August is tick season, and the Christian County Health Department urges community members to take steps to protect themselves.  Data from the Illinois Department of Public Health show tens of thousands of cases of tickborne diseases each year in the state.  Ryan Bowsher, lead and vector inspector at the Christian County Health Department, recommends spraying clothes with permethrin before going into wooded areas. 

The threat of West Nile Virus from mosquitoes persists, as well.  Bowsher says residents can request that the health department spray larvicide near standing water areas, where mosquitoes often breed. 

More information on the Christian County Health Department is available at www.cchdil.org.

Ryan Bowsher appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show. 

The Emerald Gardens Stone Soup Festival is coming to Owaneco on Saturday, September 12th, with a full day of food, live music and family activities.

The festival will run from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 1524 East 900 North Road in Owaneco.

Food and live music will begin at 2 p.m. Organizers say the event will feature music in the open air, with performances by Jason Milligan, Mark Milligan, John Johnny Johnson, known as “Pork Chop,” Joe Chek, Matt Kuhlig and Jancin Cronkhite.

The event will also feature Rick Kennedy’s famous pulled pork as a community fundraiser. Food tickets are eight dollars and will be available until the food is gone.

Families can also enjoy crafts and other activities, including arts and crafts, nature activities, food and games for kids and more. Garden tours will be offered throughout the day as well.

Organizers say the festival is designed to bring the community together while promoting sustainability, education and shared experiences.

For more information, call 217-825-0088 or visit www.emeraldgardensnonprofit.com.
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Get all of your local news, sports, weather, and much more, at taylorvilledailynews.com.

The Christian County Historical Society is calling for volunteer persimmon pulpers ahead of the annual Persimmon Party on November 7.  The museum requires enough of the fruit to serve to attendees, and they are now without the leftover stock from last year.  Co-President Jodi Heberling says a problem with their freezer spoiled their extra persimmon, and they are now in desperate need of help to pulp more persimmon.

The persimmon bake-off is expected to return, along with more vendors. 

Find out more about the CCHS at www.christiancountyhistorical.com.  More information is also available at their Facebook page.

Jodi Heberling appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show. 

The Christian County Historical Society is launching a wholehearted appeal for volunteers and members to join their efforts.  The museum hopes to expand its hours and overall availability to the community, and doing so requires more helping hands and funding.  Jodi Heberling, the Historical Society’s co-president, says leading school tours are among the many ways volunteers can help on the grounds. 

The Historical Society plans to begin a membership drive in the fall and fundraise through the Persimmon Party on Saturday, November 7.  Heberling says the lack of government funding contributes to the added necessity of these resources. 

Find out more about the CCHS at www.christiancountyhistorical.com.  More information is also available at their Facebook page.

Jodi Heberling appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show. 

Faculty, staff, and families in the Central A&M school district will soon see a refurbished website and new app.  Administrators expect it to be an improvement in aesthetics and functionality, with the latter point also encompassing communication between parents and teachers.  Superintendent Sacha Young says despite development delays, she hopes the website and app are launched in the early fall. 

Young says the school district has received feedback stating that the current website is not user-friendly, and the new release is expected to improve on that. 

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

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

Ever wondered what happens behind the scenes at a National Weather Service office? Central Illinois residents will soon have an opportunity to find out.

The National Weather Service Central Illinois Forecast Office in Lincoln is inviting the public to a free Community Open House on Saturday, August 29th, from 9 AM to 3 PM.

The family-friendly event will offer visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the facility responsible for providing daily weather forecasts and issuing watches, advisories, and potentially life-saving severe weather warnings for communities across central Illinois.

Those in attendance will have the opportunity to learn more about how meteorologists monitor changing weather conditions and how the National Weather Service works to keep the public informed, both before and during severe weather events.

The open house will be held rain or shine at the National Weather Service Central Illinois office, located at 1362 State Route 10 in Lincoln.

Admission is free and the event is open to all ages. However, advance registration was required for office tours, and organizers say all tour tickets are currently sold out. 

Those still interested in taking a tour are encouraged to continue checking the registration page, as cancellations could result in additional tickets becoming available.

The reservation page can be easily accessed by clicking here

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

The Taylorville High School announced that activity passes are now available for pickup, offering families, students, and adults access to sporting events throughout the school year.

According to the announcement, anyone who has ordered a family, student, or adult activity pass can now stop by the main office to pick it up. The passes are intended to provide admission to eligible sporting events, making it easier for community members and families to support local student-athletes and school activities throughout the upcoming school year.

Pickup hours are scheduled for Thursday from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Those who ordered a pass are encouraged to stop by during those hours to make sure they have their pass before attending upcoming events.

Anyone who has not yet purchased an activity pass still has time to do so. Passes can be picked up at a later date, and additional information is available through the main office.

For questions about activity passes, pickup information, or purchasing a pass, contact Stephanie in the main office at 217-824-2268.

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

The Christian County Health Department is encouraging eligible residents to consider giving blood as the need for donations becomes increasingly urgent nationwide.

Members of the Christian County Health Department team recently rolled up their sleeves and donated blood at the Taylorville Fire House, joining others throughout the community in helping provide a potentially lifesaving resource to patients in need.

The call for donations comes as the American Red Cross has declared only the second national blood crisis in its history. According to the Red Cross, blood donations have fallen to a four-year summer low, creating an emergency shortage that could directly impact patients who rely on blood and blood products every day.

Blood donations can help patients facing emergencies, undergoing surgery, battling serious illnesses, or requiring lifesaving transfusions.

Health Department officials say every donation can make a difference, and those who are eligible are encouraged to take action.

Residents who are unsure where or when they can donate can check with the American Red Cross to find an upcoming blood drive and schedule an appointment.

The Christian County Health Department also thanked everyone who continues to give the gift of life and praised the community for continuing to step up when help is needed most.

To find a community blood drive event, and location, visit www.redcrossblood.org, in the top right hand side of the web page simply enter in your zip code and click the blue arrow.

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

The Taylorville  Park Board is scheduled to meet Monday, August 24th, at 7 PM, at the Manners Park Dining Hall.

Following the call to order, the board will consider the approval of the minutes from its July 27th and August 6th meetings. Trustees will also hear the treasurer’s report, along with any correspondence, guest presentations, and public comments.

Under new business, the board is scheduled to discuss iParks Cyber Liability Insurance.

Several items will also return under old business, including an update on the pool. Trustees will continue discussions regarding electric rates with Dale Snyder, as well as an item involving Andrew Weatherford and the Illinois Open Meetings Act (OMA).

The board will then hear reports from the Maintenance Superintendent, Ben Dempsey, Recreation Director Evan Mitchell, and Office Administrator Linda Moomey.

Committee business will include approval for the payment of bills and approval of various reports.

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

Attached below is Monday's meeting agenda:

 

The Christian County Sheriff’s Office is back to full patrol staffing and is ready for September events.  There is a busy schedule for them to cover in the coming month, and deputies are also on hand at select schools to keep students and drivers safe.  Chief Deputy Jim Baker says military- and health-related situations stretched his team thin at times in recent months. 

The return to their normal roster means sheriff’s deputies can conduct enforcement during the busy Labor Day weekend.

Some deputies are assigned to patrol near certain schools in less populated areas of the county.  They aim to keep students safe, especially as they enter and exit buses. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Photos and names of loved ones are welcome.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 Pictured below is Dr. Joel Dykstra:

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

Pictured below is Dr. Kalith Smith:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A photograph of the product can be seen below:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Get all your news online at taylorvilledailynews.com.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Taylorville Branch of Peoples Bank & Trust is recognizing local citizen Jodi Heberling as its Volunteer of the Quarter for her longtime commitment to the Christian County Historical Society and the community.

Peoples Bank and Trust President and CEO John Gardner says Heberling is being recognized for a lifelong commitment to serving others. He pointed to her 25 years as a 4-H leader and nearly two decades of leadership with the Christian County Historical Society as examples of her dedication.

Heberling’s connection to the Historical Society began when she was a child, volunteering alongside her parents and grandparents. She later helped bring her 4-H club into the effort, with members providing manpower for Lemonade Shake-Ups at Historical Society events.

Heberling eventually joined the Society’s Board of Directors and became president. She has held a leadership role with the organization for nearly 20 years and currently serves as co-president and food manager.

Her volunteer work includes preparing chicken and noodles, roasting pulled pork, helping with the annual Tidings of Joy meal, organizing volunteers, mowing the grounds and handling many of the behind-the-scenes tasks needed to make community events possible.

Heberling says volunteering has never been about receiving recognition. Instead, she says it is about preserving local history, keeping community traditions alive and giving back to the place she calls home.

In recognition of her service, Peoples Bank & Trust has made a donation to the Christian County Historical Society. Heberling’s name will also be placed on a plaque at the bank honoring Volunteer of the Quarter recipients.

The program was established by Peoples Bank & Trust to recognize and promote outstanding volunteer efforts throughout the communities it serves.

Pictured below is  Adriana Allen - AVP Consumer Banking (LEFT), Jodi Heberling – VOTQ Recipient (MIDDLE), and Sophie Robinson – Consumer Banker (RIGHT): Photgraph courtesy of Peoples Bank & Trust.

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The Christian County Health Department has named the HPV vaccine to be the vaccine of the month. The health department is reminding parents that preventing certain types of cancer can start during childhood, with the HPV vaccine.

Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is a very common virus that can cause several types of cancer later in life. Health officials say the HPV vaccine is a safe and effective way to help protect children and teens from HPV-related cancers before they are exposed to the virus.

The recommended vaccination schedule depends on age. Children ages nine through 14 generally need two doses, given six to 12 months apart. Those ages 15 through 26 generally need three doses over a six-month period.

Most side effects from the vaccine are mild and can include soreness, redness or swelling at the injection site, along with headache, mild fever, tiredness or muscle aches.

Dizziness or fainting can sometimes occur after vaccination, which is why those receiving the vaccine are encouraged to sit or lie down for about 15 minutes afterward.

Health officials also stress that the HPV vaccine cannot cause HPV or cancer, because it does not contain live HPV.

Parents are encouraged to talk with their healthcare provider or contact the Christian County Health Department to make sure they or their children are up to date on this important vaccine.

The health department says prevention starts early, and protecting against HPV today can help prevent cancer tomorrow.

Continue to get your local news, weather, sports, and more at taylorvilledailynews.com.

According to Taylorville Police, homelessness continues to be a growing concern across Illinois.

Taylorville Police Chief Dwayne Wheeler says the issue is becoming increasingly visible in the local community.

Statewide data showed approximately a 30-percent increase in the official Point-in-Time homeless count between 2022 and 2023. While rural communities are also experiencing challenges with homelessness and housing instability, Wheeler says there are not reliable official numbers showing the specific increase in Taylorville or Christian County.

Wheeler says the Taylorville Police Department has seen an increase in calls involving mental health concerns and homelessness. Officers have helped individuals and families find shelter in Springfield and Decatur, while others experiencing homelessness have chosen to remain in Taylorville.

The chief says he is grateful for the compassion shown by the community, adding that he has personally witnessed TPD officers use their own money to provide food and temporary hotel rooms for people in need.

However, Wheeler says law enforcement can only do so much, and resources in rural communities are limited.

Wheeler also wants to clarify that no formal proposal for a shelter or similar service has been brought before the City or its elected officials. He says several agencies have contacted him about the possibility of providing such services.

Wheeler says he is sharing the information to begin an honest conversation and gather public feedback, noting that Taylorville may face difficult decisions regarding homelessness in the near future.

Chief Wheeler wants to know how the community should address homelessness while helping those truly in need and protecting the quality of life and safety of the community?

The Taylorville Police Chief asks that all comments remain respectful and constructive, saying public input matters to the Taylorville Police Department.
 

The Taylorville Police Department (TPD) say a woman who had been wanted on several charges has been apprehended and returned to the Christian County Jail.

According to TPD, Shalee Bayne was taken into custody this afternoon with the assistance of a task force officer with the United States Marshals Service who is identified as Lieutenant Toberman.

Police say Bayne was apprehended and brought back to the Christian County Jail after allegedly cutting off her monitoring bracelet and going on the run. The department says Bayne currently has several charges pending and alleges she remained involved in criminal activity while she was wanted.

TPD publicly thanked Lieutenant Toberman and the United States Marshals Service for their assistance in locating and apprehending Bayne. The department says the arrest is an example of the importance of cooperation between local and federal law enforcement agencies.

Taylorville Police say their continued focus is on teamwork, dedication and serving the community.

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The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum joined members of the Springfield community Friday to honor two Black men who were killed during racial violence in Springfield more than a century ago.

The ceremony marked the 118th anniversary of the 1908 Springfield Race Riot by filling two jars with soil from the locations where Scott Burton and William Donnegan were lynched. The jars will be displayed at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum as part of its special exhibit, “The Second American Revolution.”

The exhibit examines efforts to rebuild the nation following the Civil War, including the push to fulfill Abraham Lincoln’s vision, and the backlash that eventually led to Jim Crow laws and decades of oppression.

The jars will remain on display through January 17th before being sent to the Legacy Museum in Montgomery, Alabama. The museum is part of the Equal Justice Initiative and has collected about 800 soil samples from locations connected to lynchings across the country.

Burton was a Springfield barber who was attacked by a white mob during the first night of the 1908 violence. He was beaten, dragged to his barbershop and hanged.

Pictured below is soil being added to a jar to honor Scott Burton: Photograph courtesy of ALPLM

The following day, Donnegan, an elderly Black property owner, was attacked at his home. He was beaten and hanged and later died at a hospital.

Pictured below is community leader Candice Trees and ALPLM Executive
Director Christina Shutt gathering soil to honor William Donnegan: Photograph courtesy of ALPLM.

The 1908 Springfield Race Riot began after thousands gathered at the county jail seeking two Black men accused of crimes against white residents. Police secretly moved the two men to safety, but the mob then turned its anger toward Springfield’s Black community.

Black-owned businesses and homes were burned, residents were attacked and many fled the city. The National Guard was eventually called in to restore order. The violence shocked the nation and helped contribute to the creation of the NAACP. 

