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

Free Yoga Class and Breast Cancer Education
2026-02-05
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The Effingham County Health Department and Flying Buddha Fitness are hosting a Free Yoga Class at the Wright Family Center, 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 5th.
Vicki Funneman of Flying Buddha Fitness, a certified yoga instructor, will lead participants through easy yoga movements suitable for beginners. Participants are encouraged to wear clothing that they can move easily in and to bring a yoga mat, if they have access to one.
Catherine Bailey from the Effingham County Health Department will provide an introduction to breast cancer risk reduction.
Registration is required due to limited space. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/free-yoga-class-with-breast-cancer-awareness-tickets-1980134158572
The event is funded by a Carolyn Adams Ticket for the Cure – Community Outreach Grant from the Illinois Department of Public Health, which supports expanded outreach and education on breast cancer prevention, screening, and support services in Effingham County. Door Prizes and Quiz Prizes are sponsored by the Prevent Cancer Foundation.
More information is available by calling Catherine Bailey, at the Effingham County Health Department, 217-342-9237.
Bring your mat, wear comfy clothes, and get ready to breathe deep and feel great. Don’t miss out on some good vibes and movement!

Thursday's Schedule
2026-02-05
PrintHIGH SCHOOL
Boys Basketball
Marion at Effingham, 5:30 p.m.
Girls Basketball
Brownstown/St. Elmo at St. Anthony, 6 p.m. (KJ COUNTRY 102.3 AS EARLY AT 6:30 P.M.)
Altamont at Teutopolis, 6 p.m.
Nokomis at Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City, 6 p.m.
Neoga at Dieterich, 6 p.m.
Casey-Westfield at Newton, 6 p.m.
South Central at Wayne City, 6 p.m.
Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg at North Clay, 6 p.m.
Wrestling
Dual Team Wrestling Sectional, TBA
FRESHMAN/SOPHOMORE
Boys Basketball
Neoga Tournament
Game 1 — Altamont vs. Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg, 6 p.m.
Game 2 — Neoga vs. Cumberland, 7:30 p.m.
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Boys Basketball
Class 7-2A State Tournament
At Macon Meridian High School
Game 7 – Dwight vs. Normal Epiphany 6 p.m. (third place)
Game 8 – Effingham St. Anthony vs. Winchester, 7:30 p.m. (championship)
Class 7-3A State Tournament
At El Paso-Gridley High School
Game 7 — Clinton vs. LaSalle Lincoln, 6 p.m. (third place)
Game 8 — Teutopolis vs. Lisle, 7:30 p.m. (championship)
Volleyball
Effingham at Dieterich, 4:15 p.m.
Jasper County at St. Anthony HAS BEEN CANCELED
Effingham Sacred Heart at Neoga, 4:30 p.m.
North Clay at Altamont, 4:15 p.m.
Stewardson-Strasburg at Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City, 4:15 p.m.
Mattoon at Sigel St. Michael, 6 p.m.
Windsor at St. John’s Lutheran, 4:30 p.m.
MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Eastern Illinois University at Tennessee State, 7:30 p.m.

Red Cross Blood Drives in February
2026-02-05, 2026-02-06, 2026-02-10
PrintAmerican Red Cross Blood Drives in February:
2/5, Thursday, Knights of Columbus Hall, Newton, Noon – 5:30 PM
2/6, Friday, Newton High School, 8:30 AM – 2:00 PM
2/10, Tuesday, Mason Christian Church Annex, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
2/12, Thursday, EIU Student Union Ballroom, Charleston, Noon – 4:00 PM
2/12, Thursday, Flora Church of the Nazarene, Noon – 5:00 PM
2/12, Thursday, Apostolic Center Church, Mattoon, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
2/13, Friday, Oblong Municipal Building, 12:30 PM – 5:00 PM
2/16, Monday, Home Church, Charleston, 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
2/16, Monday, St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, Sainte Marie, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
2/17, Tuesday, Grace United Methodist Church, Neoga, 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
2/17, Tuesday, Dieterich High School, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
2/20, Friday, Altamont High School, 8:15 AM – 2:00 PM
2/23, Monday, Shelbyville High School, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
2/24, Tuesday, St Michael Church – Sigel, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
2/26, Thursday, Neal Center YMCA, Toledo, 1:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Come give blood through February 28, for a $20 e-gift card to your choice of merchant. See rcblood.org/heart
To make an appointment, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767), or download the Red Cross Donor App.

