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Community Discusses OBO’s The Running Dream

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Photo by Mike Brothers
Sullivan middle school student Claire Welch (left) listens as One Book One Sullivan leader Callie Standerfer questions participants who gathered at the First United Methodist Church about The Running Dream by Wendelin VanDraanen.

•March 13, 2019•

The Running Dream discussion drew more than 100 people to the First United Methodist Church in Sullivan March 7.
The latest One Book One Sullivan read by Wendelin VanDraanen was chosen from a list of second place books from previous years, OBOS coordinator Rikki Ray explained.
During the summer selection process 29 students with five staff members comprise the Rebecca Caudill Young Readers Book Award Steering Committee when 20 books are reviewed and discussed to determine the best one for students and community.
“We had some members who were very passionate about their books,” Ray said, noting the inclusion of fifth graders into the middle school readership forced some of the more graphic selections aside this year.
As the selection process narrowed the book choices, she noted there were times students would be grasping each others hands wrought with emotion over whether their book would make the list. Read More

Meet the Candidate Night

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•March 13, 2019•

The Arthur Education Association and the Arthur Area Association of Commerce will host a “Meet the Candidate” night for those running for the village board and school board.
The purpose of this event is to help voters get to know the candidates. It is scheduled for 6:30-8:30 p.m.Thursday, March 21 at the Arthur Community Center located at 120 E. Progress Street.
Each candidate will introduce themselves and share why they are running for their respective boards. The public will have the opportunity to turn in school board candidate questions only the night of the forum with a designated time limit for answers. The event will be moderated by Jim Fleming and will be streamed live on TheRoundTop.tv.

Recent Obituaries: Chester Betzer

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Chester Betzer

Chester R. Betzer, 82, of Sullivan, passed away 3:16 p.m. Thursday, March 7, 2019 in Decatur Memorial Hospital.

Celebration of Life Services will be 11:00 a.m. Monday at the Reed Funeral Home with Pastor Marge Overlot officiating. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Monday. Burial will be at a later date. Memorials are suggested to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital or the Sullivan Weekend Food Bag Program, c/o Sullivan Elementary School. Online condolences can be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.

Mr. Betzer was born February 26, 1937 in Bethany, the son of Chester and Gussie Ray Betzer. He was raised by Arthur ‘Doc’ and Olive Miller. Chet had been an over the road truck driver and since retiring provided transportation for the Amish. He had served in the Illinois National Guard and the Army Reserves. Chet enjoyed golfing, model trains and spending time with his grandchildren. He married Roni Jean Corzine on November 14, 1987 in Maroa, Illinois.

Survivors include his wife Roni of Sullivan, children Arthur Betzer of Clinton, IA, Robert (Jeannie) Betzer of Moseley, VA and Clayton (Heidi) Brush of Sullivan; grandchildren Devereux and Dylan Betzer and Addison and Owen Brush.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and two sisters.

Recent Obituaries: Elsie A. Jackson

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Elsie A. Jackson

Elsie A. Jackson, 89, of Lovington went home to be with the Lord 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 7, 2019.
Funeral services will be held 12:00 p.m. Monday, March 11, 2019, at the Prairie View Baptist Church, Lake City. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Monday at the Church. Burial will be in Keller Cemetery, Lovington. Memorials may be made to the Prairie View Baptist Church Mission Fund: 2423 CR 500 E Lake City, IL 61937.
Elsie was born September 21, 1929 in Norris City, the daughter of William and Clara (Forrester) Austin. She married Carl “Mike” Jackson on March 6, 1948, in Sullivan; he preceded her in death on April 26, 2014. She was a member of the Prairie View Baptist Church, she enjoyed gardening and canning. Elsie was a hard worker and was a dedicated wife, mother and grandmother.
Elsie is survived by her sons, Michael (Sherry) Jackson of La Place, David (Sharon) Jackson of Mt. Zion and Don (Kim) Jackson of Lovington. She is also survived by thirteen grandchildren and thirty-six great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one son, Gary Jackson, one daughter, Carla McGregor, one great-granddaughter, two brothers and three sisters.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com

