Students in the entrepreneurship class, CEO are hitting the ground running on their class businesses.

On the WHOW Morning Show Monday, Sangamon Valley CEO Facilitator Lisa Sheppard indicates her class will pitch the Sangamon Valley CEO Board on an adults prom this winter.

For Melanie Brown, facilitator of the Central Illinois CEO program, her class has decided to take an ambitious route this semester and will be doing a Christmas decorating contest and a swag store.

Sheppard reminds the class business is an important springboard to the next phase of the program which is the individual businesses that are started on next semester.

We'll have more on the student's class business and the things they have to do for it and the lessons they learn.

The Sangamon Valley CEO brings in students from Argenta-Orean, Bement, Cerro Gordo, DeLand-Weldon, and Monticello. Sheppard points those interested in learning more about what they do to find them on Facebook or visit sangamonvalleyceo.com.

The Central Illinois CEO brings in students from Blue Ridge, Clinton, Maroa-Forsyth, and Warrensburg-Latham. Brown hopes you'll follow them on Facebook for more information about their upcoming class business and also check out centralillinoisceo.com for more. 

With the season's first deep freeze, those gardens are likely on their way out for the winter.

The University of Illinois Extension is offering a gardening webinar series starting this Saturday. Extension Director for Logan, Menard, and Sangamon Counties, Terri Miller-Casey says this will give gardeners a chance to get a jump start on those gardening plans for next year.

According to Miller-Casey, there will be a session about the emerald ash borer and also an alternative planting session. 

Visit extension.illinois.edu to register. Organizers say there's still time to be a part of this special session this weekend. 

Even with two wars underway in the Middle East, gas prices in Illinois will remain steady, at least until Iran becomes more involved.

That's partially due to prices receiving a seasonal dip as fewer Americans are on the road during the winter. However, if Iran becomes more involved, it could be problematic for Illinoians at the pump. Patrick DeHaan is the head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy.

Prices could rise if Tehran becomes more involved since the Middle East is home to more than half of all crude oil reserves.

USDA Rural Development State Director Betsy Dirksen Londrigan providing a fiscal year update and the impact to Illinois.

Information on the many USDA rural development programs is available at rd.usda.gov/il.

It was a warm and wet week in Illinois, setting up a slow, usual harvest week.

State crop statistician Mark Schluessner indicates only four days were suitable for fieldwork as topsoil moisture conditions improved thanks to the wet week.

Harvest progress is still ahead of last year's pace but only slightly.

Winter wheat planting is nearly complete.

Pasture conditions 41-percent very poor to poor and 27-percent good to excellent. 

Trick 'r treaters will converge on Clinton's southwest side this week for Halloween.

Clinton Police Chief Ben Lowers is encouraging parents and guardians to make sure the costumes of those little ones fit and they are not long costumes that can become a tripping hazard for a child.

Chief Lowers encourages trick 'r treaters to travel in groups and stay in neighborhoods they're familiar with.

With the increase in children on community sidewalks, motorists in those areas are asked to slow down and pedestrians are asked to only cross at corners and designated crosswalks.

Trick 'r treating is from 5 pm to 8 pm in Clinton. Also, be sure to check out trick 'r treating on the Clinton Square from 4 pm to 5 pm on Halloween afternoon.

A central Illinois lawmaker is reacting to last week's veto session where not a lot got done from her perspective.

State Senator Sally Turner explains often the legislature is kept in the dark on what the agenda is going into the veto session.

According to the Lincoln Republican, a bill was passed to help protect the identity of DCFS workers and conceal their home addresses.

Sen. Turner outlines a bill that deals with electrical vehicles and charging stations. It requires new multi-family units or buildings with parking lots to have electric vehicle charging stations.

A disappointment from Sen. Turner's perspective is the 'invest in kids' scholarship program was not addressed as much as she would have liked. She indicates there was talk the House took it up but it didn't make it to the Senate.

Sen. Turner was encouraged to see dozens of students day after day at the capitol advocating for the program to remain in place.

Lawmakers return to Springfield Nov. 7-9. 

The 2023 Illinois Farm Bureau Collegiate Discussion meet winner is Emma Kuhns of Effingham County, a student at the University of Illinois.

The discussion meet was last Friday. Hayle Bode (BO-dee) from Monroe Co and Southern Illinois University Carbondale finished runner-up.

Macomb’s Gracie Murphy finishing up her term as a National FFA officer. Some great memories.

The National FFA Convention is this week in Indy. Once done with her term, Murphy will be back at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale in the New Year.

Times are for Tuesday unless otherwise noted -

Bloomington – 5-8 p.m.

Downs – 5-8 p.m.

Argenta, 5-8 p.m.

Oreana - 5-8 p.m. 

LeRoy – 4:30-7:30 p.m.

Decatur - 5-8 p.m.   

Forsyth - 5-8 p.m. 

McLean – 5-8 p.m.

Maroa - 5-8 p.m.  

Heyworth – 5-9 p.m.

Bement - 5-7 p.m.

Mason City – 5-8 p.m.

Normal – 5-8 p.m.

Warrensburg, 5-8 p.m. (Monday) & Tuesday, Oct. 31 until Halloween parade at 7 p.m.

Cerro Gordo - 5-7 p.m. 

DeLand - 5-8 p.m. 

DeWitt - 5-8 p.m.   

Monticello - 5-8 p.m.       

Mount Pulaski - 5-8 p.m. 

Mount Zion - 5-8 p.m.  

If you're a DeWitt County non-profit that applied for American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding in the last few years, the County is calling on you to submit information to them so they can get those dollars to you.

Dan Matthews is the DeWitt County Board Chair and indicates they have received only a few invoices from DeWitt County non-profits as it relates to the funding they made available. He stresses they need the information so they can distribute that money.

The County also set aside some of the dollars to use for various items, including a new generator for the County building. Matthews notes the generator has been a necessary piece of equipment and it needs to be replaced.

Matthews reminds the County approved the submitted projects for the ARPA funds, then it was up to the non-profits to get the work done and now it's time for the County to distribute those dollars once it is done. 

Parents and caregivers are encouraged to learn more about the opportunities 4-H provides by attending DeWitt County 4-H’s upcoming informational program.

'4-H 101' is an adults-only program that will be from 6 to 7 p.m. on Nov. 14 at the DeWitt County Extension office, 8425 Katie Rd., in Clinton.

4-H staff will provide information about local 4-H programs, 4-H community clubs, and special interest 4-H clubs. Questions are encouraged, and staff will also guide families through the enrollment process. 

There are over 200,000 kids in Illinois 4-H, and 4-H is in every county. Kids can participate in traditional clubs, after-school programs, 4-H camps, 4-H events, and so much more.

'4-H 101' is a free program but parents/caregivers should register at go.illinois.edu/4H101 by Nov. 13. For questions, please contact Kendra Wallace at Kendraw3@illinois.edu. 

Illinois cow-calf producers looking to improve their cow herd’s reproductive performance should plan to be in Springfield on November 8. 

KENT Nutrition Group along with the Illinois Beef Association will host the free Illinois KENT Quality Beef (KQB) Cow-Calf Forum on Wednesday, November 8 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the IBA office on the Illinois State Fairgrounds. Annie Schoetner is the Illinois Beef Association's Programs and Services Manger and indicates the full day of education will focus on cow reproductive performance with speakers from across the country.

A complimentary beef luncheon will be provided to participants who will have a chance to win special door prizes throughout the day, including a customized KQB high-top table and director’s chairs.

To RSVP or learn more about the forum, contact Dave Wilcox at 309-275-7184 or  Tyler Schleich at 309-335-3939.

USDA recently announced it will make funds available through the Commodity Credit Corporation for a Regional Agricultural Promotion Program aimed at expanding opportunities for U.S. agricultural products in international markets. 
U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Dan Halstrom welcomed the news and said the investment is very timely, as the Agricultural Trade Promotion Program (ATP) is reaching its end.

Halstrom adds that additional resources are especially beneficial in
emerging markets, allowing U.S. agriculture to diversify its export
destinations. For example, he notes that ATP funding allowed USMEF to
promote U.S. red meat more aggressively in markets such as Colombia and
the Philippines. 

The U.S. Meat Export Federation is the trade association responsible for developing international markets for the U.S. red meat industry. It is funded by USDA - the beef, pork, lamb, corn and soybean checkoff programs - as well as its members representing nine industry sectors including beef/veal producing and feeding and pork producing and feeding. 

Visit www.USMEF.org for more information. 

Accidental damage to a fire hydrant has Maroa without water.

Per a release from the City, a chain reaction occurred and a water main was ruptured in several locations.

Service will be restored soon, until then, the community is under a boil order. 

The DeWitt County Board continues its pursuit of the sale of the Clinton Lake Marina and the Board Chair says there was a brief snag in the process but things should be worked out soon.

