•February 19, 2025•
by Sharon Barricklow
The Moultrie County Board heard a report on public transportation, an update on a child care plan and dispatched several measures during a 31 minute meeting Thursday night.
The board learned that Central Illinois Public Transit had provided 747 rides for citizens in the last year. Manager John Althoff said CIPT had traveled more than 22,000 miles for Moultrie County residents.
Read More•February 19, 2025•
by Sharon Barricklow
The Sullivan City Council and the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police announced they had reached an agreement for a new, four year contract, at the city council meeting on February 10.
Mayor Mike Mossman said the negotiations included an eight and a half percent raise including a separate check for difference dating back to the expiration of the previous contract in May. “I think it’s a fair contract,” Mossman said.
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•February 19, 2025•
The next meeting of the Moultrie County Historical Society will be held February 20 at 7:00 p.m. at the History Center, 1303 South Hamilton, Sullivan, Illinois. The featured speaker will be Rikki Ray, a Sullivan native, discussing the One Book One Sullivan program.
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•February 19, 2025•
SHS freshman River Polley, his parents Brenda and Jason Polley, and retired SHS English teacher Becky Lawson recently learned that their entry won first place in the “essay with photograph” division of the 2024 Rachel Carson Intergenerational Sense of Wonder/Sense of the Wild Contest.
An email from Ling Tan, an associate with the Rachel Carson Landmark Alliance, included a judge’s statement about their entry, “The Calling of the Rivers.”
Read More•February 19, 2025•
Mediacom Communications is offering $60,000 in scholarship support for high school seniors who plan to obtain further education. The scholarship program is in its 24th consecutive year and Mediacom’s investment will award $1,000 World Class Scholarships to 60 high school seniors.
Starting in the fall of 2025, scholarship recipients have the flexibility to use the financial awards to support post-secondary college costs or vocational training from an accredited institution. Award selection is based on academic achievement and leadership accomplishments.
This year, Mediacom’s World Class Scholarship application process has fully transitioned online: mediacomworldclass.com. Applications, including recommendation letters and high school transcripts, will now be submitted online. Information has been sent to all high schools in areas where Mediacom delivers its high-speed internet services. High school officials are asked to encourage seniors to submit online applications before the March 14, 2025 deadline.
“Our corporate philosophy extends beyond business success - we’re dedicated to nurturing the potential of young minds, believing that investing in student development is an investment in our collective future,” said Tapan Dandnaik, Mediacom’s SVP of Operations, Product Strategy and Consumer Experience.
Applicants do not have to be Mediacom customers but must live in the 22-state area served by Mediacom’s fiber-rich broadband network. The online application includes a complete list of communities in Mediacom service areas. Inquiries may be sent to scholarship@mediacomcc.com.
•February 19, 2025•
The Arthur Public Library will present “Communicating With Those Who Have Dementia”, hosted by Cheri Burcham and the University of Illinois Extension, on March 1st at 1:00. Come and learn about communication problems caused by Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, and strategies for better interactions and visits. You do not need to live in Arthur to participate but as seating is limited, call the Arthur Public Library at (217) 543-2037 to reserve your seat.
•February 19, 2025•
Applications are now available for the 2025 Irrevocable Scholarship Program available through the Sullivan American Legion Post 68. The one year $1,500 (four year, annually renewable) scholarship is for high school seniors who will be graduating from public high schools in Moultrie County and high school seniors that are descendants of members in good standing of the Sullivan Post 68.
The application packet is available from high school counselors at Okaw Valley High School in Bethany and the Sullivan High School. Students may also contact the Sullivan American Legion at (217) 728-4612 or Michael Keown, Secretary Irrevocable Scholarship Trust, (217) 855-1949 to request that an application be mailed or forwarded to them.
Ronald James Fortner
Ronald James Fortner, 85, of Tower Hill, formerly of Sullivan, passed away on Friday, February 14, 2025, at his home in Shelbyville, surrounded by his loved ones.
Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Sullivan. Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at the Southern Baptist Church in Sullivan, with Pastor Don Lusk officiating. The family requests casual attire. Memorials may be made to the Moultrie County Beacon.
Ronald and Donald were born November 19, 1939, to Archie and Luella (Ramseyer) Fortner of Decatur. They later moved to Kirksville where Ron graduated from Sullivan High School in the Class of 1958. He married Sondra Hunter in 1959 in Sullivan. Ron was a mechanic at a few places before going to work at Caterpillar in Decatur. They had 3 children, Jim, Lori and Debbie. They moved to Tower Hill in 1974 where they raised their family for 50 years. He was a mechanic part time, teaching his son to work on cars. Ron retired from Caterpillar after 30 years. He and Sandy worked for the Corp. of Engineers as gate attendants at campgrounds on Lake Shelbyville. He loved camping, fishing, family and mushroom hunting. They also volunteered for the disaster relief crew at their church; Sullivan Southern Baptist Church. They became winter Texans until his health stopped them from going. They traveled and enjoyed life visiting 48 of the 50 States. Ron had a great life, helped anyone and everyone loved him.
He is survived by his wife, Sandy; daughter, Lori Steers of Shelbyville, Debbie Lape and friend Kent of Pana; daughter-in-law, Haydie Fortner and friend Ryan of Tower Hill; grandchildren, Erika Oktayana and friend John of Shelbyville, Amber Erwin of Boody, Brett Smith and friend Holley of Indianapolis, IN, Sara Kirkpatrick and friend Brad of Mattoon, Sadie Fortner of Shelbyville, Braxton Lape of Mattoon, Xander Strohl of Shelbyville, and Andrea Fortner and friend Chase of Tower Hill; great-grandchildren, Reyna, Ronnie, Elliote Grace, Sawyer Ann, Evelyn, Teddy, Carson, Brantlee and Charlotte; sister, Janet Becker of Moweaqua; very special friends, Randy Smith and Jimmy Strohl.
Ron was preceded in death by his parents, 3 brothers 1 being his twin brother, his son James Fortner, son-in-law Gene Steers and great-grandson Owen Sims.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com
•February 12, 2025•
The City of Monticello and Make it Monticello Tourism have announced the 11th Piatt County Antique Day on Saturday, March 1st, from 9am-4pm. The event, which began in 2013, is a way to spotlight the antique shops in some of the smallest communities (ex. Cisco, pop. 238) in one of the most rural counties in central Illinois. Visitors can traverse through Piatt County and dispel the cabin fever blues, while exploring these hidden gems in 4 rural Piatt County communities. With a record number of 13 stores participating, there is plenty to see and participants are encouraged to make a day out of it, with some shopping and dining too! Each stop has its own specialty and visitors are sure to enjoy the experience.
Read MoreSubmitted by Jenny Lee
The 15th Annual Spring into Gardening Conference on Saturday, March 1st, invites gardening enthusiasts and beginners alike to enjoy a day filled with expert advice, creative ideas, and hands-on guidance. The conference, hosted at Wesley United Methodist Church in Charleston, will feature Amanda Thomsen, renowned horticulturist, garden designer, author, and owner of Aster Gardens, as the keynote speaker. Doors open at 8:00 am, with welcoming announcements at 8:30 am.
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