Join RLC in supporting virtual AHA Heart Walk

INA, Ill. — The annual South Central Illinois Heart Walk is going virtual this year and Team RLC is looking for your support.

Due to ongoing health concerns due to COVID-19, the event organizers changed the annual American Heart Association event to a virtual walk. This means walkers can participate from anywhere they want. All you have to do is walk two miles at any location on April 25 while sharing a photo on social media before and after you walk with the hashtag #VirtualSouthCentralHW.

Join the Rend Lake College team in working to cure heart disease and stroke. Supporters are invited to put on their RLC gear and share photos and videos on social media. To contribute to RLC team members, visit https://www2.heart.org/site/TR/?team_id=566410&pg=team&fr_id=4911. So far, Beth Mandrell, Emily DeForest, Jaron Hubbard and Jo Dick are on the roster.

By participating, you are helping raise funds for lifesaving science and research along with Heart Walk events across the nation. The South Central Illinois Heart Walk is about halfway to its fundraising goal of $70,000. Those looking to participate in the walk can start at any time and any place on April 25. For more information contact (217) 331-6779 or visit https://www2.heart.org/site/TR?fr_id=4911&pg=entry.

INA, Ill. — There is still time to sign up for eight-week courses at Rend Lake College this spring.

A variety of short-term classes will be offered in the coming weeks through the college and its Community and Corporate Education Division.

RLC is offering three general education courses in an accelerated format including Beginning Microsoft Word, Health Education and Human Relations. All three classes begin April 20. Through Community and Corporate Education, RLC is offering personal and professional development courses including Career Exploration in Health Care, Nursing Aide Skills, Delegation Made Easy, Numbers! Data! Charts, Oh My! and Servant Leadership.

To learn more about the eight-week classes offered this spring at RLC, visit rlc.edu/8week. Virtual advisement and online enrollment are also available for students looking to sign up for classes this semester or for the upcoming summer or fall semesters. To learn more, visit rlc.edu.

A county-by-county look at lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases in Southern Illinois, updated daily. Last updated: 11:29 a.m. Monday, April 13.
Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.

The Jackson County Health Department announced Monday a fourth resident has died due to COVID-19.

Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.

PRINGFIELD — Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Sunday there are signs the COVID-19 outbreak is starting to level off, but he urged people to continue practicing social distancing to control the virus’ spread.

Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.

INA, Ill. — Rend Lake College machining students will have new equipment to work with thanks to a generous donation from an area business.

Bennett Metal Products, Inc., located in Mt. Vernon, recently contributed an Okuma CNC LB15 Lathe along with a monetary donation to purchase toolboxes for RLC’s Machining program.

Jim and Robin Stowers, owners of Bennett Metal Products, were on the Ina Campus Tuesday to present the new equipment in the college’s machine shop. Jim Stowers said the lathe machine will give students a chance to gain experience with equipment they may encounter in their future profession.

“It’s great for the students. It gives them more opportunities to come into the workforce prepared,” Stowers said.

Machining instructor Ken Lund agreed, saying the new equipment will give students greater chances to expand their work skills while studying at Rend Lake College.

The Stowers are steadfast supporters of Rend Lake College and local education with Robin serving on the Rend Lake College Foundation Board of Directors.

“Jim and Robin Stowers have been very supportive of Rend Lake College and we appreciate their generous investment in our Machining Program. Their investment in machining equipment and technology assists RLC in ensuring our students are adequately trained and ready to enter the industry upon completion of the program,” said Kay Zibby-Damron, CEO of the RLC Foundation.

To learn more about RLC’s Machining program, or the vast number of degrees and certificates offered at Rend Lake College, visit rlc.edu.

Democratic Rep. Debbie Dingell of Michigan called the fiery debate in South Carolina overnight a “disgrace” and chided the Democratic candidates for trying to destroy each other rather than debate the issues.

Here’s a link to the story at Fox News.

INA, Ill. — Students and businesses from around the region got a firsthand look at how apprenticeships benefit the local workforce Wednesday at Rend Lake College.

RLC hosted Apprenticeship Works! — a program that showcased how local businesses have worked with the college to give students on-the-job training that will benefit them during their future careers.

Representatives from Northern American Lighting, Continental Tire and Phoenix Modular Elevator all spoke during a panel session where they answered questions about how the program has benefited their businesses and employees. Current students working as apprentices also discussed their experience utilizing Apprenticeship Works! The apprenticeships allow students to attend school and earn a degree or certificate while also working a paid job. Most businesses also pay tuition for the students in their apprenticeship programs.

Interested in getting involved in your own apprenticeship? Rend Lake College has a variety of partners across a multitude of different industries. To learn more about these apprenticeship programs, contact RLC Career Technical Education Support Specialist Joy Fitts at fittsj@rlc.edu or 618-437-5321 Ext. 1280.

Rod Blagojevich was famously convicted of an array of brazen corruption schemes as governor, but in a cramped administrative hearing room on Tuesday he was accused of something else.

Here’s a link to the story at the Chicago Tribune.

INA, Ill. — Plans to expand and enhance the Learning Resource Center at Rend Lake College are well underway.

At its Annual Dinner in December, the Rend Lake College Foundation launched The HUB fundraising campaign with the announcement of a very generous lead gift from George and Mary Slankard. “We are very grateful for Mr. and Mrs. Slankard’s strong commitment to Rend Lake College. The Slankard’s are passionate about education and they care deeply about the future of our area,” said Kay Zibby-Damron, Chief Executive Officer of the RLC Foundation.

Here’s a link to the story.