Category Archives: News Briefs

Illinois Department of Insurance Announces Start of Open Enrollment

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•November 9, 2016•

With significant changes in the health care marketplace across the country consumers are encouraged to compare options before enrolling or re-enrolling in health coverage.

The Illinois Department of Insurance (DOI) today announced that Qualified Health Programs (QHPs) are now available to Illinois residents at Get Covered Illinois and Healthcare.gov. Due to the significant changes to the plans and prices from plan year 2016, DOI is encouraging all Illinois residents to take their time and compare plans.

“The Illinois Department of Insurance recognizes the challenges Illinois consumers will face as they try to decide on a health care plan for next year,” said Acting Director Anne Melissa Dowling. “We want Illinois residents to know we are here as a free resource to make sure everyone is able to get the best coverage possible for themselves and their families.” Read More

Remember When? 11-9-2016

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Compiled by Bekki Ferguson-Stevens

25 Years AgoThis Week

Sullivan Middle School students will present Peter Pan at 7:30 p.m. Friday in the Sullivan High School gym. Among the students appearing in the performance are Jill Farris as Liza, Katie Carlock as Tootles, Hollie Eaton as Bear, Nick Rodgers as Peter Pan, Steve Book as Captain Hook, Kevin Towle as Mr. Darling, Angie Mossman as Mrs. Darling and Kim Gaither as the lion.

Four Moultrie County residents were awarded undergraduate degrees during spring commencement ceremonies at Southern Illinois University. Trent E. Doty and Shawn J. Patrick of Lovington and Bradley E. Shuman of Sullivan all received bachelor of science degrees. Graduating with an associate in applied science degree was Michael A. Hermann of Sullivan.

Millikin University junior Julie Livergood of Findlay was a member of the MU homecoming planning committee. She was co-chair of the house decorations committee. She is the daughter of Gloria Lehn of rural Findlay and Jim Livergood of Costa Rica and a 1989 graduate of Findlay High School. Read More

Family Honors Mother’s Decision: Hospice Provides Comfort

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Photo furnished Diane Blair with daughter Alice Smith.

Photo furnished
Diane Blair with daughter Alice Smith.

•November 9, 2016•

Diane Blair lived with faith, purpose and passion her entire life.

She was an amazing woman,” her daughter Alice Smith said. “She’s the strongest person I will ever know.” Known for her unwavering devotion to family, church and community, Blair opted for hospice care when she received a devastating diagnosis in August 2015.

Always on the go, the 82-year-old Charleston woman took herself to the emergency apartment when she started experiencing stabbing pains in her abdomen. Sadly, doctors discovered spots on her pancreas, and a biopsy confirmed she had pancreatic cancer. “She took it way better than the rest of us,” her daughter said. “She just accepted that it was God’s plan and He knows best.”

Her family was heartbroken by the severity of the diagnosis. “We hadn’t even left the oncologist’s office, and we were already talking about hospice care,” Smith said. Since surgery wasn’t an option, Blair was adamant about spending quality time with her family during her final days without the side effects of cancer treatment.

Smith and her three brothers respected their mother’s decision. “We all believed that was the best thing. We didn’t want to see her go through treatments that would only make her sicker.” Smith said. The family credits Lincolnland Hospice for easing their worries and providing the support they needed to make the most of their time together. Read More

October Temperatures Rise

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•November 9, 2016•

The statewide average temperature for October was 59.8 degrees, 5.4 degrees above normal, and the seventh warmest October on record, according to Illinois State Climatologist Jim Angel, Illinois State Water Survey, University of Illinois.

The statewide average precipitation for October was 2.38 inches, 0.86 inches below normal. A few bands of three to five inches of precipitation occurred across northern Illinois and along the Interstate 70 corridor. Outside of those areas, October was drier than normal. The site with the largest monthly rainfall total was Palos Park, in Cook County, with 5.51 inches. Read More

Social Security Has A Full Basket Of Useful Offerings

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•November 9, 2016•

By Gerald Tilley
Social Security District Manager

Who doesn’t love sharing a summer picnic with friends and family? Whether you plan one for everyone on your block or a quiet afternoon for two, you’ll need to bring a basket full of delectable goodies. When you’re sharing dishes with loved ones, whether you’re at home or away, you’ll be sure to make everyone happy with a variety of treats.

In the service of securing today and tomorrow, Social Security has a full picnic basket of services. Our table is ready to serve millions of Americans online, by phone, and in person in our network of field offices. It’s easy to pick the method that’s best for you from the comfort of your home or on the go.  Read More

Menus: 11-2-2016

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Sullivan Pre-School Breakfast

Monday, Nov. 7 - Nutri-Grain bar, peach juice, milk.
Tuesday, Nov. 8 - French toast, peach juice, milk.
Wednesday, Nov. 9 - Strawberries & bananas, Ritz crackers, milk. Read More

Prospective EIU Students Invited To Tour Campus

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•November 2, 2016•

Eastern Illinois University invites all prospective students to get a first-hand look at the campus and its offerings during a free open house on Friday, Nov. 11.

The open house, sponsored by the Office of Admissions, will provide prospective students and their families the opportunity to meet with faculty and student service personnel; hear from financial aid officers, housing staff and current EIU students; tour the campus, including residence halls and Greek Court; and enjoy a complimentary lunch in one of the dining centers. Read More

Who Are Birds of Omen Dark and Foul?

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•November 2, 2016•

“Birds of omen, dark and foul,” wrote Sir Walter Scott about owls, once considered harbingers of doom, death, and destruction. In Medieval Europe, owls were thought to be witches and an owl’s call meant someone was about to die.

Today, owls are considered to be creatures of beauty, wise and mysterious birds that are hunters of the night. Four species of owls are year-round Illinois residents, the barn owl, screech owl, barred owl, and great horned owl (also known as the hoot owl).

The barn owl occurs globally but was listed as Illinois-endangered in 1977 and is currently considered a threatened species in the state, according to Tara Beveroth, avian researcher and monitoring coordinator, Illinois Natural History Survey (INHS), Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois.

Owls typically call most often at dawn and dusk, but on a clear, moonlit night with little wind, some may be heard calling periodically throughout the night. They are territorial creatures and use their calls to warn others to stay off their turf.

Each owl species has a unique call. Screech owl calls sound like a horse’s whinny, and the great horned owl, the bird of storybooks, produces the well-known hooting sound. The barn owl emits a blood-curdling scream in the darkness, and the barred owl’s call sounds like, “Who, who cooks for you”? Read More

Illinois Coalition Joins 3DaysCount to Improve Pretrial Justice

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•November 2, 2016•

Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Rita B. Garman, State Representative Carol Ammons, Administrative Office of Illinois Courts Director Mike Tardy and Cherise Fanno Burdeen, CEO of the Pretrial Justice Institute (PJI), today announced that Illinois is joining 3DaysCountTM, a national campaign to make pretrial justice safer, fairer and more effective. The campaign will focus on examining pretrial justice laws and court rules—the crucial structures that support good criminal justice policies from the point of arrest to when cases are resolved. Illinois is the second jurisdiction to announce its participation in 3DaysCount, which will support state-level partnerships aimed at improved public safety and better outcomes.

“It’s time we implement a smart on crime mindset,” says Rep. Ammons. “Illinois simply cannot afford to continue indiscriminately locking people up and we have a moral obligation to treat our fellow community members with humanity and fairness—especially when doing so makes us all safer. The current money bail system fails in all of these areas.” Read More