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Steam Boat Classic Press Release

DNR Hunter Safety Course scheduled for Chilli

Area residents will have an opportunity to learn basic principles of safe hunting at a Department of Natural Resources hunter safety education course to be held at the Chillicothe Sportsmen's Club. The club is located north of Chillicothe, at 21228 North Yankee Lane, east of the Iowa Interstate railroad tracks.

The thirteen hour course, which is free, will be held over three days, meeting from 6:00 - 9:30 PM on Thursday, March 8, 6:00 - 9:30 PM on Friday, March 9, and from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM on Saturday, March 10, according to Shawn Calvin, one of the instructors. Students must attend all thirteen hours of the class.

A 1996 Illinois law requires that all hunters born after January 1, 1980 successfully complete the hunter education course before they can receive their first hunting license. Participants completing the hunter education course receive a Hunter Education Certification, valid in all fifty states and Canada, verifying that they have passed the safety instruction.

"This will be an excellent opportunity for young hunters in the area who need the course in order to qualify for their first hunting license before turkey begins in April," instructor Lowell Bennett said. "It also can be beneficial for advanced as well as beginning hunters, even those born before 1980. This class is required by many western states, such as Colorado’s date of January 1, 1949, for adults who are planning to hunt in those states, so maybe mom and dad should also take the course."

The free course includes instruction in wildlife management, firearms safety, hunter ethics, game identification, first aid, survival techniques and hunting regulations.

For more information about the course, and to reserve a seat, since space is limited, contact the coordinating instructor, Lowell Bennett, at 309-274-5586 after 5:00 pm.

Ritter home a total loss after yesterday's fire

Thoughts and prayers from our community go out to Bud and Carol Ritter  whose home apparently  burned beyond repair in a fire early yesterday.  No one was injured as Mr. & Mrs. Ritter were at church at the time.  A neighbor passing by on adjacent property noticed flames coming from their home and called 911. Unfortunately due to the age and construction of the home, the fire moved so quickly that by the time the fire department  arrived, the entire attic was already engulfed. Chief Myers stated that it was close to 8pm when the FD was able to safely confirm that all the fire was out. The home is considered a total loss with damages estimated to be at least $100,000, Meyers stated. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined.

The Ritters local insurance agent immediately came to the scene and was able to provide the necessary funds for their immediate needs.

The Ritters are staying with family and we will share more information with you as it becomes available.

*file photo

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