Eric Bates, a 73-year-old resident of rural Towanda, was pronounced dead at the scene of a collision between a motorcycle and a motor vehicle at the intersection of Townline and Boston School Roads in rural Mackinaw. Authorities were alerted to the accident at 3:28 p.m. on Monday, April 8.
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Naughton Recognized As a 2024 State FFA Proficiency Winner
Reed Naughton has been honored as the State FFA Proficiency Winner in Agricultural Services. A member of the Olympia FFA Chapter within the Illinois Association FFA, Naughton was recognized for his work-based learning, also referred to as Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAE). The Illinois FFA acknowledges students in forty-eight distinct areas for their SAEs. FFA members who exhibit exceptional agricultural skills and competencies through meticulous record-keeping, leadership, and academic accomplishments are eligible for this accolade. SAEs provide students with practical learning opportunities, whether through owning and operating an agricultural business, interning or working at an agriculture-related business, or conducting and reporting on an agricultural scientific study. Naughton's SAE is centered around his involvement in his family's auction service.
Olympia FFA Recognizes National FFA Week
Olympia High School celebrated National FFA Week from February 19 to 23. Throughout the week, FFA members engaged in a variety of activities, including themed dress-up days, driving tractors to school, and creative alternatives to backpacks. The events featured a truck competition, a 'kiss a pig' challenge, multiple assemblies, and relay races. Senior Chase Litwiller won the straw bale tossing contest. An impressive turnout saw 16 tractors at school on Tuesday morning. FFA Officers dedicated Wednesday morning to preparing and serving a homemade breakfast for members and staff at OHS. During Tuesday's assembly, Kamryn Rader presented 'The FFA Creed' to the students. It was a week filled with enjoyable activities, celebrating our passion for FFA within our school community.
Retrospect Salon & Boutique
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DANVERS, IL –
Retrospect Salon & Boutique has recently opened in Danvers and the co-owners, Ashley Hathaway and Wendy Dotson are very excited for their new business to get rolling. Ashley is from Elkhart, IL and has been in cosmetology for 10 years. Wendy is from Bloomington, IL and has been in cosmetology for 18 years. Their salon and boutique is a retro theme with a hair salon, tanning, and a boutique with clothing and accessories.
Grayco Heating and Cooling: Quality and Service
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DANVERS, IL –
Tim and Julie Gray began Grayco Heating and Cooling 36 years ago, and have been based out of Danvers, IL for the last 26 of those years. The heating and cooling company repairs existing furnaces and air conditioners and installs new ones as well. They are an authorized AMANA dealer. The local company is an entirely family-owned business. Tim is the chief engineer and Mason and Michael are the HVAC service technicians. Mason and Michael are the ones who service and install all of their units. Julie is the office manager and answers the phones, oversees the scheduling, and handles payments and financing.
The Hardesty Company
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DANVERS, IL –
The Hardesty Company is known as a motorcycle repair shop, although they do much more than just repair motorcycles. The business in Danvers provides on or off-site inspections and appraisals on modern, classic, and antique cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats, and “just about anything with an engine.” With the weather finally starting to turn, classic vehicle owners are starting to bring out their prized possessions. The Hardesty Company hopes to help all classic vehicle owners attain sufficient insurance, to protect all of the hard work that owners have put into their vehicles during the winter. With a proper appraisal done by The Hardesty Company, classic vehicle owners can give the appraisal to their insurance agent to ensure their vehicles will be covered and protected. The Hardesty Company will also help owners with any repairs that they could possibly need.
Central Illinois Limo Service
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DANVERS, IL –
Central Illinois Limo Service LLC is a limo service based out of Bloomington and is “open to wherever the party goes.” Oftentimes, this includes small towns in the surrounding area, including our communities. The owners are father and son, Bill and Ryan Curtis. Bill worked for the Department of Corrections for many years and Ryan attended Heartland and Illinois State for his education. He now works full time as a commercial lender at a bank in Danvers and having this small town connection proved to be very important in opening their limo business. Ryan also runs another business called The Shrimp Farm, where he sells freshwater aquarium shrimp. As you can see, Ryan has a desire to learn how businesses make money. Ryan says that this desire “leads me into having a wide range of any business for sale or business ideas.”
