•May 3, 2017•

By Trudy Lieberman
Rural Health News Service

Federal funding for meals on wheels is on the chopping block. The Trump administration budget blueprint released in March calls for the elimination of two federal block grants: That’s money the federal government gives the states for social welfare programs, and those programs include home-delivered meals and meals served in senior centers.

Most of the nation’s 5,000 meal programs also rely on money from the Older Americans Act passed in 1965 to fund about 35 percent of the cost of the meals they serve. Those funds are also in jeopardy. The budget blueprint calls for an 18 percent cut to the budget of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which administers the Act, and programs are bracing for more cuts.

Paul Kraintz who heads the senior nutrition program at Meals on Wheels in Martinez, California, says while his program would lose about $67,000 it now gets from one of the block grants, he’s really worried about the potential budget cut at HHS. “If they take 18 percent of that, it’s going to be big.”  Read More

•April 26, 2017•

The Okaw Valley Athletic Boosters will host a Music Trivia Night at Tailwinds Steakhouse in Findlay 8:30 p.m. to 11:30.p.m. Saturday, May 6. Doors open at 7:30pm.

Entry to the competition is $200 per table with up to five players per team, ages 18 and up. Prizes include $200 for first place, $100 for second place and $50 for third place.

This event includes not only the trivia competition but also a 50/50 raffle, lottery tree, silent auction, cash bar, and complimentary taco bar for all players.

To participate contact Shari Bruyn at 217-820-1629 or slbruyn@okawvalley.org. Though there are a limited number of tables and payment is required to reserve a spot, walk-ins are welcome if the space permits.

•April 26, 2017•

Lovington Grade School’s third quarter honor rolls include the following students who earned straight As: Max Allen, Quentin Day, Reggie Edmonds, Brady Foster, Delaney Gillis, Gavin Mechling, Michaela Powell, Trey Wardrip and Kaitlyn Zander, seventh grade; Kaci Beachy, Chloe Franklin and Josie Hale, sixth grade and Marilyn-Jean Hill fifth grade. Read More

Sullivan Pre-School Breakfast
Monday, May 1 - English muffins, peach juice, milk.
Tuesday, May 2 - Warm apples, Ritz crackers, milk.
Wednesday, May 3 - Cereal, peach juice, milk.
Thursday, May 4 - Nutri-grain bar, peach juice, milk.
Friday, May 5 - Breakfast burritos, peach juice, milk.

Sullivan Pre-School Lunch
Monday, May 1 - Spaghetti, lettuce salad, pears, garlic bread, milk.Tuesday, May 2 - Chicken strips, carrots, peaches, bread & butter, milk.
Wednesday, May 3 - Macaroni & cheese, mixed vegetables, mixed fruit, bread & butter, milk.
Thursday, May 4 - Hamburger bake, corn, pineapple, dinner roll, milk.
Friday, May 5 - Bologna & cheese sandwiches, vegetable sticks, banana, milk.

Senior Peace Meal
For additional information or for reservations, please call 1-800-543-1770
Monday, May 1 - Sausage & gravy, mini potato bakers, fruit juice, biscuits, warm fruit compote.
Tuesday, May 2 - Pepper beef over rice, lima beans, Harvard beets, whole grain dinner roll.
Wednesday, May 3 - Pulled pork, baked beans, spinach, bun, peaches.
Thursday, May 4 - Beef & noodles, mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, whole grain wheat, fruit cream parfait.
Friday, May 5 - Creamed chicken w/grilled onions & pimento, peas, escalloped tomatoes, biscuits, fresh fruit.

•April 26, 2017•

Warmer weather across the state has led to higher than normal soil temperatures, according to Jennie Atkins, Water and Atmospheric Resources Monitoring (WARM) Program manager at the University of Illinois’ Illinois State Water Survey.

Soil temperatures rose steadily over the first half of April, increasing 11.5 degrees during the first 15 days. At depths of four inches under sod, temperatures averaged 54.9 degrees for the period, 4.4 degrees higher than the long-term average.

Temperatures increased across Illinois throughout the first half of April. Highs in the 60s were recorded throughout the state, reaching into the low 70s at several locations. Southern Illinois saw the highest temperatures with a regional average of 63.3 degrees on April 15. The lowest were in the north where temperatures averaged 57.6 degrees. Read More