•July 12, 2023•
University of Illinois Extension, serving Coles-Cumberland-Douglas-Moultrie-Shelby Counties will be offering Illinois Master Naturalist training from August 8-October 10 with the majority of classes every Tuesday from 5:30 PM-8:30 PM held at Douglas-Hart Nature Center in Mattoon. There will also be classes onsite at Warbler Ridge Woods and Shelbyville Visitor’s Center.
The mission of the University of Illinois Extension Master Naturalist Program is to provide science-based educational opportunities that connect people with nature and help them become engaged environmental stewards. “The Master Naturalist training is a great way to learn more about our local natural areas, get together with people who are interested in helping our environment, and make some great connections”, says Extension Program Coordinator Jenny Lee. Read More
Lake Land College Economics Instructor Receives Award for Innovative Teaching
photo furnished
Lake Land College Economics Instructor Brian Lynch, Sullivan, received the 2023 ICCFA Dr. Joseph Cipfl Faculty Research/Workshop Grant. Pictured is Lynch.
•July 12, 2023•
For the last 24 years, Lake Land College Economics Instructor Brian Lynch has sought to improve his students’ learning with the help of innovative teaching strategies. For instance, he has found that karaoke, ice cream and paper airplanes are excellent tools to help students grasp complex concepts such as supply, pricing and modeling. Recently, the Illinois Community College Faculty Association (ICCFA) recognized Lynch’s inventive efforts by awarding him the 2023 Dr. Joseph Cipfl Faculty Research/Workshop Grant. Read More
Sullivan Dance Studio’s Competition Team Attends Nationals
photo furnished
Members in attendance at Nationals included (in no particular photo order): Alayna Young, Blair Camp, Gianna Krieger, Kinley Short, Knox Weakly, Mara Inman, Mia Lovett, Addi Finn, Addisyn Carter, Kaylee Hostetler, Lexi Yoder, Fionn Lynch, Natalia Beals, Adalee Foster, Sophie Foster, Aleena Ingram, Lillian Hood, Miah Voegel, Sarina Voegel and Zoe Lynch. Missing from the photo, but attending the event were: Kinley Short, Blair Camp, Tiffany Hostetler, and Emma Hostetler.
•July 12, 2023•
Sullivan Dance Studio’s 2022-2023 Competition Team ended their year by attending “Positive Vibes” Nationals in Collinsville, Illinois. The team had earlier attended a “Positives Vibes” Dance Regional Competition held in Bloomington, Illinois. At this nationals competition 17 routines from the SDS Competition Team participated. This was the team’s first ever Nationals experience and they came home with five 1st Place/Champion trophies. These championship trophies were awarded to: Sarina Voegel, Senior Soloist; Mia Lovett and Knox Weakly Duet, 5 & Under Duets & Trios; “Disco Divas” for the 5 & Under Small Group Category; and Mini Large Group “Minion Mania.” Adalee Foster & Sophie Foster’s Duet also was named a National Champion plus they received a Judge’s Award “Pure Joy on Stage.” Read More
And You Can Quote Me On That!
•July 12, 2023•
By Jim Baumann
NP Guest Writer
With apologies to any of you our reporters have interviewed, not everything you say is interesting.
Not everything I say is interesting either, but that’s the joy of writing a first-person column and being the editor of the paper.
Nanny nanny foo foo.
We will interview someone at length for a profile story and, from that, use a smattering of quotes and weave in details from other things the subject has told us as “color.”
Too often, though, reporters — reporters from a great many newspapers I’ve read — lean too hard on quotes to tell the story, especially when it’s a story that talks about process rather than emotion.
Two weeks ago, I wrote about how jargon slows down our writing. Last week it was how unnecessary words do the same.
Today, it’s all about how quotes in news writing should act as punctuation. Read More
Remember When? 7-13-2023
25 Years Ago This Week
The Bethany Mustangs competing in the 9-10 age division, won the regional title at the Hoops USA-Hoops for Homes 3 on 3 basketball tournament in Normal. Members of the team were John Rhodes, Dustin Yoder, Channing Foster and Chad Palmer Martz. Coach was Brandon Yoder. Read More
Remember When? 7-5-2023
25 Years Ago This Week
Sullivan’s D&B Refuse Service and three Decatur trash services were purchased by American Disposal Services, Inc. The company also named Steve Loveall, former owner of D&B, to oversee central Illinois operations of the company. The hub of American Disposal’s operations was at Loveall’s site in Sullivan. Read More
1% Grocery Tax to Resume, Gas Tax to Increase
•July 5, 2023•
By Jerry Nowicki
Capitol News Illinois
jnowicki @ capitolnewsillinois.com
A new state fiscal year will begin July 1, ushering in the reinstatement of a 1 percent tax on groceries and a second increase to the state’s motor fuel tax in 2023.
Amid record-high inflation last spring, the General Assembly temporarily waived Illinois’ grocery tax for the coming fiscal year and delayed the annual increase in the state’s motor fuel tax for six months. Democrats introduced both those measures as part of a larger tax relief package that drew criticisms for its proximity to the November general election.
“What we did last year was a temporary measure because we had very high inflation,” Pritzker said when asked at an unrelated news conference Tuesday whether the changes were election-related. “Inflation, you may notice, has come down.”
Inflation was approaching 9 percent when the tax relief plan passed last year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, but it was 4 percent last month when the fiscal year 2024 was budget passed. Read More
Keep Food Safe During Severe Weather
•July 5, 2023•
Many communities across the Midwest have already begun experiencing severe weather as warm, humid air-masses from the Gulf of Mexico have collided with the cooler, dryer air from Canada, resulting in unstable atmospheric conditions.
Although thunderstorms and tornadoes can happen anytime during the year, most occur during the warmer months. April, May, and June are the most active months for tornadoes across the US, and in Illinois, nearly 80% of all tornadoes occur during this time. Thunderstorms are commonly seen from April into the early fall; however, the greatest activity occurs from May through July.
Be prepared Read More
HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital Draws Attention to Leading Cause of Blindness Worldwide
•July 5, 2023•
One of most common health issues in older adults is the leading cause of blindness worldwide but is also safely and easily correctable – cataracts.
HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital is drawing attention to Cataract Awareness Month this June to educate the public on the symptoms of cataracts and offer ways to correct this vision issue. According to the National Eye Institute, a cataract is a cloudy area in the lens of your eye (the clear part of the eye that helps to focus light). Cataracts are quite common as we age. In fact, more than half of all Americans will have a cataract by the time they are 80 years old. Read More
Pritzker Signs Bills Altering Illinois’ Health Insurance Market
•July 5, 2023•
By Peter Hancock
Capitol News Illinois
phancock @ capitolnewsillinois.com
Gov. JB Pritzker signed legislation Tuesday that will dramatically alter the health insurance market in Illinois.
The measures establish a state-based exchange for policies sold under the Affordable Care Act and give the Illinois Department of Insurance the authority to modify or reject proposed rate increases.
“Since day one of my administration, I’ve been committed to making health care more equitable and holistic and accessible,” Pritzker said at a bill signing ceremony in Chicago. “With these bills, we aren’t just increasing access to affordable preventative care, we’re improving the quality of life for millions who call Illinois home.”
Under the Affordable Care Act, people who are not eligible for Medicaid but who do not have access to affordable health insurance through their employer can buy subsidized policies through an online exchange operated by either the federal government or their state government. Read More