A structure fire consumed an attached garage with an extension into a residence on Tuesday evening.  At 6:40 PM, Taylorville Fire was dispatched for a structure fire in the 200 block of Vollentine.  When crews arrived, they found the garage had heavy fire coming from inside.  After attacking the fire, firefighters were able to limit the fire spread to the garage with minor damage to an interior room.  

Firefighters say they brought it under control within 8 minutes.  No injuries to civilians or firefighters were reported.  Taylorville Fire was assisted with mutual aid from Owaneco, Edinburg, Midland, Dunn's Ambulance, Christian County Sheriff's Office, and Ameren.  The cause of the fire is still under investigation.  All photos courtesy of the Taylorville Fire Department. 

Donating blood is a routine for some and a rarity for others. Some do not realize just how much of an impact that can have on someone else's life by just donating one pint of blood. To learn more about the need for blood donations The WTIM Morning Show was joined by Julie Bly, a member of the American Red Cross Association, to speak on why donating blood is so important, who it can help, and the quick and painless sign up it takes to make a difference.

A way to connect to the blood donation program is by using the app. The app is titled Blood Donation American Red Cross, with this, a donor can track their donation to see who it is going to and how it is helping. This presents a new reason for why donating is important.

Connecting with a person you are able to help through your donation is what keeps patrons coming back.  The need for blood donations is constant. With summer beginging, this is the busiest time for Julie Bly and the American Red Cross.

Making it personal is what worked for Julie Bly when it comes to finding the motivation to donate. The American Red Cross is also introducing promotions for donating. From a gift card to backyard movie theater night, you can get something tangible out of donating.

For all the information on donating to the American Red Cross visit, https://www.redcrossblood.org/. 

And to contact Julie Bly directly you can call, 217- 663- 4343.

Members of the First United Methodist Church in Taylorville, opened their new 12-thousand 400-square foot Ministry Center to the public for the first time on Sunday during an Open House.   The event was broadcast live on WMKR Genuine Country 94-point-3 and WRAN groovy 97-point-3.

Long-time member of both the church and the local Optimist Club Terry Wright, told listeners that 2 Optimist Club events used the new building even before its Public Open House on Sunday.

A member of the church's Strategic Planning Team that worked to turn the Ministry Center idea into reality, Jeff Maxfield, told listeners on Sunday safety and security were the main reasons the church decided to build.

The new Ministry Center can seat up to 240 people at round tables or 500 without, has a state-of-the-art audio and video system, and is set up to play a variety of sports.

The Taylorville Kiwanis Club reviewed committee activities in their ongoing efforts to benefit children and youth in the Taylorville community, at the club’s weekly meeting on Tuesday at the Taylorville Moose Lodge.

Kiwanis Priority One chair Bruce Blanshan reported the May 20th annual Bike Rodeo, co-sponsored by Kiwanis, Taylorville Memorial Hospital, and the Christian County YMCA, went well with each participant receiving a new bike.

Blanshan added a Car Seat Safety Day is planned for June 24th at the Taylorville Fire House from 9am to noon, and the club’s annual Kid’s Day fund raiser at the Harrison Corner and Wal-Mart is set for September 22nd and 23rd.

Kiwanis treasurer Blain Cornwell reported that the April 29 Kiwanis Pancake and Sausage Breakfast netted the club just over 3-thousand dollars for local projects for children and youth.   Incoming Kiwanis president Chuck Martin chaired the event.

Cornwell also reported the local club will again be manning gates at the Illinois State Fair in August, as another fund-raiser.

4 members fro the Decatur Early Bird Kiwanis Club were guests at Tuesday’s Taylorville Kiwanis meeting.

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.   

Shawn and Connie Mitchell along with the community honor and remeber the late Tanner James Mitchell with the annual Tanner Mitchell Electrician Apprenticeship Scholarship. This is the third annual award that gives a new electrician the support they need for the beginning costs of their occupation.

This year the Tanner Mitchell Electrician Apprentice Scholarship went to Noah Marlow of Shelbyville. Noah was awarded a $2000 Scholarship with the IBEW 146 Midstate Electrical Training Center. 

Noah Marlow, the winner of this year's scholarship, displayed excellent work ethic and stellar performance on the job everyday, making him the perfect candidate and winner of the third annual Apprentice Scholarship.

Noah will begin his work with the IBEW 146 Midstate Electrical training center in the fall.

Shawn and Connie Mitchell thank everyone who has supported the apprenticeship and scholarship funds while they look too keep this Scholarship award a tradition for many years to come.

A great crowd from Taylorville and Christian County attended Sunday afternoon's  First United Methodist Church in Taylorville held a Public Open House for their new Ministry Center.   The event was broadcast live on WMKR Genuine Country 94-point-3 and WRAN groovy 97-point-3.

Youth Director Jamie Brachear told listeners during the live broadcast the new building offers lots of new ministry opportunities.

Architect for the project, Dennis Schuette of Staunton, shared with listeners Sunday afternoon he was pleased to work with the project's committee co-chair Jim Brubaker.

The Public Open House was held Sunday, after the church held a consecreation service for the new building in May.

The Taylorville City Council met on Monday evening for their regular board meeting. All Aldermen were present except Jim Olive. The Board Discussed Minutes Business Ordinances and heard From the Committees 

The meeting began with the recognition of the following members:

Elsie Williamson -1st place 8th grade women's discus (also the new state record holder)

Liam Bettis - 2nd place men's1600m 3rd place men's 800m
Julie Wayman-- 6th place 7th grade women's shot put
Elayna Harker-- 6th place 7th grade women's pole vault
Gianna Tarr -- 8th grade women's shot put
Logan Barry -- 7th grade men's discus
Connor Hunsley - 8th grade men's discus
Brock Walton -8th grade men's shot put
Jayden Lash, Liam Bettis, Eli Ellis, Garrett Lehman, and Joseph Goodman -8th grade men's 4×400m

Mayor Bruce Barry Proclaimed June 5th as Elsie Williamson day.

The Main Intrigue of tonight's meeting was over the allowance of chickens within city limits. Larry Budd spoke first about why he was opposed to this motion 

Kathy Driskell then spoke second about how she supported the ordinance mentioning they could always take away the privileges. 

Mayor Barry then spoke about his concern over the cleanliness of the chickens. 

The vote carried  on the motion to prepare an ordinance to allow chickens 4-3, But Mayor Barry says there are still more hoops to jump through

In other Ordinance Voting, the vote passed 6-1 to approve the use of UTV’s on lake roads with proper permits. Larry Budd Voted No

In finance, the board approved The three Tier health insurance plan for 2023-2024 at a projected cost of just over 1.7 million. 

In Public Comments there were some disappointed members of the room about some trees being cut down, especially near Clay St. There were also a few members that pleaded for the alderman to vote yes for the chickens. 

The Next Meeting is on June 19th