Vernon News

By TESA CULLI tesa.culli@register-news.com MT. VERNON - Christmas for the Needy will be serving a record number of people this year, and a record number of volunteers and donations will be needed as well.

By RORYE O'CONNOR rorye.oconnor@register-news.com MT. VERNON - Illinois 19th District Senator John Shimkus rolled up his sleeves to assist volunteers working with the NOW Backpack Program Tuesday afternoon, packing bags with oranges, apples, ramen noodles and other food.

Howard Flota is a pastor for many - both parishioners and denominations. He has been behind the pulpit at the Church of Buttonwood Bay for over 17 years.

By KANDACE MCCOY kandace.mccoy@register-news.com MT. VERNON - As a way to honor Illinois veterans and their families, as well as provide assistance, a community gathering will be held Saturday at the Mt.

By RORYE O'CONNOR rorye.oconnor@register-news.com MT. VERNON - Local Boy Scouts are gearing up to hit King City neighborhoods for their Scouting For Food campaign.

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself. On Sept. 22, I was named President/CEO of United Methodist Children's Home by its Governing Board of Directors.

By TESA CULLI tesa.culli@register-news.com MT. VERNON - Plans are under way for the 2010 Citizens Police Academy.

By KANDACE MCCOY kandace.mccoy@register-news.com MT. VERNON - Hope in Christ Ministries is raising awareness about homelessness by asking the public to stay home for a night.

By RORYE O'CONNOR rorye.oconnor@register-news.com MT. VERNON - Two young people are taking the initiative to help make the holidays better for children in the area.

By TESA CULLI tesa.culli@register-news.com MT. VERNON - The council will be discussing a reduction in the number of members of the Zoning and Planning Commission during its regular meeting tonight.

By TESA CULLI tesa.culli@register-news.com MT. VERNON - There will be opportunities throughout Jefferson County on Nov.

By KANDACE MCCOY kandace.mccoy@register-news.com MT. VERNON - Jefferson County residents who need energy assistance may begin making appointments on Monday through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

Tonight there will be little ghosts and goblins, princesses and knights out looking for treats to take home.

Staff Report MT. VERNON - A former member of the Cavaliers Quartet will perform Sunday at Park Avenue Baptist Church.

By RORYE O'CONNOR rorye.oconnor@register-news.com MT. VERNON - Jefferson County is currently without a program to help people coming out of jail to get their lives together, but that could change soon.

Rome Grade School second graders perform "Hand Jive" to an audience at the Sunshine Center Rome Meadows dining site in Dix on Wednesday morning.

By TESA CULLI tesa.culli@register-news.com MT. VERNON - A limited shipment of H1N1 vaccine has been received in Jefferson County, according to Jefferson County Health Department Administrator Mark Stevens.

By RORYE O'CONNOR rorye.oconnor@register-news.com MT. VERNON - Sheriff Roger Mulch hopes to adopt a gas card for transport vehicles that make multiple trips across state lines a week.

Tuesday the official ribbon cutting for the new Interstates 57/64 overpass/interchange was held, opening Veterans Memorial Drive and 42nd Street again.

By TESA CULLI tesa.culli@register-news.com MT. VERNON - More than 3,500 educators will be descending on the Mt.