Photo by Jeni Yantis
2022 Okaw Valley Homecoming Attendants
Front: Freshman Reese Bruns, Junior Jade Crockett, Sophomore Reagan Russell. Back: Freshman Braden Montgomery, Junior Ryan Forlines and Sophomore Hayden Foster. The Okaw Valley Homecoming King and Queen will be crowned during the homecoming dance which will be held on Saturday, September 24 in the OVHS gym. Coronation will be at 6:45 with the dance following from 7-10pm.
•September 21, 2022•
Matthew D. Phelps, 35, of Kirksville has been sentenced to 6 years of imprisonment in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
At a hearing on September 6, 2022, Judge Jeremy Richey accepted an agreement whereby Phelps pled guilty to Domestic Battery (Enhanced Sentence), a Class 4 Felony, in Moultrie County case 2022-CF-55 as well as Domestic Battery (Enhanced Sentence), a Class 4 Felony, in Moultrie County case 2022-CF-53. The charges stem from incidents on July 14, 2022, and on July 27, 2022, where law enforcement from the Moultrie County Sheriff’s Office and the Sullivan Police Officers responded to a residence in Sullivan regarding a domestic dispute involving Phelps. Read More
•September 21, 2022•
Lake Land College will host Laker Visit Day from 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 10 in the Luther Student Center, giving potential students the opportunity to learn about The Laker Advantage and how it can guide them on the path to success. Read More
•September 21, 2022•
As we enter fall, the Illinois Departments of Agriculture (IDOA) and Labor (IDOL) remind all farm workers to stay safe, especially during the busy harvest season.
To this end, Governor Pritzker has proclaimed the week of September 18-24, 2022, National Farm Safety and Health Week in Illinois, with the theme, “Protecting Agriculture’s Future.”
The latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows the agriculture sector is one of the most dangerous in America. Each year the farming profession sees over 500 fatalities nationwide.
“It is important to bring awareness not only to the physical dangers of farming, but the emotional toll it takes as well,” said Jerry Costello II, Director, IDOA. “While we highlight roadway safety, confined spaces safety, and other traditional farming hazards, it is also important to encourage farmers to take care of their own health.” Read More
•September 21, 2022•
The Illinois State Fair has released estimated attendance totals for 2022. Over 636,700 visitors walked through the gates this year making it the highest attended fair since industry attendance calculation were put into effect, beating previous records also set under the Pritzker administration. Weekend attendance during the fair saw an increase of nearly 95,000 people over 2021.
The high attendance numbers are also reflected by the over $6.4 million in estimated revenue. While the 2022 estimated revenue figures appear to have fallen just short of the 2019 record of $6.5 million, it is important to point out that these are estimated figures. Percentage-based vendors have yet to begin their payment. It should also be noted two Illinois State Fair events generally held during the fair, the Illinois State Fair Rodeo and the Bettenhausen 100 will be held at later dates in 2022, adding to the overall revenue numbers. Read More
•September 21, 2022•
By Shannon Nosbisch
CDP, DCS
Caregiving is one of the most stressful jobs! According to the Alzheimer’s Association in 2019, 60% of dementia caregivers report high or very high stress levels with an estimated 40% experiencing clinical depression! It is a demanding, 24/7, stressful job! Caregivers need help, but often don’t like to ask. Ask them what they need specifically, not “let me know if you need anything”. Offer suggestions of what you are willing to do. If they do mention something that they need help with, even if it is something you might not want to do, do it.
Even when a caregiver replies “fine” when asked how they are doing, you may have to dig a little deeper to find out how they are really doing. Let them know that you understand that caregiving is hard and offer to listen when they are ready to talk. Caregivers and their families may need time to assess their needs and determine what they need help with. Listening is probably the most important way to help a caregiver, especially without offering judgment or suggestions unless asked to. Caregivers rarely expect to solve their problems, but they need to vent their frustration and sorrow from time to time. Read More
Photo furnished
Lake Land College unveiled the new Retiree Wall of Fame display located in the Luther Student Center at the Mattoon campus at an event Monday. The recent retirees pictured include (left to right): Ken Beno, Wally Taylor, Linda Von Behren and Joyce Allen.
•September 21, 2022•
Lake Land College unveiled the new Retiree Wall of Fame display located in the Luther Student Center at the Mattoon campus at an event on Monday, September 12.
The Retiree Wall of Fame was created in 2008 to recognize the outstanding achievements of past Lake Land College faculty and staff who created the student-first principles college employees live by today.
Since 2008, the college completed the long-awaited renovation of the Luther Student Center to create a welcoming, one-stop center for students.
“As part of that renovation, the college had the opportunity to develop a contemporary and prestigious Retiree Wall of Fame display that truly reflected the forward-thinking mindset of the many retirees honored throughout the years,” Lake Land College President Josh Bullock said.
The college’s goal was to create a statement piece that could be easily updated each year with new inductees and one that would fit in with the progressive look and feel of the Luther Student Center. Read More
•September 21, 2022•
Prospective candidates interested in running for a 2023-2027 term for the Sullivan City Council may pick up an information packet at the Sullivan City Building, 304 S. Hamilton St, Sullivan. Packets will be available on September 20, 2022. The City Building is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and is closed over the lunch hour from 12:00 p.m to 1:00 p.m.
The filing date will be December 12, 2022, through December 19, 2022, for placement on the ballot of the Consolidated Election to be held on April 4, 2023.
•September 21, 2022•
Lake Land College will be hosting a Health & Public Services Open House on Tuesday, October 4 from 6-8 p.m. The event will begin at the Theatre in the Luther Student Center on campus in Mattoon. Read More
•September 21, 2022•
Recovery Oriented Systems of Care (ROSC) is implementing a variety of events in September in Moultrie County for recovery month. 100 resource bags have been created to hand out to community members to assist those in need. The bags contain various hygienic items, positive recovery materials, and a box of Narcan. The resource bags will be able to provide those in need with resources that are important to their mental and physical health. Read More