(OLNEY)  A high pressure ridge will now keep us mostly dry and cooler for the rest of this work week, also with back-to-normal temperatures – then another storm system will move thru over the upcoming weekend, bringing us rain, most likely Saturday night & thru the day on Mother’s Day – stay tuned for updates.

(NEWTON)  It’s back to business for Illinois lawmakers as they return to the State Capital today, still trying to craft a budget, plus negotiate reform measures for the state’s pension and Medicaid systems – the Governor wants lawmakers to finish all three issues before leaving on summer break – if not, the Governor says he’ll call them back during their vacation to get the job done in time for the new fiscal year on July 1st.

(OLNEY)  In his Week In Review Report, State Senator John O. Jones says although much of the Senators’ time was spent in committee work last week, considering legislation that’s been approved by the State House, the Senate did approve a long-sought measure to eliminate the General Assembly Scholarship Program, plus a Constitutional Amendment that would make it more difficult for lawmakers to increase employee pension benefits in the future – the Senate also reveiwed the opinion of the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability, which voted against the Governor’s proposal to close down several state facilities – the state budget and money constraints continue to debate this week in Springfield.

 
(NEWTON)  During this National Arson Awareness Week, authorities urge residents to educate themselves on the devastating effects of arson, and to help prevent arson incidents thru simple activities – while the “Prevent Youth Firesetting” campaign will educate children & teens on the dangers of mishandling matches, candles, & other flammable objects, it also calls on parents to become more vigilant to identify signs that could potentially lead to unsafe, fire-related activities – stats show over 300 deaths & another 3,000 injuries are linked to juvenile-set fires in the U.S. every year – logon at www.state.il.us/osfm or www.nfpa.org.

(OLNEY)  The Illinois State Police have released details of a two car collision in Richland County this past Sunday evening, at around 7:30, about two miles west of Olney – it’s reported that 17 year old Stephanie Anderson of Claremont was westbound on Route 50 when her car ran off the road, then back on, crossing the centerline & striking an eastbound car driven by 27 year old Brandon Atwood of Olney – both drivers were taken to Richland Memorial Hospital in Olney – Anderson was ticketed for improper lane usage.

(NEWTON)  Letter carriers at the Newton & Olney Post Offices & most all others throughout the area will help “Stamp Out Hunger” this Saturday, May 12th, when the annual food drive celebrates its 20th year – letter carriers will be collecting non-perishable food donations from homes as they deliver mail along their routes on Saturday – in fact, the National Association of Letter Carriers Food Drive, held in conjunction with the U.S. Postal Service, is the largest one-day food drive in the nation – last year, over 70 million pounds of food was collected across the country, resulting in more than 1 billion pounds of food collected since the drive began 20 years ago – the Newton & Olney Post Offices hope to exceed last year’s total of food collected – to help out, folks are encouraged to leave a sturdy bag containing non-perishable foods, such as canned soup, canned vegetables, pasta, rice, or cereal next to their mailbox prior to the time of regular mail delivery, both rural and in-town – all collected food will go to local and area food pantries.

(OLNEY)  Wet conditions slowed planting progress across most of the state last week with an average of less than two days suitable for field work – the statewide average precipitation was 1.82 inches, nearly one inch above normal – the planted crop progress was aided by the warmer weather last week as the statewide average temperature was 68.5 degrees, 11 degrees above normal – as of Sunday, statewide corn planting hit 89% while the state’s soybean planting came in at 21%  :  farmers in our ten county area surrounding Olney & Newton reported higher numbers with 95% of the corn and 33% of the soybeans now planted – however, some replanting may be done with recent flooding – area farmers continue to rate the local wheat crop in good conditions, in fact 82% good to excellent, 14% fair, and only 4% poor to very poor – be safe out there.

(NEWTON)  The City of Newton yesterday shut off water to a portion of the city due to emergency repairs needed at the site of a water line break – now that the repairs were made and the water was turned back on, all water customers in the City of Newton are still under a “boil water order” until further notice – all folks should boil their water at least ten minutes before using to drink or cook with – your patience is appreciated.

(OLNEY)  With very low blood supplies available here in the Midwest, all eligible and/or first-time donors are encouraged to get out & give the “gift of life” at any of the next area drives coming up this week – at the Palestine Grade School Thursday from 2:00 to 6:00 – at the Newton Community High School this Friday from 8:30 to 1:30 – at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Olney Sunday morning from 8:00 to 12 noon – as always, all types of blood are needed to help replenish the very low Midwestern blood supplies on hand.

REMINDERS  :
    The Olney Chamber of Commerce will host a “social media seminar” a week from this Thursday, May 17th, at The Holiday, from 10:00 to 1:00 – call the Chamber Office to reserve your $15 seat

 
    The American Legion Post 932 in Ste. Marie will host a Mother’s Day Breakfast this Sunday morning, with serving from 7:00 to 11:00 – tickets at the door – all proceeds to benefit the Jasper County Boys & Girls Park in Newton & also The Haven, a Veteran's recreational facility in Carbondale – all ages invited

 
    The 12th annual Noble MayFest “Car Show” is this Saturday in the Noble Village Park with registration from 9:00 to 12 noon that morning with judging at 1:00 & awards at 3:30 – also a swap meet, crafts & flea market vendors, plenty of concessions, & more – for more, logon at www.whitesquirrelcruisers.com

    The Rotary Club of Richland County has a fundraising cookout this Saturday at the Olney IGA, with serving from 10:00 to 2:00, featuring pork burgers, bratswursts, & more – proceeds towards scholarships, the Rotary Park, also Polio Plus, and other community projects throughout all of Richland County

 
    The ERES Kindergarten classes will perform their music program “Hugs & Bugs” this Friday in the dining hall – the 10:00 performance features the classes of Mrs. Dunn, Mrs. Grundon, & Mrs. Hendrickson – the 2:15 performance features the classes of Mrs. Anderson, Mrs. Harmon, & Mrs. Pampe – all are invited

    The Olney Central College Community Band Concert is this coming Thursday night in the Dr. John D. Stull Performing Arts Center, starting at 6:30 – all are invited to attend – call OCC for further details

    It’s a “community day” fundraiser at Monical’s Pizza on Wednesday with proceeds to support the Christy Reed Memorial – present a fundraising flier before ordering for carryout or dine-in tomorrow at Monical’s

    The next meeting of the Richland County Retired Teachers is tomorrow at The Holiday in Olney, starting at 11:30 – the program this month will be about memberships and meetings