Former Marion County Sheriff Brad Wolenhaupt will spend the remainder of his 180 day sentence behind bars for official misconduct.

Judge James Eder denied a motion to have the sentenced converted to home confinement in court Thursday. Defense Attorney Richard Cary called Michelle Barwell, a physician's assistant and former employee of the jail under Wolenhaupt, to testify against keeping the former Sheriff in the jail because of his medical conditions. Wolenhaupt had a heart attack during his first day in jail. States Attorney Matt Wilzbach called the current Jail Administrator Zach Roeckeman to testify the facility could accommodate Wolenhaupt's medical needs. Wilzbach questioned why the former Sheriff's cardiologist or family physician was not called in to offer an opinion.

The Judge found no reason to further stay the jail sentence or convert it to home confinement. Wolenhaupt was ordered to report to the Marion County Jail on September 7th. The former Sheriff has already repaid the nearly 16-thousand dollars restitution as ordered by the court as part of his sentence for diverting county funds for his own use.

Patoka's Fall Festival returns to Patoka Park this weekend, for three days packed with a parade, music and a demolition derby.

Festivities start on Friday with Bingo to benefit Relay for Life from 7 to 10 p.m. There will also be a Karate Demonstration by David Belcher and his class at 7:30, followed by a free showing of the original "Karate Kid" in the park at dusk. Saturday starts with a parade at 11 a.m. One of the festival coordinators, Annette McNicol, says a familiar face will be this year's Grand Marshall. "Grand Marshall this year is Bob Thalman and he is a mainstay in our community," she says. "He has been driving school buses for the last 57 years and there aren't many people in the town of Patoka that don't know Bob." McNicol also says Thalman will be on board a special "surprise" float this year.

Following the parade, food vendors and kids activities open at noon and local music talent performs from 3-5 p.m. The demolition derby in memory of Nicholas Feather and Greg Hassebrock starts at six p.m. with registration earlier in the day at 1 p.m. Arena admission is ten dollars for adults, five dollars for children 6-12 years-old and children under five are free. Pit passes are 30 dollars.

After the action on Saturday, the festival comes to a close on Sunday morning with a community inter-denominational church service at the park around the lawn pavilion at 10:30. At the same time, brunch will be held at the Patoka American Legion by Patoka High School Baseball and Basketball Teams.

For a complete schedule of events, download the printable PDF document.
 

The Illinois Department of Public Health is marking September as Prostate and Ovarian Cancer Awareness month.

IDPH Director and prostate cancer survivor Dr. Damon Arnold is encouraging Illinoisans to learn the symptoms of the two diseases, how cancer is detected and what they can do to potentially lengthen their lives. Arnold says prostate cancer risk increases with age, is related to genetics and is more common in African Americans.  Symptoms of possible prostate cancer include impotence, pain in the bones, weakness or numbness in the lower body and bowel issues.

For ovarian cancer, Arnold says most ovarian cancers happen after menopause and can be family-related. He adds birth control pill use, having children or a hysterectomy may reduce the risk of ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer symptoms include bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, trouble eating or frequent bathroom use.

Prostate cancer is the second most common type of cancer found in men, while ovarian cancer is the ninth most common in women. Arnold urges citizens to speak with their health-care professional regarding screenings and risk.

CARBONDALE, Ill. (AP) - A member of Southern Illinois University's governing board has stepped down after taking over as the region's new U.S. attorney.

The Southern Illinoisan of Carbondale reports that Stephen Wigginton resigned his seat last week, a day before being sworn in as southern Illinois' top federal prosecutor. A spokesman for the university system, David Gross, says the Justice Department and the university's legal counsel agreed that Wigginton could not hold both posts.

Wiggington had been on the board since 2005. Gov. Pat Quinn will name Wigginton's replacement.

If you have an itch to teach or help others, Kaskaskia College is looking for volunteer tutors in their Reading Link program.

Volunteer tutors assist adult learners who are over 16 years of age in reading, writing, basic math and English skills. Tutors are also trained free of charge. Anyone with a genuine concern for others, an ability to learn and an ability to read can take part in the challenging and rewarding experience. Volunteers tutor for a minmum of two hours per week in a public place.

