Category Archives: News Briefs

Farm Bureau Adopts Legislator for a Day

News Progress Posted on by

Photo furnished
Moultrie County Farm Bureau Director Clint Robinson shows Senator Napoleon Harris one of the radishes that were planted as a cover crop on the 4R4U plot. Senator Harris was able to hear how radishes are used as a cover crop by helping reduce soil compaction

•July 26, 2017•

The Moultrie County Farm Bureau hosted their “Adopted” legislator Napoleon Harris III on Friday, July 21. Adopt a Legislator is a program through the Illinois Farm Bureau where County Farm Bureaus are able to “adopt” urban legislators to be able to teach and inform them on agriculture.

The MCFB has recently adopted Senator Harris and was able to visit his district in March of this year. With visiting his district, the Farm Bureau wanted him to see firsthand Moultrie County agriculture.

Senator Harris was able to visit the 4R4U field, which is a test plot farmed by MCFB Director Clint Robinson and is a project between Moultrie County Farm Bureau and  South Central FS.

Harris was able to see some of the cover crops that were planted on the field last fall which included radishes. He then toured the South Central FS plant, was able to meet with the officers and advisor of Sullivan FFA, toured the ADM elevator in Sullivan, Lehman Farms where he was able to see livestock, and ended the day at the Eric and Lisa Shuman farm for a machinery tour and dinner. [/s2If]

Horsemanship Course Offered for Beginners

News Progress Posted on by

•July 26, 2017•

Those who love horses and would like to learn basic horsemanship, M&M Farms is offering a course July 31, Aug 3,7,and 10.

The four sessions are from 10-11 a.m. and focuses on horse body language, grooming, handling and how to talk to a horse. This is an unmounted course. Read More

Illinois Department of Public Health Offers Heat Safety Tips

News Progress Posted on by

•July 26, 2017•

With high temperatures here, Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Director Nirav D. Shah, M.D., J.D. is urging Illinoisans to take preventive actions to avoid heat-related illness such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

“It’s important for people to recognize the signs of heat-related illness and take action to prevent becoming sick,” said Director Shah.  “Normally, the body cools itself by sweating. However, if temperatures and humidity are extremely high, sweating is not effective in maintaining the body’s normal temperature. If the body does not cool properly or does not cool enough, a person may suffer a heat-related illness, which can become serious or even deadly if unattended.”    Read More

Menus 7-26-2017

News Progress Posted on by

Sullivan Pre-School Breakfast

Monday, July 31 - Bagels, fruit juice, milk
Tuesday, August 1 - Cereal, fruit juice, milk
Wednesday, August 2 - Biscuits and gravy, fruit juice, milk
Thursday, August 3 -Mixed fruit, fruit juice, milk
Friday, August 4 - Granola bars, fruit juice, milk

Sullivan Pre-School Lunch

Monday, July 31 - Taco bake, lettuce salad, pears, milk
Tuesday, August 1 - BBQ chicken sandwich, green beans, peaches, milk
Wednesday, August 2 - Tater tots casserole, corn, mandarin oranges, dinner rolls, milk
Thursday, August 3 - Chicken patty on bun, carrots, pineapple, milk
Friday, August 4 - Pork fritters, mixed vegetables, mixed fruit, bread and butter, milk

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

Monday, July 31 - Fish Sandwich w/Tartar Sauce, Baked Beans, Herbed Peas, Bun, Pears
Tuesday, August 1 - Fried Chicken, Mashed Potatoes w/Gravy, Broccoli Salad, Whole Grain Wheat (1), Warm Fruit Crisp
Wednesday, August 2 - Stuffed Peppers in Tomato Sauce, Buttered Corn, Whole Grain Dinner Roll, Tropical Fruit
Thursday, August 3 - Shepherd’s Pie, Cucumber and Onion Salad, Biscuit, Graham Crackers (1), Hot Cinnamon Buttered Apples
Friday, August 4 - Pork Chop in Gravy, Mini Potato Bakers, Tomatoes and Zucchini, Texas Toast, Melon Salad w/Grapes

