Category Archives: News Briefs

Community Poetry Reading in Tuscola

News Progress Posted on by

•October 25, 2023•

There will be a public poetry reading at the Tuscola Vault Art Gallery on Saturday, October 28 from 2:00 - 4:00 pm. Everyone is invited to come listen or even share some of their favorite or original poems. 

Guest Poet, Dale Ernst is the author of the book, “Light Shining Through an Open Window,” which can be purchased on Amazon.com. Ernst is also a member of the Missouri State Poetry Society.

Artists Karen Honnold and Ariana R. Cherry will be hosting the poetry reading in the Flex Gallery at the Vault. The Vault is located at 100 N Main St in Tuscola near the Candy Kitchen. Students who have a love for poetry are also encouraged to attend.

Pritzker Administration Announces Small Business Grant Awards

News Progress Posted on by

•October 25, 2023•

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) has announced the conclusion of the Back to Business (B2B) Restaurants, Hotels and Arts program with $156 million provided in relief funds. Through these three programs, nearly 4,000 grants went to businesses in over 500 cities, towns and localities in 95 counties across the state. Grantees in Moultrie County were Sullivan Marina and Campground, LLC in the amount of $10,452; Sidem, Inc doing business as Shooters Bar and Grill in the amount of $45,0000; Northend Pub and Grill, LLC in the amount of $50,000; Sol Del Mar II Inc. in the amount of $25,000 and The Little Theatre On The Square, Inc in the amount of $80,000.  Read More

Healthy Snacks for Trick-or-Treaters 

News Progress Posted on by

•October 25, 2023•

Halloween is a festive day for children and adults alike. However, the abundance of candy and chocolate offered on and around Halloween can compromise diets designed to keep people healthy. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, obesity prevalence in the United States was 20.7 percent among children between the ages of six and 11 and 22.2 percent among 12- to 19-year-olds from 2017 to 2020. That’s a significant concern for parents, even during a time of year when candy and other sugary foods take center stage. Read More

How to Roast Pumpkin Seeds 

News Progress Posted on by

•October 25, 2023•

Carving jack-o-lanterns is a Halloween tradition that both adults and children enjoy. It’s hard to resist an opportunity to carve a funny or scary face into a pumpkin that will soon make its way to the front porch, but there’s another irresistible element to carving pumpkins as well. 

Roasted pumpkin seeds make for a tasty, tempting treat. Seeds must be removed before carving pumpkins, so turning them into a savory snack is a great way to make use of them and cook up some fuel for family carving sessions. Read More

Keep Trick or Treaters Safe 

News Progress Posted on by

•October 25, 2023•

Halloween is just days away. One of the most popular holidays in this country, masses of little superheroes, cartoon and television characters will soon be out in their neighborhoods for trick or treat fun. The American Red Cross has tips parents can follow to help keep the kids safe while enjoying the festivities.  

Trick-or-Treating 

· Make your trick-or-treaters visible to others. Provide kids with reflective gear, flashlights and glow sticks to help make the route easier for them to follow and more visible to any vehicles on the roads. Adding reflective tape to costumes and treat buckets can help increase your trick-or-treater’s visibility to traffic.  Read More

Illinois Student Organization Family, Career and Community Leaders of America Holds Meeting

News Progress Posted on by

•October 25, 2023•

Every day the news is filled with negative stories of what teenage youth are doing. Yet, every day we also have thousands of young people who are doing great and positive things. The Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) recognize that teens can play an essential role in improving the lives of families, schools, and communities. Given our vast network of established chapters in schools, FCCLA provides a tremendous vehicle for young people to take on projects and activities in all areas of life. From youth violence to financial fitness and healthy lifestyles, FCCLA members are tackling issues that not only affect the world today but their future also. Read More

Grants Promote Ag Literacy Through Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom

News Progress Posted on by

•October 25, 2023•

The Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom (IAITC) program continues to thrive as a resource for educating children about connections to agriculture. Recently the program received funding to continue classroom lessons thanks to IAA Foundation grants to local county coalitions. 

Eighty coalitions serving 89 Illinois counties were awarded $647,000 in grant dollars which can be used for materials, training, educational lessons, and activities taking place during the 2023-2024 school year. Moultrie County was one of the counties included in this.  Read More

Thompson Selected to Serve on Statewide Vision Group

News Progress Posted on by

•October 25, 2023•

The Regional Office of Education #11 recently announced that Regional Superintendent, Dr. Kyle Thompson, has been appointed as a key member of the IASA Vision 2030 Workgroup.  The Illinois Association of Administrators (IASA) recently developed this visionary initiative following the previously successful framework of its Vision 20/20.  Vision 2030 aims to revolutionize the landscape of public education across the Prairie State.  Read More