Mt. Vernon Register-News Homepage

FFA fun

2012-02-22T06:00:00-06:00

Sierra Willmore, a Mt. Vernon Township High School junior, gets her books out of her Case tractor while Dylan Hayes, senior, looks on. Several students drove their tractors to school today as part of National FFA Week, which is Feb. 18 through 25.

Enjoying the weather

2012-02-21T05:30:00-06:00

The new tot playground at Veterans Park was a popular place on Monday afternoon. Five-year-old Trever Confer, son of Chrissy and Jason Confer, climbs up to play with his new friend, 6-year-old Kevin Prible, son of Dan Prible and Emily Adams.

Red Feather Ball

2012-02-20T05:30:00-06:00

Community members celebrated the accomplishments of the United Way of South Central Illinois in 2011 on Saturday during the Red Feather Ball. United Way members were able to raise more than $10,000 on Saturday for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, which sends age-appropriate books to children once a month. Richard Straeter, Executive Director of the Habitat for Humanity of Jefferson County, was announced as the recipient of the Champion of Hope Award. Next year’s UWSCI president will be Bill Whisenant of Continental Tire the Americas. The Midwest Dueling Pianos duo provided the evening’s entertainment.

Ribbon cutting for new neon lights held

2012-02-17T05:30:00-06:00

MT. VERNON — For the first time in almost 20 years, the Municipal Building West was lit with blue lights as the official lighting ceremony and ribbon cutting was held to commemorate new neon lights for the building.

Pack your bags

2012-02-15T22:42:33-06:00

About 20 volunteers from the Park Avenue Baptist Church Food Pantry, City Schools District 80 and the United Way of South Central Illinois packed Nutrition on Weekends backpacks for long weekends away from school. Beverly Walker, the pantry’s coordinator for the event, said the NOW program provides meals for 270 District 80 students and 114 Jefferson County students who meet free or reduced lunch income standards. The backpacks are packed with enough food for breakfast, lunch, dinner and a snack for each day the students are away from school; this is the program’s fifth year.

Students celebrate Valentine’s Day

2012-02-15T05:30:00-06:00

MT. VERNON — Students at the City Schools District 80 Primary Center celebrated Valentine’s Day by sharing valentines, candy and snacks.

Clothes dryer fire prevention tips

2012-02-14T05:30:00-06:00

MT. VERNON — Residential appliance fires result in an estimated 9,600 fires annually and $211 million in property loss, according to the National Fire Incident Reporting System.

Army Center

2012-02-13T05:30:00-06:00

At least 225 people attended the Celebrity Waiter Dinner to benefit the Amy Center on Saturday night. Waiters gave their tables a theme, from Mardi Gras decadence to a Hawaiian flair, and had games to go along with their themes, like pin-the-tail-on-the-horse at the Kentucky Derby-themed table. Amy Center Executive Director Ladonna Richards said the organization hopes to raise as much as $12,000 with the annual event.

Bluford students collect donation

2012-02-11T05:30:00-06:00

BLUFORD — There probably hasn’t been much loose change jingling in parents’ pockets who have children attending Bluford Grade and High Schools the last three weeks.

Second Women’s Heart Night held

2012-02-10T05:30:00-06:00

MT. VERNON — A sea of ladies dressed in red descended upon Cedarhurst Center for the Arts on Thursday for the second Women’s Heart Night.