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CITY BEAT: A VERY CLOSE CALL AT THE INTERSECTION OF WILLIAM AND FRANKLIN STREETS

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       I’ve pointed out in past columns the crazy way that a lot of people are driving on Decatur’s streets and roads and it seems to be getting worse. Of all the “near-accidents” I’ve personally witnessed involving irresponsible drivers I think the award for the “most heart stopping” near-accident came at the downtown intersection of…

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CITY BEAT: REPORT INDICATES THE MAIN REASONS FOR VACCINE HESITANCY

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       Why is the vaccination rate so low in Macon County? It’s a little over 42% at this stage. I received information from Emily Lamb, a Public Relations Specialist for QuoteWizard by LendingTree, LLC, with the latest update on its vaccine hesitancy report. Lamb stated: “Our analysts reviewed the main reasons people aren’t getting vaccinated.…

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CITY BEAT: REMEMBERING 9/11 AND ITS IMPACT ON OUR COMMUNITY AND THE WORLD

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       It’s been 20 years this coming Saturday since a series of four coordinated terrorist attacks by the militant Islamist terrorist group al-Qaeda against the United States of America happened on the morning of Tuesday, September 11, 2001. On that day, those of us old enough to remember, had horrific, sad memories burned into our…

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DETAILS ANNOUNCED FOR 20TH ANNUAL WSOY COMMUNITY FOOD DRIVE

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  The 20th Annual WSOY Community Food Drive, to be held on October 8th, will continue to collect monetary donations only in response to growing need and COVID-19. September 3, 2020 – WSOY and our community partners, ADM, First Mid Bank and Trust/First Mid Insurance Group, Skeff Distributing, Jones & Thomas/JTnet, Decatur Back & Neck…

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REBUILDING DECATUR: MAJOR PROJECTS HIGHLIGHT YEAR THREE OF REBUILD ILLINOIS

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  Gov. Pritzker’s historic capital program improving infrastructure in key part of state DECATUR– Entering Year Three of Rebuild Illinois, the Illinois Department of Transportation announced today that multiple projects in the Decatur area are underway, highlighting an ongoing commitment made possible by Gov. JB Pritzker’s historic, bipartisan capital program. Eight major projects represent a…

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OUR READERS SPEAK IN THIS WEEK’S ‘LETTERS TO THE EDITOR’

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What Kind Of A Future Do We Want? Dear Editor:      I have heard it said that kids are our future. Not just any kid but all kids. And what kind of future do we want? One populated by well-rounded, well-educated kids or one populated by kids struggling with Math, English, History, and other areas. For…

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ILLINOIS 128 NORTH OF SHELBYVILLE RE-OPENS: CONSTRUCTION TO CONTINUE

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  EFFINGHAM – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that Illinois 128 was opened north of Shelbyville on Friday, Aug. 27 after being closed for the replacement of box culverts. The $4.5 million project will continue with the placement of hot-mix asphalt and other items. Flaggers will be used to direct traffic through work zones.…

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ILLINOIS PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS ANNOUNCE 25,636 NEW CASES OF CORONAVIRUS DISEASE, 174 MORE DEATHS OVER THE PAST WEEK

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  Almost 78% of Illinois adults have received at least one vaccine dose and 61% are fully vaccinated SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today reported 25,636 new confirmed and probable cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Illinois, including 174 additional deaths since reporting last Friday, August 20, 2021. Almost 78% of…

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INCREASE IN COVID-19 TRANSMISSIONS RESULTS IN CROSSING HEALTHCARE TRANSITIONING COVID TESTING TO DRIVE THRU CLINIC ON NORTH WATER STREET

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  As community transmission of COVID-19 continues to increase, the demand for COVID testing and COVID related appointmnets have also increased markedly. For this reason, Crossing Healthcare is transitioning COVID testing from the Main Health Clinic located at 320 East Central Avenue to the Drive Thru Clinic located at 990 North Water Street, effective Friday,…

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