Watch Out For Rabid Bats And Animals

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•July 5, 2017• More than a dozen rabid bats found in Illinois so far this year The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) wants people to beware of rabid animals, including bats, as they become more active this time of year. To date, more than a dozen rabid bats have been reported in Illinois this year. “Most cases of rabies in Illinois are almost always found in bats,” said IDPH Director Nirav D. Shah, M.D., J.D. “You can’t tell just by looking at a bat if it has rabies so it’s important to avoid handling bats and to make sure … Read More

Correction

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•July 5, 2017• In the June 28 edition of the News Progress it was reported that Marie Yokley, who turned 87 on July 2, was born in 1987. She, of course, was born July 2, 1930. The News Progress apologizes for this error. … Read More

Spook Show Con at the Cross County Mall

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•July 5, 2017• The CIL-Con/Spook Show Con Committee will hold the first annual Spook Show Con at the Cross County Mall, 700 Broadway Avenue East, in Mattoon July 14 and 15. The event will run from 3-9 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday. General admission to the event is free. There is a VIP Pass available for $20 that allows you access to exclusive areas, discounts on workshops and events, and additional perks. “We have had great support from the community with our annual CIL-Con event. We want to continue bringing new and different events to the Coles … Read More

Understanding Illinois: What In The World And Who Should I Believe?

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•July 5, 2017• By Jim Nowlan NP Guest Columnist As I walked recently on a country road past Herb Rucker’s place, Herb came out to chat. Politics was on his mind. “Jim, what in the world am I to believe, and who should I believe?” I didn’t know if “fake news” was on Herb’s mind though there was a good chance as 75 percent of folks in my Stark County voted for Trump. Then this past week, I had lunch with three friends who are active in the nearby Bureau County Tea Party. Two of the three told me, in … Read More

State Fair Gate and Parking Passes Available Online

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•July 5, 2017• The Illinois State Fair continues its trek into the digital age! In 2016, the Illinois State Fair unveiled a new mobile app that allows fairgoers to customize their visit to the state fairgrounds. This year, the Illinois State Fair is offering an online payment option for gate admission, parking passes and mega passes with more features to be added as we approach the August fair. In addition to purchasing your tickets in advance, the Illinois State Fair will now have the option to scan those online purchases on your mobile phones at the gate. “Technology is allowing … Read More

Sec. of State Unit at Library 

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•July 5, 2017• Secretary of State Jesse White, in cooperation with Sullivan Library, is offering drivers a chance to renew their driver’s license or vehicle registration renewal sticker, obtain a duplicate or corrected license, or obtain an Illinois identification card. White’s mobile unit will be available at the Sullivan Library, located at 2 West Water in Sullivan, on July 20 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. “I am pleased to work with the Sullivan Library to bring my office’s services directly to the people,” said White. “This is another example of how my office continues to use technology as an … Read More

A Warm Reception for a Cold War Veteran

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•July 5, 2017• By Mike Brothers Bill Zoetvelt hadn’t thought about taking the Lincoln Honor Flight for veterans in June until he met Marsha Bowyer. Bowyer from Sullivan, a nurse who has been on six honor flights as guardian, saw Zoetvelt’s hat from his Iron Angel’s Navy squadron and asked if he had considered going on the June flight. He explained they were both at Dr. Dennis Costerisan’s office in Mt. Zion so he went home, discussed it with his wife Marilyn, and decided to go. “It was fantastic, from the reception at the airport in Springfield to the memorials … Read More

Inaugural Steam Threshing Show at Amish Heritage Center, July 21-22

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•July 5, 2017• The Illinois Amish Heritage Center will host its inaugural steam threshing show Friday and Saturday, July 21-22 at its new location on Illinois Route 133, three miles east of Arthur and one mile west of Chesterville. Steam threshing was a common summertime activity on almost every farm in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The threshing machines separated the wheat grain from the chaff and straw and were initially powered by large steam engines. By the 1920s and 30s, however, early gas tractors provided the power source and were connected to the threshing machine by a … Read More