An American Legion fundraiser is coming to Christian County next week.  The 20th annual American Legion Legacy Run takes place this Sunday through Thursday.  The event is a motorcycle caravan from Lincoln, Nebraska to Fort Knox, Kentucky.  Around 250 motorcyclists will participate to raise money for scholarships for children of fallen or disabled service members.  The route this year runs through Christian County and includes a stop for lunch in Taylorville on Wednesday.

The Christian County Sheriff’s Office has partnered with the American Legion to ensure the riders pass through the county safely.  Chief Deputy Jim Baker says with the expected security setup, those who normally commute using the motorcyclists’ route should adjust accordingly. 

The Sheriff’s Office will work with the Taylorville Police Department to ensure the motorcyclists can proceed as one large group without being separated. 

Find out more about the Christian County Sheriff’s Office by visiting them at their Facebook page. You can also download the CCSO IL App on your mobile device for the latest news and information.

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

Students who began the school year at Central A&M schools on Wednesday may have any of the school district’s nine new faculty members for teachers.  It’s the school district’s largest haul of new hires in recent years.  The nine recruits took part in an orientation earlier in the month to prepare for the first bell.  Superintendent Sacha Young says the additions encompass a variety of grades and areas across all three schools.  

Young expects a similar need for new teachers in the coming years given the amount of experience many current faculty have. 

Find out more about the Central A&M School District at www.camraiders.com.

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

Lincoln Land Community College’s Taylorville campus is looking to feature local businesses and organizations in its social media presence.  “Where in the Community is Director Fines?” is the name of a series of regular videos posted to Facebook.  It features the campus’s director, Elizabeth Fines-Workman, visiting various establishments.  She says the series has recently focused on spotlighting businesses in which LLCC alumni are involved. 

Fines-Workman encourages businesses and organizations interested in being featured to reach out. 

More information on Lincoln Land Community College is available at www.llcc.edu.

Elizabeth Fines-Workman appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show. 

State Senator Doris Turner says six organizations in the 48th Senate District will receive nearly $750,000 in state funding to support literacy programs, workplace skills development and other library-related services.

Turner says libraries are a cornerstone of communities, providing educational resources, programming and a variety of services for people of all ages.

The funding comes through the Illinois Secretary of State and is part of more than 28 million dollars in grants being awarded statewide for library services and literacy programs.

According to Senator Turner’s office, the grants will support a variety of efforts, including online library catalogs, day-to-day operations and interlibrary loan programs.

The funding will also support radio information services for individuals who cannot read standard print materials, along with literacy programs focused on reading, math, writing and English language skills.

In the 48th District, six organizations will receive a combined total of $748,797 dollars.

Baby TALK, an educational non-profit organization out of Decatur that focuses on positively impacting child development, will receive $52,500. Richland Community College will receive $93,600, while the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs is set to receive $50,000.

Some of the other organizations receiving grants are Fishes and Loaves Outreach Ministries being granted $62,400, Lincoln Land Community College will receive $70,000 dollars, and the Illinois Department of Corrections will receive the largest grant, totaling $420,000.

Turner says the funding will help libraries and other organizations continue providing educational and community resources throughout the district.

A complete list of organizations receiving library and literacy grants across Illinois is available online at ilsos.gov. 

A direct link to the full list of grant recipients can be found in our online story at taylorvilledailynews.com.

A local woman is being recognized for turning her lived experience into a mission of hope, healing and service.

Kayla Durbin has earned several professional credentials while continuing her work in recovery, counseling and peer support. Her accomplishments include becoming a Certified Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor, or CADC, and a Certified Recovery Support Specialist, known as CRSS.

Durbin is also a Self Management and Recovery Training (SMART) Recovery Facilitator, trained to lead evidence-based recovery groups and help empower individuals to make and sustain positive changes.

She recently received additional recognition from Sunshine Behavioral Health, earning the organization’s Core Value of Passion Award. The award recognizes Durbin for her commitment to serving others and making a difference through her work.

