Category Archives: News Briefs

Moultrie-Douglas Crops Off to a Great Start

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•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

Letter to the Editor: 6-15-2016

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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

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Summer Youth Program

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.

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.

Surpreme Court Holds Hearing on Minor Restraint Rule

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•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

Findlay 5K Run August 13

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•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

Remember When? 6-15-2016

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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

Millikin Hosts Showchoir Camps of America

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•June 15, 2016•

Millikin University will host the 37th annual Showchoir Camps of America (SCA) from Sunday, June 19, through Saturday, June 25, on Millikin’s campus.

Founded by Millikin alums Dwight Jordan ‘76 and Susan Boroian Moninger ‘78, Showchoir Camps of America brings in top clinicians to teach youth ages 11-18 about singing, choreography, dancing, jazz, hip hop and acting.

Dwight Jordan and Susan Moninger have combined their philosophies and talents as award-winning music educators to create one of the most highly respected camps of its kind, by combining a non-competitive, positive environment that motivates, challenges and inspires. Students can experience the best training from teachers that are nationally recognized educators, directors and performers.

Jordan, a native of Blue Mound, Ill., is a music educator, director, choreographer and producer. Jordan is a well-known choreographer for many award-winning show choirs, and has directed and choreographed several Branson, Mo., shows including the Showboat Branson Bell and at Silver Dollar City. He has directed and choreographed shows at Six Flags Great America and was a guest conductor at international festivals in the Netherlands, Spain, Germany and Estonia. Read More

Insurance Companies that Do Not Pay Death Benefits Called Out

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•June 15, 2016•

Families will no longer be victimized by life insurance companies that refuse to pay death benefits, Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs said today. His remarks came after the General Assembly approved legislation pushed by Frerichs that requires insurers to use the federal Death Master File list to confirm if a policy holder has died and the death benefits have not been paid. The legislation is needed because not all life insurance companies pay death benefits when they know or should have known the policy holder has passed away.

“It is clear that the purpose of a life insurance policy is to offer a small bit of help to our families,” Frerichs said. “It also is clear that insurance companies are expected to pay on the policy when the time has come. The General Assembly’s action closes a loophole and helps our families.”

Rep. Robert Martwick, D-Norridge, and Sen. William Haine, D-Alton, are the chief sponsors of HB4633. After beating back attempts by life insurance lobbyists, the Senate approved the measure 54-0 and the House 118-0. It now goes to the Governor where he could sign it into law or veto the legislation. Read More

Illinois Department of Public Health Offers Safety Tips for Heat

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•June 15, 2016•

With high temperatures expected, Illinois Department of Public Health Director Nirav D. Shah, M.D., J.D. is urging Illinoisans to take preventive actions to avoid heat-related illness such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

“High heat and humidity can lead to serious health problems. It’s important for people to recognize the signs of heat related illness and take action to prevent becoming sick,” said director Shah. “To help your body cope with high temperatures take steps to stay cool, increase your fluid intake, decrease your activities and wear appropriate clothing.”

• Stay in air-conditioned buildings. Cooling centers may be found by logging onto http://www.illinois.gov/KeepCool/SitePages/CoolingCenters.aspx.

• Do not rely on a fan as your primary cooling device.

• Limit outdoor activity, especially midday when it is the hottest part of the day, and avoid direct sunlight.

• Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing. Read More