Category Archives: News Briefs

Responsible Driving Makes for Safe Graduation Season

News Progress Posted on by

•May 11, 2016•

Illinois State Police (ISP) District 10 officials are reminding young drivers to think responsibly as they celebrate during the upcoming prom and graduation season. Our primary safety message is in the word prom which asks teens to “Please Return On Monday.”

During the next several months, Illinois State Police District 10 troopers will be conducting high visibility patrols with aggressive enforcement of the fatal four violations: DUI, speeding, seat belt, and distracted driving, with a focus on DUI violations.  Read More

First Mid-Illinois Aquires First Clover Leaf Financial Corp.

News Progress Posted on by

•May 4, 2016•

First Mid-Illinois Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: FMBH) (“First Mid”) announced today the execution of a definitive agreement under which First Mid will acquire all of the outstanding shares of First Clover Leaf Financial Corp. (NASDAQ: FCLF) (“First Clover Leaf”) in a cash and stock transaction valued at $12.87 per share, or a total of approximately $90 million.

Under the terms of the agreement, First Clover Leaf’s stockholders may elect to exchange each share of First Clover Leaf common stock for either $12.87 in cash or .495 of a share of First Mid common stock, subject to certain potential adjustments. Overall elections are subject to proration such that 25 percent of the First Clover Leaf shares will be exchanged for cash and 75 percent for First Mid stock. The stock portion of the transaction is intended to be tax-free to stockholders. The consideration represents a 34% premium to First Clover Leaf’s stock price as of the close of business on April 25, 2016. Read More

Lovington Public Library May News

News Progress Posted on by

•May 4, 2016•

Reading Redbirds Book Club for 4th-8th graders will meet on 3:45-4:45 p.m. Monday May 2 16.

Participants in the Beginners Computer Class I & II will learn the very basics of how a computer works. How to use a keyboard and mouse, what the desktop is and how to use an internet browser will be taught 2-3 p.m. Tuesday, May 3. (The library uses Windows 10 operating system.)

Beginners Computer Class II  2-3 p.m. Tuesday, May 10 will focus on learning basic navigation skills to effectively use Word 2016. Cutting and pasting, saving, printing, and creating and editing a basic document are covered. This class is perfect for those who are new to word processing. It is also recommended for those who are interested in learning the features of the 2016 version.

Wee Readers Story Time will meet in May and will then stop for the summer months and start again in September. Wee Readers are invited to participate in the Pre-School Summer Reading through June and July for which the sign-up starts  Monday June 6. The Story Times for May will meet every Thursday from 10-10:30 a.m. for 2-5 year olds. The dates and themes are: May 5 “Mother’s Day”, May 12 “Plants/Seeds”, May 19 “Bumblebee, Bumblebee, Do You Know Me?”, and May 26 “Shapes”. Read More

Du Quoin Fair Announces First Entertainers

News Progress Posted on by

•May 4, 2016•

State Fair Manager Kevin Gordon is pleased to announce the first of what will be many Du Quoin State Fair Grandstand announcements.

“We have some really big things planned for the 2016 Du Quoin State Fair,” said State Fair Manager Kevin Gordon. “This 10-day fair is a true southern Illinois tradition. We believe that music is something that brings people of all walks of life together, and it is our hope that we bring in artists to the Grandstand who do just that.” Read More

Thinking About Health: Complex Surgeries Go Better When Doctors, Hospitals Have Experience

News Progress Posted on by

TrudyLieberman-Photo•May 4, 2016•

By Trudy Lieberman
Rural Health News Service

If you need a risky, complicated surgery, would you go to a hospital or surgeon who had performed the procedure only a time or two before?

Most people would say no, but the evidence indicates otherwise. Patients do go to doctors and hospitals that have seldom performed the procedures they need. Yet, for almost 40 years, study after study has shown that patients’ death rates were significantly lower for surgeries done at hospitals that were experienced in the procedure.

