Dr. Elie Daniel, an area podiatrist with clinics in Mendota and Princeton, will be offering a free foot screening at Perry Memorial Hospital on Friday, March 19th.

This foot screening is for any individual who is having problems with their feet including warts, nerve pain, muscle soreness or any other abnormality. Dr. Daniel will perform a thorough examination of the skin, nail, hair, nerves, muscles, tendons, bones and joints of the feet free of charge. He will then recommend a plan of treatment, if applicable. Please note that this FREE screening is for new patients only. Any follow up x-rays, labs, rehabilitation or other services are not included in the free foot screening. The clinic will run from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. and will be held in Dr. Daniel's office, Suite 204, at Perry Memorial Hospital in Princeton. For information or to schedule an appointment, please call 815-875-2643.

All material copyright 2010 Virden Broadcasting Corp. Kris Wexell

The Henry and Stark County Health Department and Bridgeway, Inc.
announces they will be conducting a Mental Health First Aid Training on
Tuesday, April 20th and Wednesday, April 21st from 9:00am-4:00pm at the
Black Hawk College Community Outreach Center, 404 E. 3rd St., Kewanee.

    The Health Department and Bridgeway, Inc. encourages mental health and
medical professionals, leaders of the faith community, school personnel, law
enforcement, community leaders and interested members of the public to
attend this important training.

    Mental Health First Aid is a 12-hour training certification course which
teaches participants a five-step action plan to assess a situation, select
and implement interventions and secure appropriate care for the individual,
the certification program introduces participants to risk factors and
warning signs of mental health problems, builds understanding of their
impact and overviews common treatments.  Thorough evaluations in randomized
controlled trials and a quantitative study have proved the CPR-like program
effective in improving trainees¹ knowledge of mental disorders, reducing
stigma and increasing the amount of help provided to others.
    There is no charge to attend and the day includes complimentary lunch,
snacks and educational materials.

    To register for the April 20th & 21st Mental Health First Aid Training
call Carrie Titus at (309) 852-7255.

All material copyright 2010 Virden Broadcasting Corp. Kris Wexell

The weekend of April 9 – 11 marks the Grand Opening of the Bishop Hill Emporium, located at 110 N. Olson St., Bishop Hill IL, in The Colony Hospital Bed and Breakfast. The shop features a varied selection of artist’s works and handcrafted artisan wares, many one-of-a-kind items. Many of the artists are from Henry County including Carolyn Stenzel, Jerry Hahn, Warren Hadley, Jan Hagan and Karen Vroman plus Dixon artisans Harry and Cindy Wilkinson. “We enjoy supporting and promoting artists and artisans. It’s so much nicer to buy a gift that has been made by someone’s hands and imagination,” stated Emporium owner Judith Gilbert.

On Saturday, April 10, author and National Best Book finalist Sylvia Shults will be on hand at the Bishop Hill Emporium from 1 to 4 pm autographing copies of her latest book, Ghosts of the Illinois River. “The river has seen centuries of history come and go and has witnessed its share of mystery and dark deeds. Sylvia Schults is your guide on a trip down the longest river in Illinois.”

Sunday, April 11, from noon to 3 pm, will feature musician Jerry Barton playing his dulcimer and offering mini lessons to anyone interested in learning how to play the dulcimer.

Regular shop hours of the Bishop Hill Emporium will be Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, from 11 am to 4 pm or by appointment. The Colony Hospital Bed and Breakfast is open 7 days a week beginning April through December. Availability and reservations may be checked and made online at www.bishophillbb.com.

For more information about the Bishop Hill Emporium or The Colony Hospital Bed and Breakfast, call 309-927-3506.

All material copyright 2010 Virden Broadcasting Corp. Kris Wexell

Kewanee Hospital was recently recognized by the Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation (MTF) for its efforts with the Tissue Donation Program.

“Kewanee Hospital has done fantastic work with their tissue donation program”, said Jerri Harding, Donor Developer for the Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation. “They are a small but mighty hospital that cares deeply for bereaved families.”

MTF is the nation’s largest tissue bank. As a non-profit service organization, MTF is dedicated to providing quality tissue through a commitment to excellence in education, research, recovery and care for recipients, donors and their families.

“In 2009, Kewanee hospital had a 100% conversion rate; every potential for tissue became a donor,” Harding added. “This is pretty incredible and means that the people of Kewanee and the surrounding area are very generous in wanting to help others in the event of their death. It also means that the nursing staff at Kewanee recognizes that sudden deaths are very different from anticipated deaths.”

“Our nursing staff serves families with the utmost kindness, caring and compassion,” stated Jennifer Junis, Kewanee Hospital Chief Nursing Officer. “Kewanee Hospital’s nursing team stands out in the crowd, and I am very proud to recognize them for their dedication to the Tissue Donation Program.”

Tissue that can be donated includes heart valves, veins, bone, skin, tendons and ligaments that can be used in a variety of transplant procedures as soon as 30 days or up to five years after the donation. The public is aware of organ donation, but few will meet the criteria. However, tissue donation can be an option for many Americans as one last gift to help the one million Americans who receive tissue during surgery each year. For every tissue donor, up to 50 lives can be saved or improved with little or no matching criteria needed. There is no cost for a family to donate, and donation does not typically prevent an open casket funeral.

All material copyright 2010 Virden Broadcasting Corp. Kris Wexell

Illinois State Police Captain Jeffrey Patterson, District Seven Commander announced that during the month of December, Troopers handled 2314 calls for service and assistance. Of these calls, 379 were to help motorists whose vehicles were disabled on area highways.

Criminal activities during the month included 7 persons apprehended for being wanted on outstanding warrants and 50 arrested for other criminal offenses.