The County has been exploring the process of selling the Clinton Lake Marina to get the County out of the business of the marina. Dan Matthews indicates the lease with the current operator is nearing its end and so the County needs to get things ready to go out for proposal.

Much discussion has taken place around the area regarding the marina sale already. Matthews confirms there was a paperwork error in the sale of a parcel of property last year in DeWitt County but he hopes the issue that allowed that to happen will be cleared up soon.

Matthews does not rule out the possibility of there being a temporary lapse in the management of the marina but he points out, that it would be this winter when there's very little activity out there.

The DeWitt County Board also put the levies on file for 2024 last week as well as the budget. 

Teachers and Staff of the Central A & M School District recently had the opportunity to visit the campus of Kemmerer Village.

Sacha Young, first-year Central A & M Superintendent and former Clinton Elementary School principal, and many other Central A& M staff members heard from Josh Shipp - who she says was able to provide powerful words during their time on the campus.

Discussions ensued over how to help children struggling in foster care situations. Young says the staff was challenged by putting themselves in the place of the “caring adult” who is there to make a difference.

Young describes the reactions from the educators and staff.

Young says the teachers and staff of the Central A & M School District appreciated their time at Kemmerer Village and now enter their classrooms with a new passion for being each child's caring adult.

The Heyworth High School football team has turned its program around in a year and it has been such a successful fall, they'll host a playoff game this Saturday.

Dr. Lisa Taylor is the Superintendent of Heyworth Schools and says this fall has been one to remember with the resurgence of their football program.

Dr. Taylor touts the school's game day atmosphere as they have added a tailgating component for those who want to do that. She feels it adds to the community support.

Heyworth hosts Hardin-Calhoun Saturday at 2 pm. 

One of Shelbyville’s largest holiday features will be making its way soon to Forest Park in Shelbyville. 

The Festival of Lights opens November 17th. Bill Bly, Director of Operations for the Festival of Lights has been involved for 20 years, Bly explained his role and how the festival got its start.

Bly says this year will be better and brighter than years past, saying citizens will be surprised with the final result.

Past Festival of Light events have included different modes of transportation through the display to get all members of the community involved. Bly invites senior citizen groups to travel through on their buses.

The Festival of Lights again opens November 17th and runs to December 31st. The lights will be on display from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 5:00 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday. 

33 states including Illinois are suing Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram. Attorney General Kwame Raoul says kids are in crisis, and social media bears responsibility for altering the psychological and social realities of a generation of young Americans. The lawsuit seeks to use consumer protection laws putting users, especially young ones at risk.

The lawsuit is seeking restitution from Meta.

A new state agency could be coming to Illinois.

The Governor is proposing a consolidation of all the states’ early childhood programs into one place. JB Pritzker has long made childhood education and services a keystone of his administration. He says an agency would have a unified focus on better serving families and children.

Pritzker says other states have done this. Currently childhood services are spread out over three agencies from the State Board of Education to Human Services and Children and Family Services.

An Illinois Republican is applauding President Joe Biden's move to create a tech hub in 32 of the nation's states.

The 5-hundred million dollar investment aims to develop new technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and biotech within the agriculture sector. Two tech hubs at the University of Illinois in Champaign cover Urbana, Macon, and Piatt Counties. Congressman Darin LaHood says...

Illinois is receiving 70 million dollars as part of the investment.

If you've driven by the DeWitt County Sanitation District facility along Business 51 on Clinton's south side, you've likely seen cranes and loaders doing what looks to be major work there.

President of the DeWitt County Sanitation District, Steve Schaffer, tells Regional Radio the project is roughly 14 million dollars and stems from a mandate from the Illinois EPA.

According to Schaffer, the mandate from the EPA was largely unexpected, and therefore, they could not save money over time to make sure they did not burden water users with the cost.

Once complete, the sanitation operations will run much more efficiently and will better filter the City's water.

The project is a total of $ 14.4 million but Schaffer notes after some loan forgiveness, it will reduce the loan total to just over $ 10 million.

He also points out the project is mostly on schedule and is projected to be complete in September of next year.

The Clinton American Legion didn't have a busy summer but they are celebrating some successful events from the past few months.

Starting with the Fourth of July celebration on the Clinton Square, the Legion took over that event and on the WHOW Morning Show Wednesday, Josh Thielen with the Legion told Regional Radio it was an excellent event.

Looking to the Fourth of July 2024, Thielen hopes to continue to enhance the activities with inflatables and other new activities. He thanks all those who volunteered from the community and hopes to see that kind of participation next year.

The American Legion felt the Apple n' Pork Festival was another good event for them as Thielen indicates they were able to connect with veterans from several areas of Illinois. They are considering some new things for next year.

Give the American Legion in Clinton a follow on Facebook to keep up with the latest happenings with the post and to learn more about all the things they are doing throughout the year.

Illinois Congress has entered into the Fall Veto Session officially this week as Republicans and Democrats vote on local, state, and national policies.

Dr. Kent Redfield, Professor Emeritus for the University of Illinois Springfield lays out the basics of the sessions and the types of legislation that will be brought up.

Policies to be aware of for this Fall Veto Session include collective bargaining, scholarship money for low-income students, and policies regarding healthcare insurance, rent control, and firearm possession prohibitions.

Redfield explains that a 60% vote is required from both chambers before a bill can take effect immediately. Another aspect that will be a focus of the veto session will be ethics bills from Republicans concerning former Speaker of the House, Mike Madigan.

The Fall Veto Session will hold its legislation sessions on October 24,25,26 and November 7,8,9.

The Social Security Administration is reminding older citizens of the growing issue that is financial crime. Financial scams are affecting older individuals, especially those living with dementia. As cognitive and mental functions fade, these citizens become more vulnerable to someone acting maliciously.

Jack Myers, Public Affairs Specialist for the Social Security Administration says victims of fraud who are 80 years of age or older lose an average of $39,200 every year. Many times these crimes go unnoticed as the funds make their way out of innocent people's accounts.

Those looking after a person with dementia will often need to be aware of their financial information to be aware of discrepancies that may be a sign of financial abuse. Myers notes that the advice given will require difficult conversations that may regard the independence of an individual.

Myers recommends that those who are vulnerable to financial scams to also sign up for the “Do Not Call” program that will shield that person from unnecessary fraudulent calls, Myers notes that the Do Not Call site will not end all scam calls.

For information about financial scams visit the Social Security Website at www.ssa.gov.

Novices to outdoor lingo often hear terms that they may not be familiar with and a DNR official is hoping to give those individuals an idea of one term they might hear a lot of this time of the year. 

Dan Stephens - Illinois Learn to Hunt program - explains rut is essentially the mating season for deer in Illinois and it makes deer more active.

According to Stephens, there are various stages of rut and for most of October, you see much more daytime activity out of deer as they prepare for the mating season, particularly in the male population.

The chasing phase is one of the more popular times of rut for hunters to be out because male deer are most active and several males may be chasing a single doe. Stephens explains the chasing phase can be proceeded by an explosion of deer activity.

Stephens notes, there is a second season rut that takes place after the conclusion of the first breeding season, roughly one month later but he notes, deer are not nearly as active as the peak of run in October and November

Last week, it was announced Navigator CO2 was withdrawing its application to build a carbon dioxide pipeline through Illinois, part of a 1000-mile plus pipeline that would stretch through parts of the Midwest.

On the WHOW Morning Show Tuesday, DeWitt County Board Chair Dan Matthews told Regional Radio, it appears after a couple of years of anticipation of the project coming through DeWitt County, that isn't happening.

According to Matthews, the Board's discussions around carbon capture in the County are on hold however, he is hearing there could be applications still for carbon capture wells in the County. 

The County Board Thursday night put a moratorium on CO2 pipelines through the County. Matthews recognizes they likely don't have a lot of control over that but feels this will send the message the County does not want them here.

Matthews believes the CO2 pipeline issue is playing out like the wind issue did early on where there appeared to be some momentum and then it went away for a time and could return down the road. 

The latest winter outlook has been released and it appears El Nino may not shape up to be as impactful as once thought.

Rebekka Delaney with the National Weather Service in Lincoln indicates the winter is looking like it will be warmer and drier than normal.

According to Delaney, while the outlook shows warmer and drier trends, that doesn't mean we're out of the woods completely for winterlike conditions at times.

November is shaping up to be wet this year which has Delaney optimistic we could see an easing of drought conditions in Illinois. 

Illinois Farm Bureau has rolled out a rural development grant program. A total of $25,000-$30,000 will be awarded under the pilot project. There is no minimum or maximum grant amount, but the intent is to award multiple grants.

Illinois Farm Bureau Associate Director of Local Government Ryan Tate says more information available at ilfb.org/rdgrants.

Ameren Illinois making smart thermostats available to customers for free this fall. Angie Ostaszewski (osta-chef-ski) is an energy efficiency advisor with the utility.

