•July 5, 2023•
One of most common health issues in older adults is the leading cause of blindness worldwide but is also safely and easily correctable – cataracts.
HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital is drawing attention to Cataract Awareness Month this June to educate the public on the symptoms of cataracts and offer ways to correct this vision issue. According to the National Eye Institute, a cataract is a cloudy area in the lens of your eye (the clear part of the eye that helps to focus light). Cataracts are quite common as we age. In fact, more than half of all Americans will have a cataract by the time they are 80 years old. Read More
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Pritzker Signs Bills Altering Illinois’ Health Insurance Market
•July 5, 2023•
By Peter Hancock
Capitol News Illinois
phancock @ capitolnewsillinois.com
Gov. JB Pritzker signed legislation Tuesday that will dramatically alter the health insurance market in Illinois.
The measures establish a state-based exchange for policies sold under the Affordable Care Act and give the Illinois Department of Insurance the authority to modify or reject proposed rate increases.
“Since day one of my administration, I’ve been committed to making health care more equitable and holistic and accessible,” Pritzker said at a bill signing ceremony in Chicago. “With these bills, we aren’t just increasing access to affordable preventative care, we’re improving the quality of life for millions who call Illinois home.”
Under the Affordable Care Act, people who are not eligible for Medicaid but who do not have access to affordable health insurance through their employer can buy subsidized policies through an online exchange operated by either the federal government or their state government. Read More
LLC Part-time Spring Honors List Announced
•July 5, 2023•
Lake Land College recently announced that more than 700 part-time students earned academic honors for the 2023 Spring semester.
To qualify for the president’s list, a student must have completed six to 11 credit hours in courses numbered 040 or higher per semester, excluding summer term, with a GPA of 3.8 – 4.0.
To qualify for the dean’s list, a student must have completed six to 11 credit hours in courses numbered 040 or higher per semester, excluding summer term, with a GPA of 3.65 – 3.79. Read More
ALAH School Board Approves $0.25 Increase to School Lunches
•July 5, 2023•
by Ariana R. Cherry
After several years of not adjusting lunch prices, the ALAH School Board approved a $0.25 increase at their school board meeting held Wednesday, June 21. The school district is currently looking at a loss of $17,000 due to unpaid lunch bills, increases in food and operating expenses. With the new increase, the cost of elementary student lunches will be $3.15, and the cost for junior high and high school will be $3.25. There also is a $0.10 raise for the cost of breakfast. Superintendent Shannon Cheek stated that for the district to break even, they should be charging about $3.80, but with the $0.25 increase, it should at least get the district moving in the right direction.
Along with approving an increase to school lunches, the board also approved the final year for its Aramark food contract. The district has been in contract with them for five years. Next year, there is a plan to take bids to see what other companies are available. The cost to this year’s Aramark contract was raised 11% due to inflation.
Other items discussed/voted on include: Read More
The Buzz About Honeybees
photo by Crystal Reed
The Buzz About Honeybees
Marrowbone Public Library Co-Director Lisa Spracklen presented “The Buzz About Honey Bees” on Thursday, June 29 as part of the library’s summer reading program. Attendees learned about the equipment and tools used by bee keepers and other facts about bee keeping.
Monthly Quarter Madness
•July 5, 2023•
Moultrie County Monthly Quarter Madness will hold their July Quarter Auction on Wednesday, July 12. The event will be held at the Sullivan American Legion. Sullivan Boy Scout Troop 39, the charity of the month, is an organization that provides youth with leadership skills using core values and character development. They are also faith based and allow each scout to follow their own religious path. Funds raised would be used to purchase camping supplies such as food items because scouts love to eat. Or may also be applied to rank and merit badge patches. At the July Quarter Madness, vendors could include: direct sales such as Avon, Scentsy, JBloom Jewelry, PaperPie, Tastefully Simple, Plunder Jewelry, Pampered Chef, PLUS different craft vendors, hair bows and other accessories, laser engraved designs, and more. Come shop the vendors and stay for the Quarter Auction. Bring your quarters for charity items and extra bidding. All-In-Paddle will be $20. Doors open at 6:00 and the Quarter Auction begins at 6:30. All ages are welcome to attend. Food will be available for purchase through Highway Heartburn Food Truck in the Legion Parking Lot. Drink purchases can be made through the Legion. For more information visit “Mo Co Monthly Quarter Madness” Facebook page.
Obituaries 7-5-2023: Raymond Bunfill
Raymond Bunfill
Raymond Lozelle Bunfill went home to be with his Lord and Savior June 25, 2023 at 7:10 a.m. at Carriage Crossing Senior Living in Arcola, Ill. under Transitions Hospice Care.
Raymond Lozelle Bunfill was born near Cooperstown in Brown County, Ill.. February 3, 1926 to Thomas Raymond {Ray} and Ethel Mae Herren Bunfill. He attended the Cooperstown, Perry and Hill grade schools in Brown County and the Hersman and Brown County Community High School and graduated in 1943. Read More
Vacation Bible School
•July 5, 2023•
Smyser Christian Church will be hosting “Backstage with the Bible” VBS July 17-21 from 6-8 p.m. each night. VBS is for children entering preschool-5th grade. The closing program will take place on Friday July 21st from 6-8 p.m.. All families of VBS students are invited to attend the closing program. For more information and to register please visit smysercc.com/kids
Sullivan Students Attend National Vision Conference
Photo furnished
Sullivan Students Attend National Vision Conference
The 2023 National Vision Conference for Student Council took place in Collinsville, IL June 26 thru 28 and the Sullivan High School Student Council sent three students and their advisor, Marsha Kirby. Senior Daniel Downs and Junior Addison Brush both serve on the Illinois Association of Student Councils executive board as public relations director and convention secretary respectively and Junior Katilyn Kirby is the President of the Eastern Illinois District Association of Student Councils. The Sullivan High School Student Council will be the official host of the 2024 Illinois Association of Student Councils conference which will be held in Springfield.
Lake Land College Announces Full-time Spring Semester Honors List
•July 5, 2023•
Lake Land College recently announced that more than 800 full-time students earned academic honors for the 2023 Spring semester.
A grade “A” is four points, a “B” is three points, a “C” is two points, etc. Read More