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Multiple Departments Respond to Structure Fire in Bethany

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photo by R.R. Best
Bethany firefighters/first responders, John Smith and Dakota Briggs give medical attention to one of the two dogs that was found and rescued from the structure fire on Friday, February 9.

•February 14, 2024•

The Bethany Fire Department was dispatched for a structure fire at 11:53 am on Friday, February 9. They arrived within a few minutes to find fire coming out of one window. Crews did an initial attack from the yard while the scene was being sized up determining a room and contents on fire.  Read More

Leap Into These Leap Year Facts

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•February 14, 2024•

Leap Year typically takes place every four years. The process of adding a day to the calendar every four years was designed to realign the clock and calendar more closely with how long it takes the Earth to rotate around the sun, which is slightly longer than the 365 days attributed to a year. If not for Leap Year, the seasons would slowly shift out of place.

There are many interesting facts to learn about Leap Year, and February 29 is the perfect time to explore them. 

• It takes the Earth 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes and 45 seconds to circle once around the sun, says Time and Date. Without leap years, we’d lose almost six hours every year. After a century, the calendar would be off by nearly 24 days. Read More

New MRI Technology Recently Installed at HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital

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•February 14, 2024•

In alignment with HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital’s goal to strengthen service lines, the hospital recently installed a state-of-the-art MRI scanner, the Siemens Magnetom Sola 1.5T with BioMatrix patient personalization technology. This new, nearly $1.5 million MRI system provides precise, personalized service with exceptional speed, diagnostic accuracy and patient comfort. Read More

Places & Neighborhoods Grant Application Portal Open

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•February 14, 2024•

The Community Foundation of Macon County (CFMC), is accepting applications from area nonprofit organizations seeking grants from the Places & Neighborhoods fund, a new $100,000 funding opportunity that is part of the $1 million grant funding collaboration, Moving Forward, between the CFMC and Decatur Earthmover Credit Union. Minimum grants awarded per organization are $2,500, and maximum grants are $25,000. Deadline to apply is February 29. Recipients will be announced March 12 at 8:05 am on Byers & Company. Read More

100 Years Ago

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•February 14, 2024•

The month of February has been home to many historical events over the years. Here’s a look at some that helped to shape the world in February 1924.

• Honduran President Rafael López-Gutiérrez refuses to leave office on February 1. López-Gutiérrez cites uncertainty regarding a successor as his reason for remaining in office after initially beginning a four-year term on February 1, 1920.

• Former United States President Woodrow Wilson falls into a coma at 10:30 p.m. on February 2. The 67-year-old former president dies less than 24 hours later. Read More

Obituaries 2-14-2024: Helen Thorp

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Helen Thorp

Helen Nichols Hume Thorp, 94, passed away on January 28, 2024, in Sullivan, Illinois. Helen was born on April 7, 1929, in Waynesville Township, DeWitt County, Illinois. Daughter of the late Wilman Larrison Nichols and the late Minnie Scott Nichols. Read More

Get Your New Illinois Highway Map

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•February 14, 2024•

The Illinois Department of Transportation has announced the release of the new Illinois Official Highway Map. The map includes route updates, detailed sections devoted to cities from Zion and Cairo as well as a feature that shows mileage between towns and marked route junctions to assist travelers as they explore Illinois. Read More

Illinois’ Expanded, Earned Income Tax Credit

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•February 14, 2024•

Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) are encouraging Illinoisans to take advantage of savings offered by the newly expanded Illinois Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), a benefit that helps low to moderate income workers get a tax break. For tax year 2023, coverage has been expanded to include taxpayers with an IRS-issued Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), as well as workers ages 18 to 24 and over 65 (without qualifying child).

In addition to expanded coverage, those claiming Illinois EITC this year will see their amount of tax relief increased to a 20 percent (previously 18 percent) match of the amount given federally. Read More

Help HSHS Home Care Collect Food Items for Catholic Charities

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Drive to Be Held Monday, Feb. 19 on HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital campus

•February 14, 2024•

In recognition of February being National Canned Food Month, HSHS Home Care is holding their annual “Cram the Car” food drive this month for the Catholic Charities food pantry to help those struggling with food insecurity.

Community members are invited to “cram” a Home Care car by donating non-perishable items.  On Monday, Feb. 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., a HSHS Home Care branded car will be parked on the HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital campus, by the colleague entrance/receiving area on north side of the hospital accepting donations of items or monetary contributions. Read More

Sullivan Area Ministerial Association Holds Open House

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photo by Crystal Reed
Sullivan Area Ministerial Association Holds Open House
The Sullivan Area Ministerial Association (SAMA) held an open house event at Sweet Vail on Wednesday, February 7. The event gave members of the community the opportunity to talk to local pastors and learn about the activities and initiatives that their churches are involved in.