Category Archives: News Briefs

First Mid-Illinois Completes Acquisition of First BancTrust 

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•May 23, 2018•

First Mid-Illinois Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: FMBH) (“First Mid” or the “Company”) announced today that the acquisition of First BancTrust Corporation (“First Bank”) (OTCQX:FIRT) has been completed. The acquisition represents approximately $479 million in total assets, $392 million in deposits and $370 million in loans through seven full-service banking centers in Illinois, operating as First Bank & Trust.

There are no immediate changes for First Bank customers. The conversion of accounts from First Bank to First Mid is expected to happen later this year. Customers will receive information well in advance of any changes that may affect them.

“We are very excited to expand our presence in the attractive and growing Champaign-Urbana region and to extend our footprint in the adjacent counties to the east of our headquarters,” said Joe Dively, First Mid Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “We look forward to maintaining strong relationships and involvement in these communities and the opportunity to bring expanded services to our First Bank customers.”  Read More

SBL Honors Employees at Annual Recognition Banquet

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•May 23, 2018•

Sarah Bush Lincoln recently recognized more than 300 employees upon reaching milestone years of service to the Health System at the annual Bravo! Dedication Banquet.

SBL Regional Cancer Center nurses Bing Bennett, RN, and Gail Cook, RN, were awarded Sarah Bush Lincoln’s annual Bravo! President’s Award for going above and beyond to help people struggling with personal expenses while they are fighting cancer. The President’s Award is the highest honor an employee can receive and is part of an employee recognition program, which underscores the standards of excellence in the Health System. Nominees should demonstrate exceptional customer service, or contribute above normal job expectations, that reflect Sarah Bush Lincoln’s mission and values.

The annual recipient is selected from one of four quarterly winners chosen throughout the year and is announced at the annual Bravo! Dedication Banquet. Other quarterly President’s Award nominees included: Peg Blair, Eleni Key, RN, Natasha Deters, RN, Kelsey Wilson, RN, Blake Ferry, RN, Tami Gorman, RN, Jessica Lee, RN, Jennie Rabe, CP, Lyndsy Hunt, CP, and Mariah Ousley.

Also honored at the banquet were the following retiree’s for their years of service to Sarah Bush Lincoln: Kathy Allen, Nirmala Amin, Sheryl Artmann, Terry Bartels, Judy Brown, Jan Carpenter, Erna Doty, Donna Easterday, Richard Easton, Connie Elder, Charles Fuesting, Don Gilmore, Susan Goldstein, Charla Grafton, Trudie Hahn, Patrick Hartman, Connie Heath, Sheila Holsapple, Jeannie Hungler, Robert Jaco, Ruth Lawrence, Sally Leitch, Jennifer Markwell, Richard McDade, Gary Mikel, Sandra Miller, Deborah Newell, Sue Osborn, Marilyn Taylor and Sandy Upton. Read More

50th Anniversary of Heroic Act for Local Medal of Honor Recipient

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•May 16, 2018•

There will be a commemoration to honor Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, PFC Robert C. Burke on Thursday, May 17 at 7 p.m. at the Monticello High School Auditorium. This will mark the 50th Anniversary of PFC Burke’s heroic actions in Vietnam, saving literally dozens of his fellow Marines while sacrificing his own.

PFC Robert C. Burke was, by MOS, a Marine mechanic with the soul and esprit of a machine gunner. Assigned to India Company, 3/27 in February 1968 he accepted and relished his new role as an M60 man.  Read More

Area Libraries Receive Per Capita Grants

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•May 16, 2018•

State Representative Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) announced that a large number of libraries in the 102nd District are receiving grants through the Illinois Secretary of State ‘Per Capita’ Grant program totaling $99,627.50. Per Capita Grant funding may be used for a variety of expenses such as materials, personnel, equipment, electronic access, telecommunications and technology. Read More

Wesleyan Graduates Student from Arthur

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•May 16, 2018•

Illinois Wesleyan University honored 389 candidates for graduation during Commencement on May 6, 2018. Kirk Schroeder ’84, the co-founder of two life science companies, delivered the Commencement address. The candidates include Zoe Bouras of Arthur, Summa Cum Laude, Phi Kappa Phi and Phi Beta Kappa and majored in international studies and political science with research honors.

