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New program will help SE Illinois veterans, military families purchase homes

Submitted by Rich Miller, Web Producer
Thursday, December 15th, 2011, 4:18pm
New program will help SE Illinois veterans, military families purchase homes

A new program has been launched in Illinois to help veterans, active military personnel, reservists and National Guard members purchases homes.  The Welcome Home Heroes program is a financing package available statewide, and provides a forgivable grant up to $10,000 toward the purchase of a new home, as well as an additional mortgage tax credit up to $20,000 over the life of the loan.  According to the governor's office,  Welcome Home Heroes will make homeownership even more affordable for thousands of military families and create more than 400 jobs throughout Illinois.

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Southern Illinois farmers will receive assistance after Agricultural Disaster Declaration approved

Submitted by Rich Miller, Web Producer
Thursday, November 3rd, 2011, 9:53am
Southern Illinois farmers will receive assistance after Agricultural Disaster Declaration approved

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved a request for disaster aid to help Illinois farmers who suffered crop losses this year because of drought and excessive heat. Governor Pat Quinn asked the USDA to designate 44 Illinois counties as natural disaster areas. The designation qualifies farmers in those counties and 33 contiguous counties for federal assistance that includes low-interest emergency loans.

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Curbside leaf collection begins Monday in Mt. Carmel

Submitted by Rich Miller, Web Producer
Tuesday, November 1st, 2011, 3:45pm
Curbside leaf collection begins Monday in Mt. Carmel

Mt. Carmel's Curbside Leaf Collection program begins on Monday November 7. This program provides residents with a way to dispose of their leaves.

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Low interest loan program for Illinois farmers

Submitted by Rich Miller, Web Producer
Tuesday, October 18th, 2011, 3:37pm
Low interest loan program for Illinois farmers

State Treasurer Dan Rutherford is joining Illinois Farm Bureau officials to reveal better loan program conditions for Illinois farmers and lenders.   With Ag Invest, the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office partners with eligible lenders to offer farmers below-market interest rate loans to be used for operating costs, equipment purchases, construction-related expenses and livestock purchases.

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Schools encouraged to bring farmers, chefs to visit

Submitted by Rich Miller, Web Producer
Friday, September 30th, 2011, 2:54pm
Schools encouraged to bring farmers, chefs to visit

The Illinois State Board of Education and Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon are encouraging Illinois schools to participate in the first Farm to School Month in October with activities such as visiting a local farm and planning a spring garden. This year’s theme is “Bring a Farmer or Chef to School,” which encourages classroom lessons on agriculture and cooking with local fresh produce.

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White County corn crop 'stressed'

Submitted by Rich Miller, Web Producer
Wednesday, September 7th, 2011, 4:30pm
White County corn crop 'stressed'

Major flooding this past spring and multiple weeks of 100+ degree weather this summer has put added stress on the corn crop, according to participants in this year’s White County Crop Tour.

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August was one of state's driest months ever

Submitted by Rich Miller, Web Producer
Wednesday, September 7th, 2011, 10:21am
August was one of state's driest months ever

Illinois experienced the 13th driest August on record since 1895, based on preliminary data, according to State Climatologist Jim Angel of the Illinois State Water Survey (http://www.isws.illinois.edu).   The statewide average precipitation was 2.06 inches.

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