Huge crowds from across Central Illinois came for Saturday's Grand Opening of
the new Furlove Charitable Resale Shop on the southwest corner of the
Taylorville square.

The non-profit business was established by co-owners Steve and Sherri Craggs
about a year and a half ago at another location, to raise money for expanding
the building and services at the Christian County Animal Control office on the
south side of Taylorville.

They bought what was the former Betty Rose Furniture building from Lee and
Dyanne Skinner last fall, and began the work restoring the 1892 structure.

The new location of the store enables the non-profit business to offer an eclectic
variety of items from clothing to furniture to electronics, and everything in
between. It also features a library, a "Man Cave", a toy section, and a
Christmas section among others.

Miller Media Group radio stations WMKR Genuine Country 94.3 and WRAN
groovy 97.3 broadcast live.

Co-owner Sherri Craggs said people turned out from many different
communities, and that she and her volunteer staff thoroughly clean each item
before putting it on the shopping floor.

Co-owner Steve Craggs shared during the live broadcast that he was
overwhelmed at the response at Saturday's grand opening.

The new location of the Furlove Charitable Resale Shop on the Taylorville
square is open 9 to 5 Monday thru Saturday. It'll be closed on Labor Day.

The Shelby County Airport Fly-In and Car Show appears Saturday, September 14th from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Shelby County Airport. Scott Jefson, Manager at Shelby County Airport says he is excited to kick off year two of the festivities, especially with the hard work in refurbishments that the airport has seen in the past year.

Jefson says that those community members who do not know much about the airport or their annual gathering should come out on September 14th to see the show and the fascinating aircrafts.

Jefson dives deeper into what it takes to keep the Shelby County Airport up to par and the services available for those who have trouble making it out to see the grounds.

The Shelby County Airport is located at 1599 IL 16 in Shelbyville. Visit funplacestofly.com/aviation-event-details for more information.

Scott Jefson appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show live from our studios in Downtown Shelbyville.

A Christian County Board member and his nephew have been released from custody following a domestic battery charge. Ray Koonce, member of District 3, was arrested on Thursday afternoon and appeared in front of Judge Douglas Jarman on Friday. Koonce was arrested on August 29th after he allegedly made physical contact with Tristin Huddleston, later identified as Koonce’s nephew.  

According to the report at 2:09 PM on Thursday, Christian County Officers were dispatched to a residence.  Upon arrival, they met Koonce and Huddleston for a report of domestic battery. Both were living at the residence. Huddleston indicated that there was an argument over delaying a travel departure to another city that led to a physical argument.  Huddleston told police Koonce struck him several times in the bathroom in the left kneecap. Koonce told police that Huddleston was the aggressor. 

Huddleston also appeared in court. His probable cause listed that there was an argument over travel plans and Koonce told police that Huddleston raised his fists in an effort to fight him. Koonce says Huddleston struck him several times. 

The misdemeanor charge, if found guilty, carries a sentence of up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $2,500. Koonce is set for a status hearing set for October 1st.  Huddleston is set for a status hearing on October 3rd.  

Regional Radio News reached out to County Board Chair Bryan Sharp but he was unavailable for comment. 

Applications are now open for the 2024 Deer Herd Management Program at the Macon County Conservation District.  This program helps to keep the deer population healthy, and maintain balanced ecosystems within the District’s conservation areas. Applications may be picked up at Rock Wsprings Nature Center or you can download it from maconcountyconservation.org. 

The Macon County Conservation District will provide limited access to three blinds for hunters with disabilities.  The blinds are at Rock Springs, Friends Creek, and Sand Creek Conservation Areas. Indicate on the application if special accommodations are needed. 

Applications must be returned by September 20th.  Late applications will not be accepted.  A lottery drawing of all applicants will be held on Friday, September 27th. Hunters don’t need to be present to be included in the drawing. 

Conservation areas included in this program are Rock Springs, Sand Creek, Friends Creek, and Fort Daniel.  The program dates are November 1st through December 26th. Except for November 22nd-24th, and December 5th-8th.  Permits will be available for purchase on October 2nd after the lottery drawing.  

For more information, contact Mitch Lovgren by phone at 217-519-9926 or email at Mlovgren@MaconCountyConservation.org.  Rock Springs Nature Center is located at 3939 Nearing Lane in Decatur. 

The Pana Tri-County 2024 Pageant took place on Wednesday Night.  Crowned new Miss Pana Tri-County is MaKenna Lutz. Taking 1st Runner Up was Kinadee Dial, 2nd Runner Up was Alivia Kent and Miss Congeniality was Joplin Hartman.  Liz Martin was named Miss People's Choice.  Regional Radio News salutes you ladies on your achievements. 

Announced as winners in the Junior category include 2024 Teen Miss Pana Tri-County is Riley Lancaster! 1st Runner Up- Kaylee Kuhn 2nd Runner Up and People’s Choice- Laynee Smith Teen Miss Congeniality- Faith Morrison.   Regional Radio News salutes you ladies on your achievements.

2024 Jr. Miss Pana Tri-County is Madison Yard! 
1st Runner Up- Evelynn Cervi 
2nd Runner Up- Avery Robinson 

2024 Little Miss Pana Tri-County is Hadleigh Millburg! 
1st Runner Up- Fallon Breedlove
2nd Runner Up- Gwendolyn Evrley

The Coalshaft South parking lot and boat ramp at Lake Shelbyville will be closed starting the evening of Monday, September 2nd through 5 PM Thursday, September 5th, for a fish habitat placement project.  The closures apply to both vehicle and pedestrian traffic.  These closures are necessary to provide safety for workers and members of the public while work is being conducted. 

The Lake Shelbyville Fish Habitat Alliance, IDNR Fisheries, and US Army Corps of Engineers recently hosted a build where 33 volunteers helped to construct 100 artificial fish habitat structures. The project is part of ongoing efforts to replace fish habitat that has been lost at Lake Shelbyville due to decay, siltation, and flooding with long-lasting habitat beneficial to the lake and fishermen. 

These efforts are a partnership between Lake Shelbyville Fish Habitat Alliance, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Fisheries, the Illinois Natural History Survey, and the US Army Corps of Engineers.  The US Army Corps of Engineers apologizes for any inconvenience it may cause. For more information, contact the Lake Shelbyville Project office at 217-774-3951.  

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced significant updates to its Farm Service Agency's  Farm Loan Programs, effective September 25, 2024. These changes, part of the "Enhancing Program Access and Delivery for Farm Loans" rule are designed to improve financial opportunities for farmers and ranchers, ensuring their profitability and long-term viability.

Key changes include the Low-Interest Installment Set-Aside Program, a new program that allows financially distressed borrowers to defer one annual loan installment per qualified loan at a reduced interest rate, offering a quicker solution to financial distress.

Flexible Repayment Terms, where all eligible loan applicants will now have access to more flexible repayment options, which look to enhance profitability and allow farmers to build working capital reserves and savings.

FSA Administrator, Zach Ducheneaux, points out that these improvements are part of USDA’s ongoing efforts to eliminate barriers to credit and provide crucial financial support, especially to those in need. The changes are aligned with the broader goals of the Biden-Harris administration to transform America’s food system, focusing on equity, resilience, and sustainable practices.

For more information, visit www.usda.gov.

As Illinois prepared for typical August heat, with temperatures expected to reach and exceed 90 degrees, health experts are warning residents about the dangers of heat-related illnesses. Dr. Brian Curtis, Vice President of Clinical Specialty Services for OSF Health Care, notes that the state averages 10 days annually with temperatures at or above 90 degrees, putting many at risk for heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
        
 

Dr. Curtis cites the importance of preparation and awareness during these hot months. He explains that heat exhaustion, characterized by cool, clammy skin, excessive sweating, and severe muscle cramps, can quickly progress to heat stroke if not addressed. Heat stroke is a medical emergency and presents with symptoms like dry skin, confusion, and extremely high body temperatures, requiring immediate medical attention.

Doctors agree that while outdoor workers and athletes are often affected, children, older adults, and those without air conditioning are particularly vulnerable, even indoors. He warns that high humidity can exacerbate the situation, making it harder for the body to cool down, and urges vigilance, especially for those most susceptible.

With hospitals regularly treating heat stroke cases each summer, residents are advised to stay hydrated, seek cool environments, and monitor vulnerable individuals closely during heatwaves.

A house fire in Nokomis has firefighters urging families to check for smoke detectors.  In the early hours of Friday morning, Nokomis Area Fire Protection District was alerted by Montgomery County 9-1-1 of a structure fire in the 100 block of North Oak Street in Nokomis.  The call came in around 2:48 AM and when NAFPD arrived on the scene, heavy fire was showing from the rear 2nd-floor window of a 2-story single-family home.  

Due to low manpower, Raymond-Harvel Fire, Pana Fire, Nokomis-Witt Area Ambulance Service, and Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency all helped the family get set up with the Red Cross. Fire and Rescue say that the second floor suffered major fire and smoke damage and a large portion of the floor suffered water damage.  The house is structurally sound and should be able to be remodeled.  

Nokomis Fire said that there were no smoke detectors in the house.  The fire started in an occupied bedroom, and had there not been a resident awake at the time, this could have been a multi-fatality fire.  Nokomis Fire urges residents to have working smoke detectors in each bedroom and common living areas and check them often. 

Taylorville Memorial Hospital has recently named their ‘Colleague of the Month’ for the month of August. Lorilei Freitag, Food Service Associate, is the non-profit hospital’s Colleague of the Month. Frietag was nominated for her attention to detail behind the counter and in the kitchen.

Freitag’s nominator had high praise for her diligent work in ensuring food is always properly prepared and presented to her acute care patients. Freitag always “puts on her sunshine” when serving patients and is mindful of safety and sanitation in and around the kitchen.

Freitag has worked for Taylorville Memorial Hospital since 2018. Regional Radio News salutes Lorilei Freitag as the August Colleague of the Month.

The Social Security Administration wants to inform the community of the changes regarding accessing the My Social Security Account. Those looking to create an account will need to visit Login.gov or ID.me. If you have been accessing your My Social Security Account since September 18th, 2021, to look into benefits, social security statements, and estimated of future benefits, the new URLs must be used with the same email and password used to access the original My Social Security Account.

Jack Myers, Public Affairs Specialist with the Social Security Administration says there is not a set date yet, but a full switch to Login.gov and ID.me will be made.

Myers says once a person has entered their account through Login.gov or ID.me, nothing has changed from the original My Social Security Account, the same interface and information will be found.

For more information on the change in websites visit SSA.gov.

Jack Myers appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show.

The Christian County Sheriff's Office is staying updated on the latest forms of safety and rescue technology with the introduction of a thermal Drone. The purchase was made possible by a partnership with Norfolk Southern Corporation and their grant funding efforts to support their mission in the Midwest Division.

Chief Deputy Jim Baker of the CCSO says the drone will be useful in cases of missing children, responding to vehicle/train collisions, and surveillance when needed.

The technological and physical capacities of the drone have a couple of Christian County Deputies receiving training to be in compliance with the Federal Aviation Administration.

The grant, powered by Norfolk Southern was for $10,000 and Chief Deputy Jim Baker is thankful to advance safety tools and measures in Christian County.

The Strasburg Community Action Network provided the Strasburg Village Board with a check for $5000 to support the Strasburg Park project during the monthly August Village Board meeting. The Village of Strasburg was recently provided with a $318,000 OSLAD grant that the village now has to match or exceed the total dollar amount of the grant.

At this time, the Village of Strasburg is raising funds for their needed match of the OSLAD grant for the park project. Strasburg is turning to community members for support with their two scheduled fundraisers taking place in September. On September 7th, a bake sale will be held during the Town Wide Rummage Sales with proceeds supporting the project. On September 27th, the village of Strasburg will hold a ‘CASS’ Burrito meal towards the same benefit.

Currently, Strasburg still requires over $100,000 to at least match or exceed the OSLAD grant amount. For more information, contact Karen Kull at 217-549-3141.

Applications are now open for the 2024 Deer Herd Management Program at the Macon County Conservation District.  This program helps to keep the deer population healthy, and maintain balanced ecosystems within the District’s conservation areas. Applications may be picked up at Rock Springs Nature Center or you can download it from maconcountyconservation.org. 

The Macon County Conservation District will provide limited access to three blinds for hunters with disabilities.  The blinds are at Rock Springs, Friends Creek, and Sand Creek Conservation Areas. Indicate on the application if special accommodations are needed. 

Applications must be returned by September 20th.  Late applications will not be accepted.  A lottery drawing of all applicants will be held on Friday, September 27th. Hunters don’t need to be present to be included in the drawing. 

Conservation areas included in this program are Rock Springs, Sand Creek, Friends Creek, and Fort Daniel.  The program dates are November 1st through December 26th. Except for November 22nd-24th, and December 5th-8th.  Permits will be available for purchase on October 2nd after the lottery drawing.  

For more information, contact Mitch Lovgren by phone at 217-519-9926 or email at Mlovgren@MaconCountyConservation.org.  Rock Springs Nature Center is located at 3939 Nearing Lane in Decatur. 

The Pana Tri-County Fair kicked off on Tuesday evening, opening up the 75th annual year of grandstand events, carnival food, and community gathering. The opening night saw the little Miss, Jr. Miss, Teen, and Queen Pageant at the grandstand and the opening of the carnival. Royalty was busy explaining their year-long initiatives and community involvement.

The six-day fair will feature timber shows and harness racing on Friday Saturday and Sunday, a rodeo coming to Pana on Thursday night at 7:00 p.m., the monster truck show on Friday at 7:00 p.m. Beck’s Creek Farm Petting Zoo will be out Friday through Sunday and the week full of events will conclude with the Labor Day Parade on Monday at 10:00 a.m.

Find a full list of events at www.panatricountyfair.com.

Lead has been found in Manners Park.  Taylorville Park District announced that following the latest round of environmental testing done by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, levels of lead were found in a small area of Manners Park.  Taylorville Park District announced that they have entered into a voluntary remediation program with the IL EPA to clean it up.  

