WEEKEND NEWS NOTES on WGFA >

Labor Day activities…Five-Year-Old gets on wrong bus…Knife-wielding man in custody…Reaction to Senator McCain’s V-P runningmate….

• The Kankakee River Valley Regatta, Hoopeston’s Sweet Corn Festival, and the Earl Park (IN) Fall Festival all offer plenty of weekend activities in the WGFA-listening area. Power boat races grace the waters of the Kankakee River this holiday weekend. Several classifications of nationally-sanctioned races are held all weekend long.
• Thirty-eight states are expected to be represented in the National Sweet Heart Pageant at Hoopeston. Runners-up from respective state’s Miss America Pageants compete for the Sweet Heart crown. The pageant is held at McFerren Park. Of course, there’s plenty of free sweet corn all weekend long at the 65th Annual National Sweetcorn Festival.
• Bluegrass music, truck and tractor pulls, a softball tourney, and plenty of vendors are at the Earl Park Fall Festival in Benton County, IN. Activities run thru Labor Day Monday.
• — (may want to run down activiites each day from info sheets)–
• A lost five-year student has the Central School District putting new procedures in place on how students will be loaded on buses. One five-year-old kindergarten student got on the wrong bus Wednesday, sparking concern from parents and school officials. The Chebanse Elementary School student boarded the wrong bus and exited at Clifton, whyen he actually lived in Ashkum. Superintendent Tonya Evans said the district has implemented a revised system for loading students to eliminate any confusion. Children will also be educated as to what they should do in the event they get lost.
• A knife-wielding man was taken into custody in Milford Thursday night after threatening to hurt himself. Milford Police received information about the man armed with a knife. The man fled into a cornfield when approached by authorities. A staging area was set up by Milford Police and the Iroquois County Sheriff’s department. The man was taken into custody without incident when he exited the cornfield.
• A truck driver was hospitalized in Kankakee Friday after he was involved in a colission with a car on Route 17. 52-yr-old Harold Kochopolous (Kuh-chop-uh-loss) of Sauk Village was taken to Riverside Hospital with serious injuries. His semi rear-ended a car that was making a left turn onto County Road 16000-E. The car’s driver, Bill Singer of Midlothian, was not injured. State Police investigated at 2:20 pm.
• Kankakee Judge Clark Erickson sentenced a 34-yr-old Kankakee woman to nine years in prison after she plead guilty to second-degree murder. Angela Latty stabbed her live-in boyfriend to death in february after an argument in their Maple Street apartment. 40-yr-old Eddie Williams died from a single stab wound to his chest.

WGFA is looking to celebrate the Centennial Farms across our broadcast area. What we’re really interested in is the stories, so even if your farm is not technically designated as a Centennial farm….but has a great family history……tell us the story of your farm… Mail, fax, or e-mail the information to us with your contact information so we can focus our efforts on the stories that make this the World’s Greatest Farming Area. 

Enter the details of your farm below…

(more…)

NEWS NOTES ON WGFA for Friday, August 29, 2008 >

Man with knife arrested…. Traffic accident leads to DUI…. Weekend festivals help close-out summer…..Road work suspended for holiday travel…..Illinois’ Senator accepts Presidential nomination…..

Some morning fog. Otherwise becoming sunny, high near 83. WGFA recorded .03 in rain. The holiday weekend calls for sunny skies, highs in the upper 80s.

–Labor Day activities include the Earl Park Festival.–

An unidentified man was taken into custody last night after threatening to harm himself. Milford Police received information about a male subject armed with a knife, threatening to hurt himself. As he was approached, the man fled and hid out in a cornfield. Sheriff’s deputies and Milford police set up a staging area and eventulyy took the man into custody without further incident.

A Sheldon man is hospitalized in serious condition after a rollover accident Wednesday. 54-yr-old Michael Williams left Route 52 then over-corrected and ran into a field. State Police report Williams complained of back pain and was treated at IMH before being air-lifted to Carle Hospital. Williams is facing charges of DUI, improper lane usage, failure to reduce speed and failure to buckle up.

A Mississippi truck driver escaped serious injury when he overturned his semi on I-57 near Champaign. 41-yr-old Greg Fortenberry was northbound at 11:20 Thursday morning. His rig crossed the median, entered the southbound lanes then overturned. State Police report he was hauling hazardous materials, but there was no spill. Forteneberry was cited for improper lane usage.