The same is true for physicians. In March, for example, a large study of patients undergoing thyroid surgeries found that they had an 87 percent increase in the odds of a complication if their surgeon had previously performed only one thyroid surgery, but only a 3 percent chance if the surgeon had performed between 21 and 25 surgeries.

“The number of surgeries a doctor or hospital performs has a major impact on your likelihood of surviving or thriving,” says Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group, a Washington, D.C., organization, which supports the use of transparent data to improve hospital safety and outcomes. Read More

ALAH Announces Third Quarter Honors

News Progress Posted on by

•May 4, 2016•

Arthur Lovington Atwood Hammond third quarter honor roll includes high honors; honors, and honorable mention students listed by grade:

Ninth- Freshmen
High Honors: Hunter Day, Shelby Frederick, Katie Gingerich, Damien Green, Makenna Green, Marissa Herschberger, Marcy Petersheim, Meredith Schrock, Kara Yoder.

Honors: Nisa Asghar, Paul Brodnansky, Kyle Carnahan, Riley Cochran, Adam Day, Ciara Emrick, Maria Garza, Emma Harris, Taylor Nichols, Taylor Powell, Daniel Reedy, Griffin Rose, Andie Witbeck.

Honorable mention: Isaac Ashenfelter, Alexis Burnett, Molly Fort, Gabriel Hallford, Kierra Herschberger, Adam Hingson, Lucy Likens, Lance Merce, Reagan Miller, Megan Osborne, Lexie Stanley, Koby Stutzman, Madison Thompson, Tyra Wingler. Read More

LGS Announces Third Quarter Honors

News Progress Posted on by

•May 4, 2016•

Earning straight As at Lovington Grade School in the third quarter are Natalie Lambdin, Kenli Nettles and Aaron Schmitt eighth grade; Max Allen, Quentin Day, Reggie Edmonds, Brady Foster, Delaney Gillis, Josh Gingerich, Gavin Mechling, Michaela Powell and Kaitlyn Zander, sixth grade and Connor Edmonds, Emma Edwards, Chloe Franklin, Josie Hale and Wyatt Hilligoss, fifth grade. Read More

Loop Lake Shelbyville Bike Ride

News Progress Posted on by

•May 4, 2016•

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Lake Volunteers Association are hosting the third annual Loop Lake Shelbyville bike ride Saturday, June 11. All rides will start from the Lake Shelbyville Visitor Center and will include options for a 22 mile, 46 mile or a 65 mile ride. Proceeds for the ride will benefit the Lake Volunteers Association (LVA). The LVA provides education, historical interpretation, recreational and environmental improvements at Lake Shelbyville. Read More

Gardening Changes are All Around

News Progress Posted on by

KimForColumn•May 4, 2016•

Kim Riedel
NP Guest Columnist

May is a wonderful time of year…continuing to see the changes in all the gardens around. I love getting home from work in the mornings and walking through my garden to observe all the changes that it has gone through over the past several weeks, and seeing the small fruit on the peach and almond trees and remembering the hopes that I had for the blossoms to make it through the freezing temperatures and the storms during April’s changing weather. I am anxiously watching the new buds on the berries and grapes appear and reach upward preparing to open, visually taking in all the new growth on the plants and hoping for an amazing and prosperous year for my garden. I have been keeping an eye on the swelling buds on my rose bushes and have a secret hope that I might have a rose blooming on Mother’s Day. The nurturing feelings are being pulled out of me, and the desires to create a beautiful and abundant garden are growing.

Vegetable gardens that have been planned are now in progress. I am creating a new garden by using the old and reliable varieties, yet adding in some new varieties to add some curiosity for unknown outcomes. I love testing different gardening ideas whether it be vertical gardening, square foot gardening, companion planting, lasagna gardening or theme gardens. Trying out different methods and ways to garden keeps my interest sharp all year while observing differences as they may occur. Testing a little here and a little there can get you to enjoy a different way of gardening that will be with you for years. Read More