Local News

Over 160 Attend Christian County CEO Dinner

Over 160 people attended the “Relay for Life” dinner sponsored by the Christian County C-E-O, or “Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities” program for county high school seniors, Saturday night at the Taylorville Memorial Hospital auditorium.
The event was created by the 9 C-E-O students, to raise funds for their business start-up's, and 15-percent of the proceeds also went to the American Cancer Society Relay for Life.

Following dinner catered by Queen B's Catering, the interim executive director of the Midland Institute in Effingham, Cheryl Mitchell, told those gathered that she resigned her grade school teaching position on December 4th, and started her position as interim executive director at the Institute December 8th.

And, Mitchell added that school doesn't give high school students the chance to be an individual, while the C-E-O program does give those enrolled in the program the opportunity to do that.

Following Mitchell's remarks, a host of items were auctionned by local auctioneer and C-E-O board member Joe Curvey.


And, silent auction and 50/50 raffle drawing winners were then announced.
The winner of a golf car, donated by Battery Specialists Plus Golf Cars, was Bill Beyers.
Christian County C-E-O facilitator Dick Adams told Regional Radio News following the event, that he was very proud of the work the 9 C-E-O students did in holding the event.

The Christian County C-E-O program is open to high school seniors in Christian County, and utilizes area businesses as classrooms from 7:30 til 9 each school day.  Students earn 2 high school credits, and the program is entirely funded by business investors.  Recruiting visits to Christian County high schools for next year's C-E-O class, will begin in the coming days.  For more information and for an application to participate in next year's program, go to christiancountyc-e-o-dot-com.

Several Hundred Turnout for Taylorville Kiwanis Club Pancake and Sausage Day

Several hundred people turned out on a sunny Saturday morning, to enjoy pancakes and sausage at the annual Taylorville Kiwanis Club Pancake and Sausage Day at the Taylorville Moose Lodge.

Kiwanis members sold tickets both in advance and at the door, as well as did the cooking and serving of the pancakes and sausage.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the many programs sponsored by the Taylorville Kiwanis Club in the local community, including Coats for Kids, Kiwanis Park, high school and YMCA scholarships, and the Christian County CEO Program, among others.

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

Several hundred people turned out for Saturday's Taylorville Kiwanis Club Pancake and Sausage Day at the Moose Lodge.  The fund raiser benefits local Kiwanis programs for children and youth.

Brent Cornell won $163 in the 50/50 drawing at the event.

Kiwanis members volunteered to do the cooking and serving at Saturday's Taylorville Kiwanis Club Pancake and Sausage Day.  Among those in the kitchen for the early shift, from the left, included Duane Stock, Martin Vota, Blain Cornwell, Cliff Beatty, Will Perkins, and Greg Haarman.

Area Residents Receive $1000 from H&R Block

Several H&R Block customers in the Regional Radio listening area have won $1000 recently due to the 1000 Win $1000 Daily Sweepstakes. Ronny Pearce, Franchise Owner of H&R Block told Regional Radio News those who get their tax return in before February 15 are entered into a drawing to win.

All nationwide H&R Block offices are participating. Pearce noted that in the Regional Radio listening area, the Pana office has the majority of the winners so far.

Pearce says those who have submitted their tax returns will remain in the drawing until the sweepstakes is over.

Customers will receive an e-mail once their taxes are done as a notification. More information on the sweepstakes can be found at your nearest H&R Block office or hrblock.com. 

*Richard Ivon receives his $1,000. Donna Ishmael also received her $1,000.

Edinburg FFA Alumni Dinner to be Held

A Candle and Corduroy Chicken Dinner & Auction will take place at the Edinburg Community Building on February 6. Doors will open at 5 p.m. and tickets are $11 for an adult and $7 for a child. Mikayla Johnson, Edinburg FFA Advisor, told Regional Radio News they want to support the FFA Alumni by helping them with scholarships and other needs.

A homemade fried chicken meal will be served, along with mashed potatoes & gravy, roll and homemade desserts will also be available. A kid’s meal will also be served for children. There will also be raffles, silent and live auctions, music, and more. Johnson says they hope to get more interest for the Edinburg FFA Alumni chapter.

 

More information can be obtained by calling Kylie Badman at 820-6710 or Johnson at 623-5733. 

Applications Available for Kincaid Flood Victims

Donated items and resources continue to come in to Kincaid for the flood victims. Due to these donations from corporate companies and businesses, an application process has started. Kincaid Police Chief Dwayne Wheeler told Regional Radio News that applications can be picked up at the Village Hall, and the deadline is March 4.

