Environment

Ill. EPA disposal ban takes effect Jan. 1

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Web Producer

Tuesday, November 29th, 2011, 4:25pm

Ill. EPA disposal ban takes effect Jan. 1

UNION COUNTY, IL (KFVS) - The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency says starting January 1 it will no longer be legal for individuals to dispose of unwanted electronics in their regular trash.

The Illinois EPA says electronics, including computers, monitors, electronic keyboards, scanners, fax machines and many other electronic devices, must now be taken to a registered recycler for proper management. They say it will be illegal for individuals to throw them away in the trash and illegal for Illinois landfills to accept them.

The Illinois Electronic Products Recycling and Reuse Act, which took effect in 2008, required manufacturers to establish a recycling program for discarded and unwanted electric products, if they sell their products in Illinois.

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Winter Storm Preparedness Week in Ill.

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Web Producer

Monday, November 14th, 2011, 2:29pm

UNION COUNTY, IL (KFVS) - The Illinois Department of Public Health is encouraging residents to use Nov. 13 through 19 as Winter Storm Preparedness Week in Illinois to start preparing for the cold, wind, ice and snow that often accompanies Illinois winters.

IDPH says although winter officially arrives in five weeks, winter weather in Illinois could arrive much sooner.

“For the last century, at least one severe winter storm has impacted Illinois each year,” said IDPH Acting Director Dr. Craig Conover. “It’s critical to be proactive and take the time now during Winter Storm Preparedness Week in Illinois to prepare your family, home and vehicles in advance of severe winter weather.”

IDPH is urging residents to take simple precautions and follow these tips to protect themselves from severe winter weather:

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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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Nature off of Refuge Rd.

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Web Producer

Thursday, July 28th, 2011, 10:00am

UNION COUNTY, IL (KFVS) - Heartland News photog Rochelle Steffen took these pictures off of Refuge Road on Wednesday.

Send us pictures from your community to cNews and we'll feature them on your county sites.

Hot enough for popcorn? (Source: Rochelle Steffen, KFVS12)

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Lt. Gov.: LINK program shows 269 percent increase

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Web Producer

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

Lt. Gov.: LINK program shows 269 percent increase

UNION 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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