IEMA Seeks Recovery for Lost Radioactive Source

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Wayne County Well Surveys, Inc. can request hearing •March 9, 2016• The Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) has issued a preliminary order to Wayne County Well Surveys, Inc. of Fairfield seeking to impose penalties totaling $25,500 after the company lost a radioactive well logging source holder last fall. The device has not been located. IEMA licenses the company’s possession and use of the radioactive source holder, which is part of a larger tool used to assess geological formations in oil and gas, groundwater, mineral and geothermal exploration. … Read More

Remember When? 3-9-2016

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Compiled by Bekki Ferguson-Stevens 25 Years Ago This Week Sullivan and Bethany Boy Scouts from Troop #39 helped the Corps of Engineers, the Dept. of Conservation and other volunteers recently place more than 950 Christmas trees in Lake Shelbyville to create fish habitats. The Scouts helping were Jesse Horton, Rob Dean, Clint Thompson, Jed Chasten, Josh McBride, Chris Clark, Andy Horton and Mike Peadro. Six Moultrie County 4-H’ers were delegates to the Regional Jr. Leaders Legislative Conference March 8-10 in Springfield. Katie Tice of Sullivan was on the planning committee and attended the conference along with Rachel Casteel and Leslie Seelow … Read More

Time to Enact Commonsense Drone Rules

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•March 9, 2016• By Mickey H. Osterreicher, Esq. NP Guest Columnist Amidst all the hysterical reports that the sky is falling or it’s literally raining drones, Illinois Congressman Rodney Davis recently introduced a thoughtful Micro Drone amendment to the FAA Reauthorization Act (AIRR Act). The amendment would create a new “Micro UAS Classification” of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), improving safety, access and compliance while also encouraging innovation. For the first time, micro drones would be permitted for commercial purposes, appropriately advancing what many believe to be the smallest, safest and fastest-growing sector of the UAS community. The House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee very commendably voted to … Read More

Finding Financial Support for Communities

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USDA is Helping •March 9, 2016• By Colleen Callahan USDA Rural Development Director for Illinois and  Mike Wallace Community Programs Director She wasn’t condescending. She was concerned. That’s how I read the remarks of Sherrie Crabb, Executive Director of the Family Counseling Center in Vienna. She said they “feel forgotten.” She was quoted as saying, the Family Counseling Center won’t be closing its doors. But the services they offer, and the role they play in the community, may have to change. Crabb expressed those sentiments regarding the uncertainty of our state’s budget. She says they will find a way to make … Read More

Illinois Department of Labor Honors Workplace Safety at DIOSH Day

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•March 9, 2016• To promote safety in the workplace, Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) Director Hugo Chaviano joined employers and employees at the 25th Annual Downstate Illinois Occupational Safety and Health (DIOSH) Day Conference. Illinois OSHA, along with many industry groups, sponsored this event to provide expert occupational safety and health management resources for employers of all sizes and industries. “It is great to see so many workers and business owners come out to learn from each other about workplace safety,” said IDOL Director Chaviano. “Ensuring the wellbeing of individuals on the job is not just critical for Illinoisans and … Read More

Health Department Experiences Year of Growth

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Accessed Improved •March 9, 2016• by Mike Brothers Increased community accessibility has benefitted the Moultrie County Health Department’s ability to reach further into the community. This message was emphasized by health dept. executive director Angie Hogan in her report to the county board Public Health Safety and Welfare committee March 2. The facility opened in July 2014, had a complete year to settle in, with Hogan reporting  a 30 percent growth in child immunizations during last year. Moultrie County Health Dept. nurses administered vaccines to 1,089 children 0-18 and 431 to adults. “We have not only been able to increase … Read More

Last Supper Maundy Thursday

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•March 9, 2016• The third annual reenactment of the Last Supper is 7 p.m. Maundy Thursday, March 24 at First United Methodist Church in Sullivan. The public is invited to attend. Thirteen men of the congregation recreate the Last Supper of Jesus meeting with his 12 apostles on Mt. Olive, each one telling his individual Biblical story. The program closes with open communion. … Read More

Decatur Civic Center Hosts Quilt Fest

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•March 9, 2016• The Decatur Quilters Guild will present the 36th Annual Quilt Fest April 1 and 2. The event is open to the public from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday at the Decatur Civic Center. The theme of the Quilt Fest is “Quilting Around the World.” More than 200 quilts made by guild members and local quilters will be on display, and several craft and quilt shop vendors will be on hand. The public is invited to submit quilts for display by registering them at www.decaturquiltersguild/quiltfest.com. The Decatur Quilters Guild does not charge a … Read More