•August 17, 2022•
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced today it is providing a one-time bulk shipment of 1 million over-the-counter (OTC) COVID-19 rapid antigen tests to K-12 public school districts outside of Chicago for the upcoming 2022-2023 school year. The tests will be provided free of charge. Read More
Expand Your Social Security Knowledge With These Terms
•August 17, 2022•
By Ileana Saveley
Social Security District
Manager in Decatur, IL
We strive to explain your benefits using easy-to-understand, plain language. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 requires federal agencies to communicate information clearly in a way “the public can understand and use.” This can be particularly challenging when talking about complicated programs like Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, and Medicare.
Take a moment to learn a few common Social Security terms and acronyms. Read More
Annual Arthur Mennonite Relief Sale to be Held
•August 17, 2022•
Come join in for the 60th Annual Arthur Mennonite Relief Sale which will be held August 26 and 27 at the Otto Center, ½ mile south of Arthur, Illinois.
The activities will begin Friday at 4:30 p.m. with a pulled BBQ pork dinner and the auction starting at 6 p.m. On Saturday a pancake and sausage breakfast runs from 6-10 a.m., with the auction beginning at 9 a.m. The silent auction is from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday. Read More
State of Illinois Adopts New CDC COVID-19 Guidelines for K-12 Schools and Early Education
•August 17, 2022•
With new guidance from the CDC that addresses the need to keep students in classrooms while protecting residents from COVID-19, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) are adopting new operational guidance for schools and early education from the CDC that eases some restrictions while maintaining a core set of infectious disease prevention strategies as part of their normal operations. The new guidelines drop the requirement for quarantines and ease physical distancing rules. Read More
Partners of HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital Elect New Officers
Photo furnished
New officers pose for a photo at the hospital’s annual volunteer luncheon. From left to right: Mary Michael Drier, Nancy Williams, Anita Culp, Mary Jean Bauer, Carol Holthaus, Maryrose Hagenbach, Keely Fiore
•August 17, 2022•
The Partners of HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital recently announced the election of new officers for the coming year. The new officers are as follows:
President – Mary Jean Bauer
1st Vice President, Ways and Means – Carol Holthaus
2nd Vice President, Programs – Anita Culp Read More
‘Grow with Us’ State Fair, Butter Cow Theme a Nod to Agriculture, Infrastructure
•August 17, 2022•
By Jerry Nowicki
Capitol News Illinois
jnowicki @ capitolnewsillinois.com
Gov. JB Pritzker and Illinois State Fair organizers unveiled the 101st State Fair butter cow last Wednesday, an unofficial kickoff of the fair which began last Thursday and runs through Aug. 21.
The sculpture – by Iowan Sarah Pratt – consists of more than 800 pounds of recycled butter in the shape of a cow munching on a sunflower. It also pictures a farmer tending the land and growing sunflowers, one of which was eaten by the cow. “Recycled” means that the same butter is used for the fair cow for 10 years before being rotated out.
The theme of the 2022 fair and butter cow is “Grow with Us.” Read More
C.E.F.S. Announces the Start of the Energy Assistance Program
•August 17, 2022•
The C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation, as administrator of the Home Energy Assistance Program in Christian, Clay, Effingham, Fayette, Montgomery, Moultrie, and Shelby counties, is pleased to announce that funds are available to assist income-eligible households with their natural gas, propane and electric bills and furnace assistance.
The program will begin September 1, 2022, for all income-eligible households. Applications will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis through May 31, 2023. There will be no priority groups this program year. Households in need are encouraged to apply.
Households must be at or below 200% of the federal poverty level to receive a benefit from the LIHEAP Program. The 30-day income guidelines for LIHEAP are based on Federal Poverty Guidelines, State Median Income and the number of persons living in the household. The income guidelines are as follows: 1-$2,265, 2-$3,052, 3-$3,838, 4-$4,625. Income limits for households with 5 members and more can be found at www.cefseoc.org. Read More
I’m Your Vehicle, Baby
•August 17, 2022•
By Jim Baumann
NP Guest Writer
From the opening explosion by the horn section and Berwyn’s own Jim Peterik growling behind the microphone, you knew The Ides of March’s “Vehicle” was going to be a hit.
I did, and I was just shy of my eighth birthday when it started getting radio play in March 1970.
That song, like the friendly stranger in the black sedan who sings it, takes you anywhere you want to go. At my tender age, I read it as a cautionary tale. This was probably about the time my parents were warning me to stay away from creepy dudes in cars offering me candy.
I didn’t know a metaphor from a hole in the ground back then. Read More
Remember When? 8-17-2022
25 Years Ago This Week
State Rep. Julie Curry and State Sen. Penny Severns received a briefing on the construction project to shore up Bethany’s collapsing streets. Deteriorating storm sewers had led to the collapse of portions of street in Bethany in the recent years at one point creating a hole as big as a car. A $1.5 million infrastructure project was planned to renovate storm sewers and streets in Bethany.
Carrell Barrett, owner of Barrett Appliance, was retiring after 33 years in business. Read More
IPPA Pork & Pigskins Championship Returns
•August 10, 2022•
On August 26, the 2022 high school football season in Illinois will be in full swing as the Friday Night Lights turn on throughout the Land of Lincoln. That means that concession stand grills will be also lighting up and the smell of pork chop sandwiches will soon be filling the air.
The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) and the Illinois Pork Producers Association (IPPA) are proud to announce the return of the Pork & Pigskins Championship, as the IHSA and IPPA team-up to find the state’s best concession stand pork chop sandwich for the second year in a row.
“Tradition, community, and amazing food are the ingredients that make-up the Pork & Pigskins Championship,” said IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson. “The folks behind these grills volunteer their time and talent to support our high school students and their schools. We appreciate the Illinois Pork Producers Association helping bring their stories to light and providing recognition to these worthy individuals who serve their communities and also cook a mean pork chop sandwich.” Read More