning would 
entail?" 

New  York picked up  an insurance run in the seventh, as Wilmer Flores reached 
thanks to a one-out single, moved up on Colon's sacrifice bunt and scored when 
Young bounced a double into the seats in left. 

                                   Game Notes 

Colon's  double was  his first extra-base hit in 123 career at-bats, and first 
hit  since  2005 ...  Both  clubs  are in  action  on  Thursday, as  New  York 
continues  its  road  trip  in  Miami,  while  the Cardinals  continue  their 
residency  by  hosting  the  Phillies  ... Following  the  contest,  the  Mets 
recalled  outfielder Kirk  Nieuwenhuis from  Triple-A Las  Vegas and  optioned 
outfielder Matt den Dekker to Vegas. 

THE CHRISTIAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE REPORTS THE FOLLOWING ARRESTS:

Alicia B. Bess, 29, of 500 Southeast 6th Street, Morrisonville, was arrested June 18 on a bond forfeiture for failure to appear.

Collin A. Shoemaker, 24, of 709 North Ridge Avenue, Taylorville, was arrested June 18 on a bond forfeiture for failure to appear.

Mary E. Tucker, 20, of 21 Hannon Trailer Court, Taylorville, was arrested June 18 on a bond forfeiture for failure to appear.

THE TAYLORVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORTS THE FOLLOWING ARRESTS:

On June 18 at 4:28pm, a Taylorville Police Department officer made contact with Collin A. Shoemaker, 24, at his Taylorville residence. The officer knew Shoemaker to have a valid Christian County failure to appear warrant. Dispatch verified the warrant through the Law Enforcement Agencies Data System. Shoemaker was placed under arrest and transported to Christian County Correctional Center.

On June 18 at 6:15pm, a Taylorville Police Department officer was on patrol when the officer observed Mary Tucker, 20, of Taylorville as a passenger in a vehicle traveling on Spresser. The officer knew Tucker to have a valid Christian County failure to appear warrant. The officer conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and made contact with Tucker. Dispatch verified the warrant through the Law Enforcement Agencies Data System. Tucker was placed under arrest and transported to Christian County Correctional Center.

On June 18 at 7:53pm, a Taylorville Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle on Poplar and Webster Streets. Following the stop, Jacqueline N. Brasche, 36, of Taylorville was arrested for driving while license suspended. Brasche was released on scene with a notice to appear.

CRASH:

On June 16 at 3:06pm, an unknown vehicle backed out of the drive at 1608 West Elm and struck the driver's side door panel of Diana Corso's vehicle. The unknown vehicle drove away from the scene without attempting to contact Corso. Corso said a motorist who was eastbound on West Elm stopped to tell Corso that she saw the vehicle back out, hit the Corso's vehicle, and then flee the scene. The motorist said the vehicle was being driven by 2 males and was a small pickup truck.

THE TAYLORVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTS THE FOLLOWING CALLS:

June 18
1 Automatic Alarm, 1 Gas Odor

The road across the main dam at Lake Shelbyville will not close for several days this week or next for dam gate maintenance and road work as previously reported. The work has been pushed back due to the weather forecasts. The new dates for the closures are yet to be determined. The road was supposed to close this week while large cranes used the road for an annual inspection of the tainter gates and then again next week for asphalt paving. If you have any questions, contact the Lake Shelbyville Project Office at (217) 774-3951.

This month's Pana Community Hospital's Lunch, Learn and Live Well will have a special presentation on the Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as ObamaCare. The event will be Monday, June 23rd from 11:30-12:30 pm in the Community Meeting Room on the lower level of Pana Community Hospital. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about the health care law. A representative from the Christian County Health Department will be available to answer questions about Get Covered Illinois and how to enroll. There is no cost to attend and reservations are not required.

Pictured here, from left are: Andrea Imes, benefits coordinator for the college; Josh Bullock, president of the college;
Brett Aprati, district manager for Interactive Health; and Mike Sullivan, chair of the Lake Land College Board of Trustees.

Lake Land College was recently honored as one of the Healthiest Companies in America by Interactive Health, a health and wellness agency that works with organizations to develop health risk assessments and solutions. This is the second year the college has been awarded this honor.

The honor is given to companies that achieve outstanding and quantifiable results as part of the Interactive Health outcomes-based health management program.

Through the voluntary program, Lake Land employees receive health assessments, which identify health risks, and work with healthcare professionals to create an individualized health and wellness plan. For 2013, participants in the wellness program at Lake Land saw an 88 percent improvement in blood pressure levels, 75 percent improvement of cholesterol levels, 71 percent improvement in glucose levels and 21 percent decrease in tobacco use.

To learn more about Lake Land College, visit www.lakelandcollege.edu.

Amy Hagen, U.S. Bank market president in Taylorville, has won U.S. Bank’s Annual Pinnacle Award, the company’s highest employee achievement honor. Hagen tells Regional Radio News that she was elated when she received the news:

[audio:hagenusbankaward061814.mp3]comment here[/audio]

Hagen has served as president of U.S. Bank in Taylorville since May 2009.

Chicago,  IL  (SportsNetwork.com) -  Gordon  Beckham  and Dayan  Viciedo  each
smashed  two-run homers to help power the Chicago White Sox to an 8-2 win over
the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday in the opener of a two-game set.

Adam  Eaton, Adam Dunn and Tyler Flowers all drove in a run for theWhite Sox,
who snapped a four-game skid.

John  Danks  (6-5), who  has won three  straight starts, tossed  a solid 6 1/3
innings,  allowing two runs -- one earned -- on five hits and three walks with
four strikeouts.

"He has pitched to where he is always giving us a chance out there," said
White Sox manager Robin Ventura. "It seems like he has a little more on it
when he's spotting his fastball."

In  his worst outing of the year, Matt Cain (1-5) was tagged for eight runs --
seven  earned  -- on 10 hits  and a walk over  just five innings to absorb the
loss.

Hunter Pence had a solo home run and Buster Posey added an RBI for the Giants,
who have dropped a season-high four straight and seven of their last eight.

The  game was tied  2-2 before Chicago pulled away after scoring three runs in
the fourth and fifth innings.

Three  singles to  left in the fourth  loaded the bases for theWhite Sox with
one  out. Cain issued his first walk of the game to Flowers with two outs that
put Chicago up 3-2.

Eaton  then singled  on a  slow roller  to shortstop  Brandon Crawford,  whose
bare-handed  throw to  first was wide, which  allowed an extra run to score to
make it 5-2.

Dunn  drove in  Conor Gillaspie, who singled  to start the fifth on a base hit
to right. Viciedo then smacked a two-run homer to increase Chicago's advantage
to 8-2.

Earlier,  Pence  smashed his 10th homer  of the year  in the first to give the
Giants  an  early 1-0 lead  and they pushed across  another run in the second.
Gregor  Blanco  drew a  walk and  Pence reached  on shortstop Alexei Ramirez's
fielding error. Posey's base hit to left plated Blanco.

Beckham  crushed a two-run  home run to left in the third with two outs to tie
the game. Eaton kept the inning alive with a single.

"The third inning was a little long and he (Cain) ended up giving up the home
run then he got derailed," said Giants manager Bruce Bochy.

                                   Game Notes

Eaton  has reached base  safely in 12 consecutive games ... Cain is winless in
his  last nine  road starts, dating back  to last season ... It was the Giants
first  interleague  loss of the season  (6-1) ... The Giants went 1-for-5 with
runners in scoring position.

Miami,  FL  (SportsNetwork.com) - Garrett  Jones hit  a three-run homer in the seventh  inning to  lift the Miami Marlins  over the Chicago Cubs, 6-5, in the middle installment of a three-game series.

Rafael  Furcal went 2-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored for the Marlins, who bounced  back  from Monday's  5-4, 13-inning loss.  Adeiny Hechavarria went 4-for-5 with a run scored.

Miami  starter  Anthony DeSclafani  allowed four  runs on six  hits over 6 1/3 innings.  Sam Dyson (1-0)  tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings of relief to pick up his first win in the majors.

"I  definitely wanted  to give the bullpen a rest," DeSclafani said. "I always want  to  go out there and  give the team a  chance to win and throw up zeros. There  is a little  extra pressure. I was glad I was able to do that, get outs and get into the seventh inning."

Junior Lake hit a two-run homer for the Cubs, who fell to 4-5 on their current 10-game  road  trip. Justin  Ruggiano, Jeff Samardzija  and Luis Valbuena each knocked in a run.

Samardzija  gave up  three runs -- two  earned -- on seven hits while striking out  eight and  walking three over six innings. Brian Schlitter (2-2) took the loss after giving up Jones' homer in the seventh.

"He  had to work  hard the whole ballgame," Cubs manager Rick Renteria said of Samardzija.

The Cubs broke  a 3-3 tie in  the seventh. Ex-Marlin Chris Coghlan hit a one-out  single before  Dyson took  over  for DeSclafani.  Valbuena greeted  Dyson with an RBI double to right.

The  Marlins  responded  in  the  bottom half  with  Jones'  three-run  homer. Schlitter  gave up  a bunt single to Hechavarria before walking Casey McGehee. With one out, Jones smacked Schlitter's offering over the wall in right.

Chicago  got one run  back in the ninth. Steve Cishek gave up a leadoff double to  Ryan Sweeney, who moved to third on a passed ball and scored on Ruggiano's sacrifice  fly.  Cishek fanned  Anthony Rizzo  to record his  16th save of the season.

The  Marlins took  a 1-0 lead in  the first inning. Furcal and Hechavarria hit back-to-back  singles before  Giancarlo Stanton  struck out  swinging. McGehee followed  with a sharp grounder to Rizzo, who went to second with the throw in hopes  of  starting a  double play.  But Starlin Castro's  wild throw to first allowed Furcal to score.

The Cubs responded with three runs in the second. Nate Schierholtz was hit by a  pitch and  Lake  followed with  a  homer  to left.  Darwin  Barney and  Eli Whiteside   hit  consecutive  singles  before  pulling  off  a  double  steal. Samardzija then helped his own cause with a sacrifice fly to center.

Miami  tied things  up in  the fourth.  Marcell Ozuna  walked, Jake  Marisnick singled  and J.T.  Realmuto reached on Samardzija's fielding error to load the bases with no outs. DeSclafani then hit a dribbler in front of home plate that Whiteside turned into a 2-3 double play. Furcal followed with a two-run single up the middle to make it 3-3.

                                   Game Notes

McGehee  had an  11-game hitting streak snapped ... The Cubs went 0-for-8 with runners  in  scoring position  and stranded  seven, while  the Marlins went 2-for-13 with RISP and left eight men on ... Each team had nine hits.

Coverage of today's Cards and Mets game can be heard on Newstalk 97.3 WTIM beginning at 12:10pm.

St.  Louis,  MO (SportsNetwork.com)  - Michael Wacha  turned in another strong effort  by a St. Louis starting pitcher to lead the Cardinalss to a season-high fifth  straight victory,  a  5-2 decision  over  the New  York  Mets at  Busch Stadium.

Wacha  (5-5) held the Mets to a run on five hits while striking out seven over six  innings of work. The young right-hander received support from Jon Jay and Matt Holliday, both of whom had two hits and came through with an RBI during a two-run fifth inning.

Yadier  Molina  added a solo  homer for the Cardinals,  who have now won eight of their  last nine  games and limited the opposition to a total of seven runs in those triumphs.

David  Wright and  Lucas Duda both homered  and finished with two hits for the Mets,  but  New York  recorded just three  other hits and  lost for the eighth straight time on the road and 11th in 14 tries overall.

Jon  Niese  (3-4) was  saddled with  the loss after  surrendering five runs -- three earned -- through six innings.

Niese  matched Wacha  through the  first four  innings as  both starters  were sharp,  with each reached  for an early solo homer that created a 1-1 deadlock that the Cardinals broke behind a pair of big two-out hits in the fifth.

Jay  put  St. Louis  ahead with a  hard triple down  the right-field line that brought  home Daniel Descalso,  hit by a Niese pitch earlier in the frame, and Holliday  followed with a  double in nearly the same spot to extend the margin to 3-1.

Wacha  was  able to  strand Wright  after a leadoff  double in  the top of the sixth,  right before  the Cardinals  broke things  open in  their half  of the inning.

After  a  fielding error by Mets  second baseman Daniel Murphy kept the inning alive,  pinch-hitter  Kolten Wong and  Peter Bourjos came through with back-to-back RBI singles for a 5-1 St. Louis advantage.

Duda  got  the Mets  closer by  leading off the  ninth with  a homer off Jason Motte, who then served up a double to Anthony Recker before Pat Neshek came on to get the final three outs and earn his second save of the season.

Molina  clubbed a Niese  fastball over the wall in left to stake theCardinals to  a 1-0 edge  in the second inning, but Wright answered with a solo blast of his own to begin the fourth.

                                   Game Notes

For  a second  straight game, Mets manager Terry Collins batted the pitcher in the  No. 8 spot  in the lineup and had outfielder Eric Young hit ninth ... The Cardinals improved to 20-2 against NL East opponents at home over the past two seasons  ... New  York has  now lost  a series  to the Cardinals for  a sixth straight  time when  visiting Busch Stadium ... Including a win in last year's NL  Championship Series, Wacha moved to 8-0 in his last 11 home starts ... The Mets fell to 3-27 this season when scoring three or less runs.

THE CHRISTIAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE REPORTS THE FOLLOWING ARRESTS:

Catherine D. Law, 43, of 500 South Commonwealth Avenue, Kincaid, was arrested June 18 for driving under the influence of alcohol.

Jarad K. Challans, 28, of 1525 West Elm Street, Taylorville, was arrested June 17 for theft.

THE TAYLORVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORTS THE FOLLOWING ARRESTS:

On June 17 at 10:23pm, Taylorville Police Department officers were out at 1218 West Pauline Street Apt. 12. Officers made contact with Briar D. Samson, 19, of Taylorville at that address. Officers knew Samson to have a valid warrant. Samson was arrested and transported to the Christian County Sheriff's Office.

THE TAYLORVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTS THE FOLLOWING CALLS:

June 18
1 Automatic Alarm, 1 EMS

Gowin Parc in Taylorville hosted the Greater Taylorville Chamber of Commerce's Business After Hours event and also held a ribbon cutting for their new home expansion Wednesday evening. Owner Theresa Gowin says she is glad they are able to expand their location to help with the need in the community:

[audio:gowinhappy061914.mp3]comment here[/audio]

Jenni Stephens, Executive Director at the Taylorville location, says the expansion does have a mixed feeling aspect to it:

[audio:stephensmixfeel061914.mp3]comment here[/audio]

For more information on Gowin Parc in Taylorville, call 287-7000.

One of the new rooms in the expansion.

New dining area.

New sitting area.

A Pana resident's vehicle was damaged over the weekend. On Saturday around 11:15am, James Fray of Pana reported his 2014 Chevy Camaro was damaged while parked at his residence sometime during the evening of June 13th or early morning of June 14th. Case is under investigation.

The Pana Police Department reports that one person was sent to the hospital following a crash Sunday afternoon.  Around 12:37pm, 28-year-old Seth A. Garnett of Springfield was stopped in traffic on Illinois Route 16 when 18-year-old Arielle B. McCormick of Centralia reportedly failed to reduce speed. McCormick struck the back of Garnett causing major damage to McCormick's vehicle and minor damage to Garnett's vehicle. McCormick was transported to Pana Community Hospital for injuries that were not physically evident. McCormick was issued a citation for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident. 

Scott Henne of Shelbyville, an account manager for the Miller Media Group in Shelbyville and Taylorville, has successfully met the requirements to earn the designation of Radio Marketing Professional (RMP) as certified by the Radio Advertising Bureau.

The Radio Advertising Professional (RMP) designation is the first step in a comprehensive, multi-level training and certification program developed and administered by the Radio Advertising Bureau.  RMP graduates must complete and rigorous course of study that focuses on mastering the knowledge and skills necessary to help local businesses maximize their advertising success.  To earn their RMP diploma, candidates must pass a challenging one-hour written examination.

The Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB) is the sales and marketing arm of the Radio Industry with more than 5,000 member stations, networks, and related sales organizations in the U.S. and abroad.

There is a chance that a greenhouse facility near Taylorville will be turned into a growing facility for medical marijuana, but not everybody is on board with the possibility.  Christian County Sheriff Bruce Kettelkamp is against the idea of medical marijuana, and he says we will be setting a bad example if we approve it:

[audio:sheriffgrowop061714.mp3]comment here[/audio]

The Christian County site is just one of several being considered.  The move would bring 30 to 40 jobs to the area, and that's why it is being supported by several local officials.

Miami,  FL (SportsNetwork.com)  - Travis Wood hit the go-ahead, pinch-hit, RBI double in the 13th inning which sent Chicago past Miami, 5-4, in the opener of a three-game series.

