•March 11, 2026•

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s (Illinois EPA) Office of Energy is offering up to $1,500,000 in grant funding available to support energy efficiency projects at publicly owned public water supply (PWS) facilities, commonly referred to as drinking water treatment plants (DWTP). Awarded projects will range from $50,000 to $500,000, with a match requirement of 10-20% based on geographic location. Application materials are available at the Illinois EPA Office of Energy PWS Energy Efficiency Grant Program webpage. The application period closes at 5:00 pm on May 4th, 2026. 

The Great Spirit Speaks

•March 11, 2026•

By Janet Roney

The history of the relations between the Native Americans living in the Midwest in the early 1800s and the American pioneer settlers is not a happy story. Before and during the War of 1812, the British encouraged the tribes to attack American forts and remote cabins, killing many. After the war, the US government paid many of its veterans for their war service with land in the Northwest Territory, but few wanted to bring their families over the mountains to settle on their land until the Indians were removed and resettled west of the Mississippi. 

•March 11, 2026•

by Rebecca Comstock

Moultrie County Dove Inc. Coordinator

In my six years as the Moultrie County Coordinator for Dove Inc., I have walked alongside countless teenagers facing situations that would shatter most adults. I have seen the fear in a high schooler’s eyes that is identical to the fear of a thirty-year old spouse.

There is a persistent, dangerous myth in our community that teen dating violence is somehow “lesser” than adult domestic abuse. We call it “drama.” We call it “high school heartbreak.” We tell ourselves they will “grow out of it.”