•January 11, 2023•
By Jim Baumann
NP Guest Writer

Lucy DelMonico sent me a printed ad that reads: “1 in 2 US adults have diabetes or prediabetes.”
“Is this correct or should it be ‘1 in 2 adults has diabetes’?” she asked.
First of all, that’s a sobering statistic that should encourage more people to participate in Dry January, especially if your drink of choice is a piña colada or a brandy Alexander.
The subject of the sentence is “one.” And “one” takes a singular verb. Oftentimes, people consider “adults” to be the subject. Not so. Read More

•January 4, 2023•
The cold, winter months can pose a risk to our physical health –including our immune system, heart, balance, skin, body temperature and more.
As cold weather, snow and ice become part of our everyday normal in the Midwest, HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital offers the following information and guidance to help you protect and maintain your health this time of year.
“Winter weather and the extreme low temps that it brings can constrict your blood vessels and if you already suffer from certain conditions this could make that condition worse,” said Dr. Vinil Bhuma, chief medical officer at HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital. “Your immune system, heart, skin and potentially your musculoskeletal system are all at risk as we approach winter.” Read More

•January 4, 2023•
With cold weather settling in the Illinois Department of Transportation is reminding the public to visit and bookmark GettingAroundIllinois.com for continually updated information on road conditions. Weather can change quickly in Illinois, so whether you’re driving a short distance or taking a longer trip, GettingAroundIllinois.com is an essential resource to keep you updated 24/7/365 on road conditions throughout the state all winter long. Read More

Brief explanation of Assessment Office duties  and Township Assessor duties 

•January 4, 2023•
The Chief County Assessment Office and Township Assessors, by Illinois Property Tax Code (35 ILCS 200/1-55), must assess property based on 33.33% of the fair market value. The fair market value is set based on “good” sales in Moultrie County.  Read More

•January 4, 2023•
by Sarah Hudson Pierce
Columnist

One of the best lectures I’ve heard about writing was at the East Texas Christian Writer’s Conference held at Marshall, Texas a few years ago.
The speaker emphasized that if a writer really wants to develop his talent the best place to start is newspaper writing.
I heartily agree, although I began writing poetry in 1981, while going through a nervous breakdown. At that time I didn’t realize that therapists highly recommend writing and journal keeping as a coping technique. Read More