Randolph County briefs: Head Start preschool screenings, Rec League umpire clinic
<b>Head Start preschool screenings Friday</b>
Western Egyptian Head Start is holding preschool screenings from 9 a.m. to noon Friday, March 25. The developmental screenings for children birth to age 4 are free.
Parents may visit any of these locations: Chester Center, 1st Presbyterian Church, (618) 826-5651; Percy Center, Wesley United Methodist Church, (618) 497-2410; Evansville Baldwin Community Center, (618) 853-4121; Coulterville Center, (618) 758-2524; Sparta Center (across from Buchheits) (618) 443-3037; DuQuoin Youth Center, (618) 496-3535; and Pinckneyville Center (next to Health Department), (618) 357-8083.
Parents will receive their child's screening results. Bring one month's worth of pay stubs, 2021 1040 or W-2 to speed intake process.
Call a center to make an appointment.
<b>Chester Rec League umpire clinic April 9</b>
Chester Rec League is holding an umpire clinic from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 9, at Cohen Complex Field No. 2. Matt McCoy will lead the clinic for aspiring umpires ages 12 and older. Those who complete the training will get a T-shirt, rule book and indicator, and will be registered with the city as an umpire. The cost is $25 before April 1, $35 after and on the day of the clinic. Registration forms are available at chesterill.com and at city hall. For more information, call (618) 826-1430 or email chesterrecreation@chesterill.com.
<b>Friess holds business development seminar</b>
State Rep. David Friess is holding an interactive hands-on seminar next month to introduce business leaders to benefits and services available through the state, as well as private funding and professional services in the region.
Business owners, leaders, administrators, entrepreneurs, and startups are invited. The goal of the seminar is to build bridges to services necessary for economic growth and make navigation less intimidating, while maximizing our communities' prospects for success.
The seminar will be from 2-6 p.m. from Wednesday, April 6, at South West Illinois College Red Bud Campus, 500 W S 4th St., in Red Bud.
The event will feature speakers from the Small Business Development Center, Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, St. Clair County Intergovernmental Grants Department, Workforce Development Group, Monroe County Economic Development, United States Department of Agriculture, Regions Bank, and South West Illinois College - Workforce Development.
To register, send your company name, contact name, phone, email address, and Street address to: Friessevent116@gmail.com or register online at the link below. Space is limited.
<b>Two guided hikes this weekend</b>
The River-to-River Trail Society will hold guided hikes Saturday, March 26, and Sunday, March 27. Both hikes are free and open to the public.
Saturday's hike will be a hike to view the waterfalls along Cedar Creek between Indian Falls and Cedar Falls. This will be a hike of about four hours in length and will be a hike of moderate difficulty, intended for people in good health who have done some hiking. There will be several stream crossings. Meet at 10 a.m. at Ozark Baptist Church, 632 Ozark Road, Ozark, Illinois. For information or directions, call (618) 926-3250.
Sunday afternoon's hike will be a shorter and easier hike to the Rock House, a cave and rock formation which was once a popular picnic spot in Pope County. This will be a hike of lesser difficulty, perhaps two to three hours in length. Meet at 2 p.m. at the former Shawnee Mart on Route 145 in Eddyville. For information or directions, call (618) 269-0369.
For both hikes, hiking sticks and boots or sturdy shoes are strongly recommended. Hikers should bring their own water and a snack. No dogs, please.