Again, the website is Amerenillinoissavings.com/savenow.

House Republicans remain divided on the nation's next Speaker of the House, second in line to the presidency.

After an unsuccessful bid by Ohio Republican Jim Jordan, House Republicans are back at the drawing board for the next Speaker. Here's reaction from Central Illinois Republican Darin LaHood.

In a closed-door meeting Tuesday morning, House Republicans nominated Majority Whip Tom Emmer of Minnesota for House Speaker.

However, it's unclear whether Representative Emmer will win the top Republican spot.

Temperatures are going to be unseasonably warm this week with some rain on the back end of the week ahead.

Rebekka Delanay with the National Weather Service in Lincoln told Regional Radio she is anticipating rain mid-week and then returning for the weekend.

As we get to Halloween next week, Delaney says we're going to see a cold front roll in and it is going to significantly cool things off as we get ready for the night of 'trick-r-treating'.

November is showing trends to average temperatures with above-average rainfall, easing the drought that is developing through much of Illinois.

We'll hear more from Delaney in the days ahead on Regional Radio.

A local Department of Natural Resources authority is giving an update on the hunting season so far and they are seeing a recurring theme of disregard for caution they have been harping on for a few years now.

DNR Conservation Police Capt. John Williamson on the WHOW Morning Show Monday told Regional Radio they have seen a couple of fatalities already this hunting season from hunters that didn't give those tree stands a pre-check and ended up falling.

As we approach the popular firearm deer season later next month, Capt. Williamson reminds of the changes to the firearm regulations in Illinois. He notes this is a change similar to several neighboring states.

With the weather starting to cool, Capt. Williamson anticipates an uptick in outdoor activity.

Capt. Williamson implores motorists to be mindful of deer being more active with the harvest in full swing and the hunting seasons going on. He indicates they will be very active for the next few months so watch out for them, especially in rural areas. 

For the first time in 25 years, the National Weather Service in Lincoln is installing a new radar.

As a result, the N-W-S is out of commission for two weeks as construction workers work with cranes to replace the radar. While the radar is out, the National Weather Service in Chicago and St. Louis is covering Central Illinois. Ed Shimon is a warning Coordinator Meteorologist at N-W-S in Lincoln.

The replacement is part of a 1-hundred 35 million dollar eight-year National Weather Services nationwide program.

N-W-S has a network of over 1-hundred 50 operational radars.

Dry, warmer days last week allowed producers to continue to make progress in the fields as we hear in this weekly crop report.

Crop Statistician Mark Schluessner says nearly five days were suitable for fieldwork last week.

Corn harvest is 70 percent complete while the soybean harvest is 80 percent complete. Both are ahead of last year's and the five-year average.

Winter wheat continues. Schluessner says pasture conditions saw zero percent in excellent condition.

USDA-NAS will soon begin collecting corn and soybean yield data from producers across the country so Schluessner hopes they will be prepared for those outreach efforts in the near future. 

Thanks to rising prices and record inflation, farmers in Central Illinois are at a crossroads on the future of labor on the farm.

John Ackerman, the owner of Ackerman Family Farms in Morton, says his problems lie with the rapid minimum wage increase.

Usually, Ackerman employs 25 to 30 workers on his farm, but with increasing costs, he could slash that number next year.

At Ackerman Family Farms, John grows over 1-hundred 60 varieties of Pumpkins for major producers like Libby.

The City of Farmer City has long been pursuing development north of the highway and recently was excited to announce something is finally coming to that area of the community.

City Administrator Sue McLaughlin indicates they have a developer who is starting with some multi-family housing and with plans for further development down the line.

McLaughlin hopes this is going to be the start of things to come on that side of the community. She reminds they hope so see single-family units developed on the far north side of the land.

According to McLaughlin, the development agreement is being worked on now with plans to start moving dirt by the spring. 

Certain life changes can affect your SSI payments differently than they would Social Security payments.

Because SSI (Supplement Security Income) is a needs-based program which menas eligibility is not based on your work history. Jack Myers at Social Security indicates income and resources are a factor of eligibility which means changes in your circumstances could affect your SSI eligibility. 

If you are receiving or applying for SSI you should report changes for yourself and your spouse (if you live together). Myers indicates if you have applied for SSI for a child, changes should be reported for the parents who are in the same HH as the child. 

Some common changes that should be reported to Social Security include a change in income, resources, employment, or address or persons moving in or out of the household. 

If you need to report wages to us because you or your spouse or child receives SSI benefits, the most convenient ways to do that are either through the 'Free SSA Mobile Wage Reporting' app for smartphones (Apple or Android), or visit mySocialSecurity  'Online Wage Reporting Tool'.

You can also sign up for monthly reminders via e-mail or text to help you remember to report wages. You can report changes in person, over the phone, or by writing your local Social Security office www.ssa.gov/locator or calling 1-800-772-1213.

The proposed 1,350-mile Heartland Greenway Pipeline System has been called off, according to the company overseeing the project.

Nebraska-based Navigator CO2 Ventures announcing it has “decided to cancel” the project, a pipeline capable of transporting for permanent storage in Illinois the carbon dioxide captured from ethanol and fertilizer production in South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota and Iowa. Reaction from Illinois Farm Bureau Director of Business and Regulatory Affairs Bill Bodine.

In announcing the cancellation of the project on its website, Navigator said development of the multi-state project “has been challenging” and cited “the unpredictable nature of the regulatory and government processes involved, particularly in South Dakota and Iowa” as reasons behind the decision.

Illinois’ billionaire Governor is self-funding a new political action group that will back abortion rights battles in other states.

JB Pritzker launched “Think Big America” last week with a video posted to social media.

The group will begin accepting donations from others but was formed only with Pritzker’s money and is currently working on campaigns in Nevada and Ohio.

Clinton Schools will be purchasing new white buses for transportation for school activities.

Clinton Schools Superintendent Curt Nettles says this is something the district does every three years to make sure its fleet of buses stays current and they can do that thanks to healthy fund balances in their transportation fund.

Nettles indicates schools are seeing much more timely reimbursements for transportation costs from the State of Illinois than just five years ago.

The Farmer City 'Haunted Forest' was disappointed weather for the opening weekend of its annual attraction was not ideal but they look forward to a strong finish.

City Administrator Sue McLaughlin hopes area scare enthusiasts will check it out as a lot of hard work goes into it at South Park in Farmer City.

Check out the Farmer City Haunted Forest Facebook page for information. 

The fall driving season offers several hazards at times.

From farm implements to deer being more active, Sheriff Mike Walker says the harvest continues on and we'll likely see those implements on the roadways for the next several weeks.

Sheriff Walker explains motorists can get themselves into a tight spot by passing these implements and farm vehicles when there is limited visibility due to hills or winding roads or even fog or dust in the air.

It might sound crazy but the Sheriff indicates conversations he's had with body shop owners and other car people is to just hit a deer that ends up out in front of you rather than trying to swerve to miss it.

As leaves start to fall and we get some of these fall rains, Sheriff Walker implores motorists to be mindful of slippery conditions with leaves on the roads. 

Former Illinois FFA President Adam Loker in the running to become a National FFA officer. He would follow in the footsteps of one of his fellow 2021/2022 state officers Gracie Murphy. He’s had conversations with her along with another former National FFA officer—all are connected through SIU Carbondale.

Loker is an ag communications major at SIU Carbondale.

The Mississippi River is running low and is expected to only go lower.

And it’s having an impact on farmers. From the export of corn and soybeans down the river to the movement of fertilizer up the river. Kevin Johnson, President of the Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association says two-thirds of phosphate-based fertilizers move up the river and when barges must be loaded at a reduced weight to avoid grounding in a low river – farmers and retailers pay the price.

There is little indication that the river level will rebound over the next few weeks.

The House of Representatives is still at a standstill as Republicans have been unable to elect a Speaker of the House.

That has paused all legislative action – including the farm bill. Tom Vilsack, Secretary of Agriculture, says there is a lot standing in the way right now.

The farm bill expired at the end of September.

'Data days' will soon be a part of the regular evaluation of students and their academic progress in Clinton Schools.

On the WHOW Morning Show following up this week's Clinton School Board meeting, Superintendent Curt Nettles tells Regional Radio data days will be an evaluation of students and any needs for intervention services.

According to Nettles, the district does its own benchmarking to assess where students are at and track their progress. He explains data days will be a time for evaluation of students and where they are at in their academic progress.

Nettles explains intervention has changed over the years as educators learned kids need to be with classmates and participate in the daily lessons with their peers. 

Data days will simply happen during the school days. Director of Teaching and Learning Karrah Jensen will meet with staff in each school periodically to go over the data they have on students. 

Data days were introduced to the Board of Education at the Tuesday night Board of Education meeting. 

The Illinois fall shotgun turkey season opens this weekend.

