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Recent Obituaries: Benjamin Yarnell

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Benjamin Yarnell

Benjamin Troy Yarnell, 43, of Sullivan, passed away 8:37 p.m. Friday, February 15, 2019, at his home in Sullivan.
Memorial services will be held 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, February 20, 2019, at the McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan. A visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan. Memorials may be made to the National Alliance on Mental Illness “NAMI” of Effingham: P.O. Box 1726 Effingham, IL 62401 or to the donor’s choice.
Ben was born August 10, 1975 in Decatur, the son of William Roger and Sue (Wells) Yarnell. He was employed as a Captain for Spirit Airlines. He attended the Vineyard Church in Sullivan. Ben enjoyed motocross, boating, snowmobiling and golfing. He loved spending time with his family and God sent many special people to be in Ben’s life, including his very best friend Phil Dickens.
Ben is survived by his mother, Sue Yarnell of Bethany; sister, Erin (Ben) Booker of Sullivan; niece and nephews, Madalyn, Mason and Logan Booker.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents and his father.
Condolences may be made to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com

Recent Obituaries: Denny Hutchings

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Denny Hutchings

Denny Hutchings, 73, of Sullivan, passed away 6:38 p.m. Wednesday, February 13, 2019 in his residence.

Celebration of Life services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Sullivan Faith Lutheran Church with Pastors Paul McGhghy and Glenn Strohschein officiating. Visitation will be from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Friday evening at the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan. Memorials are suggested to the Sullivan Ambucs or the Moultrie County Relay for Life or the Sullivan Faith Lutheran Church. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.

Mr. Hutchings was born October 31, 1945 in Mattoon, Illinois, the son of Edward C. and Velma Wetzel Hutchings. Denny had been a Sullivan High School counselor for 30 years. He was a member of the Sullivan Faith Lutheran Church where he was a church elder, member of the Sullivan Ambucs and Big Hat Club and was Ambuc of the Year in 2018, member of the Sullivan Country Club, involved with Sullivan SPARK, sang with the Prairie Winds, member of the Moultrie County Retired Teachers Association, was Mr. Redskin in 2014 and was a Friend of Basketball for the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame for outstanding acheivement in Illinois basketball. Denny married Mary Stevens on March 5, 1967 in Mattoon and she survives.

Also surviving are his sons Kris (Misha) Hutchings of O’Fallon, MO and Nathan (Jen) Hutchings of Shreveport, LA; grandchildren Alex Hutchings, George Hutchings and Konner Hutchings; step-mother Audrey Hutchings of Mattoon; brother Gary (Pat) Hutchings of Mattoon and a sister Donna Kelley of Mattoon.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Pianist Performs at Methodist Church

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•February 14, 2019•

Dave Bratton spent the past 56 years playing piano, and at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 17 he will share his musical history at the First United Methodist Church in Sullivan.
Folks from Sullivan Methodist Church listen to Bratton play before and after the 10:30 a.m. service each Sunday, but few know the extent of his musical background.

Strong Scoring Second Half Not Enough to Take Bulldogs

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R.R. Best photo
Redskin Ian Plank drives toward the basket against St. Teresa in Sullivan Friday night.

•February 13, 2019•

By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

The Sullivan boys’ basketball team dropped three games this past week.
The Redskins lost to St. Elmo/Brownstown Saturday, St. Teresa Friday and Central A&M last Tuesday.
In the CIC/NTC Shootout against St. Elmo/Brownstown, the game was back-and-forth until the last quarter when St. Elmo/Brownstown fought off a late Sullivan run for the 59-57 win.
Caden Ellis scored a game-high 31 points, and Colin Chappel followed with 12 points.
Ian Plank scored nine, and Kanin Elder and Drew Rogers scored three and two points, respectively.
Against the Bulldogs in a Central Illinois Conference game, St. Teresa came out strong with a 16-6 first-quarter lead.
The Bulldogs tacked on three more points for a 28-17 halftime lead.
Sullivan outscored St. Teresa in the second half, but it was not enough in the 45-34 loss.
Plank and Ellis each scored 11 points, and Dom Kimberlin had five.
Dalton Rogers and Chappel recorded four and three points, respectively.
Last Tuesday, state-ranked Central A&M overpowered Sullivan 70-36.
The Raiders scored 47 first-half points and did not look back. Read More