Traffic enforcement activities resulted in 272 drivers arrested for speeding and 269 cited for seat belt violations. Driving under the influence arrests totaled 35, while 11 apprehensions for other alcohol related offenses were recorded. Troopers issued a total of 864 traffic citations and 1385 written warnings to motorists during the month.

Troopers and weight inspectors issued 28 citations for overweight loads and issued 128 written warnings for overweight violations.

District Seven Troopers handled 45 traffic crashes within the four county area of Rock Island, Henry, Knox, and Mercer. There was 1 fatal crash handled by District 7 Troopers.

All material copyright 2010 Virden Broadcasting Corp. Kris Wexell

The Illinois seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for January 2010 was 11.3 percent, up from the revised December 2009 rate of 11.0 percent, according to data released today by the Illinois Department of Employment Security. The unemployment rate is at its highest level since August 1983.

“Although there are some signs the recession technically might have ended, there continues to be significant job pressures in Illinois and throughout the country,” IDES Director Maureen O’Donnell said. “Economic figures such as job growth and the unemployment rate are only illustrative when looked at in the broad picture of a trend and not a single month.”

Preliminary Illinois data for January reflects job growth. However, January traditionally is a difficult month in which to capture employment data. Further, recent federal changes in data estimation might result in larger monthly fluctuations as the national economy struggles to improve. The three-month moving average of payroll employment in Illinois, a broader view of job creation, still shows job loss. Up-and-down movement in the number of jobs and the percentage of the unemployed are common in a national recession. Since the recession began in December 2007, the nation has lost 8.4 million jobs. Illinois has lost 407,000 jobs.

The national unemployment rate in January was 9.7 percent. It also was 9.7 percent in February. Illinois employment data for February will be released later this month. That is because monthly labor force data is revised each February to meet requirements set by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Therefore, previous data, analysis and comments should be discarded because they might no longer be valid. The revisions, combined with benchmarking efforts for that same economic data, delay the January and February jobs and employment reports each year.

The unemployment rate is not the same measurement as those collecting unemployment benefits. The unemployment rate identifies those who are out of work and seeking employment, regardless if they are eligible for unemployment insurance. Workers collecting benefits are counted separately. Therefore, a person who exhausts or is ineligible for unemployment insurance still would be reflected in the unemployment rate if they are seeking employment.

The Illinois Department of Employment Security administers federally funded employment services and unemployment insurance through its nearly 60 offices, including the Illinois workNet Centers. IDES also receives federal grants to provide and analyze labor market statistics and information.

All material copyright 2010 Virden Broadcasting Corp. Kris Wexell

Illinois Department on Aging director Charles Johnson is urging people to reflect on their health and adopt new strategies to promote a healthier lifestyle. At a recent meeting of health experts, gerontology students, university faculty, and community health trainers, Director Johnson told about the year-long campaign to improve the health and lives of adults, ages 55 years and older. As proclaimed by Governor Pat Quinn, the campaign 2010: Year of the Engaged Older Adult offers a monthly theme with the purpose of creating stronger connections among the generations. For more information, log on to www.law.siu.edu/GenServeGen.

The theme for March is “Aging is an Asset for Health.” To kickoff the month and generate ideas, a meeting was held last week in Springfield to discuss health promotion for older adults, and prepare strategies to disseminate throughout the state. Some of the areas of focus included: How to assess our readiness to take charge of our health, how to take charge of our health, and how to connect with healthy aging programs in Illinois. The goal

for this month is to anticipate the impact of aging on Illinois and develop a mindset that views older adults as resources rather than as problems to be dealt with.

“Health promotion is the process of enabling people to increase control over, and to improve, their health. It moves beyond a focus on individual behavior towards a wide range of social and environmental interventions,” said Director Johnson. “This month we encourage everyone, especially older adults, to join in efforts in your community to improve education and promote healthy lifestyles through service.”

Director Johnson is leading this statewide initiative that started when Illinois was selected to participate in the National Governors Association (NGA) Policy Academy on Civic Engagement of Older Adults. The project is designed to improve the health and lives of older Americans and increase their involvement in service, learning, and work.

Also part of the initiative is a team of dedicated professionals in Illinois who have been working to map out the best strategies to get older adults involved in community and to encourage more interaction between the generations. The core team includes representatives from the Illinois Department on Aging, Intergenerational Initiative-SIU School of Law, AARP, Serve Illinois Commission, Retirement Research Foundation, Corporation for National and Community Service, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, Senate Higher Education Committee, Illinois Community College Council of Presidents, Chinese American Service League, Illinois Association of Area Agencies on Aging, and McCormick Foundation.

For more information about program services to assist older adults in Illinois and their caregivers, call the IDoA Senior HelpLine at 1-800-252-8966 or for TTY (hearing impaired use only) call 1-888-206-1327.

All material copyright 2010 Virden Broadcasting Corp. Kris Wexell

The famous coiffe of impeached former Governor Rod Blagojevich served as the punchline for several jokes during "The Late Show With David Letterman" last night.  Blagojevich made his second appearance on the show since his ouster as Illinois' top executive last year.  Blagojevich read Letterman's top ten list entitled  "The top ten things Rod Blagojevich asked himself before appearing on 'Celebrity Apprentice."  The number one question was "Will my hair get along with Trump's Hair?"  Blagojevich will appear in the seaon debut of Donald Trump's reality this weekend.

