So, What do Honeybees do During the Winter?

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•December 28, 2022•
By Jerry L. Ginther

In a word, they consume. They consume the product of their summer long labors. Honey is the product and is the fuel for heat, nutrition, and the colony’s survival during the cold winter months.
The colony’s preparations for the long winter months begins long before the last nectar producing blooms fade and disappear. House cleaning is in order, and one of those procedures is the removal of all male (drone) bees from the hive. The days of plenty are ending and the drones are denied rights to food and housing. As this process intensifies, the sisters that once fed them will literally deny them entrance to the hive. From that point only the worker bees (female) and the queen will occupy the hive. Read More

Area Agency on Aging Announces Final Grant Awards for FY 2023

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•December 28, 2022•
The East Central Illinois Area Agency on Aging (ECIAAA) recently announced the Older Americans Act (OAA) and Illinois General Revenue Fund (GRF) awards for FY 2023. Funding supports programs that help over 23,000 vulnerable older adults live with independence and dignity in their homes and communities in East Central Illinois. A total of $7,769,326 in OAA/GRF funding was awarded to community-based organizations in the counties of Champaign, Clark, Coles, Cumberland, DeWitt, Douglas, Edgar, Ford, Iroquois, Livingston, McLean, Macon, Moultrie, Piatt, Shelby and Vermilion. Community based organizations in our area that received funding are: Read More

Have a Dope New Year

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•December 28, 2022•
By Jim Baumann
NP Guest Writer

Happy New Year, if that’s your gig.
My gift to you this week is some help in facilitating conversation with the young people in your life. If you’re like most of us and recently celebrated some combination of the birth of Jesus, capitalism gone wild, and the love of family and friends, odds are pretty good you found yourself in proximity to someone ranging in age from 12 to 30.
This can be scary territory. In what language do you speak with them? More importantly, in what language do they speak?
I’ve had a few opportunities during the holidays to converse with people a fraction of my age. And given that a reporter is always a reporter and it’s always better to know than not know, I ask young people a lot of questions.
My wife and I had Thanksgiving dinner with the Atwells of Barrington this year. What set this column in motion was something 14-year-old Bridget repeated throughout the evening: “Slay!” Read More

Remember When? 12-28-2022

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25 Years Ago This Week

The eighth annual Lake Shelbyville Deer Hunt for persons with disabilities, hosted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was held. Fifteen deer were harvested by 23 hunters who participated in the hunt. Trophies were awarded to David Griffit III of Champaign for First Doe; P.J. Sheehan of Shelbyville for Smallest Deer; Avena Kowalczyk of Hinsdale for First Buck and Louis Easi Jr. of Streator for Largest Buck. Read More

Windsor November ’22 Students of the Month

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Photo furnished
Windsor November Students of the Month
Windsor Jr./Sr. High School recently announced their November Students of the Month Kloey McDaniel and Paisley Montgomery.
Kloey McDaniel is the daughter of Amanda Duncan and Bill McDaniel. She is currently a junior and is involved in FFA, Spanish Club, and Student Council. She plans to one day be an elementary school teacher.
Paisley Montgomery is the daughter of Brock and Kendra Montgomery. She is currently an 8th Grade student and is involved in FFA. She plans to open a pet grooming business after she graduates from high school.
Pictured left to right: Kloey McDaniel and Paisley Montgomery

Energy Savings Tips

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•December 21, 2022•
The war on Ukraine and supply chain constraints are key drivers of rising energy costs globally and here in Illinois. To keep your home warm this winter and save money by reducing energy costs, the Illinois Commerce Commission is offering a few tips to help homeowners prepare for freezing temperatures.
• Install smart thermostats that automatically adjust heating and cooling temperature settings.
• Check with your utility company about enrolling in time-based electricity rates programs to reduce energy usage during peak hours or to learn about energy efficiency services they may offer.
• Set your thermostat at 68 degrees while you are awake and home, lower at night and when you are away. Read More

Facts for Families: Protect Your Holiday Baking Traditions with Food Safety Tips

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•December 21, 2022•
By Cheri Burcham
Family Life Educator

Holiday baking brings family and friends together and creates lasting memories as friends share recipes, stories, and meaningful time together. Amid the flurry of flour-covered countertops and mountains of messy mixing bowls, keep food safety in mind. Extension Educator Susan Glassman has written this helpful article that will come in handy – and not just during the holidays!
Susan says: “Baking and food safety go hand-in-hand. Make sure that your holiday baked goods bring you nothing but deliciousness by taking precautionary measures to prevent foodborne illness.” Raw dough and batters contain raw eggs and flour, two ingredients that can lead to food poisoning if eaten raw. Raw eggs can carry Salmonella bacteria. The harmful bacteria Escherichia coli (E. coli) can contaminate flour – from its original grain form in the field through the processed stage sold to consumers. Both bacteria can cause mild to severe symptoms of food poisoning. Read More

Department of Human Services Launches Campaign to Help Those with Gambling Problems

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•December 21, 2022•
The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) launched “Are You Really Winning?” - a campaign to build awareness of problem gambling and to promote helpline services for people experiencing gambling problems.
According to research by Health Resources in Action (HRiA), four percent, or nearly 400,000, of Illinois residents have a gambling disorder, and another seven percent, or 700,000, are at risk of developing a gambling disorder.
The “Are You Really Winning?” campaign will reach across the state through TV, radio, social media, and sponsorships to educate the general public on the signs and symptoms of gambling disorder and on the resources available to those in need of support.
The campaign highlights the signs of problem gambling by asking these questions: Read More

Conservation Police to Enforce DUI Laws during Holiday Season

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•December 21, 2022•
With the holidays in full swing, Illinois Conservation Police officer are partnering with the Illinois Department of Transportation to remind motorists about the dangers of impaired driving.
From Dec. 16 through Jan. 2, law enforcement across Illinois will step up enforcement efforts with a high-visibility “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” and “Drive High, Get a DUI” traffic safety campaign. Read More

Expanded Bereavement Leave Rights take Effect Jan. 1

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•December 21, 2022•
The Family Bereavement Leave Act will go into effect on January 1, 2023, expanding unpaid leave rights for employees across the State. As the New Year approaches, employers should be aware of the new requirements under the Act.
The Family Bereavement Leave Act (FBLA) is an amendment to the Child Bereavement Leave Act (CBLA) that expands leave time requirements to cover pregnancy loss, failed adoptions or surrogacy agreements, unsuccessful reproductive procedures, and other diagnoses or events negatively impacting pregnancy or fertility. The FBLA also requires employers to provide leave time after the loss of family members previously not covered by the CBLA, including spouses, domestic partners, siblings, grandparents, and stepparents. Read More