2022 Year in Review

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•December 28, 2022• January Sullivan Fire Chief Mike Piper was honored during a walk out ceremony on Friday, December 31, 2021 after 30 years of service. Piper volunteered at the department for a year before joining October 18,1991. The new fire chief is Larry Edwards and his assistant chief is Chris Wright. Dr. Gregory Mauck retired from Kaskaskia Valley Animal Hospital on December 30, 2021. He founded the animal hospital in Sullivan in May 1987. In retirement he planned to pursue a master’s degree in Medieval History and Historical Linguistics. Jim Warren retired at the end of 2021 after 32+ … Read More

So, What do Honeybees do During the Winter?

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•December 28, 2022• By Jerry L. Ginther In a word, they consume. They consume the product of their summer long labors. Honey is the product and is the fuel for heat, nutrition, and the colony’s survival during the cold winter months. The colony’s preparations for the long winter months begins long before the last nectar producing blooms fade and disappear. House cleaning is in order, and one of those procedures is the removal of all male (drone) bees from the hive. The days of plenty are ending and the drones are denied rights to food and housing. As this process … Read More

Area Agency on Aging Announces Final Grant Awards for FY 2023

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•December 28, 2022• The East Central Illinois Area Agency on Aging (ECIAAA) recently announced the Older Americans Act (OAA) and Illinois General Revenue Fund (GRF) awards for FY 2023. Funding supports programs that help over 23,000 vulnerable older adults live with independence and dignity in their homes and communities in East Central Illinois. A total of $7,769,326 in OAA/GRF funding was awarded to community-based organizations in the counties of Champaign, Clark, Coles, Cumberland, DeWitt, Douglas, Edgar, Ford, Iroquois, Livingston, McLean, Macon, Moultrie, Piatt, Shelby and Vermilion. Community based organizations in our area that received funding are: … Read More

Have a Dope New Year

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•December 28, 2022• By Jim Baumann NP Guest Writer Happy New Year, if that’s your gig. My gift to you this week is some help in facilitating conversation with the young people in your life. If you’re like most of us and recently celebrated some combination of the birth of Jesus, capitalism gone wild, and the love of family and friends, odds are pretty good you found yourself in proximity to someone ranging in age from 12 to 30. This can be scary territory. In what language do you speak with them? More importantly, in what language do they speak? … Read More

Remember When? 12-28-2022

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25 Years Ago This Week The eighth annual Lake Shelbyville Deer Hunt for persons with disabilities, hosted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was held. Fifteen deer were harvested by 23 hunters who participated in the hunt. Trophies were awarded to David Griffit III of Champaign for First Doe; P.J. Sheehan of Shelbyville for Smallest Deer; Avena Kowalczyk of Hinsdale for First Buck and Louis Easi Jr. of Streator for Largest Buck. … Read More

VFW Post 6410 Announces Essay Contest Winners

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•December 28, 2022• Each year the Veterans of Foreign Wars hosts an essay contest for middle schoolers and high schoolers. The Patriots Pen contest for 6th-8th graders offers the opportunity to win up to $5000 in scholarships. This year’s VFW Post 6410’s first place winner is Avram Bates; 2nd place is Hannah Taylor. The Voice of Democracy essay contest for 9th to 12th graders can win up to $30,000 in scholarships this year’s VFW Post 6410 first place winner is Olivia Cordes. Both Olivia and Avram’s essays have moved on to the District 11 judging. Winners will be announced in January. … Read More

ALAH Board of Education Approves Tax Levy

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•December 28, 2022• by Ariana R. Cherry A public hearing concerning the tax levy was held during the meeting of the ALAH Board of Education Wednesday, December 21. In November, a tentative tax levy was approved with an estimated 6% EAV. Superintendent Shannon Cheek proposed a balloon levy with a 9.43% aggregate levy which ended up requiring a truth and taxation hearing. With no additional comments or oppositions, the tax levy was approved. The high school cafeteria was quite full of elementary and junior high students who were excited with anticipation to show off some of their recent projects. A … Read More