Free Developmental Screenings / Preschool Round-Up In Altamont
2026-02-06
PrintThe Altamont School District and the Project HELP Preschool program will be offering free developmental screenings to provide parents an opportunity to discover how their Two to Five Year-Old children are developing in the areas of speech, language concepts, and motor skills. Vision and hearing screenings will also be provided, free of charge!
NOW is the time to start thinking about PRESCHOOL for the upcoming school year for your child! To find out what preschool options are available in your community, please schedule an appointment to have your child screened.
When:
Thursday, February 5th (9am to 3pm)
Friday, February 6th (9am to 12pm)
Where:
Altamont Christian Church
1351 South Main Street
Altamont, IL 62411
For an appointment, please call Leslie Wendling at 618-483-5171 or stop by Altamont Grade School and pick up a registration form.

Jazz Festival at EIU with John Clayton
2026-02-06
PrintThe 66th Annual Jazz Festival at Eastern Illinois University is where you can see John Clayton, the Grammy-winning bassist, composer, arranger, and producer. Clayton has worked with countless artists, including arranging Whitney Houston’s rendition of the “Star Spangled Banner” at the 1990 Super Bowl performance. Clayton’s performance will be on Friday, February 6, at 7:30 p.m. in the Dvorak Concert Hall.
In addition to winning a Grammy, he’s been nominated nine times, and has written and/or recorded with artists such as Milt Jackson, Diana Krall, Paul McCartney, Regina Carter, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Gladys Knight, Queen Latifah, McCoy Tyner, Yo Yo Ma, and Charles Aznavour, to name a few.
John was the principal bassist in the Amsterdam Philharmonic Orchestra from 1980-1984. In 1986, John co-founded the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra and rekindled The Clayton Brothers Quintet. In addition to his individual clinics and workshops, he also directs the educational components of Centrum, The Port Townsend Jazz Festival, and the Vail Jazz Workshop.
John feels, “I’ve been guided by a village of musicians who helped me understand the humility that goes along with playing music at the highest level you can. Ray Brown used to tell me to ‘Learn how to play the bass!!’ Just take care of the music and it will take care of you.”
Tickets: $25/$20/$15/$10 for festival attendees.
To check ticket availability, visit: https://www.eiu.edu/doudnatix/

Friday's Schedule
2026-02-06
PrintHIGH SCHOOL
Boys Basketball
Teutopolis at St. Anthony, 6 p.m. (LISTEN ON 979XFM)
Altamont at Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City, 6 p.m.
Dieterich at North Clay, 5 p.m.
Neoga at Patoka, 6 p.m.
Newton at Marshall, 5 p.m.
St. Elmo/Brownstown at South Central, 6:15 p.m.
Mulberry Grove at Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg, 6 p.m.
Girls Basketball
Mahomet-Seymour at Effingham, 6 p.m.
Teutopolis vs. Bloomington Central Catholic at Parkland College, 6:30 p.m.
Wrestling
Girls Regionals, TBA
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Volleyball
Cumberland at Palestine/Hutsonville, 4:30 p.m.
Teutopolis at St. Elmo/Brownstown, 4:30 p.m.

‘Cram the Cars’ for Catholic Charities Food Pantry
2026-02-06, 2026-02-11
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In recognition of February being National Canned Food Month, HSHS Home Care is teaming up with Dan Hecht Chevrolet Toyota, Roy Schmidt Honda, Northside Ford-Lincoln, Goeckner Bros. Inc. – Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, and Russ Braunecker Cadillac Buick GMC Inc. in Effingham to “Cram the Car” with nonperishable food items, hygiene products, and monetary donations for Catholic Charities’ food pantry.
Donations for the annual event will be accepted the entire month of February. On March 1, HSHS Home Care staff will cram their cars with donated items before delivering them to Catholic Charities. The regional Catholic Charities’ office serves Clark, Crawford, Cumberland, Effingham, Fayette, Jasper and Shelby counties.
“Cram the Car inspires me every year when I see how our neighbors, friends and colleagues come together to care for the community,” said Valerie Engelbart, Volunteer/Bereavement Services Supervisor for HSHS Home Care. “It’s a privilege to deliver their generous donations. Let’s see how many cars we can fill!”
Suggested items for donations include the following:
• Boxed meals (Hamburger Helper, Rice-a-Roni)
• Pancake mix and syrup
• Jelly
• Pasta sauce
• Cereal
• Granola
• Sugar-free canned fruit
• Low-salt canned vegetables
• Large boxes of oatmeal
• Soap
• Shampoo
• Feminine products
• Razors
Donors are urged to check expiration dates.
Items or monetary contributions may be dropped off at any of these locations:
• HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital front lobby or pre-surgical entrance – Weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• At one of these locations during business hours:
− Dan Hecht Chevrolet Toyota – 2400 S. Banker St., Effingham
− Roy Schmidt Honda – 1705 W. Fayette Ave., Effingham
− Northside Ford-Lincoln – 1312 N. Keller Dr., Effingham
− Goeckner Bros. Inc. – Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram – 600 E. Fayette Ave., Effingham
− Russ Braunecker Cadillac Buick GMC Inc. – 2309 S. Banker St., Effingham
Learn more at HSHS Home Care’s Cram the Car website, or by contacting Engelbart at 217-685-0702 or Valerie.Engelbart@hshs.org.
HSHS Home Care staff help patients maintain an independent lifestyle by offering in-home services such as physical, occupational and speech-language therapy; wound care; cardiac rehabilitation; stroke care; pain management; hospice and palliative care; fall risk assessment; and pediatric care.

