Category Archives: News Briefs

Moultrie-Douglas Non-farmer Vote Proposal Approved by Farm Bureau

News Progress Posted on by

•December 28, 2016•

By Tyler Harvey
Douglas-Moultrie Farm Bureau Manager

With the holidays in full swing farming has slowed down somewhat around the area. Some dry fertilizer is still being applied, but for the most part field operations are suspended.

This stretch of the year is a good time for farmers to work on bookkeeping and to continue to make the decisions on the next crop year. You will see some grain moving down the road to local elevators, but for the most part, grain is staying in the bins. For farmers the extreme cold we have had was good for trying to haul grain out of bins.

When the ground is not frozen, farmers have a very difficult time being able to fill a semi or truck with grain due to the sheer weight of the crop in the truck. With the end of harvest and winter approaching, many farmers are working on cleaning and preparing their equipment for the next crop season. With winter also comes informational meetings that farmers may take advantage of to learn about new seed, equipment, and other inputs that they use on a yearly basis. Even though machinery may not be running in the fields, farmers stay very busy with other aspects of farming during the winter season.  Read More

Remember When? 12-28-2016

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Compiled by Bekki Ferguson-Stevens

25 Years Ago This Week

Sullivan native Roger Martin lives a world of champagne tastes and caviar dreams. As manager of the Chanel Boutique in Costa Mesa, Cal., his customers include some of the richest people in the world. The son of George and Sylvia Martin, he is the only male manager in the company’s world-wide chain and has had an extraordinary year since he opened the store in 1990.

Carrina Elder shot the ball for 10 points and had 13 rebounds during Sullivan’s 59-46 victory over Warrensburg-Latham Monday night. The Lady Redskins will put their undefeated record on the line Thursday when they face a strong Monticello team.

Stronger defense and quicker offense gave the Bethany Mustangs a decided advantage Friday night as they avenged a Turkey Tourney loss to Lovington by defeating the Panthers 81-63. The Mustangs were led by a 20 point effort from junior Ben Yarnell, while Heath Wilson led Lovington with 26.

Four first place awards were given in the second annual “Light Up Sullivan” Contest sponsored by the Sullivan Area Chamber of Commerce. Mr. and Mrs. Bob Hess took first place for best residential display, Mike and Jeri Booker took first place for most humorous display, Lynn Maxedon took first place for best use of motion and The Cheese Shed took first place for best commercial display in the contest which was expanded this year. Read More

SNAP Pilot Program Promotes Job Training

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•December 28, 2016•

The Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) and Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) today announced openings are still available for the Employment Opportunities, Personalized Services, Individualized Training, and Career Planning (EPIC) pilot program. This new pilot program is designed to provide SNAP recipients with valuable training and skills to help them gain meaningful employment.

“Working through innovative programs like EPIC, Illinoisans receiving food assistance can gain the education and skills they need on their journey toward self-sufficiency,” DCEO Acting Director Sean McCarthy said. “We hope that this program can serve as a launching point for broader engagement of SNAP participants as we support them in their movement toward independence.” Read More

New Illinois Laws for the New Year

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As citizens throughout the state of Illinois ring in the New Year, nearly 200 laws will take effect. A significant number of the new laws target crime, make changes to the criminal justice system, seek to assist law enforcement, and advance safety provisions for Illinois motorists.

Criminal justice reforms poised to take effect

One measure to allow greater flexibility in granting probation for certain non-violent offenders with no prior conviction for a violent crime is set to take effect on Jan. 1. Senate Bill 3164 is part of a bipartisan package of legislative reforms to Illinois’ criminal justice system, and was introduced at the recommendation of the Governor’s Illinois State Commission on Criminal Justice and Sentencing Reform.

The commission was charged with identifying policy changes to reduce recidivism and make significant reductions to the state’s prison population, which had increased by more than 500 percent in the last forty years. Senate Bill 3164 is one measure that seeks to reduce the number of non-violent offenders in Illinois’ correctional facilities—which are operating at roughly 150 percent of recommended capacity.  Read More

IDNR Reminding Anglers of Ice Fishing Safety

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Being prepared could save your life

•December 28, 2016•

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) is reminding anglers that heading to their favorite frozen fishing holes comes with risks this time of year. As the temperatures drop in Illinois, those who enjoy year-round fishing may start heading to their favorite location to participate in ice fishing.

