•June 8, 2016•

Bats are starting to become more active, which means the possibility of exposure to rabies is increasing. Bats are the primary carrier of rabies in Illinois. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has already had 10 bats test positive for rabies this year.

“Never try to approach or catch a bat, or any wild animal, you find outside. Bats and wild animals that let people approach them are often not healthy,” said IDPH Director Nirav D. Shah, M.D., J.D. “Instead, call your local animal control agency for its recommendations on how to handle the animal.”

In 2015, 97 bats tested positive for rabies in Illinois. Any wild mammal, such as raccoons, skunks, foxes, coyotes and bats, can have rabies and transmit it to humans.

Rabies is a virus that affects the nervous system. People can get rabies after being bitten by an infected animal. Rabies can also be contracted when saliva from a rabid animal gets directly into a person’s eyes, nose, mouth or a wound. People usually know when they have been bitten by a bat, but bats have very small teeth and the bite mark may not be easy to see. If you find yourself in close proximity to a bat and are not sure if you were exposed, for example – you wake up and find a bat in your room, do not kill or release the bat before calling your doctor or local health department to help determine if you could have been exposed to rabies and need preventive treatment. If the bat is available for testing and test results are negative, preventive treatment is not needed. Read More

•June 8, 2016•

The Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library has added “Learning Express Library,” a powerful learning resource to its online programs.

Featuring nearly 1,000 tutorials, practice tests, and e-books, this database helps students and adult learners prepare for the GED, ACT, SAT, or career certification tests such as the NCLEX-RN.

The Job and Career Accelerator provides specialized content and tools to help people find jobs.  It also includes occupational profiles, a real time job search engine, resume’ and cover letter builders and more.   Read More

•June 1, 2016•

First Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust was named 2015 Central/Southern Illinois Community Lender of the Year Award by the U.S. Small Business Administration at their summit and awards conference May 9. This award is presented to the community bank with the best overall performance record for lending to small businesses in Illinois.

Eric McRae, Executive Vice President and Senior Lender for the company stated, “First Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust is committed to the economic growth of the communities we serve. Small businesses are the engines that power our local economy. First Mid is honored to receive recognition from the SBA for the third consecutive year for our role in supporting small business.” Read More

•June 1, 2016•

With warmer weather arriving and grills lighting up all across Illinois, the Office of the State Fire Marshal reminds residents to take proactive measures to keep their summer barbecues safe and fun for all involved.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, between 2009 and 2013, US fire departments responded to an average of 8,900 grill-related fires per year, which caused an annual average of ten civilian deaths, 160 civilian injuries and $118 million in direct property damage. Grill usage peaks in the summer months, so it is not surprising that nearly 60% of grill fires nationwide occur between May and August.

Residents should also be aware of grill-related, non-fire burns. In 2014, hospital emergency rooms saw an estimated 5,200 patients for burns caused by contact with hot grill surfaces. Of those, about one third were children under five years old.

“There’s nothing quite like a flame-grilled burger during the summer,” said State Fire Marshal Matt Perez. “Since well over half of grill fires happen between May and August, we’re asking residents to stay vigilant as they prepare their summer meals.”

Fortunately, most grill fires and non-fire injuries are preventable if residents are proactive and cautious. The National Fire Protection Association provides the following tips: Read More

•June 1, 2016•

C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation announces the promotion of Laurie Jennings of Beecher City to the position of Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Program Director. Jennings began her new duties at the agency on May 16. As WIOA Director, Jennings will serve as a key member of the agency management staff and will be responsible for the day-to- day management, leadership and operation of the C.E.F.S. Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Program to ensure effective accountability, oversight and outcomes of the workforce development operations with clients, partners, funding agencies and local communities.

Jennings obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in organizational leadership from Greenville College and brings 23 years of employment and training experience at C.E.F.S. to the WIOA Program Director position, previously holding the positions of Workforce Programs Planner, Eligibility Specialist and Family and Community Development Specialist. Jennings resides in rural Beecher City with her husband Barry, and the couple has two grown children. Read More