The last chance to see two large model train sets at Kibbe Hancock Heritage Museum in Carthage is Saturday, Jan. 8

The museum will be open from  1 to 4 p.m. on  that day when the model train operators will be on hand to show the trains in action. The entire museum will be open for viewing

For the past several years, Jim Morrison and Galen Wollbrink have set up their model train displays at the museum for public viewing beginning with the Carthage Christmas Open House.   The displays include villages, people, cars and parks with many active parts.

 There is no charge to enter the museum or see the displays.  Aside from this special opening, the museum is currently closed for winter.  It will reopen for the season on in the spring of 2022.

 The museum is located at 306 Walnut in Carthage, one block south of Rt. 136.  See information  on Facebook at Kibbe Museum Carthage, or call 217-357-9552 and leave a message.

Carthage, IL – Tuesday, November 30, 2021 – Kiwanis Club of Carthage is seeking community nominations for their Citizen of the Year Award. The Don Forsythe Citizen of the Year Award will be presented during the annual meeting of the Carthage Area Chamber of Commerce on January 20th, 2022.  

 In 1972, the Carthage Kiwanis Club established the Don Forsythe Citizen of the Year Award to honor a citizen of the Carthage community.  This prestigious award is given to a local citizen who has provided outstanding volunteer service and leadership to the community.  The 2021 award recipient will follow the rich tradition established by Mr. Forsythe.  Nominees must presently reside in the Carthage Elementary School District #317, be at least 21 years of age and have made significant civic and service contributions to the citizens of the Carthage area.  When submitting a nomination, please state the name of the nominee, his/her address, telephone number and/or email. Include a descriptive paragraph outlining the accomplishments of the individual and the reasons for the recognition.  Nominations are accepted from the general public and are due by Friday, January 7th.  All nominations can be mailed to Citizen of the Year, c/o Carthage Kiwanis Club, P.O. Box 94, Carthage, IL 62321 or via email to Kiwanis President Colleen Wildrick at cewing@mhtlc.org or Kiwanis Vice President Susan Starr at susan.starr@marinebk.com. 

Hancock County Reports 58 Cases

Related to COVID During the Week of  December 19-25, 2021

The Hancock County Health Department and Memorial Hospital report fifty-eight (58) laboratory-confirmed COVID cases during the week of December 18-25, 2021.  Eleven (11) of the fifty-six (56) cases are fully vaccinated.

Cases include one male in his 70’s, five males in their 60’s, eight males in their 50’s, four males in their 40’s, six males in their 30’s, four males in their 20’s, one male in his teens, and two males 10 years old and under.  In addition, female cases include five females in their 70’s, six females in their 60’s, three females in their 50’s, four females in their 40’s, two females in their 30’s, three females in their 20’s, three females in their teens, and one female in her  pre-teens.

There have been a total of three-thousand-three-hundred-sixty (3360) COVID-19 cases in Hancock County; three-thousand-one-hundred-seventy-six (3176) people have recovered, one-hundred-forty-six (146) people are currently isolated, and thirty-eight (38) have passed.   

It is important to continue to practice good hand-washing, wear a mask when you are going to be in close proximity to other people, stay home if you are ill and be particularly cautious around older people or those with health conditions.  Practicing these can help protect your family, friends and neighbors.

# # # #

BETH KAUFMAN OF THE ILLINOIS SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE EXTENDED LICENSE AND ID CARD RENEWALS THROUGH MARCH 2022

Memorial Medical Clinic is excited to announce that Peter Perll,
MD, General Surgeon, will see patients at their Colchester location on 110 Market Street.
Dr. Perll is a board certified surgeon and has practiced for over 25 years. He sees and treats
patients with a variety of issues and specializes in procedures including minimally invasive
laparoscopic surgeries, colon and breast cancer surgeries, hernia surgeries, gallbladder surgeries,
endoscopy services, and more.
Dr. Peter Perll states, “I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to serve patients in the Colchester and
McDonough County region and look forward to working with the outstanding team at Memorial
Medical Clinic in Colchester.”
Dr. Perll will see patients at Memorial Medical Clinic in Colchester on the second and fourth
Tuesday of each month. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Perll in Colchester, call (309) 776-3301.

