Dear Editor:

In a June 29 Herald and Review article, “All eyes turn to vacancy”, the writer opined that Roe v Wade should be overturned. She had an abortion 13 years ago but has regretted that decision.
I assume she was relieved and happy at the time that she had the freedom to make her choice.
Now she would deny other women the same right of choice. How sublimely selfish! Nothing quite so righteous as a reformed whatever, as the saying goes.
Make no mistake - the issue here is a woman’s right to choose what is best for her circumstances. Read More

•July 11, 2018•

General show champions from the Moultrie-Douglas 4-H fair are: Aerospace – Coady Kerner, Country Clovers, Tuscola; Animal Science Alexis Gee, Moultrie County Shining Stars, Allenville; Clothing & Textiles –- Hannah Carter, Awesome Arthur Clovers, Arthur; Food & Nutrition-Addison Stollard, Moultrie County Shining Stars, Sullivan.
Electricity - Ben Bushue, Moultrie County Shining Stars, Sullivan; Horticulture– Caleb Kerner, Country Clovers, Arcola; Geology - Brett Bushue, Moultrie County Shining Stars, Sullivan; Intercultural – Emma Harris, Atwood-Hammond Prairie Dogs, Atwood. Read More

•July 4, 2018•

By Gordon Hopkins,
Rural Health News Service

The electronic cigarette, or e-cigarette, has been touted – without proof – as a healthier alternative to traditional tobacco products and perhaps even a method of breaking the tobacco habit altogether. Now a new, related product with the brand name JUUL has entered the market and is especially appealing to teens.
An e-cigarette, which looks much like a traditional cigarette, heats a liquid to create an aerosol, called “vapor,” that can be inhaled.
It is true that many of the toxic chemicals found in tobacco smoke are not present in the “vapor.” However, most e-cigarettes still contain nicotine in addition to some chemicals not necessarily found in tobacco.
A Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health study published in Environmental Health Perspectives says some chemicals in e-cigarettes are linked to a severe respiratory disorder and that nicotine is still addictive even if it’s delivered in a vapor.
Furthermore, the Food and Drug Administration has not approved electronic cigarettes as a safe or effective method to quit smoking.
The bottom line is, no study has yet identified the long-term effects of “vaping,” and the belief that it is somehow safer than regular cigarettes may lead users to indulge more than they might otherwise. Read More

•July 4, 2018•

With the Fourth of July fast approaching and the summer months upon us, indulging in barbecues, holiday parties and swimming often top the list of activities to enjoy during the summer season. To help everyone do so safely, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is reminding people about potential summer fire and electrical hazards, and providing tips and recommendations to minimize them.
“By knowing where potential fire and electrical hazards exist during the summer months and taking the needed steps to prevent them, people can enjoy activities such as grilling, swimming and celebrating the Fourth of July while keeping their families, guests and homes safe,” said Lorraine Carli, vice president of NFPA’s Outreach and Advocacy Division.
Following are NFPA’s summer-related safety statistics and tips:
Fireworks: NFPA recommends that revelers refrain from using consumer fireworks and attend public fireworks displays put on by trained professionals. Read More