According to Durbin, her journey has taken her from addiction and incarceration to certification, leadership and counseling. She says her mission is centered on recovery, education, faith and service, with the goal of helping empower individuals to find their voice, rebuild their lives and discover that lasting change is possible.

Durbin has also been recognized by the Illinois Certification Board as a Certified Recovery Support Specialist and Certified Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor, with certifications extending into 2028.

In sharing her story, Durbin says recovery can create purpose, and she hopes her experience can offer encouragement to others who may be facing their own struggles.

Her accomplishments reflect a commitment to helping others on their recovery journey while using her own lived experience to provide hope, support and encouragement.

Stay up to date with everything local at taylorvilledailynews.com.
 

The Shelby County Recovery-Oriented Systems of Care Council is inviting the community to come together next week for a special candlelight vigil honoring loved ones who have died as a result of substance use disorder.

The Candlelight Vigil will take place Wednesday, August 26th, from 6 to 8 PM at Pavilion 3 in Forest Park, located at East North 9th Street, in Shelbyville. Pavilion 3 is located by the pool.

Organizers say the evening will be a time to light candles, share memories, and honor the lives of those lost to substance use disorder.

Community members are welcome to bring photos and the names of loved ones they wish to remember. The event is intended to provide an opportunity for reflection, remembrance, and support for families and others affected by loss.

The Shelby County Recovery-Oriented Systems of Care Council encourages anyone in the community who has been impacted by substance use disorder to attend and help light the night with memories and love.

For more information, contact Landriah, coordinator with the Shelby County Recovery-Oriented Systems of Care Council, at 217-254-4826.

Again, the Candlelight Vigil is Wednesday, August 26th, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Pavilion 3 in Forest Park in Shelbyville, by the pool.

Photos and names of loved ones are welcome.

The event is funded in whole or in part by the Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery.

Lincoln Land Community College has received a $10,000 grant from the Modern Language Association to help students connect what they learn in humanities classrooms with skills that can be used in their future careers.

LLCC was also the only community college selected to receive the distinction during the current grant cycle.

The project is called “Thinking, Deciding and Connecting From Classroom to Career: Amplifying Humanities’ Durable Skills.” Through the program, students will build skills including critical thinking, decision-making, communication and problem-solving through hands-on undergraduate research projects.

The pilot courses are being led by LLCC faculty members Marlene Emmons, Karen Sisk, Eric Stachera and Cara Swafford.

Students participating in the courses will also have the opportunity to demonstrate those skills to community workforce partners during a research symposium scheduled for December 10th.

The project will also include the development of digital and print guidebooks designed to highlight the long-term value of a humanities education and show how classroom experiences can translate into career opportunities. Students in Professor Laura Anderson’s graphic design class will help create the guidebooks as part of a hands-on learning experience.

Dr. Corrine Hinton, dean of LLCC Humanities, Arts, Communication and English, says humanities courses help students develop important skills such as critical thinking, communication and collaboration that are valuable in both their personal and professional lives.

She says the new project will help students better recognize and communicate those skills as they prepare for the workforce.

Get all of your local news, sports, weather, and much more, at taylorvilledailynews.com.
 

A nationwide recall has been issued for several varieties of Outshine Fruit Bars due to possible contamination with glass.

Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream, Inc. announced August 18th that it is voluntarily recalling a limited number of select Outshine Fruit Bar products following consumer reports of glass found in the product.

The recall affects five flavors sold in six-count packages containing 2.5-ounce fruit bars: Strawberry, Watermelon, Grape, Tangerine and Black Cherry. Also included are certain Outshine Variety Packs containing 24 2.5-ounce fruit bars.

The affected products were distributed to retailers nationwide. No other Outshine products or varieties are included in the recall.

Consumers can identify affected products by checking the batch codes printed on the packaging. The company says no illnesses or injuries have been reported to date. To compare the UPC or your batch codes to the codes associated with recalled products, CLICK HERE.

