Hear our presenting sponsors, Tony Wielt from State Farm and Sandy Sinnett with Heritage Woods of Mt. Vernon announce this year's Letters of Thanksgiving winners in Kindergarten - 4th & 5th-8th grades.

The Painted Cowgirl Market on N. Old Salem Road in Mt. Vernon is hosting a Harvest Festival & Veterans Salute this weekend, Saturday & Sunday from 9a-3p both days. The Festival will feature over 60 vendors, antique tractors, food trucks, and a blacksmith demonstration. Gwen Hails is the owner of The Painted Cowgirl Market. She says while this weekend is for her business and area vendors to come together to provide a kickoff to some great holiday shopping for the community; she says it's also about honoring those that made weekends like this possible. Cowboy Church will take place on Sunday morning at 10am on the grounds of The Painted Cowgirl Market. This is a rain or shine event.

More information via the flyer below. This year, the Mt. Vernon Township High School FFA are also working with current and former FFA members to collect livestock supplies to send to those affected by the recent hurricanes. If you would like to donate, MVTHS FFA will be collecting items the same time as the scholarship BBQ. Hope to see you there!

Destiny is the Physician Assistant and the leader of Big Jake's Journey of Health team at Premiere U: Medical Weight Loss Solutions in Marion. The pair sit down to discuss Jake's latest appointment and progress as well as the Premiere U difference compared to others in the business of helping people loss weight and become the best versions of themselves. Learn more at mwlmarion.com or go see Premiere U on Kimmel Street in Marion today and let them know Big Jake sent ya!

Wendi with BCMW Community Services, as administrator of the Energy Assistance Program Bond, Clinton, Marion, and Washington is pleased to announce that funds are available to assist income-eligible households with their natural gas, propane and/or electric bills and furnace assistance for inoperable heating systems.

The program will begin taking applications on October 1, 2024 for older adults (60 years +), individuals with a disability , families with children age 5 or under and households that are disconnected from their utilities, have a disconnection notice or have less than 25% in their propane tank.  All other income eligible households can start applying November 1, 2024.

Applications will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis through August 15, 2025, or until funding is exhausted.  Households that receive a one-time benefit may return during the program year for a Reconnection Assistance or Furnace Assistance benefit(s), if needed.

Households must be at or below 200% of the federal poverty level to receive a benefit from LIHEAP.  The 30-day income guidelines for LIHEAP are based on Federal Poverty Guidelines, State Median Income and the number of persons living in the household. The income guidelines are as follows: 1- $2,510, 2- $3,407, 3- $4,303, 4- $5,200. Go to bcmwcommunityservices.org or liheapillinois.com to know income limits for households with 5 members and more.

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides one-time benefits to income eligible homeowners and renters to help with energy bills and for reconnection of energy service.  Propane customers who are part of the priority group are encouraged to apply when the program opens in October.  Propane prices typically increase during the winter months so by applying early propane customers will see their LIHEAP benefit go further.

Applications will be taken at 909 E Rexford, Centralia IL and bcmwcommunityservices.org.

To submit an application, you MUST submit ALL documentation required:

1. Proof of gross income from all household members for the prior 30-day period beginning with the date of application.
2. For all customers new to LIHEAP, and/or for new household members of previous customers, proof of Social Security numbers (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) for all household members. Individuals without a SSN or ITIN can still apply and BCMW Community Action Agency will advise accordingly.
3. A copy of current heat and electric bills issued within the last 30 days.
4. A copy of rental agreement (if renting) showing that utilities are included, the monthly rental amount and landlord contact.
5. Other documents may be needed based on your household situation. If you have questions regarding this, please call our office.

Beginning October 1, 2024 income eligible LIHEAP customers of Ameren Illinois will receive a monthly discount on their natural gas bill through the new Low Income Discount Rates.  Visit liheapillinois.com or bcmwcommunityservices.org to know more details.

Please call BCMW Community Action Agency at 618-532-7388 for outreach locations and schedules, and for information on what documents are needed to apply and different ways to submit your application.

Wendi with BCMW Community Services, as administrator of the Energy Assistance Program Bond, Clinton, Marion, and Washington is pleased to announce that funds are available to assist income-eligible households with their natural gas, propane and/or electric bills and furnace assistance for inoperable heating systems.

The program will begin taking applications on October 1, 2024 for older adults (60 years +), individuals with a disability , families with children age 5 or under and households that are disconnected from their utilities, have a disconnection notice or have less than 25% in their propane tank.  All other income eligible households can start applying November 1, 2024.

Applications will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis through August 15, 2025, or until funding is exhausted.  Households that receive a one-time benefit may return during the program year for a Reconnection Assistance or Furnace Assistance benefit(s), if needed.

Households must be at or below 200% of the federal poverty level to receive a benefit from LIHEAP.  The 30-day income guidelines for LIHEAP are based on Federal Poverty Guidelines, State Median Income and the number of persons living in the household. The income guidelines are as follows: 1- $2,510, 2- $3,407, 3- $4,303, 4- $5,200. Go to bcmwcommunityservices.org or liheapillinois.com to know income limits for households with 5 members and more.

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides one-time benefits to income eligible homeowners and renters to help with energy bills and for reconnection of energy service.  Propane customers who are part of the priority group are encouraged to apply when the program opens in October.  Propane prices typically increase during the winter months so by applying early propane customers will see their LIHEAP benefit go further.

Applications will be taken at 909 E Rexford, Centralia IL and bcmwcommunityservices.org.

To submit an application, you MUST submit ALL documentation required:

1. Proof of gross income from all household members for the prior 30-day period beginning with the date of application.
2. For all customers new to LIHEAP, and/or for new household members of previous customers, proof of Social Security numbers (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) for all household members. Individuals without a SSN or ITIN can still apply and BCMW Community Action Agency will advise accordingly.
3. A copy of current heat and electric bills issued within the last 30 days.
4. A copy of rental agreement (if renting) showing that utilities are included, the monthly rental amount and landlord contact.
5. Other documents may be needed based on your household situation. If you have questions regarding this, please call our office.

Beginning October 1, 2024 income eligible LIHEAP customers of Ameren Illinois will receive a monthly discount on their natural gas bill through the new Low Income Discount Rates.  Visit liheapillinois.com or bcmwcommunityservices.org to know more details.

Please call BCMW Community Action Agency at 618-532-7388 for outreach locations and schedules, and for information on what documents are needed to apply and different ways to submit your application.