Category Archives: free news stories

Amish Country Tractor Cruise Comes to an End

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•January 4, 2023•

The Amish Country Tractor Cruise will not be held in 2023 and there are no plans to have the cruise in future years. “My interests have changed.” says Jim Fleming, Director and Co-Founder of the cruise which started in 2010. The cruise traveled a different route each year and attracted participants from seven states. The cruise was very successful and received national recognition in the Heritage Iron magazine in 2021. Fleming added, “what made this cruise successful were the excellent volunteers and sponsors who gave of their time and money to make it a safe and fun event.” Monies from the cruise funded scholarships for FFA members. Arthur is unique in that it has hosted two cruises in recent years. The Cliff Kauffman Memorial Tractor Drive is scheduled for Labor Day in Arthur.

LLC Board of Trustees Election

News Progress Posted on by

•December 28, 2022•

The Lake Land College Board of Trustees election will be held in the April 4, 2023, general election. Three six-year terms will appear on the ballot for Lake Land College.
The following three individuals have submitted petitions for a six-year term and will appear in this order on the ballot: Denise Walk, Teutopolis, Doris Reynolds, Mattoon, and Mike Sullivan, Mattoon.
Due to an inclement weather incident and the College being closed on Thursday, December 22, 2022, the revised period for filing objections to nomination papers will be 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on the following dates: Tuesday, January 3, 2023; Wednesday, January 4, 2023; and Thursday, January 5, 2023.
File all materials at the Office of the President, Lake Land College, Board and Administration Center, 5001 Lake Land Blvd., Mattoon, IL 61938. For more information, please contact Jean Anne Highland, chief of staff, at 217-234-5329 or jhighland@lakelandcollege.edu.

Summer Employment Available

News Progress Posted on by

•December 28, 2022•

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Lake Shelbyville is looking for qualified candidates to fill student vacancies for the 2023 summer recreation season. Lake Shelbyville offers a great work experience opportunity for those students who plan to make a career in biological sciences, outdoor recreation, or law enforcement. Temporary student positions are available for graduating seniors and college students at the GS-02 level. These positions are available in Interpretive Services, Visitor Assistance, Facility/Grounds Maintenance, Environmental Stewardship, and Administration with an hourly rate around $15.30 and a 40 hour per week work schedule during the summer term. Candidates may be required to work a combination of days, nights, weekends, and holiday shifts.
Basic Requirements and Qualifications:
• Enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a technical or vocational school, 2-year or 4-year college or university, graduate or professional school, at a qualifying educational institution on a half-time or full-time basis pursuing a qualifying degree or certificate
• Minimum education requirement of high school diploma or GED
• Good academic standing with a cumulative 2.0 grade point average
• Transcripts and proof of enrollment/acceptance letter• Detailed resume showing eligibility for this position
• Required to sign a Pathways Participant Agreement
Temporary Student Position(s): Announcement closes January 11, 2023
Job Announcements are available online at www.usajobs.gov under the job announcement number. Applicants must create a USAjobs account, build a profile, and create a resume. The job announcements can be located by entering the announcement number into the “keyword” search query on the homepage. Applicants are strongly encouraged to call the Lake Shelbyville Project Office at (217)774-3951 extension 0 for any questions or assistance in applying for these positions.

Christmas Tree Recycling Program

News Progress Posted on by

•December 21, 2022•

Don’t let your Christmas tree go to waste this year after the holidays. Extend your tree’s life by donating it for Fish Habitat Improvement Day at Lake Shelbyville. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources will place discarded trees into Lake Shelbyville to enhance the fisheries for years to come. Donated Christmas trees are bundled together in small groups and submerged in the lake at select locations. These structures provide fish with breeding areas and escape cover, proving invaluable to not only the fisheries but to anglers as well. New trees are added to sites each year to maintain suitable cover.
Trees will be collected in Shelbyville and Sullivan again this year. In Sullivan, trees can be taken to the Sullivan 66 Gas Station, located south of Sullivan on route 32. Trees can be dropped off inside the fenced area on the north side of the building.
In Shelbyville, the designated collection site is at Johnstowne Mall on the west side of Shelbyville. Please place trees inside the fenced area on the grass at the northwest corner of the parking area. Trees will be collected at both sites through February 20, 2023. Before delivering your tree please remove the stand, tinsel and any ornaments. If you have placed a plastic bag on your tree, remove it before leaving the tree. Please do not leave any other kind of tree trimmings, wreaths, flowers or yard waste at the sites. For more information on this fish habitat project, contact Cory Donnel at (217) 774-3951, ext 7001.

