•May 3, 2023•
For 48 years, University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners have measured success by gardens planted, insects identified, produce harvested, and the millions of hours volunteers have logged by helping others learn to grow.
Take your love of gardening to the next level in 2023 by joining an online training course. Whether you’re interested in the Master Gardener certification process and continuing on to volunteer in your community, or you’re simply interested in bettering your own gardening knowledge, Illinois Gardener Training is for you.
Online training is again being offered starting June 12, 2023. This self-guided course is for Illinois residents and can be taken from the comfort of home on a desktop, laptop, or tablet. Read More
IDPH Urges Illinoisans to Get Educated About Tickborne Illnesses at Start of Lyme Disease Awareness Month
•May 3, 2023•
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is urging the public to get educated about how to protect themselves from Lyme disease at the start of National Lyme Disease Awareness Month.
“Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne illness in the United States,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. “We encourage everyone who enjoys spending time outdoors to get educated about how to protect themselves from tickborne illnesses. Please review our many IDPH resources and join us as we all work together to Fight the Bite.”
Director Vohra said the most important thing people can do to “Fight the Bite” is to diligently check themselves, their pets, and help children with a tick check after spending time in areas where ticks live, such as in and near wooded areas, tall grass, and brush. Removing ticks within a 24-hour period reduces the risk of potential disease transmission. Read More
Gardner Honored
•May 3, 2023•
The Booth Collaborative Advisory Committee at Eastern Illinois University recently honored a student from Sullivan as a winner of the 2023 Award for Excellence in Student Research and Creativity. Read More
Secretary Giannoulias & Rep. Ford Seek to Protect Motorists and Police by Decriminalizing Rearview Mirror Air Fresheners
•May 3, 2023•
A new proposal from Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias and State Representative La Shawn Ford (8th District – Chicago) would no longer make it illegal for motorists to have items hanging from their rearview mirror, which often serve as a pretext for traffic stops.
Under House Bill 2389, law enforcement would no longer have the authority to stop a motorist for simply hanging items like air fresheners, rosaries or disability placards from their rearview mirror while driving. This legislative effort – which passed the Illinois House on March 24 and is awaiting an expected floor vote in the Senate – follows through on a campaign promise Giannoulias made in 2021. Read More
Facts for Families: Strong Couples Program Helps Families Build Relationships That Last
•May 3, 2023•
By Cheri Burcham
Family Life Educator
Sustaining a healthy and supportive relationship can be difficult for many couples. The Strong Couples Project started in Illinois in 2020 as an effort to assist couples by providing them with knowledge and skills related to communication, as well as techniques for changing the tone of escalating conflicts and arguments. Judy Schmidt, 4-H youth development educator serving Fulton, Mason, Peoria, and Tazewell counties serves as a program coach for this state-wide project. Cheri Burcham also serves as a program coach that began in Illinois and is now starting to go national. Read More
Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Gold Medal Brand Flour
•May 3, 2023•
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is working with local health departments, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Infantis infections linked to Gold Medal brand flour produced by General Mills of Minneapolis, MN. According to the CDC, there have been 13 illnesses reported nationwide, including three hospitalizations linked to the outbreak. Two of the cases are in Illinois. Read More
Of Malaphors and Misplaced Modifiers
•May 3, 2023•
By Jim Baumann
NP Guest Writer
Battling cancer is hard enough for a child. But having to also battle a sibling is simply too much.
Such was the conclusion you might draw from reading a headline in a recent story in the Daily Herald — without reading the story itself.
“I taught middle school students for 37 years,” reader Kathy Heikkinen wrote to me. “Granted, I didn’t teach English, but part of the story about the TLC camp in today’s paper makes me laugh and cry.”
An abbreviation of the headline was “A camp for kids battling cancer and a sibling.” Read More
Remember When? 5-3-2023
25 Years Ago This Week
Another strong showing by the Lady Redskin relay teams propelled them to a top five finish at the Monticello Invitational. Sullivan and Fisher tied for fourth place in the 18 team event, with 44 points each, Tolono Unity captured first with 70 points, Village Grove was second with 56 points and host Monticello claimed third with 54 points. The Lady Redskins turned in five top five finishes in the relay events. The foursome of Brittany Cobb, Jamie Palmer, Jennifer Voltz, and Claire Zimmerman took second in the 3200m relay. Cobb, Crawford, April Harris and Kim Haugh claimed third in the 800m medley relay, Haugh, Brook Coy, Amber Collins and Jodi Pound took third in the 800 m relay, while Pound, Cobb, Palmer and Liz Noffke took third in the 1600m relay. The team of Coy, Haugh, Crawford, and Noffke also grabbed a top five finish in the 400m relay. Read More
Public Invited to First Annual Arthur-Area Spring Community Arts Fair
•April 26, 2023•
The public is invited to the first annual Arthur-Area Spring Community Arts Fair. It will be held in the Arthur United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall on Saturday, May 6 from 1-6 p.m. There are eleven talented artists from various surrounding areas to show and sell their art. Those who attend the fair will also get a chance to vote for their favorite artist. Each artist will have a jar at their table for donations. The artist with the most money in the jar will be named the “People’s Choice Artist Award.” Donations will be used for the ministries of the Arthur United Methodist Church to continue its outreach services in the Arthur area. The event is free to attend but you are welcome to give donations at the door. Everyone is encouraged to attend and support local art while also benefiting community outreach. Also, don’t miss Pastor Jill Bunker of AUMC and Ariana R. Cherry (Administrative Assistant) when they appear on CI-Living on WCIA Channel 3 news on Tuesday, May 2 to promote the art fair.
Lake Shelbyville Project Welcomes Five New Rangers to Staff
•April 26, 2023•
The Lake Shelbyville Project welcomes five new rangers to our staff. These rangers filled vacancies left by rangers that took promotions, outside Lake Shelbyville, within the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers organization. Rangers Makayla Tinker, Tanner Coleman, Brent Scroggins, Brockton Letcher, and Eli Pollmann will make great additions to the knowledgeable and friendly staff at Lake Shelbyville. Read More