•January 27, 2016•

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) announced that beginning Jan. 1 the recreation day use fees charged for boat launches and swimming beaches managed by USACE across the country changed to a simpler fee structure. The fee for a USACE annual pass as well as special use permits also changed. These fees were last changed in 2002.

USACE conducted a national review of its fee structure earlier this year and determined that fee changes are needed to ensure USACE fees remain comparable and fair to those charged by other local providers for similar facilities and services.

The day use fee structure at USACE-managed facilities are as follows:

• Minimum day use fee of $5 will be charged per private non-commercial vehicle.

• Minimum day use fee of $2 per adult for walk-in or bike-in. Read More

Final analysis expected by end of January

•January 27, 2016•

The Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) is continuing to review damage information received from nearly three dozen counties impacted by severe storms and flooding in late December. IEMA asked counties to provide assessments of damages to homes as well as response and recovery costs incurred by units of local government. The deadline for submitting the information to the agency was Jan. 18.

Thirty-four counties submitted local government cost information, while 14 counties submitted information on homes damaged. IEMA personnel have been carefully reviewing the large volume of information received and reaching out to county emergency management agencies and units of local government for clarification and additional information.

IEMA Director James K. Joseph said the agency expects this review and outreach process to continue into the week of Jan. 25 and hopes to have a final analysis of the impact by the end of that week. Read More

•January 20, 2016•

Lake Land College Foundation scholarship applications for the 2016-2017 academic year are due Feb. 1.

Students graduating from high school, adults who are enrolling at Lake Land College and current students are encouraged to apply. Those students who received a Lake Land College Foundation Scholarship for the 2015-2016 school year and wish to be considered for a 2016-2017 award must reapply. Read More

•January 20, 2016•

Enhanced 911 emergency telephone service is moving toward completion in Moultrie County with the passage of the Coles-Moultrie consolidation agreement.

Board member Kevin McReynolds explained the enhanced system would be operated out of Coles County and include land and cell telephone service addresses once completed.

‘We have worked on E911 for a long time,” board chairman Dave McCabe said. “And although we are not last, in going slow we feel we have gotten it done right.”   Read More

•January 20, 2016•

The following is a list of Sarah Bush Lincoln programs and support groups for February. The locations of all programs are posted daily in the main lobby of Sarah Bush Lincoln.

Parent 2 Parent Support Group for Expectant and New Parents

6 p.m. Tuesday, February 2, in the Lumpkin Family Center for Health Education at Sarah Bush Lincoln. A free service offering information, discussion and support about becoming a parent. For location of meetings contact Pam Hood at 217-258-2229.

Pathways Through Grief

7 p.m. Wednesday, February 3, in the Lumpkin Family Center for Health Education at Sarah Bush Lincoln. Open to anyone who has lost a loved one. For more information, contact Lincolnland Hospice at 1-800-454-4055.

Cancer Support Group

10 a.m. Monday, February 8, in the Lumpkin Family Center for Health Education at Sarah Bush Lincoln. This group is open to anyone dealing with cancer. Open to family members of patient as well. For more information, contact Bob Clapp at 217-232-2537. Read More