On May 31, 2009, the Illinois General Assembly passed a partial budget which created a $9.2 billion funding gap which is now forcing draconian cuts in fundamental state services.

On Tuesday June 23rd, thousands of Illinois citizens will meet in the Rotunda of our State Capitol Building in Springfield to urge our state legislators to pass a fair and reasonable budget and stop the Draconian cuts to essential human service programs.

My friend Nathan Woodside wrote a goodbye column in Friday's Macomb Eagle. In a classic blend of truth and hyperbole, he indicated he must leave home in order to find success and gain revenge on a teacher who once criticized his writing.

Since it is almost time for the annual Heritage Days celebration in Macomb, I have been doing some reminiscing about the days gone by when I lived in this great town - it is my kind of town.

Every year at this time, I receive a letter from the American Institute for Cancer Research, requesting that I help raise local funds for them.

Some things just sell themselves. But it doesn’t hurt to give them a little push.

June is Adopt a Shelter Cat Month. The McDonough County Animal Shelter has many cats and kittens available for adoption.

The McDonough County United Way held its 23rd annual golf outing on Friday, May 22, at Gold Hills.

One good move to report on the national scene last week in the battle to retain newspaper readers, something that could help us locally. Have you seen the primetime television ad campaign for "Parade" magazine?

It’s been about 3,780 days since I walked down the stairs at the former Macomb Journal building for the last time as a reporter for the publication.

There were some very happy people seen in Macomb last week. Many of them were attending the International Horn Symposium at Western Illinois University.
 

This is in response to a recent letter to the editor from the McDonough County Softball League Board.

After placing flowers on the grave of our parents in the Industry Cemetery  recently, my sister and I stopped at the site of the memorial on Main Street.

Thousands of dollars were raised Saturday for the St. Paul Home and School Association. The group’s annual fundraiser was held at the Western Illinois University Union.

The Macomb Police Department held the 30th annual Scott Jennings Fishing Contest for Children on May 23 at Spring Lake Park.