The National Sweetcorn Festival is underway at Hoopeston. It’s the 65th annual event in Vermilion County. Runners-up from Miss America Pageants from at least 38 states will compete for Miss National Sweetheart.

The 36th annual Earl Park Fall Festival also runs this weekend in Indiana. Several activies, including a softball tourney are part of the activities.

The 36th Annual Earl Park Fall Festival is going on now through Labor Day in Earl Park, Indiana. Tonight, come out for a fish fry dinner from 5-8 Eastern while enjoying bluegrass music at the stage. Saturdays events include a men’s softball tournament, truck & tractor pull, Kids Wa-shoos, and a spaghetti dinner.

Volunteer Services needs 10 people for their “55 Alive” class. The class runs from 9am until 1pm on September 9th and 10th. Call Volunteer Services at 815-432-5785 for more information and to reserve a spot.

Exercising at the Iroquois Regional Health Center is available to the general public for $10 per month. The first month is $15 and includes an orientation on the proper use of the exercise equipment such as the weight training equipment, treadmills, and stationary bikes. Hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 6am-8am and noon to 1pm. As well as Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 5pm- 7pm.

The Watseka Farmers Market will be held this Saturday from 7am until noon at the First Trust parking lot. The Farmers Market will be held every Saturday until October.

The Watseka Park District is offering AM and PM Yoga sessions set to begin in September. All classes will be held at the park district. For class times, call 815-432-3931.

A free developmental screening is available for children ages 0-5 from the Ford-Iroquois Preschool Cooperative. On Friday, screenings are available in Gilman. Call Danforth Elementary to schedule your appointment at 815-269-2230. Additional screenings will be held Thursday, Septmeber 4th in Watseka and Friday, September 5th in Gibson City. Please call Nettie Davis for Watseka and Melvin-Sibley Elementary School for Gibson City. For more information, go to FI preschool. Com.

The National Sweetcorn Festival Demolition Derbys are set for Saturday and Sunday at 6pm in Hoopeston. The full-size class derby is sponsored by the Hoopeston Jaycees.

The Kelly Miller Circus is coming to Shelby on Sunday at 2pm & 4:30pm at the Shelby Lions Club Grounds. The circus is sponsored by the Shelby Lions Club.

St. John’s Lutheran Church in Buckley welcomes their new pastor this Sunday at 3pm. The celebration of Reverend Doctor Daniel Alan Olson follows with a light lunch reception in the school gymnasium.

The 12th annual Founder’s Day will take place Sunday, September 7th at St. Mary’s Church in Beaverville. Festivities include a car show, farmers market, bingo, and a kiddie tractor pull. Proceeds will benefit the restoration of the Historic St. Mary’s Church.

Meals on Wheels is in need of volunteers in the Watseka area. Meals on Wheels provides meals for elderly shut-ins. Volunteer time is one week each month for about an hour at a time. For more information, call 815-432-5785.

The Iroquois Memorial Hospital & Resident Home will be holding a free blood pressure screening on Tuesday (September 2nd) from 10:30am-11:30am at Quality Supermarket in Watseka. The public is invited to attend. For more information, call 815-432-5841.

A preschool and kindergarten story program entitled “Time for School” is set for Tuesday, September 2nd at 10am and again at 6:30pm at the Watseka Public Library. Children 3 ½ years through kindergarten are invited. No sign-up needed.

The Senior Bus of Sheldon will be travelling throughout the area this summer. The next trip is to Champaign on Wednesday,September 3rd . Contact LoVerne Burnside for more information at 429-3275.

If you’re worried about you next big presentation, Toastmasters can help. Develop better speaking and presentation skills, learn to think quickly and clearly on your feet, and build strong leadership abilities. Toastmasters meet in the IMH 3rd floor conference room. Contact Lorraine for more information at 432-4716.

Car Sharing - http://www.igocars.org

Past Fashions - http://www.yearbookyourself.com

Neighborhood Watch - http://www.criminalsearches.com

Health and Living - http://www.eatdrinkordie.com

TOP NEWS STORIES ON WGFA for Wednesday, August 27, 2008 >

Hillary the hit at the DNC, Bill Clinton speaks tonight…. Farm Progress Show reports continue….Peotone men arrested on drug charges…..

