Tim Zalabak

Law enforcement agencies across the United States are recognizing and honoring the unsung heroes that ensure safety is on the way to people in need. The Week of April 14th is National Telecommunications Week and the Christian County Sheriff's Office looks to highlight the dedicated staff behind the phone that

Kaufman Realty and Auctions held a ribbon cutting on Friday morning, opening a wide range of services up to the community, located on the Taylorville Square at 121 South Washington Street. Matt Corso will be leading the operations at Taylorville's Kaufman Realty and Auctions and has been in the realty and auction game for over 20 years.

The Bluegrass Festival is making a return to Shelbyville on May 10th and 11th in the Chautauqua Auditorium in Forest Park in Shelbyville. The Chet Kingery Memorial Bluegrass Festival made its debut in May of 2013 in Arcola, IL, in honor of a then recently deceased artist from the region, Chet Kingery, who performed for years with his group, the Knights of Bluegrass.

Taylorville Police Chief Dwyane Wheeler expressed much appreciation for the valuable assistance provided by Ford Motor Company and the Emergency Response Team in the wake of a recent derailment incident south of Taylorville.

A new piece of legislation will soon be up for decision that prohibits law enforcement and intelligence agencies from obtaining information from cell phones and laptops. The law would also block such records and information from being used in a trial, hearing, or proceeding. House Representative Bill 4639 will not allow law enforcement to gather evidence from technology, taken by a search warrant for crimes such as terrorism, grooming, drug-related offenses, and possible school threats.

The Autism and Movement Project in Pana is continuing to create opportunities for people with disabilities like the Brewin' Hope Coffeehouse, a place of employment for those in the AAMP. Erica Matthews, Owner and Lead Instructor of the non-profit gives thanks to the community reception of the group and their support through donations and fundraising.

Taylorville Memorial Hospital is set to host a flag-raising ceremony on Tuesday, April 30, shining a spotlight on the critical need for organ and tissue donation. Scheduled for 9:00 a.m. at the hospital's main entrance flagpole, the event aims to raise awareness about the nearly 5,000 Illinois residents currently awaiting life-saving organ transplants, as reported by the Gift of Hope Organ and Tissue Donor Network, serving Illinois and Northwest Indiana.

More service opportunities are available through Illinois Extension's 4-H program which continues to drive young people's passion for local giving. The Youth Leadership Team coordinates initiatives like food drives to benefit local pantries and organizations while fostering a sense of giving back.

All five Memorial Health Hospitals will host flag-raising ceremonies on Tuesday, April 30th, signifying support during National Donate Life Month. Attending the event will be hospital officials and representatives from Gift of Hope Organ and Tissue Donor Network and Saving Sight, they will share words for those in the public who wish to attend.

The Shelby County CEO class has prepared all year for their CEO Trade Show, which appears on Wednesday, May 8th from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Foxmore Venue in Shelbyville.