Gay Bowlin, Manager

The Franklin County Farm Bureau received a $750 grant from the Illinois Farm Bureau and Illinois Farm Families for the purpose of face-to-face communication between adult non-ag consumers and farmers with the ultimate goal to build trust in farmers and our farming practices.

We partnered with the University of Illinois Extension, Ag in the Classroom, and the Early Head Start Program for Franklin and Williamson Counties. Each month the Early Head Start meets at the U of I Extension office in Franklin County and does a program about food preparation. It was just so easy for us to partner up with this effort.

In June Mary Bolen from the Benton Farmers Market came and talked about the foods that are available at the market and to inform them that Benton Farmers Market now takes SNAP and that there are many benefits to eating local fruits and vegetables. Mary handed out a sheet to inform them of when the fruits and vegetables are ready to eat and would be available in our area.
Melissa Lamczyk, Ag in the Classroom Coordinator from Franklin County spoke about the ways in which AITC helps the communities and teaches children about planting and growing healthy foods. Because Melissa is also an active farmer she talked about her and her husband Marc’s farming practices and what they grow and harvest.

On a normal month when this group meets they cook several different meals, eat and then walk away with the recipes. In June Jennifer Newbury and Hannah Sickmeyer from the University of Illinois Extension cooked Chicken & Rice Casserole and had it ready to eat at the end of the program. After the participants ate they were then given an Illinois Farm Bureau insulated bag and filled it with the non-perishable food items that it takes to make this meal at home. They were also given vouchers to go to Save A Lot in Benton where they could pick up the perishable items as well.
At the July session Easy Vegetable Soup and Fruit Salad with Vanilla Yogurt was on the menu. Each family once again received the insulated bags that we had ordered from the Illinois Farm Bureau and we able to “shop” for the non-perishable items that we had on-hand. Save A Lot in Benton once again provided vouchers for all perishable items.

Hannah Sickmeyer, Jennifer Newbury and Melissa Lamczyk all spoke about the ways to freeze foods – type of item, length of time and thawing times were all discussed. Several of the families are already freezing but the ones who don’t already found this to be very interesting information.
Carrie Eldridge from Franklin-Williamson Bi-County Health Department spoke on car seat safety which concluded with on-site inspections for everyone who needed it. Between the two sessions we had 19 kids under the age of 5 attend.

Sixteen families participated in the June session and 15 families in the July session. Each family consists of at least 4 family members with several having over 6 in the family unit.
Remember we are farmers working together. If we can help let us know.

MARION — Williamson County Board of Commissioners Chairman Jim Marlo was ready to move forward with asking November voters their thoughts on gun control, but was stopped short in the board’s meeting Thursday when the other two members declined to bring the matter to a vote.

Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.

INA, Ill. – Local high school students saved their families over $1 million this year by participating in Rend Lake College’s dual credit program. Wrapping up its 17th year, RLC’s program saved a total of 2,798 students (duplicated) approximately $1,405,130 in tuition and textbook fees during the last academic year.

The dual credit program offers tuition-free courses with a reduced rate for textbook rental for in-district high school students. For the 2,791 students (duplicated) who enrolled in 8,841 credit hours in the Fall 2017 and Spring 2018 semesters, the savings in tuition alone is $972,510 at $110 per credit hour. Students who enroll in both semesters are counted twice for official reports.

Through this program, juniors and seniors take general education and career technical courses during the day at their high school, meeting graduation requirements at both the high school and RLC. The courses are taught by both college and high school instructors.

For the first time ever, Benton Consolidated High School had the most participants in the dual credit program at 484 (duplicated), earning a total of 1,448 credit hours in two semesters and saving approximately $159,280 in tuition. Mt. Vernon Township High School students earned the most credit hours at 1,596, saving $175,560 in tuition. See the chart below for tuition savings by high school.

In addition to tuition savings, students enrolled in the dual credit program also qualify for reduced textbook rental rates. For the average RLC student, renting a textbook costs $40, but for dual credit students, that cost is lowered to $10. This year, students saved $432,620 by renting textbooks instead of purchasing. Not all textbooks can be rented, depending on usage. See the chart below for textbook savings.