Jacob  Turner (2-5)  set down the first  two batters he faced, but Junior Lake singled and Wood -- batting for reliever Carlos Villanueva -- smacked a double to  center which allowed Lake to score. Villanueva (3-5) walked two but turned in two scoreless frames to snag the win.

"Whenever  he  holds a bat,  he gives  us a chance  to win," Cubs manager Rick Renteria said of his pitcher and game-winning batsman.

James  Russell  earned his  first save of  the season by  retiring the side in order in the home half.

"Usually  in games like that whoever gets the big two-out knock wins," Marlins manager Mike Redmond said.

Starlin  Castro hit a three-run homer in a four-run sixth inning for the Cubs, who  have won  three of  their last  four thanks  to overcoming  an early  3-0 deficit.

Giancarlo  Stanton launched  a two-run blast and scored twice for the Marlins, who have dropped four of their last five.

The  Marlins  jumped out  to a  2-0 lead  in the  first inning. Jake Marisnick singled,  stole second  and scored  on Stanton's  blast to  right two  batters later.

Miami  tacked on another run in the third. Stanton hit a two-out single, stole second and raced home on Casey McGehee's single to left.

Fish starter Tom Koehler, meanwhile, was cruising until giving up four runs in the  sixth. Counterpart Jason Hammel reached on a sacrifice bunt attempt, then Luis  Valbuena  and Justin Ruggiano singled  to load the bases. Hammel crossed the  plate  when  Anthony  Rizzo  grounded out  and  Castro  followed  with  a
three-run homer to left, making it 4-3 for Chicago.

But  the Marlins  quickly tied  things up  in the  bottom half.  Marcell Ozuna tripled  to  right-center field  and scored  on Adeiny Hechavarria's sacrifice fly.

Miami  left the bases loaded in the seventh. Justin Grimm filled the bags with one  out before handing the ball over to Wesley Wright. Garrett Jones grounded into  a  fielder's choice  prior to  Brian Schlitter  getting Ozuna looking at strike three.

Jones just missed a game-winning homer in the 10th. After McGehee led off with a  walk, Jones smacked Hector Rondon's 0-2 offering just wide of the foul pole in  right. Jones  then struck out swinging.  Ozuna singled to put men on first and  second, but  Hechavarria and Jeff Mathis  went down swinging to keep it a
4-4 game.

Both  teams  stranded a runner on  second in the  11th, and Rizzo flied out to left with two on in the Cubs' 12th.

                                   Game Notes

Hammel  gave up  four runs  on eight  hits while  striking out  nine over  six innings,  and Koehler allowed four runs on five hits with five strikeouts over six  frames ... Chicago  improved to 4-4 on its current 10-game road swing ... McGehee  extended  his hit  streak to  11 games  ... The  Marlins today made a flurry  of moves  before the game. The promotion of top prospect Andrew Heaney from  Triple-A  New Orleans  was the most  notable move. He  will make his MLB debut  on  Thursday against the Mets  at Marlins Park. The Marlins also placed outfielder  Christian Yelich  on the 15-day disabled list, transferred catcher Jarrod  Saltalamacchia from the seven-day concussion list to the 15-day DL ... Additionally,  Miami  designated pitchers  Kevin  Slowey  and Randy  Wolf  for assignment,  as well  as optioned  infielder  Donovan Solano  to Triple-A  New Orleans, while recalling pitcher Anthony DeSclafani, infielder Justin Bour and Marisnick from New Orleans.

Coverage of today's Cards and Mets game can be heard on Newstalk 97.3 WTIM beginning at 6:40pm.

St.  Louis, MO (SportsNetwork.com) - Allen Craig went 3-for-4 with two RBI and a  run scored  as the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the New York Mets, 6-2, in the opener of a three-game set.

Jon  Jay  posted two hits and  scored three runs,  while Matt Adams had a run-scoring  triple among his  two hits and two RBI for the red-hot Cardinals, who have won four straight and seven of their last eight games.

Nick Greenwood (1-0) was credited with the victory after tossing 3 1/3 innings of  one-run ball  in place of starter Carlos Martinez, who yielded an unearned run on two hits and four walks over four frames.

Seth  Maness  notched his first  save of the  season after recording the final four outs.

Jacob  deGrom (0-4)  was shelled for six runs  on 12 hits and two walks over 4 1/3 frames for New York, which has dropped 10 of its last 13 contests.

The  game was  tied 1-1 before the Cardinals plated a run in the third inning and four more in the fifth.

Jay  hit  a one-out single in  the third and  after Matt Holliday flied out to right,  Craig lined  a base hit to  left-center to put runners on the corners. Adams dumped a single into right to bring home Jay, but Craig was later thrown out  at  the plate on  Yadier Molina's  base hit through  the hole on the left
side.

Jay  cracked  a one-out double  in the fifth before  coming around to score on Holliday's  single into  left-center for  a 3-1  lead. Craig  then scorched  a double  down the  left-field line to score Holliday and Adams tripled into the right-field  corner  to bring home  Craig. After Molina walked, Jhonny Peralta lined a base hit to right to score Adams and make it 6-1.

Chris Young's RBI single in the eighth cut the deficit to 6-2.

Earlier,  Craig's RBI  base hit  in the  first opened  the scoring  and Curtis Granderson lifted a sacrifice fly to center in the third to knot the contest.

                                   Game Notes

The Cardinals were 6-for-9 with runners  in scoring position, while New York finished 2-for-8 with RISP and left seven men on base ... Craig has 14 doubles and 37 RBI on the year.

THE CHRISTIAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE REPORTS THE FOLLOWING CRASH:

On June 9 at 8:55pm, Thomas G. Zoerner, 57, of Jacksonville was traveling west on Route 104. At 775 East, a deer entered the roadway from the north. Zoerner then collided with the deer in the road. No injuries were reported.

Chloe L. Windell, 19, of 516 Taylorville Boulevard, Taylorville, was arrested June 16 for contempt of court.

THE TAYLORVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORTS THE FOLLOWING ARRESTS:

On June 15 at 7:27pm, Taylorville Police Department dispatch received a complaint from a female, who reportedly admitted she was drinking and underage, but wanted to report a theft. She hung up with dispatch but called back a few minutes later to follow up on her complaint and identified herself as 19-year-old Tiara N. Shull of Taylorville. Officers went to her residence and following an investigation, Shull was arrested for illegal possession and consumption of alcohol by a minor and for resisting/obstructing a peace officer.

On June 16 at 4:55pm, a Taylorville Police Department officer was out at 516 Taylorville Boulevard for a lock out. 19-year-old Chloe Windell was outside the residence and the officer knew her to have a valid Christian County failure to appear warrant. Dispatch verified the warrant through the Law Enforcement Agencies Data System. Windell was placed under arrest and transported to the Christian County Correctional Center.

CRASH:

On June 13 at 6:08pm, Tori A. Sunderland, 18, of Stonington was traveling west on Spresser Street and was passing in front of Circle K gas station. A 16-year-old Taylorville male was pulling out of Circle K and did not see Sunderland. Both vehicles collided causing damage. Both vehicles were able to leave the scene. No injuries were reported.

THE TAYLORVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTS THE FOLLOWING CALLS:

Construction plans at the Taylorville Water Department, was the topic of program speaker, water superintendent Dave Speagle, at the weekly meeting of the Taylorville Kiwanis Club on Tuesday at the Taylorville Memorial Hospital auditorium.

Speagle, who has been with the Taylorville Water Department some 30 years, outlined the city's plans for a new 6-million-gallon-per-day water treatment plant, as well as adding 2 wells to the existing 4 wells the city has northeast of town.

[audio:SpeagleaudioJun1714.mp3]comment here[/audio]

Speagle said the city is waiting on the state Environmental Protection Agency, for a possible low interest loan on the 28-point-8 million dollar project. Construction is expected to start in the next one to 3 years, and take several years to complete.

The Taylorville Kiwanis Club inducted Gary Skinner as its newest member, and welcomed 2 guests as the club is in the midst of a membership drive.

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

The Christian County Board heard an update on the Enbridge Pipeline project at their Tuesday night meeting. Chairman Paul Schmitz says he recently attended an open house that the company held in Pana:

[audio:schmitzenbridge061814.mp3]comment here[/audio]

Member Jack Pearce asked if they could have a representative from Enbridge come to a meeting to discuss the project with the Board. Chairman Schmitz said he would get in contact with Enbridge to see if a representative could attend the next meeting.


The Christian County Board approved a motion to allow an application to be sent for the COPS grant. Board member Fred Curtin says it will help the County hire a new deputy at the Sheriff's office:

[audio:curtincopsgrant061814.mp3]comment here[/audio]

The application is being worked on by Deputy Jeff Brown. If the grant is awarded, the County Board would need to vote to accept the grant.


The County Board approved a zoning ordinance that would allow Carl and Shirley Michel to build a private airstrip on their property located north of Tovey. Carl told the Board the property is isolated in terms of nearby neighbors and is just under a mile away from any major road so there should be minimal hazards. The Board's approval was just step one in the process as Carl and Shirley will still need to get approval from the State and the Federal Aviation Administration. The Board approved the election judges for the next two year election cycle. The Board also approved the prevailing wage ordinance.

The meeting adjourned at 6:50pm.

The Shelbyville Rotary Club heard about the history of the American flag at their weekly meeting. The meeting's program Chairman was Phil Miller. Miller spoke about the history of the flag and also shared interesting facts and trivia. His talk began with the Marine Corps band's rendition of Stars & Stripes Forever, by John Phillips Sousa. It ended with a quiz in which there was a tie for the winners of the most questions right: Don Behl, Glenn Davis, and Ted Bogart were all winners


Also at the meeting, Josh Shallenberger volunteered to have a program next month to talk about what's going on with the Shelby Electric Association. Jim Yockey will be the program chairman for the next meeting.

With summer here, you may be wondering who will watch your dog while you're away for vacation.  Tail Command in Taylorville may be the answer.  Owner Ian Wilson says they are now offering boarding services:

[audio:tailcommand061314.mp3]comment here[/audio]

Call Tail Command at 824-TAIL, that's 824-8245.

Golfers should be aware that a local facility is offering several special deals.  Golf Pro Brad Burcham says the Moweaqua Golf Course is the place to go to save some money this season:

[audio:burcham061614.mp3]comment here[/audio]

The Moweaqua Golf Couse opened in 1993.  The facility expanded to 18 holes in 2003.

The University of Illinois Extension and the Master Gardeners are making the weekly Help Desk available. Horticulture Educator Andrew Holsinger of the Extension tells Regional Radio listeners who the Help Desk is for:

[audio:holsingerhelpsesk061614.mp3]comment here[/audio]

Call the Help Desk at 287-7246. Again, it's available every Monday from 9am to 11:30am and 1pm to 2pm, continuing through late October.

The Christian County County Board will meet Tuesday night at 6:30pm in the County Board Room located on the second floor of the Christian County Courthouse. Items on the agenda include approving election judges for the next two year election cycle, an update on the Enbridge Pipelines project, discussing the application for the COPS grant, and adopting the prevailing wage ordinance. We will have details following the meeting on taylorvilledailynews.com.

Health officials are trying to figure out why 40-kids got sick last week at a 4-H camp in Monticello. The kids were vomiting and spending lots of time in the bathroom, with diarrhea.  Officials say they're having a hard time pinpointing exactly what caused the illness because the kids got sick at different times.  Some started getting sick early last week while others started complaining as late as Wednesday.  At this point they're not sure if one of the 300-kids who attended the camp transferred it on to the others, or if they got sick from maybe eating something at the camp.  Health crews are doing a sweep of the grounds before a new bunch of kids come in for camp.

Chicago,  IL (SportsNetwork.com)  - Eric  Hosmer and  Salvador Perez  both hit
home runs and the Kansas City Royals extended their best winning streak of the
season  with a  6-3 decision over the ChicagoWhite Sox, completing a dominant
three-game road sweep.

The  Royals, winners of seven in a row, are playing their best baseball of the
season.  They  outscored Chicago 22-6 in  the series and have beaten the White Sox in 10 of  the last 11 meetings at U.S. Cellular Field dating back to last
season.

Kansas  City provided  enough early  run support  for James  Shields (8-3)  to
overcome  three  runs on 10 hits  in six innings  of work. Shields has now won
five  straight decisions  and the  Royals haven't  lost a  game in  which he's
started since May 2.

"We're hitting on all cylinders," Shields said. "It's really nice to see."

Chicago  put a  pair of baserunners on  in the ninth against Greg Holland, but
Dayan  Viciedo grounded  out to shortstop to  end it and give Holland his 20th
save of the season. Viciedo was the only White Sox starter without a hit.

All  six  KC runs were  charged to Andre Rienzo  (4-4), who dropped his fourth
straight start. Rienzo allowed six hits and four walks over six innings.

The White Sox matched a season high with their fourth consecutive setback.

After Hosmer's two-run blast to center in the top of the first inning provided
Shields some early run support, the hosts got one back on a controversial call
in  the bottom half.  Adam Eaton led off with a triple and scored when Shields
was  called for a balk attempting to pick him off at third. Royals manager Ned
Yost was ejected by home plate umpire Paul Emmel for arguing the ruling, which
was upheld.

Rienzo  retired  the first two  batters he faced  in the third before plunking
Billy  Butler and walking  Alex Gordon to put a pair aboard for Perez, who dug
out a low breaking ball and crushed it out to left for a 5-1 lead.

Jarrod  Dyson  singled home Saturday's  star Mike Moustakas  in the top of the
fourth  to make it 6-1 before Chicago slashed the deficit in half on Alejandro
De  Aza's  two-run double  in the  bottom of  the frame.  Adam Dunn and Alexei
Ramirez singled to lead off the inning and scored on the play.

Chicago put at least one baserunner on over the final five innings, but failed
to push any more runs across.

"We  had opportunities," White Sox manager Robin Ventura said. "We just didn't
come through enough with those chances."

                                   Game Notes

The  Royals, who have  won five straight away from home, start a four-game set
in  Detroit on  Monday ... Kansas City shortstop Alcides Escobar went 0-for-3,
ending  his 11-game hitting streak ... The White Sox hit 2-for-14 with runners
in scoring position.

Philadelphia,  PA  (SportsNetwork.com)  -  Travis Wood  spun  eight  scoreless innings  of  three-hit ball  to help guide  the Chicago Cubs to a 3-0 victory against  the Philadelphia  Phillies in the rubber match of a three-game set at Citizens Bank Park on Sunday.

Wood  (7-5),  who carried  a no-hitter  into the sixth  inning, fanned six and walked three to win his second straight start.

Neil  Ramirez  threw a  clean ninth  inning to  capture his  third save of the
season.

Starlin  Castro  finished 3-for-4 with an  RBI and a run scored, while Anthony Rizzo connected on a solo home run and Nate Schierholtz drove in a run for the Cubs,  who won a  series in Philadelphia for the first time since a three-game
set from April 6-8, 2001.

A.J.  Burnett  (4-6) tossed eight  innings, allowing  three runs on eight hits while fanning four to absorb the loss.

Ben  Revere and Jimmy  Rollins each had a hit for Philadelphia, which has lost two  of  its last three. Rollins  extended his hit  streak to 10 games one day after breaking Mike Schmidt's all-time franchise hit record.

Rizzo  blasted a  solo home run over  the right-field wall to give the Cubs an early advantage in the first.

Castro  made it 2-0 in the third with a two-out, RBI base hit to left, scoring Justin  Ruggiano, who  singled  and moved  to  third  on a  wild  pitch and  a groundout.

The Cubs added  a run in the sixth  on a pair of doubles. Castro led off with one  to  left and  Schierholtz drove him  in with a  two-bagger into the left-center field gap.

The Phillies' best chance to score came in the sixth.

After  Revere  broke up Wood's no-hit  bid with one  out on a single to right, Rollins  followed  with a base  hit. Wood was able  to escape by getting Chase Utley and Marlon Byrd to pop out to keep the shutout intact.

                                   Game Notes

The  Phillies were  shutout for the ninth  time this season ... It was Rizzo's 14th  homer  of the  year ...  Burnett moved  into 50th  on the MLB's all-time strikeout  list with  2,254, passing Philadelphia Athletic Eddie Plank (2,251) ... The last Cubs no-hitter was thrown by Carlos Zambrano on Sept. 14, 2008 in
a 5-0 win against the Astros.

Coverage of today's Cards and Mets game can be heard on Newstalk 97.3 WTIM beginning at 6:35pm.

St.  Louis, MO  (SportsNetwork.com) - Jaime Garcia tossed seven solid innings, Matt  Adams hit  his third homer in  as many games and the St. Louis Cardinals held off the Washington Nationals, 5-2, to complete a three-game sweep.

Garcia  (3-0) allowed one  run on five hits while striking out six and walking two  for  the Cardinals, who have  won six of  seven. Matt Holliday hit a solo homer and ended with two RBI.

"We  know the type  of team that we are and the past couple days is definitely the  team that  we know  that we're  capable of,"  Garcia said  of his  team's recent success. "Everything is just clicking together right now."

