With what seems a “never-ending” crucial shortage of blood at this time, the Peoria Red Cross will be holding a blood drive hosted by members of the Morton Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at 2530 N. Morton Ave, Morton, Illinois.  The blood drive will be held …

Scouts BSA Troops 178 and 1178 are holding their annual spaghetti dinner and silent auction fundraiser on January 29, 2022, from 4-8 p.m., at the Morton United Methodist Church, 420 N. Tennessee Ave., Morton. Advance tickets are available for $7 per person for adults, $5 for seniors (60 and …

Social Security and Retirement Planning

The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point honored more than 2,350 undergraduate students for attaining high grade point averages during the fall semester of the 2021-2022 academic year. Among them was Morton’s Ashley Sauder, who earned Highest Honors recognition.

Olivet Nazarene University has announced that the following area students have earned Dean’s List honors in recognition of their fall 2021 semester academic performance.

The Illinois Department on Aging (IDoA) is now accepting nominations for the Senior Illinoisan Hall of Fame, open to adults age 65 and older who excel in the categories of community service, education, performance and/or graphic arts, and the labor force.

Southern New Hampshire University has announced that local students Sarah Garber of Eureka, Erin Kelly of Washington, Abbi Shenaut of Tremont, and Paige Crook of Germantown Hills have all been named to the fall 2021 President's List.

Out of an abundance of caution and due to the continued high numbers of new COVID-19 cases statewide, Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White has announced that all Secretary of State departments – including Driver Services facilities – will resume conducting in-person transactions Monday, J…

Beginning on January 16, the sermon series “Prayer Transitions” will be presented at the Deer Creek Baptist Church by Pastor Steve Evans.  The series will be based on Luke 22:39-53.

The Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) is urging residents to take time in the coming weeks to test their home for radon as part of Radon Action Month.  Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States.  Radon relate…

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is announcing two new COVID-19 oral antivirals, Paxlovid (Pfizer) and Molnupiravir (Merck), will be available in Illinois later this month.  The antivirals are for those with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 who are at high risk for becoming severely …

Silvia Moreno-Garcia, the bestselling and award-winning author of Mexican Gothic, is coming to Illinois libraries. Thanks to a new collaborative effort Illinois Libraries Present, Morton Public Library will join 200 other libraries in hosting Moreno-Garcia and other notable authors through v…

The January 14 Senior Adult Ministry Luncheon will be held at the Deer Creek Baptist Church Fellowship Hall.  Doors open at 11 a.m., with a potluck brunch will be served at 11:30 a.m.  Featured entrée will be egg casseroles.  Coffee, juice and water will be provided.  Those attending are req…

Your home’s heating systems are working double time to keep you warm this winter. The nonprofit Illinois Fire Safety Alliance (IFSA) says safety must be your top priority since heating is the second leading cause of home fires. Follow the IFSA’s suggestions to keep your home warm and safe.

Local students Logan Barnard, Emilie Montoya and Joseph Yoder, of Morton; Emma Garcia, Olivia Hank and Tess Howley, of Washington; Samantha Boschulte, of Eureka; and Samantha Dodwell, of Metamora, have all been named to the fall 2021 Dean’s List at Western Illinois University.

The University of Evansville recently recognized students who received Dean's List Honors for the fall 2021 semester. Local students named to the list include Katherine Doty of Germantown Hills, studying Psychology; Claire Reiman of Morton, studying Exercise Science; Kayla Hughes of Germanto…

Due to an increase in COVID-19 cases statewide, Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White announced last week that all Secretary of State departments will not conduct in-person transactions – including Driver Services facilities – from January 3, 2022, through January 17, 2022. All departments…

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that construction on North Main Street under Interstate 74 in Morton begins Jan. 10, weather permitting. 

Due to extreme cold weather expected for Friday, January 7, 2022, Courier Newspapers offices will be closed and staff will work from home. Readers and clients can still reach Joi DeArmond (President) via email at joi67@courierpapers.com, or Dawn Farrar (Office Manager) at bookkper@courierpap…

Every day, more children in Illinois are diagnosed with critical illnesses that would qualify them for Make-A-Wish. In fact, more than 112 wish children in Illinois are waiting today for volunteers to help grant their wishes. Start the year off by enriching your life and others through volun…

The Morton Civic Chorus is excited to be resuming rehearsal for their fundraiser, “Encore”, to benefit the Central Illinois Memorial Kidney Fund.