Taylorville Park District President Marlane Miller says that they are working diligently with the EPA on this lead issue. 

Miller says the lead was found near the fenceline of one of the ballparks. 

This lead has nothing to do with the remediation project that was being done outside of Manner's Park. Miller says they are working to stay on top of this and will do what the EPA wants to get to the point where Manner's Park does not have any of these concerns.

Miller says the park will cordon off the area that has lead in it to keep people out of the contaminated area. If you would like a copy of the report, the Illinois EPA has a copy of all the test results. For more information, contact the Taylorville Park District. 

To help ensure stability for children who have been removed from their homes by DCFS, a new law allows the children to stay in their schools, even if their new homes are outside of the school district. The legislation, filed by State Senator Steve McClure (R-Springfield), is designed to close a loophole where certain children were forced to move out of their schools after they reported abuse.

Senator McClure says it is important that abused children are protected.  One way to protect them is to make sure they are not forced to leave their schools.  He says forcing victims of child abuse to change schools is like punishing them for being abused. 

Under current law, depending on what home a child is placed in by DCFS, they may or may not be able to attend school in the district where they previously resided.

Senate Bill 2824, filed by McClure, closes the loophole and ensures that all children who have been removed from their homes by DCFS are able to attend their original school district, if determined by DCFS to be in the best interest of the child. This includes situations where a student is moving from elementary to middle school, or from middle school to high school.

SB 2824 was signed into law on August 9th.

The first weeks at the new Pana Elementary School building have been successful with smooth drop-offs and pick-ups for the parents, students enjoying their new facilities, and educators excited for another year of learning development inside the freshly renovated space. Pana Elementary School hosted a community-wide open house and ribbon cutting earlier this month and Principal Adam Metzger was pleased with the attendance and the response to the updates.

Painstaking work went into the library services at Pana Elementary as inventory from both Lincoln and Washington Elementary Schools needed to be transferred and "generefied" making reading selection easy for the kiddos.

With students returning to class, teachers learning their new tools, and all the other aspects that come with a momentous start-up like this, Principal Metzger wants to thank the dedicated custodial staff that ties up all the loose ends, making for a clean and safe day at school.

More information about the 2024-2025 school year can be found at www.panaschools.com.

Adam Metzger appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show.

When local skateboard resident Zaydin Dudra passed away in a tragic vehicle accident, Zaydin’s mother gave a compelling speech about Zaydin and his love for skateboarding.  Taylorville did not have a skateboard park and Dudra wouldn’t get to witness the completed project, but the message hit home for Evan Mitchell.  He wanted a skateboard park too.  In fact, Mitchell has wanted a skateboard park since he was a teenager. 

Well, the dream is slowly getting there. Phase 1 of the Zaydin Dudra Memorial Skateboard Park is complete.  The first part of the park includes an obstacle bank-to-wall that looks like a skateboard sticking out of the ground.  This is mostly for beginner and intermediate skill levels.  There is a grind rail shaped like a coffin for intermediate to expert level, and a grind box, shaped like the Simpson’s couch for all levels.  Mitchell says that there is something for everyone. 

The work isn’t done yet.  Mitchell would like to see more, but this is a donations-based project and the group is kind of stuck.  The board gave a 50x100 feet space, but only poured concrete for 50x50.  The skateboard committee is expecting two large quarter pipes from Effingham Park District by April of 2025. 

Evan Mitchell said the Skateboard Committee appreciated all the donations and thanked Eric Bruder, Taylorville Mayor Bruce Barry, Taylorville Police Chief Dwayne Wheeler, Park District President Marlane Miller and the rest of the board, former recreational director Bailey Hancock, and current recreational director Jessica Franks and the many volunteers.  He also thanked Austin Moore, Jeremy Gordon, Brad Bedinger, and ABC Supply. For more information, and how you can help, visit the Park district website. You can also call the Park office or Jessica Franks.  

Taylorville Skateboard Park is located at 1700 W Vandeveer Street at the Don Bragg Sports Complex. 

The Taylorville Kiwanis Club heard from the Athletic Director at Taylorville High School, at its Tuesday meeting at the Taylorville Moose Lodge.

Jason Hadley, a T-H-S grad, became Athletic Director in 2020 after previous positions in education.  He is responsible for scheduling games and matches for 19 different high school sports.  Hadley added that fall sports are underway including football, volleyball, cross country, boys and girls golf, boys soccer, girls tennis, cheer, dance, and band.

Highlights of Taylorville's fall sports include the volleyball team winning their first match of the season in the newly air-conditioned high school gym.

Hadley added there are also several new coaches leading teams this fall.

He shared that the high school building project is in full swing, which will provide students with a new choir room, new home for the Tommy TV video production class, and a new gym.  

Kiwanis Park committee co-chair Duane Stock reported that 6 Kiwanis members helped begin construction last Saturday on what will be a new climbing wall near the playground area at the park.  

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

In response to growing reports of violence and discrimination against LGBTQ+ seniors, Illinois has launched a new training program titled OUTSafe, aimed at improving the safety and well-being of this vulnerable population. The free program, developed by AgeLinc, offers training to law enforcement, healthcare providers, and social service workers across the state to better understand and support LGBTQ+ older adults.

The need for such a program was brought by alarming statistics from the U.S. Department of Justice, which show a significant rise in hate crimes based on sexual orientation and gender identity in Illinois. Hate crimes based on sexual orientation have surged nearly sevenfold, while those based on gender identity have increased fourfold between 2020 and 2022.

LGBTQ+ seniors often face emotional abuse, financial exploitation, and physical abuse, with many retreating into isolation due to fears of discrimination in assisted care settings. OUTSafe aims to address these issues by educating service providers on the specific needs of LGBTQ+ seniors, including the use of appropriate language and the creation of safe spaces.

Funded by a state grant from Senator Doris Turner and the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, OUTSafe hopes to train hundreds of service providers in the coming months. The goal is to ensure that LGBTQ+ seniors can seek support without fear of discrimination or stigma.

Service providers interested in the training can find more information at AgeLinc's website.

The Effingham County Sheriff’s Office has released information concerning speed enforcement efforts. Throughout the month of July, The Effingham County Sheriff’s Office reminded motorists to slow down to save lives.  The speed enforcement effort was conducted by the Sheriff’s Office and other local law enforcement agencies across the state to reduce highway fatalities.  

During the campaign, the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office issued 24 speeding citations, 1 uninsured motorist citation, 1 improper lane usage citation, and 8 written warnings for traffic violations.  The speed enforcement effort was made possible by federal traffic safety funds administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation. 

Central Cremation Center in Forsyth, IL, is committed to providing affordable and convenient end-of-life arrangements for community members and their families, offering a wide range of services suited to properly memorialize a loved one.

Brett Zerfowski, Director of Public Relations at Central Cremation Center says the need for these sensible and cost-effective arrangements has grown over their three years in business and CCC has been the constant in families' lives when a loss of life occurs.

A Central Cremation Center staff member is on hand 24/7 to answer calls and begin the arraignment process, a feature and benefit that is uncommon among funeral and cremation organizations.

Pet cremations is a service that began as more of a novelty at Central Cremation Centers but Zerfowski says that posting pet obituaries and getting the animal cremated became popular and important for citizens.

Find more information about all the services and prices offered at Central Cremation Center by visiting www.centralcremationcenter.com.

CCC is located at 110 West Weaver Road in Forsyth, IL.

Brett Zerfowski appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show.

The Democratic National Convention in Chicago's United Center is all wrapped up and saw policy outlines from Nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, speakers from both sides of the aisle, and unrest beyond the walls of the convention with ongoing pro-Palestinian protests.

Dr. Kent Redfield, a retired Political Science Professor from the University of Illinois says the week went as well as it could have for Democrats. As for the voices heard at the DNC, Dr. Redfield notes the irony between talking points from Senator Bernie Sanders, a democratic socialist, and Governor J.B. Pritzker, a person who comes from enormous wealth.

Dr. Redfield believes the democratic party is in a better spot in the polls and minds of voters who were apprehensive about the Harris/Walz campaign.

Prior to VP Kamala Harris's entrance into the presidential race, states like North Carolina, Georgia, Arizona, and Nevada would not have been considered battleground states but are now up for grabs heading toward the election in November.

The presidential debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and Former President Donald Trump is scheduled for September 10th.

Dr. Kent Redfield appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show.

Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS) is pleased to announce that Anthony Powers, MBA, BSN, RN, has been named the new Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital in Effingham and HSHS Good Shepherd Hospital in Shelbyville. The CAO is a new role at HSHS that provides on-site, localized leadership overseeing nursing, operations, and all other organizational functions of the hospital.

Powers will begin on Sept. 16, and reports to Chad Markham, who was recently promoted to Chief Operating Officer of the HSHS Central Illinois Market.

Powers is a healthcare executive with depth of experience on the clinical and executive sides. He joins HSHS from Baptist Health Corbin (BHC) in Corbin, Kentucky, a member of Baptist’s Health nine-hospital non-profit system based in Louisville, Kentucky. He most recently served as their Market President and Chief Executive Officer, but also served as Chief Operating Officer, Vice-President and Chief Nursing Officer, Nursing Unit Director and medical/surgical staff nurse.

He completed his Bachelor of Science in nursing at Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, Kentucky, and his Master of Business Administration in healthcare management at Baker College in Lansing, Michigan. He also has a Nurse Executive Certification from the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

For more information about HSHS, visit hshs.org.
 

South Fork Dirt Riders proudly celebrated its membership with the Greater Taylorville Chamber of Commerce during a ribbon-cutting ceremony held on Wednesday, August 21st at 9 a.m. The event took place at their facility located at 794 IL Route 104, Taylorville.

Founded in 2000 by Terry & Leroy Harris, together with their children Michelle, Chad, and Charlie Harris, South Fork Dirt Riders began. South Fork Dirt Riders is a venue for ATV enthusiasts, inspired by their father's dream of sharing their family's love for riding trails on ATVs, and evolved into a beloved destination with over 200 acres of trails. Over time the park grew with a small motocross track eventually becoming one of the premier dirt tracks in the region.

While the focus shifted over the years from motocross racing to a variety of exciting events, South Fork Dirt Riders continues to offer an array of activities for riders and enthusiasts. The venue now hosts large Music and Mud events, side-by-side racing, and daily open riding sessions with all different skill-level trail options. The park is open from Thursday through Sunday, with riding available from 8 am until 5 pm. Entry fees are $20 for adults and $10 for children.

South Fork Dirt Riders also feature around 40 camping sites, including 9 full hook-up sites, water stations, dump stations, and a shower house. Their “Roost” building includes a kitchen, event space for rent, bar service, and a mechanical bull, making it an ideal location for gatherings and celebrations.

In addition to its recreational offerings, South Fork Dirt Riders significantly contributes to the local economy. Their major events, which can attract over 4,500 attendees from across the United States, drive traffic to local restaurants, shops, car washes, gas stations, etc. The park also supports the community by providing jobs and hosting special events such as fishing clinics for children and wing shooting for women.

For more information about South Fork Dirt Riders, follow them on Facebook at South Fork Dirt Riders or visit their website at www.southforkdirtriders.com.

The Taylorville Park Board sat down for their monthly August meeting on Monday night at 7 p.m. at the Manners Park Dining Hall. Prior to the meeting's start, Red Bland Little League parents and Board members were informed that they would not be allowed to speak at the meeting. Red Bland had not informed the Taylorville Park Board in advance that they wished to be included in the meeting's agenda. At this time, there is no further update on Red Bland Little League's future.

During the meeting, the Taylorville Park Board shared potential cause for concern regarding the recently approved and signed contract with Burbach Aquatics for the Manners Park Pool project. Two issues were discussed at length; the first being the existing water lines already in place for the pool are insufficient for the increased pool size. The second issue is that the Manners Park Pool will no longer be allowed to drain the pool's contents into the nearby pond. Instead, Manners Park Pool will be required to tie in to the sanitation line for any drainage purposes.

As of right now, the Manners Park Pool operates with water supply lines that are 2 inches in diameter. Burbach Aquatics has informed Park Superintendent Ben Dempsey, that the new pool project will require existing pipes be upgraded to at least 4 inches, preferably more. Dempsey spoke to the Taylorville Park Board about the options they now have for improving the water lines.

Dempsey then looked to address the second problem now facing the pool project, the  backwashing and draining of the expected new pool.

Currently, there is no price estimate for the cost of these now needed additions. The Taylorville Park Board is awaiting estimates before reducing or removing any items from the Manners Park Pool project, if needed. Burbach Aquatics estimates the project will be completed by May of 2026 at current pace.

The next Taylorville Park Board meeting is set for Monday, September 23rd.

A new law aims to educate new drivers about vehicles hauling hazardous materials. The legislation was filed by State Senator Steve McClure (R-Springfield) in response to a deadly accident in the 54th Senate District. The accident involved a tanker carrying 7,500 gallons of anhydrous ammonia that tragically killed 5 people and injured 11. The new legislation was filed at the request of Effingham County officials and is designed to educate drivers about the dangers of hazardous materials that vehicles are transporting on Illinois roadways.

Senator McClure says that the goal is to decrease the number of accidents involving vehicles with hazardous materials.  The more information young drivers have, the better.  He says all drivers need to be aware that minor accidents can have deadly consequences. 

Senate Bill 3406, filed by McClure in the Senate and sponsored by State Representative C.D. Davidsmeyer in the House, requires the Illinois Secretary of State to include education on hazardous material placards in the Rules of the Road publication, which is used to educate students in drivers education classes. The aim of the legislation is to educate drivers so that they know when hazardous materials are being transported on the roads with them.

SB3406 was signed by the Governor on August 9th.

There will be some upcoming blood drives in the Taylorville, Pana, and Shelbyville areas for September.  On September 3rd, the Pana Christian Church will hold a blood drive from 12-5 PM.  On September 4th, a blood drive will be at the Pana First United Methodist Church from 1-6 PM. On September 19th, Shelbyville will hold a blood drive from 12-5 PM at First Baptist Church. On September 30th, the Moulton Middle School will hold a blood drive from 3-7 PM in Shelbyville. 

