Joyce Shiner
Joyce Shasteen Shiner of Chipita Park, Colorado passed at her home on December 10, 2022 with her 3 children, Sheryl, Diane, and James at her bedside. Joyce was born in1927 and grew up in Sullivan. Her parents were Carl and Goldie Shasteen. She was preceded in death by her husband, Alfred Shiner. She is survived by 4 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.
Don Norris
Don Norris, a beloved husband, father, papa, brother, uncle, and friend passed away peacefully in the presence of loved ones on Friday December 9, 2022. Read More
•December 21, 2022•
By Jim Baumann
NP Guest Writer
Tom Peterson read our story about a former Buffalo Grove middle school teacher charged with sexual assault who removed his ankle bracelet and is in the wind.
At the end of the story, we say his next court hearing will be held whether he is there or not. We wrote, “The next hearing in Gibori’s case is Jan. 4 irrespective of whether he is found.”
“Deep into this story I found the word ‘irrespective.’ Don’t see that one too much these days. Wouldn’t ‘regardless’ be better?”
I must admit I’d never given much thought about “regardless” versus “irrespective.”
I found a lot of quibbling debate about subtle differences depending on which part of speech you’re using them for, but in common parlance people use them interchangeably.
Linguist Bryan A. Garner says so, and I am a fan of his logic. Read More
25 Years Ago This Week
Ruby Fleshner of Bethany won the $100 first prize in the Bethany holiday lighting contest. Names of winners were chosen at randow from among those registered by NewsProgress Managing Editor Dan Hagen at the Bethany Village Hall. Winning the two second prizes were Roger Ozee and Brett Smock. Winning the eight $25 third prizes were Keith Richardson, Tom Marshall, H.O. Dick Transfer, Mary Tueth, Robert Jackson, Jim Underwood, Don Johnson and Leroy Powell. Read More
Photo by Crystal Reed
Santa and Mrs. Claus
Daniel Cisney, Indie Rose Harminson and River Helmuth spent time with Santa during the Santa Picture Bingo and Breakfast at the Sullivan American Legion.
Photo by Crystal Reed
Newly Organized Moultrie County Board
The newly organized Moultrie County Board met for the December monthly meeting on Thursday, December 15 at 7 pm. Board members are (front row): Josh Roe. Billy Voyles, Marsha Kirby. Back row (left to right): Scott Buxton, Aaron Wilhelm, Kenny Graven, Tyler Graven, Travis Phelps and John Vander Burgh.
•December 21, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
The Moultrie County Board held their monthly meeting Thursday, December 15, with all board members present.
Moultrie County Sheriff Gary Carroll reported on HB 5855 “Protect Illinois Communities Act.” The state is in discussion on a bill that would make assault weapons, semi-automatics and magazines that hold more than 10 illegal. Owners would be required to register those weapons or magazines with the Illinois State Police within 80 and 300 days after the final passage of the bill. A $25 fee will also be assessed. It also raises the age of legal gun ownership from 18 to 21.
Iroquois County has passed a resolution supporting the second amendment and citizens’ rights to own and bear arms. Carroll told the board he supports what Iroquois County has done. “I think every citizen should be able to own firearms of their choosing for hunting, sport or collecting,” he said. “I don’t support the registering of firearms for varied reasons.” Board chair Billy Voyles related that he will continue to press on to come up with a resolution for Moultrie County. Read More
Photo by Crystal Reed
A quilting display in the museum space at the Moultrie County Genealogical Society Library and Museum. Volunteers are currently working on setting up exhibits among other tasks.
•December 21, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
The Moultrie County Historical and Genealogical Society recently received the news that they are a recipient of a Foreground Rural Initiative Grant in the amount of $10,000. The society is one of 27 partners who are receiving funding and resources through the new Illinois Humanities Foreground Rural Initiative. Partners are located across 19 counties in Illinois.
Gallery 510 Art and Framing, an Illinois art gallery in Macon County, is also an organization that is receiving one of the grants. According to a press release, grantee partners will participate in skill and resource sharing programs. Illinois Humanities will also partner with grantees on the co-creation of place-based “hubs” that will host community events in 2023 in the regions where they are located.
According to Fairouz AbuGhazaleh, director of statewide programs at Illinois Humanities, the initiative is for small and rural towns and are given to organizations and individuals to give them a platform to share their stories and successes. The program is a three-year initiative. AbuGhazaleh said they were surprised to receive double the amount of grant applications. Read More
•December 21, 2022•
Don’t let your Christmas tree go to waste this year after the holidays. Extend your tree’s life by donating it for Fish Habitat Improvement Day at Lake Shelbyville. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources will place discarded trees into Lake Shelbyville to enhance the fisheries for years to come. Donated Christmas trees are bundled together in small groups and submerged in the lake at select locations. These structures provide fish with breeding areas and escape cover, proving invaluable to not only the fisheries but to anglers as well. New trees are added to sites each year to maintain suitable cover.
Trees will be collected in Shelbyville and Sullivan again this year. In Sullivan, trees can be taken to the Sullivan 66 Gas Station, located south of Sullivan on route 32. Trees can be dropped off inside the fenced area on the north side of the building.
In Shelbyville, the designated collection site is at Johnstowne Mall on the west side of Shelbyville. Please place trees inside the fenced area on the grass at the northwest corner of the parking area. Trees will be collected at both sites through February 20, 2023. Before delivering your tree please remove the stand, tinsel and any ornaments. If you have placed a plastic bag on your tree, remove it before leaving the tree. Please do not leave any other kind of tree trimmings, wreaths, flowers or yard waste at the sites. For more information on this fish habitat project, contact Cory Donnel at (217) 774-3951, ext 7001.
•December 21, 2022•
Colten Lash, of Bethany, has been named to the Honor Roll at Bethel University. To qualify for the Honor Roll, undergraduates must have completed 12 or more hours of academic work with an average GPA of 3.7 or above and no grade lower than a “C.”
•December 21, 2022•
Keegan Rhodes, from Mattoon, was named to the Milwaukee School of Engineering’s Dean’s List for the 2022 Fall Quarter. Rhodes is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science.
Undergraduate students who have earned at least 30 credits and have a cumulative GPA of 3.20 or higher (out of 4.0) are on the Dean’s List. Students who have maintained a 3.70 or higher receive “high honors.”