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ALAH artwork at EIU
Natalia Beachy, Charlotte Donkers, Maria Garza, Annie Snyder, Andrea Witbeck and Rachel Yoder were honored at a reception April 7 at Eastern Illinois University. They each had artwork selected to be displayed in the 36th Children’s Art Exhibition at Tarble Arts Center. The show was open through April 15. Pictured with some of the works left to right: Annie Snyder, Natalia Beachy, Charlotte Donkers.
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HTA Student of the Quarter
Anthony Weekly, a junior at OVHS, was recently named Heartland Tech Academy student of the quarter. Weekly is a first year student in the welding program.
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4-H Shining Star Judges
More than 400 young people participated in Lake Land College’s Livestock Judging Contest March 17. Sixty-seven junior 4-H kids from Kentucky and Illinois along with numerous high school and FFA members participated in the event.
Five Moultrie County Shining Stars 4-H Club members participated. Gareth Coffer, Rhett Lehman, Addison Stollard, and Sarina Voegel competed as a team. Anyssa Coffer competed as an individual. Stollard earned fifth place over all in the sheep category. There was judging of cattle, goats, sheep, and swine. Reported by Gareth Coffer, Club Reporter
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Allen Bennett Honored
State Sen. Chapin Rose (left) and State Rep. Brad Halbrook (right) hosted the family of Allen Bennett at the Statehouse April 10. Rose and Halbrook sponsored legislation honoring Bennett and his service to the people of Illinois. Pictured from left to right: Sen. Rose; Allen’s daughter, Tammera McClendon; Mary K. Bennett (Allen’s wife); Allen’s son, Allen F. Bennett II; Christi Bennett (wife of Allen II); Jean Kimbrough (friend of Tammera), State Rep. Brad Halbrook.
Allen Bennett died in November 2017. He lived in Windsor and was a Circuit Judge in Shelby County. Bennett was also a former Illinois State Representative, serving constituents in Shelby, Macon, and Moultrie counties and a former state’s attorney in Moultrie County. Bennett was 74.
25 Years Ago This Week
Ralph W “Dink” Chaney retired from his job as East Nelson Township road commissioner after 42 years. He recalls the winter of 1957 was the worst winter in his career. He couldn’t get the plows through the drifts and had to bring in a dozer.
Some Sullivan Middle School students were found at Wyman Park enjoying the long awaited warm temperatures. LaCosta Meadows, Danielle Jenkins, Jamie Dunphy, Cassie Fifer and Jill Seelhoefer took turns on the tornado slide.
Bethany music students received 57 firsts and 11 seconds when they hosted the IESA State Solo and Ensemble contest. Those receiving firsts in vocal solos are Wendy Claytor, Heidi Munch, Brandon Patrick and Vanessa Cohan. Middle schools students are Betsy Rowe, Adam Hickenbottom, Blake Manhart, Justin Colclasure, Anitra Rowe, and Tanya Skidmore. Firsts in piano solos are Justin Colclasure, Tereza Roney, Kyle Price, J.C. Fitzgerald and Brigham Hagerman. Students placing first with instrument solos are Vanessa Cohan, Jamie Campbell, Kendall Patient, Clint Wilson, Shane Simmons, Lindsey Grebein, Kyle Price, Chare Antoniou, JC Fitzgerald, Jacob Schwartz, Ryan, McCabe, Neil Matheson, Wendy Claytor, Heidi Munch, Betsy Rowe, Rachel Stewart, Jeremy Steimel, Dana Peck, Tereza Roney, Ryan Bagley, Melissa Ashley, Jenny Sowers and Sam Ozier. Read More
•May 2, 2018•
Eastern Illinois University has named Zach Newell as its new library dean.
Newell comes to EIU from Salem State University in Massachusetts, where he served in various library roles over the past 10 years. Those roles will allow him to bring both educator and administrative perspectives to EIU, which will assist Booth Library in meeting the evolving demands of its students and faculty.
Newell said he is excited to be joining such a talented team in EIU’s Booth Library. He is especially impressed with the excitement and passion EIU’s faculty and staff share in working closely and collaboratively with the university’s diverse population of students—a critical component of EIU’s broader mission to foster opportunities for student-faculty scholarship. Read More
May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month
Letter to the Editor,
May is Lyme Awareness Month. Borreliosis (more commonly known as Lyme) is the greatest vector borne disease with over 300,000 new cases each year in the U.S. alone. The number of cases reported annually has increased nearly 25 fold since national surveillance began in 1982. There are five subspecies of borrelia burgdorferi, over 100 strains in the U.S. and 300 strains worldwide.
There are no accurate tests, with which to confirm one has it, or one to show the organism is eradicated and the patient is cured. Fewer than 50% of patients recall a tick bite, and less than 50% of patients have the classic “bullseye” rash. Up to 50% of ticks in Lyme-endemic areas are infected, and 40% of Lyme patients end up with long term health problems. The average patient sees five doctors over nearly two years before being diagnosed. Lyme disease is a clinical diagnosis. Unfortunately, most doctors in our area are not properly trained to recognize or treat Lyme. Read More
•May 2, 2018•
Wid Hale was born March 6, 1927 the daughter of Les and Neva Murphy. She was born, raised and resided in Lovington until moving to The Arthur Home. Hale has four sisters and two brothers.
In 1943 she married Cliff Hale, raising two sons Jack and Gary, and she has four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Wid enjoyed being a housewife and stay-at home mother when the boys were young while also helping Cliff farm.
As the boys got older, Wid worked as a rural mail carrier retiring after 20 years. Read More
•May 2, 2018•
• General Homestead Exemption (Owner Occupied) (35 ILCS 200/15-175) — This exemption is for those who own and occupy residences or have a leasehold residence. This is a $6,000 reduction in EAV. If there is a leasehold residence, Lessee or Lessor must obtain an application from the Supervisor of Assessment Office.
• Senior Citizens Homestead Exemption (Elderly) (35 ILCS 200/15-170) — This exemption is for those who own and occupy residence or have a leasehold on residence and are 65 years of age or older. This is a $5,000 reduction in EAV.
• Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption (35 ILCS 200/15-172) —This exemption is for those who own and occupy residence or have a leasehold on residence and are 65 years of age or older and have resided in the residence for two Januarys and total household income is $65,000 or less. To maintain this exemption, one must complete the application annually by the county’s due date. Read More
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Macklin Wins Livestock Judging in Carbondale
The OVHS livestock judging team ventured to Carbondale to participate in another competition. The team did great with Ethan Macklin earning first overall and Tanner Coleman 19th out of 215 contestants. Pictured at the Carbondale event from left: Tanner Coleman, Garrett Tippit, and Ethan Macklin.