Secretary of State Offices to Close for Christmas Holiday

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White announced that all offices and facilities will be closed in
observance of the Christmas holiday.
? Offices and Driver Services facilities operating on a Monday through Friday schedule will be
closed on Thursday, Dec. 23 and Friday, Dec. 24.
? Offices and Driver Services facilities operating on a Tuesday through Saturday schedule will
be will be closed Friday, Dec. 24 and Saturday, Dec. 25.
Monday through Friday offices and facilities will be open on Monday, Dec. 27 and Tuesday through
Saturday offices and facilities will be open on Tuesday, Dec. 28.
As a reminder, Secretary White has extended all driver’s license and ID card expiration dates to
March 31, 2022. This extension does not apply to commercial driver’s licenses (CDL) and CDL
learner’s permits. In addition, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has extended the federal
REAL ID deadline to May 3, 2023.
Individuals can visit the Secretary of State’s website at ilsos.gov for online services including
checking eligibility to renew their driver’s license online, applying for a duplicate driver’s license,
renewing license plate stickers or locating the nearest Driver Services facility.

Jesse White Extends Driver’s License and ID Card Expiration Dates until March 31, 2022

Jesse White Extends Driver’s License and ID Card Expiration Dates until March 31, 2022

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White announced that expiration dates for driver’s licenses and ID cards have been extended an additional three months – from Jan. 1, 2022, to March 31, 2022. This extension does not apply to commercial driver’s licenses (CDL) and CDL learner’s permits. White noted this will be the final extension. 

“During the pandemic, my office has continued to serve the public, including face-to-face transactions, in a safe and responsible manner,” said White. “This extension is necessary as my office continues to address the heavy customer volume caused by the COVID-19 pandemic through expanded online services and the introduction of appointments at select Driver Services facilities.”

Public Act 102-678 authorizes the Secretary of State’s office to extend driver’s license and ID card expiration dates to March 31, 2022. 

Throughout the pandemic, White’s office has launched a diversified effort to address the heavy customer demand at facilities caused by the ongoing pandemic by requiring appointments at select facilities and expanding online services. These efforts include:

• Requiring appointments at select Driver Services facilities for behind-the-wheel road tests, REAL IDs, standard driver’s licenses and ID cards. Customers may visit ilsos.gov for a list of participating facilities, as well as to schedule an appointment. New appointment slots will be available each day at ilsos.gov. 

• Expanding remote renewal for driver’s license and ID card holders. Since fall, the office has been mailing letters to eligible customers with expired driver’s licenses and ID cards requiring them to renew online, by phone or by mail. The office estimates that this will eliminate the need for approximately 1 million people to visit a facility. 

• Urging the public to consider using online services at ilsos.gov instead of visiting a facility for transactions such as purchasing license plate stickers, obtaining a duplicate driver’s license or ID card, and renewing driver’s licenses and ID cards, including REAL IDs, for those who are eligible.

As a reminder, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has extended the federal REAL ID deadline to May 3, 2023.

THE LEGACY THEATERS DOUG GROTH TALKS ABOUT THE TEXAS TENORS, NEW PROJECTION SCREEN , AND YEAR END DONATIONS.

The LaMoine Valley Project Santa group once again held a fundraiser for the Western Illinois Regional Council-Community Action Agency (WIRC-CAA) Project Santa program. Thanks to their efforts and the support of attendees, the organization raised an impressive $7,000 for Project Santa. 

The annual fundraiser was held on November 28, 2021 at Riverview Bar & Grill in Dallas City, Illinois. The group hosted a raffle and a live auction. All of the proceeds will help children in need served by the WIRC-CAA Project Santa program.

“We are grateful for this very generous gift,” said WIRC-CAA Project Santa Coordinator and Public Relations Manager Jamie Roth. “On average, we spend $100 on each child enrolled in the program. This gift will help many children who would otherwise go without toys and basic necessities, like food, during the holiday season.”

Roth added that LaMoine Valley members also help with distributing gifts to Henderson County families. “They do a great job at helping us distribute food and gifts to our Henderson County Project Santa families, and we very much appreciate their support every year.”

The mission of Project Santa is to provide food, clothing and gifts to children of income-eligible families living in the western Illinois counties of Hancock, Henderson, McDonough, and Warren. WIRC-CAA offers social service programs to help anyone in need, including a food pantry, clothing center, energy assistance program, scholarships, and more.  The application period for this year’s Project Santa program has closed.

For more information about Project Santa, visit https://wirpc.org/projectsanta/ or call WIRC-CAA at 309-837-2997. 

Caption: LaMoine Valley Project Santa members Kevin Six (left) and Mellissa Brinkschroeder (right) presented a $7,000 check to WIRC-CAA Project Santa Coordinator Jamie Roth (center) on December 10, 2021. 

