Effingham's News and Sports Leader, 979XFM and KJ Country 102.3

Easter Egg Hunt and Soup Luncheon in Watson
2026-03-21
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GloBingo to Benefit Central Illinois Truck Convoy
2026-03-21

Music Bingo for Catholic Charities
2026-03-21
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Benefitting the programs at Effingham Catholic Charities
Tickets:
$25 if purchased before March 20 at 4:30 PM (Online or at the office)
$30 if purchased at the door
Ways to purchase tickets:
– Online at cc.dio.org (click on Music Bingo in the banner)
– Stop by the office at Catholic Charities
– Purchase at the event
When purchased online – You will not receive a ticket, but your name will be added to the list of tickets purchased in advance
When purchased in the office – You will receive a paper ticket that you must bring to the event
Catholic Charities Info: 1502 East Fayette Avenue, Teutopolis, IL 62467, phone 217-857-1458
Office is open Monday – Friday, 8 :30 AM – 4 :30 PM

Dinner and Bingo Fundraiser for Discovery Christian School
2026-03-21

Meat Shoot at Edgewood Legion Lake
2026-03-21

The Spongebob Musical at Effingham High School
2026-03-21, 2026-03-22

Saturday's Schedule
2026-03-21
PrintHIGH SCHOOL
Baseball
St. Anthony at Metro East Kickoff, TBA
Carlyle at Altamont, 10 a.m.
Dieterich, Armstrong at Oblong Round Robin Tournament, TBA
Cerro Gordo/Bement at Neoga (DH), 10:a.m.
Newton in Metro East Kickoff Classic at Edwardsville, 10 a.m.
North Clay vs. LaSalle-Peru Christian School, vs. Bethalto Civic Memorial at Metro East Kickoff Classic, 12:15 p.m.
Softball
Carterville at Effingham (DH), 10 a.m.
St. Anthony at Casey-Westfield Round Robin, TBA
Dieterich at Arcola, DH, 10 a.m.
Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg at Robinson, 11 a.m.
Boys Tennis
St. Anthony, Teutopolis at Triad Tennis Invitational, 9 a.m.
Boys Track
Effingham at Mount Zion Mini meet, 9 a.m.
Cumberland, Newton, St. Elmo/Brownstown, Teutopolis at Gene Armer Indoor Meet at University of Illinois, 11:30 a.m.
Girls Track
Effingham at Mount Zion Mini meet, 9 a.m.
North Clay at Urbana, 11 a.m.
Newton, St. Elmo/Brownstown, Teutopolis at Gene Armer Meet at University of Illinois, 11:30 a.m.
JUNIOR VARSITY
BASEBALL
St. Anthony at Breese Mater Dei, 11 a.m.
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Volleyball
Class 8-1A State Tournament
At Wenona Fieldcrest
Match 5 — Winner Match 1 vs. Winner Match 2, 11 a.m.
Match 6 — Winner Match 3 vs. Winner Match 4, 12:15 p.m.
Match 7 — Loser Match 5 vs. Loser Match 6, 2 p.m. (third place)
Match 8 — Winner Match 5 vs. Winner Match 6, 3:15 p.m. (championship)
COLLEGE
Men’s Basketball
NCAA Tournament
Second Round
Saint Louis vs. Michigan, 11:10 a.m.
Louisville vs. Michigan State, 1:45 p.m.
TCU vs. Duke, 4:15 p.m.
Texas A&M vs. Houston, 5:10 p.m.
Texas vs. Gonzaga, 6:10 p.m.
VCU vs. Illinois, 6:50 p.m.
Vanderbilt vs. Nebraska, 7:45 p.m.
High Point vs. Arkansas, 8:45 p.m.
Dayton vs. UNC Wilmington, 6 p.m.
Liberty vs. Nevada, 8 p.m.
Women’s Basketball
3) Ohio State vs. (14) Howard, 10:30 a.m.
(3) Louisville vs. (14) Vermont, 11 a.m.
(1) South Carolina vs. Southern, noon
(7) Georgia vs. Virginia, 12:30 p.m.
(6) Notre Dame vs. (11) Fairfield, 1 p.m.
(6) Alabama vs. (11) Rhode Island, 1:30 p.m.
(5) Kentucky vs. (12) James Madison, 1:30 p.m.
(1) UConn vs. (16) UTSA, 2 p.m.
(8) Clemson vs. (9) Southern California, 2:30 p.m.
(2) Iowa vs. (15) FDU, 3 p.m.
(4) West Virginia vs. (13) Miami (Ohio), 4 p.m.
(8) Iowa State vs. (9) Syracuse, 4:30 p.m.
(2) Vanderbilt vs. (15) High Point, 6 p.m.
(8) Oklahoma State vs. (9) Princeton, 6:30 p.m.
(7) Illinois vs. (10) Colorado, 8:30 p.m.
(1) UCLA vs. (16) California Baptist, 9 p.m.
NASCAR
Sport Clips Haircuts VFW Help A Hero 200 at Darlington Raceway, 4 p.m.

