Category Archives: News Briefs

Let “Getting Around Illinois” Help in Winter

News Progress Posted on by

•December 14, 2016•

With more snow in the forecast this weekend and the official start of winter coming soon, the Illinois Department of Transportation reminds you to visit www.gettingaroundillinois.com for updated Illinois road conditions before heading out.

Available on your computer and mobile device by clicking the “Winter Road Conditions” tab, this handy map provides an overview of how the roads are looking throughout the state. The map receives more than two million visitors and nearly five million page views each winter. Read More

Supreme Court Justice Garman Announces Vacancy In Sixth Judicial Circuit

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•December 14, 2016•

Justice Rita B. Garman of the Supreme Court of Illinois has begun an application process for a Resident Circuit Court vacancy in the Sixth Judicial Circuit.

The vacancy will be created by the retirement of Chief Judge Dan L. Flannell January 13, 2017. Judge Flannell has been a Resident Circuit Judge since 1988.

Under the Illinois Constitution, judicial vacancies are filled by Supreme Court appointment. The application process will lead to the final Court approval. Applicants will undergo an evaluation and screening process. Read More

Remember When? 12-14-2016

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Compiled by Bekki Ferguson-Stevens

25 Years AgoThis Week

Santa,
I want a Boxcar Children #7, the Woodshed Mystery and some other books and some Baseball cards and the NFL Football train and maybe a Ninja Turtle.
Adam Crowe, 7 1/2

Hi Santa,
I want the Singing Little Miss Mermaid and the Michelle doll. I want Bathtime Fun Barbie. I want “Michelle” tennis shoes. And new ballerina pajamas. I want Mr. Potato Head. And a new Christmas dress.
Love, Erin Crowe, 4 1/2

Dear Santa,
I want a remote control car and a fish tank and some close.
From Eddie Rubush
P.S. Please send me a letter.

Dear Santa,
I have been good. I will leave milk and cookies. I would like tv roles strife and surprises.
Love, Kali Read More

Sullivan High School Announces Illinois State Scholars

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shs-ill-scholars

Photo furnished SHS Illinois Scholars are (left to right): Charles Goss, Maxwell Todd, Shelby Freeman, Austin Schmohe, Grace Mauck, Luke Delong, and Anne Hogan.

•December 14, 2016•

Principal Erik Young has announced that seven Sullivan High School students from the graduating class of 2017 have been recognized as Illinois State Scholars.

The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC), the state agency committed to helping make college accessible and affordable for Illinois families, confers this prestigious recognition annually to top Illinois high school students. This year, approximately 19,300 exceptional honorees join the other top state students honored for their academic achievements since the designation was first introduced in 1958.  Read More

Windsor FFA Chapter Attends Convention

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•December 14, 2016•

The Windsor FFA Chapter, along with 63, 000 other FFA members and guests, invaded downtown Indianapolis Oct. 19-21.

Ten members of the Windsor FFA Chapter attended the 89th Annual National FFA Convention & Expo. There they listened to guest speakers give motivational life stories in the convention hall and explored the many booths in the career show.  Read More

Millikin January Immersion Helps Students Get Ahead

News Progress Posted on by

•December 14, 2016•

Millikin University’s January Immersion term is set to begin on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2017. While registration for January Immersion courses began on Wednesday, Nov. 2, current Millikin students can still register online and non-Millikin students can register using the immersion registration form available at millikin.edu/immersion.

January Immersion features courses for Millikin students who want to get ahead on credits, raise their GPA, or improve a grade by repeating a course over the summer/winter term. Millikin Immersion courses are beneficial for incoming freshmen; community members interested in adult enrichment education or who just want to learn something new; or students attending other universities, but would like to earn credits while home for break.

A wide range of courses are offered, with a variety of different subjects covered and flexible meeting times. Read More

Serving Those Who Served Program Assisted Veterans in Illinois

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•December 14, 2016•

Throughout the month of November, now established as “Veterans Month,” hundreds of volunteers participated across the state of Illinois in the Serving Those Who Served (STWS) Program. Their goal was to make an impact in the lives of veterans throughout Illinois through a community service program designed by the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

“We wanted to offer more to our Illinois Heroes than one more Veterans Day program or parade. We knew we could count on our fellow Illinoisans to volunteer and assist our veterans,” IDVA Director Erica Jeffries said.

The STWS program brought in seven other partners to increase the success of the program. Serve Illinois, Chicago Cares, Boeing, Corporation for National & Community Service, Illinois Joining Forces, Student Veterans of America and Campus Compact. Each of these partners assisted the program with either volunteers, funding or community service projects. The program allowed organizations to register a project for volunteers to assist with during the month of November. The website created through Serve Illinois allowed Illinoisans to look for a project in their area and sign up to volunteer for that project. At the end of the month, there were 41 projects drawing in 570 volunteers. Collectively, the projects provided service, support, and assistance to over 3,730 Illinois veterans.  Read More

Drones to Offer New View on Transportation

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Research will provide information to help improve safety, reduce costs

•December 14, 2016•

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has begun testing drone technology to potentially help improve the safety of workers and the public, reduce costs and introduce new strategies on everything from bridge inspections to determining the appropriate responses to emergency incidents.

“One of our main priorities has been to encourage staff to find opportunities to innovate and seek out new ways to use the latest technology that supports the important work we do,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Randy Blankenhorn. “While we are still in the experimental stage, we know that drones can gather valuable data to support a wide variety of applications. We are excited to launch this initiative that puts us on the path to becoming the most innovative department of transportation in the country.” Read More

Investigation Yields Arrests for Crack Cocaine Distribution

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•December 14, 2016•

Members of the East Central Illinois Task Force and the Coles County Crisis Response Team executed a search warrant at 808 S. 9th Street in Mattoon December 6.

The search warrant was a result of a month long investigation into the distribution  of crack cocaine in Mattoon. Located in the residence were Ron R. Cole,  43, and Justin J. Sargent, 28, both of Peoria and Monica L. Bailey, 28, of Mattoon.  Read More

Letter to the Editor 12-14-2016

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A Star Shines Above Bethany

Dear Editor,

The happiest of anniversaries is here again. In the jubilation of family gatherings and the exchange of gifts let us not forget the bigger thoughts and blessings which Christmas should bring.

Here on the banks of the Marrowbone in the Valley of the West Okaw our spirits and thoughts are lifted as we view the myriad displays of lights and decorations that proclaim the birth of the Son of God. Read More