“Hometown Heroes” is the theme of this year’s Rend Lake Water Festival parade, and the Benton-West City Area Chamber of Commerce is looking for participants. The deadline for entry is May 7.

Here’s the link in the Benton Evening News.

Gay Bowlin, Manager

Congressman Mike Bost set up a meeting this past Tuesday with farmers and Ag Business people to be on his Ga Advisory Council. Marc Lamczyk from the U of I Extension and myself drove to Waterloo to participate in this meeting. Along with the many farmers through the Southern Region of Illinois also in attendance was Illinois Farm Bureau President Rich Guebert.

Among some of the issues discussed were the Farm Bill and Conservation Compliance including cover crops. A big issue right now is USDA “Actively Engaged” proposed rule. Because Congress chose not to define what an “actively engaged” farmer was in the 2014 Farm Bill, instead, Congress let USDA decide.

A person must be actively engaged to receive certain farm payments. An individual or entity (partnerships, corporations, etc.) must provide significant contributions to the farming operation. Contributions can consist of capital, land, and/or equipment, as well as active personal labor and/or active personal management. Management must be critical to the profitability of the farming operation and the contributions must be at risk.

I have a booklet in the office if anyone would like a copy please call so that we can have one ready for you to pick up.

When discussing Waters of the United States (WOTUS) it was stated that it is an overreach of epic proportion.

Congressman Bost has signed on to be a cosponsor of H.R. 594 which prohibits the CORPS and EPA from taking further action regarding this rule. He has signed a letter to the House Appropriations Committee asking that they not make any money available for implementation, applying, developing any part of the rule for FY 2016. He indicated that the Secretary of the EPA does expect final ruling on this to come out in May or June.

Another issue is GMO labeling – concern over a patchwork of state labeling laws is causing concern for the ag industry. 90% of scientists agree that genetically engineered traits that we consume are safe. 59% of the general public does not believe genetically modified traits are safe for consumption. The biggest issue is educating consumers.

We have trees available to be picked up to anyone who would like them. I thought that I was getting 20 and instead I receive 200. These are White Oak, Red Oak, Burr Oak and Swamp White Oak tree saplings. Please call the office at 435-3616 or just stop by.

This year we will have our Antique Tractor Drive on May 9th and for the first time we will be in the Rend Lake Water Festival Parade.  The tractors will be near the front of the parade.  We will drive the parade route then continue on to the Barren Township Building on 154 stopping for a fish dinner then continue back over the Rend Lake Dam back to the Rend Lake Plaza in West City.  Entry fee is $20 and this covers the cost of meal and a t-shirt.  For more information call the office at 435-3616.
Remember we are farmers working together. If we can help let us know.

MT. VERNON, Ill. – Springtime brings with it warm weather, sunny days, and for local residents, the annual Car Show at the Rend Lake College MarketPlace in Mt. Vernon. This year, the show will begin at 10 a.m., Saturday, May 9.

Interested patrons can register their vehicles from 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. for $10 in the east parking lot of the MarketPlace in Mt. Vernon. The first 100 registrants will be given a dash plaque for participating. All of the proceeds from the Car Show’s registration will go toward RLC student scholarships in the Automotive Technology program.

Around 10:30 p.m., judges will begin inspecting every car on the lot for a 2 p.m. trophy presentation. The awards this year include Best of Show, Best Ford, Best GM, Best Mopar, Best Street Rod, Best Truck, Best Rat Rod, Best Paint, Best Interior, Best Motor, Top Five 1995 and Newer, Top 15 1974 through 1994, and Top 25 1974 and Older.

WASHINGTON – Congressman John Shimkus (R, Illinois-15) sent a letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) today questioning this month’s Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) planning resource auction that resulted in significantly higher electricity capacity prices for central and southern Illinois. Congressmen Mike Bost (R, Illinois-12) and Rodney Davis (R, Illinois-13) joined Shimkus on the letter.

The letter notes that capacity prices for MISO Zone 4, which includes the majority of Illinois, unexpectedly skyrocketed “from $16.75 per MW-day in 2014-2015, to $150 per MW-day for 2015-2016.”

“Not only is this a 900 percent increase from last year,” Shimkus said, “but this year’s capacity rate for our region is 40 times the price set for neighboring zones. Illinois ratepayers deserve to know whether all the rules for this auction were properly followed and, if so, what can be done to prevent similar rate spikes moving forward.”

“A rate increase of this magnitude is harmful to working families, small businesses and manufacturers in Southern Illinois, especially since it won’t apply to neighboring jurisdictions,” said Bost. “I look forward to the FERC’s response to this inquiry.”

“Illinois families and businesses have a right to know that this auction was done properly and followed all the rules before being forced to pay higher utility bills,” said Davis. “Given the vast discrepancies from previous auctions, I want to make sure the proper review took place and I look forward to FERC’s response.”

The extent to which the capacity rate increase will affect individual ratepayers is not yet fully known. State officials have also questioned the auction in a separate letter to MISO.

A copy of the Shimkus, Bost and Davis letter can be found HERE.

Rend Lake – USAJOBs.gov is now accepting applications to fill summer positions at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers facilities. This hiring includes Rend Lake, Benton, IL. Rend Lake is one of the many locations that will be hiring students for summer employment through the Pathways program. These positions are open to current students enrolled at least half-time in high school, vocational, technical, undergraduate, graduate or professional programs. The Pathways “Internship” Program is a paid student internship program that offers a clear path to Federal careers for students from high school through post-graduate school and provides meaningful training and career development opportunities for individuals who are at the beginning of their Federal service.