Dan Stevens with Learn to Hunt Illinois indicates the archery turkey season opened Oct. 1 and this weekend begins the shotgun season with several other hunting opportunities ongoing as well.

Stevens reminds the archery deer season hits pause while the firearm season takes place, but we're still about a month away from the firearm season.

DNR monitors the fall harvest and the spring planting progress and Stevens indicates it looks like the fall harvest should not impact the rut and thus the firearm season in late November.

The waterfowl season is looking to be strong this year but duck populations seem to be declining despite the overall health of the population.

Stevens reminds to always be aware of the local hunting and fishing regulations wherever you may be and to always get permission from private property owners before you head out for the fall hunting seasons. 

dnr.illinois.gov is the website for all State of Illinois hunting, fishing, and outdoor regulations. 

Visit the Illinois 23-24 digest on hunting and fishing at dnr.illinois.gov. 

October serves as Farm to School Month for the St. Louis Dairy Council as they push for more acknowledgment and education to the farming and agriculture communities that provide food and dairy products. 

Kelsey Bentlage, a registered dietitian and Nutrition Educator for the St. Louis Dairy Council says that research has shown only 2% of the US. Population is connected to a farm in any way, making the “farm to table” idea more difficult to understand for many. That's why the St. Louis Dairy Council is making it their mission in the month of October to spread the word about dairy farmers and agriculture in general to the youngsters in the classroom.

Bentlage calls dairy products “the original local food” because the milk being consumed by students has gone from cow to carton in only 48 hours. The St. Louis Dairy Council has started the “Moo to you” program that allows students to visit their website at www.stldairycouncil.org to find their nearest dairy farm.

To bring the full experience of farming to schools, the Mobile Dairy Classroom will hit the road, bringing a live cow in front of the eyes of students to show them the actual process of preparing dairy products.

For information on Farm to School Month or the St. Louis Dairy Council’s programs and recipes, visit their website at www.stldairycouncil.org, or look to their social media pages on Facebook and Instagram.

Nearly half of all Illinois counties have now adopted pro-ag resolutions. It’s part of the Allies in Agriculture program says Illinois Farm Bureau Associated Director of Local Government and Political Engagement Ryan Whitehouse.

Johnson County was the 50th county to adopt the pro ag resolution.

Some heavy rain hit parts of Illinois last weekend. DTN ag meteorologist John Baranick was asked if any of that will have a significant impact on low Mississippi River water levels.

Baranick says there is some heavy rain potential for Illinois next week.

There is still no speaker of the house. Republicans in Congress are pushing into a third week without a leader and the person who is third in line to the Presidency.

Democrat Illinois Congresswoman Robin Kelly says trying to blame the 212 Democrats for siding with a minority of Republicans to vote out Kevin McCarthy is wrong.

Ohio’s Jim Jordan is continuing to his attempt to become speaker. He did not get enough votes from his own party in the first vote on Tuesday.

DeWitt County Museum administration is excited that the response to the 'Mourning Moore' exhibit has been so good candlelight tours for the remainder of the month are sold out. 

Director Joey Long hopes that won't keep those interested in checking out the exhibiting from coming out for the remainder of the month. 

Daily tours of the exhibit take place during regular open hours of the Museum. Long reminds the house is staged in what it would have looked like after the passing of CH Moore. 

Visit chmoorehomestead.org for more information on the exhibit or find the new DeWitt County Museum Facebook page for the details as well. 

DeWitt County and the City of Farmer City have secured funding from FEMA for reimbursement from the late June derecho that ripped through central Illinois and DeWitt County.

On the WHOW Morning Show Tuesday, Sue McLaughlin, City Manager for the City of Farmer City told Regional Radio they worked with DeWitt County EMA to get grants from the storm that left swaths of the County with significant damage.

According to McLaughlin, the information they had to submit for the grant funding was rather unique. She explains they wanted to know specific trees that were damaged or brought down so they had to use Google Maps to get exact coordinates of the locations.

There are three areas that FEMA offers for reimbursement and McLaughlin says they felt they qualified mostly under the debris portion of the reimbursement. 

McLaughlin gives a shout-out to Micah Gallardo at the DeWitt County EMA office for getting the information to her. She hopes to see that reimbursement by the end of the year. 

The University of Illinois Extension is offering an oak tree seminar this week.

On the WHOW Morning Show, Director of the University of Illinois Extension in Logan, Menard, and Sangamon Counties, Terri Miller-Casey says this offering will give participants the chance to learn about the varieties of oak trees and their importance in the ecosystem.

Get more information by visiting extension.illinoid.edu. Miller-Casey indicates Extension has a busy season of seminars and webinars coming up in the next month so keep tabs on their calendar for all the latest. 

The Clinton YMCA tragically lost one of its leaders in 2021 and since that time, they have been operating without someone to lead its youth sports.

Last month, Melinda Akers was hired as the Y's Director of Youth and Adult Activities, taking over the post left after the passing of David Torbert. On the WHOW Morning Show Monday, Executive Director Rennie Cluver says not having someone in that position was putting things they wanted to do as an organization on hold.

Akers is very familiar with the YMCA. She explains she's been involved in fitness classes and leading those classes. Once the opportunity to be the youth and adult activities director came available, she knew she wanted to be a part of it.

For Akers, many of the youth programs will continue to remain the same with some minor changes that have already been announced. She hopes to see more adult sports programs start get started as soon as January next year. 

Volleyball will start early next year and will be co-ed. Akers indicates the details for that program are still being worked on but she encourages those interested to keep tabs on the Y Facebook page for the release of more details. 

Visit clintoncommymca.org for more details on all the programs and opportunities at the Clinton YMCA. 

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and a local agency is indicating men are victims of domestic violence more than you might realize.

Andrea Kocher is the Director of Services at Willow Tree Missions in Piatt County and indicates male victims of domestic violence tend to be ashamed they find themselves in a domestic violence situation.

According to Kocher, men oftentimes are overlooked in the court system, especially when it comes to custody battles. She says this opens them up to staying with abusive partners to protect their children.

Like women, Kocher says men oftentimes have a hard time seeking help because they feel they are the only ones experiencing the things they are. 

For anyone in a potential domestic violence situation, visit willowtreemissions.org, find them on Facebook, or stop into their new location in downtown Monticello at 100 East Washington Street. You can also 217-762-2350. 

It was a cool, wet week in Illinois as we hear in this weekly crop report.

State Statistician Mark Schluessner indicates temperatures were cooler and wetter than normal. 

Corn harvest remains ahead of the pace for last year and the normal pace. 

Soybeans also remain ahead of pace for last year and the five-year average.

Winter wheat is ahead of last year's progress and slightly ahead of the normal pace.

Weather this week looks to see a bit of a warm-up on Wednesday, followed by rain Thursday and pleasant, fall weather as we get into the weekend. 

Top of mind for the trucking industry, the future cost of trucks says Don Schaefer with Springfield, Illinois-based Mid-West Truckers Association.

The association represents 4,200 members in 15 states.

Healthcare scams are as varied as just about any con out there. 

With Medicare enrollment right around the corner, the Better Business Bureau wants you to be ready if a scammer tries to contact you pitching a con about your healthcare. The scam typically starts with an email, text message, or phone call that appears to be from a government agency. BBB Investigator Don O’Brien says con artists use a variety of stories.

He reminds you to not trust a name or number. Con artists use official-sounding names or mask their area codes by spoofing to make you trust them. And guard your government-issued numbers. Never offer your Medicare ID number, Social Security number, health plan info, or banking information to anyone you don’t know. Medicare enrollment in Illinois starts November 1.

The Christmas Parade is coming up and the Grand Marshal for the parade has been awarded.

The Clinton Chamber of Commerce Board has named Marian Brisard this year's parade Grand Marshal. Brisard retired as the Chamber's Executive Director about a year ago and first-year Executive Director Janice Peterson says this was something the Board wanted to do instead of going out for nominations to the community this year.

On the WHOW Morning Show, celebrating her favorite day, Friday the 13th, Brisard told Regional Radio she was very humbled to have received word of being the Grand Marshal.

Peterson says they are now accepting entries for this year's parade. A change for this is the entry form is now online, so if you cannot come to the Chamber office or don't want to wait for it to be mailed out, check out clintonilchamber.com.

The Christmas Parade comes up on Saturday, Dec. 2 at 2 pm in downtown Clinton. 

Get more information at clintonilchamber.com/christmas-parade.

Head Start in Piatt County has been shut down for the current school year so far this fall because its parent agency has not been able to secure a teacher for the program.

On the WHOW Morning Show Friday, Director of Head Start for Community Action, Krissy Conklen told Regional Radio it has been very disappointing to not be able to offer that service to the communities of Piatt County.

While the ideal Head Start classroom would have multiple staff in it, Conklen says they really just need a teacher to get the program up and going. She also does not know the full extent of how this is impacting the community as many families have probably found other arrangements for childcare.