Jayson Werth and Adam LaRoche each knocked in a run for the Nationals, who saw starter  Doug Fister  (5-2) give up four  runs on seven hits over six innings. Fister had won five consecutive starts.

"The  sweep  hurts," Fister  admitted. "You  always want to  win a series. You never want to get swept."

The  Nationals  wasted a  golden  scoring  opportunity  in the  second.  Scott Hairston and Ian Desmond singled and Danny Espinosa was hit by a pitch to load the bases with one out. Hairston was out at home when Sandy Leon grounded into a fielder's choice and Fister struck out swinging.

The Cardinals took a 2-0 lead on Adams' homer in the bottom half of the frame. Allen  Craig  led off with a  single and crossed  the plate on Adams' blast to right.

Holliday added a solo homer in the third.

Washington  got on the board in the fifth. With the bases loaded and two outs, Werth walked to force in a run. Ryan Zimmerman grounded out.

St.  Louis got the run back in the home half. Kolten Wong tripled to right and scored on Holliday's sacrifice fly.

The Cardinals took a 5-1 lead on Craig's RBI double in the seventh.

The  Nationals  scored once  in the  ninth. Sam  Freeman put  men on first and second with two outs before handing the ball over to Trevor Rosenthal. Anthony Rendon greeted Rosenthal with a single to load the bases. LaRoche came on as a pinch-hitter  and  walked to  force in a  run. Werth's pop  foul out ended the game.

                                   Game Notes

Before  Sunday's  game, St.  Louis  purchased  the  contract of  pitcher  Nick Greenwood  from Triple-A  Memphis and  optioned outfielder  Randal Grichuk  to Memphis  ...  Zimmerman played first base  for the Nationals, who went 2-for-8 with runners in scoring position and stranded 10.

THE CHRISTIAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE REPORTS THE FOLLOWING CRASH:

On June 13 at 11:10pm, William J. Campbell, 48, of Morrisonville was traveling northbound on Township Road 470 East. Approximately 1/2 mile north of Township Road 600 North, a deer entered the roadway. Campbell was unable to avoid striking the deer. Campbell's vehicle received passenger side damage. No injuries were reported.

ARRESTS:

Trent M. Matthews, 21, of 4 Mary Street, Mechanicsburg, was arrested June 14 for possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of cannabis.

Steven C. Smith, 39, of 502 North Pawnee, Taylorville, was arrested June 13 for driving on a suspended/revoked license.

Jessica L. Crossin, 27, of 1506 West Lawrence, Springfield, was arrested June 13 on a bond forfeiture for issuance of warrant.

Taylor R. Smith, 19, of 1231 West Vine Street, Taylorville, was arrested June 14 on a bond forfeiture for aggravated battery of a child causing bodily harm.

Donald E. Riggs, 33, of 906 South 8th Street, Pana, was arrested June 15 for driving under the influence of alcohol.

James F. Dean, 19, of 412 South Sheridan, Pana, was arrested June 16 on a bond forfeiture for the issuance of a warrant.

THE TAYLORVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORTS THE FOLLOWING ARREST:

On June 14 at 8:38pm, a Taylorville Police Department officer made contact with Taylor R. Smith, 19, of Taylorville. The officer knew Smith had a valid warrant out of Christian County. Smith was placed under arrest and transported to Christian County Correctional Center in lieu of bond.

THE PANA POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORTS THE FOLLOWING:

Cody T. Metsker, 23, of Taylorville was given a citation on June 13 for speeding 62mph in a 45mph zone.

On June 14 at 11:15am, James Fray of Pana reported his 2014 Chevy Camaro was damaged while parked at his residence sometime during the evening of June 13th or early morning of June 14th. Case is under investigation.

On June 15 at 8:49pm, Robert T. Bryson of Tower Hill was issued citations for operating a vehicle uninsured and no valid registration.

THE TAYLORVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTS THE FOLLOWING CALLS:

June 13
1 EMS, 1 Power Line

June 14
3 EMS

June 15
3 EMS, 1 Automatic Alarm

This week Crimestoppers is seeking information in regards to criminal damage
that occurred in Taylorville.

Sometime during the overnight hours between Sunday June 8, 2014 and Monday June
9, 2014, person or persons unknown damaged 2 vehicles that were parked at 215
East Franklin Street in Taylorville.  The unknown subject or subjects used
rocks to break out a back window of one of the vehicles and damaged the hood
of the other vehicle.  Both vehicles were parked in the driveway during the
time of the incident.  The total dollar amount of the damage is unknown at
this time. 

Please contact Crimestoppers if you any information on this crime or any
other crimes or wanted persons.  Crimestoppers will pay cash rewards of up
to $1000.00 for information that leads to an arrest and you do not have to
give your name.  Crimestoppers will pay double the normal reward for
information that leads to an arrest for the crime of the week.  

 You can contact Crimestoppers at 824-9100, at our website
Christiancountycrimestoppers.org, or by texting CRIMES  (274632) and then
your tip.  As always, you will remain anonymous. 

The Greater Taylorville Chamber of Commerce Chillifest Committee held their monthly meeting Monday afternoon at the Chamber board room, to continue efforts towards planning the annual event on the square October 4th and 5th.

This year, the 175th anniversary celebration of Taylorville and Christian County, will be part of the Chillifest. Event chairperson Greg Hornbuckle tells Regional Radio News that the footprint for this year's event will be bigger than in past years.

[audio:Hornbucklecut1Jun1614.mp3]comment here[/audio]

The anchor event of Chillifest, 2 days of International Chilli Society chilli judging, has been set, as well as some additional things for the kids to do according to Hornbuckle.

[audio:Hornbucklecut2Jun1614.mp3]comment here[/audio]

Hornbuckle says the Chamber is in need of volunteers to assist with the annual Chillifest bags tournament.

[audio:Hornbucklecut3Jun1614.mp3]comment here[/audio]

To help with the bags tournament or Chillifest, contact the Chamber office at 824-4919.

For complete information on this year's Chillifest, go to the event web site chillifest-dot-info....that's chillifest with 2-L's.

The Taylorville City Council met Monday night and approved an ordinance for the issuance of $1.1 million in bonds for the purchase of a platform truck for the Fire Department pending the Mayor's approval of the final forms. Will Glass with First MidState presented the 17 ½ year repayment schedule to the Council at the meeting:

[audio:glassbonds061714.mp3]comment here[/audio]

The bond money will also be used to refund certain outstanding debt certificates of the City.


The Taylorville City Council heard some good news at their Monday night meeting in regards to West Park Avenue. Mayor Greg Brotherton says the road will soon be repaved:

[audio:mayorwestpark061614.mp3]comment here[/audio]

Mayor Brotherton says the work will be done sometime in mid to late July.


The Taylorville City Council heard an update on the Ahlstrom noise problem at their Monday meeting. Alderman Larry Budd says they will be taking down the stack next month:

[audio:buddahlstromupdate061714.mp3]comment here[/audio]

The noise problem started around November of last year when Ahlstrom installed EPA mandated equipment.


The Taylorville City Council did not vote on the annexation and re-zoning of the Davis Land Development, LLC Property and will discuss it at their July 7th meeting. The Council approved a resolution to levy an additional tax of .02% for the Library's purchase of sites and buildings, construction, equipment and maintenance of Library buildings and equipment. The Council approved an ordinance to add a 1-way stop at the intersection of Bidwell Street and Snodgrass Street. The stop sign will be placed on the Bidwell Street side.

The meeting adjourned at 7:54pm

The Illinois State Police report two people were sent to the hospital following a single vehicle accident early Sunday morning. Around 3:37am, 34-year-old Donald E. Riggs Jr. of Shelbyville was travelling eastbound on IL Route 16 just west of Christian County E 300N Road when he reportedly lost control of the vehicle. His vehicle left the roadway to the right. The right front of vehicle struck the guardrail end. It then overturned and came to rest in the eastbound lane of IL Route 16. The passengers; 34-year-old Kevin E. Green of Pana and 37-year-old Shannon M. Miller of Pana were transported to Memorial Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. 

The Pana Police Department arrested one person after a hit and run incident Wednesday. Around 10:27pm, 25-year-old Whitney R. Bennett of Pana contacted the Pana Police Department and reported that a vehicle backed out of a parking spot at 508 North State and hit the rear bumper of her truck parked in the spot next to it. The vehicle then drove away. Bennett identified the driver as 34-year-old Douglas M. Ohl of Pana. Officers later located Ohl and issued him citations for leaving the scene of an accident with vehicle damage, operating a vehicle with expired registration plates, and operating uninsured vehicle. Ohl was given a court date and released.

The Rock Springs Conservation Area will be hosting a special 1860s Independence Day celebration on June 28 from Noon to 4:30pm. The free event will be at the Homestead Prairie Farm.

This free event includes a vintage "base ball" game at 1:00 p.m., played with 1860's rules that include no gloves and no strikes. There will also be an 1800s music concert at 3:00 p.m., and a free ice cream social following the concert.  Old-time games and toys for children and farmhouse tours are
available all afternoon.  
 
Rock Springs Conservation Area is located on the southwestern edge of Decatur.  

When it comes to the insurance for school districts, empty school buildings such as South School have a direct impact. Taylorville Superintendent Dr. Gregg Fuerstenau says that's because insurance companies see those empty building as a liability. Dr. Fuerstenau also says the Board is working on a plan of what to do with South School:

[audio:fuerstenauschoolinsurance061414.mp3]comment here[/audio]

Fuerstenau says insurance companies sometimes refuse to send in bids for policies because of empty buildings.

The Greater Taylorville Chamber of Commerce's monthly Lunch and Learn event is this Thursday at noon at People's Bank and Trust in Taylorville. Patty Hornbuckle, CEO of the Chamber, says the topic of this month's event will be concealed carry:

[audio:pattylunchandlearn061414.mp3]comment here[/audio]

For more information, call the Chamber at 824-4919.

   

The Taylorville City Council will meet Monday night at 7:00pm in the Council Chambers located on the second floor of the Municipal Building. Items on the agenda include: annexing the Davis Land Development, LLC Property located at 4100 Block East Lake Shore Drive; rezoning the Davis Land Development, LLC Property;  a resolution to levy an additional tax of .02% for the Library's purchase of sites and buildings, construction, equipment and maintenance of Library buildings and equipment. We will have details following the meeting at taylorvilledailynews.com.

The four grads left to right are: Delbert Cox, David Mays, Matt Gray, and Ray Dilley

The Christian County Problem Solving Court held their 2nd graduation Friday afternoon. Judge Brad Paisley tells Regional Radio that this is an important event for the community:

[audio:paisleygrads061414.mp3]comment here[/audio]

The four graduates this year were: David Mays, Delbert Cox, Ray Dilley, and Matt Gray.

Judge Paisley speaks to the four graduates.

Chicago,  IL (SportsNetwork.com)  - Billy Butler, Eric Hosmer and Lorenzo Cain
all  knocked in  a pair of runs to  help the streaking Kansas City Royals to a
7-2  win over  the Chicago White Sox  in the  opener of  a three-game  set on
Friday.

Omar  Infante added three  hits and two runs for the Royals, who have won five
straight and eight of 10.

Kansas  City  starter Jeremy  Guthrie (3-6)  grabbed the  win, his first since
April  9, after hurling  5 2/3 innings of two-run ball, striking out a season-
high nine.

"It's  a  good sign to see,  to come out swinging  out of the gate" said
Royals manager Ned Yost. "It was a nice comfort zone for Jeremy."

Adam Eaton and Jose Abreu each had an RBI for theWhite Sox, who had won eight
of their previous 10 against AL Central competition.

Jose  Quintana (3-7) was tagged for six runs on eight hits with six strikeouts
over six innings of work.

"They  were swinging  it,"White Sox manager Robin Ventura said of the Royals.
"We need to score more runs for (Quintana)."

Kansas City pounded out five straight hits to begin the game and jumped out to
a 5-0 lead before theWhite Sox had a chance to bat.

Nori  Aoki,  Infante, Hosmer and Butler  all singled to open the contest, with
Hosmer and Butler each knocking in a run to give the Royals an early lead.

Alex  Gordon then  drove in Hosmer with a  double to the wall in right to make
it 3-0.

After  a strikeout  of Salvador Perez, Cain slugged a two-run double into left
to increase the cushion.

Chicago  got one  back in  the home  half when  Abreu lifted  a sacrifice  fly
into center that scored Eaton.

The  Royals kept their  foot on the pedal, however, as Aoki led off the second
with  a  ground-rule double  to center  and Hosmer knocked  him in two batters
later with a sac fly to center.

The White Sox loaded the bases with no  outs in the home half of the second,
but could only manage to push a run across on a walk from Eaton. Tyler Flowers
and  Gordon Beckham both  struck out around the free pass to Eaton, and Connor
Gillaspie flied out to center as Guthrie escaped the jam.

Each starter settled in from there to keep it a four-run game through six.

Scott Carroll replaced Quintana in the seventh and allowed a one-out single to
Infante,  then  a walk to  Hosmer. Butler followed with  an RBI single to left
to give the Royals some insurance.

Francisley  Bueno  and Kelvin Herrera each  pitched a hitless inning of relief
before the White Sox threatened in the bottom of the ninth off Tim Collins.

Collins allowed an infield single to Leury Garcia and a walk to Eaton to begin
the ninth before getting Beckham to pop out to Perez in foul territory.

Pinch-hitter  Paul  Konerko flied out  to center  and Collins struck out Abreu
looking to end it.

                                   Game Notes

Alcides  Escobar  doubled with  two outs  in the eighth  to extend his hitting
streak  to  a career  high-tying 11  games. Escobar,  however, exited the game
after  pulling  up  with  a  cramp  while going  to  second  ...  Quintana  is
winless  in 10  career  starts against  the  Royals ...  Guthrie  is 4-0  over
his  last five starts in Chicago dating  back to 2012 ... Chicago went 0-for-9
with runners in scoring position and stranded 11 on base.

Philadelphia,  PA  (SportsNetwork.com) -  Jake  Arrieta  spun seven  scoreless innings  of two-hit ball  to help guide the Chicago Cubs to a 2-1 victory over the  Philadelphia  Phillies in the  opener of  a three-game series at Citizens Bank Park on Friday.

Arrieta  (2-1),  who has allowed  more than  one run in  just two of his eight starts  this year,  walked only one batter while tying a career-high with nine strikeouts.

"Great  job," Cubs manager Rick Renteria said of Arrieta. "It looked like his ball  had a lot of life. He got us through seven innings. He did a really good job."

Starlin  Castro  blasted a  two-run homer  and Anthony  Rizzo walked twice and scored a run for the Cubs, who snapped a two-game skid.

Roberto  Hernandez (2-5),  who lasted 5 2/3 innings before being ejected after hitting  Castro in the  elbow with a pitch, allowed two runs on three hits and two walks while fanning five to absorb the loss.

"We  weren't  trying to hit anybody,  Hernandez wasn't trying to hit anybody," said Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg. "Typically there's a warning if he thinks it's on purpose."

Jimmy  Rollins  tied Mike Schmidt for  the most hits in franchise history with 2,234 on his double off the right-field wall to start the ninth inning for the Phillies, who had their three-game winning streak snapped.

Cubs reliever Neil Ramirez, who took a 2-0 lead into the bottom of the ninth, made the frame interesting on the way to his second save of the season.

Rollins  doubled to  lead off  the ninth  and advanced  to third  on defensive indifference.  Marlon Byrd  worked a two-out walk and Domonic Brown's base hit to  right  made it  2-1. With runners  on the corners  Ramirez got Carlos Ruiz looking at strike three to end the game.

After  a Rizzo walk to start the fourth, Castro smashed a homer to left-center field.

Brown recorded the first Phillies' hit in the fifth with a one-out double that landed  on the  left-field line, but a  Ruiz groundout and a Reid Brignac line out ended the inning.

Ruiz  led off the  eighth with a single to center off Pedro Strop and advanced to  second on  a wild  pitch.  Strop stranded  Ruiz there  by producing  three consecutive groundouts.

                                   Game Notes

Sandberg  was also  ejected in  the  sixth inning  by home  plate umpire  Mark Ripperger  for  arguing about Hernandez's ejection  ... Prior to the game, the Cubs  activated outfielder  Ryan Sweeney  from  the 15-day  disabled list  and placed  utilityman Emilio  Bonifacio  on the  15-day DL  with  right rib  cage inflammation ... Rollins extended his hit streak to eight games, going 1-for-4
... The Phillies were 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position ... Chicago is 8-4 all-time when wearing throwback uniforms.

Coverage of today's Cards and Nationals game can be heard on Newstalk 97.3 WTIM beginning at 5:40pm.

St. Louis, MO (SportsNetwork.com) - Matt Adams went 2-for-3 with a home run in his return from the disabled list, and Lance Lynn bested Jordan Zimmermann  in a  classic  pitchers' duel that resulted  in a 1-0 St. Louis Cardinalsvictory over the Washington Nationals.

