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Red Cross Blood Crisis Occurring on National and Local Levels

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Rick Davis donates blood during a blood drive at the Sullivan American Legion on Tuesday, January 18.

•January 26, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The American Red Cross is facing a national blood crisis -- its worst blood shortage in more than a decade. The American Red Cross supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood which includes many local hospital partners. The organization has experienced a 10% decline nationally and locally in the number of people donating blood since the pandemic began and continues to confront relentless issues due to COVID-19, such as ongoing blood drive cancellations and staffing limitations.
According to a press release, in recent weeks the organization had less than a one-day supply of critical blood types and has had to limit blood product distributions to hospitals. At this time, as much as one-quarter of hospital blood needs are not being met. The low blood supply levels are also posing a concerning risk to patient care and forcing doctors to make difficult decisions about who receives blood transfusions and who will need to wait until more products become available.
An American Red Cross Blood Drive was held Tuesday, January 18, at Sullivan American Legion. According to event coordinator Jeri Davis, a total of 45 units was collected during the drive. This can help 135 patients. The Red Cross has also seen a 62% drop in blood drives at schools and colleges since the pandemic began. As a result, Gen Z, which accounted for nearly one-quarter of donors in 2019, made up just about 10% in 2021 due to the drop in on-campus opportunities. Read More

Brad Halbrook Traveling Office to Lovington

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•January 26, 2022•

State Representative Brad Halbrook invites residents in Moultrie County to meet him or his staff on Monday, February 7 from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm at the Lovington Public Library, 110 W. State St., Lovington to discuss state issues and other concerns. Rep. Halbrook’s traveling office hours bring his office to communities throughout the district to better assist those who want to discuss issues face to face.
“Our legislative session is just underway and we have a lot of important issues to talk about,” Rep. Halbrook said. “Conducting traveling office hours throughout the district is key to being able to meet one on one with more of the folks that I represent to update them on what’s happening in Springfield, and to hear their concerns, or to help with a problem they’re having.”
Rep. Halbrook said. Representative Halbrook will be announcing more listening tour dates and locations in the coming weeks. He stressed that local residents are always welcome to call or stop by his Shelbyville office located at 203 N. Cedar (217-774-1306).

Head Start

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•January 26, 2022•

At the C.E.F.S. Head Start 0-5 Program, we utilize family style dining where children and teachers sit together at a table for a meal or snack. It helps children make healthy food choices by seeing positive attitudes from teachers and peers. With this style of meal service, teachers can model and develop key concepts for children, including opportunities to try new foods and politely decline food they have tasted and don’t enjoy yet, understanding the appropriate use of utensils and assisting with setting and cleaning the table after the meal. Other benefits include improved motor skills and self-confidence, expanded social skills, and practice using proper table manners. If interested in the C.E.F.S. Head Start 0-5 program, please call/text 217-663-7822.

Wilson Named to Dean’s List

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•January 26, 2022•

Kaleigh Wilson of Sullivan was named to the dean’s list at Olivet Nazarene University during the recently completed fall 2021 semester. To qualify for inclusion on the dean’s list, a student must have been enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student and must have attained a semester grade point average of 3.50 or higher on a 4.00 grading scale.

Shamdin Named to Dean’s List

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•January 26, 2022•

Katherine Shamdin of Mattoon, IL was among the more than 6,900 undergraduate students at the University of Iowa named to the dean’s list for the 2021 fall semester. Shamdin is a Fourth Year student in Iowa’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and is majoring in Dance. Dean’s list status was earned by only 1,402 first year undergraduates during the 2021 spring semester at Iowa, only 1,427 second year students, only 1,836 third year students, and only 2,304 fourth year students.

Courthouse News

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•January 26, 2022•

Due to a computer being down at the courthouse we have been unable to retrieve the majority of the courthouse news for the paper. When that computer is fixed we will resume printing courthouse news.

Hydro-Gear Extends Thank You

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•January 19, 2022•
On December 10, 2021, what is now known as The Quad-State Tornado event heavily impacted western Kentucky affecting many people and businesses –including team members of the Hydro-Gear facility in Princeton. Among those, 17 employees lost their home and all belongings with numerous others impacted to varying degrees.
In an effort to support our families, Hydro-Gear quickly reached out to ensure immediate needs were being met and then established the Hydro-Gear Employee Quad-State Tornado Response Committee to coordinate ongoing support activities. The timing of these losses being so close to the holidays made them especially troubling, yet the outpouring of support has been truly remarkable. Read More

Sullivan vs. Warrensburg-Latham

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Photo by R.R. Best
Sullivan vs. Warrensburg-Latham
The Sullivan boys’ varsity basketball team played Warrensburg-Latham on Friday, January 14 at home. The Redskins lost to the Cardinals 60-38.

Sullivan Blue Dolphins compete

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Photo furnished
Sullivan Blue Dolphins 11 years old and above gather together with their coaches following the award ceremony at the Seth Dunscomb Memorial meet held the weekend on January 7.

•January 19, 2022•
Sullivan Blue Dolphins competed at the Seth Dunscomb Memorial meet the weekend of January 7. The meet is held in memory of Seth Dunscomb, who passed away in 1997 while swimming for the University of Kansas. Read More

Millikin Women’s Basketball in First Place in CCIW

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•January 19, 2022•
The Millikin women’s basketball team turned in an outstanding defensive effort defeating Carthage College 62-42 on January 15 at the Griswold Center. The victory improved Millikin to 13-3 overall and 7-0 and in first place in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW).
The Big Blue held Carthage to one free throw in the first quarter jumping out to a 21-1 advantage. It was almost three minutes into the second quarter before the Firebirds scored its first field goal. Millikin lead 37-11 at halftime. Carthage was held to 4-22 from the field in the first half. For the game Millikin forced Carthage into 25 turnovers with the Big Blue recording 13 steals and five blocked shots. Read More