Lovington Board Approves Sparrows Celebration

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•February 13, 2019•

In a special Lovington Village Board meeting Jan. 28, trustees approved an ordinance to borrow funds from the Public Water Supply Loan program.
In connection village board members approved increasing the minimum water rate to $16.87 as a base with a one percent annual increase taking effect January 2020.
Trustee Dennis Garmon pointed out the base water rate would be $20.79 in 20 years under the new rate increase. Trustees Garmon, Doug Smith, Brenda Wood Gary Clem and April Daily voted for the two measures. Read More

Obituaries 2-13-2019: Mary McGuire

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Mary McGuire

Mary Adair Lorenson McGuire, 96, of Lovington, passed away at 2:50 p.m. Saturday, February 9, 2019, in Mason Point in Sullivan.
Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, February 14 at McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Lovington. Burial will be in Keller Cemetery in Lovington. Read More

4th Annual Daddy Daughter Dance to Benefit The Little Theatre

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Photo furnished Last years daddy daughter dance participants.

•February 13, 2019•

Once again, the Little Theatre On The Square will hold a Daddy Daughter Dance fundraiser 6-8 p.m. Saturday, February 16. This fourth annual event is expected to be bigger and better than ever. Last year more than 250 people attended the dance which was held at Sullivan Elementary School.
“We added several new things last year that were popular, including a raffle,” said theatre board member and dance organizer Amanda Standerfer. “We love having the dance at SES because we can create spaces for the different activities and make the entire night very special.”
This year’s theme is “Magic Under the Sea,” evoking images of mermaids and underwater castles. Read More

Menus 2-13-2019

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Senior Peace Meal

For additional information or for reservations, please call 1-800-543-1770

Monday, February 18 - Beef tips in gravy, mashed potatoes, Italian green beans w/tomato, onion & bacon, whole grain wheat (1), mandarin oranges
Tuesday, February 19 - Ham and beans, pickled beets, cornbread, peaches
Wednesday, February 20 - Beef stew w/potatoes, carrots and onions, seasoned greens, biscuits, pears
Thursday, February 21 - Salisbury beef pattie, mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, dinner roll, banana bread w/cream cheese
Friday, February 22 - Pulled pork sandwich, baked beans, fruit juice, bun, scalloped pineapple

Early Voting Begins Feb. 21

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•February 13, 2019•

First day to Early Vote is February 21 and the last day to register is April 2., Moultriel County Clerk Georgia England announced.
Citizens who are not registered to vote and cannot leave their home or nursing home/assisted living facility because of a permanent physical disability may arrange for voter registration and voting by contacting the Moultrie County Clerk’s office.
The last day to register to vote before the April 2, 2019 Consolidated Election is Tuesday, March 5 with the exception of grace period registrations and transfers between March 6 through Election Day.
Anyone may register at the county clerk’s office, Moultrie County Courthouse, 10 S. Main in Sullivan from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. However, if a person is unable to come to the courthouse they may call the county clerk’s office and arrangements for registration will be made.
All polling locations in Moultrie County are accessible to the elderly and persons with disabilities. Voting aids and assistance are available, if needed, in marking the ballot. If for some reason a person is unable to go to the polls on election day, they may call the clerk’s office and arrange for a Vote by Mail ballot. The last day a Vote by Mail ballot may be mailed is Thursday, March 28. The last day to Early Vote in person at the county clerk’s office is April 1 with the exception of Grace Period Registration and Voting.
For further information concerning polling locations, Vote by Mail, Early Voting and Grace Period Registration/Voting, contact the Moultrie County Clerk’s office at 728-4389.

SCED Honors Businesses

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•February 13, 2019•

Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development recognized excellent businesses and people. Agri Fab was selected Business of the Year; CF&H Small Business of the year; VFW Community Service Organization with Jake and Melissa Haegen chosen Citizens of the Year.