Kinmundy Man Injured Changing Tire

The owner of Johnson's Standard Station in Kinmundy received a hand injury when a spring in a grain truck failed when he was putting tire jacks under the truck to change a flat tire. Chuck Johnson of Kinmundy was working on the truck owned by Roger and Cathy Jones on the side of Route 37 in Farina Friday afternoon when the accident occurred. Kinmundy-Alma Fire Chief Kevin Day says Johnson had his hand on the first jack while putting the second one into place when the spring failed. The sudden weight shift forced part of the top of the jack to go through the upper palm of Johnson's hand and trapped him under the truck. Day says the Farina Fire Department used their jaws of life to free Johnson. He was then transported to St. Anthony's Hospital by Kinmundy-Alma Ambulance where he underwent surgery on his hand.  Qanrm

State Awarded Grant for Specialty Crops

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Illinois has received nearly $650,000 in federal grants to expand the state's specialty crop industry. State agriculture officials say 13 projects will split the funds from the Department of Agriculture's Specialty Crop Block Grant program. While officials say Illinois is best known for growing corn and soybeans, specialty crops produce nearly $137 million a year in sales for state farmers.Ag officials say Illinois is the country's largest producer of pumpkins and ranks in the top10 in the production of asparagus, cauliflower, green peas and lima beans. The projects receiving funding include pest control workshops for grape growers and efforts to encourage the use of specialty crops among food stamp clients. MaHYw