•January 10, 2024•

Soup is a staple anytime the weather is chilly or when a person feels like they are coming down with a cold. The warm, therapeutic effects of a delicious bowl of soup are hard to dismiss, and may sometimes work as well as the best medicines available.

While zucchini may be known as a summer vegetable, this popular squash is at home in a tasty soup any time of year. Top with giant, cheesy croutons for a filling and scrumptious crowd-pleaser. Read More

Give This Healthy Dinner a Mexican Twist

All kinds of resolutions are made at the start of a new year, and most of them involve some sort of healthy habit. Losing weight and eating better often top the list of health initiatives. 

Individuals who want to revamp their diets may be on the lookout for healthy recipes. “Health food” may evoke images of lots of leafy greens and bland grains, but diners can rest assured there are plenty of tasty options… even beef.  Read More

•January 3, 2024•

by Sarah Hudson Pierce

columnist

One of the best lectures I’ve heard was at the East Texas Christian Writer’s Conference in Marshall, Texas in 2014. 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 means of coping.

Even though I seldom write poetry anymore even though I’ve had three books of poetry published along with two volumes of inspirational pieces, I know the speaker was right. Read More

•December 27, 2023•

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced several new laws initiated by his office that will take effect at the start of the new year. The initiatives were passed earlier this year by the Illinois General Assembly and signed into law. They include:

Combating Distracted Driving

Giannoulias drafted this legislation to increase road safety by making it illegal to Zoom, watch or stream videos, or access social media sites while driving.

In 2022, more than 24,000 drivers were issued citations for distracted driving in Illinois. Read More

•December 27, 2023•

The minimum wage in Illinois is increasing on January 1st, 2024.

Workers will see an increase of $1 per hour from $13 to $14. The minimum wage for tipped workers will rise to $8.40 per hour and youth workers (under 18) working fewer than 650 hours per calendar year will see their hourly wage increase to $12 per hour.

“Since day one as Governor, I’ve made it my mission to put Springfield back on the side of working families,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “With this new minimum wage increase, we are once again making Illinois a more affordable and equitable place to live for all of our residents.” Read More