Celebrate Lincoln's Birthday and America's 250th Birthday in Vandalia
2026-02-07
PrintThe Vandalia Statehouse State Historic Site will celebrate President Abraham Lincoln’s birthday with a free public event from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 7, in the House of Representatives chamber where Lincoln once served. Join us for a special afternoon of history, music, and community as we also kick off America’s 250th Birthday (the Semiquincentennial) at the Vandalia Statehouse, located at 315 West Gallatin Street.
Fritz Klein, as Abraham Lincoln, will bring history to life, sharing Lincoln’s perspectives on America’s 250th Birthday, the movement of the Illinois State Capital, and slavery — all in the very place where Lincoln once served. Klein, a professional actor and speaker, is known for his historically accurate and compelling portrayal of Lincoln. He bears a striking physical resemblance to the former president and has appeared in documentaries and films for National Geographic, Discovery Channel and the History Channel.
In addition, there will be remarks from Vandalia Mayor Doug Knebel, and you can enjoy patriotic music performed by Vandalia High School students
There will also be opportunities for photographs & autographs, and birthday cake and cookies will be served, in honor of Lincoln.
This family-friendly event is a collaboration between the Vandalia Statehouse, IDNR, City of Vandalia, Vandalia Tourism Commission, and the Old Capitol Foundation.
Bring your family, invite a friend, and help us celebrate Lincoln, history, and the next 250 years of America — Vandalia style!

We Are Smarter Than 5th Grader Trivia for F.A.C.E.
2026-02-07
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Saturday's Schedule
2026-02-07
PrintHIGH SCHOOL
Boys Basketball
Altamont at East Alton-Wood River, TBA
Newton at Cumberland, 1 p.m.
North Clay at Patoka, 6:15 p.m.
Robinson at Teutopolis, 1 p.m.
Girls Basketball
Newton at Cumberland, 2:30 p.m.
North Clay at Wayne City, 2 p.m.
FRESHMEN/SOPHOMORE
Boys Basketball
Neoga Freshman/Sophomore Tournament
Game 3 — Teutopolis vs. Winner Game 1, 10 a.m.
Game 4 — St. Anthony vs. Winner Game 2, 11:30 a.m.
Game 5 — Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4, 1 p.m. (championship)
Hillsboro Freshman Tournament
Session 1: 9 a.m.
Hillsboro vs. Vandalia (Main)
Greenville vs. Taylorville (Secondary)
Session 2: 10:15 a.m.
Marquette vs. Vandalia (Main)
Effingham vs. Taylorville (Secondary)
Session 3: 11:30 a.m.
Hillsboro vs. Marquette (Main)
Greenville vs. Effingham (Secondary)
Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City at St. Elmo/Brownstown Tournament, TBA
Girls Basketball
Effingham at Teutopolis, 9 a.m.
Dieterich at Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg JV Tournament, TBA
North Clay at St. Elmo/Brownstown Freshman/Sophomore Tournament, TBA
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Boys Basketball
Class 8-2A State Tournament
At Kankakee Bishop McNamara
Game 1 — McNabb Putnam County vs. Carthage, 10 a.m.
Game 2 — East St. Louis Younge vs. Stewardson-Strasburg, 11:30 a.m.
Game 3 — Normal Metcalf vs. Decatur Robertson, 1 p.m.
Game 4– Morton Grove MCC vs. Green Valley Midwest Central, 2:30 p.m.
Game 5 — Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2, 5 p.m.
Game 6 — Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4, 6:30 p.m.
Volleyball
North Clay, Sigel St. Michael, Teutopolis at St. Anthony Seventh-Grade Tournament, 8 a.m.
Effingham at Albion Tournament, TBA
Altamont at Greenville Seventh-Grade Tournament, TBA
Cumberland at Paris Mayo, 10 a.m.
St. Elmo/Brownstown at Vandalia Eighth-Grade Tournament, TBA
Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City, St. Elmo/Brownstown at Pana Seventh-Grade Tournament, TBA
MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL
University of Illinois at Michigan State, 7 p.m.
Eastern Illinois University at Tennessee Tech, 3 p.m.

