‘Hometown Holiday Lighted Parade’ 

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•November 12, 2025• The Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development has announced that it’s almost time for one of Sullivan’s favorite holiday traditions – the Lights On Parade. Businesses, organizations, and community members are invited to be part of this magical night by entering a lighted float or display. The goal is to make Sullivan sparkle together and kick off the holiday season in style. Entrants are encouraged to be creative, have fun, and help spread holiday cheer all through downtown. The annual lighted parade will be held on Friday, December 5th, at 6:00 p.m. This year, the route has been … Read More

Staley Credit Union honors late colleague during ‘CU Kind Day’

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•November 12, 2025• Staley Credit Union management and staff came together on CU Kind Day to honor the memory of their longtime colleague and friend, Doug Dehority, by spreading kindness throughout the community he cared deeply about. In Doug’s honor, Staley Credit Union management organized deliveries of bottled water, soft drinks, and SCU koozies to staff at several local schools. The gesture served as a small way to thank teachers and school employees for their continued dedication to students and families in the Decatur area.  … Read More

Get Covered Illinois scales up support as open enrollment begins

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•November 12, 2025• Amid federal health care changes negatively impacting Americans, Get Covered Illinois is here to help. Get Covered Illinois kicked off 2026 open enrollment and launched its “Here to Help” campaign across the state. Open enrollment, which began on November 1st and runs through January 15th, is the annual opportunity for Illinoisans to enroll in, renew, or change their health insurance plans. Nearly 466,000 Illinoisans purchased health coverage through Get Covered Illinois during open enrollment last year, a 17% increase from the previous year.  This year, Illinoisans will experience a new marketplace. Enrollees will apply for and enroll … Read More

Tainted infant formula: IL Department of Public Health issues warning

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•November 12, 2025• by DM Williamee “The IDPH is recommending that parents and caregivers pause use of certain ‘ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula’ while a federal investigation is underway. The following lots have been recalled by the manufacturer: Lot #206VABP/251261P2 (“Use by 01 Dec 2026”) and Lot #206VABP/251131P2 (“Use by 01 Dec 2026”). What to Do: stop using these recalled lots and return or dispose of the product. Clean any bottles or surfaces that may have come into contact with the formula. If your infant has consumed this product and isn’t feeling well, contact your healthcare provider for guidance.” Additionally, … Read More

Heritage Woods Halloween: joy galore

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•November 12, 2025• by DM Williamee On Friday, October 31st, Heritage Woods held a Halloween party for all residents and their families. While some residents preferred simple and subdued costumes, others went all-in. Scarecrows, train engineers, Red Hat Society members, inmates, teeny-boppers in bobby socks and poodle skirts, Mardi Gras/masquerade, and maps are just the beginning of the variety found at the party.  Holiday-themed refreshments were served, and there were smiles to be found at each table, with many taking great interest in each other’s costumes and talking of the many Halloweens they had celebrated before. … Read More

$668,150 in grant dollars awarded to IAITC counties

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•November 12, 2025• Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom (IAITC) is a go-to resource for teachers wanting to help students grow connections to agriculture. This week, local programs received funding to continue classroom lessons thanks to IAA Foundation grants. Eighty ag literacy coalitions serving 89 Illinois counties were awarded $668,150 in grant dollars, which can be used for materials, training, educational lessons, and activities taking place during the 2025-2026 school year. “Providing these grants ensures teachers have a local connection and access to engaging resources to integrate accurate agricultural content into their classrooms,” said Kevin Daugherty, IAITC education director.  … Read More

Remembering Who We Are………83

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Traveling on the Springfield Road (part 2) •November 12, 2025• by Janet Roney The time is 1837. Young Mary Parkinson’s family is traveling across the prairie in Douglas County in a group with two other families (26 people in all) and seven loaded wagons. Her letters to her sister back in Vermont, printed in a 1909 issue of the Journal of American History, are the earliest account I have found of traveling on the old Springfield Road that went across the northern part of Moultrie County. … Read More