Understanding Illinois: Intense Minority Trumps Ho-hum Majority Every Time

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•February 8, 2017• By Jim Nowlan NP Guest Columnist How many children are home-schooled in Illinois, I asked a school official, to answer an inquiry made of me from a reader? “We don’t know,” she responded. “You don’t know?” I said, surprised. The school official explained that our state is one of maybe a dozen that do not require parents who educate their children at home to let the state know as much. So we don’t know who is being home-schooled or, much worse, maybe not being schooled at all. I called an education expert. He said a few years … Read More

Rotary Honors Community Servant Jim Bales

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•February 8, 2017• Sullivan Rotary Club presented its annual Vocational Service Award to Jim Bales during the January 31 meeting at TnT Pizzeria. Selection committee representative Gerry Wood pointed out that Bales inspired and mentored youth while teaching at Sullivan High School and operating Jim’s Pizza in the 1960s and 70s. “As a business teacher he taught many local business owners the basics while explaining the importance of ethics,” Wood began. He went on to point out that as a physical education teacher and coach Bales continued teaching the same values that continue to guide him. … Read More

2016 Moultrie County Tentative Multiplier Announced

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•February 8, 2017• Moultrie County has been issued a tentative property assessment equalization factor of 1.0000, according to Constance Beard, Director of the Illinois Department of Revenue. The property assessment equalization factor, often called the “multiplier”, is the method used to achieve uniform property assessments among counties, as required by law. This equalization is particularly important because some of the state’s 6,600 local taxing districts overlap into two or more counties (e.g. school districts, junior college districts, fire protection districts). If there were no equalization among counties, substantial inequities among taxpayers with comparable properties would result. … Read More

Farm Bureau Accepting Charles B. Shuman Scholarship Applications

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•February 8, 2017• The Moultrie County Farm Bureau has announced that applications are available for the Charles B. Shuman Memorial Scholarship. The $500 scholarship will be awarded to a resident of Moultrie County who is a graduating high school senior or currently enrolled in a university or community college. The successful applicant should be of good moral character and exhibit potential for successful completion of a course of study in agriculture or related fields. In addition to academic performance, extra curricular and community involvement will also be considered in the selection process. … Read More

“Love to Love Your Heart” Launched by IDPH

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February is American Heart Month •February 8, 2017• The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is launching its new Faith-Based Million Hearts® Initiative during American Heart Month. Cardiovascular disease is the nation’s number one cause of death. However, it can be prevented in some cases by making healthy choices and managing heart conditions. “To help more people learn about heart healthy steps they can take and to support communities working to become healthier, IDPH is launching its Faith-Based Million Hearts® Initiative ‘Love to Love Your Heart,’” said IDPH Director Nirav D. Shah, M.D., J.D. “Many people look to their faith-based … Read More

Sullivan Redskins Lose Close One to Meridian

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•February 8, 2017• The Sullivan boys’ basketball team dropped the seventh-place game to Meridian 55-53 in the Central Illinois Conference tournament Feb 1 in Sullivan. Sullivan led for most of the first half, and the game went back and forth in the third quarter. The Redskins took the lead 34-32 with 55 seconds left in the third quarter when Brett Tuttle hit a jumper. … Read More

County Approves Cannabis Ordinance

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•February 8, 2017• A county cannabis ordinance was approved by the Moultrie County Public Health and Safety Feb 1 for recommendation to the county board. Moultrie County state’s attorney Jeremy Richey presented the local ordinance covering incorporated areas because of changes in state law. He pointed out new state law reduces possession of 10 grams of cannabis to a traffic ticket carrying a fine only. Without a local ordinance in place the tickets and revenue generated go to the state, while the history is automatically expunged from the recipient’s record. … Read More

Obituaries 2-8-2017: Sheila Nohren

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Sheila Nohren Sheila K. Nohren, 63, of Shelbyville died Friday, Feb. 3, 2017 in Shelbyville Manor. A funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Thursday in Lockart-Green Funeral Home in Shelbyville with burial in Gallagher Cemetery. Visitation is 4-7 p.m. today (Wednesday) in the funeral home.  … Read More