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New Illinois: Creating a New State Separate from Old Illinois and Chicago

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•November 2, 2022•
On Friday & Saturday, November 11 & 12, 2022, New Illinois will hold the second session of a constitutional convention for the proposed new state. The event will be held at the Thelma Keller Convention Center in Effingham. The Friday evening and Saturday morning presentations will be open to the public.

Speakers will include:
· Ted Dabrowski, nationally known financial expert and president of Wirepoints
· Mark Alan Motsinger, Southern Illinois historian and Advisory Board Member of the Illinois State Historical Society
The idea of splitting the State of Illinois goes back decades. Mark Alan Motsinger will explain the roots of the divide between downstate and Chicago and bring the story to life. Read More

Give Life with Blood and Plasma

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•November 2, 2022•
Financial donations and volunteering are popular ways to give back to nonprofit organizations. However, there are many additional ways to give back, including donations that can help save lives.
Donating blood can be a worthwhile effort for someone looking to make a difference. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says every two seconds someone in the United States needs blood or blood products. When people think of donating blood products, they may think about donating whole blood. However, there’s a need for other components, namely plasma. Here’s a deeper look at what’s involved in the blood and plasma donation process. Read More

Lake Land College Adult Education to Host Free BNA Class

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•November 2, 2022•
Lake Land College Adult Education will be hosting a free basic nursing assistant class in spring 2023 in Marshall. The class is an opportunity for those interested in healthcare professions to begin a career in the field.
A mandatory orientation for the class will take place November 14 from 4 - 7 p.m. at the Lake Land College Marshall Eastern Region Center at 224 S. 6th St., Marshall, Illinois 62441. Read More

Moultrie County Sheriff Retires

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Moultrie County Sheriff Retires
Moultrie County Sheriff Chris Sims was recognized for 28 years with the department last Friday during a retirement party at the sheriff’s office. Sims plans to spend his retirement spending time with his wife and grandchildren, as well as fishing and traveling. During the retirement party, Chief Deputy Gary Carroll (left) presented Sims (right) with a plaque.

Area Fire Chiefs Recognized for Years of Service

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Area Fire Chiefs Recognized for Years of Service
Four area fire chiefs from Moultrie County were recently recognized for years of service as chief officers by the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association at their annual conference held in Peoria. Fire Chief Larry Edwards of the Sullivan Fire Protection District, Fire Chief Michael Jennings and Assistant Fire Chief Phil Ozier of the Bethany Fire Protection District were recognized for five years of service. Fire Chief Gary Smith was recognized for 25 years of service as the Lovington Fire Chief.

Sullivan Celebrates Halloween

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•November 2, 2022•
Children celebrated Halloween in Sullivan on Monday, October 31, with safe trick or treat, AMBUCS Halloween Parade and traditional trick or treat later that evening. During safe trick or treat local businesses and organizations gave out candy and glow sticks to all the ghosts, goblins, princesses and other characters that were walking around the downtown area. AMBUCS also held their Halloween parade where children were able to march around the square with the high school band providing music while judges decided the top ten costumes. Winning costumes were worn by Colton Conner, Hope Conner, Gabrial Spencer, Zoey Fagin, Hannah Taylor and Macie Rodgers, Koda Polley, Whittan “Noodles” Hill, Amanda Hill, Adelyn Hill and Liberty Hill, Lyndsay Ray and Adah Ray-Allen, Barbara Siewert and Zach Kenworthy.

Sullivan Dance Studio’s Competition Team Members Attend Convention

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Sullivan Dance Studio’s Competition Team Members
Attend Convention
Sullivan Dance Studio had 10 Competition Dance team members attend Revel—The Dance Convention Revelation Radiate You Tour in St. Louis, Missouri on October 21, 22 & 23, 2022. Mini Level dancers were Natalia Beals and Fionn Lynch. The mini level dancers all got to perform in the final showcase and even had a fun Dance Party during one of their sessions. Junior level dancers from SDS Competition Team were Gabrielle Carpenter, Avery Florey, Adalee Foster, Lillian Hood, Aleena Ingram, and Miah Voegel. Special shout out to Lillian Hood for being chosen to perform from her level in the final showcase. Zoe Lynch and Sarina Voegel were teen level dancers who attended the convention. Zoe was able to attend bonus classes on Friday night at the convention as well. Revel Dance Convention gave dancers a chance to work diligently with a diverse faculty that included educators and choreographers from all facets of the dance world. Those who attended had a chance to attend ballet, contemporary, hip hop, jazz, jazz funk and tap classes.

Sullivan High School Team IMPACT Accepting Donations of Personal Care Items

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•November 2, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

A newly formed student action group at Sullivan High School is helping their peers with acquiring necessary personal care items, clothing and food. Team IMPACT’s mission is to create a safe, inclusive space that provides District #300 students the opportunity to make anonymous requests for personal care items and necessary resources. The group’s aims are to develop youth leadership, provide peer-led support and create sustainable community partnerships.
According to Darby Poe of Moultrie County Counseling, they received a grant from the Regional Office of Education #3 to help fund the effort. Poe and SHS teacher Kali Taylor recently had a conversation at a cross country meet. Taylor indicated that students are lacking basic necessities, and they don’t have any programs in the area that are youth based.
As a teacher, Taylor said, that in the course of a day she sees 75-80% of the student body. “There’s this need of kids that are hungry or lacking supplies.” Poe added that kids often don’t admit they are in need. Read More

Christmas Extravaganza

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•November 2, 2022•
The HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital Partners’ annual Christmas Extravaganza will be held on Thursday, November 10 from 7 a.m.to 2 p.m. The Partners’ artisans will offer an assortment of hand-crafted items along with additional vendors from various businesses. The famous Partners’ Bake Sale will provide a vast selection of goodies and the Santa’s Closet will offer gently used Christmas décor. Three raffle opportunities will be available including a hand sewn quilt, a decorated sled and a “money” tree. Come join in the fun! A parking lot shuttle will be available for easy access to the main lobby. If you would like to join the Partners of St. Mary’s Hospital, please contact Shelli Brunner at the HSHS St. Mary’s Foundation at 217-464-2520 or by email at shelli.brunner@hshs.org