•August 19, 2020•
On August 10 President, David Spinner of AFSCME Retirees Sub-chapter #87 held a phone conference to discuss and update important State and Federal issues for retired seniors. Spinner called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone.
Spinner introduced Ms. Maria Britton Sipe, Retiree Program Coordinator for AFSCME Chapter 31 as the guest speaker.
Sipe began by thanking all the AFSCME members for helping out communities during this trying time of Covid-19 pandemic.
She said that with the State of Illinois can finally fix the structural deficit that has plagued the state for decades. As of now the state has a flat tax, and the Fair Tax would move us to a progressive tax. The Fair Tax or Graduated Tax legislation has passed both the Illinois Senate and House and was signed by the Governor. The Fair Tax will be on the November 2020 voters’ ballot as a Yes or No question and must be approved by the voters in the General Election. Read More
Category Archives: News Briefs
Moultrie Retired Teachers Association Meets
•August 19, 2020•
The Moultrie County Retired Teachers Association met on August 5, at the First Christian Church in Bethany.
President Sue Yarnell welcomed the group and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Guests were introduced and new members were announced. She welcomed new member, Don Lockwood, a recent retiree from Sullivan High School.
President Yarnell introduced the speaker for the meeting: Illinois Retired Teachers Association President John Flaherty.
Following the speaker, President Yarnell called the meeting to order. The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.
Jim Luedke gave the treasurer’s report and his report was filed for audit. Read More
Letter to the Editor: 8-19-2020
Dear Editor,
A special thank you to the person(s) who started the “Have a Great Day” yard signs. How wonderful to see them in yards, at the Habitat Store and the Police Station. These signs speak more about our community to visitors driving through and to our children than some of the crass, vulgar signs being displayed. Thank you!
Ellen Ferrera
Pumpkin Patch Announces Changes
•August 19, 2020•
The Great Pumpkin Patch owners Ginny and Mac Condill announced via a Facebook post recently changes that would be happening this fall. According to the post they are feeling the weight of safety protocols and a sense of responsibility to their customers, staff, family, friends and the community they noted that the 2020 pumpkin season needs to look different. Read More
Census Takers to Follow Up Nationwide
•August 19, 2020•
This week, the U.S. Census Bureau began following up with households nationwide that have not yet responded to the 2020 Census. Based on the current self-response rate of 63.3%, the Census Bureau estimates it will need to visit about 56 million addresses to collect responses in person. Up to 500,000 census takers across the country will go door to door to assist people in responding to the 2020 Census.
Learn More
Census takers began following up with households on July 16 in a limited number of areas and added additional areas each week thereafter. Starting Aug. 9, all remaining offices began following up with households nationwide. Census takers have completed training on social distancing and safety protocols, will follow local public health guidelines, and will be required to wear a face mask when conducting follow-up visits. Read More
Remember When? 8-19-2020
25 Years Ago This Week
Charleston High School science teacher and coach Charles Castle was the new principal at Bethany Junior Senior High School. An Eastern Illinois University graduate with a master’s degree in physical education and an administrator’s certificate he has taught chemistry, math and science at Charleston High School since 1984. He replaces John Reif who recently resigned to take a principal’s position at Bunker Hill.
Many hours of work by several dedicated members are being credited for the improvements at the Lovington Masonic Lodge. Debbie Riley reported that the main items in the kitchen had been completed. On the outside, grading has been done and landscaping underway with new sidewalks having been poured with handicapped access.
Sondra Hoffman captured the Sullivan County Club Monday night ladies league nine hole handicap division tournamnet by beating Judy Sumner by two strokes. Hoffman shot a 36, while Sumner finished in second shooting a 38. Bev Copass had a chip-in on the ninth hole and tied Barb Graven for low putts with 16.Judy Patrick won the Monday night league Play of the Day with a score of 37. She also had the low gross with a score of 49. Patrick also had a 49 in the Tuesday morning league to win the low gross. Joyce Shasteen won the Play of the Day which was getting the ball closest to th pin on the ninth hole from acrsoss the creek. Sylvia Martin won the low net with 34. Mary Thimens had the low putts with 14 and Barb Graven had a chip-in. Read More
Pritzker Announces Launch of Housing Assistance Programs
Calls it largest pandemic-related housing stability program in the nation
•August 12, 2020•
By Peter Hancock
Capitol News Illinois
SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday announced a pair of housing assistance programs aimed at helping lower-income households meet their rent and mortgage payments during the pandemic.
“The economic pain brought on by COVID-19 has impacted every Illinoisan, but no one has carried a burden larger than those least able to weather a financial hardship,” Pritzker said during an announcement in Chicago. “Every action that we take to pave our way through this crisis and beyond must be done with a special focus on those who have too often been left out and left behind.”
The two programs are being administered by the Illinois Housing Development Authority. The Emergency Rental Assistance Program will provide $150 million in federal CARES Act funding to help low-income households catch up on their rent payments.
Tenants who are approved for that program will receive one-time grants of $5,000, paid directly to their landlords, to cover rental payments they missed starting in March and to prepay rent bills through December, or until the $5,000 is exhausted, whichever comes first. Those grants will not have to be repaid. Read More
Menu 8-13-2020
Senior Peace Meal
For additional information or for reservations, please call 1-800-543-1770
Monday, August 17 - Pork Burger Sandwich, Midori Blend Vegetables, Harvard Beets, Bun, Apple Slices
Tuesday, August 18 - Fried Chicken, Mashed Potatoes w/Gravy, Brussels sprouts, Texas Toast, Water Melon
Wednesday, August 19 - Turkey Salad w/Grapes, Cucumber/Onion salad, Fruit Cocktail, Dinner Roll, Strawberry Oatmeal Bar
Thursday, August 20 - Riblet, Seasoned Black-Eyed Peas, Vegetable Pasta Salad, Bun, Warm Fruit Cobbler
Friday, August 21 - Beef and Noodles, Mashed Potatoes, Sweet Cinnamon Carrots, Whole Grain Wheat (1), Melon Salad
Millikin University Spring 2020 Dean’s List
•August 12, 2020•
Millikin University is pleased to announce the names of the outstanding undergraduates who have been named to the Dean’s List for the spring 2020 semester.
Students who attempt 12 graded credits during a fall or spring semester and earn a grade point average of 3.5 or higher earn Dean’s List honors. Students earning a perfect 4.00 grade point average on 12 graded credits attempted earn High Dean’s List honors. Read More
The Benefits of a New Approach to Learning
•August 12, 2020•
The validity of the adage “necessity is the mother of invention” was on full display during the COVID-19 outbreak. People quickly had to learn to adapt to a new way of life, including an educational system that was transformed dramatically by social distancing guidelines.
More than 76 million students are enrolled in United States schools, per the latest Census Bureau information. In 2018, 2.12 million students were in Canadian postsecondary institutions alone. In a matter of days, millions of students who once attended classes in-person were forced to transition to virtual learning instruction. The process showed just how flexible learning systems can be, and how virtual instruction may become more than an emergency protocol in the future. Read More