JACKSON COUNTY, IL (KFVS) - The Illinois Department of Natural Resources says their Conservation Officers made more than 1,200 citations and warnings over the Fourth of July weekend.

IDNR said officers arrested 25 boaters for operating under the influence and five more people for driving under the influence.

Along with the arrests, CPOs issued 519 citations and 776 warnings statewide while on patrol from July 1 through 4.

Citations were issued for a range of offenses including possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia, underage drinking and disorderly conduct to illegal fishing and other boat safety and boating law violations.

“The hot sunny days led to thousands of boaters out on the state’s waterways this weekend”, said IDNR Conservation Police Chief Rafael Gutierrez.  “While there were a few who made poor decisions and were arrested for OUI or DUI, the majority of those we came across were enjoying the holiday responsibly and safely

ALTO PASS, IL (KFVS) - Alto Vineyards recently brought home several awards from the Illinois State Fair Wine Competition.

Awards included three Double Gold medals. The 2010 Heartland White, 2010 Cherry Berry and 2007 Porto di Guido were in the top rankings.

“The Chardonel and Villard are two particularly crisp and refreshing wines appropriate for the season, and both received Gold metals," said owner Kara Hopkins-Renzaglia.

Others in the four Gold ranking wines from the vineyard were the 2006 Chambourcin and Dawg House Red.

The Rocko Red, Heartland Red, Traminette, Chambourcin 2008 and Heartland Blush received silver medals.

The wines were judged on several characteristics including appearance, color, aroma, acidity, body, flavor, sweetness and bitterness. Each category had a numerical weight with a total ranking out of 20 points.

MURPHYSBORO, IL (KFVS) - The Jackson County Health Department  will be honored at the 2011 annual conference of the National Association of County and City Health Officials.

The health department is being honored for developing and implementing a program that shows good qualities in response to a local public health need. The Prison to Community Transition Project is one of 41 public health programs developed by a local department  chosen from across the nation to receive NACCHO's Model Practice Award.

The project implements Summit of Hope events throughout the lower 24 counties of Illinois. SOH events are designed to provide a "one stop" environment for local parolees to get necessary skills and services to move past the barriers preventing a successful life.

The program is given funding by the Illinois Department of Public Health, HIV/AIDS section.