DIY Fire Pit
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PEORIA, IL –
With summertime approaching, there is nothing more fun than sitting around a fire pit with your friends or family! Well, maybe a tropical trip! Fire pits are a great way to add some fun to a yard! With a little hard work and some elbow grease, you’ll have one in no time. We put one in at our last home and loved it, I can’t wait to do it again!
How to Make a Dreamcatcher
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PEORIA, IL –
In Native American culture, dream catchers were believed to catch and trap bad dreams, whilst allowing good dream to pass through the spider-web design, and drift into the heads of the children that lie sleeping below them. Nowadays, dreamcatchers come in many shapes and sizes, and are an incredibly popular bedroom decor choice! If you’re ready for some sweet dreams, why not learn how to make a dreamcatcher?
Baked to Perfection Ziti
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PEORIA, IL –
The key to creating a perfect Baked Ziti is to keep it from drying out. This classic Italian baked pasta dish is made by layering penne noodles, sauce and cheese. Once it is prepared correctly, however, it will become the only way you make it.
Small Raised Paver Patio
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PEORIA, IL –
Sometimes you are in the middle of a project and realize you need something else! This happened to me when I was creating my back garden scape. I placed my new Adirondack chairs in there place. They were a perfect fit, if the ground didn’t slope down in the back! I knew I needed to make an elevated bed for them. I had recently found a ton of old pavers in the yard and knew this was the spot for them.
Drama Unfolds in Detroit's Gritty Pool Scene
Break
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WASHINGTON, IL –
BREAK pulls us into the edgy world of Detroit's dark and dingey pool halls, where our protagonist, Eli (Darren Weiss,) navigates life's hits and misses while trying to figure out where he belongs. Balancing multiple jobs and family responsibilities, Eli's discovery of his father's legendary status in the local pool scene forces a profound reevaluation of his roots and personal ambitions, making this not just a movie about sports but a nuanced exploration of self-discovery and identity.
Action Hero Takes Stand in Rural America
China O’Brien 1 & 2
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WASHINGTON, IL –
So, generally speaking, I’m not a big fan of Westerns or martial arts films, yet somehow, when you combine the two genres into one, it captured my attention in a way I wasn’t expecting. CHINA O'BRIEN creates a unique world with a spirited mix of old Western themes and energetic martial arts. Directed by Robert Clouse, this series presents yet another significant portion of Cynthia Rothrock’s acting journey. Transitioning from the concrete jungle of New York to the rugged landscapes of Beaver Creek, Utah, Rothrock’s Lori "China" O'Brien wages a war against corruption, rejuvenating her hometown with a fierce sense of justice and impressive martial prowess.
Canine Clan Explores Family Ties
The Barkers: Mind the Cats!
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WASHINGTON, IL –
Director Elena Galdobina's THE BARKERS: MIND THE CATS brings the Barker family to a feature-length film from their TV series roots, but this time, the charm of the original series seems to have been left behind. Unfortunately, what was intended to be a fun vacation adventure quickly reveals itself as a rehashed narrative lacking originality and the endearing qualities that once captivated a loyal television audience.
Dark Transformations Unfold in Chicago Setting
Fang
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WASHINGTON, IL –
From the shadowy alleys of Chicago (I love seeing anywhere in Illinois getting more screen time in movies) emerges a tale of unnerving transformations and psychological suspense in FANG. Billy Cochran, a seemingly typical guy, finds his world turning nightmarish after a rat bite propels him into a reality where mental collapse and eerie phenomena blend into a chilling narrative. The film guides us through this harrowing journey with a gripping precision that both captivates and horrifies.
Musical Roots Spark Family's Inspiring Journey
Unsung Hero
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WASHINGTON, IL –
UNSUNG HERO captures the audience with its potent mix of gripping drama, soul, and heartfelt music. Joel Smallbone's directorial debut, assisted by co-director and film veteran Richard Ramsey, transforms the Smallbone family's real-life struggles and victories into a narrative that resonates with anyone who cherishes the enduring values of faith and family in the face of adversity.
