Photos by R.R. Best
On Friday, December 5th, Dove, Inc., in collaboration with East Central Illinois ROSC, held a free “Santa’s Little Workshop” event at Mid-Illinois Senior Services in Sullivan. With free food, crafts, activities, hot chocolate, cookie decorating, and warm holiday cheers, the event was enjoyed by many locals. Santa was also present, happily hearing the Christmas list requests of children of all ages.
•December 10, 2025•
by DM Williamee
Nursing and care home fraud is a growing problem that affects vulnerable populations, especially the elderly. It encompasses a diverse range of activities that exploit residents, their families, and the healthcare system. There are multiple types of nursing and care home fraud perpetrated. Here are the most common.
Billing fraud is when providers charge for services that were never rendered or overbill for services actually provided. This is the most common form of fraud in nursing homes, accounting for approximately 30% of reported cases. Kickbacks are when homes engage in illegal arrangements that involve receiving kickbacks for patient referrals or service agreements.
This type of fraud is less common but still significant, representing about 20% of cases. Next, we have resident abuse and neglect. Some caregivers exploit residents through physical, emotional, or financial abuse, which can include stealing personal belongings or financial assets. This form of fraud is responsible for approximately 25% of reported fraud incidents.
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•December 10, 2025•
by DM Williamee
As the chill of winter sets in and the selection of outdoor activities dwindles, many find themselves searching for ways to stave off boredom while maintaining mental, physical, and emotional health during the chillier winter months. Believe it or not, winter provides an opportunity to explore indoor activities that can both bust boredom and enhance well-being. From creative pursuits to physical fitness, there are options other than binge-watching television that can enhance the season.
Get crafty and unleash your creative side. Winter is the perfect time to dive into arts and crafts, for example. Engaging in creative activities not only provides a productive outlet for stress but also enhances mood and reduces that stress. Painting and/or drawing are simple examples. Experiment with watercolors, acrylics, sketching, or even just doodling. You don’t need to be a professional artist—just let your imagination take over. You can also create handmade gifts, decorations, or upcycle old items into something new. Knitting or crocheting is not only therapeutic but also functional. Both can result in cozy accessories such as scarves, hats, slippers, and lap-blankets, perfect for this chillier season.
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•December 10, 2025•
by DM Williamee
In a landmark settlement that has sent ripples through both the retail and financial sectors, Visa and Mastercard reached an agreement with a coalition of merchants that will -fundamentally- alter the landscape of credit card transactions at checkout lanes beginning in early 2026. This settlement paves the way for businesses to implement tiered pricing based on the type of credit card that a consumer uses, and will no doubt lead to more complicated shopping experiences for consumers. From “ No purchases by credit card under $5” to “all purchases by credit card will be subject to a fee, depending on the card you use.” Huh? Don’t we already pay interest fees on our credit cards when we pay the bill every month? Yes. But wait, folks, now there’s more…
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•December 10, 2025•
by DM Williamee
When one is unable to care for themselves at home due to age, illness, or injury and lacks the requisite support system to ensure proper care on a day-to-day basis, nursing care and rehabilitation facilities exist to fill that gap. Unfortunately, not all facilities are created equal when it comes to safe, quality care, as reflected by the recent IDPH “Quarterly Report of Nursing Home Violators” report.
43 nursing homes and care facilities throughout the Central Illinois region were recently fined in the April-June 2025 “Quarterly Report of Nursing Home Violators” by the Illinois Department of Public Health. These encompassed violations of both state and federal law. Some reports included multiple violations; some facilities have multiple reports against them, and some had fines statutorily doubled.
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Photo by RR Best
On Monday, December 1st, Wyman Park in Sullivan was looking full of colorfully lit festive cheer, with the weekend’s snowfall accumulation providing the perfect backdrop for the beautifully lit displays.
•December 10, 2025•
The Sullivan Fire Protection District responded to a structure fire on December 4th, 12:27 a.m. at 925 State Highway 32, at the NorthEnd Pub and Grill at the Sullivan Marina. Fire crews arrived to find heavy fire conditions present on the east side of the building. Firefighters began a fire attack and searched for victims, but no one was found inside the structure. A Second Alarm was called at 1:02 a.m., bringing additional resources and manpower to the scene. Limited access and icy conditions presented many obstacles for firefighters to overcome on this fire. There were no injuries to firefighters or civilians. Crews remained on scene until 5:06 a.m.
Read MorePractical tips to protect your home, family, and holiday spirit this season.
•December 10, 2025•
By Angela Hogan
As we enter the Christmas season, our lives fill with the excitement of decorations, traditions, delicious food, and long-awaited gatherings and events. However, the holidays also bring a faster pace, extra expectations and stress, and more than a few perils we often overlook. As a result, the rate of accidents and injuries typically increases during this time of year.
Let’s consider how a nod to safety in our homes, kitchens, and during holiday travel can help support our holiday cheer.
Make home safety a priority
Walkways: Clear exterior walkways of snow and ice. Secure loose rugs and electrical cords, and keep interior pathways free of holiday clutter, and keep all walkways and stairways well-lit.
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•December 3, 2025•
by DM Williamee
With winter now here, ensuring your vehicle is prepared for the colder months is essential for safety and reliability. From icy roads to unexpected snowstorms, being proactive can help you avoid breakdowns and keep you safe on the road. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to DIY prepare your vehicle for winter and what to carry for emergencies.
Winter driving can be tough on your vehicle’s fluids. Here’s what to check: Antifreeze/Coolant: Ensure your coolant levels are adequate and consider using a winter-grade coolant to prevent freezing. Oil: Check your oil level and consider switching to a winter-grade oil for better performance in cold temperatures. Thinner oil flows better in frigid conditions. Windshield Washer Fluid: Use a winter formula that won’t freeze, and top off your washer fluid reservoir. This is crucial for maintaining visibility in snowy conditions.
Cold weather can drain your battery faster than you think. Here’s how to ensure it’s up to the task: Check Battery Health: Look for corrosion on battery terminals and clean them if necessary. If your battery is more than three years old, consider having it tested at an auto parts store. Secure Connections: Ensure battery cables are tight and free of corrosion to avoid starting issues.
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•December 3, 2025•
by DM Williamee
As many are basking or tasking this holiday season, shopping, cooking, spending time with friends and family, watching football, wrapping gifts, caroling, and making New Year’s resolutions, 2026 feels close but not quite here. For many, thinking about changes to expect in 2026 will not likely happen until the glow of the holiday season wears off and they are back to the grind after the ball drops. Others are always looking to the horizon, and from what is being forecasted, it’s a broad one.
According to analysts of all types and sectors (including socio-economic forecasters, economists, job market forecasters, and a host of other pundits), 2026 will be a year filled with changes that will impact all Americans, some more than others. The top ten predictions according to these professionals are the following:
Integration of AI into Daily Life: AI will be more seamlessly embedded into existing software, search engines, and enterprise operations. The public will interact with AI agents for tasks from customer service to personalized education, many times without realizing it. Currently, we unlock phones and electronics with Face ID and fingerprints, ask Alexa and Siri questions, and utilize search engines as well as social media, and behind these searches? AI tailors content based on what it believes we want to see. If autocorrect can create random ‘ducks’ in speech-to-text, one must wonder what these tailored search results are giving us.
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