Jackson County Emergency Management Agency has just released the following information. The information is up-to-date as of 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, May 13, 2009.
List of Feeding Stations in Jackson County
Murphysboro (please call first)
Murhysboro Christian Academy
Address: 17th Grace (behind American Legion)
Phone: 618-867-2222
Hours: 4-7 p.m.
Murphysboro Middle School
Phone: 618- 684-3041
U of I Extension Service (snacks [...]

A neighbor's house in Carbondale

Its been a crazy few days out here in Southern Illinois. Friday’s storm devastated much of the region and thousands remain without power still.
The newspaper is doing a great job of providing disaster coverage for the region.
Visit our web site to keep abreast of what’s happening.

I was talking to Dr. Terrence Glennon, physiatrist with Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago at Herrin Hospital the other day and something he said struck a chord in me. So I will repeat it here.
“Don’t go hide in the house if you had a stroke. Who cares if you slur a bit?” Glennon said.
Having played a [...]

This is beginning to look like a bad week.
First the swine flu: With 103 people dead in Mexico and the flu spreading to North America and Europe, we’re all waiting and watching, while holding our breaths and crossing our fingers.
The Obama administration has declared a public health emergency but are calling it a “precautionary measure” [...]

The April 2009 issue of The Southern Health Magazine was distributed with the newspaper two days ago. If you didn’t get a chance to see it as yet, visit the health web site online and read the stories.
The cover story talked about why you need to have “the talk” with your child.
“So far in the [...]

My mother was recently diagnosed with high blood pressure at the age of 59. Healthy as a horse all her life, the diagnosis sent her into an instant panic.
It didn’t matter that high BP is a fairly common condition affecting some one in three adults in the U.S. alone. What mattered was that it could [...]

[ April 16, 2009; 9:00 am to 11:00 am. 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. ] St. Mary’s Good Samaritan will mark National Healthcare Decisions Day by providing free information and tools for the public to talk about their wishes with family, friends and healthcare providers, and execute written advance directives (healthcare power of attorney and living will) in accordance with Illinois state laws.

In Centralia:
When: 9-11 a.m. and by appointment from [...]

American Lung Association’s Smoking Cessation classes are now being offered through the Jackson County Health Department.
Call Angie Bailey at 618-684-3143 for more information.

Today is World Health Day.
What are local hospitals doing to keep themselves safe in emergencies?
I spoke to Bobby Whitledge, director of plant operations, and security and safety officer at Heartland Regional Medical Center in Marion.
Whitledge, director of plan operations and security and safety officer at Heartland Regional Medical Center inspects the hospital's 1000 kilowatt generator, [...]

Researchers have found an effective replacement for Pap smears - DNA tests.
A new eight-year study of 130,000 women in India financed by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has found that a single screening with the DNA test beats all other methods (including Pap smears) at preventing advanced cancer and death.
Publishing their findings in The [...]