Category Archives: News Briefs

Grammar Moses: So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, good night

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•May 8, 2024•

Stick a fork in me, dear readers. I’m done.

Parting is such sweet sorrow, but after a decade of writing this column and four times as long (not four times longer) employed by this newspaper company, I have decided to hand in my press pass, hang up my spurs and, well, retire.

This is my final column.

Retirement is bittersweet for me. I will miss the amazing people I work with, and I’ll also miss all of you who faithfully read these weekly scribblings.

I’ve decided that once I hand the keys to the newsroom to my capable successor, I will focus on a different kind of writing ― namely fiction ― something that doesn’t mix well with newspapers. After a few aborted attempts at writing the Great American Novel over the past 20 years, I’m itchin’ to find out whether I finally can complete one. Read More

Remembering Who We Are… 8

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Considering the Mosquitos

•May 8, 2024•

by Janet Roney

When God created the prairie grass and flowers that covered Moultrie County, “the lilies of the field”, he also created the creatures of the prairie.  It was alive with living creatures…and they were not quiet.  Meadowlarks warbled their happy songs as Redwing blackbirds scolded everything that moved from atop compass plant flower stalks; spring peepers chirped and bull frogs croaked among the cattails in prairie pools; fish splashing in Eagle Pond attracted the notice of bald eagles screaming overhead.   Read More

Personal Assistant Training  

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•May 8, 2024•

Soyland Access to Independent Living, SAIL, will hold a Personal Assistant Training for people interested in working as a Personal Assistant on Tuesday, May 14 2024 beginning at 1 PM at the Shelbyville SAIL office, 1604 West Main Street Suite 100, Shelbyville. Personal Assistants are employed by people with disabilities to perform household chores and personal care tasks in their homes and are paid by the State of Illinois through the Department of Rehabilitation Program. 

A reservation is needed to attend the Personal Assistant Training. For more information about the Personal Assistant Training or to reserve your seat, contact Emily Dobson at 217-876-8888 or 800-358-8080 or email edobson@decatursail.com.

Four high school seniors win $1,000 IMUA Scholarship Awards  

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•May 8, 2024•

Four high-school seniors, one each from the IMUA member municipalities of Bethany, Oglesby, Springfield and Waterloo, have been chosen as finalists in the Illinois Municipal Utilities Association’s (IMUA) 2024 IMUA Scholarship Program essay competition. This year’s winners are Cannon Bernstein of Bethany, a senior at Okaw Valley High School; Aiden Anderson of Oglesby, a senior at LaSalle-Peru Township High School; Isaac Crumrine of Springfield, a senior at Riverton High School; and Katelyn Davis of Waterloo, a senior at Waterloo High School.   Essays written by this year’s four winners were chosen from entries submitted by eligible high-school seniors statewide. Each winner will receive a framed award certificate and $1,000 award check from IMUA, both of which will be presented to each finalist at an upcoming and yet-to-be determined meeting of their respective city council or village board.  This year’s competition featured a choice between five energy-related questions: the advantages and benefits of public power; electric grid security/cybersecurity; electric vehicles (EVs); nuclear fusion and small modular reactors; and, water conservation, water protection and water management. Cannon Bernstein is the son of Letitia Bernstein of Bethany, Bernstein is a member of the National Honor Society, the NHS High Honor Roll and his school’s Golf and Scholastic Bowl teams. He plans to attend Lake Land Community College in Mattoon this fall.

This recipe makes for a great breakfast in bed this Mother’s Day

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•May 8, 2024•

There may be no better way to start Mother’s Day than serving Mom some breakfast in bed. A homemade meal before Mom even gets out of bed can set the right tone for a day that celebrates all mothers have done and continue to do for their children.

There’s no shortage of breakfast in bed options to serve Mom this Mother’s Day. If Mom loves a traditional hearty morning meal, this recipe for “Mixed Berry French Toast” courtesy of Taste of Home (tasteofhome.com) is sure to please. Read More

A Look Back…5-8-2024

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2014

The current ordinance on alcohol sales in Lovington restricts all sales of alcohol on Sundays, but at this week’s monthly meeting, Casey’s store manager Debbie Howell and regional district manager Colleen Leischner requested an amendment to the ordinance to allow sales from noon to close on Sundays, citing a loss of potential revenue due to boaters who filled their tanks and sought to buy alcohol.

The 2014 Okaw Valley High School Prom King and Queen were crowned May 3 at The Lions Center in Mt. Zion. Alex Sims and Shelby Dash were named king and queen.

Mollie Bowman signed her letter of intent on April 17 to compete in track and field at McKendree University, where she got a full academic ride. Read More

SHS FCCLA Awards Banquet

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Photo furnished
Award winners (l to r): Shanice Brant, Sarina Voegel, Damian Lee, Hayden Nohren.

•May 8, 2024•

Photo furnished
2024-25 Officers (l to r): Linnea Graham, Sarina Voegel, Addison Brush, Claire Welch.

Sullivan High School FCCLA held their End of Year Banquet and Awards dinner on April 25th in the SHS Commons. Newly elected officers for the 2024-2025 School year were installed, as well as presenting members with certificates of leadership participation and special awards were given out. The special awards:

Resiliency in Red - Sarina Voegel, Pearl Award - Shanice Brant, 110% Award - Damian Lee, Table Award - Keegan Betts, Lockwood Award - Hayden Nohren.

2024-2025 Officers: President - Addison Brush, Vice President - Claire Welch, Secretary- Sarina Voegel, Treasurer - Linnea Graham

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LLC to celebrate Commencement Ceremony

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•May 1, 2024•

Lake Land College will honor graduates at the annual Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 10 at 6 p.m. in the Field House.

More than 600 students will receive degrees and certificates this spring, with more than 340 graduates expected to participate in the ceremony.  Read More

Sparrows receives grant

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Sparrows receives grant
Sparrows Unlimited Inc. was one of the recipients of an Orange Krush Foundation Grant this year. Orange Krush is a branch of the registered student organization (RSO), Illini Pride, at the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign. In its current form, the Organization has two faces. First, the Orange Krush is the student cheering section for the University of Illinois men’s basketball team. Second, the Orange Krush exists as a charitable organization known as the Orange Krush Foundation. Kelly Creek and Pam Anklam attended their awards ceremony on April 23 representing Sparrows.

Benefit held

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Benefit held
A pancake and sausage benefit was held Saturday at the Lovington Firehouse to help a fellow resident acquire some specialized equipment. Jason Brown has been quadriplegic for over 20 years and needs this equipment to help him move more freely around his house. Pictured is Jason, center, speaking with a couple of the supporters.