Spring Into Downtown Effingham + CEO Pop-Up
2026-03-21

Ham Bingo at Teutopolis
2026-03-22

ImpactLife Blood Drive at Sacred Heart Church
2026-03-22

Sunday's Schedule
2026-03-22
PrintCOLLEGE
MEN’S NCAA TOURNAMENT
East Region
Illinois State at Wake Forest, 3:30 p.m.
Seattle at Auburn, 5:30 p.m.
UNLV at Tulsa, 6 p.m.
George Washington at New Mexico, 7 p.m.
Wichita State at Oklahoma State, 7:30 p.m.
Saint Joseph’s at California, 8 p.m.
West Region
TBD
WOMEN’S NCAA TOURNAMENT
Wisconsin at Miami, 11 a.m.
Eastern Kentucky at Harvard, 1 p.m.
Columbia at North Dakota, 1 p.m.
McNeese at San Diego State, 4 p.m.
Quinnipiac at Stanford, 4 p.m.
Rice at Kansas, 5:30 p.m.
California at Rice, 6 p.m.
NASCAR
Goodyear 400, 1 p.m.

Red Cross Blood Drives in March
2026-03-23
PrintAmerican Red Cross Blood Drives in March:
3/3, Tuesday, Teutopolis Banquet Hall, 12:30 PM – 6:00 PM
3/3, Tuesday, First Baptist Church, Casey, Noon – 6:00 PM
3/9, Monday, Clay City High School Gym, Clay City, 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
3/9, Monday, Noble Lions Club Building, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
3/15, Sunday, St Joseph Stringtown Community Club, 7:00 AM – 11:30 AM
3/19, Thursday, First Baptist Church Shelbyville, Noon – 5:00 PM
3/20, Friday, Cornerstone Church, Effingham, 1:30 PM – 5:00 PM
3/23, Monday, Holy Cross Church of Wendelin, 1:30 PM – 5:30 PM
3/30, Monday, Effingham Event Center, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Give in March for a $15 Gift Card by email & successful donations get A1C testing! More info at: rcblood.org/March
To make an appointment, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767), or download the Red Cross Donor App.

