Nelda Smith
Nelda Smith, 90, of Bethany, passed away at 11:05 a.m. Saturday, March 4, 2017 in St. Mary’s Hospital, Decatur.
Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 7 in McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Bethany. Burial was in Marrowbone Township Cemetery in Bethany. Read More
•March 8, 2017•
David W. Faller has been named a partner of West & Company, LLC.
Faller is a native of Newton and a graduate of the University of Illinois. He resides in Dieterich with his spouse Pam and their children.
Faller was recently named partner-in-charge of the firm’s Accounting & Auditing Department. His duties include oversight of the firm’s quality control policies and procedures and of the firm’s adherence to professional standards. Read More
•March 8, 2017•
By Trudy Lieberman
Rural Health News Service
Over the past few months, these columns have raised plenty of questions about Medicare, present and future, and I’ve received many responses to those questions from readers. Today’s column addresses some of readers’ concerns about Medicare, a complicated program.
Q: Why do you refer to Social Security as social insurance? This continues to baffle me just as those who continually refer to SS as a handout. It’s not a handout. That money has been taken out of every one of my paychecks since I was 16. This is my money. TF
A: Social insurance is group insurance. Workers pay premiums in exchange for insurance against the loss of wages as the result of disability death, or old age. Because the government manages the insurance, and it is nearly universal, it has historically been labeled social insurance. The writer is correct. Working and paying those insurance contributions entitles him to benefits. The benefits are not a government handout. Social Security is not a welfare program.
Q: I turn 65 this August and need to learn the basics to make informed choices. Is there a website or source you recommend that would give me the basics of Medicare? PH Read More
25 Years Ago This Week
Second place state champion Lady Redskins Carinna Elder, Tiffinie French, and Sheri Adams displayed the trophy at Redbird Arena at Illinois State University.
Tom Fitzgerald of Bethany was elected director of Scott State Bank in Bethany.
Bethany football coach Kris Wheeler unexpectedly resigned during a public meeting called to determine the future of the school’s football program. A crowd of 60 gathered in the high school gym for the meeting chaired by high school principal David Nolan and athletic director Dave Benning.
Richard Hortenstine of rural Sullivan was the first to report finding morel mushrooms for the hunting season. Read More
•March 8, 2017•
Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond track and field runner Logan Hall broke his own school record in the 3,200 meter run at the Centennial Charger Invitational Saturday, March 4.
Hall knocked off 13 seconds with a time of 9:21.70 and was named as one of the 13 elite performers at the meet.
•March 8, 2017•
The American Red Cross and Sullivan Legion Post 68 will host a blood drive noon-6 p.m. March 14th at the American Legion.
Blood supplies are at a critical low level right now so every donation is important.
For every unit donated a possible three people can be helped. Those coming in and donating (or attempt to donate) will receive a $5 Amazon gift card. Walk-ins are welcome, but having an appointment ensures proper Red Cross staffing and decreases wait time.
Call Jeri Davis at 273 9456 for an appointment or go to redcrossblood.org to make an appointment.
Pictured above is The Community Industries building in Sullivan in 1946. It was the corporate office for George aka Yard-Man, Agri-Fab, Felicity Fashions and Brach Candy. The factory for Felicity Fashions was also contained in this building.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.
Photo by Jason Brown
Garret Fritz holds the ball during regional action in Bethany last month.
•March 8, 2017•
Okaw Valley junior guard Garrett Fritz made 6-of-15 shots at the sectional 3-Point Shootout in Nokomis Friday.
The six made shots were one short of qualifying for state.
Last week, Fritz was also named to the Little Okaw Valley Conference All-Star second team where he will be coached by Okaw Valley’s Brooks Inman.
The all-star game is schedule for March 25 in Cumberland.
•March 8, 2017•
President Donald Trump’s administration needs to plainly say if it intends to crack down on the medical marijuana industry in Illinois, State Treasurer Michael Frerichs said.
The administration’s comment of “greater enforcement” of laws that could close banks that have a relationship with the legal medical marijuana trade needlessly injects uncertainty into the industry. The ambiguous “greater enforcement” also could be used to shutter legal cultivators, wholesalers and retailers in Illinois. Finally, it is unclear what enforcement action could be taken against doctors who prescribe medical marijuana for patients, especially Veterans and children who struggle with seizures.
“Medical marijuana is not for everyone. If the Trump administration seeks greater enforcement, then it should clearly define what this means so hard-working people in Illinois can make informed decisions,” Frerichs said. “Vague statements undermining medical marijuana violate commonsense and only serve to hurt the people who have pursed this treatment as a last resort.” Read More
•March 8, 2017•
The Central Illinois Conference announced its girls’ basketball all-conference teams this week.
Three Sullivan players were honored. Read More