Taylorville Police are reporting two separate arrests in unrelated sexual assault investigations.

In the first case, officers with the Taylorville Police Department say they developed probable cause following a reported sexual assault investigation to arrest 71-year-old Kyle B. Parks of Taylorville. Authorities say, after reviewing details of the case in court, a judge ordered Parks to be detained. Police also credited the Christian County State’s Attorney’s Office for its assistance during the investigation and prosecution process. Officials say they hope the case brings a measure of accountability and closure for the victim.

In a separate and unrelated case, Taylorville Police, working alongside the Stonington Police Department, conducted a joint investigation that led to charges against 37-year-old Bradley E. Martin of Taylorville. Martin is charged with Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault of a Child involving penetration. According to public records, Martin is a registered sex offender who had recently registered in Taylorville.

Authorities say both investigations remain ongoing.

The Illinois High School Activities Foundation has announced its 2026 scholarship recipients, recognizing students who plan to become future educators, coaches, and officials.

Fourteen seniors from across the state have each been awarded one-thousand dollar scholarships through the Illinois High School Activities Foundation.

Locally, South Fork High School senior Alyvia Mulvaney was among this year’s winners.

Students selected for the scholarships must plan to pursue a career in education, coaching, or officiating after high school.

Foundation officials say the program is designed to support the next generation of leaders in high school activities. Board President Dr. Robert Nolting says those roles are critical to continuing the mission of the Illinois High School Association, and the foundation is proud to support students who will make a positive impact in the years ahead.

The scholarship program is supported in part by donations, including contributions honoring longtime educator Ron McGraw and retired teacher and coach Mike Nissen.

The Peoples Bank and Bank and Trust and WMKR Pana High School Students Of The Month have been announced for the month of April.

The April students of the month from Pana High School are Pictured Below.

Freshman Vann Dowdy (Far Left) Sophomore Brooke McKinney (Left), Junior Ryan Foster (Middle), Senior Delaney Hackler (Right), and PBT Representative Jennifer Mathis (Far Right)
 

Applications are now open for a youth law enforcement academy taking place this summer in Springfield.

The Illinois State Police, along with the American Legion and the Illinois National Guard, will host the 2026 Youth Cadet Law Enforcement Academy for students ages 15 to 17.

The week-long residential program runs June 21st through the 26th at Camp Lincoln Military Academy in Springfield.

Organizers say the academy is designed to promote leadership, teamwork, and personal responsibility through classroom instruction, physical training, and hands-on activities. Cadets will also interact with law enforcement officers and community partners throughout the week.

Officials say the goal is to build positive relationships between young people and law enforcement while helping students develop life skills and a sense of service.

Only 50 cadets will be accepted into the program.

Applications are available through the Illinois American Legion website and must be submitted by May 31st to Chairman Wayne V. Madson by mail or email.

Kiwanis members made welcome Steve and Sherri Craggs at their Tuesday luncheon at the Taylorville Moose Lodge.

Steve and Sherri are the owners of the Fur Love resale shop located in downtown Taylorville.  As a 501c3 business, Fur Love currently has a staff of 30 with 12 full time employees.  As part of their mission, Fur Love provides pet food to all of the food banks in Christian County and assists with veterinarian expenses for low income families.  Many funds are given to assist the needs of many organizations throughout the community.

Another business that the Craggs’ have brought to Taylorville is the event venue The Black Pug.  Located in the basement of Fur Love, The Black Pug is designed to provide a feeling of stepping back in time to an early 1900’s Speakeasy.  As a rental-only venue, tables, seating and atmosphere are provided allowing you to select vendors that best fit your style and budget.

Steve and Sherri have recently acquired another property in downtown Taylorville.  They are currently making changes with a remodel of the former Bulpitt Furniture building.  With a grand opening planned for this coming August, this remodel will also reflect stepping back in time to the early 1900’s.  Steve and Sherri design their businesses and advertise attracting visitors from all over to Taylorville.  

For more information on Fur Love and the Black Pug event venue visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/furlovecharitableresale

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 or email the club at TaylorvilleKiwanis@gmail.com

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum (ALPLM) is celebrating America’s 250th birthday by creating new opportunities for teens across Illinois to explore important public issues and strengthen their leadership skills. These new programs are set to begin in June of this year.

As part of the celebration, ALPLM is expanding its Future Presidents of America Program and will also host the Illinois competition for the National Debate Contest.

The Future Presidents of America Program (FPAP) is a week-long summer camp that introduces students to civics, government, and leadership while presenting real-world challenges for young people to solve.

This year, students from across the nation can apply to FPAP, whereas in previous years, the program was limited to students from Central Illinois.

ALPLM will also serve as the Illinois partner in the Ronald Reagan Debate Series, which brings students together to engage in meaningful discussions on real-world issues while honoring the legacies of two presidents with Illinois roots.