‘Unsinkable Freedom’ Movie at ALPLM
2026-03-23
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The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum caps off its celebration of Black History Month by introducing a new short film recounting the exciting story of Robert Smalls, who used his wits and seamanship to lead 15 people on a daring escape from slavery.
“Unsinkable Freedom” begins running at the museum on February 27, a day after its world premiere at a special event. It will run every 15 minutes throughout the museum’s day for the next three months.
Smalls was an enslaved man in Charleston, SC, when the Civil War began. He was forced to work aboard the Confederate ship Planter in Charleston Harbor and nearby coastal waters. On May 12, 1862, Smalls and the other enslaved men were left aboard ship by white officers. Seizing the opportunity, they launched a long-simmering plan to sneak their families aboard and sail to freedom.
“Unsinkable Freedom” dramatizes that dangerous trip. The 11-minute film shows how Smalls got the families aboard, impersonated the ship’s captain, sailed past Confederate checkpoints and finally reached U.S. Navy ships and freedom.
“Very few stories can match the escape of Robert Smalls for both drama and inspiration,” said Christina Shutt, executive director of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. “He risked everything to win freedom for his friends and loved ones. And after their escape, he served with the U.S. Navy and was later elected to Congress. We at the ALPLM are proud to tell part of his amazing story.”
“Unsinkable Freedom” was written and directed by Kameron Gates, an artist and animator based in Petersburg, Illinois. It stars ALPLM actor Reggie Guyton as Smalls.
The film was created using a hybrid of production techniques from animation, VFX and video games. It has a hyper-wide aspect ratio to take advantage of the three screens surrounding audiences in the museum’s Mr. Lincoln Theater. It also features 5.1 surround sound.
The actors’ faces and body performances were recorded using motion capture. Additional animation was created using classic keyframe techniques. The historic Charleston Harbor was built and rendered inside Unreal Engine a tool created for video games that has expanded into visual effects for TV and film.
The mission of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is to inspire civic engagement through the diverse lens of Illinois history and share with the world the life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln. We pursue this mission through a combination of rigorous scholarship and high-tech showmanship built on the bedrock of the ALPLM’s unparalleled collection of historical materials – roughly 13 million items from all eras of Illinois history.
For more information, visit www.PresidentLincoln.illinois.gov. You can follow the ALPLM on Facebook, X/Twitter and Instagram.

Monday's Schedule
2026-03-23
PrintHIGH SCHOOL
Baseball
Effingham at Newton, 4:30 p.m.
Richland County at St. Anthony, 4:30 p.m.
Brownstown/St. Elmo at Lebanon, 4:30 p.m.
Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City at Pana, 4:30 p.m.
Teutopolis at Cumberland, 4:30 p.m.
Shelbyville at Dieterich, 4:30 p.m.
North Clay at Neoga, 4:30 p.m.
South Central at Fairfield, 4:30 p.m.
Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg at Sullivan, 4:30 p.m.
Softball
St. Anthony at Neoga, 4:30 p.m.
Fairfield at Altamont, 4:30 p.m.
Dieterich at St. Elmo/Brownstown, 4:30 p.m.
Cumberland at Robinson, 4:30 p.m.
Newton at Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond, 4:30 p.m.
Centralia Christ Our Rock Lutheran at North Clay, 4:30 p.m.
South Central at Mulberry Grove, 4:30 p.m.
Teutopolis at Salem, 4:30 p.m.
Boys Track
Patoka/South Central at Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City, 4 p.m.
Girls Track
Cumberland at Casey-Westfield, 4:15 p.m.
Patoka/South Central at Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City, 4 p.m.
JUNIOR VARSITY
BASEBALL
St. Anthony at Richland County, Olney, 4:30 p.m.
Newton at Shelbyville, 4:30 p.m.
Softball
Teutopolis at Salem, JV innings
COLLEGE
NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament
No games scheduled
NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament
Missouri at BYU, 8 p.m.
Alabama at Louisville, 11 a.m.
Virginia at Iowa, 1 p.m.
Notre Dame at Ohio State, 3 p.m.
Kentucky at West Virginia, 4 p.m.
Syracuse at UConn, 5 p.m.
Illinois at Vanderbilt, 6 p.m.
USC at South Carolina, 7 p.m.
Oklahoma State at UCLA, 9 p.m.
UMBC at Marshall, 5 p.m.
Binghamton at La Salle, 5 p.m.
Loyola Chicago at Florida Gulf Coast, 6 p.m.
Monmouth at Cleveland State, 6 p.m.
George Washington at Southern Indiana, 6p.m.
St. Bonaventure at Middle Tennessee, 6:30 p.m.
Radford at Arkansas State, 7 p.m.