Wheeler says he has not received anything from Good360 yet, but has received drywall from Baxter Corporation and toiletry equipment from Sloan Valve Company.

Wheeler noted other businesses that have helped include Lowe’s and Doc’s Maytag. He says residents want to start construction on their houses, but lack the proper equipment.

The applications can be picked up at the Village Hall or at the Kincaid Police Department. More information is available by calling 237-5568. 

Tower Hill Boil Order Lifted

According to Tower Hill Village Superintendent Jim Goatley, a boil order that was in effect for the residents in the village of Tower Hill has been lifted. Customers no longer need to boil water to be used for human consumption. 

Taylorville Mail Carrier Credited for Preventing Potential House Fire

Monday started off as a normal day for Taylorville Post Office Mail Carrier, Eric Martin. Until an unexpected occurrence happened at a residence he delivers mail to at 1010 East Adams that afternoon. Martin told Regional Radio News he heard a buzzing sound and saw sparks coming from an exposed live electrical cord on a porch. That’s when he called the Taylorville Fire Department.

Firemen received the call then responded to the scene around 2:30. Captain Ron Smith of the Taylorville Fire Department described the call and noted it was a fire and shock hazard.

Smith reminds residents that an extension cord should be used temporarily, not permanently, as they can get hot. Like all mail carriers, Martin says they have to represent the Postal Service in a positive light, and keep an eye on the neighborhoods they deliver to.

Taylorville Assistant Fire Chief Andy Goodall and Taylorville Post Office Supervisor Keith Vickers commended Martin for being observant and alert by preventing a house fire from happening. 

Christian County LEADership Academy tours Miller Media Group

The Christian County LEADership Academy toured the Miller Media Group of radio stations on Wednesday afternoon, as they learned more about the business and learning more about each station. Sue Davis, a participant in this year’s program, told Regional Radio News her favorite part of the tour was President Randal J. Miller describing the history of each radio station.

Though LEAD recently started, Davis says it has been great so far.

Chris Casey, Community & Economic Educator, told Regional Radio News the program is in its third week and opens doors to new discoveries within the county.

Casey says the purpose is for individuals in the program to develop leadership skills and to learn more about Christian County.

For more information on the Christian County LEADership program, please contact the Greater Taylorville Chamber of Commerce at (217) 824-4919 or University of Illinois Extension, Christian County Office at (217) 287-7246.

2015 Miss Shelby County Fair Queen Tucker Describes Pageant Experience

 

Amanda Tucker will forever remember going to Springfield and competing in the 2016 Miss Illinois County Fair Queen Pageant at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, as she represented Shelby County as the 2015 Miss Illinois County Fair Queen. Tucker spent the past several months training with Shelby County Pageant Director, Sara Long. Tucker told Regional Radio News all the contestants were notified of how big an accomplishment it is to have made it to Springfield.

Competing on the big stage could mean that nerves can creep in. Tucker says she would focus on the experience as a way to thwart off the nerves.

Contestants had to do a personal interview with the judging panel, a one minute speech, wear a swimsuit and evening gown. Long gave high praise for Tucker as she represented Shelby County very well and spoke highly of her.

Long further stated that her and Tucker have some ideas and plan on attending events for the remaining winter and spring. The 2016 Miss Shelby County Fair Pageant has been set for July 14 at the Shelby Christian Church. More information can be found on Facebook at Miss/Jr Miss Shelby County – IL. 

FEMA to Work with State on Flood and Storm Damage Assessments

Governor Bruce Rauner stated today (Thursday) that the Federal Emergency Management Agency will assist with damage assessments in nearly two dozen counties devastated by the record and near-record flooding and severe storms following Christmas and early January.

Rauner said they want to do everything possible to help people and communities that were affected. He also mentioned the damage assessments will provide greater detail as to the impact of the rain and storms, and it could be used to support a request for federal assistance if the results indicate they meet the federal requirements.

 

Personnel from FEMA, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA), the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and local emergency management agencies are expected to begin assessing damage to homes and businesses in several counties, including Christian and Sangamon. Those assessments are expected to begin on February 4.

 

FEMA will also work with state and local officials on assessments of storm-related costs incurred by local governments in several counties, including Cumberland and Moultrie. Those assessments are expected to begin on February 1.

