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Second Chance Gym Opens in Sullivan

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•January 16, 2019•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

Ben Booker opened his original Second Chance Gym in Arthur and has now opened a Second Chance Gym in Sullivan.
With some parts still under construction inside the former Pamida location on Hamilton Street, the gym has a huge weight training room with weights and training equipment with personal strength sessions available from Booker.
He is a well-known strength trainer, but the journey has not been as easy as it might appear.
In 1999 just before the start of his senior year in high school he broke his back in a car accident, was bedridden for two months and had to learn how to walk again.
He could no longer play his favorite sports of football and basketball, but he found the weight room. While his classmates played sports, he lifted weights.
Booker entered college but dropped out the same summer he met his wife. He was 20 years old and fighting a demon – alcoholism. He found work in his father’s business where he could focus on the work and building his own home. He continued his weight training on and off between benders but knew he always felt better when he was training. Read More

Remember When? 1-16-2019

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25 Years Ago This Week

The Moultrie County Sheriff’s Department recently received a new tool to use in the war against drugs . . . A DARE MOBILE! The 1989 Nissan truck had been seized by Illinois State Police from a cocaine dealer who had put uncountable hours and a lot of money into customizing it. Dare officer Jeff Thomas feels that it helps to reinforce the DARE message that drug dealing does not pay.
A new law took effect January 1, 1994 that if your windshield wipers are on your headlights must be on.
Six area families along the Festival of Lights Starflake Trail were recently presented with checks for $250 each after winning the Trail lighting contest. Pamela Conley was the winner in the area from Findlay to Sullivan and Lloyd Long of Lovington won the Sullivan to Arthur connection. Other winners are Forrest and Joan Herron, Leonard Beachy, The Vigoro Plant and Lloyd, Freda and Sherilyn Noll.
Sullivan Civic Center raquetball player Bev Powell of Lovington is a nationally ranked player, according to the American Amateur Raquetball Assn. Powell is the number two player in the nation in the women’s 45-plus bracket following Agatha Falso of Florida.
Moultrie County’s trainjacker, Pedro Ramirez of Chicago, pled guilty to criminal damage to property and illegal possession of cannabis. He was arrested July 29 near Cadwell when he commandeered a train and caused damaged to the switching mechanism. He was sentenced to the DOC. Read More

Quadrennial for Moultrie County

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•January 16, 2019•

According to property Tax Code (35ILCS 200/Art. 9 Div. 4 heading) all property in Moultrie County must be reviewed every four years.
The valuation of property shall be valued at 33.33% of its fair cash value. Township Assessors and the CCAO will be completing field work to obtain information needed to have accurate and fair valuation of property in Moultrie County.
This will require new photos to be taken of all property. The township assessors and CCAO may knock on residents’ doors to verify a demolition or new construction or other information needing to be corrected.
If no one is home, they will leave a door knocker giving information on how to contact them or the assessment office. The vehicles that they will be in will be marked with magnetic signs identifying who they are.
To learn more about Property Valuation and Property Taxes the Moultrie County Chief County Assessment Officer Lori Barringer, the Moultrie County Treasurer Stephanie Helmuth and Moultrie County Clerk Georgia England will have informative meetings at the following places:
9-10 a.m. Feb. 13 at Sullivan Senior Center; 6:30-7:30 p.m. Feb 26 at Bethany Firehouse; 6:30-7:30 p.m. March 5 at Lovington Church of God Life Center; 6:30-7:30 p.m. March 12 at Arthur Firehouse; 9-10 a.m. March 16 at Sullivan American Legion and 6:30-7:30 p.m. March 19 at the Sullivan VFW.
Persons with questions may contact the Moultrie County Assessment Office Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (closed on legal holidays) Phone 217-728-4951; Moultrie County Treasurer’s Office Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (closed on legal holidays) Phone: 217-728-4032; Moultrie County Clerk’s Office Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (closed on legal holidays) Phone: 217-728-4389.

Ag Center Moves Along

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Photo furnished
Ag Center Moves Along
Okaw Valley students continued to move into the ag building this past week. They built chairs and tables and moved materials from the old classroom. Two new animals joined the farm this week as well with Ethan Macklin bringing in two of his sheep who will be having babies in the next few days. 
Col. Bryan K. Sizemore, Commander of the St. Louis District for the Corps of Engineers, visited OVHS to take a look at the ag facility and discuss the Corps project.

