Category Archives: News Briefs

Lake Shelbyville Disabled Deer Hunting Blinds Available at Whitley Creek Recreation Area

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•September 21, 2016•

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Lake Shelbyville is offering additional deer hunting opportunities at Whitley Creek Recreation Area in Moultrie County for disabled deer hunters holding a state issued P2A card.

Disabled hunters will be able to reserve one of four blinds in the closed recreation area during archery deer season, as well as disabled hunters holding a valid Lake Shelbyville Project Moultrie 2nd shotgun season or Lake Shelbyville Project Moultrie muzzleloader season permit. All four blinds were built by Boy Scouts to earn their Eagle Scout status.  Read More

Douglas-Moultrie Farm Bureau Update: Continued Good Yields Threaten Commodity Price Index

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•September 21, 2016•

By Tyler Harvey
Douglas-Moultrie Farm Bureau Manager

With half of September behind us the days are getting shorter, the air crisper, and the start of harvest for the year is in progress. Farmers around the area started harvest in the last couple weeks and continue to harvest what could potentially be the largest corn crop on record. The USDA came out with their September crop progress report on Monday, September 12 and surprised many people in agriculture.

The report lowered corn projected acreage 1% to 15.1 billion bushels. The report also confirmed a lower average yield of 174.4 bushels per acre. This average is only a modest change from the August report where the average was slated at 175.1.

Soybean projected projection in the report was dialed in at a record 4.20 billion bushels, up 3% from the August report. Average bushel yield was also raised to a record 50.6 bushels per acre. If these numbers hold true, this will be a record year for both corn and beans.  Read More

Remember When? 9-21-2016

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Compiled by Bekki Ferguson-Stevens

25 Years Ago This Week

Karen Coil of Sullivan, a registered nurse at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center in Coles County, has received one of three Pacemaker Awards given monthly by the center. The awards are given to recognize employees who set a good example for others, are hardworking and make a good contribution to the center. Coil has been employed by the center since 1988.

Sullivan runners Chris Clark and Jim Bailey earned second and sixth place finishes in a field of 57 runners last Saturday at the Cowden-Herrick Invitational.

Sullivan High School Homecoming activities this week include crowning of the queen and recognition of her court. This year’s queen candidates include Christie Edmonds, Vanessa Vandeventer, Sara Myers and Stacy Crawford. Representing the queen’s court are Carinna Elder, junior attendant; Jennifer Elzy, sophomore attendant; and Bobbi Bone, freshman attendant.

Three-year-old Melinda Seelow, daughter of Tim and Rita Seelow of Bethany, was crowned Little Miss Bethany during Bethany’s Fall Festival over the weekend.  Read More

Mobile Mammography in Moultrie County

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•September 21, 2016•

Sarah Bush Lincoln’s Mobile Mammography Services will be at the SBL Clinic in Sullivan Oct. 14.

The mobile mammography van helps provide mammograms to women who may not otherwise have access to, or be able to afford these life-saving preventive screens. Women who qualify will receive their mammogram free. Read More

Sarah Bush Lincoln Sponsors Color Run Oct. 8

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•September 21, 2016•

Bring awareness to all types of cancer and join in the fun at Paint the Town 5K Color Run/Walk on Saturday, Oct. 8 in Mattoon.

Sponsored by Sarah Bush Lincoln, Paint the Town begins at 8 a.m. at the Mattoon Bus Depot, following an established “Run for the Bagel” route through Lytle Park and ending at the YMCA. The run will feature the opportunity to run through “color” and hosts’ water stops at two locations.

Participants and supporters are encouraged to wear a tutu representing a color of the cancer they want to honor.  Read More

Soil Temperatures in Illinois Are Up

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•September 21, 2016•

Soil temperatures in Illinois are averaging three to five degrees above the long-term averages, according to Jennie Atkins, Water and Atmospheric Resources Monitoring (WARM) Program manager at the Illinois State Water Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois.

Higher air temperatures throughout the state have led to warmer soils.  On September 14, average temperatures ranged from 75.8 degrees at two inches under bare soil to 73.2 degrees at eight inches under sod.  Daily maximums are reaching into the upper 80s and low 90s as minimum temperatures remain in the mid-60s.  Overall, soils are averaging three to five degrees warmer than normal for the middle of September. Read More

Flu Shots Emphasized by IDPH

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•September 21, 2016•

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is urging everyone six months and older to get a flu shot, not the influenza vaccine nasal spray, as soon as it’s available in each community. Due to concerns about how well the nasal spray vaccine has worked during the previous flu season, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is temporarily recommending that people stick to getting a flu shot and skip the nasal spray.

“No one likes getting stuck with a needle, but no one likes having a fever, cough, sore throat, and body aches for days, or even weeks,” said IDPH Director Nirav D. Shah. “Anyone can get the flu, even healthy people. Getting a flu shot is the first and most important step in protecting you and those around you against flu viruses.” Read More

Lovington Village Board Looks into Sidewalk Damage

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•September 21, 2016•

Village of Lovington met Sept. 12 discussing the addition of part-time police and reviewing of the animal control contract.

During the August 8 meeting the board approved burning ordinance changes as well as amending the golf cart URVS ordinance permit duration. Changes in the water and sewer rate structures were also approved.

Trustee April Daily reported that treasurer Katie Stanley has been working toward completion of the village accounting software.

President Jim Minor was approached by Sue Gordon about having a haunted house at village hall on trick or treat night. Further details will be worked out for decorations and insurance protection. Read More