All material copyright 2010 Virden Broadcasting Corp. Kris Wexell

Two children abducted Tuesday afternoon from a group home in Decatur were found early yesterday morning with their mother in St. Louis.  Police say infant J. Marcus Upchurch and his four-year-old brother Terry Smith appeared to be unharmed.  The boys' mother, Ebonie Neylon, is in police custody, along with two other people.  Police aren't saying when and if she will be charged.  Police have said they are still trying to find father, Marcus Upchurch for questioning. The AMBER Alert was issued after police said two men attacked employees of the group home and took the boys at gunpoint.  Police also found what they believe is the vehicle used in the kidnapping during a traffic stop in Litchfield.

All material copyright 2010 Virden Broadcasting Corp. Kris Wexell

Governor Quinn's Republican opponent for the November election had plenty of harsh words for his budget address Wednesday.  But State Senator Bill Brady of Bloomington said he did agree with Quinn's proposal to give tax credits for small businesses that hire new employees.  Brady said he wants a 21-hundred dollar tax credit for all businesses for each job created. That's down from the 25-hundred Quinn proposed for each job a small business creates.  Brady also reiterated his pledge not to raise taxes, despite the state's 13-billion dollar deficit.  Brady claims there are 40 to 45-billion dollars that can be cut or restructured in the state.  The Republican State Senator continued to defend his position on cutting state spending across the board, rather than massive cuts to education.  Governor Quinn criticized this belief during his budget address Wednesday.  Brady in turn criticized Quinn's proposal to raise taxes.

All material copyright 2010 Virden Broadcasting Corp. Kris Wexell

Illinois' top lawmakers gave mixed reviews to Governor Pat Quinn's budget address that was highlighted by a plea to the General Assembly to approve a tax increase to help off-set funding cuts to education.  Democratic Senate President John Cullerton praised Quinn for identifying the state's need to increase revenue.  He believes there will be enough support in the Senate to pass the increase, and calls on the House to do the same.  Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno said she would not support the increase, and called Quinn's proposal a 'political game.'  House Minority Leader Tom Cross also does not support the tax increase, and calls threats to cut education funding 'scare tactics.'  Both Cross and Radogno say the state should institute healthcare and pension reforms to offset the budget gap, but did not offer many specifics.

All material copyright 2010 Virden Broadcasting Corp. Kris Wexell

Governor Pat Quinn's budget address Wednesday challenged lawmakers to pass an income tax increase of one-percent to be used to offset cuts to education.  Quinn says raising the state's income tax from three to four-percent would bring in about two-point-eight billion dollars this year.  Without a tax increase, as many as 17-thousand teachers and school workers could lose their jobs after this school year. The state currently faces a budget gap of about 13-billion-dollars. Quinn proposes strategically borrowing and further spending cuts to bridge the gap.

All material copyright 2010 Virden Broadcasting Corp. Kris Wexell

Governor Pat Quinn today unveiled a fiscal year 2011 budget that will confront Illinois’ unprecedented financial crisis by getting the state on the road to recovery and prosperity.  In his budget address to the Illinois General Assembly, Governor Quinn said he is Fighting for Illinois by creating jobs, making significant cost cuts and proposing to enhance state revenues.

“We have a tough fight ahead of us. But I believe we can get through this difficult year together,” said Governor Quinn. “And as we go forward, we must make a solemn promise to the people of Illinois to end these annual fiscal calamities once and for all.”

Fighting for Illinois is Governor Quinn’s plan to attack the state’s $13 billion fiscal deficit while still meeting its most critical needs for the people. Governor Quinn’s plan centers on Five Pillars of Recovery: Creating Jobs, Cutting Costs, Strategic Borrowing, Continued Federal Assistance and Increased State Revenues.

The budget also includes more than $2 billion in proposed cuts, including a deep reduction in education funding. In his budget address, Governor Quinn called on the General Assembly to rescue education from devastating cuts by passing a one-percent income tax surcharge for education. The surcharge for education would restore the education budget to its current level.

“If we enact this emergency rescue plan promptly, we can keep thousands of committed teachers from getting layoff notices,” Governor Quinn said.

Governor Quinn’s Fighting for Illinois budget plan calls for:

Creating Jobs

Building Good Jobs – More than $6 billion in Illinois Jobs Now! projects are expected to get underway during the upcoming construction season, putting tens of thousands of people to work building Illinois roads, bridges, highways and schools. Illinois Jobs Now! is the state’s first job creation and capital improvement program in more than a decade and will create or retain 439,000 jobs over the next six years.

Small Business Job Creation Tax Credit – Because small businesses are the heart and soul of Illinois’ economy, companies with fewer than 50 employees will receive a $2,500 tax credit for each full-time job created over the next year. This credit, which is capped at $50 million, will help create 20,000 jobs for small businesses such as manufacturers, service companies and technology firms. It will also assist small companies that are developing “green” jobs, positions that are less likely to be exported to other countries.

Business Investment Packages – Since January 2009, 63 investment packages have created or retained nearly 12,000 jobs and generated over $1.2 billion in private investment. Ford Motor Company recently announced 1,200 new jobs coming to Illinois for the production of the next-generation Explorer SUV. And, thanks to a $24 million investment package, Illinois saved at least 3,000 UPS jobs this December.

High-Speed Rail – Projects financed through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) continues to create jobs. Illinois will become the high-speed rail hub of the Midwest with $1.2 billion in federal funding for a new high-speed rail corridor to connect Chicago to St. Louis. The project will create 6,000 Illinois jobs.

Cutting Costs

State Employees and Operations – The Governor’s plan includes more than $203 million in savings through employee furlough days, renegotiated employee contracts, employee health insurance savings and additional travel restrictions. The state will also change the way it does business, including reviewing, reducing or re-bidding all contracts over $1 million; historic procurement reform; and consolidating state office spaces.

Pension Stabilization – The state’s current public pension system costs are growing significantly, adding to the mounting deficit. Without bold reform, the system will fall apart, forever disrupting thousands of lives. Stabilizing the system so that existing employees and retirees will keep their current benefits, while new hires become part of a streamlined pension system will save approximately $300 million in the first year.

