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Shawnee Communications makes Donation to Habitat For Humanity

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Shawnee Communications presented a $5,750 donation to Moultrie County Habitat for Humanity on Tuesday, January 17.

•January 25, 2023•

On Tuesday, January 17th, Jamie Franklin, Customer Service Manager for Shawnee Communications, presented Moultrie County Habitat for Humanity with a jump start to the new year in the form of a $5,750 donation. The donation was collected through Shawnee employee contributions, which were matched individually by Shawnee’s four shareholders and that new amount was matched by the company. On hand to receive the donation were Moultrie County Habitat for Humanity board members Roger Glazebrook, Gene Meuller, Caran DeVore, Howard Sanders, Sandy Sanders, Dee Ann Daily, Cheryl Thomas, Gary Smith, Denise Smith, Bob Vail, and Mike Aikman. Read More

Community Blood Drive

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•January 25, 2023•

Agri-Fab Inc. will host a community blood drive on Wednesday, February 8 from 9 am to 2 pm with ImpactLife, the provider of blood components for local hospitals. The blood drive will be held at 809 S. Hamilton St., inside meeting room. To donate, contact ImpactLife Urbana at (800) 747-5401 or visit www.bloodcenter.org and use code 71025 to locate the drive. Appointments are required.

Soup-er Bowl Luncheon

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•January 25, 2023•

A Soup-er Bowl Luncheon will be held on Sunday, February 12 from 10:30 am to 1 pm at the Windsor Community Center. Lunch is paid for by donation. Menu is chili, oyster soup and potato soup, hamburgers and pork burgers and desserts and drinks. The meal will support the Windsor Harvest Picnic.

Chili Cookoff

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•January 25, 2023•

The Bethany Celebration Chili Cookoff will be held on February 25 at the Bethany American Legion. Sign ins are 4:30 to 5 pm with the cookoff open to the public from 5 to 7 pm. Categories are spicy, traditional, bean, no bean and vegetarian. Entry fee is $10 per chili. Prize categories are hottest, most unique, best overall. There will be cash prizes, gift cards and more. To register e-mail bethanycelebration@gmail.com or find them on Facebook. All entry fees are due by February 20. They also invite the public to come out and sample the chili entries and vote for their favorite. 3 free samples, $5 a bowl and $1 for every additional 3 samples.

Farm Bureau Accepting Scholarship Applications

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•January 25, 2023•

The Moultrie County Farm Bureau has announced that applications are available for the Charles B. Shuman Memorial Scholarship. The $500 scholarship will be awarded to a resident of Moultrie County who is a graduating high school senior or currently enrolled in a University or Community College. The successful applicant should be of good moral character and exhibit potential for successful completion of a course of study in agriculture or related fields. In addition to academic performance, extra curricular and community involvement will also be considered in the selection process.
Applications for the scholarship may be obtained from the Moultrie County Farm Bureau office at 1102 W. Jackson St. in Sullivan or by calling the office at 217-728-4214. The application deadline is March 17, 2023.
The Charles B. Shuman Memorial Scholarship was established in 2000 by the Moultrie County Farm Bureau to honor the achievements and life of a Moultrie County farmer and Farm Bureau leader. Mr. Shuman served as President of the Moultrie County Farm Bureau from 1936-1945, and President of the Illinois Farm Bureau from 1945-1954. In 1954, he was elected as President of the two million members American Farm Bureau Federation and served in that capacity until his retirement in 1970. He passed away in October 1999 at the age of 92.

Recent Obituaries: Velda LaVerne Betzler

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Velda LaVerne Betzler

Velda LaVerne Betzler, 91, of Sullivan, passed away 12:20 a.m. Saturday, January 21, 2023, at St. Mary’s Hospital, Decatur.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 25, 2023, at the Sullivan Church of God. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the service Wednesday at the church. Burial will be in Greenhill Cemetery, Sullivan. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital: ALSAC/St. Jude Children's Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105. McMullin-Young Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements.

