Thomas Ripperda, Rotary District Governor, spoke to the Eldorado Rotary on Tuesday, July 10.  Ripperda talked about the impact of Rotary in Eldorado with their various projects.

Ripperda talked about the growing Rotary movement throughout Southern Illinois and partnering with other groups to meet local challenges. The focus of his year is to support and strengthen local clubs with greater membership. 

Ripperda sees Southern Illinois Rotary District 6510 with over 50 clubs in the next two years and more than 2,000 members.

The Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS), Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH) and Indiana State Police (ISP) remind all Hoosiers to remember basic safety tips to ensure that everyone enjoys their time at the county fair and other local festivals and carnivals that are part of Indiana’s summertime tradition.

The first half of 2012 was the sixth driest on record, according to the Illinois State Water Survey.  Precipitation throughout the state averaged just 12.6 inches for the January through June period, or nearly seven inches below normal.  In addition, every month this year has had above normal temperatures and the statewide average of 52.8 degrees for the past six months is the warmest on record.

This combination of extremely hot and dry weather has caused Illinois crop conditions to deteriorate.  The Illinois Department of Agriculture is working closely with its federal counterparts, specifically the Farm Service Agency (FSA), to determine whether Illinois qualifies for an agricultural disaster declaration because of drought-related crop losses.  An indication of the scope of the damage should emerge after July 13, the date farmers must certify their crops that are enrolled in FSA programs.  Such a declaration would qualify farmers for USDA assistance programs, including low-interest emergency loans.