B and B Sale (Book and Bake)
2026-02-07, 2026-02-08

Cookie Decorating Workshop
2026-02-07
PrintThe Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site is hosting a Cookie Decorating Workshop with a Valentine’s Day Theme. Join Rebecca Clark, The Nerdy Baker, at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 7th for this hands-on, guided cookie decorating workshop! Piping bags, icing, and a cookie scribe are all provided, and by the end of the day, participants will take home an assortment of 4-6 decorated cookies!
Registration in advance is required, and seats are limited in the Visitor Center Basement! Register at this online link: https://cts.vresp.com/c/?LincolnLogCabinFound/e18af6b914/3b3f7017d1/bf8c2841c6/path=%2Fportal%2Fevents%2F31767
The $45 registration fee includes light refreshments and all materials. You may also purchase an additional “take home” decorating kit for $18, which includes the same tools and materials used in class, plus an additional set of pre-baked cookies ready to take home and decorate at your own pace.
The Lincoln Log Cabin State Historic Site is located at 402 South Lincoln Highway Road near Lerna. To contact them, call 217-345-1845.

Music and Food at Mason
2026-02-07

Sunday's Schedule
2026-02-08
PrintNATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Super Bowl
At San Francisco Bay Area
Seattle vs. New England, 5:30 p.m.

Angeled Kids Foster Closet & Resale
2026-02-09

Volunteer Walkers/Visitors at Memory Care Facility
2026-02-09
PrintVolunteers are needed to walk with, or even just visit with, residents at Willowbrook Memory Care Facility in Effingham, on weekends.
If interested, call Molly Fearday at 217-994-3364.

CASA Volunteers Needed
2026-02-09
PrintThe start of a new year often comes with a list of resolutions. New Year’s resolutions are different for everyone, but one of the most common is to live a healthier lifestyle. If you’re hoping to improve your physical and mental health, there’s one option that often gets overlooked and benefits others: volunteering.
Volunteering and helping others has been found to benefit both physical and mental health, and there are a variety of options in our community. If you’re looking for a new way to make changes in your life and in the lives of others, consider resolving to help children and families in the child welfare system by volunteering with CASA for Kids.
As of January, 682 children are currently in the child welfare system in CASA for Kid’s service area, including Clay, Clinton, Edwards, Effingham, Fayette, Franklin, Jasper, Hamilton, Marion, Wayne, and White Counties. These children have been removed from their homes and placed in foster care, sometimes far away from their families and communities. They need a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteer to stand by their side and advocate for them.
“Children in foster care are often separated from their families, siblings, friends and other loved ones, and placed in an unfamiliar setting far away from everything they know,” said Zoe Bridges, Volunteer Outreach Coordinator of CASA for Kids. “CASA volunteers stand with them during this uncertain time, providing a consistent presence and speaking up for their best interest in court, school and other settings.”
CASA volunteers are everyday members of the community who are recruited, screened and trained to advocate for a child or sibling group in foster care. They get to know the child on an individual level so that they can make sure their physical, emotional and educational needs are met.
They also get to know the child’s parents, family, foster parents and other important people in their life, with the goal of working towards reunifying the child with their parents whenever safe and possible. They help make sure children have a support system of family and other reliable, committed adults who can help them both during and after their time in foster care.
CASA for Kids served 506 children in 2025 with the help of 95 CASA volunteers. CASA is always seeking more community members to step up and advocate.
“Volunteering with CASA is an opportunity unlike any other,” said Bridges. “It’s a unique chance to make a true, positive difference for a young person and their family. We need more members of the community to join the CASA movement so that we can serve 100% of children in foster care in our communities.”
In the New Year, consider becoming a CASA volunteer and make an impact in a child’s life, and your own. Every child has a chance – it’s you.
If you’d like to find out more about becoming a CASA volunteer or other ways to get involved, visit casa4change.org or email zbridges@casa4change.org.