Lynn  (7-4)  took a  perfect game into  the sixth inning  and yielded just two singles  while fanning  eight through eight. Trevor Rosenthal finished off the shutout  by tossing a  hitless ninth to nail down the Cardinals' fourth win in five tries.

Zimmermann (5-3) was nearly as good in a complete-game effort that was spoiled by  Adams' blast  in the bottom of the second inning. The right-hander allowed only three Cardinal hits and a walk while recording five strikeouts.

In  a game  where both starting pitchers were lights-out, Adams -- playing for the  first time since straining his left calf on May 28 -- wound up making the difference in his first game back.

The  first  baseman belted  the second  pitch he saw  from Zimmermann into the stands in right-center for what turned out to be all the support Lynn needed.

Aided  by shortstop Jhonny Peralta's diving stab to throw out Jayson Werth and end  the  top of  the fourth,  Lynn set  down the  first 16 Washington hitters before  Jose Lobaton ended the bid with a single down the third-base line with one down in the sixth.

Lynn  came out  of the  inning unscathed,  then erased  Werth's single  in the seventh  by getting Adam LaRoche to ground into a double play prior to fanning two in a 1-2-3 eighth.

Kolten  Wong's error on a Denard Span grounder put the tying run aboard in the ninth,  but Rosenthal struck  out three hitters in the inning to earn his 18th save of the year.

Zimmermann  gave  up just one  more hit --  a single to  Adams in the fifth -- after  the  home run,  and induced  an impressive 17  outs on  the ground in a performance where he deserved a better fate.

                                   Game Notes

Lynn  had allowed  nine runs -- six earned  -- in just 8 1/3 innings in losing his  two  previous starts  ... The loss  was Washington's 16th  in its last 18 visits  to  Busch Stadium  dating back to  2008 ... Zimmermann  fell to 0-5 in eight  career  starts against St. Louis  ... The Nationals have now gone seven straight  games  without an error,  their longest  stretch since a 13-game run
from June 2-5, 2011.

Blue Ston Farms came out the winner on top of a 12-10 win against People's Bank Saturday in Red Bland Little League game play...as heard on Newstalk 97.3/WTIM. The game was broadcast from Manner's Park in Taylorville.

U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis of Taylorville greeted WWII veterans Eugene "Sonny" Bertucci and Harold "Slick" Parrish, both from Taylorville, in Washington, DC on Tuesday. Eugene and Harold visited DC this week as a part of the Lincoln Land Honor Flight Program, which flies WWII, Korean and Vietnam War veterans to our nation's capitol to visit the war memorials dedicated to
them. The trip is completely free of charge for the veterans.

The Christian County Sheriff's Office reports that 1 person was injured after hitting a deer Sunday. Around 8:15pm, 57-year-old Joyce M. Leady of Decatur was traveling east on County 2. A deer ran into the roadway and Leady hit the deer causing damage to the vehicle. Leady was transported to St. Mary's Hospital in Decatur for treatment of injuries that were described as minor by the report.

One person was arrested for retail theft Wednesday.  Around 2:50pm, Taylorville Police Department officers were sent to Kroger in reference to a shoplifter. Following the investigation, 32-year-old Joshua L. Lynch of Taylorville was arrested for retail theft over $300.

The road across the main dam at Lake Shelbyville will be closed for approximately 3 days during the week of June 16 and again on June 23-27.  The closures will be intermittent and the road should be open by 5:30 p.m. each evening. The closures apply to both vehicle and pedestrian traffic.  
 
These closures are necessary to provide safety for workers and members of the general public while work is being conducted. During the week of June 16, an annual inspection of the tainter gates will be performed by cycling the gates. Large crane equipment, which will assist in setting of bulk heads and cycling the gates, will be on top of the dam road in the lanes of travel.  During the time
frame of June 23-27 the road from 9th Street to Hwy 16 will be closed for asphalt paving.  Asphalt paving of the road will impact access to the visitor center at times.
 
For additional information contact the Lake Shelbyville Project Office at (217) 774-3951.

The Taylorville Main Street Farmers Market is really hitting its stride.  The market is now able to offer a true summer favorite, according to Market manager Ed Downs:

[audio:farmersmarkettomatoes061314.mp3]comment here[/audio]

Baked goods and arts and crafts are also offered every week.  Market Manager Ed says strawberries will be available again as well.

The Christian County Sheriff's Office hosts a website which provides safety information for both kids and adults.   Sheriff Bruce Kettelkamp says there is a lot of useful information there:

A new antique restoration store is coming to Taylorville. Dyanne Skinner, who owns the business along with her husband Lee, tells Regional Radio News that they will be opening up “Dear Yesteryear” in the former Brown's Barn building:

[audio:skinneryesteryear061414.mp3]comment here[/audio]

Skinner says they are targeting a mid-September opening date. The store will be located at 421 Springfield Road in Taylorville.  For more information, you can visit the “Dear Yesteryear” Facebook page or call Dyanne at (309) 826-4385.

Chicago,  IL (SportsNetwork.com)  - Max Scherzer tossed a three-hit shutout as
the  Detroit Tigers grabbed a 4-0 win over the Chicago White Sox in the finale
of a rain-shortened three-game set.

Scherzer  (8-2) tossed his first career shutout and complete game as he walked
three and struck out eight for Detroit, which had lost three straight.

"I  finally  got that monkey off  my back and was  able to go the whole nine,"
said Scherzer. "I finished the deal tonight and it's a great feeling."

Miguel  Cabrera drove  in  two runs,  Victor  Martinez hit  a  solo homer  and
Bryan Holaday went 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored in the win.

Chris  Sale  (5-1) allowed  a run on  five hits with  10 strikeouts over seven
innings  for Chicago, which got doubles from Gordon Beckham and Alexei Ramirez
in the loss.

"I  always set my  mind to not worry who I'm pitching against, more just who's
in  their  lineup," said Sale.  "I just got about  things as it's just another
start."

Martinez  homered -- his 16th of the season -- to lead off the fifth for a 1-0
lead.

Cabrera  singled  home two  more runs in  the eighth and  Holaday added an RBI
single in the ninth for a 4-0 edge.

Chicago  left  men on second  and third in the  fourth when Scherzer got Dayan
Viciedo  to fly out and end the inning. The White Sox didn't get a runner past
second base the rest of the game.

                                   Game Notes

Tuesday's  contest between these clubs was rained out, with no makeup date yet
announced ... Chicago hosts Kansas City for three games starting on Friday ...
The  Tigers  host the Twins for  a three-game set beginning Friday ... Detroit
has won five of the nine games with Chicago this season.

Pittsburgh,  PA (SportsNetwork.com)  - Andrew  McCutchen continued  his recent tear,  going 2-for-4  with two RBI and  a run scored as the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Chicago Cubs, 4-0, in the finale of a four-game series.

McCutchen,  who had homered in three straight games, had two doubles to extend his  hitting  streak to eight  games. The reigning  National League MVP has 15 extra-base hits this month (nine doubles and six homers).

Jordy Mercer and Russell Martin each knocked in a run for the Pirates, who won three  of  the games in this  set to finish  a seven-game homestand with a 4-3 mark.

Pittsburgh  starter  Edinson Volquez  (4-5)  tossed  seven scoreless  innings, giving  up seven hits  while striking out five and walking two. He improved to 6-0 lifetime against the Cubs.

Jeff  Samardzija  (2-6) allowed four  runs on  nine hits with seven strikeouts over six-plus innings for Chicago, which has lost four of five.

"Probably  the  most impressive  [aspect] was  the way we  were able to battle against  one  of the best pitchers  in the league throughout the lineup," said Pirates  manager Clint Hurdle. "The at-bats, we were able to stretch him out a little bit."

The  Pirates almost got on the board in the third. Clint Barmes led off with a double and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt, but was thrown out at the plate when  Gregory Polanco  flied out to right. Nate Schierholtz made a great throw and John Baker applied the tag to keep it a scoreless game.

Pittsburgh  did score  during its  next at-bat.  McCutchen doubled  to center, advanced  to third  on Ike  Davis' single  and crossed  the plate  on Martin's ground-rule  double  down  the  right-field  line.  After  Pedro  Alvarez  was intentionally  walked to load the bases, Mercer hit a sacrifice fly to center. The  home team filled  the bags again before Volquez struck out looking to end the inning.

The home team tacked on two more runs in the fifth. Polanco and Starling Marte hit  consecutive  singles. Both runners  scored on McCutchen's double to left-center field. McCutchen was tagged out at third.

"Jeff  had really good  life to his pitches, but his command didn't seem to be as good as he has been previously," said Cubs manager Rick Renteria.

The Cubs left men on second and third in the fifth and sixth frames.

Pittsburgh  pitcher  Tony Watson struck out  the side in the eighth, extending his scoreless streak to 21 2/3 innings.

                                   Game Notes

Pittsburgh  improved  to 7-3 against the Cubs this season ... The Pirates had seven  doubles  ... Chicago went 0-for-8  with runners in scoring position and stranded  eight  ... The start  of the game was  delayed 21 minutes because of rain,  and play was  stopped again in the seventh for one hour, 14 minutes ... Samardzija  fell  to 4-4 lifetime  against the Pirates ... Pittsburgh selected the  contract of  infielder Michael Martinez from Triple-A Indianapolis before the  game  and optioned pitcher Casey  Sadler to Indianapolis ...Cubs leadoff batter  Emilio Bonifacio left in the first inning with a right rib cage injury and did not return ... The Pirates go to Miami for a three-game series against the  Marlins starting  Friday ...  The Cubs  continue a  10-game road  trip in hiladelphia, where they will start a three-game series on Friday.

(St. Louis, MO)  --  The Cardinals clash with the Nationals in the first of three games tonight at Busch Stadium.  It's the first game of a 10-game homestand.  The Cards will send Lance Lynn to the hill against Jordan Zimmermann of the Nats.  The teams split a four-game series in April. Coverage of today's Cards and Nationals game can be heard on Newstalk 97.3 WTIM beginning at 6:40pm.

THE CHRISTIAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE REPORTS THE FOLLOWING ARREST:

William I. Miller, 23, of 1179 Ridgebrook Lane, Cincinnati, Ohio, was arrested June 13 for arson and damage to personal property greater than $150 and for criminal trespass to land.

THE TAYLORVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORTS THE FOLLOWING CRASH:

On June 9 at 4:55pm, Theresa A. Lease, 47, of Taylorville was traveling north on Illini Drive and had stopped in the roadway due to an incident with Samantha J. Zepin, 19, of Taylorville. Zepin, who was also traveling north on Illini Drive, struck the back of Lease's bicycle causing damage. There was a disagreement between Lease and Zepin in regards to the cause of the collision. Zepin's vehicle was still operable but Lease's bicycle was not. Lease suffered injuries that were described as minor in the report but Lease refused medical treatment. Zepin reported no injuries.

THE TAYLORVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTS THE FOLLOWING CALLS:

June 12
2 Fire, 1 EMS

The Christian County Sheriff's Office reports the 2 people were sent to the hospital following a 3-vehicle crash last week. On Wednesday around 3:10pm, 19-year-old Timothy E. Corrick of Edinburg, 66-year-old Wanda J. McConnell of Rochester, and 19-year-old Erica D. Witt of Taylorville were all traveling north on Route 29. At 2300 North Road, McConnell started to turn left. Corrick was following McConnell and reportedly didn't see that McConnell was turning. Corrick hit the back of McConnell. Witt was following Corrick and was not able to stop in time and hit the back of Corrick. All three vehicles were damaged. McConnell was taken to St. John's Hospital in Springfield with injuries describes as minor in the report. Her passenger, 61-year-old Vernon L. McConnell of Edinburg reported injuries that were not physically evident but refused medical treatment. Witt was taken to the Memorial Medical Center in Springfield with injuries describes as minor in the report. Corrick reported no injuries.

A male juvenile was arrested on Monday for a warrant and resisting arrest. Around 7:45pm, a Taylorville Police Department officer was on patrol and observed a male juvenile that the officer knew to have a warrant in the 500 block of South Walnut. The officer attempted to make contact with him but he ran. After a brief foot pursuit, the male juvenile was arrested for the warrant and charge with resisting/obstructing an officer. The male juvenile was transported to the Madison County Juvenile Detention Center.

The Taylorville Police Department reports that 1 person was sent to the hospital following a 2-vehicle crash Monday. Around 2:37pm, 18-year-old Madison M. Durham of Taylorville reportedly failed to yield at a stop sign for 26-year-old Jennifer A. Brady of Taylorville. Durham struck Brady's vehicle as she crossed the intersection. Brady was transported to the Taylorville Memorial Hospital for injuries that were described as minor by the report. Durham reported no injuries.

Sarah Bush Lincoln Healthcare Center in Mattoon continues to find ways to keep your kids active this summer.  Public Relations Specialist for the hospital Kayla Gilbert says they have teamed up with former Chicago Bears player Ray McElroy (mc-ELL-roy) to offer “The End Zone”:

When a child is first diagnosed with diabetes, it can be a scary situation for parents. Vanessa Wiseman with the American Diabetes Association says their Parent Mentor Program can help comfort and provide answers for those families:

[audio:wisemanparentmentor061214.mp3]comment here[/audio]

For more information, call the American Diabetes Association's Springfield office at (217) 875-9011.

The Taylorville School District building project construction is now in full swing. Superintendent Dr. Gregg Fuerstenau says they were able to get most of the prep work done during the spring:

[audio:fuerstenauproject061214.mp3]comment here[/audio]

Fuerstenau says all the schools district wide will now have air conditioning for next school year.

Chicago, IL (SportsNetwork.com) - Conor Gillaspie's two-run double highlighted
a  big sixth  inning for Chicago as  the White Sox grabbed an 8-2 victory over
the Detroit Tigers in the second of a rain-shortened three-game set.

Gordon  Beckham had a  two-run single in the inning, and Jose Abreu hit a home
run  earlier in  the game and went  3-for-4 with two runs scored for the White Sox , who have won the first two games of this series.

"We  show up to  play and we don't expect everything," said Beckham. "We don't
expect  to  win the division  tomorrow, but  we just want  to do our thing and
we're getting some wins right now."

John  Danks (5-5)  gave  up two  runs  on six  hits with  two  walks and  four
strikeouts over seven innings to win his second straight start.

Rajai Davis and Torii Hunter each drove in a run for the Tigers, who have lost
three straight and eight of their last 10.

Justin  Verlander (6-6) was  tagged for seven runs on eight hits in just 5 2/3
innings to lose his second straight start.

"There's  nothing  in particular that concerns  me with Justin that I can tell
you,  but we've  got to  find a  way to  fix him,"  said Detroit  manager Brad
Ausmus.

Tuesday's  game had  been rained out, with no make-up date yet announced. Both
starters on Wednesday were scheduled to pitch Tuesday's game.

The  game was  tied in the sixth  inning when the White Sox exploded for seven
runs.

It  appeared the Tigers  were going to get away with little damage as the team
turned  a  double play  on a Dayan  Viciedo ground ball  after the first three
batters reached base with singles. The double play scored a run, but Alejandro
De Aza followed with a single to plate another run.

The  next two batters walked, and Beckham singled in two more to bring out Ian
Krol in relief of Verlander.

Gillaspie  greeted Krol with a double to score two more runs, and he came home
on an Adam Dunn single for an 8-1 lead.

Detroit  got a  run back in the  seventh on a Davis double that plated Eugenio
Suarez.

Abreu's  leadoff homer  in the second got  the  White Sox n the board, but the
Tigers tied the game in the fourth on a run-scoring groundout from Hunter.

                                   Game Notes

Each  team has won  four games in the series this season ... Verlander fell to
5-8  in 16 career starts at U.S. Cellular Field ... Danks moved to 6-10 in his
career  against the Tigers ... Both teams left 10 men on base, but Chicago was
5-for-13 with runners in scoring position, while Detroit was 0-for-8.

Pittsburgh,  PA (SportsNetwork.com) - Andrew McCutchen smacked a two-run homer and  the Pittsburgh  Pirates  defeated the  Chicago Cubs,  4-2,  in the  third installment of a four-game set.

Brandon  Cumpton (2-2)  allowed two runs on  five hits and two walks over five innings  for the Pirates, who have taken two of the first three in the series. Jordy Mercer posted three hits and a run scored in the victory.

"We  just gotta stay consistent," McCutchen said. "We actually played a little sloppy of a game today so for us to be able to scratch this win out was a plus for us because we could have easily lost that one."

Jason  Hammel (6-4)  surrendered four runs on  11 hits and two walks over five frames for Chicago, which has dropped three of its last four on the heels of a five-game winning streak.

"I  thought,  all-in-all, for the way  he had to grind  it out, he did a great job," Cubs manager Rick Renteria said of Hammel.

The  game was tied  2-2 before the Pirates plated a run in the home second and another in the third to go ahead.

