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Thinking About Health: Government Tries Yet Again to Regulate Tobacco Products

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•December 5, 2018•

By Trudy Lieberman,
Rural Health News Service

The Food and Drug Administration just announced it would once again try to regulate tobacco products.
This time the target of the agency’s regulatory hand is the growing menace of flavored e-cigarettes and other tobacco products used by young people who’ve turned to vaping and smoking. The FDA said about 3.6 million teens under age 18 admit they use e-cigarettes.
That’s an alarming number, and it is worrisome because FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb has noted that almost all smokers started when they were kids. At their core, the FDA’s proposals are aimed at keeping minors from smoking today so they don’t become smokers tomorrow.
The FDA has taken two actions to curtail young customers’ appetites for the market’s new tobacco products. It did not issue an outright ban on e-cigarettes that had been widely expected and hoped for by some anti-tobacco advocates. Instead, the agency said stores could continue to sell e-cigarettes, but only from closed-off areas that would not be accessible to minors. Whether this will keep teens from getting their hands on e-cigarettes is anyone’s guess. Read More

Jeremy Richey Sworn as Resident Judge

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Jeremy Richey Sworn as Resident Judge
Jeremy Richey was sworn in as Moultrie County resident judge for the sixth circuit during ceremonies at the Moultrie County Courthouse Thursday, Nov. 29.
Chief Judge of the Sixth Circuit the Honorable Richard L. Broch of Douglas County presided over a courtroom filled with family, friends and colleagues of the former State’s Attorney of Moultrie County. Judge Broch noted that in his new role Judge Richey must prepare each case keeping in mind that every case is the most important case to the person involved.
The Honorable Judge Hugh Finson of Piatt County administered Richey’s oath. After his swearing in, the Honorable Judge Richey thanked his family, and those attending the ceremony. A reception was held in Courtroom B for those attending. Above, Richey’s wife Cassie helps with his robe.

SES Delivers Pie in the Face

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SES Delivers Pie in the Face
The Sullivan Middle School and Sullivan Elementary School’s Day of Giving drive results have SES students winning, and the prize is a pie in the face for SMS principal Nathan Ogle by SES principal Dan Allen. Sullivan Elementary School collected a total of 904 items and $1010.37 through the tremendous effort of the students and the community.
Businesses that assisted are IGA, Ace Hardware, Sullivan Eyecare, Oakwood Apothecary, Cathrine’s and 5 West Coffee Lounge. Organizations that helped in the drive include First United Methodist Church and MOMS group, Vineyard Church, Lion’s Club, and Alpha Delta Kappa Sorority. All of the food collected and money donated went directly to the local food bank.
For more information on how to assist or donate contact Pastor Dave Dolan at 217-728-4200.

Recent Obituaries: Fred Urbanski

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Fred Urbanski

Fred Urbanski, 73, of Sullivan passed away at 4:40 a.m. Friday November 30, 2018 in his residence.
Mass of Christan Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday in the St. Columcille Catholic Church, Sullivan with FR John Titus, Celebrant. Visitation will be 9 - 9:45 a.m. Tuesday in the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan. Rite of Committal and Burial will be in the Greenhill Cemetery, Sullivan. Memorials are suggested to the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. View complete obituary and send online condolences to reedfuneralhome.net.
Fred was born November 19, 1945 in East Chicago, Indiana, the son of Edward S. and Viola Olszewski Urbanski. He had worked for the Boys and Girls Club for many years in Indiana, Michigan and Minnesota. He later was a Pepperidge Farm distributor for ten years and was currently working for the Sullivan IGA for the past nine years. He married Sandy Bates on November 11, 1983 in Crown Point, Indiana.
Surviving are his wife Sandy of Sullivan; daughter Darleen (Glenn) Drake of Arcola; son Doug Urbanski and his partner Samantha Sauer of Jacksonville; sister Sylvia Vucich of Munster, Indiana; brothers Ed (Dody) Urbanski Crown Point, Indiana, Jerry (Dale) Urbanski of Florida and a granddaughter Rory Drake of Arcola.
He was preceded in death by his parents.

Recent Obituaries: W. Melvin Reynolds

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W. Melvin Reynolds

W. Melvin Reynolds, age 84, of Allenville, went to be God at 4:40 a.m. Thursday, November 29, 2018. He was home surrounded by his family while they said their farewells through tears of sorrow and grief.

Celebration of Life services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Reed Funeral Home with Pastor Dave Dolan officiating. Burial will be in French Cemetery, Allenville. Visitation will be one hour before the funeral. Memorials are suggested to the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.

