The Jefferson Fire Protection District announced a burn ban in effect from 10 a.m. Friday thru Tuesday, October 11. In accordance with the ordinance, the ban prohibits open burning within the fire district boundaries and includes the villages of Belle Rive, Bonnie, Dix, Ina, and all other areas within the boundaries of the fire district. Fire Chief Conan King says the district will continue to monitor weather conditions and may extend the burn ban as it feels necessary. The four Illinois Eastern Community Colleges are urging high school seniors to apply now for the next round of Student Success Scholarships, before the October 28th Priority Deadline, to ensure they are first in line for scholarship dollars. Initiated in 2020, the tuition awards are available to students within the IECC District who have committed to attend either of the four colleges by completing the admissions application and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid by the Priority Deadline date. Students can go