Lake Land Spring Graduation

News Progress Posted on by

•July 26, 2017•

Area residents included in Lake Land College’s spring graduation are Allison Wheeler of Bethany, Management, Marketing, Professional Sales, Applied Science Management; Anita Hines, Nursing, Kelly Sidwell, Nursing and Cassi Upton, Physical Therapist Assistant, all of Gays; Sean Smith of Lovington, Pre-Engineering; Katie Bell, Agriculture, Sydney Boehm, Agriculture, Darrell Fox, Building Construction Technology and Monica Wiltermood, Accounting, all of Windsor. Read More

Thinking About Health: U.S. Healthcare Ranked Lower Than In Most Developed Nations

News Progress Posted on by

•July 26, 2017•

By Trudy Lieberman,
Rural Health News Service

One thing I haven’t heard much in this latest healthcare debate is that the U.S. has the best health system in the world. That’s different from the last two times around.

When the nation debated the Clinton health plan in 1994 and the Affordable Care Act in 2009-2010, a huge talking point for politicians and special business interests opposed to reform was, “The American system is so good, why change it?”

It’s different this year. Maybe that’s because the public realizes America doesn’t have the best, and their own interactions with what American healthcare has become tell them a different story. The old talking point doesn’t compute any more.

Of course, we’ve all had some good experiences. And we generally continue to believe that the money we spend on super expensive technology and medicines equates to good care even though evidence shows those costly interventions may not deliver as advertised and actually may be harmful. Read More

Foodbank Receives Grant From the Walmart Foundation 

News Progress Posted on by

•July 26, 2017•

Eastern Illinois Foodbank received a $50,000 grant from the Walmart Foundation to fund infrastructure that will ultimately help the food bank’s partner agencies secure and distribute more nutritious food to families in need. The grant will support investments in the equipment necessary to handle perishable products such as coolers and freezers for transporting, storing and distributing food; thermometers and temperature calibration devices; shelving units, carts and more.

“One in seven people struggle with hunger in eastern Illinois, including nearly 35,000 children,” said Jim Hires, President & CEO of the Foodbank. “We are thankful to the Walmart Foundation for helping to ensure that people who struggle with hunger have access to nutrient-rich food. This grant will go a long way in helping Eastern Illinois Foodbank and our partner agencies across 17 counties.” Read More

Don’t Get Schooled, Get Smart About Social Security

News Progress Posted on by

•July 26, 2017•

By Gerald Tilley
Social Security District Manager

Your summer job might be ending soon. You might even hold a part time job while you’re in school. You can easily jump to the head of the class and secure your future with a few simple steps. As a young worker, you’re in the best position for planning, investing, and saving for your retirement, growing that nest egg as large as it can be. The sooner you start, the more money you’ll have.

There are two easy ways to get started in preparing for retirement:  Read More

Domestic Violence Volunteer Training

News Progress Posted on by

•July 26, 2017•

Training is available for individuals interested in educating themselves on the issues surrounding domestic violence. The training will be held 1-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday, September 11-27 in Decatur at Dove, 302 S. Union, Dean Simcox Conference Room. This 40-hour training is approved by ICADV (Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence) and facilitated by Dove and other community agencies’ staff members. There is a $150 fee for the training and some scholarships available. Read More

Favorite Son Award for Local Man

News Progress Posted on by

Photo furnished
Pastor Kelly Cox and Harold Keown with award.

•July 26, 2017•

Harold Keown of Decatur received the Virgil Fergason Favorite Son Award at Christ United Methodist Church July 16. Keown was a 30 year resident of Bethany before moving to Decatur.

Fergason was an integral part of the church and its mission until his death in 2011. The award was created to honor the memory of Fergason as well as to recognize the service of a current member. Harold Keown has been a member of Christ United Methodist for more than 50 years. He has been a financial officer in the church since 1969, and during that time he has served as financial secretary and treasurer. Read More