Social Security Honors The Nation’s Heroes On Memorial Day 

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•May 16, 2018•

By Gerald Tilley
Social Security District Manager

On Memorial Day, we honor service members who have given their lives for our nation. Social Security acknowledges the heroism and courage of our military service members, and we remember those who have given their lives to protect our country. Part of how we honor these heroes is the way we provide Social Security benefits.

The loss of a family member is difficult for anyone. Social Security helps by providing benefits to protect service members’ dependents. Widows, widowers, and their dependent children may be eligible for Social Security survivors benefits. You can learn more about Social Security survivors benefits at www.socialsecurity.gov/survivors. Read More

ALAH Students Attend FCCLA State Leadership Conference

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Photo furnished
ALAH FCCLA had two students, Juniors Jessica Renfro and Megan Osborne attend the conference along with adviser, Ginger Voegel.

•May 16, 2018•

The Illinois Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) held the annual State Leadership Conference in Springfield. The conference was held on  April 12-14 at the BOS Convention Center, the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel and the Wyndham Hotel.

There were more than 2000 students, advisers and guests in attendance. More than 900 of those students participated in the State Proficiency and STAR Competitive Events. Attendees also had the opportunity to listen to workshop presentations on current topics. The election of the 2018-2019 Illinois Association of FCCLA State Officers also took place during the conference.

Illinois FCCLA partnered with the Illinois Department of Child and Family Services for their community service project. FCCLA members from across the state made monetary contributions, made birthday cards and donated gift cards for the project. The money collected was used to purchase smoke and carbon monoxide detectors for foster care families.

The keynote speaker for the conference was Ryan Moran of Columbus, Ohio. David Dean of Fort Wayne, Ind. provided the Friday night entertainment with a hilarious comedy routine.

Menus 5-16-2018

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Senior Peace Meal
For additional information or for reservations, please call 1-800-543-1770

Monday, January 5 - Egg, bacon and cheddar scramble, citrus salad, muffin, warm fruit strudel bites
Tuesday, January 6 - Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, 4-bean salad, warm fruit cobbler, whole grain wheat
Wednesday, January 7 - Pork chop, baked onions, peas, sliced pears, whole grain wheat
Thursday, January 8 - Chicken and noodles, mashed potatoes, Lyonnaise carrots, roll, fruited Jell-O
Friday, January 9 - Baked ham, candied sweet potatoes, seasoned black beans, 5-cup salad, whole grain wheat (2)

Lovington Alumni Honor Five Local Businesses

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•May 16, 2018•

At their homecoming banquet September 29, the Lovington Alumni Association will honor the five local businesses who display LHS trophies.

Even before the Lovington High School building was torn down, community businesses were planning ways to keep the trophies and other memorabilia that had formerly been displayed in the LHS halls and foyers for decades.

Ray Duncan, chairman of the board of Hardware State Bank, first suggested the idea of housing the trophies at the library, phone company and elevator.

“I had seen my former high school and other schools that had been merged store their trophies in closets or lose them,” Duncan said.

Duncan thought the bank was the perfect place to house the basketball and volleyball trophies. He had coached Lovington’s boys’ basketball teams three different times, leading the high school to three regional championships and three conference championships. He also coached the junior high boys’ team for two years prior to the annexation of the school district. Read More

Remember When? 5-16-2018

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25 Years Ago This Week

Lovington grade school teacher Glenda Harris and her husband Bob and two of her third grade students Jarad Bolsen and Jacob Trower collected duck eggs at the Masonic Home for a project in Harris’ classroom. Animal caretaker at the home, Rick Matthews, held the ducks while the boys collected the eggs. A styrofoam-like incubator has been donated to the classroom. There is a small clear window for which the students may observe the eggs which are expected to hatch in 31-33 days.

Illinois State Police Trooper Rick Hector of Sullivan rode along on a Union Pacific engine through Villa Grove, Tuscola, Arthur, and Sullivan several times as part of the Trooper on a Train program. Officers from the city, county and state are monitoring the crossings for traffic violations.

Powers Elementary Young Authors were saluted during an awards ceremony. Andrew Crawford, Lindsey Sporrer, Molly VanDeursen and Ashlyn White read their contest entries and were presented with awards. Read More