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Illinois State Treasurer reminds victims about flood aid

Illinois State Treasurer reminds victims about flood aid

 

SPRINGFIELD, IL (KFVS) - With the recent flooding throughout the state, Illinois State Treasurer Dan Rutherford is reminding flood victims that aid is available through the treasurer’s Disaster Recovery Linked Deposit Program.

According Rutherford, the program helps residents, businesses and farmers get  low-interest loans to recover from weather-related damage to their property.

After a loan is approved, Rutherford says the state makes a deposit into the financial institution which helps lower the interest rate to the borrower, effectively making the repairs more affordable. 

The maximum interest rate for qualifying borrowers is 2.36 percent for a two-year loan and 2.69 percent for a three-year loan for the month of April 2013.  The rate is locked in for the duration of the period.  The program caps the interest rate at 3 percent for qualified borrowers at participating financial institutions.

Eco-friendly zip line tour coming to southern Illinois

Eco-friendly zip line tour coming to southern Illinois

MARION, IL (KFVS) - An eco-friendly zip line canopy tour is coming to the Marion-area April 18.

According to a press release, the Shawnee Bluffs Canopy Tour zip lines are located on 83 wooded acres surrounded by the Shawnee National Forest.

The tour will consist of eight zip lines, the longest stretching more than 1,100 feet, which will zigzag across the property’s bluffs and through the valley.  The tour also has 11 platforms high in the trees, three aerial suspension bridges, the longest stretching 180 feet, and two short ground hikes. 

Officials say guests soaring through the forest at 35 mph while learning about the ecology, geology and history of the area from two trained guides who will lead each group of eight guests.

IDNR releases 2012-13 deer harvest numbers

IDNR releases 2012-13 deer harvest numbers

SPRINGFIELD, IL (KFVS) - The Illinois Department of Natural Resources have released preliminary numbers of deer harvested in Illinois during the 2012-13 seasons.

According to IDNR, the 181,451 deer harvested is close to the 181,451 harvested during the 2011-12 season.

During this year's season, 49-percent of does and 51-percent of males were harvested.

Here are the county by county harvest numbers:

Franklin County-,2225

Gallatin County-855

Hardin County-1,559

Jackson County-3,177

Jefferson County-4,266

Perry County-2,377

Pope County-2,516

Pulaski County-972

Randolph County-3,677

Saline County-1,739

Union County-2,647

Wayne County-3,139

White County-1,803

Grand totals by category

Archery-59,728

Youth-3124

Firearm-99,461

Muzzleloader-3,630

Special (Late Winter ) (Chronic Wasting Disease)-14,726

Photo Safari Nov. 10 at Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge

Photo Safari Nov. 10 at Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge

MARION, IL (KFVS) - The Friends of Crab Orchard would like to invite local nature photographers to join a photo safari on Saturday, November 10 at 7 a.m.

Participants can go behind the Refuge gates with a guide and visit several locations chosen just for their scenic beauty and potential to showcase wildlife. There will be ample time to explore, set up and photograph. This is not a class, but simply an opportunity to access the restricted portions of the refuge at a pace and time suited to photographers. You can bring your own camera and dress for a morning in the field. Meet at the Refuge visitor center on route 148 in Marion.

Community Photo: Active Hummingbirds on first day of Autumn

Community Photo: Active Hummingbirds on first day of Autumn

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KFVS) - A viewer sent us this photo of an active hummingbird on the first day of fall!

You can send us your photos to cnews@kfvs12.com.

Copyright 2012 KFVS. All rights reserved.

Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge to hold annual clean up

Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge to hold annual clean up

MARION, IL (KFVS) - Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge has scheduled the annual clean up for Saturday, September 29, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m .in support of National Public Lands Day.

This event will be at the Prairie Creek Recreation Area, 1 1/2 miles west of John A. Logan College on the south side of Route 13.

Organizers say the first 100 people to register will receive a free t-shirt. Also, a very limited number of canoes will be available for free to help pick up shoreline trash, so come early. Please register no later than Monday, September 24th.

A free lunch following the Refuge Clean Up will be provided by the Friends of Crab Orchard. To help celebrate National Public Lands Day, Saturday, September 29th will be a fee-free day and no passes or parking permits will be required on the Refuge.

Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge is part of the National Wildlife Refuge System which is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.