Velda was born on January 28, 1931, Rucker, MO; the daughter of Elmer Lou and Gertrude (Meeks) Colley. She married Darrell Betzler on June 1, 1953, in Clark, MO; he survives. Velda was a member of the Sullivan Church of God for 65 years.

She is survived by her husband, Darrell Betzler of Sullivan; sons, Steven Kent (Teresa) Betzler of Sullivan and Roger Darrell (fiancé Michelle) Betzler of Sullivan; daughter, Rose Renee (Jim) Palmer of Sullivan. Velda is also survived by 5 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, several brothers and sisters.

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

Ariana Cherry named Featured Artist of the Month by Mattoon Arts Council

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Photo submitted by Ariana R. Cherry
Ariana Cherry named Featured Artist of the
Month by Mattoon Arts Council
Local Arthur resident, Ariana R Cherry has been chosen as the Mattoon Arts Council Featured Artist of the Month. Her art will be displayed at the Cross County Mall in Mattoon from January 15 to February 15. She also sold several pieces of her art at the last Mattoon Artworks Festival (hosted by the Mattoon Arts Council) last spring in May. Ariana plans on participating again at this year’s festival to be held on May 13. Her future goal is to publish a book of short poems & stories that also include her illustrations. Ariana also sells her art online in her eBay store at https://www.ebay.com/str/fullmoonartproductions. You can learn more about the Mattoon Arts Council and its events by visiting http://www.mattoonartscouncil.org/

What Students Can do to Rebound in the Second Half of the School Year

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•January 18, 2023•
Students begin a new school year hoping to do their best in the classroom. When those hopes are overcome by academic struggles, students may need a little help to get back on track.
Students and their parents must keep in mind that no school year is derailed by a poor performance in the year’s opening months. There’s plenty of time for students to rebound, and the following are some ways for students to get back on strong academic footing.
• Make it a collective effort. Rebounding from a difficult start to the school year may require a collective effort on the part of students, their parents and educators. Concerned parents can reach out to teachers to learn where students are struggling and seek recommendations about what to do to help them rebound. Once those areas are identified, students, parents and educations can work together to devise a plan to help kids improve. Read More

Bill Guaranteeing Workers Five Days of Paid Leave Will Head to Governor

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•January 18, 2023•
One hour of time off would accrue for every 40 hours worked
By Nika Schoonover
Capitol News Illinois
nschoonover@ capitolnewsillinois.com

A bill that would guarantee a minimum of 40 hours of paid leave per year for all Illinois workers passed both chambers of the General Assembly Tuesday and will soon head to Gov. JB Pritzker, who says he will sign it.
Under Senate Bill 208, workers begin to earn paid leave on their first day at a rate of one hour of leave for every 40 hours worked, up to 40 hours of paid leave for the year. They can begin using their leave after 90 days, although an employer may allow them to use it sooner.
Once signed, the measure would take effect on January 1, 2024.
“Paid leave for all is about the dignity of work,” said Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, D-Peoria, a lead sponsor on the bill. “It’s about humanizing and honoring the realities that we know that adult workers have in our daily lives and providing a space for folks to just do what it is that we all have the luxury and are so blessed to do.” Read More

Sullivan Blue Dolphins Compete at Seth Dunscomb New Year Opener

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Sullivan Blue Dolphins Compete at Seth Dunscomb New Year Opener
by Kim Drury
Sullivan Blue Dolphins competed at the Seth Dunscomb New Year Opener meet in Decatur January 6 through 8. The group picture represents part of the 51 swimmers who competed and helped to bring home the 1st place team trophy.
Individual high point winners from the meet were:
8 & Under boys Braxton Gilbert 1st place, Bryce Badman 2nd place 
11-12 Girls Lana Cremeens 3rd place 
13-14 Girls Emily Crosier 1st place
13-14 Boys Johnathan Iacobazzi 1st place, Nathan Rafferty 2nd place 
Open Girls Deanna Clark 3rd place
Open Boys Matthew Wesselman 1st, Ethan Schmohe 2nd