Hancock County Reports 93 Cases and 1 Death 

Related to COVID During the Week of  December 12-18, 2021

The Hancock County Health Department and Memorial Hospital report ninety-three laboratory-confirmed cases and one death related to COVID during the week of December 12-18, 2021.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the individual who died of COVID-19.  Twenty (20) of the ninety-three (93) cases are fully vaccinated.

Cases include four males in their 70’s, seven males in their 60’s, four males in their 50’s, three males in their 40’s, six males in their 30’s, six males in their 20’s, three males in their teens, one pre-teen males and nine males 10 years old and under.  In addition, female cases include two females in their 90’s, three females in their 70’s, two females in their 60’s, seven females in their 50’s, nine females in their 40’s, ten females in their 30’s, four females in their 20’s, eight females in their teens, two pre-teen females, and three females 10 years old and under.  

There have been a total of three-thousand-three-hundred-two (3302) COVID-19 cases in Hancock County; three-thousand-one-hundred-forty (3140) people have recovered, one-hundred-twenty-four (124) people are currently isolated, and thirty-eight (38) have passed.   

Even though there have been break-through COVID-19 cases, vaccinations still remain effective in reducing the chances of severe illness when becoming infected with COVID.  Your healthcare provider knows you best.  Talk to him or her about whether you  should be vaccinated and/or whether you should receive the booster shot.  Memorial Hospital and the Hancock County Health Department can be contacted if you are interested in COVID-19 shots.  Furthermore, it is important to continue to practice good hand-washing, wear a mask when you are going to be around people, stay home if you are ill and be particularly cautious around older people or those with health conditions.  Practicing these can help protect your family, friends and neighbors.

HANCOCK COUNTY FARM BUREAU KRISTIN HULS  UPDATE FOR DECEMBER ALL THE ONGOING EVENTS, TRAINING, AND CLASSES.

EARLY CHILDHOOD MENTAL HEALTH CONSULTANT DISCUSSES EMOTIONAL REGULATION AND FINDING MEANING IN CHILDREN'S BEHAVIOR.

Hancock County Reports 97 COVID-19 Cases

December 4-11, 2021

The Hancock County Health Department and Memorial Hospital report ninety-seven laboratory-confirmed positive COVID-19 cases for the week of December 4-11, 2021.  Thirty-one (31) of the ninety-seven (97) cases are fully vaccinated.

Cases include two males in their 80’s, seven males in their 70’s, two males in their 60’s, four males in their 50’s. five males in their 40’s, eight males in their 30’s, five males in their 20’s, one male in his teens, two pre-teen males and eleven males 10 years old and under.  In addition, female cases include five females in their 70’s, three females in their 60’s, five females in their 50’s, six females in their 40’s, eleven females in their 30’s, seven females in their 20’s, three females in their teens, two pre-teen females, and eight females 10 years old and under.  

There have been a total of three-thousand-two-hundred-nine (3209) COVID-19 cases in Hancock County; three-thousand-forty-seven (3047) people have recovered, one-hundred-twenty-five (125) people are currently isolated, and thirty-seven (37) have passed.   

Over time viruses are known to change or transform, resulting in new variances.  Commonly, this can result in a certain segment of the population being affected more often or severely.  Although there have been break-through COVID-19 cases, vaccinations remain effective in reducing the chances of someone experiencing severe illness when becoming infected with COVID.  Your healthcare provider knows your health conditions best.  Talk to him or her about whether you  should be vaccinated and/or whether you should receive the booster shot.  Memorial Hospital and the Hancock County Health Department can be contacted if you are interested in COVID-19 shots.  Furthermore, continue to practice good hand-washing, wear a mask when you are going to be around people and stay home if you are ill.  Practicing these can help protect your family, friends and neighbors.

# # # #

Memorial Hospital and Quincy Medical Group Seek Funding to Expedite Healthcare Transformation for the Region

Memorial Hospital and Quincy Medical Group Seek Funding to Expedite Healthcare Transformation for the Region

On Wednesday, November 17^th, Memorial Hospital and Quincy Medical Group (QMG) submitted an application to the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) as part of the Healthcare Transformation Collaboratives Public Act, which allocates $150 million annually for healthcare transformation collaboratives through 2027.