For more information on these blood drives visit www.bloodcenter.org.  

Lake Land College is launching a new initiative to welcome and engage students enrolled in dual credit courses through a special "Golden Ticket" giveaway. The program aims to recognize and reward high school juniors and seniors who are getting a head start on their college education.

At the beginning of the fall semester, all dual credit students will receive a welcome packet containing helpful information and a giveaway item. In addition, one student from each participating high school will be randomly selected to receive a coveted Golden Ticket. This ticket can be redeemed for a personalized campus tour and a complimentary bag of Lake Land College merchandise from the Laker Nest Bookstore.

Tessa Wiles, Director of Dual Credit and Honors Experience at Lake Land College says Lake Land is excited to connect with our dual credit students in such a fun way. They are proud of the work they're doing to jumpstart their college education, and the college hopes this experience helps them see the many benefits of continuing their education at Lake Land.

Lake Land College's dual credit program offers high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to earn both high school and college credits simultaneously, providing a cost-effective and time-saving pathway toward a degree or certificate. The program is available to students throughout the Lake Land College district.

Winning students can schedule their campus visits, claim their merchandise, and find more information about dual credit opportunities and the Golden Ticket giveaway by contacting Wiles at 217-234-5044 or via email at twiles@lakelandcollege.edu.

Quad County Home Health Services in Pana is letting the community know about their services in chronic care management and returning to a life of independence and good health. Laura Cox, Community Liaison for QCHH describes the long list of services provided, the types and severity of care is totally dependent on the patient's condition and requirements.

QCHH prides themselves on their chronic care management, as professionals will teach citizens to care for their conditions in the comfort of their own homes.

Find more information about Quad County Home Health in Pana at panahospital.com/services/quad-county-home-healt.

Laura Cox appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show, live from out studios in downtown Shelbyville.

Taylorville Community Credit Union’s recently-concluded ‘Freedom Tree’ community food drive has helped local food pantries re-stock their shelves. For the 10th consecutive year, area residents and TCCU members donated hundreds of pounds of much-needed canned and boxed food items.TCCU President, Will Perkins, points out that TCCU was able to donate $2,000 in cash donations to the food pantries. 

Perkins explains that cash donations are vitally important to local food pantries because they use such funds to purchase considerably more food items from food banks.  For every dollar donated, a food pantry can purchase several pounds of food which is a terrific benefit to the food pantries and community residents.

All ‘Freedom Tree’ donations go directly to local food pantries to help support their efforts during what is traditionally a difficult time for them. The demand for their services increases during the summer months, when children are not in school, while at the same time, donations are historically less than during the end-of-year holidays.

Perkins says that every year, he’s seen the community support for this program.  He says TCCU is very proud to conduct this mid-year food drive to assist local organizations.  He continued by stressing that TCCU couldn’t do it without the generous support of so many others.

Taylorville Community Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial cooperative, founded in 1956. Its membership is open to anyone who lives or works in the tri-county area of Shelby, Christian and Montgomery Counties.

For more information about TCCU’s comprehensive range of financial products and services, or about how to join, visit the website at www.TCCU.org, or stop by any of the four locations: 422 W. Main Cross, Taylorville; 138 E. Wood, Hillsboro; 801 W. Union, Litchfield; 101  E. Fifth, Pana.

Taylorville Community Credit Union has opened registration for its 11th annual scholarship program, offering high school seniors in Taylorville, Hillsboro, Litchfield, and Pana the opportunity to earn financial support for their post-secondary education. Eligible students planning to attend trade schools, community colleges, or four-year universities can register until Friday, October 11.

TCCU President Will Perkins talks about the simplicity of the application process, requiring only a student’s name, a high-quality photo, and a completed Parental Permission form. Registration forms are available at all TCCU locations and on the credit union’s website.

Two students from each of the four high schools will receive $1,000 scholarships, with winners determined by votes from shoppers at local businesses. For every $10 spent at participating retailers, shoppers can cast one vote for their preferred student. Voting begins in mid-November and runs through February 28, 2025.

Scholarships will be awarded in May 2025. For more details, visit TCCU's website or contact local branches.
 

There will be a free family mental health night, hosted by the Christian County Health Department and the University of Illinois Extension Office. The night will be held on Tuesday, August 27th from 5:30-6:30 PM at 1120 N. Webster Street in Taylorville.  Refreshments will be provided and free gift bags will be given to the first 50 people. 

During the family mental health night, you will learn about creating healthy families, how to have conversations about mental health, mental health resources, SNAP education, and ways for families to be active together.  

Representatives from the Christian County Health Department and the University of Illinois Extension will be available to answer questions and provide resources. Find out more information by visiting the Christian County Health Department Facebook Page. 

Events continue to roll in for the University of Illinois Extension as their season of fairs and showings comes to a close. Taylor Pope, 4-H Youth Development Program Coordinator is excited to bring a range of topics and activities to area youngsters as school ramps back up.

Seats remain open for the program titled, "Exploring Nature's Canvas-Landscape Design" and appear on Wednesday, September 11th from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. This event will provide hands-on experience to those wanting to learn about shaping our outdoor spaces.

The Pumpkin Flower Arrangement class will kick off on Monday, September 26th from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. All pumpkins and carving tools will be provided thanks to Stacey Shanks of Locust Street Flower Farm.

Registration is open for the Charcuterie Creations class where students will learn what goes into a charcuterie board, the pairings of meats, cheeses, and crackers, and the design for a beautiful finished product.

Learn about all of these programs and register for them at go.illinois.edu/cjmm.

Taylor Pope appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show.

Illinois Secretary of State and State Librarian Alexi Giannoulias, has announced grant funding to upgrade library services across the state. Libraries within the 48th Senate District, which serves over 210,000 residents, are set to receive a total of $340,545 in grants.

The funding is meant to support library services and ensure that residents have equal access to quality resources and programming. Funding itself comes from a mix of annual per capita grants, equalization aid grants, public library construction grants, and newly introduced technology grants. Within the 48th Senate District, Stonington Township was awarded $1,474, Rochester received $11,196, and the Chatham Area garnered $25,775.

State Senator Doris Turner highlighted the power these grants can have, noting that they will help libraries advance their technology and materials. State Representative Mike Coffey emphasized the role of libraries as essential community hubs that offer limitless access to information. He expressed that the efforts funded by these grants will help libraries meet changing community needs. State Representative Sue Scherer also voiced strong support for the initiative, stating the role libraries play in providing residents with services such as internet access and educational programs.

Libraries will have up to two years to put the funding to use for upgrades like new hardware, upgraded online resources, improved Wi-Fi capability, and additional technologies for people with disabilities. For more information, contact Erin Henkel at 217-361-9832 or by emailing e-henkel@ilsos.gov.

A Stonington mother is asking for answers after she says a week-long string of assaults occurred on her child from another student. Ashley Peden, of Stonington, detailed her daughter's assault incident and the many hurdles her family has gone through over the last year to try to get answers and justice for her and her husband Chad's daughter. Peden says the situation has been a nightmare for her family. 

Chad Peden drove straight to The Christian County Sheriff's Office.  Chad's cousin is the chief of police of Stonington and didn't want there to be a conflict of interest.  At the Sheriff's Office, Ashley and Chad were told the Sheriff's Office wouldn't be able to handle the case because the child's parent worked for the Sheriff's Office. The case was sent to the Illinois State Police. Peden says finding an attorney has been a struggle because of conflict of interest issues.  The Peden's finally found an attorney Ashley says is a godsend. Ashley Peden says her attorney told her the boy admitted to guilt.

Ashley and Chad say they would love immediate justice, but they know that these things take time. A no-contact order is in place and there is a 500-foot measure for the accused child. The Peden's say that the Taylorville school District has asked that Peden's child make sacrifices to help the situation. Peden says she feels that the admin level did not let anyone else know about the situation.

Peden says she is so grateful for the community support. 

Peden thanked the parents of the other kids in the class for not treating her child any differently.  She says it's such a relief because of how much of a concern it was and it hasn't been. As far as a message for other parents who may be or may have to go through something similar.  Chad says it's important to have a plan.

Peden says she will be the voice for those who are too afraid to come forward. She stressed that while she is upset at Durham's she isn't upset at her bus driver who has been spectacular this whole time. The Pedens urge transparency and want justice and answers. Regional Radio News reached out to Durham's and to Taylorville School District.  Durham's was unavailable for comment, and the School District is sticking with a statement they released last week. Peden says she is slated to meet with members of the School District on Friday.   

To hear the whole full 40-minute interview with Ashley and Chad see below.

Lake Shelbyville’s Tree Stand Permits are now available for the 2024-2025 Deer Season.  The Tree Stand Policy for this year is set to remain the same as it was last season.  The policy allows hunters to leave one stand-up for the season and to utilize up to two “Roving” stands that can be left up during archery season for a period not to exceed a break in use greater than 72 hours. Seasonal tree stands may be placed two weeks prior to archery season and must be removed within two weeks of archery season-ending which runs from October 1st, 2024- January 19th, 2025. 

Hunters wishing to purchase a seasonal tree stand permit must present a valid hunting license before a permit will be issued.  Seasonal tree stand permits will be available for purchase ($30) using a credit or debit card at the Lake Shelbyville Project Office Monday-Friday from 8-4:30 PM at 1989 State Highway 16 in Shelbyville and Chip’s Marine at 1068 County Road 1025N in Sullivan.  

Roving tree stand permits are available throughout the area at many locations including Ace Hardware, Chip’s Marine, or Sullivan 66 Gas Station. They may also be picked up at the Lake Shelbyville Project Office. 

Hunters utilizing ladder stands are encouraged to purchase a Seasonal permit.  A Roving permit is designed for the mobile hunter and requires the hunter to remove the stand from the woods if there is a break in use for more than 72 hours.  While a ladder stand could be utilized they aren’t considered very portable.  This often results in citations.  The expense for failure to comply with posted restrictions is $80.  

For additional information, contact the Environmental Stewardship Department at 217-774-3951 ext. 7049. 
 

The Democratic National Convention in Chicago is underway and Tuesday night saw Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker speak to the audience at the United Center. One Illinois State Senator was not pleased with the content or remarks made by the Governor on Tuesday.

State Senator Steve McClure of the 54th District took issue with the governor's comments on being a "winner", as Governor Pritzker lost his first congressional race while outspending opponents. And the governor's "billionaire" comment, in which Senator McClure says the money was inherited.

With heightened police presence surrounding the DNC and Pro-Palestinian protests, Senator McClure questions why the great City of Chicago can not be this safe year-round.

Senator McClure notes the excessive number of times Former President Donald Trump was discussed at the DNC and questions why there was not more focus on policy and accomplishments from Democrats.

Senator McClure says he looks forward to the debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and Former President Donald Trump on September 10th.

Illinois State Senator Steve McClure appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show.

School is back in session for Central A&M School District which means some students will venture to Heartland Tech Academy, based out of Richland Community College, to begin pursuing their respective trades specialties.

Superintendent Sacha Young with Central A&M says these students will receive hands-on experience in fields like welding, auto mechanics and even an introduction to the certified nursing assistant program.

Superintendent Young notes that tuition for Heartland Tech Academy has gone down recently and that credits will be received by the student while pursuing this off-campus learning.

Learn more about the program at www.richland.edu, or call Central A&M School District at 217-226-4042.

Superintendent Sacha Young appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show.

Educators always say reading to kids is a great way to help with your kid's education, but reading can improve your health even as an adult. Whether you are curled up on the couch engrossed in an autobiography or tucked away in bed late at night with a good mystery, experts say that reading can do wonders for your health.  Ashley Pratt, A Psychotherapist for OSF Healthcare, says that it's one of the best things we can do for mental and physical health.

Research shows that 75% of adults participate in some form of reading, however, according to a separate study, the number of children between the ages of 9-13 reading, has dropped in the last decade. 

Pratt says most people need just six minutes of reading time a day to see some health benefits, especially for children. 

Pratt says reading fiction tends to be the most helpful when it comes to increasing skills such as empathy and the ability to learn and understand people.  It also shows an increase in resiliency and an ability to handle difficult emotions as readers learn about characters and the challenges they face.

Pratt says reading can also be an escape.

If you don't like to read, there are other ways that you can reap the benefits of reading. 

Just a few pages a day can help set your mind at ease and relieve stress.  Sometimes putting the phone down can go a long way. 

The Christian County Sheriff’s Office urges the public to be aware of a new scam involving individuals impersonating Sheriff’s Office Deputies.  Scammers are posing as Christian County Deputies using the name Michael Thomas and claiming to be a Sergeant or Lieutenant.  

The scam calls will appear on your caller ID as the official number 217-824-4961.  They will then tell you that you have a warrant but you can pay it over the phone.  The Christian County Sheriff’s Office will never contact you regarding warrants or take payment for a warrant over the phone.

If you do receive such a call, you are to hang up and contact CCSO to verify any concerns.  The Christian County Sheriff’s Office says they have received at least 20 calls about this scam.  They urge all citizens to stay vigilant and protect themselves from fraud.
 

The 75th Annual Pana Tri-County Fair is around the corner and the six-day event is action-packed from beginning to end. The fair begins on Wednesday, August 28th with the pageant and carnival opening and finishes on Monday, September 2nd with the Labor Day parade and harness racing.

The Pana County Fair Board went all out for the 75th year with 3 days of timber shows, a rodeo, and a monster truck show appearing throughout the week. Becky Michael, Secretary for the Pana Tri-County Fair, and Tammy Dickson, Co-Secretary and Co-Treasurer explain how this year's event came to be and all that they are looking forward to.

Kids Day festivities will kick off on Sunday, August 1st from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. mentioning balloon art and crafts for the kiddos, along with the demolition derby and whip show the same evening.

Tickets for the grandstand events can be purchased at the fairgrounds, the same goes for the monster truck show but you can buy tickets now at www.monstertrucktour.com.