Cooking Across Continents Program
2026-03-24
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You can register for one session or any number of them. This program will run on the dates linked below:

September 30, 2025: go.illinois.edu/HomeSchoolCooking93025
October 28, 2025: go.illinois.edu/HomeSchoolCooking102825
January 27, 2026: go.illinois.edu/HomeSchoolCooking012725
February 24, 2026: go.illinois.edu/HomeSchoolCooking022426
March 24, 2026: go.illinois.edu/HomeSchoolCooking032826
April 28, 2026: go.illinois.edu/HomeSchoolCooking042826
May 19, 2026: go.illinois.edu/HomeSchoolCooking051926

Free Tax Preparation with Catholic Charities
2026-03-24, 2026-03-25, 2026-03-26

Teutopolis Boys Golf Raffle of Cardinals Green Seats
2026-03-24
PrintTeutopolis Boys Golf is selling raffle tickets to win 4 Cardinals Green Seats. This includes the Cardinals Club Buffett, a Parking Pass, and In-Seat Food and Beverage.
The game is TBD.
Raffle Tickets are: 1/$20, 3/$50, or 7/$100. They’ll be available until close to Opening Day, March 26.
To get your chances, reach out to Mike Wilson, who accepts Venmo @MikeWils13. Will need your name and cellphone number.
Thanks for your support of Teutopolis Boys Golf!

N.G. Cowen Scholarship for Trade/Vocational School
2026-03-24, 2026-03-26

Tuesday's Schedule
2026-03-24
PrintHIGH SCHOOL
Baseball
Marshall at Effingham, 4:30 p.m.
St. Joseph-Ogden at St. Anthony, 4:30 p.m.
Altamont at Casey-Westfield, 4 p.m.
North Clay at Brownstown/St. Elmo, 4:30 p.m.
Oblong at Newton, 4:30 p.m.
Greenville at Teutopolis, TBA
Pana at Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg, 4:30 p.m.
Softball
Vandalia at Effingham, 4:30 p.m.
St. Anthony at Olney, Richland County, 4:30 p.m.
North Clay at Altamont, 4:30 p.m.
Charleston at Cumberland, 4:30 p.m.
Neoga at Dieterich, 4:30 p.m.
Mattoon at Newton, 4:30 p.m.
Teutopolis at Ramsey, 4:30 p.m.
Webber Township (Bluford) at South Central, 4:30 p.m.
Casey-Westfield at Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg, 4:30 p.m.
Boys Track
Neoga, Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg, Patoka at Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City, 4 p.m.
Teutopolis at Sullivan, 4 p.m.
Girls Track
Neoga, Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg, Patoka at Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City, 4 p.m.
Teutopolis at Sullivan, 4 p.m.
JUNIOR VARSITY
BASEBALL
Newton at Neoga, 4:30 p.m.
Casey-Westfield at Altamont HAS BEEN CANCELED
SOFTBALL
Vandalia at Effingham, after varsity game
St. Anthony at Richland County, Olney, after varsity game
Mattoon at Newton, after varsity game
FRESHMEN/SOPHOMORE
Baseball
Teutopolis at Greenville, 4:30 p.m.
COLLEGE
Men’s NCAA Tournament
Wichita State at Tulsa, 6 p.m.
Saint Joseph’s at New Mexico, 8 p.m.
Women’s NCAA Tournament
Maryland Eastern Shore at Youngstown State, 5:30 p.m.
Florida International at Abilene Christian, 6 p.m.
South Alabama at Purdue Fort Wayne, 6 p.m.

