•January 17, 2024•

Cheri Burcham

Extension Educator University of Illinois Extension

Have you ever tried coming up with the name of an animal starting with the letter “a” and going through the whole alphabet?? What about coming up with the names of all the states that do not have the letter “o” in them? Or list the states that share a border with Canada? Do you like trivia questions? Riddles? Finding hidden pictures? If you do, congratulations, you are utilizing your brain in a variety of ways that is very beneficial for cognition! Also, if you do, you would love the Wits Fitness brain health classes that I have been facilitating in Coles and the surrounding counties since 2015! The purpose of these classes has been to educate participants on healthy brain contributors, and to present cognitive or mental challenges to participants in a highly social setting. Participants are not tested for Alzheimer’s Disease, and we make no claims that memory will be regained or that the classes prevent the onset of dementia. Wits Fitness classes simply engage participants in interactive activities that challenge thinking and therefore help them stay mentally active – which can contribute to maintaining and improving brain function. Read More

•January 17, 2024•

Big games dot the college and professional football landscapes each year beginning in late summer and ending in mid-winter. But no games are bigger than those that take place once the calendar turns to a new year. That’s when the postseason begins in both college and professional football. Read More

•January 17, 2024•

The American Cancer Society reports that cervical cancer was once one of the most common causes of cancer death among American women. Though those numbers have decreased dramatically as use of the Pap test has increased, cervical cancer remains a considerable global threat. That threat is a reflection of socioeconomic conditions, as the World Health Organization reports that roughly 90 percent of new cervical cancer cases and deaths in 2020 occurred in low- and middle-income countries. Read More

•January 17, 2024•

The American Red Cross is experiencing an emergency blood shortage as the nation faces the lowest number of people giving blood in 20 years. The Red Cross blood supply has fallen to critically low levels across the country, and blood and platelet donors are urged to make a donation appointment to help alleviate the shortage and help ensure lifesaving medical procedures are not put on hold. Read More

•January 17, 2024•

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is currently accepting applications for the 2024 DCFS Scholarship Program. Through the program, a minimum of 53 academic scholarships will be awarded to current and former youth in care for the upcoming school year, with four awards reserved for the children of veterans and two reserved for students pursuing degrees in social work in honor of Pamela Knight and Deidre Silas, two DCFS caseworkers who succumbed to injuries sustained in the line of duty.

Scholarship recipients receive up to five consecutive years of tuition and academic fee waivers to be used at participating Illinois state community colleges and public universities, a monthly grant of $1,577 to offset other expenses and a medical card. Last year DCFS awarded scholarships to 259 college-bound youth, the most in the agency’s history. Read More