To see the entire list of events and for more information on ticket purchasing and more, head to www.panatricountyfair.com.

The Pana Tri-County Fairgrounds is located at 605 North 2500 East road in Pana. 

Becky Michael and Tammy Dickson appeared as guests on the WTIM Pana Morning Show.
 

The former long-time president of the First National Bank in Taylorville has died.  
David Combs passed away Sunday.  He was 87 years old.

Combs had a lengthy history of banking in Taylorville.  He started as a bank teller, working his way up to President and CEO of the First National Bank in Taylorville.   He retired after 54 years of which 25 years he served as President.  

He was also a founding member of the former Independent Community Banks in Illinois, now the Community Bankers Association of Illinois, and served as their president from 1983 to 1984.  He also served on several other banking association boards.

Services for David Combs will be Monday in Taylorville.   See his complete obituary HERE.

A concise Christian County Board meeting took place on Tuesday evening as the board got together to discuss the ordinance, new business, and committee reports. The Assumption Drainage District #4 appointment was held off until next month.  Ordinances concerning a special use application for Mark Harris to start a daycare center in Morrisonville, and delinquent tax properties in Pana and Kincaid were all approved. 

Under highway, building, and grounds, the board denied approval of a proposed stage and restroom for the city of Taylorville's downtown improvement projects.  Some updates were approved including some engineering agreements.  Executive, Personnel, and Liquor approved a letter of support for the City of Taylorville Grant for 1 Block off the Square. An IMRF Authorized Agent was approved. The County Negotiating Team was approved along with the County Engineer Position.  

Dan Sheehan from Swift Energy was on hand to talk a little about the Black Dimond Solar Project.

The board voted to send it back to the committee for more discussion before bringing it up again in September.  The next Christian County Board Meeting is set for Tuesday, September 17th, 2024. 

The Taylorville Kiwanis Club heard from the long-time head football coach at Taylorville High School, at its Tuesday meeting at the Taylorville Moose Lodge.

Jeb Odam told Kiwanis members about the 2024 edition of the Football Tornadoes, saying there are some 82 players with 16 of them seniors, the most total number since the 2013-14 season.   He hopes to beat last year's 5-and-4 record which also put them in the state playoffs.  

Odam added this year's varsity Tornado squad will be more aggressive on defense, and more creative on offense.  Odam also told Kiwanis members that thanks to drone footage, instant replay and review of team plays by Tornado coaches help better guide adjustments in the game.

During the question-and-answer session, Odam said it was Space Coast High School in Florida, that canceled the Tornado's game there due to a change in their conference schedule.  And, he added senior classes thru-out the Apollo Conference which the Tornadoes play in, are all strong this fall.

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

Spaces are still open at Trinity Lutheran Church’s preschool for children ages three and four with classes beginning Tuesday, September 10th. Trinity Lutheran Church will celebrate 50 years of preschool this spring and they look forward to developing another crop of young learners this year and preparing them for their years of education.

Nikki Books, Preschool Director at Trinity Lutheran, says aside from being ages three or four, the students should be potty trained before they can start learning on day one.

There is an added benefit to having only preschoolers in the building says Books as young learners won't be distracted by the hustle and bustle of elementary and middle school students.

Books explains some of the programming and ways routines are built to support the child's early learning journey.

Trinity Lutheran Church will hold an open house on Thursday, August 22nd for new and prospective students and parents to familiarize themselves with the school and educators.

To learn more information or to enroll call 217-824-8148.

Nikki Books appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show.

The Taylorville City Council met on Monday evening to discuss business, ordinance, and review reports.  All aldermen were present except Kathy Driskell. A public meeting was held at 6:45 regarding ITEP or the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program. This grant would be to support improvements and encourage investment in the transportation system. The grant has a maximum of $3.0 million and has a 80/20 match requirement.  $140 million is available for Taylorville. Bill Sleeman, Secretary with Benton and Associates broke down the grant application. 

Sleeman says it’s very important to receive public support when applying for the grant.  You can sign an online petition at change.org/taylorvilledowntown2024 to help. You do not have to pay anything to sign up and show your support. You can also see more information there as well. 

During the regular committee meeting, the council approved a motion to hire an auditor for the 2023-2024 audit.  City Attorney Rocci Romano advised against it.

Romano went on to list some other reasons why he was against this including concerns over indemnity clauses. The motion passed 4-3 with Aldermen Steve Dorchinecz, Jeremy Wilson, and Doug Brown voting no. 

Taylorville Mayor Bruce Barry gave his announcements and welcomed in the new school year along with some construction updates, namely the railroad crossings. 

New cabin rental fees were discussed and approved. Doug Brown announced the new changes for the ordinance.

The motion passed 7-0.  All other motions were approved including work done at the Taylorville Fire Department for a masonry project concerning some window work. The next city council meeting is set for September 2nd. 

 Charming Patch Station cut the ribbon and made its grand opening with the Greater Taylorville Chamber of Commerce on Friday morning, located just off the Taylorville Square at 209 South Washington Street. Erica Harris, Owner and Operator of Charming Patch Station, said the business was the result of the low supply of custom hats, shirts, bags, and accessories.

Customers can select from a wide variety of patches or pins to add to their hats, shirts, bags, etc. and Harris will bring the vision to life, pressing letters, brands, or logos into the piece.

Find more information on the Charming Patch Station on their Facebook page.  

A public meeting is set to take place on Monday evening at City Hall as the Taylorville City Council will get together to review ordinances, discuss business, and hear reports. There will be a public meeting at 6:45 PM to provide general information to the public regarding the application for funding through the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program or ITEM administered by IDOT. This will help support improvements and encourage investment in the transportation system.  

As far as the city council meeting itself, the council will look at an ordinance concerning a business development or BDD agreement with Biond Restaurants III, a motion to approve a building permit application for GSI, a motion for the solar energy facility through GSI, and a motion for the Fire Station Masonry Project. 

Under committee reports, the council will look at a Deer/Duck drawing on September 10th, an increase to cabin rental rates, purchasing picnic tables and fire rings from the Taylorville High School, the OSLAD grant application, and BDD redevelopment agreements with 1791 Morrison Drive, 1104 West Spresser Street, 100/102 South Main Street, and a door at 110 West Park.  The Council will also review a motion for the Hold Harmless Agreement for Hathaway Homes, and a liquor/gaming license for Norah Hamden at 419 S. Shumway Street.

As always, there will be mayoral and city attorney updates.  Stay tuned to Regional Radio News for more following the conclusion of the event. 

The Federal Communications Commission in Washington, DC, has granted Miller Media Group radio station WTIM-AM 870 permission to expand its pre-sunrise and post-sunset hours of operation in certain months.   The station applied for these expanded hours after the F-C-C announced it was allowing A-M radio stations to apply based on 2024 AM interference rules.

WTIM-AM 870 will now begin its day in April at 6am rather than 6:15am.   In November the station will sign on at 6:30 in the morning instead of 6:45, and in December, WTIM-AM 870 will begin its broadcast day at 6:45 in the morning instead of 7:15.

Post-sunset service for WTIM-AM 870 was granted by the F-C-C to stay on the air in December until 4:45 in the afternoon instead of 4:30.

WTIM-AM is prevented from full nighttime service due to W-W-L in New Orleans, which is the dominant station on 870 at night.   WTIM would cause interference to W-W-L if it remained on the air at night.

Miller Media Group president Randal J. Miller was grateful to the Commission for granting these additional hours of service so that listeners—especially farm listeners—can get important agriculture, weather and local news programming earlier in the morning.

A new state law signed this month makes official Shelby County’s ability to create and manage a county volunteer rescue squad to assist first responders in emergencies. State Representative Brad Halbrook helped pass the measure through the Illinois House. He said this is a vital step to helping ensure public safety.

“We have many local residents with the skills and the will to help their neighbors in emergencies. While we have had an emergency volunteer squad in the county for a few years, this new law provides the statutory authority needed to put structure and protections in place, and to ensure the county board can allocate necessary funding,” Rep. Halbrook said.

Public Act 103-0895 authorizes the Shelby County Board to form, manage, fund, and operate a volunteer rescue squad to aid any public entity in the county providing law enforcement, firefighting, emergency disaster response, or first responder services. A squad like this generally focuses on rescue and recovery missions assisting the county's police and fire department when they need additional manpower for search and rescue operations.

The Shelby County Board may also vote to provide benefits for rescue squad volunteers who suffer disease, injury, or death in the line of duty.  

“While the law provides the county board with funding authority for the team it does not create a new rescue squad district or a new tax levy,” Rep. Halbrook stressed.
 

Richard “Dick” Lyons of Harvel was named the 2024 Illinois Leopold Conservation Award winner Friday August 9 at Agriculture Day during the Illinois State Fair in Springfield. The award honors farmers and forestland owners who go above and beyond in the management of soil health, water quality, and wildlife habitat on working land.

Lyons farms in Montgomery County, serves an associate director of the Montgomery County Soil & Water Conservation District, and as a director for the Illinois Association of Drainage Districts. The award comes with a $10,000 prize. Lyons says his conservation ethic began to evolve shortly after the death of his father. He began noticing things about the land they had farmed together. Crops wilted sooner over areas of compaction from tractor and truck tires. Water running from grassy areas after heavy rains were free of sediment. 

Without a father or grandfather to explain how they had farmed in the past, Lyons began farming with an open mind to prevent soil erosion from wind and rain. With dual careers of farming and teaching agriculture, Lyons was in a unique position to give his students first-hand knowledge of what it means to be a conservation-minded farmer. During 37 years as a high school and college agriculture instructor, he taught students what he practiced on his own land.

Early on he retired his moldboard plow and began to chisel plow cornstalks to prevent erosion. In 1976, he also began planting no-till corn into soybean stubble to reduce fuel and labor costs. At that time, research showed that nearby Lake Lou Yaeger was Illinois’ fastest-silting lake. It provides drinking water for 10,000 Montgomery County residents. Determined to be part of the solution, Lyons took steps to improve the water quality in a creek that runs through his farm and into Lake Lou Yaeger.

Lyons undertook a ditch and streambank stabilization project using large rock to prevent the undercutting and eventual collapse of the streambank where it curves. He installed filter strips to capture runoff between farmland and the creek. These areas provide wildlife habitat in a region primarily used for row crop production. Improved nesting areas support pheasant and quail, and their predator, the coyote, which aids pest control in soybean fields.

In addition to contour planting crops parallel to the filter strips, Lyons has targeted nutrient management plans created for his farmland. He conducts soil tests every three years to guide the application of commercial fertilizer using variable rate technology. In 2012, Lyons began growing deep-rooted cover crops of rye, oats, and radish to improve soil health by encouraging biodiversity, breaking up soil compaction, recycling nutrients, and sequestering carbon. Covering soil with year-round living roots improves water infiltration while preventing erosion. Since 2019, Lyons has grown overwintering cover crops of winter barley and Austrian winter peas for their ability to further reduce sediment loss.

Lyons initiated a soil health training program by collaborating with individuals from various conservation organizations in Illinois. This summer he established pollinator-friendly habitat on a two-acre triangular parcel that was difficult to plant with large machinery. These are the latest examples of how Lyons’s readiness to embrace new ideas and technologies, while remaining grounded in practical considerations, sets an example for others.
 

Drying and pressing flowers to preserve is a great way to connect with nature, learn about native plant life in Illinois, and have unique gifts for friends and family. The University of Illinois Extension is promoting the Dried Flowers Class, on Tuesday, August 27th, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Montgomery County Extension office in Hillsboro.

University of Illinois Horticulture Educator, Andrew Holsinger, talks about the added value these flowers take on as they are pressed, saved, and appreciated.

Holsinger notes the lower temperatures across Central Illinois this August and how they have affected plant life. Also, the permanent wilting point can be seen after various weather conditions and neglect of the plant.

Register for the Dried Flowers Class at go.illinois.edu/summerflowers, or call 217-532-3941.

Andrew Holsinger appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show.

The First Christian Church in Moweaqua is gearing up for their annual block party, appearing on Sunday, September 8th, after their 10:30 a.m. service until 2:00 p.m. The block party will feature inflatables, a bags tournament, Rork's Pork BBQ, and bingo.

Ryan Baker, Lead Minister of First Christian Church in Moweaqua looks forward to the community block party every year. Jeff Vanmeter, Discipleship Minister, calls the day a unique way for FCC to reach out to the community.

Minister Baker says the block party has evolved over the years, adding activities and food as attendance has grown. Baker continues by saying the event is good for fellowship within the churches' families but also to be visible in the community.

For more block party information at the First Christian Church in Moweaqua visit www.fccmoweaqua.org or visit their Facebook page.

Ryan Baker and Jeff Vanmeter appeared as guests on the WTIM Morning Show.  

As the school year starts back up and area summer programming comes to a close, the Christian County Sheriff's Office is happy to report a summer free of serious incidents or injuries at the various festivals and fairs. Chief Deputy Jim Baker of the Christian County Sheriff's Office attributes the consistent good behavior to lives returning to normal, post-COVID-19, and the comfortable temperatures citizens have experienced to enjoy it.

Chief Deputy Baker provided an operations update for the last 30 days.

The South Fork Dirt Riders yearly summer event is one both police, fire, and EMS prepare and brace for, as the heat, large crowds, and alcohol can be a dangerous combination. Chief Deputy Jim Baker says the only incidents were regular heat-related illnesses, and he commends the Taylorville Fire Department for their diligent work that day.

Chief Deputy Baker wants the community to be aware of the process when it comes to reporting sex crimes. He states that the CC Sheriff's Office will help in all the ways they can, whether or not the crime was committed inside Christian County.

You can contact the Christian County Sheriff's Office at 217-824-4961.

Chief Deputy Jim Baker appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show.

A new law will require government entities to notify residents when spraying pesticides near their homes, due to legislation filed by State Senator Steve McClure (R-Springfield) that was recently signed into law.

