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MCHD Now Offering Lab Services

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photo by Crystal Reed
Registered Nurse Kim Garcia prepares to take blood from a patient at the Moultrie County Health Department recently. The health department recently added lab services to the list of services they offer. They have partnered with the company Labcorp to provide this service to the community.

•September 6, 2023•

by Crystal Reed

The Moultrie County Health Department recently began offering laboratory diagnostic testing services in the county. In partnership with Labcorp, Inc., MCHD can provide residents with a lower cost and easy to access solution for required labs. Moultrie County Health Department Administrator Angie Hogan said last month the department was able to serve 15 persons with lab services.

Lab service visits consist of two parts, the office visit which is provided by the health department and diagnostic testing which is provided by Labcorp. Payment to MCHD for the office is required at time of service. Charges for labs may be paid at the time of the visit or individuals can opt to have Labcorp bill their insurance. Read More

Arthur Celebrates Sesquicentennial with Founders’ Day Dinner

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photo by Crystal Reed
Sesquicentennial Essay Winner
A contest was held in Arthur earlier this year where students were asked to write essays in regards to Arthur’s Sesquicentennial. The overall winner of that contest Adyson Hopkins whose essay was titled “150 Years of Arthur” was given the honor of reading her essay during the Founders’ Day Dinner.

•September 6, 2023•

The Village of Arthur celebrated 150 years with a Founders’ Day dinner at Penn Station Saturday, September 2. The dinner celebrated Arthur being established on September 2, 1873.

The program began with a presentation from Illinois State Senator Chapin Rose, who presented a message from the Illinois Senate. That was followed by reading a letter of welcome from Richard J. Durbin. The National Anthem was sung by members of the ALAH High School Choir directed by Stephen McClarey. Read More

State Leaders Announce FFA Mental Health Awareness Grant Program

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•September 6, 2023•

By Andrew Adams

Capitol News Illinois

aadams @ capitolnewsillinois.com

Farmers and residents of rural communities often face stigma when it comes to mental health challenges, but state leaders hope to change that.

Governor JB Pritzker announced Tuesday that chapters of FFA – the group once known as Future Farmers of America – will be eligible for $1,000 grants to fund mental health awareness programs in schools and rural communities. Up to 20 such grants will be available through the Illinois FFA Foundation starting this fall.

Pritzker and other state leaders made the announcement at the Farm Progress Show in Decatur, an annual exposition of farm technology and other agriculture industry advancements. Read More

Coffee On The Co-Op

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photo by Crystal Reed
Coffee On The Co-Op
Coles Moultrie Electric Co-Op wrapped up their Coffee on the Co-Op program on Wednesday, August 30 at Sweet Vail in Sullivan. The organization kicked off the program in April and included stops in Mattoon, Charleston, Casey, Neoga and Sullivan. The program gave members the opportunity to chat about the co-op, ask questions, meet fellow members while enjoying free coffee. Pictured above (from left to right) is member Mel Schmidt, CEO Amy Borntrager and Communications Coordinator Carla Bradbury.

Illinois Ag Retail Survey Shows Farmers’ Progress in Reducing Nutrient Loss

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•September 6, 2023•

Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association (IFCA), alongside several agricultural partners, announced on Tuesday, August 29 the preliminary findings from the first-ever Illinois Ag Retail Survey, setting a new baseline to track nutrient management practice adoption and quantify nutrient loss reduction achieved at retail locations and on farms across the state.

The 2022 IL Ag Retail Survey was designed to collect accurate, science-driven data to track nitrogen (N) and phosphorous (P) fertilizer use and application methods throughout the state as part of industry efforts to meet state Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy (NLRS) goals. Read More

Obituaries 9-6-2023: Anna Knobloch

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Anna Knobloch

Anna Margaret Knobloch, 99, of Arthur, died at 4:54 p.m., Tuesday, August 29, 2023, in the Arthur Home.

Margaret was born February 12, 1924, in Douglas County, the daughter of Paul George and Alfrieda M. Suhl Clausen. She married William Carter Knobloch in Arthur June 2, 1946; he preceded her in death January 26, 2014. Read More

SOV Dominates During Home Opener Against Arcola

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•September 6, 2023•

by E. Scott England

In the shadows of a beautiful three story high video scoreboard, Sullivan-Okaw Valley Redskins, looked to extend their week one momentum as the Purple Riders of Arcola rode into Sullivan with a like-minded goal. The SOV home opener on Victory Field was greeted with much milder temperatures than last week’s scorcher. Read More

Facts for Families

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•September 6, 2023•

By Cheri Burcham

Family Life Educator

Making family mealtimes happen

With many families in back-to-school busy mode, it can sometimes be difficult to enjoy having meals together. However, research shows that having meals together is beneficial for individuals as well as the whole family. Family members who eat together tend to eat healthier – they eat more fruits and vegetables and less fat overall. Family mealtimes foster more positive family interactions, teach good manners, and help youth practice communication and build their vocabulary and social skills. Research has also found that youth who participate in family mealtimes had higher academic performance and lower incidence of depression, substance use and other risky behaviors. If sharing meals together is so beneficial, why does it seem so difficult to make it happen? Read More