Fresh fruit, vegetable program expands for Ill. schools

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Web Producer

Monday, July 16th, 2012, 2:30pm

Fresh fruit, vegetable program expands for Ill. schools

(KFVS) - The Illinois State Board of Education announced Monday that 267 schools in Illinois will participate in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program during the 2012-13 school year.

The schools, both public and private that already participate in the National School Lunch Program, will get a total of $4.9 million to share, up from last year’s grant amount of $4.7 million that served 215 schools.

“This is a valuable federal program that improves access to great fruits and vegetables,” said Illinois State Board of Education Chairman Gery J. Chico. “This program helps children from low-income families feed their minds and bodies with good nutrition and promotes healthy habits for life.”

The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program requires participating schools to use between $50 to $75 per enrolled student, with the majority of that money being spent on fresh produce. Program funding runs through June 30, 2013.

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Journey Stories to present a one room school reunion on Sat.

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Web Producer

Friday, July 13th, 2012, 3:36pm

Journey Stories to present a one room school reunion on Sat.

MOUNT VERNON, IL (KFVS) - Journey Stories will present "Remembering Readin', Writin' and 'Rithmetic: One Room School Reunion" at the Jefferson County Historical Village on Saturday, July 14 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

This is a reunion for anyone who went to a one room school on the eastern half of Jefferson County. Stories, memorabilia and remembrances will be shared. Participants are encouraged to share stories specifically related to how they "journeyed" to school - whether by train, bus, foot, or horse.

These stories will be collected and shared in conjunction with the Smithsonian Journey Stories exhibit. For more information call (618) 246-0033.

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26 southern Illinois counties eligible for drought relief

Submitted by KFVS Web Staff

Thursday, July 12th, 2012, 8:29am

(KFVS)- Farmers in 26 counties in southern Illinois can apply for drought-related disaster relief.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture declared several 26 Illinois counties as disaster areas due to the drought.

Those counties are Alexander, Clark, Clay, Crawford, Edwards, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Johnson, Lawrence, Massac, Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Randolph, Saline, Union, Wabash, Wayne, White, and Williamson counties immediately meet the criteria.

Under new USDA rules announced Wednesday, a county automatically qualifies for a disaster designation once it is categorized by the U.S. Drought Monitor as being in a severe drought for eight or more consecutive weeks during the growing season.

Early assessments indicate farmers will sustain substantial yield loses, according to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

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17th annual charity golf classic July 13

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Web Producer

Wednesday, July 11th, 2012, 11:43am

17th annual charity golf classic July 13

MOUNT VERNON, IL (KFVS) - The 17th Annual United Methodist Children's Home Charity Golf Classic will be July 13 at Green Hills Golf Club.

Registration will be at 10 a.m. with shotgun start at 11 a.m. It costs $320 per four-person team or $800 per person.

For more information, you can call 618-242-1070, ext. 234 or click here to visit the church online.

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Mt. Vernon man dies after his truck hit a power pole on IL Rt. 148

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Web Producer

Tuesday, July 10th, 2012, 4:57pm

Mt. Vernon man dies after his truck hit a power pole on IL Rt. 148

MOUNT VERNON, IL (KFVS) - A Mount Vernon man died Tuesday after his truck left the road and hit a power pole.

The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office says at about 12:12 p.m. they received several phone calls reporting a one vehicle crash south of Mt. Vernon on IL Rt. 148 south of Redwood Road.

Robert D. Beasley, 53, was pronounced dead at the scene by Jefferson County Coroner Eddie Jo Marks. According to the sheriff's office Beasley was the driver and only occupant of a 1991 Chevy Silverado. They say the truck left the road and hit a power pole.

The sheriff's office, Jefferson Fire Protection District, Waltonville Fire Protection District, Litton's Ambulance and Jefferson County Coroner responded.

The crash is still under investigation by the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office and the Jefferson County Coroner.

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Limited energy assistance available for low income households

Submitted by Emma Hawes on Tuesday, July 10th, 4:49 pm

(KFVS) - Crosswalk Community Action Agency of West Frankfort announced Illinois released a very limited amount of funding for Summer Energy Assistance Program.

According to the agency, due to very limited funding, assistance will be provided to people who approach the company first. The utility payments are for electric services only. This will affect the counties of Franklin, Jefferson and Williamson.

Starting at 7 a.m., appointments will be distributed on July 11.

The LIHEAP Summer Energy Assistance Program is targeted for at-risk households with at least one resident age 60 or older, at least one resident with a disability income, at least one resident age 4 or young or at least one resident with a document medical condition that can be improved by air condition. To qualify residents must have an income equal or less than 150 percent of the poverty level.

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IEMA awards $4 million in grants to support area Emergency Management Agencies

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Web Producer

Tuesday, July 10th, 2012, 4:27pm

IEMA awards $4 million in grants to support area Emergency Management Agencies

(KFVS) - The Illinois Emergency Management Agency has awarded $4 million in grants to help 120 city and county emergency management agencies throughout Illinois support local disaster preparedness and response efforts.

“When a natural disaster strikes, communities across Illinois must be prepared to respond immediately," Governor Pat Quinn said. "We are committed to doing everything we can to make sure communities have the tools they need to be ready to respond to natural disasters as soon as possible.”

The Emergency Management Performance Grants are funded through a grant IEMA receives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The grants, which are awarded annually, can be used for day-to-day operations of local emergency management programs.

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