Deadline Saturday to make swimming pool drains safer

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Digital Content Producer

Friday, September 30th, 2011, 12:41pm

Deadline Saturday to make swimming pool drains safer

JEFFERSON COUNTY, IL (KFVS) - The Illinois Department of Public Health says they will be closing licensed swimming facilities on Oct. 1 if they do not meet with state suction entrapment regulations.

The IDPH says roughly 85 percent of all licensed swimming facilities in Illinois have already complied, but there about 500 municipal, park district, school and hotel pools that have not.

In December 2007 the federal Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act was signed into law, mandating the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission enforce mandatory pool drain regulations for all pools and spas.

Starting in 2008, the IDPH issued six memoranda to all licensed swimming facilities that addresses regulations.

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IDOT urges schools to participate in Walk to School Day

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Digital Content Producer

Thursday, September 29th, 2011, 1:21pm

IDOT urges schools to participate in Walk to School Day

(KFVS) - The Illinois Department of Transportation and the Illinois State Board of Education are urging schools across the state to participate in International Walk to School Day on October 5.

The event started as a community demonstration in Chicago and grew into a worldwide effort. It will be celebrating its 15th year.

“International Walk to School Day is the perfect opportunity for many of our kids to break from their normal routines and have a little fun in the process,” said Acting Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann L. Schneider. “Getting young people interested in walking and biking is so important to establishing lifelong, healthy habits. Events such as these are great first steps in that process.”

IDOT says more than 140 schools across Illinois have registered as of this week. Participating schools are encouraged to instruct students on the basics of pedestrian and bicycle safety before Oct.

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Heritage Festival at historical village

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Digital Content Producer

Thursday, September 29th, 2011, 1:01pm

MT. VERNON, IL (KFVS) - The Heritage Festival will be at the Jefferson County Historical Village and Museum Oct. 1 through 2.

The historical village is located at 1411 North 27th Street. The festival will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Events include craft demonstrations, music, cemetery walk, Mt. Olive church service and lunch.

Admission is free.

For more information, you can call 618-246-0033 or visit jchs.mvn.net.

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Southern Ill. volunteerism conference

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Digital Content Producer

Wednesday, September 28th, 2011, 4:34pm

MT. VERNON, IL (KFVS) - The Southern Illinois Volunteerism Conference-Lighting the Way for Service and Success will be on Thursday, September 29.

The conference will be at the Holiday Inn from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information, you can visit SIVC.net.

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Lt. Gov. Simon to speak at summit, conference

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Digital Content Producer

Wednesday, September 28th, 2011, 12:32pm

MT. VERNON, IL (KFVS) - The Lt. Governor Sheila Simon says she will speak at the East Central Development Corporation's Downstate Economic Summit in Effingham and at the Southern Illinois Volunteerism Conference in Mt. Vernon on Thursday.

According to Simon, she will be voicing her support for President Barack Obama's American Jobs Act and talk about her role as chair of the Governor's Rural Affairs Council. At the conference in Mt. Vernon, she says she will urge the attendees to stay engaged in the communities and talk her involvement with volunteers across the state.

Simon says her office worked with volunteers from the American Red Cross to coordinate emergency response efforts in the aftermath of devastating flooding that swept through Southern Illinois last spring.

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Lt. Gov. to speak at Southern Ill. Volunteerism Conference

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Digital Content Producer

Wednesday, September 28th, 2011, 10:50am

MT. VERNON, IL (KFVS) - The annual Southern Illinois Volunteerism Conference Committee announced Wednesday that Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon will speak at the conference on September 29.

The conference will be at the Holiday Inn in Mt. Vernon, Ill. from 8 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. and includes refreshments, lunch and an exhibit hall. Simon is the second highest executive officer in Illinois.

Registration for the conference is still open. It costs $25 per person or $15 for students if received before September 12.

You can contact Jennifer Witzel, SIVC Board Chair at jwitzel@OneHopeUnited.org or at 618-242-8266 to register. Online registration is also available at SIVC.net.

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IDPH: Wednesday is World Rabies Day

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Digital Content Producer

Tuesday, September 27th, 2011, 12:53pm

JEFFERSON COUNTY, IL (KFVS) - The Illinois Department of Health says Wednesday, September 28 is World Rabies Day, a global campaign to spread the word about rabies prevention.

The theme this year is "Working Together to Make Rabies History." It was founded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Alliance for Rabies Control to bring people from around the world together.

“Rabies can be prevented through increased awareness and education about the disease, as well as pet vaccinations,” said Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Damon T. Arnold. “Preventing and controlling rabies starts at the community level. World Rabies Day is an excellent time to talk with a veterinarian about pet vaccinations and learn what animals typically transmit rabies and how to avoid them.”

Rabies is a virus that affects the nervous system of humans and other mammals.

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