•November 27, 2019•
By Jim Nowlan
NP Guest Columnist

As readers might surmise from reading the news about Illinois, our state is arguably embedded in a political culture (patterns of behavior) of corruption (unearned personal gain at public expense). This doesn’t mean that everyone in the Prairie State is corrupt, but that there is a learned disposition among too many of us that if we have a chance to take advantage of government, we might as well do so, as everyone else would do so in the same situation.
I have some ideas that could transform our disposition, but as with any cultural change, it will take time. After all, ingrained habits are hard to break.
Political cultures vary. For example, uncontrollably nice Iowans would scrunch their noses in horror at the bribery and abuse of government power that we brush off as just the way too many Illinois politicians operate.
Corruption has been part of our culture since political candidates on the Illinois frontier treated neighbors to rum and vittles in return for their votes. Later, as recently arrived, hyphenated-Americans in Chicago were shunned from legitimate business by the WASPs who arrived earlier, many turned to politics for careers in which they could do well while doing good.
Things have indeed gotten better on the corruption front in Illinois. Read More

•November 27, 2019•
Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond High School FCCLA participated in the Illinois FCCLA Fall Leadership Meeting held October 15 at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston.
This year, the students who attended the annual Fall Leadership Meeting could attend an array of workshops on current issues including relationships, healthy eating, conversation etiquette, social networking, resume building, fitness, FCCLA competitive events information and Ronald McDonald House charities. Mr. Jeff Fritchtnitch was the keynote speaker at the event.
ALAH High School had 25 students attend the conference.

Photo furnished
ALAH students attending were: Brook Tucker, Kaylee Schrock, Andalyn Hodge, Mackenzie Parrish, Kirsten Corum, Jordan Quertermous, Hunter Carson, Ryli Kauffman, Mackenzie Erixon, Katie Smith, Shalonda Hettinger, Hailey Miller, Kaitlyn Zander, Mikayla Williams, Katelyn Ahrendt, Layna Kapp, Sarah Rafferty, Megan Harshbarger, Kaci Beachy, Adriana Burton, Erin Schrock, Josie Hale, Kassidy Bissey, Kate Petersheim, and Logan Streible. Students were accompanied by their FCCLA Adviser, Ginger Voegel and EIU Practicum student, Desiree Thomas.

25 Years Ago This Week

Lakeland Marine Outdoor World, Inc. of Arcola was selected long term operator of former Fox Harbor marine facility. LLM Chairman and CEO Bill MacPhee said his company plans to invest $1.8 to $2 million, adding dock space for 50 boats within a year. Westree Marine, Art Hemmerline and Dennis Fayhee from Paris, who had purchased Fox Harbor’s physical assets during the Sept bankruptcy auction, all submitted proposals.
Phyllis McReynolds of Bethany was recently elected chairman of the Moultrie-Douglas Extension Foundation.
Brian McDowell of Sullivan is vice chairman, John Dukeman of Arthur, treasurer; Martha Fleming of Sullivan, secretary. Board members include Nancy Burnett of Villa Grove, Roger Tice of Sullivan, Ken Dalimier of Oakland, Doug Wood of Sullivan, Kim Bassett of Tuscola and Karen Smith of Newman. Read More