February 13, 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

Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon results

April 27, 2019

April 27, 2019

More than 11,000 runners took to the streets of Champaign-Urbana this weekend for the 11th annual Christie Clinic Marathon. The...

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...

Spartan Spotlight… Lindsey Aden

April 8, 2020

April 8, 2020

St. Joseph-Ogden senior Lindsey Aden has big plans for her future. Aden, who lives outside of Royal, will be attending...

Author to host talk at library

March 5, 2019

March 5, 2019

On Saturday, March 9th at 1 p.m. Maureen Hughes will be at the St. Joseph Township-Swearingen Memorial Library, 201 N....

Kids Say…

June 24, 2019

June 24, 2019

Every week we ask five students to tell us what they think a farmer does. This week it is second...

10 things you don’t know about me… Jennifer Wayland

April 24, 2019

April 24, 2019

Jennifer Wayland is the owner of the Island Travel Group. She is also co-chairing the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce...

Around Town: Feb. 18-23

February 18, 2019

February 18, 2019

If you want your event included please email us at stjosephrecord@gmail.com Feb. 18 Story Time for Children 6:30 p.m. St...

Read all about it: St. Joseph Record wants to digitize old print editions — and they need your help

February 22, 2023

February 22, 2023

Local history projects are best told through community news sources. So Mary Butzow wants the St. Joseph community to step...

St. Joseph Community Garage Sales Spring 2025

May 7, 2025

May 7, 2025

5 505 N 4th St.Friday 9am-5pm Saturday 8am-2pmClothing, toddler to adult (all sizes) household items, toys, craft items, lots of...

10 things you don’t know about me… Noreen Acton

August 13, 2019

August 13, 2019

Every week we ask an area resident to share 10 things about themselves that we may not know. This week...

Weekend Family Fun Guide

July 26, 2019

July 26, 2019

This post is sponsored by Island Travel Group and Events On Saturday, St. Joseph plays host to hundreds of runners...

‘Scouting has been such a wonderful experience for me’

January 19, 2023

January 19, 2023

Sara Steffens’ Gold Award project is personal. The Ogden Girl Scout was inspired by her sister. “I learned that the...

Spring Community Garage Sale dates set

January 5, 2021

January 5, 2021

The Spring St. Joseph Community Garage Sales will be held April 8, 9 and 10th. Participants select their own times...

5 Question Friday with Drama Director Chandler Dalton

October 28, 2022

October 28, 2022

The SJO drama department is producing “The Internet is Distract—Oh look a kitten!” Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at...

Kids say…

August 26, 2019

August 26, 2019

Every week we ask students at local schools three questions related to farming. This week we spoke to students at...

Comments
Leave a Reply