Free Volunteer Tutor training will be held on Tuesday, September 28th at Kaskaskia College's Centralia Campus, Thursday, September 30th at the KC Workforce Education Center in Centralia and Wednesday, October 6th at the Salem Education Center. Classes will also be held at other KC Education Centers . Volunteers can choose to attend between 2-4 p.m. or 6-8 p.m.

To register for the next training session or for more information, you can call "The Reading Link" at Kaskaskia College - 545-3119.

CARLYLE, Ill. (AP) - A southwestern Illinois judge has denied a man's request to take back his plea in the beating death of his girlfriend's 3-year-old son.

The Belleville News-Democrat reports that Clinton County Judge Dennis Middendorff on Wednesday refused to let Scott Endicott withdraw his Alford pleas. Endicott insists he was coerced into entering those pleas in July, three days into his first-degree murder trial. Under such pleas, a defendant doesn't admit guilt but acknowledges that prosecutors have enough evidence for a conviction.

Twenty-four-year-old Endicott was accused of causing the injuries that killed Joseph Schoolfield in January 2009. The boy's mother, Valerie Schoolfield, is slated to stand trial next month. Middendorff also denied Endicott's request for a new lawyer.
 

Fall is on the way and Centralia City Officials say they've taken steps to avoid a leaf collection headache this year.

City Manager Grant Kleinhenz says the city had a debreifing with collection company Veolia following the chaotic pick-up last year when crews were overwhelmed by the sheer amount of leaves and lack of equipment. Kleinhenz says Veolia will be doing things differently this year. "Last year they started with two vacuums and eventually purchased a third," he says. "This year, they will start with three vacuums from day one and have a fourth vaccuum as a back-up that will be used when things get heavy." Kleinhenz says the company will also be using larger hoses on the vacuums to pick up more leaves and reduce clogging.

Leaf collection in Centralia will start on Monday, October 11th and run until Friday, December 3rd, from 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. following the same routes as last year. For maximum speed and efficiency, Kleinhenz reminds residents to pile leaves as close to the curb as possible and keep piles away from obstacles like mailboxes or vehicles. Leaves blocked by obstacles will not be picked up. Residents are also asked not to mix trash or other yard waste with the leaves. For more information on leaf collection or to view the collection map, visit cityofcentralia.org.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) - U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin says he believes - even after lengthy delays and radical changes - the FutureGen clean-coal project will be built in Illinois.

During a stop at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign on Wednesday, Durbin said he understands that many people in east-central Illinois are unhappy about recent changes. The Department of Energy last month said it now won't build a futuristic power plant in Mattoon. That had been the plan since 2007.

The new plan calls for trying out different technology at an existing plant in Meredosia. Those changes caught many by surprise. Durbin says he knew only six days in advance and couldn't say anything because the Energy Department was still working out the details.
 

CHICAGO (AP) - Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan says she's taking steps to make sure nursing homes aren't tipped off to surprise raids aimed at increasing safety in the facilities.

Madigan tells The Associated Press her office is clamping down on leaks and "if they do happen" her team is "going to show up at your nursing home again." She says her office is investigating whether someone tipped off a Chicago nursing home to an impending visit. The Chicago Tribune first reported the investigation Thursday.

Madigan says a Grasmere Place administrator met officials in the lobby of the home, looked at her watch and said: "What took you so long? I heard you were going to be here a lot earlier." The facility's administrator hasn't returned a phone message seeking comment Thursday.
 

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Illinois wildlife officials say controlled pheasant hunting opportunities will be available at 19 sites during the 2010-2011 season.

The sites include some where special vehicles are provided for hunters with disabilities. Other sites offer special opportunities for hunters ages 10 to 15. The online permit reservation system for sites run by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources opens at 8:30 a.m. Sept. 27 and runs through midnight Oct. 3. The department says it takes fewer than five minutes to fill out an online application.

Sites run by a public-private partnership also take permit reservations online. A link is available at the Department of Natural Resources website. The daily permit fee remains $25 for residents.
 

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Students in 188 Illinois schools will get fresh fruits and vegetables to eat this school year.

The Illinois State Board of Education said Wednesday the schools will participate in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program. The federally funded program would provide fresh produce throughout the school day. The Illinois schools will share about $3.3 million or about $50 per student. State officials say the goal is to expose students to healthy eating habits.