Caring for Your Garden in the Summer Heat
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DANVERS, IL –
Temperatures are looking to rise again this week, making now a great time to talk about how to help care for your garden crops in the hot and dry times of summer. Late July through August can tend to be very hot and it is important that you are taking proper care of your crops to get them through when they are ready to be picked from the garden. Some plants can tolerate the heat better than others. When you consider that most plants are made up of 85 to 90 percent of water, it makes more sense why plants need extra attention in the heat.
The Importance of Crop Scouting a Field
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DANVERS, IL –
Crop scouting is when fields are evaluated for pest and disease problems, or for checking in on growth progress. Scouting is important because if a problem of any kind is found in the field, it can be solved or managed as quickly as possible. This process is critical for farmers to grow their best crops and have the highest yields possible, which allows them to make the most profit. Crop scouting is a critical tool to protect a farmer’s investment in each field.
Agriculture and the Fourth of July
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DANVERS, IL –
Like many holidays, the Fourth of July is connected to agriculture! In the spirit of celebrating our Independence Day this weekend, we can look at a quote about agriculture from Thomas Jefferson. The Founding Father and former president stated, “Agriculture.. is our wisest pursuit, because it will in the end contribute most to wealth, good morals, and happiness…”. Jefferson proclaimed the importance of agriculture in our country in a letter he wrote to George Washington.
Dairy Farms in Central Illinois
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DANVERS, IL –
All dairy products like milk and cheese start by the production and care of dairy cows on a dairy farm. Dairy farming is when farmers raise mother animals and use their milk to feed humans. Other dairy products than milk and cheese include butter, yogurt, ice cream and more. Byproducts from dairy farms are even used for nonfood purposes. Byproducts allow for an operation to produce more goods and be useful for as much as they possibly can.
Standards Apply for Organic Farming
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DANVERS, IL –
When you look through a produce section at the grocery store, you will likely find both organic and nonorganic items for sale. To be labeled organic, foods must meet United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) standards. Companies or farmers can not just label something “organic” without meeting these standards. The USDA sets organic standards for crops and livestock, as well as the handling process.
Recent Grads Become College Athletes
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STANFORD, IL –
Many recent Olympia High School grads are going on to pursue athletics in college. From a class of only 86 students, 5 females and 4 males will be continuing their athletic careers. Most of them will be staying right here in Illinois, with just a few moving over to the bordering states.
Olympia High School Weekly Sports Recap
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STANFORD, IL –
The sports season for OHS in the 2021-2022 school year concluded on Friday. Friday was the state track & field meet for our boys' team. The boys competed in the prelims on Friday but did not end up making it to the finals on Saturday. The qualifying 3200-meter team consisted of Anthony Ragland, Cooper Phillips, Owen Dare, and Brad Schardan. Owen and Brad wanted to save their energy for the 800 so the alternates, Logan Demling and Caden Clark ran instead. The team ran an 8:42.37 relay. Then, Brad Schardan ran the 800-meters at a personal best time of 2:00.20. Owen Dare was right behind him with a time of 2:00.26. Then, Keagan Uphoff did the 300-meter hurdles and had a time of 44.40. With Keagan being just a sophomore, he has a lot more potential to advance further in the coming years. He is off to a great start and ready for more!
Olympia High School Weekly Sports Recap
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STANFORD, IL –
This was regional week for the softball and baseball teams! To begin, the baseball team played Clinton on Monday night, coming away with a 3-2 win. This advanced them to play Pontiac on Thursday. The Spartans were not as good as Pontiac’s baseball team and lost 1-14. Pontiac is now going to the regional championship game on Monday vs Tremont. Olympia High School hosted all these regional baseball games. The high school baseball season has now ended and the boys are ready to play travel ball. The baseball program is grateful for finally having a full season that was very fun and memorable, too!
Olympia High School Weekly Sports Recap
By
STANFORD, IL –
Post-season for Olympia High School athletics is coming into full gear. Just this week Girls Track and Field competed in their IHSA Sectional Meet. Anna Beiber qualified for State at the meet with a time of 2:21.68, just 2 seconds under the state qualifying time. Melissa Bieber just barely missed the qualifying time by .29 seconds with a 47.98 in the 300 hurdles, which is less than a second off the school record. Boys Track and Field will compete in their Sectional this coming week on the 18th.