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Matheson Graduates From Olivet

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•June 9, 2021•

Moranda Matheson of Bethany recently graduated from Olivet Nazarene University on May 9 as a first generation student with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Nursing. She also passed her state nursing boards on June 5 and has been accepted by the Illinois State Board of Nursing as an RN BSN. Moranda has accepted a job working with one of the top 100 hospitals in the country on a step-down intensive care unit. She is now pursuing her Master’s degree in Medical Business Administration and plans to open up nonprofit clinics for medically underserved areas in the future.

ALAH High School Holds Commencement For Class of 2021

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Pomp and Circumstance
Arthur-Lovingtown-Atwood-Hammond High School held commencement for the Class of 2021 on Saturday, May 29. The graduating class of 2021 was 71 members. Pictured above are graduates marching into the ceremony.

•June 9, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond High School held commencement for the 71 members of the class of 2021, Saturday, May 29, on the football field. The motto for the class of 2021 is this quote by Vince Lombardi, “Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence.”
Senior Class President Jack Martin said that perfection is not the word to describe the last 15 months. “We are leaving this high school after an entire year of being fully masked and fully distanced, but we must be fully confident moving forward,” he said.
Layton Hall, salutatorian, addressed those in attendance. He said that sports is one of the areas in which the class succeeded. Hall noted that the school band played at Millikin University last year, and the senior class won grand champion at the Effingham marching competition both their freshman and junior years.
He noted that their class was also active in agriculture. Read More

Prairie’s Edge Master Naturalists to Host Pollinator Week Walks

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•June 9, 2021•
To celebrate our native pollinators during National Pollinator Week, the local Master Naturalist group will host a variety of walks and presentations. Learn about native pollinators, and flowering and host plants with Master Naturalist Kathryn Bulver during a series of guided pollinator walks at several local natural sites. We’ll start each walk with a short presentation on pollination and pollinators, then head out to see what we can find!
Interested in learning about our native bee species and how they live; including how you can buy or make a bee bath or bee houses? Join Master Naturalist Jane Zerkel on Wednesday, June 23, 6:30 PM at Whiteside Gardens for an informative presentation. Read More

Lawmakers Pass Follow-Up Criminal Justice Bill

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•June 9, 2021•
By Raymon Troncoso
Capitol News Illinois

The General Assembly this week passed legislation addressing lingering concerns from law enforcement about a massive criminal justice reform omnibus passed earlier this year.
Introduced by Chicago Democratic Sen. Elgie Sims, an amendment to House Bill 3443 would act as trailer legislation for the SAFE-T Act, a major criminal justice reform backed by the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus that was signed into law by Gov. JB Pritzker in February. That measure mandated body cameras and changed use-of-force guidelines for law enforcement, created a new police certification system, expanded detainee rights and ends the use of cash bail in Illinois.
Unlike the SAFE-T Act, Sims’ new legislation has the support of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police and the Illinois State Police and amends some controversial portions of the act that were opposed by law enforcement. Read More

2021 Theme Announced For Illinois And Du Quoin State Fairs

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•June 9, 2021•
A message of unity will be the theme throughout the fairgrounds in Springfield and Du Quoin this summer. “One Illinois” is the theme which will be showcased throughout the 2021 Illinois and Du Quoin State Fairs. “One Illinois” is aimed at uniting Illinoisans after COVID-19 led to the cancellations of both fairs in 2020.
“Illinois’ proud agricultural tradition has long been the force that drives our state forward, and the last 18 months have been no different. In March of 2020, when the world seemed to come to a halt, our state’s number one industry kept right on going,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “While the COVID-19 pandemic demanded a temporary pause to the State Fairs, communities across the state will once again have a chance to come together as “One Illinois” this August to celebrate our number one industry and the people that keep us all going.” Read More

Windsor HS Scholarship Winners

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•June 9, 2021•

Windsor High School held graduation on Sunday, May 23. During the ceremony several scholarships were awarded to graduates.
Windsor/Gays Jr Women’s Club Scholarship: Jessica Rauch, Kimberly Henon, Adilyn McCray, Haley Beck, Trinity Shupe
Garrett Baldrich Post #725 American Legion Scholarship: Candice Colclasure Read More

Facts for Families: Stress Reduction

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•June 9, 2021•
By Cheri Burcham
Family Life Educator

Since we are still acknowledging Mental Health Awareness Month, I wanted to share a little bit about mindful movement. Mindfulness is defined as an awareness that arises through paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment. Practicing mindfulness can happen in many ways including types of breathing, visualization, using our senses, practicing gratitude and even through movement! Mindful movement is an effective way to reduce stress and its physical consequences. When we are moving intentionally, we’re changing the shape of our body which in turn, can impact how we are feeling. I would like to share some simple chair-based moves that can help anyone including children to reduce stress and its negative physical effects: Read More

2021 Okaw Valley High School Scholarships

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•June 9, 2021•
Clarence Bixler American Legion Post #409, Findlay Sons of the American Legion, & Findlay Ladies Auxiliary Scholarship — Carleigh Bobbett & Preston Ozier $500 each
Bethany Sons of the American Legion — Delaney Johnson $1000
Sullivan American Legion Post #68 - Delaney Johnson $1000 per year for 4 years
Stephen A. Baker Scholarship- Ciera Perry $250 Wayne Shoemaker Memorial Scholarship — Ciera Perry $1000 & Preston Ozier $500 Read More

Remember When? 6-9-2021

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25 Years Ago This Week

The Sullivan school board sold Powers School, the now unused elementary school property, at auction for $54,000 to Yoder Farm Drainage. Larry Yoder said that he bought it as an investment. Yoder Farm Drainage previously purchased the old Lowe elementary school.
The effort to find a home for an animal control facility was stymied once again when Moultrie County Board members defeated a motion to purchase Dr. Jason James’ small animal clinic to house it. Read More

Findlay Farmer’s Market

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Farmers Market
A Farmer’s Market and Small Business Fair was held in Findlay this past Saturday on the grounds of the Junction at the Old Country Church. Steffanie Jones had a variety of crocheted items for sale.

Photo by Crystal Reed
Market
Judy Dance with wreaths, a lighthouse and other items that she has made at the Farmers Market and Small Business Fair at the Junction at the Old Country Church in Findlay this past Saturday.