Christian Schlehuber of Morton has been named to the Union University President's List for the fall 2021 semester.

The Book Bag

The DivorceCare recovery and support group for those who are separated or divorced will meet at Grace Church in the Fireside Room (off the foyer), located at 1325 E. Jefferson in Morton, on Thursdays from 6:45-8:30 p.m. for 13 weeks beginning on January 13 and running through April 14.

Madison Makuta, from Morton, was named to the Milwaukee School of Engineering's Dean's List for the 2021 Fall Quarter. Makuta is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering.

With holiday festivities rapidly approaching, the Morton Police Department announced that it will participate in a statewide impaired driving awareness campaign from December 17 through January 3.

The Morton Civic Chorus is excited to be resuming rehearsal for their fundraiser “Encore” to benefit the Central Illinois Memorial Kidney Fund on January 10, 2022, at 7 p.m. at the Peoria Christian Fellowship Church, 616 Abington, Peoria. No auditions required.  For more information please c…

Finals Study Day

Many will be decking the halls to celebrate this holiday season. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) more than two of every five home decoration fires occur due to decorations being placed too close to a heat source. More than one-third of home decoration fires are s…

Illinois children are getting a chance to use their artistic talents to explore the importance of self-expression, thanks to the annual statewide art contest sponsored by the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and the Illinois State Board of Education.

Smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles and other mobile technology top kids’ wish lists every year. As parents plan for these types of purchases, they should remember the importance of safe and appropriate device usage parameters as part of the gifting process.

The Illinois Emergency Management Agency, and local emergency managers throughout the state, are reminding students, parents and community members about a new program and free resources available to help improve school safety in Illinois.

The Illinois Commerce Commission is announcing the addition of the 861 area code to counties and municipalities presently served by the 309 area code. The 861 area code will “overlay” the existing territory in order to supplement the telephone number supply. The 861 area code will be availab…

The Deer Creek Unit of Home and Community Extension will hold a regular meeting on December 9 at the Deer Creek Baptist Church Fellowship Hall at 11:30 a.m.  Program for the day will be a Christmas Potluck.  Members should bring a dish to share and unwrapped toys for children at the Dee-Mack…

On Sunday, December 12, at 6 p.m., the children of the Deer Creek Baptist Church will present the Christmas pageant, “The Greatest Treasure”.  This event was postponed in 2020 due to Covid restrictions.  Christmas refreshments will be served following the pageant in the fellowship hall.  The…

The December 10 Senior Adult Ministry Luncheon will be held at the Deer Creek Baptist Church Fellowship Hall.  Doors open at 11 a.m., with a potluck luncheon served at 11:30 a.m.  Featured entrée will be chicken casserole.  Coffee and iced tea will be provided.  Those attending are requested…

Help a person in need this holiday season.  Morton residents, friends and visitors are all encouraged to make donations of non-perishable food items and personal care items for the Community Caring Cupboards at select businesses throughout the Village from Thursday, December 9 through Saturd…

The women of Morton United Methodist Church will be holding their Annual Cookie Walk on December 4, 2021, from 9-10 a.m. at the church on 420 Tennessee Avenue in Morton, with the proceeds going to Missions.   Homemade cookies, baked goods and candies will be available for purchase. Cookies a…

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) will host the annual Christmas Remembrance Ceremony for Illinois soldiers listed as POW/MIA during the Vietnam War at the Illinois Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Oak Ridge Cemetery, Springfield, at 1 p.m. on Saturday, December 4. The public i…

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) has announced special evening tours of the Dana-Thomas House State Historic Site in Springfield are planned on Wednesdays and Saturdays during the holiday season through December 18, 2021. 

Central Illinois Ballet, under the direction of Artistic Director Rebekah von Rathonyi, will present its 10th annual performance of The Nutcracker at Illinois Central College, Performing Arts

Secretary of State Jesse White announced that Secretary of State Police will be conducting parking stings at shopping malls statewide throughout the holiday season and ticketing individuals who illegally park in spaces reserved for persons with disabilities.