•March 9, 2016•
Sarah Burch is included on the Dean’s list for the 2015 fall semester at the College of Fine Arts at Illinois State University in Normal. Read More
Category Archives: News Briefs
Remember When? 3-9-2016
Compiled by Bekki Ferguson-Stevens
25 Years Ago This Week
Sullivan and Bethany Boy Scouts from Troop #39 helped the Corps of Engineers, the Dept. of Conservation and other volunteers recently place more than 950 Christmas trees in Lake Shelbyville to create fish habitats. The Scouts helping were Jesse Horton, Rob Dean, Clint Thompson, Jed Chasten, Josh McBride, Chris Clark, Andy Horton and Mike Peadro.
Six Moultrie County 4-H’ers were delegates to the Regional Jr. Leaders Legislative Conference March 8-10 in Springfield. Katie Tice of Sullivan was on the planning committee and attended the conference along with Rachel Casteel and Leslie Seelow of Lovington and Krystal Horsman, Carinna Elder and Laura Melvin of Sullivan. More than 100 4-H’ers from East Central Illinois participated in the conference which included a 4-H legislative session in the House Chambers in the State Capitol.
Sullivan Blue Dolphin Laura Diss recently completed in a field of 355 swimmers at the Champaign Aqua-Chiefs mid-winter B-C Classic in Champaign. Diss participated in three events, placing 15th out of 25 swimmers in the 100 freestyle; 17th out of 29 swimmers in the 50 butterfly; and 20th out of 24 swimmers in the 100M.
Ten Sullivan High School letter winners were recently announced as Scholar-Athletes by the Okaw Valley Conference for the first semester of the 1990-91 school year. SHS seniors named are Becky Clayton, Amanda Glazebrook, Aaron Jesse and Troy Rogers, while junior award winners recipients are Sheri Adams, Nathan Hutchings and Jason Kottwitz. Sophomores, Breanna Cooper, Carinna Elder and Sarah Shasteen also received the certificate of achievement issued by the conference. Scholar-Athletes are those students who have earned a varsity letter and are recognized on an honor roll or high honor roll at their respective school. Read More
Illinois Celebrates AmeriCorps Week
Volunteers Recognized
•March 9, 2016•
Each year, the nation celebrates the service that thousands of Americans perform through AmeriCorps. This week is used to salute the AmeriCorps members and alums for their hard work and thank the community partners who support them.
“AmeriCorps helps hundreds of thousands of Illinoisans each year,” said Scott McFarland, Executive Director of Serve Illinois. “AmeriCorps members dedicate a year of their lives to their communities, and AmeriCorps Week is a time for the rest of us to say ‘thank you’.” Read More
IEMA Seeks Recovery for Lost Radioactive Source
Wayne County Well Surveys, Inc. can request hearing
•March 9, 2016•
The Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) has issued a preliminary order to Wayne County Well Surveys, Inc. of Fairfield seeking to impose penalties totaling $25,500 after the company lost a radioactive well logging source holder last fall. The device has not been located.
IEMA licenses the company’s possession and use of the radioactive source holder, which is part of a larger tool used to assess geological formations in oil and gas, groundwater, mineral and geothermal exploration. Read More
Finding Financial Support for Communities
USDA is Helping
•March 9, 2016•
By Colleen Callahan
USDA Rural Development Director for Illinois
and Mike Wallace
Community Programs Director
She wasn’t condescending. She was concerned.
That’s how I read the remarks of Sherrie Crabb, Executive Director of the Family Counseling Center in Vienna.
She said they “feel forgotten.” She was quoted as saying, the Family Counseling Center won’t be closing its doors. But the services they offer, and the role they play in the community, may have to change.
Crabb expressed those sentiments regarding the uncertainty of our state’s budget. She says they will find a way to make sure the people of southern Illinois get the mental health services they need. “We always find the funds to keep going, even if they don’t come from the state.” One of Crabb’s references in that quote is USDA Rural Development. Our Rural Development Community Facilities Program has had a long relationship with The Family Counseling Center. From financial help to secure a clinical site, to the purchase of equipment and transportation needs, USDA Rural Development in Illinois has helped The Family Counseling Center meet the needs of area residents. Read More
Illinois Department of Labor Honors Workplace Safety at DIOSH Day
•March 9, 2016•
To promote safety in the workplace, Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) Director Hugo Chaviano joined employers and employees at the 25th Annual Downstate Illinois Occupational Safety and Health (DIOSH) Day Conference. Illinois OSHA, along with many industry groups, sponsored this event to provide expert occupational safety and health management resources for employers of all sizes and industries.
“It is great to see so many workers and business owners come out to learn from each other about workplace safety,” said IDOL Director Chaviano. “Ensuring the wellbeing of individuals on the job is not just critical for Illinoisans and their families, but also for the economy at large. The creativity and innovation on display here is exactly what we need to encourage a healthy workforce in our state.” Read More
Health Department Experiences Year of Growth
Accessed Improved
•March 9, 2016•
by Mike Brothers
Increased community accessibility has benefitted the Moultrie County Health Department’s ability to reach further into the community.
This message was emphasized by health dept. executive director Angie Hogan in her report to the county board Public Health Safety and Welfare committee March 2.
The facility opened in July 2014, had a complete year to settle in, with Hogan reporting a 30 percent growth in child immunizations during last year.
Moultrie County Health Dept. nurses administered vaccines to 1,089 children 0-18 and 431 to adults.
“We have not only been able to increase those we serve,” Hogan said, “we did it under budget,” indicating it was all accomplished by finishing the December 2014 to November 30, 2015 budget year with a $16,000 carryover. Read More
Decatur Civic Center Hosts Quilt Fest
Photo submitted
•March 9, 2016•
The Decatur Quilters Guild will present the 36th Annual Quilt Fest April 1 and 2. The event is open to the public from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday at the Decatur Civic Center.
The theme of the Quilt Fest is “Quilting Around the World.” More than 200 quilts made by guild members and local quilters will be on display, and several craft and quilt shop vendors will be on hand. The public is invited to submit quilts for display by registering them at www.decaturquiltersguild/quiltfest.com. The Decatur Quilters Guild does not charge a fee to enter a quilt to show at the fest. Deadline to register quilts online at is March 21. Read More
Windsor FFA Alumni Meeting Rescheduled
•March 9, 2016•
Because of inclement weather the FFA alumni meeting planned in February has been rescheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 15 in the Windsor Jr/Sr High School agriculture room. Read More
February in Illinois was Slightly Warmer than Normal
•March 9, 2016•
The Illinois temperature for February was 33.2 degrees, 2.3 degrees above average, according to Illinois State Climatologist Jim Angel, Illinois State Water Survey, University of Illinois.
Illinois’ warmer winter weather for the three months of December, January, and February was reported as the seventh warmest on record. The statewide temperature was 33.5 degrees, 4.4 degrees above average. The statewide precipitation the winter months was 8.94 inches, 2.12 inches above average and the 11th wettest on record. Read More