Category Archives: News Briefs

Fall Weather Brings Motorists Out During Harvest; Extra Precautions Needed

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Photo by Illinois Farm Bureau photographer Catrina Rawson
The fall harvest season is a busy time for Illinois farm families. Drivers should be on the lookout for large farm equipment and other slow-moving vehicles on the road and use caution while navigating around them.

•November 2, 2022•
By Richard Guebert Jr.
Illinois Farm Bureau President

The nip in the air of a cool fall morning and crunch of leaves underfoot are hallmark characteristics of autumn weather in Illinois. For many Illinoisans, these indicators prompt a visit to a local pumpkin patch or apple orchard. For farmers, they mean it’s time to head to the field down the road for harvest, with hopes that other drivers use caution while navigating around large farm equipment.
With so many people traveling on rural roads this season, it takes every motorist acting responsibly to ensure each of us gets home safely at the end of the day.
If you’ve never ridden in the cab of a combine or tractor, you may not know how difficult it can be for farmers to see other vehicles while maneuvering from field to field. Limited visibility means that when other drivers on the road get in a hurry and fail to slow down or choose to quickly pass our equipment, situations can become treacherous and, in some cases, deadly.
So how can drivers stay safe around slow-moving vehicles? Read More

New Illinois: Creating a New State Separate from Old Illinois and Chicago

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•November 2, 2022•
On Friday & Saturday, November 11 & 12, 2022, New Illinois will hold the second session of a constitutional convention for the proposed new state. The event will be held at the Thelma Keller Convention Center in Effingham. The Friday evening and Saturday morning presentations will be open to the public.

Speakers will include:
· Ted Dabrowski, nationally known financial expert and president of Wirepoints
· Mark Alan Motsinger, Southern Illinois historian and Advisory Board Member of the Illinois State Historical Society
The idea of splitting the State of Illinois goes back decades. Mark Alan Motsinger will explain the roots of the divide between downstate and Chicago and bring the story to life. Read More

Give Life with Blood and Plasma

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•November 2, 2022•
Financial donations and volunteering are popular ways to give back to nonprofit organizations. However, there are many additional ways to give back, including donations that can help save lives.
Donating blood can be a worthwhile effort for someone looking to make a difference. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says every two seconds someone in the United States needs blood or blood products. When people think of donating blood products, they may think about donating whole blood. However, there’s a need for other components, namely plasma. Here’s a deeper look at what’s involved in the blood and plasma donation process. Read More

Lake Land College Adult Education to Host Free BNA Class

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•November 2, 2022•
Lake Land College Adult Education will be hosting a free basic nursing assistant class in spring 2023 in Marshall. The class is an opportunity for those interested in healthcare professions to begin a career in the field.
A mandatory orientation for the class will take place November 14 from 4 - 7 p.m. at the Lake Land College Marshall Eastern Region Center at 224 S. 6th St., Marshall, Illinois 62441. Read More

Christmas Extravaganza

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•November 2, 2022•
The HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital Partners’ annual Christmas Extravaganza will be held on Thursday, November 10 from 7 a.m.to 2 p.m. The Partners’ artisans will offer an assortment of hand-crafted items along with additional vendors from various businesses. The famous Partners’ Bake Sale will provide a vast selection of goodies and the Santa’s Closet will offer gently used Christmas décor. Three raffle opportunities will be available including a hand sewn quilt, a decorated sled and a “money” tree. Come join in the fun! A parking lot shuttle will be available for easy access to the main lobby. If you would like to join the Partners of St. Mary’s Hospital, please contact Shelli Brunner at the HSHS St. Mary’s Foundation at 217-464-2520 or by email at shelli.brunner@hshs.org

Mike Landacre to Receive Illinois Credit Union League Lifetime Achievement Award

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•November 2, 2022•
The Illinois Credit Union League (ICUL) recently announced Staley Credit Union Board Director Mike Landacre as a 2022 recipient of their Lifetime Achievement Award. As a category in ICUL’s Hall of Fame Awards, this prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes a current or former leader’s contribution to the credit union movement in Illinois and/or at the national level. Nominees must have at least ten years of active involvement in the credit union movement; have participated in league, chapter or national activities; promoted the cooperative nature of credit unions locally; and demonstrated leadership and a personal commitment and vision to the credit union movement. Mike has been an active, engaged and dedicated Board Director of Staley Credit Union since 1996, spanning nearly 27 years. He currently serves as the most senior director and Vice-Chairman on the Staley CU Board and is also an active member on two other Board Committees. Mike’s credit union experience, council and leadership abilities have contributed to the overall success of Staley Credit Union. In addition to his years of service to Staley CU and its membership, Mike has dedicated his time to many different volunteer & community involvement efforts across various organizations for decades. “Mike’s continuous contributions have significantly furthered the credit union spirit of “people helping people”within our Decatur, Illinois community as evidenced by his ongoing commitment to helping others,” stated Kimberly Ervin, President & CEO of Staley Credit Union. “In addition to his work in the community, Mike has also volunteered on our Staley Credit Union Board of Directors for nearly 27 years in a variety of leadership positions. His involvement no doubt benefits each and every member of Staley Credit Union and helps us continue our legacy of 92 years of service to our wonderful members.” The award presentations will occur during the Annual Convention Celebration Luncheon on Friday, November 4, 2022 at the Sheraton Grand Chicago. The luncheon provides a unique opportunity to bring leaders from across Illinois together to celebrate the award recipients and unite on the shared principles of the credit union movement.

Free Welding Classes

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•November 2, 2022•
Lake Land College Adult Education will be offering free welding classes beginning November 14.
Those interested can attend orientation at the Lake Land College Marshall Eastern Region Center, 224 S. 6th St., Marshall, Illinois 62441, on November 14 at 4 p.m.
There will also be a welding orientation at Shelbyville High School, 1001 W. North 6th St., Shelbyville, on November 15 at 4 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to enter through the shop entrance. Read More

No-Calorie Tricks and Treats

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•November 2, 2022•
By Jim Baumann
NP Guest Writer

On All Hallow’s Eve eve, I offer you tricks and treats.
And they’ll all be bite-sized (and likely stale). If you were hoping for a regulation Snickers bar from me, try the next house.
Where? What?
“TV news often headlines things similar to ‘Man shot in River North,’” writes Carl Skrabacz. “In this case, I looked over my body and couldn’t find a River North.”
Well, Carl, I’ve been lucky enough for my tee shot to hit a dogleg every three or four rounds, even if it’s the next fairway over.
Ambish? Read More

Remember When? 11-2-2022

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25 Years Ago This Week

Area radio personality Griz England was mummy-wrapped to raise money for the Moultrie County chapter of Habitat for Humanity following the Sullivan Halloween Parade. Most of the money raised stayed in the county to be used towards the building of a house for a family in Moultrie County.
The Sullivan-Bethany football team shut out Carterville 27-0 in the first round of the Class 2A playoffs.
Moultrie County Sheriff Rieck Kendall was nominated for State Law Officer of the Year by Voiture 287 of La Societe des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux, a group affiliate with the American Legion. Kendall’s nomination was based largely on his successful two-year sturggle to restore two children to their mother while they were being held abroad illegally by their father. Read More