•May 23, 2018•

Illinois State Police (ISP) District 10 Commander, Captain Louis Kink, is reminding motorists to take the necessary safety precautions to prevent senseless tragedies during the upcoming Memorial Day holiday weekend. Memorial Day weekend is one of the busiest periods for travelers, and millions of motorists are expected to hit the roadways and interstates across the country.

The ISP will be doing our part in keeping the roadways safe for those traveling through the state. The ISP will be strictly enforcing the most common traffic violations that result in fatal crashes: Speeding, DUI, seat belts, and distracted driving.

There are many safe driving initiatives the ISP is participating in over the holiday weekend. Read More

To the Editor,

The heartbeat of The Hope in Christ Area Revival is fueled by a love God put in our hearts for all people in our community and a burning desire for all to experience the life changing love God offers.

Sin is a cruel taskmaster and holds many in prisons of unforgiveness, bitterness, rejection, shame and misery for too long, sometimes for a lifetime. Jesus came to heal hearts broken by sin, to open eyes (and hearts) blinded by the pain of sin and open the prison doors with the key of forgiveness for those living in those prisons. He came to heal the bruises of verbal, physical, sexual, and emotional abuse from the past. Read More

•May 23, 2018•

The Regional Office of Education #11 has partnered with The Rotary Foundation to receive a global grant that would bring Jamaican educators to the region to work with local educators at the Regional Office of Education #11 in Charleston.

Educators from Jamaica will spend five days, June 4-8, working with about 40 area educators in an intensive train-the-trainer experience in social and emotional lessons that build individual protective factors in children to help them succeed. Teachers, counselors, and principals representing over 20 different ROE #11 school districts are currently signed up for the week-long training that addresses methods of managing school conflict. “It says a lot about the committment of our educators to sacrifice a portion of their summer break for their own professional learning,” said Dr. Kyle Thompson, assistant regional superintendent. “There was enough interest generated to have a participant wait list,” Thompson said. Read More

•May 23, 2018•

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Lake Shelbyville is hosting a free fishing tournament for children under 13 on Saturday, June 2 at Opossum Pond. The pond is located near the entrance to the Opossum Creek Recreation Area. Participants are encouraged to pre-register by calling 217-774-3951 ext. 2, though it is not mandatory.

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. for the age six and under category, and participants will fish from 9 to 9:45 a.m. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. for the age 7-9 and 10-12 category, and participants will fish from 10-11 a.m. Prizes will be awarded for biggest fish, smallest fish, and most fish in each age division. All children will receive a certificate for participating.  Read More

•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