Illinois state education superintendent Christopher Koch says incorporating fruits and vegetables daily "makes it more likely that students will develop good eating habits."
 

PINCKNEYVILLE, Ill. (AP) - One of three teenagers accused in the death of a runaway girl in southern Illinois has pleaded not guilty, and a second defense attorney has been assigned to his case.

KFVS-TV reports that 18-year-old Carl Dane entered the pleas Wednesday in Perry County to first-degree murder and other charges. Dane is charged along with 17-year-old James Glazier and 15-year-old Robbie Mueller in the July killing of 15-year-old Sidnee Stephens of Pinckneyville.

Stephens had been missing from her home for nearly a week before her body was found in a creek near Pinckneyville. Authorities say she had been shot and strangled. A pretrial hearing was set for Jan. 7 for Dane.

BELLEVILLE, Ill. (AP) - The Illinois Supreme Court has appointeda Republican to succeed the Democrat who gave up his southwestern Illinois judge's seat to enter private law practice.

Forty-eight-year-old Belleville attorney Stephen McGlynn will take the several-county 20th Judicial Circuit seat vacated in July by Michael O'Malley, who retired after 25 years on the bench. The Belleville News-Democrat reports that McGlynn's appointment takes effect Sept. 17 and ends in December 2012.

McGlynn had served an appointment on the Fifth District Appellate Court in Mount Vernon and is the former chairman of the St. Clair County Republican Central Committee. He was among 19 applicants for O'Malley's former seat.

CHICAGO (AP) - Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn says he's accepted the resignation of the Corrections Department head blamed for a secret early prison release program.

In a statement Thursday, Quinn says Michael Randle's resignation is effective Sept. 17. Quinn says he'll name a replacement shortly. And he says he appreciates Randle's "dedicated service" to the state. A report last month said the Department of Corrections failed to consider possible dangers to the public when it tried to save money by granting early release to prisoners, some of whom were violent.

Quinn has heaped most of the blame on Randle, and Randle has said Quinn ordered that violent offenders not be part of the program. The Chicago Tribune first reported Randle's pending departure in Thursday's paper.
 

Visitors to the craft fair last year peruse some wares.

Mt. Vernon's Cedarhurst Center for the Arts will be hosting their 34th annual craft fair the weekend of September 11th and 12th from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.

The fair will include over 125 artist booths, showcasing the work of some of the nation's best. Glass, jewlery, metal, wood, paintings and more will all be part of this year's artistic offerings. Artists will also be competing for more than eight-thousand dollars in awards.

Director of Communication at the Cedarhurst Center, Sarah Sledge, says there will also be plenty of entertainment at the craft fair this year. "Friday night at the craft fair preview, we have Lee Logan and the Legendary Drifters," she says. "They will also be back Sunday afternoon!" The preview night music runs from 7:30 until 9:30 p.m. Other artists include a Cher and Elvis tribute. Sledge says a full assortment of concessions will be available at the fair as well as activities for children.

Admission for the event is five dollars for adults and children under 10 are free. There is no additional charge for the entertainment. A shuttle bus will be running from Times Square Mall to the Cedarhurst Center for the Arts. For a complete schedule of entertainment and other information, you can visit www.cedarhurst.org or call 242-1236.

36 year-old Regina Burks of Elm Street in Mt. Vernon was charged in Marion County Court Wednesday with possession of a controlled substance. Authorities allege she had unauthorized control over some prescription hydrocodone medication. Bond was set at 10-thousand dollars.

44 year-old John Voss of North Springer in Carbondale was sentenced to two years supervision, ordered to pay a one-thousand dollar fine and court costs and undergo alcohol treatment. He pleaded guilty to reckless conduct. A DUI charge was also dropped.

31 year-old Timothy Hill of West Rexford in Centralia pleaded guilty to reckless conduct as well. He was sentenced to one year of superivison, fined one-thousand dollars and had a DUI-related charge dropped.

23 year-old Lucas Mc Mahan of Leafland in Centralia was sentenced to two years of supervision after pleading guilty to a charge of DUI. He was also fined 11-hundred dollars and ordered to pay court costs and complete 100 hours of public service work. Another DUI charge was dropped.

CHICAGO (AP) - Health insurance coverage has started for the first enrollees in a new Illinois program for uninsured people with medical problems.

