February 28, 2026 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Interpretive center to reopen tomorrow

As the state of Illinois moves into Restore Illinois-Phase 4, the governor has authorized the reopening of museums and nature centers with some restrictions. In response, and in accordance with state guidelines, the Museum of the Grand Prairie and the Homer Lake Interpretive Center are happy to announce that they will reopen, on a limited basis, on July 8, 2020. 

Beginning July 8, 2020. Homer Lake Interpretive Center will be open from 1:00 p.m to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, with a limit of 10 guests at a time. Masks and social distancing will be required within the facility. Handwashing/sanitizing is encouraged before entering or upon entry to the building. Patrons are asked to check themselves and members of their party for symptoms before arriving and stay home if they are sick. 

Also beginning on July 8, 2020, the Museum of the Grand Prairie will be open from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday through Friday. The first hour of every Wednesday will be reserved for persons over 65, and other vulnerable groups. Patrons will be required to sign up for a time to visit. Sign up times will be available by pressing the register/reserve button on the website www.ccfpd.org. A name and contact information will be required for each registrant in case contact tracing should be required. Visits are scheduled in increments of an hour, and there will be a limit of 10 patrons per hour in order to keep patrons and staff safe and facilitate cleaning. Masks and social distancing will be required within the facility. Handwashing/sanitizing is encouraged before entering or upon entry to the building. Patrons are asked to check themselves and members of their party for symptoms before arriving and stay home if they are sick. 

Visitors should note that many hands-on, interactive experiences may be closed, or removed temporarily as required by the governor’s office and local public health officials. The Museum of the Grand Prairie’s Discovering Home exhibit, on the lower level, will be closed until further notice. Bathrooms and popular public areas will be cleaned on a regular basis. 

The Champaign County Forest Preserve District strives to keep its users safe while offering its great educational opportunities. It is likely that we will increase hours in the coming months as the COVID-19 virus statistics improve. Meanwhile, the Museum and Education Department will continue to offer excellent programming on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Youtube. Find us there! 

Banner
Related Posts

Plotner scholarship event moved to Middle School

October 25, 2019

October 25, 2019

Forecasted rain may be changing the location but it won’t change the intent of the Haunted Halloween event on Saturday....

Birthday parade to celebrate Voges

April 28, 2020

April 28, 2020

St. Joseph resident Bruce Voges has seen a lot in his life. And Tuesday will be another first. To celebrate...

Around Town April 30-May 4

April 30, 2019

April 30, 2019

April 30-May 23 Spring Used Book Sale St Joseph Township Library, 201 N 3rd St, St Joseph, IL 61873 The...

Little Prince and Princess applications being accepted

July 1, 2019

July 1, 2019

The St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce will be sponsoring the Little Prince and Princess event in conjunction with the St....

Foundation created to honor Oberheim

June 9, 2021

June 9, 2021

The family of Police Officer Chris Oberheim is working to develop a not-for-profit foundation. The foundation name was announced Tuesday...

Deadline approaching for Pageant

May 27, 2019

May 27, 2019

The deadline to compete in the Champaign County Fair Queen and Little Miss Pageant is this week. The Champaign County...

10 things you don’t know about me.. Angi Landis

January 24, 2019

January 24, 2019

Every Wednesday we ask a person who lives or works in an area town to tell us 10 interesting things...

Franzen chosen to lead middle school

March 30, 2021

March 30, 2021

The new St. Joseph Middle School Principal will be a familiar face. The St. Joseph Consolidated Community School Board voted...

Kids say…

June 17, 2019

June 17, 2019

Every week we ask five St. Joseph area students a question about farming. Today, five students from PVO South tell...

10 things you don’t know about me … Matt Walsh

September 30, 2022

September 30, 2022

Matt Walsh with Engaging Entertainment is will be DJing at the Wagner Signs and Graphics Anniversary Celebration. We asked Matt...

Kids say

October 22, 2019

October 22, 2019

Every week we ask area students questions about being a farmer. This week we spoke to kids at PVO South....

Get to know Steve Peters

March 25, 2025

March 25, 2025

Steve is running for the St. Joseph Village Board. What is the best thing about St. Joseph? I have been...

‘Her heart was golden’ — Short loses battle with cancer

June 10, 2019

June 10, 2019

Nine years ago, Sarah Logan Loomis raised her hand at a meeting of parents. The meeting was for her daughter,...

Local Girl Scouts reflect on trip to Georgia

January 16, 2020

January 16, 2020

The road to Georgia was long and winding, but worth it. Recently scouts in Troops 2077, 2116 and 2134 presented...

What are normal sleep patterns for a newborn and how can we encourage good sleeping?

October 19, 2021

October 19, 2021

By: Jeanelle Murphy, D.O Thanks to Christie Clinic for providing this content. Newborn babies sleep a total of about 8-9...

Comments
Leave a Reply