Dreyer’s says it is taking the action out of an abundance of caution. Anyone who has purchased an affected product is urged not to consume it and should either dispose of it or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Anyone concerned they may have suffered an injury should contact a healthcare provider immediately.

Consumers with questions can contact Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream Customer Service at 800-392-4885, Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM Eastern Time, or 7 AM to 4 PM Central Time.

The company says the safety, quality and integrity of its products remain its highest priority and apologized for any inconvenience caused by the recall.

Get all of your local news, sports, weather, and much more, at taylorvilledailynews.com.

Springfield Clinic Taylorville is augmenting its staff that can treat patients at the walk-in clinic.  Registered Nurse Elysse O’Brien will soon become a nurse practitioner, with the change coming amid the start of flu season.  With students returning to school, sharing germs, and bringing them home, staff at Springfield Clinic expect case numbers and visits to rise again.  O’Brien says her addition will ensure the nurse practitioner team can see more patients more quickly. 

O’Brien says the walk-in clinic is meant for acute matters such as cold/flu symptoms and minor injuries. 

The walk-in clinic is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon.  More information on Springfield Clinic Taylorville is available at www.springfieldclinic.com.

Elysse O’Brien appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show. 

Lincoln Land Community College has announced three new leadership appointments as the school prepares for the start of the 2026 academic year.

The college has named Dr. Joel Dykstra as associate vice president of Academic Support and Impact, Dr. Kalith Smith as associate vice president of Academic Services, and Leigh Giles-Brown as dean of Health Professions.

Dr. Dykstra has been with Lincoln Land Community College since 2020, serving as dean of English and Humanities and, more recently, as associate vice president of Academic Services. Before joining LLCC, he served as associate dean of the Humanities Division at the New Mexico Military Institute. He holds a Doctor of Education degree in community college leadership from Texas Tech University.

 Pictured below is Dr. Joel Dykstra:

Dr. Smith has served as dean of LLCC Social Sciences and Business since 2022. Prior to coming to Lincoln Land, he spent 16 years at the New Mexico Military Institute. Smith holds a doctoral degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, along with additional graduate and undergraduate degrees from Texas Tech University.

Pictured below is Dr. Kalith Smith:

Meanwhile, Giles-Brown has served as director of LLCC’s Sonography programs since 2020. Before joining the college, she was program director for sonography programs at Northern Virginia Community College. She holds a bachelor’s degree, a master’s in public administration, and a Juris Doctor degree.

Pictured below is Dean of Health Proffessions,  Leigh Giles-Brown:

Dr. Jason Dockter, vice president of Academic Services, says the three leaders bring extensive experience, expertise and a strong commitment to student success. He says their leadership will help strengthen LLCC’s academic programs and support services while continuing to provide educational opportunities that meet the needs of students and communities.

The Lincoln Land Community College academic year begins August 24th.

More information about Lincoln Land Community College can be found at llcc.edu.

Get all of your local news, sports, weather, and much more, at taylorvilledailynews.com.

The future of the Family Farm Preservation Act remains uncertain, but Governor JB Pritzker says the legislation is still on his agenda. If approved, the legislation would create a true $6 million exemption from Illinois’ estate tax for family farms. Only the value of an estate above $6 million would be subject to taxation.

During the opening of the Illinois State Fair last week, the governor was asked whether the measure could be approved during the General Assembly’s fall veto session. While Pritzker did not commit to a vote during the November and December session, he said the legislation remains among the items he hopes to get done.

State Representative Wayne Rosenthal, out of Morrisonville, says state law exempts property passed to surviving spouse, but when that land is passed to children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, the very people we raise to carry on our tradition, that's when the tax hits and it hits hard.

Governor Pritzker also recently pledged his support for the proposal during the Illinois Agriculture Legislative Roundtable in McLean County. The Family Farm Preservation Act has been under consideration since 2024, but no action has yet been taken.

