Category Archives: News Briefs

Letter to the Editor: 11-17-2021

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Dear Editor:

Recently, a former resident of Sullivan, Natalie Mauck McDowell, was killed in a car accident that simply didn’t have to happen. She and her daughter-in-law, Sarah, were hit by a person who was ticketed for not stopping at a stop sign.
So many people’s lives have been irrevocably changed by the failure of one person to take the time to stop at an intersection: the McDowells and extended family have lost a wife, mom, sister, aunt, and sister-in-law; co-workers and neighbors have lost a friend; Monticello students have lost a school nurse; members of the Methodist Church have lost a youth minister. All because a thoughtless person couldn’t take the minute or two that it takes to stop at a stop sign. Read More

Being Accommodative and Reserving Judgment

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•November 17, 2021•
By Jim Baumann
NP Guest Writer

Marion Blais saw a story in the Nov. 9 Business section that included the passage “ ... not necessarily being more accommodative, continuing to favor candidates with several years of experience ...”
“I could not find ‘accommodative’ in M-W,” Marion wrote. “Is this a case of unilateral linguistic expansion? What happened to that good ol’ workhorse ‘accommodating’?”
My timeworn Webster’s New World Dictionary (published in 1994) includes “accommodative” as an adjectival form of “accommodate,” meaning “willing to fit in with someone’s wishes or needs.”
That’s essentially the definition of “accommodating.” Read More

Remember When? 11-17-2021

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25 Years Ago This Week

Sullivan High School graduate Zak Horn won a national championship for Sullivan’s FFA Chapter. The 18-year-old Horn, the son of Chester and Marjorie Horn, was one of four national finalists with his FFA-supervised agricultural experience (SAE) in turfgrass management. The honor was announced at the National FFA Convention. Read More

Millikin Presents “She Loves Me” Nov. 12-14

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•November 10, 2021•
Considered by many to be the most charming musical ever written, Millikin University’s School of Theatre & Dance is pleased to present “She Loves Me” at Kirkland Fine Arts Center on Millikin’s campus. Performances will be held on Friday, Nov. 12, and Saturday, Nov. 13, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 14, at 2 p.m. Tickets for the show are $20-$25 or free admittance with a Millikin student ID. All attendees will be required to wear a mask while inside Kirkland Fine Arts Center and adhere to social distancing guidelines. Read More

How to Promote Old Fashioned Patriotism While Recognizing Where We Have Fallen Short

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•November 10, 2021•
By Brooke Clark
11th grade, ALAH

“Patriotism is not a short and frenzied outburst of emotion but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime.- (Adlai Stevenson II) As a lifelong public servant, Mr. Stevenson was well acquainted with the idea of patriotism. Most people, when asked to define patriotism, will say that it involves love or devotion to one’s country. What is harder to define is how patriotism is instilled in the younger generation so that it becomes a substantive aspect of their lives.
Most children are introduced to the notion of patriotism through a system of reverence and ritual. How many children begin their school day by standing and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance with their hands placed over their hearts? Anyone who has attended a school sporting event knows that everyone stands, faces the flag, removes their hats, and again places their hands over their hearts for the performance of the “Star-Spangled Banner”. What happens when the Pledge and the national anthem end? The rote rituals of patriotism are easy and familiar and very few children are taught any level of patriotism beyond those they learned early in school. Read More

Red Herrings, Necessary Verbs and Treating People as Fractions

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•November 10, 2021•
By Jim Baumann
NP Guest Writer

This is not a treatise on the horrible Three-fifths Compromise that determined during the Constitutional Convention that slaves should be counted as 60% of a person for the purposes of taxation and representation.
This is about the common “1 in 500” construction.
Constant reader Jane Charmelo wrote me with a question:
“This was on the front page of the Oct. 30 edition: ‘1 in 500 Illinoisans have died from virus.’ If the verb is to match the subject, isn’t ‘1 in 500 Illinoisans HAS died from virus’ correct? ‘Illinoisans’ is not the subject.”
There are two schools of thought on this, and even disagreement among editors at my newspaper. Read More

Facts for Families: Making Time for Self-Care

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•November 10, 2021•
By Cheri Burcham
Family Life Educator

In a previous article I emphasized how ongoing stress can cause negative physical and mental effects on the body and how practicing self-care or stress management techniques can reduce or maybe prevent those negative effects from happening. Many strategies were suggested, but how do we make the time to do them? There are many ways to stay on track and help you stay accountable.
· Create a self-care plan. This is essentially a self-inventory to make sure you are practicing self-care in all the areas of wellness and well-being. Include not just physical and emotional, but also social, intellectual, environmental and spiritual areas of wellness. How will you show your creativity? Is your physical space welcoming? What can you do to find meaning and joy in your day? Who are your social supports? Read More

Gov. Pritzker Signs Law to Ensure COVID-19 Protections

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•November 10, 2021•
At the request of the Attorney General, Governor JB Pritzker has signed SB 1169 into law, clarifying the legislative intent of the Health Care Right of Conscience Act so that it cannot be abused or misinterpreted to jeopardize workplace safety. This amendment will ensure the long tradition of vaccine requirements by employers can continue with regard to the COVID-19 vaccine.
“Masks, vaccines, and testing requirements are life-saving measures that keep our workplaces and communities safe,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Keeping workplaces safe is a high priority, and I applaud the General Assembly for ensuring that the Health Care Right of Conscience Act is no longer wrongly used against institutions who are putting safety and science first.” Read More

Menu 11-10-2021

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Senior Peace Meal

For additional information or for reservations, please call 1-800-543-1770

Nov. 15 - Pork Burger Sandwich, Baked Beans, Collard Greens, Mandarin Oranges, Whole Grain Bun
Nov. 16 - Meatloaf, Creamed Peas and Potatoes, Breaded Tomatoes, Peaches, Whole Grain Wheat
Nov. 17 - Creamed Chicken w/Onions & Pimentos, Tarragon Carrots, Corn, Pineapple, Biscuit
Nov. 18 - Beef Stroganoff over Noodles, Broccoli, 3-Bean Salad, Warm Cinnamon Applesauce, Whole Grain Wheat
Nov. 19 - Roasted Turkey, Mashed Potatoes w/Gravy, Seasoned Green Beans, Pumpkin Pie, Dressing

State Senator Steve McClure, Assistant Republican Leader, Announces Candidacy for the 54th District

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•November 10, 2021•
Last Thursday, surrounded by supporters, State Senator Steve McClure (R Springfield), Assistant Republican Leader, announced his reelection campaign for the State Senate at the Sangamon County GOP headquarters.
“Nearly three years ago, when I first took office, no one could have predicted how America and Illinois would be tested,” said Sen. McClure. “I am committed, now more than ever, to standing up for our communities against the radical liberal agenda that is driving the chaos across Illinois.”
Sen. McClure outlined his first three years in office, pointing to the Democrat-fueled public safety crisis in Illinois. Sen. McClure has led a chorus of lawmakers and citizens who blame the Governor and Democratic leaders for striping protections and funding from law enforcement.
“As a former Assistant State’s Attorney for Sangamon County, I am proud to serve as Republican Spokesman on the Criminal Law Committee in the Senate,” Sen. McClure said. “The ruling Democrat Party is attacking and handcuffing our law enforcement community.” Read More