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A Look Back…5-21-2025

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2015

Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond baseball had their season come to an end at home versus the Purple Riders from Arcola. The first-round regional hosts got an absolute gem from Tyler Schuring, who relieved Ross Ryan after the first inning, but it was not enough. Schuring pitched six innings without allowing an earned run while striking out nine.

Okaw Valley senior night game saw masterful play on the mound by Peyton Hagerman, who had Meridian missing the ball just about all evening long as he and his fellow teammates cruised to a 7-0 victory. One of six seniors went all seven innings.

Okaw Valley High School senior baseball players were celebrated before their contest against Meridian, which they won 7-0. Seniors celebrated were Peyton Hagerman, Tim Jones, Logan Tipsword, Devon Still, Joe Jeffers, and Jay Orris.

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Cassie Yoder and Cass Concepts win top honors

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2024 Decatur Regional Chamber Awards

Cass Concepts Management Team Left-Right: Rylan Doran, Andrea McGee, Cassie Yoder, and Amber Girard

•May 21, 2025•

The 2024 Decatur Regional Chamber of Commerce Awards, held Thursday, May 8, 2025, at the Country Club of Decatur, was a night to celebrate the individuals, businesses, and organizations that fuel progress and purpose in the region. Among the evening’s most celebrated honorees was Cassie J. Yoder, founder and owner of Cass Concepts: Marketing, Media and Events, who was awarded Entrepreneur of the Year. Her agency, celebrating its 20th year, was also named Small Business of the Year.

“To even be finalists alongside legacy businesses like Brinkoetter Realtors and Staley Credit Union was an honor,” said Yoder. “These organizations have served our community for decades, and it means so much to be recognized in such an inspiring company.”

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Through Their Eyes

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SHS Students receive Holocaust writing awards

(Left to right) SHS art teacher Lisa Bertetto; SHS senior Madison Flexser receiving her Best in Show award; Rebecca Lawson, contest director; Sarayu Papi Reddy of Next Generation School in Champaign receiving her Best in Show award with her mother Shasikala Papisetty

•May 21, 2025•

Five Sullivan High School students recently received awards as a part of the annual Through Their Eyes: A Holocaust Art and Writing Contest sponsored by the Holocaust Education Center of the Champaign-Urbana Jewish Federation.

Senior Madison Flexser tied for Best in Show for all art entries and took first place in the high school junior and senior painting and drawing division with her piece entitled “The Silent Tears from History.” Flexser’s Creator’s Statement explained her piece: “My piece is inspired by the story of Dorotka Goldstein born February 1st, 1932, in Warsaw Poland. She was saved by a German as her and her sister were sent to the gas chambers because they thought she had beautiful eyes. Her sister waved goodbye to her, so she wouldn’t go after her. Dorotka is obviously a very strong woman who survived the Holocaust.” 

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Library hosting caregiver program

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•May 21, 2025•

On Mondays, beginning June 16th through August 11th, from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m., in the Community room at the Marrowbone Public Library in Bethany, the Moultrie County Health Department, in conjunction with Family Service of Champaign County, will be providing, “Caregiver Stress Busting Dementia Program” for family caregivers. This program will have interactive, practical discussions in small groups (up to eight people) and is available at no cost to those caring for family members with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of Dementia.  

The “Stress-Busting Program” will provide attendees with stress management techniques, relaxation and coping strategies, and an opportunity to speak with other caregivers having similar experiences. This program was developed at UT Health. 

For more information or to register, call the Moultrie County Health Department at (217) 728-4114. The registration deadline is June 9th.

Lovington blood drive

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•May 21, 2025•

The Lovington First Christian Church will be sponsoring an American Red Cross Blood Drive on Thursday, May 29th, from 12:00 to 5:30 p.m. at 301 S. County St, Lovington.

Those wishing to donate can pre-register by calling Darlene Barlow at (217) 855-9397 or registering online at Blood.org with the Lovington First Christian Church site. Walk-ins are welcome.

“Cruise In” on the Square

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•May 21, 2025•

On Saturday, May 24th, the Sullivan Street Machine Association will be celebrating their 45th Memorial Weekend “Cruise In” car show on the Sullivan Square, beginning at 3:00 p.m. There will be a live DJ and a 50/50 drawing. This is a fun event; no prizes will be awarded. 

For more information, call (217) 728-7848, (217) 273-8487, or visit Facebook at facebook.com/SullivanSMA.

SBL to hold kidney screenings

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•May 14, 2025•

Sarah Bush Lincoln is teaming up with the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois to host a kidney screening event from 10 am to 2 pm on Friday, May 23, in the Lumpkin Education Center, located in Entrance C at the Health Center.

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Book Club

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•May 14, 2025•

The Windsor Storm Library book club will meet on Thursday, June 5th, in the meeting room at 6:00 p.m. Join them for tea and conversation regarding their May selection, “Wild Dark Shore” by New York Times bestselling author Charlotte McConaghy and check out a copy of their June selection, “The Book Blub for Troublesome Women” by Marie Bostwick, a New York Times bestselling author, as well.

For more information, visit their Facebook page, call (217) 459-2498, or email WindsorLibraryJess@gmail.com