•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
Category Archives: News Briefs
Conservation Police to Enforce DUI Laws during Holiday Season
•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
Expanded Bereavement Leave Rights take Effect Jan. 1
•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
Making A Spectacle Of ‘Irrespective’
•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
Remember When? 12-21-2022
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
Sparrows Unlimited Wrap Presents
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Sparrows Unlimited Wrap Presents
Sparrows Unlimited volunteers gathered Saturday, December 10 to wrap Christmas presents to hand out to families of the Lovington community.
Moultrie County Food Pantry Candy Fundraiser 2022
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Moultrie County Food Pantry Candy Fundraiser
Cathrine Craig looks through candy orders from the Moultrie County Food Pantry Candy Fundraiser. Cathrine’s served as a pickup location for candy orders again this year for the fundraiser. Flesor’s donated a percentage of sales to the food pantry which came out to $1,565.00 and Devon Story of Flesor’s donated an additional $100 coming to a total of $1,665. The Moultrie County Food Pantry is grateful for the support they receive each year from Cathrine’s and the quality candy from Flesor’s in Tuscola.
Dancers from the Dance Station Perform at Disney 2022
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Dancers from the Dance Station Perform at Disney
Dancers from The Dance Station performed at Disney on December 8-11. They performed in a stage show at Hollywood Studios on December 9. The younger dancers performed in a parade at Disney Springs on December 9, and the older dancers performed in a parade at Magic Kingdom on December 10. The parade performance was entitled “What Christmas Means to Me.” The performance was a medley of songs including Rockabilly Christmas and the Snowmiser/Heatmiser songs with Libby Wall as “Mr. White Christmas” and Bo Neal as “Mr. Green Christmas.” Dancers are from The Dance Station in Bethany and hail from Sullivan, Moweaqua, Assumption and Bethany. Pictured from left to right are: Libby Wall, Natalee Myers, Mileigh Brown, Charleigh Minott, Madison Wall, Katie Smith, Wren Wall and Bo Neal.
Sullivan Dance Studio’s Competition Team Members
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Sullivan Dance Studio’s Competition Team Members
attend Convention
Sullivan Dance Studio had 31 Competition Dance team members attend Dance Directive Master Classes Tour in St. Charles, Missouri on November 6, 2022. Those attending were: Gianna Krieger, Tiffany Hostetler, Mia Lovett, Natalia Beals, Kaylee Hostetler, Avery Smith, Pearl Akins, Addi Finn, Avery Patterson, Harlyn Wichert, Fionn Lynch, Lexi Yoder, Addisyn Carter, Brinnley Hobbs, Aubrie Payne, Emma Hostetler, Addie Patterson, Hannah Taylor, Macie Rodgers, Alyssa Taylor, Kylin Wehrle, Miah Voegel, Avery Florey, Aleena Ingram, Adalee Foster, Gabrielle Carpenter, Lillian Hood, Synthea Doss, Zoe Lynch, Sarina Voegel and Sophie Foster. Special shout outs to Natalia Beals and Gianna Krieger for being recognized by staff for their smiles, eagerness to learn and exuding their love for dance. And to Sarina Voegel for being chosen by peers during the lyrical combination. Dance Directive Conventions have classes, training and instruction with some of the top teachers and dance professionals from around the country. Those who attended had a chance to attend ballet, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop, jazz, tap classes and more.
Assessment Officer to hold Annual Meeting
•December 14, 2022•
As required by Section 200/9-15 of the Property Tax Code, Moultrie County Chief County Assessment Officer, Lori Barringer, advises that she will be holding her Annual Meeting with the Moultrie County township and multi-township assessors on Wednesday, December 21, 2022, at 8:30 a.m. in the Moultrie County Board Room, 2nd Floor, Moultrie County Courthouse, 10 South Main Street, Sullivan, Illinois. The purpose of this meeting is to consult with and instruct the assessors in the uniformity of their property tax listing and assessment functions. The meeting is open to the public.