•March 17, 2021•
By Capitol News Illinois

Lawmakers from both parties told officials from Gov. JB Pritzker’s administration on Thursday, March 11 that the General Assembly should have some say in how the state spends the $7.5 billion in federal funds that Illinois expects to receive from the newly-enacted American Rescue Plan.
Those comments came during a virtual hearing of the House Revenue and Finance Committee that took place just hours after President Joe Biden signed the $1.9 trillion pandemic relief bill into law.
“I think the legislature would like a say in appropriating money, given our role,” Rep. Michael Zalewski, D-Riverside, said to the director of the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget, Alexis Sturm. “So my hope is that you could convey that to the governor’s office and we can develop a framework to work together on that.” Read More

•March 17, 2021•
Cheri Burcham
Extension Educator
U of I Extension

What you do today influences your future. Learn how to take care of yourself now, to embrace aging and mature gracefully, successfully and with increased longevity. University of Illinois Extension will be presenting the webinar series “Keys for Embracing Aging” using the videoconferencing platform Zoom. This program is a free 12-part series designed to help aging adults develop strategies for taking care of themselves through the years. The session will be held on Thursdays from 10:00 – 11:00 AM, beginning March 25 through April 29 and September 2 through October 7. Sessions cover topics including positive attitude, nutrition, socialization, brain health, stress management and safety. Attend all 12 sessions, or simply drop in on the sessions that fit your schedule. Read More

•March 17, 2021•
Jeremiah A. Weber, 40, of Sullivan has been sentenced to three years of imprisonment in the Illinois Department of Corrections. At a sentencing hearing on March 9, Judge Jeremy Richey imposed the three-year sentence for theft from a coin operated machine (enhanced sentence), a Class 4 Felony, Moultrie County case 2020-CF-57. Read More

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

I have many pen pals in my line of work and, of course, I quickly developed a running discourse with a guy who calls himself “The Dictionary Man.”
Ted Utchen would write to me monthly at least, sometimes twice in the same week, with imponderables, injustices, tattles and helpful hints.
I wrote about Ted nine times — meaning I skipped writing about his correspondences dozens of times over the years — and recall leading one column with “Ted Utchen has a bee in his bonnet.”
He usually did, but he was playful about it. He called me, variously, “Grammar Granny,” “Mr. Grammarian,” “St. Grammarian” and just plain “Grammar.” Read More

Senior Peace Meal

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

March 22 - Breakfast Casserole, Warm Fruit Compote, Fruit Juice, Cinnamon Roll, Craisins
March 23 - Shepherd’s Pie, Harvard Beets, Dinner Roll, Fresh Fruit
March 24 - Fried Chicken, Mashed Potatoes w/Gravy, Spinach, Whole Grain Wheat, Pears
March 25 - Beef Stew w/Potatoes, Carrots, and Onions, Tangy Cole Slaw, Dinner Roll, Warm Bread Pudding w/Fruit
March 26 - Salmon Loaf, Frosted Sweet Potatoes, Buttered Midori Vegetables, Whole Grain Wheat, Chunky Applesauce