Category Archives: News Briefs

4 Interesting Facts About the Month of February

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•February 14, 2024•

February is the shortest month of the year. Unless it’s a leap year, when an extra day is tacked on to the end of the month, February is just 28 days long. Despite its brevity, February is a notable month, and the following are four interesting facts about the second month of the year.

1. The name “February” comes from the Latin word “februa,” which means “to cleanse.” The ancient Romans celebrated a festival of purification and atonement known as Februalia, and historians believe that celebration, which lasted a month, occurred around the time of year that the month of February now takes place. Read More

Leap Into These Leap Year Facts

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•February 14, 2024•

Leap Year typically takes place every four years. The process of adding a day to the calendar every four years was designed to realign the clock and calendar more closely with how long it takes the Earth to rotate around the sun, which is slightly longer than the 365 days attributed to a year. If not for Leap Year, the seasons would slowly shift out of place.

There are many interesting facts to learn about Leap Year, and February 29 is the perfect time to explore them. 

• It takes the Earth 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes and 45 seconds to circle once around the sun, says Time and Date. Without leap years, we’d lose almost six hours every year. After a century, the calendar would be off by nearly 24 days. Read More

New MRI Technology Recently Installed at HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital

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•February 14, 2024•

In alignment with HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital’s goal to strengthen service lines, the hospital recently installed a state-of-the-art MRI scanner, the Siemens Magnetom Sola 1.5T with BioMatrix patient personalization technology. This new, nearly $1.5 million MRI system provides precise, personalized service with exceptional speed, diagnostic accuracy and patient comfort. Read More

Places & Neighborhoods Grant Application Portal Open

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•February 14, 2024•

The Community Foundation of Macon County (CFMC), is accepting applications from area nonprofit organizations seeking grants from the Places & Neighborhoods fund, a new $100,000 funding opportunity that is part of the $1 million grant funding collaboration, Moving Forward, between the CFMC and Decatur Earthmover Credit Union. Minimum grants awarded per organization are $2,500, and maximum grants are $25,000. Deadline to apply is February 29. Recipients will be announced March 12 at 8:05 am on Byers & Company. Read More

100 Years Ago

News Progress Posted on by

•February 14, 2024•

The month of February has been home to many historical events over the years. Here’s a look at some that helped to shape the world in February 1924.

• Honduran President Rafael López-Gutiérrez refuses to leave office on February 1. López-Gutiérrez cites uncertainty regarding a successor as his reason for remaining in office after initially beginning a four-year term on February 1, 1920.

• Former United States President Woodrow Wilson falls into a coma at 10:30 p.m. on February 2. The 67-year-old former president dies less than 24 hours later. Read More

Get Your New Illinois Highway Map

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•February 14, 2024•

The Illinois Department of Transportation has announced the release of the new Illinois Official Highway Map. The map includes route updates, detailed sections devoted to cities from Zion and Cairo as well as a feature that shows mileage between towns and marked route junctions to assist travelers as they explore Illinois. Read More

Illinois’ Expanded, Earned Income Tax Credit

News Progress Posted on by

•February 14, 2024•

Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) are encouraging Illinoisans to take advantage of savings offered by the newly expanded Illinois Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), a benefit that helps low to moderate income workers get a tax break. For tax year 2023, coverage has been expanded to include taxpayers with an IRS-issued Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), as well as workers ages 18 to 24 and over 65 (without qualifying child).

In addition to expanded coverage, those claiming Illinois EITC this year will see their amount of tax relief increased to a 20 percent (previously 18 percent) match of the amount given federally. Read More

Help HSHS Home Care Collect Food Items for Catholic Charities

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Drive to Be Held Monday, Feb. 19 on HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital campus

•February 14, 2024•

In recognition of February being National Canned Food Month, HSHS Home Care is holding their annual “Cram the Car” food drive this month for the Catholic Charities food pantry to help those struggling with food insecurity.

Community members are invited to “cram” a Home Care car by donating non-perishable items.  On Monday, Feb. 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., a HSHS Home Care branded car will be parked on the HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital campus, by the colleague entrance/receiving area on north side of the hospital accepting donations of items or monetary contributions. Read More

Charles B. Shuman Scholarship Apps.

News Progress Posted on by

•February 14, 2024•

The Moultrie County Farm Bureau has announced that applications are available for the Charles B. Shuman Memorial Scholarship. The $500 scholarship will be awarded to a resident of Moultrie County who is a graduating high school senior or currently enrolled in a University or Community College. The successful applicant should be of good moral character and exhibit potential for successful completion of a course of study in agriculture or related fields. In addition to academic performance, extra curricular and community involvement will also be considered in the selection process. Read More

Peanuts Shine in This Stir-Fry Dish

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•February 14, 2024•

Peanuts work well in sweet desserts and are commonly found in the form of peanut butter swirled with jelly atop bread for lunchtime sandwiches. However, peanuts can be an ingredient in savory dishes as well. In fact, peanuts often are included in the popular Thai dish “Pad Thai,” which is Thailand’s variation on a traditional Chinese stir-fry. It’s salty, sweet and often spicy. Try this version, courtesy of “300 Best Stir-Fry Recipes” (Robert Rose) by Nancie McDermott.

Pad Thai

Serves 2 to 4

4 ounces dry rice noodles

1⁄4 cup chicken stock or water

3 tablespoons fish sauce

2 tablespoons soy sauce Read More