Monday's Schedule
2026-02-09
PrintHIGH SCHOOL
Girls Basketball
St. Anthony at Cumberland, 6 p.m.
Father McGivney Catholic at Altamont, 6 p.m.
Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City at Central A&M, 6 p.m.
Neoga at Teutopolis, 6 p.m.
North Clay at Robinson, 6 p.m.
Oblong/Palestine/Hutsonville at Newton, 6 p.m.
Centralia Christ Our Rock Lutheran at South Central, 6 p.m.
Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg at Shelbyville, 6 p.m.
FRESHMAN/SOPHOMORE
Boys
Hillsboro Freshman Tournament
Session 4: 6 p.m.
Second Place Black Pool vs. Third Place Orange Pool (Main)
Session 5: 6 p.m.
Second Place Orange Pool vs. Third Place Black Pool (Secondary)
Casey-Westfield at St. Anthony, 6 p.m.
Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City, North Clay at St. Elmo Freshman/Sophomore Tournament, TBA
Girls Basketball
Effingham at Dieterich, 6 p.m.
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Volleyball
Jasper County at Effingham, 3:45 p.m.
St. Anthony at Windsor, 4:30 p.m.
Altamont at Effingham Sacred Heart, 4 p.m.
Clay City at North Clay, 4:30 p.m.
Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City at Dieterich, 4:15 p.m.
Sigel St. Michael at Newton St. Thomas, 6 p.m.

Homeschool STEM Squad
2026-02-10
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This program will run through May 2026. If someone misses a session, that’s no problem, as participants can register for another date.

ImpactLife Blood Drive at HSHS St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital
2026-02-10

Open House at Sacred Heart School
2026-02-10

Enduring Freedom Ministries Distributions in February
2026-02-10, 2026-02-11
PrintEnduring Freedom Ministries February Calendar:
Tuesday, February 10th, 4-6pm, Shumway location is 304 South West Street (old grade school)
Wednesday, February, 11th, noon – 2p.m., Shumway location is 304 South West Street (old grade school)
Saturday, February 14th, 9a.m.-noon, Mason location is West Washington Street (Mason Civic Center)
Wednesday, February, 18th, noon – 2p.m., Shumway location is 304 South West Street (old grade school)
Thursday, February 19th, noon – 2p.m or until we run out. We are hosting an EXTRA FREE-FOOD DISTRIBUTION DRIVE-THROUGH. This will be held on the parking lot of the EFFINGHAM ARMORY at 1206 West Temple Avenue in Effingham.
Saturday, February 28th, 8:30-noon, Shumway location is 304 South West Street (old grade school)
We ask that the families call and make an appointment for our Shumway & Mason Distributions. Call 217-240-0059 or 217-868-5293 or go to our website: www.my-christian-space.com
Enduring Freedom Ministries is free and for everyone!

Tuesday's Schedule
2026-02-10
PrintHIGH SCHOOL
Boys Basketball
Highland at Effingham, 6:30 p.m. (LISTEN ON 979XFM)
St. Anthony at South Central, 6 p.m. (NO FRESHMAN/SOPHOMORE GAME)
Neoga at Altamont, 6 p.m.
Patoka at Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City, 6 p.m.
Cumberland at Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg, 7:30 p.m.
Martinsville at Dieterich (VARSITY ONLY), 7:15 p.m.
Newton at Oblong/Palestine/Hutsonville, 6 p.m.
Grayville at North Clay, 6 p.m.
Sandoval at St. Elmo/Brownstown, 6:15 p.m.
Casey-Westfield at Teutopolis, 6 p.m.
Girls Basketball
Effingham at Taylorville, 6 p.m.
Brownstown/St. Elmo at Paris, 6 p.m.
Pana at Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City, 6 p.m.
North Clay at Dieterich (VARSITY ONLY), 6 p.m.
FRESHMAN/SOPHOMORE
Boys Basketball
St. Anthony at South Central, 5 p.m.
Highland at Effingham, 5 p.m.
Cumberland at Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg, 5 p.m.
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Volleyball
Trinity Lutheran at Effingham, 4:30 p.m.
Mattoon at St. Anthony, 5 p.m.
Windsor at Altamont, 4:15 p.m.
Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City at Ramsey, 4:15 p.m.
Dieterich at Stewardson-Strasburg, 4 p.m.
North Clay at Sigel St. Michael, 6 p.m.
Teutopolis at Richland County, 5:45 p.m.
MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Wisconsin at University of Illinois, 7 p.m.
Eastern Illinois University at Western Illinois, 7:30 p.m.

Free Tax Preparation with Catholic Charities
2026-02-10

Food Pantry at Calvary Baptist Church
2026-02-11
PrintThe Food Pantry at Calvary Baptist Church will be taking orders for food bags on Monday, February 9th from 4:00-5:30. Call 217-342-6671 to place an order.
Drive-up pick-up is on Wednesday, February 11th, from 4:00-5:00.
All in need are welcome. Call 217-342-6671.
