Dear Editor:
We agree that Medicaid reform is essential to reduce state spending. Community-based services for Illinois seniors have effectively reduced the growth of state Medicaid spending for long term care. Between 1980 and 2008, the number of persons 75+ increased 54%; Illinois Department of Aging Community Care Program (CCP) participants increased by over 66,000, while nursing home residency declined by 8%....
I shot a police officer yesterday. Not in real life, Thank God, in a video simulation, but still, I was sorry. I wasn’t a bad guy in the simulation either, I was just sloppy.
As part of the story on page one of the Thursday, February 2 edition of the Advocate-Press, “FPD to train with FATS video shooting sim,” members of the area media including myself were invited to put on a gun and try out the FATS (Firearms Automated Training Simulator) that the Flora Police Department are currently using.
Before I get all serious, let me quickly explain that my that my experience while sobering, was a great deal of fun. I say this in case anyone who was present thinks I’m trying to deny I enjoyed myself.
So back to being a cop for an afternoon...
January 13, 2012
To the Editor:
It was with some amusement and nostalgia that I listened to WNOI’s report of last night’s North Clay School Board meeting. It seems the old feeling of animosity between Flora and Louisville has not waned over the years. Growing up in Louisville I was indoctrinated with the idea that Flora is our enemy - they want to steal the Courthouse from us - they already have stolen the County Hospital from it’s rightful location in the County Seat, etc. And living in Flora since 1964 it has become apparent that, even though we’re only eight miles apart, still, “the twain shall not meet”.
Good old fashioned rivalry is one thing, but being down-right unfriendly and not supporting each other continues to send a very negative message to our children. Paul Knapp is now feeling the brunt of this animosity.
Municipalities in Illinois and across the nation are faced with numerous challenges, not the least of which is encouraging economic growth in blighted, decaying, and underperforming areas in need of development or redevelopment.
Most often improving these areas requires a public investment to reduce the extra cost and risk that private development faces in such areas. The public wishes to see this development occur, but without increased taxes or the reduction of other necessary services and projects that would be required to pay for the public investments that development and redevelopment usually require.
One tool successfully in use in Illinois and 48 other states to meet this economic development challenge is Tax Increment Financing: or TIF. With this development tool, financially strapped local governments can make the improvements they need, like new roads or sewers, and provide incentives to attract new businesses or help existing businesses stay and expand. And TIF does this without tapping into general municipal revenues or raising taxes.
Agricultural Legislative day is held each March in order for Ag organizations to meet with state senators and representatives to discuss the importance of their support for the Ag community.
This year FFA chapters from all over the state delivered commodity baskets and lunches to the members of legislature on March 9th.
In addition Rep. David Reis also took time out from his schedule to meet with the chapter and discuss what FFA and agricultural education means in their lives. Kendra Courson ’11 was glad to be part of the process, “Probably more than 500 students were in attendance. It was a sea and blue and gold.
Plus, that only represents a small percentage of FFA membership in Illinois. It was pretty cool to be part of something so big. ”
Winter again! Just when we thought spring was in the air.
A strong thunderstorm with straight line winds caused some damage which caused power to be out for a short time. I guess March then came in like a lamb on Tuesday. So maybe spring will soon be here.
People in Bible Grove and surrounding area have been saddened by the deaths of neighbors and friends, Mary and Tom Holste last week. Mary was the daughter of Pinkney Fulk. That family has been having several relatives pass away in the last few months.
Please keep them in your prayers.
I going to try and write the news article but we are having trouble with our phone lines since the storm.
My son was back in hospital again this weekend to get a tube replaced. The ambulance had trouble getting in to our place. It bottomed out coming in and going out. My son is having surgery on Friday of this week.
Clay City Opry will be held the first Saturday in March at the Community Center in Clay City. For more information you can call Velda 676-4200. There will be food and a lot of fun.
Everyone seems to be enjoying the better weather. Don’t get out the summer clothing yet, winter is not over yet.
How are ya’ll out there in newspaper land? I’m recuperating slowly. I didn’t have a cold until about four weeks, then one got me. It is not a good thing to have with asthma, that’s for sure. Friends have been calling every day to see about me. No, there wasn’t news last week, I didn’t feel like typing. I did very little cooking. The instant food supply is depleted.
I did hear good news last week on the radio. An artificial retina has been successfully developed. Now people who have been blind for several years will be able to see again. When the retina is approved to be sold in the United States the cost will be about $100,000.
I going to try and write the news article but we are having trouble with our phone lines since the storm.
My son was back in hospital again this weekend to get a tube replaced. The ambulance had trouble getting in to our place. It bottomed out coming in and going out. My son is having surgery on Friday of this week.
Clay City Opry will be held the first Saturday in March at the Community Center in Clay City. For more information you can call Velda 676-4200. There will be food and a lot of fun.
Good news March came in gentle as a Lamb here's wishing it will be gentle all month long but I have doubts don't you?
Our storm we had a few nights ago had way too much wind for me as stated before I don't like wind at all, we were without power for over three hours this time, we didn't have storm damage at our house other than more fallen tree limbs, have enought to have a big bond fire perhaps a weinier roast in March? now that would be different. Tulips are pushing their heads up, along with the Lilly's but I'm thinking they will probably get frozen before they show off there beauty.
Dear Editor,
There was a very good crowd at the basketball game on Dec. 4, when the Flora Wolves took on the South Central Cougars.
The veterans want to thank the Flora Community School District for honoring them at halftime. There was about 40 veterans in attendance.
I want to thank the district for taking my idea and making it a reality.
Dear Editor,
I am writing in regards to the terrible accident that happened at the Halloween Parade. The reason I am writing is because the tractor that was behind us just barely missed the trailer that my three grandchildren and two other children were riding in behind my tractor.
My grandchildren had looked forward all day to the parade, some of them coming from Sherman, Ill. Just to ride on the trailer and throw out candy. When the van hit the back tractor, it shoved the other tractor, causing it to fly by our trailer and into the ditch. The tractor had a loader on it and had God not turned it enough to miss our trailer, I am convinced it would have killed my grandchildren or definitely injured them very badly. My grandchildren were traumatized by the accident. The three little ones no longer wanted to ride on the trailer through the parade. The whole thing really ruined the excitement of the while evening for all of us.
It seemed like winter had arrived for several days, now the forecast for this week is for warmer daytimes. It is to be in the lower 70’s. I don’t mind the cooler winter but the wind is rough.
Late condolences to Mary Alice Grahn and her family on the death of her brother John.
Wanda Worthey passed away last week at the Rehab Center in Effingham, where she had resided for some time. She leaves to mourn her passing a son Dewayne and wife, 2 grandsons, some great-grandchildren, as well as many friends.
We are still having nice weather. The temperature is more like fall now. We had a little rain, but could use some more.
The enjoyable Fall Festival is behind us and thoughts of next year is on our mind. Everyone is planning for Thanksgiving Day and family get-togethers and Black Friday. Many of us have only one more payday before Christmas. It is nice for us that Christmas items are displayed early.
Last Thursday evening the local members of the class of 1952 and friends had a get-together and cookout at John’s hanger.
Well, I am back writing my news again. I want to thank all who call or send news to me. I really appreciate you all.
May Pierce of Clay City visited on Friday afternoon with her friend, Betty Garrison. Lola Marie Galloway won the WNOI birthday cake and the balloons on Monday, November 1st. Hope you had a great birthday and many more to come.
Diana Pemberton visited in Evansville, Indiana last Saturday with her brother, Lowell Pemberton. Charlie and Gladys Jones and Jane Warren went to the Community Center in Cisne to help Sonny and Alkie Mugrage celebrate their 60th Wedding Anniversary on Sunday afternoon. Last Tuesday, Bob Porter of Louisville visited with his sister, Betty Pemberton.
Donna Grandon visited over the weekend with her daughter, Nancy Miller in Clay City, Kris Johnson of Florence, Alabama was also visiting in the Miller home. Kris Johnson left on Sunday afternoon for Evansville, Indiana to spend some time visiting with her mother, Lucille Grandon and her sister Karla and Faith Ewing.
Hope everyone is enjoying this fall weather before it turns off real cold.
Remember Thursday is Veterans Day. Remember our veterans and gave them thanks for fighting for our country and freedom.
Vickie McCracken celebrated her birthday at the Tin Cup in Noble. A surprise party was held in her honor with her Aunt Caroyln, Barber, Jim and Connie Wilson, Gary and Darlene Hamiltom of Flora. Jim amd Leona Totten of Noble attended.
I was looking through Gov. Pat Quinn's campaign finance reports the other day and saw that he went way out of his way to list even the tiniest in-kind contributions.
"In-kind donations" means that instead of giving cash, somebody contributed goods or services to a campaign.
Reading through the report I saw the $8.28 spent by a retired Chicago woman for food at Treasure Island. The $17.67 that a Springfield homemaker paid for Mel-O-Cream doughnuts. The $5.56 shelled out by a DuQuoin High School teacher for food at Kroger's.
I was out with some political buddies the other night and the subject of Bill Brady's taxes came up.
Decisions made by a governor in a far-away, but strikingly similar state might actually influence our election right here in Illinois.
Good morning to all my readers both near and far. Hope you are all having a good day today. Today is Aug. 24, this month is nearly gone, only seven days left. Time really flies when you get old. My mother used to tell that and I did not believe her, but I sure do now. Ha–ha.
Happy belated birthday to Bobbie Briscoe, who won the WNOI Birthday cake and balloons on Monday. Hope you had a great birthday and many more to follow.
School is in session again so watch for the big yellow school bus and drive cautiously. Watch for the children riding their bicycles as they may not watch for you. Drive carefully.