Mercer  hit a  one-out double, Cumpton singled  and Josh Harrison was hit by a pitch  to load  the bases.  Mercer came  home on  Gregory Polanco's  groundout to first.

Pedro  Alvarez  belted a one-out  triple to center in  the third and scored on Starling Marte's base hit into center to give the Pirates a 4-2 advantage.

Nate  Schierholtz struck out  with the bases loaded to end the Cubs' threat in the fifth and they were held without a hit after that.

Mark  Melancon struck  out two in a  scoreless eighth and Jason Grilli fired a 1-2-3 ninth to notch his 10th save of the season.

Earlier,  Pittsburgh opened  the scoring  with a  pair of  runs in  the first. Harrison  worked a  leadoff walk and McCutchen skied his two-run shot into the seats in left.

John  Baker's  RBI single  and Darwin Barney's  run-scoring groundout tied the score in the second.

                                   Game Notes

Pittsburgh  was 2-for-12  with runners  in  scoring position,  while the Cubs finished  2-for-8  with RISP and left  eight men on base ... McCutchen's blast was his 10th of the season.

St. Petersburg, FL (SportsNetwork.com) - Desmond Jennings drove in two runs as the  Tampa Bay Rays snapped their franchise-worst scoreless innings streak and defeated the St. Louis Cardinals, 6-3, from Tropicana Field on Wednesday.

Jennings  and  Ben Zobrist each  had two hits apiece  for the Rays, who pushed across four runs in the fourth after not scoring in 31 straight innings.

"We  finally  got some hits  when we  needed it. We  had some really great at-bats," Rays manager Joe Maddon said.

Starter  Erik Bedard  was  reached for  three  runs on  eight  hits with  four strikeouts  in four innings, but Juan Carlos Oviedo (2-2) allowed just one hit in 1 1/3 scoreless frames and struck out two to earn the win.

Yadier Molina supplied two hits and two RBI and Jon Jay had two hits and a run scored  for  the Cardinals,  who had their  three-game winning streak snapped. Michael Wacha (4-5) was tagged with the loss after giving up four runs on four hits and four walks in five innings.

"I wasn't very happy with my performance today," Wacha said.

The  Rays ended their  scoreless streak and took the lead in the fourth. James Loney's  leadoff single  down the left-field line was Tampa Bay's first hit of the  game. Zobrist  followed him up with  a single and two batters later, Matt Joyce brought them both home with a line drive base hit into center.

Yunel Escobar and Ryan Hanigan both walked to load the bases. Jennings stroked a line drive single into left, scoring Joyce and Escobar for a 4-3 lead.

With  the  bases loaded  in the fifth  for St. Louis,  Peter Bourjos' liner to right  was  snagged by Kevin Kiermaier,  who extended his glove with a leaping grab to keep the Rays ahead.

Tampa  Bay  tacked two runs on  in the seventh. Jennings singled and Kiermaier walked  off  Carlos Martinez  before Longoria's sharp  single to right brought around  Jennings and  placed men  on the  corners with  one out.  Randy Choate replaced Martinez and immediately gave up a sacrifice fly to Loney that scored
Kiermaier.

The Cardinals opened the scoring in the third. Matt Carpenter walked and Allen Craig doubled down the left-field line to put men at second and third with two outs.  Molina's  base hit into right  allowed Carpenter to score and Craig got around the tag of the catcher Hanigan to make it a 2-0 game.

In  the  fourth, Carpenter's RBI  single to right with  men on first and third gave the Cardinals a 3-0 advantage.

                                   Game Notes

The Rays snapped a six-game interleague skid ... Wacha gave up more than three runs  for  the first time  this season ... Jay  extended his hitting streak to seven  games ... Tampa Bay went 3-for-7 with runners in scoring position while St. Louis went 2-for-7.

THE CHRISTIAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE REPORTS THE FOLLOWING CRASHES:

On June 8 at 8:15pm, Joyce M. Leady, 57, of Decatur was traveling east on County 2. A deer ran into the roadway and Leady hit the deer causing damage to the vehicle. Leady was transported to St. Mary's Hospital for treatment of injuries that were described as minor by the report.

On June 9 at 8:50 p.m., Teresa M. McGuire, 37, of Palmer was traveling south on County 1. At about 1150 North a deer ran into the roadway. McGuire hit the deer causing damage to the front of the vehicle. No injuries were reported.

ARRESTS:

Cortez D. Fort, 34, of 603 Western Avenue, Taylorville, was arrested June 11 on a bond forfeiture for manufacturing/delivery of cannabis 10-30 grams near a school.

Joshua L. Lynch, 32, of 701 East Vine Street, Taylorville, was arrested June 11 for retail theft.

THE TAYLORVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORTS THE FOLLOWING ARREST:

On June 11 at 2:50pm, Taylorville Police Department officers were sent to Kroger in reference to a shoplifter. Following the investigation, Joshua L. Lynch, 32, of Taylorville, was arrested for retail theft over $300.

THE TAYLORVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTS THE FOLLOWING CALLS:

The Christian County Sheriff's Office reports that 1 person was sent to the hospital following a crash Monday. Around 8:24am, 82-year-old Janice H. Vincent of Mount Auburn was southbound on 1230 East Road approaching the intersection at 2600 North Road. 30-year-old Rex W. Wheeler of Mount Auburn was eastbound on 2600 North Road approaching 1230 East Road. The intersection has a yield sign for vehicles traveling north and south on 1230 East. 2600 North Road is on a grade which makes it difficult for vehicles to see others until they reach the intersection. Vincent failed to yield to Wheeler and the vehicles collided in the intersection. A Christian County Sheriff's Deputy spoke to Vincent who said she pulled out in front of Wheeler. Wheeler stated that he did not see Vincent until he was almost in the intersection and he was unable to avoid Vincent. The deputy reported that there were some marks in the roadway a couple feet west of the intersection which showed where Wheeler saw Vincent pulling out into the intersection and attempted to stop. Vincent was transported to the Memorial Medical Center in Springfield with injuries described as serious by the report. Wheeler reported injuries that were not physically evident but was not taken to a medical facility.

The Pana Police Department reports that one person was sent to the hospital following a crash Saturday. Around 8:04am, 20-year-old Brett A. Wilkerson of Fillmore was eastbound on Second Street turning left onto Poplar Street with the green light when he turned into the path of 47-year-old Anita S. Hrabak of Pana who was heading westbound on Second Street. Hrabak then collided with Wilkerson causing major damage to both vehicles. Wilkerson was issued a citation for failure to yield when turning left.  Wilkerson was transported to Pana Community Hospital for injuries that were not physically evident.

This summer, you can keep your kids busy learning cooking skills thanks to Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center in Mattoon.  According to Sara Betts, the hospital is putting on the classes this month:

[audio:bettssbh060914.mp3]comment here[/audio]

To register or for more information, contact Sarah Bush Healthy Communities at (217) 345-6827.

The Illinois budget this year includes good news for State employees: they will finally see some of the back pay owed to them.  Representative Wayne Rosenthal says he's glad to see the workers get at least some of their pay:

[audio:rosenthalstatepay061114.mp3]comment here[/audio]

The money has been owed for years, after Governor Quinn told employees that the legislature did not allocate money for their raises.  A court order last year ordered that the money needed to be paid with interest.

Pittsburgh, PA (SportsNetwork.com) - Anthony Rizzo went 3-for-4 with a two-run homer  and three RBI  as the Chicago Cubs beat the Pittsburgh Pirates, 7-3, in the second installment of a four-game series at PNC Park.

Rizzo  also  collected two doubles and  scored three runs, while Luis Valbuena drove in a pair of runs for the Cubs, who snapped a two-game losing skid.

"I  just feel very confident," Rizzo said. "If you're feeling confident at the plate,  it makes a  huge difference. I do feel good and I'm just gonna ride it out."

Chicago starter Travis Wood (6-5), who came in with a league-worst 8.04 ERA on the  road, tossed a  solid 6 2/3 innings, allowing three runs on nine hits and two walks.

Pirates  top  prospect Gregory  Polanco  made  his long-awaited  major  league debut,  going 1-for-5 with a single and a run scored. Andrew McCutchen smashed a two-run home run for the Pirates, who have dropped three of their last four.

"I  was very  excited," Polanco said of  his first big league game. "I know we lost but it was my first game and I was so excited to play."

Casey Sadler (0-1) was tagged for four runs on four hits in just 2 2/3 innings of relief to absorb the loss.

Junior  Lake reached on a base hit before Rizzo crushed a two-run shot to deep right field in the first to give the Cubs an early lead.

After  Polanco lined  a two-out, opposite-field single in the third, McCutchen tied the game on a two-run homer into the Cubs bullpen.

Pirates  starter Francisco  Liriano showed  some discomfort  in his  left side during warm-up pitches before the fourth inning and left the game.

Jeanmar  Gomez took over  and was welcomed by a Rizzo double. A hit batter put runners  on  the corners and  Darwin Barney's  two-out double plated Rizzo and made it 3-2 Chicago.

The  Pirates answered with a bases loaded sac fly to center from Josh Harrison that scored Jordy Mercer to tie the game in the home half.

Pinch-hitter  Valbuena  delivered a  two-run double  off the center-field wall that  made it 5-3 Cubs in the sixth. Starlin Castro walked and Justin Ruggiano was hit by a pitch after a groundout to start the inning.

Lake  reached on  a two-out bunt in the  seventh and Rizzo drove him in with a double  to right that Polanco had trouble catching in right field. Castro made it 7-3 with a line-drive single.

                                   Game Notes

Rizzo  has  five homers in his  last 10 games ...  Polanco is rated the No. 12 overall  prospect in  the majors by MLB.com ... While McCutchen hit a combined four  homers in April and May, he's already gone deep five times in nine games during  June  ... Liriano  allowed two  runs on three  hits before exiting the
game.

Coverage of today's Cards and Blue Jays game can be heard on Newstalk 97.3 WTIM beginning at 5:35pm.

St.  Petersburg,  FL (SportsNetwork.com)  - Matt  Holliday supplied the game's lone  run with a  homer as the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 1-0 from Tropicana Field on Tuesday.

Jhonny  Peralta  and Jon Jay  both singled for  the Cardinals, who only needed three  hits  to win  their third  straight game.  Adam Wainwright (9-3) tossed seven  scoreless  innings,  giving  up  seven hits  and  two  walks  with  two
strikeouts.

Kevin  Kiermaier  and James Loney supplied  two hits apiece for the struggling Rays, losers of their last four and 14 of their last 15.

Tampa  Bay  has failed  to score  in 28 1/3  innings, surpassing the franchise record of 26 innings set in 2002.

Jake  Odorizzi  (2-7) was solid in  defeat, surrendering just one run on three hits  with five strikeouts across 7 1/3 frames. The right-hander did not allow a hit until Peralta's single with two outs in the fifth.

"We  are really  snakebit right now. It's extremely frustrating," Rays manager Joe  Maddon said.  "I thought  Jake  was really  good.  All of  his stuff  was working. It's pretty impressive what he did today."

Holliday  smacked  a splitter into the  left-field seats to give the Cardinals all they needed with two outs in the sixth.

The  Rays  threatened in the  eighth. Pat Neshek  took over for Wainwright and gave  up a  ground-rule double to Kiermaier  before Evan Longoria was hit by a pitch.

Sam  Freeman  replaced  Neshek  and  struck out  James  Loney,  then  got  Ben Zobrist  to fly out before Trevor Rosenthal came on and hit pinch-hitter Jerry Sands  to load  the bases. Rosenthal induced a rally-killing pop out from Matt Joyce to escape the jam.

Rosenthal stayed on and tossed a scoreless ninth, earning his 17th save of the season.

Tampa  Bay also squandered a prime opportunity in the fourth. Loney singled up the  middle and moved  to third on Zobrist's double to right with one out. Two batters  later,  Joyce was intentionally walked  to load the bases, but Kolten Wong snagged Logan Forsythe's liner at second base to end the frame.

                                   Game Notes

The  last American League  team to be shut out in three straight games was the Kansas  City Royals from  July 5-7, 2004 ... The Rays signed their first round pick  (20th overall)  of the 2014 First-Year Player Draft, first baseman Casey Gillaspie, prior to the game ...Cardinals second baseman Wong returned to the lineup  after missing three  games with a shoulder injury ... St. Louis is the
second  team to  throw three straight shutouts in interleague play in a single season. The last team to accomplish this feat was Houston in 2004.

THE CHRISTIAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE REPORTS THE FOLLOWING ARRESTS:

Lonnie D. Clark, 44, of 1145 West Monroe, Springfield, was arrested June 10 on a bond forfeiture for retail theft.

Jodi B. Weiscope, 36, of 1145 West Monroe, Springfield, was arrested June 10 on a bond forfeiture for failure to appear/answer question.

William E. Haddock, 34, of 216 South Locust, Assumption, was June 10 on bond forfeiture for an issuance of warrant.

THE TAYLORVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTS THE FOLLOWING CALLS:

June 10
1 EMS

June 11
1 Pool Heater Fire, 1 Motor Vehicle Accident

Lake Land College nursing instructor, Cheryl Beam of Effingham, was recently named  the director of nursing programs for the college. In her new role, Beam
will be responsible for coordinating the licensed practical and associate degree
nursing programs.

Beam has also recently received endorsement as a certified nurse educator. The
National League for Nursing Certified Nurse Educator credential is awarded after
studying eight categories for the advanced nurse educator role and taking an exam.

Beam holds a master's degree in nursing and is a registered nurse.  She has worked
as an instructor in the Lake Land nursing programs since 2001.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture is asking farmers to save their empty agrichemical containers because the Department has arranged to recycle them.    

Beginning in late July, sites throughout the state will collect the containers and recycle them into small plastic chips that will be used to make shipping pallets, fence posts, drainage tubing, plastic lumber and other useful products.

Metal and household pesticide containers are not eligible for the recycling program.
Collection sites will accept only high-density polyethylene, #2 plastic, and agrichemical containers that are clean and dry.  Participants are responsible for rinsing them and removing all caps, labels, booklets and foil seals.

For more information, call the Illinois Department of Agriculture toll free at 1-800-641-3934.

The Stonington Summerfest is coming up next week. The event will run  June 20-22 with the theme of Under the Sea. The Grand Marshall this year is Odessa Emery.

The Summerfest opens up on Friday with a fish fry and Jr., Mr., and Miss contests, bingo and nightly music entertainment. Saturday events include the 5k run/walk, parade, and BBQ cook-off. On Sunday, there will be the Masonic Lodge breakfast, chili & salsa cook-offs, and other actvities. For a schedule of events, visit the Stonington Summerfest Facebook page. 

The Taylorville Police Department arrested one person for obstructing and resisting an officer on Friday. Around 12:28am, a Taylorville Police Department officer was on patrol and initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle for an equipment violation, A male subject in a truck, that was not involved with the incident, came to a stop behind the officer's patrol vehicle. As the officer exited the squad car, the unknown male subject also exited and reportedly began to approach. The officer gave the man a direct order to return to his vehicle citing officer safety issues but he continued to approach. The officer gave him a direct order again to return to his vehicle and he complied.

As the officer went to continue the traffic stop, the unknown man approached once again. He appeared from the dark and approached from a lake lot that was next to the roadway. His truck was still parked behind the patrol vehicle. The officer once again gave him a direct order to leave but the man continued to interfere with the traffic stop and was then placed under arrest for obstructing/resisting a peace officer. While attempting to secure him in handcuffs, the man reportedly continued to resist. The officer reportedly noticed a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from him. The man was later identified as 26-year-old Kyle A. Beeler of Taylorville. Beeler was transported to Taylorville Police Department for processing and released on a notice to appear.

The annual Garden Walk is just weeks away.  Master Gardener Linda Smith says this year's event will feature locations in Stonington and Taylorville:

[audio:smithgardenwalk061014.mp3]comment here[/audio]

Tickets are available at Cottage Rose or at the Extension Office in Taylorville, or in Stonington at Illini Bank, Stonington Public Library or Splash of Ideas. Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 the day of the Garden Walk.

The Illinois budget recently approved by the General Assembly was approved without the vote of Representative Wayne Rosenthal of Morrisonville.  Rosenthal says he voted no for a number of reasons:

Chicago,  IL (SportsNetwork.com)  - Ronald Belisario stranded the tying run on
third  base  in the  ninth inning as  the ChicagoWhite  Sox edged the Detroit
Tigers, 6-5, in the opener of a four-game set between the AL Central rivals.

Chicago's  corner outfielders  misplayed two  balls into  doubles in  the last
inning,  as  Moises Sierra  lost Austin  Jackson's fly ball  in the lights and
Alejandro De Aza overran Alex Avila's deep line drive to the wall in left.

Avila's double pulled Detroit within 6-5, but Belisario retired the next three
hitters in succession to post his sixth save of the year.

Jose  Abreu belted  a two-run  homer, Conor  Gillaspie knocked  in a  pair and
Gordon  Beckham  went 3-for-5 with  a run  scored and an  RBI for the Sox, who
dropped three straight to the Angels in Anaheim over the weekend.

