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Drought Stretches into and thru June

There should be little surprise that last month was hotter and drier than normal.

Rainfall for the month reached just under 2 and 8-tenth inches. That’s nearly a full two inches less than normal.

Jacksonville received nearly 2 inches of rain over a two day period..June 4th and 5th, but little beyond that.

There was measurable rain on only 11 of the 30 days.

The question becomes..are we in the middle of a drought? The answer may be in the numbers. Normally through the first half of the year, Jacksonville gets about 19 and a half inches. We have received through June in Jacksonville this year just 13 and a half inches, a full six inches short of normal.

We’ve had only one month of above average precipitation…March.

It was also hotter than normal. We usually average just over 71 degrees. But it was 3 and a third degrees hotter than normal in June.

Moreover, the mercury rose to 90 or hotter on eight straight days, starting on the 22nd. And, readings at night failed to dip below 70 on the last ten straight nights.

Highs ranged from 95 on the 20th, to 53 on the 10th.

WLDS-WEAI is an official weather observer of the National Weather Service.

JYEP-GRO Trust Cultivator Program

The Jacksonville Youth Engagement Program has joined forces with GRO Trust to provide outdoor education to children this summer.

The Cultivator Club began meeting this past week at the former Salvation Army Citadel at 331 West Douglas.

It meets Tuesday through Wednesday each week.

GRO Trust lead cultivator Dr Michael Woods says they are working hand in hand with JYEP.

The program began this past week.

JYEP board president Beth Brockschmidt says the program’s impact is that it gives every child a joyful and meaningful summer, investing in fun, creativity and purpose.

Dr Woods says the programs at the Mark are wide ranging.

He says kids will get their hands dirty, but art will be the focus each Thursday.

Dr Woods says no registration is required, and the hours are 9 to 11 AM on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. All youngsters are welcome.

Two Arrested in Carrollton Burglaries

Charges have been filed against two men in connection with a series of burglaries in Carrollton.

               Greene County state’s attorney Crag Grummel filed charges this week against 18-year-old Brody Winters of Carrollton, and 23-year-old Tyler Buckingham of Wood River.

               The two are charged with a class two felony..burglary, a class 3 felony of theft, and a class 4 felony of criminal damage to property.

               Grummel says all the charges stem from an incident in Carrollton on or about June 12th.

               Carrollton police investigated break-ins and thefts at Shade Financial Services, B/J Hospice and a private home in Carrollton. The property damage reportedly is in excess of $500 in multiple locations.

               Both suspects are in custody.

               The investigation is being conducted by Carrollton police.

               Police say anyone with any more information about these incidents or others are urged to call Carrollton police at 217-942-3135.

Tanks Return to Morgan County Fair

The tanks are back at this year’s Morgan County Fair.

The tank show a year ago was a rousing success at the fair, despite heavy rains.

They are the brainchild of Rabbi Rob Thomas, and all vehicles are part of his collection.

Thomas says it was too wet a year ago to get too close. He hopes that’s different this year.

He says the public is invited to get up close and personal with the vehicles starting at noon on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The tanks and military equipment will arrive Monday and leave Thursday morning.

The tank and artillery salute fire will be held at 2 PM both Tuesday and Wednesday, and a salute the troops tank demo and fireworks show will be held at 7 Wednesday night.

All the vehicles are World War Two era equipment. Tyler Aring, a veteran who was key in getting the event arranged, says he hopes veterans of all ages are invited. He is especially looking for World War Two vets.

Aring has reached out to the Quincy Veterans’ home. He says there are just five veterans from World War Two remaining there, and none can attend next week.

The fair this year will include a demolition derby Thursday night, and truck and tractor pulls Sunday night. In between, Dustin Lynch and Noah Hicks perform Friday night, and Warren Zeiders and Kolby Cooper will provide music for Saturday night. Fair board president Gary Hadden says tickets remain for both shows.

Admission at the gate remains at $5, and those under 6 are free. A season pass costs $15.

Beardstown Man to be Deported?

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office arrested a man illegally in the United States in the middle of this month. He is now under federal court detention for potential deportation.

According to recently unsealed federal court records, 40-year old Oscar Martinez-Hernandez recently of Beardstown was arrested by Cass County Sheriff’s Deputies on May 17th for theft. Martinez-Hernandez had previously been arrested in April for possession of methamphetamine and felony criminal damage to property.

The federal court documents say that Martinez-Hernandez was previously deported from the United States near Hidalgo, Texas in January 2015. The federal criminal indictment for Martinez-Hernandez to be detained by ICE agents was filed on June 4.

Martinez-Hernandez pleaded guilty to the theft charge in Cass County Circuit Court on June 16 and received a two-year probation sentence.

