By Dave Dahl SPRINGFIELD – A new tax credit is meant to help Illinois ag-related businesses which welcome the public. This time of year, agritourism could be a pumpkin patch. In a few more weeks, it could be a cut-your-own Christmas tree farm. With liability insurance a must, the credit should help. “As you can…… MORE
By USDA SPRINGFIELD – There were 6.9 days suitable for field work during the week ending October 23, 2022. Statewide, the average temperature was 49.4 degrees, 3.2 degrees below normal. Precipitation averaged 0.0 inches, 0.72 inches below normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 23 percent very short, 31 percent short, and 46 percent adequate. Subsoil…… MORE
By USDA SPRINGFIELD – There were 5.1 days suitable for field work during the week ending October 16, 2022. Statewide, the average temperature was 53.0 degrees, 2.9 degrees below normal. Precipitation averaged 0.59 inches, 0.08 inches above normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 22 percent very short, 31 percent short, 44 percent adequate and 3…… MORE
Harvest season is in full force in Central Illinois, and the Illinois Fire Marshall’s Office is encouraging farmers to watch out for equipment and field fires.… MORE
By USDA Corn: Planted area is estimated at 10.8 million acres, down 2 percent from last year. Harvested area, forecast at 10.55 million acres, is down 3 percent from 2021. Based on October 1 conditions, the Illinois corn yield is forecast at a record 210 bushels per acre, up 8 bushels from 2021. Production is…… MORE
By USDA SPRINGFIELD – There were 7.0 days suitable for field work during the week ending October 9, 2022. Statewide, the average temperature was 54.9 degrees, 2.3 degrees below normal. Precipitation averaged 0.05 inches, 0.74 inches below normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 26 percent very short, 33 percent short, and 41 percent adequate. Subsoil…… MORE
By USDA SPRINGFIELD – There were 7.0 days suitable for field work during the week ending October 2, 2022. Statewide, the average temperature was 55.3 degrees, 6.6 degrees below normal. Precipitation averaged 0.01 inches, 0.64 inches below normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 11 percent very short, 38 percent short, and 51 percent adequate. Subsoil…… MORE
By 25 News BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington-based insurance company COUNTRY Financial is selling its Financial Services Building on the Twin-Cities’ east side to agricultural cooperative GROWMARK. The Financial Services facility at 1705 Towanda Avenue will become GROWMARK’s new headquarters, according to a news release. The sale is expected to be completed later this year. COUNTRY Financial…… MORE
By USDA SPRINGFIELD – There were 5.6 days suitable for field work during the week ending September 25, 2022. Statewide, the average temperature was 68.3 degrees, 6.4 degrees above normal. Precipitation averaged 0.88 inches, 0.05 inches above normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 11 percent very short, 10 percent short, 64 percent adequate, and 15…… MORE
As fields begin to dry out, farmers across central Illinois are starting up their combines for the fall harvest season.… MORE
By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year. It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …
By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city. Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…
By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…
Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University. We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk. Going to work every day for some people means…