News Briefs – Page 553 – News Progress

Decatur Credit Union Selects Buzz Points to Offer Shop Local Loyalty and Rewards Program

Posted on April 1, 2015 by webmasterApril 1, 2015

April 1, 2015

Buzz Points, a leader in connecting local businesses, community financial institutions and consumers through rewards, today announced that Decatur Earthmover Credit Union, which serves members in DeWitt, Macon, Moultrie, Piatt and Shelby counties, has selected the Buzz Points merchant-funded loyalty program.
Buzz Points is free for consumers and allows credit union members to earn rewards while supporting the local economy by using their debit cards for everyday shopping. Read More

Lake Shelbyville Public Information Meeting

Posted on April 1, 2015 by webmasterApril 1, 2015

April 1, 2015

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will be conducting a public information day at the Lake Shelbyville Visitor Center, located at 1989 State Hwy 16, in Shelbyville at 10:30 a.m. April 2. Topics to be addressed include an update on the lake, construction facility updates, upcoming recreation season, partnerships, volunteer opportunities and special events. Read More

Illinois has Four Odd Tornado Seasons in a Row

Posted on April 1, 2015 by webmasterApril 1, 2015

April 1, 2015

The 2015 tornado season thus far in Illinois and the rest of tornado alley is incredibly quiet. However, this quiet start is no reason to relax if the past few years are a guide, according to Illinois State climatologist Jim Angel at the Illinois State Water Survey, University of Illinois.
No tornadoes have been reported this year, except in the far southeastern U.S. and one in California. Historically, the heart of the Illinois tornado season is March to June with two-thirds of tornadoes occurring during those months. In the past few years, however, Illinois has had more tornadoes occur outside of this period than inside.
In addition, many of these tornadoes have been concentrated in just a few days of the year. In fact, 69 percent of tornadoes in 2012-2014 occurred in just five days. These high concentrations can put extra strain on forecasting, warning, and recovery operations. Read More

SAIL Low Vision Support Group Meetings First Tues. Each Month

Posted on April 1, 2015 by webmasterApril 1, 2015

April 1, 2015

SAIL (Soyland Access to Independent Living) has a low vision support group meeting on the first Tuesday of each month. It is headed by the visual service advocate, Rich Adams, who has been blind since birth. He is married to DeeDee, who is also blind from birth, but together they have had and raised five sighted children. Read More

April Poker Tournament Fundraiser Set for 18th

Posted on April 1, 2015 by webmasterApril 1, 2015

April 1, 2015

The American Legion Post 507 in Bethany will host its seventh Poker Tournament Fundraiser on Saturday, April 18. Read More

Findlay High School Alumni Banquet April 11

Posted on April 1, 2015 by webmasterApril 1, 2015

April 1, 2015

The Findlay High School Alumni Banquet will be held on Saturday, April 11 at 6 p.m.
It will be held in the Okaw Valley Middle School gym. The theme of this year’s banquet is ‘You’ve Got a Friend”. Registration will begin at 5 p.m. Read More

Annual Easter Drama at Smyser Church April 3, 4

Posted on March 25, 2015 by webmasterMarch 25, 2015

March 25, 2015

The high school students of Smyser Christian Church will perform their 16th annual Easter drama at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 3 and 4.
More than 55 area high school students will present “This Changes Everything” an Easter message of hope through dramatic skits, creative expressions, and worship. Refreshments will be served following the performance. Read More

A Big Night in the Valley for OV’s FFA Chapter

Posted on March 25, 2015 by webmasterMarch 25, 2015

Submitted
Pictured are members of the Okaw Valley FFA organization.

Submitted

March 25, 2015
The Okaw Valley FFA Chapter recently celebrated accomplishments from the past year honoring and awarding more than a dozen of its FFA students.
State FFA president Cody Morris, a guest speaker for the event, touched on the value of FFA in a member’s high school career.
“Attendance to the event was probably the highest this community has ever seen with more than 275 people who attended the event. The kids worked hard to display just how driven they were this past year to succeed in numerous FFA events,” said Okaw Valley FFA advisor Aspen Cassady. Read More

Shelby County Asks Residents To Sign-Up to Receive Local Alerts

Posted on March 18, 2015 by webmasterMarch 18, 2015

March 18, 2015

Shelby County, Ill. has partnered with Nixle to implement a Community Notification System to alert residents in real-time for localized emergency situations and relevant community advisories.
As a resident, there are several simple ways to register:
1. Text SHELBYEMA to 888777 from your mobile phone
2. Text your Zip-Code to 888777 from your mobile phone
3. Go to www.shelbycounty-il.com and sign up via the Nixle Widget
4. Go to www.scso87.org and sign up via the Nixle Widget
Once registered, residents will receive a confirmation text to their mobile device. Residents may also customize their alert settings by going to www.nixle.com and creating a user profile. Read More

Central Illinois Restaurants Raise Thousands for Local Ronald McDonald House

Posted on March 18, 2015 by webmasterMarch 18, 2015

March 18, 2015

Continuing its commitment to the community, central Illinois and Peoria/Bloomington McDonald’s® Restaurants helped raise thousands during the annual “Give a Little Love” campaign to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois (RMHCCI). This year, over $211,178.51 was raised for the charity from January 22 to February 15.
More than 100 central Illinois and Peoria/Bloomington McDonald’s restaurants participated in the campaign. The money that was raised will go directly towards providing a home away from home for families of critically ill children receiving treatment at Springfield-area hospitals. Read More