"It  was a team  win tonight," Gillaspie said. "We had so many guys contribute
in so many different ways."

Victor  Martinez smacked  a two-run homer for Detroit while Eugenio Suarez and
Miguel  Cabrera, who  exited Sunday's game with left hamstring tightness, both
hit solo blasts in the setback.

Hector  Noesi (2-4)  served up those three  home runs but still came away with
the  win,  his second  straight after  going two years  without a victory. The
right-hander was charged with four runs on seven hits over 5 2/3 innings.

Rick  Porcello (8-4) surrendered  six runs -- five earned -- on nine hits over
five-plus innings for the Tigers, who have dropped seven of their last nine.

"It was a struggle from the get-go," Porcello said.

Noesi  set down 10 of the first 11 batters he faced and was staked to an early
lead  when Beckham singled in Adam Eaton in the first and Gillaspie knocked in
Tyler Flowers with a base hit two innings later.

Solo  home  runs by  Cabrera  and  Suarez in  the  fourth  and fifth  innings,
respectively,  erased  Detroit's 2-0 deficit,  but the Sox answered with three
runs in their half of the fifth to take the lead for good.

Beckham hit a ground-rule double to left and scored standing up on Gillaspie's
base  hit to  right field, and Abreu cranked  his 18th home run of the year to
make it a 5-2 game.

Martinez  pulled  Detroit back with  one with a  two-run blast into the right-
field  seats in  the sixth, though Chicago  got a pivotal run back in its next
turn as Eaton singled in De Aza.

                                   Game Notes

Noesi  was 0-14  over a span of  40 appearances -- 19 starts -- before beating
the Dodgers in his previous outing ... Porcello was 9-1 with a 2.36 ERA in his
previous  13 outings  against Chicago. Detroit went 12-1 in those contests ...
Martinez  has 15  home runs this season,  eclipsing the 14 he had in 159 games
last year ... Chicago had lost four straight home games to Detroit.

Pittsburgh,  PA (SportsNetwork.com) - Andrew McCutchen hit a two-run homer and drove  in three,  Charlie Morton had seven strikeouts in seven innings and the Pittsburgh Pirates powered past the Chicago Cubs, 6-2, on Monday night to open a four-game series.

The Pirates have now beaten the Cubs three times this season with Morton (3-7) on the mound, though the right-hander finally earned his first decision in the games.

Working economically most of the night, Morton gave up just six hits and a run without walking a batter and threw 59 of his 82 pitches for strikes.

"I  pitched a  little differently, a little less to contact," said Morton, who gave  up five runs  in 12 innings in his first two starts against Chicago this season.

Ike  Davis also homered  and Starling Marte had three hits and two RBI for the Pirates.

Edwin Jackson (4-6) opposed Morton for the third time this season and went six innings, allowing four runs on seven hits and two walks with eight strikeouts.

Jared  Hughes gave  up a leadoff homer  to Starlin Castro in the ninth inning, but settled in to get the last three outs for Pittsburgh.

The  Pirates took  a 1-0 lead after  Pedro Alvarez hit a leadoff single in the second inning and scored on Marte's double down the left-field line.

McCutchen  went  the other  way with a  fastball for a  two-out homer to right field after Travis Snider reached on a ground-rule double in the third inning.

The  reigning NL MVP  then followed Snider's single in the fifth inning with a drive off the right-field wall for an RBI double and 4-0 Pittsburgh lead.

Morton  threw just seven  pitches in the first inning and was stingy early on. Only  one Cubs runner made  it past first before  Anthony Rizzo hit a two-out single  in the  sixth and  scored on  Castro's double  off the  wall in  right that trimmed Chicago's deficit to 4-1.

In  the bottom  of the sixth, Marte  was tagged out in a rundown between third base and home plate after the Cubs, correctly guessing a squeeze bunt or steal was on the way, pitched out to catch him.

Davis hit a leadoff homer in the eighth and Marte added an RBI double later in the frame to make it 6-1.

                                Game Notes

Pirates  second baseman Neil Walker was scratched from the game with abdominal pain and later had an appendectomy. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list. Josh  Harrison  filled in  at second  base and Snider  took Harrison's spot in right  field  ... Morton improved  to 3-1 with 24  strikeouts in his last four tarts since going winless (0-6) in his first nine outings this season ... The
teams  are  meeting for  the first  time since playing  six games against each other  in the  first weeks of the  season. The Pirates went 4-2 in those games ... The Cubs started a 10-game road trip.

(St. Petersburg, FL)  --  The Cardinals start a brief two-game interleague set with the Tampa Bay Rays tonight at Tropicana Field.  The teams meet at Busch Stadium for two in late July.  Adam Wainwright takes the ball tonight for the Cards, while the Rays counter with Jake Odorizzi. Coverage of today's Cards and Blue Jays game can be heard on Newstalk 97.3 WTIM beginning at 5:35pm.

This week Crimestoppers is seeking information in regards to a theft that
occurred in Taylorville.

Sometime during the early morning hours of Monday June 2, 2014, an unknown
subject made entry into the North Side Laundry and the Spot Free Car Wash.
While inside, the unknown subject stole money from change machines inside
the businesses.   The machines were damaged during the incident.  The
unknown subject is described as a white, male, with a short dark beard,
glasses, and wearing a dark colored sweatshirt.  The total dollar amount of
the theft and damage is unknown at this time.

Please contact Crimestoppers if you any information on this crime or any
other crimes or wanted persons.  Crimestoppers will pay cash rewards of up
to $1000.00 for information that leads to an arrest and you do not have to
give your name.  Crimestoppers will pay double the normal reward for
information that leads to an arrest for the crime of the week.  

 You can contact Crimestoppers at 824-9100, at our website
Christiancountycrimestoppers.org, or by texting CRIMES  (274632) and then
your tip.  As always, you will remain anonymous. 

                           

THE CHRISTIAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE REPORTS THE FOLLOWING CRASHES:

On June 9 at 8:24am, Janice H. Vincent, 82, of Mount Auburn was southbound on 1230 East Road approaching the intersection at 2600 North Road. Rex W. Wheeler, 30, of Mount Auburn was eastbound on 2600 North Road approaching 1230 East Road. The intersection has a yield sign for vehicles traveling north and south on 1230 East. 2600 North Road is on a grade which makes it difficult for vehicles to see others until they reach the intersection. Vincent failed to yield to Wheeler and the vehicles collided in the intersection. A Christian County Sheriff's Deputy spoke to Vincent who advised that she pulled out in front of Wheeler. Wheeler stated that he did not see Vincent until he was almost in the intersection and he was unable to avoid Vincent. There were some marks in the roadway a couple feet west of the intersection which showed where Wheeler saw Vincent pulling out into the intersection and attempted to stop. Vincent was transported to the Memorial Medical Center in Springfield with injuries described as serious by the report. Wheeler reported injuries that were not physically evident but was not taken to a medical facility.

On June 8 at 1:30 p.m., Kristi A. Bland, 35, of Assumption and Tonda R. Shoraga, 50, of Pana came to the Christian County Sheriff's Office and reported that they were traveling east on 330 North Road approaching the intersection of 2500 East Road. O.R. Mizeur, 74, of Pana was stopped near the intersection and Bland slowed and stopped approximately 2 car lengths behind Mizeur. Mizeur suddenly began backing up and struck Bland in the front bumper. A deputy contacted the driver Mizeur. He stated that he was checking crops and had stopped at the intersection. He started backing up to look at the field and did not realize that Bland was behind him. He stated that he hit the front bumper of Bland. No injuries were reported.

On June 4 at 3:10pm, Timothy E. Corrick, 19, of Edinburg, Wanda J. McConnell, 66, of Rochester, and Erica D. Witt, 19, of Taylorville were all traveling north on Route 29. At 2300 North Road, McConnell started to turn left. Corrick was following McConnell and didn't see that McConnell was turning. Corrick hit the back of McConnell. Witt was following Corrick and was not able to stop in time and hit the back of Corrick. All three vehicles were damage. McConnell was taken to St. John's Hospital in Springfield with injuries describes as minor in the report. Her passenger, Vernon L. McConnell, 61, of Edinburg reported injuries that were not physically evident but refused medical treatment. Witt was taken to the Memorial Medical Center in Springfield with injuries describes as minor in the report. Corrick reported no injuries.

ARRESTS:

James E. Fishburn, 22, of 113 East Market, Taylorville, was arrested June 9 on a bond forfeiture or contempt of court.

Tamera D. Turley, 48, of 54 Hillcrest, Taylorville, was arrested June 9 on a bond forfeiture for possession of a controlled substance. 

THE TAYLORVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORTS THE FOLLOWING ARRESTS:

On June 9th, Taylorville Police Department officers were sent to 2100 Grand Boulevard in reference to a 2 vehicle accident and a possible hit and run. Upon arrival, officers determined it was actually a 1-vehicle reckless driver with damage to property. Officers placed a 16-year-old male juvenile of Stonington under arrest for reckless driving and transported him to Taylorville Police Department. The juvenile was later released to his parents with a court date scheduled.

On June 7 at 1:48am, a Taylorville Police Department officer was patrolling near the intersection of North Webster and West Main Cross Streets when the officer noticed a vehicle traveling south on North Webster at what appeared to be a higher rate of speed. The officer confirmed with the radar unit that the vehicle was traveling 41mph in a 30mph zone. The officer turned around on the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop on the south side of the Square. The officer made contact with the driver, Adam M. Passoni, 20, of Taylorville and noticed a strong odor of burnt cannabis emitting from the vehicle. Following the arrest, a search of the vehicle produced alcohol, drug paraphernalia and cannabis. Passoni and two passengers, Tilur M. Miller, 20, of Taylorville and a 15-year-old female juvenile were arrested and transported to Taylorville Police Department to be processed and released.

On June 9th at 8:25pm, 911 radioed of a disturbance at 11 Cherrywood. Taylorville Police Department officers arrived and located Ryan Tester, 32, of Taylorville outside the residence. Tester had previously been issued a no trespass warning by Taylorville Police Department. Tester was arrested for criminal trespass to property and released on a notice to appear.

On June 9 at 7:45pm, a Taylorville Police Department officer was on patrol and observed a male juvenile that the officer knew to have a warrant in the 500 block of South Walnut. The officer attempted to make contact with him but he ran. After a brief foot pursuit, the male juvenile was arrested for the warrant and charge with resisting/obstructing an officer. The male juvenile was transported to the Madison County Juvenile Detention Center.

On June 9, a Taylorville Police Department officer saw James Fishburn, 22, of Taylorville standing near a green car at Taylorville Memorial Hospital. The officer knew Fishburn to have a warrant and verified the warrant through Taylorville Police Department Law Enforcement Agencies Data System. Fishburn was arrested and transported to the Christian County Sheriff's office in lieu of bond.

CRASHES:
On June 9 at 2:37pm, Madison M. Durham, 18, of Taylorville failed to yield at a stop sign for Jennifer A. Brady, 26, of Taylorville. Durham struck Brady as she crossed the intersection. Brady was transported to the Taylorville Memorial Hospital for injuries that were described as minor by the report. Durham reported no injuries.

On June 7 at 4:38am, a Taylorville Police Department officer initiated a traffic stop on Cory A. Skinner, 20, of Taylorville at Washington Street and Market Street. During the course of the stop, Skinner fled the scene traveling westbound on Market Street. Skinner continued west on Market Street until running off the road at Houston Street. Skinner slid through a dog kennel, killing one dog inside and injuring another. Skinner continued over the chain linked dog kennel and house and into a tree. Skinner also struck a swing set with a slide, a metal dog bowl, a plastic play house, and kiddy pool. Skinner was taken to Taylorville Memorial Hospital for injuries that were not physically evident.

On June 6 at 9:51pm, Heather Entwistle was parked in front of Clinton J. Hornbuckle, 36, of Edinburg at Major Leagues. While attempting to leave, Hornbuckle's front passenger side struck Entwistle's rear driver side. Hornbuckle then fled the scene of the accident. Hornbuckle was later located at The Loading Zone at 2100 West Spresser Street in Taylorville. No injuries were reported.

THE TAYLORVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTS THE FOLLOWING CALLS:

June 9
2 EMS, 1 Motor Vehicle Accident, 1 Overheated Motor

The Christian County Sheriff's Office has released details of a fatal accident Monday. Around 12:15 P.M., 911 received a call from a passerby that there had been a two vehicle traffic crash near 2600 North 1900 East Road in the Mosquito Township area.   Emergency personnel arrived on scene and one of the drivers of the vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.   Christian County Coroner Amy Winans arrived on scene and identified the female driver as 74-year-old Beverly Gideon of Mt. Auburn.  

Christian County Sheriff’s Office, Blue Mound Fire Department, and Decatur Ambulance all responded to the scene.  

Preliminary investigation revealed that Gideon was traveling west on County Road 2600 North Road in a 2011 Chevrolet passenger vehicle. Gideon reportedly failed to yield at the intersection of 1900 East Road, resulting in a crash with a 2009 Honda passenger vehicle, which was south bound on County Road 1900 East. The Honda was driven by 26-year-old Aaron M. Frieden from Blue Mound. Frieden sustained critical injuries and was taken to Springfield Memorial Trauma Center by Decatur Ambulance. The investigation revealed that Gideon was not wearing her seat belt and was ejected from her vehicle.

The crash remains under investigation by the Christian County Sheriff's Office, Illinois State Police Traffic Reconstruction Specialist, and Christian County Coroner's Office.

Pictured L to R: Kiwanis president Chris Weittenhiller and Kiwanian Randy Miller

Expansion plans at the Miller Media Group in Taylorville, was the topic of Tuesday's program speaker at the weekly meeting of the Taylorville Kiwanis Club.

M-M-G president and Kiwanis Club member Randy Miller told Kiwanis members about upcoming additions of signals and formats to the Taylorville-based media company.

All told, the Taylorville cluster of stations will offer 6 different formats and 7 signals as of August First.

Miller also had fun with Kiwanis members, offering a quiz on how various radio and television station call letters in the United States, were assigned. Most were selected by station owners based on the geographical area the station serves.

Kiwanis membership chair Dean Ray officially kicked off the club's membership drive, which goes thru July 15^th. 4 team captains—John McClure, Blaine Cornwell, Chris Weittenhiller and Dean Ray—will oversee recruitment efforts by Kiwanis members over the next several weeks. The drive will culminate with a cookout at Kiwanis Park.

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

Kincaid Mayor Doug Thomas appeared in court Tuesday afternoon for the hearing on the official misconduct charge that was recently filed by the State. Illinois State Police Special Agent Deanna Harton took the stand to give her account of the situation. Harton said that around the time of the February 2014 violation of the order of protection investigation, she was also investigating the official misconduct charges against former Police Chief Richard Adams and was talking to employees of the Kincaid water/sewer department. During the conversation, the employees said that sometime in August of 2011, the Mayor reportedly asked them for help removing some concrete from the basement of his residence at 114 Cherry which the employees allegedly knew was his home. The water/sewer employees used a concrete saw that was owned by the City and removed the concrete while on City time.  

The employees reportedly told Harton that this was a common practice for them to do work for the Mayor and said they did other tasks such as fixing his garage and hauling scrap metal. Harton said she asked them if they ever thought that it was wrong or to deny Thomas's request in which they replied that since he was the Mayor and he had the ability to fire them, they did as he asked.  Harton said the exact time and day the work was done was unknown and that it took approximately 1 ½ to 2 hours to complete. Judge Brad Paisley ruled that the probable cause existed. Thomas pleaded not guilty to the charge. In addition to the official misconduct charge, Thomas faces 2 counts of possession of a controlled substance and 1 charge of violation of an order of protection. Thomas will appear back in court on July 31 at 10:00am for pre-trial and August 18 at 8:30am for jury trial.

Pana Community Hospital has received its designation as an Emergent Stroke Ready Hospital (ESRH) from the Illinois Department of Public Health. In 2009, the Illinois General Assembly passed MB2244, requiring the creation of stroke systems of care in Illinois. The law identifies hospitals capable of providing emergent stroke care and directs EMS (ambulance services) to transport possible acute stroke patients to these hospitals. If, however, the closest hospital has not received its Emergent Stroke Ready Hospital designation, EMS personnel may divert that patient to the next closest designated hospital. 

A Hillsboro woman is being held pending charges of filing a false police report after claiming she was pulled over by someone who was impersonating a police officer.  Cops say 29-year-old Cheri Frisbie told them she was stopped last Tuesday by a black, unmarked car on Illinois 16 between Irving and Witt.  She said the fake cop had a handgun and robbed her.  Frisbie later confessed the incident never happened and said she had a panic attack and needed to be around someone.

There is a new organization being used as a pawn by fraudsters.  According to public advocate Mac McGuire, the Make-a-Wish Foundation is being used as a hook to lure victims:

[audio:macmakewish052814.mp3]comment here[/audio]

As always, McGuire advises that you be skeptical of any offer of free money or merchandise.  

