‘Click It or Ticket’ seat belt campaign already under way in area for Memorial Day
The Jacksonville Police Department is taking part in a statewide campaign targeting drivers and passengers not wearing seat belts.
The initiative runs through the Memorial Day travel period, ending May 26.
Hundreds of law enforcement agencies will be watching for drivers or passengers not wearing a seat belt, which is required in Illinois. Although seat belt use in Illinois is estimated at 93 percent, the risks are deemed too great.
“Buckle up every trip, every time,” Jacksonville Police Chief Doug Thompson said. “Seat belts save lives, and we are committed to keeping our roads safe.”
Of the people who died in crashes in 2024, 9,758 were not wearing seat belts, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Most of the fatalities were among people between 18 and 34.
The “Click It or Ticket” initiative is administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation through federal money.
Local Rhythm and Blues DJ, songwriter expands his magnum opus 20 years later
Ben “The Harpman” Cox, longtime Central Illinois blues DJ, journalist, photographer and songwriter, is revisiting his lone music release, “Room Painted Blue,” with a digitally remastered and expanded edition arriving June 1.
Originally recorded live and unrehearsed in front of a standing-room-only audience at the now-closed Due Gatti Coffee Shop in downtown Jacksonville in March 2006, the album captured a spontaneous moment that launched Cox’s solo performing career. More than 20 years later, many of the musicians involved have moved on to different paths while the venues that shaped that era of Central Illinois music have largely disappeared.
Cox began hosting the Saturday Night R&B Hour on 107.1 FM WEAI in Jacksonville in 2004 and later continued his work on regional radio. Throughout the years, he interviewed artists including blues legends and emerging musicians, wrote for Blues Blast Magazine, and operated his own outlets, Juke Joint Soul and Elm City Radio. He also contributed songwriting to releases by the Kilborn Alley Blues Band and liner notes for The Sugar Prophets.
During the last two decades, Cox has devoted much of his work to documenting and preserving the blues and Central Illinois music community through journalism and photography.
Recorded, arranged and engineered live with veteran local musicians Stan Robinson, Jeff Newman, Stuart Smith and Matt Duncan, “Room Painted Blue” documents a 23-year-old harmonica player finding his voice in real time — unfiltered, spontaneous and deeply rooted in blues tradition.
This expanded edition includes five previously unreleased tracks drawn from three additional sessions recorded during the same era. There are no overdubs and no studio polish — just a live room, a band and a moment in time at venues that no longer exist.
The release revisits a specific moment in the Central Illinois blues scene and brings previously unavailable recordings to a wider audience for the first time.
LLCC’s Charpentier among 3 displaying brain for terrain with state geography award
Lincoln Land Community College students Conrad Charpentier, from Jacksonville; Julia Longstaff, from Springfield; and Ben Armbruster, from Springfield, were honored at the Illinois Geographical Society’s annual awards banquet held in Oglesby on April 24
Charpentier and Longstaff received Illinois Geographical Society’s Outstanding Community College Student Award. This award goes to students who excelled in one or more geography classes. Charpentier, an LLCC baseball player, will be attending the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in the fall majoring in political science. Longstaff will be majoring in geography while attending Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in the fall.
Armbruster received the Charles Womack Award, which was established to honor the memory and spirit of Charles “Chuck” Womack, geography professor at Lakeland Community College. The award is given to one student who has excelled in both academics and extracurricular activities in the geography program at their community college.
Armbruster is a student worker in the LLCC Natural and Agricultural Sciences Department doing geographic information systems work (GIS). This month, he will graduate with departmental honors and receive an associate of arts degree. He plans to continue his education this fall at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville to earn a bachelor’s degree in geography.
Filming for independent feature film under way in Central Illinois through June 16
Independent feature film “Holler,” produced by Subterranean Sound and Vision, is set to shoot in Central Illinois from May 30 through June 16.
The film is being produced by Devin Smock and Samuel Watkins as a low-budget independent feature rooted in the spirit, landscape, and character of downstate Illinois. Holler is a gritty genre film with a strong regional voice, and production will take place in and around Jacksonville with a focus on practical filmmaking, local collaboration and community support.
