•September 21, 2022•
The Illinois State Fair has released estimated attendance totals for 2022. Over 636,700 visitors walked through the gates this year making it the highest attended fair since industry attendance calculation were put into effect, beating previous records also set under the Pritzker administration. Weekend attendance during the fair saw an increase of nearly 95,000 people over 2021.
The high attendance numbers are also reflected by the over $6.4 million in estimated revenue. While the 2022 estimated revenue figures appear to have fallen just short of the 2019 record of $6.5 million, it is important to point out that these are estimated figures. Percentage-based vendors have yet to begin their payment. It should also be noted two Illinois State Fair events generally held during the fair, the Illinois State Fair Rodeo and the Bettenhausen 100 will be held at later dates in 2022, adding to the overall revenue numbers. Read More
Category Archives: News Briefs
Helping the Dementia Caregiver: What Family and Friends can do to Lighten the Load
•September 21, 2022•
By Shannon Nosbisch
CDP, DCS
Caregiving is one of the most stressful jobs! According to the Alzheimer’s Association in 2019, 60% of dementia caregivers report high or very high stress levels with an estimated 40% experiencing clinical depression! It is a demanding, 24/7, stressful job! Caregivers need help, but often don’t like to ask. Ask them what they need specifically, not “let me know if you need anything”. Offer suggestions of what you are willing to do. If they do mention something that they need help with, even if it is something you might not want to do, do it.
Even when a caregiver replies “fine” when asked how they are doing, you may have to dig a little deeper to find out how they are really doing. Let them know that you understand that caregiving is hard and offer to listen when they are ready to talk. Caregivers and their families may need time to assess their needs and determine what they need help with. Listening is probably the most important way to help a caregiver, especially without offering judgment or suggestions unless asked to. Caregivers rarely expect to solve their problems, but they need to vent their frustration and sorrow from time to time. Read More
Lake Land College Unveils New Retiree Wall of Fame
Photo furnished
Lake Land College unveiled the new Retiree Wall of Fame display located in the Luther Student Center at the Mattoon campus at an event Monday. The recent retirees pictured include (left to right): Ken Beno, Wally Taylor, Linda Von Behren and Joyce Allen.
•September 21, 2022•
Lake Land College unveiled the new Retiree Wall of Fame display located in the Luther Student Center at the Mattoon campus at an event on Monday, September 12.
The Retiree Wall of Fame was created in 2008 to recognize the outstanding achievements of past Lake Land College faculty and staff who created the student-first principles college employees live by today.
Since 2008, the college completed the long-awaited renovation of the Luther Student Center to create a welcoming, one-stop center for students.
“As part of that renovation, the college had the opportunity to develop a contemporary and prestigious Retiree Wall of Fame display that truly reflected the forward-thinking mindset of the many retirees honored throughout the years,” Lake Land College President Josh Bullock said.
The college’s goal was to create a statement piece that could be easily updated each year with new inductees and one that would fit in with the progressive look and feel of the Luther Student Center. Read More
Sullivan City Council Election Information
•September 21, 2022•
Prospective candidates interested in running for a 2023-2027 term for the Sullivan City Council may pick up an information packet at the Sullivan City Building, 304 S. Hamilton St, Sullivan. Packets will be available on September 20, 2022. The City Building is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and is closed over the lunch hour from 12:00 p.m to 1:00 p.m.
The filing date will be December 12, 2022, through December 19, 2022, for placement on the ballot of the Consolidated Election to be held on April 4, 2023.
Lake Land College to Host Health & Public Services Open House
•September 21, 2022•
Lake Land College will be hosting a Health & Public Services Open House on Tuesday, October 4 from 6-8 p.m. The event will begin at the Theatre in the Luther Student Center on campus in Mattoon. Read More
ROSC Observes Recovery Month with Events
•September 21, 2022•
Recovery Oriented Systems of Care (ROSC) is implementing a variety of events in September in Moultrie County for recovery month. 100 resource bags have been created to hand out to community members to assist those in need. The bags contain various hygienic items, positive recovery materials, and a box of Narcan. The resource bags will be able to provide those in need with resources that are important to their mental and physical health. Read More
Arthur Christian School Expansion
•September 21, 2022•
On Tuesday, September 13, Arthur Christian School began the process of an expansion for the campus with the groundbreaking of a new 60,000 square foot building. The new building will include an Early Learning Center, an auditorium, a secondary gymnasium, a Junior High & High School wing with increased vocational educational opportunities, among other upgrades and expansions. The goal is not just to grow for growth’s sake, but to answer the question of how can we provide the best opportunities for our students while upholding the mission our school was built on. Founded in 1946, Arthur Christian School’s mission is to empower student to be a people of hope through Christian character development, discipleship, and quality educational programs. Since moving into the new ACS facility in January of 2017, ACS has grown in enrollment by over 150% and increased staffing by 200%. If you would like to stay up to date with the building process, you can visit www.arthurchristian.org/home.html.
Lake Shelbyville Disabled Deer Hunting Blinds Available
•September 21, 2022•
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Lake Shelbyville is offering additional deer hunting opportunities at Whitley Creek Recreation Area in Moultrie County for disabled deer hunters holding a state issued P2A card. Disabled hunters will be able to reserve two of 4 blinds in the closed Recreation Area during archery deer season. All four blinds were built by Boy Scouts to earn their Eagle Scout status. These 4 blinds allow disabled hunters that would like to archery hunt to have an easily accessible area in which to deer hunt. Hunting will be allowed by permit only throughout the archery season (to exclude dates the week prior to the youth shotgun season and 1st shotgun season). Reservations will be taken immediately and must be made 3 days in advance of the hunt. Each hunter will be allowed to reserve up to 2 days at a time, however, the hunter must have used their reservation before signing up for additional hunt dates.
For additional information or to make a reservation contact Park Ranger Grant Woods at (217) 774-3951 ext. 7034.
Vice President Harris Visits Chicago; Tax Rebates Coming
•September 21, 2022•
By Capital News Illinois
Vice President Kamala Harris came to Chicago Friday, Sept. 16, to rally voters who support abortion rights and urge them to turn out in the upcoming midterm elections.
Speaking at a roundtable discussion on reproductive rights at the University of Illinois Chicago, Harris said the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade has put abortion rights at the forefront in races up and down the ballot.
Harris was joined at the event by Gov. JB Pritzker, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Attorney General Kwame Raoul, U.S. Rep. Danny Davis and a number of other abortion rights supporters. They were scheduled to hold a political rally on the UIC campus later in the day.
Her appearance came just 53 days before the Nov. 8 election when control of the U.S. House and Senate will be up for grabs and when all state-level elected offices in Illinois will be on the ballot as well. Read More
Youth Organization Connects Students to Ag Careers
•September 21, 2022•
By Kay Shipman
Farm Week
Agriculture education supporters learned a youth organization helps students learn about agricultural careers even if their school doesn’t offer ag classes.
Ebony Webber, CEO of National Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS), discussed the organization and its youth chapters with the Illinois Leadership Council for Agricultural Education (ILCAE) in Chicago. The group toured Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences (CHSAS) and heard from faculty and administrators.
Increasing the number of urban students interested in agriculture-related careers is an ongoing goal for ILCAE and others involved with agriculture education. One of the challenges has been expanding the number of schools with agriculture programs, especially given the high demand for agriculture teachers.
Two of Junior MANRRS’ goals are to expose high school students to careers in food, agriculture and natural resources and to dispel myths about ag careers, Webber said. Read More