(OLNEY) A cold front extending from the Great Plains will slowly move into the Midwest by later today, causing more showers & thunderstorms over the next 24 hours - once the rain ends by tomorrow morning, it's a dry & cooler sky in place for the upcoming holiday weekend - stay tuned for updates.

(NEWTON) Attorneys representing former Illinois Governor George Ryan have asked the judge who handled his trial to toss out parts of Ryan's conviction, due to the Supreme Court's recent decision to the "honest services" statute earlier this year - the 76 year old Ryan is scheduled for release in 2013.

(OLNEY) State Health officials say flu shots should be available soon across the state - the Department of Public Health says despite what some people think, September is not too early to get vaccinated, and unlike last year, folks will only need one flu shot to stay healthy - this year's vaccine protects against both the HINI virus & the seasonal flu - people are also reminded to practice the three C's again as well.

(NEWTON) A well known former downstate Illinois attorney & judge is accused of trying to smuggle heroin into the federal prison in Terre Haute - authorities say 68 year old Robert Drew of Marion was arrested last weekend - charges include possession of a controlled substance, among several others.

(OLNEY) Downstate Illinois' largest electricity provider will soon operate under one name - beginning October 1st, AmerenIP, AmerenCIPS, and AmerenCILCO will simply go by Ameren Illinois - customers will not have to deal with any other changes as things will stay as they are now, besides the name.

(OLNEY) The Regional Superintendent's Office in Olney & the East Richland School District has set a group meeting for next month to provide information about TRS benefits & to explain the retirement process - TRS members with questions are encouraged to attend - the meeting is set for a Wednesday, October 6th, starting at 5:00, in the ERHS Sliva Auditorium - for details, call the ROE #12 Office.

(NEWTON) Activities get started this evening in Palestine, all part of the 57th annual Labor Day Festival in neighboring Crawford County - it's "Bullbash on the Wabash" with the pro bull ride Saturday night, the "tough enough to wear pink" pro bull ride Sunday night, & the gigantic Labor Day Parade Monday morning at 10:00 - plus the Illiana fall hunting, fishing, & camping expo tomorrow thru Sunday, plenty of crafts & collectibles tomorrow thru Monday, & four nights of carnival rides starting tonight in Leaverton Park - for more information, check their website available online at www.pioneercity.com.

(OLNEY) The Du Quoin State Fair continues down in Perry County : today is Vender Appreciation Day with classic rock band Styx on the stage tonight, plus the Lo Cash Cowboys in the CVA Beer Tent : then tomorrow will be Rural King Day with The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band & Asleep At The Wheel in concert that night : Saturday is Agriculture Day : Sunday is Family Day : & Monday, Labor Day, is the final day of the fair - for more information or details, go online to the State Ag Department's website.

(OLNEY) It will be another day with more heat & humidity in place ahead of an approaching cold front which will bring our next chance of scattered showers & thunderstorms tomorrow thru Thursday night - there could be some severe conditions - then less humid & dry for the weekend - listen for updates.

(NEWTON) The State Treasurer's office has a great deal of money that belongs to the people around Illinois - in fact, more than $1.4 billion in unclaimed assets, including money forgotten in dormat bank or accounts, plus assets which banks have turned over from safe deposit boxes loaded with personal property - to get more information or details, residents in Illinois are urged to go to the Treasurer's website.

(OLNEY) A northern Illinois school district is now using GPS devices to track students on school buses - officials in Palos Heights say scan cards attached to backpacks can tell where & when students get on & off of buses, mostly in the name of safety - bus drivers & parents all seem to be inline with the system.

(NEWTON) The July 2010 unemployment numbers are holding steady with a year ago : the area's lowest rate in Effingham County is at 8.4%, followed by Crawford County at 9.8%, Edwards County at 9.9%, both Cumberland & Lawrence Counties each at 10% even, & Wayne County at 10.3% - the Jasper County rate of 10.6% is a full percentage point higher than a year ago - then Wabash County at 10.8% - Richland County's 10.9% is only three-tenths of a percentage point above a year ago - then Clay County at 12.5% : among the 10 area counties, six had higher rates, while four had lower rates, compared to a year ago.

(OLNEY) With the Labor Day weekend fast-approaching, the Illinois State Police are again teaming up with local law enforcement personnel throughout the state for another "You Drink & Drive - You Lose" campaign - the combined effort will result in extra roadside safety checks & saturation patrols all over Illinois with the main focus on those not buckled up, plus those driving impaired with drugs or alcohol.

(OLNEY) September is National Preparedness Month, all designed to encourage Americans to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses, & communities - in fact, folks are urged to join the NPM Coalition, as memberships are open to all public & private organizations, free of any charge - the NPM website offers a toolkit to assist everyone is promoting emerency preparedness - to register or for more information, go online at http://ready.adcouncil.org or logon at Ready.gov.

(NEWTON) The Ste. Mary's Pre-Labor Day Picnic is set for this Sunday, September 5th, in Ste. Marie - their popular deep-fried chicken & pork loin dinners will be served in their air-conditioned Parish Center from 11:00 til 5:00, plus there'll be other food stands, plus crafts, a country store, bingo, basket stand, music, & plenty of games for all ages - plus a $1,000 give-a-way with tickets on sale throughout the day - that's all coming up in Jasper County this Sunday - the St. Mary's Pre-Labor Day Picnic in Ste. Marie.

(OLNEY) The Du Quoin State Fair continues down in Perry County : today is Senior Day with plenty of activities plus Dierks Bentley & the Greencards in concert tonight : tomorrow is Vender Appreciation Day with classic rock band Styx on the stage tomorrow night, plus the Lo Cash Cowboys in the CVA Beer Tent : Friday will be Rural King Day with The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band & Asleep At The Wheel in concert that night : the fair continues thru Labor Day - for more, go online to the State Ag Department's website.

REMINDERS

The annual Ingraham Labor Day Picnic is next Monday - it's the truck pull at 9:00 that morning with a chicken dinner from 11:00 til 2:00 - a tractor pull at 1:00, then soup supper at 4:00, plus music, lunch stand & tickets on sale for a treasured blankets give-away & more - all in Ingraham next Monday

The Berryville Chowder is coming up this Saturday with serving to start at 11:00 - that's bulk chowder, sandwiches, desserts, & more - all this Saturday at the Berryville Community Building

The Newton Elementary & Junior High PTO & Band Aides will meet this evening in the junior high school library, starting at 6:00 - all are invited to attend in support of our Jasper County students

Don't forget those real estate tax bills - the final real estate taxes are due today in Richland & Jasper Counties - payments can be made in person or by mail with a September 1st postmark