•June 7, 2017• CJ Lyons, New York Times and USA Today bestselling indie author of twenty-one novels announced the winners of the 2017 annual IndieReader Discovery Awards (IRDAs) at BookExpo America (BEA), a major trade show in New York City. Darkroom by Mary Maddox of Charleston won First Prize in Fiction. … Read More
•June 7, 2017• By Jim Nowlan NP Guest Columnist As a recovering political junkie, I am captivated by the titanic 2018 campaign battle shaping up between GOP Gov. Bruce Rauner and state Democratic Party chair and House speaker Mike Madigan. Rauner has reportedly committed two to three times more than the $50 million he has already put into to his campaign. Billionaire Ken Griffin just kicked in another $20 million to the Rauner cause as well. On the other side, Madigan appears to be encouraging J. B. Pritzker in his gubernatorial aspirations, on the premise that he will draw on … Read More
•June 7, 2017• A public meeting will be held at 6 p.m. June 8 in the Lake Shelbyville Visitors Center Auditorium to further discuss a proposed fish habitat project through the Friends of Reservoirs that could provide significant funding for artificial fish structure. The initial meeting was held April 25 to discuss the grants that are available through Friends of Reservoirs (FOR) and the need for angling groups to get involved if they are to have a chance at the funds. Numerous questions were raised by the user groups concerning how grant funds and donations would be handled, the application process, whether prior work … Read More
•June 7, 2017• By Trudy Lieberman Rural Health News Service Older Americans may be in for a rough ride if the changes Washington politicians are considering come to pass. Because good, explanatory journalism is in short supply and TV shouting matches don’t tell you much, I decided to use this space to discuss some of the possible changes that could soon affect millions of people in their 60s and older. First, let’s consider Medicaid, the federal-state program that finances healthcare for the poor and long term care for the middle class. Virtually all the talk about cutting Medicaid by more … Read More
•June 7, 2017• The Moultrie-Douglas County Fair Association is seeking exhibitors to fill the Merchant’s Building during the 87th annual fair set for July 9–15 in Arthur. The Merchant’s Building has been a gathering, meeting, and connecting point since 1955, and this year will be no different. For the 2017 fair, attendees will be able to see new trucks, cars, utility tractors, lawn and garden equipment, as well as the prize winners representing agriculture, arts, collectables, and foods. The Moultrie-Douglas County Fair continues the tradition in family entertainment featuring Country Music Artist, JoDee Messina, The Big Hat Rodeo, ITPA Tractor … Read More
•May 31, 2017• The Bethany Alumni Association is hosting a high school tour night 3-7 p.m. June 11 at the high school as a fundraiser for the organization. All alumni, young and old, residents and friends are cordially invited to bring family, children and grandchildren to show them where they went to school. Visitors may sign in at the front door and tour at their leisure. … Read More
•May 31, 2017• By Jason Brown NP Sports Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond softball team achieved all three goals the players and coaches set for this season. The Knights won the non-conference part of the schedule, the Little Okaw Valley Conference championship and a Class 1A regional title. In the Okaw Valley sectional in Bethany, ALAH defeated Cumberland in the semifinals, but the Knights could not carry that momentum into the championship game against Windsor/Stewardson-Strasburg. “To win a game in the sectionals and get to the sectional championship was icing on the cake,” said ALAH coach Jerry Lane. “The excitement the team generated at … Read More
•May 31, 2017• By Jim Nowlan NP Guest Columnist In response to my recent challenge, 40 readers provided detailed proposals as to how they would close the gap of about $7 billion between spending and revenue in the Illinois state budget. While there was sure no consensus among readers, predominant recommendations roughly mirror what will likely come out of Springfield in the coming weeks. As you might recall, I provided readers a necessarily limited template of possible budget cutting and revenue increase options. Only two respondents seemed to deny reality, at least as I see it, by saying, “No tax … Read More
•May 31, 2017• The Sullivan Rotary Club began an ongoing program to plant trees at the Habitat for Humanity subdivision in Sullivan. Rotarians traveled to the neighborhood north of Agri Fab following their regular meeting May 23 at TnT Pizzeria and with the help of Hild Landscaping, placed a 15 foot tall tulip tree in the front lawn. “One of the points of focus for Rotary this coming year is protecting the environment and planting trees,” Rotary president Dave Cole said, noting the effort of the local club aligns with that theme. He went on to explain that during a … Read More
•May 31, 2017• The city of Sullivan has issued a warning about a phone scam. It has been reported that somebody has been contacting city residents and businesses claiming to be an employee of the city of Sullivan threatening to shut the power off without prompt payment over the phone. Be aware that these are NOT valid threats and are NOT coming from the city of Sullivan. The city of Sullivan does not call and threaten customers in this manner. … Read More