•November 27, 2019•
By Jim Nowlan
NP Guest Columnist

As readers might surmise from reading the news about Illinois, our state is arguably embedded in a political culture (patterns of behavior) of corruption (unearned personal gain at public expense). This doesn’t mean that everyone in the Prairie State is corrupt, but that there is a learned disposition among too many of us that if we have a chance to take advantage of government, we might as well do so, as everyone else would do so in the same situation.
I have some ideas that could transform our disposition, but as with any cultural change, it will take time. After all, ingrained habits are hard to break.
Political cultures vary. For example, uncontrollably nice Iowans would scrunch their noses in horror at the bribery and abuse of government power that we brush off as just the way too many Illinois politicians operate.
Corruption has been part of our culture since political candidates on the Illinois frontier treated neighbors to rum and vittles in return for their votes. Later, as recently arrived, hyphenated-Americans in Chicago were shunned from legitimate business by the WASPs who arrived earlier, many turned to politics for careers in which they could do well while doing good.
Things have indeed gotten better on the corruption front in Illinois. Read More

•November 27, 2019•
Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond High School FCCLA participated in the Illinois FCCLA Fall Leadership Meeting held October 15 at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston.
This year, the students who attended the annual Fall Leadership Meeting could attend an array of workshops on current issues including relationships, healthy eating, conversation etiquette, social networking, resume building, fitness, FCCLA competitive events information and Ronald McDonald House charities. Mr. Jeff Fritchtnitch was the keynote speaker at the event.
ALAH High School had 25 students attend the conference.

Photo furnished
ALAH students attending were: Brook Tucker, Kaylee Schrock, Andalyn Hodge, Mackenzie Parrish, Kirsten Corum, Jordan Quertermous, Hunter Carson, Ryli Kauffman, Mackenzie Erixon, Katie Smith, Shalonda Hettinger, Hailey Miller, Kaitlyn Zander, Mikayla Williams, Katelyn Ahrendt, Layna Kapp, Sarah Rafferty, Megan Harshbarger, Kaci Beachy, Adriana Burton, Erin Schrock, Josie Hale, Kassidy Bissey, Kate Petersheim, and Logan Streible. Students were accompanied by their FCCLA Adviser, Ginger Voegel and EIU Practicum student, Desiree Thomas.

•November 27, 2019•
Sullivan Chamber & Economic Development is now accepting nominations for recipients of the 2019 Citizen of the Year, Lifetime Achievement Award, Small Business of the Year and Business of the Year.  Winners of the 2019 annual awards will be presented at the SCED Annual Luncheon on Wednesday, January 29, 2020. Read More

•November 27, 2019•
If you are alone and have no one to spend Thanksgiving with, or do not have the means to have a Thanksgiving Meal, we at the Sullivan Southern Baptist Church would like to invite you to our Community Thanksgiving Meal. Read More

•November 27, 2019•
The Lovington First Church of God will be presenting their annual live nativity event, “O Come Let Us Adore Him” on Saturday, December 7th ,2019 from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 pm at the Family Life Center located at 305 West State Street in Lovington, IL.
Everyone is invited to come share the nativity experience featuring character portrayals, angels, and a stable full of live animals. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served and kids can make a Christmas keepsake stocking to take home.
New this year will be a closing candlelight service at 7:00 p.m. which will feature the sharing of the nativity message and Christmas carols. This event is presented as a free gift from the Lovington Church of God.