The latest Indulgence Tour for downtown Morton businesses will be happening this Saturday with caramel as the theme. (Photo courtesy of mortonmagnet.com)

 MORTON

 Local businesses host Indulgence Tour this weekend

The Indulgence Tours . . . The Caramels

Join PumpkinLand Community in The Indulgence Tours . . . The Caramels on Saturday, Dec. 14 in Morton.

Be sure to stop in to each one to check out their caramel offerings/specials and get your name in the drawing for a wonderful bundle of gift cards from each business.

Great American Popcorn Company of Morton will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. with plenty of caramel goodies to pick from.  Stay tuned for special offerings.

Thr3ads will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Stop in to finish up (or start) your Christmas shopping and for a great caramel treat.

Ūnum- Fine Wine & Whiskey Lounge will be open from 2 p.m. to midnight.

Be sure to visit the website (mortonmagnet.com), Facebook page (PLaCE – PumpkinLand Community Events), and the Facebook event page for the latest information.

PEKIN

Santa makes early stop at the Pekin Airport

Santa Claus will once again be visiting the Pekin Airport on Saturday, Dec. 14  from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Santa will fly into Pekin Airport and there will be pictures, activities in the hangar, airplane simulator, and children will be able to give Santa their letter for him to take back to the North Pole.

This year we will be teaming up with the Pekin Police Department and will be accepting toy or monetary donations to help local families in need!

Event is free. Preregistration is not required, however, registering helps accommodate everyone.

TAZEWELL COUNTY

Census is hiring for positions in the county

Tazewell County is looking to hire people who as Census Takers for the upcoming 2020 United States Census.

Become a census taker and get paid to help your community. #2020CensusJobs are temporary, provide weekly pay, flexible hours and paid training. The county pay rate is  $15.50 hourly.

Most Jobs will begin in April 2020. All applications are done online at www.2020census.gov/jobs and computer assistance will be available at this event.

A Peoria Area Census Office is being opened in support of the 2020 Census more information about these jobs will also be available there.

Census takers also receive reimbursement for work-related mileage and expenses, where applicable.

Tazewell County will need people to serve as census takers for the 2020 United States Census. Hiring is now underway. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Census Bureau)

REGIONAL

 4-H Foundation awards $49,000 scholarships

The Illinois 4-H Foundation provided $29,000 in college scholarships and awarded another $20,000 in national conference travel scholarships to 4-H members honored at a ceremony held in Champaign.

The annual celebration recognized over 100 of the top participants in the state’s most successful youth development program.

“Our awardees embody the true spirit of 4-H, having made a difference not only in their communities, but also Illinois and the nation,” said Lisa Diaz, University of Illinois Extension assistant dean and director of Illinois 4-H. “We are proud of the dedication, service, and fortitude of the young men and women who have developed through our 4-H programs.”

Angie Barnard, Foundation executive director, said, “Our donors are generous and believe that higher education changes lives,”

Donors include Farm Credit Illinois, Nann Armstrong, Patricia Clickener, Lila Jeanne Eichelberger, the Nellie R. McCannon Trust, Keith and Lissa Parr, Dorsey Murray, George Obernagel, Legacy endowment contributors, LA-CO, Illinois Farm Bureau, Peter Johnson, Susan Moore, Katherine Razim, Ryan and Elaine Ruwe, Marvin and Elizabeth Schnitzler, Gerald and Linda Thiele, Lindsay Young, and the Illinois 4-H Foundation.

Illinois 4-H Foundation presents the Legacy of Leadership Scholarship to 4-H members who demonstrate and maintain a high standard of 4-H excellence and mastery during their membership tenure.

PEORIA

Holiday Shop and Stroll happening this weekend

Forest Park Nature Center, 5809 N Forest Park Drive, Peoria Heights, is hosting its annual Holiday Shop and Stroll on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 13 and 14 from 6 to 8:30 p.m.

Stroll a forest path lit with luminaries, enjoy live holiday music, storytelling and caroling and seasonal treats and wassail.

Discover nature-related artwork from the Nature Art Show & Sale Shop in the Trailhead Nature Store to support this event.

For more information, contact Kristi Shoemaker at 309-686-3360 or at kshoemaker@peoriaparks.org.

STATE

 Time to register for the Youth Goose Hunt,

Youth interested in participating in the annual Central Illinois Youth Goose Hunt, sponsored by the IDNR, may register now for the hunt scheduled for Jan. 19-20, 2020.

To register for a drawing to participate in the hunt, youth hunters must phone in to the IDNR at 217-785-8060 by the registration deadline of Friday, Jan. 3, 2020.

The youth goose hunt will be held at private waterfowl hunting clubs in the Canton area in Fulton County. A lottery drawing involving all youth who phone in to register will be conducted Jan. 6, 2020, and youth hunters selected will be notified by mail.

First-time applicants will be given a priority over previous participants in the drawing. The hunt is open to youth ages 10-17 at the time of the hunt.

IEMA highlights holiday safety in December

With the holiday season in full swing, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) is offering tips to help people stay safe now and into the new year.  From decorating the tree to traveling to grandma’s house with a sleigh full of new toys, be sure to take simple steps to keep your family safe.

Decorating —Whether decorating for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or New Year’s Eve, candles and strings of colored lights create a festive atmosphere but it’s important to be careful when using them.

Candles should never be left unattended, and placed far away from flammable materials.

Candles should also be placed on stable furniture in fire-safe holders that will catch dripping wax.  Holiday lights and electrical decorations should bear the name of an independent testing lab to prove they were safety tested.

Chimneys are nice to deck with holiday decorations but the Illinois Emergency Management Agency is reminding residents to make sure fireplaces and chimneys have been inspected and are properly working. (Photo courtesy of city of Hennepin)

 Heating —Chimneys, fireplaces and wood and coal stoves should be regularly inspected and cleaned when necessary.  Additionally, furnaces should be checked every year by professionals to ensure mechanical parts are functioning properly and that nothing is blocking the flue.

Malfunctioning furnaces increase both the fire and carbon monoxide risks.

Under Illinois law, homes should be equipped with working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors within 15 feet of each sleeping area.

The detectors should be tested monthly to ensure they’re functioning and the batteries are still good.  Never use a gas or charcoal grill inside your home or attached garage because of the danger of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Shopping — Whether shopping online or in the store, be sure to utilize smart shopping techniques this holiday season. If shopping online, connect with care.

Make sure your home wireless network is password protected, and set strong passwords that make it hard for cyber criminals to guess.

During the holidays, scammers may send fake emails requiring you to click a link for a special offer.  Shop online through trusted retailers to avoid these scams, and do not click on links from unknown senders.

Travel — When traveling, whether by car, train or plane, be sure to utilize smart travel tips.

If traveling by car, remember to pack an emergency supply kit with essentials for all your passengers.

Fill out an emergency communications plan and let your in case of emergency (ICE) contact know your plan.  Also, before you hit the road, check local road conditions and avoid traveling during winter storms.

If traveling by plane for the holidays, be sure to review the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) security screening tips.

When packing for your flights, consider a small emergency kit that includes a flashlight and spare USB power bank.