Sunny today, high near 82. East winds at 5-10. A 20% chance of showers Thursday afternoon.

–More area news on the links at WGFARADIO.COM–

• State Senator Debbie Halvorson was on stage at the Democratic National Convention in Denver last night. Halvorson did not speak, but was introduced to the crowd. Halvorson is the Democratic candidate for Congress in the 11th District. She’s eyeing the seat being vacated by the retiring Jerry Weller.
• Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan is attending the DNC. Tuesday, she reiterated that she would not be supporting Governor Blagojevich, should he decide to seek a third term. Madigan did not say whether she will be a candidate for Governor in 2010.
• Illinois Democrats were energized by the speech delivered last night by Hillary Clinton. Although Clinton talked of supporting Barack Obama, some question whether the speech will push all Clinton delegates into voting for Obama. Former President Bill Clinton and V-P nominee Joe Biden speak tonight at the DNC.
• Narcotics charges have been filed against two Peotone men following a raid on an apartment last week. 26-yr-old Jeremy Rutnicki and 28-yr-old Kevin Carvelli are charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver. Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow said officers found about 60 grams of what’s believed to be cocaine.
• Emergency sewer repairs in Gilman carry a price tag of nearly $44,000. The Bourbonnais firm—R & R Construction—was awarded the job to fix sanitary sewers between 5th and 6th Streets on the city’s west side. The Gilman Star also reports city officials plan to contact the drainage district.
• The Gilman Chamber of Commerce is also gearing up for “Super Saturday.” The September 13th event will include a a Car Show, Bingo, Kids activities, and music in the park. Parts of Central and Main Streets will be temporarily closed for the event.
• Iroquois Paving Corporation of Watseka will be patching some area with asphalt. The City Council approved a $25,000 cost to patch about 30 locations.
• A city landmark in Watseka may be a thing of the past. The horse trough on Cherry Street is the subject of a vote next week. The City Council is expected to vote on eliminating the trough after the Public Work’s Committee voted 6-2 to do away with what’s always been a popular conversation piece. The trough is another source of city water, not a natural well.

“Your Illiana News Source” — 941.FM, WGFA

WGFA’s Colleen Callahan proudly announces this week’s Featured Farmer.

This week’s Featured Farmer was born and raised in Iroquois County. He and his wife have farmed the majority of their married life just outside of Watseka raising corn and beans and in the past have also raised feeder cattle and hogs. This featured farmer currently has a LARGE garden with everyone’s favorite vegetables. He works in his garden every day and very well could be there right now. He has carried the WGFA crew to and from the station during floods. Congratulations to this week’s Featured Farmer, Weldon Bohlmann of Watseka, Illinois, this week’s Featured Farmer of the Week.

Listen every Monday at 7:55am to see if YOU are the next Featured Farmer of the Week!

Featured Farmer Sponsored By:
Mowrey Auction Company in Milford
Hicksgas in Watseka
Community State Bank in Brook, IN
McCullough Implement Company n Watseka
Heritage FS in Gilman
Bob Burd your Country Financial agent in Watseka
Papineau Locker
C&C Tire & Auto Service in Watseka
Miller Hydraulic Service in Manteno
First Trust & Savings Bank in Watseka & Clifton
Crow’s Hybrid Corn Company in Kentland
Vulcan Materials
Quality Supermarket in Watseka
Ford-Iroquois Farm Bureau
Mercier Valley Irrigations in St. Anne
The Longbranch in L’Erable
Sumner National Bank in Sheldon & Watseka
Emerson Sondgerath Motors in Kentland
Meier Oil Service in Ashkum
Cheryl Rabe your Country Financial Agent in Gilman

WGFA NEWS NOTES for Tuesday, August 26, 2008 >

Mike Perrine reports from the Farm Progress Show…. Illinois voices heard at the Democratic National Convention….. Iroquois ballot rectified, may be an appeal…..

Another pleasant day weatherwise—sunshine, high near 82. Mostly sunny Wednesday and high near 84.

