National Groundwater Awareness Week: March 8-14

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March 4, 2015 About half the U.S. population receives its drinking water from wells. Many cities in Illinois, including Champaign-Urbana, Normal, and most of the western and southern suburbs of Chicago, get some or all of their drinking water from groundwater sources. In addition, almost all rural residents use groundwater. During National Groundwater Awareness Week, the goal is to promote stewardship of this important resource, to protect and conserve it. If you own a well, it is your responsibility to keep it in good working order, according to Walt Kelly, head of the Groundwater Science Section at the Illinois State … Read More

SIUC Announces 2014 Deans List

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March 4, 2015 The following local students have been named to Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s fall 2014 deans list: Megan Miller, Arthur; Will Craig and Megan Durbin, both of Bethany; Sarah Auvil and Sloane Lynch, both of Dalton City with 4.0 GPAs; Joel Herron, Findlay and Matthew Keown, Findlay, 4.0 GPA; Ciara Marquis, Lovington; Adam Hostetter, Windsor and Shelby Barker, Cody Carman, Cassidy Daily, Nicole Floyd and Meghan Frost, all of Sullivan. Barker, Daily and Frost earned 4.0 GPAs. … Read More

Domestic Violence Education, Volunteer Training

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March 4, 2015 Training is available for individuals interested in educating themselves on the issues surrounding domestic violence. The training will take place May 4-20, Monday through Thursday afternoons from 1-5 p.m., in Decatur at Dove, 302 S. Union, Dean Simcox Conference Center. This 40 hour training is approved by ICADV (Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence) and facilitated by Dove and other community agencies’ staff members. There is a fee for the training and some scholarships available. To register, contact Barbara Blakey at (217) 428-6616. A pre-registration phone interview needs to take place by noon Monday, April 27 and there … Read More

Business Expo & Taste of Sullivan Set for May 2nd

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March 4, 2015 The Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development is hosting a business expo from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. and Taste of Sullivan will be from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. May 2 at the First United Methodist Church. The expo, which is scheduled every other year, gives businesses a chance to meet with the public and promote their goods and services. Non-SCED businesses and non-profit organizations may also participate in the event. … Read More

Applications Available for Lake Shelbyville Deer Hunt for People with Disabilities and Wounded Warriors

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March 4, 2015 The 26th Annual Deer Hunt for People with Disabilities, hosted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Wolf Creek State Park will be held November 20 through November 22. Applications are available for pickup at the Lake Shelbyville Project Office, online at http://tinyurl.com/LakeShelbyville-Hunting, or mail by contacting the Environmental Stewardship Department at 217-774-3951 Ext. 7049. … Read More

LTE: 3.4.15

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Zoo in Moultrie County is Wrong Dear Editor, We are currently faced with a proposed zoo being established on prime farmland, an idea that is unthinkable. Whether one embraces the concept, and sees no problem, or is totally opposed for numerous reasons- that is his right. What no one has the right to do is to force his view upon others. Through this method of “silent manipulation”, there is total disregard of others and their rights. I am reminded of the citizen outcry, in opposition, to the proposed Ameren tower route through our community. The difference being that people were … Read More

Understanding Illinois: Changing Faces Challenge Illinois

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March 4, 2015 By Jim Nowlan Outside Columnist A regular reader of this space suggested that I write a column about the changing demographics of our state and of what it means for our future. Since my childhood half a century ago, there have been dramatic changes in who we are and where we live in Illinois. My rural home county of Stark in central Illinois has, for example, lost population every decade since 1880, from almost 12,000 then to fewer than 6,000 today. Most of the hundreds of vibrant downstate market towns of my youth have shrunk to a … Read More

Lovington Public Library Events

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March 4, 2015 The Lovington Public Library will host the following events in the early part of March: Wee Readers Story time Wee Readers Story time is every Thursday from 10-10:30 a.m. for preschool children who are two years and older. The library is recognizing March as Dr. Seuss month, and the following dates and themes for March are: March 5 is “Cat in the Hat”; March 12 is “Green Eggs and Ham” and “St. Patrick’s Day”; March 19 is “Make a Bird Feeder” and March 26 is “One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish”. Youth Book Club Youth … Read More

Scott State Bank Food Drive Throughout March

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March 4, 2015 Scott State Bank in Bethany will be hosting a food drive to benefit the Bethany food pantry throughout the month of March. Non-perishable food items or paper products may be dropped off during the month; the most needed items include instant potatoes, green beans, apple sauce, spaghetti and sauce, cereals, pancake mix and syrup, flour and sugar, toilet paper, tissues, dish soap, and laundry soap. … Read More

Legion to Host Blood Drive March 10

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March 4, 2015 The American Red Cross and the American Legion in Sullivan will host a blood drive noon-6 p.m. Tuesday, March 10. The need for blood is constant. Every unit of blood donated may potentially help up to three people. For an appointment, call drive coordinator Jeri Davis at 273-9456. Walk-ins are welcome, but having an appointment helps ensure that adequate staffing is available and decreases wait time. … Read More