Yost Gets New Attorney

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•March 8, 2019•

An aged and heavier Michael Yost sat alone at the defense table in Moultrie County court Thursday, March 7 as the Honorable Judge Hugh Finson appointed Walter Lookofsy to defend him.
He will return to Moultrie County Court at 3:00 p.m.Tuesday, April 2 after consulting with his new attorney.
The Illinois Appellate Court directed the Krankel hearing in Moultrie County to determine if Yost, 45, was ineffectively represented by counsel during his Sept. 2016 trial.
Judge Finson asked States Attorney Tracy Weaver about the Krankel filing in Moultrie County Court which she noted was made in 2016.
At that point a shackled Yost approached the bench, providing Judge Finson with his original Sept. 2016 Krankel filing.
In that filing, upheld by the Appellate Court on Jan 18, Yost maintained that public defender Brad Rau should not have represented him since he had previously represented murder victim Sheri Randall in a court proceeding.
Yost went on to request private counsel be appointed since his filing was based on incompetent representation by the court appointed public defender.
After Judge Finson dismissed Moultrie Co. Public Defender Marvin Hanson because had been involved in a previous case with Yost, Walter B. Lookofsy was appointed Yost’s new attorney with a 3:00 p.m. April 2 court date set to continue the Krankel hearing.
Those attending the proceedings were Randall’s family, friends and DOVE Domestic Violence counselors.
Yost was sentenced to 75 years by Circuit Judge Dan Flannell with the Illinois Dept. of Corrections in Oct. 2016 for the murder of 43 year old Sheri Randall of Sullivan.

OV Students Attend IHSA Contest

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•March 6, 2019•

Eighteen Okaw Valley band and choir students participated in the IHSA State Solo & Ensemble contest held at Millikin University. Overall, Okaw Valley students received eight first place ratings, six second place ratings and one third place.
All soloists are required to perform a musical selection as well as prepared scales and tonal skills in front of a judge. This is the highest competition available to musicians in IHSA member schools. Judges shall award Division I ratings to only those competitors manifesting the very highest level of achievement as stated in the Terms & Conditions set forth by the IHSA.
Students receiving first place ratings include Bella Benning and Kaylee Taylor vocal duet, Ethan Suarez snare drum solo, Bella Benning vocal solo, Haven Caulfield vocal solo, Clayton Bone snare drum solo, Madeline Ray piano solo, Connor Powers, Bella Benning and Shelby Hagerman trumpet trio and Kaylee Taylor vocal solo.
Second place ratings were received by Haven Caulfield and Shaukana Tipsword vocal duet, Baylee Suarez flute solo, Savannah Hagerman trombone solo, Alesia Smegal, Macie Fleshner, Calleigh Foster and Mikhayla Ward flute quartet, Connor Powers baritone solo, Shaukana Tipsword vocal solo. Third place rating was received by Caleb Hildebrandt horn solo.
Also participating were Addison Webner and Chloe Harris saxophone ensemble. Students were accompanied by Theresa Colclasure and Vicki Osman. Okaw Valley students are under the instrumental direction of Erin Bozek and vocal direction of Kathy Doty.

Local Wrestlers Punch Their Ticket & Earn a Spot at State

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•March 6, 2019•

Over the weekend, local wrestler, Lincoln Scroggins competed in the IKWF Central Sectionals. He battled his way through his sectional bracket victorious and competed in the championship bout. He placed second in Illinois Central Sectionals and will advance to the IKWF Midget State Finals March 19 and 20 at the David Palmer Arena in Danville.
Freshman Brady Foster competed in the IWCOA Sectionals in Heyworth Sunday. Foster went 2-1 for the day and placed second in the championship bout. He will compete in the state finals this Saturday and Sunday at the Bank of America Center in Springfield.

Convicted Sex Offender Seeks Early Release

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•March 6, 2019•

Clifford L. Endsley, 64, petition for recovery and discharge, was continued to 1:30 p.m. March 19, 2019.
Endsley is serving time in Big Muddy Correctional facility in Ina for a 2002 conviction in Moultrie County of sexual assault of a child and child pornography. Classified as a sexually dangerous person, Endsley enrolled in a group treatment program at Big Muddy and is requesting release from prison.
Valery Strawn, Endsley’s attorney, explained to the court before the Honorable Judge Hugh Finson that they are not asking for release outright but one that requires particles conditions with monitoring.
Special prosecutor Charles Zalar along with State’s Attorney Tracy Weaver’s case centered on psychologist Dr. Kristopher Clounch’s evaluation of Endsley.
Clounch explained Endsley’s behavioral control problems have not significantly improved, and he determined the prisoner has pedophilic disorder.
Dr. Clounch explained the risk assessment looked at 10 items related to the offense to determine risk, and he felt that Endsley would be likely to re-offend.
Dr. Leslie Cane performed a risk assessment for the defense and recommended the early release with condition options.
Closing arguments and judgement will be determined at 1:30 p.m. March 19.

Local Student Makes Dean’s List

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•March 6, 2019•

The University of Illinois at Urbana has named Sydney Hagerman to the Dean’s List for the Fall 2018 semester.
Sydney is a sophomore and is a 2017 graduate of Okaw Valley High School. She is a dance major in the college of Fine and Applied Arts. Read More