Officials at Friday’s ceremony emphasized the importance of remembering the events of 1908 as a way to better understand the consequences of racial violence and work toward a more just future.

Continue to get all your local news, sports, weather, and much more at taylorvilledailynews.com.

One local organization looks to change the lives of local youth through Christianity. The Seeds of the Lord study group was born seven years ago out of regular bible studies at the Taylorville Steak 'n Shake.  Their aim is to guide youth to the religion and use it to further support them.  The group also organizes the annual Seasons of Change Festival, of which this year’s edition takes place Saturday, August 29. 

Melissa Zini and Catherine Culp help lead the group.  They say they launched it with the younger contingent of employees at the restaurant at the time, where the two of them also worked. 

Culp says practicing the faith helped her out of a spell of drug addiction, and this is why she seeks to pay it forward. 

For Zini, her experiences with Christianity have inspired her to “plant the seeds” for others, hence the name of their endeavor. 

The Seasons of Change Festival is free and open to the public, but interested attendees are encouraged to RSVP by calling (217) 481-6624.  

Catherine Culp and Melissa Zini appeared as guests on the WTIM Morning Show.  

The Christian County Board will again consider a kratom ban along with building renovations and more at their monthly meeting tonight.  As always, it will begin at 6 p.m., and similarly to recent occasions, it will take place in the Taylorville High School cafeteria.

The kratom ban ordinance is part of the Executive/Personal/Liquor/Legislative committee’s section of the meeting.  Members will also discuss residency waivers and provide an EMA update.

From the Highway/Building/Grounds/Environmental/Zoning/Welfare committee, there will be discussions on a cleaning of the third floor of the courthouse and the installation of a drop ceiling on the second floor.  Floor repairs to the 911 dispatcher director’s office will also be discussed.  Members will continue discussions on fiscal year 2027 – including for the Sheriff – in the Audit, Finance, and Purchasing Committee.

As is customary, before the committee-specific business, the public will have the chance to comment on county-related matters.  Stay tuned for updates after the meeting. 

A promotion to Fire Captain was honored at the Taylorville City Council’s second monthly meeting held on Monday.

During the personnel portion of Monday night’s meeting, a motion was made by Alderwoman Megan Bryant to promote Kobe Wheaton to Fire Captain. This motion was approved with no opposition.

Also during the meeting, Taylorville Police Chief Dwayne Wheeler gave a Certificate of Appreciation to Travis Peden, Chief of the Stonington Police Department, for his assistance with covert drug operations and other operations within the community.

Chief Wheeler said that Chief Peden has been a part of the team for many years and has done a lot of work for the Taylorville Police Department. Chief Wheeler also made some light humor and showed great appreciation for Chief Peden.

Also during the meeting, Alderwoman Kathy Driskell made a motion to approve the purchase of three new police vehicles and to properly equip them for a price not to exceed $100K. The motion was approved 8 to 0. The funding for this purchase would come from Traffic Revenue Funds and Asset Forfeiture Funds, and this approved motion would also waive all bidding requirements.

All other ordinances were approved at Monday’s meeting in full with no opposition. At the end of the meeting, Taylorville Mayor Bruce Barry and City Attorney Rocci Romano gave their monthly updates.

Stay tuned to taylorvilledailynews.com for our upcoming story from the Taylorville City Council Meeting about the decision to add no parking regulations on the north side of the 800 block of West Market Street, and for updates on the road work on Main Cross.

Below is the agenda from Monday Night's Meeting:

The Christian County Sheriffs Office has confirmed that Illinois Route 29, which has been closed most of today pending a vehicle accident investigation, is now back open for normal traffic flow. 

Further information from the investigation has not yet been released. 

Stay tuned to taylorvilledailynews.com for updates as more information becomes available. 

According to the Christian County Sheriff's Office, Illinois Route 29 between the prison and Owaneco will be closed for an extended period of time following a car accident in the area. The amount of time the road will stay closed has not been determined.

Hart Media Group spoke with Christian County Chief Deputy Jim Baker, and according to Chief Deputy Baker, the Illinois State Police (ISP) is conducting further investigation into the incident, and will need to keep the stretch of IL 29 between the prison and Owaneco closed for until further notice to safely and thoroughly conduct the investigation.

Chief Deputy Baker mentioned that the Christian County Sherrff's Office will release more information as it becomes available and will alert the community via the Sheriff's App once the road has reopened. 

As the investigation is still ongoing to uncover more details behind the car accident, no further information is currrently available. 

Keep following along with taylorvilledailynews.com for updates when they become available.

A preliminary hearing for Braxton Williamson, who is charged under allegations of aggravated battery against a victim younger than 13 causing permanent disability, is scheduled for September 1st, following a court hearing that took place on Monday, August 17th, concerning the completed autopsy of a minor who fell victim to alleged battery.

Williamson appeared in custody with his appointed Public Defender, Tiffany Senger. The court was advised that the autopsy had been completed, with the defenses expert present.

The state is seeking additional examination by a forensic pathologist who specializes in the matter. The court ordered the state to provide the Williamson's defense with at least five business days’ notice of when, where and by whom any further review will be conducted. This will give the defense an opportunity to have its own expert present or confirm that the examination is video recorded.

The court also ordered that the victim's body not be released until the final medical report is completed and the defense has been given an opportunity to have its expert review the report and determine whether any additional examination is necessary.

Williamson continues to remain in custody.

A small group of protestors were also present outside of the courthouse today as well.

Pictured below are some of those standing in protest.

Keep following along with taylorvilledailynews.com for updates as more information becomes available.

Peoples Bank & Trust is celebrating the professional growth of two of its employees following their recent graduation from the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin in Madison.

Andrew Olson, Vice President of Business Banking, and Trevor Taylor, Vice President of Credit Administration, recently completed the graduate banking program.

The bank says the accomplishment reflects their dedication to professional development, continuous learning and strengthening their knowledge of the banking industry.

Peoples Bank & Trust says it invests heavily each year in employee development through webinars, online courses, seminars, forums, conferences, software user group meetings and other industry-specific training.

In addition to those opportunities, the bank says 21 of its 39 officers are graduates of, or are currently attending, a national-level graduate school of banking.

The bank says the knowledge and experience gained through these advanced educational programs is applied by employees in their day-to-day roles, helping Peoples Bank & Trust continue providing service and expertise to the customers and communities it serves.

The bank congratulates Olson and Taylor on their accomplishment and says it is proud of their commitment to growth, learning and putting people first.

Pictured below is Trevor Taylor and Andrew Olson: Photo Courtesy of Peoples Bank and Trust.

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

The Trutter Museum and Murray Gallery at Lincoln Land Community College (LLCC) will host a new exhibit featuring the work of artist Danny Houk.

Houk's piece, called “House Rules,” will be on display August 24 through September 18 at the museum and gallery, located on the upper level of Menard Hall at LLCC’s Springfield campus on Shepherd Road.

The exhibit will feature sculptures, installations, games and mixed-media works that combine humor, craftsmanship and social commentary.

Organizers say Houk’s work uses playful interaction, wordplay and handcrafted objects to explore familiar experiences and encourage visitors to reflect on personal vulnerabilities and social inequities.

The exhibit is designed to be both accessible and thought-provoking, inviting visitors to laugh, participate and question assumptions while considering the experiences that connect people across social and cultural divides.

The public can view “House Rules” weekdays from 8 AM to 4 PM.

An artist discussion with Danny Houk will also be held Wednesday, September 16, from 5 to 7 PM. Light refreshments will be provided.

Houk holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in studio art from Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville. His work has been exhibited throughout the Midwest, including at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, Art St. Louis and several colleges and galleries.

More information about the Trutter Museum and Murray Gallery, including current and upcoming exhibits, is available at llcc.edu/trutter-murray.

Continue to stay up todate on local, news, events, weather, sports, and much more, at taylorvilledailynews.com.

Experts are encouraging homeowners to consider sustainability in their property’s landscaping.  Many commercial establishments and other large-scale sites are designed with the concept in mind, but homeowners can make changes, as well.  Controlling rainwater drainage and where it goes is one major component.  Andrew Holsinger, a horticulture educator at the University of Illinois Extension, notes that topography, vegetation, drainage patterns, and wetland buffers are key factors. 

So how does one implement these sustainability efforts at home?  Holsinger suggests first taking stock of what there is to work with. 

Trees, boulders, native shrubs, and permeable paving are among the notable components of sustainable landscapes. 

More information and tips are available at stateclimatologist.isws.illinois.edu and extension.illinois.edu.

Andrew Holsinger appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show. 

The Christian County Sheriff's Office has reported that Illinois Route 29 is closed due to a traffic crash investigation. 

People traveling southbound from Taylorville northbound from Owaneco should consider alternate routes as IL 29 will be closed between Owaneco and the Christian County Correctional Facility. 

There has not been any more details released at this time.

Once more information becomes available, you will find it at taylorvilledailynews.com.

The Christian County Health Department is seeking federal funding to help low-income homeowners repair or replace failing septic systems in rural areas of the county.

The department is requesting nearly $55,000 through the USDA Rural Development Housing Preservation Grant program.

The proposed program would focus on homeowners in rural areas and communities of 20,000 or fewer people in Christian County, with priority given to the Lincoln Trail Road area and the Lake Bertinetti subdivision in May Township.

According to the Christian County Health Department (CCHD), approximately 620 households in Taylorville, Johnson, and May Townships rely on private septic systems rather than centralized sewer service. The department says some of those systems are aging or failing, creating concerns including wastewater backups, surface ponding, odors and potential threats to public health and nearby water resources.

The Lake Bertinetti subdivision is described as having particularly significant problems, with reports of septic system failures, wastewater entering groundwater and visible discharges into the lake. The proposed grant program would provide assistance to eligible low income homeowners to repair or replace deficient septic systems and address related health and safety concerns.

The Health Department estimates septic repairs could cost between $5,000 and $25,000, while a complete replacement could cost between $30,000 and $40,000. Because of those costs, the department anticipates the funding could assist approximately three to four households. Applications would be reviewed based on factors including household income, the severity of the septic failure and the threat to health and safety.

The proposed program would operate over a 12-month period, beginning with community outreach and applications, followed by property inspections, project planning, septic repairs or replacements, and final inspections.
If you have a public comment, please submit it to email address info@christiancountyhealth.org with the subject “Septic repair NOFO funding comment.” The comment period will be open until August 31, 2026.

The department says more information about eligibility and applications will be made available as the program moves forward. Once that information is available, you can find it at taylorvilledailynews.com.
 

The Montgomery County Health Department reminds the community, that those struggling to go through recovery from addiction, or even illness, can reach their goals with the right support.

The health department says a great start is to have hope. According to the health department, hope is the foundation of recovery.

Recovery is a highly personal process, and there are many different pathways. Those pathways can include clinical treatment, medications, faith-based approaches, peer support, family support, self-care, and other resources.

Recovery focuses on the whole person and is built around an individual's strengths, talents, coping abilities, resources, and values. Support from family, friends, peers, and the community can also play an important role.

The Montgomery County Health Department highlights four major dimensions of recovery. The first is health. Managing a disease or symptoms, overcoming addiction, and making healthy choices that support physical and emotional well-being fall in this category.

The second is home. Having a stable and safe place to live is crucial to recovery. The third is purpose. The feeling of having meaningful daily activities, such as work, school, volunteering, family responsibilities, or creative activities, along with the resources and independence needed to participate in the community. Keeping busy helps keep the mind occupied with more constructive thoughts.

Finally, the fourth is community. By having relationships and social networks that provide support, friendship, love, and hope, the recovery journey is easier to navigate.

The health department says setbacks are a natural part of life and recovery, making resilience an important part of continuing to grow and improve overall health and wellness.

More information on recovery can be found at samhsa.gov.

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Community members in Taylorville will have the opportunity to enjoy a festival with a religious touch near the end of this month.  The second annual “Seasons of Change Festival” will take place Saturday, August 29 from 2-7 p.m. at the Lake Taylorville Marina.  The aforementioned religious touch comes in the form of a Christian service and baptisms in the lake.

Catherine Culp and Melissa Zini are members of the “Seeds of the Lord” study group, which is putting the event on.  They promise “fellowship, food, fun, and music.”

Visitors who wish to be baptized do so starting at five right in the lake, which is part of the reason the event takes place there. 

Culp and Zini note that there are bathrooms at the marina for people to use to change clothes.  The event is free and open to the public, but interested attendees are encouraged to RSVP by calling (217) 481-6624.  

Catherine Culp and Melissa Zini appeared as guests on the WTIM Morning Show.  

The Taylorville City Council will meet tonight at 7 for its second regular monthly meeting, with several items on the agenda involving city infrastructure, public safety, development, and Lake Taylorville.

Among the items up for consideration is an ordinance that would amend the Taylorville City Code regarding water main tapping specifications and pipe installation. Council members will also consider adding a no-parking restriction to the north side of the 800 block of West Market Street.

Another ordinance would authorize a second amendment to the Business Development District Number One Redevelopment Agreement involving 100 and 102 South Main Street. Council members are also expected to consider a resolution supporting a State of Illinois Community Development Block Grant.

Several public safety-related purchases and personnel matters are on the agenda as well. Those include bidding for a full-time lead dispatcher position in the Police Department, the promotion of Colby Wheaton to Fire Captain, and purchases of turnout gear for the Fire Department and training ammunition.

The council will also consider purchasing three police vehicles, with a cost not to exceed $100,000, using Department of Justice, traffic revenue and asset forfeiture funds. Water Department business includes a proposed $2,300 surge protector purchase and beginning the bidding process for potholing work associated with the city's lead service line inventory.

Lake-related business includes seeking an appraisal of nearly seven acres for a potential property sale, seeking bids for four Lake Taylorville farmland parcels, and purchasing an emergency phone for the marina. The council will also hear city attorney and mayor updates before considering payment of more than $706,000 in bills.

Stay tuned to taylorvilledailynews.com for more details after tonight's meeting.

The American Red Cross is urging people to donate blood as the organization responds to what it calls only the second national blood crisis in its history.

Blood donations have fallen to a four-year summer low, worsening an emergency shortage that could already be affecting patients who depend on lifesaving transfusions.