Health and Human Services – Services such as home care for older adults, child care and community mental health services will be reduced by $276 million. Scaling back prescription drug assistance and group health coverage for state retirees, combined with a managed care pilot program for seniors and adults with disabilities who are enrolled in Medicaid will save the state $325 million.

Performance Metrics – The state will implement rigorous performance metrics that will improve accountability and performance, and will make sure programs run more efficiently. A new Web-based system will be designed for collecting and reporting performance updates.

Education – Education will see approximately $1.3 billion cut from general state aid, special education, student transportation, grants and universities.

Strategic Borrowing

Cutting costs is only part of the equation; the state must also be able to pay its existing bills. Better cash flow management and strategic borrowing can help ease the crush of paying nearly $5 billion in outstanding bills owed to vendors, providers, colleges and universities. Strategic, low-interest borrowing is a sound financial tool that will help ensure timely payments from the state and protect relationships with providers, suppliers, small businesses and non-profit partners providing good and services to Illinois.

Continued Federal Assistance

Over the past year, Illinois has benefitted from significant federal funding for transportation, health care and education, which has been put to good use throughout the state. Illinois was recently named a finalist in the U.S. Department of Education’s ‘Race to the Top’ grant program.

The state is working to get extensions on existing federal funding for health care and education. Illinois is working to extend the current 62 percent federal reimbursement on Medicaid spending that could otherwise decrease to 50 percent on Dec. 31. The state is also working to gain an extension on $1 billion in federal funds for education set to expire at the end of the school year.

Increased State Revenues

Illinois desperately needs more revenue in order to fund vital services like education. Without new revenue, thousands of teachers will be laid off; schools will become over-crowded; and college tuition levels will increase dramatically.

Governor Quinn challenged lawmakers to pass a 1 percent income tax surcharge to support education. The surcharge will help restore educational funding, while also enabling the state to get caught up on the millions of dollars owed to public schools, community colleges and universities.

“We can’t afford to deny reality or delay action any longer. We don’t have time for any more partisan battles, parliamentary maneuvers or political expediency,” said Governor Quinn. “As we tackle this budget, let’s remember: We are fighting for our children, our communities, and the future of our state.”

Recognizing the importance of an interactive budgetary process, Governor Quinn reformed the process so that, for the first time, all Illinoisans could participate. The Governor launched Budget.Illinois.gov, which allowed everyday residents to learn about the state budget and make suggestions. The site has received more than 12,000 comments to date. 

All material copyright 2010 Virden Broadcasting Corp. Kris Wexell

The Galesburg Civic Art Center proudly announces the opening of the national juried GALEX 44 Exhibition and Competition.  The exhibition opens Saturday, March 13^h and runs through Saturday, April 10^th.  The competition awards over $2,000 in prizes including a $1,000 Purchase Award sponsored by Blick Art Materials.  The GALEX 44 Exhibition is sponsored by our exhibition partner Cottage Hospital.

There will be an opening reception on Saturday, March 13^th, from 6-8 p.m. which is free and open to the public.  Many of the artists will be in attendance.

GALEX is one of the longest running juried exhibitions in the country.  It began in 1966 and has been an annual event at the Art Center ever since.  Fifty-five artists from Illinois and other states have been selected to participate in this show.  A variety of media will be represented including oil, watercolor, acrylic, collage, photography, fiber and sculpture.

The juror for this year’s exhibition and competition is Jim Richerson, of Peoria, IL. Jim Richerson’s career in art and museums spans thirty years and includes projects in Chicago, Central Illinois, Madison, WI, Central New York, Jordan, Malta, Puerto Rico, New Zealand and Tunisia. Museum work is his chosen form of artistic expression. Since May of 2000 he has been the president and CEO of Lakeview Museum of Arts and Sciences. He has worked and has been in residence overseas as an Academic Specialist for the United States Information Service, has been a multi-year Fulbright scholar, worked as a consultant for the J. Paul Getty Trust and a museum consultant to the Maltese and Jordanian governments. In 2007 he was a pro bono consultant to the University of Puerto Rico at Cayey. Active participation in the greater museum community includes being the founding co-chair of the American Association of Museums Professional Interest Committee on Green Museum initiatives, Vice Chair of the Board of the Association of Midwest Museums, a reviewer of grants for the Institute of Museums and Library Services and a museum site reviewer for the AAM.  He holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in design and sculpture from the University of Chicago, a Bachelor of Arts from Coe College and certificates in Museum Management from the University of Colorado-Boulder and Nonprofit Finance from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. In 1984, after designing the interior of an archaeological site museum in the ancient city of Carthage in present day Tunisia, he discovered his chosen art form to be in the creation and programming of museums.

Additional award sponsors of this year’s GALEX show are Breslin’s Floor Covering for the Award of Excellence, McFall Monument Company for the Medallion Award, and Blick Art Materials for the Kent Leasure Memorial Fine Print Award. Dowers Roofing is our Juror Sponsor.

GALEX and all other programs of the Art Center are partially funded by the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency. The Galesburg Civic Art Center has received arts jobs preservation support from the Illinois Arts Council made possible by the National Endowment for the Arts through funds allocated from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

The Galesburg Civic Art Center is located at 114 E. Main St. in Galesburg, Illinois.  Art Center hours are Tuesday through Friday 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  For more information please contact the Art Center at (309) 342-7415, or visit our web site at www.galesburgarts.org

All material copyright 2010 Virden Broadcasting Corp. Kris Wexell

The Stark County Health Department announces that it is offering a new
community-based exercise program.  The Heart Smart for Women program is
designed to help women find ways to fit physical activity in to their lives.
The program will be held on Thursdays April 1st - June 17th from 6:00-7:00
p.m. at the Stark County Elementary School, Wyoming.  There is no charge to
enroll in the program, but space is limited.  Incentives and screenings are
included for participants.

