Bridge the digital divide: Strategies to adopt, deploy broadband in your community
URBANA, Ill. – Broadband technology enables residents to conduct business, work from home, attend school, drive innovation, and access remote healthcare services, but some rural and underserved urban Illinois communities with insufficient infrastructure or limited provider choices still find it...
Aphid pests on the move in backyard gardens, agricultural fields
URBANA, Ill. – Ever spy small, yellow dots on the back of plant leaves during the summer months? Those tiny pear-shaped specks are aphids.
Aphids are a common insect pest in the home landscape and for houseplants. There are many species of aphids in Illinois and they feed on a large...
Green infrastructure solutions aim to protect water supply
URBANA, Ill. – A highway of subterranean pipes channel fresh water to and sewage away from Illinois’ homes, businesses, schools and parks. Pipes also carry runoff from rainstorms and snowmelt. This runoff includes pollutants swept away from parking lots, construction sites,...
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...
Fulton County 4-H shows are scheduled
LEWISTOWN, Ill. - Through University of Illinois Extension, Fulton County 4-H members work on projects throughout the year, and exhibit their projects during the summer. Judges evaluate the 4-H members' projects in a conference judging system, where the judge discusses the project with the...
4-H pet care projects teach responsibility to youth
LEWISTOWN, Ill. - Pets bring a lot of joy to the homes where they live. When young family members help take care of pets, they learn valuable responsibility skills. 4-H provides tools and learning opportunities for youth to develop those skills.
4-H pet care projects include Cat, Dog,...
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. ...
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...
Fulton County 4-H members participate in livestock judging
LEWISTOWN, Ill. - Nine Fulton County 4-H members participated in the 4-H Livestock Judging Contest held in April at the 4-H Center in Macomb. Participants were divided by age into junior and senior divisions. Fulton County 4-H participants were Braydon DeCounter, in the senior division; and in...
