25 Years Ago This Week

Connie Carlyle will retire from her position as cook at the Bethany Junior-Senior High School.  Carlyle has cooked at the school for 24 years.

Keena Baumgartner, a Sullivan alumni and U of I grad, will appear on College Jeopardy along with 14 other college students from around the country. The taping was in February, but Baumgartner was told not to talk about it until the airing of the show. Rumor has it she made more than one appearance on the show, but she has not been seen driving around in a new convertible.

Bethany High School senior Leah Matheson received one of the top scores in the  FHA  State Proficiency Event Conference in Peoria to qualify for the FHA National Event in July. Matheson competed in the Star Event-Job Interview at the state level and received the top score with an outstanding rating. Trisha McManmie and Brooke Gregory also won awards at the conference. Gregory won first place in the Total Image competition, and McManmie took second place in the Fashion Display competition. Read More

•May 23, 2018•

First Mid-Illinois Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: FMBH) (“First Mid” or the “Company”) announced today that the acquisition of First BancTrust Corporation (“First Bank”) (OTCQX:FIRT) has been completed. The acquisition represents approximately $479 million in total assets, $392 million in deposits and $370 million in loans through seven full-service banking centers in Illinois, operating as First Bank & Trust.

There are no immediate changes for First Bank customers. The conversion of accounts from First Bank to First Mid is expected to happen later this year. Customers will receive information well in advance of any changes that may affect them.

“We are very excited to expand our presence in the attractive and growing Champaign-Urbana region and to extend our footprint in the adjacent counties to the east of our headquarters,” said Joe Dively, First Mid Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “We look forward to maintaining strong relationships and involvement in these communities and the opportunity to bring expanded services to our First Bank customers.”  Read More

•May 23, 2018•

Sarah Bush Lincoln recently recognized more than 300 employees upon reaching milestone years of service to the Health System at the annual Bravo! Dedication Banquet.

SBL Regional Cancer Center nurses Bing Bennett, RN, and Gail Cook, RN, were awarded Sarah Bush Lincoln’s annual Bravo! President’s Award for going above and beyond to help people struggling with personal expenses while they are fighting cancer. The President’s Award is the highest honor an employee can receive and is part of an employee recognition program, which underscores the standards of excellence in the Health System. Nominees should demonstrate exceptional customer service, or contribute above normal job expectations, that reflect Sarah Bush Lincoln’s mission and values.

The annual recipient is selected from one of four quarterly winners chosen throughout the year and is announced at the annual Bravo! Dedication Banquet. Other quarterly President’s Award nominees included: Peg Blair, Eleni Key, RN, Natasha Deters, RN, Kelsey Wilson, RN, Blake Ferry, RN, Tami Gorman, RN, Jessica Lee, RN, Jennie Rabe, CP, Lyndsy Hunt, CP, and Mariah Ousley.

Also honored at the banquet were the following retiree’s for their years of service to Sarah Bush Lincoln: Kathy Allen, Nirmala Amin, Sheryl Artmann, Terry Bartels, Judy Brown, Jan Carpenter, Erna Doty, Donna Easterday, Richard Easton, Connie Elder, Charles Fuesting, Don Gilmore, Susan Goldstein, Charla Grafton, Trudie Hahn, Patrick Hartman, Connie Heath, Sheila Holsapple, Jeannie Hungler, Robert Jaco, Ruth Lawrence, Sally Leitch, Jennifer Markwell, Richard McDade, Gary Mikel, Sandra Miller, Deborah Newell, Sue Osborn, Marilyn Taylor and Sandy Upton. Read More