By Larry W. Dallas July has been a wet month in Douglas County. Our weather source says we have gone from 2.5 inches of rain below average to 2 above average, in the space of about two weeks. The excess rain has changed the look of our crops. There are now dead places in the…

By Colleen Lehmann The concern on the COVID-19 front, both nationally and worldwide, is the alarming rise in cases. IDPH reported on July 23, 2021 there were 7,983 new cases of COVID in Illinois in the past week alone. That same elevation is being seen locally as well, unfortunately. From July 1-25 DCHD has recorded…

Thomas Bennett of Tuscola, IL recently attended Aviation Challenge Mach II at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, home of Space Camp, Space Camp Robotics, Aviation Challenge and U.S. Cyber Camp. The Rocket Center is a Smithsonian Affiliate and NASA Marshall Space Flight Center’s Official Visitor Center.  The weeklong educational program promotes science, technology, engineering…

By Tony Hooker For Villa Grovians, the new route 130 bridge over the Embarras River has been a long time coming. The old, narrow bridge, which at one time had more traffic crossing it per day than any other comparable structure in Douglas County, had been deteriorating for years.   For VGHS graduates Janice Sutton…

By Kendra Hennis The Villa Grove Board of Education meeting was called to order at 6 p.m. on Monday, July 19. The board’s first order of business was confirming the appointment of Kristen White to fill the vacancy on the board. Following, White and Charlie Mitsdarfer gave their oath of office. Following approval of the…

By Kendra Hennis  At the meeting of the Tuscola City Council at 7:32 p.m. on Monday, July 26, council members approved a proposed increase of $1 per month to the water and sewer base rate. This means an “across the board” increase of $1 to all water bills, as all customers are charged at the…

By Jim Allen The Douglas County Board was called to order at 9:00 a.m. on July 21, 2021 by Chair Don Munson. All members were present. The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as were the payments of the county’s financial obligations. After the monthly business items were completed, the board began new business.…

The Korner Beehive is up and running and I recently stopped in a couple of times for breakfast. Being a veteran, I am so impressed with the ambiance and dedication by the proprietors to honor and welcome those who have served, while also being accessible to the general public. They are open from 6 a.m.…

By Jim Allen  Chair Jim Mikeworth called the PLM meeting to order at 9:00 on July 6, 2021 with committee members Don Munson and Dick Hein present. Board Member Tom Hettinger was also in attendance. The first order of business was presented by Dick Hein to recognize four Arthur firemen who are receiving Life Saving…

By Aaron Patrick Congratulations to the following food establishments which received the Gold Spoon Award.  This is awarded for no priority violations, no more than 1 priority foundation violation, and excellence in training of Certified Food Protection Managers and Food Handler Staff at the required levels at all times.  The awardees for the months of…