    According to Carrie Titus, Community Health Educator at the Health
Department, the program is for couch potatoes who just can¹t seem to find
the time to exercise.  ³Exercise provides so many health benefits.  It helps
prevent obesity, lowers risk for heart disease, contributes to stronger
bones, helps improve mental health, plus many, many other health benefits.
The fact that so many people ­ 85% of our population ­ are irregularly
active or not physically active at all is a major health problem in this
country.²

    Participants meet in the evening for one hour each week for 12 weeks.
The sessions train participants to use lifestyle management strategies such
as setting goals, getting support, preventing relapses, etc. to fit physical
activity into their own, unique lives.  In fact, participants don¹t exercise
during the weekly meetings.  Instead, they find ways to be active each day,
at home, at work, while on vacation, when traveling, etc.  Brisk walking,
raking leaves, washing the car, and vigorous vacuuming are examples of ways
participants can become more active.  ³This way every individual designs the
Oexercise program¹ that they enjoy most and works the best for them,² says
Ms. Titus.

    The Stark County Health Department is providing this state-of-the-art
course because it sees the potential benefits to its members, their
families, and the community at large.  By helping people become more
physically active,the Health Department is working to fulfill its mission to
³protect and improve the health of the community.

    To register or for more information, contact Carrie Titus at
309-852-7255 or visit the Health Department's website at
www.henrystarkhealth.com.

All material copyright 2010 Virden Broadcasting Corp. Kris Wexell

During American Heart Month, Dr. Damon T. Arnold, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, today joined the American Heart Association and Conference of Women Legislators (COWL) in the Capitol Blue Room to help raise awareness about heart disease. Legislators in attendance were able to get a pulse on their health by testing out the My Life Check Web site.

Heart disease the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States, and women account for almost 53 percent of all heart disease deaths according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In fact, one in every four women dies of heart disease. The latest statistics show that in 2007, more than 13,000 women in Illinois died from heart disease. In 2008, more than 155,000 women were told they had a heart attack.

“To help prevent heart disease, we know we need to eat a heart healthy diet, exercise, quit smoking and control other health concerns such as diabetes. We need to encourage these healthy habits and try to reduce the chances of women in our lives developing heart disease,” said Dr. Arnold. “Together, we can help promote heart disease awareness and heart healthy living.”

“We want to reach out to women to teach them the warning signs of heart disease and the
risk factors, to help them live longer, stronger, healthier lives,” American Heart Association volunteer and national television commentator Laura Schwartz said. “We have all been touched by heart disease in some way, and American Heart Month is the perfect time to educate ourselves and our family and friends on how to prevent this number one killer of women.” 

During the event, legislators had the opportunity to test and demonstrate the My Life Check Web site (http://mylifecheck.heart.org), a tool designed by the American Heart Association and aimed at improving health by educating the public on how best to live. The Web site features a three to five minute assessment that will help users understand their current level of cardiovascular health, assess their individual health needs, help them to commit to steps to improve their health and quality of life, and move closer to personal health goals.

My Life Check offers seven steps to help live a long, productive healthy life:

· Get Active

· Eat Better

· Lose Weight

· Stop Smoking

· Control Cholesterol

· Manage Blood Pressure

· Reduce Blood Sugar

“More women die of cardiovascular disease than the next five causes of death combine, including all forms of cancer. I want to urge everyone, especially women, to learn about the signs, symptoms and treatments for heart disease, as well as the steps they can take to ensure good heart health,” said Rep. Sandra Pihos (R-Glen Ellyn) and co-chair of the Conference of Women Legislators.

“We must work together - legislators, doctors, health departments and more - to raise awareness of heart disease. I encourage everyone to join millions of people across the country working together to raise awareness of the number one killer in Illinois and in the U.S.,” said Sen. Heather Steans (D-Chicago) and co-chair of the Conference of Women Legislators.”

The Illinois Department of Public Health Office of Women’s Health administers a number of programs to help address cardiovascular health and lifestyle changes in Illinois women. One example, the Women Out Walking Program, is an innovative program that educates women of all ages about the importance of exercise, particularly walking, and has helped provide the support they need to start walking groups and clubs.

Another program is the Illinois WISEWOMAN (Well-Integrated Screening and Evaluation for Women Across the Nation) Program, which aims to lower heart disease and other chronic disease risk factors through screening and a lifestyle intervention program. The lifestyle intervention program is a 4-week nutrition and physical activity intervention that seeks to help women improve eating and physical activity habits, identify and overcome barriers, gain basic problem solving skills, set goals and gain stress management skills, understand behavior, learn stimulus control, and identify the importance of keeping a supportive and healthy environment.

All material copyright 2010 Virden Broadcasting Corp. Kris Wexell

Governor Pat Quinn today announced more than $13 million to improve broadband access in northern Illinois. The funding includes $1.3 million in Illinois Jobs Now! capital funds for the DeKalb Advancement of Technology Authority (DATA), which will leverage $11.9 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) funding.

“Access to affordable high-speed internet is critical in today’s economy. Unfortunately, too many people in Illinois are being left out of the broadband revolution,” said Governor Quinn. “This important funding will expand broadband access to communities throughout northern Illinois and help ensure no one is left out.”

The DATA is a consortium of public and private entities created to support high-speed, low-cost broadband infrastructure solutions in the DeKalb region. The grant will go toward providing broadband access to schools, colleges and universities, municipalities, medical facilities and other community agencies that will serve as a link to the larger community. The DATA plan will potentially serve more than 3,600 businesses and 34,000 households with fiber or low-cost broadband services.

