Remember When? 12-30-2015

News Progress Posted on by

Compiled by Bekki Ferguson-Stevens

25 Years Ago This Week

The days of steam powered railroading returned to Findlay for about 30 minutes Thursday afternoon with the arrival of Union Pacific locomotive 844 pulling a string of passenger cars. The train was a special, and the passengers were railroad buffs who were attending a convention in St. Louis where the trip originated.

New computers at the courthouse are expected to initially increase the workload of circuit clerk employees. In the long run the computers are expected to eliminate most of the manual copying the office does into large legal books which take up a great deal of space.

Dean Byers, owner and operator of Dean Byers’ Guide Service out of Lake Shelbyville’s Fox Harbor Marina, had some fishing tips for outdoor writers who attended the Dept. Of Conservation’s third annual Outdoor Writers Conference last weekend at the Clarion Inn at Eagle Creek Resort. He was one of several area residents who provided boats for fishing and cruises during the event.

Sullivan’s Agri-Fab’s on-site day care center may be in the forefront of what will become a trend in the future. Last November, the lawn and garden equipment manufacturer became one of the state’s few industries to add such a facility to benefit its employees.

The Sullivan Lady Reds whipped St. Teresa 116-16 during an away game Thursday. Buoyed by the news that they’re ranked number one in the state, the Lady Reds played exceptionally well, with six members scoring in double figures. Becky Clayton was high scorer with 29, followed by Sheri Adams, who had 26, Amanda Glazebrook scored 21 points, Misha Coy had 12 and Stephanie Monroe and Tiffinie French each had 11. Read More

IDOT, Law Enforcement: Drunk Driving Ruins the Holidays

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•December 30, 2015•

Drunk driving fatalities remain consistent; police aim to save lives

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), Illinois State Police (ISP) and 170 police and sheriff’s departments today kicked off an all-out effort to keep drunk drivers off Illinois roads this holiday season. The end-of-year campaign comes as new National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) statistics indicate that while Illinois drunk driving fatalities are not increasing, they are not declining, either.

“This most recent data clearly shows drunk driving is still very much a problem in Illinois and the nation,” said IDOT Director of Traffic Safety, Jared Thornley. “This holiday season don’t put yourself or others at risk because, chances are, you’ll be caught.”

In 2011, NHTSA estimates there were 278 drunk driving fatalities (motor vehicle deaths involving at least one driver with a BAC of.08 or higher) in Illinois. But in 2012 and 2013, the number increased to 322, a 15 percent increase from 2011. There was a slight decrease in 2014, with 317 drunk driving fatalities in Illinois in 2014, according to NHTSA estimates. As recently as 2007, there were 439 drunk driving fatalities in Illinois.

Nationally, drunk driving fatalities decreased just one percent, from 10,076 in 2013 to 9,967 in 2014. The statistics for 2015 will be available in late 2016. Click here for a year-by-year breakdown for Illinois and nationally. Read More

Lake Shelbyville Christmas Tree Recycling Program

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•December 30, 2015•

Don’t let your Christmas tree go to waste this year after the holidays. Extend your tree’s life by donating it for Fish Habitat Improvement Day at Lake Shelbyville. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources will place the discarded trees into Lake Shelbyville to enhance the fisheries for years to come. Donated Christmas trees are bundled together in small groups and submerged in the lake at select locations. These structures provide fish with breeding areas and escape cover, proving invaluable to not only the fisheries but to anglers as well. New trees are added to sites each year to maintain suitable cover. Read More

New Illinois laws taking effect Jan. 1, 2016

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•December 30, 2015•

On Jan. 1, 2016, 237 new laws go into effect in Illinois, including measures that impact fighting crime, government transparency, business, hunting, health, and family.

When it comes to fighting crime, several new laws are making public safety a top priority. For example, individuals who continue to endanger citizens on Illinois roadways by repeatedly driving under the influence of alcohol will have another barrier that can prevent them from getting back behind the wheel. Sen. Jason Barickman’s SB 627/PA 99-0467 requires individuals convicted of two or more DUIs or reckless homicide convictions to install a Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device as a condition of a Restricted Driving Permit.

Another new law taking effect Jan. 1, spearheaded by Sen. Kyle McCarter, goes after designer drug manufacturers. SB 1129/PA 99-0371 combats dangerous synthetic or designer street drugs by targeting how they are made and allowing prosecutors to not have to wait as long for lab tests to show whether the synthetic drug involved was illegal.

In addition, the sale of powdered caffeine to anyone younger than 18 and the sale of products consisting of or containing powdered alcohol will be prohibited under two new laws (SB 9/PA 99-0050 and SB 67/PA 99-0051).

Those who call 9-1-1 in 2016 better be sure it’s a legitimate emergency. Individuals convicted of making false or prank calls to 9-1-1 call centers or making other false reports to emergency responders could be held responsible for reimbursing the costs incurred by the responding emergency agency under HB 3988/PA 99-0160.

As more police officers start to use body cameras, SB 1304/PA 99-0352 establishes new rules and regulations for officers who use the technology. The new law requires police officers who wear a body camera to keep it on when conducting any law enforcement activities, among other rules.