According to Conklen, Community Action faces some unique challenges as it relates to finding teachers. She notes the teacher shortage is an obvious reason as education institutions struggle with that but she also points out they cannot offer the salaries of public education.

Conklen reminds Head Start is a kindergarten readiness program for early childhood and pre-school-aged children.

Conklen directs any teachers interested in teaching at Head Start to visit capcil.info and find the 'Human Resources' tab. 

To follow along with Community Action's impact on its communities, find them on Facebook. 

Your earnings history is a record of your progress toward your future Social Security benefits and Social Security tracks your earnings so they can pay you the benefits you’ve earned through your working years.

Jack Myers at Social Security indicates when they calculate your retirement benefit amount, we use your 35 best years - adjusted for inflation. It is important for you to review your earnings record for accuracy and it is your employer’s responsibility to provide accurate earnings information to us, but it is your responsibility to review your records to ensure that happened. 

Failure to report even one year of earnings to us could potentially cause a reduction in your monthly Social Security benefits. Myers notes only you can verify that your earnings record is accurate. However, if you spot a problem it is easy to fix as long as you have your W-2. If you are self-employed, Social Security would need to see your tax return and proof of tax paid. These documents are going to be much easier to come up with if you spot the problem early. 

The easiest way to review your earnings record is through your mySocialSecurity account - ssa.gov/myaccount. When reviewing your earnings record against W-2s, compare what Social Security has for earnings with the Social Security wages box on your W-2 or W-2s. 

Myers adds it takes some time for them to process all wage reports from a prior year, so don’t be concerned early in the year if they don’t have last year’s updated yet. If you had multiple employers, you could see one W-2 show up before the others. 

If you do spot a problem, you can visit a Social Security office or mail or fax a letter along with copes of your W-2s or self-employment records. 

Local office contact information can be found at: www.ssa.gov/locator.

If you plan to shop for your Halloween gear online, time is running out, and the Better Business Bureau wants you to be smart with your money. The National Retail Federation expects people will spend about $12.2 billion on Halloween this year.

If you see a costume or decoration you want to buy, the agency advises you to use caution, especially since some of these entities may only be open for business during the Halloween season. BBB investigator Don O'Brien says the 12-foot-tall skeleton is a popular item this year.

The BBB yearly receives complaints about masquerade costume businesses, which include Halloween stores and websites. Many complaints involve orders that never arrive or are missing items.

We're coming up on the first month of no cash bail in Illinois and local law enforcement has seen its impacts on a limited basis so far.

On the WHOW Morning Show Thursday, DeWitt County Sheriff Mike Walker told Regional Radio they've had one instance of an individual that was booked and released as a result of this policy.

Sheriff Walker is finding each judge and county is doing something different as it relates to the Safe-T legislation.

According to Sheriff Walker, some counties are even eliminating cash bails on cases before the implementation date from Sept. 19. He notes it's not just coming from counties up north.

He remains optimistic lawmakers will eventually get around to adjusting the law. While it may not be soon, he does believe it will get revisited. 

The Kenney Civic League is known for its apple sheet pies and this past September added a new food item at the annual Apple n' Pork Festival.

Debbie Rhoades with the Kenney Civic League explains they added biscuits and gravy to their sales this year - something they felt went very well.

Preparations for the annual Apple n' Pork Festival begin the weekend prior to the festival when Rhoades indicates they begin preparing the apple sheet pies and other food items.

The funds from the Apple n' Pork Festival go into the annual Kenney Fall Festival. Rhoades appreciates all those who came out for the festival and feels it was another great year of fun, food, and entertainment at this year's festival.

The Kenney Fall Festival is always the weekend after Labor Day. 

Navigator Heartland Greenway LLC has withdrawn its application for a CO2 pipeline that would have covered parts of Nebraska, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, and Illinois. The pipeline would have stretched more than 1,300 miles across the five states and Navigator CO2, withdrew the motion on Tuesday in front of the Illinois Commerce Commission. 

The newest motion for filing came in February of 2023, when an application to construct and operate an interstate carbon dioxide transportation pipeline in Illinois, was presented to the ICC. According to official documents, Navigator Heartland Greenway is reassessing the route and other aspects of the pipeline system, and the application. 

They intend to refile at a later date, depending on an evaluation of what the best plan is moving forward. Owen MacBride, is the attorney filing on behalf of Navigator Heartland Greenway.  

Illinois is not the only setback that Navigator Heartland Greenway has had after South Dakota rejected their requests for a pipeline. They also withdrew their plans in Iowa. The original plans would have had the pipeline depositing CO2 deep in the earth at sites in Montgomery and Christian County. 

The state is on the lookout for the next generation of IT workers. Governor JB Pritzker says the state is launching a tech training program that will bolster the tech workforce and pay the students for their time in the program.

After completion students will be offered a job with the State’s Department of Information and Technology.

The cohorts will be based out of the City College in Chicago and Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield and study high need areas; cybersecurity, networking, coding and database and end user infrastructure.

Early detection of various health issues is key to effective treatment. 

For women, screenings for breast cancer, cervical cancer, colon cancer and osteoporosis are advised, so an expert with OSF HealthCare says you need to talk to your provider about what screenings are right for you and when. OSF provider Deena Brown says women over age 65 should be checked for osteoporosis.

The National Institute of Health says the screening is typically a simple X-ray, and it should be done every two years.

As the harvest rolls on in central Illinois, local authorities are offering some basic reminders for a busy season for area farmers.

On the WHOW Morning Show Wednesday, Clinton Police Chief Ben Lowers reminded Regional Radio listeners that farm equipment is very large and takes up a lot of space on roadways, so be careful anytime you are around it.

While getting held up in rural areas where it is difficult to pass can be a nuisance, Chief Lowers reminds this is a short-lived process and it is a very important time of the year for thousands of residents across DeWitt County and central Illinois.

As the crops come out of the ground, deer are also going to become more active. We'll hear more on that from the Chief in the days ahead on Regional Radio. 

As harvest season finishes up, farmers are starting to think about fall anhydrous ammonia application. A few reminders from KJ Johnson with the Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association.

More information at ifca.com.

The Clinton YMCA Otter swim team continues to grow in popularity, drawing kids from several central Illinois communities that participate in the program.

The swim team will soon start going to meets and opportunities through the program can largely be attributed to the Apple n' Pork Festival baked potato sales. Darren Moser is the President of the YMCA Board says it is hard to express how much the annual festival means to the program.

Like many groups that participate in the annual festival at the end of September, if the Otters did not have the opportunity to fundraise there, they'd have to take on other fundraisers and likely tap into community members for their support.

The YMCA has made many modifications and improvements to its swimming pool over the last decade. Moser says some of those have benefitted the swim program and they are looking ahead to more improvements now.

Moser directs anyone interested in learning more about the Otter Swim team to check out the YMCA Facebook page, visit clintoncommymca.org, or stop in to the Y at 417 South Alexander Street in Clinton.

More than 200 of the 650 linemen who work for Ameren Illinois will be taking part in the annual International Lineman Rodeo in Overland Park, Kansas on October 14th and 15th. Craig Gilsan with Ameren Illinois explains that the Linemen Rodeo is a tradition that celebrates skill and safety...

Teams from Britain will be among the competitors at this year's Lineman's Rodeo alongside the teams from Ameren Illinois and Missouri.

Monday evening, Clinton authorities were called to what ended up being the second major gas leak in Clinton as crews digging fiber optic lines in the community struck a gas line.

It's becoming habitual and Commissioner of Public Safety, Dan Ballenger says he and City officials have had enough of it. Ballenger tells Regional Radio there was a meeting of officials from the fiber optic companies to straighten things out.

According to Ballenger, there have been over 20 gas lines hit this year from crews working on these installations. While some are expected and forgivable, he feels a lot of corners are being cut as this work goes on.

Ballenger believes the public has become concerned anytime they may be working around their home or in their neighborhood, they could strike a gas line at any time which would require an evacuation.

He stresses the City has been taking action the whole time these companies have been here and now they are taking stricter action.

The annual Clinton Fire Truck parade is tonight.

Capt. Chris White with the Clinton Fire Department is inviting anyone in the area to come to the Illini Drive area of Clinton for the annual parade. He indicates they invite departments from across central Illinois and individuals with fire trucks.

Last week was 'fire prevention week' and Capt. White says they were in the schools last week with lessons and fun for the kids in Clinton schools.

The fire truck parade gets underway just after sunset. Trucks gather at Clinton Junior High School and travel through Illini Drive towards the Clinton Square on Main Street and park on the square where the smokehouse will be set up.

Year after year, the Waynesville Women's Club's gingerbread cookies are always a must-have for those who get to the annual Apple n' Pork Festival.

