Category Archives: News Briefs

Social Security And Medicare Are Lasting Sources Of Independence

News Progress Posted on by

•July 5, 2017•

By Gerald Tilley
Social Security District Manager

In July, communities everywhere celebrate our nation’s independence with fireworks, family, and friends. A strong community also creates independence as we help each other recognize our full potential.

Social Security has been helping people maintain a higher quality of life and a level of independence for over 80 years. And Medicare has been doing the same for over five decades. Most people first become eligible for Medicare at age 65. For many older Americans, this is their primary health insurance and without it, they might not enjoy an independent lifestyle.

Medicare can be a little confusing to newcomers so we’ve broken it down into segments. The four parts of Medicare are as easy as A, B, C, and D.  Read More

Walleye and Sauger Stockings at Lake Shelbyville

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•July 5, 2017•

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in conjunction with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) recently released walleye, averaging 1-3/4 to 1-7/8 inches long, from the Fin and Feathers Nursery Pond located near Sullivan. The fish were being raised in the nursery pond but had to be directly released into the lake May 25 due to water level being higher than normal and rising above the ponds outlet pipe.

Additional stockings of walleye and sauger, a close relative of the walleye, have been recently released in a different location in Lake Shelbyville.

-May 19: 26, 601 walleye were released at Bethany Boat Ramp, 1.6 inches Read More

Julia Beals Promoted To Vice President With First Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust

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•July 5, 2017•

Joseph R. Dively, Chairman and CEO of First Mid-Illinois Bancshares Inc., recently announced officer promotions that were approved at the annual organizational meeting, April 26.

Julia Beals has been promoted to Vice President, Retail Loan Officer. She joined First Mid in 1988 and has held various operational, marketing and lending positions within the bank. Since 2004 she has managed the Mortgage Lending services of the Sullivan branch and held leadership responsibilities of the Regional Retail Lenders. In addition Beals has developed lending responsibilities for numerous commercial and ag customers in the Sullivan market.  Read More

Watch Out For Rabid Bats And Animals

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•July 5, 2017•

More than a dozen rabid bats found in Illinois so far this year

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) wants people to beware of rabid animals, including bats, as they become more active this time of year. To date, more than a dozen rabid bats have been reported in Illinois this year.

“Most cases of rabies in Illinois are almost always found in bats,” said IDPH Director Nirav D. Shah, M.D., J.D. “You can’t tell just by looking at a bat if it has rabies so it’s important to avoid handling bats and to make sure your home has no openings where bats can come in.”

Rabies is a virus that affects the nervous system. People can get rabies after being bitten by an infected animal. Rabies can also be contracted when saliva from a rabid animal gets directly into a person’s eyes, nose, mouth, or a wound. People usually know when they have been bitten by a bat, but bats have very small teeth and the bite mark may not be easy to see. If you find yourself in close proximity to a bat and are not sure if you were exposed, for example – you wake up and find a bat in your room, do not kill or release the bat before calling your doctor or local health department to help determine if you could have been exposed to rabies and need preventive treatment. If the bat is available for testing and test results are negative, preventive treatment is not needed.  Read More

Jo Dee Messina and Pro Rodeo Headline the 87th Moultrie-Douglas County Fair July 9-15

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Photo furnished
Pictured is Jo Dee Messina.

•July 5, 2017•

The 87th year of the Moultrie-Douglas County Fair is shaping up to be one of the best events of the summer. The fair will be held July 9-15 at the fairgrounds located directly behind the Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond High School on Rt. 133.

Headlining will be Jo Dee Messina at 7 p.m. Saturday, July 15  and Carrollton Band at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 12. The entertainment lineup is sponsored by CHI Overhead Doors/Lift Master. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. for Messina.  Advance ticket sales for Messina are available at First Mid Banks of Tuscola and Arcola; First Community Bank of Sullivan and State Bank of Arthur. Beer will be available at the Messina concert. Read More

Spook Show Con at the Cross County Mall

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•July 5, 2017•

The CIL-Con/Spook Show Con Committee will hold the first annual Spook Show Con at the Cross County Mall, 700 Broadway Avenue East, in Mattoon July 14 and 15. The event will run from 3-9 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday. General admission to the event is free. There is a VIP Pass available for $20 that allows you access to exclusive areas, discounts on workshops and events, and additional perks. “We have had great support from the community with our annual CIL-Con event. We want to continue bringing new and different events to the Coles County area.

Spook Show Con is a great opportunity for fans of horror and paranormal to get to meet other like-minded people as well as meet some of their favorite celebrities. Bishop James Long of the U.S. Old Catholic Church will hold a two hour lecture on his experiences with Demonology. Other guests include Santiago Cirilo (Walking Dead, Nashville), Keith Age (Spooked TV, SyFy), and many more. A large selection of authors and artists feature their work and make custom pieces. Other vendors include home décor, candles, jewelry, cosplay, and many more. Read More

State Fair Gate and Parking Passes Available Online

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•July 5, 2017•

The Illinois State Fair continues its trek into the digital age! In 2016, the Illinois State Fair unveiled a new mobile app that allows fairgoers to customize their visit to the state fairgrounds. This year, the Illinois State Fair is offering an online payment option for gate admission, parking passes and mega passes with more features to be added as we approach the August fair. In addition to purchasing your tickets in advance, the Illinois State Fair will now have the option to scan those online purchases on your mobile phones at the gate.