Keeping people healthy and avoiding terrible diseases are the goals of a new law sponsored by Sen. Christine Radogno. Any child-care facility that takes care of children ages six and younger must show proof their employees received the Tdap vaccine and have received two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine or provide proof of immunity under a new law (SB 986/PA 99-0267) that goes into effect Jan. 1. Read More

Volunteers Lead in Illinois

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•December 30, 2015•

The Serve Illinois Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service (Serve Illinois) is commending the state’s more than 2.5 million volunteers who made a difference through volunteerism last year. Illinois volunteers served nearly 275 million total hours, which is valued at $6.8 billion (based on the value of volunteer time in Illinois https://www.independentsector.org/volunteer_time).

“Illinois has a strong tradition of neighbors helping neighbors,” said Scott McFarland, Executive Director of the Serve Illinois Commission. “Illinois volunteers save lives every day. They give comfort to the homeless, help educate our students, respond to disasters, and so much more.”

The recently released 2014 Volunteering and Civic Life in America report shows that 2.51 million Illinoisans volunteered and helped to make Illinois the top volunteering state out of the five most populated states in the country. Read More

Shelby Country Club Development Under Corp of Engineer Review

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•December 30, 2015•

The US Army Corp of Engineers at Lake Shelbyville is currently updating their Master Plan which allows for changes and updates that affect the future development and use of the lake and public lands. The Corp is soliciting comment cards from the public as to ideas or concerns they may have for consideration.  Read More

Remember When? 12-23-2015

News Progress Posted on by

Compiled by Bekki Ferguson-Stevens

25 Years Ago This Week

A unique Christmas display at Wood Insurance Agency in Sullivan is catching the eye of many passersby and the community’s school children. It’s a miniature mountain village consisting of two electrical trains and two working aerial cable cars surrounded by a depot, tall evergreens, mini vehicles, bicycles and skiers. Gordon Wood, Jr. assembled the display, and his father Gordon R. Wood adored it. The trains in the display belong to Gordon Jr. and Wood’s other son Gerry. All of the Woods collect trains.

Jill Wood, Sarah Massey and Ben Massey were among several children who performed during Lovington Christian Church’s cantina Sunday. Last weekend marked the beginning of many planned holiday celebrations at local churches.

The Sullivan Lady Red’s first half pressure against the Monticello Lady Sages during a home contest Thursday helped them disarm their Okaw Valley Conference opponents, whom they easily defeated 70-33. Three Sullivan players - Becky Clayton, Amanda Glazebrook and Carinna Elder - played exceptionally well, according to coach Scott Thomas.

A company to manufacture hydrostatic transaxles for sale to the lawn care market is being formed by Agri-Fab, Inc. of Sullivan and Sauer Sunstand Co. of Ames, Iowa. The new firm to be named Hydro Gear, Inc. will be located in Sullivan. It will capitalize on the expertise and experience of both companies in hydrostatics and controlled systems.

Tom Reedy of rural Lovington, agriculture instructor at Lake Land College, was recognized for his 17 years of service with the North American International Livestock Exposition during a special presentation at the 1990 Junior College Livestock Judging Banquet in Louisville, Ky.  Read More

Remember When? 12-23-2015

News Progress Posted on by

Compiled by Bekki Ferguson-Stevens

25 Years Ago This Week

A unique Christmas display at Wood Insurance Agency in Sullivan is catching the eye of many passersby and the community’s school children. It’s a miniature mountain village consisting of two electrical trains and two working aerial cable cars surrounded by a depot, tall evergreens, mini vehicles, bicycles and skiers. Gordon Wood, Jr. assembled the display, and his father Gordon R. Wood adored it. The trains in the display belong to Gordon Jr. and Wood’s other son Gerry. All of the Woods collect trains.

Jill Wood, Sarah Massey and Ben Massey were among several children who performed during Lovington Christian Church’s cantina Sunday. Last weekend marked the beginning of many planned holiday celebrations at local churches.

The Sullivan Lady Red’s first half pressure against the Monticello Lady Sages during a home contest Thursday helped them disarm their Okaw Valley Conference opponents, whom they easily defeated 70-33. Three Sullivan players - Becky Clayton, Amanda Glazebrook and Carinna Elder - played exceptionally well, according to coach Scott Thomas.

A company to manufacture hydrostatic transaxles for sale to the lawn care market is being formed by Agri-Fab, Inc. of Sullivan and Sauer Sunstand Co. of Ames, Iowa. The new firm to be named Hydro Gear, Inc. will be located in Sullivan. It will capitalize on the expertise and experience of both companies in hydrostatics and controlled systems.

Tom Reedy of rural Lovington, agriculture instructor at Lake Land College, was recognized for his 17 years of service with the North American International Livestock Exposition during a special presentation at the 1990 Junior College Livestock Judging Banquet in Louisville, Ky.  Read More

McCarter Challenges Shimkus for Congress

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•December 23, 2015•

Kyle McCarter, (R) 54th District Illinois State Senator, is waging a primary challenge to incumbent U. S. Congressman John Shimkus for the 15th Congressional District seat.

McCarter is from Lebanon and has served in the State Senate since 2009 when he was appointed to fill the term of Frank Watson, who stepped down for health reasons.

McCarter pointed out that he already serves one third of 33 counties included in the 15th District. The largest geographic district in the state includes a rural economic diversity ranging from coal mining in the south to agriculture and small manufacturing to the west and north. Read More