SBL“Races for all Paces” raises record amount

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•August 20, 2025• Sarah Bush Lincoln Healthy Communities raised a record $17,325 for the SBL Dental Program from the 2025 Races for all Paces. The SBL Dental Program provides preventive and restorative care for children throughout the area. A dental team visits schools to provide preventive care, while restorative care is provided in the dental clinic at 225 Richmond Avenue East, Suite B, in Mattoon. Volunteer dentists are key partners in the program, providing restorative care in their clinics for children who need additional or further extensive care. … Read More

Learn how to protect public health with non-restaurant food safety training

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•August 20, 2025• University of Illinois Extension is now offering an accessible, self-paced online course designed specifically for food handlers working in non-restaurant settings across Illinois. The Illinois Food Handler Training course equips staff and volunteers with the essential knowledge to ensure food safety from storage and preparation to cleaning and sanitizing. This training is ideal for individuals who handle food in schools, hospitals, nursing homes, licensed day care centers, retail food stores, and other non-restaurant facilities. It fulfills the Illinois Department of Public Health’s requirements for non-restaurant food handlers and plays a critical role in preventing foodborne illness and protecting public … Read More

Council approves new community app 

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•August 20, 2025• by Sharon Barricklow Residents of Sullivan will have a new way to receive community notifications and report problems, including non-working streetlights and water main breaks, with a new community “app” the council approved Monday night. City Treasurer Kassie Waggoner brought the proposal to sign a contract with textMyGov.com to provide services to the city for three years for $5,000, with a $2,500 setup cost. Waggoner learned of the program at a meeting of Illinois Municipal League treasurers earlier this year. Considering the problems facing area communities after the recent Lake Mattoon algae bloom, Waggoner said the app, … Read More

Sullivan seniors ‘Dine with a Doc’ informative

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•August 20, 2025• On Tuesday, August 5, the Mid-Illinois Senior Services hosted their monthly ‘Dine with a Doc’, and their guest was Kishor ‘Kris’ Thorpe, PT, MDT from Savoy Therapy. Thorpe is a graduate of Physical Therapy in 2003 from the world-renowned Christian Medical College. He has also undergone additional specialized training, including McKenzie Certification, LSVT, FCE evaluations, and Certified Aging In Place (CAPS). Savoy Therapy supports Senior Education Ministries and is a key 2025 supporter. … Read More

The Illinois Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program: the MCHD brings Illinois WIC and Senior FMNP to central Illinois 

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•August 20, 2025• by Angela Hogan, R.N.  MSPH, Administrator of the  Moultrie County Health  Department The WIC and Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) connects women, children, and seniors with fresh, locally grown fruits, vegetables, and herbs through participating farmers’ markets. The program operates during the summer months until September 30, 2025. Eligible participants can enjoy healthy, seasonal produce while supporting local farmers.  What is the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program? The FMNP is a statewide initiative with two main goals. First, to improve nutrition for women, children, and seniors: Participants receive coupons to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs from … Read More

Findlay Fire and Ambulance: Life-saving awardees

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On August 14th at the Trustees meeting, EMS Staff were honored for a recent call. The following members were awarded the “Life Saving Award” by EMS Captain Shawne Martz for their selfless acts in helping save a life the a recent call. Receiving the awards were: Trent Loy, Bryan Martz, Tina Martz, and Amanda Adams, as well as Ben Schoonover, not photographed. … Read More

PSI Otes attends national convention

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•August 20, 2025• Kala Cesar and Jeannie Ruppert attended the Psi Iota Xi National Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, June 27th through 29th. The theme for the convention was “Share the Past, Experience our Future,” which celebrated the accomplishments of the Psi Iota Xi, led by Mickie Hansen, National President.  … Read More

As the “Get Covered Illinois” program launches, consumers need to prepare

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•August 20, 2025• by DM Williamee This reporter has conducted additional research on the “Get Covered Illinois” (GCI) program, slated this November to replace “Healthcare.gov,” also referred to as the “Health insurance Marketplace,” which approximately 466,000 Illinoisans used for their health insurance needs in 2025. Those who purchase their insurance through “Healthcare.gov” do not have the option to continue with that program. “Get Covered Illinois” is the State of Illinois replacement. Like many policies, “Get Covered Illinois” premiums can be impacted by factors such as age, tobacco use, and location. How these factors will be determined and to what degree … Read More

“Get Covered Illinois” transitions to a state-based marketplace this November

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IL marketplace to replace Healthcare.gov •August 20, 2025• “Get Covered Illinois” announced today that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services approved Illinois’ transition to a state-based health insurance marketplace. Launched in 2013 as a branded portal to access Healthcare.gov, Get Covered Illinois will now operate as a full state-based marketplace.  “Today marks a pivotal step towards bringing quality, affordable healthcare to all Illinoisans,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Operating a state-based marketplace will allow our state more flexibility to provide health insurance coverage that is tailored to the needs of our residents.” “It was an honor to carry the bill establishing the … Read More