IDNR warns of bird flu The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is monitoring a large event of waterfowl mortality at numerous locations throughout Illinois. Test results received so far indicate bird flu is the cause. Members of the public are encouraged to report concentrations of five or more deceased birds found at one location to IDNR district wildlife biologists on the agency’s website. Due to the risk of infection to other animals, dogs and other pets should be kept away from the carcasses of birds that may have died. ‘Space Force’ added to statute Throughout Illinois state statute where any reference to armed services are made, a new state law adds the United States Space Force. Impacted public acts include the Flag Display and various personnel codes. The U.S. Space Force was created by Donald Trump during his first term in 2019. Christmas tree recycling Illinois Department of Natural Resources fisheries biologists are collecting live Christmas trees to be used as fish habitat in local lakes after the holidays. The collected trees will be bundled together, weighted, and submerged in lakes, providing habitat for multiple fish species and promoting algae growth for insects that attract fish for anglers. Trees must be free of stands, lights, ornaments, and tinsel. Wreaths and garlands will not be accepted. Drop-off location information and instructions are located on the IDNR Office of Fisheries website.
LAWTON, Okla. (KAUZ) – Lawton Public Library has announced new resources available to the community. Both ABCmouse.com and Scholastic Teachables have been added to the Lawton Public Library’s collection of resources available for free with a library card. “ABCmouse provides a wonderful learning experience for young children, while Scholastic Teachables is an excellent resource for educators and parents seeking quality materials for older students. Together, they help meet the educational needs of children from early childhood through middle school, reinforcing our commitment to supporting lifelong learning.”
Mostly cloudy. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 47F. Winds light and variable.. Mostly cloudy. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low 47F. Winds light and variable. Updated: December 27, 2024 @ 3:07 pm Charleston, SC — Historian Sherman E. Pyatt’s newest novel, Standing in the Gap, is a captivating exploration of Gullah culture, chronicling African American family life from 1915 to 1917 on Wadmalaw Island and in Charleston. This poignant story weaves themes of heritage, suspense, and spirituality through the life of young Jacob Rouse, a Gullah child with a profound connection to the spiritual world. Set against the rich backdrop of the South Carolina Lowcountry, the novel follows the LoganRouse family of Wadmalaw Island, whose ancestors carried their spiritual traditions from Africa centuries ago. The story begins on a humid summer day as a midwife arrives to assist in the birth of Jacob’s cousin. Readers quickly discover that Jacob is no ordinary child—born “under the veil” and marked by a distinctive birthmark, he is believed to be a divine gift, standing as a bridge “in the gap” between Heaven and Earth. Written in authentic Gullah dialect, Standing in the Gap offers readers an immersive cultural experience. To assist readers in navigating the language, the novel includes a helpful glossary of Gullah terms. Sherman E. Pyatt is a Charleston native with deep roots in the Lowcountry. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from Johnson C. Smith University and a Master of Library and Information Science from Indiana University, later completing certifications in archival sciences at Georgia State University. Pyatt has worked as a research librarian, interim director, and archivist at various institutions, including The Citadel Military College, the Avery Research Center at the College of Charleston, and South Carolina State University. A dedicated community volunteer, Pyatt served as a commissioner on the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor (2016–2020) and currently contributes as a research assistant at the International African American Museum in Charleston. His previous publications include Martin Luther King, Jr., An Annotated Bibliography (Greenwood Press, 1986), Apartheid: A Selective Annotated Bibliography, 1978-1987 (Garland Publishing, 1990), A Dictionary and Catalog of African American Folklife of the South (Greenwood Press, 1999), Charleston, South Carolina: Black America Series (Arcadia Publishing, 2000), Burke High School: 1894-2006 (Arcadia Publishing, 2007), and The Other Side of Skillet: Healthy and Alternative Eating in the Lowcountry (Lulu Publishing, 2015). There will be a presentation and book signing on Tuesday, February 4th at 6 p.m. at the Charleston Library Society, located at 164 King St., Charleston, S.C. The event is open to the public, and tickets may be purchased. Standing in the Gap will be available for purchase online at eveningpostbooks.com for $19.95 plus South Carolina sales tax and shipping. For wholesale orders, contact assistant editor Elise Lusk at elusk@eveningpostbooks.com. ISBN: 978-1-929647-98-9 Consumer Publications, LLC dba Evening Post Books began publishing titles in 2008 by SC authors with subject matter dedicated to the Lowcountry and has since expanded to publish books about the greater American South. Additional information may be found at eveningpostbooks.com Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks. We recommend switching to one of the following browsers:
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Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis at the 9th Annual Breakthrough Prize Ceremony at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles, California, on April 16, 2023. Photo: Cover Media via Reuters Connect Actress Mila Kunis began embracing and feeling proud of her Jewish heritage when she met her husband, actor Ashton Kutcher, and even more so after having children, she told Israeli activist and author Noa Tishby this week. “For me, it happened when I met my husband,” the “Goodrich” star, 41, said of her former “That ’70s Show” costar, 46, who she has been married to since 2015. Although Kutcher is not Jewish, he was a follower of Kabbalah and was frequently photographed visiting the Kabbalah Centre in Los Angeles when he was married to actress Demi Moore from 2005-2013. Their wedding was also reportedly officiated by a Kabbalah Centre teacher. It remains unclear if he continues to follow Kabbalah. Nevertheless, Kunis joked that Kutcher is Jewish “by choice,” not by lineage, and that his interest in Judaism sparked Kunis to reconnect with her Jewish roots. “I fell in love with my religion because he explained it to me,” said Kunis, who voices Meg Griffin on the Fox animated series “Family Guy.” Kunis made the comments while joining Tishby to light candles on Thursday for the second night of Hanukkah. The two joined forces as part of Tishby’s “#BringOnTheLight campaign,” which is an eight-part video series on YouTube dedicated to spreading the message of Jewish resilience, pride and unity throughout the Jewish holiday. Kunis and Kutcher together have two children — daughter Wyatt, 10, and son Dimitri, 8. The actress was born in Chernivtsi, Ukraine, and moved to the United States at the age of eight. She told Tishby that she did not adhere to any Jewish traditions while growing up. “I always knew I was Jewish but I was told to never talk about,” she said. “I think because I was in a country that didn’t allow for religion.” The “Bad Moms” star added that her children also helped her tap into the religious side of Judaism. “I was raised culturally Jewish. So for me, it’s a culture,” she said. “And as I had kids, and my kids very much identity with the religion aspect of it, I was like, ‘Oh, I guess we’re doing Shabbat and the candles. And there are so many beautiful traditions.” “I never lit Hanukkah candles until I had kids,” she further noted. When Kunis lit the menorah with Tishby for the second night of Hanukkah, they called Kutcher for some help. Both women were unsure if they needed to light the candles from left to right or from right to left, and asked Kutcher for guidance. Kunis also talked about being raised with a lot of Jewish guilt and superstition. Listing another things that are culturally Jewish about her, she shared, “I have a fear of not having enough food and my fear of somebody being hungry. The worst thing my kids can say to me is, ‘I’m hungry.’” “Food fixes everything. You’re tired, eat some food. You’re cranky, eat some food,” she joked. “A health person would say, ‘This is unhealthy and you’re doing something wrong.’ And I understand. I’m working on it. But it’s just something that is embedded in me.”
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