OV Middle School State Runners-up and Two State Champions

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•June 1, 2022• Okaw Valley Middle School track sent 10 student-athletes to the Class 2A state track meet on May 13-14 in East Peoria. All 10 students that qualified, medaled at the state meet. The 7th grade girls team, which also won Sectional 8 in Assumption the weekend of May 7th, took state runner-up honors home with them. Gabby Totten led the way when she won the 7th grade girls long jump with a leap of 16’6”, took 2nd in the 100m dash, and 4th in the 200m dash. Erin Harris solidified the team’s success when she won the 7th … Read More

GOP Debate: Candidates Address Rising Crime, Texas School Shooting

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•June 1, 2022• By Jerry Nowicki Capitol News Illinois The six Republican candidates for Illinois governor faced off Tuesday night in Chicago, albeit on two separate debate stages, hours after a shooting at a Texas elementary school that dominated a large portion of the debates. A scheduling conflict between two TV networks – WGN and NBC 5 – had the candidates split into groups of three, with the NBC debate beginning at 6 p.m. and the WGN debate starting immediately after it at 7 p.m. NBC’s debate included Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin, the polling and money frontrunner, along with former … Read More

Tips for Picking and Cutting Watermelon

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•June 1, 2022• Watermelon is a summertime staple. Each summer, stores and farm stands have an abundance of watermelons on display, and many people feel no picnic or barbecue is complete without watermelon. Watermelon is a refreshing option on hot days. It’s ideal sliced and served, or can be included in fruit salads, smoothies or even “spiked” cocktails. The key to a tasty watermelon is knowing how to pick one that is ripe, while serving watermelon comes down to understanding some easy cutting strategies. • Choose a watermelon that has a firm, symmetrical shape. Avoid melons with bumps, dents or … Read More

What to look for in a Family Vacation Spot

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•June 1, 2022• Summer vacations were once an annual tradition for millions of families across the globe. Warm weather getaways to idyllic beaches and welcoming resorts have long helped families make lasting memories, and revisiting that trend can be good for everyone. Family vacation plans were put on the back burner during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a survey from IPX 1031®, 40 percent of respondents canceled vacation plans during the pandemic, while an additional 29 percent didn’t plan a vacation at all. But the pandemic alone cannot be blamed for people’s unwillingness to take time off from work, as … Read More

Loop Lake Shelbyville Bike Ride Lake

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•June 1, 2022• The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Friends of Lake Shelbyville are excited to be hosting the Loop Lake Shelbyville bike ride on Saturday, June 11th, 2022. All rides will start from the Lake Shelbyville Visitor and will include options for a 22 mile, 34 mile, 48 mile or a 65 mile ride. Proceeds for the ride will benefit the Friends of Lake Shelbyville (FOLS). The FOLS provides education, historical interpretation, recreational and environmental improvements at Lake Shelbyville. … Read More

Local Boy Scout Builds Bus Shelter as Community Service Project

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•June 1, 2022• by Crystal Reed NP Writer Seth Webner recently completed a community service project in Bethany as part of the process towards earning Eagle Scout rank. His project was a bus shelter located near Vander Burgh Financial Services. Since he was a small child he noticed kids waiting in the rain for the school bus and so he decided to create a way for those children to stay dry. … Read More