To help raise funds for production, the team had a fundraising double feature on May 17 at Illinois Theater in Jacksonville. The event featured screenings of “The Last Man on Earth” and “Night of the Living Dead,” along with merchandise for sale, prizes, fun and games, and a chance to meet some of the cast and crew.
Proceeds will support the upcoming shoot. “Holler” is part of our effort to create ambitious independent filmmaking in Central Illinois and to prove that regional films can be made outside the traditional system with the help of local artists, businesses, and audience.
Lake Mauvaisterre kayak season is officially open
The Jacksonville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau has announced that kayak rentals at Lake Mauvaisterre are now officially open for the 2026 season. Operated in partnership with Rent.Fun, the self-serve kayak rental station offers residents and visitors an easy and convenient way to get out on the water and experience one of Jacksonville’s favorite outdoor recreation destinations.
Located at the Lake Mauvaisterre boat launch area, the rental station allows users to reserve and unlock kayaks directly from their smartphone, making it simple to enjoy a paddle around the scenic lake at their own pace.
“We are thrilled to welcome back another season of kayak rentals at Lake Mauvaisterre,” said Brittany Henry, executive director of the Jacksonville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. “This program has become such a fun addition to our community and tourism offerings, giving both locals and visitors another unique way to experience Jacksonville outdoors.”
The kayak rental program was first launched through a collaborative effort between the Jacksonville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, the City of Jacksonville and the Jacksonville Lakes Department. The project was made possible in part through a Tourism Attractions Grant awarded through the Illinois Office of Tourism and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Since launching, the program has continued to see strong participation each season while helping expand outdoor recreation opportunities for both residents and visitors alike.
Kayak rental pricing is: Under 2 hours—$25; 2-4 hours—$40; 1 day—$50; 1 week—$60. All rentals include paddles and life vests. Six kayaks and two stand-up paddleboards are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Rental information, pricing and instructions on how to reserve a kayak can be found through the Jacksonville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau social media pages or directly through the Rent.Fun platform.
The CVB encourages everyone to grab a paddle, enjoy the fresh air and spend time exploring the beauty of Lake Mauvaisterre this season. For more information regarding kayak rentals in Jacksonville, visit jacksonvilleil.org or call 217-243-5678.
Jacksonville is a vibrant community known for its rich history, cultural offerings and commitment to education and outdoor activities, making it a welcoming destination for residents and visitors.
The Jacksonville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau works to highlight the Jacksonville area as a premier destination to drive economic growth through strategic marketing, and to promote the unique experiences the Jacksonville area offers to both visitors and residents alike.
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Office of Tourism manages industry efforts that result in sustainable and significant economic and quality-of-life benefits for Illinois residents.
Pathway fundraiser welcomes Kringles, a Racine pastry with Denmark roots, new this year
Pathway Services Unlimited, Inc. is excited to announce the start of a new fundraiser featuring Racine Danish Kringles, a handcrafted pastry known for its rich flavor and quality.
This new fundraiser replaces the organization’s previous Terri Lynn fundraiser, following the closure of their distribution center last year.
Pathway Services would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated in the firstr ound of the Kringles fundraiser. “You helped make this a success, and we look forward to your continued support in future events.”
For more information about Pathway Services and upcoming fundraisers, please get in touch with Jessica Brogdon, communications coordinator, at 217-479-2320 — or check out our Facebook page at “Pathway Services Unlimited, Inc.”
Franklin Lions Club soliciting donations to help light up the sky on the 4th
With the community’s help, the Franklin Lions Club, sponsor of the annual Fourth of July festival, has been able to offer bigger and better fireworks displays year after year. This year, marking the United States’ 250th birthday, the group is angling to present the biggest display yet. To do so, the Franklin Lions are hoping to attract donations from businesses or individuals to help fund the display.
Donations may be mailed to the Franklin Lions Club, P.O. Box 37, Franklin, Illinois 62638 or dropped at the Community State Bank location in Franklin. The Franklin Lions thanks all for participating in the effort.
New this year, the launch location for the fireworks is being moved directly north of the high school ball field, with seating available in the entire ball field. Full schedules for the three-day festival are being finalized.
