The Rotary Club of Jacksonville recently recognized three high school seniors with scholarships.

The awards were made as part of the Rotary Club’s scholarship program, which provided one $1,000 college scholarship in memory of Staff Sergeant Matthew Weikert, and two additional $2,000 Rotary college scholarships. In order to receive the scholarships, the recipients must be well-rounded students who engage in community service and leadership positions. The Rotary scholarships are open to all students who live within the boundaries of Jacksonville School District 117, regardless of the school they attend. The SSG Matthew Weikert scholarship recognizes service and leadership, and targets – but is not limited to – Jacksonville High School graduates/seniors who are returning to school or are seeking two-year programs.

The SSG Matthew Weikert Scholarship was awarded to Lexi Lane of JHS. Her service and work resumé include: group and activity leader at Saturday Science, Youth Council member at Midwest Youth Services, “Take it to the Streets” summer lunch program volunteer, assisted with Wesley Vacation Bible School, worked with the stage crew for the Fall play and the Musical, and worked as a graphics assistant and designer at Bound to Stay Bound. Her school participation activities include: National Honor Society, National English Honor Society, Scholastic bowl, Science club, Geography club, Student Government, Interact club, Chess club, and Key club. Lexi will be attending Missouri University of Science & Technology.

Katelyn Keller of Jacksonville High School was selected for the Rotary Scholarship due to her extensive resumé of community service and leadership, which includes: planned the 5K run for the National Honor Society as the head coordinator, peer tutor at JHS, worked at wrestling meets, coached soccer for kids at the local gym, and worked at volleyball tournaments. Her leadership positions include: Treasurer of National Honors Society, Varsity Volleyball Captain, Varsity Soccer Captain, Crimson Mentor, Student Body President. Keller will be attending SIU Edwardsville in the direct admit Nursing program.

Natalie Evans of Routt Catholic High School also received a Rotary Scholarship based on her extensive record of service and leadership. She has volunteered for Chili Lunch for the Track team and for the Catholic Daughters of America fish fry, rang bells for the Salvation Army, planted flowers at the Morgan County Fairgrounds, volunteered for Safe Trick or Treat for Halloween, wrote Christmas cards for local nursing homes, and volunteered at Family Fun Festival. Her leadership positions include: 2022 Track Captain, National Honor Society President, Student Body Secretary and Student Ambassador, 4H East Side junior Club president, 2021 Cheer Leading Captain, and National Junior Red Angus board of Directors. Natalie will be attending Murray State University in Veterinary Science.

More information on the scholarships can be obtained by calling Scholarship Chair Stephen Holt at 479.619.7358.

The Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District is giving organizations and residents along the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers a new tool to to provide better mitigation strategies and more consistent flood risk management.

The new standardized hydraulic model, which was developed using the Hydrologic Engineering Center’s River Analysis System, allow communities within the Upper Mississippi River System to evaluate flood risks and explore mitigation strategies to more effectively provide protection for those living and working in these areas.

Paul St. Louis, project manager for the Rock Island District of the Army Corps says the model allows for better planning in flood plains: “The hydraulic model is a computer-simulated model of specific flows that go up and down the Illinois & Mississippi Rivers. What it allows us to do is take a specific flood event, run it through the model, and then it will show us where the water would go. Why it’s needed is because people that work within flood plains and there’s industry in flood plains, so when those people plan activities, they want to know what they might do and how it will affect the flood plain and the river itself.”

St. Louis says the model is the first of its kind for the Upper Mississippi River system. Development took place in four stages that began in 2018 and was recently completed.

St. Louis says the model is now available for public use: “The model is available to anybody who wants it for whatever purpose they believe they need it for. We’ve had universities requesting it for information for studies. The Corps has used it when we want to look at how changes in the rivers might affect one of our ongoing studies or projects. Other A.E.’s and agencies may use it to evaluate alternative designs, as well.”

Total cost of the federally funded project was $1.69 million and covers more than 1,100 river miles. For more information on the hydraulic model update or to request a copy of the model visit the Army Corps of Engineers Flood Risk Management website or contact the Rock Island District at 309-794-5729.

