•May 13, 2020•
By Jim Nowlan
NP Guest Columnist

In a recent wide-ranging column, I had only space enough to touch on my thought that we need a reset of American politics. Several readers (well, actually, one reader) asked that I drill down on the topic. Here goes.
Politics is not bad. The FDR speechwriter turned conservative columnist Raymond Moley observed: “Politics is not something to avoid, abolish or destroy. It is a condition of life, like the air we breathe. It is ours to live with, as we must, to control if we can. Either we must master its ways, or most surely we will be mastered by those who do.” I used to recite that as part of my political speeches, when I was on that circuit.
I know that sounds high-minded, and our Founders were certainly not without their personal ambitions. Yet, their overriding concerns were to establish order, harmony and prosperity in our new nation. These three objectives are still paramount, with conservatives tending to put more emphasis on order, liberals more to harmony. Read More

•May 6, 2020•
The Illinois Criminal Code makes it a Class 4 Felony for any person to carry a weapon while “masked in such a manner as to conceal his or her identity.”
The question presented is whether an individual who has a valid concealed carry permit and is lawfully carrying a weapon while also wearing a mask to comply with health and safety measures will be criminally prosecuted for the offense of Unlawful Use of Weapons. Read More

•May 6, 2020•
By Bob Easter, Richard Guebert Jr. and Theresa E. Mintle
Illinois Agri-Food Alliance

In the midst of a global health crisis, the agri-food sector is pressing forward determined to do what it does best—feed the world. After all, empty grocery store shelves don’t simply restock themselves.
COVID-19, however, is rapidly exposing our food system’s susceptibilities and disconnects. Could this pandemic catalyze a rethinking and transformation of the current centralized model? With an outsized stake in the outcome, Illinois would be wise to consider.
Under normal circumstances, the modern-day food system operates with efficiency via a “just enough, just in time” lean inventory model supported by a global trade system. By design, it provides a diverse array of abundant, low-cost food and agriculture-derived products sourced around the world catered to consumer demands. Read More

•May 6, 2020•
The Moultrie County Courthouse opened full time this week with individual offices establishing safe operating procedures under limited access due to Stay at Home health restrictions.
The County Clerk and Recorder, Assessments Office and Treasurer have provided helpful information to help the guide the public as the courthouse resumes full time operation.
The north entrance of the courthouse is for public access and social distancing measures will continue to be observed.

County Clerk and
Recorder

The County Clerk and Recorder’s office is open from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. with the Courthouse limited access still in place.
The following procedures have been established while the State’s Stay-at-Home restrictions apply: Read More

•May 6, 2020•
The first half of April had above average temperatures in Illinois, but the cold predominated in the second half, according to Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford at the University of Illinois’ Illinois State Water Survey.
The preliminary statewide average April temperature was 49.2 degrees, 3.4 degrees below the 30-year normal.
The preliminary statewide average total April precipitation was 4.36 inches, 0.58 inches above the 30-year normal.
Average temperatures from April 1 to 10 ranged from 1 to 6 degrees above normal across the state. A strong cold front moved through the region between April 9 and 11 with unseasonably cold air. Average temperatures between April 11 and 20 ranged from 5 to 15 degrees below normal.
Overall, April average temperatures ranged from the low 30s in northern Illinois to the mid-50s in southern Illinois. April ended the consecutive four-month streak of warmer than normal months going back to December 2019. Read More