Under current law, Illinois estates with a gross value exceeding $4 million, including taxable gifts, are subject to the state’s graduated estate tax, with the entire estate becoming taxable once that threshold is reached.

Whether the Family Farm Preservation Act reaches the fall veto session or is pushed into next spring’s legislative session remains to be seen. But supporters say Illinois farmers will be watching closely, especially after Governor Pritzker publicly pledged his support for the measure.

Get all of your local news, sports, weather, and much more, at taylorvilledailynews.com.

As students across the area head back to school, the Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency is reminding motorists to use extra caution when traveling near school buses.

With more school buses back on local roads, drivers should be prepared for frequent stops, children crossing roadways and changing traffic patterns in and around school zones.

One of the most important reminders is to stop when a school bus has its red warning lights activated and stop arm extended. Drivers approaching a stopped school bus should remain stopped until the bus has turned off its flashing red lights, retracted the stop arm and resumed travel.

Motorists should also remember that children may not always be predictable when getting on or off a bus. Children can suddenly enter the roadway, so drivers should slow down and be prepared to stop whenever a school bus is loading or unloading students.

Drivers should avoid passing a stopped school bus and should never attempt to drive around the bus while students are boarding or getting off. Extra attention is especially important in neighborhoods, at intersections and along rural roads where visibility may be limited.

The Montgomery County Emergency Management Agency also reminds motorists to put away distractions, obey posted speed limits and remain alert for buses making frequent stops. A few extra seconds of patience can make a significant difference in keeping students, bus drivers and other motorists safe.

As the new school year gets underway, drivers are encouraged to slow down, stay alert and give school buses plenty of space. Safe driving around school buses is a responsibility shared by everyone in the community.

Stay up to date with local news, weather, sports, events, and much more at taylorvilledailynews.com.

Consumers are being urged to check their refrigerators after a recall involving Marketside Tomato Bisque Soup Kits sold at select Walmart stores, including locations in Illinois.

Kettle Cuisine LLC of Savage, Maryland, is recalling the 14-ounce Marketside Tomato Bisque Soup Kit because it may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, a bacteria that can cause serious illness, particularly in young children, older adults, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems.

The recalled soup kits were distributed between June 30th and July 7th at select Walmart stores in Illinois and several other states. The affected product comes in a wrapped tray and has a UPC of 194346474004, with a use-by date of August 22nd, 2026. A total of 3,240 packs are included in the recall.

A photograph of the product can be seen below:

The company says the recall was initiated after routine testing produced a presumptive positive result for Listeria. There have been no confirmed reports of illness connected to the product. Consumers should not eat, sell, serve, or distribute the recalled soup kits. The product should either be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase for a refund.

Officials also recommend washing your hands after handling the product and cleaning and sanitizing any refrigerators, containers, utensils, countertops, or other surfaces that may have come into contact with it.

Symptoms of listeriosis can include fever, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. More serious symptoms can include severe headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions.

Anyone who ate the recalled product and develops symptoms should contact a healthcare provider. Pregnant individuals who experience fever or other symptoms after possible exposure should contact a healthcare provider promptly.

Consumers are reminded not to rely on the product's smell or appearance to determine whether it is safe.

More information on this and other recalls can be found online at fda.gov/safety/recalls

Central A&M and Okaw Valley High Schools will unite in co-ops for more sports starting this year.  The schools’ football players played together wearing the “CAMOV” crest last year and will do so again this fall.  Now, girls volleyball and boys basketball are the only Central A&M teams not set to join forces with their Timberwolves counterparts.  Central A&M Superintendent Sacha Young says the success administrators saw last year with football inspired them to consider co-ops in other sports. 

Young says the new co-ops will encourage more students to take up those sports, as the larger burden with otherwise smaller teams may have dissuaded them. 

More information on the Central A&M School District is available at www.camraiders.com.  More information on Okaw Valley CUSD #302 is available at www.okawvalley.org. 