Lash Named to Honor Roll

News Progress Posted on by

•December 21, 2022•

Colten Lash, of Bethany, has been named to the Honor Roll at Bethel University. To qualify for the Honor Roll, undergraduates must have completed 12 or more hours of academic work with an average GPA of 3.7 or above and no grade lower than a “C.”

Rhodes Named to Dean’s List

News Progress Posted on by

•December 21, 2022•

Keegan Rhodes, from Mattoon, was named to the Milwaukee School of Engineering’s Dean’s List for the 2022 Fall Quarter. Rhodes is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science.
Undergraduate students who have earned at least 30 credits and have a cumulative GPA of 3.20 or higher (out of 4.0) are on the Dean’s List. Students who have maintained a 3.70 or higher receive “high honors.”

Blood Drive in Lovington

News Progress Posted on by

•December 21, 2022•

The Lovington First Christian Church will be hosting a Red Cross Blood Drive on Wednesday, January 4 from Noon to 5:30pm. Individuals interested in donating blood may make an appointment with redcrossblood.org. Walk-ins are also welcome.

Holiday Hours for MCHGS

News Progress Posted on by

•December 14, 2022•

The Moultrie County Historical and Genealogical Society will be closed from Friday, December 23 until they reopen on January 5, 2023 at 9:00 a.m.
This has been a very busy year for the Society from acquiring a new building, moving and setting up the library and the museum with many new ways to research historical and family records and setting up many new displays in the museum that depict Moultrie County history and the people of Moultrie County who lived and work here.
Plans being made for a Grand Opening to take place in the Spring along with many outdoor displays that will take place during the new year.

Mobile Food Pantry in Sullivan

News Progress Posted on by

•December 14, 2022•

The University of Illinois Extension in cooperating partnership with Decatur Catholic Charities and Sullivan United Methodist Church will be holding a mobile food pantry on Wednesday, January 11 from 4-5 pm at Sullivan United Methodist, 216 W. Jefferson, Sullivan (across from the firehouse in Sullivan). A mobile food pantry delivers a 2 week supply of food per family in rural communities. Any individual or family that does not have a steady food supply qualifies to receive food. No financial information is required to qualify. This distribution is open to all, not only residents of Sullivan. Sign up deadline is by Wednesday, January 4 at 4:30 pm by calling 217-259-2920 or 217-728-8521. Once your form is completed by phone, you will be given a number to bring with you on the day of distribution. If you lose your number, you need to bring identification. The food will be distributed according to your household size on January 11 from 4-5 pm at the Methodist Church in the parking lot across the street.

Schedule for Monthly Brain Health Classes

News Progress Posted on by

•December 7, 2022•

By Cheri Burcham
Family Life Educator

There is increasing evidence that brain health is directly related to body health. However, most people think more about keeping their bodies fit or their hearts healthy than working at maintaining a healthy brain. Cheri Burcham, Family Life Educator for the University of Illinois Extension, will be offering free “Wits Fitness: Brain Exercise Classes” in five different locations each month except for July and December. Locations and dates for 2023 include:
· Every first Monday of the month at the LifeSpan Center of Coles County at 10:00 AM (except for January 9 and Sept. 11 due to holidays.)
· Every first Monday of the month at the Shelby County Senior Center at 1:00 PM (except January 9 and Sept. 11 due to holidays.)
· Every third Monday of the month at the Arthur Extension office at 3:00 PM (except for January 23 and June 26 due to holidays.)
· Every fourth Monday of the month at Mid-Illinois Senior Services at 1:00 PM.
· Every fourth Friday of the month at the Life Center of Cumberland County at 10:30 AM (except for November 17 due to holiday.)
Cheri will lead participants through interactive activities designed to exercise the brain to maintain and enhance cognitive function and memory. There is no cost to attend, but registration is recommended by calling the class locations or the Extension office at 543-3755. You are never too young or old to get started training your brain, so join Cheri in this fun and informative class! University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate, please call 543-3755.