Category Archives: News Briefs

Facts for Families: Take Time for a “Family Night In” This April

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•April 19, 2023•
By Cheri Burcham
Family Life Educator

April is here and brings many changes. The temperature. The clock. Even our clothing. Why not add one more change to the list? Get out your calendars and pick a night for a “family night in” to relax and spend time together.
What children really want is more time with friends and family. What gets in the way? Children tell us that their family schedules are controlled by sports, school activities, homework and their parents’ work.A “family night in” doesn’t have to be a major event. In fact, simple things are often the most fun and relaxing. Here are some ideas to get you thinking about your April family night in.
· Become birdwatchers. Check out books websites, or apps on birds. Try to identify birds by their appearance or birdcalls. Get out the binoculars and see how many different birds you can find. Read More

Windsor High School Prom Court

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Photo furnished
Windsor High School Prom Court
Windsor High School is pleased to announce their 2023 Prom Court. Pictured back row (left to right): King Candidates Daylen Kircher, Dylan Curry, and Robbie McDaniel. Front row (left to right): Gracie Brownlee, Kiersten Wheeler, and Kaylynn Carey. Prom will be held on Saturday, April 22 at Building 1225 in Sullivan. Coronation will begin at 7:30 p.m. with the dance beginning immediately after.

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month

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•April 19, 2023•
The Illinois Department of Transportation is teaming up with the Illinois State Police and more than 200 local law enforcement agencies to promote Distracted Driving Awareness Month, reminding drivers to “Drop it and Drive.” Throughout April, law enforcement officers will work together to enforce texting and distracted-driving laws. Read More

Illinois Deer Donation Program Donates 33,656 Meals to Area Families

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•April 19, 2023•
With community support, the Illinois Deer Donation Program had a successful first season. During the 2022 season, 8,414 pounds of donated venison were processed by local meat processors. The meat was donated to 37 food pantries, resulting in 33,656 meals to area families.
In response to rising food and meat prices and the challenges food pantries have in obtaining meat, University of Illinois Extension, along with key partners, launched the Illinois Deer Donation Program in 2022. Read More

Lake Land College Mystery Activity Concludes; Resolutions Revealed

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•April 19, 2023•
Lake Land College hosted a mystery event in which more than 534 high school students from 22 schools as well as more than 250 Lake Land College students and even a few community members participated.
The event consisted of a two-week mystery project to solve, including activities in which participants sought out sources of information by utilizing their own resources and inquiring among a predetermined group of people to draw conclusions based on evidence.
Many participants took part in a survey about their findings, leading to the fictional arrests of Division Chair Agriculture/Agriculture Instructor Ryan Orrick, President Josh Bullock and Dean for Workforce Solutions & Community Education Chris Strohl.
“We’ve seen really great engagement from a lot of the people participating,” Philosophy/English Instructor Tara Blaser said. “It’s really great to see how they are analyzing situations and thinking critically to deduce things on their own. It’s very exciting for us to see the participants get so excited about the project.” Read More

You Can Fool Some of the People Some of the Time

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•April 19, 2023•
By Jim Baumann
NP Guest Writer

Judging by the first response I received after last weekend’s column in which I went up against the ChatGPT artificial intelligence human interface, the next assignment I considered giving ChatGPT was to “write a letter of resignation admitting I am of less use than a 1970s-era Texas Instruments calculator.”
David Borck, who has been reading my column from its infancy, wrote: “Seems that YOU are Example A, but truthfully, it is hard to tell.”
Of the two “humorous” column items about gerunds, I wrote Example B (in 5 minutes) while ChatGPT “compiled” its column items in 40 seconds.
But given that 23 of the 28 people who responded guessed correctly, I “tore up” that letter of resignation even before I could ask ChatGPT to “write” it for me.
“The jokes weren’t funny in Example A,” wrote Sun Knisely. Read More

Remember When? 4-19-2023

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25 Years Ago This Week

Derek Elder of Sullivan became the first Eagle Scout in Illinois elected governor during the Eagle Scout Citizenship Day program in Springfield. Elder, a member of Sullivan Troop 39, was one of three Eagle Scouts chosen to represent the Lincoln Trails Council, Boy Scouts of America at the annual event. As a result of his election as governor, he followed Gov. Jim Edgar through his daily routine.
A one pound, 13 ounce red beefsteak mushroom had been found in Moultrie County by Lulu Belle Morris of Sullivan. Read More

Sullivan Schools Hold Art Show at High School Commons

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Art Show attendees view creations during Sullivan Schools Art Show held on Wednesday, April 5 in the high school commons.

•April 12, 2023•
An art show was held on Wednesday, April 5 in the Sullivan High School commons. Art displayed during the show was created by Middle School and High School students. Middle School: 1st Place Rhesa Isaacs, 2nd Place Lorelei Parker, 3rd Place Karson

Robinson. Read More

Caps to Benches Service Project

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Caps to Benches Service Project
Moultrie County Shining Stars 4-H Club has completed their Caps to Benches Service Project. Two benches were donated to the Moultrie-Sullivan Fair as the result of this project that started approximately 3 years ago. Sarina Voegel coordinated the project as our club’s Community Service Chairperson. The club would like to thank everyone who donated caps and/or was a collection site for the club and also the funding sponsors: Dale & Suzy Crawford, Darrell & Connie Meese and Nick & Ginger Voegel. 450 lbs of ‘good’ caps were required in order for them to purchase 1-6’ and 1-8’ bench.