HSHS Community Connect
2026-03-25
PrintHospital Sisters Health System introduces HSHS Community Connect
Connecting communities with local resources
For 150 years, Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS) has been a leader of health and wellness in the communities serving across Illinois and Wisconsin. To address the needs of our communities, HSHS proudly launches HSHS Community Connect, a digital database of free or reduced cost community-based programs and services available in the communities we serve.
HSHS is committed to improving community health and addressing ever-changing needs and factors within the community landscape,” said Kim Luz-Mobley, M.S., C.H.E.S., System Executive Director of Community Health. “Across our health system and the communities we serve, HSHS strives to fulfill our Mission to provide high-quality health care to all patients, regardless of their ability to pay.”
In 2024, HSHS hospitals conducted a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) to identify the health status, needs and issues in the communities we serve. HSHS Community Connect is a powerful tool that will support our goal to improve community outcomes by working to address social determinants of health, including access to medical care.
“As a health care system, we see members of our community every day who are experiencing food insecurity, homelessness, or in need of financial aid. With HSHS Community Connect, we can find local resources to connect our patients with the support they need,” said Luz-Mobley.
Across Illinois, patients and community members can find hundreds of local resources that meet their needs, including:
• Financial aid
• Food pantries
• Medical care
• Housing and temporary shelter
• Personal safety
• Baby items
• Transportation
• And more.
Patients can also access HSHS Community Connect on our website at hshs.org/connect or through MyHSHS. If you need to create a MyHSHS account, be sure to use your full proper name that matches your HSHS medical record. If you have questions about MyHSHS, call the MyChart support line at 1-866-312-5023 or email MyHealthRecordhelp@hshs.org.
For more information about HSHS, visit hshs.org.

Wednesday's Schedule
2026-03-25
PrintHIGH SCHOOL
Baseball
Cisne at South Central, 4:30 p.m.
Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg at Arcola, 4:30 p.m.
Softball
Effingham at Salem, 4:30 p.m.
Richland County, Olney at Cumberland, 4:30 p.m.
Shelbyville at Neoga, 4:30 p.m.
Cisne at South Central, 4:30 p.m.
Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg at Arcola, 4:30 p.m.
JUNIOR VARSITY
BASEBALL
Effingham at St. Anthony, 4 p.m.

Foster Parent Info Fair
2026-03-25

Saturday's Schedule
2026-03-25
PrintHIGH SCHOOL
Baseball
Neoga at Tolono Unity (DH), 12:45 p.m.
Newton at Mattoon Round Robin, 10 a.m.
North Clay vs. Belleville West at Freeburg Round Robin, noon
North Clay vs. Freeburg at Freeburg Round Robin, 2 p.m.
South Central at Pinckneyville (DH), 11 a.m.
Teutopolis at St. Joseph-Ogden (DH), noon
Softball
Newton at Vandalia, TBA
Carlyle, Odin at South Central Round Robin, 10 a.m.
Boys Track
Cumberland at Teutopolis Invitational, 10 a.m.
Girls Track
Cumberland at Teutopolis Invitational, 10 a.m.
FRESHMAN/SOPHOMORE
Baseball
St. Joseph-Ogden at Teutopolis (DH), 10 a.m.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
NCAA TOURNAMENT
Men’s Final Four, TBD
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
Chicago Cubs at Cleveland. 6:15 p.m.
St. Louis Cardinals at Detroit, 12:10 p.m.
NASCAR
North Carolina Education Lottery 250 at Rockingham Speedway, 1 p.m.