The Red Cross is asking eligible donors to take action now and help replenish the nation’s blood supply. A Taylorville Community Blood Drive is scheduled for Thursday, August 20th, from 1 to 5 PM at the Taylorville Fire Department Training Room, located at 202 North Main street.

Appointments can be made by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS, or 1-800-733-2767, or by visiting RedCrossBlood.org.

The Red Cross says donors can also save up to 15 minutes at their appointment by completing RapidPass before arriving. Information and access to RapidPAss can be found at redcrossblood.org.

There is also an added incentive for those who donate during August. Donors are eligible to receive a 20-dollar Amazon gift card by email, while supplies last. Terms and conditions are also available at redcrossblood.org.

Every blood donation can help save lives, and officials say the current shortage makes those donations especially important.

For appointments or more information, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS.

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Students at Pana Elementary School will experience changes to curricula, especially with respect to literacy, as the school year gets underway.  Faculty and administrators hope to successfully implement activities they have previously trialed, as well as integrate other areas of education into students’ learning.  Assistant Principal Angela Matthews says one of these initiatives, called “Panther Pages,” will unify each grade level around projects related to reading. 

Teachers are even aiming to incorporate hands-on experiences related to the books their students read. 

More information on Pana Elementary School is available at www.panaschools.com. 

Angela Matthews appeared as a guest on the WTIM Pana Morning Show. 

Land of Lincoln Honor Flight is preparing for Mission 78, set for Tuesday, September 1st, departing from Springfield’s Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport.

The mission will honor 92 veterans, including five Korean War veterans and 87 Vietnam-era veterans. The veterans come from 52 Illinois communities, including Taylorville, Shelbyville, Decatur, Effingham, Springfield, Mattoon, Pana-area communities, and many others. Veterans from Indiana, Missouri and Florida will also take part.

The veterans and their guardians will report to the Springfield airport at 4 a.m. on September 1st, before boarding a chartered Sun Country 737 bound for Washington, D.C.

During the day, they’ll visit the World War Two, Korean War and Vietnam War memorials, Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Lincoln Memorial, the National Air and Space Museum in Chantilly, Virginia, the U.S. Marine Corps Memorial and the U.S. Air Force Memorial.

The Honor Flight experience is provided at no cost to the veterans and is funded entirely through donations from the public.

The veterans are scheduled to return to Springfield at approximately 9:30 p.m. that evening, and the public is encouraged to gather at the airport to welcome them home.

Organizers say that welcome-home experience is especially meaningful for many veterans who never received the recognition they deserved when they returned from service.

Parking at the airport will be free, with volunteers available to assist guests, and a shuttle will take visitors from the parking area to the terminal.

Veterans who served through May 7th, 1975, may be eligible for an Honor Flight. Applications for veterans and guardians are available at LandofLincolnHonorFlight.org.

The organization also offers a Flightless Honor Flight program for eligible veterans whose physical condition prevents them from participating in an actual flight.

Get your local news, weather, sports, and much more, at taylorvileedailynews.com.

Two federal lawsuits are now seeking to block Illinois’ new assisted suicide law before it takes effect next month.

The “End-of-Life Options for Terminally Ill Patients Act,” signed into law by Governor J.B. Pritzker, is scheduled to take effect September 12th. The law allows mentally competent adults with a terminal illness and six months or less to live to request medication intended to end their lives.

State Representative and physician Bill Hauter, a Republican from Morton, opposed the measure during the most recent legislative session. Hauter says the law conflicts with a physician’s oath and their duty to heal and accompany patients during the final stages of serious illness.

Hauter also says there is a legal basis for the lawsuit, arguing the law could require physicians to participate in assisted suicide, despite provisions stating that doctors cannot be forced to do so. Even if a physician doesnt want to participate, they are required to make a referral, which is still participation even if they aren't the ones administering the end of life medication. 

The latest lawsuit was filed on behalf of several Central Illinois religious leaders and four Illinois physicians. The Thomas More Society is representing the plaintiffs and is asking a federal court to block the law before it takes effect. The group argues the law could potentially require physicians and other medical professionals with religious objections to help facilitate patient suicides, which is something they say conflicts with the Hippocratic Oath, longstanding medical traditions, and their deeply held religious beliefs.

Despite also being a physician himself, Hauter is not one of the physicians filing the lawsuit. 

More information on the legislation and its status can be found through the Illinois General Assembly at www.ilga.gov.

Taylorville students who commute to and from school by bus may see different routes in the near future.  At Tuesday’s Taylorville School Board meeting, the board voted to extend the district’s contract with transportation provider Durham School Services for one more year.  The contract now includes the removal of one bus from the setup of routes and a savings for the district of $100,000.  Superintendent Brandi Bruley says the move is part of her aim to cut costs where possible, in light of the school district’s proposed budget. 

As it stands, the schools generally use Durham only for transporting students to and from school at the beginning and end of the day.  Board members and school administrators acknowledged low staffing at Durham was part of the reason. 

The next school board meeting is set for Tuesday, September 8. 

The Taylorville Police Department is preparing to begin enforcing the city’s recently passed kratom ban.  The ordinance, which passed a vote at last week’s city council meeting, will see both synthetic and natural forms of the substance banned.  Police Chief Dwayne Wheeler says he expects local stakeholders to cooperate on the matter.

The police chief also credits the Christian County Health Department for their role in raising the topic of kratom in the community.

More information on the Taylorville Police Department is available at www.taylorville.net/police-dept. 

Police Chief Dwayne Wheeler appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show. 

The City of Assumption is reminding residents that the petition process for candidates seeking elected office in the city will begin later this month.

August 25th, 2026, will be the first day that candidates may begin circulating petitions for the April 6th, 2027 Consolidated Election.

There is one Alderperson position available in each of Assumption’s three wards. Each position carries a four-year term.

Candidates can pick up petition packets beginning Tuesday, August 25th, at Assumption City Hall, located at 229 North Chestnut Street. City Hall will have packets available from 8 AM until 4:30 PM.

Completed petitions must be filed at City Hall between November 16th and November 23rd. Filing hours during that period will be 8 AM to 5 PM.

The city is encouraging anyone interested in running for one of the available Alderperson positions to make note of those important dates and filing deadlines.

More information is available at cityofassumption.org.

The Taylorville Police Department says two people have been arrested following the execution of a search warrant Wednesday afternoon in the 1000 block of West Vine Street.

The department’s Emergency Response Team carried out the warrant as part of an ongoing investigation. Police say that investigation remains pending.

Taylorville Police officials also thanked John McWard and his office for their assistance and cooperation.

Police say the department strongly believes in recovery and will continue to show compassion and support for those working to overcome addiction, including individuals participating in Drug Court and other recovery programs.

However, police say that support does not extend to those who sell or distribute dangerous drugs in the community.

The department says officers will continue working aggressively to disrupt criminal activity involving illegal drugs, particularly activity that could interfere with the progress of people working toward recovery.

As part of the recent enforcement effort, Joshua Hawthorn was arrested on several methamphetamine-related charges.

Hawthorne was seen in Christian County Court on August 13th, to see the results from his hearing, CLICK HERE.

Kerry Decker was arrested on a charge of possession of methamphetamine.

Decker was also seen on August 13th in Christian County Court, for results of Deckers court hearing, CLICK HERE.

Police emphasize that the charges are allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

The Taylorville Police Department says its investigation remains ongoing.

if further updates should become available, find them online at taylorvilledailynews.com.

The Taylorville Kiwanis Club will hold the first of its two upcoming food drives this weekend.  The first one takes place Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at the new Taylorville Community Credit Union Branch on North Webster Street.  The later drive is set for Saturday, September 12 at the same time and location.  Interested visitors can donate money or non-perishable food, which will be relayed to the Taylorville Food Pantry. The service organization has held food drives for a number of years.

Kiwanis member Will Perkins will be at the food drive.  He says, as with past editions, visitors can simply drive up for their donations to be collected. 

Sophie Robinson, another Kiwanis member, says this event directly aligns with the organization’s overall goals. 

More information on the Taylorville Kiwanis Club is available on their Facebook page. 

Will Perkins and Sophie Robinson appeared as guests on the WTIM Morning Show. 

The first school days this academic year at Pana Elementary School will see the local high school students become involved.  Band performances, mentorships, and more are meant to increase connections in multiple ways and improve the experience for the elementary school students.

Angela Matthews, the elementary school’s assistant principal, says the high school’s marching band visits to perform songs known to the Pana community and beyond. 

Students at the elementary school can also connect with high school students who volunteer to mentor. 

More information on Pana Elementary School is available at www.panaschools.com. 

Angela Matthews appeared as a guest on the WTIM Pana Morning Show. 

As children across the area head back to school, the Christian County Health Department is reminding parents to make sure their children’s vaccinations are up to date.

Illinois has immunization requirements for students entering certain grades, and keeping vaccinations current helps protect not only individual children, but the entire school community.

For students entering kindergarten, required vaccinations include DTaP, which protects against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis; polio; hepatitis B; and MMRV, which protects against measles, mumps, rubella and varicella, or chickenpox.

Students entering sixth grade are required to have Tdap, which also protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis, as well as a meningococcal vaccine, which helps protect against meningitis.

Students entering 11th or 12th grade are also required to have a meningococcal vaccine.

Parents are encouraged to check their child’s immunization records and make sure they have received all required vaccines and doses for their grade level. The Christian County Health Department reminds the community that keeping vaccinations up to date can help families start the new school year healthy, protected, and ready to learn.

If you’re unsure what your child needs, contact your healthcare provider or the Christian County Health Department at (217) 824-4113 for more information.

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

With schools opening today, the Taylorville Police Department is calling on families to drive safely in the immediate surrounds of the city’s schools.  Cherokee Street, which runs by North Elementary School on its east side, is the site of the department’s most significant vigilance in that respect.  Police Chief Dwayne Wheeler says new grant funding they’ve received will allow them to further patrol that area and others.

Students, faculty, and staff at Taylorville Junior High School will see a new school resource officer.  Officer Matthew Nichols will take up that role at the junior high school.

More information on the Taylorville Police Department is available at www.taylorville.net/police-dept. 

Police Chief Dwayne Wheeler appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show. 

The Illinois General Assembly recently passed two Senate Joint Resolutions to recognize two Effingham-area soldiers who gave their lives while serving their country. Both soldiers were honored this week during a ceremony dedicating two memorial overpasses in their names.

State Representative Adam Niemerg of Dieterich and State Representative Blaine Wilhour of Beecher City sponsored the resolutions in the Illinois House and spoke during this week's dedication ceremony.

According to Representative Niemerg, sometimes these ceremonies can not only be emotional, but also the most rewarding thing he believes he can do as a legislator.

Wilhour stated that, Chief Donaldson and Sergeant Sayne truly personify army values. Wilhour also said that they are just honored to be able to play the process in getting joint resolutions like these to go through the process of the general assembly. 

Senate Joint Resolution 61 designates the Fourth Street Overpass, that crosses Interstates 57 and 70 in Effingham, as the Chief Warrant Officer 2 Christopher Donaldson Memorial Overpass. 

Senate Joint Resolution 62 designates the Fayette Avenue Overpass, that crosses over Interstates 57 and 70, as the Sergeant Timothy Sayne Memorial Overpass.

Donaldson was killed on May 5th, 2006, when a CH-47 Chinook military helicopter crashed during combat operations in Afghanistan.

Sayne passed away on September 11th, 2011, in Afghanistan, from injuries he suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.

The memorial overpasses will now serve as lasting reminders of Donaldson and Sayne, their military service, and the sacrifices they made for their country.

Pictured left is Chief Christopher Donaldson, pictured right is Sergeant Timothy Sayne:

More information can be found on the Illinois General Assembly online at www.ilga.gov.

Get all of your local news online at taylorvilledailtynews.com.

An investigation in Nokomis has determined that items found inside an abandoned residence and believed to potentially be explosive devices were not actually explosive.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office says information was received by the Nokomis Police Department sometime Tuesday evening, August 11th, through Wednesday morning, August 12th, about possible explosive devices inside an abandoned residence near Shane Cole Park.

Nokomis Police, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, the Illinois Secretary of State Police Bomb Squad and the FBI investigated the report. A search warrant was obtained through the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office, and a perimeter was established around the residence.

Nearby residents were advised to either evacuate their homes or shelter in place while authorities conducted the investigation.

The Secretary of State Police Bomb Squad and FBI systematically searched both the exterior and interior of the property.

During the search, authorities removed items resembling what is commonly referred to as a “pipe bomb.” Those items were analyzed and ultimately determined to be non-explosive.

The Sheriff’s Office says no explosive devices or explosive materials were located anywhere on the property.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office thanked residents who were impacted by the investigation for their cooperation and patience.

The department also thanked Nokomis Police, the Secretary of State Police Bomb Squad, the FBI, Montgomery County Emergency Management, the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office, Nokomis Fire and Ambulance, and everyone else involved for their work in safely resolving the situation.

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

The Taylorville Park District is working to address a recent spate of moss appearing in the Manners Park pond.  Officials say they have received complaints from community members on the matter and have brought in related experts to rectify the situation.  Recreation Director Evan Mitchell says he is working with Ben Dempsey, the Park District’s maintenance superintendent, and state biologist Tad Locher on the issue.

Locher told the Park District staff that there are similar occurrences throughout the state.  The team intends to, at least to start, manually remove the moss. 

Mitchell also shares the historical context of the area.  He says it was a wetland many years ago and is, without intervention, naturally restoring itself as such. 

More information on the Taylorville Park District is available at www.taylorvilleparkdistrict.com.

Evan Mitchell appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show. 

UPDATE: Nokomis Police, Montgomery County Sheriff's Office has confirmed that the Shane Cole Park investigation is now complete.

The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) has confirmed that the investigation at Shane Cole Park in Nokomis has been completed, and all affected roadways are now open to traffic.

MCSO will release an official statement regarding the incident shortly. Once that information is released you will find it at taylorvilledailynews.com.

The Sheriff's Office says it appreciates the community’s patience and cooperation throughout the investigation.

PREVIOUS UPDATE FOUND BELOW:

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office is working alongside of the Nokomis Police Department and Illinois Secretary of State Police to investigate an incident near Shane Cole Park.

