•April 10, 2019•
Thirteen area high school seniors were awarded Good Citizen Awards from the Stephen Decatur Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution Saturday, March 29 in Decatur.
Winners were selected by faculty of the high schools on the basis of leadership, dependability, service, patriotism, and cooperation. These aware are presented annually to outstanding senior class students from Macon, Moultrie, DeWitt, Piatt, and Christian county high schools.
Students honored by the Stephen Decatur Chapter are: Read More
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Remember When? 4-10-2019
25 Years Ago This Week
There was a break-in at the Moultrie County Sheriff’s office. State Police investigators from Effingham have been assigned to the case. Sheriff’s Sgt. Rieck Kendall said that the burglary occurred in the jail’s basement. He said that items were taken but has declined to provide additional details.
After scoring only one run in a loss to Shelbyville, the Sullivan Redskins baseball team turned the tables and defeated Arcola 10-1. Jason Wildman picked up the win against Arcola. He pitched four innings, giving up four hits and one unearned run. He struck out eight. Andy Wagner went two-for-three with a triple and an RBI. Steve Book and Tim Lowry each had two RBIs. Read More
Swan Song for Bethany Foods
Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Bethany Foods owner Ata Abbed is pictured with former employee Lois Traster.
•April 10, 2019•
By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress
When Ata Abbed retired from General Motors after 26 years of service, he was still young enough to have a second career.
His brother was in the grocery business and had seen an ad for a grocery store in the small town of Bethany, Illinois. It turned out to be a 29-year adventure for Abbed and his family.
“We were so very fortunate to have had the best neighbors, like Jerry and Kay Ward, that anyone could ask for,” Ata recalled. “We had wonderful employees like Della Lowe, Hope Snyder, Lois Traster and the support of the community.”
“The community has been very supportive of the grocery store, and we can’t thank all of our customers enough for their support and friendship over the years,” he continued.
It was a good place to raise a family.
“In 1989 the community welcomed us and enabled us to work, build a home and raise a family here. Leaving all our friends and customers is the most difficult part of our retirement decision,” wife Linda added.
On Saturday, April 6 some of those customers came to shop or say “goodbye”. Read More
NRCS Sign-Up for Updated Conservation Stewardship Program
•April 10, 2019•
State Conservationist, Ivan Dozier announced the next deadline for Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) applications to be considered for funding in fiscal year (FY) 2019 is May 10, 2019.
Nationwide USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) plans to invest up to $700 million for new enrollments and contract extensions in fiscal year 2019. The 2018 Farm Bill made several changes to this critical conservation program, which helps agricultural producers take the conservation activities on their farm to the next level.
“CSP continues to be a very effective tool for private landowners working to achieve their conservation and management goals,” said Ivan Dozier, NRCS State Conservationist in Illinois. “It is the largest conservation program in the United States with more than 70 million acres of productive agricultural and forest land enrolled.” Read More
Obituaries 4-10-2019: Thelma Netherton
Thelma Netherton
Thelma N. Netherton, 89, of Sullivan passed away at 2:35 a.m. Wednesday April 3, 2019 in Aspen Creek in Sullivan.
Celebration of Life services will be at 11 a.m. Friday April 12 in Reed Funeral Home in Sullivan with Pastor Tim Henderson officiating. Visitation will be one hour before the services. Burial will be in Greenhill Cemetery in Sullivan. Read More
Obituaries 4-19-2019: Mike Wildman
Mike Wildman
Michael J. Wildman, 58, of Monticello passed away Monday, April 1, 2019 in Kirby Medical Center in Monticello.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Friday, April 5 at Mackey-Wright Funeral Home in Monticello. Cremation rites followed, and interment in Monticello Township Cemetery will be held at a later date.
He was born June 17, 1960, a son of Roger L. and Phyllis Huffmaster Wildman. Mike was a 1978 graduate of Sullivan High School where he participated in golf, baseball, football and basketball. His senior year he participated in the IHSA State basketball tournament in Champaign. He was a 1982 graduate of Purdue University. Mike was a department head for the Home Depot and was elected Monticello Township Supervisor. He was a member of the NRA, Purdue Alumni Association, Piatt County Republican Party and a parishioner at St. Philomena Catholic Church of Monticello. Read More
OV FFA Team Wins Competition
Photo furnished
OV FFA Team Wins Competition
Okaw Valley FFA Dairy Judging Team recently won the Section 16 Dairy Judging Competition. OV had the top five finishers in the competition with Grace Bunfill winning overall.
Grace Bunfill, first; Carleigh Bobbett, second; Garrett Tippit , third; Sophie Zimmerman, fourth; Sadie Zimmerman, fifth.
The OV Judging team headed to Kaskaskia College April 5 to compete at the state level.
In the high school non-reasons division of the Dairy Cattle Evaluation Career Development Event, 56 schools, 54 teams, and 249 individuals competed. Okaw Valley finished ninth overall.
Obituaries 4-10-2019: David Norris
David Norris
David M. Norris, 78, of Bethany, formerly of Clio, Michigan, passed away at 11:55 p.m. Sunday, April 7, 2019 in Mattoon Rehabilitation and Health Care Center.
Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, April 11 at Reed Funeral Home in Sullivan. Celebration of Life services will be 12 noon Wednesday, April 17 at Martin Funeral Cremation and Tribute Services in Mt. Morris, Michigan. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, April 16 and one hour before the service on Wednesday. Burial with military rites will be in Flint Memorial Park, in Mt. Morris, Michigan. Read More
20th Smyser Easter Drama
•April 10, 2019•
Smyser Christian Church Student Ministries Easter Drama is a two hour program put on by 30 area high school students at 7 p.m. April 19 and 20.
The 20th annual drama “Believe” will be held at Smyser Christian Church, 1521 Whitley Point Road in Gays.
Because what you believe about Easter determines what you believe about Christmas, the students will take you through what is believed about Jesus’ birth, life, death, and resurrection through the use of skits, dramas, praise music, and various artistic expressions.
Refreshments will be served and a love offering will be taken to support the youth’s summer conferences. RSVP is requested to 752-6896 or at smysercc.org/easter-2019.
Everyone is invited to Easter Worship Services at 8 and 10 a.m. April 21 at the church. Come at 9 a.m. for coffee and donuts and snap a family photo in front of one of the photo booth backgrounds available.
Okaw Valley Open House
Photo by Mike Brothers
Okaw Valley Open House
The public had a chance to come in and see the new improvements at Okaw Valley Community School District #302 on March 27. Staff and volunteer students were on hand from 4-7 p.m. to guide visitors through the new agricultural complex, science labs, and sports complex. Above Supt. Kent Stauder explains the new facilities to Vicki Osman.