Enrollment opened Aug. 20 for the federally funded program, an early benefit of the nation's new health care law. More than 1,600 people have submitted applications in Illinois. The state's Department of Insurance Director Michael McRaith says 41 people so far have met requirements and were covered starting Wednesday. He expect more to be enrolled as they turn in required documents and payments. Enrollees will pay monthly premiums ranging from about $110 to $650.

Legal residents who've been uninsured for at least six months are eligible. Applicants must show they're uninsured because of a pre-existing medical condition. Apply online.
 

Left to right: Wiley Snyder, Doug Roberts, RPh. Corner Pharmacy, Todd Dobbs, Balloon Fest Event Chairman, Patty Williams, 2011 Event Chairman, Barb Rohner, Joe Livesay, and April Rodgers accepted for John Dillinger.

As part of an effort to build good will between balloonists and the general public in Centralia, Balloon Fest 2010 awarded 100 dollars to five lucky landowners whose property was used by balloonists during the event this year.

John Dillinger of Centralia, Jeff Pigg of Shattuc, Wiley Snyder of Sandoval, Joe Livesay of Centralia and Barb Rohner of Junction City were selected in a drawing earlier this week, sponsored by the Corner Pharmacy. Greater Centralia Chamber of Commerce Officials say landowner participation is essential to the success of Balloon Fest and the Chamber is grateful to all area residents that allow balloons to land on their property.

Labor Day weekend is synonymous with family - and unfortunately - fatalities on the road.

Illinois State Police Trooper Marla Tolliver says it's a time when many people are driving across the U.S. "Labor Day is the fourth-leading holiday as far as fatalities... Nationwide 488 people lose their lives each year on average," she says. "It's a three-day weekend, so a lot more people are out there traveling."

Tolliver says State Police in District 12 will be conducting Roadside Safety Checks through the weekend, looking for unsafe drivers. "We're out there with the 'You Drink, You Drive, You Lose" campaign and looking for drunk drivers, individuals who break other traffice laws and distracted drivers,"  she says. "We're big on that right now."

Illinois State Police say fatalities are down about 35 people on the road this year compared to last, and they'd like to keep it that way. According to the Illinois Secretary of State's Office, 40 percent of deaths in Labor Day weekend crashes were alcohol-related in 2009.  Tolliver says if you are going to "celebrate," designate a sober driver. She also reminds drivers to buckle up, put your phone down, allow for extra time to get to your destination and keep your eyes on the road.

CHICAGO (AP) - Imprisoned former Gov. George Ryan is seeking to have elements of his conviction thrown out based on a U.S. Supreme Court ruling earlier this year.

In a federal court filing in Chicago, Ryan attorneys cited the ruling that put limits on so-called honest services provisions. Such laws bar public officials from denying taxpayers honest services. The Republican's serving a six-and-a-half year prison sentence. Not all the charges a jury convicted him on in 2006 are tied to the disputed provision.

During ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich's recent corruption trial, defense attorneys also cited the honest-services ruling in a motion for a mistrial. The presiding judge rejected it. Blagojevich's trial ended in a hung jury on most counts and he's expected to be retried.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Illinois health officials say they've confirmed this year's first human case of West Nile virus. A woman in her 50s living in DuPage County got sick with the virus in early August.

Health officials are seeing an increase in mosquitoes carrying the virus. They're urging people to protect themselves from mosquito bites by wearing insect repellent and avoiding the outdoors between dusk and dawn. This year, 25 Illinois counties have reported mosquitoes or birds testing positive for West Nile virus.

Chicago is stepping up efforts against the virus by spraying to kill adult mosquitoes. Nationally, 144 human cases have been reported, including three deaths.
 

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) - At least some of the coal producers and other companies working with the Department of Energy to build an experimental coal-fired power plant in Illinois have decided to stick with the project despite major changes to the original plan.

Members of the FutureGen Alliance said in a statement Tuesday that they would build and operate a pipeline as outlined under the revamped plan. The pipeline would run from an existing power plant to a site where its carbon dioxide would be stored underground.

The Energy Department's surprise changes announced this month for the $1.2 billion project include scrapping plans to build a new power plant in Mattoon in eastern Illinois. The plan now calls for modifying a power plant in another part of the state.
 

