Young Child Causes Centralia Accident, Then Runs Off

A 22-year-old Centralia man was injured in a car wreck blamed on a young child bolting into the street in front of his vehicle. Centralia Police say Eric Miranda of South Lincoln swerved to miss the child while westbound on Sixth Street near Sycamore and crashed into a utility pole. Miranda told police he saw the child in a yard while stopped at the stop sign and waived the child across the street in front of him. However, the child did not appear interested in crossing the street until he headed into the intersection. Miranda was taken to St. Mary's Hospital for treatment of injuries. The child ran off and has not been located. The wreck occurred at 1:45 Wednesday afternoon. - http://goo.gl/0uULk

Area Counties Declared Federal Disaster Area Following Summer Drought And Extreme Hot Temperatures

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has designated 44 counties, including South Central Illinois, as natural disaster areas because of losses caused by drought and excessive heat that began on July 1st and continued into the fall months. The counties included in the disaster declaration include Marion, Clay, Clinton, Effingham, Fayette, Jefferson, and Wayne. Washington County farmers will also be able to qualify for assistance because they are contiguous to the disaster area. The designation makes all qualified farm operators in the designated areas eligible for low interest emergency loans from USDA's Farm Service Agency if eligibility requirements are met. Farmers have eight months to apply for loans to help cover part of their actual losses. FSA will consider each loan application on its own merits, taking into account the extent of losses, security available and repayment ability. Help may also be available from several other programs. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsak says Illinois producers can continue to count on USDA to provide emergency assistance during difficult times. Vilsak says he and President Obama are committed to using the resources at their disposal to reduce the impact of this disaster on Illinois producers and help to get those affected back on their feet. - http://goo.gl/aszmG