A tree killing beetle is moving further south in Illinois.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture said the emerald ash borer was discovered just north of Salem in Marion County and at the Green Creek Rest Area on Interstate 57 in Effingham County.

According to the department, the beetle has been spotted in 20 counties in the state.

The emerald ash borer is a small, metallic green beetle that is native to Asia, according to the department. Its larvae burrow into the bark of ash trees, causing the trees to starve and eventually die.

Experts say the beetles travel easily and ask that people do not bring firewood or untreated wood products from other areas.

The department is asking local and regional tree companies, villages, and cities to consider the group's appliance agreement program to familiarize themselves with the rules about processing and transporting ash materials.

MT. VERNON, IL (KFVS) - The Mentors 4 Kids Trivia Night will be Saturday, October 22 at St. Mary's Parish Center in Mt. Vernon, Ill.

All proceeds from the Trivia Night entry fees will support Mentors 4 Kids, which was formed in 2009 to provide caring, volunteer adult mentors for children who want and need a positive role model in their life.

The entry fee for the event is $80 per team with a maximum of eight players on each team. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the trivia quiz starts at 7 p.m. Organizers say prizes will be given out for best decorations and costumes. There will also be a 50/50 raffle, mulligans and dessert auction.

“Trivia nights are all about having fun and bringing friends and family together for a friendly competition,” said David Overstreet, event chairperson and M4K Advisory Board of Jefferson County chairman. “Our trivia event is also for a great cause.

MT. VERNON, IL (KFVS) - If a child misses several days of school, parents beware.  It's now easier for parents to end up in court.

Under new state law, the number of days a student can miss school is now nine days.  That is down from 18 days.

The Hamilton-Jefferson Counties Regional Superintendent of Schools Ron Daniel says they will work closely with school officials and local law enforcement to monitor student attendance.

"It's just like a lot of things the amount of kids this will effect, will cause an impact upon school districts and the amount of personnel they have to handle the chronic truants," said Daniel.  "We will see chronic truant numbers increase."

The law applies to students ages seven to 17 statewide.

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