•March 29, 2023•
The Decatur Quilters Guild will hold their 41st Quilt Fest titled “We Quilt our Town” Friday and Saturday, April 14 and 15, 2023 at the Decatur Civic Center, downtown Decatur. As a special feature, author Jennifer Chiaverini will be a guest speaker. Chiaverini is author of The Elm Creek Quilt series and many historical fiction books such as Switchboard Soldiers, The Women’s March, and Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker. Thank you to our Library Sponsors including the following public libraries: Warrensburg, Mt. Zion, Macon, Genealogy Society and Maroa. Admission to the Quilt Show is required to attend her presentation. Read More
C.E.F.S. Extends Deadline to Apply for College Scholarships
•March 29, 2023•
C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation is offering scholarships for income eligible individuals who wish to continue their education in an Illinois post-Secondary Institution and enroll full-time. The course of study must lead up to a degree and/or employment.
Listed below are the Income Eligibility Guidelines at 200% Poverty level:
Family Size 30 Day
1 $2,430
2 $3,287 Read More
ICC’s Annual Hazardous Material Report Found Minimal Violations on Illinois Railways
•March 29, 2023•
The Illinois Commerce Commission released its annual report on accidents and incidents involving hazardous materials (hazmat) on Illinois railroads. Of the 8,549 rail cars inspected in 2022, the ICC found violations in just 1.3 percent of all inspections. When these inspections first started in 1981, violations topped 12 percent.
“The disaster in East Palestine has rightfully turned attention to our nation’s rail safety efforts. Our hazardous materials report is an important resource for understanding the kinds of incidents that occur on Illinois railways and helps the Commission to inform its ongoing safety measures,” said ICC Chairman Carrie Zalewski. “Investigating these incidents when they occur is critical, but the goal of routine inspections is ultimately to minimize and prevent these disasters from occurring in the first place.” Read More
Be Alert to the Effects of too much Caffeine
•March 29, 2023•
As part of March’s Caffeine Awareness Month, HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital and HSHS Medical Group Diabetes and Endocrinology – Decatur want to share how the stimulant affects our brain and body.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) estimates 80% of U.S. adults consume caffeine daily. Although it can help with alertness, health experts say overdoing it can cause dangerous side effects including: Read More
Bushue Recognized as 2023 State FFA Proficiency Winner
•March 29, 2023•
Brett Bushue was selected as the State FFA Proficiency Winner in Equine Science - Entrepreneurship. Brett is a member of the Sullivan FFA Chapter of the Illinois Association FFA. Illinois FFA recognizes students in forty-eight different areas based on their work-based learning, also known as Supervised Agricultural Experiences or SAE. FFA members who demonstrate outstanding agricultural skills and competencies through record keeping, leadership, and scholastic achievement may be considered for this award. SAEs allow students to learn by doing by either owning and operating an agricultural business, working or serving an internship at an agriculture-based business or conducting an agriculture-based scientific experiment and reporting results. Read More
Bethany High Graduate Named to American College of Trial Lawyers
•March 29, 2023•
Crowe & Dunlevy attorney J. Christopher Davis has been inducted into the American College of Trial Lawyers (ACTL), a prestigious organization of North American trial lawyers dedicated to maintaining and improving the standards of trial practice, professionalism, ethics and the administration of justice.
Davis, a 1983 graduate of Bethany High School, is a shareholder and director in the firm’s Tulsa office where herepresents businesses and individuals in state and federal courts. A seasoned litigator and mediator, Davis is Oklahoma’s only active paraplegic trial attorney. He joins Crowe & Dunlevy attorneys William G. Paul, Andrew M. Coats, D. Kent Meyers, and Clyde A Muchmore as fellows.
“To be inducted into the college is one of the most important honors a trial lawyer can receive,” said Andrew M. Coats, Crowe & Dunlevy attorney and former president of the ACTL. “For Chris to be asked to provide the response on behalf of the new inductees is a benediction as to what kind of lawyer and person he is.” Read More
Gov. Pritzker Announces $175 Million Available in B2B Grants for Restaurants, Hotels and Creative Arts Businesses
•March 29, 2023•
Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) today announced $175 million in available grant funding through the Back to Business (B2B) program. Following state recovery for businesses totaling nearly $1.5 billion, the latest American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) -funded opportunity is designed to provide additional support for the hardest-hit sectors, including restaurants (B2B Restaurants), hotels (B2B Hotels), and businesses or organizations in the creative arts sector (B2B Arts). To provide hands-on support and raise awareness about the program, the State has mobilized a network of more than 100 community navigators across Illinois. Read More
Where Would We Be With No Ifs, Ands or Buts?
•March 29, 2023•
By Jim Baumann
NP Guest Writer
I once wrote about my overuse of the word “that” in response to a reader’s question about it. I’ve been more mindful about how I use the word, but I haven’t scrubbed it from my lexicon.
Reader Steve Bense’s recent letter made me wonder whether I’m using another favorite word too much.
“In your March 12 column, I noticed your use of a word which I have striven to stop using,” he wrote. “The word is ‘but.’ Furthermore, I noticed you started a sentence with it.
“I wish I could recall the source of this advice, however it has stuck with me for a long time. It was: ‘Any time you insert the word “but” into a sentence, you’re indicating everything prior to the “but” was a lie (at worst) or not worth remembering (at best).’ Read More
Remember When? 3-29-2023
25 Years Ago This Week
Guy Little, founder of the Little Theatre, assisted in the preparation of an episode of The E! True Hollywood Story concerning the life and mysterious death of Bob Crane. Little provided the producers with material concerning Crane’s performance on the Little Theatre stage in 1971. Crane is best remembered for his role as Col. Hogan on the long-running 1960s sitcom Hogan’s Heroes. Read More
Remember When? 3-22-2023
25 Years Ago This Week
Sullivan’s Water Department was notified by the Illinois Dept. of Public Health that it has been recognized for its public water supply’s high degree of compliance with the state’s Illinois Fluoridation Law maintained throughout 1997.
The Sullivan Singers captured the second place trophy and won best crew award in competition against eight other high school show choirs in the Westosha Show Choir Invitational in Salem, Wis. Read More