Martinez-Hernandez is currently being held by federal agents pending an official deportation hearing.

Parkinsons Break Throughs

A research doctor in St Louis says cutting off government funding for Parkinson’s research would be disastrous.

Dr Joel Permutter of Washington University works with patients in the Jacksonville area, and a supporter of fundraising efforts by the Pohlman family. The family held a golf fundraiser earlier this month in honor of their brother.

Dr Perlmutter says research is finding ways of detecting the disease early.

He says one of the break-throughs in the treatment is for Lewy Body patients, and detection of a chemical in the brain.

The scan gives doctors an early glimpse as to what they are dealing with, and better prepare to treat it.

Dr Perlmutter says this is a huge advance.

He says deep brain stimulation has shown to help patients and lessen the side affects. Dr Perlmutter says they’ve also developed a little pump that delivers the drug, leeva-dopa just under the skin on a continual basis, rather than a single dose.

The challenge is the government now needs to provide money through medicare, which is among the areas the administration has targeted.

Dr Perlmutter this kind of treatment sidesteps surgery, which presents its own risks.

Ptacek Urging Himself to be Patient With New School

Jacksonville school superintendent Steve Ptacek is emphasizing patience when it comes to the construction of the new school south of Woodson.

The new grade school building will replace the Murrayville-Woodson Grade School, and is to be located at the corner of the Woodson-Winchesrter Blacktop and Water Tower Road.

A fast growing corn crop may be harvested early, clearing the way for the building project.

But, Ptacek says engineers are careful with the design of the building.

He says the progress is not running behind. He acknowledges that he is anxious about getting off to a quick start, but He says the design of a new school building is more challenging that retro fitting an older building.

Ptacek hoped the project could begin early. But, he knows the school district should not rush the project.

Jamie Cosgriff is with Graham and Hyde Architects, and is designing and drawing up plans for the new school.

Farris New JHS Girls’ Basketball Coach

Jacksonville High School has a new head girls’ basketball coach.

The school board last night hired Dave Farris.

Farris takes over for Steven Brannan, who coached for two years at JHS. His record was 6 and 53.

Brannan resigned in May of this year.

Farris has coaching experience at Girard, SHG and Auburn. He spent 18 years as Auburn head girls’ basketball coach.

Farris had a record of 269 and 256.

Old School Budget Adjusted-New Budget Proposed

The District 117 Board of Education had to go through the amended budget process last night to finalize numbers for the 2024-2025 school year.

Some of the line items in the budget performed underneath their projection while many others were over budget for the year.

Superintendent Steve Ptacek says that it’s a normal process to go through to better reflect how the district’s money was spent.

Ptacek did say that this year’s end of the year fund balance has done something that it has never done in his entire 12 years with District 117.

He says it’s the first time the fund balance this year will be lower than last year’s, mainly because of state revenues.

Ptacek went on to tell the board of education that it has always been difficult to predict the state and federal revenue streams from year to year due to several factors. He says that the down year for the district’s was anticipated.

Lahood-Miller Being Challenged

Illinois’ 16th Congressional District is getting a crowded field for the 2026 General Election.

Republican incumbent Darin LaHood has been a member of Congress since 2015. He’ll now see a challenge from across the aisle as he seeks his fifth term in the U.S. House.

Ben Cox has the special report:

Dunlap incumbent Republican Darin LaHood is no stranger to having challenges during his 4 terms in Congress. LaHood won the 18th Congressional seat in a special election in 2015 defeating Robert Mellon after Aaron Schock was removed from office. Despite the multiple challenges from Democrats and Republicans alike, LaHood’s challengers have never received more than 33% of the popular vote.

On Tuesday, Bradley University adjunct economics professor Joseph Albright was profiled by Peoria NPR station WCBU as one of LaHood’s Democratic challengers. Albright joins a field of political neophytes on the Democratic side of the ballot with Rockford community activist Paul Nolley and on the Republic side John Kitover who is listed as being from Chicago.

Albright told WCBU that he was upset when he saw LaHood running unopposed for his previous term in Congress. Albright has been critical of LaHood’s constituent services, noting LaHood’s refusal to hold a town hall to hear concerns about the Trump Administration’s cuts to social services among other policies. Despite the criticism, Albright calls himself a left of center moderate candidate.

Some questions still linger on whether or not LaHood will consider running in the district again or seek the Republican nomination for Illinois’ opened Senate seat with the forthcoming retirement of Dick Durbin.

LaHood isn’t the only one facing a challenge next November. In the 15th Congressional District, Congresswoman Mary Miller will see a challenge across the aisle from Paul Davis and Centralia native and nurse Jennifer Todd. So far in cash fundraising on hand, Miller has outraised Todd 730 to 1 with Davis showing no filings with the FEC.