Moultrie-Douglas Farm Bureau Update

News Progress Posted on by

•September 16, 2015•

By Tyler Harvey
Douglas-Moultrie Farm Bureau Manager

As of Sunday, September 7, the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) has Illinois corn condition at 55% rated good to excellent and 43% of the corn crop in the state has matured. Soybeans condition is at 53% good to excellent rating with 22% of soybeans dropping leaves.

The Douglas County Farm Bureau has had many informational meetings this summer. On Friday, August 28, the DCFB hosted an “Over the Road” seminar in Tuscola. Kevin Rund, Senior Director of Local Government for the Illinois Farm Bureau, was the main speaker of the day. Rund covered various topics with trucking regulations, rules of the road, and many other transportation updates that have been changed or modified this year or since the last harvest. The annual “Stewardship Day” was held down at Walnut Point State Park on Thursday, September 10. Over 200 sixth graders around Douglas County participated in different stations on insects, recycling, soils, fisheries, plants, bees, forestry, and rainfall.

The young leaders participated in the annual Illinois Farm Bureau quiz bowl at the State Fair on Tuesday, August 18. The Illinois Farm Bureau quiz bowl is a competition where teams of three-four individuals compete against other county teams on all sorts of questions related to agriculture. The team did a fantastic job and look forward to watching them compete again next year. The District 11 and 12 IFB Young Leader Discussion Meet was held in Tuscola on Tuesday, August 4. Andy Brantner of Douglas County and Quint Shambaugh of Piatt County will be moving on to compete in the state discussion meet at the IAA annual meeting in December after both finishing first place in their districts.  Read More

Millikin Hosts International Events

News Progress Posted on by

•September 16, 2015•

Millikin University will host an assortment of events to observe International Month from Sept. 17 to Oct. 8, 2015.

Each year, Millikin’s Center for International Education hosts International Month, a celebration of international students, travel and issues. The campus community has the opportunity to discover world cultures, hear from people of other nations and learn about Millikin’s international travel options.

“International Month has been a tradition at Millikin University and every year we highlight countries by presenting activities and guest speakers,” said Carmen Aravena, director of the Center for International Education at Millikin University. “It’s important for the Millikin community to experience the cultural activities of International Month and it’s a great opportunity for our international students to be a part of these events.” Read More

Peterson of Paris Seeks Brown Seat

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•September 16, 2015•

Randy A. Peterson of Paris has announced his intention to seek the Republican nomination for Illinois state representative for the 102nd district.

Current Rep. Adam Brown announced this week he will not seek re-election to the General Assembly.

“I want to thank Adam Brown for all of his service in the 102nd district,” Peterson said.  “I have learned a lot from working with Adam in the last five years, and I have some big shoes to fill.”

In making the announcement, Peterson emphasized that not only does he feel he is qualified to serve “but ready to represent the 102nd district.” Read More

IHSA Football Teams Unite in Name of Safety With Play Smart. Play Hard. Helmet Decals

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•September 9, 2015•

The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) announced today that varsity high school football teams throughout the state will wear Play Smart. Play Hard. helmet decals (shown via link above) throughout the season in a show of solidarity amongst coaches and players.

“Communities throughout Illinois rally around their high schools every night of the week,” said IHSA Executive Director Marty Hickman. “This is a chance to unite statewide at a time when high school sports, and especially high school football, are under significant scrutiny.” Read More

Dine with a Doc in Sullivan

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•September 9, 2015•

Senior Education Ministries, Inc. in partnership with the Sullivan community has scheduled Dine with a Doc ® -Sullivan on the first Tuesday of each month from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Max J. Knight Community Building Banquet Hall at Mason Point.

Dine with a Doc® is a free educational program that welcomes the local senior public to hear an educational topic while enjoying a complimentary lunch.  Read More

Paint the Town Pink for Breast Cancer

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•September 9, 2015•

Bring awareness to breast cancer and join in the fun at Paint the Town Pink 5K Color Run/Walk on Saturday, Oct. 10, in Mattoon.

Co-sponsored by Sarah Bush Lincoln and Mattoon Area Family YMCA, Paint the Town Pink begins at 8 am at the Mattoon Bus Depot, following an established “Run for the Bagel” route through Lytle Park and ending at the YMCA. The run will feature the opportunity to run through “color” and hosts water stops at two locations. Read More

Illinois Registers First Medical Cannabis Dispensary

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•September 9, 2015•

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (DFPR) announced today the registration of its first medical cannabis dispensary. Harbory, located at 8195 Express Drive in Marion, IL, successfully completed the DFPR business dispensary registration process and inspection and is now licensed to operate as a medical cannabis dispensary. Read More

Lake Shelbyville Youth Deer Hunt Applications Available

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 •September 9, 2015•

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Lake Shelbyville will hold the sixth annual youth firearm deer hunt October 10 and 11. To apply for the hunt, youth must be less than 16 years old on October 10, 2015 and be accompanied by an adult on the hunt.

Applications must be received by 4 p.m. September 16. Applications may be picked up at the Lake Shelbyville Project Office Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., or online at: www.tinyurl.com/LakeShelbyville-Hunting Read More

Returning Students Urged to Observe Fire Safety

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•September 9, 2015•

With over a million students returning to colleges and universities throughout Illinois, the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal urges students to familiarize themselves with the risks of fire and the simple steps they can take to stay safe in on-campus and off-campus housing.

According to the Center for Campus Fire Safety, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness for fire safety issues at colleges and universities, August and September are the most common months for fatal campus-related housing fires. Many college students have not had proper fire safety education since elementary school. This frequently results in students overlooking the real dangers of fire. Nationally, 126 people have died from fires that occurred on a college campus, in Greek housing, or in off-campus housing within three miles of campus since 2000.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), dormitory fires are more common in the evening hours between 5 and 11, and on weekends. NFPA research indicates that cooking equipment is involved in more than five out of six of these dormitory fires. Read More

Half a Century and Growing

News Progress Posted on by

•September 9, 2015•

Submitted by Josh Bullock
President of ICC Board

Recently, the Illinois Community College Board kicked off the official 50th anniversary celebration of the Illinois Public Community College Act. A celebration such as this provides a wonderful opportunity to step back and notice the impact of the collective efforts taken by community colleges over the past 50 years. The community college system in Illinois evolved from a mere concept 50 years ago into the third largest community college system in the nation with 39 community college districts serving 65 percent of the students enrolled in Illinois public higher education. This is nearly one million individual credit and non-credit students each year! Read More