News Progress

•October 21, 2015•

By Jerry L Ginther
NP Columnist

When you saw a ‘57 Chevy coming down the street, even a block away, you knew it was not a ’56 Ford Crown Victoria. Can you remember when cars were easily identifiable at first sight? Proprietary attributes such as front grills, rear tail fins, hood ornaments and chrome trim made them easily recognizable from a considerable distance. The make of the car and the year it was manufactured was unmistakable even to those who knew little about cars otherwise.

When I was a youngster there were several pre WWII autos still on the road, too. Looking back I’m amazed by the fact that some Ford cars had V-8 engines in them before 1940. Those engines were known as flathead V-8s, because the intake and exhaust valves were in the block. Later, in the 50s, the valves were located in the engine head but were referred to as “overhead” valves. Somewhere back in the good old days, I’m told that Lincoln cars were equipped with V-12 engines and overdrive. For a full sized car, I’m thinking that those old Lincolns had to be the fastest vehicles on the highway. Do you remember the song, “Hot Rod Lincoln?” If you’re less than 40 years old, you have probably never heard the term “overdrive” either.

The interior of those pre WWII types sported gadgets that the present generation has likely never seen. Starter pedals were located on the floor next to the accelerator. Actually, they were just a steel rod protruding through the floorboard with a rubber boot around it. One had to push the rod with the right foot to engage the starter. The headlight dimmer switch was also located on the floor, but on the driver’s side of the clutch and brake pedals. This configuration continued for many more years. As technology progressed, the starter switch was improved to a push button on the dashboard. In those older vehicles the ignition switch had to be turned on with a key before the starter was engaged either by the foot switch or the push button. The key was not used to start the engine, only to shut it off. Read More

•October 14, 2015•

By Tyler Harvey
Douglas-Moultrie Farm Bureau Manager

As many of you are well aware, the 2015 harvest is well underway for the year. With the weather we have had over the last few weeks, farmers have tirelessly been working to get the crops out before the weather breaks. Not only farmers, but truck drivers, erg service companies such as South Central FS, and all other helpers have been working nonstop this harvest. Even after the corn and soybeans are harvested, there is still much work to be done. Fall tillage will be continuing, application of anhydrous ammonia, and fertilizer and lime spreading will also be continuing. As of Sunday, October 4, the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) has the Illinois corn crop at 55% harvested. This is slightly above the five year average of 47% for Illinois. The condition of the corn has been rated at 53% good or excellent. Soybeans harvested for the state are well above the five year average of 31% harvested. As of October 4, 49% of the soybean crop has been harvested in Illinois. 60% of the soybean crop has been rated at either good or excellent.

The Moultrie County Farm Bureau and Country Financial representatives delivered harvest treat bags to farmers and local county elevators on October 1. More than 200 goodie bags were distributed to give all out there working day in and day out a break and some snacks while they work the long hours of harvest.  Read More

•October 7, 2015•

By Gerald Tilley
Social Security District Manager in Decatur, IL

Most people love surprises, but many dislike change. It’s just the opposite with Social Security. If you receive benefits, we want to hear about your changes.

Keeping us informed minimizes the chance that we learn about something later that could negatively affect your benefits. That’s the surprise no one wants because it creates overpayments that you must repay, disrupts payments, and can even jeopardize your entitlement to Social Security benefits.

Here is a reminder of some of the most common forms of information Social Security needs from you.

Your address and direct deposit information. We need to know your current mailing address and phone number so we can reach you if needed. This is especially important if you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) since where you live can change the amount of your SSI benefits.

When your direct deposit information is not current, it can cause headaches with missing or delayed payments. You can update your address or direct deposit information when you register for a my Social Security account at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.  Read More

•September 30, 2015•

By Mike Brothers
NP Managing Editor

This column is rooted on the number of stupid human tricks I have done. The beauty is I never lack for suitable, or maybe unsuitable, stuff to write about.

Seemingly, an innocent request from daughter-in-law Crystal prompted another incident.

A few weeks ago Crystal sends me a photograph of this cute little zoo for stuffed animals with the question: “could you build this?”

Here we can begin to see why the fundamental reason many of my stupid human tricks end with me striking myself in the forehead with an open palm declaring: “Oh Brother!” along with a few expletives.

I don’t know if it’s hereditary or just plain stubbornness, but I have always been convinced that I can build just about anything. And most of the time I will get the project finished; it just may stray from its original design.

Armed with nothing but determination and a photograph on my phone about the size of a postage stamp I was ready. I gladly took on the task of building a zoo to contain twins Lyla and Landon’s jungle of stuffed animals.

I have seen these kids’ toy room; you can’t miss it when you walk into the door at son Trevor’s house - the room to the right is covered with toys, stuffed animals and books.

Many of them have places they belong, but with a couple of two-year olds the most likely place for any toy is on the floor. So the idea of a zoo for the stuffed animals became a special challenge-it had to be kid friendly and fun.

Friendly and fun was the goal now to start the project. I had some balusters left from an earlier porch rebuild, which I thought would make perfect bars for the zoo. Read More

•September 23, 2015•

By Ariana Cherry
NP Columnist

People and organizations in Illinois are hurting in more ways than one. Families and individuals who depended on government benefits have had to take a serious cut on the financial assistance that they receive. The Ameren PIPP (Percentage of Income Payment Plan) has become non-existent. The LIHEAP program had no summer assistance and will be running a month behind for the 2016 season.

Many people will be far behind or shut off possibly come the Oct 1 date. Although, come October 1, LIHEAP will be available only to seniors and disabled on the first round. Round two, in November, the program will add households with children under six years of age. Then in December, the general public will be able apply. Those who have state regulated utilities might be able to coast by some, as the winter moratorium will take place beginning December 1 and last through March 1. Although residents who have local utilities could be disconnected by the time they can apply in December.

Into its third month of the new fiscal year, Illinois still has not passed a budget, hurting many state funded agencies and organizations, one being the LIHEAP program. Everything has been pushed back a month, and low income families are having to tighten their belts even more. Read More