The City of Nokomis says there is currently no active threat to the community, but residents are being asked to avoid the area and follow any instructions given by law enforcement.

Officials are asking for the public’s cooperation as the investigation continues and have stated that no further information will be released at this time, in order to protect the integrity of the investigation.

Investigating authorites have also stated that more information will be released when the investigation is complete.

Residents are also being asked not to call Nokomis City Hall regarding the incident, as city hall staff do not have pertinent information about what is taking place.

The city says the increased law enforcement presence is precautionary while authorities handle the situation.

Anyone who is in the area should remain aware of their surroundings and follow directions from law enforcement if they are asked to leave an area or take other precautions.

The original notice was issued at 12:00 PM, on Wednesday, August 12th, by Nokomis Mayor Dylan Goldsmith.

No further information is available at this time, however, keep following taylorvilledailynews.com for updates when more information is released.

See below for the original notice sent out from Mayor Goldsmith.

The Master Gardeners at the University of Illinois Extension are preparing the community for their upcoming annual tree walk.  This year’s walk will take place at Kitchell Park in Pana on Saturday, October 24, likely from 2-4 p.m.  Last year’s walk did not take place due to scheduling conflicts, so organizers look forward to showcasing central Illinois nature this year.  Master Gardener Gwen Podeschi says Kitchell Park has a wide swath of ash trees to explore. 

The city has sought to rebuild the ash tree population in that area due to recent destruction from invasive insects. 

The Master Gardeners also remind the local public that their helpdesk is open Thursdays from 9-11 a.m. through the end of the month.  Community members can bring their questions or samples to the Extension’s Christian County office at 1120 North Webster Street in Taylorville or call (217) 287-7246.  More information on the Master Gardeners is available at extension.illinois.edu/mg.

Gwen Podeschi appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show. 

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum and Library (ALPLM) is holding a ceremony honoring two men who were killed during Springfield’s 1908 race riot will be held Friday, August 14, with community members invited to help collect soil from the locations where the men were lynched.

The ceremony is being coordinated by the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Springfield’s Lincoln Library and organizers of the city’s “3 Hot Days in August” commemoration. The event will begin at 11 AM at the northwest corner of 11th and Madison Streets in Springfield.

The event will honor 80-year-old William Donnegan and Scott Burton, two African American residents who were lynched during the Springfield race riot, which took place August 14 through August 16, 1908.

Donnegan was killed on land where the Illinois State Museum now stands. Burton, a barber, was taken from his home near 11th and Madison Streets, dragged to a tree near his barbershop and hanged.

During Friday’s ceremony, soil will be collected from the location associated with Burton’s lynching. Soil from the site of Donnegan’s lynching will also be present.

The soil will be placed in jars and displayed as a community memorial at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum as part of its special exhibit, “The Second American Revolution.”

After the exhibit closes in January, the soil will be given to the Equal Justice Initiative’s Legacy Museum, which has collected approximately 800 soil samples honoring victims of racial terror lynching through its Community Remembrance Project.

Community members are welcome to attend and participate in collecting the soil. Organizers will also be available for questions, photos and video.

Parking is available at the HSHS St. John’s Hospital lot at 10th and Madison Streets.

More information is available online at www.presidentlincoln.illinois.gov.

A recall involving fresh jalapeño peppers from Mexico has led to additional recalls of products that may contain the affected peppers, including some items sold in Illinois.

The recall stems from Coast Citrus Distributors, which distributed fresh jalapeños from Sinaloa, Mexico to wholesalers, restaurants and food-service companies nationwide. The peppers may be contaminated with Salmonella.

As a result, Taylor Fresh Foods recalled multiple products made with the affected jalapeños. The recalled products were distributed to retail distribution centers in Illinois and several other states, with “Best If Used By” dates through August 16th, 2026.

Stores that received affected products from Taylor Fresh Foods include Kroger, Target, Walmart, Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, Hannaford and Stop and Shop.

The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has also issued a public health alert for various meat and poultry products containing the recalled jalapeños.

Consumers are urged to check recall information before eating any potentially affected products.

For full lists of ongoing recalls from the USDA, CLICK HERE.

Salmonella infection can cause diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps. Symptoms typically begin 12 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food and usually last four to seven days. Young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems can face a greater risk of serious illness.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says Coast Citrus does not appear to have supplied jalapeños directly to grocery stores, but affected peppers were distributed through food-service channels.

Fast food restaurants, Chipotle and QDOBA, both received affected jalapeños. However, both chains have stopped using the recalled product, and the FDA says there is not currently an ongoing risk from those establishments related to this outbreak.

For details on the FDA, visit www.fda.gov.

Continue following taylorvilledailynews.com for all your local news, weather, sports, and more.

The company pursuing the Meridian Technology Park Data Center for Christian County, Eagle Rock Partners, has officially released a statement saying they are ending their pursuit of the proposed data center.

According to Eagle Rock officials, after careful consideration, Eagle Rock Partners has made the decision to end pursuit of its proposed Meridian Technology Park Data Center project in Christian County. Due to circumstances beyond their control, the delivery of the power infrastructure on which the project depended is no longer certain.

Eagle Rock states that they are deeply grateful for the thoughtful, transparent leadership and engagement shown by Christian County officials and community stakeholders throughout this process, and that they wish Christian County continued success as it evaluates future economic development and energy opportunities. 

Christian County officials have not yet started the process of establishing any ordinances around data centers. All discussions up to now have been preliminary. 

Get all your local news online at taylorvilledailynews.com.

Cover photo sourced from the Illinois State Police.

The Illinois State Police (ISP) reminds drivers across Illinois of an important roadway safety rule: when you see flashing lights on the roadside, slow down and move over.

Illinois’ Move Over Law, sometimes referred to as “Scott’s Law,” applies to a wide range of roadside workers. Among those roadside workers are emergency responders, tow and recovery operators, Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), Illinois Tollway personnel, and construction workers. 

ISP reports that so far in the year 2026 alone, Illinois has seen 9 Scott’s Law violations resulting in car crashes as well as 2 troopers who sustained injuries due to a Scott’s Law violation. State Police hope that bill recently signed into law by Illinois Governor JB Pritzker will make drivers think twice before ignoring regulations. 

Drivers who fail to move over and slow down for emergency vehicles and cause the injury or death of another person originally were charged with a class 4 felony and their driver’s license would be suspended. Now, their license would be completely revoked.

The law requires drivers to slow down and move over for authorized emergency vehicles displaying flashing lights while working on the roadway ahead. Importantly, those vehicles do not have to be stationary for the law to apply.

Drivers are required to take the same precautions whether the emergency vehicle is stopped or moving. The law also protects workers operating non-emergency vehicles with their hazard lights activated. Drivers approaching these vehicles are required to slow down and move over when possible, as well.

The purpose of the law is to give roadside workers and emergency responders additional space and time to safely perform their jobs while reducing the risk of crashes involving passing traffic. ISP encourages drivers to stay alert, watch for flashing or hazard lights, and be prepared to change lanes or reduce their speed when approaching vehicles stopped or working along the roadway.

A few seconds of slowing down and moving over can make a major difference for the people working just feet away from traffic. When you see flashing lights on the roadside, remember to slow down and move over. 

More information on the Illinois State Police can be found at isp.illinois.gov.

Continue to get all your local news, sports, weather, and much more at taylorvilledailynews.com.

Students at Pana Elementary School can expect a number of engaging activities in the opening days of the new school year.  The first day for students is Friday, but they will have the opportunity to meet their teachers and classmates at a “meet the teacher” night on Thursday from 5-6:30 p.m.  Assistant Principal Angela Matthews says students will meet not only their teacher but also their classmates, and parents can learn more about what to expect. 

For kindergartners, their first three days will be half-days.  Matthews says this is to further acclimate them to the school environment. 

Pana Elementary Schools notes to families of kindergartners that bus service will not be available to such students on those three days. 

More information on Pana Elementary School is available at www.panaschools.com. 

Angela Matthews appeared as a guest on the WTIM Pana Morning Show. 

A company from Chicago, City Foods, Incorporated, is recalling approximately 3,215 pounds of ready-to-eat pastrami and corned beef products over concerns they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced the recall Monday. The affected products were produced July 16th and have a 60-day shelf life. They include Midamar Premium Beef Pastrami, Bea’s Best Cooked Corned Beef Brisket, and Kirsch Delicatessen Style Cooked Corned Beef Brisket.

The products bear the establishment number “EST. 1896” inside the USDA mark of inspection. They were shipped to food service locations in Illinois, Iowa and Michigan, and may have been distributed nationwide. The issue was discovered during routine inspection activities. There have been no confirmed reports of illness linked to the products.

Consumers and institutions that purchased the recalled products are urged not to eat them. The products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase. Listeria can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, people with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women and their newborns. Symptoms can include fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion and loss of balance.

Those in higher-risk groups who develop flu-like symptoms after eating potentially contaminated food should seek medical attention and tell their healthcare provider about the possible exposure. Additional recall information and distribution lists are available through the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service online at www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls.

Get your latest local news updates, weather information, sports scores, and more at taylorvilledailynews.com.

Taylorville CUSD #3 will likely turn to its financial reserves as part of its budget for fiscal year 2027.  That’s according to the proposed budget, the presentation of which dominated Tuesday’s school board meeting.

Superintendent Brandi Bruley led the presentation.  When board member Tom Finks asked about the district’s financial capabilities, Bruley said the beginning balances will allow for the plans. 

Bruley and the board note that the proposed budget, even with the expenses where they are expected to be, accounts for a number of cuts to various areas. 

The budget accounts for the school district’s projects as well as newly signed legislation to go into effect. 

The board voted for the public budget hearing to take place Tuesday, September 8 at 5:45 p.m.  They will then vote on the budget in the subsequent general meeting that same evening.

Other motions the board passed regard:

• An extension of the school district’s contract with Durham School Services,
• A facility usage agreement with the Christian County Board, 
• Proceeding with The Real Estate Group for selling the property at 609 East Stevenson Street, which students in the high school’s Building Trades program built.

Stay tuned for another story from the Hart Media Group in the coming days on the Durham contract extension and its potential implications.

The Christian County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about confusing notifications being generated during a software update to the correctional facility’s inmate communication system.

Some people may receive notifications related to previous communications from an inmate. The messages may tell recipients to “Reply YES” to accept a service or “Reply STOP” to opt out.

The Sheriff’s Office says no action is needed if the notification is connected to a previous communication. Recipients can simply disregard and delete the message.

Officials say the notification format is a legitimate part of the inmate communication system and will be used for future communications involving individuals who are incarcerated after the software update is completed.

If residents receive a notification regarding a future incarcerated individual, they should review the message and follow the instructions provided if they want to receive or respond to the communication.

The current notifications involving previous communications are being generated because of the software update. The service provider and Christian County Sheriff’s Office information technology personnel are aware of the issue and are working to correct it.

The Christian County Sheriff’s Office states that they apologize for any confusion or inconvenience and thanked the public for its patience and understanding while the system update is completed.

Keep following taylorvilledailynews.com to stay up to date with local news, community events, weather, sports, and much more.

A judge delayed the autopsy of a 15-month-old child Tuesday in the aggravated battery case against 20-year-old Braxton D. Williamson, of Bulpitt, ruling on whether Williamson's pathology expert can observe the procedure.

Williamson was previously arrested on a Class X aggravated battery charge following an investigation into significant injuries suffered by a 15-month-old child on July 31st.

According to the Christian County Sheriff's Office, the child was initially reported to have fallen. Medical professionals later determined the injuries were not consistent with a fall, prompting the initial investigation that led to Williamson's arrest. 

Williamson appeared in court in custody with his appointed public defender as the court considered a request involving the availability for Williamson's defense to acquire an expert to either be present during the autopsy, or for video recording of the procedure to be available for later review. The prosecution argued the autopsy should move forward as planned, while allowing the defense to conduct a second autopsy afterward.

To allow time for the defense's expert to become available, the matter has currently been reset to Monday, August 17th. The court noted the defense's expert's schedule was not yet known, but the expert could potentially be available as soon as Wednesday afternoon.

The judge ordered that if the state's expert agrees to have the autopsy recorded on video, the procedure can proceed immediately. If the coroner does not agree, the defense will have Wednesday and Thursday to have its expert present.

If the defense's expert is unavailable during that time, the state may proceed with the autopsy Friday or as soon afterward as it can be scheduled. The court also ordered that the child's body be preserved so the defense can conduct a second autopsy in the event the first autopsy isn't recorded and if the defense's expert is not present.

As of now, Williamson will remain in custody.

Further investigations and discoveries are ongoing at this time and no further details are available.

Williamson is presumed innocent until proven guilty. All charges at this time are allegations and a conviction has not yet been made.

Hart Media Group continues to follow this case, and will post updates as they become available to taylorvilledailynews.com.

The Taylorville Park District has a busy stretch of events as the fall season nears.  The regular events such as JFL football and the car cruises accompany one-off plans like a movie night in October.  Recreation Director Evan Mitchell says JFL games will again take place at the Don Bragg complex. 

The next car cruise will happen on Friday, September 4, with the band Prairie State of Mind providing live music.

The movie night will happen on Friday, October 2 at the Chautauqua building at Manners Park.  The feature that night is The Mandalorian and Grogu, and there will be a costume contest before the film starts rolling. 

More information on the Taylorville Park District and the aforementioned events is available at www.taylorvilleparkdistrict.com.

Evan Mitchell appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show. 

The National Weather Service (NWS) stated that Central Illinois may see some severe thunderstorm activity beginning late this morning into this afternoon. A heat advisory will also take effect at noon today and run until 8 PM this evening with heat indexes of up to 105 degrees.

According to the NWS, the highest threat is damaging winds, however the NWS also says that a couple of tornadoes cannot be ruled out. The NWS also stated that areas effected by the severe storms could potentially see wind gusts reach between 75 and 80 MPH. 

The storms will be pushing from Iowa into Illinois moving east-south east at around 45 MPH. Though the highest risk is to the northern part of the state with a risk factor of 3 out of 5, Central Illinois still remains at a 2 out of 5 risk factor. 

