By Aaron Patrick Congratulations to the following food establishments which received the Gold Spoon Award for excellence in training of Certified Food Protection Managers and Food Handler Staff at the required levels at all times for the months of November & December 2019: Jack Flash-Arthur, Joe’s Pizza, Roselen’s Coffees & Delights, Arcola Hispanic & American…

Applications are now being accepted for the 2020 Joe and Sue Summerville Agricultural Scholarship. Wishing to preserve and grow the agricultural community, the Summerville Agricultural Scholarship will help a student pursue their education in an agricultural related field of study. Having grown up on a family farm, Sue is offering this scholarship in memory of…

The Douglas County Farm Bureau Foundation is a private foundation dedicated to the youth of Douglas County. Up to $2,000 in scholarships are available to assist students pursuing a college degree in Agriculture.  Interested students may apply each year for consideration. Applicants can receive up to one award per year of school; however, the applicant…

By Tony Hooker Growing up in Douglas County Dr. Charles “Chuck” Ellington experienced many of the issues that face rural Americans regarding poverty, health care issues and so much more.  Ellington decided to turn those experiences into a career as a physician and attorney, focusing on rural issues.  I recently sat down with the Camargo…

By Larry W. Dallas, Douglas County Farm Bureau President   Harvest may finally be over in Douglas County or close anyway. Both planting and harvest were so strung out it was hard to tell when both actually ended. Northern Illinois lags behind with both corn and soybeans left in the field. In some cases, they are…

By Kendra Hennis  The meeting of the Douglas County Board was called to order on December 18 at 9 a.m.  On the discussion of legal cannabis in Douglas County, the board approved ordinance 19-O-8, prohibiting the location of adult-use cannabis business establishments in unincorporated territory in Douglas County, approved ordinance 19-O-9, establishing a county cannabis…

By Kendra Hennis  Mayor Dan Kleiss began the December 23 city council meeting by recognizing numerous Tuscola Firefighters with service achievements. He began with Lieutenant Jim Heath who has retired after twenty-one years of service. Mayor Kleiss also recognized Joe Carter and Jason Mills for twenty years of service and Tim Bloomer for fifteen years.…

By Jim Allen On December 11, 2019, the Douglas County Road and Bridge Committee met with board members Tom Glen, Dick Hein, Don Munson, and Jim Crane present.  The first item on the agenda was an update on Cronus Chemicals. An IEPA Air permit has been resubmitted which indicates the company is moving forward with…

December 2019: Coral Gables, Florida, BauerFinancial, Inc., the Nation’s Premier Bank Rating Firm, proudly affirms that Villa Grove State Bank has earned its highest (5-Star) rating for financial strength and stability. Earning a 5-Star rating indicates the bank excels in areas of capital adequacy, profitability, asset quality, and much more, and Villa Grove State Bank…

By Kendra Hennis  There will be a benefit on Saturday, January 11 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Moose Lodge in Tuscola to support Hans Goodmann. Hans is a 17-year-old Tuscola High School student who has been diagnosed with Inflammatory Bowel Disease. He was hospitalized at the St. Louis Children’s Hospital for four weeks…