The debate series, an initiative of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, gives Illinois students the opportunity to compete for cash prizes, scholarships, and a trip to California for the national debate finals. Students also gain valuable public speaking and critical thinking skills while studying important civic issues.

The Illinois competition is scheduled for June 20th. This year, the debate topic will focus on whether presidents should be chosen based on the Electoral College or the popular vote.

The FPAP accepts just 24 young leaders ages 13 to 16 for its summer day camp, which focuses on the qualities that make a great president. The camp is scheduled to take place from June 8th through June 12th.

Students will also explore the enduring meaning of the Declaration of Independence through a featured session called “The Greatest Sentence Ever Written.”

More information can be found on the America 250 page of the ALPLM website at presidentlincoln.illinois.gov.

Common household cosmetic products are now one step closer to being free of harmful polyfluoroalkyl chemicals, known as forever chemicals or PFAS.
These PFAS are usually synthetic chemicals that manufacturing facilities utilize quite often. These chemicals do not break down in the environment or the human body.

Thanks to a measure led by Illinois State Senator Mattie Hunter, common cosmetic products are now getting closer to being banned from containing PFAS.

Hunter spoke recently about the health issues and long-term effects of PFAS, stating that it's crucial to get the use of PFAS off our shelves.

In a recent press conference, Hunter outlined House Bill 3409 (HB3409). This bill would make it illegal for any person to knowingly manufacture a product containing any of the 11 specific harmful chemicals, as well as any of the 13 forever chemicals.

Prolonged PFAS exposure has shown proof to cause a variety of serious health outcomes, including specific cancers, hormonal disruption, and even immune system damage.

Even though there is still an ongoing scientific consensus on the level of danger these substances cause, they still remain present in a wide range of personal care and beauty products. Senator Hunter believes that “Illinois consumers deserve to know the products they put on their bodies every day are safe.”

According to Hunter, this measure will send a clear message to the cosmetics industry, saying that if they want to sell in Illinois, the products must meet the health and safety standards that Illinois families deserve.

House Bill 3409 is set to be heard in the Senate Executive Committee next Wednesday.

For information on polyfluoroalkyl chemicals, visit www.niehs.nih.gov and search polyfluoroalkyl chemicals.
 

Several area students were recognized and celebrated at the recently held Lake Land College annual TRIO Student Support Services banquet.
 

During this event, Lake Land recognized students who participated in the program throughout the 2025-2026 school year.

Recognition to be received included the Visionary Award, recognizing students for their outstanding commitment to future success and educational goals.

The other recognition is for students who held a high Grade Point Average (GPA).

At the banquet, several students received awards for their outstanding leadership and academic achievements.

As far as our local area students, awards were given to 2 students from Shelbyville, one from Pana, and another student from Taylorville.

The Visionary Award was given to Grey Brault and Georgia Firnhaber from Shelbyville, Kyle Jackle-Hugh from Pana, and Ruth Ream from Taylorville.

Local students who received recognition for holding a high GPA included Grey Bault from Shelbyville and Ruth Ream from Taylorville.

Other Illinois students who received awards or recognition were from Mattoon, Charleston, Effingham, Shumway, Altamont, Bethany, Lerna, Casey, Urbana, Teutopolis, Stewardson, Westfield, Paris, and Tuscola.

TRIO Student Support Services is funded by the U.S. Department of Education to assist students in the completion of their academic goals and to graduate from Lake Land College.

In the Student Support Services, counselors and advisors work as a team with each individual student to provide and connect them with a variety of support services.

TRIO offers one-on-one meetings with staff. TRIO also gives students access to educational, social, and cultural opportunities that are available exclusively to TRIO students.

All of the services offered by TRIO are free of charge to eligible students.

To learn more about TRIO at Lake Land College, contact Director of TRIO Programs, Faisal Tariq, by calling 217-234-5048 or via email at ftariq@LakeLandCollege.edu.

TRIO Student Support Services Advisor Gavin Shawver (Left) presents the 2025-2026 TRIO Student of the Year Award to Kailyn Tracy (Right) of Mattoon.

Taylorville High School’s forthcoming performing arts auditorium is expected to have economic impacts far beyond the stage and seating.  With the potential for groups outside the city to rent the space, local businesses could see extra foot traffic and, with it, extra revenue.  The Christian County Economic Development Corporation’s Executive Director Matt Hart says the future addition will improve the “quality of living,” which businesses consider when moving or expanding. 

Economic boosts to the surroundings of the auditorium are expected to affect restaurants, gas stations, retail stores, and employment for the construction project. 

Separate from the auditorium, the Christian County Economic Development Corporation is looking to expand the enterprise zone towards the southwest portion of the county.  Hart says the sales tax savings from utilizing the zone not only help the businesses themselves but also spur further economic growth. 

More information on the CCEDC is available at www.christiancountyedc.com. 

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