 

The State provided assistance to many affected communities as they supplied more than one million sandbags, some 10,000 tons of rock, some 4,000 tons of sand, 732 rolls of plastic, 8,600 hours by inmates filling and placing sandbags, 133,000 sandbags filled by inmates and more. The State Emergency Operations Center in Springfield was activated on December 28 to coordinate deployments of personnel and resources to help communities’ battle floodwaters. 

Board Members and Public Give Input during THS Informational Meeting

The Taylorville Community School District #3 Board members expressed their views on the FY17 Budget cut considerations. Board members stressed the potential loss of jobs, and cutting athletics programs. They also asked those in attendance to contact their State Representative and State Senator within their district about this issue, and to ask the community for support.

 

Several attendees provided suggestions and ideas of how to improve the financial situation, save the athletic programs, and avoid consolidation. Resident Stan Pratt suggested that school superintendents, board members, and supporters go to Springfield and do a rally.

 

Board member Dennis Atteberry agreed and liked Pratt’s idea. Taylorville High School senior Derek Lahey said his concern was sports, and if junior high and freshman athletics were cut, it makes JV and varsity athletics almost pointless

 

Board member Jim Andruch responded by saying they would save $110,000 if they cut the junior high and freshman sports, while $120,000 would be saved if they cut JV and varsity programs. He noted they didn’t want to shut everything down at once, but if no turnaround occurs, the rest of sports could get cut. He agreed with Lahey on the importance of the fundamentals and grassroots of sports. 

Great Turnout at THS Cafeteria Regarding FY17 Budget Cut Considerations

 

A great crowd turned out at the informational meeting that was held in the Taylorville High School cafeteria, as the Taylorville Community Unit School District #3 Board briefed the public on a number of FY17 budget cut considerations that could total more than $680,000. They include eliminating junior high and freshman athletics programs, moving K-3 students from Stonington Elementary to North and Memorial, reduce six teaching positions, reduce 4 support staff positions, and reduce existing budget items.

 

 

Board President Steve Milling opened with remarks followed by Superintendent Dr. Gregg Fuerstenau. Fuerstenau noted the operating rate in the education fund hasn’t increased since 1978.

 

Fuerstenau said a plan is out there, which is State Senator Andy Manar’s Senate Bill 1, which is a school funding reform bill that makes funding more equitable to schools in downstate Illinois. Fuerstenau says Taylorville has a 56% poverty rate according to the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), which is far less than schools up north.

 

State Representative Avery Bourne (R-Raymond) pointed out Governor Rauner included a change of a school funding formula during his State of the State Address, not take any funding away from districts, but would add money in rural and impoverished areas.

 

Fuerstenau stated in terms of categorical payments in special education, the State told them they will receive $350,000. Instead, they received $3,000.

 

Following Fuerstenau’s recap, the public provided their input on the situation.

 

 

ISP Districts 09 and 18 Issues Travel Advisory for Motorists Following Snowfall

The Illinois State Police in Districts 09 and 18 have issued a travel advisory for motorists who plan to get behind the wheel after the recent snowfall, which has caused slick conditions on the roadways and accidents. ISP Trooper Sean Ramsey, Safety Education Officer of District 09 told Regional Radio News that water from the melting snow will freeze due to low temperatures, and warned motorists about the danger of black ice in the area.

 

Ramsey offered safety tips to motorists such as planning ahead before going out, don’t follow the snowplows too closely, and store emergency items in your vehicle in case you get stranded for a length of time.

 

For motor vehicle assistance or if you’re stranded and need help, you can call the ISP District 9 office at 217-786-6677 or ISP District 18 at 618-346-3990, or dial 911. Road conditions are also updated by going to gettingaroundillinois.com.

Pawnee Woman Dies from Multiple Stab Wounds; Consistent with Homicide per Prelim Opinion

According to Sangamon County Coroner Cinda Edwards, 31 year-old Nicole Maxey of Pawnee was pronounced deceased at HSHS St. John’s Hospital at 4:43 a.m. Tuesday morning. Maxey was the victim of a stabbing incident which occurred in the 14000 block of Cotton Hill Road in Pawnee on Monday evening. The Coroner’s Office, Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office and Pawnee Police Department are investigating the circumstances. An autopsy was performed on Tuesday at the Memorial Medical Center. The preliminary opinion is that Maxey died from multiple stab wounds consistent with a homicide. No further information is available at this time.
 
Stay tuned to Regional Radio News and taylorvilledailynews.com when more information becomes available. 

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