•May 11, 2016•

Some customers will need digital adapters to continue receiving TV signals as Mediacom Communications continues to upgrade its video network with an upcoming change that primarily affects the way subscribers view local broadcast television channels on analog TVs. Beginning Wednesday, June 15, 2016, analog signals will no longer be used to deliver lower-numbered channels, including local television stations based out of the Champaign-Springfield and Decatur areas.

While placing an emphasis on digital and high-definition (HD) channels, Mediacom has continued to support customers using older, non-digital TVs by also delivering analog signals for a subset of channels. Those channels will now convert to a digital-only signal and older-model TVs will need to connect to a digital adapter for continued reception.

Mediacom is aiding this conversion by making Digital Tuner Adapters (DTAs) widely available in both standard (SD) and high-definition (HD) formats. The HD version has HDMI ports, and all DTAs include a remote control and newly-released on-screen program guide.

Subscribers who already use a Mediacom DTA or digital converter box (cable set-top box) will not be affected; nor will viewers who connect a newer-model digital-ready TV directly to cable. But by using an adapter, Mediacom officials explain, customers can access more channels and use an on-screen program listing. Adapters also make it possible for older-model TVs to receive signals for higher-numbered channels such as WUSI-DT2 PBS World (Ch. 116) or WUSI-DT3 PBS Create (Ch. 117). For Family TV subscribers, an adapter or converter box delivers additional digital channels, including CBS Sports Network (Ch. 171), National Geographic (Ch. 250) and others. Read More

Photo furnished

•May 11, 2016•

Dozens of area Girl Scouts now have another patch to show they learned about something new and different.

Marvin Keller Trucking recently partnered with the Women in Trucking Association to sponsor a Trucks are for Girls Event for local Girl Scouts April 30.

Marvin Keller invited Girl Scout troops from Moultrie and Shelby counties for a fun-filled morning of learning. The purpose of the event was to teach the girls about the importance of trucking to the economy while they were able to get an up-close view of a tractor trailer.  Read More

Photo by Mike Brothers
Nutritionist Lindsey Shamloo stands barefoot on the InBody230 and holds her thumbs in the two wands for for two minutes. A complete body analysis is printed for review by a Physician’s Choice Wellness professional.

•May 11, 2016•

As the competition level for student athletics increases, training programs and pre-season conditioning are essential, and so is that student’s health and nutrition.

Moultrie County high school athletes are invited for a body composition testing and meal planning session 5-8 p.m. Monday, May 23 at Courtyard Estates in Sullivan.

Becky Clayton-Anderson owner of Physicians Choice Wellness and Apex Network Physical Therapy is offering the InBody230 testing to determine muscle mass and overall body composition. She is encouraging parents to accompany  their student athlete to help understand the importance of nutrition as a part of healthy training.

The InBody230 body composition measures body fat, muscle mass and muscular development; allowing a diet, lifestyle and exercise program to achieve preset goals. This is all determined standing on two footholds and grabbing two wands for two minutes.

“Student athletes want maximum performance and will do the extra training to achieve that,” Anderson said, explaining the InBody230 can give an athlete a body composition reading at the beginning of the summer and then at the end of training to measure muscle growth.

“Students and parents are investing a lot of time and money in training, and proper nutrition is essential to complete that process,” she said, referring to a recent example with a football player. Read More

•May 11, 2016•

The Lovington Grade School fourth grade through eighth grade students will present their spring concert at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 12 in Lovington Grade School gymnasium.

Songs will include Flashlight, Stitches, My Favorite Things (from the Sound of Music), At the Hop, Crocodile Rock, and many others.

The concert is free and open to the public.

Several students recently received the honor of participating in the IESA Solo/Ensemble Contest. Chorus students who participated in the contest were Sophia Floyd, Josie Hale, Jordan Quertermous, Mackenzie Erixon, Karli Schmidt, Elizabeth Tighe, ,Madisyn Crafton, Tatjana Mehmen, Shalonda Hettinger, Hannah Keown, Makayla Mitchell, Tori Morgan, Kenli Nettles, and Karyzma Smith. Band Students who participated in the contest were Tatjana Mehmen, Kenli Nettles, Kayla Davis, Keegan Ashenfelter, Laytin Pratt, Quentin Day, and Colton Middleton.

Lovington Junior High students Tori Morgan and Karyzma Smith recently participated in the Lake Land College Junior High Honors chorus.  Read More

•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