•June 3, 2020•
Horse racing is returning to Illinois tracks in June. The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) worked with various stakeholders to bring patron free standardbred and thoroughbred racing back on tracks around the state while adhering to the social distancing guidelines. The move is an effort to provide economic relief to the horse racing industry, as other states have done.
“These conditions necessitate changes to keep horse racing going in Illinois” said Domenic DiCera, Illinois Racing Board, Executive Director. “The return of live horse racing in Illinois is welcomed by many hardworking men and woman that work and are committed to this industry.” Read More
Category Archives: News Briefs
Superintendent-Y Stuff: A Walk with Mr. Walk – Meal Program Continues
•June 3, 2020•
By Ted Walk, Supt.
Sullivan CUSD #300
Throughout the school closure, Sullivan staff made it a priority to ensure that our students had access to meals at no cost to the student.
This was achieved by scheduling daily opportunities to pick up food at school, utilizing locations in town for meal distribution, and even running bus routes to deliver to our rural residents.
We were thrilled that we were able to provide over 30,000 meals from mid-March through the month of May. Read More
Illinois House Advances Major Expansion of Mail-in Voting: Bill would also allow curbside voting
•June 3, 2020•
By Ben Orner and Rebecca Anzel
Capitol News Illinois
borner @ capitolnewsillinois.com
The Illinois House of Representatives advanced a bill Thursday that would greatly expand voting by mail in the November general election, as well as make the day a state holiday this year.
By a 72-43 vote, and three members not voting, the House sent Senate Bill 1863 back to its original chamber. The bill was introduced last year as a piece of unrelated legislation and passed by the Senate. It was gutted this week in the House and replaced with the election language via amendment.
Senate passage, which was still possible Thursday night, is needed to send the bill to Gov. JB Pritzker to sign.
The 26-page amendment proposes unprecedented changes to state elections law to facilitate the 2020 general election and make voting easier and safer amid societal restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Read More
Cool, Wet May Ends a Wet Spring in Illinois
•June 3, 2020•
May was much colder and moderately wetter than average across Illinois, bringing an end to a wet spring season, according to Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford at the University of Illinois’ Illinois State Water Survey.
The preliminary statewide average May temperature was 60.5 degrees, 2.2 degrees below the 30-year normal. Preliminary statewide average total precipitation for May was 5.41 inches, 0.81 inches wetter than the 30-year normal.
Temperatures Read More
Letter to the Editor 6-3-2020
Please Return Flags to Veterans’ Graves
My Fellow Americans,
Each year we honor and remember our Veterans.
I proudly place 8 x 12 American Flags on family Veterans graves. Read More
Department of Public Health Files Emergency Rules
Mandating COVID-19 Testing in Long-Term Care Facilities
•June 3, 2020•
Today, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) filed emergency rules mandating long-term care facilities comply with infection control practices, including testing all residents and staff for COVID-19. Each facility will be required to develop and implement a testing plan to better protect vulnerable residents and ensure no facility is shirking its responsibilities for those in their care.
“Nursing home residents are at higher risk for infection, serious illness, and death from COVID-19,” said IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. “Testing residents and health care staff is important to help keep COVID-19 out of facilities if the virus is not there, detect cases quickly – especially among individuals who are asymptomatic, and stop transmission. While many facilities are working with IDPH and their local health departments to help keep residents safe, we cannot rely on voluntary compliance alone, and this additional regulatory authority will help ensure swift action.” Read More
Remember When? 6-3-2020
25 Years Ago This Week
Jeff Getz, owner of Getz Trucking in Findlay, has been recognized as “Trucker of the Month” by Keep on Trucking News, a publication of the Mid West Trucking Assn.
Mustang Aaron Calhoun highlighted a five run fourth inning with a grand slam and went the distance as Bethany advanced in the first round of regional play with a 10-7 win over Broadlands.
Shane Martin was hit by a pitch before Josh Cuttill smacked a two run homer. Cuttill was 2 for 3.
Kevin Towle of Sullivan hit a hole-in-one at Eagle Creek Golf Course. Towle’s prize hit was with an 8 iron at the 150 yard, par 3, 17th hole. Witnesses were club pro Mike Klauser, Bill Webb and Mike Elliot. Read More
Kathy Black Receives Award
•May 27, 2020•
Lake Land College honored Kathy Black, division chair business/business instructor, as the 2020 recipient of the Faculty Association Outstanding Service Award. After 23 years of service to Lake Land College, Black will be retiring at the end of August.
Several members of the Lake Land College Faculty Association nominated Black for the award.
Black said her fondest memory was how much friendlier the students were than at other places she has taught. On her first day at Lake Land College, Black recalled a student holding a door open for her, something that had not happened previously in her teaching. Read More
Shimkus’ Art Contest Winner Influenced by Coronavirus
•May 27, 2020•
Reflecting the trying times we are enduring, an oil painting titled “War Paints” by Red Hill High School’s Lydia Higgins has been selected as the winner of the 2020 Congressional Art Competition for the 15th District of Illinois, Congressman John Shimkus (R, Illinois-15) has announced.
“Lydia’s technique certainly stood out in her piece. It is a worthy champion to wrap up my final art contest,” said Shimkus, who is retiring from Congress at the conclusion of his current term.
Lydia Higgins, Red Hill High School,
“War Paints,” oil painting Read More
Remember When?
25 Years Ago This Week
A tornado ripped through Bethany at 9:45 p.m. Tuesday mowing down fields south of the business district.
“You know they say it sounds like a train,” Kathy Steimel said. “Well that’s just how it was.”
The tornado drove right through the Steimel farm, blowing a shed to pieces and collapsing the barn but leaving their house untouched.
Not only has Sullivan native Tony Armstrong achieved something for himself, but he’s brought academic bragging rights of the area to his own high school as well.
Armstrong is the lone student from the area and in particular, Sullivan High School, who was named to the Illinois High School Assn’s Academic Team. Read More