To apply, all applicants must first create a USAJOBS account by logging into the www.usajobs.gov. Once the applicant has his/her USAJOBS account set up, they can also create “Saved Searches” to receive email notifications when new jobs are announced that meet a specific criteria. All Pathways Program positions are announced on www.usajobs.gov.

Two job applications are being advertised for Rend Lake, a GS-02 position, for persons who have never worked in the Pathways Internship program; and a GS-03 position for persons who are currently in the Pathways Internship program.

Rend Lake’s announcement number for Pathway Internship applicants for the summer of 2015 for the GS-02 position is ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER: SWGI155931431359197P. A direct link to the GS-02 announcement is: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/398166600.

For the GS-03 announcement refer to ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER: SWGI155931461359411P. A direct link to the GS -03 job announcement can be found at: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/398195000. Both job announcements are open for self-nomination beginning today, March 20, 2015, and close Monday, March 30, 2015.

Gay Bowlin, Manager

You may have heard that the Firearm Owners Identification Card process has changed and I am not exactly sure if it is for the better but none the less we have to deal with it. We have always filled out applications and taken pictures for people but now that process is a little more involved.

Gay Bowlin

First of all you can apply on line or on the phone but either way you must be able to pay with a debit, credit or checking account. If you apply on line you must have a valid email address (not sure about on the phone) and then the 15 minute process begins. You must still have a current picture and a driver’s license or state ID. If you apply online you must be able to pay over the phone.

If you come to the Farm Bureau office we will be able to help with this – we will take your picture and fill out everything online for you and then print out the confirmation. If you do not have a debit, credit or checking account then we will use our information to pay on line for you. This entire fee for this process will be $20 – that includes the $11 to the state. If you have any questions please feel free to call us at 435-3616.

Our breakfast with Representative John Bradley was well attended on Monday. We had a total of 28 in attendance with 21 of those from Franklin County. Also Kevin Semlow, Illinois Farm Bureau Director of State Legislation and Chris Lowery, Administrative Assistant to Representative Bradley.

Many items were discussed including the Juvenile Detention Center in Benton and the uncertainty that surrounds it – John assured us that he and Senator Forby are doing everything they can to keep the center running as it is today.

Representative Bradley is looking to the future and working with Governor Rauner on keeping Southern Illinois in the forefront. If you need to get in touch with him his office number is (618) 997-9697.

As soon as this weather dries up you will begin to see the farmers on the roads once more. Please take into consideration that these are very large pieces of equipment and there is limited space where they can get off the roadways – drive slowly when approaching and be aware of their limitations.
This is the last chance to place your order for Smoked Pork Loin for your Easter dinner. They will be ready for pick up on Thursday April 2nd – that is the day before Good Friday.  1/2 loin is $30 and a full is $45 please call the office or stop by to order yours today.  We will take orders ending March 30 and we don’t have extra. This is a Young Leaders Project with all proceeds going to fund scholarships. See a Young Leader or call 435-3616 to place your order.

This year we will have our Antique Tractor Drive on May 9th and for the first time we will be in the Rend Lake Water Festival Parade.  The tractors will be near the front of the parade.  We will drive the parade route then continue on to the Barren Township Building on 154 stopping for a fish dinner then continue back over the Rend Lake Dam back to the Rend Lake Plaza in West City.  Entry fee is $20 and this covers the cost of meal and a t-shirt.  For more information call the office at 435-3616.
Remember we are farmers working together. If we can help let us know.

The Justice Department is investigating the congressional expenses and business dealings of Rep. Aaron Schock, and FBI agents have begun issuing subpoenas to potential witnesses, a person familiar with the case told The Associated Press on Friday.

Here’s a link in the Chicago Tribune.

Your phone rings.

You look at the screen. It has a number you don’t recognize, but the caller ID appears as “IRS.” Your heart leaps into your throat. What could be wrong? You answer.

The person on the phone tells you they’re with the IRS, they may even give a badge number. They begin to tell you that you owe back taxes. They may even say, “you need to pay immediately” or “The police will arrest you for not paying.”

It’s scary, and understandably confusing. But above all else it is a scam.

According to the IRS, they will never:

• Call to demand immediate payment, nor will the agency call about taxes owed without first having mailed you a bill
• Demand that you pay taxes without giving you the opportunity to question or appeal the amount they say you owe
• Require you to use a specific payment method for your taxes, such as a prepaid debit card
• Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone
• Threaten to bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have you arrested for not paying.

There are similar scams targeted at email. These are called “phishing” schemes. You may get an email that appears to be from the IRS that asks you to “update your IRS e-file.” It may mention USA.gov and IRSgov. These emails are not from the IRS. They link to websites that look like the IRS site but are solely designed to capture your personal information for scammers to use illegally. The IRS will not initiate contact with you by email to request personal or financial information.

Forward any email you believe to be a scam to phishing@irs.gov.

Dirty Dozen

These are two of the most prevalent scams reported by the IRS, but every year the agency also releases a list of the top 12 or “dirty dozen” tax scams. These include false promises of free money from inflated refunds and impersonation of charitable organizations. You can see them all here.

We also have some guidance on how to protect yourself from becoming the victim of a tax scam.

In virtually every aspect of life, experience is important . But, when it comes to income tax preparation experience goes far beyond important – it’s imperative, a must.

That’s why choosing H & R Block in Benton is also a must, because the experience the entire staff brings could result in extra money in your pocket. All total, owners Terri Page and Pat Wilson and their staff have more than 140 years combined experience in tax preparation.

H & R Block has been a fixture on West Main Street (just one-half block west off the Benton Public Square) for more than 20 years and is ready to help you with your tax returns.

Here are some important questions that H & R Block in Benton can help you answer. Call the office at 618-439-4641 or stop by and visit at 101 West Main Street.