Gov. Pritzker Issues Guidelines for Illinois Reopening on Friday, June 11

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•June 9, 2021• Following weeks of steady decreases in new positive COVID-19 cases and with over 67% of residents age 18 and older receiving their first vaccine dose, Governor JB Pritzker is releasing guidelines for Phase 5 of the Restore Illinois plan, which will go into effect on June 11th and marks a full reopening of all businesses and activities. This guidance will mean businesses, large-scale events, conventions, amusement parks, and seated-spectator venues, among others, will be able to operate at full capacity for the first time since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The State is also lifting the … Read More

Village Of Bethany To Make Water System Upgrades

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•June 9, 2021• by Crystal Reed NP Writer The Village of Bethany has plans to make upgrades to their water plant, water tower and water lines. According to Village President Jonathan Book the project is estimated at $3.6 million. Book said that the project is being funded by the United States Department of Agriculture rural development program that will be part grant and part loan. The village is currently awaiting their award letter to find out how much will be grant and how much will be loan. … Read More

Lovington Townwide Cleanup Days

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•June 9, 2021• The Village of Lovington will have their townwide cleanup days on Friday, June 11 and Saturday, June 12. Dumpsters will be located behind Mechling’s Backhoe. Things that will not be accepted are paint, appliances, dimensional lumber, tires and electronics. … Read More

Revered Illinois Alumna’s $45M ‘Visionary Gift’ Lifts Connection to a New Level

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•June 9, 2021• Strengthening families and communities through gathering and connection have been important themes throughout Doris Kelley Christopher’s life and career. Now, a $45 million gift from the University of Illinois alumna will support the creation of an engagement-rich center located in the Arboretum on the Urbana-Champaign campus. … Read More

Matheson Graduates From Olivet

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•June 9, 2021• Moranda Matheson of Bethany recently graduated from Olivet Nazarene University on May 9 as a first generation student with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Nursing. She also passed her state nursing boards on June 5 and has been accepted by the Illinois State Board of Nursing as an RN BSN. Moranda has accepted a job working with one of the top 100 hospitals in the country on a step-down intensive care unit. She is now pursuing her Master’s degree in Medical Business Administration and plans to open up nonprofit clinics for medically underserved areas in the … Read More

ALAH High School Holds Commencement For Class of 2021

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•June 9, 2021• by Crystal Reed NP Writer Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond High School held commencement for the 71 members of the class of 2021, Saturday, May 29, on the football field. The motto for the class of 2021 is this quote by Vince Lombardi, “Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence.” Senior Class President Jack Martin said that perfection is not the word to describe the last 15 months. “We are leaving this high school after an entire year of being fully masked and fully distanced, but we must be fully confident moving forward,” he said. … Read More

Prairie’s Edge Master Naturalists to Host Pollinator Week Walks

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•June 9, 2021• To celebrate our native pollinators during National Pollinator Week, the local Master Naturalist group will host a variety of walks and presentations. Learn about native pollinators, and flowering and host plants with Master Naturalist Kathryn Bulver during a series of guided pollinator walks at several local natural sites. We’ll start each walk with a short presentation on pollination and pollinators, then head out to see what we can find! Interested in learning about our native bee species and how they live; including how you can buy or make a bee bath or bee houses? Join Master Naturalist … Read More

Lawmakers Pass Follow-Up Criminal Justice Bill

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•June 9, 2021• By Raymon Troncoso Capitol News Illinois The General Assembly this week passed legislation addressing lingering concerns from law enforcement about a massive criminal justice reform omnibus passed earlier this year. Introduced by Chicago Democratic Sen. Elgie Sims, an amendment to House Bill 3443 would act as trailer legislation for the SAFE-T Act, a major criminal justice reform backed by the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus that was signed into law by Gov. JB Pritzker in February. That measure mandated body cameras and changed use-of-force guidelines for law enforcement, created a new police certification system, expanded detainee rights and … Read More