The University of Illinois Extension will sponsor 2 Youth Entrepreneur Camps in Christian County this summer.  Chris Casey, Community and Economic Development Educator for the Extension, says the first Camp is being put on with help from Lincoln Land Community College:

[audio:caseyentrepeneurs060614.mp3]comment here[/audio]

Register by calling 287-7246.

The Greater Taylorville Chamber of Commerce will soon be hosting it's monthly Business After Hours.  Chamber CEO Patty Hornbuckle tells Regional radio News the June event will take place at Gowin Parc:

[audio:pattygowin060614.mp3]comment here[/audio]

If you'd like to attend the Business After Hours, call the chamber at 824-4919.

Anaheim,  CA (SportsNetwork.com)  - C.J. Wilson pitched into the eighth inning and  Josh Hamilton knocked  in three runs, leading the Los Angeles Angels to a 4-2 win over the ChicagoWhite Sox on Sunday to complete a three-game sweep.

Wilson  (7-5) struck  out six batters in 7  1/3 innings and gave up one run on
three hits and two walks, ending a two-start losing streak.

"They  put the  ball in play so  I had to put  balls in the strike zone to get
guys out," said Wilson. "Ground-ball outs helped me a lot today. I didn't have
much  in the tank.  I've been sick the last couple of days but I made the most
of what I had."

The  Angels finished  off their third sweep  of the season a day after winning
Saturday's  game with  an eighth-inning rally that included Mike Trout's grand
slam.

The White Sox ended  a 2-4 road trip. Jose Quintana (3-6) took the loss after
allowing four runs on seven hits and four walks in 4 1/3 innings.

Wilson  didn't allow a hit until Gordon Beckham's leadoff single in the fourth
inning and faced just one batter over the minimum through six. White Sox manager Robin Ventura said the left-hander was "great."

"We couldn't get anything going," Ventura said. "We were flat. We couldn't get
anybody on base."

The  Angels took  a 1-0 lead in  the third on Hamilton's RBI double over right
fielder Moises Sierra's head that scored Trout from second base.

Hamilton drove in Trout and Howie Kendrick with a single in the fifth and C.J.
Cron  added  an RBI base hit  in the inning to  make it 4-0 and chase Quintana
from the game.

Hamilton  had seven hits in the series, raising his batting average to .400 in
14 games this season.

"The last two days I've done well against quality lefties," said Hamilton, who
bats  from the  left  side.  "It helps  the  confidence.  Hopefully this  will
continue. I'm not surprised how things are going -- I'm excited."

Wilson  came out  after walking  Tyler  Flowers with  one out  in the  eighth.
Alejandro  De Aza greeted reliever Joe Smith with a double and Conor Gillaspie
and Adam Eaton followed with RBI singles to score Chicago's two runs.

Ernesto  Frieri  gave up  a one-out double  to Dayan Viciedo  in the ninth and
intentionally  walked Adam Dunn with two down before striking out Adrian Nieto
to complete the sweep and secure his 10th save.

                                   Game Notes

Los  Angeles  stranded 11 runners on  base, going 3-for-12 with men in scoring
position  ... The  Angels will  continue a  six-game homestand  Monday against
Oakland   ...   The White Sox   will  start  a  nine-game  homestand  Monday
against Detroit.

Chicago,  IL  (SportsNetwork.com) - Giancarlo  Stanton scored the go-ahead run on  a wild  pitch with  two down  in the  eighth inning,  as Miami  pulled out a 4-3 decision against Chicago in Sunday's finale of a three-game series.

Garrett  Jones,  Adeiny Hechavarria and J.T.  Realmuto drove in a run each for the Marlins, who avoided a sweep and have won five of their last seven.

Mike Dunn (5-3) struck out two while recording two outs in relief for the win. Henderson  Alvarez departed  in  the sixth  due  to a  left  hip strain  after giving  up one earned  run on seven hits with five strikeouts. He is listed as day-to-day.

Nate  Schierholtz  produced a two-run triple  and Luis Valbuena knocked in the other run for the Cubs, whose five-game win streak came to a halt.

Pedro  Strop  (0-3) surrendered  the deciding  runs in the  eighth to take the loss.

He  walked  Christian Yelich to start  the frame, then hit Stanton two batters later.  Casey  McGehee's single loaded the  bases before a Jones fly to center plated  Yelich with the tying run. Marcell Ozuna was given a free pass, then a Strop offering got away from catcher John Baker to score Stanton.

Dunn,  who  gave up Chicago's  presumed lead run in  the bottom of the seventh before  retiring  Schierholtz, exited with a  runner on second and one away in the eighth. Bryan Morris came on and set down the next two batters in order.

Steve Cishek fanned two in a 1-2-3 ninth to pick up his 14th save.

"We're  never down  and out," Jones said.  "We have a lot of confidence in our team."

Chicago  picked up the game's first runs in the home sixth. Starlin Castro hit a  one-out double,  Luis  Valbuena added  a single,  then  Alvarez exited  the contest  for  Dan Jennings,  who immediately  served up  a two-run triple from Schierholtz.

Cubs starter Jake Arrieta  came out and the visitors knotted the score in the seventh  off Brian Schlitter. McGehee walked with one away and Ozuna's infield hit  kept  the frame alive, before  back-to-back RBI singles from Realmuto and Hechavarria pulled Miami even.

In  the  home seventh, a hit-by-pitch,  pop double and intentional walk filled the  sacks  with one out. Castro  fanned, but Valbuena showed patience against Dunn and forced in a run with a walk.

"Even  though we  lost, we're going to  Pittsburgh on a high note based on how well we've played," Arrieta said.

                                   Game Notes

Miami  continues its road  trip in Texas on Tuesday, while Chicago kicks off a 10-game  road  swing in Pittsburgh on  Monday ... Arrieta struck out seven and allowed  just  three hits  over six  scoreless frames ...  Alvarez saw his 26-inning  scoreless  streak end after his  departure, which stands as the third-longest in team history. Luis Aquino's 26 1/3 innings in 1994 ranks second.

Toronto,  ON  (SportsNetwork.com) -  Jaime  Garcia  twirled seven  outstanding innings as the St. Louis Cardinals shut out the Toronto Blue Jays for a second straight day via a 5-0 victory at Rogers Centre.

Garcia  (2-0)  followed up Shelby  Miller's complete-game effort in Saturday's 5-0 triumph with a gem of his own, yielding just three singles and three walks in his best outing since returning from the disabled list in mid-May.

"They  have one of the best lineups in the league. I knew it was going to be a challenge,"  said Garcia. "I was able to get them off balance a little bit and then keep the ball down."

The  effort,  supported by home  runs from  Matt Carpenter and Jhonny Peralta, gave  St.  Louis its  first series  win since  taking two  of three games from Cincinnati from May 23-25.

Carpenter  finished with two  hits and two RBI and Peralta went 2-for-4 with a solo blast.

Both  homers  were served  up by  Drew Hutchison (4-4),  who lasted only three innings and was tagged for five runs and six hits.

Garcia  held  Toronto's  usually  potent  bats in  check  all  throughout  the afternoon,  registering 15  ground-ball outs and permitting just one hit until Jose Reyes singled with two down in the fifth inning.

That  was the Jays' best scoring chance of the contest, as a passed ball and a Carpenter error got Reyes to third before Garcia fanned Jose Bautista.

"It  was like he was ahead of us the whole game, moving in and out," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said of Garcia.

Garcia's  teammates gave him plenty of cushion earlier by battering Hutchinson for five hits during a four-run second inning.

Singles  by Jon  Jay and  Mark  Ellis began  the uprising  and Peter  Bourjos' sacrifice  fly drove in  the game's first run before Tony Cruz lashed a double to left to bring home Ellis.

Carpenter  then homered  off  the batter's  eye  in center  field  to put  the Cardinals up by a comfortable 4-0 count.

"I did a bad job of controlling the situation," Hutchison said. "I fell behind some guys and hung some pitches and made mistakes and they got hit."

Peralta  extended the  margin an inning later, hammering a second-pitch slider from Hutchinson into the left-field seats.

Todd  Redmond took  over for Hutchinson to begin the fourth inning and limited St. Louis to four hits over five scoreless frames.

                                   Game Notes

The shutout was the Cardinals' 12th in 64 games this season ... Toronto lost a series  for the first time since dropping three of four to the Angels from May 9-12,  with the  Jays going  6-0-1 in  seven sets  since ...  St. Louis'  Matt Holliday  was scratched  from the  lineup due  to lower  back tightness,  with Yadier  Molina filling  in at DH ... Reyes' single extended his hitting streak
to  nine games ...  Garcia had not walked a batter in any of his four previous starts this season.

THE CHRISTIAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE REPORTS THE FOLLOWING ARRESTS:

Isaac J. Moore, 39, of 2500 Burton Street, Springfield, was arrested June 6 for driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs.

John W. Sorrells, 31, of 905 South Wyandotte Street, Taylorville, was arrested June 5 for driving under the influence of 625 5/11-501-a-2

Jacob M. Durbon, 23, of 708 East Fifth, Pana, was arrested June 7 for 625 5/11-501-a-3

Donald A. Klinger, 44, of 500 West Adams Street, Taylorville, was arrested June 6 for the issuance of warrant.

Cory A. Skinner, 20, of 1212 West Prairie Street, Taylorville, was arrested June 7 for aggravated fleeing or eluding officer, resisting/obstructing officer, and theft.

Dale Krouse, 44, of 525 South Walnut Street, of Taylorville, was arrested June 7 for domestic battery.

Retta A. Loreth, 53, of 1202 Roosevelt Road, Taylorville, was arrested June 7 for driving under the influence of alcohol.

Nicholas L. Logue, 22, of 1479 North 2000 East Road, Taylorville, was arrested June 7 for driving under the influence of alcohol.

Connor J. Bollinger, 21, of 1735 East 1800 North Road, Stonington, was arrested June 8 for possession of cannabis of less than 2.5 grams.

Ryan J. Dailey, 18, of 242 North Park Road, Decatur, was arrested June 8 for possession of a controlled substance.

THE TAYLORVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORTS THE FOLLOWING ARRESTS:

On June 7 at 4:38am, Taylorville Police Department officers initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle for failing to stop at a stop sign. Officers made contact with the driver later identified as Cory A. Skinner, 20, of Taylorville. During the course of the traffic stop, Skinner fled the scene at a high rate of speed. Officers followed Skinner west on Market Street. Skinner wrecked into a tree at 111 South Houston Street. Skinner was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, reckless driving, motor vehicle theft, possession of a stolen vehicle, aggravated fleeing/attempting to elude a police officer, resisting/obstructing a police officer, and no valid driver's license. Skinner was transported to Taylorville Memorial Hospital for medical evaluation. Skinner was then transported to Taylorville Police Department, processed, and lodged at the Christian County Correctional Center.

On June 5 at 12:38pm, Taylorville Police Department officers were dispatched to the 1000 block of East Franklin Street in reference to a disturbance. The officers located two females in the 700 block of East Franklin Street. The two females stated they were at 1025 East Franklin dropping off some clothes to an ex-boyfriend who was identified as Kurklan Dickey, 19,of Taylorville. Marjeana Disney said Dickey punched the passenger side quarter panel of her vehicle causing a dent. The officer arrested Dickey for criminal damage to property. Dickey was transported to Taylorville Police Department then processed and released on a notice to appear.

On June 6 at 7:29pm, Taylorville Police Department officers located Donald A. Klinger, 43, of Taylorville who had a valid warrant out of Christian County. Klinger was placed under arrest and transported to Christian County Sheriff's Office in lieu of bond.

On June 6 at 12:28am, a Taylorville Police Department officer was on patrol and initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle for an equipment violation, A male subject in a truck, not involved with the incident, came to a stop behind the officer's patrol vehicle. As the officer exited the squad car, the unknown male subject also exited and began to approach. The officer gave the man a direct order to return to his vehicle citing officer safety issues. The male subject continued to approach. The officer gave him a direct order again to return to his vehicle and he complied. As the officer was conducting his traffic stop, the unknown male approached once again. He appeared from the dark and approached from a lake lot that was next to the roadway. His truck was still parked behind the patrol vehicle. The officer again gave him a direct order to leave. The man continued to interfere with the traffic stop and was then placed under arrest for obstructing/resisting a peace officer. While attempting to secure him in handcuffs, the man continued to resist. The officer reportedly noticed a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from him. The male was later identified as Kyle A. Beeler, 26, of Taylorville. Beeler was transported to Taylorville Police Department for processing and released on a notice to appear.

On June 7 at 12:12am, Taylorville Police Department dispatched was contacted by Taylorville Memorial Hospital Staff in reference to a patient being treated who was involved in a domestic disturbance. Upon arrival, the officer spoke to the victim, Beth Y. Burton, and she stated that her and the suspect, Dale G. Krouse had been involved in a domestic fight at their residence 525 South Walnut Street. After receiving treatment, Burton came to Taylorville Police Department to get a statement and temporary complaint. She was given an IDVA form and was escorted to the residence to retrieve some clothes. When officers and Burton arrived, Krouse was passed out on the couch. Krouse was arrested and transported to Taylorville Police Department to be processed and then lodged at Christian County Correctional Center in lieu of bond.

On June 8 at 2:32am, Taylorville Police Department officers were dispatched to the 800 block of South Clay in reference to a noise complaint. When officers arrived, they found approximately 20 subjects arguing in front of 818 South Clay Street. Following the investigation, Jeffrey A. Durbin, 27, of Taylorville, Harley D. McQuinn, 20, of Edinburg, Courtney L. Rueff, 20, of Taylorville, and Ashleigh N. McKinney, 21, of Morrisonville were all arrested for fighting in public. McQuinn and Rueff were also charged with illegal possession/consumption of alcohol by a minor. All parties involved were transported to Taylorville Police Department, processed, and released with a notice to appear.

THE TAYLORVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTS THE FOLLOWING CALLS:

June 6
2 EMS, 1 Gas Leak

June 7
2 EMS

June 8
4 EMS

June 9
1 EMS

The Taylorville Police Department arrested 1-person following a car chase early Satuday. Around 4:38am, Taylorville Police Department officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for failing to stop at a stop sign. Officers made contact with the driver later identified as 20-year-old Cory A. Skinner of Taylorville. During the course of the traffic stop, Skinner reportedly fled the scene at a high rate of speed. Officers followed Skinner west on Market Street.

The chase came to an end when Skinner crashed into a tree at 111 South Houston Street. Skinner was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, reckless driving, motor vehicle theft, possession of a stolen vehicle, aggravated fleeing/attempting to elude a police officer, resisting/obstructing a police officer, and no valid driver's license. Skinner was transported to Taylorville Memorial Hospital for medical evaluation. Skinner was then transported to Taylorville Police Department, processed, and lodged at the Christian County Correctional Center.

The Taylorville School Board met Monday night and heard about the FY15 budget. Superintendent Dr. Gregg Fuerstenau says that budget will come down to Senate Bill 16 which has passed the Senate and currently sits in the House:

[audio:fuerstenaufy15061014.mp3]comment here[/audio]

Senate Bill 16 would re-work the state aid school funding formula and provide more money to the District.


The Taylorville School Board approved the amended FY14 School District Budget. The Board approved the Christian-Montgomery Regional Office of Education Truant Officer Assessment Agreement. The Board approved the hiring Seth Brannan as the Varsity Golf Coach and Josh Pullen as the Varsity Wrestling Coach at the Taylorville High School.

The meeting adjourned at 8:30pm.

Illinois State Police District 18 Troopers will be teaming up with local police
agencies next Wednesday to complete the leg of the Torch Run which passes through
District 18.  The torch, also known as the Flame of Hope, will travel nearly 1,500
miles as it makes its way to its final destination: The Opening Ceremonies of the
Special Olympics in Bloomington, Illinois. District 18 serves Calhoun, Greene,
Jersey, Macoupin, and Montgomery counties.  

At the last Shelbyville Rotary Club meeting, members continued discussion on a new
Rotary community project. The following suggestions have been: a rotary vegetable
garden, new IPad Minis for our school district, support and adopt a section of the
Dacey Trail, an outdoor handball court for the park, devotional books for our
enlisted service people and a Rotary bookshelf and library books for Main Street
School.

The program for the meeting consisted of the announcement and presentation of the
Paul Harris Fellowship Award.  This year’s award winner is Judge Michael 
Kiley, a 30-year veteran of the Shelbyville Rotary Club, who has been 
known for his support and regular attendance at meetings.  Recently, 
Mike presented the initiative for the club to publicly back sales tax 
proposal that raises money to support the construction and maintenance 
for the schools in our educational district. 

The program chairman for the next meeting be Gina Vonderheide. 

Pictured: Janis Ian

Eastern Illinois University’s Doudna Fine Arts Center will host singer-songwriter
and author Janis Ian in the Dvorak Concert Hall this Thursday.  The Grammy Award
winner’s performance is part of the Doudna’s Summer Dinner and Concert Series.