Sherry Rauch and Cathy Cisco say Saturday sales were a little slower than usual. Gingerbread cookies are usually sold out quickly on Sunday.

Cisco explains the funds raised at the Apple n' Pork Festival go right back to the community and allow them to stay involved in keeping the community looking nice. 

Rauch and Cisco feel the organization is in a good place right now with a good base of volunteers and lots of younger people getting involved.

The Apple n' Pork Festival this year was Sept. 23-24. It drew roughly 86,000 to Clinton. 

The President of the Illinois Manufactures' Association remains cautiously optimistic that a deal between the U-A-W and Detroit's big three will get done.

Hundreds are on the picket lines as Ford, Stellantis and General Motors entertain talks with representatives of the U-A-W. For Mark Denzler, the President of the Illinois Manufactures' Assocation, he hopes a deal can get done sooner, rather than later.

As a result of the strike, Stellantis, the parent company of Chrysler, announced the layoffs of almost 6-hundred people on Monday. Around 7-hundred are on strike at a Ford plant in Chicago.

A warm week allowed producers to continue progress in the fields as the harvest rolled on.

State Crop Statistician Mark Schluessner says last week was well above average for temperatures.

Soybean harvest is ahead of pace from last year according to Schluessner...

According to Schluessner, the corn crop is slightly ahead of last year's harvest and the condition of the crop declined slightly.

Winter wheat planting is well ahead of last year's past and slightly ahead of last year's pace. Five percent of acres had emerged. 

Pasture conditions were 48 percent very poor to poor, 36 percent fair and 16 percent good to excellent. 

The shorter days and cooler nights mean anglers are gearing up for the upcoming trout season.

Kevin Irons is the Assistant Fisheries Chief with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. He reminds the annual trout season is coming up in Illinois - a limited opportunity in the state.

Irons reminds of some of the catch limits and dates to remember for this upcoming trout season.

Visit dnr.illinois.gov for more information about fishing information in the State as well as more information on the trout season. 

Just before 6 pm Monday, Clinton fire was called to a gas line struck by a utility crew near Jackson and Main Streets.  

Authorities indicate first arriving responders located the area of the leak and made initial checks of the homes, businesses, and sewers in the surrounding areas and found no elevated levels at that time.  

During the next reassessment, crews started getting elevated gas readings in the sewer and buildings.  At that time a first alarm for manpower was paged bringing help from the Wapella, Kenney, and Maroa Fire Departments.  

There was then an evacuation of 12 blocks in the direction the gas was moving through the sewer and crews coordinated with Ameren on ventilating the First Christian Church to keep the levels low and away from an explosive concentration of gas.  

Ameren stopped the leak and we began ventilating the sewer to get levels back down to a safe level.   

Residents were able to re-enter their homes around 9 p.m. Monday. 

Authorities thank all the residents for working with crews during the event and evacuating when asked to do so.  

They also thank the mutual aid fire departments for helping in the evacuation and securing of the area, and also Dewitt County EMA for their assistance.

Just after 6 a.m. on Tuesday, the fire department shared on Facebook a less fortunate outcome that took place in Woodstock, Illinois, where a home was leveled by an explosion from gas leaking into the sewer.

There have been now two major gas leaks in the community this year and authorities say they are fortunate what happened in Woodstock has not happened in Clinton. 

It will be busy at Warner Hospital in the coming months. 

As the cooler winter months approach, inside Clinton's healthcare facility, things will be changing quickly. On the WHOW Morning Show Monday, CEO Paul Skowron told Regional Radio the parking lot project is probably the most visible and should be wrapped up by the end of the month.

According to Skowron, as the parking lot project gets wrapped up this month, he says the new west side entrance will get underway. 

The emergency room expansion is also underway. According to Skowron, contractors and staff are in constant communication about what will be happening on a given day to reduce the impacts of noise from the work.

Skowron admits there have been some times when the fit for everything has been tight, particularly when the demand for emergency room services is high. He points out however, the community has been very understanding and he hasn't received any complaints.

As those in-patient individuals watch the progress of the parking lot construction, Skowron says it is nice to visit with the regulars to the facility about the convenience that will be added once everything is wrapped up. 

Veteran's groups in DeWitt County remain successful thanks to great community support but they also benefit greatly from the annual Apple n' Pork Festival.

Josh Thielen with the Clinton American Legion indicates they raise money each year to help support local veterans through several programs.

According to Thielen, the members of the Legion are instrumental in deciding where they direct its support.

To learn more about becoming a member of the American Legion, Thielen encourages visiting its Facebook page. 

The Blue Ridge soccer program just completed its fifth year of participation at the Apple n' Pork Festival. 

Coach John Flannell says it is a great opportunity for the program to fundraise for field maintenance and any supplies they need for the program.

Coach Flannell says the work of a couple of days at the Festival goes a long way for the program. He requires all his players to participate at some point during the two-day festival.

The Blue Ridge soccer team is pretty young this year but Coach Flannell says he has great buy-in from those young players and also notes they are seeing much more participation in soccer this year.

It's Regionals week for the soccer team. They will play Cornerstone Christian Academy this afternoon in Bloomington. 

As we get deeper into October, it is unsurprising things are going to cool off but as El Nino continues to develop in the Pacific, it may not cool as quickly as normal.

John Bumgardner at the National Weather Service in Lincoln tells Regional Radio, the next few weeks are trending pretty normal for temperatures with some precipitation in the forecast at times.

According to Bumgardner, you'll see the transition to the traditional cooler temperatures later in October when things become more windy.

A record El Nino could be developing. Bumgardner says it is almost certain El Nino will have an impact on the winter in Illinois and the Midwest.

We'll hear more from Bumgardner on how El Nino could impact the winter later this week on Regional Radio.

Children of disabled, retired, or deceased workers can receive monthly benefits until age 18.

These benefits can actually continue until age 19 if your child is still a full-time high school student. Jack Myers with Social Security indicates if your high school student receives monthly Social Security benefits as a child and will be turning 18 this school year, they need to take action to prevent stoppage of their benefits at age 18.

They should receive a form SSA-1372 in the mail, but if not, they can get one on the Social Security website - www.ssa.gov. Myers explains to complete page 2 and then take page 3 to a school official for certification.

According to Myers, students ready to start driving will most likely need their Social Security card to get their driver’s license. Start looking now for that card now as in case you don’t know where their Social Security card may be, looking now will give them time to request a replacement before they need it. 

Myers indicates they get a lot of calls from parents who realize the day before their planned trip to the DMV that they’ve misplaced their child’s Social Security card. He emphasizes it will take a few weeks to get a replacement, so it’s best to start that process early if you need to. If you need a replacement card, you can learn about how to get it at www.ssa.gov/ssnumber. 

Additionally, it is free, and your child can sign the form as a self-applicant which will prevent you from needing to provide your ID as parent.

With the increase in utility and broadband projects around Illinois, confusion about permit and easement needs, sometimes creates conflict between contractors, road authorities, and landowners. 

The Township Officials of Illinois (TOI), the Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB), and the Illinois Assn. of County Engineers have worked together to develop a permit template that can provide clarity for these projects says Illinois Farm Bureau’s Bill Bodine.

Again, you can find the template at toi.org.

The Clinton Maroon's football team is in the midst of one of its most successful campaigns in recent memory and they took time out to participate in last month's Apple n' Pork Festival.

Coach Ron Bass indicates the Festival is a chance to fundraise for the extras within the program. He says they split the weekend serving funnel cakes with the high school cheerleading program.

Junior Ryan Stapleton says the funds raised from the annual festival and the funnel cake tent help pay assistant coaches and the extras within the program.

In a game heard Friday night on WHOW, the Clinton Maroons traveled to Warrensburg-Latham and picked up a 48-24 Central Illinois Conference win. 

Clinton will host Shelbyville next Friday night at Clinton High School. Hear all the action on WHOW and its digital platforms. 

Forecasting models are showing some inconsistency in trying to predict the weather for later this week.

John Bumgardner at the National Weather Service in Lincoln explains they are not sure what Thursday or Friday will look like because there is some inconsistent forecasting coming from their various models.

According to Bumgardner, the 'butterfly effect' is actually impacting this particular set of outlooks simply because of all the variables in the short-term weather patterns.

Bumgardner encourages getting those outdoor potted plants and vulnerable vegetation inside this weekend to prevent them from being impacted by the potential frost. 

The Apple n' Pork Festival is a great opportunity to support DeWitt County non-profits and their missions.

Among those in our community are the Clinton Am Vets who use their space on Center Street to continue their mission of supporting veterans. Commander Ed Beck says they have some great people doing great things.

According to Beck, they support various funds and efforts as well as a scholarship.

For Beck and the AmVets, it is their mission to support veterans and help them get through some tough times. He adds that looks like the gatherings they have almost every day at the post as well as other efforts to support the community of veterans.

