High school students looking to start a career in telecommunications may find a unique opportunity at Lincoln Trail College in Robinson.

The college, which is part of the network of Illinois Eastern Community Colleges, offers an opportunity for students to assist in maintaining and improving the broadband infrastructure through their broadband telecom program. The program, offers a variety of skills needed to be successful in the field of telecommunications and is the only one of its kind in Illinois and just one of a small group nationwide.

Jesse Allen, director of the broadband telecom program, emphasized the importance of the program for the state of Illinois by creating qualified workers in the telecommunications field.

“As the demand for quality broadband speeds and connections increase to homes in rural Illinois, our students are at the forefront of the future growth the industry will experience,” Allen said.

Students learn such skills as splicing and maintaining fiber optic and copper cables, home and business telephone systems, and central office switching. Students are also required to take courses in communication and customer relations to prepare them for the careers they are about to step into.

The students in the program also understand the importance of supporting their communities while in school. Recently, the broadband telecom student club provided services to several community organizations, including fixing bad cables between two local schools.

According to the National Broadband Map, launched by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, three in four Americans now use broadband in their homes. Broadband Illinois shows that nearly 70% of households have broadband access in the state.

The program offers a two-year degree and opportunities for internships and specialized classes in business communication systems and developments in telecom.

For more information about the program visit: http://www.iecc.edu/page.php?page=LTCH_PRGM&acad=reqm&acadc=708

The beginning of March means that the worst of winter should be behind us and warmer temperatures are on the way.

If you and your family are looking to make memories outdoors this spring and summer, then make sure to visit Illinois Beach State Park.

Known for its stunning beauty, the park stretches 6.5 miles along Lake Michigan’s shore in northern Illinois. It has 650 species of plants, including many colorful wildflowers, as well as vast marshes, dunes and vegetation that will leave outdoor enthusiasts in awe.

We’ve got spirit, yes we do …

There are two Pretzels, the Ironmen are Normal, the Shoes are Wooden and the Farmers beat the Cornjerkers.

Welcome to Mascot Madness, Illinois style.

The IHSA partnered with CSN and CSNChicago for a “March Madness”-style bracket challenge to let the fans and fanatics decide the most unique mascots in the state. The original field of 64 was announced earlier this month. Weekly online voting already narrowed the field to the sweet 16.

Yvonne Ham is a contemporary realist portrait and landscape artist. Ham was born in Peoria in 1962 and currently lives and works in rural Elmwood.

Ham’s artwork reflects her fondness for family and interest in her local community. She is drawn to the people and events in everyday life. Impressions of events can be forgotten, and she hopes that through touching brush to canvas she stirs an emotional memory for the viewer.

Ham, an award winning artist, is a member of the Portrait Society of America. She is an associate member of Oil Painters of America, The Peoria Art Guild, Illinois Art League, Contemporary Art Center and the Galesburg Civic Art Center. She worked as the president of the Illinois Art League serving from 2005 through 2007.

Florence Fifer Bohrer, a resident of Bloomington, made history on this day in 1924 by announcing her candidacy to the state senate, an election she would win, making her the first woman elected to the Illinois State Senate. Bohrer was born in 1877 and was the daughter of Illinois Governor Joseph Fifer, who served from 1889 until 1893.