•February 23, 2022•
Low-to-moderate income families and senior citizens needing assistance filing their 2021 income taxes can receive free help through several trusted programs across the State of Illinois. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS), AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Program, and Ladder Up Tax Assistance Program are providing free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals in select locations statewide.
“With the tax filing deadline date of April 18 just around the corner, it is important for Illinois taxpayers to know that filing assistance is available,” said Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) Director David Harris. “Volunteers at these locations are certified by the IRS and ready to assist qualified individuals in filing their state and federal tax returns accurately and on time.”
How taxpayer assistance is provided and when services are available varies by region, based upon several variables including COVID-19 conditions and volunteer capacity. Read More
Category Archives: News Briefs
Remember When? 2-23-2022
25 Years Ago This Week
Thirteen year old T.J. Wingard of Bethany spelled “pheasant” and “opportune” to clinch the Moultrie County Spelling Bee championship. Wingard was a seventh grader at Bethany. Second place in the competition went to Rachel Creviston, a 12 year old seventh grader from Lovington. The third winner was Lindsey Tull, a Sullivan eighth grader. Seventeen contestants from Sullivan, Lovington and Bethany public schools and New Life Academy in Sullivan participated in the bee. Read More
Decatur Audubon Society to hold Zoom Meeting
•February 16, 2022•
The Decatur Audubon Society (DAS) invites members and other interested persons to watch online its regular monthly meeting on Sunday, February 20, 2022. Due to COVID –19 resurgence, the DAS board has established a computer link (below) to watch the meeting. At 2:00 p.m. DAS President Melody Arnold will conduct a brief session of announcements then introduce the speaker, Jerry Culp, the new Executive Director of the Macon County Conservation District, MCCD, whose topic will be “Pothole Prairies and Seasonal Wetland Regions in Illinois.” Jerry will also briefly describe MCCD’s Vision for future years. Attendees may join our Zoom Meeting:
https://illinois.zoom.us/j/84225405885?pwd=R0UvdWlBUERXTDhyNFZsb0pBdkhTdz09; Meeting ID: 842 2540 5885, Password:943876
Gov. Pritzker Announces Illinois Plan to Lift Statewide Indoor Mask Requirement on Feb. 28
•February 16, 2022•
With statewide COVID-19 hospitalization rates declining faster than any other point in the pandemic, Illinois is on track to lift the statewide indoor mask requirement on Monday, February 28, 2022. Mask requirements will continue where federally mandated, such as on public transit and in high-risk settings including healthcare facilities and congregate care. Masking requirements will also continue to apply in all daycare settings. The state intends to continue masking requirements in P-12 schools subject to pending litigation which impacts a number of schools. As the CDC reaffirmed just today, masks remain a critical tool to keep schools safe and open. Read More
Free Webinar to Provide a Roadmap to State Programs and Resources
•February 16, 2022•
The Business Navigator Alliance of Clark, Coles, Crawford, Edgar, Effingham and Moultrie Counties is providing a series of webinars to assist businesses in the region in accessing resources that can help stimulate recovery and provide support as the economy rebounds from the pandemic.
The second webinar in the series will provide business owners with a roadmap to navigating programs and resources the State of Illinois has made available to help businesses reach the next level.
The webinar will be held Thursday, February 24 at 2 PM with the following presenters. Read More
OVHS Fall 2021 Honor Rolls
•February 16, 2022•
9th grade Straight A’s: Grey Brault, Annabelle Cheatham, Regan Coleman, Keegan Collins, Chase Creviston, Aly Douglass, Seth Forlines, Reese Nichols, Lindsey Ozier, Maddox Petrucha, Jorja Plummer, Ella Roley, Amelia Shonkwiler, Grady Sparks, Ivy Williams.
9th grade High Honorsa: Benjamin Brown, Zachary Duran, Hayden Foster, Cameron George, Ulrich Harshman, Robert Himes, Luke Jones, Jaylynne O’Dell, McKenna Phelps, Landyn Porter, Alex Ravellette, Carson Rucker, Reagan Russell, Parker Spellman.
9th grade Honors: Kalie Alsup, Rase Bennett, Chase Cole, Daisy Cribbet, Riely Duran, Jazmynn Hubbell, Destini Jacobs, Raeleigh Mills, Camden Mitchell, Sydney Reynolds, Alayna Roe, Julia Schrock, Autumn Shinn, Lydia Webner. Read More
Winter Utility Bill Help is Available through C.E.F.S.
•February 16, 2022•
The C.E.F.S Economic Opportunity Corporation’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) still has ample funding available for winter utility assistance. LIHEAP provides one-time grants to help income eligible households pay for their winter heating expenses. Read More
Sullivan American Legion Irrevocable Scholarship
•February 16, 2022•
Applications are now available for the 2022 Irrevocable Scholarship program which offers one $1,000 four year, annually renewable scholarship. The scholarship is open to high school seniors who will be graduating from public high schools in Moultrie County and high school seniors that are descendants of members in good standing of the Sullivan American Legion Post 68. You may request a copy of the application packet from your high school counselor, contact the Sullivan American Legion Post 68 at 217-728-4612 or Michael Keown, secretary, Irrevocable Scholarship Trust at 217-855-1949. Application deadline is March 23, 2022.
Remember When? 2-16-2022
25 Years Ago This Week
Dr. Kurt Dearnbarger of Decatur was to establish a practice in Lovington that spring. The Lovington Area Development Committee was working with Decatur Family Practice, the medical group with which Dearnbarger was affiliated, to equip the Lovington Medical Center with instruments necessary to establish a family practice.
Jeremy Hawyer, who was a pressman at the News Progress, and his friend Ryan Fayhee tried out the Jacksonville Florida Police Department’s “Rider Program.” On the eve of New Year’s Eve they went on a ride along with separate officers from 5 pm to 3 am. Read More
Spring into Gardening Event
•February 16, 2022•
The upcoming 12th annual Spring into Gardening event will offer gardening education speakers, a silent auction, and a sales booth to help community members start the growing season.
The University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners of Coles, Cumberland, Douglas, Moultrie and Shelby counties will present this workshop from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, March 5 at Broadway Christian Church, 1205 S. Ninth St., in Mattoon. The doors will open at 8 a.m. for check-in. The cost for the event is $30 per person, including resources and refreshments.
Master Gardener volunteers plan and present Spring into Gardening each year to provide a continuing education opportunity for area gardeners, homeowners, and landowners. In addition, revenue from the event helps these volunteers present workshops and other learning opportunities to the community throughout the year. Read More