•April 14, 2021•

Findlay farmer Troy Uphoff earned a first-place state award in the 2020 National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) National Corn Yield Contest. He is among the highest corn yield producers in the nation. Uphoff placed with DEKALB DKC63-57RIB brand corn yielding an outstanding 323 bushels per acre in the Conventional Non-Irrigated category.
“It’s amazing to see the hard work, time and innovation these farmers put into their operations to grow high-yielding corn,” said Kathleen McKittrick, DEKALB Brand Manager. “The DEKALB brand is proud to help farmers increase performance potential and reach their yield goals with exclusive genetics.”
The 56th NCGA contest continues to challenge farmers to achieve record-setting yields with improved management practices that can help farmers everywhere. It’s NCGA’s most popular program with this year’s event producing 7,869 entries.
In the 2020 NCGA yield contest, DEKALB farmers captured 10 of the 27 national awards and 156 first through third place awards at the state level, 55 of which yielded 300 bushels per acre or higher.
To learn more about maximizing yield performance potential and see a full list of DEKALB winners, visit www.asgrowdekalb.com or contact your local DEKALB Asgrow dealer.

•April 14, 2021•

To help ease the ongoing needs of Illinoisans created by the COVID-19 pandemic, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) has awarded C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation a $20,000 grant as part of BCBSIL’s latest round of giving aimed at helping the helpers.
“This generous award from BCBSIL COVID-19 Community Collaboration Fund could not have come at a better time” says Cindy Mayer, Director of Homeless Services. “We will be able to meet the needs of the unsheltered in our communities. Thank you BSBS of IL.”
BCBSIL selected 175 organizations across Illinois with missions focused on access to care, hunger, shelter and behavioral health care, and COVID-19 health education and vaccine access to receive $20,000 grants as part of its COVID-19 Community Collaboration Fund.
“A year into the pandemic and the health, economic and social impacts around Illinois are still great,” said Harmony Harrington, vice-president government and community relations for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois. “We’re proud to be able to help so many organizations increase their capacity to help more people receive the help they need.”
C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation is a Community Action Agency which is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit corporation serving economically and socially disadvantaged persons in the seven rural Illinois counties of Clay, Effingham, Fayette, Shelby, Moultrie, Montgomery, and Christian. C.E.F.S. mission statement is to provide opportunities for people in our communities through education and support to achieve and maintain stability.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) is committed to expanding access to quality, cost-effective health care to as many people as possible in Illinois. BCBSIL is dedicated to innovation and exploring, nurturing and activating future possibilities to make the health care system work better for our members and our communities.

•April 7, 2021•

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign recently announced their December 2020 graduates. Graduates from our area are Jakob Brewer and Landon Gingerich, both of Arthur.

•April 7, 2021•

A blood drive will be held on Monday, April 12 from 3 to 6 p.m. at the St. Columcille Church Hall, 516 W. Jackson St. Masks and appointments are required. To schedule a time, call 217-367-2202 or register online at www.bloodcenter.org. Bring a photo I.D. and eat prior to donation.

•April 7, 2021•

The CEFS Moultrie County Food Pantry has extended their hours to Tuesday-Friday 10 am-noon and 2 -4 p.m. to help provide more assistance to the community. The pantry is currently in need of oatmeal and potato products.