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

Updates from Taylorville Mayor Bruce Barry were heard during Monday night’s regular city council meeting.

During the Mayors Update, Mayor Barry gave thanks to Stonington Police Chief, Travis Peden, for all that he’s done to help with the Taylorville Police. The Mayor also gave a congratulations to the newly promoted Fire Captain, Kobe Wheaton. 

Mayor Barry also gave updates on the road work happening on West Main Cross and West Adams.  

After some high wind gusts came through Sunday evening, Mayor Barry added that his office will help anyone with yard cleanup who may have damage from the high winds during Sunday’s weather. Mayor Barry also gave thanks to those who have already been helping with street cleanup city wide.

The meeting then closed with Mayor Barry requesting a motion to approve and/or ratify payment of bills in the amount of $706,640.62. The motion was made by Alderman Budd, with the second coming from Alderman Bryant. The motion to pay and or ratify bills was approved 8-0.

Monday’s meeting was the second and final regular monthly meeting for August, the next meeting will take place on Tuesday, September 8th, due to Labor Day.

Stay tuned to taylorvilledailynews.com for more from Taylorville City Council Meetings.

Taylorville Music Lessons is adding a new recording studio to its location.  With it, the business plans to hold classes on music recording and production, songwriting, and more.  Interested participants will be able to form bands and record songs, both covers and original pieces.

Owner Mike Semerau is leading the charge in creating the recording studio.  He says it is the reason for the ongoing work at the back of the building. 

A band-related course will also be launched, and it will bring interested musicians together to create music. 

Semerau says his past experiences in wanting to play in a band but not being able to inspired this endeavor. 

Taylorville Music Lessons is located at 311 South Main Street.  More information is available at www.taylorvillemusiclessons.com.

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

At Monday night’s City Council Meeting, there were three ordinance matters that were approved by the council.

The first ordinance was to amend subparagraph E.2 of section 8-4-1 and paragraphs A and B of section 8-4-2 of Chapter 4 of Title 8 to the Taylorville City Code. 

This ordinance would affect the water main tapping specifications as well as pipe specifications and installation. The motion was made by Alderman Steve Dorchinez and was followed up with a second from Alderwoman Amy Hagan and was approved 8-0.

The second ordinance was to add no parking to the north side of the 800 block of West Market Street. The motion was made by Alderwoman Megan Bryant, and the second came from Alderman Doug Brown. This motion was approved 9-0. 

The third ordinance was to approve and authorize the execution of a second amendment to the business development district number 1 redevelopment agreement by and between the City of Taylorville and Dustin Clark of 100 and 102 South Main Street. Alderman Larry Bud made the first motion and was followed up with a second from Steve Dennis. This motion carried 9-0. 

Keep following along with taylorvilledailynews.com for our upcoming story with details from the updates given by Mayor Barry and the Taylorville City Attorney Rocci Romano at Monday Night’s Meeting.

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum (ALPLM) is looking for people interested in joining its volunteer team.

The ALPLM will hold a volunteer orientation session Wednesday, September 9th, at 5:30 PM at the library building, located at 112 North Sixth Street in Springfield.

The one-hour orientation will explain how the museum’s volunteer program operates and highlight the many opportunities available. Volunteers help greet visitors, assist with events, support researchers and perform a variety of other duties.

The ALPLM currently has a volunteer team of roughly 600 people, who contribute an average of 35-thousand hours of service each year. Those interested in volunteering will also be asked to attend three additional two-hour training sessions on September 23rd, October 7th and October 14th.

In addition to helping visitors experience the museum, volunteers receive free admission to the museum and have opportunities to attend special lectures and presentations. The program also provides a chance to meet and build friendships with others who share an interest in Illinois history and Abraham Lincoln.

Volunteer Mary E. Myers says she enjoys greeting and assisting people from around the world and being part of a “wonderful volunteer crew.”

Anyone interested in attending the orientation can register by contacting Jeremy Carrell, director of volunteer services, at 217-558-8984.