Ian is best remembered for her Top Ten hits “At Seventeen” and “Society’s Child”.

Tickets are only $20 and includes both the concert and the dinner. Dinner will be
catered in the Doudna concourse beginning at 5:30 p.m and continue until the concert
begins at 7 p.m.  There will be a vegetarian option.  

Tickets can be purchased online at www.eiu.edu/doudna or at the Doudna Fine Arts
Center Box Office.  Box Office hours are Tuesday through Thursday 11:30a.m. to
4:30p.m., and one hour prior to the scheduled performance.

If you've tried and failed to quit smoking, don't be discouraged.  That's the
message from Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center in Mattoon.  Wellness Nurse and
Tobacco Treatment Specialist Noelle (NO-ell) Coffer says statistically, it often
takes several attempts before you are able to quit:

[audio:noelcofferquitsmoking011314.mp3]comment here[/audio]

Contact Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center at (217) 238-4691 to set up a consultaion.

While it can be rewarding, investment in natural resources like precious metals can
be risky.  Investment Professional Steve Henry of CSH Investment Management in
Taylorville, says investors should be careful:

[audio:henrypreciousmetals060514.mp3]comment here[/audio]

CSH Investment Management is at 926 W. Spresser in Taylorville.  Call 824-4211.

The Taylorville School Board will meet Monday night at 7:00pm at the Administration Education Center on Spresser Street. Items on the agenda include: the consideration of the amended FY14 school district budget, consideration of the Christian-Montgomery Regional Office of Education Truant Officer Assessment Agreement, consideration of workers compensation, property and casualty insurance, and the Superintendent's report. We will have details following the meeting at
taylorvilledailynews.com.

Anaheim,  CA (SportsNetwork.com) - Jered Weaver struck out nine and got plenty of  run support in  his six innings of work as the Los Angeles Angels opened a six-game homestand with an 8-4 win over the ChicagoWhite Sox on Friday.

Albert  Pujols and  Kole Calhoun both hit  solo home runs for the Angels, with
the  latter also  driving in  three  runs in  total and  scoring twice.  Eight
different Angels scored a run.

Weaver (7-4) struggled with his control, yielding five hits and four walks but
was  charged with  just two runs. He  has won seven of his last nine decisions
after opening the season with consecutive losses.

"I  was battling to make pitches when I needed to," said Weaver. "My curveball
was  pretty sharp. It  was a good pitch against that lineup. The story tonight
was our offense. It took the pressure off of me."

The loss spoiled Adam Dunn's 450th career home run, a towering two-run shot to
right  field in the ninth inning with the game well in hand. Dunn went 3-for-5
and  drove in three,  while Alejandro De Aza hit his fifth homer of the season
in the setback.

Andre  Rienzo  (4-3) was  blitzed for  seven runs on  nine hits  in just 3 2/3
forgettable frames for Chicago.

"Andre  just couldn't stop them, saidWhite Sox manager Robin Ventura. "We had
opportunities  but Weaver kept us off-balance. He has a deceptive delivery. He
makes it tough, especially against righties."

Calhoun  opened  the home  half of  the first with  a 401  foot homer to right
field. Mike Trout then singled and stole second for Josh Hamilton, who doubled
to right for an early 2-0 advantage.

Chicago  got  a run back in  the third on De  Aza's solo shot to right. Weaver
later  walked a  pair after Adrian Nieto's  single to load the bases, but Dunn
struck out looking to end the threat.

LA  broke the game open with a five-run, two-out rally in the fourth. Hamilton
and  David  Freese singled  around groundouts,  but C.J.  Cron kept the inning
alive with a two-run double to left. Hank Conger then singled home Cron, Grant
Green singled and Calhoun drove in two more with a two-bagger to right.

Dunn's  RBI single  in the fifth and  Pujols' solo blast in the eighth set the
table  for  Dunn's two-run moonshot  off Ernesto  Frieri which resulted in the
final tally.

                                   Game Notes

Weaver  improved  to 8-2  in 11  career starts  against the White Sox ... The
Angels  have won  seven of  nine at  home ...  Chicago finished  2-for-12 with
runners in scoring position and left 12 on base.

Chicago,  IL (SportsNetwork.com) - Anthony Rizzo launched a game-winning, two-run  homer in the  bottom of the 13th inning to send the Chicago Cubs to a 5-3 victory  over  the Miami Marlins  in the opener of  a three-game set Friday at Wrigley Field.

After  striking out  the final  two hitters  in the  12th, Kevin  Slowey (1-1) returned  to the mound  for the 13th, but served up a leadoff single to Junior Lake before Rizzo scorched a first-pitch curveball over the wall in right.

"I  had  a pretty good idea  that Rizzo was  going to be aggressive and wasn't able  to get the ball where I needed to get it and he put a good swing on it," Slowey said of giving up Rizzo's game-winning homer.

Rizzo  finished  with four RBI, while  Chris Coghlan collected two hits and an RBI for the Cubs, who have won a season-high four straight games.

"They're  playing with  a  lot of  confidence right  now," Cubs manager  Rick Renteria  said of his club. "I think they're continuing to pick each other up. I think they're starting to feel and know that they can do this."

Carlos  Villanueva  (2-5) picked up the  victory after striking out three over two flawless innings of relief work.

Garrett Jones smacked three hits and scored once, while Reed Johnson stroked a two-run,  pinch-hit single  to tie the game  in the ninth for the Marlins, who had a four-game win streak halted.

Both  starters  performed well  despite  not  factoring  in the  decision,  as Chicago's  Jason  Hammel struck out  eight over seven scoreless innings, while Miami's Nathan Eovaldi retired the first 14 hitters he faced in order.

Nate  Schierholtz ended  Eovaldi's bid at a perfect game with a two-out single to center in the fifth and Coghlan followed with an RBI double to right to get the Cubs on the board.

Chicago  added  a pair  of key  insurance runs in  the eighth, as pinch-hitter Justin  Ruggiano  ripped a  one-out double before  Emilio Bonifacio smacked an infield single off the glove of Eovaldi.

After  Lake's fielder's  choice groundout left runners on the corners with two away, Rizzo ripped a double to left, clearing the bases for a 3-0 lead.

Miami  rallied  against Chicago closer Hector  Rondon in the ninth after Casey McGehee  and  Jones  started  the  frame  with  back-to-back  singles.  Rondon responded by striking out Marcell Ozuna, but Adeiny Hechavarria got a fly ball to drop in shallow right field to load the bases.

Pinch-hitter  Jeff  Bour followed with  a bouncer  to first baseman Rizzo, who flipped  to Rondon  covering the  bag. Bour  was originally  ruled safe  after Rondon's  foot appeared to slip off the bag before he caught the toss, but the Cubs challenged the ruling and the call was overturned following video review.

Johnson,  hitting in place of reliever Bryan Morris, then ripped Rondon's next offering into right-center field to plate both runners and tie the game.

Miami  had a chance to end it in the 11th after Ozuna singled, moved to second on  a  bunt, and  found third  on a  groundout, but  Brian Schlitter induced a groundout from pinch-hitter Jeff Baker to keep the contest tied.

                                   Game Notes

Schierholtz's single in the fifth was his 500th career hit ... Chicago has won seven  of  its last  eight home  games ... The Cubs improved  to 2-6 in extra innings  this season, while Miami dropped to 3-4 ... The Marlins went 3-for-11 with runners in scoring position and left nine men on base ... Eovaldi allowed three  runs on  six hits with eight  strikeouts over 7 2/3 innings ... Chicago
came into the game 22-2 when leading entering the ninth inning this season.

Coverage of today's Cards and Blue Jays game can be heard on Newstalk 97.3 WTIM beginning at 11:30am.

Toronto, ON (SportsNetwork.com) - Jose Bautista and Brett Lawrie both homered, Marcus Stroman spun six-plus strong innings, and the Toronto Blue Jays secured their  sixth straight win  with a 3-1 decision over the St. Louis Cardinals in the opener of a three-game series Friday at Rogers Centre.

Bautista  belted a solo shot in the third, while Lawrie launched a tiebreaking blast in the fifth to make a winner out of Stroman (3-0), who struck out seven and  allowed just  one run on seven hits  with two walks to pick up the win in his second big league start.

Jose  Reyes finished 3-for-3  with an RBI for Toronto, which has won 15 of its last 17 games.

Lance  Lynn (6-4)  absorbed the loss after  giving up two runs on six hits and four walks with six strikeouts over five frames.

"There's  good and there's  bad," said Lynn. "I thought I made some pitches to have some better results. There is the good and the bad. That's part of it."

Allen  Craig collected two  of St. Louis' seven hits and drove in the lone run for  the Cardinals, who  went 1-for-12  with runners  in scoring position and suffered their fifth loss in six games.

St. Louis struck first in the opening frame as Matt Carpenter worked a leadoff walk before moving to third on Matt Holliday's one-out, ground-rule double.

Craig  then  ripped a single to  right to plate Carpenter, but Bautista gunned down  Holliday at  the  plate for  the  second out  before  Stroman induced  a groundout from Yadier Molina to keep the margin at one.

Bautista  brought  the Blue  Jays even with  his leadoff blast  to left in the third,  while  Lawrie put  Toronto on  top for  good with  his two-out shot to center field in the fifth.

Toronto  seemed  poised to tack  on some runs in  sixth after Anthony Gose and Reyes smacked back-to-back singles before Melky Cabrera reached on Carpenter's fielding error to load the bases with no outs.

However,  Bautista followed  with a sharp liner to second that Daniel Descalso snared  before  flipping to  shortstop Jhonny  Peralta to  double off Reyes at second. Peralta then fired to first baseman Craig to complete the 4-6-3 triple
play.

"I  did  everything I could," said  Bautista of the  play. "I laid off two bad pitches,  swung at the one in the zone and hit it hard just right at somebody. It's out of my control."

The  Blue  Jays added  an insurance  run in  the eighth,  as Lawrie and Dioner Navarro  opened the  inning with consecutive singles before Reyes followed two batters later with a run-scoring base hit to right for a 3-1 lead.

Casey  Janssen  then fired  a 1-2-3  ninth to nail  down his  11th save of the season.

                                   Game Notes

Stroman  made his first  major league start on May 31 and yielded just one run on five hits with six strikeouts in a 12-2 victory over the Royals ... Toronto swept a three-game series in St. Louis in the last meeting between these teams on  June 24-26,  2011 ... Toronto leads  the majors with 89 homers this season ...  St.  Louis stranded nine baserunners  in the setback ... St. Louis turned
its first triple play since May 5, 2005 against the San Diego Padres.

A 17-year-old male juvenile was arrested for various drug and alcohol charges Monday. Around 3:59am, Taylorville Police Department officers were out at Cheney and Market Street with a 17-year-old juvenile male who wrecked a scooter. Following the investigation, the juvenile was arrested for zero-tolerance DUI, illegal transportation of alcohol, driving without a license, and possession of drug paraphernalia. The juvenile male was transported to Taylorville Police Department, processed, and released to his mother.

A male juvenile was arrested Wednesday following an incident that involved a weapon. Around 6:50pm, Taylorville Police Department officers were sent to 601 West Franklin in reference to a domestic disturbance which reportedly involved a knife. Following the investigation, a 16-year-old male juvenile was arrested for domestic battery and two counts of aggravated assault.

Two people were sent to the hospital following a crash Sunday. Around 3:08pm, 28-year-old Kenneth V. Melvin of Taylorville was turning left into the parking lot of Mach 1. Melvin reportedly said he did not see 40-year-old Gary M. Smothers of Kincaid and struck him. Both Smothers and his passenger,  42-year-old Titalinda Werries of Springfield, were transported to Taylorville Memorial Hospital for treatment of injuries. Melvin was cited for failure to yield, no valid driver's license, and operating uninsured.

The Rural Electric Convience Cooperative's Annual meeting is coming up next Thursday at the Glenwood Elementary School in Chatham. Dana Smith, Director of Member and Public Relations, tells Regional Radio News about the meeting:

[audio:smithreccmeeting060614.mp3]comment here[/audio]

The three incumbent directors are: Thomas Hart of Atwater in District 4, John Beatty of Waverly in District 5, and Mel Repscher of Taylorville in District 6.

Strawberries made their debut at last Saturday's Taylorville Main Street Farmers Market.  In fact, Market Manager Ed Downs says they quickly sold out:

[audio:edmarket060514.mp3]comment here[/audio]

This week's market will also feature asparagus, kale and cabbage along with lettuce, radishes and other early season produce.  As always, the market will also offer locally produced baked goods and arts and crafts.  The Market is open every Saturday from 9am until 12:30pm on the east side of the Taylorville Square.

Shelbyville Police are seeking information on 3 theft suspects who stole money from the Shelbyville Wal-Mart. Police Chief Dave Tallman tells Regional Radio News about the situation:

[audio:tallmantheft060614.mp3]comment here[/audio]

Chief Tallman says the suspects did the same thing at a Wal-Mart store in southern Illinois. Pictures of 2 of the suspects can be seen below. The third suspect was driving the vehicle and was not captured on camera. If you have any information, contact the Shelbyville Police at 774-2141 or Shelby County Crime Stoppers at 800-528-8477.

The older suspect.

The younger suspect.

Chicago,  IL (SportsNetwork.com)  - Anthony Rizzo's tie-breaking solo homer in the  bottom  of the seventh  inning propelled the  Chicago Cubs to their first series sweep of the season, capped by Thursday's 7-4 triumph over the New York Mets.

Rizzo finished 2-for-4 and Junior Lake had a two-run triple in Chicago's third victory  against the  Mets in as many days. Starting pitcher Travis Wood drove in three runs, two of which came on a homer in the second inning.

Wood  walked five and hit a batter in five-plus innings on the mound, but held the  Mets to two runs while not  factoring in the final outcome. Justin Grimm (2-2)  received the  win despite allowing a game-tying two-run homer to Andrew Brown in the top of the seventh.

Ruben  Tejada  and Chris  Young added  RBI singles for  New York. Mets starter Jacob  deGrom lasted  just five  innings, permitting  four runs  while walking three.

After  the Mets roared back from a 4-0 deficit with a two-run sixth inning and Brown's  blast in  the top of the  seventh, Rizzo put Chicago back in front by hammering  a fastball from Vic Black (1-1) deep into the seats in right-center in the Cubs' portion of the inning.

"At  [a] 3-1  [count] I don't think  [Black] wants to walk a batter there, and he's  got pretty good stuff, too," said Rizzo. "He challenged me and it worked out for me."

Lake's  two-out triple into the gap in right center provided some insurance in the eighth, coming after the Mets opted to intentionally walk Emilio Bonifacio with Darwin Barney stationed at second.

Neil  Ramirez had  no  trouble protecting  the three-run  lead  in the  ninth, retiring the side in order for his first career save.

"Anytime you can take a series and then potentially a sweep like we did today, it's  a  good thing,"  said Cubs  manger Rick Renteria.  "Those guys have been battling and they continue to grind."

Wood  had yielded just  one hit through the first three innings and helped his cause  in the  second with his eighth  career homer, part of a three-run frame extended by a successful challenge by Renteria.

Luis Valbuena reached on a leadoff double and later took third on a force play before  attempting to score on an Eli Whiteside fly ball. He was called out on a  strong throw  from Brown  in left,  but replays  showed he  narrowly evaded Travis d'Arnaud's tag and the call was overturned for the game's first run.

Wood  then swatted  deGrom's next  pitch  deep into  the bleachers  for a  3-0 advantage.

Chicago  tacked  on  another  run  off deGrom  an  inning  later  when  Barney doubled,  moved to third  on a grounder and beat Tejada's throw home on Wood's bouncer to short.

"My stuff was good, I just struggled with command," said deGrom. "I got behind a lot of people and had to pitch to them. That pretty much sums it up."

The  Mets failed to  score despite loading the bases in the top of the fourth, but  a walk  to Brown in the  sixth was followed by singles from Wilmer Flores and  Tejada  that got New  York on the  board. Young cut  the lead to 4-2 soon afterward with a bloop single off Brian Schlitter that plated Flores.

Grimm  came on for  Chicago in the seventh and surrendered a one-out single to Eric Campbell that preceded Brown's homer to left center.

                                   Game Notes

The  three-game  sweep was the Cubs'  first at Wrigley Field since July 13-15, 2012  against  Arizona, and first over  the Mets in Chicago since April 23-25, 2004 ... Brown had been recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas prior to the game ... Wood's homer was his second this season, also having connected against Arizona on  April 21  ... The Mets went  2-for-13 with runners in scoring position for
the  game and  4-for-30 in those situations during the series ... Barney ended 2-for-4  with two  doubles and  three runs  scored ...  Chicago chose  Indiana catcher/outfielder Kyle Schwarber fourth overall in Thursday's MLB Draft, with the Mets taking Oregon State outfielder Michael Conforto with the No. 10 pick.