Pictured below are details provided by the National Weather Service in Lincoln, IL.

In the event of severe weather or should a tornado warning be issued for Christian, Sangamon, Macon, Shelby, or Montgomery Counties, get to a safe location, and if you have an AM/FM radio, tune your radio's dial to 96.1 WTIM, Your Only Local News Radio, for live coverage of the storms path. Get all your local news, weather, sports, and much more, at taylorvilledayilenews.com.

Lincoln Land Community College (LLCC) is extending its hours next week to give students additional opportunities to register for the fall semester.

LLCC Student Services and the Bookstore on the Springfield campus will offer extended hours. Monday, August 17th, through Thursday, August 20th, the offices will be open from 8 AM until 6 PM. 

On Friday, August 21st, they will be open from 8 AM until 5 PM. On Saturday, August 22nd, student services and the bookstore will be open from 10 AM until 1 PM for students to also have an opportunity to take care of registration and other needs. Fall semester weekday classes at Lincoln Land Community College begin August 24th. 

Eight-week classes will also begin August 24th, with another eight-week session beginning October 19th. Current LLCC students can register for classes through Logger Central, or by calling or texting Student Services at 217-786-2292.

New students should first complete an application. More information is available online at llcc.edu/new.

Continue to get all your local news, sports, weather, and more, online at taylorvilledailynews.com.

The Taylorville Police Department is seeking to reassure the public over its use of “Flock” cameras.  These devices are designed to monitor roadways and collect visible information of vehicles they observe.  TPD and other agencies have justified the use of Flock cameras, saying they assist with finding people wanted for suspected crimes and protecting those in danger.  The devices have, however, been the subject of controversies in recent years.  Concerns around license plate detection errors, data collection, and more have led to campaigns and proposed legislation to end their use.

Taylorville Police Chief Dwayne Wheeler defends the use of these cameras by his department.  He says his staff input the details of a vehicle relevant to an incident into the system, which can then alert officers if it detects the vehicle. 

Chief Wheeler also spoke on worries that officers may use the cameras and the information they collect for their personal purposes.  He says department policies around access ensure this cannot happen. 

More information on the Taylorville Police Department is available at www.taylorville.net/police-dept. 

Police Chief Dwayne Wheeler appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show. 

Hart Media Group, LLC is preparing to host its first annual Summer Scramble, bringing local golfers, businesses and community members together for a day on the course.

The event is scheduled for Friday, August 14th, at Lakeshore Golf Course in Taylorville. Registration will open at 9 AM, with a shotgun start at 10 AM. Golf awards and prizes are scheduled for approximately 2:30 PM.

Organizers say the event will offer more than just a round of golf. Participants will enjoy 18 holes of golf, lunch, raffle prizes, and time to connect with friends, local businesses and other community members. The event will also feature a live broadcast from Groovy 97.3 WRAN.

Space for the Summer Scramble is limited, and those interested in participating are encouraged to register soon. To register online, CLICK HERE or use your smartphone camera to scan the QR code included on the event flyer seen below.

The Summer Scramble is part of Hart Media Group's efforts to support local news, local sports and local communities, while bringing area residents and businesses together for a day of fun and networking.

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

The Taylorville community will have the opportunity to learn tonight about the budget the city’s school district is proposing for the next fiscal year.  The budget presentation is one of over two-dozen items on the agenda for the Taylorville School Board’s monthly meeting.  As always, it will take place at 6 p.m. in the school district’s boardroom at 1100 North Sportsman Drive, next to the high school.

In addition to the budget presentation, the board will vote on the proposed public budget hearing and approval vote date, which looks set to be Tuesday, September 8. The hearing would begin at 5:45 p.m. on that day.  The board will also vote on contract renewals regarding Durham School Services and technology network infrastructure management, along with the district health care plan and district evaluators.

Other notable agenda items include:

• Votes on four facility usage agreements, including one by the Christian County Board,
• Addressing six FOIA requests,
• A vote on a realtor for a property sale.

As is customary, before new business, the board will hear public comment, review and approve claims, and hear the treasurer’s report.  Superintendent Brandi Bruley will present her report near the end of the meeting.

There will also be a moment of silence to remember Sandy Ward, a former elementary teacher in the district who died on July 26.

Stay tuned for updates after the meeting. 

Two Effingham-area soldiers who gave their lives while serving their country will be honored Tuesday with the dedication of two memorial overpasses.

The dedication ceremony is scheduled for 2 PM Tuesday, August 11th, at the Workman Sports Complex in Effingham. The memorials were established through two Illinois Senate Joint Resolutions (SJR), filed by Illinois State Senator Steve McClure.

The resolutions designate the Fourth Street overpass over Interstate 57 and Interstate 70 as the Chief Warrant Officer 2 Christopher Donaldson Memorial Overpass. The Fayette Avenue overpass over I-57 and I-70 will be designated as the Sergeant Timothy Sayne Memorial Overpass.

Donaldson was a 1995 graduate of Effingham High School. He served as a Chief Warrant Officer with the U.S. Army’s 3rd Battalion, 10th Aviation Regiment, part of the Army’s 10th Mountain Division, based at Fort Drum in New York. Donaldson was killed on May 5th, 2006, when a CH-47 Chinook military helicopter crashed during combat operations in Afghanistan.

Pictured Below: Chief Warrant Officer 2, Christopher Donaldson

Sayne, also an Effingham High School graduate, served with the Army’s 5th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, which was part of the 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division’s Stryker Brigade Combat Team. Sayne was killed in action in Afghanistan on September 18th, 2011.

Pictured Below: Sergant Timothy Sayne

Tuesday’s dedication will honor the service and sacrifice of both men, while creating permanent reminders of their commitment to their country and community.

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

With its merger with Central Commodity FS now complete, Gateway FS is turning its attention to navigating the current ag industry.  Declining commodity prices and rising input costs have created challenges for farmers and equipment vendors alike.  The company hopes its wider geographical reach will allow it to better support customers for whom these trends are highly relevant. 

Mark Bauman, general manager for Gateway FS, says even improved outcomes in the coming harvest season will likely take a few years to become apparent in commodity markets.

Bauman says Gateway FS will do what it can to support customers despite what he says is the company’s scarce say on prices. 

More information on Gateway FS is available at www.fscooperatives.com/gatewayfs.

Mark Bauman appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show.

The potential for strong to severe thunderstorms is increasing across parts of Central Illinois on Tuesday, August 11th, with damaging winds being the primary concern.

Forecasters say storms could organize into a complex of windy thunderstorms and move southeast across the area. The storms are expected to develop fairly quickly late Tuesday morning as a remnant area of energy moves into Illinois from Iowa.

The main timeframe being watched is from approximately 10 AM through 7 PM Tuesday, although forecasters say the exact timing and location of the strongest storms will be refined as the event gets closer.

The greatest potential for strong storms currently appears to be along and north of Interstate 74. Storms in that area could produce wind gusts of 75 miles per hour or higher.

Residents should remain weather aware throughout the day and have multiple ways to receive weather warnings. If a severe thunderstorm warning is issued for your location, move indoors and stay away from windows.

High winds can also create additional hazards by knocking down tree limbs and power lines and blowing around unsecured outdoor objects. If possible, bring in or secure items such as patio furniture, decorations, trash cans and other loose objects before storms arrive.

Residents are encouraged to monitor the latest forecasts Tuesday and be prepared to take shelter quickly if severe weather develops.

Pictured below is an image sourced from WCIA Meteorologist, Jacob Dickey, showing the effected area:

To stay up to date live and in the moment during severe weather in Christian County, tune your radio dial to 96.1 WTIM, Your Only Local News Radio. Stay up to date with local weather, news, sports, and much more at taylorvilledailynews.com.

One non-profit organization is seeking to end veteran homelessness one step across America at a time.  Walkering Across America is organizing a nationwide walk to raise money for the cause.  The goal is to walk from the Wounded Warrior Project headquarters in Jacksonville, Florida to Tacoma, Washington.  The journey’s walking distance is projected to be 3,228 miles.  For context, the route for the 2026 men’s Tour de France measured 2,016 miles.  Organizers have done smaller walks – including within Taylorville – in recent weeks to raise awareness of their efforts.

Ryan Horn is the CEO of the Walkering Across America Foundation.  He says his organization seeks to ensure any homeless veteran seeking support receives an initial setup within 24 hours. 

The process continues from there, with the goal of helping veterans transition into more and more of a “normal” civilian life.

Horn says he at one point became homeless after returning from duty.  He believes every person who has served the country should have access to what they need to survive when they come back.

More information on the Walkering Across America Foundation is available at www.thewaaf.com.

Ryan Horn appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show. 
 

The Montgomery County Health Department is reminding residents to take precautions against mosquito bites after routine testing identified multiple mosquito samples positive for West Nile Virus.

According to Environmental Health Director Cyndy Howard, positive samples have been collected in Nokomis on July 10th, Farmersville on July 15th, 20th and 22nd, Taylor Springs on August 3rd, and Witt on July 17th.

Health officials say the frequent West Nile Virus activity is a reminder to eliminate potential mosquito breeding areas and protect yourself from mosquito bites while outdoors.

Residents are encouraged to report potential breeding sites so they can be investigated and treated if necessary. In communities with organized mosquito control programs, reports can be made to the local municipal hall. Other potential breeding sites can be reported to the Montgomery County Health Department.

The health department also has a limited supply of BTI briquettes available for county residents to treat mosquito breeding areas on their own properties.

West Nile Virus is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. Most people who become infected do not develop symptoms, but illness can include fever, headache and body aches. More serious complications, including encephalitis and meningitis, are possible, particularly for people over the age of 50.

The Montgomery County Health Department has been conducting West Nile surveillance since May by trapping and testing adult mosquitoes. Despite the health department not testing dead birds this year, residents who observe a sick or recently dead crow, blue jay, robin or other perching bird are still encouraged to report it to the health department for monitoring purposes. 

To make a sick or dead bird report, call the health department at 217-532-2001.

Additional details on the West Nile virus can be found online at idph.state.il.us.

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

Students at Taylorville Junior High School this year will have a new principal in the building.  Grant Graham has taken over the role this summer.  The native of Virden has spent time in the South Fork School District as an elementary school physical education teacher and later in an administrative role.  He also served as an assistant coach of the high school’s eight-man football team.

Graham says the common desire between him, other administrators, faculty, and parents for students to succeed will help lead to that outcome. 

Graham adds he has fond memories of being in Taylorville and that they drew him back when the opportunity arose. 

More information on Taylorville Junior High School is available at tjhs.tcusd3.org.

Grant Graham appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show as part of our monthly Taylorville Schools Good News Segment. 

The American Red Cross says its volunteers stayed busy throughout Illinois during the month of July, responding not only to severe storms, tornadoes and flooding, but also to dozens of home fires across the state.

According to the Red Cross, volunteers responded to 125 home fires during July, helping 365 people, including families with children, as they worked to recover from those emergencies. The organization says those home fires came during an already active disaster season, with volunteers also responding to multiple weather-related emergencies.

Red Cross disaster teams provided emergency supplies, emotional support, health and mental health services, financial assistance, and temporary shelter to those affected. Volunteers continue working with many families to help meet their ongoing recovery needs.

Anyone needing assistance after a home fire or other local disaster can contact the American Red Cross by calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

The organization is also seeking additional volunteers as disasters become more frequent. The Red Cross says major disasters are now occurring somewhere in the country about every two weeks, creating a growing need for trained volunteers.

Some of the greatest needs include Disaster Action Team members who assist families after home fires and other emergencies, shelter volunteers who help care for disaster victims, and transportation specialists who deliver lifesaving blood to hospitals.

Free training is provided for those interested in volunteering.

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

The Social Security Administration urges those who have undergone a name change to get a new Social Security card with the updated name.  This includes, and is most common with, those who have gotten married and taken their spouse’s last name.  Whether or not the application can be completed online depends on the state in which the marriage happened.  Jack Myers, a public affairs specialist at the Social Security Administration, says those married in Illinois and certain other states must apply in person for an updated card. 

With the exception of Indiana, marriage licenses from the states bordering Illinois can be verified electronically.  In those cases, the request can be processed online. 

Myers adds that there is no cost to getting a new card and that any request for payment for that service is a scam. 

More information on the Social Security Administration is available at www.ssa.gov.

Jack Myers appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show. 

Community members in Taylorville will have the opportunity to support a recently promoted cause.  “Walkering for a Cause” will take place Saturday, August 15 from 8-10 a.m., starting at the veterans memorial at Lake Taylorville.  The event is meant to highlight the Walkering Across America endeavor, which made its way through Taylorville in July.  This upcoming event is a two-mile walk, designed to give a taste of the overall effort.

Ryan Horn is organizing the event.  He also serves as the CEO of the Walkering Across America Foundation and was the man “walkering” last month.  Horn says the funds his foundation raises go towards helping veterans experiencing homelessness and/or mental health challenges. 

Walkering Across America is organizing a larger walk, in terms of both distance and participation.  The goal is to walk from the Wounded Warrior Project headquarters in Jacksonville, Florida to Tacoma, Washington.  The journey’s walking distance is projected to be 3,228 miles.  For context, the route for the 2026 men’s Tour de France measured 2,016 miles. 

More information on the Walkering Across America Foundation is available at www.thewaaf.com.

Ryan Horn appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show. 
 

Lake Land College recognized its Summer 2026 Practical Nursing graduates during a pinning ceremony celebrating the next generation of nurses entering the profession.

Among the local graduates, Taylor Pierce and Candence Sandiford, both of Shelbyville, received their nursing pins during the ceremony.

Brooklyn Roe of Sullivan was also recognized, earning one of the program's Practical Nursing Peer Awards. The award honors students who demonstrate professionalism while going above and beyond to help classmates in both the classroom and clinical settings. Roe shared the honor with Colton Moore of Mattoon.

Several additional awards were presented during the ceremony. Kaden Koeberlein of Effingham received the Clinical Excellence Award, while James Watkins of Edgewood and Samantha Thompson of Mattoon were honored with the Student Liaison Award for serving as positive representatives of the nursing program. The Marilyn Fuqua Thompson Nursing Award, presented to the graduate considered the program's top all-around student, was awarded to Jasmine Gast of Charleston.

