News Progress

From the IDHS 
•December 10, 2025•

Full December SNAP benefits will be issued as normally scheduled.  Starting February 1, 2026, Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) who do not meet work requirements or qualify for an exemption may only receive benefits for three months during a three-year period. That means individuals not meeting the new federal work requirements or otherwise exempt could lose benefits starting May 1, 2026. 

Prior to the Trump Administration’s budget bill, ABAWDS were defined as adults ages 18-54 with no “dependent” children under 18 and no disabilities. But under the new federal guidelines, people in the following categories will also be forced to meet the new work requirements to receive SNAP benefits: veterans, individuals who are 55-64 years old, homeless individuals, and ABAWDs whose at-home children are 14 years old or older

The Log Cabin Across the Road

•December 10, 2025•

by Janet Roney

A friend of mine introduced me to bird-watching when I was a kid. This led to frequent early morning hikes before school to add to my “life list” of birds I had seen and identified. First, I just wandered around our yard or up and down the road in front of our house. Soon, I noticed that all the strange birdcalls were coming from the trees along the creek on our neighbor’s land across the road east from our house.

When my desire to add to my life list of birds grew greater than my fear of trespassing, I went exploring across the road early one misty spring morning. Soon, as I followed the edge of the brush along the creek, I found myself in an unknown world, even though I was only an eighth of a mile from home. I worked my way through the jungle of brush and trees along the creek and came out against a pasture fence.

•December 10, 2025•

Submitted

What can you do to prevent a holiday season that starts with high expectations from ending in stress and exhaustion? Why are holidays stressful? While the holiday season is portrayed with warmth and connecting with loved ones, it can also bring about stress, anxiety, and a wide range of other emotions. The pressures of social events, religious functions, travel, and family commitments can overwhelm even the most resilient individuals. Moreover, feelings of loneliness and isolation can exacerbate these challenges. Given that most holiday activities occur within 10-15 days, a higher stress level is understandable, even under the most favorable circumstances.

How do we reduce holiday stress? Maintaining your physical and emotional well-being is paramount, regardless of the added expectations and challenges of the season. Here are seven effective methods known to help reduce holiday stress:

•December 3, 2025•

4th: 4-H Fair events planning meeting held at 3:45 p.m. at Arthur Christian School in Arthur.

5th: Emerging Leaders shop for and pack holiday food bags at the Extension office.

•December 3, 2025•

Through December 31st, the residents and businesses of Sullivan are encouraged to display an inflatable elf for all to see. While inflatable elves are encouraged, any elf will work. Your elf could be inflatable, a wooden cutout elf, or even a painted elf on your window/storefront. The only requirements are to go with the Elf theme, make it fun and unique if you wish, and have fun with it.