Category Archives: News Briefs

Shelby County Asks Residents To Sign-Up to Receive Local Alerts

News Progress Posted on by
March 18, 2015

Shelby County, Ill. has partnered with Nixle to implement a Community Notification System to alert residents in real-time for localized emergency situations and relevant community advisories.
As a resident, there are several simple ways to register:
1. Text SHELBYEMA to 888777 from your mobile phone
2. Text your Zip-Code to 888777 from your mobile phone
3. Go to www.shelbycounty-il.com and sign up via the Nixle Widget
4. Go to www.scso87.org and sign up via the Nixle Widget
Once registered, residents will receive a confirmation text to their mobile device. Residents may also customize their alert settings by going to www.nixle.com and creating a user profile. Read More

Central Illinois Restaurants Raise Thousands for Local Ronald McDonald House

News Progress Posted on by
March 18, 2015

Continuing its commitment to the community, central Illinois and Peoria/Bloomington McDonald’s® Restaurants helped raise thousands during the annual “Give a Little Love” campaign to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois (RMHCCI). This year, over $211,178.51 was raised for the charity from January 22 to February 15.
More than 100 central Illinois and Peoria/Bloomington McDonald’s restaurants participated in the campaign. The money that was raised will go directly towards providing a home away from home for families of critically ill children receiving treatment at Springfield-area hospitals. Read More

Head Start Now Taking Applications

News Progress Posted on by
March 18, 2015

C.E.F.S. Head Start 0-5 Program is a federally-funded program that provides comprehensive classroom and home-based educational services to pregnant women and children ages 0-5 including those with significant or multiple special needs.
The C.E.F.S. Head Start 0-5 Program is located at 203 S Graham Street in Sullivan. Preschool center-based classes are provided in either the morning or afternoon Monday through Thursday. Each session lasts 3½ hours and includes healthy meals and snacks. Teachers plan daily lessons with developmentally appropriate activities that advance the children’s self-confidence, problem solving skills, and social development. Indoor and outdoor activities are provided along with computer experiences and field trips. Read More

Comedy Night in Sullivan Saturday Night

News Progress Posted on by
March 18, 2015

Comedienne Zan Aufderheide will be back in Sullivan this coming Saturday to perform stand-up on stage at the Little Theatre.
Aufderheide has been seen on Bob & Tom, Comedy Central and recently performed at Gotham Comedy Club in New York City. Her performance last summer at Pauly’s On the Green was the perfect combination of wit and sarcasm that kept the audience roaring. Read More

Rural Housing Loans For Low Income Families

News Progress Posted on by
March 18, 2015

Home-buying season is just around the corner, but saving enough money to qualify for a mortgage is one of, if not the, biggest barriers to buying a home. Through the 502 Direct Single Family Housing Loan program, USDA Rural Development helps low income individuals and families purchase a home with 100 percent financing. As homeownership grows, rural communities across Illinois are strengthened.
Heather and her husband had no idea where they would get the money for a down payment on a larger home for their growing family. They, and 240 other families around Illinois in FY2014, qualified for and purchased a home with 100% financing – a reality that would not have been possible for them without the Direct Single Family program. Read More

Art Club Kicks Off 2015 Saturday with Workshop

News Progress Posted on by
March 18, 2015

Returning artist, Joycelyn Padgett, will kick off Sullivan Art Club’s 2015 workshop season on Saturday, March 21. The workshop will be conducted in the St. Columcille Church hall located on the east end of the church at the corners of W. Jackson and McClelllan Streets. There is a dedicated entrance to the hall adjacent to the parking lot. Read More

UPS Honors Haycraft

News Progress Posted on by
March 18, 2015

UPS recently announced 86 elite drivers from Illinois are among 1,445 newly inducted worldwide into the Circle of Honor, an honorary organization for UPS drivers who have achieved 25 or more years of accident-free driving.
UPS driver David Haycraft of Dalton City, was one of the 86 recognized. Read More

Delta Dental Foundation Accepting Applications for Wisdom Tooth Award

News Progress Posted on by
March 18, 2015

Eligible Moultrie County organizations encouraged to apply by May 13

The Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation, the 501(c)(3) charitable arm of Delta Dental of Illinois, is accepting applications for its annual Wisdom Tooth Award. The $100,000 annual award recognizes one Illinois nonprofit organization that has made a significant impact on improving the oral health of Illinois children. Eligible organizations must have an established program that provides oral health education and/or access to oral health resources and care. Read More

USDA Rural Development Speaks to the Importance of Local, Regional Foods

News Progress Posted on by
March 18, 2015

The local food movement is becoming an established part of the overall marketplace, and beyond healthy benefits for human nutrition, provides increased economic health and strength to participating communities. A local food conference held in Godfrey, Ill. on March 31 is designed to help area producers, entrepreneurs, communities and consumers explore the many ways to participate in the movement.
“Expanding access to local and regional foods is a priority for USDA, and it is reflected in the investment programs that we bring to the table,” said Colleen Callahan, IL Rural Development Director. “As opportunities for people to buy locally-produced food increase to meet the growing demand, opportunities for community economic development also expand.” Read More

Illinois 2015 Health Insurance Marketplace Coverage Numbers

News Progress Posted on by
March 11, 2015

In Illinois, 349,487 consumers selected or were automatically re-enrolled in quality, affordable health insurance coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace as of Feb. 22, according to a report released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Of the consumers with a Marketplace plan selection, 78 percent (272,600 people) qualified for an average tax credit of $208 per month and 49 percent paid $100 or less per month after tax credits. In Illinois, 83 percent of individuals with a Marketplace plan selection had the option of selecting a plan for $100 or less per month. Read More