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JCJ News

$5 million available in B2B grants for Local Chambers

Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) today announced $5 million in available grant funding through the Back to Business (B2B) Local Chambers program. Following state recovery programming for businesses totaling $1.5 billion, the latest American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)-funded opportunity is designed to provide additional support for local…

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Let’s Cook! – January 17, 2024

Recently I tried a new soup recipe that I found online and thought it sounded delicious. It smelled and looked good, but upon first and second taste, we were both thinking “ehhh, it’s okay”. My first impression was that it wasn’t bad but not that good. But as we kept eating, we realized that it was…

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IAA Foundation scholarship deadlines approaching

More than $192,000 in scholarships are available for agriculture students through the IAA Foundation. “We are once again pleased to offer a scholarship program that encourages students to explore degrees in agriculture related fields,” said Jennifer Smith, IAA Foundation development manager. “It is imperative that the next generation of agriculture leaders receives the financial support…

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Good Growing: How do insects survive cold weather?

By Ken Johnson Winter can be harsh, especially with the arrival of snow and sub-zero temperatures. While we often retreat indoors or add a few more layers to avoid cold temperatures, many other critters, like insects, must tough it out outdoors. Insects have developed a variety of strategies to deal with the arrival of cold…

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Connect with natural world, become an Illinois Master Naturalist

Within parks, streams, and native prairies, University of Illinois Extension Master Naturalists serve as environmental stewards in their communities. Master Naturalists in west-central Illinois volunteered over 460 hours in 2023. Illinois Extension is now opening registration for the next training slated for this spring. The course begins on April 3, 2024. “Master Naturalist volunteers put…

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Illinois Valley Senior Citizens menu – January 10, 2024

Reservations must be made by 12 p.m. prior to the day you wish to eat. If you have made reservations and cannot attend, please notify the center at 618-498-3483. Whole wheat bread served daily except when noted with (*). 2% milk served daily. The menu may be subject to change based on product availability.

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Illinois breaks wheat yield records

By PHYLLIS COULTER | FarmWeek Illinois wheat growers broke yield records for the third year in a row. Farmers not only broke the record in 2023, they “smashed it,” according to Mark Schleusener. Usually when a record is broken, it is by one to two bushels per acre, last year it was by eight, said…

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JERSEY: Axe and Ale celebrate Grand Opening

By Steven Spencer Axe and Ale celebrated their grand opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony Friday at their location at 806 Tri Point Lane. New owners Chris and Christina Herren said they were excited to open the doors of the former Riverbend Axe Throwing location and offer the community an exciting axe throwing experience. “We’re…

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