•December 6, 2017•
By Gerald Tilley
Social Security District Manager
Next payday, when you see a portion of your wages go toward FICA taxes, rest easier knowing that your investment in Social Security brings a lifetime of protections for you and your family.
From your first job and throughout your career, we track your earnings and give you credits for the contributions you’ve made through payroll taxes. Those credits can translate into important future benefits. Read More
•December 6, 2017•
By Wendell Potter,
Rural Health News Service
Medicare and drug coverage: some good news, some bad
One of the benefits of the Affordable Care Act to Medicare beneficiaries has been the gradual closing of a big and costly gap called the “doughnut hole” in the prescription drug (Medicare Part D) program. By the end of 2020—if the ACA is not repealed or altered substantially by Congress—the doughnut hole will be completely closed.
In 2010, people hit the doughnut hole coverage gap when the total amount they and their plan had paid for prescription drugs reached $2,800 in a coverage year. At that point, people had to pay the full cost of their prescription drugs until they had reached the out-of-pocket spending limit established by the law. In 2010 that limit was $4,550. After someone paid that much, their plan paid 95 percent of the cost of their drugs for the rest of the year.
The gap has been shrinking a little every year since the ACA (Obamacare) was enacted in 2010. This year, those enrolled in the Part D program personally paid 40 percent of the cost of brand-name drugs in the doughnut hole and 51 percent of the cost of generic drugs. Next year, the percentages will drop to 35 percent and 44 percent, respectively. In 2020 and beyond, Medicare Part D beneficiaries will pay 25 percent for both brand-names and generics. Read More
Photo furnished Gold Slip Students November gold slip winners at Sullivan Elementary School for those students who go above and beyond expections are pictured (from left to right): Tenley Stollard saw a student spill his drink on the floor. Without being asked, she immediately started cleaning it up, then picked up all the other trash around the trash can. Ellie Lehman, Julia Moody, and Kaylee Smith helped clean up the cafeteria after the second and third grade lunch. Madelyn Whitmore always sets a positive example for other students on the bus. The younger students enjoy sitting with her. She listens to them read and is patient. She is polite to the bus driver as she gets on and off the bus and always has something kind to say to other students. Infiniti Phillips noticed that the class supply of Redskin paper was running low and took it upon herself to go home and inform her mom about the situation. They sent paper in the following day for her class to use. Cadence Schmohe noticed staff members wiping down the tables in the cafeteria and jumped in to help even though she was not one of the table washers that week. Mary Crist jumped in to help a classmate who was struggling with her work. Handwriting and composing were both difficult for the student so Mary helped the student determine what to write and then wrote it for him so he could neatly copy it for a final draft. Mary always helps classmates in need, and often searches for ways to help. Olivia Hullum noticed staff members wiping down the tables in the cafeteria and jumped in to help even though she was not one of the table washers that week. Mya Dyer’s class has been learning several new ways to use iPads in class. Mya always listens very carefully. This allows her to help classmates when they struggle. Mya willingly helps anyone in need. She has been a kind and quiet leader in the classroom. Kendall Penberthy, Isabel Donovan, and Elizabeth Gonzalez clean and organize their classroom everyday after lunch without being asked.
•December 6, 2017•
The public is invited to a Holiday Stroll in Strasburg 2-5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9 to visit local businesses and churches. Participating are 32 Below, Country Financial, Edwards Crafts, Junk to Gems, Krile Auction Service, Kull Appliance Service, Olivier’s Country Creations, Short Stop, The Gym, Uptown Hair, York Bin Company, Strasburg Fire Department, Grace Lutheran Church, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and United Methodist Church.
Pick up a Holiday Stroll map at the Strasburg Community Center beginning at 2 p.m. Read More
Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Challenge Grant - Kathi Shackles, (center) executive director of Mid-Illinois Senior Services, receives a $500 challenge grant from Nadene Fugate (l) and Shirley Cardascio (r), administrators of the Mason Point Chapel Fund. Darin Wall, administrator of Mason Point, is standing in back.
•November 29, 2017•
The Chapel Fund at Mason Point has made a $500 challenge grant to the Mid-Illinois Senior Services (Senior Center) to aid in the purchase of new chairs. Nadene Fugate and Shirley Cardascio, administrators of the fund, agreed, “We are happy to assist the Senior Center because many of our residents attend programs there”.
Mason Point and the Senior Center have long enjoyed a cooperative relationship. Mason Point provides a monthly free lunch at the center and has donated all the supplies for adult coloring classes. Mason Point also provides bingo and Wheel of Fortune games to the center.Kathi Shackles, executive director of Mid-Illinois Senior Services, expressed her appreciation, saying, “The chairs have been here since we opened 15 years ago. They are worn, uncomfortable for the seniors and are beginning to fall apart. We are so grateful for this grant”.
•November 29, 2017•
Sullivan High School junior Cullen Dyer was recently elected president of the Eastern Illinois District Association of Student Councils during the annual convention at Eastern Illinois University.
Over the next year Dyer will represent the EIDASC by traveling to different schools in the district, run monthly district meetings, representing the district at the State Convention and LEAD Convention and overall work to improve the relationships between member schools.
Dyer is the Sullivan High School Student Council vice president and the son of Karen and Doug Dyer.
•November 29, 2017•
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is hosting a public meeting at 6 p.m. Monday, December 4 in the Lake Shelbyville Visitor Center.
The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the current water control plan, water control operations, and dam safety. Read More
25 Years Ago This Week
About 200 people gathered around the Sullivan square for the lighting of the Starflake Trail. WAND-TV weatherman Bob Murray, Sullivan Area Chamber president David Leslie and Starflake Trail organizer Patti Ketchmark were present when Mayor Leon Lane pulled the switch to light the trail in Sullivan.
Moultrie County Inter-Agency Council helped low-income families enjoy a merry Christmas for the past 11 years and hope to help 450 kids this season.
Carol Meadows, of the council Christmas committee, noted that the fund goal of $11,400 has received $6,480 so far. Vouchers donated may be used by children at The Fashion Shop, Index, Family Shoe Store, Dollar General, Coast to Coast Hardware, and D&M. Read More
•November 29, 2017•
Okaw Valley Superintendent Kent Stauder, principals Matt Shoaff and Ross Forlines, and Ag teacher Wes Wise presented at the 85th Joint Annual Conference in Chicago Nov. 18. Read More
•November 29, 2017•
Santa Claus is coming to town Saturday, December 9 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Lake Shelbyville Visitor Center.
Children of all ages and their families are welcome to stop in and see Santa. All who attend will receive a free photo print with Santa as well as some water safety items from Bobber the Water Safety Dog. Read More