More information about the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is available at PresidentLincoln.Illinois.gov.

Get all your news online at taylorvilledailynews.com.

U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin of Illinois is calling attention to the nation’s blood supply shortage following a visit to the ImpactLife Blood Center.

Durbin met with officials from ImpactLife and Memorial Health to discuss the shortage and thank blood donors and medical professionals working to maintain adequate supplies.

Durbin says the American Red Cross declared a national blood supply crisis last month, which is only the second such declaration in the organization’s history. He says access to blood can be the difference between life and death, particularly for patients undergoing surgery or facing medical emergencies.

The blood supply crisis comes as donations have reached a four-year low. In Illinois, donations of type O and type B blood are especially needed.

The Red Cross has begun limiting distributions of type O blood to individual hospitals in an effort to ensure supplies remain available for the most critical, life-threatening emergencies.

ImpactLife Vice President of Donor Outreach and Collections, Gregory Lehmann, says the demand for blood transfusions at area hospitals never stops, and additional donors are needed to help fill donation schedules this time of year.

The period between Memorial Day and Labor Day is often referred to as “Trauma Season,” when warmer weather and increased outdoor activity can lead to more accidents and injuries requiring blood transfusions.

Despite about 65 percent of Americans being eligible to donate blood, only about three percent actually do so.

This week has been designated Springfield Central Counties Health Centers Community Blood Drive Week.

ImpactLife supplies blood products to more than 120 hospitals and emergency medical service providers across Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin and Missouri, including Memorial Health and HSHS hospitals in Springfield, Decatur, Jacksonville, Taylorville and Lincoln.

For more information on ImpactLife, and to learn if you are eligible to donate, visit www.bloodcenter.org.

Keep following along with taylorvilledailynews.com for all your local news, weather, sports, and more!

The Montgomery County Health Department is highlighting a new opportunity for local youth through the H.I.S.S. Group, which stands for “Happiness in Social Situations.”

The H.I.S.S. Group is a support group designed to help young people develop more positive social skills while learning valuable life lessons.

Group members meet once a month to practice socialization skills in a supportive environment. The goal is to help participants feel more positive and confident about themselves while learning new skills.

The program also includes field trips, giving participants opportunities to practice their new socialization skills outside of the group setting.

The H.I.S.S. Group meets on the first Tuesday of each month from 4 to 5 p.m. at the Hillsboro Health Department. For outings, the meeting time will be 5:30 p.m., and participants will be notified ahead of time.

Organizers say the group is a great opportunity for youth to learn new things, build social skills and feel better about themselves.

Parents or guardians looking for more information about the H.I.S.S. Group can contact the Montgomery County Health Department at 217-532-2001, extension 144.

The H.I.S.S. Group is designed to provide local youth with a place to learn, practice and grow while developing positive social skills in a supportive setting.

Continue to stay in the know at taylorvilledailynews.com.

Students at Lincoln Land Community College are preparing for the start of the fall semester, which comes this Monday.  Those taking classes at Taylorville’s campus can expect a new look to some areas, along with a number of amenities intended to ease the transition into classes.  Elizabeth Fines-Workman, the Taylorville campus’s director, says the early activities will revolve around food. 

The food-related activities will continue into the second week and become more elaborate.

Indoor spaces such as the outreach center now have more branded wallpaper and other elements Fines-Workman considers home-like. 

Fines-Workman encourages current and prospective students to use the time at Lincoln Land to explore, be curious, and discover where their true interests are. 

More information on Lincoln Land Community College is available at www.llcc.edu.

Elizabeth Fines-Workman appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show. 

Peoples Bank & Trust is welcoming Lora Bergfeld as its new Vice President and Credit Administration Manager at the Charleston branch.

Bergfeld brings more than 16 years of banking experience to the position, with a background in credit risk management, commercial lending, credit analysis, portfolio management, loan operations and regulatory compliance.

