•March 29, 2017•
Reid Cornwell of Sullivan was recently honored by LSC Communications in Mattoon. Read More
Category Archives: News Briefs
New Partner for West & Company
•March 8, 2017•
David W. Faller has been named a partner of West & Company, LLC.
Faller is a native of Newton and a graduate of the University of Illinois. He resides in Dieterich with his spouse Pam and their children.
Faller was recently named partner-in-charge of the firm’s Accounting & Auditing Department. His duties include oversight of the firm’s quality control policies and procedures and of the firm’s adherence to professional standards. Read More
Thinking About Health: Readers Ask for Clarifications About Medicare
•March 8, 2017•
By Trudy Lieberman
Rural Health News Service
Over the past few months, these columns have raised plenty of questions about Medicare, present and future, and I’ve received many responses to those questions from readers. Today’s column addresses some of readers’ concerns about Medicare, a complicated program.
Q: Why do you refer to Social Security as social insurance? This continues to baffle me just as those who continually refer to SS as a handout. It’s not a handout. That money has been taken out of every one of my paychecks since I was 16. This is my money. TF
A: Social insurance is group insurance. Workers pay premiums in exchange for insurance against the loss of wages as the result of disability death, or old age. Because the government manages the insurance, and it is nearly universal, it has historically been labeled social insurance. The writer is correct. Working and paying those insurance contributions entitles him to benefits. The benefits are not a government handout. Social Security is not a welfare program.
Q: I turn 65 this August and need to learn the basics to make informed choices. Is there a website or source you recommend that would give me the basics of Medicare? PH Read More
Remember When? 3-8-2017
25 Years Ago This Week
Second place state champion Lady Redskins Carinna Elder, Tiffinie French, and Sheri Adams displayed the trophy at Redbird Arena at Illinois State University.
Tom Fitzgerald of Bethany was elected director of Scott State Bank in Bethany.
Bethany football coach Kris Wheeler unexpectedly resigned during a public meeting called to determine the future of the school’s football program. A crowd of 60 gathered in the high school gym for the meeting chaired by high school principal David Nolan and athletic director Dave Benning.
Richard Hortenstine of rural Sullivan was the first to report finding morel mushrooms for the hunting season. Read More
Energy Assistance Funds Still Available
•March 8, 2017•
The C.E.F.S Economic Opportunity Corporation’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) still has energy assistance funding available for winter utility assistance. Any household that has applied as of September 1, 2016 or after would not be eligible to apply again, unless they are being disconnected from their utility service. LIHEAP provides one-time grants to help income eligible households pay for their winter utility expenses.
C.E.F.S. began taking LIHEAP applications last September for the current program year 2017. To date in Moultrie county energy benefits totaling $124,583.00 have been approved for 283 households. The average payment per household was $440. Additionally, in Moultrie county 29 households received $10,618.00 in emergency reconnection assistance. The average reconnection assistance payment was $366. Read More
IDNR Biodiversity Field Trip Grants Include SES
•March 8, 2017•
The Sullivan Elementary School first grade has received an $840 IDNR grant for a field trip to Ballard Nature Center in Altamont.
Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Director Wayne Rosenthal announced the awarding of more than $98,000 in donated funds from the Illinois Biodiversity Field Trip Grant Program. More than 8,300 students will visit Illinois state parks, museums and other natural resources sites this year to learn about nature and conservation, thanks to grant funding through the 102 field trip grants.
“We are pleased to support learning outside the classroom with these grants. This program allows students to visit locations throughout the state to see first hand what they’ve been learning about in the classroom,” said Director Rosenthal. “Our future conservation leaders need the opportunity to experience Illinois’ natural resources in person.” Read More
Trustee Donates to Senior Center
Photo submitted
Trustee Tyler Graven donates his annual township trustee salary of $500 to the Mid-Illinois Senior Center. Kathi Shackles accepts donation for the Center.
•March 8, 2017•
On Thursday, March 2, Tyler Graven, Sullivan Township Trustee, presented the Mid-Illinois Senior Center with a $500 donation - his salary for the year. Graven said, “I made the decision to return my salary to the taxpayers, specifically to four charities in Sullivan. The first one I thought of was the Senior Center because of all the services they provide to seniors.”
In addition to presenting the check Tyler spent some time in the center answering questions about his job and the work of the township. He explained that the trustees are basically auditors and make sure all the bills are paid. He said they would like to get more road work done, and this may be possible because of the money saved by the mild winter. He stressed that the township does not overtax but sometimes underspends, and currently the township is in very good shape fiscally.
Someone suggested that, perhaps, Graven should be in Springfield to drain the swamp there and put their fiscal house in order.
New Aerial Photographs Offered County Municipalities
•March 8, 2017•
Aerial photographs taken for property tax assessment and e911 will be shared with county municipalities if a recommendation from the Moultrie County GIS streering committee receives county board approval.
Committee chair Kevin McReynolds reported Sullivan, Dalton City, Arthur and Allenville had partial ownership with the county of original aerial photos taken in 2002 for the supervisor of assessment’s office.
“Sullivan has used the GIS, but the other communities have gotten little use,” McReynolds said, noting any changes in the past required each village’s approval. Read More
NAMI Learns About Stress Related Disorders
•March 8, 2017•
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Effingham County held its monthly support group meeting featuring Dr., Monica Uddin.
Dr. Uddin is a U of I professor of psychology who spoke on her research into stress related mental health disorders with an emphasis on PTSD. Read More
Assistance Available For Relatives Raising Children
•March 1, 2017•
Relatives Raising Children, formerly Grandparents Raising Children, is a 15 year-old program at the Senior Center for any relative who is raising a child. The name change was necessary because, more and more, the aunts, sisters, and other relatives besides grandparents are now responsible for raising a relative’s child or children. Read More