25 Years Ago This Week
The eighth annual Lake Shelbyville Deer Hunt for persons with disabilities, hosted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was held. Fifteen deer were harvested by 23 hunters who participated in the hunt. Trophies were awarded to David Griffit III of Champaign for First Doe; P.J. Sheehan of Shelbyville for Smallest Deer; Avena Kowalczyk of Hinsdale for First Buck and Louis Easi Jr. of Streator for Largest Buck. Read More
Photo furnished
Windsor November Students of the Month
Windsor Jr./Sr. High School recently announced their November Students of the Month Kloey McDaniel and Paisley Montgomery.
Kloey McDaniel is the daughter of Amanda Duncan and Bill McDaniel. She is currently a junior and is involved in FFA, Spanish Club, and Student Council. She plans to one day be an elementary school teacher.
Paisley Montgomery is the daughter of Brock and Kendra Montgomery. She is currently an 8th Grade student and is involved in FFA. She plans to open a pet grooming business after she graduates from high school.
Pictured left to right: Kloey McDaniel and Paisley Montgomery
•December 21, 2022•
The war on Ukraine and supply chain constraints are key drivers of rising energy costs globally and here in Illinois. To keep your home warm this winter and save money by reducing energy costs, the Illinois Commerce Commission is offering a few tips to help homeowners prepare for freezing temperatures.
• Install smart thermostats that automatically adjust heating and cooling temperature settings.
• Check with your utility company about enrolling in time-based electricity rates programs to reduce energy usage during peak hours or to learn about energy efficiency services they may offer.
• Set your thermostat at 68 degrees while you are awake and home, lower at night and when you are away. Read More
•December 21, 2022•
By Cheri Burcham
Family Life Educator
Holiday baking brings family and friends together and creates lasting memories as friends share recipes, stories, and meaningful time together. Amid the flurry of flour-covered countertops and mountains of messy mixing bowls, keep food safety in mind. Extension Educator Susan Glassman has written this helpful article that will come in handy – and not just during the holidays!
Susan says: “Baking and food safety go hand-in-hand. Make sure that your holiday baked goods bring you nothing but deliciousness by taking precautionary measures to prevent foodborne illness.” Raw dough and batters contain raw eggs and flour, two ingredients that can lead to food poisoning if eaten raw. Raw eggs can carry Salmonella bacteria. The harmful bacteria Escherichia coli (E. coli) can contaminate flour – from its original grain form in the field through the processed stage sold to consumers. Both bacteria can cause mild to severe symptoms of food poisoning. Read More
•December 21, 2022•
The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) launched “Are You Really Winning?” - a campaign to build awareness of problem gambling and to promote helpline services for people experiencing gambling problems.
According to research by Health Resources in Action (HRiA), four percent, or nearly 400,000, of Illinois residents have a gambling disorder, and another seven percent, or 700,000, are at risk of developing a gambling disorder.
The “Are You Really Winning?” campaign will reach across the state through TV, radio, social media, and sponsorships to educate the general public on the signs and symptoms of gambling disorder and on the resources available to those in need of support.
The campaign highlights the signs of problem gambling by asking these questions: Read More
•December 21, 2022•
With the holidays in full swing, Illinois Conservation Police officer are partnering with the Illinois Department of Transportation to remind motorists about the dangers of impaired driving.
From Dec. 16 through Jan. 2, law enforcement across Illinois will step up enforcement efforts with a high-visibility “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” and “Drive High, Get a DUI” traffic safety campaign. Read More
•December 21, 2022•
The Family Bereavement Leave Act will go into effect on January 1, 2023, expanding unpaid leave rights for employees across the State. As the New Year approaches, employers should be aware of the new requirements under the Act.
The Family Bereavement Leave Act (FBLA) is an amendment to the Child Bereavement Leave Act (CBLA) that expands leave time requirements to cover pregnancy loss, failed adoptions or surrogacy agreements, unsuccessful reproductive procedures, and other diagnoses or events negatively impacting pregnancy or fertility. The FBLA also requires employers to provide leave time after the loss of family members previously not covered by the CBLA, including spouses, domestic partners, siblings, grandparents, and stepparents. Read More
•December 21, 2022•
By Jim Baumann
NP Guest Writer
Tom Peterson read our story about a former Buffalo Grove middle school teacher charged with sexual assault who removed his ankle bracelet and is in the wind.
At the end of the story, we say his next court hearing will be held whether he is there or not. We wrote, “The next hearing in Gibori’s case is Jan. 4 irrespective of whether he is found.”
“Deep into this story I found the word ‘irrespective.’ Don’t see that one too much these days. Wouldn’t ‘regardless’ be better?”
I must admit I’d never given much thought about “regardless” versus “irrespective.”
I found a lot of quibbling debate about subtle differences depending on which part of speech you’re using them for, but in common parlance people use them interchangeably.
Linguist Bryan A. Garner says so, and I am a fan of his logic. Read More
25 Years Ago This Week
Ruby Fleshner of Bethany won the $100 first prize in the Bethany holiday lighting contest. Names of winners were chosen at randow from among those registered by NewsProgress Managing Editor Dan Hagen at the Bethany Village Hall. Winning the two second prizes were Roger Ozee and Brett Smock. Winning the eight $25 third prizes were Keith Richardson, Tom Marshall, H.O. Dick Transfer, Mary Tueth, Robert Jackson, Jim Underwood, Don Johnson and Leroy Powell. Read More
Photo furnished
Sparrows Unlimited Wrap Presents
Sparrows Unlimited volunteers gathered Saturday, December 10 to wrap Christmas presents to hand out to families of the Lovington community.