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It’s About Time: Illinois Now Has An Official State…Mushroom
Well, if you're going to do something, go big. That appears to be exactly what Illinois has done with the announcement of a new official state mushroom, Calvatia gigantea, also known as the Giant Puffball mushroom. If you've never heard of the Giant Puffball mushroom, you probably think that this...
Ford To Illinoisans With Older Fords Or Mazdas: Stop Driving Now
It's not every day that you see a major auto manufacturer issuing a "Do Not Drive" warning about their cars, then see a competing car company follow suit with a do not drive warning of its own. Even more unusual is the number of vehicles that are included in the warnings from the two car companies.
Wake Up Tri-Counties with State Representative Dan Swanson Scam Seminar on August 20th
Illinois State Representative Dan Swanson joined Wake Up Tri-Counties to talk about the “How to Avoid Being Scammed” seminar he organized to help people learn the signs of scams and avoid becoming victims. The seminar is on August 20, 2024, from 9 to 10 AM, or after questions have been answered, at the Oxford American Legion in Alpha. The Oxford American Legion is located at 211 West A Street. Everyone is welcome to attend the informational seminar to learn how to protect yourself, your family, or a friend from being scammed. Heather Calcara from the Illinois Attorney General’s Office and the Sheriff from the Rock Island, Henry, Mercer, Knox, Warren, and McDonough Sheriff’s Offices join Representative Dan Swanson for an information seminar Tuesday morning. There will be coffee, juice, and sweets. They won’t turn away anyone with questions or who needs help at the public meeting.
Taylorville City Council Meets For Second August Meeting
The Taylorville City Council met on Monday evening to discuss business, ordinance, and review reports. All aldermen were present except Kathy Driskell. A public meeting was held at 6:45 regarding ITEP or the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program. This grant would be to support improvements and encourage investment in the transportation system. The grant has a maximum of $3.0 million and has a 80/20 match requirement. $140 million is available for Taylorville. Bill Sleeman, Secretary with Benton and Associates broke down the grant application.
The Small City that Sprang Up in Illinois to Arm the Allies
In January 1942, a month after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, low-flying airplanes began appearing in the skies between Springfield and Decatur. Soon, farmers in the area were told they'd have 30 days to leave their land and urged to take as much personal property as they could in that time.
Rock Island Woman Wins Huge Powerball Prize From Iowa Lottery
One of the cool things about living in the Quad Cities is the fact that we can play both the Iowa and Illinois lotteries. A woman on the Illinois side definitely used that to her advantage. She may be a resident in Illinois, but her Powerball ticket purchased in Iowa is what has made her quite a bit richer. She didn't score the jackpot but I surely wouldn't turn away her big winnings.
Phoenix Center to hold memorial and distribute free Narcan on Overdose Awareness Day
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WICS) — In honor of International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31, Phoenix Center will be holding a Memorial event as well as drive-thru Narcan distribution at two locations. The Memorial event will take place at Phoenix Center’s Out East location at 704 S. Dirksen Parkway from...
Springfield Oyster and Beer Festival to be held Aug. 31
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - The Springfield Oyster and Beer Festival will be held Saturday, Aug. 31. Over 60 breweries are confirmed to be participating, including 19 that are new to the festival. Organizers said this year the Springfield Oyster and Beer Festival is poised to become the largest downstate craft...
Illinois Treasurer Visits Alton to Promote Innovation, Start-Ups in Alton and the Region
ALTON – On Wednesday, August 7, Illinois State Treasurer Michael W. Frerichs met with nearly two dozen regional leaders and business professionals to promote economic prosperity, innovation, and job growth in the southern Illinois region. Frerichs shared information about the Illinois Growth and Innovation Fund (ILGIF), which is an evergreen, $1.5 billion impact investment fund that invests in ways to attract, retain and assist quality technology-enabled businesses in Illinois. The treasurer’s office does this by making targeted investments with venture capital (VC), growth equity, and private credit firms with a nexus to the State of Illinois.
How school districts are working to combat online bullying
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WICS) — While it is a new school year for districts across Central Illinois, many administrations have been dealing with the lingering issue of bullying on social media. While technology can be used to help with learning in the classroom it also can be used to bring...
22nd annual Ride to Remember 9/11 Memorial Parade
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WICS) — Hall's Harley-Davidson is hosting its annual Ride to Remember 9/11 on Sunday, Sept. 8. The ride was created to remember those who lost their lives and to honor the First Responders and the Heroes of that fateful day. This event has been held annually in Springfield, IL for 22 years.
Finnegans Wake band members celebrate 50 years of performing in central Illinois
Finnegans Wake is a band formed in 1974 at the County Cork Pub in Springfield, Illinois. John C. Van Orman, William J. Furry, and Bill Rintz joined together bound by a love of traditional American and British Isles music. They research many of the traditional songs in their repertoire. Even...
Back to school rush: Tips to get your kids out the door on time
Getting back to school can be filled with chaos as we race to get our children out the door on time. It's back to school for students like first grader Hannah Nodine. Whether it's a child up well past their bedtime, or parents getting back on the early morning schedule, it's a big adjustment.
Northern Illinois University receives grant for computer science education
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WIFR) - The Illinois State Board of Education gives out 72 grants to improve computer science education totaling $3 million. NIU among other schools will get hands-on learning tools like 3-D printers, robotics kits, virtual reality equipment and digital design software. These tools are meant to prepare students...
Biden takes inaugural flight in long-delayed new 'Marine One' helicopter
CHICAGO (AP) — President Joe Biden on Monday took his first flight aboard the modern VH-92A helicopter that serves as Marine One after years of delays to the program to replace the aging aircraft that carry the president and vice president. Biden boarded the Sikorsky-made helicopter after arriving on Air Force One in Chicago where he is speak Monday evening at the Democratic National Convention. The maiden presidential voyage carried him from O’Hare International Airport to the parking lot of Chicago’s Soldier Field, often used as a landing zone for presidential travel. It marked a crucial milestone in a two-decade-long process to replace the Vietnam-era helicopters that have been in use carrying presidents, in some cases, since the 1970s. An initial effort to purchase new helicopters was kicked off by the Bush administration in an effort to improve communications and mission capabilities in the post-September 11, 2001 environment, but it was scrapped by President Barack Obama after rampant cost overruns.
Rich Henry, longtime owner of Henry’s Rabbit Ranch in Staunton, dies
Rich Henry, owner of the landmark Henry’s Rabbit Ranch in Staunton, Illinois, died suddenly Friday, according to locals and Route 66 enthusiasts who knew him well. An exact age for Henry wasn’t available, though he listed on his Facebook page he graduated from high school in 1965. That would put his age in his mid-70s.
Pritzker openly contemplates third term during first day of DNC
CHICAGO, Ill. (NESXSTAR) — The Democratic National Convention in Chicago is the party Pritzker’s been looking forward to hosting for over a year. He kicked it off Monday Morning, speaking to Illinois’ delegation at the convention. “I don’t need to tell you that if we fight hard enough, in 78 days, we will defeat Donald […]
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