Category Archives: News Briefs

Emma and Noah Remain Social Security’s Most Popular Baby Names for 2016

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•May 17, 2017•

Emma and Noah are again America’s most popular baby names for the third year in a row. This marks the fourth year at number one for Noah and the third for Emma. There is only one new name in the top 10 this year—Elijah, the first time he has ever reached the list of 10. Like a name, Social Security is with you through life’s journey, starting at birth when newborns receive their Social Security number.

Here are the top 10 boys’ and girls’ names for 2016:

Boys: 1) Noah, 2) Liam, 3) William, 4) Mason, 5) James, 6) Benjamin, 7) Jacob, 8) Michael, 9) Elijah, 10) Ethan.

Girls: 1) Emma, 2) Olivia, 3) Ava, 4) Sophia, 5) Isabella, 6) Mia, 7) Charlotte, 8) Abigail, 9) Emily, 10) Harper.

For all the top baby names of 2016, and to find where your own name ranks, go to Social Security’s website, www.socialsecurity.gov.

As is tradition on Baby Names Day, Acting Commissioner Nancy A. Berryhill encourages everyone to visit the agency’s website, enjoy the baby names list, and create a my Social Security account at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount. my Social Security is a personalized online account that people can use beginning in their working years and continuing through to the time they receive Social Security benefits.

Social Security beneficiaries can have instant access to their benefit verification letter, payment history, and complete earnings record by establishing a my Social Security account. Beneficiaries also can change their address, start or change direct deposit information, and print a replacement SSA-1099 online. People receiving Social Security can request a replacement Medicare card online.

Individuals age 18 and older who are not receiving benefits can also sign up for a my Social Security account to get their personalized online Social Security Statement. The online Statement provides workers with secure and convenient access to their Social Security earnings and benefit information, and estimates of future benefits they can use to plan for their retirement.

Please visit www.socialsecurity.gov to view the entire list.[/s2If]

Sangamon Reclaimed Inc. Honored

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•May 17, 2017•

The Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) named Sangamon Reclaimed Inc. as recipient of the Illinois Veterans’ Business and Appreciation Award for Second Quarter, Fiscal Year 2017. The Award was presented at the Sangamon Reclaimed location in Springfield, Illinois. The Illinois Veterans’ Business Appreciation Award highlights and honors the work of any business or organization in Illinois that has significantly helped veterans, and whose contributions to those who have served our country, are documented and deserve to be recognized. This award is designed to highlight and honor those businesses or organizations that go above and beyond the regular call of service to support veterans. Nominees are evaluated on the basis of their leadership, dedication, innovation, and impact in serving these heroes. Read More

Second Wettest April on Record

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•May 17, 2017•

The statewide average precipitation for April in Illinois was 7.01 inches, 3.23 inches above normal and the second wettest April on record, according to Illinois State Climatologist Jim Angel at the University of Illinois’ Illinois State Water Survey.

Three of the top five wettest Aprils since the late 1800s have been since 2011, indicating a wetter trend in recent years. Read More

St. Columcille’s June 10 Watercolor Workshop Features Mahomet Artist

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•May 10, 2017•

Mahomet artist Dee Siegmund will conduct a watercolor workshop for the Sullivan Art Club’s third workshop of the year Saturday, June 10.

The workshop will be held in the St. Columcille Church hall located on the east end of the church at the corners of W. Jackson and McClellan streets. There is a dedicated entrance to the hall adjacent to the parking lot. Read More

Sullivan Honors Students on Awards Night

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•May 10, 2017•

Sullivan High School Honors and Awards night was May 3 in the high school commons with more that $40,000 in scholarships awarded, along with a variety of honors for attending students.

Lake Land Community College Foundation scholars: Jonathan Gavin, Devin Warren, Shelby Freeman, Cassandra Freese, Bretton Crouse, Blake Pistorius.

LLC Presidential scholars: Anne Hogan, Shelby Freeman, Colleen Miller, Alexis Elder, Grace Mauck, William Nolen, Cassandra Weber.

Eastern Illinois University Commitment to Excellence award winners: Ashlynd Risley and Parker Whitaker.

Business student of the year: Bretton Crouse. Band student of the year: William Nolen.

