Centennial Farms – A Proud Moultrie County Heritage in Central Illinois

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•December 6, 2017• By Ellen Ferrera for the News Progress When the first settlers arrived in central Illinois, they were greeted by waves of tall prairie grass as far as the eye could see, vast herds of bison and native Indians. The Kickapoo Indians were among the first settlers, and they were skilled hunters and farmers – the latter skill they taught to the first white settlers. Today the prairie grass is gone, the nearly 60 million bison hunted close to extinction and the Indians driven out by the military by 1834. But the land-the land remains and has been … Read More

Over next year, Illinois Newspapers to Commemorate Illinois’ Bicentennial

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•December 6, 2017• By Dennis Anderson NP Guest Columnist Illinois turns 200 on Dec. 3, 2018, and over the course of the next year the News Progress is helping to commemorate the event. The Moultrie County News Progress and dozens of publications throughout Illinois will print a weekly series of articles featuring key moments, figures, industries and events that help to make Illinois unique. Some of the first articles include the Underground Railroad, coal mining, the dueling Peoria territory and top Illinois athletes through the years. … Read More

Five Ways Social Security Protects You And Your Family

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•December 6, 2017• By Gerald Tilley Social Security District Manager Next payday, when you see a portion of your wages go toward FICA taxes, rest easier knowing that your investment in Social Security brings a lifetime of protections for you and your family. From your first job and throughout your career, we track your earnings and give you credits for the contributions you’ve made through payroll taxes. Those credits can translate into important future benefits.  … Read More

Obituaries 12-6-2017: Raymond Reed 

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Raymond Reed  Raymond Samuel Reed, 93, of Sullivan passed away at 2 p.m. Thursday, November 30, 2017 in his home in Sullivan. Funeral services to celebrate Raymond’s life were held at 11 a.m. Monday, December 4 in the Southern Baptist Church in Sullivan. Burial with military rites by Sullivan American Legion Post #68 was in Glenwood Cemetery in Shelbyville. Arrangements were by McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Sullivan.  … Read More

Understanding Illinois: Visiting an Upbeat, Sunny Prison Providing Hope

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•December 6, 2017• By Jim Nowlan NP Guest Columnist Years ago I co-taught a college-credit course at the state prison in Galesburg. I can still hear the metal doors slamming behind me as I was processed in each time. Staff and inmates all looked grim, all the time. Gangs ran the place. It was scary. Downtown at the Amtrak station, passengers would cast furtive glances each morning at the several young men in the same grey sweats and tennies, carrying pitiful small bags with their belongings. We knew who they were, and they knew we knew. Passengers kept their distance. … Read More

Thinking About Health: Closing the Doughnut Hole of Medicare Coverage

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•December 6, 2017• By Wendell Potter, Rural Health News Service Medicare and drug coverage: some good news, some bad One of the benefits of the Affordable Care Act to Medicare beneficiaries has been the gradual closing of a big and costly gap called the “doughnut hole” in the prescription drug (Medicare Part D) program. By the end of 2020—if the ACA is not repealed or altered substantially by Congress—the doughnut hole will be completely closed. In 2010, people hit the doughnut hole coverage gap when the total amount they and their plan had paid for prescription drugs reached $2,800 in … Read More

Holiday Stroll through Strasburg, set for Dec. 9

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•December 6, 2017• The public is invited to a Holiday Stroll in Strasburg 2-5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9   to visit local businesses and churches. Participating are 32 Below, Country Financial, Edwards Crafts, Junk to Gems, Krile Auction Service, Kull Appliance Service, Olivier’s Country Creations, Short Stop, The Gym, Uptown Hair, York Bin Company, Strasburg Fire Department, Grace Lutheran Church, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and United Methodist Church. Pick up a Holiday Stroll map at the Strasburg Community Center beginning at 2 p.m.  … Read More

Ninth Annual Live Nativity 

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•December 6, 2017• The Sullivan Church of God’s ninth annual Live Nativity is 6:30 and 7: 30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8 and Sat. Dec. 9. The Live Nativity is a full production and reenactment of the story of the birth of Jesus. The shows last for 30 minutes, and admission is free. For more information about the nativity call 217-728-7855 or on the web at www.sullivanchog.org. … Read More