Understanding Illinois: Fiscal Follies Continue as Illinois Suffers

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•March 1, 2017• By Jim Nowlan NP Guest Columnist Gov. Rauner recently released his third budget, and it’s just as phony as his previous two efforts as well as those of his Democratic predecessors Blagojevich and Quinn. To summarize, Illinois continues to spend about $7 billion a year more than it takes in, on a general funds budget of $32 billion in revenue. Everyone from New York bond ratings agencies to scribblers out here like me say this cannot continue, but it does. The damage is mostly beneath the surface, yet devastating. Our high school graduates flee the state in … Read More

Road across Lake Shelbyville dam closed to all traffic

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Lake Shelbyville – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will close the road across the main dam at Lake Shelbyville to all vehicle and pedestrian traffic on Tuesday, February 28 and Wednesday, March 1, 2017 from 8:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. This closure is necessary to provide safety for workers and members of the general public while routine maintenance is performed on the dam. For additional information, contact the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Lake Shelbyville Project Office at (217) 774-3951. … Read More

Agri-Fab Moves Toward Healthier Workforce

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•February 22, 2017• Agri-Fab’s ability to employ 60% of its workforce locally and implement an employee friendly environment is the result of efforts to change the work environment over the past two years. Director of Human Relations Lori Foreman told the Individual Placement & Support (IPS) of Moultrie County Counseling Center’s quarterly meeting about some changes that are helping retain employees at the 42 year old lawn equipment manufacturer in Sullivan. “The six families who saved the company did so because they wanted to live here and keep jobs in the community,” Foreman said of Agri-Fab’s commitment to the area, … Read More

Understanding Illinois: We Need A New Major Political Party

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•February 22, 2017• By Jim Nowlan NP Guest Columnist Talking politics over coffee with a former student this past week, the two of us came up with the same thought: We need a new major political party. Dauntingly difficult, but not impossible. The Democratic Party is adrift, at best. Its base of African-Americans, government unions and a thin sliver of intellectual liberals doesn’t add up to enough to win national elections. On the other side, there hasn’t been a place in the GOP for old Eisenhower Republicans like me, who believe in public works, public education and public universities, for … Read More

How Our Railroad System has Changed: Folklore-Mostly Steam Engine Era

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  •February 22, 2017• By Jerry L. Ginther NP Columnist Volumes have been written on this topic, not to mention hundreds of ballads. To appreciate the latter, one only needs to remember a few of the old songs praising the brave engineers of steam engine days. Who hasn’t heard the words to “Casey Jones”, “The Wreck of Old 97” and “The Wabash Cannonball” just to mention a few. The engine man was the hero of the rails, and train wrecks were the subjects of much folklore. The sentiments of crackling caldrons and hobos around a fire in a train yard … Read More

Timberwolves Advance in Regional Action

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•February 22, 2017• By Jason Brown NP Sports Editor The Okaw Valley boys’ basketball team won on senior night Friday then advanced in the first round of the IHSA Class 1A regional at Okaw Valley High School in Findlay Feb. 20. The host Timberwolves defeated Edinburg in the first round of the regional. Okaw Valley did not blow out Edinburg but did increase its lead by three points each quarter for a 12-point win, 51-39. Taylor Coleman scored a game-high 20 points, and Connor Cloyd hit double digits with 12 points. Garrett Fritts added six points, and Jared Bunfill had … Read More

SBL Offers Health Screenings

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•February 22, 2017• SBL Lincolnland Home Care and Lincolnland Hospice will conduct a free blood pressure clinic 8:30-9 a.m. on Thursday, March 16 in the Senior Center in Sullivan. For more information, call Lincolnland Home Care at 1-800-879-3212. SBL Lincolnland Home Care, Lincolnland Hospice and Lincolnland Home Medical will sponsor bingo 9-10 a.m. following the blood pressure clinic. … Read More