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Shawnee Forest to host ArborWild

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Web Producer
Friday, June 8th, 2012, 5:15pm
Shawnee Forest to host ArborWild

(KFVS) - Shawnee National Forest will host an outdoor education program this summer called ArborWild.

The program began as part of the U.S. Forest Service’s Centennial Celebrations in 2005 and has been very popular. This year, it will be held at two locations in southern Illinois: Tuesday, June 12 at Evergreen Park, in Carbondale and Wednesday, June 13 at Memorial Park in Harrisburg.

The forest say the day will include a bird obstacle course, fishing, wildland firefighters and their engine, crafts, Native American rock art, Nature Jeopardy, Carbondale Science Center (Evergreen Park site only), bat biologists and a visit from Smokey Bear.

The event is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., however the activities are on-going and the public is welcome at any time. All ages are invited to attend, but children must be accompanied by an adult.

For more information, or to register a large group, you can contact Linda Hauser at 618-833-8576.

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Federal agencies offer free passes to military to State Parks

Submitted by James Long, Digital Content Producer
Wednesday, May 23rd, 2012, 4:25pm
Federal agencies offer free passes to military to State Parks

HARRISBURG, IL (KFVS) - Five Federal agencies have teamed up to offer free military passes to a National Parks, National Forest or other Federal lands to all active duty military and their dependents.

Under the Recreation Enhancement Act (REA), 'America the Beautiful' military passes are available at many federal land management agency offices, including the Shawnee National Forest offices in Harrisburg, Vienna, and Jonesboro. Military members and their dependents.

Although, according to a spokesman some sites within the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Forest Service require fees.

Like the other America the Beautiful Passes (annual, senior and access), the military pass will provide free access to federal sites where entry fees or standard amenity fees are charged.

To discover more about the Shawnee National Forest, visit their website.

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Carbondale Police Department distributing firearm safety kits

Submitted by Christy Hendricks
Wednesday, May 16th, 2012, 1:23pm
Carbondale Police Department distributing firearm safety kits

CARBONDALE, IL (KFVS) - The City of Carbondale Police Department is giving out 300 free firearm safety kits.

The kits are available through a partnership with Project ChildSafe, the nationwide firearms safety education program. 

The safety kits, which include a gunlock, will be available at the Public Safety Center while supplies last.

Carbondale Police Chief Jody O'Guinn says each kit contains safety instructions and a cable-style gun lock that fits on most types of handguns, rifles, and shotguns.

Project ChildSafe, a program developed by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), has distributed more than 35 million firearm safety kits throughout the country since 2003 to all 50 states and the five U.S. territories.

The program is supported by the U.S. Department of Justice, the Law Enforcement Community and the firearms industry.

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Coupon Carnival to be held in Murphysboro

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Web Producer
Thursday, May 3rd, 2012, 12:59pm
Coupon Carnival to be held in Murphysboro

MURPHYSBORO, IL (KFVS) - The Murphysboro Youth and Recreation Center will hold a Coupon Carnival on Saturday, May 5 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Admission for the carnival is $5 per person and participants are asked to bring coupons for trading. You can also enter your coupon collection for judging of Best Coupon Collection Display.

The youth and recreation center is located at 1818 Walnut Street in Murphysboro. Their mission is to provide a safe environment for youth and their families.

For more information, you can call 684-8243.

Copyright 2012 KFVS. All rights reserved.

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Science center offers "Kid's Build-Your-Own-Emergency-Kit" workshop

Submitted by Steve Pobst on Wednesday, April 18th, 10:22 am
Science center offers "Kid's Build-Your-Own-Emergency-Kit" workshop

CARBONDALE, IL (KFVS) - The Science Center of Southern Illinois will offer a "Be Prepared: Build Your Own Emergency To-Go Kit Workshop" at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 21 at the University Mall in Carbondale.

This family event teaches kids about natural disasters, how to plan for emergencies and how to put together a family emergency kit.

Connie Shanahan, owner of On Your Own Emergency Disaster Kits, will cover topics such as:

  • Creating a communication plan
  • Preparing for a family kit including: water, food, first aid, communication, lighting, tools, shelter, and other supplies

Kids will have the opportunity to build-their-own to-go kits for $13.50.

Parents can also build a kit or buy a ready-made kit.

Reservations are requested but not required (to have enough supplies for the kits).

To make reservations call 618-529-5431 or email si.sciencecenter@gmail.com.

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Parents encouraged to do more outdoor activities with children

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Web Producer
Thursday, April 12th, 2012, 3:37pm
Parents encouraged to do more outdoor activities with children

(KFVS) - The University of Illinois Extension is encouraging parents to take children outside and enjoy the outdoors.

"Playing outside is not only a physically healthy activity, but is good for the overall wellbeing of the child," said Youth Development Educator Michelle Bisel.

Bisel said playing outdoors stimulates the senses and is important to the development of children. She said some studies even state that there are negative affects to a child who is not exposed to nature.

According to U of IE, some possible nature activities this spring include:

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April is World Autism Awareness Month, you can share your story with us

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Web Producer
Tuesday, April 10th, 2012, 6:00pm
April is World Autism Awareness Month, you can share your story with us

(KFVS) - April is World Autism Awareness Month and we want to see pictures of your friends or loved ones with Autism, pictures of you showing support for Autism Awareness and hear your stories.

You can e-mail us pictures to cNews@kfvs12.com or click here to upload them. If you just have a story to share, you can submit it to aruch@kfvs12.com. Don't forget to include your name and where you're from.

If you know of any events in your community in honor of World Autism Awareness Month, you can e-mail a flyer to news@kfvs12.com or fax it to the newsroom at 573-335-7723.

A viewer sent us this picture above on Monday of her daughter Candice showing her love for her brother with autism and the many others affected.

Related stories:

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