“Technology is allowing the Illinois State Fair to evolve,” said State Fair Manager Kevin Gordon. “Scanning tickets is something we have been able to do at the Grandstand for a couple of years now, and we hope expanding this service to our twelve gates will be an added convenience for our fairgoers.” Read More

Moultrie Douglas Contestants

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Photo furnished
Miss Moultrie Douglas Contestants
2017 Miss Moultrie-Douglas Contestants.  Thirteen young women are vying for the title of 2017 Miss Moultrie-Douglas County Fair Queen.  The pageant will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 11 the main stage at the fairgrounds in Arthur. Pictured are contestants Myli Samples, Tuscola, Madeline Clabough, Camargo, Madysen Melton, Arcola, Alexis Kiser, Oakland, Lily Bales, Sullivan, Karla Madden, Newman, 2016 Miss Moultire-Douglas Amber Tabeling, Emma Johns, Villa Grove, Eilis Stewart, Arthur, Peyton Kresin, Tuscola, Kayla Hodge, Arthur, Carlin Nuzzo, Sullivan, and Ashley Mattingly, Tuscola.  Not Pictured,  Moranda Matheson.

Photo furnished
Junior Miss Moultrie-Douglas County Contentants
Junior Miss Moultrie-Douglas Pageant. Fifteen contestants seek the title of 2017 Junior Miss Moultrie-Douglas.  The pageant will be held on Monday, July 10 beginning at 7:00 p.m. on the Main Stage at the fair.  Contestants include Ella Chupp, Arcola, Reggan Smith, Camargo, Deana Clark, Bethany, Hadley Laster, Arcola, Delany Gillis, Lovington, Regann Bowles, Atwood, Maicyn Woodard, Tuscola, 2016 Jr. Miss Moultrie-Douglas Faith Hardwick, Tuscola, Brook Tucker, Hammond, Ava Allen, Hammond, Logan Streible, Atwood, Hunter Carson, Arthur, Jonika Nickles, Hindsboro, Delany Melton, Arcola, and Trista Lewis, Arcola.  Not pictured, Andrea Dehart, Atwood

Photo furnished
Little Miss Moultrie-Douglas Contestants
Little Miss Moultrie-Douglas Pageant Contestants. Twenty-four little girls seek the title of 2017 Little Miss Moultrie-Douglas.  The pageant will be held on Tuesday, July 11 at 7:00 p.m. on the Main Stage.  Contestants include, front row,  Bailey Dyer, Tuscola, Faith Whitlow, Atwood, Quinn Lebon, Arcola, Rorey Hackett, Tuscola, Roxanne Clark, Lovington, Piper Fleener, Sullivan, Leilah Long, Arcola, Maci Adkins, Villa Grove, Julieanne Steffans, Tuscola, Layke Sanstrom, Newman, and Jillian Higer, Tuscola.  Top row, Addison Dixon, Atwood, Claire Tharp, Newman, Bentley Parsons, Hammond, Bostyn Wesch, Arcola, Asah Williams, Newman, 2016 Little Miss Moultrie-Douglas Ava Brown, Tuscola, Abigail Franklin, Lovington, Mackenzie Strong, Arthur, Kaelynn Elbs, Tuscola, Sophia Wilson, Arcola, Ellie Shain, Sullivan, Eliza Lewis, Arcola, and Harper Drake, Camargo.  Not pictured, Maise Yoder, Sullivan

Inaugural Steam Threshing Show at Amish Heritage Center, July 21-22

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•July 5, 2017•

The Illinois Amish Heritage Center will host its inaugural steam threshing show Friday and Saturday, July 21-22 at its new location on Illinois Route 133, three miles east of Arthur and one mile west of Chesterville.

Steam threshing was a common summertime activity on almost every farm in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The threshing machines separated the wheat grain from the chaff and straw and were initially powered by large steam engines. By the 1920s and 30s, however, early gas tractors provided the power source and were connected to the threshing machine by a large belt. Modern combines began to replace threshing machines after World War II. Read More

Remember When? 7-5-2017

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25 Years Ago This Week

World War II medal of valor recipient Oliver Walker was Grand Marshall of the Sullivan Fourth of July parade. A two car accident just before the annual parade knocked out the month-old patrol car when it was struck at Water and Van Buren streets.

In B.B.’s column Bob Best recognized Wayne Smith of Bethany for having the first ripe tomato of the season. He paid tribute to next door neighbor Zac Horn and his landscaping assistant Clyde Thompson for taking care of all things lawn related on the Best property. “If the horticulture department at the U of I is scouting for talent, here are a couple of hot prospects,” B.B. noted.

Mary Oathout of Bethany took third place honors in the crib/juvenile division in the 17th Annual Quilt Show held at Rockome Gardens near Arcola.

Chad Borden is the Mad Hatter and Jenn McClaughen is Alice in the Little Theatre on the Square production of Alice in Wonderland. Read More