Aggregator

SPRINGFIELD – Young hunters between the ages of 10 and 17 can apply now for the Youth Wingshooting Clinic and Illinois Youth Pheasant Hunt scheduled for Saturday, March 19 at the World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Randolph County. Young hunters will participate in a wingshooting clinic during the morning with instruction from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and National Sporting Clays Association certified wingshooting instructors. Young hunters will practice safe shotgun handling and operation while advancing their wingshooting skills during the clinic. Following the morning clinic and lunch, a pheasant hunt will take place during the afternoon. Young hunters must have successfully completed an approved Hunter Safety Course and have a valid hunting license to participate. Co-sponsors assist the IDNR and the World Shooting and Recreational Complex with the clinic and hunt by providing funding for the clay targets, target and field shot shells, and lunch for

Continue Reading

KEWANEE - For many years, it has been known that adults over the age of 65 are most at risk for heart disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), on average, U.S. adults have hearts that perform at a level about seven years older than they should. Because of this, the prevalence of heart issues in young people is increasing. In fact, according to the Cardio Metabolic Institute, one in five heart attacks occur in adults younger than 40 years of age. Dr. Christopher Powers, an OSF HealthCare cardiovascular disease specialist, says that being proactive early in life is crucial to keeping your heart healthy for years to come. One piece of advice includes aiming to eliminate the overconsumption of energy drinks. “Some people feel very attached to these kind of psychological addictions to the sports drinks. And it’s like anything else – if you overdo it, then most definitely we will see primarily the issue of blood pressure elevation. Most

Continue Reading

OTTOWA - For the past two years, people have found a number of ways to cope with the stress that comes with living through a pandemic, and that includes alcohol use. A recent online survey conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of Alkermes, Inc., discovered that 17 % of respondents over the age of 21 revealed drinking patterns that met the criteria for heavy drinking, which was defined as having two heavy drinking days in one week at least twice in the previous 30 days. In another poll conducted by Ria Health, an online alcohol addiction treatment program, found that drinking among women – especially younger women – has drastically increased during the pandemic due to a variety of reasons including isolation, work-related stress and parenting. Loni Nolte is a behavioral health provider for OSF HealthCare. She says these problems are common among some of the clients she works with on a regular basis. “More often than not a woman gets very quiet when she’s

Continue Reading

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and Springfield Ald. Shawn Gregory will present a series of free “Walk, Hike and Bike History” activities during Black History Month. “Walk, Hike and Bike History” experiences empower participants to connect with must-see museums, landmarks and monuments in the capital city. “The IDNR is pleased to offer this opportunity for people to get outdoors this February and learn more about Black history and achievements in Springfield,” said Colleen Callahan, director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. “These unique tours will help us remember the past and strengthen our understanding of the present.” All tours are free. Reservations are strongly encouraged and can be made through the IDNR website at historicspringfield.dnr.illinois.gov. Call 217-524-3971 to request additional days and times. “As we learn more about the history before our eyes in our ow

Continue Reading

HARDIN/MT. VERNON - Growers from across the region will gather for the 2022 Southwestern Illinois Commercial Tree Fruit School on Tuesday, February 8 in Hardin and the 2022 Southern Illinois Fruit and Vegetable School on Wednesday, February 9 in Mt. Vernon. These programs, sponsored by University of Illinois Extension, will be held at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Hardin and the Double Tree Conference Center in Mt. Vernon, respectively. Registration starts at 7:45 a.m. and the program runs 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day. Elizabeth Wahle, U of I Extension horticulture educator, says that the programs include presenters from University of Illinois, Southern Illinois University, University of Missouri and Purdue University, and from the tree fruit, small fruit, strawberry and vegetable grower support industry. Topics at the February 8, Hardin School, will include Peach Insect and Disease Management, Mineral Nutrition of Peach Trees, Managing Strategies for Mineral Nutrition of Apples,

Continue Reading

ALTON - Join the Hayner Library this winter for their Adult Winter Reading Program. From February 1 to February 28, 2022, Hayner Library invites patrons age eighteen and older to join in the winter reading fun—and a chance to win a grand prize gift basket designed to help you beat the winter chill. Registration and participation are easy. Simply visit the Downtown Library or Hayner Library at Alton Square Mall and fill out a short registration form. For each book, e-book, or audiobook you read, you get a chance to enter a drawing for the grand prize. The more you read, the more chances you have to win. A winner will be drawn at each location. As an added bonus, each week during the program, they will highlight a different library service, program, or collection in the form of a scavenger hunt “Word of the Week” poster hidden in the library. Visit the library weekly, find the hidden poster, and write down the Word of the Week to earn an additional chance to win the

Continue Reading

ALTON - About one out of every three people in the United States will develop shingles in their lifetime. Fortunately, the shingles vaccine is a safe and effective way to prevent an outbreak. If you’ve had a shingles attack, then you know how painful it can be. However, a shingles attack can have more consequences than just a painful, blistering rash. One of the main complications that can result from a shingles outbreak is postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). “PHN causes continuous, chronic pain that lasts even after the skin sores have healed,” said Jason Scheid, director of ambulatory pharmacy for OSF HealthCare. “It is long-term nerve pain after the rash resolves and can be severe enough to impact your daily life.” Shingles and PHN can be debilitating. Prevention is your best approach. “The older you are when you get shingles, the greater the risk for PHN,” Jason said. “If the rash presents on your face, there is also a risk of impacting

Continue Reading

URBANA – Personal wellness is more than just diet and exercise. Wellness is multi-dimensional, encompassing eight dimensions: physical, financial, emotional, social, spiritual, environmental, vocational, and intellectual. "These eight dimensions work in harmony to help you achieve optimal health and wellbeing." says Jenna Smith, Illinois Extension nutrition and wellness educator. Explore each dimension and develop personal wellness strategies during a free, self-guided University of Illinois Extension interactive program. Dimensions of Wellness begins Feb. 7 and spans eight weeks. Participants will receive information by email each Monday. "We are striving for personal harmony that feels authentic to you," Smith says. "Armed with a new awareness of wellness, you will be able to build your own wellness plan so that you can be the best version of you in 2022." Register before Feb. 6 at go.illinois.edu/8wellness . Participants will receive a self-assessment as part of the program.

Continue Reading

He’ll be on a special election ballot April 19 to pick a successor to former Alderman Heather Navarro, who resigned with a year left in her term.

The report by the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership comes as tourism industry leaders are pushing council to approve bonds.

Just imagine how a future tour could go moving forward.

The findings were made public Friday, 4½ years after the investigation was launched during the tenure of then-Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner.