6 Steps to Organize Your Home Office

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•January 20, 20201• Remote working has become popular in recent years, but the “working-from-home” economy bloomed exponentially as the world was forced to confront the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Stanford economist Nicholas Bloom, as of summer 2020, 42 percent of the United States labor force was working from home full-time. The need for home office spaces has increased as more people work from home. Many people have retrofitted various spaces around their homes into areas to get work done. More organized home work spaces can increase productivity. Individuals can follow these guidelines to create effective, organized home offices. Begin with … Read More

Heightened Security Measures Remain in Place at Illinois Capitol After Quiet Weekend

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•January 20, 20201• By Tim Kirsininkas Capitol News Illinois tkirsininkas @ capitolnewsillinois.com While there have been no confirmed threats made against the Illinois Capitol, heightened security measures remain in place “out of an abundance of caution” after a quiet weekend in the capital city. State officials said it will remain that way until sometime after the Wednesday inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden. Following a riot at the U.S. capitol building on Jan. 6 and an FBI warning about possible armed protests around the nation in the lead-up to Biden’s inauguration, Gov. JB Pritzker activated 250 members of the Illinois National … Read More

Okaw Valley Ag Program Receives ADM Cares Grant

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•January 20, 20201• By Crystal Reed NP Writer Housed in a blue nondescript building behind Okaw Valley High School is a unique hands-on experience that allows students to learn about agriculture while they are still in school. Okaw Valley High School ag instructor Wes Wise believes that his program is offering an experience no one else in Illinois is doing. The Okaw Valley ag program was started in 2016 in partnership with the US Army Corps of Engineers which involved an ag lease in exchange for in-kind services. The past two years the program has received ADM Cares grants. The … Read More

Remember When? 1-20-2021

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25 Years Ago This Week Don Foster of Bethany established a recording studio behind his white, two-story farmhouse called Studio 121. The studio is a 24 track digital recording facility. The Sullivan City Council was presented with a $175,000 to $200,000 preliminary estimate for an environmental control system at the Civic Center. Michael Clark, a fifth grade student at Lovington Grade School won the school-level compettion of the National Geography Bee and a chance at a $25,000 college scholarship. … Read More

Obituaries 1-20-2021: Gerald Lowry

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Gerald Lowry Gerald E. Lowry, 93, of Sullivan passed away at 5:12 PM, Monday, January 11, 2021 at Mason Point in Sullivan. A graveside service in his honor was held Friday, January 15 at 11 a.m. at Branch Side Cemetery in Gays.  Pastor Ron Dickinson officiated. Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home, 1200 Wabash Avenue, Mattoon, IL 61938 was in charge of services.  … Read More

Sheriff, States Attorney Concerned About Criminal Justice Legislation Passed by Illinois Senate and House

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•January 20, 20201• By Crystal Reed NP Writer The criminal justice reform package that was passed by the Illinois House and Senate Wednesday of last week is drawing concern from local officials. The bill which is sitting on the governor’s desk includes a complete overhaul of police certification and an effort to end cash bail. The Senate debated the bill after 4 a.m. before it passed 32 to 23 just before 5 a.m., moving onto the House floor. The House passed the measure before noon Wednesday with the minimum 60 votes needed for approval. According to Moultrie County State’s Attorney … Read More

Mindful Eating and Health Management

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•January 20, 20201• Cheri Burcham Extension Educator I have talked a lot about mindfulness in this column and I wanted to share this article by U of I diabetic intern Andrew Dinsmoor, which focuses on mindful eating. Andrew says: Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn, known for founding the 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course, defines mindfulness as “paying attention in a particular way, on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally.” Mindfulness may be practiced anytime, including while eating. Mindful eating means paying attention to the body and the senses when eating, in the present moment and without judgment. To read more … Read More

Project H.E.L.P. Preschool Round Up

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•January 20, 20201• Project H.E.L.P. and the Sullivan School District will offer free developmental screenings for 2 to 5 year olds on Thursday, Feb 4 and Friday, Feb 5 at First United Methodist Church, 216 W. Jefferson Street in Sullivan. The screenings provide parents the opportunity to discover how their child is developing in the areas of speech, language, concepts and motor skills. Vision and hearing screenings will also be provided, free of charge. For an appointment please call Nicole Monroe at 728-8381 ext. 1240. … Read More

Tips and Tricks For Savory Slow-Cooked Meals

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•January 20, 20201• Kitchen gadgets come and go, but one mainstay continues to deliver tasty meals with ease. The Crock-Pot®, dubbed the original slow cooker, was invented in 1940 by Irving Nachumsohn. This slow cooker was created to cook a traditional stew eaten on the Jewish sabbath. Because faithful Jews are forbidden from cooking on the sabbath, Nachumsohn found the stew could easily be prepared prior and allowed to cook unattended, then carried to dinner, meeting the sabbath requirements. It was another 30 years before the slow cooker garnered widespread acclaim. That newfound popularity developed when more women entered the … Read More