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Homeschool Program at Library Teaches About Beekeeping

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Aubrie Payne (left) models a bee suit while assisting Lisa Spracklen who presented on beekeeping to the homeschool program that meets at the Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library during the school year. Spracklen was also assisted by Cheryl Cribbett.

•February 21, 2024•

by Crystal Reed

The Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library had their first guest presenter on Thursday, February 8. According to Children’s Librarian Laura Davison, it was the first time having someone come in and present to the group that was created in the last five years. She continued on to say that the program averages about 20 kids though it varies on the day.  Read More

Local Girl Scout Troops Selling Cookies

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photo by Crystal Reed
Local Girl Scout Troops Selling Cookies
It’s that time of year again, it’s Girl Scout cookie sales time. Briar Woods and Haley Woods were spotted this past weekend selling cookies at the Sullivan American Legion. Briar is a member of Troop 3087. Troop 3087 is lead by Kim Jones.

2024 Bethany Celebration Chili Cookoff Held At Bethany American Legion

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2024 Bethany Celebration Chili Cookoff Held At Bethany
American Legion
The Bethany Celebration Committee hosted a Chili Cookoff at the Bethany American Legion on Friday, February 16. Winners of this year’s cookoff were: 1st place Traditional: Mark and Judy Seeley, 1st place Spicy: Tim Quinlan, 1st place Unique: Abby Elzy, Crowd Favorite: Kathy Tipsword’s Taco Chili and Hottest Chili: Troy Stockdale. There were 12 chili entries in this year’s contest. Prizes for the winners were engraved wooden spoons and cash prizes. All the proceeds from the event go towards this year’s Bethany Celebration.

LLC Board of Trustees Seat Open

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•February 21, 2024•

The Lake Land College Board of Trustees is accepting letters of interest to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Mike Sullivan, Mattoon, at the regular February 12 meeting.

Sullivan was initially elected to the board in 1987. He has served numerous consecutive terms since that time, serving longer than any other trustee in the college’s history. Most recently, he was re-elected to the board in April 2023 for another six-year term.  Read More

Take Charge of Your Diabetes

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•February 21, 2024•

Cheri Burcham

Extension Educator

University of Illinois Extension

Although today’s generation of older adults is living longer, healthier lives, 80% of them are living with at least one chronic health condition. Chronic health conditions include diseases such as arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, COPD and hypertension. Diabetes is one that is on the rise, with 38 million Americans diagnosed as diabetic and 97.6 million Americans age 18 and older diagnosed as pre-diabetic. Diabetes can cause serious health complications including heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, and lower-extremity amputations. Diabetes is also increasingly being diagnosed in children. Read More

Maroa-Forsyth Ends Lady Redskins’ Season with Regional Championship Loss

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•February 21, 2024•

by E. Scott England

When the final buzzer of the regional championship blared inside Sullivan’s gymnasium, the final score showed 52 for the home team and 41 for the visitors. Unfortunately for the number four seed Lady Redskins, the Lady Trojans of Maroa-Forsyth came into the championship game as the number one seed wearing the home jerseys. Read More

February is Earthquake Awareness Month

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•February 21, 2024•

The worst earthquake in Illinois history occurred on December 17, 1811, and was so strong that it rang a church bell in a Cairo church in southern Illinois. It also blew smoke, sand, and coal 30 yards into the air and made the Mississippi River flow backward for a moment.

“Not everyone in Illinois realizes that Illinois is susceptible to earthquakes because of the New Madrid Seismic Zone on the border with Missouri and the Wabash Valley Seismic Zone on our border with Indiana,” said Alicia Tate Nadeau, director of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security (IEMA-OHS). “Each of us need to be prepared for a quake whether it barely affects you and your home or whether it causes major, widespread damage.” Read More

Obituaries 2-21-2024: Mary Simmons

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Mary Simmons

Mary Elizabeth Simmons, 69, of Bethany, passed away at 9:08 a.m., Sunday, February 18, 2024.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Saturday, February 24, at Holy Family Catholic Church, Decatur. Rite of Committal and Burial will be in Mt. Gilead Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday 5-7 p.m. at Reed Funeral Home in Sullivan. Prayer service will be 4:30 p.m., Friday evening.  Memorials are suggested to the Marrowbone Twp. Library. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net Read More