“The IDNR cannot stress enough the importance of safety when ice fishing. Ice fishing can be a great and fun time but can change into a dangerous situation in just seconds. Being prepared and ready for anything can save your life,” said IDNR Conservation Police Chief Rafael Gutierrez. Read More

Drive Sober and Buckle Up

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•December 21, 2016•

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), Illinois State Police (ISP) and local police throughout the state are teaming up to make sure driving sober and buckling up are a holiday tradition. As part of the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign, nearly 200 law enforcement agencies will be out in force across Illinois in an end-of-year push to drive down fatalities.

“The most important gift your friends and family want is you home safely,” said Priscilla Tobias, director of IDOT’s Office of Program Development. “Driving zero fatalities to reality is an ambitious but achievable goal that requires the cooperation of every motorist on Illinois roads. Buckle up and drive sober this holiday season.” Read More

Does the Cures Act Reflect Big Pharma Wants?

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TrudyLieberman-PhotoNewly Passed 21st Century Cures Act Is No Panacea

•December 21, 2016•

By Trudy Lieberman,
Rural Health News Service

Will patients benefit from the passage of the 21st Century Cures Act? After listening to politicians and reading the headlines, most people might think it’s the best thing ever to come along for patients.

“A new day for medical research is on the horizon,” proclaimed Rep. Fred Upton, the outgoing chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee which had just won a major victory last week. “The House and the Senate have passed this bipartisan legislation which will ensure our health system can keep pace with incredible advances in science and technology,” Upton said in the GOP’s weekly radio address. “We needed to do better. And with 21st Century Cures, we will.”

Media headlines mirrored Upton’s victory declaration. Headlines like this from the Wall Street Journal, “House Passes Health Bill to Speed Drug Approvals, Boost Biomedical Research” seemed to say it all: faster drug approvals, more money for research, less pesky regulation.

Or was there more to the story? Not everyone thinks the Cures Act will be wonderful for patients. But their voices were drowned out in the slick public relations campaign Upton’s committee waged over the past few years using some 200 or so patient advocacy organizations to push for the bill. Most of those groups have strong ties to the drug and medical device industry. Read More

Remember When? 12-21-2016

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Compiled by Bekki Ferguson-Stevens

25 Years Ago This Week

Ronnie Elder of Bethany won the cellular phone, the grand prize given during P.E.C.’s grand opening in Sullivan. A barbecue grill was won by Jeannie Belton of Bement, and a smoker grill was won by Bernice Obrecht of Sullivan. Numerous other gifts were awarded during the hourly drawings including clock radios, jackets, coolers, mugs, hats and key chains.

Melvin Newlin of Lovington will retire December 31 from A.B. Seals, Inc. in Sullivan. Since 1968, Newlin has worked primarily as supervisor of the shipping and receiving department for the manufacturer of sealants for porous metal castings and vacuum/pressure impregnation equipment. He joined the company after having worked at Brown Shoe factory, which had previously been located in the building for 21 years. Only briefly, he said, did he ever work outside the brick building on S. Hamilton Street, and that was when the shoe company was moved to the site of the now-defunct Tubular plant. Read More

Jesse White Announces Winners for Emerging Writers Competition

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•December 21, 2016•

Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White announced that poets from St. Joseph, Harrisburg and Des Plaines are this year’s winners of the Gwendolyn Brooks Poetry Award in the twelfth annual Illinois Emerging Writers Competition.

Jeanne Genis of St. Joseph was awarded first place for her poem “Finch (For Brigit in Illinois).” Whittney Jones of Harrisburg received second place for her poem “The Price of Coal.” Rochelle Zappia of Des Plaines is the third place winner for her poem “Don’t Ever Let Them Sing.”

The winners read their poems and received their awards during a ceremony at the Illinois State Library.  Read More

American Red Cross to Offer Zero to Hero Training

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•December 21, 2016•

The American Red Cross Central and Southern Illinois Region will offer a special Zero to Hero disaster volunteer training in Charleston, IL on January 13-15, 2017. Zero to Hero is a unique opportunity for people to fast track the required training to become a Red Cross disaster volunteer. In just one weekend, Zero to Hero participants will go through a concentrated training session to complete all the initial training to become a Red Cross disaster volunteer. The Red Cross encourages anyone who has considered becoming a Red Cross disaster volunteer to attend the Zero to Hero event. In addition to the training, participants will learn more about Red Cross disaster response and volunteer opportunities. Read More