Memorial Hospital Chief Executive Officer, Ada Bair said, “We have been working on a number of transformational projects and so have our friends at QMG. As we assessed the needs of our region, we realized it made a lot of sense to be an applicant for these funds. Our goal is to bring this funding to the west central Illinois region. It provides a great opportunity to expedite high-priority projects, like expanding behavioral health services and creating new services, all while ensuring that we improve health equity for rural patients.”

The application submitted by the two organizations proposes to establish a collaborative, named the Ideal State Collaborative (ISC) with a stated goal of revolutionizing the patient care experience by engaging the rural community through new and existing partnerships resulting in a community-focused, patient-first approach to providing care with improved access through the project’s five pillars. This goal will be accomplished by embedding outreach where it is needed, especially into the most underserved areas, while concentrating on patient-focused care experiences for everyone – offering new personalized, affirming, affordable, accessible healthcare. In addition, the project includes a virtual and remote monitoring platform, expanded behavioral health services that have been identified as a significant need in the region, a small format hospital, birth center, rural health village, and a hospital at home program.

Memorial Hospital recently purchased a seven-acre site previously utilized as a nursing home facility in Hamilton, IL. If funded, the plans are to completely renovate the space and the grounds, offering comprehensive outpatient services, including a community health and wellness center and support for nutrition. In addition to providing resources to support health and prevention, the facility will include expanded primary care, behavioral health, and specialty care services.  

QMG Chief Executive Officer Carol Brockmiller describes the opportunity as yet another way to deepen and strengthen the decades-long relationship with Memorial Hospital, “We’ve partnered with Memorial for years to deliver care to patients in the most rural parts of our shared region and this funding would allow us to bring truly transformational technology, facilities and support much quicker than we’re able to without it. Between community needs assessments and all of the many engagement conversations we’ve had with our community, it is very clear transformation would have a significant impact for our rural area and patients.”

This transformation project will increase accessibility and expand quality services to patients in Adams, Hancock, and the surrounding counties. Through these efforts, the region will see a healthcare transformation resulting in a more complete continuum of care for behavioral health, increased access to care for preventive services, primary care, and specialty care, and a decrease in the overall cost.

The State will announce funding recipients and award amounts in the spring of 2022, and Bair continued, “Our projects are ready to go; these are concepts that have been years in the making, and with the State’s funding available, everything really aligns well, and the future of healthcare in our region looks really bright.”

###

The following is a road closure for Monday, December 13, 2021.

2200 East, between 2050 North and 2100 North

From 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Kathy Sparrow

Office Manager

Hancock County Highway Department

ksparrow@hancockcounty-il.gov

217-357-3155

Haley Dixon from The Legacy Theater on the Texas Tenors  Shows December 19th 2021  AND SOME TEASERS FOR THE EXCELLENT UPCOMING ACTS IN 2022.

KIBBE MUSEUM JOY SWEARINGEN  VIEWING DATES TO THE VERY POPULAR TRAIN DISPLAY EXHIBITS. CARTHAGE CHRISTMAS CLUB IS STILL NEEDING VOLUNTEERS FOR THIS FRIDAY AND SATURDAY

VIRUS VARIATIONS AND THE IMPORTANCE OF VIGILANCE IN BASIC HAND HYGIENE. UPCOMING COVID BOOSTERS AND FLU SHOTS

HISTORICAL MERRIMENTS TOM AND KIMBERLY GRANT-DICKENS CHRISTMAS BALL SATURDAY DECEMBER 18TH AT THE SMOKIN GUN CENTER HAMILTON ILLINOIS.

HANCOCK COUNTY CEO CLASS WOULD LIKE TO REMIND EVERYONE OF THEIR MERRY MUSICAL TRIVIA EVENT THIS SATURDAY DECEMBER 11.

KIDS PARTY WITH SANTA DECEMBER 14TH AT 6PM. GIFT BASKET RAFFLE TICKETS AVAILABLE THROUGH DECEMBER 15TH

The Hancock County Health Department and Memorial Hospital report eighty-three laboratory-confirmed positive COVID-19 cases for the week of November 28-December 4, 2021.  Thirteen (13) of the eighty-three (83) cases are fully vaccinated.

Cases include one male in his 80’s, one male in his 70’s, two males in their 60’s, six males in their 50’s. four males in their 40’s, six males in their 30’s, seven males in their 20’s, two males in their teens, one pre-teen male and four males 10 years old and under.  In addition, female cases include one female in her 90’s, one female in her 80’s, four females in their 70’s, six females in their 60’s, eight females in their 50’s, six females in their 40’s, eight females in their 30’s, six females in their 20’s, two females in their teens, four pre-teen females, and three females 10 years old and under.  