“On behalf of the faculty, staff, and administration at Rend Lake College, I want to congratulate these overachieving students for their hard work and dedication to their education,” said Lisa Price, Vice President of Student Services. “It takes a unique determination and focus on the future for these students to enroll in college-level courses while still in high school. I look forward to working with these students in the future, on their campuses and ours.”

All 13 public high schools in RLC’s district are registered with the program, and 12 participated last year. RLC also had seven students (duplicated) from Marion High School participate in the program, earning 21 credit hours and saving $2,310 in tuition fees.

Students must meet placement requirements and prerequisites prior to enrolling in the courses. Approval for students to participate in dual enrollment must be obtained by a high school official. Students also must adhere to the RLC drop policy. The grade will become a part of the college transcript.

Tuition is waived for eight hours per semester. For those wanting to take additional classes, approval from the Vice President of Student Services is required. For more information on dual credit, contact the Student Services Department at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1266.

Action expected to fuel jobs, economic development statewide

PEORIA — Gov. Bruce Rauner today signed SB 3527, a bipartisan bill improving and expanding the River Edge Redevelopment Zone (RERZ) Historic Tax Credit. The successful economic development incentive now will be available to communities statewide.

“This legislation opens up millions of dollars in economic incentives in the form of tax credits for historic preservation projects throughout Illinois,” Rauner said after signing the bill at the Peoria Riverfront Museum Plaza. “It is imperative that we add jobs and fuel economic development. This bill will help Illinois achieve those goals while also preserving our past and making our state even more beautiful to visit.”

Established in 2012, the RERZ originally was a five-year pilot program allowing a 25 percent state income tax credit for qualifying projects in blighted, historic riverfront areas in Peoria, Rockford, Elgin, East St. Louis and Aurora.

SB 3527, which passed both Houses in May, expands availability of the historic tax credits to similar projects across the state. It also adds a new Illinois Historic Preservation Tax Credit with $15 million in credits to be administered by the Historic Preservation Division of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources each year between January 2019 and December 2023.

On July 21, 2018 at approximately 4:00 a.m. Benton Police conducted a traffic stop in the 1500 block of North Main Street after observing a vehicle swerving while travelling on N. Main St.  Upon investigating, police arrested Aron J. Kays, age 28, of Benton for driving under the influence.  Kays was also cited for improper lane usage.  Kays was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On July 22, 2018 at approximately 1:40 a.m. Benton Police were dispatched to the 700 block of East Burkitt Street in reference to a domestic disturbance.

Upon investigating, police arrested Matthew J. Hartman, age 34, of Benton for two counts of domestic battery.

Hartman was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

INA, Ill. – Over the course of July, Rend Lake College held a pair of baseball summer camps under the tutelage of RLC Head Baseball Coach Tyler O’Daniel. Thirty youth sluggers came to Ina to take part in the camps where they worked on the fundamentals hitting, fielding, pitching, throwing, base running, and mental aspects of the game.

RLC Head Coach Tyler O’Daniel, far left, taught campers from grades 3-5 in the first baseball camp of the summer. He was assisted by RLC freshman Steven Anderson, second to left, RLC Assistant Coach Brandon Hardin, second from right and RLC sophomore Dalton Banach, far right.Participants in alphabetical order were Hayden Burton (Johnson City), Cole Copple (Benton), Luke Himelick (Flora), Cyrus Joy (Dix), Trevor Millenbine (Dahlgren), Charlie Shupe (Mt. Vernon), Kyle Williams (McLeansboro) and Carson Woolsey (Sesser). 

RLC Head Coach Tyler O’Daniel, far left, taught campers from grades 6-8 in the second baseball camp of the summer. He was assisted by RLC sophomore Dalton Banach, far right. Participants in alphabetical order were Logan Atwood (Flora), Colton Berk (Woodlawn), Tyler Conrad (Flora), Xander Fuqua (Marion), Eric Healy (Norris City), Trevor Johnson (Flora), Cyrus Joy (Dix), Alex Kiefer (Mt. Vernon), Will Kiefer (Mt. Vernon), Jake Kinsman (Benton), Hunter Kluck (Mt. Vernon), Leighton Malcolm (Woodlawn), Gavin McCann (Benton), Shandon Prather (Flora), Chase Rubenaker (Benton), Trey Severin (Benton), Drew Wheeler (Mt.Vernon) and Neil Young (Flora). Not pictured: Ollie Collins (Flora), Garrett Patridge (Flora), Camden Strom (Edwardsville).

