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Obituaries 6-15-2022: Mary Bell

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Mary Bell

Mary Frances Bell, 90, of Lovington, passed away Friday, June 3, 2022, at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas, Texas.
Graveside services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, June 18, at Keller Cemetery in Lovington. Memorials may be made to Sparrows Unlimited, Lovington, or to First Christian Church in Lovington. McMullin-Young Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
The love of her life was Donald Leslie Bell. They were married November 21, 1954, and he preceded her in death September 13, 2008. Read More

Capital Recap: Bailey Surging in latest GOP Primary Poll

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•June 15, 2022•
By Capital News Illinois

A new poll from the Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago radio station WBEZ shows downstate state Sen. Darren Bailey with a 15-point lead on Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin in the GOP governor race, a major reversal with 18 days to go before polls close on Tuesday, June 28.
Irvin’s campaign had earlier in the week pulled its downstate advertising and noted it was “reassessing” its strategy in the final stretch. His campaign is still advertising in the Chicago area as well as maintaining a statewide spot on Fox News Channel, according to a spokesperson.
At a news conference in Bloomington that he called to discuss public safety, Irvin downplayed the poll as a “snapshot in time.”
“We got two and a half weeks left,” he said. “You know, polls will change daily, but as I as I said, we’re going to continue to send out our message.” Read More

City Council Approves Change in Electric Rates

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•June 15, 2022•
The Sullivan City Council approved an increase of 4% in electric rates during Monday night’s meeting. This will go into effect on June utility bills. In previous meetings the water and sewer and gas rates have had rate increases approved.
Assistant Police Chief Josh Qualls attributed the quick resolution of the shooting investigation from last Friday to several law enforcement officers, Sullivan Police Chief Andy Pistorius and the Illinois State Police.
Dan Flannell urged the council to table the five-year employment contract with the Linemen of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Local 51. He said that the problem, from his perspective, is in article 1 on the first page which states that the only people covered by the contract are journeymen lineman and apprentice journeyman lineman. Flannell feels that the person listed is a groundsman and is not in the bargaining unit. Read More

Moultrie Moment of the Week

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Pictured above is The Sullivan Boys Band in 1916. It was formed by Fred Blacker, who operated the Globe Theater, and Lewie David. They practiced at the theatre after the show was out until 2:00 a.m. The upstairs renters complained of the noise so they moved out to the west end RR’s to practice on Sundays. They eventually moved to some upstairs rooms on the south side of the square. John Lucas, a mail carrier, played the clarinet and he volunteered to train and direct the band. His assistants were Sam Hall and Frank Warren. They were able to acquire suits and held summer concerts starting May 1916.
Front row: Charles Ireland, Royal Eden, Harry Harsh, Wade Bland, Bert McCune, Dewey Woolen, Romaine Harshman & Bo Wood. Middle: Shelby Moore, Lloyd Lindsay, Sam Hall, Fred Blacker, Dewey Clark, Ben Burnstein, Earl Clark, Denzil Dunscomb, Kenneth Roughton, Hershel Harshman, Frank Drew, Rov Light & John Lucas.
3rd row: Vic Landers, Miles Dolan, John McClure, Guy Taylor, Lowell & Hershel Patterson, Otis Poland & Harold Roney. 4th row: Lewie David, Mr. Watkins, Red Harsh, Lloyd Hancock & Frank Warren. Please submit photos to the News Progress for future consideration. Originals will be saved for return or forwarded to Moultrie County Historical Society. If you have any other information, please contact the Moultrie County Historical Society at 217-728- 4085.

On numbers and ‘over’ overkill

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•June 15, 2022•
By Jim Baumann
NP Guest Writer

On Facebook, where good grammar goes to die, I found the following solicitation to rock memorabilia collectors: “With over 817+ backstage passes from epic concert tours of the past ...”
That same day I received news of a study from someone in the U.K. that carried the subject line: “Over 3,499 citizens have fallen victim to elder fraud in Illinois since 2021.”
If you know me, you’ve probably already guessed what I’m about to say. If that’s the case, then I’m satisfied I’m not just screaming into the ether. Read More

Remember When? 6-15-2022

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25 Years Ago This Week

The government of the state of Illinois recognized the history of The Little Theatre On The Square through a Senate resolution. State Senator Penny Severns read a copy of the resolution and presented it to Leonard A. Anderson, executive director of The Little Theatre On The Square. Read More

The Rural Patriot and “Philly” To Make Debut at Arthur Fireworks June 25

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•June 15, 2022•
The horse, named Philadelphia or Philly for short, will mark the first time a filly will be ridden during the show. She was named after the city of Philadelphia where the signing of the Declaration of Independence took place on July 4, 1776.
It was with great sorrow last year that the Rural Patriot Marty Miller announced several days before the fireworks show that his long-time horse and riding companion Snip had passed away. With no time to prepare a new horse for the show, Miller brought Snip’s saddle, placed it on the ground and placed the American flag into the saddle during the time of the show when he and Snip would traditionally make their ride across the field in front of the Niagara Falls. Read More

SMS Teacher Receives Excellence Award

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•June 15, 2022•
Tacos. 80s music. Big Hair. Big heart.
If you’ve been a Sullivan Middle School student or had a kid at SMS recently, chances are you know what teacher is associated with those words.
Deena Lee, who many people associate these words with as well as the positive impact she has on many students, recently received the Recognition of Excellence Award from the Regional Office of Education #11.
According to the ROE #11 website, the award recognizes teachers who have “modeled excellence in education” and who are “exceptionally skillful and dedicated individuals who have the respect and admiration of students, parents, and co-workers.”
Those selected “also play active and useful roles within their communities as well as schools; often distinguishing themselves as leaders. Their most important quality is their superior ability to inspire a love of learning in students of all backgrounds and abilities.” Read More

Sullivan Schools Ballot Referendum Up for Vote on June 28

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•June 15, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The primary election is coming up on Tuesday, June 28, and there will be a referendum for the Sullivan School District on the ballot. The ballot wording asks voters about issuing bonds in the amount of $25,000,000. The total cost is estimated around $27 million; however, $2 million will come from existing fund balances.
The tax rate impact would raise the school tax rate from approximately 4.19 to approximately 4.37. For a home valued at $100,000, this would result in a property tax increase of about $5 per month. Read More

Smyser Church VBS

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•June 15, 2022•

Smyser Christian Church invites children to Make Waves VBS. Make Waves VBS will kickoff with a pool party at Lytle Pool in Mattoon on June 26 at 8:00pm. VBS will continue at Smyser Christian Church from June 27 to June 29 from 6-8p each night. Make Waves VBS is for kids age Pre-K through 4th grade.
You can register your child at smysercc.com/vbs or at the pool party on June 26.