Vocal music students of the year: Bryce King and Tatum Ellis. Read More

Stroke Symposium Hosted by DMH

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•May 10, 2017•

Decatur Memorial Hospital will host its annual Stroke Symposium at 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 25, in the Classroom Complex at the Hospital. This year’s event titled, “Think F.A.S.T. – Stroke Prevention: How Not to Have a Stroke” will feature health care specialists and leaders in the areas of stroke prevention, detection and treatment presenting on a variety of stroke-related topics:

• Brain Attack Introduction – Oliver Dold, M.D., Neurosurgeon, DMH Medical Group

• Initial Care of a Stroke – Kevin Oliver, D.O., DMH Emergency Medicine

• Restoring Blood Flow – Howard Wiarda, M.D., DMH Interventional Radiologist Read More

Spring Rendezvous Returns to Lake Shelbyville

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•May 10, 2017•

Join in the fun May 20 for the annual outdoor youth festival at Wolf Creek State Park on Lake Shelbyville in Windsor.

The Lincoln Trails Council Boy Scouts of America along with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources will host the 2017 Spring Rendezvous and Links to the Future.

The event is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and focuses on promoting, preserving, and continuing Illinois’ outdoor sporting traditions.

There will be opportunities for the public to go fishing, watch or participate in a Dutch Oven Gathering (D.O.G.), shoot targets with a BB gun, shotgun trap shooting, archery or throw tomahawks with the Illinois Tomahawk Throwers Association.  Read More

Thinking About Health: Crowd-sourcing May Bring Transparency to Medical Charges

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•May 10, 2017•

By Trudy Lieberman
Rural Health News Service

In a recent column I reported on an effort in Ohio to bring price transparency to medical services. Ohio state representative Jim Butler had spearheaded passage of legislation that would require healthcare providers including doctors and hospitals to disclose prices for their services. The law was supposed to take effect last summer, but Gov. John Kasich, the Ohio Hospital Association, and other health groups that oppose transparency have stymied implementation. The governor’s budget for next year calls for repealing the law.

Ohio’s law may disappear, but the demand for information is not going away. Many readers are downright angry after trying hard – and unsuccessfully - to get information to make good medical decisions.

James Friesen, a lending officer at a bank in Kearney, Nebraska, told me when he wanted to pay cash for a cardiac test his insurer wouldn’t pay for, he couldn’t find out the negotiated price his insurer had agreed to pay the hospital. Neither his insurer nor the hospital would say. “The doctor who ordered the test didn’t even know,” he said. “They intentionally keep patient consumers in the dark about pricing.” Read More

Remember When? 5-10-2017

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25 Years Ago This Week

Fire destroyed the James and Jane Rentfrow home of rural Sullivan with firefighters from Bethany and Arthur assisting. When firefighters arrived the north end of the home was engulfed in flames.

The curtain goes up on the annual Festival of Stars with everything from a sneak peek at The Little Theatre on the Square’s new season to countless activities for children and adults alike.

Toby Twist, the clown, and special guest “Toodle, the Poodle” were official greeters for the Festival.

Bethany’s Jamie Scott won the high jump, the long jump and helped the team to a third at the Redskin Relays.

Danny Gott and Lawson Livingston helped pace Sullivan to a second place finish in the 3200 relay at Redskin Relays. Read More

Menus 5-10-2017

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Sullivan Pre-School Breakfast
Monday, May 15- Nutri-grain bar, orange juice, milk.
Tuesday, May 16 - Biscuits & gravy, orange juice, milk.
Wednesday, May 17 - Toast, orange juice, milk.
Thursday, May 18 - Cereal, orange juice, milk.
Friday, May 19 - French toast sticks, orange juice, milk.

Sullivan Pre-School Lunch
Monday, May 15 - Goulash, lettuce salad, peaches, garlic bread, milk.
Tuesday, May 16 - Chicken salad sandwiches, vegetable sticks, banana, milk.
Wednesday, May 17 - Tater tot casserole, green beans, Mandarin oranges, bread & butter, milk.
Thursday, May 18 - Fish on bun, carrots, pineapple, milk.
Friday, May 19 - Chicken nuggets, tater tots, mixed fruit, bread & butter, milk.

Senior Peace Meal
For additional information or for reservations, please call 1-800-543-1770
Monday, May 15 - Ham & beans, copper carrots, corn bread, pineapple tidbits.
Tuesday, May 16 - Mostaccioli w/meaty sauce, Mexi-corn, seasoned greens, whole grain wheat, cottage cheese fruit salad.
Wednesday, May 17 - Stuffed chicken breast, twice baked potato casserole, seasoned Italian green beans, dinner roll, cranberry oatmeal cookie.
Thursday, May 18 - Pot roast w/potatoes, carrots, & onions w/gravy, creamy cole slaw, Texas toast, warm fruit crisp.
Friday, May 19 - Chili, lettuce/spinach salad w/dressing pkt., Mandarin oranges, crackers, graham cracker (1), pudding.