Senate Bill 3342, filed by McClure, requires that government applicators, or applicators who the government contracts, provide public notice before pesticides are applied on a public right-of-way inside the borders of a municipality. The public notice would also include contact info for the applicators. The new law does not apply to farmers, private individuals spraying their own property (including businesses), or applicators working on private property.

The new law came from a constituent of Senator McClure’s who witnessed pesticides being sprayed in his neighborhood. According to the constituent, he saw overspray from the application hitting children playing, swimming pools, and the exterior of homes. He was particularly concerned when he was unable to find out what it was that was being sprayed.

SB2832 was signed into law on August 9th.

The elementary school students in Pana Community School District #8 will be arriving at their all-new, modern, and innovative building this Friday, with an open house and ribbon cutting held Thursday evening. From the inviting entry to the colorful hallways the students, educators, and administration are proud to call Pana Elementary School Home.

Adam Metzger, Principal at Pana Elementary School has been ecstatic about the new building, speaking of the fresh classroom design, color schemes throughout the building, and the many opportunities for students to learn and grow. Metzger says he is blessed to be at the helm for the students of the next generation of Pana.

Kyle Anderson, Pana School District Board President, says that the new state-of-the-art building would mean nothing if not for the dedicated educators and staff that inspire students daily.

Pana City Mayor, Nathan Pastor, says the opening of Pana Elementary marks the beginning of a new chapter in the Pana community.

For more information visit www.panaschools.com.

A new bill has been signed into law that will help those in need of treatment with going to court and problem-solving.  State Representative Chris Miller, a Republican out of Oakland, says that the initiative came out of Coles County when the treatment provider noted the difficulty of getting people to court and to court-ordered drug treatment.  They asked for help in finding a solution. 

SB 3405 amends the Counties Code, allowing counties to apply transportation funds to assist persons attending problem-solving courts. 

The new law provides that a county may use funds designated by law or ordinance for transportation to fund rides for persons to attend problem-solving court.  It also allows counties to enter into intergovernmental agreements with other local government units for the same purpose. 

33 Illinois counties have reported positive cases of the West Nile Virus in their mosquito population as of July, the professionals with the Christian County Health Department say the number of counties can continue to rise and Christian County has shown positive tests in past years and currently.

Joe Torres, Director of Environmental Health urges local citizens to stay vigilant and ensure all standing water on a property is dumped out, as the stagnant water is the ideal breeding ground for potentially contaminated mosquitoes. Through the CCHD's Vector Program, larvicide can be applied to properties showing West Nile virus, and CCHD Environmental Inspector, Clayton Sperry, says the larvicide is environmentally friendly.

Limiting time outdoors and wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants will limit a mosquito's access to skin. Attacking the problem at the source by ridding the backyard of filled pet bowls, bird baths, and tires is always advised.

Contact the Christian County Health Department for information on their Vector Program and possible larvicide application at 217-824-4113.

Joe Torres and Clayton Sperry appeared as guests on the WTIM Morning Show.

A new law led by State Senator Doris Turner protects consumers by requiring notice ahead of automatic renewals offered by businesses.

Senator Turner says that businesses have taken advantage of consumers for too long and the hope is that this law will put guardrails in place to protect consumers, and this law will help to close the loophole businesses have been using. 

Turner’s law will require businesses offering a free trial or promotional period of its products and services that automatically renew to notify consumers by email at least three days before the cancellation deadline. The law applies to free gift or trial periods that last longer than 15 days.

Senate Bill 2764 was signed into law Friday and goes into effect Jan. 1, 2025. 

The Alzheimer’s Association announced their excitement over a new piece of legislation being signed into law that could help in the fight to end Alzheimer’s disease.  Governor JB Pritzker signed the bill into law that will help improve access to Alzheimer’s treatment for state employees.  This measure mandates that the State Employees Group Insurance Program provides coverage for all medically necessary FDA-approved treatments and medications designed to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s Disease.  

Delia Jervier, Executive Director of the Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter, says that Alzheimer’s is a devastating disease and this legislation will help set a precedent for other states to follow in expanding access to Alzheimer’s Care. 

The legislation also addresses the need for comprehensive diagnostic support by requiring coverage for diagnostic imaging and tests necessary to confirm an Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Additionally, the bill prohibits the use of step therapy, a practice that can delay access to critical treatment.

Senate Bill 3318 is a landmark achievement in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease and represents a unified effort by the Illinois General Assembly to support those affected by this debilitating condition. The bill puts the state as a leader in serving those living with dementia and their caregivers.

The Taylorville Kiwanis Club heard about the Small Town Taylorville Committee at its Tuesday meeting at the Taylorville Moose Lodge.

Griffin Smock, who works with the Small Town Taylorville Committee and a Kiwanis member, shared with Kiwanis members how the organization was founded and its work to attract shoppers and new residents to Taylorville.   

The Committee's popular First Friday Cruise Nights on the Square have been a big hit, as well as several retail shopping promotions thru-out the year.  Smock gave details on the Cruises.

All their events are promoted on a host of advertising platforms to attract people from a 50-mile radius.

Smock added the first 3 years their efforts were funded by the City of Taylorville, but with that funding ended earlier this year, the organization converted to being a private, non-profit and is offering memberships to local businesses and organizations in order to provide funding for their ongoing promotional efforts.  Over 60 businesses have signed up so far.

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

The Illinois 5th District Court of Appeals has announced its ruling on the Grain Belt Express transmission line appeal.  After discussion, the Court of Appeals overturned the Illinois Commerce Commission's unanimous approval of the project.  

Brad Pnazek,  Vice President of Transmission Development says that the Grain Belt Express will connect four states across 800 miles, and is a transmission line carrying more affordable, reliable power to the Midwest. 

Pnazek says he's dissapointed in the Court of Appeals decision.

Pnazek says he believes that the law has been misinterpreted. The project has already been approved in the other states that it would be utilized in.

As far as what's next? An appeal process is in the works.

The Grain Belt Express would go through parts of Pike County, Greene, Macoupin, Montgomery, Christian, Shelby, Coles, and Clark County in Illinois. The decision will see an immediate appeal to the Supreme Court. Find out more at grainbeltexpress.com.

Taylorville Music Lessons is nearing three years in business, providing the community with efficient and easy music instruction to kids and adults, to celebrate, TML will hold their annual celebration with a bouncy house, student and teacher performances, and free food, drinks, and cake. Mike Semerau, Owner of Taylorville Music Lessons says the past 3 years have flown by and he is excited to gather with returning and hopefully new students at this year's celebration.

The three-year celebration will be held on Sunday, August 25th, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. in the parking lot of Taylorville Music Lessons and attendees will be able to tour the building and find out all that is offered in music education.

Taylorville Music Lessons prides themselves on being able to teach people of all ages to play just about every instrument imaginable, says Semerau.

Trying a new instrument can be a tough venture to start, but Taylorville Music Lessons makes it easy with an ongoing $5 mini-lesson to show students the basics and see if they want to continue.

Find more information about TML or about their celebration at www.taylorvillemusiclessons.com or on their Facebook page.

Mike Semerau appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show.

The time is almost here for mechanical enthusiasts to gather, learn, and share their common interests at Meet the Machines on Saturday, August 24, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Christian County Fair Grounds. Brent West, Owner of West Trucking and with the Meet the Machines event says the beginning days of Meet the Machines appeared on the Taylorville Square, but as momentum has picked up and vehicles have been added to the lineup, more space to move around and see these marvelous machines were needed.

West explains more about how Meet the Machine came to be and how the event has seen around 60-70 different types of vehicles, West has a goal of 100 total vehicles which he thinks is achievable.

West Trucking is also a member of Small Town Taylorville, and STT Board Member Lee Skinner says STT will be going live on Facebook from the event.

Find more Meet the Machines events on their Facebook page here.

Brent West and Lee Skinner appeared as guests on the WTIM Morning Show.

The entire Village of Morrisonville is under a boil order. This boil order affects the whole water system in the village.  Boil orders are generally issued when there is an interruption in water flow due to a water main break, accidental cut, or required maintenance.  This boil order is from a water main break. 

Residents are advised to boil all water used for drinking, preparing food, beverages, ice cubes, washing fruits and vegetables, or brushing teeth for five (5) minutes prior to drinking it.  This is a precautionary measure for residents’ protection.  It is not necessary to boil tap water used for household purposes, such as showering, bathing or laundry. 

This boil order is in effect until further notice. Should you have any questions, contact the Village of Morrisonville offices at 217-526-3521.

The Taylorville School Board of Education met for their final regular meeting for the summer before students returned to classrooms. The Taylorville FFA was honored, new Board Treasurer, Courtney Sharp,  was appointed and Superintendent Brandi Bruley gave performance goals heading into the 2024-2025 school year.

Sue Schafer, Taylorville's Future Farmers of America Advisor brought along four FFA members and they spoke about their recent success and involvement in community service and livestock showing.

Superintendent Bruley provided the board with a packet of her goals for the district, speaking briefly of its contents. 

Board Member Lori Wemple spoke on the NPT (Nokomis, Pana, Taylorville) Special Education class and said the group looks forward to a great year.

Public comments saw Ashley Peden, a resident of Stonington and a parent of a student in the school district. Peden brought forward an alleged assault off school grounds at the after school bus stop on February 1st, 2024. Peden believes acts were committed against her child regarding bullying, intimidation, and sexual harassment. Peden sought answers for why the student is still attending school and retribution for her child.

Peden concluded that she spoke Tuesday night to advocate for students' safety. This is an active investigation conducted by Zone 4 investigations led by Officer Jordan Adams.

New business involved the presentation of the FY25 tentative budget which will be seen again in a public budget hearing on September 10th at 5:45 p.m. and the board meeting following will seek approval for the budget. The accelerated placement plan, superintendent goals, and renewal of district health care were all approved. Using $95,000 to repair the HVAC system at North School was approved with Board Member Tom Finks abstaining, requesting a Zoom meeting with the contractors to clarify before the money is spent, Superintendent Bruley said she would set that meeting up. 

All board members were present and the next Taylorville School Board meeting is set for Tuesday, September 10th.
 

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum (ALPLM) has introduced new accessibility features to enhance the visitor experience for people with vision or hearing impairments. These improvements are part of the museum's "Abe for All Initiative," aimed at making the museum more inclusive. 

The updates include digital panels in the Treasures Gallery, offering additional photos, text, Spanish translations, and QR codes for audio and written information. Visitors can also share their opinions through interactive displays.

In addition to these features, the museum has unveiled a temporary exhibit showing the history of two Jacksonville, Illinois, schools dedicated to serving students with disabilities: the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired and the Illinois School for the Deaf. This exhibit is open until October 29 and showcases communication devices, student art, and other artifacts, with accessibility tools like braille panels, QR codes, and tactile items for visitors to explore.

The museum hopes to incorporate successful elements from this exhibit into future displays to further enhance accessibility. "We aim to make the life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln accessible to everyone," said ALPLM Executive Director Christina Shutt.

For more information, visit the ALPLM's website or follow them on Facebook, X and Instagram.

The Red Cross continues to do fantastic work towards blood donations and helping those in need during shortages, but they do so much more than just blood work. The Red Cross is letting the public know that they are available during emergencies and times of need as well. Zach Elmore, a Red Cross Representative says that people tend to think about blood shortages without realizing all of the other great things the Red Cross does as well.

Elmore says all of the activities that the Red Cross does would not be possible without the support that it receives from the public and from the many sponsors of the Red Cross. 

Hannah McCollum, another Red Cross Representative, says she actually needed the Red Cross to help after she suffered a fire.  She said she was relieved with the help.

McCollum says that many don't realize just how much blood is needed and how many people it helps.

Find out more information on the Red Cross by visiting : https://www.redcross.org/local/illinois/about-us/locations/south-central-illinois.html 

Memorial Health has announced a new Vice President and Chief Quality Officer.  Lance Millburg, a native of Pawnee and Morrisonville has been promoted to VP and CQO. Millburg began his career at Memorial Health in 2011 as a project manager.  He has held positions with increasing responsibility in decision sciences and performance improvement.  He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master of business administration degree from the University of Illinois Springfield.  

In 2023, Millburg was chosen as a Baldridge Executive Fellow.  This leadership development program allows rising leaders to gain a broader perspective of organizational excellence and innovation initiatives.  

Millburg was selected to the Springfield Business Journal’s 2024 “Forty Under 40” list based on his work to improve the safety and quality of care through real-time and predictive analytics, as well as emerging technologies like AI models.  

Millburg graduated from Sacred Heart-Griffin High School and lives in Pawnee with his wife and four children. 

Small Town Taylorville is adding new members and expanding services for those businesses and their shoppers, all to bring more shopping, dining, and traveling to Taylorville. Lee Skinner, Vice President of Downtown Taylorville and a Board Member with Small Town Taylorville says, the STT group is almost at 60 members, with those members ranging in tiers, offering different types of advertisement and awareness for their business.

Skinner spoke about the all-new Small Town Taylorville Advocate Cards. These laminated cards to keep in your wallet display a QR code with the STT members' discounts at local stores and restaurants.

These discounts can change daily based on the business's specials. Skinner is excited to spread this next form of business recognition to keep shoppers informed and to fill stores and restaurants.

Stay tuned to Small Town Taylorville on Facebook or at smalltowntaylorville.com for new initiatives or for more information.

Lee Skinner appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show.

The Taylorville School Board of Education meets tonight at 6:00 p.m. for their regular August meeting. The meeting will begin with a celebration of the Taylorville High School FFA and public comments. During the discussion, Superintendent Brandi Bruley will give performance goals for the district, Illinois Association of School Board talking points will be covered by Brenda Patrick along with NPT Special Education.

New businesses will see the appointment of the new Board Treasurer Courtney Sharp and the presentation of the FY2025 tentative budget. Superintendent Brandi Bruley will give her superintendent report and there is no closed session on the agenda. 

Stay tuned to Regional Radio News for more following the conclusion of tonight's meeting. 