The Summer 2026 Practical Nursing class also included graduates from Stewardson, Teutopolis, Mattoon, Paris, Beecher City, Martinsville, Highland, Casey, Effingham, Charleston, Neoga, Gays, Watson, Ramsey and Edgewood.

The Practical Nursing pinning ceremony marks the completion of the program and recognizes graduates as they prepare to begin careers providing patient care in hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities and other healthcare settings.

Pictured below is Lake LAnd College Nursing Instructor Nichole Jones with Jasmine Gast of Charleston during the Lake Land College 2026 Practical Nursing Pinning Ceremony.

More details about Lake Land College can be found at www.lakelandcollege.edu.

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

Nearly 400 people were in attendance at the annual Back 2 School Health and Resource Fair on Saturday, August 1st, setting a new attendance record and surpassing last year's event.

Hosted at the Christian County YMCA, the fair helped local families prepare for the upcoming school year by providing free backpacks, school supplies, health screenings, and other resources. Organizers distributed 250 backpacks filled with school supplies, provided 50 free haircuts, and offered 30 vision and hearing screenings for area students.

Families also enjoyed music, games, a fresh produce giveaway, prize drawings, and a free community cookout courtesy of Dinner Seasoned with Love. In all, 27 community organizations and vendors participated, offering health information and free resources.

Jay Boulanger, community health consultant for Taylorville Memorial Hospital (TMH), says organizers were thrilled with this year's turnout and are already planning for continued growth next year. He says the event gave local families a fun opportunity to begin preparing for the new school year.

Christian County YMCA Executive Director Bruce Blanshan says it was rewarding to see families come together and that many students will begin the school year with the supplies, support, and encouragement they need.

Operation Loaded Book Bag also celebrated a milestone. Suzy Traughber says the organization reached more students during this year's event than it had in all its previous 14 years combined.

Planning is already underway for next year's Back 2 School Health and Resource Fair, with organizers inviting additional community partners to become involved.

Pictured Below is TMH president and CEO Aaron Puchbauer Distributing Supplies and Information:

Information on Memorial Health can be found at memorial.health.

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

A young entrepreneur from Morrisonville is being welcomed into the local business community as the newest member of the Greater Taylorville Chamber of Commerce (GTCC).

The GTCC recently announced that Audriana Davis, owner of A.D. Luxe Nail & Hair Salon in Morrisonville, has joined its growing membership. Chamber officials highlighted Davis as one of their youngest members and praised her entrepreneurial spirit as she launched her new business.

The GTCC also said it is excited to support Davis as she builds A.D. Luxe Nail & Hair Salon and encourages community members to help welcome the new business. Officials also noted that more information about the salon will be shared in the future.

The addition of A.D. Luxe Nail & Hair Salon reflects the GTCC’s continued efforts to support local businesses of all sizes while encouraging the next generation of entrepreneurs throughout the area.

Community members are encouraged to show their support by welcoming Audriana Davis and wishing her success as she begins this new venture in Morrisonville.

Follow along with taylorvilledailynews.com every day for local news, sports, and weather updates.

Pictured below is Davis's new salon logo:

Pana Pride is seeking more volunteers to help with its planting work in gardens and pots across the city.  Volunteers and staff have been planting and watering throughout the summer and contending with heavy storms and hot stretches in the process.  The work is part of Pana Pride’s mission to beautify the city.  The organization’s president, Melissa Miller, says the pots and gardens are located in prominent spots in Pana. 

Miller says Pana Pride occasionally holds group events focused on plant maintenance to ensure they cover every such area. 

More information on Pana Pride is available at www.panapride.org.

Melissa Miller appeared as a guest on the WTIM Pana Morning Show. 

On Thursday, July 6th, the Taylorville Park Board held a special meeting to hear the Midwest Environmental Report from July 31st, recited by Maintenance Superintendent Ben Dempsey.

In Dempsey’s report he spoke about the pond and the ongoing algae and moss issue. Dempsey spoke with Tad Locker from Wildlife and Fisheries and was told by Locker that the algae on the North Pond is not an isolated incident as Wildlife and Fisheries have been responding to the same issue throughout the state of Illinois. Dempsey also mentioned that the pond at this time is too far gone to use chemicals to clear the waters, and they should let the problem sit for now. Once fall hits, a plan to skim the surface of the water will take effect.

Dempsey also stated that some of the fish within the pond have died, but not all of them due to the algae issue. It was also reported that once winter hits, the remaining algae that couldn’t be skimmed off will die off. Dempsey also said that the algae derived from natural causes. 

To do the skimming job on the pond, Dempsey mentioned that they will need a better boat to do the task. Dempsey explained to the board that he found a 12-foot pontoon boat in Effingham that will cost around $5,200 after the finalized purchase. The $5,200 will cover the boat, and the title and registration.

The board approved the purchase of the pontoon boat with all yes votes.

Keep following along with taylorvilledailynews.com for updates after the next park board meeting.

The Taylorville YMCA is inviting local students to celebrate the return to the classroom with its Back to School Party tonight. The event is scheduled for this evening, August 7th, from 6 until 9 p.m.

The party will feature music, games, and bright energy under the neon lights, giving students a chance to enjoy one last summer celebration before heading back to school. The event is open to students in grades second through fourth. Admission is five dollars for YMCA members and ten dollars for non-members. Food will also be available for purchase, with pizza costing two dollars and popcorn available for one dollar.

The YMCA’s Back to School Party is designed to give students an opportunity to have fun, meet up with friends, and celebrate the upcoming school year in a high-energy atmosphere.

For families looking for a fun way to celebrate the end of summer and the start of a new school year, the YMCA Back to School Party offers an evening of music, games, and neon-themed fun!

The Shelby County Recovery-Oriented Systems of Care (ROSC) Council, is offering free laundry services to area residents through its Free Laundry Days program. The program is held on the second Thursday of each month, from 9 a.m. until noon, or until available funds run out.

Free Laundry Days take place at Shelbyville Wash 'N' Fold, located at 202 North Cedar Street in Shelbyville. The next Free Laundry Day is scheduled for Thursday, August 13th, and is being sponsored by a local family from Shelby County.

Additional dates have also been scheduled through May of 2027. The September 10th event will be sponsored by HSHS Home Care and Hospice. The Shelby County Democratic Central Committee is listed as the sponsor for the October 8th and November 12th events. Sponsors for the remaining dates are still to be determined. Those dates include December 10th, January 14th, February 11th, March 11th, April 8th, and May 13th.

The Free Laundry Days program is receiving funding from the Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery. For more information, or to learn about the program, contact Landriah at 217-254-4826, or by email at landriah@ahourhouserecovery.org.

Get all your local news alerts and weather updates for free at taylorvilledailynews.com.

The Christian County Health Department is recognizing one of its own as its August Public Health Hero.

This month, the department is honoring Dottie, a dedicated WIC Clerk, for her commitment to helping local families and supporting the health and well-being of the community. WIC is a special supplemental nutrition assistance program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). 

Dottie is often one of the first friendly faces families meet when they visit the Christian County Health Department’s WIC office. The department says whether she’s helping parents navigate WIC benefits, answering questions with patience and kindness, or simply making sure families feel welcomed and supported, Dottie goes above and beyond each day.

Her compassion, positive attitude, and dedication to serving the community have made a lasting difference for local families.

The health department says Dottie’s work is an important part of helping families access the resources and support they need, while creating a welcoming environment for everyone who walks through the WIC office doors.

The Christian County Health Department is thanking Dottie for all she does to support the health and well-being of residents throughout Christian County. The department says it is grateful to have her as part of its team and is proud to recognize her as the August Public Health Hero.

Pictured below is Dottie, the Christian County Health Department Hero of the Month:

Further information on the Christian County Health Department is available online at www.cchdil.org.

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

Pana Pride is preparing for a busy fall with a number of events for community members to participate in.  They are all annual calendar items Pana natives are familiar with, and organizers hope to see at least as much success this year as with prior occasions.

First on the calendar is their fundraiser cookout on Saturday, September 19 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Pana Save-A-lot.  Melissa Miller, President of Pana Pride, says these fundraisers have been successful in the past. 

Pana Pride’s “Pana Market” allows vendors to set up and sell their goods.  This year’s edition is set for Saturday, November 7 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Pana High School.

After that is the holiday lights show at Kitchell Park.  “December to Remember” is the name of that timeframe, and Pana Pride is already accepting display donations.

More information on Pana Pride is available at www.panapride.org.

Melissa Miller appeared as a guest on the WTIM Pana Morning Show. 

The Taylorville Park Board met for a special meeting on Thursday. During the meeting they heard some updates on natural gas prices from Dale Snyder of Seven Utilities Management.

Snyder began his update by explaining how our electricity is powered in the state of Illinois. According to Snyder, most of Illinois is powered by nuclear power, and around 40% of Illinois is energized by natural gas.

Snyder also spoke to the park board about the price differences of natural gas between 2008 and today. During the update from Seven Utilities Management, some reasoning as to why natural gas prices were so high in 2008 compared to now was explained by Snyder. As per Snyder’s update, that price hike in ’08 was due to oil prices, and weather events making it harder to acquire the resources needed. Snyder also provided a chart to reference the pricing differences between 2007 and today. The chart referenced is pictured below

Keep following along with taylorvilledailynews.com for updates after park board meetings, city council meetings, county board meetings, and more. 

The Taylorville Food Pantry was the recipient of a large stock of leftover produce after Saturday’s Back 2 School Health and Resource Fair at the Christian County YMCA.  The fair – which Taylorville Memorial Hospital organized in collaboration with the Y – had food, school supplies, and more for visitors. 

Amy Hagen, a co-coordinator of the Taylorville Food Pantry, says Jay Boulanger of TMH informed her of the surplus of food. 

Pam Moses, another co-coordinator, adds that what they received is similar to donations that come in from local gardeners who wish to support the food pantry.

The Taylorville Food Pantry is located at 1429 East Main Cross.  They are open Tuesdays from 8:30-10 a.m., Thursdays from 5:30-7 p.m., and Saturdays from 8:30-9:30 a.m.  More information is available at www.taylorvillefoodpantry.com or by calling them at (217) 820-2651.

Amy Hagen and Pam Moses appeared as guests on the WTIM Morning Show. 

The Taylorville Square saw the opening of a new store called the June Tyler on Tuesday, August 4th. Hart Media Group paid a visit to the new shop and spoke with the store’s owner, Samantha Adermann, who is also the wife of Taylorville Fire Chief Matthew Adermann. Adermann said, opening day was a blast. 

According to Adermann, she was happy to see all the new customers coming in and enjoys being a part of the Taylorville Square’s group of businesses. Adermann also hid some “Golden Tickets” around the neighboring businesses to help draw customers into those stores as well. The tickets were redeemable for a custom gift bag from June Tyler.

Adermann also said the store’s name, June Tyler, comes from a heartfelt place. June comes from the owner’s daughter’s name, and Tyler comes from both Chief Adermann and Samantha’s  son’s middle name which is Tyler. Adermann also explained that they sell quite a large selection of different items, from women’s clothes, home goods, tumblers, and even jewelry. The store also has fitting rooms for those who want to try on clothing before purchase.

When asked about what sorts of challenges that needed to be overcome leading up to opening day, Adermann said that they didn’t have many, as the store that was there prior, Uprooted, was owned by Adermann’s stepsister, Jessica. Aderman said, the help from her stepsister kept the preparations going smoothly up to opening day.

The store has plenty of products to browse and even offers fitting rooms. Samantha Aderman invites the community to stop in, browse around, and see what they have to offer!

The photos below show some of the products available for purchase:

HOME GOOD SECTION - JUNE TYLER STORE

CLOTHING SELECTION - JUNE TYLER STORE

FITTING ROOMS - JUNE TYLER STORE

The June Tyler Store Owner - Samantha Adermann

For more details on The June Tyler, visit their website at www.thejunetyler.com and continue to get all your local news, weather, sports, and more, at taylorvilledailynews.com.

At Monday night’s Taylorville City Council Meeting, there was some discussion on Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).

Taylorville Mayor Bruce Barry and the council held a discussion and made a motion to add Chapter 17 to Title 10 of the Taylorville City Code.  This would provide a special use permit and regulations for BESS. Taylorville City Attorney, Rocci Romano, had some comments for the council.

According to Romano, the Taylorville Fire Department Chief Matthew Adermann has had contacts with some officials involved with the ordinance, and the only concern from them was the fencing requirement. Romano said that Chief Aderman has added some verbiage to the ordinance to reflect those concerns.

 Romano also stated that Chief Adermann added into the ordinance that the special use permit would carry a fee of 500 dollars. After City Attorney Romano finished with his comment, the council began the vote to approve this ordinance. Alderwoman Megan Bryant voted no, rendering the ordinance with a 8-1 approval. 

Another big topic of discussion was a motion to approve a proposal from Benton Engineering to provide grant activity delivery services for the city’s route 48 water main improvement project, in accordance with the Department of Commerce and Economic Development (DCEO) Community Development Block Grant Program. 

More details on the DCEO discussion will be posted to taylorvilledailynews.com on Friday. 

Check taylorvilledailynews.com at the end of the week for details on other city council discussions and keep following along every day for all of your local news, weather, sports, and more!

Braxton D. Williamson was recently arrested on aggravated battery charges against a victim who was only 15 months old. The battery ended up with the victim receiving great bodily harm.

On July 31st, at approximately 8:45 PM, the Christian County 911 Dispatch received a report of an infant who had fallen and sustained significant injuries. A medical examination that took place sparked an investigation. 

Evidence derived from further investigation state that Williamson is now under reasonable suspicion to be officially charged with aggravated battery, a Class X Felony. Hart Media Group Spoke with Chief Deputy Jim Baker of the Christian County Sheriff’s Office regarding this matter. According to Chief Deputy Baker, the investigation returned that showed this baby’s injuries could not have sustained from a fall.

