Trenton Sun

06/26/2025

Illinois 161 bridge painting begins June 30

NEW BADEN – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that Illinois 161 will be reduced to one lane at Interstate 64 in St. Clair County beginning, weather permitting, Monday, June 30, for bridge painting. Two-way traffic will be maintained using temporary signals.

The work is expected to be completed by early fall.

Motorists should expect delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes during this closure. Drivers are urged to reduce speed, be alert for changing conditions, obey all construction signage, and refrain from using mobile devices while approaching and traveling through the work zone.

For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on Twitter at or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.

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06/20/2025

Barista 101 a success!

05/23/2025

05/23/2025

Clinton County: Illinois 160 closure begins May 30

NEW BADEN – The Illinois Department of Transportation today announced that a full closure of Illinois 160 from 3.1 miles south of U.S. 50 to 2.3 miles north of Illinois 161 will start, weather permitting, at 7 a.m. Friday, May 30, for box culvert and roadway repairs.

All lanes of Illinois 160 will be closed to traffic for the duration of the project, which is expected to be completed by Tuesday, Aug. 12.

During that time, motorists should follow the marked detour as follows:
Northbound Illinois 160: Westbound Illinois 161 to westbound Interstate 64, then northbound Illinois 4 to eastbound U.S. 50.
Southbound Illinois 160: Westbound U.S. 50 to southbound Illinois 4, then eastbound I-64 to eastbound Illinois 161.
Drivers are urged to reduce speed, be alert for changing conditions, obey all construction signage, and refrain from using mobile devices while approaching and traveling through the work zone.

For IDOT District 8 updates, follow us on the social media platform X at or view area construction details on IDOT’s traveler information map on GettingAroundIllinois.com.

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05/23/2025

Sharing early to get the word out—we will be OPEN on Memorial Day, just with limited hours as we typically have no business super early on Monday Holidays. Come see us from 8am-noon. I will post a reminder and we will have Red, White, and Blue Lattes on special!

05/23/2025

Illinois Rallies Statewide to Protect Lifeline Services for Older Adults
Day of Action on May 28 Urges Federal Lawmakers to Fund the Older Americans Act Before It's Too Late

Illinois – On Wednesday, May 28, 2025, the Illinois Association of Area Agencies on Aging (I4A) will lead a statewide Day of Action to demand critical funding for the federal Older Americans Act (OAA), a lifeline for millions of older adults and caregivers across the state and country. From Chicago to Carbondale, Illinois 13 Area Agencies on Aging and their local partners will host events that put a human face on the services that hang in the balance. The local Area Agency on Aging, AgeSmart Community Resources serving Bond, Clinton, Madison, Monroe, St. Clair, Randolph, and Washington counties will be hosting seven local events.

The Day of Action aims to send a loud and clear message to elected officials: the time to act is now. Without uninterrupted funding, programs that support meals, caregiving, transportation, home care, and social connection for our most vulnerable will be decimated. Lives are at stake.

"Illinois’ aging population is growing rapidly, and without continued investment in the Older Americans Act, the network to support Older Adults throughout Illinois will weaken," said Diane Slezak, President of the Illinois Association of Area Agencies on Aging. "This is a human crisis in slow motion. These aren’t luxury services, they are the bare essentials for dignity, survival, and independence. Our lawmakers must show they value older adults by fully funding the OAA before irreversible harm is done." Last year 471,104 people were served through the support of Older American Act funding.

Events across Illinois will include opportunities to educate and showcase the impact of the Older Americans Act. I4A encourages all Illinois residents to take part in the Day of Action, attend a local event, and contact their legislators to protect the future of aging services.
For event locations, please contact Joy Paeth at [email protected] or 618-222-2561.

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05/14/2025

🎉 Opening Day is almost here! 🎉

Join us this Thursday, May 15 for an unforgettable evening at the Illinois Product Farmers Market — packed with fun for the whole family!

🛍️ Spin the Shop Local, Buy Local Prize Wheel — drawings every 30 minutes! Prizes include gift cards, activity passes, AARP Illinois Product Basket, Market Cash, Limited Edition Market Swag, and so much more.

Stick around for all the fun:
🛒 Shop 30+ incredible Illinois Product vendors — all local, all amazing!
🍷 Sip on Illinois wine & craft beer
🍔 Grab a bite from local food trucks
🎨 Enjoy free face painting & balloon art
🚜 Climb aboard at Touch-a-Truck
🎶 Rock out to live music by Not Petty

📍 The Shed, Illinois State Fairgrounds
🕞 3:30–7:00 PM

Tag your crew and come shop, sip, snack, and enter to win!