GLEN ELLYN, Ill. (AP) - Former Army specialist Steve Baskis says he thinks President Barack Obama declaring the end of combat operations in Iraq would mean a lot to the soldiers who died in the conflict.

Obama on Tuesday formally ended the U.S. combat role in Iraq after seven years. The 24-year-old Baskis listened in his Glen Ellyn living room to Obama's speech. Baskis lost his sight when an explosive hit his armored vehicle in Baghdad in May 2008. Baskis says he's glad the U.S. isn't in Iraq to fight anymore. He added Obama was right to say all Americans should stand by the troops.

Baskis also says if he could see and fighting was going on, he would "go back and fight with my buddies again." Baskis says he hopes the U.S. continues to help Iraq now that combat troops have been withdrawn.
 

EAST CARONDELET, Ill. (AP) - Investigators suspect that flares ignited by two boys searching for gasoline for a stolen vehicle may have sparked a southwestern Illinois fire that killed 13 dogs.

The two boys, ages 13 and 12, are in custody in connection with Monday's blaze in East Carondelet. But their names haven't been released, with investigators expected to present their case to St. Clair county prosecutors Wednesday. Sheriff's Capt. Steve Johnson says the boys were headed to a relative's house in a stolen car when they ran out of gas, then went into a property owner's shed and knocked over a motorcycle in search of fuel.

Johnson says flares the boys found and lit ignited the shed, and the flames spread to the unattended house nearby. Twelve miniature pinschers and a pit bull died in the blaze.
 

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation has released their disciplinary report for July of 2010.

In pharmacy, Republican State Representative Ron Stephens of Greenville had his pharmacist license placed on indefinite probation for a minimum of one year after pleading guilty to a charge of Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol in May of 2010.

Angel Walden of Flora had her pharmacy technician license indefinitely suspended for a minimum of one year for diverting controlled substances from her former pharmacy employer and selling them to another individual. She pleaded guilty to the charges of Unlawful Delivery of Controlled Substance and Theft.

Meanwhile, the Jefferson County Animal Control Facility of Mount Vernon was reprimanded and fined $10,000 for failing to comply with the requirements of the Humane Euthanasia in Animal Shelters Act.

For consumer credit businesses, Title Cash of Illinois, Inc. of Mt. Vernon was fined 16-hundred dollars for failing to make an effort to contact the database provider in an attempt to get their database functioning. Title Cash also did not properly update the state database with the required information on the day the transaction or event occurred.

Firefighters respond to a basement fire in Mt. Vernon. Photo by Glenn Littrell of Mt. Vernon

Mt. Vernon firefighters responded to a basement fire at 710 Salem Street at about 12:25 Tuesday afternoon. Authorities say the fire was contained to the basement of the home while minimal smoke damage was reported upstairs. A resident was in the building when the fire occurred, but refused hospital treatment. Firemen were cleared from the scene at about 2:50 p.m. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Salem firefighters were dispatched to the Manor at Salem Woods at about 10:11 Tuesday morning on reports of an automatic alarm. There was no fire.

The City of Centralia has announced this year's fall "City Wide Clean-up" event scheduled for Monday, October 11th through Friday, October 15th.

City officials say residents will have the opportunity to dispose of unwanted household items on the same day as regular trash pick-up. Participation is limited to single-family residences, town homes, condominiums and apartments that do not exceed four units per building. All items should be on the curb by 6 a.m. on the assigned pick-up day.

Any item shorter than five feet or more than 50 pounds will be picked up. However, there are some exceptions. City crews will not pick up yard waste, household garbage, large quantities of rocks or building materials, large appliances, tires, cans of paint and large automobile parts. Crews will not sift through material, so please do not mix clean-up items with regular garbage.

For more information and details, you can reach Centralia City Hall at 532-7622.

33 year-old Donald Singleton of New Virginia Road in Junction City will spend the next three years in the Department of Corrections after pleading guilty in Marion County Court to the theft of items between 300 and ten-thousand dollars. Singleton gained control of hunting and fishing supplies, including ammunition, that belonged to Zygmunt Tkaczenko. Singleton was also ordered to pay court costs. A weapons charge for possession of the ammunition was dropped.