Chief Deputy Baker also stated that this discovery by medical professionals stating that those injuries don’t align with that of a fall, is what kicked off the investigation. By the end of the short investigation leading up to Williamson’s charges. Chief Deputy Baker also stated that further investigation is still ongoing to uncover more details and that nothing else can be released at this time. 

Williamson had his first court appearance Thursday, August 7th, in Christian County Court. For the results of Thursday’s court appearance CLICK HERE.

Once the next round of information has been released, Hart Media will do a follow up interview with Chief Deputy Baker and will have another story to follow. Stay tuned to taylorvilledailynews.com to catch those updates. 

The Social Security Administration reminds the public of available monthly benefits to those for whom a parent has died and who meet eligibility rules.  The benefits are meant to support those who are experiencing the emotional challenges of this situation and may also face new financial hurdles.  Jack Myers, a public affairs specialist with the Social Security Administration, says the payments are generally only available for minors, with a few exceptions. 

The amount a beneficiary may receive depends on how much the deceased parent paid into Social Security and what other benefits the family is already collecting. 

Those paying into Social Security can use the agency’s website, www.ssa.gov, to determine how much their children would receive if they die. 

The application for survivor benefits cannot be completed online; it must be done either over the phone or at a field office. 

More information on the Social Security Administration is available at www.ssa.gov.

Jack Myers appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show. 

The Taylorville Food Pantry is taking steps to keep Cyclospora-ridden lettuce out of its stock.  The parasite causes Cyclosporiasis, of which there has been a significant outbreak throughout North America.  The vast majority of cases have been reported in Michigan, where two people have died from the condition.

Amy Hagen, a co-coordinator of the Taylorville Food Pantry, says they have been in communication with food banks in the region to receive the latest information. 

Pam Moses, another co-coordinator, adds that they look for verification from their food sources that the lettuce is safe. 

The Taylorville Food Pantry is located at 1429 East Main Cross.  They are open Tuesdays from 8:30-10 a.m., Thursdays from 5:30-7 p.m., and Saturdays from 8:30-9:30 a.m.  More information is available at www.taylorvillefoodpantry.com or by calling them at (217) 820-2651.

Amy Hagen and Pam Moses appeared as guests on the WTIM Morning Show. 

Taylorville City Council swore in a new firefighter to the Taylorville Fire Department on Monday.

At the first of 2 monthly city council meetings, Taylorville Mayor Bruce Barry swore in Dillon Glasscock to the department. Glasscock took his oath of office and is now a proud member of the Taylorville Fire Department.

Pictured Below is the newly sworn firefighter, Dillon Glasscock: 

Mayor Barry also recognized the Christian County Fair pageant queens, Miss Christian County Alivia Kent, Junior Miss Christian County Thea Shanks, and Little Miss Christian County Blakley Fisher. Mayor Barry spoke on the achievements made by each pageant queen, what they enjoy doing with their time, and what plans they may have for their futures.

Mayor Barry also dedicated August 4th as Alivia Kent Day, August 5th as Thea Shanks Day, and August 6th as Blakely Fisher Day in honor of the three new crown holders. 

Pictured below are all three pageant queens receiving honors from Taylorville Mayor Bruce Barry:

Junior Miss Christian County Thea Shanks (LEFT) Little Miss Christian County Blakely Fisher (MIDDLE) and Miss Christian County Alivia Kent (Right).

Miss Christian County: Alivia Kent receiving honors from Taylorville Mayor Bruce Barry.

Junior Miss Christian County: Thea Shanks receiving honors from Mayor Barry.

Little Miss Christian County: Blakely Fisher receiving her honor certificate from Mayor Barry.

Keep following along with taylorvilledailynews.com for more updates from the Taylorville City Council meetings. 

The next city council meeting will be held on Monday, August 17th.

Central Commodity FS and Gateway FS are now one company.  The two entities’ merger – the plans of which were finalized in March – took effect August 1.  Executives hope the merger will improve their ability to serve customers in all parts of the state.  General Manager Mark Bauman says the merger brings together two units which had already been providing similar services.

Bauman says one challenge the merger will pose is unifying its employee base around common efforts, considering the geographical separation between them. 

More information on Gateway FS is available at www.fscooperatives.com/gatewayfs.

Mark Bauman appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show.

The Village of Kincaid has issued a boil order for 5 residences west of James Street, in the direction of Bullpitt.

Health officials at the Christian County Health Department urge residents within the effected area to boil any and all water used for consumption at a rolling boil for no less than 5 minutes before using the water for drinking OR cooking.

The Village of Kincaid will notify residents when the boil order has been lifted. 

Follow along with taylorvilledailynews.com for an update once the order has been lifted.

The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office is reminding the public that parking restrictions will be in place at the Sheriff's Office during the upcoming Old Settlers celebration.

This parking restriction has been put in place to ensure emergency vehicles and first responders have uninterrupted access to the facility. The Old Settlers Days Festival in Hillsboro began Saturday August 1st and ran through Sunday, Then reopened again today, Wednesday August 5th, and will go through tomorrow.

Starting this morning, the east parking lot at the Sheriff's Office will be closed to the public. Additional restrictions will take effect tomorrow afternoon when the North Main Street entrance to the Sheriff's Office will also be closed.

Officials are asking residents and visitors not to park in any blocked, barricaded, or otherwise restricted areas. Vehicles left in those locations may be towed at the owner's expense if they interfere with emergency access.

A limited number of parking spaces will remain available on the west side of the Sheriff's Office property and can only be accessed from Hamilton Street. Those spaces are reserved exclusively for individuals conducting business with the Sheriff's Office and are not intended for festival parking.

The Sheriff's Office says the temporary parking restrictions are necessary to ensure deputies, emergency responders, and other public safety personnel can quickly respond to calls throughout the Old Settlers festivities.

Officials thank the public for their patience and cooperation and encourage everyone attending the festival to use designated public parking areas while helping keep emergency access routes clear.

For all of your local news, weather, sports, and much more, visit taylorvilledailynews.com.
 

The Christian County YMCA’s fall soccer program is set to begin soon.  They are expecting high enrollment and are happy with the numbers so far with respect to sign-ups.  Executive Director Bruce Blanshan says the program is drawing interest even from outside the county. 

Blanshan says the “World Cup bump” he predicted earlier in the summer appears to be materializing. 

More information on the Christian County YMCA is available at www.ccymca.org.

Bruce Blanshan appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show. 

The Taylorville Park Board is set to hold a special meeting on Thursday at 11:30 AM.

In this special meeting, the park board will hear from Seven Utilities Manager, Dale Snyder, they will hear the Midwest Environmental report from July 31st.

The board will also have a discussion regarding Landmark Aquatic and discuss board committees and trustees’ communication.

The meeting will then go into executive session before officially adjourning. 

Keep following along with taylorvilledailynews.com for updates after the meeting.

Below is a copy of the meeting agenda.

The City of Taylorville is preparing for possible legal roadblocks associated with the recently passed ban on Kratom.  The city council voted in favor of a ban on synthetic and natural forms of the substance at their Monday meeting.  The city-level ordinance follows a tabled vote by the Christian County Board in July.  That motion came as a result of a proposal the Christian County Health Department passed two months prior.

Taylorville Mayor Bruce Barry says the concerns on the ban’s validity are associated with what can and cannot be enacted at city level. 

More information on the City of Taylorville is available at www.taylorville.net. 

Mayor Bruce Barry appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show prior to Monday’s city council meeting. 

The Christian County Health Department (CCHD) has confirmed a second mosquito sample has tested positive for West Nile virus this season.

The latest positive sample was collected on August 3 in Morrisonville and tested by Environmental Health staff on August 4 at the CCHD’s laboratory. The positive result confirms West Nile virus is continuing to circulate in the county.

According to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), a county is considered positive for West Nile virus when the virus is detected in a mosquito, bird, horse, or human. Currently, the health department has not announced any human cases in Christian County.

Health officials say mosquito surveillance and testing will continue throughout the county for the remainder of the season. Residents are encouraged to do their part by removing standing water around their homes, where mosquitoes can breed. Common sources include bird baths, buckets, flowerpots, old tires, and clogged gutters.

People can also reduce their risk of mosquito bites by using insect repellent, wearing long sleeves and pants when outdoors during dawn and dusk, and making sure window and door screens are in good repair.

Anyone with questions about West Nile virus or other disease vectors can contact the Christian County Health Department at 217-824-4113.

Information on the Illinois Department of Public Health can be found online at dph.illinois.gov.

Get all your local news online at taylorvilledailynews.com. 

The Social Security Administration says issues related to numbers and cards are the most common reasons for visits to their offices.  As such, the agency wants to inform the public about the logistics for such visits and whether these transitions can instead take place online.  Jack Myers, a public affairs specialist at the Social Security Administration, says document requirements often mandate an office visit. 

Those who use the agency’s website to arrange an in-person appointment will receive an appointment number.  This can be used to expedite the process at the office. 

More information on the Social Security Administration is available at www.ssa.gov.

Jack Myers appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show. 

The Christian County YMCA will soon begin its school programs for the academic year.  These are designed to serve as a place for kids to be when they are not at from school.  The Y can accommodate students before and after the school day, as well as on days when school is not in session.  Executive Director Bruce Blanshan says the support they provide includes transportation, healthy snacks, and more.

Blanshan says attendance at these programs has increased in the last few years. 

More information on the Christian County YMCA is available at www.ccymca.org.

Bruce Blanshan appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show. 

The Taylorville City Council met Monday night for its first of 2 regular monthly meetings to discuss banning the sale of an opioid like chemical known as kratom.

The ordinance on banning kratom mostly covers the sales instead of ordinances banning possession of kratom. City Attorney Rocci Romano stated that an existing ordinance covers age restriction on the purchase of kratom to 18 years old, and for some states it is restricted to 21 years old.

Taylorville Mayor Bruce Barry was able to ban the sale of both synthetic and natural kratom in Taylorville, with majority support from the council.  In the clip below, Romano explains the kratom ordinance. 

The motion eventually went through the voting cycle, and was passed 6-3 with Steve Dorchinez, Jim Olive, and Amy Hagan voting “No.” Kratom is now banned in the City of Taylorville, both synthetic and natural.

Keep following along with taylorvilledailynews.com for more stories to come out of Monday’s council meeting.

The Taylorville Community Credit Union (TCCU) announced that they are preparing to open the doors to its new Taylorville facility on Wednesday, August 5th. This marks the completion of months of planning, development, and construction.

According to TCCU President Will Perkins, the new building project took years to plan. Perkins also stated that before breaking ground on a design, the design team wanted to figure out what their members would want to see. Perkins also mentioned that thankfully, during construction there wasn’t much as far as setbacks go.

The new 6,303-square-foot building, located at 820 North Webster Street, has been designed to provide members with expanded services and greater convenience. According to TCCU President Will Perkins, the modern facility features an onsite ATM, private member service offices for opening accounts and conducting financial business, personalized drive-up service, and improved accessibility. The new location also additional workspace for staff and a community room that will be used for training sessions, meetings, and other events.

Perkins says the project was the result of a collaborative effort between the credit union's Board of Directors, management team, design and building partner Keeley Construction, and the City of Taylorville to ensure a brighter future for both members of the credit union as well as employees. Perkins also said that the biggest challenge with the project’s completion was himself. Perkins delayed the start of the project so that they can come up with a bigger end term goal before beginning construction.   

While the new branch officially opens for business on August 5, the credit union also plans to celebrate with a combined grand opening and Member Appreciation event in early September. Additional details on that event are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

Stay tuned to taylorvilledailynews.com  for all of your local news, weather, sports, and more! Additional information on TCCU can be found at www.tccu.org.

A round of potentially strong to severe thunderstorms could impact much of west-central Illinois Wednesday afternoon and evening.

The National Weather Service says the area is under a Marginal Risk, or Level 1 out of 5, for severe weather. While widespread severe storms are not expected, a few storms could become strong enough to produce damaging wind gusts over 60 miles per hour, hail larger than one inch in diameter, and even an isolated tornado. Heavy downpours may also lead to localized flooding in some areas.

Forecasters say not everyone will experience severe weather, but conditions could change quickly if storms develop. Residents are encouraged to stay weather aware throughout Wednesday afternoon and evening and have multiple ways to receive watches and warnings, including weather radios, smartphone alerts, or local media.

If a Severe Thunderstorm Warning or Tornado Warning is issued for your area, move indoors immediately and stay away from windows until the storm passes. Drivers should also use caution, as heavy rain and strong winds can quickly create hazardous travel conditions. Be sure to always keep a charged smartphone, battery backups, and if possible, a battery powered FM radio and keep it tuned to WTIM 96.1 FM, Your Only Local News Radio, to stay up to date during severe storms.

We'll continue to monitor the latest forecast and provide updates if conditions change at taylorvilledailynews.com.

The Illinois State Police is continuing its efforts to crack down on aggressive driving and road rage across the state as officials work to reduce crashes and violent confrontations on Illinois roadways.

State police say Illinois has seen the same rise in road rage incidents that has affected much of the country in recent years. Those incidents have ranged from aggressive driving and traffic disputes to crashes, confrontations, and even shootings on Chicago-area expressways.

To help improve safety, the Illinois State Police is dedicating additional enforcement resources to areas where road rage incidents are most common. Troopers are conducting targeted patrols and special enforcement details aimed at identifying and stopping dangerous drivers before situations escalate.

Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly says the agency has already conducted saturation patrols and special enforcement operations on Chicago expressways using troopers from across the state. Kelly says those efforts will continue, with a focus on drivers who show what he called "no respect for the law or their fellow human beings."

State police are also reminding motorists that everyone can help reduce the risk of road rage. Drivers are encouraged to remain calm behind the wheel, avoid engaging with aggressive motorists, give others plenty of space, and report dangerous driving when it can be done safely.

Officials say staying patient and avoiding confrontation can go a long way toward keeping Illinois roads safe for everyone.

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

The Taylorville Community Credit Union (TCCU) has wrapped up its 12th annual Freedom Tree community food drive, raising $3,200 in cash donations to help local food pantries.

The fundraiser was held across the credit union's four locations, with donations of cash, canned food, boxed food, and personal hygiene items collected to support families in need. In Taylorville, all donations will benefit the Taylorville Food Pantry.

