Category Archives: News Briefs

As summer travel surges, consumers need to stay alert for scams

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Experts share practical tips to help travelers spot scams and protect their money this summer
•July 15, 2026•

As millions of Americans head out on vacation this summer, First Mid Bank & Trust (First Mid) is encouraging travelers to stay alert for increasingly sophisticated scams designed to steal money and personal information before, during, or after a trip.

From fake vacation home rentals and airline alerts to fraudulent refund offers and Wi-Fi networks, fraudsters are using artificial intelligence (AI) to create convincing scams that pressure travelers into making quick decisions. 

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Tips for grilling safely this summer

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•July 15, 2026•

Plenty of people can be found working their grilling magic year-round. But the vast majority of people do the bulk of their grilling over the summer, when warm temperatures contribute to a relaxed atmosphere that makes outdoor cooking and dining that much more appealing.

The relaxing nature of summer can make it easy to overlook safety, particularly when grilling. However, the right safety measures when cooking over an open flame can prevent home fires and other accidents that can cause injury and even death. In recognition of the many things that can go wrong when grilling, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Fire Administration offer these simple fire safety tips that every grillmaster can keep in mind as summer grilling season hits full swing.

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Tips to strengthen your short game 

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•July 15, 2026•

Every golfer loves to hit a booming shot off the tee. Such a strike can be impressive and inspire confidence. But estimates indicate that as many as 65 percent of the shots the average golfer takes in a typical round are chip shots or putts. So while it can be fun to let it rip from the tee box, data suggests golfers would be wise to direct more focus on their short game.

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Summer food safety tips

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Keep foodborne illnesses out of your summer celebrations
•July 15, 2026•

by Angela Hogan

Summer is the perfect time to enjoy cookouts, family reunions, picnics, and neighborhood celebrations. Unfortunately, warmer temperatures also create ideal conditions for bacteria to grow on food. Each year, millions of Americans become sick from foodborne illnesses, many of which can be prevented by following a few simple food safety practices.

Whether you’re hosting a cookout or bringing a favorite dish to a community gathering, take precautions to help keep everyone healthy. These summer food safety tips are easy and worth practicing.

Keep Hot Foods Hot and Cold Foods Cold

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Local graduate receives recognition

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•July 15, 2026•

2017 Okaw Valley graduate, Moranda “Mo” Matheson, MSN, MBA, RN, has been named one of the Illinois Nurses Foundation’s 2026 40 Under 40 Emerging Nurse Leaders, an honor recognizing 40 nurses across Illinois under the age of 40 who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, education, advocacy, research, and service to the nursing profession.

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Remembering Who We Are……….

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Some More about Col. Moultrie and Sullivan’s Island
•July 15, 2026•

by Janey Roney

Moultrie County residents should note that in this 250th anniversary of our country we have some significant connections to the Revolutionary War. The most obvious one is our name, Moultrie, that honors Colonel, later General, William F. Moultrie of South Carolina who led the successful defense of Fort Sullivan at the entrance to Charleston Harbor from British land and sea forces on June 28, 1776. That is two weeks and 250 years ago as I write this.

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A Look Back…7-15-2026

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2016

When Dr Glen Dust converted his Sullivan Health Care practice to direct primary care, he joined four physicians in Illinois offering concierge medicine. Interest in the trend to replace insurance companies with a membership for primary care grew nationwide as it helped lower health care costs.

Hunter Kamm’s childhood love of fireworks turned into a full-time job designing shows for Bethany, Arthur, Sullivan, and Lovington during the Independence Day celebration season. Kamm, who works for Central States Fireworks in Athens, was in the busiest of the fireworks season.

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Lovington library July programs 

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•July 8, 2026•

10th - Story time from 10:00 to 10:30 a.m. Bring the little ones in for a story and a craft. Kids craft from 3-4 p.m. We will be making a garden-themed craft. 

13th - Craft Club will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Bring whatever project you are working on and join us for the fun.

14th, 21st, and 28th - Summer Reading from 10:00 to11:00 a.m.

15th - Crochet & Coffee from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Bring your crochet, and we will provide the coffee. 

17th - Teen craft time will be from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. 

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LLC offering NREMT testing

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•July 8, 2026•

Lake Land College recently received approval to offer National Registry Emergency Medical Technician (NREMT) licensing examinations on campus, reducing the burden of long-distance travel for graduates of the College’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Paramedic programs to earn their national licenses.

The NREMT exams are designed to evaluate the competence of EMS practitioners at a variety of levels, with content areas defined and validated by subject experts and educators working in EMS fields. The exams are recognized across all 50 states, with successful completion allowing EMTs to transfer their licenses seamlessly across state lines and access career opportunities nationwide. 

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MoDo 4-H kicks off with multi-county dog show 

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•July 8, 2026•

The Moultrie-Douglas 4-H summer show season is officially underway. On June 13th, Moultrie-Douglas 4-H joined 4-H members from Coles County at the Coles County Fairgrounds for the Multi-County 4-H Dog Show, showcasing the hard work, dedication, and special bonds between youth and their canine companions. 

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