Local News

Taylorville City Council Praises Band & Track At Meeting

The THS Band and THS Track team were recognized at the bimonthly Taylorville City Council Meeting on Monday evening. Multiple band and track team members were recognized at the meeting as Taylorville Mayor Bruce Barry praised them for their hard work and dedication to their craft.  The band members were given March 18th as their day.

 

Mayor Barry also praised the Track team including Liam Bettis and Owen Morgan as well, announcing March 19th and March 20th, their day for breaking school records. 

 

All motions put in front of the board passed for committee reports, except for a motion concerning the bent flag pole at the Cemetery—that motion was tabled. Under planning commission recommendations, the council approved a motion for rezoning for 601 N. Webster, 301 N. Elevator, and the Salisbury Minor Subdivision.  They also approved a Special Use Permit for an unmanned building at 803 East Franklin for Computer Techniques. 

 

Mayor Barry says the city is looking for additional revenue as the city leans heavily on the grocery tax which may be going away. 

 

 

The council did go into a closed session.  Mayor Barry feels they are close to negotiations for city and police employees. The next city council meeting is set for April 1st. 
 


Macon County Conservation To Hold Eclipse Events

The Macon County Conservation District will be offering two different opportunities to experience the 2024 solar eclipse. There will be a Solar Eclipse Party as well as a van trip to SIU’s Eclipse Day.

 

On Monday, April 8, there will be a Solar Eclipse Party at the Rock Springs Conservation Area from 12-3:30 pm. Join our naturalists to learn about eclipses, look at the sun through our telescope, and view the solar eclipse with an estimated 97% coverage. Limited quantities of eclipse-viewing glasses will be available for free until supplies run out. Refreshments will be served, and crafts will be available for children. This event is free and no registration is required.

 

Also on Monday, April 8, there will be a van trip to SIU’s Eclipse Day from 7:30 am-6 pm. Venture to Carbondale’s Southern Illinois University to experience Eclipse Day at Saluki Stadium. Activities include eclipse-viewing, experts on hand to interpret the eclipse, a documentary, and more. Eclipse-viewing glasses will be provided by SIU. $60/person covers admission, transportation, and parking. Register online at MaconCountyConservation.org by April 5.

 

Rock Springs Conservation Area is located on the southwestern edge of Decatur.  To get to Rock Springs from Decatur, go south on Route 48 and turn west onto Rock Springs Road, or go south on Wyckles Road and turn east onto Rock Springs Road.  Watch for signs. Plenty of parking is available.
 


Police Investigate Death in Edinburg

Authorities say one man was found dead at his residence in Edinburg on Friday. The person identified was 51-year-old Kristen L. Ostermeier. EMS arrived on the scene at 3:09 P.M. concerning an unresponsive male. In a release sent by Amy Calvert Winans, Christian County Coroner, an autopsy was completed on Saturday and the results pend toxicology.


This investigation is being handled by the Illinois State Police Zone 4 and the Christian County Coroners Office. Assisting at the scene were Kincaid Police and Edinburgh Fire and EMS.


Stay tuned to Regional Radio News for updates on this investigation as it becomes available.
 


New Bill Set To Screen Newborns For DMD

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy – also known as DMD – is a rare disorder, but severe if not caught early enough to be treated. State Senator Julie Morrison introduced a bill that would require all newborns to be screened for DMD.

 

 

By the time the symptoms of DMD are detected, it is typically too late to treat. Additionally, it takes 2.5 years on average to diagnose after caregivers first notice symptoms – giving children little to no time to receive help. Senate Bill 2658 would require each newborn to be screened for the disease, giving those diagnosed the ability to receive effective treatment.

 

Senate Bill 2658 passed the Senate Public Health Committee on Tuesday and moved to the full Senate for further consideration. 


Lake Shelbyville Fish Habitat Alliance in conjunction with the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources are searching for volunteers to aid in bundling and placing Christmas trees into boats, to create new fish habitats in Lake Shelbyville. Those bundles of trees will then be placed strategically in the lake for new fish habitats. 

 

Volunteers will meet at the Opossum Creek Recreation Area boat ramp parking lot on Saturday, March 23rd at 8:30 a.m. 

 

Following the event, maps detailing the exact GPS locations of the artificial structures will be available at local businesses for 60 days. Subsequently, they can be accessed from the LSHA Facebook page and the USACE Lake Shelbyville website. Additionally, all participants will receive aerial maps with coordinates pinpointing the placement of the Christmas trees, serving as a valuable reference for future fishing endeavors.

 

It's important to note that maps of the Christmas tree locations will not be distributed to the general public. Individuals interested in obtaining these maps are encouraged to participate in the Fish Habitat Improvement Day.

 

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers extends gratitude to the surrounding communities for their support in this endeavor. For further information on the project or if planning to bring a boat, interested parties can contact Natural Resources Specialist Cory Donnel at (217) 774-3951, ext. 7001.


Strengthening Phone Etiquette With U of I Extension

Proper phone etiquette has grown into a valuable skill that employers are looking for, but the younger generations are having a tough time handling these business-like conversations. Valerie Belusko, Community and Economic Development Educator for the University of Illinois Extension, attributes this failure in phone etiquette to the lack of landline phones that remain in family homes.

 


As most business settings continue to rely on landline phones, communication skills and tactics for that channel are still very relevant says Belusko.

 


Belusko provides some of the tips that are involved in her programming to ensure students have a better understanding of how they should be sounding over the phone.

 


For Community and Economic Education programming contact Valerie Belusko at 217-532-3941.


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


New Bill Promotes Cancer Screening Coverage

In a bid to combat the severe impact of cancer, State Senator Julie Morrison has introduced a new measure aimed at expanding insurance coverage for preventative cancer screenings and genetic testing. Under Senate Bill 2697, individuals with a family history of cancer would have access to crucial preventive measures without financial barriers.

 

Morrison 1                    Key                    LENGT: 40

 

Senator Morrison, an advocate for cancer prevention, spoke on the significance of early detection in improving survival rates and reducing healthcare costs. The proposed legislation seeks to broaden coverage beyond age-based requirements, ensuring that all types of cancer prevention and susceptibility screenings are included.

 

The bill illustrates the importance of prioritizing prevention strategies, citing early screenings and genetic testing as key components in saving lives. By mandating insurance coverage for these essential services, lawmakers aim to strengthen individuals to take proactive steps in managing their health.

 

Senate Bill 2697 has already made significant progress, clearing the Senate Insurance Committee and advancing to the full Senate for further deliberation. If passed, the legislation could serve as an advancement in the ongoing battle against cancer, offering hope for improved outcomes and reduced mortality rates.


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