Farmers are asking the public to be mindful as planting season gets underway

Posted on April 28, 2022
Farmers across central Illinois are aiming to beat the rain. (Photo courtesy: Blake Haas/WJBC)

By Blake Haas

BLOOMINGTON – More and more farmers are hitting the roadways as planting season is underway in central Illinois.

However, farmers are sending a message about driving safety with more heavy equipment on the roadways.

“Please just be mindful of those flashing amber lights, the slow-moving vehicle emblems. And keep your safe distance. And only pass when it’s safe to do so,” said Kent Casson, a farmer in Fairbury.

According to the National Ag Safety Database, farm-accident fatalities are increasing.

Recent data reports about 130 people die from tractor accidents each year.

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…