•October 26, 2022•
Fall is here and while it’s a beautiful time of year as the leaves change color, the Illinois Department of Transportation and Illinois Department of Natural Resources are reminding motorists that deer mating season has also arrived. That means deer become more active, mainly at dawn and dusk from October through December.
“Deer often travel in groups, so if a deer crosses the road ahead of you, there is a good possibility that another will follow. Always be prepared for the unexpected. A deer might stop in the middle of the road or double back,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “Don’t veer for deer – it could cause you to lose control of your vehicle and swerve into another lane or off the road.”
In 2021, 14,522 motor vehicle crashes involved deer in Illinois. Of these, 13,936 resulted in damage to property or vehicles, while 584 caused personal injuries. Two of the crashes resulted in fatalities. Read More
Category Archives: News Briefs
Facts for Families: Five Ways to Combat the Stigma of Mental Health Challenges
•October 26, 2022•
By Cheri Burcham
Family Life Educator
October 10 was World Mental Health Day, and although it has passed, I still wanted to share this article written by Extension Educator Emily Schoenfelder because of its importance. Having lived experience with mental health challenges myself and with loved ones, I feel it is vital to raise awareness around mental health issues. It is good to encourage everyone – in our communities, our workplaces, and our homes – to make mental health and well-being a priority. So how can you help?
Well, one of the biggest barriers to addressing mental health issues is stigma. Mental health stigma, or negative perceptions around mental health issues and those affected by them, can create lasting damage. This stigma can come from external sources, or it can be internalized as negative self-talk or personal beliefs. It can cause those affected to feel shame and loneliness, suffer from bullying and discrimination, and become less likely to seek or stick with treatment. Luckily, there are easy ways that you and your family can take a stand against stigma: Read More
A Tale of Two Cities
•October 26, 2022•
By Jim Baumann
NP Guest Writer
Sorry for the Victorian clickbait headline, Dickens fans. This is my first and last mention of London and Paris, and there will be no revolution with which to frame this column.
Rather, this is about Chicago and Chattanooga, Tennessee.
I spend a good deal of time in the South these days, exploring the state parks of Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama. It’s beautiful and verdant, and unlike in Colorado you can traverse what we call a mountain in 20 minutes or so.
I grew up in Arlington Heights and went to high school in Mount Prospect, two towns with high aspirations but nearly no topographical diversity between them. Read More
Remember When? 10-26-2022
25 Years Ago This Week
The Bethany volleyball team ended its regular season on a positive note as they defeated Findlay for third place in the Meridian Conference Tournament. The Fillies made quick work of the Falcons, disposing of them in two games 15-10, 15-0. Bethany ended the regular season with a record of (10-14), (3-1) in the conference, good enough for a second place finish.
The Sullivan-Bethany football team finished third in the Okaw Valley Conference after suffering a defeat by Monticello. The Sages beat the Redskins 21-0 in what was a very tough defensive game. Despite losing the final game of the regular season they earned a birth in the Class 2A playoffs. Their first round opponent was Carterville. Read More
Menu 10-19-2022
Senior Peace Meal
For additional information or for reservations, please call 1-800-543-1770
Oct. 24 - Sloppy Joes, Sweet Potato Cubes, Green Beans, Chunky Applesauce, Whole Grain Bun
Oct. 25 - Chicken Pot Pie, Tomato & Zucchini, Warm Fruit Compote, Biscuit
Oct. 26 - Ham and Beans, Copper Carrots, Fruit Cocktail, Cornbread, Dessert
Oct. 27 - Pizza Mac Casserole, Peas, Corn , Romaine Salad w/Dressing Packet
Oct. 28 - Liver and onions, Potatoes Au Gratin, Mixed Vegetables, Apricots, Whole Grain Roll
Sullivan Fire Protection Dist. Fire Prevention Education event 2022
Photo by Crystal Reed
Photo Opportunity
Raylan and Kayson Roe smile for a photo during the Sullivan Fire Protection District’s Fire Prevention Education event held on Saturday, October 15.
Photo by Crystal Reed
Freddie The Fire Truck
Children interact with Freddie The Fire Truck during the Fire Prevention Education Day at the corner of Jackson and Hamilton.
Photo by Crystal Reed
Frank The Firefighter
Zola Krieger with Frank The Firefighter during the Fire Prevention Education event held by the Sullivan Fire Department.
Photo by Crystal Reed
Checking Out A Fire Truck
Paislee and Tinsleigh Schiefelbein and Leiah Mexicotte enjoyed taking a look around a firetruck on Saturday, October 15.
Social Security 8.7 Percent Benefit Increase for 2023
•October 19, 2022•
Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for approximately 70 million Americans will increase 8.7 percent in 2023, the Social Security Administration announced Thursday, October 13. On average, Social Security benefits will increase by more than $140 per month starting in January.
The 8.7 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits payable to more than 65 million Social Security beneficiaries in January 2023. Increased payments to more than 7 million SSI beneficiaries will begin on December 30, 2022. (Note: some people receive both Social Security and SSI benefits). The Social Security Act ties the annual COLA to the increase in the Consumer Price Index as determined by the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. Read More
Attorney General Candidates Clash Over SAFE-T Act, Public Health Measures
•October 19, 2022•
By Peter Hancock
Capitol News Illinois
phancock @ capitolnewsillinois.com
Attorney General Kwame Raoul accused his Republican challenger Thomas DeVore of making “dangerous” remarks, while DeVore accused the Democratic incumbent of failing the state’s school students by not challenging Gov. JB Pritzker’s COVID-19 mitigations.
The charges and countercharges came during a nearly hourlong debate organized by the Illinois Associated Press Media Editors and Capitol News Illinois that was conducted Monday via Zoom.
Raoul, a former state senator from Chicago, is seeking his second term in the AG’s office while DeVore, a southern Illinois attorney in private practice, is trying to unseat him. Read More
Crop Yields Remain Volatile This Year
•October 19, 2022•
Harvest seasons vary depending on the crop that was planted, but late summer and fall are busy times of year for farmers. And since the pandemic began, farmers have been working overtime to ensure that their goods make it to market on time.
The agricultural sector is affected by a number of variables, including the weather and pests. The pandemic is yet another of those variables, and consumers may want to know how the many factors that affect the agricultural sector could affect what is and isn’t in the grocery store in the months to come.
Wheat products: A variety of factors have affected the availability of wheat-based products. Earlier this year, exceptional drought levels in the midwest — areas with high production of wheat products — coupled with concern about spring rainfall amounts being enough for summer crops to thrive may continue to adversely affect the availability of breads, pastas and other items made from wheat. Read More
How to Prepare Your Car for Winter
•October 19, 2022•
Summer and fall can stake their claim as road trip season, and even devoted drivers may admit that winter is generally a less desirable time to take to the open road. The elements factor heavily into that reputation, as fewer hours of daylight, snow and ice are just some of the variables that can make it less enjoyable, and potentially more dangerous, to drive in winter.
In anticipation of adverse driving conditions, vehicle owners can take various steps to prepare their cars and trucks for winter.
• Upgrade your wiper blades. Perhaps nothing is compromised more than visibility when driving in winter compared to other times of year. Snow makes it hard to see when driving, but fewer hours of daylight also can affect visibility. In fact, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that approximately half of all fatal crashes occur between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., even though the number of drivers on the road during those hours is considerably lower than it is during the daytime. The difficulty of driving at night is even more significant when wiper blades are not up to the task of keeping rain and snow off drivers’ windshields. Prior to winter, inspect wiper blades and upgrade them, if necessary. Streaks left on a windshield are a telltale sign that blades need to be replaced. Read More