The Illinois 5th District Court of Appeals has announced its ruling on the Grain Belt Express transmission line appeal.  After discussion the Court of Appeals has overturned the Illinois Commerce Commission’s unanimous approval of the project.  

Grain Belt Express failed to prove the criteria that it is capable of financing the project according to the 5th District Appellate Court. 

Mark Denzler, President & CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association says that “Transmission investment is the most actionable solution to the growing energy challenges facing Illinois manufacturers and energy users across the Midwest. We especially need projects like Grain Belt Express, which will deliver billions in energy savings for consumers, without increasing transmission costs on Illinois businesses, If upheld, this ruling sets a disastrous precedent for future energy and infrastructure spending in Illinois – undermining the fair, predictable permitting process that is essential to our state's role as an infrastructure leader."

Sean Stott, with LiUNA (the Laborer's International Union) says "The court's decision here is clearly a political, not a legal one. If upheld, this ruling will slow down needed infrastructure investment while inviting frivolous litigation for all sorts of future vital infrastructure projects critical to our economy and clean energy goals.  We hope the court will stand up for the thousands of labor jobs created by this project."

According to the Grain Belt Express’ website, the Grain Belt Express will connect four states across 800 miles, and is a transmission line carrying more affordable, reliable power to the Midwest, and delivering renewable clean electricity for homes and businesses. The decision will see an immediate appeal to the Supreme Court. 

The Miller Media Group is the latest local company to join the Small Town Taylorville efforts in promoting increased business for local retailers.

M-M-G is joining as a Founding Member.   Co-Chair Lee Skinner presented M-M-G President Randal J. Miller with a "Founding Member Certificate" this morning.

Miller said the media group was pleased to be a part of the organization's efforts to attract customers to the Greater Taylorville area.  

The Small Town Taylorville Committee over the last few years has increased retail sales in Taylorville and is continuing to attract shopper dollars from a 50-mile radius and beyond.

Funeral homes will be held accountable under a new law spearheaded by State Senator Doris Turner that came in response to a Carlinville funeral home insufficiently handling human remains, giving over 60 families the wrong remains.

Senator Turner says after months of discussion it was clear the status quo wasn’t working.  Families who lost loved ones, she says, experienced what no one ever thought was possible, receiving wrong remains.  Senator Turner says it’s past time that we hold bad actors accountable. 

Senate Bill 2643 adds identification rules and regulations for the handling and storing of human bodies. Additionally, it requires funeral establishments and crematory authorities to maintain a chain of custody records that are uniquely identified to the deceased, ensuring the death care industry is able to identify the human remains in its possession through final disposition.

Under Turner’s law, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation is required to inspect the premises within 10 business days when the agency receives a complaint.

Sangamon County Coroner Jim Allmon says this common-sense legislation will help ensure that loved and lost are given the dignity they deserve.

Senate Bill 2643 was signed into law Friday and goes into effect Jan. 1, 2025.

Governor JB Pritzker along with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced over $15 million in funding for 33 organizations in Illinois for the Job Training and Economic Development Program or JTED.  The JTED provides workforce training and wrap-around services to help bolster equitable workforce recovery for Illinoisans struggling to get a job. JTED grants focus on helping increase employment among workers and industries that were hit hard by COVID. 

In the Regional Radio listening area, Litchfield School District was awarded $562,500.  JTED funding will continue to focus on hard hit sectors which have been seeing a labor shortage since 2020. The hope is to boost access to education, training and support services needed for vulnerable residents to reenter the labor force successfully. 

Through the first round of the JTED Program, Illinois has invested $20 million in 44 communities that currently serve 2,466 unemployed, underemployed, or underrepresented Illinoisans with a special training focus on industries hit hard by the pandemic. 

Sometimes a helping hand can make all the difference in the world.  For Lavina Verbiskii and  Ariana McDaniel-Stewart, it meant helping the community.  These two Taylorville girls have formed a group called Two Girls On A Mission and they have set out to make their community a better place to be. Ariana and Lavina recently helped throw trash away off the highway for the Southfork Dirt Riders. 

The ladies have also helped in Kincaid, Blue Mound, and Shelbyville.  Whether dropping off food for the Christian County Animal Shelter or donating books to the Little Free Library on Vine Street in Taylorville, Ariana and Lavina have gone and are going the extra mile for those who need it.  Make sure to check out the girls’ Facebook Page “Two Girls on a Mission” to keep up with their daily adventures.  We here at Regional Radio News salute you Lavina and Ariana!!!

Photos courtesy: Two Girls on a Mission Facebook page.

The Shelbyville Public Library offers a range of E-audio books as they have grown in popularity for citizens looking to keep up on their reading while getting other things done. Monica Cameron, Director of Shelbyville Public Library explains that there are multiple ways to begin downloading reading material, all available with a library card or identification.

Cameron says this audio can be streamed via Bluetooth or downloaded to listen to anytime.

Visit www.shelbyvillelibrary.org for more information on E-audio books or for more general information.

Monica Cameron appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show live from our downtown studios in Shelbyville.

Many were in attendance for the groundbreaking, ribbon cutting, and opening of Gaucho and Gringo's Steakhouse in Pana on Friday evening. To welcome the new restaurant into town, Downtown Pana saw live entertainment, food, a B-M-X obstacle course, and a bike show.

Tim O'Donnell, a Developer with WGO Construction and a strong piece behind the Downtown Pana redevelopment, is excited to fill what is now an empty space into a thriving destination with live entertainment, food, and nightlife.

Pana City Mayor Nathan Pastor spoke to the anticipation felt by the city to revitalize the downtown space and the importance of beautifying dilapidated properties.

Gaucho and Gringo's will be located at 142-144 South Locust Street in Pana. O'Donnell says construction is pending a USDA grant but once passed dirt will begin to move. 

The Morrisonville Homecoming and Picnic jumped out to a strong start on Friday evening with their premiere event, the 52nd Annual Morrisonville Bull Frog Jump. The Morrisonville Bull Frog Jump was held at Colonel Morrison's Watering Hole, starting at 3 p.m. and cost only $3 per frog to participate. The Morrisonville Picnic and Homecoming runs from Thursday, August 8th until Saturday, August 10th with lots of food and fun for the family.

Jamie Myers, a volunteer organizer for the Morrisonville Bull Frog Jump, discussed how the unique event originally got it's start all those years ago and the changes that its seen since.

Myers has been involved with the Morrisonville Bull Frog Jump for the last 10 years now, and shared what it took to get prepared for this year's event.

Suzanne Grundy, President of the Morrisonville Homecoming Committee, says the Bull Frog Jump isn't the only thing happening this weekend. Grundy gave an outlook on the weekend of events happening now through Saturday night.

Genuine County 94.3 WMKR broadcast live from the Morrisonville Bull Frog Jump. For details and the calendar of events, visit the Morrisonville Homecoming and Picnic Facebook page.

The Taylorville Fire Department responded to a fire at 709 N Ridge Avenue, on August 9th, 2024, at 8:48 a.m. Upon arrival, firefighters found smoke billowing from the roof vents and soffit. While most residents had already evacuated, firefighters assisted two others in safely exiting the building.

The fire originated in the attic of one apartment and burned through two roof trusses. Firefighters quickly extinguished the flames and ventilated the attic and all eight apartments, managing to contain the fire to a single unit. Two nearby properties suffered minor water damage, while all eight apartments experienced minor smoke damage.

The property manager is currently on-site, working with residents to address concerns, and one displaced resident is being provided with alternative accommodation. Firefighters remained on the scene for nearly two hours. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Taylorville Fire Department. Stonington and Owaneco Fire Departments provided support during the incident.

One man is in custody following a traffic stop that led police on a wild chase Thursday evening.  During a traffic stop, a subject was pulled over and according to police, during the traffic stop, they were allegedly uncooperative, aggressive, and attempted to evade arrest. 

After a struggle and taser developments, you can see on the video that one officer tries to take the keys out of the ignition.  The driver is then seen taking off with the officer inside.  Police say the officer was able to get out and was uninjured during the exchange. Taylorville Police ended up terminating the pursuit due to concern for the safety of officers. 

According to police, Eric C. Handegan was taken into custody, thanks to the work of multiple officers, early Friday morning.   He has been arrested on charges of Aggravated Fleeing and Eluding, Aggravated Assault on a Peace Officer, Resisting Arrest, and Criminal Damage to property. The investigation is still ongoing.

TPD says they appreciate the prompt action of the State's Attorney's Office in approving the charges. You can see the video below. 

Employee burnout is a rising negative factor in workplaces, especially among jobs in emergency management, policing, and social work fields. 686 EMS clinicians participated in a study that found 60% of these workers have symptoms of burnout, caused by consistent instances of compassion fatigue vicarious trauma, and long working hours.

To breakdown what employers and employees are up against, Valerie Belusko, Community and Economic Development Educator with the University of Illinois Extension says it is important to know the stressors.

Belusko gets into some more contributing factors that can be said for any type of occupation and not just the first responders.

Prioritizing self-care and a work-life balance are ways to avoid this burnout, and Belusko shares some ways employers can keep their workers motivated and happy.

For services offered by Valerie Belusko, you can call 217-532-3941 or email at valerieb@illinois.edu.

Valerie Belusko appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show.

Milkmaid Mercantile in Taylorville is connecting citizens with locally sourced meats, poultry, produce, and more, bringing the community closer to the producers that have stood as the backbone of Taylorville and Christian County. Owner and Operator. Amelia Shoemaker. says making the weekly grocery run would be a bit more difficult if one is trying to load up on all things local.

Shoemaker made it her mission to save people buying time and get the fresh items they desire.

Along with your typical meats, Milkmaid Mercantile sports fresh produce and kitchen items.

Shoemaker dives deeper into the benefits of purchasing locally produced food items and cites that the costs between big box stores and local suppliers like Milkmaid Mercantile are beginning to even out while noting the state of dairy farms and the importance of supporting them.

Milkmaid Mercantile is located at 1001 North Cheney Street in Taylorville and you can find them on Facebook here.

Amelia Shoemaker appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show.

Ameren Illinois recently announced that a winner has been honored with the 2024 Gina Meehan-Taylor Damage Prevention Advocacy Award. The award was presented to Chris Schildroth, a Public Awareness Specialist with Ameren Illinois; by the Board of Directors at JULIE, Inc. during their annual meeting held in Joliet on August 1st.

Schildroth was selected from multiple nominees across Illinois for his tireless efforts in safety, outreach, and education. Schildroth travels to various communities to train emergency responders, contractors, and public works groups on handling natural gas emergencies while promoting safe digging practices to the public. 

Ameren Illinois reminds homeowners that marking utility lines is not only a free service, but a legal requirement. To avoid accidents, fines, and costly repairs, Ameren Illinois recommends you start by calling 8-1-1. 8-1-1 is the national call-before-you-dig hotline that automatically connects callers in Illinois to JULIE. The second step is waiting for a professional locator to mark locations of utility lines on your property. The third and final step is to dig safely especially around marked locations while maintaining roughly two feet of space from all paint or flags.

JULIE, is a not-for-profit organization serving 2,000 members across Illinois, excluding Chicago. JULIE does not perform any locating or marking services. For more information on safe digging practices and the award nomination process, go to JULIEBeforeYouDig.com. 

Ameren Illinois provides energy to over 1.2 million electric and 800,000 natural gas customers throughout Illinois. For more details, contact Brian Bretsch at 618-407-6894 or by visiting their website at AmerenIllinois.com

Applications are now being accepted for the Small Equipment Grant Program benefiting fire departments and ambulance services, State Senator Doris Turner announced.

With fire departments being essential to communities, the Small Equipment Grant Program ensures that they have tools and resources to do their job.  Senator Turner says she encourages local fire departments to apply for funding. 

The Small Equipment Grant Program assists fire departments and not-for-profit ambulance services in Illinois, particularly those experiencing difficulty in generating the necessary revenue for small equipment. The grants allow eligible applicants the opportunity to purchase small tools and equipment they may otherwise not be able to afford.

A total of $4 million in funding will be available through this year’s program to eligible fire departments and EMS services. All interested departments should send an application to OSFM electronically or postmarked no later than Oct. 1, 2024.

Illinois State Fire Marshal James A. Rivera says that he hears the need daily and that departments should not have to decide between putting fuel in their trucks or providing equipment for their members to protect their communities. fectively.”

For more information or to fill out an application, visit the OSFM’s website.

Pana School District has announced changes to the traffic flow pattern at Pana Junior High School in an effort to make things easier for drop off and pick up due to the opening of Pana Elementary School in 2024-2025.  Beginning August 16th, parents and guardians picking up and dropping off students at Pana Junior High School will do so from Wilson Street. 

Pana School District is asking parents to enter the Pana Junior HS parking lot through the west entrance and exit out the east entrance.  Parents will than turn left to circle back around to Wilson Street.  Pana School District says that they understand change can be disruptive, but appreciate patience and cooperation for this new system.  

Any questions, you can reach out to the Pana School District at 217-562-1500.

With school around the corner, scientists and mental health workers are doing more and more work on the correlation between social media and increased risk of anxiety and depression.  Ed Lacheta, Mental Health expert with Shelby County Community Services, says that there is evidence connecting the two.  Mental health issues can in turn affect a child's behavior at school.

Lacheta says it is crucial for adults to work on educating young people on responsibility when it comes to social media and learning how to be resilient. 

Lacheta says getting support from your family, friends, and loved ones can go a long way towards makign the school year a success and balancing that social media part. 

Lacheta gave some startling statistics when it came to teenagers and social media.

Mental health services are available by phone at 988, a crisis line open 24/7.

Ed Lacheta appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show, live from our downtown studios in Shelbyville.

35 households were added to the Taylorville Food Pantry's list of people to serve during the month of July, a number that has not seen a downward trend in some time. Co-Coordinators Amy Hagen and Pam Moses note that the summer months usually see a spike in patrons served with the absence of school meals, summer activities, and back-to-school costs.

The coordinators agree that the onset of the school year applies extra pressure to families already struggling to pay for utilities and other costs of living.