Several popular gummy candies are being recalled by Mars Wrigley after metal shards may be found in the candy or loose in the bag.

Mars Wrigley issued the voluntary recall on Friday for certain UPCs of Skittles, Starburst, and Life Savers. Mars Wrigley said in a press release that they received reports from consumers alerting the company to the issue and were not aware of any illnesses to date.

Products were manufactured by a third party and distributed in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The following items are on the recall:

Item Number	Pictures	Description	UPC	Code (first 3 digits)
10188298	See image below	STARBURST® Gummies Original Share Size 3.5oz	10022000253092	136, 139, 140
10195414 10220867	See image below	STARBURST® Gummies Original Peg Pack 5.8oz	10022000253818 00022000284648
10188301	See image below	STARBURST® Gummies Sours Share Size 3.5oz	10022000253122	134,135, 137-142
10195413 10220796 10195750	See image below	STARBURST® Gummies Sours Peg Pack 5.8oz	10022000253801 00022000284617 10022000259384	134,135, 137-142
10220865	See image below	STARBURST® Gummies Sour Berries Peg Pack 5.8oz	00022000284624	135, 138, 139
10222236 10136761 10222238	See image below	LIFE SAVERS® Gummies Five Flavor Peg Pack 7.0oz, 3.22oz	10022000285277 10019000083422 10022000285291	136, 139
10081699 10195012	See image below	LIFE SAVERS® Wild Berries Gummies Peg Pack 7.0 oz	10019000083446 10022000244502	136 – 138, 140, 147, 149 – 152
10195000 10195014 10095001	See image below	LIFE SAVERS® Sour Gummies Peg Pack 7.0 oz, 180g	10022000242058 10022000244533 00019000170491	132-134, 139-140, 144-147, 149, 151, 152, 201
10224068 10228324 10229828	See image below	SKITTLES® Gummies Original Peg Pack 5.8 oz, 2.93oz	10022000285956 00022000286727 10022000287363	139 – 218
10229823 10230187	See image below	SKITTLES® Gummies Original Stand Up Pouch 12oz	10022000287325 00022000287434	139 – 218
10224070 10228325 10229830	See image below	SKITTLES® Wild Berry Gummies Peg Pack 5.8 oz, 2.93oz	10022000285970 00022000286734 10022000287387	138 – 218
10229825 10230290	See image below	SKITTLES® Gummies Wild Berry Stand Up Pouch 12oz	10022000287349 00022000287441	138 – 218
10240169 10242246 10240168	See image below	SKITTLES® Sour Gummies Peg Pack 5.8 oz	10022000289749 00022000291073 00022000289735	204 – 218

Mars Wrigley is currently working with retailers to pull any of the remaining affected product.

If consumers believe they have purchased a recalled item, they should dispose of the product and not consume it. Consumers with questions can contact the company by calling 1-800-651-2564 or by visiting https://www.mars.com/contact-us.

The Springfield FBI is seeking the public’s help to find a suspect in an arson incident that occurred last month in the southwestern portion of Christian County at a pipeline repair site.

On or about midnight on April 21^st, a suspect gained access to an excavator owned by Vance and Associates, Incorporated in rural Harvel, using it to destroy a trailer and a sandblaster. The subject(s) then set fire to the excavator and a semi-tractor trailer resulting in several hundred thousand dollars of damage.

A reward of up to $10,000 is being offered by Vance and Associates, Inc. for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for this crime. If you have information regarding this incident call FBI Springfield at 217-522-9675, email: springfield@fbi.gov, or contact the Macoupin/Montgomery County Crimestoppers at 800-352-0136.

Brown County citizens and travelers are reminded that Capitol Avenue rehab construction is underway.

Hood Construction of Rushville is on site installing traffic control signs the early portion of this week, making street cuts, and preparing the construction to begin the first phase of the rehab project.

According to an update from the City of Mt. Sterling, the new water main on the east side of the street will be installed first. Parking will be limited on that side of the street.

One lane of traffic along Capitol Avenue will try to remain open while they are working on the installation.

The traveling public is reminded to be aware of heavy equipment traffic on Capitol Avenue and to also be aware of any changes in traffic flow or conditions for the duration of the project.