TCCU President Will Perkins said cash donations provide an especially valuable resource because food pantries can stretch every dollar much further when purchasing food through regional food banks. Perkins also added that it’s been a struggle for everyone in the community right now with increasing costs for food and essential household items. This food drive was to help those in need, get their necessities. 

Perkins also said that their whole motive was to give back to the community. According to Perkins, each monetary donation allows food pantries to buy several pounds of food, helping maximize the impact of every contribution and allowing organizations to serve more local residents.

Perkins also said community support for the Freedom Tree food drive continues to grow each year. He credited the generosity of members and area residents for making the annual campaign a success, adding that while TCCU is proud to sponsor the mid-year food drive, it would not be possible without the continued support of the communities it serves. Despite the pounds of food donated being slightly less this year, the monetary donations have increased compared to prior years, Perkins said.

The Freedom Tree food drive has become an annual effort by TCCU to help stock local food pantries during the summer months, when donations often decline but the need for assistance remains steady.

Information on TCCU can be found online at wwww.tccu.org. Taylorville Community Credit Union has branches in Taylorville, Pana, Hillsboro, and Litchfield.

Get all your local news online at taylorvilledailynews.com.
 

A ribbon cutting took place Saturday, August 1st, at Sydney Lynn’s Little Book Shop & Vinyl located on the Taylorville Square. 

The ribbon cutting took place at 10 AM and was to commemorate the shop as a member of the Greater Taylorville Chamber of Commerce. Following the ribbon cutting event, the shop celebrated 5 years of operation with a full day of fun. 

From 9 AM to 6 PM the shop hosted an anniversary celebration that featured live music, free swag, huge sales on products, gift certificates, and even a spin the wheel contest with prizes. 

At 10 AM, country style acoustic guitarist, Brady Joe Patton, took the spotlight for the first musical performance of the day. The band Either/Or performed at 12:30 PM. Wrapping up the performance portion of the event was Unchained, a band out of Rochester, Illinois. 

20% off on new vinyl records, and any used vinyl under 100$ was 30% off with anything over$100 being 20% off as well. The bookstore also had $2 select hardback books and $1.50 standard size paperback books.

A photo from the ribbon cutting can be seen below:

From Left To Right: Mark Wolfe, Mayor Barry, Dave Cowell, Doug Cowell, Kay Cowell, Lori Simmons, Julie Mayer. Photo Credit April Wolfe
For more information about Sydney Lynn’s Little Book Shop & Vinyl, visit the shop’s Facebook page.

Tractor pull enthusiasts will have the opportunity to take in such competitions for a worthy cause at the Christian County Fairgrounds.  The Ansar Ag Corps and Southern Illinois Pullers League are collaborating to host the second edition of their “Pull-A-Palooza.”  It’s scheduled for Saturday, August 8 at 11 a.m.  The event consists of competitions for 14 different classes, with variations for tractor weight, speed limits, tire cuts, and more.  The Pull-A-Palooza is free to attend, while competitors pay $30 per hook.  Half of the proceeds are paid out to the top three finishers in each class. The other half is donated to Shriners Hospitals for Children.

One class is for vintage modified tractors.  Jay Germann, one of the event organizers, says the event hopes to, in part, showcase all kinds of tractors. 

Dan Gregory is another event organizer.  He says the Ansar Ag Corps have long worked to raise money for Shriners through bringing their tractors to local parades. 

While organizers had room to improve on the first edition last year, they received high praise for the work on the track. 

More information on the Pull-A-Palooza is available on the Ansar Ag Corps’ Facebook page.

Jay Germann and Dan Gregory appeared as guests on the WTIM Morning Show. 

The Coffeen Fire Department alerts motorists traveling between Christian and Montgomery counties to plan for delays beginning Tuesday, August 4.

Illinois Route 185 will be closed from just east of Graham Correctional Center to Coffeen for approximately six weeks as road construction gets underway. Drivers traveling through the area will need to use alternate routes while the work is completed.

Officials are asking motorists using Coffeen Road as a detour to use extra caution. Unlike Route 185, Coffeen Road is narrower and may require drivers to slow down and be more aware of oncoming traffic.

Drivers are also reminded to use extra care at rural intersections, where tall corn and other crops can reduce visibility and make it more difficult to see approaching vehicles. Reducing speed, watching carefully in all directions, and allowing extra travel time can help prevent crashes during the construction period.

The Route 185 closure is expected to remain in place for about six weeks, weather permitting. Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead, follow posted detour signs, and use caution to help keep themselves and others safe while construction is underway.

For more information reach out to the Coffeen Fire Protection District by calling (217) 534-2410.

Continue to get local news breaks, weather updates, sports reports, and more, online at taylorvilledailynews.com.

With nine weeks left before Chillifest, more of the organizational components are coming together for the Greater Taylorville Chamber of Commerce.  Pageant registration opened on Saturday, and sponsor slots are filling up.  Interested contestants for the chili cook-offs can register, and shirts will become available as well.  Operations Coordinator April Wolfe says the Chamber intends to keep the community updated as more progress is made. 

Most of the higher-level sponsor slots have been taken, but more opportunities for interested businesses and even individuals are available, as well. 

For the first time this year, Taylorville Memorial Hospital will sponsor the kids’ zone.  Jay Boulanger, community health consultant for TMH, says the partnership is another way for the healthcare provider to connect with the community. 

More information on the Greater Taylorville Chamber of Commerce and Chillifest is available at www.taylorvillechamber.com. 

Jay Boulanger and April Wolfe appeared as guests on the WTIM Morning Show. 

The Taylorville Public Library is calling on the community to help keep its “micro food pantry” stocked.  They receive donations as well from the Taylorville Food Pantry, but demand has outpaced what the library has supplied.  The library hosts the micro pantry through its affiliation with the Christian County Prevention Coalition and also hosts that group’s monthly meetings.  Erin Crommett, who handles outreach and promotions for the library, says their micro pantry also offers hygiene and school-related items. 

More information on the Taylorville Public Library is available at www.taylorvillelibrary.org.  More information on the Christian County Prevention Coalition and their meetings is available at www.cc-pc.org.

Erin Crommett appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show. 

More than 800 full-time students at Lake Land College have been recognized for their academic achievements during the Spring 2026 semester, including dozens of students from communities across the local area.

To earn President's List honors, students must complete at least 12 credit hours while maintaining a grade point average between 3.8 and 4.0. Dean's List recognition is awarded to students with GPAs between 3.65 and 3.79, while Honor's List students earn GPAs between 3.5 and 3.64.

Among the local students recognized, Taylorville was represented by Jay Bliler on the President's List and Cienna Miller on the Dean's List.

From Tower Hill, Nathanael Ritchie earned President's List honors.

Stewardson students recognized on the President's List include Nicole Hammack, Garrett Hoene, Clayton Rahn and Hoang Hung Nguyen. McKenzi Vonderheide was named to the Honor's List.

Strasburg President's List honorees include Paige Stremming, Erin Althoff and Hunter Braden, while Hayden Bowers earned Dean's List recognition.

In Shelbyville, President's List honors went to Courtney Young, Cree McConnell, Alexis Johns, Alivia Young, Drake McDonald, Adelyn Long, Sara Tynan, Kylie Smith, Meredith Chambers, Logan Cook, Elizabeth Kirkbride, Karli Boehm and Jaden Miller. Seth Howell, Anna Perry and Alexis Jokisch were named to the Dean's List.

From Pana, President's List students include Brandi Tucker, Terra Herbord, Bailey Evrley, Hayley Hocq, Ayda Coleman, Alexis Hubner, Hayvn Evans and Jessica Evrley. Dean's List honors went to Gage Beck, Ashley McGuire, Issabell Reed, Madison Walter, Megan Scoles, Clyde Witt, Destanie Hamner and Grace Gordon, while Aaliyah Henschen earned Honor's List recognition.

Other area students recognized include Chase Tilley of Mount Auburn, Grady Sparks of Findlay, Tyler Gordon and Sebastian Carron of Cowden, Addison Wasson, Elizabeth Parks and Kaidyn Calame of Herrick, Kyle Klitzing, Beau Doedtman, Lucas Edwards, Lily Doty, Daniela Haslett, Kyleigh Wallace, Macey Sapp, Jaide Wilhour and Victoria McGowan of Beecher City.

More information about Lake Land College can be found at www.lakelandcollege.edu. For the full list of students that were recognized, CLICK HERE.

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

Taylorville Memorial Hospital is in the early stages of carrying out its next Community Health Needs Assessment.  The healthcare provider undergoes the process every three years, as do the other Memorial Health campuses.  The aim is to discover what the key health-related needs are in their communities and tailor their services accordingly.  Jay Boulanger, community health consultant at Taylorville Memorial Hospital, says the assessment process begins with data collection. 

Another step in the process is soliciting feedback from community members.  Boulanger says surveys will open up in the coming months. 

More information on Taylorville Memorial Hospital is available at memorial.health.

Jay Boulanger appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show. 

The Springfield-Sangamon County Regional Planning Commission, on behalf of Sangamon County and in partnership with the City of Springfield and the Village of Grandview, has launched a countywide brownfields assessment program backed by a $1.5 million grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The funding will be used to identify, assess and develop plans for the cleanup and future reuse of brownfield sites across Sangamon County. Brownfields are properties where redevelopment may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of environmental contamination.

The grant will fund environmental assessments, the creation of a countywide inventory of brownfield sites, community outreach efforts and planning for future redevelopment projects. Officials say the goal is to support new housing, commercial development, green space and other projects that improve public health and economic growth.

The program will initially focus on three priority areas: the Browning Road and Veterans Parkway Corridor in unincorporated Sangamon County, the Tenth Street and Rail Corridor in Springfield, and the North Grand Avenue East Corridor in Grandview. Additional properties could be added as the inventory grows and funding allows.

Community input will play a major role throughout the project, with residents and local organizations invited to participate in public engagement efforts and help shape future redevelopment plans.

The EPA grant runs from October 1st of this year through September 30th, 2030. For more information, contact the Springfield-Sangamon County Regional Planning Commission.

For questions or to seek more information, contact Lisa Peterson at Lisa.Peterson@sangamonil.gov or call 217-535-3110.

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

The Taylorville City Council is set to meet on Monday, August 3rd, at 7PM for its first of 2 regular monthly meetings to discuss several items.

Council members are expected to recognize the Christian County Fair Queen Court and administer the oath of office to new Taylorville Firefighter Dillon Glasscock.

Among the items on the agenda is a proposed ordinance that would add language to the Taylorville City Code prohibiting kratom within the city. Council members will also consider a redevelopment agreement involving T.G. Partners, LLC and James D. Mizeur for property, located at 815 West Spresser Street, through Business Development District Number One.

The council is also expected to discuss the purchase of a new 2025 KME K180 custom chassis pumper truck for the Taylorville Fire Department. The proposal includes authorizing the city to borrow funds for the equipment.
Another ordinance on the agenda would establish special use permit rules and regulations for battery energy storage systems, also known as BESS facilities.

Council members will consider approving grant activity services from Benton Engineering for the city’s Route 48 Water Main Improvement Project, which is being funded through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s Community Development Block Grant Program.

The meeting agenda also includes approval of a special events permit for the Kiwanis Club of Taylorville’s winter coat drive, which will collect donations in September to benefit the Head Start Program.

During committee reports, the Street and Sewer Committee will discuss a possible amendment to city code adding a no-parking restriction on the north side of the 800 block of West Market Street.

The council will also hear updates from the city attorney and mayor before considering approval of more than 419-thousand dollars in city bills.

Keep following along with taylorvilledailynews.com for updates after Monday's meeting.

BELOW IS A COPY OF THE MEETING AGENDA.

Lake Land College has recognized more than 700 part-time students for academic achievement during the Spring 2026 semester, including several students from communities in and around Taylorville.

To earn President's List honors, students completed between six and 11 credit hours in courses numbered 040 or higher while maintaining a grade point average between 3.8 and 4.0. Students named to the Dean's List earned GPAs between 3.65 and 3.79, while Honor's List recipients earned GPAs between 3.5 and 3.64.

Among the local students recognized were:

From Pana, President's List honorees are Kristin Hawker, Samantha Jerrell, Angela Lawrence, Wyatt Pauley, Skylar Maron, Brianna Mathis, Riley Laker, Olivia Nicholson, Gwenyth Clavin, Kaitlyn Davis, Morgan Frost, Jaycie Funneman, Lilly Jostes, Parker Moore, Laney Weber and Aaron Moss. Dean's List students are Alexis Speer and Kayla Moore. Honor's List students are Kylee Briscoe, Gracie Houser, Drake McNeely and Paige Smith.

From Shelbyville, President's List honorees include Buffy Foster, Carmen Kirksey, Brandon Plumb, Charity Boehm, Felicia Messado, Judd Snoke, Zoe Frederick, Claire Canada, Kylie Wright, Hannah Borders, Hadley Smith, Trinity Riley, Brooklyn Lynch, Hank Frederick, Ayson Fisher, Aylah Logan, Lucas Gill, Matthew Horsman, Ava Corley, Elena Lockart, Rylan Murphy, Henry Woolery, Macy Petty, Bodee Fathauer, Kadain In, Rylee King, Chase Boarman, Conner Boarman and Ephram Wood. Dean's List students are Aiden Hardy, Aidan Schumacher and Jaydon Vice. Honor's List students are Jessica Prather, Heidi Donald, Tessa Bowers, Austin Ulmer, Elaina Lopez, Jeremia Dixon, Emma Boehm, Sadie Tucker, Ryne Peavler, Mackenzie Jones and Tailyn Hancock.

From Tower Hill, President's List honorees are Aaron Guiot, Karalyn Endsley, Grace Elliott, Lila Wallace and Riley Adrian. Will Glick earned Dean's List honors.

From Hillsboro, Lakota Lyerla and Valerie Elliott earned President's List recognition, while Timothy Carrell was named to the Dean's List.

From Nokomis, Aubryanna Washburn earned President's List honors.

To view the complete list of students who were recognized, CLICK HERE.

Congratulations to all the students recognized for their academic achievement.

Stay up to date on local news at taylorvilledailynews.com.