Lewis and Clark Community College's Mobile Health Unit (MHU) will visit St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, May 24 as the first step in an effort to help those in need of dental care in that community.

“This kick-off event is one of hopefully many that will be scheduled with St. Francis Hospital. Since transportation can often be an issue for those in need of oral healthcare, the MHU will travel to Litchfield to offer assessment and preventive services,” said Lewis and Clark Dental Hygiene Coordinator Michelle Singley.

Dental exams and x-rays, cleanings, sealants and fluoride treatments are offered through the Mobile Health Unit at affordable prices, ranging from $4-20. Medical cards will be accepted and patients will not be refused service for inability to pay. Follow up treatment will be required when the Mobile Health Unit returns later this summer.

ST. LOUIS, MO (KTVI) – Of the 11 students injured in Monday’s school bus accident on Interstate 55 near Litchfield, Illinois, only two remain hospitalized.  Both are in St. Louis hospitals, and both required surgery on badly broken legs.  But considering the damage done to the bus, many are feeling grateful it wasn’t worse. 

Sean Snyder was seated just three rows from the front on the right side of the bus, the part that was most severely damaged.  His mother saw the video hours later, and still can’t believe it.

“I thought that it was a wonder that everybody got out of that alive,” Chris Sander said from her son’s hospital bedside.   “And with no life threatening injuries.”

She says she didn’t know how severe Sean’s injuries were at first.  It turned out his leg was broken in two places.  He was going to be airlifted to St. Louis for surgery, but he was the one doing the comforting when mom arrived at the hospital.

Jim Winter, a resident of Waterloo, IL, will be available to sign copies of his book, Baptism by Toilet Water.

Baptism by Toilet Water is Jim Winter's bittersweet memoir documenting the hardship his family endured while, ironically, Jim's grandparents, who exemplified Christian living, were right next door.

"Our home life was the furthest thing from a Christian home, yet our grandparents were the spiritual paragons we so desperately needed. Unfortunately, as long as our father remained in the picture, there was little hope. Our grandparents' home served as a sanctuary, but we were still trapped. We could see paradise from our fence, but at best we could only visit from time to time."

Throughout their tumultuous childhood, the Winter children grappled with this stark contradiction of moral values between their father and grandparents, leading them to ultimately learn that good can come from bad.