21 year-old Gregory Harris was charged with domestic battery for allegedly poking Ida Buchmiller in the stomach and pushing her against a wall. Bond was set at 25-hundred dollars. The public defender was appointed to represent Harris.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Republican Bill Brady says his plans for cutting taxes would increase the Illinois deficit by up to $1 billion, at least in the short term.

The candidate for governor wants to create new business tax breaks and cut existing taxes, such as the sales tax on gasoline. Brady says that would stimulate the economy. He acknowledged Tuesday that it would add between $650 million and $1 billion to the state's record-high deficit of $13 billion. Brady says a stronger economy eventually will make up for the lost tax money.

Brady says his budget plans require cutting government services and trimming payroll for employees, including teachers. He couldn't provide any examples of asking the business community to make similar sacrifices. He says helping business will help rebuild Illinois.
 

LAGRANGE, Ill. (AP) - Some residents in Chicago's western suburbs say they felt the ground shake and authorities say it could have been a small earthquake.

U.S. Geological Survey geophysicist Julie Dutton says the tremors on Tuesday afternoon appear to be an earthquake. The agency's website shows an earthquake centered in LaGrange measuring 2.7 on the Richter scale. But Dutton also says such shaking can be caused by mining blasts. She says isn't unusual for the agency's monitoring equipment to pick up activity from blasts.

A worker at Hanson Materials Service in nearby McCook says the company was doing mining work on Monday, which included blasts in its quarry. Residents in Westchester, LaGrange and Western Springs say the tremors lasted 1 to 2 seconds. No injuries were immediately reported.

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed legislation last week allowing farmers to once again legally drive all-terrain vehicles and utility-terrain vehicles on county and township roads for farming purposes.

Illinois State Police District 12 Commander Brian Hollo says HB 6094 restores the farmer's ability to ride legally in time for the harvest. Drivers must still have a valid driver's license, proof of insurance and must also display a "slow moving vehicle" emblem on the back of the vehicle to help with visibility. The vehicles are still not permitted on the interstate or highways.

Illinois State Police are also reminding motorists to slow down and look out for all farm machinery this harvest season, noting that the majority of accidents occur when farm implement slows down to turn left and the motorist moves to pass. Before you decide to pass, ISP officials advise motorists to look for driveways into farms or fields where the implement operator could be turning.

Share the road this harvest season, stay alert and be careful.

Your television, car or refrigerator... most large purchases come with an owner's manual, but your house doesn't.

Many homeowners feel overwhelmed by the challenges that come with home maintenance. The University of Illinois Extension will be looking to ease some of the stress by sponsoring "A Home For All Seasons" program. The program covers five "must-do" repairs, suggested low cost home repairs, home repair safety and how to decide if it's time to hire a contractor. Extension educators will also discuss how to find a reliable contractor, identify home repair fraud, file a complaint and what to expect from homeowners insurance.

The program will be held via teleconference on Tuesday, September 14th from 1:30-3 pm. at the Marion County Extension Office in Salem. The program is free for Home and Community Education members or four dollars for non-members. For more information on the "Home For All Seasons" training program, you can reach the Salem Extension office at 548-1446.

Administrators at Christ Our Rock Lutheran High School in Centralia are excited to announce enrollment at the institution has increased ten percent this year, continuing it's seven year trend of student-body growth.

Executive Director Curtis Wudtke says they're "blessed to experience continual growth" and expects another fantastic year. This year's enrollment stands at 80 students, with a full, 24 student freshman class. School officials say this year's freshman class pulls from 14 different middle or elementary schools.

The school has expanded curriculum as well. Christ Our Rock is now including honors classes for the first time - three of them for English and one for U.S. History. Several dual-credit course are also available through cooperation with Kaskaskia College. The 2010 school year also marks the addition of golf and cheerleading as sports.

The Centralia Carillon Summer Concert Series will wrap up this Labor Day Weekend with special free concerts. The concerts will be held on the Carillon in Centralia.

On Saturday, September 4th, George Gregory of San Antonio, Texas will perform at 2 p.m. and Claire Halpert of Massachusetts will be perfoming at 2:45 p.m. On Sunday, September 5th, Dr. Ray McLellan of Michigan will perform at 2 p.m. followed by resident Centralia Carillonist, Carlo van Ulft will perform at 2:45 p.m. After the concerts on both days, free tours of the Carrilon will be given at 3:30.

