Illinois State Museum Will Re-launch July 2

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•June 8, 2016• The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) announced today that the Illinois State Museum will re-launch Saturday, July 2 pending approval of the administrative rule that will allow the department to charge an admission fee at the main museum campus. The administrative rule is on the agenda for the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) meeting to be held June 14. With approval, the museum will be able to open about two weeks later. Initially, the Illinois State Museum in Springfield, Dickson Mounds Museum near Lewistown and the Research and Collections Center in Springfield will officially open … Read More

Oklahoma State Graduate

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•June 8, 2016• Lainee A. Sanders recently graduated from Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Okla. Sanders is the daughter of Kelly Reedy of Bethany and Forrest Sanders of Mattoon. Her grandparents are Dick and Pat Taylor Cast of Broken Arrow, Okla., and her great-grandmother is Myrtle Reedy of Sullivan. … Read More

Coles-Moultrie Sponsorship Benefits SBL Regional Cancer Center

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•June 8, 2016• Coles-Moultrie Electric Cooperative and CoBank recently donated $8,000 in sponsorship funds to Sarah Bush Lincoln’s 27th annual golf benefit scheduled for Friday, June 10, at Mattoon Golf & Country Club. Net proceeds from the event will benefit the construction of Sarah Bush Lincoln’s new Regional Cancer Center. “We are delighted to support Sarah Bush Lincoln in its efforts to enhance cancer care for community members with a new modern facility,” Coles-Moultrie President and CEO Kim Leftwich said. “Coles-Moultrie’s $4,000 donation was matched dollar-for-dollar by CoBank, as part of its ‘Sharing Success’ program designed to benefit cooperatives and … Read More

Family Preparedness Plans Must Include Pets

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•June 8, 2016• According to a recent survey by the American Pet Products Association, 65 percent of U.S. households include at least one pet. If your family includes a dog, cat, hamster or other furry, feathered or scaly friends, don’t forget to include their unique needs in your home emergency plans. Throughout the month of June, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and local emergency management agencies will highlight the importance of emergency preparedness for pets. “Pets are beloved members of many families these days,” said IEMA Director James K. Joseph. “That’s why it’s so important to include your pet’s … Read More

First Human Case of West Nile Virus in Illinois

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•June 8, 2016• The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has confirmed the first human case of West Nile virus reported in Illinois for 2016. An adolescent in west central Illinois became severely ill in late May. “We typically don’t start to see human cases of West Nile virus in Illinois until the end of July or beginning of August,” said Illinois Department of Public Health Nirav D. Shah, M.D., J.D. “This first human case is much earlier this year, reminding us that it’s important to protect ourselves against mosquito bites now and not wait until the hotter months of … Read More

Obituaries 6-8-2016: Phillip Bragg

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Phillip Bragg Phillip Dale Bragg, 59, of Fort Mohave, Arizona (formerly of Sullivan) died Sunday, May 22, 2016 in his home following an extended illness. Memorial services will be conducted by the family at 1 p.m. Saturday June 18 in French Cemetery in Allenville. Reed Funeral Home in Sullivan is in charge of arrangements.  … Read More

Transformer Fire at Theatre

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•June 8, 2016• The Sullivan fire department responded to a call in the rear parking lot of Little Theatre at 11:54 a.m. Thursday, June 2 A faulty electrical transformer prompted the call and was repaired by Sullivan utility workers that afternoon. Firefighters at the scene assisted with a brief evacuation of the Little Theatre building and returned to the station at 12:11 p.m. No fire damage was reported in the incident. … Read More

“Bumps, Burps & Giggles” Baby and Children’s Fair Good for All Ages

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•June 8, 2016• If you are an expectant parent, new parent or even an experienced parent or grandparent, Bumps, Burps and Giggles Baby and Children’s Fair has something for you. The 2016 Bumps, Burps & Giggles Baby and Children’s Fair will be held from 11 am to 2 pm, Sunday, June 26, in the Lumpkin Family Center for Health Education Center at Sarah Bush Lincoln. It is free and open to the public. The Baby and Children’s Fair provides information and education regarding areas of interest to expectant and new parents, as well as highlighting services provided by the Health … Read More

Affordable Rents are Out of Reach for Minimum Wage Workers

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•June 8, 2016• Renters must earn $19.98 to afford a two-bedroom apartment in Ill., while nearly $225 million in emergency state funding for affordable housing is being held up to due to state budget impasse In order to afford a modest, two-bedroom apartment in Illinois, renters need to earn $19.98 per hour. This is Illinois’ 2016 Housing Wage, revealed in a national report released today. The report, Out of Reach 2016, was jointly released by Housing Action Illinois, a statewide coalition that fights to protect and expand the availability of quality, affordable housing throughout Illinois, and the National Low Income … Read More