The Legendary Trace Adkins joins Big Jake's show to chat about his new song, “What Color’s Your Wild” which is out now. Official music video premiered on CMT and Trace performed on the TODAY show. Adkins has been out on the road with Blake Shelton for the Friends & Heroes tour, then kicking off his own headlining What Color’s Your Wild tour with the Wolfe Cattle Company/Cord McCoy Extreme Bull Bash show on Saturday, 3/29 in Du Quoin at the Southern Illinois Center! Trace is also appearing at the Opry 100 celebration, airing Wednesday night on NBC. He makes mention of his cameo in the movie, Day of Reckoning which releases in theaters next Friday, 3/28. Get your tickets to see Trace Adkins in Du Quoin at wolfecattlecompany.com or listen to 94.1FM, WMIX for more chances to win!

Tricia Higgins, Marketing Director with the Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois, stops by to discuss how they've started their annual Girl Scout Cookie Program. Not only is the Cookie Program the largest girl led entrepreneurial program in the world, it is also a catalyst to fueling all of the adventures of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Customers aren’t simply purchasing cookies – they are empowering girls. Every purchase stays local and provides girls opportunities like camping, travel, robotics, and so much more. gsofsi.org/findcookies to search out a cookie booth nearest you!

Wendi with BCMW Community Services, as administrator of the Energy Assistance Program Bond, Clinton, Marion, and Washington is pleased to announce that funds are available to assist income-eligible households with their natural gas, propane and/or electric bills and furnace assistance for inoperable heating systems.

The program will begin taking applications on October 1, 2024 for older adults (60 years +), individuals with a disability , families with children age 5 or under and households that are disconnected from their utilities, have a disconnection notice or have less than 25% in their propane tank.  All other income eligible households can start applying November 1, 2024.

Applications will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis through August 15, 2025, or until funding is exhausted.  Households that receive a one-time benefit may return during the program year for a Reconnection Assistance or Furnace Assistance benefit(s), if needed.

Households must be at or below 200% of the federal poverty level to receive a benefit from LIHEAP.  The 30-day income guidelines for LIHEAP are based on Federal Poverty Guidelines, State Median Income and the number of persons living in the household. The income guidelines are as follows: 1- $2,510, 2- $3,407, 3- $4,303, 4- $5,200. Go to bcmwcommunityservices.org or liheapillinois.com to know income limits for households with 5 members and more.

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides one-time benefits to income eligible homeowners and renters to help with energy bills and for reconnection of energy service.  Propane customers who are part of the priority group are encouraged to apply when the program opens in October.  Propane prices typically increase during the winter months so by applying early propane customers will see their LIHEAP benefit go further.

Applications will be taken at 909 E Rexford, Centralia IL and bcmwcommunityservices.org.

To submit an application, you MUST submit ALL documentation required:

1. Proof of gross income from all household members for the prior 30-day period beginning with the date of application.
2. For all customers new to LIHEAP, and/or for new household members of previous customers, proof of Social Security numbers (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) for all household members. Individuals without a SSN or ITIN can still apply and BCMW Community Action Agency will advise accordingly.
3. A copy of current heat and electric bills issued within the last 30 days.
4. A copy of rental agreement (if renting) showing that utilities are included, the monthly rental amount and landlord contact.
5. Other documents may be needed based on your household situation. If you have questions regarding this, please call our office.

Beginning October 1, 2024 income eligible LIHEAP customers of Ameren Illinois will receive a monthly discount on their natural gas bill through the new Low Income Discount Rates.  Visit liheapillinois.com or bcmwcommunityservices.org to know more details.

Please call BCMW Community Action Agency at 618-532-7388 for outreach locations and schedules, and for information on what documents are needed to apply and different ways to submit your application.