Illinois Master Naturalist Program Accepting Applications for August Training

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•June 8, 2022• University of Illinois Extension, Coles-Cumberland-Douglas-Moultrie-Shelby Counties will be offering Illinois Master Naturalist training from August 10 – October 11 with the majority of classes every Tuesday from 5:30 PM-8:30 PM held at Douglas-Hart Nature Center. There will also be classes onsite at Warbler Woods and Shelbyville Visitor’s Center. The mission of the University of Illinois Extension Master Naturalist Program is to provide science-based educational opportunities that connect people with nature and help them become engaged environmental stewards. … Read More

Lake Land College Recognizes EMS Graduates

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•June 8, 2022• Lake Land College recognized EMS program graduates at an annual pinning ceremony in May. The recipient of the Top Student Award for highest score in the program was Joseph Batusich. The Professional Development for overall growth in skills and confidence went to Jordan Disch. Adam Payne earned the Perseverance Award for pushing through personal difficulties. … Read More

Woof – it’s Pet Preparedness Month

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•June 8, 2022• June is Pet Preparedness Month, and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) wants you to learn about the potential difficulties you and your pets face in an emergency. “A pet is an important part of your family and it’s equally important to include your pet in emergency plans,” said IEMA Director Alicia Tate-Nadeau. “If you have to evacuate, the single most important thing to you can do to protect your pets is to take them with you,” said Tate-Nadeau. “Don’t wait until the last minute to get ready. If a disaster is imminent, bring your pets into … Read More

Facts for Families: Monarchs, Milkweed and Mowing

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•June 8, 2022• By Cheri Burcham Family Life Educator Most people that know me know that I am very passionate about protecting monarch butterflies. I do my best to encourage people to plant milkweed seeds, and I hunt monarch caterpillars and relocate them to my indoor nurseries until they transform and are ready to be released as butterflies. Their numbers have been rapidly declining each year, primarily due to loss of habitat. Many landowners mow their ditches, and I cringe to see them mowing down all the milkweed – the only plant that monarch butterflies lay their eggs on and … Read More

Lake Land College Celebrates Nursing Graduates

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•June 8, 2022• Graduating nurses received their pins at the 2022 Lake Land College Associate Degree Nursing pinning ceremony. The Associate Degree Nursing Program Peer Awards were presented to Devin Mette and Megan Walters for exhibiting excellence in the classroom and in clinical, showing willingness to help others, caring nature, professionalism and spirit. The Patient Advocate Award was presented to Jamie Marley for displaying professionalism and compassionate care in the Associate Degree Nurse program. … Read More

Use of Backyard Bird Feeders, Bird Baths may Resume

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•June 8, 2022• Bird lovers may resume using backyard feeders and baths effective Wednesday, June 1, 2022, wildlife biologists at the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) advised today. IDNR originally recommended the use of bird feeders and bird baths be suspended through May 31 in response to the EA H5N1 strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Illinois. … Read More

Rural Residents at a Disadvantage with Mental Health Services

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•June 8, 2022• By Tammie Sloup Farm Week The sea of dark purple on a map of Illinois counties told a concerning story. Most of the counties were dark purple, indicating a shortage of mental and behavioral health providers in those areas. Only a handful of counties, mostly in Cook County and the collar counties, had no shortage or partial shortages. But it’s not just an Illinois issue. Mental health care in rural areas throughout the U.S. is in crisis. Heather Whetsell, Southern Illinois University Medicine Population Science & Policy administrative director, presented findings of a yearlong study into mental … Read More