JCJ News
USDA Announces Final $300 Million in Automatic Assistance for Distressed Farm Loan Borrowers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the final approximately $300 million in assistance to distressed direct and guaranteed farm loan borrowers under Section 22006 of the Inflation Reduction Act. Over the past two years, USDA acted swiftly to assist distressed borrowers in retaining their land and continuing their agricultural operations. Since President Biden signed…
Read MoreTask force recommends tornado shelters in warehouse following deadly 2021 storm
By Ben Szalinski A task force created in the wake of a deadly Metro East tornado has issued recommendations for better protecting warehouse workers. Six people were killed when an EF3 tornado with 150 mph winds struck an Amazon warehouse in Edwardsville on Dec. 10, 2021. The incident raised questions about the safety of warehouses…
Read MoreTransform your kitchen scraps: Composting with worms
By Ken Johnson Horticulture Educator, University of Illinois Extension Has this cold, dreary weather been making you wish you could get outside and play in the ‘dirt’? Or perhaps you’re looking for ways to improve your garden soil during the winter. Worm composting, or vermicomposting, is a good way to accomplish both. In addition to…
Read MoreShedding light on solar panel contracts
By PHYLLIS COULTER FarmWeek Allan Delphi, a LaSalle County farmer and landowner, felt the heat of the sun shining on him when making decisions that would affect him, his children, grandchildren and possibly others who work his land in the future.
Read MoreIDHR Extends Statute of Limitations Period
Illinoisans seeking to file a charge of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation will soon have more time to file with the Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR) after the date of the incident, in most cases. Effective January 1, 2025, a new law expands the statute of limitations on non-housing cases from 300 days to 2…
Read MoreVintage Voices has an awesome turnout; donates $4,000 to area organizations
Once again, Vintage Voices has surpassed previous attendance records with 671 guests in 2024, a testament to its ever-increasing community support and growing popularity. “We are very grateful for the community’s support of this October tradition”, said committee chair Jody Basola.
Read MoreNearly 300 new Illinois laws take effect in 2025
By Ben Szalinski Time to study up, Illinois. When the clock hits midnight on New Year’s Day, 293 new state laws will take effect. Those include some of the defining bills of the 2024 legislative session and others that will change how people get IDs, evaluate job postings and even cancel gym memberships.
Read MoreSierra Club Speakers Series
The Sierra Club invites the community to a free evening screening on Tuesday, Jan. 14, at 6:30 p.m. of an award-winning film “Water for Life / Agua es Vida” which tells the story of three extraordinary individuals: Berta Cáceres, a leader of the Lenca people in Honduras; Francisco Pineda, a subsistence farmer in El Salvador;…
Read MoreIDNR collecting discarded Christmas trees for fish habitat
Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) fisheries biologists are collecting live Christmas trees to be used as fish habitat in local lakes after the holidays.
Read MoreLet’s Cook! – January 2, 2025
Let’s start off the New Year with you all making a resolution to share your favorite recipes with me! I can’t do this column all alone, so please send me your recipe, and please tell me something about the recipe. Did you create it yourself? Or perhaps your mother-in-law shared it with you. Or maybe…
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