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Honoring a Legacy: Metropolis Rotary Seeks Nominations for 2025 Les Easterday Award
The Metropolis Rotary Club, in partnership with the Metropolis Area Chamber of Commerce, has officially opened nominations for one of the community’s most prestigious honors: the 2025 Les Easterday Community Service Award.
This annual tradition recognizes a Massac County resident who embodies the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self.” By highlighting the extraordinary contributions of local volunteers, the award aims to inspire a continued spirit of public service throughout the region.
A Century of Service
The award is named in honor of the late Leslie Easterday, a man whose name became synonymous with dedication in Metropolis. Mr. Easterday’s impact on the community was profound:
Rotary Leadership: Joining in 1927, he served as Club President (1937–1938) and later as District Governor (1981–1982).
A Perfect Record: He achieved over 60 years of perfect attendance at Rotary meetings, a testament to his unwavering commitment.
Civic Impact: Beyond Rotary, he served as the Executive Secretary for the Metropolis Area Chamber of Commerce for 17 years.
Mr. Easterday passed away in 1988, but his legacy lives on through this award, which celebrates those who enrich Massac County through selfless volunteerism.
Nomination Requirements
The Rotary Club is looking for individuals who have consistently demonstrated a commitment to improving the lives of others. To nominate a fellow community member, please ensure you meet the following criteria:
Nominee Eligibility: Must be a resident of Massac County.
Submission Details: Nominators must provide a written description including a brief biography of the nominee and specific examples of their volunteer work and service achievements.
How to Apply: Interested parties should message the Metropolis Rotary Club Facebook page for full details and submission instructions.
Important Deadline: All nominations must be submitted no later than January 21st at 5:00 PM.
Do you have someone in mind who makes Massac County a better place? Now is the time to ensure their hard work is recognized.
WMOK News: The New Illinois Laws – Part 23 – Mandatory Dementia Screening Required for Assisted Living Admission
Our focus shifts to senior living and healthcare standards with a new law strengthening protections for individuals with cognitive decline. House Bill 3328, effective January 1, 2026, amends the Assisted Living and Shared Housing Act to mandate that all prospective residents undergo a specific cognitive assessment prior to admission.
The goal of this law is to ensure that residents with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias are not inappropriately placed in facilities that lack the specialized staffing, training, and safety measures required to meet their unique needs.
Key Requirements of the Mandatory Dementia Assessment
This new provision creates a clear, documented process that facilities must follow before accepting any new resident:
1. Pre-Admission Assessment is Mandatory
Facilities licensed as assisted living or shared housing establishments must ensure every individual resident is assessed for cognitive impairment prior to acceptance for residency.
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Why it matters: This formalizes the process, preventing facilities from overlooking signs of dementia and accepting residents whose care needs may be beyond the scope of a standard assisted living environment.
2. Expert-Approved Tools Required
The assessment must be conducted using tools that are approved or recommended by recognized Alzheimer’s and dementia care experts.
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Tool Validation: The law specifies that these tools must be validated for accurately identifying and evaluating cognitive impairments related to Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. This prevents the use of generic, unreliable questionnaires.
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Continuous Review: These assessment tools must be reviewed and updated regularly to align with current best practices and clinical standards in dementia care.
3. Ongoing Physician Approval
The initial assessment must be approved by the resident’s physician and must be performed again annually and at any time a significant change in the resident’s condition is identified by family members, facility staff, or their physician.
Focus on Specialized Care
HB 3328 also reinforces existing requirements for facilities that advertise or offer a special program or unit for persons with Alzheimer’s and related disorders:
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They must fully disclose the details of their special care program to the Department of Public Health and to the resident’s representative.
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They must implement clear policies and procedures to ensure the continued safety of all residents, especially those who may have a tendency to wander.
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Massac Memorial Hospital
MMH is hiring! Join a team that puts patients first and supports the health of our community every day. Compassion. Excellence. Local Care. Apply today at www.massachealth.org/careers or by scanning the QR code.
Rural Health, Inc.
Metropolis Big John
Shawnee Community College
City of Metropolis
Southern Seven Health Department
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