According to the DATA, construction of the fiber-optic cable network is expected to create more than 20 construction jobs over the next two to three years. As the network expands, it is expected to add up to 30 highly technical jobs in the DeKalb area to support it. The proposed network will cost approximately $14.8 million to build over the next two years.

The federal funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP). The State of Illinois has designated a total of $50 million in state funds as a match for exceptional projects that are awarded federal BTOP funding. In addition to providing the matching grants, the state provided technical grant writing assistance to Illinois-based ARRA applicants.

A long-time advocate of improving the state’s broadband access, Governor Quinn has taken many steps to ensure connectivity in all areas of Illinois. Illinois recently received $1.8 million in funding for broadband data collection, mapping and planning activities. For more information on the state’s broadband efforts, visit www.broadband.illinois.gov.

Governor Quinn was joined at today’s announcement by Lawrence E. Strickling, Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information, NTIA, U.S. Department of Commerce; U.S. Rep. Bill Foster (D-Ill.); State Sen. Brad Burzynski (R-Clare); State Rep. Robert Pritchard (R-Hinckley); Ruth Ann Tobias, Chairman, DeKalb County Board; and Herb Kuryliw, Network and Technology Architect, Northern Illinois University.

All material copyright 2010 Virden Broadcasting Corp. Kris Wexell

The Regional Radio Group along with The People’s National Bank of Kewanee have named the students of the month for March, they include from Kewanee. Joshua Jagers, Kayla Lavine, Macy Monroe and Robert Willey, from Wethersfield, Zach Bush and Kayla Kuffel. Congratulations to the students of the month for March.

All material copyright 2010 Virden Broadcasting Corp. Kris Wexell

Representatives of Kewanee Hospital and the Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network met with state Senators and Representatives in Springfield on March 2 and 3 to garner support for legislation that is crucial for the financial stability of Kewanee Hospital, other Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) in Illinois and the rural health care safety net. Kewanee Hospital representatives included Margaret Gustafson, CEO; Jennifer Coombes, Chief Financial Officer; Gary Pheiffer, Chairman of the Hospital Board; Kristin Keane, Director of Marketing & Development; and Jenny Pierce-Smith, Marketing & Development Administrative Assistant.

Because they are considered essential providers for their communities and face unique financial challenges, CAHs are federally certified to receive cost-based reimbursement for Medicare. CAHs have 25 or fewer beds and serve large geographic regions. However, unlike many other states, Illinois does not reimburse CAHs at cost for Medicaid. As a result, Medicaid pays Kewanee Hospital and other CAHs in Illinois only 41% of costs of providing care without the Hospital Assessment Program and 73% of costs with the assessment program, thus placing CAHs in a precarious fiscal state. The passing of this bill could mean as much as $675,000/year to Kewanee Hospital.

Senate Bill 3264 and House Bill B5765 are designed to remedy this problem by requiring reimbursement to CAHs for outpatient Medicaid services based on cost. These bills, introduced by Senator Gary Forby (D-59, Benton) in the Senate and Representative John Bradley (D-117, Marion) in the House, were heard and passed, in legislative committees on March 2 and 3.

Representative Don Moffitt signed on as a co-sponsor of this bill in order to ensure their passage and strengthen the health care safety net in rural Illinois.

Kewanee Hospital provides a broad range of primary and emergency care, as well as community benefits, to a medically vulnerable population in our community - particularly the elderly - through the provision of Medical-Surgical Care, Swing Bed Services and Critical Care. Kewanee Hospital is a major employer and economic engine for the city of Kewanee and the surrounding communities. In order to remain financially viable and continue to provide the services vital to our area, Kewanee Hospital needs the Medicaid program to cover the costs of care.

The March 2 and 3 lobby days in Springfield were organized by the Illinois Hospital Association, an advocate for Illinois hospitals and health systems and the patients and communities they serve.

All material copyright 2010 Virden Broadcasting Corp. Kris Wexell

Ameren Illinois (AmerenCIPS, AmerenCILCO, AmerenIP) invites customers to take a bite out of their energy bills by taking the ENERGY STAR ® Pledge to use less energy by replacing at least one incandescent light with an ENERGY STAR qualified compact fluorescent light (CFL).

“March 10^th is the Great Energy Efficiency Day and what better way to celebrate than by taking the ENERGY STAR Pledge,” said Karen Warnke, Ameren Illinois energy efficiency advisor. “Your savings begin the minute you start using energy efficient lights.

“As an added incentive, when you take the pledge you will have a chance to win the ENERGY STAR qualified appliance of your choice with a retail value of up to $2,000. Second and third prizes are $300 and $100 home improvement store gift certificates,” Warnke said.

Customers can take the pledge by visiting the Act On Energy® Web site (ActOnEnergy.com) and selecting “For My Home.” To have a chance to win a prize, customers must take the Energy Star Pledge no later than April 30. For information on how to enter by mail, call 1-866-838-6918.

“ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs are the smart lighting choice. When you use a CFL in place of an incandescent bulb, you can save $5 in energy costs for an entire year. Replacing 20 incandescent bulbs with CFLs can add up to $100 in annual savings,” Warnke said.

Ameren Illinois customers can purchase CFLs at sharply discounted prices online at ActOnEnergy.com, by calling 1-866-845-7085 or at participating Home Depot, Sam’s Clubs, Menard’s, Ace Hardware, CVS, Best Buy, True Value, Meijer, Kroger, Super Value, Niemann Market, Rural King, County Market, Family Dollar and Lowe’s stores.

