•December 10, 2025•

Lake Land College recently received an $18,903.94 Nursing School grant from the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE). Lake Land will use the grant funds in 2026 to support student outcomes in two specific areas. The first is to acquire educational equipment, including infusion pumps and a diverse set of mannequins and injection arms, which will better prepare students with the hands-on training necessary to thrive in their careers. 

2015

Moultrie County’s updated Animal Control Ordinance will allow easier enforcement of violations. State’s Attorney Jeremy Richey presented the changes to the Public Health and Safety Committee, explaining that the changes clarify what procedures the sheriff’s department must follow to issue citations.

State Senator Dale Righter (R-Mattoon) voted in support of Senate Bill 2039 on December 7th, legislation that releases the state’s portion of the motor fuel tax (MFT) money and included funding for 911 call centers, fire prevention, veterans’ homes, lottery winners, utility bills, and other programs.

On Sunday, November 9th, the local Theta Psi Chapter of Psi Iota Xi chapter celebrated its 50th Anniversary with approximately 70 guests, including current and past Psi Otes and our National Vice President, Mona Knight, and West Central District Officer, Pam Karle. They celebrated with sisterhood fellowship, cake, punch, memories, and scrapbooks. Sue Yarnell was gifted with a garden rock for her 50 years of service to the community and their first Legacy honoree. 

•December 3, 2025•

As the holiday shopping season begins, the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) is urging residents to stay alert when shopping online and to take simple steps to protect themselves from fraud and identity theft. With more Illinoisans shopping online each year, the threat of cybercrime continues to grow.

“This is one of the busiest online shopping periods of the year, and cybercriminals are waiting for people to let their guard down,” explained IDOR Director David Harris. “Every Illinois shopper can protect themselves with simple precautions and prevent months or even years of financial and personal hardship.”

The National Road

•December 3, 2025•

by Janet Roney

All history books that feature the story of the settlement of the Midwest tell the history of the National Road. It was created by Congress in 1806 and became the principal route for westward migration. It went from Wheeling, West Virginia, passed through Columbus, Indianapolis, and Terre Haute in Ohio and Indiana, then on through Effingham before ending at Vandalia, Illinois.

The route of the National Road, which US Highway 40 generally follows, is designated as a historical landmark in every community it passes through. They hold festivals celebrating their history. Inns along its way have been restored. A whole shelf full of books has been written about the old road. I have nothing to add to what has already been said about that road...except, maybe, the fact that the National Road was not the only important trail across central Illinois, as I hope you have been noticing in these articles.

The National Road deserves all the attention it gets, but I just think there might be a little more attention paid to old trails and roads that are a lot less famous. They affected history, too, and in some places, unlike the National Road, they still look like the old trail, only with a few layers of oil or gravel thrown on top.