As you head out this Labor Day weekend, you might want to take the insect repellant with you to ward off mosquitoes. James L. Henricks, director of environmental health for Sangamon County, provides the answers to help keep you protected from those pesky mosquitoes.  

SARA LOPINSKI: Wouldn't you like your brain to be the healthiest it can be to improve brain function, memory and concentration?  All it takes is the addition of these ten "smart" foods and beverages to your daily meal plan. 1. Berries: We are talking about strawberries, blueberries and blackberries. Berries help protect the brain from stress and may reduce the effects of age-related conditions such as Alzheimer's disease or dementia.  

MOLLY SUHADOLNIK: Most of us start running for good health, to stay fit, to live longer, but the bottom line is -- we want to lose fat. Most of the general population has not been properly educated on exercise and what is effective. The easiest thing that humans can do as a form of physical exercise is to run. We all can do it no matter what level, we do not need instruction on how to run and it is free. Sure, if you are starting from ground zero, you will see a bit of fat loss.  

BRIGITTE CUTLER: After training for months to run a race it is now over. The effort put forth in a race is often much more than in a regular training session so aches and pains will be evident.

Aug. 22 was the final day of a summer full of Abe's Army training for me and my fellow runners. I owe my success to the trainers and fellow runners in my group who worked together and encouraged each other to keep going despite the pain and heat.

Three medical students have received scholarship awards at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine.

St. John's Hospital has received a $255,000 federal grant to support expansion of Telehomecare Monitoring for patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) living in rural areas of central and southern Illinois.