Environment

ActOnEnergy program helps nonprofits earn money

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Web Producer

Saturday, November 12th, 2011, 1:00pm

ActOnEnergy program helps nonprofits earn money

(KFVS) - Ameren Illinois residents can help nonprofits earn money by recycling a spare refrigerator or freezer now through Dec. 31.

When customers recycle their spare appliances, through the ActOnEnergy program, the participating nonprofit organization of the customer's choice will receive a $20 contribution, which is double the regular amount.

“We have designed the Referral Bonus program to help nonprofits easily earn extra dollars, while giving our customers an added incentive to become more energy efficient,” said Stan Ogden, Ameren Illinois vice president of Customer Service & Public Relations. “This program also is good for the environment. Getting these old refrigerators out of garages and basements and off the grid will help reduce power plant emissions because customers will be using less electricity."

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Shawnee National Forest announces burning program

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Web Producer

Sunday, October 30th, 2011, 10:00am

Shawnee National Forest announces burning program

(KFVS) - The Shawnee National Forest says it plans to burn about 4,700 acres in several prescribed fire projects in the next year, depending on funding, weather and fuel conditions.

The SHF says these burns will be conducted under controlled conditions between Oct. 2011 and May 2012.

The purpose of the project is to:

Stimulate the growth of native vegetation positively adapted to fire, and impede vegetation that is not
Improve wildlife habitat
Improve the visual quality of the area
Reduce the likelihood and severity of a wildfire which will increase safety for the public and firefighters in case of a wildfire

For more information, you can contact Scott Crist or Bob Little in the Supervisor's Office at 618-253-7114 or visit their website.

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Free lecture to celebrate "The Weeks Act"

Submitted by Alycia Dobrinick on Tuesday, October 18th, 1:59 pm

HARRISBURG, IL (KFVS) - In honor of the Weeks Act, Shawnee National Forest will host a free lecture.

The Weeks Act was signed by President William Taft on March 1, 1911. The legislation was proposed by Congressman John Weeks of Massachusetts. It set aside more than 20 million acres of eastern national forest land which in turn launched major conservation efforts.

On October 18th, Mary McCorvie, a Forest Archeologist, will lead a free lecture called "Suitable Only for Treecrops - A History of the Shawnee National Forest" at Morris Library's Guyon Auditorium in Carbondale. It will run from 7:00-8:00 p.m. McCorvie will present the same lecture on October 20th at the Shawnee National Forest Headquarters office in Harrisburg.

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Southern Ill. recieves $17.7 million in disaster assistance

Submitted by James Long, Digital Content Producer

Friday, August 12th, 2011, 3:28pm

Southern Ill. recieves $17.7 million in disaster assistance

MARION, IL (KFVS) - Southern Illinois has been awarded over $17 million for disaster assistance due to spring flooding and storm damage.

August 8 marked the final day for individuals to register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and to return disaster loan applications to the U.S.

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Bat tests positive for rabies in Crainville area

Submitted by James Long, Digital Content Producer

Wednesday, August 10th, 2011, 3:52pm

Bat tests positive for rabies in Crainville area

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, IL (KFVS) - A dead bat was found in the Crainville area in Williamson County. The Franklin-Williamson Bi-County Health Department submitted the bat to the State lab for testing and confirmation of rabies was received on August 10, 2011.

The health department reminds folks to avoid exposure to rabies, the public is urged to avoid contact with any wild, unfamiliar, or stray animals and report animals that are acting abnormally to their local animal control. Bats generally migrate from August to October, so care should be taken to avoid handling bats or any other wild animal with bare hands. Please call animal control, and monitor the animal to avoid any human or animal exposure until authorities can pick up the animal. If an animal must be moved, it is best to use a shovel and if the animal must be touched, wear heavy gloves.

Any mammal can get rabies, warns the department. The

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Bi-County Health Dept. offers prevention tips for mosquito bites

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Web Producer

Tuesday, July 12th, 2011, 4:45pm

Bi-County Health Dept. offers prevention tips for mosquito bites

FRANKLIN AND WILLIAMSON COUNTY, IL (KFVS) - The Franklin-Williamson Bi-County Health Departments are urging residents to stay safe while outdoors and are offering tips to prevent mosquito bites.

The health department says mosquitoes often carry diseases like West Nile virus.

Local health departments all across Illinois are working closely with the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Illinois EPA to educate the public on preventing West Nile.

Any location that has stagnant water is a potential breeding site for mosquitoes. One of the most problematic sites is piles of used tires. The design of tires means they easily fill with water from rain and collect leaf litter.

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Lt. Gov.: more low-income families buying from farmers markets

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Web Producer

Tuesday, July 12th, 2011, 10:00am

Lt. Gov.: more low-income families buying from farmers markets

FRANKLIN COUNTY, IL (KFVS) - Lt. Governor Sheila Simon announced Monday at the Illinois Farm Bureau that figures are showing more low-income residents are buying fresh foods at farmers markets.

Simon said the amount of food stamp benefits known as LINK redeemed at Illinois farmers markets and from direct marketing farmers jumped from $11,146 to $41,146 between 2009 and 2010. She attributed the growth, partly, to wider access.

She cited data collected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture that said last year, 35 Illinois farmers markets and direct marketing farmers were certified to accept the state-issued LINKED debit cards. The data also says, currently, 49 Illinois farmers markets and direct marketing farmers accept LINKED cards across 21 counties.

“We are seeing a promising trend: more farmers markets accepting LINK and more food stamp benefits being used to buy locally produced, fresh food,” said Simon.

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