For any questions or concerns, contact Mt. Sterling City Hall at 217-773-2513. Continue to watch for construction updates at mtsterlingil.com or on their Facebook Page – City of Mt. Sterling Illinois.

The Illinois Department of Children & Family Services was hit with two more pieces of bad news on Friday.

It came a day after the Illinois Auditor General hit the agency with evidence of mismanagement of children in their care at the agency.

DCFS Director Marc Smith was held in contempt of court and fined $1,000 per day for the tenth time since January 6^th yesterday in Cook County. The court has accused the agency of failing to place a child appropriately in violation of court orders.

The tenth contempt order involves a 13-year-old girl who was warehousing in a locked psychiatric hospital, where she had been ready for discharge since March 21^st, according to court documents obtained by CBS Chicago. Cook County officials claim that despite repeated requests and court orders over the past year to provide the girl consistent trauma-focused therapy to address a history of sexual abuse/exploitation, DCFS failed to provide the needed treatment. Authorities say in this latest contempt finding, fines will began accruing on Friday.

The second bit of bad news comes out of Montgomery County, where according to WICS Newschannel 20, DCFS employee 40 year old Brett A. Wexstten of Nokomis was arrested Thursday by Montgomery County authorities for five counts of possession and distribution of child pornography.

WAND-TV reports that the crime occurred on September 20^th of last year and that the arrest was made yesterday after a search warrant was executed at a residence in Nokomis. WAND-TV says that police that Wexstten admitted to the crime.

According to state online salary records obtained by WICS, Wexstten is an information services specialist with DCFS that worked a help desk in the agency and had no direct contact with children. A spokesperson for DCFS told WICS that Wexstten has been placed on administrative leave. The Montgomery County State’s Attorney Office told WICS that Wexstten is also a coach for a girls’ sports team.

Wexssten is currently being held at the Montgomery County Jail on bond. If Wexstten posts bond he would be placed on home confinement with GPS monitoring. He would also not be allowed to have contact with anyone under the age of 18. Additionally, he would not be allowed to have electronic devices or access to the internet.

He is next set to appear in Montgomery County Court this Friday on a first appearance with counsel and bond status.

Democrat State Senator Doris Turner is encouraging residents to register for a wingshooting clinic at the Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish & Wildlife Area coming up next month.

Introductory wingshooting clinics teach participants to safely shoot a shotgun at a moving target. The clinic starts with a shotgun safety presentation followed by a small-group, hands-on shotgun orientation session with each group’s wingshooting instructor.

Wingshooting clinics are taught by instructors certified by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources or the National Sporting Clays Association.

The co-sponsors for this event are Capital Area Coveys Quail Forever, National Wild Turkey Federation, New Salem Firearms and Ducks Unlimited Tri-County Chapter. The registration fee is $10 for the clinics, which will take place on June 11 and 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lunch is provided.

Online registration can be completed by following this link.

Illinois has suspended the license of Carvana to sell vehicles in Illinois.

Barron’s reports that the online car seller has been suspended over its practice of “improperly” supplying customers in the state with out-of-state temporary plates and its failure to transfer title to cars sold there in a timely manner.

The car dealer’s license was suspended Thursday after an investigation by the Illinois Secretary of State.

North Carolina, Florida and Michigan have also sanctioned Carvana over similar issues in recent months, or have threatened to do so.

The Illinois suspension also comes three days after Carvana announced that it was laying off some 2,500 employees and that it had completed its acquisition of the Adesa U.S. vehicle auction business.

You may be getting a check from Facebook in the mail within the next week or two.

Nearly 1.42 million Illinois users for the social media platform will get a check for between $200-$400 sometime in the next month through the mail after the conclusion of a 7-year, $650 million biometric privacy lawsuit has concluded.

According to NBC5 Chicago, the lawsuit alleged that Facebook broke Illinois’ strict privacy law by collecting and storing biometric data — or physical characteristics — of users without their consent through features including facial recognition technology.

If you filed a claim form for the suit before November 23, 2020, your check is in the mail according to the settlement website. Payments started getting mailed out to members on the class action suit on May 9^th. The website states it will take about two weeks to finish mailing the checks and processing the electronic payments.