👉 Follow and check out illinoisproductfarmersmarket.com for all the latest updates!

05/09/2025

18th ANNUAL ILLINOIS PRODUCT FARMERS MARKET
KICKS OFF MAY 15
Family fun, delicious food and prize giveaways planned

SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) invites everyone to celebrate the 18th season of the Illinois Product Farmers Market, beginning Thursday, May 15, from 3:30 to 7 p.m. at The Shed on the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

“The opening of the farmers market is the unofficial kickoff of summer,” said Jerry Costello II, Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture. “Mark your calendar now and make plans to join us every Thursday through September for fresh, local products, live entertainment and Illinois wine.”

What to Expect on Opening Day:
Delicious Eats: Grab backyard barbecue from Nuthatch Hill BBQ, pizza and Italian favorites from Leo’s Pizza on Wheels, and sweet treats from Johnnie O’s Mini Donuts.
Family Fun: Enjoy Touch-A-Truck, free balloon animals, face painting, yard games, and meet animals from the Henson Robinson Zoo and Springfield Park District.
Entertainment: Rock out to live music by Not Petty and take part in giveaways from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum.
Shopping Specials: Be among the first to snag limited-edition Illinois Product Market hats, cups, and shopping bags—while supplies last!
Prize Drawings: Stick around for prize drawings featuring gift cards, event passes, and more! (Must be present to win.)=
Every visitor will also receive a free reusable Illinois Product Market bag to carry their local finds.

Plus, don’t miss the Illinois Product Buy Local Prize Wheel for a chance to win prizes from SkyZone, Harvest Market, AMF Bowling, Skateland, Yellowbird Coffee House, Illinois wineries, and more – including an AARP Illinois Product Basket packed with goodies from market vendors!

Schedule of Events:
3:30 p.m. – Market Opens & Touch-A-Truck begins
4:00 p.m. – Prize Drawing / Kids' Activities Begin
4:30 p.m. – Prize Drawing / Balloon Artist & Face Painting Begin
5:00 p.m. – Prize Drawing / Live Music from Not Petty
5:30 p.m. – Prize Drawing / Official Ribbon Cutting
6:00 p.m. – Prize Drawing
6:30 p.m. – Prize Drawing
7:00 p.m. – Final Prize Drawing

IDOA will match every dollar spent in Link at the Illinois Product Farmers Market. If marketgoers spend $25 in LINK, they will receive an additional $25 in LINK Match to spend on fruits and vegetables.

Marketgoers can find The Shed on the Illinois State Fairgrounds by entering Gate 3. Parking is located across the street.

The 2025 Illinois Product Farmers Market is sponsored by the Illinois Department of Agriculture, Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Association, Illinois State Fair, AARP Illinois, Lincoln Land Community College, Springfield Clinic, Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Specialty Growers Association, LINKUp Illinois, Twin Willow Farms, Security Bank, Ayers Family Farm, U of I Master Gardeners, Office of the State Treasurer, Illinois Department of Natural Resources Mines and Minerals, and ChiroOne Wellness Centers.

Attendees can expect a welcoming and family-friendly environment packed with diverse vendors, a rotating selection of food trucks, cooking demonstrations, and complimentary live entertainment. Returning this year are weekly raffles offering $10 in “Market Cash” and an AARP Illinois Product Basket.

The Illinois Product Farmers Market will be held every Thursday starting May 15 through September 25 excluding June 19 and the two Thursdays during the Illinois State Fair. The Illinois Product Fall Market will be held on Saturday, October 11.

All products sold at the Illinois Product Farmers Market are processed, produced or packaged in the state of Illinois. Space is still available if you are interested in participating as a vendor at the 2025 market.

For applications, please contact [email protected]. Follow Illinois Product on Facebook and Instagram, and visit www.illinoisproductfarmersmarket.com for more information.

It’s the best time of the year! Time to get your first taste of fresh Illinois Products and support local at the Illinois Product Farmers Market Opening Day. You won’t want to miss the fun and festivities out at the Shed! Enjoy over 20 local Illinois

05/08/2025

In a First, an American Is Elected Pope

Robert Francis Prevost, who took the name Pope Leo XIV, was born in Chicago and was considered a long-shot candidate.

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