Also, customers now have a convenient way to recycle CFLs. Utilizing a grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic opportunity, the Ameren Illinois has placed recycling containers in Springfield Electric stores, many county health departments and at participating Ace and True Value stores. A complete list recycling sites is available at ActOnEnergy.com.

Warnke said AIU electric customers also can begin saving with just one phone call. AIU will pay an electric customer $35 for a standard size refrigerator or freezer manufactured before 1993. The appliance must be operating and used as a secondary unit located in a garage or basement.

“Those old refrigerators and freezers out in garages and down in basements waste a lot of energy,” said Warnke. “A standard size secondary refrigerator might cost $100 or more a year to operate.”

Eligible electric customers should call 1-866-899-9088 to schedule a pickup of their refrigerator or freezer. The call center is open Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

In addition, Act On Energy is offering rebates to residential electric customers on these ENERGY STAR qualified products: $35 rebates on window air conditioners, $25 rebates on dehumidifiers and $20 on ceiling fans with lights and ceiling fan light kits.

Residential electric customers may receive an incentive of $600 for retiring an existing central air conditioner or heat pump with a SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) of 8 or less. A retired unit must then be replaced with a new 14 SEER central air conditioner or heat pump. If the retired air conditioner or heat pump has a SEER greater than 8, an incentive of $110 may be paid.

Residential electric customers who install a new geothermal heat pump may receive an incentive of $600.

For more information on residential programs, visit ActOnEnergy.com, call 1-866-838-6918 or send an e-mail to: ActOnEnergyResidential@ameren.com.

The Act On Energy program has been honored by the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA), which awarded AIU with the “Inspiring Efficiency Innovation Award” for two programs. MEEA (www.mwalliance.org) is a collaborative network advancing energy efficiency in the Midwest to support sustainable economic development and environmental preservation.

Additional information about the Great Energy Efficiency Day is available on the Energy Efficiency Council’s Web site (www.energyedcouncil.org/).

The Ameren Illinois Utilities (AmerenCIPS, AmerenCILCO, AmerenIP) have been providing safe, reliable energy delivery service for more than a century. The Ameren Illinois Utilities deliver energy to 1.2 million electric and 840,000 natural gas customers in more than 1,200 communities within a 43,700-square-mile service territory.

All material copyright 2010 Virden Broadcasting Corp. Kris Wexell

The Illinois State Military Museum will have a special unveiling of the original 114th Illinois Regimental flag, Saturday, March 13 from 2 to 4 p.m.

The original 114th Regimental flag has been preserved for future generations and was recently returned to the Illinois State Military Museum, where it resides in a Civil War display on the second floor.

The public is invited to the official unveiling and a reception to follow.  Museum staff and members of the reactivated 114th Illinois Volunteer Infantry will be present to greet visitors. The museum is free and open to the public.

The Illinois State Military Museum is located at 1301 North MacArthur Blvd in Springfield at the National Guard Camp Lincoln facility. For more information call 217-761-3910.

All material copyright 2010 Virden Broadcasting Corp. Kris Wexell

Congressman Phil Hare (D-IL) today invited high school art students that reside in Illinois’ 17^th Congressional District to participate in the 29th Annual Congressional Arts Competition.

The contest will be held on Saturday, April 10, 2010 at Sandburg Mall’s (1150 W. Carl Sandburg Drive) Center Court.  Student artwork may be dropped off at any of Hare’s four district offices up until Friday, April 2 or brought to the mall between 8:00 and 11:00 am the day of the contest. Each entry submitted must include a copy of the Student Information/Release Form signed by the student, art teacher and parent of the student. There is no limit on the number of entries per student. If students need a copy of the release form, they can contact Hare’s Moline office.

Judging begins at Noon with winners announced by Hare at 12:30 pm. Judges will select winning entries for first through sixth place.  The first place entry will hang in the U.S Capitol for one year.  Runners-up will hang in Hare’s district offices. A certificate of participation and letter from Hare will be sent to each of the contest’s participants.
For more information on the Congressional Arts Competition.

Hare’s District Office locations:

Moline
2001 52^ndAve, #5
309-793-5760

Galesburg
261 N. Broad, #5
309-342-4411

Decatur

236 North Water St, #765
217-422-9150

Carlinville

210 North Broad Street
217-854-2290

All material copyright 2010 Virden Broadcasting Corp. Kris Wexell

In February the Illinois Liquor Control Commission (ILCC) conducted compliance checks around the state and visited 73 businesses licensed to sell liquor. They cited 15 licensees for violations of liquor control laws. Seventy-nine percent of the licensees visited complied with Illinois liquor laws and refused to serve underage customers.

This report is a result of ongoing undercover and cooperative law enforcement operations conducted by Illinois Liquor Control Commission (ILCC) agents and local law enforcement officials and volunteers from high schools and colleges. The teams randomly visit liquor stores, restaurants and bars in communities around the state to check for ongoing compliance with state laws mandating that no liquor is sold to minors under the age of 21. ILCC agents also work with local and state law enforcement agents to focus on communities with a high incidence of underage liquor sales.

