Remember When? 4-14-2021

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25 Years Ago This Week

A Bethany family has gone into the business of fun on the Sullivan square. Daniel Rice and his mother, Judy have opened the Sweet Occasions shop at 110 E. Harrison, a former Merle Norman site. Fine candy, balloons and gifts were the fare.
Carey Netherton, son of Larry and Laura Netherton of Sullivan, was recently awarded the Chairman’s Award and Best of Show award in Eastern Illinois University’s 1996 All-Student Show.
Patricia Larkin of Sullivan won first place in the category II amateur division and an honorable mention in the 17th annual Lake Land College Foundation Photography Show. Linda Scheer of Sullivan and Cecile Agullo of Lovington also won honorable mentions for photographs entered in the show. Read More

Illinois Capital Development Board Releases Nearly $1.7 Million in Funding to LLC

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Funding to Repair Aging Facilities Made Possible by Governor Pritzker’s Rebuild Illinois Capital Plan

•April 14, 2021•
The Illinois Capital Development Board has announced $1.7 million has been released for the improvements to the parking lot at Lake Land College from the state, with local matching funds supporting a total investment of $2.3 million. The funding will help address deferred maintenance projects on the Lake Land College campus that have been stalled due to a lack of investment by previous administrations. Made possible by Governor Pritzker’s bipartisan capital plan, the first in nearly a decade, the renovation work will create good jobs and economic opportunities for residents in the surrounding community. CDB will oversee the project’s renovation under the protocol for state-appropriated capital projects. Read More

Windsor Jr/Sr High School – Honor Roll

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•April 14, 2021•
7th Grade
High Honors – Cameron Carey, Alexis Gee, Leah Kasey, Landon Postlewait, Seth Rincker, Branson Tingley, Patton Voris
Honor Roll – None
8th Grade
High Honors – Luke Dispennett , Jorja Plummer, Seth Rakestraw, Avery Starwalt
Honor Roll – Coralee Whitney, Halle Wright
9th Grade Read More

NAMI Family to Family Class in Mattoon Starts May 4

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Submitted photo
Sue Yarnell and Donna Mayer are trained by the National Alliance on Mental Illness to be facilitators of the NAMI Family-to-Family program.

•April 14, 2021•
NAMI Champaign is offering a free 8-session family class in Mattoon, facilitated by local community members. The classes will start May 4, 2021.
NAMI’s signature Family-to-Family education program is for family members, caregivers, and significant others of people with mental health conditions such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or depression. This program includes a crisis plan, information on various serious mental illnesses, discussions on communication with a loved one, and finding and using local support and services.Time is given for discussion and interactive exercises. Experience compassion and reinforcement from people who understand your situation. Read More

Because, Because, Because, Because, Because! Because of the Wonderful Things It Does

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•April 7, 2021•
By Jim Baumann
NP Guest Writer
Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.
This is all about one of my favorite subordinating conjunctions: “because.”
“It seems that the word ‘because’ is disappearing from the landscape of writers and editors, being replaced by ‘since’ and ‘as,’” wrote reader Neal Lorenzi.
I’d add the empty-calorie mouthful “due to the fact that” to the list.
But Neal is not done making his point. Read More

Menu 4-7-2021

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Senior Peace Meal

For additional information or for reservations, please call 1-800-543-1770
April 12 - Sausage in Gravy, Mini Potato Bakers, Fruit Juice, Biscuits, Warm Cinnamon Buttered Apples
April 13 - Chili w/Beans, Tossed Salad w/Dressing Pkt., Crackers, Mandarin Oranges
April 14 - Beef Pot Roast w/Potatoes, Onions & Carrots, Seasoned Greens, Roll, Pineapple
April 15 - Chicken and Noodles, Mashed Potatoes, 3-Bean Salad, Whole Grain Wheat, Warm Fruit Crisp
April 16 - Taco Salad w/Beans, Lettuce, Cheese, Tomatoes, Sour Cream & Taco Sauce, Diced Pears, Taco Chips, Brownie Bites

Letter to the Editor 4-7-2021

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Dear Editor,

I appreciate that Sullivan City Council conceded 3 misconceptions regarding high utility rates. The concessions include the following: 1) that the homeowner is somehow responsible for the excessive rates charged in Sullivan, 2) that Sullivan’s utility rates are comparable to surrounding communities, and 3) Ameren add-ons make it difficult to compare Sullivan’s utility rates to those of surrounding communities.
Regardless how energy efficient the house, Sullivan residents paid $0.14/kWh in Feb. 2021. Residents in Lovington paid $0.07/kWh, and Arthur and Findlay residents paid $0.09/kWh. So, why fuss about pennies? Read More

Remember When? 4-7-2021

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25 Years Ago This Week

Powers School was moving to a new block—the auction block. The Sullivan school board voted to put the 1920s era building and grounds up for sale. Sullivan School Superintendent Rich Voltz said that the district would advertise for sealed bids.
Sullivan students would be required to attend summer school if they failed to meet minimal state academic standards in basic skills, according to a proposed plan being considered by the Sullivan school board.
The Sullivan City Council received some welcome news from city treasurer Ann Short during a council meeting. The city’s health insurance premium was to decrease 5 percent. Read More

Facts for Families: Should I do My Own Tax Preparation?

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•March 31, 2021•
By Cheri Burcham
Family Life Educator

Since we are well into tax preparation season, I thought it would be helpful to share this blog article from Extension Educator Kathy Sweedler. Kathy says: every year people gather up all their tax documents, organize them and then think about their options: do their income tax filing themselves, pay someone else do it, or find another option! Today, let’s explore these options.
Is it better to pay someone else or file your taxes by yourself? Read More