Peoples Bank & Trust President and CEO John Gardner says Bergfeld’s experience and leadership will be an asset to the organization and will help strengthen the bank’s lending operations.

In her new role, Bergfeld will report to Cindy Whittemore and will oversee areas including credit analysis, loan documentation, exception tracking, portfolio monitoring, reporting and process improvements.

Before joining Peoples Bank & Trust, Bergfeld served as a Senior Credit Risk Manager, where she led credit analysts, managed complex credit underwriting and supported portfolio risk management. She also has experience in commercial banking.

Bergfeld holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in economics from Eastern Illinois University. She is also active in leadership development and community service, including serving on the United Way of Effingham County Board.

Bergfeld is a resident of Teutopolis, where she and her husband are raising their three children.

Pictured Below is Lora Bergfeld: Photo Courtesy of Peoples Bank & Trust.

Peoples Bank & Trust is a locally owned and managed community bank with 13 locations throughout Central Illinois, including offices in Pana, Taylorville, Morrisonville, Springfield and several other communities.

More information about Peoples Bank & Trust and its banking services is available at BankPBT.com, and all your local news is found at taylorvilledailynews.com.

The sale of synthetic kratom will be banned in unincorporated areas of Christian County.  The county’s board voted in favor of said measure during its August meeting Tuesday night.  The vote came following the tabling of the related motion at July’s meeting to consider whether to include natural forms of the substance within the ban.  The ban the board ultimately voted for does not include natural kratom.  Board Chair Bryan Sharp said the extra month gave him and the board time to consult with health department officials and other experts on the matter. 

Sharp also recounted a recent visit to a gas station where, as he described, he came across a concession that contained kratom. 

Vicki McMahon relayed some of the stories shared at the May health department meeting, where the body formally recommended the kratom ban. 

Other motions the board passed regard a $2,000 community cleanup grant in Kincaid and an engineering agreement amounting to over $62,000 for the Stonington Township Bridge Replacement Project.

The board voted to table a resolution that would have set civil fees and criminal and traffic assessments to be aligned with state regulations.  The board will revisit the topic at a previously arranged special meeting set for Thursday, August 27.  It will begin at 6 p.m. and will be held at the Taylorville High School cafeteria.  That special meeting was originally dedicated for discussion on temporary restrictions regarding data center construction and carbon dioxide pipeline and carbon sequestration.  Sharp says tabling the assessments motion will allow the board to accurately process the topic with County Clerk Jeff Vorhees in attendance.

The next regular county board meeting is set for Tuesday, September 15. 

County Highway 2, also known as 2100 East, north of Findlay, is tentatively scheduled to close on Wednesday, August 19th, for road oiling.

The Shelby County Highway Department says the closure is expected to take place from approximately 8 AM until 1 PM, weather and road conditions permitting.

Drivers who travel in the area are being asked to use caution and avoid driving on the roadway while the oiling work is taking place.

Motorists are also reminded not to drive through fresh oil or on the roadway if it appears black, as doing so could damage vehicles and interfere with the road work.

Shelby County Highway Department Officials urge residents to consider using an alternate route during the closure and allow for additional travel time.

Anyone with questions about the road closure or the scheduled work can contact the Shelby County Highway Department at 217-774-2721 during regular business hours.

Questions can also be submitted by email to shelbycohwy@shelbycounty-il.gov.

Get all of your local news, sports, weather, and much more, at taylorvilledailynews.com.
 

Taylorville Music Lessons is inviting the community to join in celebration of the establishment’s fifth anniversary.  They are hosting a free celebration Sunday from 2-6 p.m. featuring food, activities, vendors, and performances for those of all ages.  Mike Semerau, the owner and music director of Taylorville Music Lessons, says performances will be staggered across the afternoon. 

The instrument teachers who will be performing each specialize in different instruments, ensuring they cover all kinds. 

Taylorville Music Lessons is located at 311 South Main Street.  More information is available at www.taylorvillemusiclessons.com.

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