News

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.

View Comments | Post a Comment

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.

View Comments | Post a Comment

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.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Local pediatrician receives Rural Physician of Excellence Award

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Digital Content Producer

Tuesday, September 27th, 2011, 12:18pm

Local pediatrician receives Rural Physician of Excellence Award

MT. VERNON, IL (KFVS) - The Good Samaritan Regional Health Center announced Tuesday pediatrician Dr. Neeta Kaushal has received the Illinois Rural Health Association's Rural Physician of Excellence Award.

The award recognizes outstanding rural physicians for their work to improve the health and well-being of the rural and under served residents in Illinois. The selection factors include:

Contributions to his/her local community
Expertise and contributions to the profession of medicine
Other humanitarian activities
Years in practice

“Dr. Kaushal is such a gifted pediatrician and an asset to this community. We are incredibly grateful for her knowledge of pediatrics and her commitment to excellent patient care,” said Jan Becherer, Vice President of Patient Care Services for Good Samaritan Regional Health Center.

Dr. Kaushal has been in practice for over 16 years. Six of those years have been spent in Mt.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Car seat safety check points set up across Illinois

Submitted by KFVS Web Staff

Sunday, September 25th, 2011, 1:23pm

When it comes to keeping kids safe in their car seats sometimes all it takes is a little instruction and guidance.

That's exactly what law enforcement, health care agencies and the Illinois Department of Transportation offered Saturday.

The program called "Don't Leap Too Soon" set up car seat safety check points in more than 80 locations in the state.

"The reason it's so important is because 80-percent of the car seats that come through our checks are incorrectly installed," said ISP Trooper David Sneed. "So when you look at the big picture that's a lot of kids running around the nation not secured properly in their car seat."

Illinois wasn't the only place in the nation taking part in the "Don't Leap Too Soon" program. Car seat safety check points were set up all across the Heartland Saturday, and around the nation.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Ill. Gov's request for Agricultural disaster declaration approved

Submitted by KFVS Web Staff

Thursday, September 22nd, 2011, 8:28pm

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn announced federal disaster assistance is available to help the state's farmers who suffered crop losses due to 2011 flooding.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has granted the Governor's request to designate 46 Illinois counties as natural disaster areas, said the governor's office.

The designation qualifies farmers in those counties and 27 contiguous counties for assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), including low-interest emergency loans.

"Grain prices will help offset production losses for farmers who were fortunate enough to get a crop in the ground, but thousands of acres across Illinois were totally destroyed," Governor Quinn said. "These loans will help farmers who weren't able to plant this year's crop by refinancing debt and covering production costs and essential family living expenses."

View Comments | Post a Comment

U.S. Coast Guard offers boating safety tips for hunters

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Digital Content Producer

Saturday, September 17th, 2011, 12:00pm

U.S. Coast Guard offers boating safety tips for hunters

(KFVS) - The United States Coast Guard is offering boating safety tips for hunters.

The Coast Guard says capsizing and falling overboard into cold water are major hazards for hunters. During hunting seasons, most waters are cold enough for a serious hypothermia threat.

They say responsible hunters need to be aware of the dangers and follow a few simple rules to make hunting on the water safer and more enjoyable. The tips include:

Leave a float plan with someone at home, describing where you are going, who you are with and when you expect to return.
Transport firearms to the boat unloaded, cased, muzzle first, with the action open.
Always wear an approved and properly fitted life jacket when in a boat.
Carry a throwable flotation device in case someone falls overboard.
Stow visual distress signals on board.
Know the weather forecast for the area. High winds can be dangerous.