The Letter Z is Always First In My Heart

News Progress Posted on by

•November 18, 2020•
By Jim Baumann
NP Guest Writer

While wearing one of my other columnist hats recently, I wrote about our policy for handling election mug shots in the newspaper.
It wasn’t the idea that we run them with an eye toward fairness — ensuring that the candidates for a given race have similar, suitable expressions or that we always run them the same size — that got reader Stan Zegel’s goat.
Zegel expressed what I now surmise (from our follow-up conversation) was feigned outrage over the ORDER in which we run them.
Remember the name of the guy who lodged the complaint, folks.
“The Daily Herald’s institutional alphabetist bias is revealed in an admission in today’s issue confessing that the newspaper sequences opposing candidates in the same story by the spelling of their surnames. Read More

Mo. Co. Ag In The Classroom Visits Local Schools With Giant Pumpkin

News Progress Posted on by

•November 18, 2020•
By Steph Naylor

Moultrie County Ag in the Classroom continues to find a way to interact with the students in the county. After such great feedback teaming up with the Okaw Valley Orchard in September they decided to team up with Buxton’s for October.
Moultrie County Ag in the Classroom and Moultrie County Soil and Water district purchased 685 coupons from Buxton’s for a small free pumpkin. These coupons were handed out in a packet along with a pumpkin pencil, pumpkin eraser, and a pumpkin sticker in a small bag to each elementary student in our county schools.
Many of our local families took time to take their children to Buxton’s to receive their free pumpkin and of course many purchased many other goodies while they were there. This was Naylor’s plan. So many of our local small businesses are struggling right now and it was her hope to bring them some extra business. According to Buxton’s this went very well. Read More

Forecasters project long-term deficits, growing bill backlog

News Progress Posted on by

Pritzker to seek federal aid, possible business tax increases

•November 18, 2020•
By Peter Hancock
Capitol News Illinois
phancock @ capitolnewsillinois.com

A new report from the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget shows that without significant new revenue, spending cuts or a combination of both, the state will face a budget deficit of $3.9 billion in the current fiscal year and continuing deficits of $4 billion or more in each of the next five fiscal years.
It also projects that the state’s backlog of unpaid bills could grow to as much as $33 billion by fiscal year 2026, up from the current backlog total of about $7.8 billion, if lawmakers do not make structural changes.
“Sizeable deficits in the general funds budget are projected for fiscal years 2022 through 2026, ranging from $4.8 billion in fiscal year 2022 and falling to $4.2 billion by fiscal year 2026,” the report stated.
The report does not actually predict that those deficits will occur. Instead, it is intended to show what would happen under the state’s current revenue structure and spending obligations. Read More

Did the whole country go red or am I seeing things?

News Progress Posted on by

•November 11, 2020•
by Jim Baumann
Guest Writer

For those of you who dream of the entire country going red, check out the photo I’ve attached to this column.
I grabbed a red onion from the cupboard Thursday morning for breakfast and, as is usually the case, was unable to transport it to the cutting board without losing a piece of onion skin detritus on the floor.
“What’s this?” my eagle-eyed wife asked a couple of hours later. It was not so much a question as an admonition. I swear, red onions instinctively shed their skin just to annoy housemates.
“Why, that’s the continental United States!” I remarked, looking at it upside down. (I might have added “continental” to my response just now.) Read More

U of I Reducing The Risk

News Progress Posted on by

•November 11, 2020•
In accordance with Illinois COVID-19 Mitigation Measures and at the request of the U of I administration, staff in the Unit #19 U of I Extension Offices serving Coles, Cumberland, Douglas, Moultrie, and Shelby Counties, will be doing our part in reducing risk in our communities. Read More

Menu 11-11-2020

News Progress Posted on by

Senior Peace Meal

For additional information or for reservations, please call 1-800-543-1770

Monday, November 16 - Pork Burger Sandwich, Baked Beans, Spinach, Bun, Cranberry Oatmeal Cookie
Tuesday, November 17 - Meatloaf, Creamed Peas and Potatoes, Tomatoes and Zucchini, Whole Grain Wheat (1), Peaches
Wednesday, November 18 - Creamed Chicken with Green Onions & Pimento, Warm Black-Eyed Pea Salad, Biscuit, Sliced Pineapple
Thursday, November 19 - Beef Stroganoff over Noodles, Corn, Creamy Coleslaw, Whole Grain Wheat, Warm Fruit Compote
Friday, November 20 - Roasted Turkey, Mashed Potatoes w/Gravy, Seasoned Green Beans, Dressing, Pumpkin Pie

Holiday Shopping Budgeting Tips During the Pandemic

News Progress Posted on by

Tips so you don’t break your budget

•November 11, 2020•
The holidays are going to look different this year. This pandemic has left many feeling guilty their loved ones won’t celebrate and enjoy the holidays like years past. Some are buying less to save money others are buying more than normal just to give family and friends some comfort.
“During a pandemic, now more than ever it’s important to budget, but especially during the holidays when more people are buying, “ says Elizabeth Houser, COUNTRY Financial Rep. “Creating a small holiday spending plan within your overall budget will help keep your finances at bay.”
Follow these holiday shopping budgeting tips during a pandemic: Read More

Changes Coming to Campgrounds in 2021

News Progress Posted on by

•November 11, 2020•
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Lake Shelbyville would like to announce campground opening dates and policy changes for the 2021 recreation season.
Lake Shelbyville had a successful year in 2020 with campsite utilization rates up almost 20%. The
2021 season is projected to be another busy year for outdoor recreation and camping.

2021 CAMPING SEASON DATES & UPDATES

Forrest W. “Bo” Wood, Lithia Springs, & Wilborn Creek Group Camp: April 15 - October 24, 2021
Lone Point, Lone Point Group Camp, Opossum Creek: May 20 - September 7, 2021
Coon Creek: To Be Determined - October 11, 2021 Read More

IAA Foundation Offers Scholarships

News Progress Posted on by

•November 11, 2020•
Agriculture students and Illinois Farm Bureau® (IFB) members, spouses and children are eligible to apply for 77 college scholarships offered by the IAA Foundation, Illinois Farm Bureau’s charitable arm. The scholarships, ranging from $1,000 to $7,500, will be awarded in total of $123,000 for the 2021-22 school year. Read More