•August 15, 2018•

Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White awarded over $4.7 million in Adult Literacy Grants to develop and enhance students’ reading, math, writing and English language skills.
“An estimated 2.1 million Illinois residents need adult literacy and/or English language instruction,” said White. “I am pleased to provide 76 local literacy providers with funding that will allow adult students to achieve their utmost potential in the upcoming year. I will continue to do everything I can to ensure that all Illinoisans have access to quality literacy programs.”
Nearly 13,500 students will be served by adult literacy programs around the state. More than 6,200 volunteer tutors will provide instruction and guidance for students. Adult literacy projects help Illinois adults who read below the ninth-grade level or speak English at a beginner level improve their reading, writing, math or use of English as a new language. Read More

•August 15, 2018•

The C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation Board of Directors held their 53rd annual board meeting in Effingham August 2 with nearly 200 people in attendance.
C.E.F.S. showcased their annual accomplishments in helping people and changing lives and in achieving their mission of providing opportunities for people through education and support to achieve and maintain self-sufficiency.
During the annual meeting, the agency recognized and thanked board members for volunteering their time to guide and direct the agency.
The agency also recognized the 2018 Family of Distinction, the Tawdros Family of Effingham, for their achievements towards economic stability which exemplified the agency’s efforts in helping people and changing lives. In addition, sixteen individuals were recognized who had made a tremendous level of personal growth towards achieving self- sufficiency. Read More

25 Years Ago This Week

Lake Shelbyville was full of boaters trying to cool off during the 4th of July weekend. Local law enforcement reported only a few incidents during the busy weekend.
Heading this year’s 4th of July parade were Korean War veterans who served as parade marshals. Among them were Don Carnes, Bill Doris, Bill Graven, Mac Graven, Bill Harris, Bob Hess, Gene Himes, Sam Kenton, Dick Johnson, Herbert Maycroft, Robert Merriman, Red Proffitt, Richard Purdeu, Bill Rauch, Glenn Ryherd, Bill Shasteen, Dave Stone, Hubert Walton, Dale Weaver, John Nagy, all of the National Guard unit and Charles Hausman, Darrell Betzler and Jim Williams.
Jason Probus won first place in the kiddie tractor pull in the 0-5 age group, Matthew Utlser got second place and Jeff Probus got third. In the 6-7 age group Dustin Cole got first, Dustin Salmons got second, Tenille Waggoner, third. Katie Fombelle won the 8-9 category, Amber Cole took second, and third place went to Ashly Thompson. Read More

•August 15, 2018•

The sixth annual Chet Kingery Memorial Bluegrass Festival, hosted by Mackville Bluegrass, will return to The Great Pumpkin Patch in Arthur Saturday, September 1. Bands will be picking from noon to 10 p.m.
The festival line-up features IBMA Male Vocalist of the Year nominee and most-awarded winner, Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out, as well as the 2016 IBMA Male Vocalist of the Year, Danny Paisley and The Southern Grass. Back by popular demand, The Harmans will perform once again this year. Rounding out the schedule are Cornfields and Crossroads from Indianapolis and host band and local favorite, Mackville. Each band will perform twice, once in the afternoon and once in the evening. Read More

•August 15, 2018•

Decatur Memorial Hospital’s outpatient medical rehabilitation program has again attained the highest level of accreditation available by the International Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).
CARF’s three-year accreditation includes a rigorous on-site peer review process for treatment of single discipline adults, single discipline children/adolescents, multi-discipline adults, and multi-discipline children/adolescents.
These DMH outpatient rehabilitation facilities were surveyed and accredited: DMH Rehabilitation Center, Forsyth Physical Therapy, Sports Medicine and Physical Therapy, East Gate Physical Therapy , Sullivan Medical Center. Read More