Bakery Open House

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The Traditional Sullivan Bakery open house ribbon cutting ceremony was held January 11, 2019. Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development coordinated the 10:00 a.m. event with owners Dorrie Donnals and Steve Jankowski initiating the grand opening cut while local dignitaries and friends gathered in front of the Harrison Street bakery.

Lake Habitat Banquet at VFW

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•January 9, 2019•

Lake Shelbyville’s Fish Habitat Alliance is paying tribute to the success of improving the lake habitat with a banquet.
This first Fish Habitat Alliance banquet begins at 5:00 p.m. Saturday, feb. 23 at the Sullivan VFW.
Dinner is served at 7:00 p.m. with a choice of chicken or steak. The evening will her filled with raffles, a silent auction, Bob Lamendolla will lead the live auction, children’s items will be available, a women’s table is featured as well as much more.
The proceeds go toward continued improvements of the fish habitat at Lake Shelbyville. For more information contact Chip Christensen at 217/728-2610; Bob Kerans 217/414-0093 or Kevin Robertson at 217/343-0132. Tickets may be purchased online at: TINYURL.COM/LSFHA2019.

Obituaries 1-9-2019: Bob Doan

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Bob Doan

Bobby Gene Doan, 73, of Arthur, died at 10:21 p.m. Sunday, January 6, 2019 in OSF Sacred Heart of Mary Medical Center in Urbana.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, January 12 in Arthur United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in Cerro Gordo Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. Friday in Arthur United Methodist Church and also from 9-10 a.m. Saturday at the church. Shrader Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
He was born July 5, 1945 in El Paso, Texas, a son of Robert and Florence Green Doan. He married Arlone Albert in Oakley February 13, 1993, and she survives. Read More

Sullivan Bakery Set for Grand Reopening

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Photo by Mike Brothers
Jim Sides (right) stopped by the Traditional Sullivan Bakery to pick up some donuts for his wife, Sue, last week. Owners Dorrie Donnals and Steve Jankowski explain to Sides he will need to arrive earlier during Grand Opening Friday, Jan. 11 because the glazed donuts and maple squares are usually the first to go.

•January 9, 2019•

By Doz Baker
for the News Progress

The aroma of freshly baked goods wafted onto the Sullivan square again.
The Traditional Sullivan Bakery Grand Opening is 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Friday, January 11, and those wanting maple squares should arrive early.
“The maple squares and glazed donuts were gone by 7:30 this morning,” new owner Dorrie Donnals said after the pre-opening Jan 4.
Donnals and partner Steve Jankowski have acquired the 112 E Harrison St. bakery from Jo Beth and Jerry Risley and plan to continue serving the same bakery delights offered before.
“The Risleys have been wonderful support throughout the process,” Jankowski emphasized, noting their encouragement along with support from the community has helped.
“We haven’t changed anything on the menu,” Donnals emphasized, noting that two trays of the bakery’s signature maple squares were gone in an hour along with the fresh glazed donuts.
Although it has taken a few months to accomplish the reopening, Jankowski and Donnals had a desire to keep the bakery going as soon as the Riselys announced it was closing in 2018. Read More

Menus 1-9-2019

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Senior Peace Meal

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

Monday, January 14 - Chili mac, tossed salad w/dressing, dinner roll, warm cinnamon peaches
Tuesday, January 15 - Tyrkey pot roast w/baby carrots & celery, broccoli cauliflower bake, dinner roll, tropical fruit
Wednesday, January 16 - Chicken casserole, peas and carrots, seasoned green beans w/pimentos, whole grain wheat (1), chunky applesauce
Thursday, January 17 - Roast beef in gravy, mashed potatoes, cabbage and tomato au gratin, dinner roll, overnight fruit salad
Friday, January 18 - Ham loaf, frosted sweet potatoes, midori blend veggies, whole grain wheat (1), fresh fruit

Obituaries 1-9-2019: Jackie Moran

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Jackie Moran

Jackie Lynn Moran, 67, of Allenville passed away at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 1, 2019 at Mason Point in Sullivan.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 5 in McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Sullivan. Burial was in French Cemetery in Allenville. Read More