There have been a total of three-thousand-one-hundred-twelve (3112) COVID-19 cases in Hancock County; two-thousand-nine-hundred-eighty-six (2986) people have recovered, eighty-nine (89) people are currently isolated, and thirty-seven (37) have passed.   

Over time viruses are known to change or transform, resulting in new variances.  Commonly, this can result in a certain segment of the population being affected more often or severely.  Although there have been break-through COVID-19 cases, vaccinations remain effective in reducing the chances of someone experiencing severe illness when becoming infected with COVID.  Your healthcare provider knows your health conditions best.  Talk to him or her about whether you  should be vaccinated and/or whether you should receive the booster shot.  Memorial Hospital and the Hancock County Health Department can be contacted if you are interested in COVID-19 shots.  Furthermore, continue to practice good hand-washing, wear a mask when you are going to be around people and stay home if you are ill.  Practicing these can help protect your family, friends and neighbors.

 GAY DICKERSON  WITH AREA AGENCY ON AGING SAYS OPEN ENROLLMENT IS COMING TO CLOSE TODAY AT MIDNIGHT AND UPCOMING VITA TAX SERVICE IN MARCH FOR SIMPLE TAX RETURNS.

Two large model train sets will be on display at Kibbe Hancock Heritage Museum in Carthage in
December and January.
The museum has scheduled three days when the model train operators will be on hand to show the
trains in action. Those days are from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 12, Saturday, Dec. 18, and Saturday,
Jan. 8.
For the past several years, Jim Morrison and Galen Wollbrink have set up their model train displays at
the museum for public viewing beginning with the Carthage Christmas Open House. The displays
include villages, people, cars and parks with many active parts.
Wollbrink and Morrison will have their large model train displays running at these times. There is no
charge to enter the museum or see the displays. All the other exhibit rooms at the museum are open for
viewing.
Aside from these dates, the museum is now closed for winter. It will reopen for the season on in the
spring of 2022.
The museum is located at 306 Walnut in Carthage, one block south of Rt. 136. See information on
Facebook at Kibbe Museum Carthage, or call 217-357-9552 and leave a message.

BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU DON OBRIEN  - ONLINE SHOPPING SCAMS FLOURISH ON SOCIAL MEDIA DURING THE PANDEMIC

HANCOCK COUNTY SHERRIFF TRAVIS DUFFY GIVE UPDATED LOCATIONS FOR STUFF THE SQUAD CAR AND LAHARPE PARADE. STUFF THE SQUAD CAR EVENTS GOING ON TONIGHT IN BOWEN, AUGUSTA, AND PLYMOUTH.   DECEMBER 7TH THE SQUAD CAR WILL BE IN LAHARPE!

CARTHAGE AREA CHAMBER PRESIDENT KELLY FREEMAN PRESENTS THE CARTHAGE CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE TONIGHT FROM 4-8PM.

Hour of Code TM  Activity at Carthage Public Library

Carthage Public Library District is participating in the Hour of Code TM initiative. Students in 4th-6th grade are invited to come to the library at 3:30 pm on Monday, December 6 and Thursday, December 9 to try out a computer coding activity. Students may attend one or both sessions. No prior experience is needed. Students may use the laptops provided by the library or bring their own tablet or other device. 

Plans will be discussed for continuing the library’s weekly Coding Club in January, which would be a great time for a new group of students to join. Current Coding Club members are encouraged to attend the Hour of Code sessions. Our final meeting for 2021 will be on December 16.

"The Hour of Code™ is designed to demystify code and show that computer science is not rocket science—anybody can learn the basics," said Hadi Partovi, founder and CEO of Code.org. "Over 100 million students worldwide have tried an Hour of Code™. The demand for relevant 21st-century computer science education crosses all borders and knows no boundaries."  The Hour of Code™ is a global initiative by Computer Science Education Week [csedweek.org] and Code.org [code.org] to introduce millions of students to one hour of computer science and computer programming.

 REBECCA WILLIAMSON WITH STILL TALKING ABOUT THE LAHARPE COUNTRY CHRISTMAS-COME JOIN US AND CELEBRATE LAHARPE COUNTRY CHRISTMAS DECEMBER 7TH 5-7 PM.

TEXAS TENORS CHRISTMAS SHOW 4PM SHOW SOLD OUT. STILL TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR THE 8PM SHOW!