•November 4, 2015•

October was warmer and drier than average in Illinois. The statewide average temperature was 55.8 degrees, 1.7 degrees above average, according to Illinois state climatologist Jim Angel, Illinois State Water Survey, University of Illinois.

The statewide average precipitation was 1.47 inches, 1.79 inches below average and the 22nd driest October on record. Even so, there were a few areas on the border with Iowa and Kentucky that received two to three total inches of precipitation. The two largest monthly totals came from Stockton and Orion, both reporting 3.47 inches of precipitation for October. Read More

•October 28, 2015•

By Jim Nowlan
NP Guest Columnist

Bruce Rauner has cast the budget stalemate as a kind of Armageddon—the decisive battle between good and evil. His problem is that no matter how things turn out, the battle between him and the Democrats in the legislature won’t be decisive.

The walls won’t come tumbling down (to mix biblical metaphors) on the Democrats, who hold big majorities in the legislature, in one fell swoop.

Democrats know that Rauner’s strategy of demanding big changes from them or he won’t sign a tax increase is a flawed and hollow threat.

The governor will, unfortunately, have to support a tax increase, back toward the five percent rate for individuals that obtained until January of this year, or he and the Dems cannot balance a budget. Already, it looks as if the state will fail to make an upcoming pension payment, which is what got us into this mess in the first place.

There are two major problems, one of which cannot be overcome, so far as I can see, and the other with which we as a society don’t know yet how to grapple.

First, the funding to replenish the state’s public employee pension funds each year takes $8 billion off the top of a $35 billion state general funds budget. If we didn’t have that burden, our budget situation would be hunky-dory and wouldn’t take much or any tax increase.

But the state high court has said the state must meet this obligation. Read More

•October 21, 2015•

By Jerry L Ginther
NP Columnist

When you saw a ‘57 Chevy coming down the street, even a block away, you knew it was not a ’56 Ford Crown Victoria. Can you remember when cars were easily identifiable at first sight? Proprietary attributes such as front grills, rear tail fins, hood ornaments and chrome trim made them easily recognizable from a considerable distance. The make of the car and the year it was manufactured was unmistakable even to those who knew little about cars otherwise.

When I was a youngster there were several pre WWII autos still on the road, too. Looking back I’m amazed by the fact that some Ford cars had V-8 engines in them before 1940. Those engines were known as flathead V-8s, because the intake and exhaust valves were in the block. Later, in the 50s, the valves were located in the engine head but were referred to as “overhead” valves. Somewhere back in the good old days, I’m told that Lincoln cars were equipped with V-12 engines and overdrive. For a full sized car, I’m thinking that those old Lincolns had to be the fastest vehicles on the highway. Do you remember the song, “Hot Rod Lincoln?” If you’re less than 40 years old, you have probably never heard the term “overdrive” either.

The interior of those pre WWII types sported gadgets that the present generation has likely never seen. Starter pedals were located on the floor next to the accelerator. Actually, they were just a steel rod protruding through the floorboard with a rubber boot around it. One had to push the rod with the right foot to engage the starter. The headlight dimmer switch was also located on the floor, but on the driver’s side of the clutch and brake pedals. This configuration continued for many more years. As technology progressed, the starter switch was improved to a push button on the dashboard. In those older vehicles the ignition switch had to be turned on with a key before the starter was engaged either by the foot switch or the push button. The key was not used to start the engine, only to shut it off. Read More

•October 14, 2015•

By Tyler Harvey
Douglas-Moultrie Farm Bureau Manager

As many of you are well aware, the 2015 harvest is well underway for the year. With the weather we have had over the last few weeks, farmers have tirelessly been working to get the crops out before the weather breaks. Not only farmers, but truck drivers, erg service companies such as South Central FS, and all other helpers have been working nonstop this harvest. Even after the corn and soybeans are harvested, there is still much work to be done. Fall tillage will be continuing, application of anhydrous ammonia, and fertilizer and lime spreading will also be continuing. As of Sunday, October 4, the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) has the Illinois corn crop at 55% harvested. This is slightly above the five year average of 47% for Illinois. The condition of the corn has been rated at 53% good or excellent. Soybeans harvested for the state are well above the five year average of 31% harvested. As of October 4, 49% of the soybean crop has been harvested in Illinois. 60% of the soybean crop has been rated at either good or excellent.

The Moultrie County Farm Bureau and Country Financial representatives delivered harvest treat bags to farmers and local county elevators on October 1. More than 200 goodie bags were distributed to give all out there working day in and day out a break and some snacks while they work the long hours of harvest.  Read More

•October 7, 2015•

By Gerald Tilley
Social Security District Manager in Decatur, IL

Most people love surprises, but many dislike change. It’s just the opposite with Social Security. If you receive benefits, we want to hear about your changes.

Keeping us informed minimizes the chance that we learn about something later that could negatively affect your benefits. That’s the surprise no one wants because it creates overpayments that you must repay, disrupts payments, and can even jeopardize your entitlement to Social Security benefits.

Here is a reminder of some of the most common forms of information Social Security needs from you.

Your address and direct deposit information. We need to know your current mailing address and phone number so we can reach you if needed. This is especially important if you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) since where you live can change the amount of your SSI benefits.

When your direct deposit information is not current, it can cause headaches with missing or delayed payments. You can update your address or direct deposit information when you register for a my Social Security account at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.  Read More