If you are a veteran interested in getting involved in the AmVets, stop by one of their meetings for more information or check out the post most mornings where veterans gather for coffee. 

You can also find the AmVets on Facebook by searching 'AmVets Post 14'.

We saw some mixed weather conditions in September which kept things about average for the month as a whole.

On the WHOW Morning Show Thursday, Brian Bumgardner at the National Weather Service in Lincoln told Regional Radio it was an 'unremarkable' month for weather.

According to Bumgardner, while Illinois remains in a moderate drought, conditions have improved thanks to the rains we saw in August and September.

Heading into the weekend, rain chances remain for Friday and then we could see some frost. A hard freeze is unlikely but he encourages covering up or bringing inside any vulnerable vegetation.

Four members of the Illinois congressional delegation teaming up to introduce the Upper Mississippi River Levee Safety Act. The legislation aims to improve flood protection and prevent disasters along the Mississippi River says Congressman Eric Sorensen, who is co-sponsoring the measure along with Mary Miller, Darin LaHood, and Mike Bost.

This legislation will give local levee districts along the Upper Mississippi River more flexibility to maintain their systems and allow them to better prepare for future floods. 

Currently, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) policies restrict operators’ ability to adequately adjust levee height along the Mississippi River, making it difficult to respond to changes in rainfall conditions or flood frequency profiles.

The Upper Mississippi River Levee Safety Act is supported by the Upper Mississippi, Illinois & Missouri Rivers Association, Corn Belt Ports, and the Illinois Farm Bureau.

The truck crash that led to the release of anhydrous ammonia that killed 5 people in Teutopolis happened as traffic was being diverted off I-70 on to US 40 after the interstate was closed for an accident.

Recent accidents on that stretch of I-70 has led to increased traffic on US-40. Those ongoing accidents have State Rep. Adam Niemerg frustrated. In a statement he asked for accountability from IDOT for not being able to alleviate accidents in that work zone. Tom Chapman of the NTSB says their investigation will take a general look at the diversion of traffic.

With information provided by the community, the Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation has been able to identify the vehicle and driver believed to be involved in the September 29th accident.

ISP continues to investigate and is consulting with the Effingham County State’s Attorney.

Legislation has been filed in the Illinois House that would require the Illinois State Police to destroy any personal information collected as a result of the gun registration law if that law is found to be unconstitutional. 

State Representative Amy Elik of Alton says her bill would protect the privacy of law-abiding gun owners, preventing the government from retaining their personal information. She says the information in question is being collected through the registry that opened October 1st with compliance expected by January 1st.

Constitutional challenges are currently working their way through the federal court system. Elik’s bill is HB 4150.

In August, a Clinton couple made a plea to the Clinton School Board of Education for more accessible playground equipment for their son with special needs. 

Superintendent Curt Nettles tells Regional Radio, the district is continuing the research of what that would be like for the district that would also be affordable.

With last month's announcement of sports facilities improvements and the corresponding assumption a one-cent sales tax proposal could be forthcoming in the next year, Nettles believes the district could be headed to a central early elementary learning center down the road.

The district has extensively invested in facilities already. Nettles reminds the Clinton High Shcool kitchen update is complete and things are going well for the kitchen staff. He continues to hear positive comments regarding the new high school  gymnasium floor and bleachers as well. 

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and a Piatt County non-profit is focusing on the various ways domestic violence or abuse can look.

On the WHOW Morning Show Wednesday, Director of Services at Willow Tree Missions, Andrea Kocher told Regional Radio most of the time, victims of domestic abuse do not realize they are in an abusive relationship.

Verbal, financial, and physical abuse are the most common forms of domestic violence and Kocher points out it isn't always male abuse, in fact, she notes female abusers are very common.

Financial abuse in a relationship can be very crippling. According to Kocher, when an abuser controls their victim's money, it makes getting out for that person very difficult.

Kocher points out sexual abuse can happen in both a marriage and outside of a marriage. Additionally, it can be difficult for an individual to come to grips with the idea of sexual abuse in a relationship.

With religious abuse, that can be as simple as an abuser destroying something sacred to the victim or Kocher adds, it can be the abuser teaching them things in the home they do not agree with.

During domestic violence awareness month, experts also hope to bring awareness to men who are in an abusive relationship. Kocher says this is far more common than most people realize and like women who are being abused, it is difficult for men to admit and seek help in their situation. We'll have more on that later this month on Regional Radio. 

Get more about Willow Tree Missions and its services by visiting willowtreemissions.org or finding them on Facebook. 

The Illinois hunting season is underway with the beginning of the archer deer season on Oct. 1.

The University of Illinois Extension is hoping hunters will consider donating one of their catches this fall as part of the 'Deer Donation Program'. Caitlin Mellendorf is a Nutrition Educator at Extension and says this is a great program that helps local food banks - mostly in southern Illinois.

Mellendorf reminds a few things to keep in mind with the program. One of the big ones is the entire deer needs to be donated, not just parts of it. It is a program that is completely free for the hunters and they reimburse the lockers that participate. 

Whether you are donating food, she encourages to keep those donations to non-perishables and try to think of healthy contributions you can make so those taking advantage of the food banks get good, nutritious food as well. 

Learn more about the deer donation program by visiting extension.illinois.edu/food/illinois-deer-donation-program. 

Cooler temps this weekend throughout Illinois and maybe even the potential for frost in some areas says DTN ag meteorologist John Baranick.

More seasonal temps look to be in play next week with daytime highs in the 60’s for much of Illinois.

Low water levels on the Mississippi River putting pressure on cash bids, especially in southern Illinois.

Joe Camp is with Commstock Investments, making his comments to RFD Radio.

The Apple n' Pork Festival benefits many area non-profits including the Clinton YMCA.

Y Executive Director Rennie Cluver says it is rare to find a community where you can fundraise in two days the amount a group can during the Apple n' Pork Festival. Without the festival, the Y would have to do many more fundraisers or apply for more grants.

Cluver estimates the Y booth broke even on Saturday, leaving everything they earned on Sunday as profit. He notes this will lessen the stress during other fundraisers throughout the year.

Another annual fundraiser for the Clinton YMCA is the Strong Kids Campaign. The Strong Kids Campaign helps those in the community with financial needs to receive help with memberships and programs. Cluver indicates he hopes to have the fundraiser wrapped up by Thanksgiving.

For more information on the Strong Kids Campaign or the Y in general find the Clinton YMCA on Facebook or visit their website, clintoncommymca.org.

A Clinton city commissioner believes it is time for the city to start taking action on Airbnbs.

At the Clinton City Council's Tuesday night meeting, Commissioner of Public Property John Wise indicated last weekend several commissioners attended the annual Illinois Municipal League conference in Chicago. He attended a seminar on Airbnbs and believes it is time for the city to finally discuss them.

Wise said the keynote speaker for the session was from the City of Aurora. He said the speaker walked through what Aurora's ordinances look like and how best to prevent Airbnbs from becoming party houses.

Commissioner of Streets and Public Improvements Ken Buchanan reminded with the opening of the Haunted House this weekend, keep in mind parts of Washington Street will be closed. Also, he gave an update on the Madison Street project.

Also at Tuesday night's meeting, the Council approved the purchase of two computers for City Hall. They placed on file the purchase of Motorola mobile radios and a new postage machine. 

The Scoville Zoo in Decatur is nearing its final week of regular zoo operations with the last day on Monday, October 9th. 

The Scoville Zoo enters Halloween mode as they prepare for their weekends of Boo at the Zoo. Dates for Boo in the Zoo at Scoville Zoo in Decatur are October 13th-15th, 19th-22nd, and 26th-29th. Scoville Zoo is located at 71 South County Club Road in Decatur. Ken Frye, Director of the Scoville Zoo says the summer flew by as it was filled with great attendance and family fun for the Zoo.

Ken Frye calls Boo at the Zoo a final hoorah for the year as Scoville Zoo is seasonal. Frye invites the community to come out in costume or without to enjoy the Halloween-themed zoo. There will be stations giving out treats to the kiddos on all nights of Boo at the Zoo.

Scoville Zoo has stayed with reservation times for aspects such as the train rides and special areas of the park to reduce lines and parking overflow.

For information about the final days of the year for operations at the Scoville Zoo or questions regarding Boo at the Zoo, visit their website at, https://scovillzoo.com/scovill-zoo.

The final free admission day will be tomorrow. 

There will be a full slate of activities coming to Shelbyville this weekend.

Balloon Fest, Scarecrow Daze, and fun for the kids will all be on hand. Upon sunset, the night of October 6th, a Soft Glow will take place where a few balloons will inflate at the Willow Ridge Winery. October 7th will be the busiest day of events as the day starts with the Sunrise Fun Flight, Parade in Downtown Shelbyville, and at 5:00 p.m. the Taylorville Parachute Club will jump from the skies. Kevin Bernson Vice President of Media and Public Relations with Shelby Electric Co-Op says there is something in store for everyone.