Melvin, as he’s well known, was born on Sunday April 1, 1934 to Luther and Bernice (Malone) Reynolds in Shelby County, Illinois. On Friday November 20, 1953 Melvin married the love of his life Zelma Louise Colclasure. They were married 65 wonderful years.

Melvin lived a simple and humble life. He was a member of the Grant Street Church of Jesus Christ in Sullivan. His life revolved around his wife and family. He never knew the meaning of the word stranger, everyone he met was a friend. He loved playing music, singing, and dancing with his wife. He also enjoyed visiting with friends and loved spending time with family.

Melvin had many positions in life. He was the mayor of Allenville, a deputy sheriff, a mechanic, and a pipefitter. But the positions that he excelled in were being a devoted Christian, husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He was the kind of man his sons want to be and his daughter wanted to marry. He taught his family the true meaning of love and he will forever be loved and missed.

Survivors include his wife Zelma Reynolds, daughter Connie Moutria of Findlay, son Steven (Brenda) Reynolds of Stewardson, son Melvin (Amy) Reynolds of Allenville, sister Maxine (Donald) Henwood of Arizona, eight grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren and his dog Ellie Mae.

He was preceded in death by his daughter Carla Reynolds, parents Luther and Bernice Reynolds, and brothers Donald and Carroll Reynolds.

Sullivan Purchases New Water Meters, Discusses Residency On The Square

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•November 28, 2018•

By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress

The Sullivan City Council discussed and voted to waive formal bidding for new water meter purchases. The old meters have moving parts and are seven to eight years old with a life expectancy of 10. A sensor is needed to update the current ones. A decision needed to be made whether to add the censors or to buy new water meters.
The new water meters without moving parts have a longer life expectancy—up to 20 years. After discussion, commissioners waived the formal bidding process and purchased new water meters from Midwest Badger for $232,300.
Laurrie Minor and Michelle Hauser of Sullivan Community & Economic Development spoke about concerns regarding some of the business space in the downtown square area. Currently, there are two personal “home residences” in the business district. One space, Hoodies Goodies, was a business prior to becoming a residence. Read More

Barbershop Chorus Christmas Benefit

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•November 28, 2018•

The Coles County Barbershop Chorus will perform their 40th Annual Christmas Benefit Concerts Sunday, December 2. The 3 p.m. performance will be held at the Wesley United Methodist Church at 2206 S. 4th St. in Charleston while the 7 p.m. program will take place at the First Presbyterian Church at 10 Charleston Ave in Mattoon…just west of Big Lots.
There is no admission charge; however, a free will offering will be taken. Each year every penny is donated to area Food Pantry and Homeless Shelter programs with more than $8,000 collected annually. The 30 man chorus will be joined by five local quartets in the one hour program.
The singers come from 15 area communities and both secular and sacred songs will be sung. The churches have adequate parking and are wheel chair accessible.

With Alzheimer’s Disease Early Detection Matters

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•November 28, 2018•

By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress

“Early detection matters! That is the most important phrase to remember when it comes to Alzheimer’s Disease.” Elizabeth Hagemann, Manager of Education and Outreach for the Alzheimer’s Association, Illinois chapter, stressed this point at the November 15 Caring Conversations Series dinner held at the Best Western Hotel Plus in Arcola.
Her presentation, “Forget Me Not: Conversations About the Stages of Dementia and Alzheimer’s” focused on many informative details about the disease and those who have already been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. An estimated 5.7 million Americans are living with the disease and by the year 2050, the number is projected to rise to 14 million. Every 65 seconds someone in the United States develops Alzheimer’s (http://www.alz.org). Read More

Appreciation Plaque

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Photo by Mike Brothers
Appreciation Plaque
Moultrie County Board Chairman presented outgoing Democrat county board member Gary Smith of Lovington with an Appreciation Plaque for his years of service. Smith was the only Democrat on the board which is all Republican following the November election.

One Book One Sullivan Presents: The Running Dream

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Sullivan Rotary Club donates the total operation costs for One Book One Sullivan, allowing everyone in the community to join the reading program directed by Sullivan Middle School students.

•November 28, 2018•

One Book One Sullivan is excited to present The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Drannen as the 2018-2019 book choice.
Sullivan Middle School students worked diligently to choose the book that would best match interests of middle school through adult readers.
According to Penguin Random House’s website, when Jessica is told she’ll never run again, she puts herself back together—and learns to dream bigger than ever before. The acclaimed author of Flipped delivers a powerful and healing story.
Jessica thinks her life is over when she loses a leg in a car accident. She’s not comforted by the news that she’ll be able to walk with the help of a prosthetic leg. Who cares about walking when you live to run? Read More