Facts for Families: Five Ways to Find More Joy

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•December 1, 2021• By Cheri Burcham Family Life Educator Who doesn’t need more joy in their lives? I wanted to share this great article from Extension Educator Kristin Bogdonas about how to find more joy. Kristin says: When you’re feeling down in the dumps, what do you do? You have two options: keep doing what you’re doing or try one of these happy hacks to bring a smile back to your face and ultimately boost your mood. Here are five simple ways to bring more joy to your life right now: Unplug- Theodore Roosevelt once said, “Comparison is the thief … Read More

How to Reduce Risk of Home Fires This Holiday Season

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•December 1, 2021• Safety might not be the first thing people think of as the holiday season approaches. Faith, celebrations, decorations, and holiday dinners all come to mind when considering the holiday season. But that doesn’t mean safety should be left out of holiday planning. Fire safety bears special consideration during the holiday season, when the prevalence of fire hazards like Christmas trees, holiday lighting displays and other decorative items increase the risk for home fires. Such tragedies can be averted with a few simple safety measures. · Tend to your tree. Live Christmas trees are awe-inspiring, but they also … Read More

Toy Buying Tips When Shopping for Kids

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•December 1, 2021• Shopping for gifts for kids makes many shoppers nostalgic for their own childhoods. Few adults can forget the joy of finding the perfect gift under the tree on Christmas morning. Recreating that magic for a youngster can be as joyous for gift givers as it is for kids. That’s especially so when shoppers make it a point to give safe, age-appropriate gifts. Whether shopping for their own children or their grandkids, nieces or nephews, shoppers can keep these tips in mind to ensure they give toys that are as safe as they are fun. · Speak to … Read More

In Court Documents, Democrats Deny Racial Gerrymandering Claims

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•December 1, 2021• By Capital News Illinois Lawyers for the General Assembly’s Democratic leaders filed documents in federal court Wednesday, Nov. 24, denying that newly drawn state legislative district maps amount to racial gerrymandering, instead accusing the plaintiffs in the three lawsuits of trying to use race to redraw districts for their own purposes. Among other things, 2020 U.S. Census numbers showed Illinois had lost population overall since the 2010 census. But there had been a substantial increase in the state’s Latino population while Black and white populations both declined. In separate suits, Republican leaders and the Mexican American Legal … Read More

Enjoy Some Thanksgiving Leftovers

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•December 1, 2021• By Jim Baumann NP Guest Writer I hope you like leftovers! I write this with the promise of leftovers still a week away. As you read this, I will be returning from a column-foraging expedition to Tennessee. I hope to bring home some souvenirs. So please enjoy a couple of old favorites as you try to digest what’s left in the fridge. Put away the apostrophe If you’ve read this column for a while, you might remember my bringing up the subject of addressing holiday cards just before Thanksgiving. I apologize if you’ve lost your taste for … Read More

Remember When? 12-1-2021

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25 Years Ago This Week Workers constructed high-water boat ramps at Lake Shelbyville. Following the 1996 washout of the recreational season at the lake, two-lane concrete, high-water boat ramps were added at five locations around the lake: Dam West, Bo Wood, Lithia Springs, Opposum Creek and Lone Point. Selena Griffith of Mattoon purchased the Sullivan Bakery from Barb Woolsey. She purchased the recipes along with the store. Steve Mayberry and Tim Singer were re-elected chairman and vice chairman of the Moultrie County Board in a reorganizational meeting following the swearing in of newly elected county officials. The four board members … Read More

Tentative Levy Set at 4.94%,Tax Levy Hearing to be held in December

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•December 1, 2021• by Ariana Cherry NP Writer Members of the ALAH school board met at the Atwood Grade School at their recent school board meeting held November 17. Superintendent Shannon Cheek reported that some of their bills were a bit larger than usual – one of the reasons being that they had both bond payments and interest that needs to be paid. There was nothing new to report in the treasurer’s report, but Cheek stated that the district received a payment from transportation; although it was the first they had received for this calendar year. The audit for the … Read More