Bernson says the events happening in Shelbyville would not be possible without the volunteers and community support.

For information about Balloon Fest and the activities on those days visit, www.lakeshelbyville.com/events.

It’s National Banned Books week, the effort to bring attention to the act of pulling and prohibiting books from being on the shelves of public libraries.

Torsten Reimer, the University of Chicago’s Librarian says banning books has become an ever-increasing threat to libraries.

The theme for this year Banned Books week is “Let Freedom Read”.

This week Governor JB Pritzker sent a letter to the White House to request more federal aid so the state and the city of Chicago can further care for migrants and asylum seekers who have been bussed from the border to Illinois.

The Governor says the letter was meant to reinforce with a public statement everything the state needs right now to address caring for migrants.

Among the things other than money the Governor is asking for – better coordination of the arrival of buses packed with migrants, approval of Medicaid waivers and a faster approval of federal employment authorization.

TEUTOPOLIS – The Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a vehicle potentially involved in a crash on September 29, 2023 just outside of Teutopolis that resulted in five fatalities and multiple injuries. 

On Friday, September 29, 2023, ISP, the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office, Teutopolis Fire Protection District, and other local law enforcement, fire, and emergency services responded to a crash that occurred at 8:42 p.m. on 19740 East U.S. Highway 40.  The crash involved a semi-truck tanker carrying anhydrous ammonia that was punctured and leaked.

The initial investigation shows at approximately 8:35 p.m., a dark colored vehicle (unknown make/model) potentially involved in the incident traveling westbound through the intersection of U.S. Highway 40 and Spring Creek Road in Montrose, Illinois.  The investigation determined the vehicle continued traveling Westbound through Teutopolis on U.S. Highway 40 and would have passed the semi-truck tanker.

ISP agents are in Casey, Montrose, and Teutopolis communities retrieving surveillance video that could provide more information into this incident.  If you have any information, please contact Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 8 Investigations at 217-342-7881.

Video of the vehicle passing through the intersection can be found here https://youtu.be/b4l68efYq7A. 

A local non-profit that is newer to the Apple n' Pork Festival did very well this year.

Encore Developmental Services and Thrift Store in Clinton had a lemon shakeup booth at the Apple n' Pork Festival for the second year in a row. Stephanie Coonce is the Executive Director and says they did very well this year selling out of their entire product for the weekend on Saturday.

Coonce details funds raised from the Apple n' Pork Festival will go towards a new fire alarm system. Coonce hopes to have it purchased and installed later this fall.

Coonce says the project is starting to come along. The architect's plans for building firewalls are currently at the Office of the State Fire Marshall's office. Once they are approved, construction of the firewalls can start.

Along with the fire mitigation project, Coonce hopes to complete updates to the building including ADA bathrooms, additional workspaces, and a new mechanical shop.

In addition to proceeds from the lemonade shakeup booth, Coonce is continuing to seek grants for the fire mitigation project. To stay updated on the project visit the Encore Thrift Store Facebook page.

There's something for everyone when it comes to extracurricular activities at Clinton Junior High School.

While almost every school has the traditional athletic sports opportunities available to students, not many local schools have a lot of clubs and extracurricular activities to choose from. Jim Peck, CJHS principal, is proud of the many opportunities his building offers.

Mr. Peck indicates one of the newest clubs is Maroon Buddies. Maroon Buddies is a part of the international Best Buddies program. The purpose of the club is to make sure everyone feels included.

Many local high schools have an FFA chapter, but not all of them have a junior high chapter. Mr. Peck notes the junior high chapter does a lot of the same events as the high school but on a smaller scale. He says it serves as a great introduction to FFA.

Another program that is unique to CJHS is Skills USA. Mr. Peck says last year was the first year for the program and saw several students compete on a state level. The program aims to equip students with technical and workforce skills.

To learn more about all of the different extra-curricular activities at CJHS, Mr. Peck directs to the CJHS Facebook page and his Instagram page, mrpeckcjhs. Additionally, many of the clubs maintain their own social media pages.

This week is National 4-H Week.

Kendra Wallace is the 4-H Youth Development Program Coordinator for DeWitt, Macon, and Piatt counties. She says to celebrate National 4-H Week, 4-H members are showing their creativity by competing in a photo and drawing content on Facebook.

Even cloverbuds are getting in on the fun of National 4-H Week. Wallace explains that cloverbud members can pick up a coloring sheet to complete and turn back in. The coloring pages will be displayed at Tractor Supply in Clinton and Monticello as well as Joann Fabrics in Decatur.

Wallace is thankful for the partnerships with these businesses not only during this week but year round. She also is thankful for the support 4-H receives from local businesses and sponsors.

Wallace indicates that 4-Hers can submit their artwork for the Facebook contest until October 5, as winners will be announced on the 6th.

To vote on the submissions, visit the University of Illinois Extension DeWitt, Macon and Piatt Counties, or on each county's 4-H Facebook page.

The five people who were killed when a tanker truck full of anhydrous ammonia overturned and ruptured in Teutopolis have been identified.

According to the Effingham County Coroner a person from Missouri, and Ohio along with a father and two children from Teutopolis died from exposure to anhydrous ammonia at the crash site.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating, and Board Member Tom Chapman says anyone who saw the accident or has video needs to reach out to them at witness dot n-t-s-b dot gov.

Chapman says a preliminary report will be released in about 30 days and a final report in 12-24 months.

An Illinois Congressman is reaching across the aisle to create bipartisan legislation to increase access to clean water.

The bipartisan legislation is called the Healthcare Facilities Act, designed to increase access to water, sanitation, and hygiene in healthcare facilities around the globe.

Republican Congressman Darin LaHood says...

Congressman LaHood, the Global Water Security Caucus co-chair, partnered with Representatives Grace Meng and Earl Blumenauer on the legislation.

The legislation calls for clean water in healthcare facilities by 2030.

Residents returned home this weekend in Teutopolis after an anhydrous ammonia spill and accident killed five people.
 

Now the National Transportation Safety Board has launched an investigation into the accident that turned deadly and drove hundreds from their homes.

The NTSB says they are interested in the safety aspect of the crash. Tom Chapman, an NTSB Board Member, says the driver of the tractor trailer carrying the chemical may have been trying to avoid an accident.

Chapman says NTSB investigators will be on scene for four to six days.

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum embarking on a major digital project. It’s called the Papers of Abraham Lincoln says Lincoln historian Christian McWhirter.

You can find the site at papersofabrahamlincoln.org.

Be advised your cell phone will likely display an alert from FEMA Wednesday afternoon. The agency is planning a test of its Emergency Alert System and its Wireless Emergency Alerts. The Emergency Alert System is the alert we have all heard or seen on radio or television since the 1960’s.

Godfrey’s Emergency Services Director Chris Sichra says the Wireless Emergency Alerts portion of the test will be directed toward consumer cell phones.

This will be the third nationwide test, but the second test to all cellular devices. The test message will display in either English or in Spanish, depending on your language settings. The test is scheduled for 1:20pm CDT.

 A unique opportunity for high school students is once again seeing a strong turnout.

Melanie Brown, Facilitator for the Central Illinois CEO program, indicates that CEO is an entrepreneurial program for juniors and seniors at Warrensburg-Latham, Maroa-Forsyth, Clinton, and Blue Ridge. A new aspect of the program this year is in addition to receiving credit for two high school courses, they will also receive college credit from Western Illinois University.

Every year enrollment in the program continues to grow, and this year the program has thirteen students. Brown is excited about this trend and feels it gives the students an advantage over their peers.

Brown notes the students have been meeting for about a month now. So far they have focused on soft skills and business etiquette such as time management, public speaking, and professional writing.

Currently, the students are involved in a ten-day program where they will learn all about what it takes to run a brick-and-mortar local business. Brown says what makes CEO unique is the fast pace and hands-on learning.

Brown directs anyone wanting to follow along with the Central Illinois CEO program to its website, centralillinoisceo.com, or follow Central IL CEO on Facebook and Instagram.

The Clinton Rotary Club will be using the funds they raised from their Apple n' Pork Festival booth for their annual scholarships.

Rotarian Tim Holl indicates every year they award scholarships to area high school seniors. He notes they will be giving a new scholarship this year in memory of Phil Lamkin.

The Clinton Rotary Club is currently sponsoring a foreign exchange student from Italy, Federico Chisu. Holl and his wife are serving as his host family.

Tom Redington with Clinton Rotary has hosted several foreign exchange students previously. He says it is interesting to see how the students are impacted when studying abroad for a year. Redington hopes to send a student from Clinton High School in the future.

Redington is glad to have added several younger members in recent years. He says Rotary is always looking for new members.

For more information on the Rotary foreign exchange program or the Clinton Rotary Club in general visit clintonilrotary.org or find them on Facebook.