October 1, 2014

The 2014 Oktoberfest and 11th annual chili cook-off is back bigger and better than ever. This year’s festival will be held 6-11 p.m. Friday October 17 and noon-11 p.m. Saturday, October 18.

Friday night festivities include arts, crafts, and food vendors. The Sullivan Area Arts Council (SAARTS) will host Artoberfest at Cathrine’s Gallery Gifts & More. A highlight to the festival this year, the Oktoberfest wine tasting at 5 West will be open from 6-9 p.m., and the Oktoberfest beer tent will be open 6-11 p.m. Friday. XKrush will rock the beer tent 8-11 p.m. Read More

October 1, 2014

Manufacturing representatives and educators from throughout the East Central Illinois (ECI) region will convene to hear best practices and discuss solutions to some of the industry’s workforce issues at the upcoming ECI Super Region Roundtable in Effingham, Illinois.

On Tuesday, October 28, 2014, beginning at 9:00 a.m. CST, community colleges, economic and workforce development agencies, K-12 educators, regional planning commissions, and area manufacturers will meet at Thelma Keller Convention Center to explore opportunities related to the ECI Super Region, which encompasses nearly 40 counties in East Central Illinois. Read More

October 1, 2014

This year, Lovington’s homecoming parade will honor veterans from Lovington and area towns. U.S. Marine Major Lynn Lowder (ret.) will counsel veterans at the Lovington library Saturday morning from 10 a.m.-noon.

To help celebrate veterans, Aaron Fleming and Dennis Garmon will start the parade with “The Star Spangled Banner” and “God Bless the USA.”

ALAH fall sports team members and coaches, bagpipers, a Cinderella carriage, Shriners groups and Tiny the Clown will join the scouts, antique cars, fire trucks and other groups. Read More

October 1, 2014

October’s Dine with a Doc® program will feature a different type of doctor in Brad Rau, J.D. who will shed some light on pre-planning if you become unable to direct your own medical care and financial affairs because of illness, an accident, or advanced age.

He will share why it’s important to begin writing down your wishes about the kinds of treatment you do or do not want to receive and naming someone you trust to oversee your care. Other topics will include advanced directives, living wills, power of attorney and more. Read More

September 24, 2014

Soils are damp across the state at the end of September, according to Jennie Atkins, Water and Atmospheric Resources Manager at the Illinois State Water Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois.

Soil moisture levels at two inches average 0.29 water fraction by volume (wfv) across Illinois, slightly below the field capacity for most of the soil types measured. The highest levels were in east central Illinois, which averaged an inch of rain in the last week. Read More