Swing Into Spring Social
2026-03-26
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Mark your calendar and get ready for a fun, relaxed evening of good food, great people, and a little friendly competition. Enjoy tasty appetizers, keg beer, and plenty of networking.
Our raffle will be packed with prizes generously donated by Chamber members. Bonus: wear your favorite sports jersey and score a free raffle ticket.
New this year, we’re also adding an online auction filled with great items so even more people can join in on the fun, whether they attend in person or bid from home.
It’s a great opportunity to showcase your business while supporting a meaningful cause.
Proceeds from the event will go toward creating a new Trades, Skills & Manufacturing Scholarship—helping connect local students with real-world career opportunities.
Event Ticket:
$25 per person | adults only | includes appetizers, keg beer, bottled water & soda
Buffalo Wild Wings | boneless wings
El Rancherito | chips & dip
Gabby Goat | buffalo chicken dip
Jersey Mike’s | mini subs
Joe’s Pizza & Pasta | toasted ravioli
Pinky’s | corn dip
Subway | cookies
Raffle Tickets:
Purchase $5 tickets online or the night of to put in the bucket of your choosing. Local businesses have generously donated prizes that’ll make you feel like a superstar.
Raffle Prizes include:
12 tans to Tan Express
$100 South Central FS GC
$150 Willenborg’s Reconditioning GC
$30 Southtown Car Wash GC
Backpack & cutting board | Dieterich Bank
Baseball-themed gift basket | Siemer Milling Company
Cooking gift basket | Katrina’s Skin Escape
Flat Screen TV | Wabash Communications Co-Op
Gift basket with GC | Behold Aesthetics & Wellness Center
‘Get the Lead Out’ EPC tickets | Midland States Bank
Haircut GC & Product | Renegade Barber & Co.
Private kids party | Flying Budda Fitness
Tropical Sno Gift Card
Tuscan Hills Winery Wine basket
Two free Dairy Queen Blizzards per month
Items for the Online Auction include:

Bungee Local | Flying Buddha Fitness

One month unlimited membership
Private bungee or aerial party

Eat Local

$50 Gabby Goat Gift Card
$30 Niemerg’s Gift Card | National Athletic Hall of Fame
$50 TK Grille Gift Card
Jersey Mike’s free sub cards

Golf Local

4 Gift Certificates for 18 holes of golf + cart, golf towel, stocking cap | Cardinal Golf Course
$50 pro shop GC + $100 dining room Gift Card | Effingham Country Club

Patio Party Kit | Koerner Distributor, Inc.

Cooler of booze, umbrella + table

St. Louis Cardinals Green Seat Tickets (2) | Roy Schmidt Honda
Shop Local

$40 Daisies & Denis Gift Card
$50 Wright’s Furniture & Flooring Gift Card
Three month car wash Gift Card | Northside Quick & Clean

Swing, Sip & Stay

Two-hour golf simulator at Gopher’s Grill
$50 Wheat Penny Gift Card
One-night stay at XCHNG Loft

Tandem flight certificate | Airborne Adventures of Illinois

More information at the website: EffinghamCountyChamber.com

Quest! - One Play To Rule Them All!
2026-03-26

Free At-Home Colon Cancer Screening Tests
2026-03-26
PrintNo Prep, No Procedure, No Excuses: HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital Offering Free, At-Home Colon Cancer Screening Tests in March
Colon cancer screening just got easier.
During Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in March, HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital is giving away at-home screening tests while highlighting that colorectal cancer is the second-most common cause of cancer deaths in the United States when cases for men and women are combined, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS).
Individuals aged 45 or older, or those with an immediate family member diagnosed with colon cancer, are eligible for a free InSure ONE at-home screening test with instructions, from March 1 through March 31.
Tests can be picked up from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays at St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital, 503 N. Maple St., in the presurgical testing department, while supplies last. For easy access, please enter through the presurgical testing entrance on the hospital’s north side. Samples must be returned to the department by April 1. Please note this screening test is not a substitute for a colonoscopy.
This simple, easy test saves lives. Early detection is key to successful treatment of colorectal cancer, with nearly 90% of patients diagnosed at an early stage experiencing a five-year survival rate, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Although overall death rates have fallen during the past decade due to increased screening and improved treatments, the same does not hold true for younger adults. For people under 55, death rates have been increasing about 1% per year since the mid-2000s, according to the ACS.
For more information regarding this colorectal cancer screening event, call 217-347-1858. For more information about HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital, visit stanthonyshospital.org.
