Weather Update:  Severe Weather cancelled --  Tuesday, 7-24-12  8:10 am

THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR EAST CNTL WILL.

NORTHEASTERN IROQUOIS & EASTERN KANKAKEE COUNTIES IS CANCELLED.

THE LINE OF STORMS WHICH PROMPTED THE WARNING HAVE MOVED OUT OF THE WARNED AREA.

National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Severe T-Storm Warning for Kankakee...Grundy...Will Counties in Illinois AND parts of NW Indiana until at least 7:15 am --- Tuesday, July 24, 2011

Severe T-Storm Watch is in effect for Iroquois & Ford County...

...Very hot weather returns on Wednesday...

Temperatures reaching or exceeding 100 degrees are likely on Wednesday across north central and east central Illinois into Northwest Indiana. Combined with the moisture in the air...heat index readings may exceed 105 degrees. This can add extra stress to the body if you work or spend time outside. Plan ahead and consider taking extra precautions for Wednesday. Wear light weight and loose fitting clothing when possible and drink plenty of water.

Gov. Pat Quinn has asked the U.S. secretary of agriculture to issue a disaster declaration for an additional 69 Illinois counties. That means the state has now asked the USDA to declare all 102 Illinois counties as disaster areas under USDA rules because of the drought.

In his letter to the secretary, Quinn says farmers are “experiencing significant losses due to a persistent, unprecedented, statewide heat and drought.”

Under USDA rules, a county automatically qualifies for a disaster designation once it is categorized by the U.S. Drought Monitor as being in a severe drought for eight or more consecutive weeks during the growing season. Farmers in USDA disaster-designated areas can seek assistance from the Farm Service Agency (FSA), including emergency loans. Those in eligible counties have eight months from the date of the declaration to apply for assistance.

Last week Quinn toured a family farm in Waltonville where, as in much of the state, the corn crop has been hit hard by the drought.

Twenty-six counties have already been declared disaster areas by the USDA. Those include: Alexander, Clark, Clay, Crawford, Edwards, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Johnson, Lawrence, Massac, Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Randolph, Richland, Saline, Union, Wabash, Wayne, White and Williamson.

http://www.drought.illinois.gov/

IRN / 94.1 FM, WGFA

KENTLAND, Ind.   – The Newton County, Indiana Punkin’ Vine Fair auction was pretty special Saturday evening.

4-H members raised nearly $12,000 for their friend, who was recently diagnosed with a form of  Hodgkins Lymphoma.

Ten year old Austin Weiglos (Well - goes) couldn't attend the fair this year because of his diagnosis, which came earlier this month.

Austin is currently undergoing chemotherapy treatments at Riley Hospital at IU Health in Indianapolis. His friends say they wanted to help him during his recovery, and they chose to do it at the fair Austin loves.

The fundraiser organizer, Amanda Berenda, said "We thought, 'How could 4-Hers help?',"  "The easiest and quickest  way was through the 4-H auction."

In all, 25 4-H members gave a percentage of their auction earnings to a fund that will go towards Austin's recovery. Two members gave 100 percent of their earnings.

The idea of making donations at the auction was the work of the Berenda and Warne families. Berenda said in the end it was a community effort.

Fundraising doesn't stop at the fair. Donations can be made to a fund for Austin's recovery at Community State Bank in Brook. Community members are also selling t-shirts.

94.1 FM, WGFA