The concerts are made possible through funding from the Centralia Foundation, the Centralia Charitable Bell Foundation and the generous support of corporate and individual donors. Everyone is invited to bring their own lawn chairs and picnic. For more information, you can reach the Centralia Carillon Office at 533-4381.

CHICAGO (AP) - A top federal health official says the nation's new health care law will mean free preventive care for the nearly 2 million Medicare enrollees in Illinois.

U.S. Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary Howard Koh spoke Tuesday at a Chicago senior center. His visit is part of a push by President Barack Obama's administration to address older people's mistrust of the new law. Some polls show a higher percentage of seniors opposing the law compared to the population as a whole.

Koh says the law provides people on Medicare with a free annual physical starting next year, along with free mammograms and certain colon cancer tests. And, nationally, more than 1 million Medicare enrollees have received tax-free $250 rebate checks to help them with prescription drug costs.
 

CHICAGO (AP) - Democratic Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias has picked up a top military endorsement from retired Army Gen. Wesley Clark.

Clark was the former supreme commander of NATO and a 2004 Democratic presidential candidate. He's been an advocate for renewable energy. Clark calls America's dependence on foreign oil a "national disgrace." He says the focus should be on creating green jobs. Giannoulias and Clark spoke Monday at a Carbon Day Automotive location in Chicago. The company runs charging stations for electric cars.

Giannoulias' Republican opponent, Mark Kirk, is an intelligence officer in the U.S. Naval Reserves. Clark says Kirk's embellishment of his military record is a factor in the race. Kirk responded that Clark typically backs Democrats. He says the policies of Clark and Giannoulias would hurt the U.S. economy.
 

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Illinois high school seniors who have demonstrated efforts to preserve, protect or enhance the state's natural resources are eligible for scholarships.

The Illinois Conservation Foundation will award scholarships of $5,000, $3,000 and $2,000. Applicants must be residents of Illinois and a senior during the current school year. They must have demonstrated "voluntary, effective contributions to Illinois' natural resources" during their time in high school Marc Miller is director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and chairman of the Illinois Conservation Foundation board. He says part of the foundation's mission is to encourage future leaders to "enhance a sustainable outdoor environment."

Application information here.

EQUALITY, Ill. (AP) - Peabody Energy says it's weighing whether to challenge an administrative law judge's order that the coal producer pay nearly $174,000 in fines tied to questioned safety at one of its southern Illinois mines.

Gary Melick issued his ruling last Thursday for the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission, which decides disputed mining violations. His order followed an expedited hearing in June sought by the Labor Department's Mine Safety and Health Administration over $230,000 in proposed fines dating to 2008 over Peabody's Willow Lake mine near Equality.

Several violations Melick upheld related to dangerous accumulations of coal dust and other combustibles. He tossed out roughly $56,000 in proposed fines on five other alleged violations. Melick agreed with Peabody that the alleged violations have been addressed.

EAST CARONDELET, Ill. (AP) - Authorities are trying to figure out what caused an explosion and fire that destroyed a southwestern Illinois home and killed 13 dogs trapped in kennels inside.

Rhonda Tutor says the pets that died in the fire Monday afternoon in the St. Clair County village of East Carondelet were treated as if they were her kids, given that she couldn't have children. The dogs included a dozen miniature pinschers and a pit bull. The blaze broke out while Tutor wasn't home.

Witnesses say they heard an explosion, then saw a fireball. Two 13-year-old youths were taken into custody for questioning. There's no word on any charges.
 

MASCOUTAH, Ill. (AP) - The southwestern Illinois county that runs a 12-year-old airport that's never turned a profit will spend $3.5 million to convert a warehouse into what Boeing Co. plans to make a 75-job manufacturing site.

The St. Clair County Board signed off on the expense Monday night. Chicago-based Boeing will repay the investment over its 10-year lease of the building at MidAmerica St. Louis Airport near Mascoutah. Boeing announced plans to lease the little-used cargo terminal as a place to begin working within months on components for its defense programs.

The state is giving Boeing $2.3 million to help cover the cost of setting up manufacturing at MidAmerica, with more than $2 million of it in tax credits to be parsed out over 10 years.