INA, Ill. – Whether you’ve visited campus as a student or parent, attended trainings on our satellite campuses in Mt. Vernon or Pinckneyville, or participated in any number of our community events, chances are you have a connection to Rend Lake College. Now, we want to hear from you.

RLC is asking community members to submit third-party comments on our activities and services as part of the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) accreditation process. Comments from current and prospective students, interested parents, and in-district taxpayers are welcomed.

These third-party comments can be submitted online to HLC at www.hlcommission.org/comment or can be mailed to HLC at the address below. Comments are due Monday, Aug. 27, and HLC cannot guarantee that comments after the due date will be considered.

Third-Party Comment on Rend Lake College
Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500
Chicago, IL 60604-1411

This fall, RLC will receive a visit from HLC as part of the Open Pathway to accreditation. As part of the Federal Compliance process, one piece of the accreditation puzzle, HLC requires institutions to undergo a comprehensive evaluation, which includes an invitation to the public to provide written comments. Three weeks before the visit to campus on September 24-25, HLC will review and forward the third-party comments to the evaluation team members and the institution.

RLC has been accredited by HLC since 1969 and it is vital to what we do. Accreditation serves as a measure of quality, allows us to access and distribute federal student aid, facilitates the transfer of classes between institutions, and much more. HLC is one of six regional accreditors in the country and is recognized by the U. S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

More information about the Higher Learning Commission can be obtained through its website at www.hlcommission.org. To learn more about RLC’s road to accreditation, visit www.rlc.edu/hlc.

INA, Ill. – Three specialized trainings for surface and underground miners have been scheduled to meet 13 times this fall at Rend Lake College. All training courses will meet on the RLC Ina campus in the Coal Mining Training Center, and will be taught by RLC Mining Technology Instructor Don McBride.

Annual Surface and Underground Refresher trainings are set for 8 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. on the following Fridays: Aug. 24, Oct. 19, Nov. 16, or Dec. 14. Each course costs $50.

New Miner Surface and Underground trainings are also on the schedule. Miners will meet from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 13 through Friday, Aug. 17; Monday, Oct. 1 through Friday, Oct. 5; Monday, Oct. 29 through Friday, Nov. 2; or Monday, Dec. 17 through Friday, Dec. 21. The cost of the class is $165, and attendees must pre-pay and pre-register.

New miners needing the surface-only trainings will meet from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 15 through Friday, Aug. 17; Wednesday, Oct. 3 through Friday, Oct. 5; Wednesday, Oct. 31 through Friday, Nov. 2; or Wednesday, Dec. 19 through Friday, Dec. 21. The cost of the training is $120.

An Annual Refresher for Surface-only miners is set for 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 21. This training costs $50.

For more information, contact McBride at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1217 or mcbrided@rlc.edu. To register for any of the trainings, contact Joy Fitts at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1261 or fittsj@rlc.edu.

BENTON, IL – Join the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Rend Lake on Saturday, July 28th, as they host Free Again Wildlife Rehabilitation Center for a special late night program.

This program, titled “Night Owls”, will give the audience a chance to get up close and personal with live, rehabilitated owls. Presented by Bev Shofstall of the Free Again Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, this entertaining program will introduce the audience to these nocturnal birds of prey as they learn their stories, their unique characteristics, and their importance in Illinois ecosystems. Free Again Wildlife is a rehabilitation center focused on conservation and education efforts based out of Carterville, IL. Don’t miss this chance to see and meet these wonderful creatures in this nighttime program.

“Night Owls” will be presented on July 28th, 2018 from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. at the Rend Lake Visitor Center and Project Office. Programs featuring live animals tend to fill up very quickly, so please plan accordingly as seating is limited. As always, Environmental Science Series programs are free, open to the public, and appropriate for all ages.

The 2018 Environmental Science Series at Rend Lake will continue next week with the “Babaloo Music and Fun Show”. Enjoy this one-man musical comedy act with fun songs to entertain children, adults, and families. This program will take place on Saturday, August 4th, 2018 from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. at the Rend Lake Visitor Center and Project Office.