News Progress

•January 8, 2020•
Recreational marijuana is now legal in Illinois. However, driving high is not. Illinois has strict laws against driving impaired. If you choose to use recreational marijuana, do so safely and responsibly and avoid driving impaired. If you are pulled over for driving high, you will get a DUI.
If you choose to use marijuana or consume alcohol, take public transportation, a cab or a ridesharing service or designate a sober driver.

•January 1, 2020•
Question: Is it illegal to laminate your Social Security card?
Answer: No, it is not illegal, but we discourage it. It’s best not to laminate your card. Laminated cards make it difficult — sometimes even impossible — to detect important security features and an employer may refuse to accept them. The Social Security Act requires the Commissioner of Social Security to issue cards that cannot be counterfeited. We incorporate many features that protect the card’s integrity. They include highly specialized paper and printing techniques, some of which are invisible to the naked eye. Keep your Social Security card in a safe place with your other important papers. Do not carry it with you. Learn more at www.socialsecurity.gov.
Question: How do I schedule, reschedule, or cancel an appointment with Social Security?
Answer: For many things, you don’t need an appointment to transact business with Social Security. For example, you don’t need an appointment to file for benefits or appeal a disability decision. You can file for the following benefits online at www.socialsecurity.gov:
• Retirement;
• Medicare;
• Spouses; and
• Disability. Read More

Photo submitted
Leslie Taggart (left) and Haley McQueen (right), accompanied by their seven children and two cousins, delivered toys to the SBL Pediatric Clinic on Monday. The two families also delivered toys for kids in the Women and Children’s Center and the Emergency Department during the holidays.

•January 1, 2020•
Two Sarah Bush Lincoln employees and their families are going the extra mile to bring joy to children receiving care during the holidays.
Physical Therapist Haley McQueen, DPT, and Women’s Healthcare Nurse Practitioner Leslie Taggart, APRN, and their children, delivered 160 toys on Monday for girls and boys who are hospitalized in SBL’s Women and Children’s Center or receiving care in the Emergency Department or Pediatric Clinic after hosting an impromptu toy drive.
McQueen and Taggart both serve as home distributors for Matilda Jane Clothing in their free time and they are amazed by the overwhelming response they received when they invited friends and community members to sponsor a Matilda Jane doll at a reduced price to bring joy to a girl in the hospital at Christmas time. In return, McQueen and Taggart agreed to match each doll sponsorship with a toy truck or tractor purchase to provide cheer to a boy receiving care. Read More

25 Years Ago This Week

The Sullivan boys’ basketball team captured third place in the Clinton Tournament with a 77-71 victory over Addison Driscoll. The Redskins went 3-1 in the tournament losing along the way to eventual champion Clinton 71-63.
The Lovington Public Library Trustees honored Janette Nash Saturday, Jan. 7. Nash has served as librarian since 1984 and has been credited with building the library to its present impressive status following a devastating fire in February 1985. The fire completely destroyed the building and contents of the former library as well as the Masonic Hall, a variety store and a store front which was being remodeled to serve as the Kiwanis Hall.
“It’s fun to win again - it’s been a long time,” said Bethany coach Doug McCausland after the Fillies beat Shelbyville and Mt. Pulaski to win the consolation championship in the Filly Gold Tournament last week. Read More

•January 1, 2020•
By Jim Nowlan
NP Guest Columnist

In this season of joy, I am reminded, as we all are, fleetingly, that not all share our joy.
Several years ago, for example, the circus came to my rural town. A friend and I decided to ensure that all kids could have the very few bucks needed for tickets and some cotton candy. Fifteen single-parent families were quickly identified by a local church group as needing such help.
My first delivery was to a run-down small frame home. The young mother came to the screen door. The living room behind her was a mess; a stereotypical, louche boyfriend (I assume) was lounging on the sofa, watching TV; two kids were fussing in the background. What struck me was how grateful the mother, a bit disheveled, was for the tickets (at $6 each) and the 10 bucks for treats. What a miserable life, I thought. Read More