Students from all walks of life come together to learn and compete while helping their community. But they also have a lot of fun while doing it. A common theme in these nominations was just how fun it was to be a part of the Mt. Vernon FFA chapter. It’s a place where you can make lifelong friends while still working hard and learning valuable skills that will be carried on later in life. A high performing and highly active chapter, students from Mt. Vernon are always out and about in the community. Throughout the year they do over 250 activities and over 30 different community events, while still making time to lend a helping hand. Students have volunteered at various events from The Lights at Cedarhurst to helping the Jefferson County Farm Bureau and everything in between. They also host a Safety Day Camp to help teach Jefferson County students about farming and agricultural safety awareness. Congrats to one of our FFA Chapter of The Month Finalists, The Mt. Vernon Township High School FFA! Thank you to Elias Mullinax, Mt. Vernon FFA President & Morgan Payne, Mt. Vernon FFA Vice President for joining the show this morning.

 

After a widely successful 2023 concert, The Washington County Fair is proud to announce the concert lineup for the 2024 fair! Headlining the fair concert on July 10, 2024, is Jo Dee Messina, a country artist who has posted nine No. 1 hits, sixteen Top 40 songs, sold over five million albums worldwide, and has been honored by the ACM Awards, CMA Awards, and Grammy Awards.

Opening for Messina is Walker Montgomery, who has been chosen as an Artist to Watch by Country Now, Music Mayhem Magazine, Sounds Like Nashville, and The Boot. The Country Next pick by Country Now is a rising singer/songwriter who knows a thing or two about family tradition, but he’s an artist making his own legacy. The 21-year-old son of John Michael Montgomery and nephew of Montgomery Gentry’s Eddie Montgomery pedigree is matched only by his country passion.

The concert will take place at the Washington County Fairgrounds in Nashville, Illinois. Gates will open at 6 PM, and the show will begin at 7 PM. Tickets will go on sale on Friday, March 22, 2024, at 8 AM. Tickets and show information can be found at www.thewashingtoncountyfair.com!

 
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Whitney Hodge joins Big Jake's show to discuss the importance of CASA to Jefferson County as well as their upcoming Fried Chicken Dinner Fundraiser this weekend. Learn more about CASA and how you can become an advocate for foster children in Jefferson County via this interview!

 

We are in serious need of foster parents in this area! However, just because fostering may not be the right fit for you, doesn't mean there aren't other ways to help!

As of 7/31/24, there are 176 Jefferson County children in foster care. Only 92 of those children have a CASA Advocate. The #1 reason that we are not serving 100% of the children is due to a lack of volunteers.

Our volunteers spend an average of 5-10 hours per month advocating for a foster child or set of siblings. Those hours would include meeting with the child monthly, maintaining contact with the caseworker, service providers and CASA supervisor and attending court hearings and case meetings when needed. The CASA advocate is the eyes and the ears for the judge outside of the courtroom and the voice for the child in the courtroom. A New Advocate Training class will begin in October!

 
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Nat & Sandy Shook with United Way of South Central Illinois join Big Jake to chat about their Stuff The Bus School Supply Donation, Food Truck Fest, and the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. All great programs that are benefiting those that live in the counties UWSCI serves and programs you can help support!

 

 
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