Our network

News

Tips to protect plants from frost

(KFVS)- With a freeze warning in Wednesday night's forecast, many of us are wondering what we should do to protect our plants.  Expert gardener and owner of Sunny Hill, Paul Schnare, says folks need to beware when the temperature is forecasted to be 40 or below.

"You can tell when a plant is getting cold, because their leaves will start to curl," said Schnare.  "This means they are cold and need a coat."

Schnare says the best thing to do is to cover the plants with a light, soft blanket called a harvest guard.

"This will protect a plant from frost because the frost will hit the frost guard but not effect the plants."

He also suggests not using plastic, because if temperatures drop low enough the plastic could freeze to the plant.  He also says if you use plastic and don't remove it before the sun rises, it could actually heat up quickly and burn the plants too.  He also suggests a product called Freeze Proof.

7 ways to beat high prices at the pump

(KFVS)- Gasoline prices are at or above $4 per gallon in the Heartland.

Forbes.com offers these seven tips to beat the high prices at the pump:

-Pay in cash

-Use a smartphone app

-Get a wholesaler membership

-Get a gas company loyalty card

-Get a cash-back card for gas

-Avoid buying fuel on the highway

-Rent an electric car while on vacation

 

Online: 7 ways to beat high gas prices

Get the lowest price on gas where you live

Copyright 2012 KFVS. All rights reserved.

IDNR reminds residents, visitors of wildfire prevention

IDNR reminds residents, visitors of wildfire prevention

(KFVS) - The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is reminding Illinoisans and visitors to the state to take precautions to prevent wildfires, especially with the unusually warm and dry weather in the state this spring.

The IDNR says fires in March burned nearly 400 acres at Sand Ridge State Forest in Mason County and dozens of acres of park land at Lincoln Trail State Park in Clark County. Last November, nearly 1,500 acres of heavily wooded hunting ground burned in a wildfire at Pere Marquette State Park in Jersey County.

Illinois residents can now legally mail order ammunition

Illinois residents can now legally mail order ammunition

(KFVS) - Gun owners in Illinois will now be able to legally mail order ammunition from intra-state gun sales locations.

Senate Bill 681 was sponsored by State Sen. Dave Luechtefeld (R-Okawville) and passed the Senate on March 28. It allows an Illinois resident to buy ammunition through the mail from an in-state federal firearm-licensed retailer or seller of ammunition. The bill is supported by the Illinois State Rifle Association and National Rifle Association.

“Only in Illinois would it be illegal to order ammunition from an Illinois point of purchase. Currently, a resident can purchase ammunition through the mail from Wyoming, Florida or any other state, but here,” Luechtefeld said. “The measure is a mere clean-up that will help facilitate business transactions.”

Luechtefeld said it does not preempt any portions of the FOID Card Act and is strictly meant as a means for current FOID card holders to purchase intra-state ammunition easier.

Don't let mosquitoes hamper backyard plans

CARMI, IL (KFVS)- Springtime is the time of the year for outdoor activities, and the beginning of mosquito season.

Here are some tips from the Egyptian Health Department in Carmi, Illinois you can use to prevent mosquito's putting a damper on your spring and summer backyard plans:

-Properly cover or dispose of old tires.  Old, rimless tires are prime breeding ground for mosquitoes.

-Get rid of artificial containers such as cans, buckets, bottles or any other container that holds water. 

-Keep drains, ditches and culverts clean of weeds and trash. 

-Keep trash containers covered to keep out rain. 

-Empty or change the water in wading pools and birdbaths at least weekly.

-Keep the grass cut short and shrubbery well trimmed around the house.

RLC Heavy Equipment Technology students recently received donation

RLC Heavy Equipment Technology students recently received donation

INA, IL (KFVS) - Three used M-11 semi-truck engines, along with power train and air brake components, were recently donated for student training in the Rend Lake College Heavy Equipment Technology and Diesel Technology programs.

Knotts TRSC NAPA Truck Center in Nashville, Tenn. made the donation. The college says they are the leading employer of students from Rend Lake's HET and DT programs.

Pictured above, from left, are student Austin Mueth of Breese, RLC Instructor Zach Vahlkamp, Instructor Mike Burris and student Dan Wilkey of St. Rose.

Copyright 2012 KFVS. All rights reserved.

Senior Health, Information Fair

Senior Health, Information Fair

MT. VERNON, IL (KFVS) - A Senior Health and Information Fair will be held at Veterans Park Community Bulding on Wednesday, March 28.

The fair will start at 8:30 a.m. It will incude more than 40 businesses, organizations and hospital departments with information on screenings and more.

Organizers say that fair is free for 50+ crowd. The Veterans Park Community Building is located at 800 S. 27th Street.

For more information, you can call 618-241-8567.

Copyright 2012 KFVS. All rights reserved.