Repair, renovate, restore: How communities support growth with TIF funding
URBANA, Ill. – Tax Increment Funding (TIF) provides a way for municipalities to spur economic growth and make infrastructure improvements in qualifying economically stagnant or physically declining areas, designated as TIF districts.
TIF districts reallocate property tax funds while...
New health care research provides solutions for today's health challenges
URBANA, Ill. – Cutting-edge research in health sciences plays a vital role in preventing disease, driving new treatments, and improving the way health care professionals and systems work and approach diagnosis.
“The amount of time it takes for those research findings to make it from the...
Lee County 4-H Joins the Fight Against Hunger
Illinois 4-H members are used to pledging their “health to better living,” but a state initiative has members battling a new health threat; local hunger.
“Hunger is closer to home than many people realize, said Kathy Book, University of Illinois Extension, Lee...
Whiteside County Master Gardeners Host Succulent Workshop
Succulents! Not Just for Cacti anymore!
If you love succulents, but can’t seem to keep them alive, then you have come to the right place. Join Whiteside County Master Gardener; Allison Stingley on July 24 from 10:00 a.m. to noon at the Whiteside...
Small bug, big risk: Protect yourself from ticks this summer
URBANA, Ill. — When venturing in the woods this summer, don’t forget to protect yourself from a small, but dangerous creature likely lurking in trees, grass, and bushes.
Ticks are easy to pick up when visiting grassy areas, woods, prairies, wetlands, deer trails, and brushy...
Blistering heat, high humidity puts us at risk
URBANA, Ill. – June has been hot and muggy. Regardless what the thermometer reads, it just feels hotter.
Feels-like temperatures are calculated using the air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and an understanding of how the human body responds to heat and cold. ...
Hackers attack US meat supply chain
URBANA, Ill. - Another international cyberattack may have a direct impact on your dinner table.
Over the weekend, hackers breached computer systems of JBS USA, the second-largest producer of beef, pork, and poultry in the country. Sunday, the company initiated a shutdown of many of its...
Keep an eye out for invasive jumping worms in the garden
URBANA, Ill. – After a long winter, Illinois gardeners are eager for the new growing season. While doing the usual preparations and tasks, home gardeners should be aware of an invasive species wriggling across the Midwest – the jumping worm.
Jumping worms are non-native earthworms that...
Smart Growth strategies take an intentional approach to community vitality
URBANA, Ill. – Rural communities facing economic challenges and population decline not only care about taxes, length of commutes, employment opportunities, and housing affordability but also seek to preserve the lifestyle and atmosphere that make their community special. Development in...
Lee County 4-H Fair Registration Open
After a year of virtual, University of Illinois, Lee County 4-H is excited to announce in person judging for Lee County 4-H projects July 20-25 at the Lee County 4-H Center. 4-H’ers have been spending the year meeting virtually and in person, when mitigations allowed,...
Carroll-Lee-Whiteside 4-H’ers to compete in State Public Speaking Contest
Carroll, Lee, and Whiteside County 4-H’ers gathered on Saturday, April 17 to give public speeches at University of Illinois Extension Office in Sterling. 4-H’ers had several different types of speeches to choose from, including, Formal Speech, Illustrated Speech, Original...
2021 Lee County 4-H Ambassadors Announced
Wednesday, April 28 at the Amboy Community Building, members of Lee County 4-H and their friends and family gathered to watch the annual 4-H Ambassador Interviews.
4-H’ers are chosen to be an ambassador based on their 4-H, school and community involvement, the...
Double Your Garden Harvest with Succession Gardening
STERLING, Ill.-Make the most of your vegetable garden, double your harvest with succession planting! Even in a small space, you can harvest vegetables all season. Successive gardening is a way of giving a continuous supply of fresh vegetables without letting any of your...
Master Gardeners Ready to Help in Carroll, Lee and Whiteside Counties
STERLING, Ill.- What is causing my plants to die? Will these insects destroy my vegetable garden? What perennials are best suited for my yard? What tree will give me the best shade? How much fertilizer should I put on my yard? If these questions bothered...
Eat more fruits and vegetables with the help of your local farmers market
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – For Illinois residents who fall within the one in 10 American adults who don’t eat the recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables, farmers markets offer the chance for consumers to up their fruit and vegetable intake while supporting local farmers....
Will you save a life? Register to support farm mental health efforts
URBANA, Ill. – America's farm families are paying a heavy mental toll as they deal with unpredictable weather, variable input costs, long work hours, and unpredictable commodity prices. A gap exists between farm families and the resources they need to keep them safe....
