News Progress

•December 9, 2020•

The holidays are here and that means many will be decorating their homes. Hanging up decorations is fun, but keep in mind, holiday decorations can increase your risk for a home fire. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) more than two of every five home decoration fires occur due to decorations being placed too close to a heat source. More than one-third of home decoration fires are started by candles. The NFPA also reports that US fire departments responded to an average of 780 home structure fires per year that began with decorations between 2013-2017.
More than half of home decoration fires in December are started by candles. Candle fires peak in December followed closely by January. The top three days for home candle fires are Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and New Year’s Eve. Before you head to bed or out for the evening, extinguish all lit candles.

•December 2, 2020•
For more than 60 years, Millikin University’s Vespers has signaled the start of the holiday season in central Illinois. With nearly 8,000 attendees each year, Vespers is one of Millikin’s most popular events, and the heartfelt mix of carols, choirs and candlelight has become a much-beloved tradition celebrating the community’s creativity and good cheer.
This year, Millikin University is inviting the community to join the holiday tradition, albeit in a slightly different form. On Saturday, Dec. 5, and Sunday, Dec. 6, the supremely talented Millikin students and faculty, who put so much into making Vespers soar, will do so again — virtually.
Vespers performances will be available for livestream viewing on Dec. 5 at 7 p.m., and Dec. 6 at 2 p.m. on Millikin University’s Facebook page (facebook.com/millikinuniversity), homepage (millikin.edu) and YouTube channel (youtube.com/millikinuniversity). Because of this year’s virtual format, no ticket purchase is required to attend. Read More

•December 2, 2020•
Lake Land College is accepting nominations for the Pacesetter Award, Retiree Wall of Fame, Distinguished Alumnus Award, Alumnus Achievement Award & Distinguished Alumni Society.All nominations for these listed awards are being accepted until February 1, 2021.
The Distinguished Service Award is presented to an individual whose exemplary service and contributions have benefited Lake Land College or its affiliated organizations. Current paid members of the faculty and staff and current members of the board of trustees are not eligible for this award.
Past Distinguished Service Award winners are Debbie Benefiel (2020), Kathleen Doehring (2019), Robert Luther (2018), Scott Lensink (2017), James Shaffer (2016), Robert Pancoast (2015), Max Jaeger (2014), Annette Lynch (2013), Gerald Forsythe (2012), John Livesay (2011), Rick Manuell (2010), Preston Smith (2009), Bob Willenborg (2008), Don Portugal (2007), Dwight Schilling (2006), Ann Bacon (2005), Susan Leach (2004), Anne Kabbes (2003), James Allee (2002), Roger Dettro (2001), Peter M. Bonutti (2000), Charles Adams (1999), Michael Yager (1998), James Bennett (1997), Tom Reedy (1996), R. Dale Adams (1995), Jack Schultz (1994), Consuello Luttrell (1993), George Mitchell (1992), Melvin Lockard (1991), Lowell Samuel (1990), Eugene Bauer (1989), William Podestá (1988), Jack Oberhill (1987), Floyd Curl (1985), Robert Johnson (1984), Virgil and Charlene Roberts (1983), Eddie Collings (1982) and William B. Hills (1981). Read More

•December 2, 2020•
As snow-and-ice season fast approaches, the Illinois Department of Transportation and Illinois State Police are reminding the driving public that it’s time for “Winter Weather – Get it Together.” Because of the continuing threat of COVID-19, planning and preparation, as well as patience and understanding, will be needed more than ever from drivers this winter.
“Our snow-and-ice response teams have prepared throughout the year to make this upcoming winter driving season as safe as possible. Whenever you see them doing their jobs, please slow down and give them room to work,” said Acting Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “This year, we need the public to always be planning ahead and truly asking themselves before heading out if snow and ice are in the forecast: Is this trip really necessary? Read More

•December 2, 2020•
By Jim Baumann
NP Guest Writer

You’ve polished off all of the vintage wine in the house.
With nowhere to go and no one to see, your vintage fire engine red 1965 Mustang sits idle (not idling, mind you) in your garage.
You sit on your vintage, low-slung, tweed chesterfield and spin some vintage vinyl on your vintage Thorens turntable, pop some vintage Jujubes — risking those vintage fillings in your molars — and wonder where your vintage lifestyle is leading you.
“Vintage,” through overuse and overreach, has lost most of its meaning.
You’ll pardon me if this column is disjointed and lacks cohesion. It was written largely during a dream, which is where a drawerful of floppy disks and thumb drives of scuttled novels end up because, well, dreams always seem to get interrupted before they can end.

Etymology Read More