Effingham and Fayette Counties – On February 25^th, 2010 ILCC Special Agents and the Illinois State Police conducted alcohol underage compliance checks in Effingham and Fayette Counties. Of the 19 licensees checked 4 were in violation of selling alcohol to ILCC underage participants. Those 4 were;

· Rancho Nuevo, 1433 N 5^th, Vandalia

· Wise Guys of Vandalia Inc., 401 W. Gallatin, Vandalia

· Pizza Hut # 2830, 1602 N. 8^th, Vandalia

· Sporty’s Beverage Connection, 8745 N. 300^th, Altamont

Evanston – On February 24, 2010, ILCC Special Agents and the Evanston Police Department conducted alcohol underage compliance checks in the Evanston area. There were 22 licensees checked and 5 were in violation of selling alcohol to ILCC underage participants. Those licensees were;

· The Keg, 810 Grove St., Evanston

· The Blue Stone, 1932 Central Ave. Evanston

· Merle’s Smokehouse, 1727 Benson, Evanston

· Osco Drug, 1128 Chicago Ave., Evanston

· Evanston 1^st Liquors, 1019 Davis, St. Evanston

Jackson County – On February 4, 2010, ILCC Special Agents, Murphysboro Police Department, Jackson County Sheriff’s Department and the Illinois State Police conducted underage alcohol checks in Jackson County. There were 26 licensees checked and 5 licensees were in violation of selling alcohol to ILCC underage participants. Those licensees were:

· Sergio’s Mexican Restaurant, 203 N. Williams, St. Murphysboro

· Cat’s Place, 1017 N. 14^th, Murphysboro

· G & W Lounge, 12 N. 13^th, Murphysboro

· La Palmita, 13693 Hwy 149, Murphysboro

· Pinch Penny Liquors, 700 E. Grand Ave., Carbondale

Marion County – On February 4, 2010, ILCC Special Agents and the Illinois State Police conducted alcohol underage compliance checks in the Marion County Area. There were 22 licensees checked and 4 were in violation of selling alcohol to ILCC underage participants. Those licensees were:

· Bears Liquor, 114 W. Green, Centralia

· Blue Goose Liquor363 E. 17^th, Centralia

· Centralia Food & Gas Inc., 609 E. 15^th, Centralia

· Casey General Store # 1871, 908 E. Noleman, Centralia

Peoria – On February 4, 2010, ILCC Special Agents and the Illinois State Police conducted alcohol underage compliance checks in the Peoria and Pekin area. There were 9 licensees checked and 3 were in violation of selling alcohol to ILCC underage participants. Those licensees were;

· Hoops Pub & Pizza, 516 Main St., Peoria

· Martinin’s on Water Street, 212 SW Water St, Peoria

· Goodfellas Pub & Pizza, 1414 N. 8^th St., Pekin

Sandwich – On February 18, 2010, ILCC Special Agents and the Sandwich Police Department conducted alcohol underage compliance checks in the Sandwich area. There were 10 licensees checked and two were in violation of selling alcohol to ILCC underage participants. Those licensees were:

· Olde Time Inn 109 S. Main, Sandwich

· Bacaba Liquors, 304 W. Church, Sandwich

Will County – On February 4, 2010, ILCC Special Agents and the Illinois State Police conducted underage alcohol compliance checks in Will County. There were 6 licensees checked and one of those was in violation of selling alcohol to ILCC underage participants. That licensee was:

· Morgan’s Thunderbowl, 18700 Old La Grange RD., Mokena

For information about the disposition of cases resulting from previous compliance checks, please visit the Illinois Liquor Control Commission's website.

All material copyright 2010 Virden Broadcasting Corp. Kris Wexell

A Peoria middle school student is charged with aggravated arson for allegedly setting a locker fire in the school earlier this week. The 13-year-old Mark Bills School student has also been expelled.  Another student has been suspended but not charged criminally.  About 250 students were evacuated from the school Monday afternoon.  No one was hurt and only minor damage was caused.  The aggravated arson charge is a class X felony.

All material copyright 2010 Virden Broadcasting Corp. Kris Wexell

An Amber Alert was issued yesterday afternoon for two boys taken from Decatur.  Illinois' AMBER Alert Website says two unidentified men took  infant J. Amarcus Upchurch and four-year-old Terry Antonio Smith from the 19 hundred block of East Cantrall Street around 3:30 yesterday.  Authorities say they are looking for a silver car with a partial Missouri license plate of U-D-G.  The abductors are both described as five-foot-eight black men with dark clothing and having their faces covered.  Anyone with information should contact the Decatur Police Department. The alert has been called off.

All material copyright 2010 Virden Broadcasting Corp. Kris Wexell

Future Illinois Governor's and other state-wide office holders who are impeached, may soon lose their retirement benefits along with their jobs.  A bill stripping impeached elected officials of their pensions passed out of the House.  Republican State Representative Chapin Rose was sure to point out that the law would not affect the pension of former Governor Rod Blagojevich, who was impeached last year.  Blagojevich will lose his pension if he is convicted of fraud charges in his upcoming trial.  Former Governor George Ryan, who was convicted on racketeering charges in 2006, was stripped of his retirement benefits.  Some lawmakers asked for the bill to be more expansive, and include all members of the General Assembly.  Others pointed out potential loopholes in the law that would allow an office holder to resign before they were impeached and still collect a pension.  The legislation now moves to the Senate for further consideration.

All material copyright 2010 Virden Broadcasting Corp. Kris Wexell

Pat Quinn staffers were hesitant to say whether the Governor will ask for an income tax increase during his budget address today.  While not confirming, Budget Director David Vaught hinted that Quinn would again ask for the tax hike, something he believes should have been approved by lawmakers last year.  Lawmakers shot down last year's tax hike proposal from Quinn that would have bumped the state's income tax from three to four and a half percent. Without an income tax increase, Quinn staffers say the state would have to rely heavily on borrowing to balance the budget. Numbers discussed during a budget brief last night assumed a tax increase would not be passed, causing as many as 17-thousand school workers across the state to lose their jobs.  Chief of Staff Jerry Stermer said Quinn also plans to introduce a tax rebate plan for small businesses that add jobs.  Governor Quinn's budget address to lawmakers is scheduled for noon today.

All material copyright 2010 Virden Broadcasting Corp. Kris Wexell