The Illinois Army National Guard’s 634th Brigade Support Battalion Forward Logistics Element was activated on Jan. 20, at the Illinois Army National Guard’s Readiness Center in Sullivan for deployment to Africa and Europe. … Read More
Eastern in only 10% of national peer institutions to earn distinction in past year •January 29, 2025• Eastern Illinois University (EIU) received the 2024 Campus Prevention Network’s Seal of Approval award from Vector Solutions for the University’s “exemplary efforts to foster student safety, well-being, and inclusion through online prevention programs.” Fewer than 10 percent of U.S. institutions have earned this distinction over the past year. “EIU’s CPN Seal of Prevention recognition for student safety is built on our already strong foundation of cultivating excellent student relationships,” said Matt Warner, Assistant Director of EIU’s Health Education Resource Center. “Institutionally, we are … Read More
•January 29, 2025• The Illinois Sheriffs’ Association recently announced that it will be awarding over $58,000 in college scholarships throughout the State of Illinois to students wishing to pursue higher education during the 2025-2026 academic year. The scholarships are to be applied to tuition, books, and fees only. The student must be enrolled full-time at a certified institution of higher learning within the State of Illinois. Online learning at an Illinois-based school is also acceptable. Sheriff Gary Carroll, Moultrie County, will be awarding one scholarship in the amount of $500.00. … Read More
•January 29, 2025• The East Central Illinois Red Cross Club is holding a Socks for Soldiers drive from February 1 – 16. New adult-sized socks of any kind may be brought to the SHS/SMS and SES offices, sent to school with SHS, SMS, or SES students for their class competitions, or donated at the SHS basketball games on February 3 and 10. Area churches and veterans organizations are also being asked to “host” a “Sock Box” to help collect socks. … Read More
S. Kenton •January 29, 2025• by Janet Roney Among the seven men and 4 US Rangers in Isaac Hill’s party surveying in the lower Kaskaskia Valley in 1809 was a man listed as S. Kenton. Some of the Bond County people think “S. Kenton” is D. Kenson or “Old Henson”, a hermit who, according to the old Bond County history, lived in a big hollow sycamore tree during the War of 1812 hiding from the Indians. (…That’s right, a sycamore tree.) Now, I should not presume to tell the Bond local history experts who “S. Kenton” was… … Read More
Donald Morgan Donald Dale “Don” Morgan, 76 of Lovington, passed away at 9:20 pm Wednesday, January 22, 2025, in the comfort of his home with his wife at his side. … Read More
Carolyn Collier Carolyn Collier, 87, of Mattoon, passed away Friday, January 24, 2025, at Brookstone Estates, Mattoon. … Read More
Joseph Bicknell Joseph Scott “Joe” Bicknell, 91, of Lovington, passed away at 6:57 p.m. Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at Memorial Healthcare, Springfield. … Read More
2015 Fifth grader Wesley Standerfer isn’t your typical kid. About a year prior to 2015, he started his very own neighborhood newspaper, the “Shumanville Times.” Living on Shuman farmland inspired him to share the family news to those nearby. He delivered print editions locally, while others requested it by email from as far away as Texas and Washington D.C. At such a young age, he already began to see the potential of the printed word so Standerfer expanded his horizons and took to reporting in the halls of Sullivan Elementary School. The 2015 newspaper staff included students Connor Golden, Devon … Read More
Severe weather can put lives at risk, especially for those who feel alone or vulnerable •January 29, 2025• by Angela Hogan Checking on your neighbor when severe weather threatens is more than a kind gesture. It’s a crucial step toward protecting those in need. When enough individuals accept this responsibility, we help foster community resilience. This leads us to address three essential questions. Who is My Neighbor? A neighbor is not merely the family next door or the friendly face we greet in passing. It’s anyone whose life intersects with ours. It’s someone who needs our care and connection. This … Read More