•May 4, 2022•
In Illinois last year, approximately 103 people were killed or injured in grade crossing and trespassing incidents. Illinois Operation Lifesaver works to prevent these needless incidents from happening through public awareness campaigns, education programs and free rail safety presentations.
Operation Lifesaver, the non-profit rail safety education and awareness organization dedicated to reducing collisions, fatalities and injuries at highway-rail crossings and preventing trespassing on or near railroad tracks, is observing its 50th anniversary in 2022. Over the past five decades, Operation Lifesaver and its safety partners have helped reduce railroad crossing incidents by 84 percent across the nation. But there is more work to do – every three hours a person or vehicle is hit by a train in the United States.
“The Illinois Commerce Commission has overseen Illinois’ rail safety efforts for more than 150 years. Keeping pedestrians, motorists, and train employees safe near and around railroad tracks and trains is a top priority for our agency. We are proud of our partnership with Operation Lifesaver, year after year the statistics reflect the effectiveness of our robust educational efforts and awareness campaigns,” said ICC Chairman Carrie Zalewski. Read More
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Bethany and Sullivan being Awarded Safe Routes to School awards
•May 4, 2022•
Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Transportation recently announced $12.3 million in grants for local projects that will help boost the health and safety of children via safer walking and biking routes to school. The Safe Routes to School program is funding 57 projects selected from 102 applications received from municipalities and schools across the state.
The Village of Bethany’s project will impact the Okaw Valley Elementary School. The project description says it involves Illinois 121 sidewalk replacements and additions, including a new crosswalk with flashing beacons at Washington Street intersection, The existing sidewalk on the west side of Washington Street will also be improved and connected to Okaw Valley Elementary School. Funds awarded for the project are $188,520.00. Read More
Shelby Realty After Hours
Photo by Crystal Reed
Shelby Realty After Hours
Shelby Realty’s new office in Sullivan had an after hours event on Thursday, April 29. The new office is located at 5 West Jefferson. Pictured are some of the realtors that are with the company. From left to right: Bruce Steinke, Sandy Steinke, Cheyenne Pieszchalski, Cathrine Craig, Debbie Cruit and owner Matt Forcum.
Arson Awareness Week 2022
•May 4, 2022•
The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM) is raising awareness about arson and the seriousness of this crime, while educating Illinois residents about the true cost of arson and it’s impacts on individuals and communities. The theme for Arson Awareness Week 2022 (May 1-7), Arson in Homeless Communities: Engagement – Education – Outreach. Read More
Letters to the Editor 5-4-2022
Dear Editor:
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. As a volunteer and advocate with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, this month I am asking everyone to join us and demand #MoreForMentalHealth.
As a survivor of a son’s suicide, I can personally attest to how critical it is to take every effort to educate everyone about the dramatic consequences of a suicide, to raise everyone’s awareness levels to find opportunity to intervene and save a life whenever possible. Read More
Obituaries 5-4-2022: Roger Wilhelm
Roger Wilhelm
Roger K. Wilhelm, 73, of Sullivan, passed away at 9:18 a.m., Tuesday, April 26, 2022, at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center in Mattoon. Read More
Obituaries 5-4-2022: Norman Staggs
Norman Staggs
Norman W. Staggs, 85, of Hammond, passed away April 26, 2022, in his home.
Norman was born April 5,1937, in Goddard, Ky., a son of Delbert and Lela (Cooper) Staggs.
Norman was father to children Gary Staggs and Debbie (Staggs) Chandler. He was also a grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great-grandfather. Read More
Obituaries 5-4-2022: Kenneth Snyder
Kenneth Snyder
Kenneth ‘Ken’ Wayne Snyder, 66, of Decatur, passed away at 7:21 a.m., Saturday, April 16, 2022.
Private family Celebration of Life services will be in Reed Funeral Home in Sullivan with Pastor Grant Wade officiating. Memorials are suggested to Meals on Wheels of Macon County. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net Read More
Obituaries 5-4-2022: Larry Sims
Larry Sims
Larry Eugene Sims, 81, of Sun City, Arizona, passed away April 26, 2022. Larry was born August 18, 1940, in Bethany to Charles and Edith (Moon) Sims. He was proceeded in death by his parents and sisters Dorothy Christy and Betty Jones. Read More
Lake Land College to Celebrate Annual Commencement Ceremony
•May 4, 2022•
Lake Land College will honor graduates at the annual Commencement Ceremony Friday, May 13 at 6 p.m. in the Field House.
More than 750 students will receive degrees and certificates this spring, with more than 280 graduates expected to participate in the ceremony.
Alumnus Achievement Award recipients Todd and Ali Rauch will be recognized at the event for their continued efforts to make a difference in their professions and community. This same enthusiasm, commitment and desire to make a difference led Todd Rauch and then Ali Vice to succeed as student leaders at Lake Land College have propelled them to success in their careers.
The Rauchs met at Lake Land in 2006 when they served on the Student Government Association and were instrumental in the building of the Lake Land College Fitness Center. Ali, a first-generation college student, was also a member of Phi Theta Kappa, and Todd served as the 2006-2007 Student Trustee. They are the only couple to have married on campus. Read More