•June 22, 2016•
Sullivan Women’s Civic Club scholarship winners Summer McClain, Danielle Tingey and Ryan Baker along with their mothers were guests of the club at their June meeting held at the Moultrie County Senior Center. The recipients delivered short “thank you” speeches and related their plans for continuing their education. Read More
•June 15, 2016•
By Trudy Lieberman
Rural Health News Service
An Indiana couple who wrote to me a few weeks ago has experienced the ups and downs of Obamacare, and they wanted me to know about one downside they now face---a monthly premium of $836.
“No one should have to pay those high premiums unless you’re considered high class, and we aren’t,” the woman said.
The couple-she is 59 and he is 62-are self-employed, and their income fluctuates. At first the Affordable Care Act was, a “godsend,” the woman told me. Before they signed up for Obamacare, they were paying almost $1,000 a month for insurance coverage. Then they bought an Obamacare policy, a Gold plan Anthem sold on the Indiana shopping exchange. It was a good policy with a relatively low deductible, low copays and coinsurance costing about $1,435. Best of all, they qualified for a subsidy.
Their income that year was low, between $23,000 and $28,000. That entitled them to a subsidy of around $1,200, leaving them to pay only about $235, which they could easily swing. Recall that subsidies are intended to help those with the lowest incomes, and because their income was low, their subsidy was generous.
Then, as the economy started to improve, their income went up, but their subsidy went down. As they’re supposed to do, the family regularly reports income changes to the government so they don’t get stuck with a gigantic bill at the end of the year, money they would owe for subsidies they were not entitled to. Read More
•June 15, 2016•
Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library’s summer Popcorn and a Movie program for general audiences will begin July 1 and be held each Friday afternoon at 1 p.m. with the last program occurring August 19.
Pre-registration is not required, all programs are free and the child doesn’t need a library card. Parents / caregivers may stay and enjoy the movie and popcorn too.
Children may bring a drink, snack, lunch or pillow. A staff member will stay in the room to ensure everyone behaves properly and the noise level is kept to a minimum. Read More
•June 15, 2016•
By Tyler Harvey
Douglas-Moultrie Farm Bureau Manager
As of Sunday, June 12, the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) has Illinois corn condition rated at 58% good with 17% of the corn crop excellent. Soybeans are at 90% planted as of this week with a condition rating of 62% good and 13% excellent. NASS comes out with a weekly updated crop report every Monday at 3 p.m.
Driving between Tuscola and Sullivan and looking at various crops, the 2016 crop is off to a great start. It is amazing to see the growth and size of some of the cornfields for being in June. Early beans that were emerged in cooler temperatures are also looking very good. We have been fortunate to not get the heavy rains that were received south of us during planting season. I expect the crop percentages for good and excellent to increase with the overall weather we are having at this time. The very warm temperatures we are receiving right now are making for very good growing degree days especially for corn. However, looking at the long range forecast, upper 80s and 90s are slated to stick around throughout the rest of the month. With this, we will need to get some measurable rainfall every few days to keep the crop growth at the level it is. With the warm temperatures, wind and sun, it does not take long for the moisture to be pulled out of the ground. Illinois, Iowa and Indiana are all reporting similar percentages for both corn and soybean conditions. Read More
Dear News Progress,
My name is Anderson Crouse. I am nine years old. This is a persuasive letter asking you to bring back paperboys.
My first reason is that children from nine to teen-age need more exercise than they get at home.
Also, some kids don’t get allowance or chore money to pay for their own things. Read More
Sullivan Summer for Kids
Between 70-125 kids arrive ready to enjoy the Sullivan Parks and Recreation summer programs daily Monday-Friday through the end of July. Jake and Melissa Haegen (pictured directly above) are program directors. The Sullivan VFW Post donated $1000 for the purchase of games, t-shirts and prizes for tournaments.
•June 15, 2016•
The Illinois Supreme Court Rules Committee will hear comments July 8 at a public hearing in Chicago on three proposals, including one calling for the creation of a Supreme Court rule to govern the use of restraints on minors during court proceedings.
The Committee will also consider proposed changes to Supreme Court rules involving proof of service and the record on appeal.
All the proposals, which must be approved by the Illinois Supreme Court before they could take effect, will be aired at a hearing before the Rules Committee at 10 a.m., Friday, July 8, 2016, in Room C-500 of the Michael A. Bilandic Building, 160 N. LaSalle St. in Chicago.
The Rules Committee invites public comments on the proposals, which are posted on the Supreme Court website at: www.illinoiscourts.gov/SupremeCourt/Public_Hearings/Rules/default.asp.
Written comments should be submitted by Friday, June 24, 2016, to jzekich@illinoiscourts.gov or by mail to: Committee Secretary, Supreme Court Rules Committee c/o Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, 222 N. LaSalle Street, 13th Floor, Chicago, IL 60601. Read More
•June 15, 2016•
The annual Jeepin in memory of Jessi run and Secret Santa fundraiser is Saturday, July 30.
Beginning at noon from the Toy Bar in Sullivan registration begins at 11 a.m. with a $10 fee. Read More
•June 15, 2016•
F.L.I.P. 4 Findlay 5K run/walk is Saturday, August 13 and will take place at Eagle Creek State Park.
Parking is available at the park office where the run will begin and end. Registration starts at 7:30 a.m. with preregistered runners and walkers guaranteed t-shirt sizes, while those registering Saturday will receive t-shirts as long as supply lasts. Read More
Compiled by Bekki Ferguson-Stevens
25 Years Ago This Week
Lt. Darin K. Via of the United States Navy Medical Corps was graduated May 18 from the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences during commencement ceremonies at the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington D.C.
Six Moultrie County students have been named to the spring semester deans’ lists at Eastern Illinois University. They are seniors Braidy Walter Miller, Jody Lynn Schmidt and Caprice A. Scherer. The other three are juniors Jill Ann Flannell, Jeffrey Lynn White and sophomore Kari S. Horsman.
Kris Bell, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Stubblefield of Sullivan, recently earned her master of arts degree in religion from the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Gettysburg, Pa.
Four area students were among 372 graduates receiving degrees May 19 during Millikin University’s 88th annual commencement. Earning bachelor of science degrees in nursing were LeAnn Brown, a 1986 graduate of Findlay High School; Bevila Coon, of Sullivan; and Elaine Gregg of Findlay. Angela Davis-Cribbet of Bethany, a graduate of Bethany High School, earned a bachelor of science degree with a major in management information systems.
Trent E. Doty of rural Lovington was one of the top six spring graduates in the College of Agriculture at Southern Illinois University. A general agriculture student he was graduated May 11 with high honors.The son of Bob and Rita Doty, he plans to work on the family farm. Read More