•January 19, 2022•
The Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) is urging residents to take time in the coming weeks to test their home for radon as part of Radon Action Month. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. Radon related health risks are preventable with a simple home detection test.
Radon comes from the natural breakdown of uranium and radium in the soil.This odorless, colorless, tasteless gas is found in the air that we breathe in buildings, homes, offices and if not properly mitigated can reach drastically high levels causing major health concerns. It’s estimated more than 1,100 people in Illinois develop radon-related lung cancer each year. Read More
Snowmobilers Urged to be Safe on the Trails this Season
•January 19, 2022•
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) reminds snowmobile operators and riders to focus on safety this winter when snowfall allows for snowmobile riding. International Snowmobile Safety Week is Jan. 15-23 this year.
“It’s important that snowmobile operators carefully review their safety checklist before hitting the trails this winter,” said Jeff Hopkins, IDNR Safety Education Administrator. “Accidents are often preventable if snowmobile drivers and riders take reasonable and proper precautions.”
Basic safety tips for safe snowmobiling include:
Never consume alcohol or drugs before or during a ride. Read More
Who Can Put a Price Tag on Love?
•January 19, 2022•
by Sarah Hudson Pierce
Guest Columnist
French author Antoine de Saint-Exupery, author of The Little Prince wrote “ One sees clearly only with the heart. Anything essential is invisible to the eye.”
Love and hugging are essential.
Having born to poverty stricken parents who I knew loved me and then to go into a loving foster home for a couple of months before going into an orphanage, I can speak from experience. To be given love until one’s addicted and then to have it snatched away is one of the most cruel, devastating experiences that can happen to a child or even an adult.
Having just watched child star Margaret O’Brien, with the leading role in Lost Angels, helps me to explain just what is wrong with orphanages and why we need hugging! Read More
Sullivan High School 1st Semester Honor Roll 2021-2022
•January 19, 2022•
Straight A Honor Roll
Seniors: Riley Adams, Benjamin Bushue, Camden Dwyer, Raimi Gardner, Lilly Graham, Kathryn Honchell, Maddison Hopper, Skyla Palmer, Clayton Schmohe, Khushpreet Sian, Jerold Standerfer, Aaron Stutzman, Alyssa Thompson, Sydney Williamson.
Juniors: Paul Bates, Madalyn Booker, Landry Hall, Lara Herschberger, Hali Mirocha, Cassidy Short, Raegan Sims, Chloe Smith, Ethan Smith, Aubrey Tate, Jack Woolen.
Sophomores: Amalie Bear, Brett Bushue, Kyle Corkill, Kiley Dyer, Dominic Kersey, Hayden Moody, Ava Shriver, Luke Waelde.
Freshmen: Kyannah Allen, Addison Brush, Olivia Cordes, Anderson Crouse, Madison Flexser.
High Honor Roll Read More
Sullivan Middle School: 1st Semester Honor Roll 2021-2022
•January 19, 2022•
Straight A Honor Roll
8th grade: Anyssa Coffer, Joshua Cremeens, Emily Crosier, Mae Dawkins, Cora Emel, Logan Fleener, Mikaela Guest, Mitchell Hooten, Zaden Hussong, Johnathan Iacobazzi, Kharli Kelly, Eiley Poe, Harmony Ray, Devon Richardson, Marshall Robison, Madilyn Shonkwiler, Carson Swinford, Aeralyn Thrasher,Jnai Webb,Brycen Wildman, Kolton Wiley, Nevaeh Wilson.
7th grade: Avram Bates, Mary Crist, Adalyn Cruitt, Angelina Hiller, Austin Kelley, Khyli Kelly, Ellie Lehman, Jennifer Lofland, Grant Martin, Julia Moody, Emerson Risley, Dimitri Schrock, Kaylee Smith, Brady Stollard, Gavin Wade. Read More
Memory Moment: Thinking about a Long-Term Care Home
•January 19, 2022•
By Shannon Nosbisch
CDP, DCS
One of the most difficult decisions that a spouse, son or daughter, or caregiver has to make is when to move their loved one to a long-term care home. After caring for their loved one in their home as long as possible with help from friends, family and in-home services, there may come a time that a long-term care home move should be made. This article gives you some thoughts that may help in determining if and/or when a move should be made.
Spouses, children and other family members sometime make a promise to “never” place their loved one in a “nursing home”. Unfortunately, sometimes it needs to happen. Not just for the caregiver’s sake, but also for the well-being of the person needing care. Read More
Teacher Shortage at Crisis Level
•January 19, 2022•
By Taylor Vidmar
Lee Enterprises
For Capitol News Illinois
Editor’s Note: Taylor Vidmar is a student in the Public Affairs Reporting program at University of Illinois Springfield. She is a reporting intern at the Capitol for Lee Enterprises.
There was once a time when Kristen Holly might see more than 200 applicants for a single elementary teaching position.
It was overwhelming just to figure out how to screen applicants, the assistant superintendent for student services in the Charleston School District, said.
That time is long gone.
Just a decade later, that same elementary position might now yield only six to 10 applications, on a good day. Job openings for more specialized positions — like counseling, special education, or secondary foreign language — Holly said, sometimes draw no applicants at all.
“Now, we’re going to see your application no matter what,” she said. Read More
Facts for Families: Helping Youth Develop an Attitude of Gratitude
•January 19, 2022•
By Cheri Burcham,
Family Life Educator
The season for giving has come to a close, but if your kids are more focused on all that they can get this time of year, how about trying a gratitude practice? This article written by Extension Educator Leilah Siegel focuses helping our youth to foster gratitude and the importance it has in their lives. Leilah says: Studies have shown that people who regularly practiced gratitude were found to have lower rates of depression, more impulse control, and stronger immune systems. By encouraging children to develop these habits at an early age, you can help to set them up for happier, healthier, and more successful lives.
Here are three ways to cultivate a gratitude practice with the young people in your lives: Read More
MCHD Announces Changes in Contact Tracing
•January 19, 2022•
Beginning Thursday, January 13, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) became responsible for contacting ALL newly diagnosed Covid-19 cases in Illinois.
If you have recently tested for Covid-19 at a testing site and you receive a text message from IDPH, please review the message and follow the guidance. These text messages are sent to individuals who have tested POSITIVE for Covid-19.
It is important that you follow the guidance provided in the message. In order to increase your ability to receive this message, please turn off any spam blockers you may have on your cell phone. Read More
Letters to the Editor: 1-19-2022
Dear Editor,
The notion that Sullivan electric utilities are comparable to surrounding communities has been dispelled. Beginning in March of 2021, Sullivan City Council (the Council) has been presented with indisputable evidence that Sullivan residents and businesses pay twice the rate of Lovington, Arthur, and Findlay. It is estimated that electric rates in Sullivan and Bethany are the highest in five (5) surrounding counties.
Although Ameren has received permission to increase rates beginning in January 2022, the Citizen’s Utility Board (CUB) has estimated that the rate increase will be less than $2.75 to Ameren customers’ monthly bill. Which means that even with Ameren’s rate increase, Sullivan is “still” not competitive. Read More