Pam Moses sends out the call for fresh produce. Local community or individual gardens that see extras produced in their harvest are urged to keep the Taylorville Food Pantry in mind for donations.

The TFP will be undergoing a computer system change and will be re-entering patrons as they come through the food pantry. Further information can be found at taylorvillefoodpantry.com or on the TFP Facebook Page.

Amy Hagen and Pam Moses appeared as guests on the WTIM Morning Show.  

The Taylorville Kiwanis Club reviewed its efforts for children and youth in the Taylorville community, at its Tuesday meeting at the Taylorville Moose Lodge.

It was the club’s monthly business meeting during the weekly get-together, and committee chairs reported on activities they’re doing as part of the club’s priority for youth and children.

Funding Committee chair Randy Miller reported that the application form for local non-profits to apply for grants from the club, is now posted on the club’s Facebook page which can be accessed by going to taylorvillekiwanis-dot-com.   Applications will be accepted from other non-profits that have similar goals to the Kiwanis Club in assisting local youth.

Deadline for applications is September 15th.

Park Committee co-chair Duane Stock reported that his committee along with some other Kiwanis members, have been doing a lot of work at the location along Lake Taylorville.  Benches have been repaired or replaced, timbers surrounding the playground have been re-secured, and new picnic tables installed.  Stock also reported the board at their Tuesday meeting approved new siding and a new roof for the Kiwanis Park rest room building.

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

Regional Radio News has learned that a Highland, Illinois restaurant is opening a second location in Pana.

Groundbreaking will take place this Friday afternoon in downtown Pana for what will be the new Gaucho’s Steakhouse.

According to the Gaucho’s web site, the Highland restaurant was opened by an Argentine family living in southern Illinois and offer traditional dishes from their native country and South America.   Their menu includes appetizers, with their entrée’s including steak, pork, salmon, and chicken.   They add their “Stone Grill” way of cooking meat makes their entrée’s special.

The new Gaucho’s in Pana will be located at 142-144 South Locust in downtown Pana, which is where the groundbreaking will also take place.

The groundbreaking will also feature live entertainment, food, a B-M-X obstacle course and Bike Show, all starting Friday afternoon from 4 til 7.

The first-ever Pana Popcorn Festival was a big success with over 3,000 attendees, vendors filling Kitchell Park, and a slam-packed day of events and activities. Pana community leaders are hopeful that the popcorn festival will become a yearly tradition for local and traveling citizens to venture to Pana and participate in the day while going home with their popcorn kit courtesy of Great Western Products.

The first year introduced the community to the first Pana Popcorn Princess Pageant. Linda Dressen, President of Pana Pride called the day amazing, even with some of the good problems like parking spaces filling up fast.

Pana Police Chief Daniel Bland says that with all the attendees, not even a fender bender was reported and that the Pana Popcorn Festival was great for Pana.

Kim Toberman, Pana City Clerk, credits both the Pana Parks Revitalization Committee and Great Western Products for a great day at the festival.

To learn more visit the Pana Parks Revitalization Committee on Facebook.

Linda Dressen, Kim Toberman, and Police Chief Daniel Bland appeared as separate guests on the WTIM Morning Show.

The new Pana Elementary School looks to kick off the 2024-2025 school year the right way with an open house and ribbon cutting on Thursday, August 15th from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Lincoln and Washington Elementary Schools officially combined into one central campus with the building completion just months ago.
Kim Toberman, Pana City Clerk says parents and teachers can explore their new building while meeting with the educators.

Pana Chief of Police Daniel Bland says steps have been taken to develop a building layout, entry, and communications in the event of an active threat.

Chief Bland describes just how important these informational operations at a new school building are.

Find more information about the New Pana Elementary School at. www.panaschools.com/

Pana Police Chief Daniel Bland and Kim Toberman appeared as separate guests on the WTIM Morning Show.

WTIM’s 107-point-9 FM Pana signal is back on the air.

The station’s transmitter, which serves the Pana-Nokomis-Ramsey area, was apparently hit by lightning during storms last week.

Station engineer John Masters installed a backup transmitter at the location yesterday evening to get 107-point-9 FM in Pana back on the air.

The Taylorville Kiwanis Club raised $1325 for its local projects for children and youth, during the annual WRAN 97.3 Kiwanis Radiothon heard on the station Tuesday.

Kiwanis member Eric Kahle chaired the Radiothon effort, selling some $2650 in local sponsorships to local businesses.   WRAN then gave half the total sold, which was $1325, back to the Club.   

Kiwanis members volunteered to be guest announcers thru-out the 7-hour live broadcast, reading sponsor commercials.  

Kiwanis president Chuck Martin was presented the check by WRAN on-the-air.

The cooperative effort with the Miller Media Group stations over the past 25 years have earned the local Kiwanis Club nearly $30,000.

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

Excitement grows around the Christian County YMCA's Capital Campaign fundraising program with basketball and volleyball standards equipped, new HVAC systems delivered, and fresh coats of paint ready to be applied.
Executive Director of the CC YMCA Bruce Blanshan shares what's currently exciting him about the new renovations.

With regulation size IHSA basketball and volleyball courts, Blanshan says the future could hold many different opportunities for local or traveling sports teams to bring their competition to another place in Christian County.

The CC YMCA's recent Back to School Health and Resource Fair was a huge success says Blanshan, another way the Y works to foster healthy living across all ages.

Visit www.ccymca.org for more on the current updates and the Capital Campaign Program.

Bruce Blanshan appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show.

With rising costs at the grocery store, divisive political discourse, and chaotic happenings across the nation, local law enforcement is taking steps to continue delivering safety to communities while using discretion and compassion in times of need.

Taylorville Police Chief Dwayne Wheeler makes reference to a spike in mental health-related calls, reports that do not come as a surprise to Chief Wheeler as he recognizes the direct cause and effect of high-stress levels leading to violence that would not normally occur.

Chief Wheeler says police officers are human too, warnings given during traffic stops are a common way of letting people off without hurting their wallet while sending the message to reduce speed or use extra caution.

Safe Passage works closely with TPD, providing quality and comprehensive care. These offerings to addicts or people struggling with homelessness go above and beyond to further help citizens in need.

Contact the Taylorville Police Department for more on Safe Passage, mental health services, or more information at 217-824-2211.

Taylorville Police Chief Dwayne Wheeler appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show.

Taylorville Community is set to host a community wide blood drive in partnership with ImpactLife on Thursday, August 22nd from 11 A.M. until 6 P.M.. The Taylorville Community Blood Drive will be held at 11-20 North Webster Street, inside the auditorium at the Christian County Extension Office.

ImpactLife is a non-profit community organization that continues to serve as the primary provider of blood products and services to over 125 hospitals and Emergency Medical Services in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, and Wisconsin. In the Taylorville area, ImpactLife exclusively serves Pana Community Hospital and Taylorville Memorial Hospital. ImpactLife is a non-profit community organization.

To be eligible to donate blood, individuals must be at least 17 years old (or 16 with parental permission) and weigh more than 110 pounds. A photo ID is required for donation. For those unsure about their eligibility, you can contact ImpactLife at (800) 747-5401 for clarification. If you last gave blood on or before June 27th of 2024, you are once again eligible to participate in this drive.

As a token of appreciation when you donate, you will receive an ImpactLife Promo Voucher that can be redeemed for various rewards. Appointments are encouraged and interested donors can contact ImpactLife Springfield at (800) 747-5401 or visit www.bloodcenter.org and use code 60145 to locate the drive. 

Noah Bliler was recognized for outstanding work in his field as a USA National Winner in sheet metal skills for 2023-2024 at the Taylorville City Council meeting on Monday night. August 5th, 2024 was recognized as Noah Bliler Day.

Taylorville Mayor Bruce Barry also gave an update on the railroad tracks project and thanked everyone for the Christian County Fair. 

Approvals at the City Council included:

• BDD agreements between the city of Taylorville and the Greater Taylorville Chamber of Commerce.
• Municipal Cannabis Retailers' Occupation Tax.
• Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program.
• Sam Peabody to the Planning and Zoning Commission.
• 2024 Homecoming Parade on September 1st.
• Kiwanis Kids Days September 20th-21st.
• St. Mary's Parish Fall Festival September 20th-22nd. 
• BDD agreements for 219 W. Main Cross, 1141 E 1500 North Road, 100 S. Main Street.
• A new police officer, firefighter, and a plant operator.  

A motion concerning the Solar Energy Facility on GSI Group and the building permit application was tabled at the City Council meeting. 

The meeting took 22 minutes.  The next city council meeting is set for August 19th.  

The Taylorville Municipal Band will perform their final concert of the 2024 concert season on Wednesday, August 7 at 7:00 PM. The concert will be held at the Christian County Historical Society and is free and open to the public. The ensemble has enjoyed playing for attendees all summer. Audience attendance has been great and audiences have appreciated the performances and the Municipal Band would like to thank them for coming.

Concert attendees for this final performance will be treated to Olympic Fanfare and Theme by John Williams and arranged by James Curnow; Sol Y Sombra by Gorge Gates; Among the Clouds by Brian Balmages; Saddle Up! Arranged by Clifton Williams; The Washington Post March by John Philip Sousa, edited by Frederick Fennell; Toccata For Band by Frank Erickson; The Black Horse Troop March by John Philip Sousa, edited by Frederich Fennell; Palladio by Karl Jenkin and arranged by Robert Longfield; The Stars and Stripes Forever by John Philip Sousa by John Philip Sousa, edited by Keith Brion; and America The Beautiful by Samuel Augustus Ward and arranged by Carmen Dragon.

You can follow the Taylorville Municipal Band on Facebook.

The Morrisonville Picnic will be taking place Thursday, August 8th, through Saturday August 10th.  One of the premiere events that will be held on Friday, August 9th at 3 PM.  The frog jump will take place at Colonel Morrison’s Watering Hole. It’s $3 per frog. Jessica Armentrout and Suzanne Grundy sat down on the WTIM Morning Show to discuss this bizarre event.  

There are two categories for local categories and people that travel.  The organizers say that people from all over the place come with some even bringing their own frog.

Registration is from 1-5. When you register you will get the opportunity to purchase a t-shirt and a Kuzy with a new design for 2024. There is a book for the Morrisonville Picnic where you can get all the information concerning the event. 

There will also be a pickleball tournament. You are encouraged to bring your own equipment. 

This is the 96th Morrisonville Picnic with the only year it didn’t take place, 2020 due to Covid. The frog jump has been going on for 52 years. 

Suzanne Grundy and Jessica Armentrout appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show. 

The Christian County Mental Health Association has announced a name change effective August 1st, switching to Central Illinois Developmental Services. This rebranding is meant to reflect the organization's commitment of high quality developmental services for its many clients.

Brent DeMichael, President and CEO of Central Illinois Developmental Services, explains the new name will better represent the developmental services they provide daily. DeMichael believes this change will help emphasize the value of the services they have to offer.

Central Illinois Developmental Services provides several key programs. The Community Day Services Program helps clients develop and enhance daily living skills and economic self-sufficiency. The organization also possesses a Residential Services Program through various Community Integrated Living Arrangements. In addition to these, CIDS has a Work Services Program that operates through its Plywood Reel Business.

Since its founding in December 1971, Central Illinois Developmental Services has served nearly 85 clients daily, while employing roughly 100 staff members. The organization’s mission is to identify and meet the needs of individuals with disabilities in Christian County, by offering: educational, developmental, residential, rehabilitation, and employment services.

For more information, contact Brent DeMichael at 217-824-9675.

A long-time former Taylorville alderman has died.

Mike Kennedy passed away Friday at Carriage Crossing Senior Living in Taylorville.   He was 76 years old.

Kennedy was a long-time alderman on the Taylorville City Council, and after being a self-taught engineer, retired after 35 years at G-S-I in Assumption.

He was also a founding member of Rock Steady Boxing, an organization improving the quality of life for those living with Parkinson’s disease.

You can access obituary information for Kennedy by clicking HERE.

Nearly 11% of the US population, roughly 38.4 million people, have diabetes according to the Center for Disease Control. For people with diabetes, eating can be a struggle as they try to balance their sugar levels.  That is where the University of Illinois Extension Office is here to help. U of I Extension is teaming up with Live Well Pana and Pana Community Hospital to do a cooking with diabetes class.

Lisa Peterson, Nutrition and Wellness Educator, says this class is good if you have just been diagnosed or if you have had diabetes your whole life. 

Peterson says that one good way of knowing what you should eat for a healthy meal is through something the FDA does concerning MyPlate. 

The class is on August 14th at 10:30 at Pana Community Hospital. To sign up, call Live Well Fitness at 217-562-6231.

Lisa Peterson appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show.
 

Taylorville City Council is set to meet at 7 PM at the Municipal Building in Taylorville for their regular city council meeting.  The council will recognize Noah Bliler, review some BDD agreements, discuss old and new business, and hear from the city attorney and Taylorville Mayor Bruce Barry. 

Under ordinance, the council will discuss approving a BDD agreement concerning fireworks/chillifest, the municipal cannabis retailers occupation tax, the Illinois Transportation enhancement program, and review a building permit application concerning a Solar Energy Facility.  The council will potentially approve Sam Peabody to the Planning and Zoning Commission, approve a building permit application for GSI, approve the homecoming parade on September 1st, Kiwanis Kids Days, on September 20th and 21st, and the St. Mary’s Parish Fall Festival between September 20th-22nd. 

Under committee reports, the council will review approving a BDD agreement with 219 West Main Cross, 1141 E 1500 North Road, and 10 South Main Street. The council will discuss adding a new police officer and firefighter, a plant operator 1 position for the water treatment plant, and review a correction for the police department's sick time.  

Stay tuned to Regional Radio News for more concerning the meeting following the conclusion of the event on Monday evening. 

The Christian County C-E-O, or "creating entrepreneurial opportunities" program, started its 10th year Thursday night as some 65 students, parents, and board members held the annual orientation meeting at Florida's Pizza meeting room in Taylorville.   Following remarks by board president Adam Vocks and board secretary Mary DelValle, facilitator Neil Hohenstein outlined expectations for the record 28 students who were accepted into the program.

