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Thinking About Health States Developing Solutions To ‘Dental Deserts’ Problem

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•April 11, 2018•

By Wendell Potter,
Rural Health News Service

Access to dental care is a serious and worsening health problem in rural America. But now many states are beginning to enact legislation that could ease the pain.

The federal government says 63 million Americans live in dental deserts — areas where few if any dentists practice — and that more than half of those who live in the deserts are in rural areas.

Hundreds of counties throughout the United States have no dentist, meaning residents often have to drive long distances for dental care. https://datawarehouse.hrsa.gov/topics/shortageAreas.aspx

Nebraska is among the states with a severe shortage of dentists, at least in its rural areas. The state has designated more than half of its 93 counties as general dentistry shortage areas. In 2012, according to a study by the University of Nebraska Medical Center, 20 Nebraska counties did not have a single dentist. (https://www.unmc.edu/publichealth/chp/research/2013-access-to-oral-health-care-in-nebraska.pdf) Read More

Obituaries 4-11-2018: Bryan Agge

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Bryan Agge

SFC Bryan Paul Agge, 38, of Greenwood, Ind., formerly of Sullivan, passed away April 5, 2018, in Greenwood, Ind.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, April 13 in McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Sullivan. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Arthur Cemetery in Arthur with military rites by the Camp Atterbury Honor Guard. Read More

Moultrie Moment of the Week

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Pictured above is Dunn School students in 1946 or 1947. Front row at Dunn School front row from left: Joan Standerfer, Martha Butt, Bill Fraker, Eddie Butt, Geneva Butt, Barbara Butt. Back row from left: Oral Elder, Jim Butt, Don Harchous, Robert Fraker. Submitted by Joan Standerfer Evans. Please submit photos to the News Progress for future consideration. Originals will be saved for return or forwarded to Moultrie County Historical Society. If you have any other information, please contact the Moultrie County Historical Society at 217-728- 4085.

ALAH Students attend Leadership Meeting at EIU

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•April 11, 2018•

Eighteen students from Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond High School attended the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) Section 15 Leadership Conference February 15 at the Family Worship Center in Mattoon.

FCCLA members from nine area schools made up the nearly 130 participants in the day-long event. The theme for the meeting was “Unmask Your Potential.” Members in attendance from ALAH High School were Kassidy Bissey, Collin Budd, Adriana Burton, Kyla Carson, Janette Comstock, Hannah Cook, Madisyn Crafton, Charlotte Donkers, Shelby Frederick, Joselyn Garza, Emma Harris, Jessica Renfro, Megan Osborne, Karissa Rocke, Seirra Root, Meredith Schrock, Logan Streible, Kara Yoder and Ginger Voegel, adviser.  Read More

Recent Obituaries: Joyce Ann Welsh

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Joyce Ann Welsh

Joyce Ann Welsh, 82, of Sullivan, passed away 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 10, 2018, at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center, Mattoon.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 a.m. Monday, April 16, 2018, at the St. Columcille Catholic Church, Sullivan. Burial will be in Greenhill Cemetery, Sullivan. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Sunday, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan, with prayer services… at 6:00 p.m. Memorials may be made to St. Columcille Catholic Church in Sullivan or to Peace Meal of Moultrie County.

Joyce was born on October 26, 1935, in Lovington; the daughter of Hobart Charles and Diamond B. (Bailey) Woolen. She married Walter Richard Welsh on January 7, 1956 in Sullivan; he preceded her in death on July 16, 2012. She was a member of the St. Columcille Catholic Church, Moultrie County Home Extension and the St. Elizabeth Altar Society. She was a Girl Scout Leader and a Moultrie County Democratic Chairwoman.

She is survived by her daughters, Patricia (Dr. James) Mauck of Elkhart, IN, Victoria (Stephen) Ludwig of Sigel and Elizabeth Hubbert of Sullivan; brother, H. C. “Chuck” (Sophie) Woolen of Shelbyville; brother-in-law, Arthur Welsh of Sullivan; grandchildren, James III, Patrick, Daniel, Robert, Regina, Jonathan, Thomas and Madeleine Mauck; Ellen, Kevin (Emma), Raymond (Rachel), Kyle and Victor Ludwig; Michael and Sarah Hubbert; great-grandchildren, Serenity, Dryden, Piper, Liberty and Justice.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, son, Timothy Richard Welsh; and sister, Shirley McRill.

Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com

Recent Obituaries: Xenia Irene Morgan

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Xenia Irene Morgan

Xenia Irene Morgan, 102, of Sullivan passed away 1:25 a.m. Wednesday, April 4, 2018, at Helia Health Care, Champaign.

Funeral services will be held 1:30 p.m. Monday, April 9, 2018, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Sullivan. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the service Monday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Greenhill Cemetery, Sullivan. Memorials may be made to Transition Hospice; 12040 Raymond Court, Huntley, IL 60142.

Irene was born September 26, 1915, in Sarasota, IA, the daughter of George and Lillie (Sims) Robinson. She married Archie Clark in 1932 in Taylorville; she later married Clyde V. Morgan on November 25, 1947; he preceded her in death on December 2, 1993. She was a member of the Sullivan VFW Ladies Auxiliary, past member of the Rebekah Lodge in Bethany, served as Vice Grand and then Noble Grand. She worked at the Brown Shoe Factory, local restaurants and a cook at the local nursing homes. She loved and enjoyed spending time with her granddaughters.

She is survived by her daughter-in-law, Virginia Clark of Champaign; granddaughters, Debra (Bob) Mathis of Peoria and Marla Wilson of Champaign; great-grandsons, Jeremiah (Joy) Wilson, James Robert Mathis and Andrew Mathis; great-great-granddaughters, Magdalena Wilson and Lorelei Wilson. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, son James Archie Clark, grandson Charles Mathis, 1 sister Mary Jane Matheny, 1 brother George Thomas “Buster” Robinson, 2 half-brothers, Arthur Sims and Earl Sims, 2 half-sisters, Mabel Muraro and Thelma Robinson Sticer.

The family would like to give a special thanks to the staff at Helia Health Care for the wonderful care they gave to Irene.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com

Sullivan High School Students Conduct Research at Booth Library

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•April 4, 2018•

Students from Sullivan High School visited Booth Library on the campus of Eastern Illinois University recently.

The students were conducting research for AP English papers on debatable topics such as the death penalty, legalizing marijuana and abortion. They took a tour of the library and were given a demonstration on finding resources both on the bookshelves and through the library’s online database. Read More

Obituaries 4-4-2018: Robert Dotson 

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Robert Dotson 

Robert G. Dotson, 66, of Sullivan passed away at 10:55 p.m. March 28, 2018 in Eastview Terrace in Sullivan.

Graveside services were held at 11 a.m. Monday, April 2 in Mt. Zion General Baptist Cemetery, Coles Station. McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Sullivan handled arrangements.  Read More

First Community Bank Promotes Three

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•April 4, 2018•

Following the annual meeting of the First Community Bank of Moultrie County, Chairman E. Ray Duncan announced the following promotions: Reid Molzen has been named CEO and President.

Molzen, a 1992 Millikin graduate, has been with the bank 26 years and was previously President and Loan Officer.

In addition to receiving his B.S. in Finance from Millikin, he attended the Graduate School of Banking in Madison, Wisconsin. A lifelong Moultrie County resident, he lives in Sullivan with his wife Christy and has coached in the Sullivan School District for 16 years.

Lisa Florey has been promoted to Vice President, Compliance Officer and Trust Officer. In addition to 13 years at First Community Bank, she also has 26 years of accounting and legal experience. She is a lifelong Sullivan resident and lives in Sullivan.

Cindy Harshman has been promoted to Vice President, Loan Officer and Trust Officer. She has been with First Community Bank for 15 years and has 41 years of banking experience. A Sullivan native, she resides in rural Sullivan with her husband Keith.

Chairman Duncan also stated that one year after the merger of Hardware State Bank and First National Bank of Sullivan, First Community maintains very strong capital and profitability positions and has been named a 5 Star Bank by the Bauer Financial Rating Company.

Lovington Grade School’s Third Quarter Honor Rolls Announced

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•April 4, 2018•

Lovington Grade School’s third quarter honor rolls include the following students who earned straight As: Maxwell Allen, Quentin Day, Cassandra Diener, Reginald Edmonds, Brady Foster, Delaney Gillis, Joshua Gingerich, Gavin Mechling, Michaela Powell and Kaitlyn Zander, eighth grade and Kaci Beachy, Emma Edwards and  Josie Hale, seventh grade.  Read More