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I’m Your Vehicle, Baby

News Progress Posted on by

•August 17, 2022•
By Jim Baumann
NP Guest Writer

From the opening explosion by the horn section and Berwyn’s own Jim Peterik growling behind the microphone, you knew The Ides of March’s “Vehicle” was going to be a hit.
I did, and I was just shy of my eighth birthday when it started getting radio play in March 1970.
That song, like the friendly stranger in the black sedan who sings it, takes you anywhere you want to go. At my tender age, I read it as a cautionary tale. This was probably about the time my parents were warning me to stay away from creepy dudes in cars offering me candy.
I didn’t know a metaphor from a hole in the ground back then. Read More

Remember When? 8-17-2022

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25 Years Ago This Week

State Rep. Julie Curry and State Sen. Penny Severns received a briefing on the construction project to shore up Bethany’s collapsing streets. Deteriorating storm sewers had led to the collapse of portions of street in Bethany in the recent years at one point creating a hole as big as a car. A $1.5 million infrastructure project was planned to renovate storm sewers and streets in Bethany.
Carrell Barrett, owner of Barrett Appliance, was retiring after 33 years in business. Read More

Painting Parking Spaces 2022

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Painting Parking Spaces
The tradition of painting parking spaces in the Sullivan High School back parking lot continued on Wednesday, August 10. Pictured is Elizabeth Owens (right) and her mother Deb (left) painting her parking space.

2022 Two Story Outhouse Festival

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Childrens Activities
Annalyn Clawson enjoyed going down the inflatable slide in the children’s area at the Two Story Outhouse Festival.

Photo by Crystal Reed
Showing Off Cars
This Jeep Sahara was in the festival spirit displaying a roll of toilet paper on its antenna during the car show at the Two Story Outhouse Festival in Gays.

Photo by Crystal Reed
A 1970 Plymouth Cuda owned by Gary and Jackie Huddlestun was on display during the car show at the Two Story Outhouse Festival.

Photo by Crystal Reed
Car Show Trophies
This year’s trophies for the car show at the Two Story Outhouse Festival were made out of car parts. In addition to the car show, the festival included food and craft vendors, live music and a children’s area with pony rides and inflatables.

Photo by Crystal Reed
Outhouse Replica
A two story outhouse replica was paraded down the street on the back of a bicycle during the Johnny Loo Small Engine Parade at the Gays Two Story Outhouse Festival.

Photo by Crystal Reed
Small Engine Parade
The Outhouse Festival Committee led the Johnny Loo Small Engine Parade Saturday in Gays.

Photo by Crystal Reed
Live Music
Jake Schumacher and the Workin’ Class Heroes were one of the bands that played under a tent in Gays during the Two Story Outhouse Festival. Other bands that played were Katzmandu and Danny Shelton and the Bird Dogs

Photo by Crystal Reed
Windsor FFA Serves Breakfast
Members of the Windsor FFA served breakfast and sold spaces for Bessie Bingo during the Gays Two Story Outhouse Festival on Saturday, August 13. Members are Robbie McDaniel, Rylan Rincker, Hannah Gossard, Kloey McDaniel, Claire Sims, Rhett Rincker and advisor Hallie Horsman.

Photo by Crystal Reed
Little Miss Mattoon
2021 Little Miss Mattoon Saylor Morgan rode in a wagon behind a lawnmower during the small engine parade at the Two Story Outhouse Festival. More photos are on page 8.

ARPA Fund Applications Available

News Progress Posted on by

•August 17, 2022•
Moultrie County, along with counties and municipalities all over the country, is a recipient of funds from the American Rescue Plan Act. Moultrie County to date has received approximately $2.8 million from the US Treasury. The Moultrie County board assembled a bi-partisan ad hoc committee made up of members representing the villages and towns around the county. Read More

County Board Approves Fencing and Concrete Repairs

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•August 17, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The Moultrie County Board met on Thursday, August 11, and approved two motions in regard to fencing around courthouse electric service and concrete repairs. Chairman Billy Voyles reported there are electric panels open around the outside of the courthouse, and they want to protect any children who may be playing on the lawn at any point. A chain link fence will be installed. The approved motion was for $3,400 for fencing around the electric service.
The second motion approved was $13,450 in concrete repairs. Voyles said there are substantial repairs that need to be made to concrete outside the courthouse. Discussed but not on the agenda was the possibility of purchasing generators for the courthouse and animal control.
Rick Matthews, head of maintenance, told Voyles that Bob Lane offered to donate his time to install the generator at animal control. They were told they could apply for ARPA funds to pay for these generators. Read More

Baby Talk Car Seat Safety Checks

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Baby Talk Car Seat Safety Checks
Katrina Farris, Director of Early Childhood for Mattoon School District, speaks with Abby Elzy during a car seat safety check held in the parking lot of the First United Methodist Church last week in Sullivan. Farris and other Baby Talk representatives as well as a representative from the Moultrie County Health Department checked the installation of car seats and also had informational pamphlets regarding seat belts, booster seats and rear facing seats.

Photo by Crystal Reed
Cardboard Box Night
Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library and Moultrie County Baby Talk hosted Cardboard Box Night at the library on Tuesday, August 9. Pictured are Jack and Lisa Bertetto creating a fire breathing dragon using cardboard boxes.

EIU Spring 2022 Dean’s List

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•August 17, 2022•

Eastern Illinois University has released their Spring 2022 dean’s list. Students listed from the area include: Abigail Abercrombie and Hunter Trussell, both of Arthur; Heather Totten of Findlay; Madison Donsbach, Tate Fultz, Kara Molzen, Adalee Nichols, Alyssa Pearson and Tanner Tarr, all of Sullivan and Candice Colclasure of Windsor.

Decatur Audubon Meeting

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•August 17, 2022•

The Decatur Audubon Society invites members and other interested persons to its third summer meeting on Sunday, August 21, at 4:00 p.m. at 3402 Fitzgerald in Decatur where a long-time member of Decatur Audubon will welcome them to his three-acre property to describe and answer attendees’ questions about his solar panel installation that reduces his electrical power costs and provides environmental benefits. Bring a lawn chair. Afterward, croquet and badminton will be available for attendees. Cold drinks will be provided. In case of inclement weather, call Melody Arnold at 217-972-0587 or Rosenbergers at 217-877-4789.

Community Blood Drive

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•August 17, 2022•

Mid-State Tank will host a blood drive from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Thursday, September 1 at 1357 Jonathan Creek Road, inside a donor bus. To donate contact ImpactLife Urbana at (800) 747-5401 or visit www.bloodcenter.org and use code 71293 to locate the drive. Masks and appointments are required.