Hohenstein talked with Regional Radio News after the meeting and said he shared what will be expected of the students enrolled in the program in Thursday night's meeting.

And Hohenstein added he's excited about seeing the program grow in Christian County.

Get more information on-line at christiancountyceo.com.

A former WTIM sports announcer has died.   72-year-old Rick Doan of Taylorville passed away last Thursday at Carriage Crossing Senior Living in Taylorville.

Doan was part of WTIM’s sports coverage in the 1970s.   He was also heavily involved in sports officiating, covering high school and junior college basketball games and football games from high school to Division 1 college.   He officiated for 36 years and was selected to officiate at college bowl games on multiple occasions.  Doan was recognized as the Official of the Year for the Sun Belt Conference, and in 2013 was inducted into the Bloomington-Normal Officials Hall of Fame.   

Doan was also a former member of the Taylorville School Board, serving several years as president.

Funeral arrangements for Rick Doan can be seen by clicking HERE.

Land of Lincoln Honor Flight is proud to continue its 2024 flying season with Mission #71, scheduled for August 27th , 2024. This mission will honor 96 veterans, including 13 Korean War veterans and 83 Vietnam War veterans from 62 different Central Illinois communities, including veterans from St. Louis, Missouri.

Veterans and their guardians, if needed, will gather at Abraham Lincoln Capitol Airport at 4:00 a.m. for a chartered Sun Country 737 flight to Washington, D.C. They will visit several significant sites, including the World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War memorials, Arlington National Cemetery, the Lincoln Memorial, the U.S. Marine Corps Memorial, and the U.S. Air Force Memorial.

This honor flight is entirely funded by public donations, ensuring no cost to the veterans. Joan Bortolon, President of the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight, says it is their privilege to continue honoring our American heroes with these flights. Bortolon states the welcome home ceremony is a special moment for their veterans, one they have earned and deserve to be recognized for.

The veterans are expected to return to the Springfield Airport at 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 27th. The public, including friends, family, and alumni veterans, are encouraged to join the homecoming celebration. Free parking will be available, with volunteers assisting guests in finding spaces and directing them to a shuttle bus that will transport them to the terminal.

Land of Lincoln Honor Flight invites all World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War veterans to apply for future flights. Seriously ill or terminally ill veterans will receive priority for flight selection. Applications for veterans and guardians can be found on their website. Additionally, LLHF offers a Flightless Honor Flight program for eligible veterans who are unable to participate in the actual flight due to physical limitations.

For more details and to apply, visit www.LandofLincolnHonorFlight.org.

The 10th year of the Christian County C-E-O, or "creating entrepreneurial opportunities" program for high school seniors, kicked off with the annual orientation Thursday night at the Florinda Pizza meeting room on the Taylorville square.  Some 65 students, parents, and board members reviewed the past 9 years of the program that offers business skills outside of the classroom.

Board secretary Mary DelValle told Regional Radio News after the meeting that the C-E-O program was founded to help teach high school students many soft skills.

DelValle added that after 10 years, the program is proving that C-E-O is an important part of economic development in Christian County.

Get more information at christiancountyceo.com.

People's Bank and Trust in Pana held their community appreciation cookout on Friday afternoon from 4:30-6:30 PM. People of Pana were treated to a free ribeye sandwich/hot dog, chips, dessert, and a drink.  There was a registration for free prize giveaways and the event was held at the Chautauqua Building in Kitchell Park. 

Jennifer Mathis, with People's Bank and Trust, says it's nice to have the community come together. 

Craig Deere, also with PBT, says that as a long-time member of Pana, the community means everything to PBT. 

Mathis says they served nearly 600 rib eye sandwiches and 100 hot dogs.  Genuine Country 94.3 WMKR broadcast live from the Chautauqua Building in Pana for the the People's Bank and Trust Pana Community Appreciation Cookout. 

Enrollment specialists are ready to help newly graduated students or people looking to get back into higher education with registration and all the details at Lake Land College. The fall semester begins August 19th at Lake Land and Enrollment Specialists, Brittany Aitken and Holly Ferren say there is still time to get on the path that suits your educational journey.

Aitken works mostly with non-traditional students, people not coming straight from high school. The process to get enrolled, filling out financial aid, and selecting classes has changed significantly in the past 10 years and the specialist wants the community to know there are plenty of resources to help along the way.

Holly Ferren says help can be found during every step of the registration process and specialists will take calls from people struggling to remedy any issues. Ferren gives a breakdown of the extensive support services that exist at Lake Land College.

Choosing the community college route or any higher learning path can be a difficult decision says Aitken, but with the online components and hybrid class options, students of all backgrounds can find a home at Lake Land.

Learn more about registration and services offered at Lake Land College at www.lakelandcollege.edu.

Brittany Aitken and Holly Ferren appeared as guests on the WTIM Morning Show.

The Christian County CEO Class of 2025 will break the student participation record for the second consecutive year with 29 young entrepreneurs ready to take on the challenges of the upcoming year of events and eventually their own personal businesses. As the group looks to continue growing and finding success for Christian County graduates, the call has been made to garner community funds and allow for two class sessions in the 2024-2025 school year.

Adam Vocks, President and Board Member for Christian County CEO stresses that CEO students are tested in the soft skills that are valuable in the workforce today, Vocks continues by breaking down the $80,000 needed to run the classes.

Amy Hagen is heading up Investor Relations and connects the current students' entrepreneurship now to future investments in Christian County when CEO's students' businesses are flourishing, those dollars could give Christian County a boost in economic development.

CC CEO Facilitator, Neil Hohenstein gives a day in the life of a CEO student and explains the rigorous yet practical reality the students will be met with to imitate the business world.

Visit www.christiancountyceo.com to learn more about the fundraising goals and information about the upcoming Christian County CEO school year.

Adam Vocks, Amy Hagen, and Neil Hohenstein appeared as guests on the WTIM Morning Show.

The Blue Mound Fall Festival is in full swing until Saturday with plenty of food, vendors, rides, and activities. The event is taking place at Wise Park and features music, bingo, a parade, pedal pull, car show, and plenty of other events.  Tom Jones, with the Blue Mound Fall Festival Committee says this is over 100 years old. 

Jones says there are many vendors at the festival.

Jones also says that his favorite thing about the festival is the community coming together.

For more information on the Blue Mound Fall Festival, visit their Facebook Page. Genuine Country 94.3 WMKR broadcast live from the event. 

The Taylorville Park Board held a Board of Trustees special meeting on Thursday night at the Manners Park Office at 6:30 p.m.. The meeting was conducted with new business in mind surrounding the Manners Park Swimming Pool project, this was the only item on the agenda for the meeting.

In a previous Taylorville Park Board meeting that was held on June 24th, Park Board members met with Burbach Aquatics and were informed of a considerable price increase with the newest pool project quote set at $8.8 million dollars. Park Board members grew concerned with the dollar amount and shifted talks to the possibility of only building the pool itself, adding extras then at a later date.

The Taylorville Park Board and its members met Thursday night with one goal in mind, getting the Manners Park Swimming Pool project off the ground. Jessica Franks, Activities Director for the Taylorville Park Board, discussed the newest proposal submitted by Burbach Aquatics and the $8.4 million dollar amount attached to it.

After much discussion regarding numerous line items, funding, grants, community involvement, and potential inflation if the deal isn't made; the Taylorville Park Board passed the motion to move forward with the Manners Park Swimming Pool project.

Now that the motion has passed and the project can start to take shape, the Taylorville Park Board is turning to the community to bid out certain line items including: fencing, lighting, safety equipment, and more. Franks stated the public has clearly helped in their support and is thankful for the tax referendum that has helped make this project possible.

The Manners Park Swimming Pool will likely be closed due to construction for the 2025 season. Pictures below are of the proposal itself and new pool layout that was approved.

About 65 students, parents, and board members attended last night's Christian County C-E-O orientation at the Florida's Pizza meeting room in Taylorville.   "C-E-O" stands for creating entrepreneurial opportunities, a program where high school seniors learn business skills away from class.

Board president Adam Vocks told Regional Radio News after the meeting it was one of his first official duties as the new board president.

And Vocks added the students who go thru the C-E-O program will be pursued by local employers once they enter the workforce.

The local program is starting its 10 year with a record 28 students.

Find out more on the Christian County C-E-O program by going to christiancountyceo.com.

Shelbyville…The City of Shelbyville is among 17 communities that will get financial assistance replacing lead water lines. State Representative Brad Halbrook today announced that the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency will provide Shelbyville $5.3 million to replace 350 lead service lines to ensure no lead is leaking into residents’ drinking water.

“It’s just a fact that many homes built before 1990 may have lead service lines that carry water into the house. Eliminating these older lead lines will reduce possible lead exposure for Shelbyville families,” Rep. Halbrook said.  “This is a great example of what can be done when taxpayer dollars actually come back to the community to help make needed improvements and keep families safe. We need to see more of this.”

In a press release announcing the funding, Illinois EPA Interim Director James Jennings noted that the awards are being provided in the form of principal forgiveness, so none of the communities will have to repay.

"We know lead service lines are a major obstacle for community water supplies throughout Illinois," said Interim Director Jennings. "Illinois EPA is committed to utilizing our State Revolving Fund to maximize funding available to communities to remove the threat of lead in drinking water.”

WTIM’s 107-point-9 FM signal in Pana is off the air as a result of both severe weather and internet problems.   The signal went off the air Wednesday night.

Station engineers are working to resolve the problem, but they haven’t given a timetable on when it will return.

Pana and Nokomis WTIM listeners can still hear the station on 96-point-ONE FM, on the WTIM live stream at taylorvilledailynews.com, or on the WTIM mobile app.

The Taylorville Kiwanis Club Foundation is now accepting applications for funding local non-profit organizations and activities that benefit children and youth in the Taylorville community.

The Foundation already funds high school and YMCA scholarships each year, but many times there are other requests for funding that come to the Kiwanis Board at various times of the year.

This effort is to request those organizations and events, to formally apply for funding.  Any application must be centered on how local children and youth will benefit.

This is the fourth consecutive year that the Kiwanis Club Foundation is accepting applications to provide grants to other non-profits in the Taylorville that have a similar mission to the Kiwanis Club, to benefit local youngsters.  

The application is available by clicking HERE.  Deadline for applications to be received is September 15th.

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 Moose Lodge.  For information on the club, go to taylorvillekiwanis.com.     

After a successful Jaws movie night at the Manners Park Pool in Taylorville, The Taylorville Park District is happy to be presenting another movie experience as The Sandlot will be shown, this time on the baseball field.

Jessica Franks Recreation Director for Taylorville Park District says the community should pull out their lawn chairs and blankets for the movie night on Friday, August 23rd beginning at 8:00 p.m.

Franks referred back to the opening movie night in the pool and was ecstatic to see the community involvement with about 160 attendees.

Still left for this summer is the opening of the Summer Concert Series at Manners Park with New Horizons, a Journey cover band set to perform on Saturday, August 10th at 7:00 p.m.

Stay tuned to the Taylorville Park District Facebook page for updates and information about upcoming events.

Jessica Franks appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show.

Christopher Wray has named Christopher J.S. Johnson as the special agent in charge of the Springfield Field Office in Illinois. Mr. Johnson most recently served as an inspector in the Inspection Division at FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Mr. Johnson joined the FBI as a special agent in 2004 and was first assigned to the Detroit Field Office, working violent crimes and crimes against children. In 2009, Mr. Johnson was promoted to supervisory special agent and worked in the Crimes Against Children Unit in the Criminal Investigative Division at FBI Headquarters.

In 2010, Mr. Johnson transferred to the St. Louis Field Office, where he continued to work violent crime and crimes against children, as well as issues related to violent gangs. The next year, Mr. Johnson joined the FBI’s Child Abduction Rapid Deployment Team.

The CARD Team currently includes 75 agents, analysts, and other Bureau personnel from across the country, and teaches local law enforcement officers how to respond to child abductions. Local law enforcement can also contact their local FBI office and ask for assistance from the CARD team when a child disappears. Mr. Johnson eventually became a CARD Team leader for the North Central and South Central regions.

Mr. Johnson returned to the St. Louis Field Office in 2014 and supervised a squad that investigated violent gangs and transnational organized crime matters. In 2017, while still in St. Louis, Mr. Johnson supervised another squad that investigated violent crime, violent crimes against children, and transnational organized crime from a different region.

In 2020, Mr. Johnson was promoted to assistant special agent in charge of the Detroit Field Office’s Mission Services and Administrative Branch. In 2022, Mr. Johnson was selected to serve as an inspector in the Inspection Division at Headquarters.

Prior to joining the FBI, Mr. Johnson worked as a police officer in the St. Louis metropolitan area in Missouri. He earned bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice and in psychology from Saint Louis University and a master’s of management degree from Webster University in Missouri.

Lincoln Land Community College will host Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completion nights at three college outreach centers to assist students and parents filling out the FAFSA and enrolling for the 2024-2025 academic year.

LLCC financial aid and admissions professionals will provide personalized help for students and parents in this open house-style event. The event is free and registration is not required. Those needing assistance may stop by at any time during the following hours.

•     Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2-6 p.m. – LLCC-Jacksonville, 32 N. Central Park Plaza
•     Tuesday, Aug. 13, 3-6 p.m. – LLCC-Litchfield, 1 Lincoln Land Drive
•     Wednesday Aug. 14, 3-6 p.m. – LLCC-Taylorville, 800 S. Spresser 

LLCC Financial Aid on the main campus, 5250 Shepherd Road, Springfield, will offer walk-in FAFSA and enrollment assistance Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., with after-hours help available by appointment. Call 217-786-2237, or email Financial.Aid@llcc.edu.

Fall semester weekday classes begin Aug. 19. Current students may register for classes via LoggerCentral or by phone (217-786-2292). New students should first apply or visit https://www.llcc.edu/new for more information. For assistance, text 217-718-2659.