Seven Day Forecast

Today
Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. East northeast wind 5 to 8 mph.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 58. East northeast wind 3 to 6 mph.
Saturday
Sunny, with a high near 83. East wind 5 to 7 mph.
Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 60. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday
Sunny, with a high near 84. Light south southeast wind.
Sunday Night
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. Light and variable wind.
Monday
A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 80. Calm wind becoming west northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Monday Night
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. Light west wind.
Tuesday
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. Calm wind becoming west northwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. Light north wind.
Wednesday
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday
A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. North northeast wind 5 to 7 mph.

A 48-hour Inexperienced Miner training for surface and underground miners is coming to Rend Lake College next month. The five-day class will meet from 8 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 18 through Thursday, Sept. 21, and from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22.

The cost of the class is $165, and attendees must pre-pay and pre-register. All training courses will be held in the Coal Mine Training Center on the Ina campus. For more information or to register, contact Sally Heathcoat at 618-437-5321, Ext. 2373.

from George O’Connor, Communications Director for Congressman Mike Bost

O’FALLON IL – Representative Mike Bost (R-Murphysboro) met with his opioid task force at the Katy Cavins Community Center in O’Fallon on Thursday to examine existing data and develop recommendations to create and implement policies at the federal, state, and local levels to curtail the opioid epidemic. Rep. Bost received input from law enforcement officers, first responders, educators, and treatment specialists on current efforts to fight the opioid epidemic and ways that these efforts can be improved.

“The number of families affected by the opioid crisis in our communities are staggering,” said Bost. “But we have to remember addiction doesn’t care about your race, gender, income or political leanings. The people battling addiction are moms and dads, sons and daughters, neighbors and friends. One of the main takeaways from this task force meeting was that we have our work cut out for us. Legislators, law enforcement, educators, and treatment specialists can’t solve the problem alone. We’re all working towards the same goal of eradicating the opioid scourge, but better coordination is needed among these groups. That is exactly why I hosted this task force meeting—to create this vitally important open dialogue.”

Task Force Participants:

Congressman Mike Bost (IL-12)
Dr. Kari Karidis, Crisis Interventionist and Recovery Support, Companion’s Companion
Chief Master Sergeant Scott Boothe, Illinois State Police, Narcotics
Dr. Andrea Taylor, Clinic Director, VAMC St. Louis
Karin Zosel, Legislative Affairs Director, Illinois Department of Justice
Percy Menzies, Assisted Recovery Centers of America
Special Agent James Shroba, US Drug Enforcement Agency

New activities for fairgoers to see and experience at 11-day fair

Press Release from the Illinois Department of Agriculture

DU QUOIN, IL – Countless new and free entertainment options have been added to the schedule of the 2017 DuQuoin State Fair.  Here’s a preview of some of the new activities you can check out during the annual 11-day festival:

Cirque Extreme – This new show combines live modern music, the most beautiful costumes, theatrical set, concert lighting and sound to wow audiences.  These award winning Cirque artists will have you amazed with their world class talents and skills.  Acts include the Globe of Death, the Legendary Wheel of Steel, the Aerial Extreme Swing, the Tower of Chairs, and Aerial Fabric routines.

Remote Controlled Micro-Racing – Start your engines!  This interactive attraction appeals to all ages.  Everyone can be involved either as a driver or as a spectator cheering on their favorite racer to victory lane!  64 racers each session, 192 racers daily.  Step right up for a chance to win daily trophies and prizes.

The Alley Cats – Tight infectious harmonies, universal humor and unbelievable acappella energy have made The Alley Cats America’s premier doo-wop group.  Bringing their own contemporary style to tunes from the 1950’s and 1960’s, they have scored fans of all ages while breathing new life into everyone’s favorite doo-wop classics.  Their engaging wit, humor and camaraderie radiates from the stage as they relate directly to the crowd with jokes, stories and audience participation.

Hooper the Hypnotist – Back by popular demand, Hooper the Hypnotist is an exciting and motivating entertainer with an extremely funny and fast-paced show where volunteers become stars.  Want to see your best friend turned into Lady Gaga?  It can happen!  Just check out Hooper’s shows!  It’s always fun and never humiliating.

Chicago 6 – Join us for a free concert by the Chicago 6 on Friday, August 25th at 8pm following the Twilight Parade. This band was formed by three members of the Super Bowl winning 1985 Chicago Bears defensive line in 2012. They now travel the state performing great classic rock hits, including songs from ZZ Top, Smokey Robinson and John Mellencamp.
Dueling Pianos International – A second free performance is slated to take place in the Grandstand on Wednesday, August 30th at 7:30pm. This is sure to be the most energetic, interactive entertainment you’ve ever experienced!  You will be wowed by their showmanship, vocal ability, musical skill and work ethic.   Join us in the grandstand for a night of musical requests and sign-a-longs.

All of the above acts and shows are included in the cost of admission.  Most of the above shows take place multiple times a day, so be sure to check our website or daily schedule for show times.

The 2017 Du Quoin State Fair will take place August 25 – September 4 in Du Quoin, IL. Plan your visit today by visiting to our website at www.duquoinstatefair.net.