–More area news on the links at WGFARADIO.COM–

• WGFA offers special coverage from the Farm Progress Show today, Wednesday and Thursday. The ’special’ mid-day report during the Noon Show— 12:35 ’til 1:20— on 94.1 FM. Mike Perrine also provides interviews from Boone, Iowa this week on WGFA.
• Illinois Comptroller Dan Hynes and Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias were among the Democratic voices heard at the Democratic National Convention last evening in Denver. Michelle Obama, wife of expected presidential nominee Barack Obama, was the keynote speaker on the opening night of the event. The Illinois officials all praised Obama, saying he’s genuine, intimately knowledgeable of the struggles of today’s American family, and ready to change politics in Washington, D.C.
• Judge Kendall Wenzelman is allowing four candidates names to appear on the November ballot in Iroquois County to correct a mistake. The judge denied a Summary Judgment petition filed by Green Party Chairman Dale Strough, who argued only Russell Bills and Chris Meredith had filed as qualified candidates for a District 2 county board race. Strough said Troy Krumweide and Michael Power filed for a 2-year unexpired term that didn’t exist. Strough insisted there’s no authority in the Election Code to move any candidate from one ballot slot to another. Strough stated ‘there’s two seats available and the question is ‘who should be on the ballot ?’ Attorney Pat Power agreed with State’s Attorney Jim Devine, both telling the court “a mistake was made and we need to resolve it.” Devine said the simple solution is there’s two seats and four candidates, let the voters decide. Power said Strough wants to throw two names off the ballot in favor of his Green Party client, Meredith. Power insisted the fair solution is to allow all four candidates to seek the two seats.
• The mistake occured back in the Republican Primary when County Clerk Mark Henrichs printed up a ballot for two seperate terms, a four-year term and a two-year unexpired term. However, there is no 2-year term available. State’s Attorney Devine asked the court for a Declaratory Judgment, naming Henrichs the petitioner. Devine said Henrichs recognized the mistake and the fair solution was to allow the four candidates to seek the two available 4-year seats.

“Your Illiana News Source” — 94.1 FM, WGFA

STORIES MAKING NEWS ON WGFA for Monday, August 25, 2008 >

Farm Progress Show this week…. Toxic spill in Benton County, IN….. Water main leak blamed on earthquake….. House fire in Brook, IN…..

Illiana weather — Sunny today, high near 78. Northeast wind at 10 mph.

–daily reports this week from the Farm Progress Show on WGFA–

• The drivers of two trucks that collided in Indiana Friday were hospitalized. Both men suffered from fumes when sulfuric acid was spilled in Benton County. Haz-mat teams were called in. Evacuations in about a mile radius of the scene were carried out as a precaution. The wreck happened at the intersection of U-S 41 and State Road 352.
• The Supervisor of Pembroke Township in Kankakee County is blaming an April earthquake for a water main leak in his community. Larry Gibbs tells the Daily-Journal six water meters came loose from the underground main during the quake, which happened in April. The quake measured 5.2 on the Rictor Scale. It was centered in Edwards County, about 200 miles away from Pembroke Township. The leak wasn’t discovered until this week. It’s hoped repairs will be completed this week.
• The death of a Fairbury man has been ruled accidental. 39-year-old Douglas Moser suffered aspinal injury when a bail of hay rolled off a rack and struck him while he worked on a storage shed on his property. The accident happened July 18th. Moser died July 26th at a Peoria Hospital.
• Damage estimates were listed under $5,000 following a house fire in Brook, IN Saturday. Fire Chief Kyle Conrad reported the homeowner, Ron Gilliam, discovered the fire in an upstairs bedroom. Goodland and Kentland fire departments provided mutual aide.

94.1 FM, WGFA — since 1961

The next workshop of the Lady Landowners group is scheduled for September 24, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. at the Ford-Iroquois Extension office. This month Merrill Crowley of C&F Marketing will be talking to the ladies about basic grain marketing. Any woman who is interested or involved in production agriculture is invited to attend. To RSVP, please call the Ford-Iroquois Extension Office at (815)268-4051.

Future meetings will be held the 4th Wednesday of each month at 1 p.m. Each month will cover a different topic of relevance to women involved with production agriculture.

These workshops are sponsored by the Ford County Soil and Water Conservation District, Ford County Farm Service Agency and the University of Illinois Extension Ford-Iroquois Unit.