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Breakfast Fundraiser For Family In Need

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•February 19, 2020•

The First Baptist Church of Sullivan will host a pancake breakfast from 7 - 9 a.m. Saturday, February 22 to provide support for a widow who has experienced the unexpected death of her husband. The funds raised will help defray funeral expenses.
A variety of Amish bakery goods will also be available. Both the breakfast and the bakery goods are by donation only.
The breakfast will take place in Fellowship Hall whose entrance is at the west side of the church at the corners of Harrison and Worth streets. Fellowship Hall is on the lower level and is handicap accessible.
Pastor Mark Bjornbak cordially invites the public to come and share God’s love.

County Moves Ahead with Corrections Software Upgrades

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•February 19, 2020•
By Mike Brothers

Moultrie County Board approved reserve funds to upgrade sheriff’s office corrections software at the Feb. 13 meeting.
Moultrie County Sheriff Chris Sims explained the Phoenix Corrections Management Software is an upgrade to the booking system which communicates with the statewide system.
County board chairman Dave McCabe recommended the sheriff negotiate a lump sum payment for the software upgrade rather than continue payments over five years to participate in the state booking system.
In the motion to transfer $70,000 from reserves McCabe said the lump sum payment negotiated by Sheriff Sims saved the county some $50,000 over the five years.
Sims also reported new state law requires Animal Control adoptions to include spay and neuter fees. Cost to adopt a pet is $20 plus those veterinary fees. Read More

Sullivan Boys Team Bounces Back for Win

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•February 19, 2020•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

The Sullivan boys’ basketball team lost to powerhouses Central A&M and St. Teresa but bounced back to defeat Cowden-Herrick/Beecher City.
Against St. Teresa Friday, Sullivan fell behind early and could not catch up in the 68-24 loss.
For the Redskins, Leyton Ellis scored a team-high six points, and Luke Harlin netted four points to go with two rebounds and two assists.
Ian Plank, Austin Sims, Kanin Elder and Ryan Batman each scored two points. Read More

OVHS Girls Track Competes

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•February 19, 2020•

The Okaw Valley girls’ track team competed in the Illinois Wesleyan indoor track meet Saturday.
Kaylie Stauder took fifth in the 400-meter run, and Julia Hildebrandt placed sixth in the high jump.
Mad McPheeters placed seventh in the 60-meter dash, and Macie Fleshner placed seventh in the hurdles.
Karlie Stauder placed ninth in the pole vault and in the 400-meter dash.
The Timberwolves next indoor meet is schedule for 10 a.m. Saturday, March 7, at Illinois College.

Obituaries 2-19-2020: Dorotha Bennett

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Dorotha Bennett

Dorotha E. Bennett, 81, of Sullivan, formerly of rural Bethany, passed away at 3:55 a.m. Saturday, February 15, 2020, in Mason Point in Sullivan.
Graveside services were 2 p.m. today (Wednesday, February 19) in Marrowbone Twp. Cemetery in Bethany with Bob Vail officiating. Reed Funeral in Sullivan was in charge of arrangements. Read More

Kiss The Pig Contest Livens Mason Point’s Valentine Party

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Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Ansley Titus brought forth the piglet wrapped in a blanket ready for a kiss from Mason Point Administrator Darin Wall.

•February 19, 2020•
By Ellen Ferrera
for The News Progress

Mason Point’s activity and medical staffs orchestrated a lovely Valentine’s Day program in the Knight’s Building on February 14.
Nearly 70 residents were seated at the red, pink and white tables while they were entertained by Cindy McClelland Rhodes of Cindy’s Kareoke.
Cindy has been performing her show for some 15 years for nursing homes and at American Legions. Her programs are mostly Country/Western and include such favorites as “Coal Miner’s Daughter”, “Coat of Many Colors”, “This Ole House”, and ‘’What a Friend We Have in Jesus”.
Her musical program brought several couples to the dance floor including Mason Point Administrator Darin Wall and his mom, Virginia.
“This is the best Valentine Day ever.” Long-time resident, Jackie Grace said. “We have had so much fun this week.”
The dining room staff featured decorated Valentine cookies, cups of strawberry mousse and sparkling punch. Each lady guest received a carnation.
Penny and Dan Moschenrose brought their Valentine Day gift – a little puppy named Baby Buttons all dressed up in a big red bow for the festivities. Read More

Illinois FCCLA Section 7 Conference Held in Tuscola

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Photo furnished

•February 19, 2020•
Twenty-one students from Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond High School attended the Illinois Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) Section 7 Leadership Conference on February 11, 2020 in Tuscola, Illinois. FCCLA members from eight area schools made up the nearly 125 participants in the day-long event. The theme for the meeting was “Leadership through the Years.” Members in attendance from ALAH High School were: Katelyn Ahrendt, Alexis Barnes, Kaci Beachy, Kassidy Bissey, Adriana Burton, Hunter Carson, Kirsten Corum, Madi Crafton, Josie Hale, Shalonda Hettinger, Andalyn Hodge, Layna Kapp, Ryli Kauffman, Hailey Miller, Mackenzie Parrish, Jordan Quertermous, Erin Schrock, Kaylee Schrock, Brook Tucker, Mikayla Williams, Kaitlyn Zander and Mrs. Voegel, adviser. Read More

Obituaries 2-19-2020: Jeffrey Muzzy

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Jeffrey Muzzy
Jeffrey D. Muzzy, 47, of Mattoon, passed away at 11:05 a.m. Saturday, February 8, 2020, in Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana. Celebration of Life Services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, February 22 at Reed Funeral Home in Sullivan with Pastor Ted Hartley officiating. Visitation will be 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday. Read More

Ambulance Request Considered by Sullivan City Council

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•February 19, 2020•
A request made of Sullivan City Council for help with ambulance service upgrades in 2019 will take a little longer for a decision following the regular meeting Feb. 10.
Mayor Richard Glazebrook pointed out Sullivan Fire and Ambulance District Chief Mike Piper had requested a $422,396 contribution from the city TIF funds in Dec. 2019.
Piper and Assistant Chief Larry Edwards explained that about $250,000 was for a new ambulance with the additional funds used to upgrade four units with loading assist equipment.
Glazebrook pointed out TIF funds were used to help purchase fire equipment in the past.
Although no motion was made Commissioners Abbey Sherwood and Peggy Hargis agreed to get together with the city treasurer to determine what the city could afford to contribute. Read More

Cardboard Box Challenge Night Comes to Library

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•February 19, 2020•
By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress

Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library and Bright Start are hosting “Cardboard Box Challenge Night” on Thursday, Feb. 27 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.
When we were children, many of us can relate to the many possibilities that a cardboard box had to offer.
For the “young at heart,” that open imagination of what can be done with a cardboard box lives on.
At Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library, a child’s imagination can to take them far during the box challenge February 27. Read More