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Moultrie Moment of the Week

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Pictured above is White & Ingram Law Office in Sullivan in 1967. It is now a vacant lot across from the Heritage Center. This old house had a long history starting shortly after the Civil War. It was known as the Birchfield Hotel & Boarding House then. 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.

Lovington Board Sets Easter Egg Hunt

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•March 13, 2019•

Lovington Village Board met Feb 11 in regular session and Feb. 21 for a special board meeting.
At the 6 p.m. special meeting president Roger Walker and trustees Doug Smith, Brenda Wood, Pam Anklam, Dennis Garmon, Gary Clem and clerk Alma Fair attended.
Following a one hour executive session, Anklam made a motion to lay off one full time city employee, citing lack of work and budgetary concerns. Vote was unanimous. Read More

Superintendent-Y Stuff: A Walk with Mr. Walk

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•March 13, 2019•

By Ted Walk
Supt. Sullivan CUSD #300

Sullivan High School has recently enjoyed several successes in the area of academic contests.
Our scholastic bowl team placed 2nd in the Central Illinois Conference this year. They also won the Scholastic Bowl Regional Competition and advanced to the Sectional contest. Read More

Obituaries 3-13-2019: Hal Harshman

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Hal Harshman

Hal R. Harshman, 85, of Sullivan, passed away at 1:44 p.m. Monday March 4, 2019 in Aspen Creek in Sullivan.
Celebration of Life services were at 11 a.m. Sunday in Elim Springs Church of Jesus Christ with Vanessa Patient and Brigham Hagerman officiating. Reed Funeral Home in Sullivan handled arrangements. Burial was in Greenhill Cemetery in Sullivan. Read More

Mobile Home Tax Bills Mailed in March

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•March 13, 2019•

Moultrie County 2019 Mobile Home Privilege Tax bills will be mailed March 15 and are due May 15, 2019. Taxes may be mailed to Moultrie County Collector, 10 South Main, Suite 10, Sullivan, IL 61951.
Taxes may also be paid at all Moultrie County Banks: Scott State Bank Bethany/Dalton City/Sullivan, State Bank of Arthur a Division of Morton Community Bank, Arthur Community Bank, First National Bank of Arthur, First Community Bank of Moultrie County in Sullivan and Lovington and First Mid-Illinois Bank Sullivan. Read More

Five from Sullivan All-Conference CIC

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•March 13, 2019•

The Central Illinois Conference announced its girls’ 2018-19 all-conference teams last week.
Sullivan packed the teams with five players, more than any other team in the CIC.
Senior Esther Miller was a unanimous choice for all-conference first team honors. Read More

Obituaries 3-13-2019: Chester Betzer

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Chester Betzer

Chester R. Betzer, 82, of Sullivan, passed away at 3:16 p.m. Thursday, March 7, 2019 in Decatur Memorial Hospital.
Celebration of Life Services were at 11 a.m. Monday in Reed Funeral Home with Pastor Marge Overlot officiating. Burial will be at a later date. Read More

Community Discusses OBO’s The Running Dream

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Photo by Mike Brothers
Sullivan middle school student Claire Welch (left) listens as One Book One Sullivan leader Callie Standerfer questions participants who gathered at the First United Methodist Church about The Running Dream by Wendelin VanDraanen.

•March 13, 2019•

The Running Dream discussion drew more than 100 people to the First United Methodist Church in Sullivan March 7.
The latest One Book One Sullivan read by Wendelin VanDraanen was chosen from a list of second place books from previous years, OBOS coordinator Rikki Ray explained.
During the summer selection process 29 students with five staff members comprise the Rebecca Caudill Young Readers Book Award Steering Committee when 20 books are reviewed and discussed to determine the best one for students and community.
“We had some members who were very passionate about their books,” Ray said, noting the inclusion of fifth graders into the middle school readership forced some of the more graphic selections aside this year.
As the selection process narrowed the book choices, she noted there were times students would be grasping each others hands wrought with emotion over whether their book would make the list. Read More

Meet the Candidate Night

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•March 13, 2019•

The Arthur Education Association and the Arthur Area Association of Commerce will host a “Meet the Candidate” night for those running for the village board and school board.
The purpose of this event is to help voters get to know the candidates. It is scheduled for 6:30-8:30 p.m.Thursday, March 21 at the Arthur Community Center located at 120 E. Progress Street.
Each candidate will introduce themselves and share why they are running for their respective boards. The public will have the opportunity to turn in school board candidate questions only the night of the forum with a designated time limit for answers. The event will be moderated by Jim Fleming and will be streamed live on TheRoundTop.tv.

Recent Obituaries: Chester Betzer

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Chester Betzer

Chester R. Betzer, 82, of Sullivan, passed away 3:16 p.m. Thursday, March 7, 2019 in Decatur Memorial Hospital.

Celebration of Life Services will be 11:00 a.m. Monday at the Reed Funeral Home with Pastor Marge Overlot officiating. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Monday. Burial will be at a later date. Memorials are suggested to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital or the Sullivan Weekend Food Bag Program, c/o Sullivan Elementary School. Online condolences can be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.

Mr. Betzer was born February 26, 1937 in Bethany, the son of Chester and Gussie Ray Betzer. He was raised by Arthur ‘Doc’ and Olive Miller. Chet had been an over the road truck driver and since retiring provided transportation for the Amish. He had served in the Illinois National Guard and the Army Reserves. Chet enjoyed golfing, model trains and spending time with his grandchildren. He married Roni Jean Corzine on November 14, 1987 in Maroa, Illinois.

Survivors include his wife Roni of Sullivan, children Arthur Betzer of Clinton, IA, Robert (Jeannie) Betzer of Moseley, VA and Clayton (Heidi) Brush of Sullivan; grandchildren Devereux and Dylan Betzer and Addison and Owen Brush.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and two sisters.