•September 11, 2019•
The cookout on the Sullivan IGA parking lot Saturday, Sept. 14 for Faith Lutheran Church is a fundraiser for the Ladies Retreat.
Serving is from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Drop by and have a delicious hot off the grill sandwich. This event is rescheduled from June because of rain.
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New Electronic SS Number Verification Service Begins in 2020
•September 11, 2019•
The Social Security Administration today announced the first potential group of selected participants for its new electronic Consent Based Social Security Number (SSN) Verification (eCBSV) service. The agency will roll out the service to these users in June 2020, and plans on expanding the number of users within approximately six months of the initial rollout.
“Our new electronic SSN verification service will help to reduce synthetic identity fraud by comparing data provided electronically by approved participants with the agency’s records,” said Andrew Saul, Commissioner of Social Security. “This will provide fast, secure, and more efficient SSN verifications for the financial services industry and customers using their services.” Read More
Rescuing Animals Turns Birthday into a Time for Giving
Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Lilly Bennett donates to Genesis Rescue & Rehab.
•September 11, 2019•
By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress
For her 11th birthday in September Lilly Bennett decided that she would rather help provide for rescue animals than receive presents. Specifically, she wanted to raise money for their care, food, bedding, toys and adoption.
“ I just love animals and I wanted to do something to help,” said Lilly.
The eleven-year-old wasted no time raising $470 on Facebook, $272 in cash and donated $60 worth of supplies which included a dog bed, toys, and cat food. She proudly presented a check for $802 to Genesis.
As it happened, Elizabeth Bennett, Lilly’s mother, is a co-worker with Taylor Rich, who is involved with Genesis Rescue and Rehab which provides foster homes for dogs, cats and kittens throughout central Illinois. Read More
Pile Driving
Droneography by R.R. Best
Pile Driving
Work on the Jonathan Creek Bridge over Hwy. 121 east of Sullivan is underway by Howell Construction of Mattoon. In the above drone photograph support piles were driven in last week.Construction is expected to be completed by the end of October and includes a new and wider deck, new steel and support piers. Moultrie County Hwy. Engineer Jeff Birch indicated the Illinois Dept. of Transportation project will upgrade the bridge width to accommodate buggy lanes.
It’s Not Just a Picnic When County Clerk & Recorders Meet
Photo by Mike Brothers
Zone Three County Clerk and Recorders -Back Row from left: Mark Sheldon - Champaign Co. Recorder, Michael Gianasi - Christian Co. Clerk/Recorder, Josh Tanner Macon Co. Clerk, Mary Kennedy - Moultrie Co. Deputy Clerk, Dana Smith - DeWitt Co. Clerk/Recorder, Laura Lee - Clark Co. Clerk/Recorder, Dawn Kupler - Woodford Co. Clerk/Recorder.
Front Row: Jessica Fox - Shelby Co. Clerk/Recorder, Mary Eaton - Macon Co. Recorder, Lindsey Light - Vermilion Co. Election Deputy, Cathy Jenkins - Vermilion Co. Clerk, Theresa Moore - Logan Co. Clerk/Recorder, Kristy Masching - Livingston Co. Clerk/Recorder, Judi Pollock - Douglas Co. Clerk/Recorder, Georgia England - Moultrie Co. Clerk/Recorder, Jill Kenyon - Marshall Co. Clerk/Recorder, Bev Howard - Cumberland Co. Clerk/Recorder, Julie Coe - Coles Co. Clerk/Recorder.
•September 11, 2019•
The 3rd Annual Illinois Association of County Clerks and Recorders Zone III picnic meeting was held at Purcell’s Pond located near Decatur August 29.
The meeting this year was hosted by Moultrie County Clerk Georgia England with the meal provided by her election vendor, Liberty Systems LLC. There were 18 clerk/recorders present, along with four deputy clerks, four representatives from the State Board of Elections/ISP-STIC, seven vendors and three guests.
England stated that all Zone meetings consist of a business meeting, legislative review, updates from the State Board of Elections, STIC (Statewide Terrorism and Intelligence Center), Department of Revenue, and by any vendors attending the meeting.
One of the hottest topics at the August meeting was regarding elections and cyber security.
A couple of Illinois counties have made the news recently regarding Iranian attacks to websites causing concerns to many citizens.
Counties were advised that the best protection of county systems are when county boards recognize the importance of getting all the county offices on board, not just the county clerk’s office. Read More
Remember When? 9-11-2019
25 Years Ago This Week
The residence of Sullivan Fire Chief Jeff Waite was burglarized. Several firearms were taken in the daylight burglary of the home. The Moultrie County Sheriff’s Department recovered the firearms and reportedly questioned juveniles about it.
According to Sullivan police report, a riding lawn mower driven by Zachary Horn, 15, turned left onto Eastview and was struck by a westbound motorcycle driven by Kent Spencer, 40, of rural Sullivan. Both Horn and Spencer were treated for minor injuries.
Sullivan Fire Department collected $2,100 over the weekend for Muscular Dystrophy Association during their annual Fill-the-Boot campaign.
Gun owners and sportsmen rallied in Sullivan to discuss firearms legislation. The meeting was sponsored by the Macon County Chapter of t he Illinois State Rifle Assn. Speakers include J.E. Miller, 101st Dist. candidate for state representative; Brent Winters, candidate for the 19th Congressional Dist.; Rep. Duane Noland; Rep. Tim Johnson; Associate Circuit Judge Jim Hendrian, a candidate for sixth Judicial Circuit judge; Jim Valentino, president of the Illinois State Rifle Assn. and Pat Valentino, head legislative representative. The rally is “prompted by the recent attempts on local, state, and federal levels to ban or severely restrict firearm ownership.” Read More
Obituaries 9-11-2019: Paul Betts
Paul Betts
Paul Wayne Betts, 44, of Bethany, passed away at 12:24 a.m. Tuesday, September 10, 2019 in Decatur.
Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, September 14 at McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Bethany. Visitation will be held an hour prior to the service Saturday at the funeral home. Read More
Bethany Legion Has Gaming
•September 11, 2019•
The Bethany American Legion started video gaming operations Friday, Sept. 6 along with the monthly fish fry at the Highway 121 location in Bethany.
American Legion Post 507 now offers four video gaming machines for public operation from 4-10 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The Post is closed Sundays.
In Case of Emergency App
•September 11, 2019•
McMullin-Young Funeral Home has graciously invested back into the community in order to promote the saving of lives.
This is a unique opportunity to assist local first responders through an ingenious marketing initiative that could help save lives.
The funeral home asks that residents download the Vital ICE (In Case of Emergency) app, from either the Apple App Store or Google Play, for their smart phones and enter in their code: #4309. Read More
Remember When? 9-4-2019
25 Years Ago This Week
Organizers of the 1994 Bethany Fall Festival say it was a success with the weather cooperating. Molly Rhodes, daughter of Rick and Kathy Rhodes was crowned Little Miss Bethany for 1994. Other contestants were Whitney Brewer, Alishia Utsler and Tiffany Herbord. Twelve former Little Miss Bethany title-holders were present at the celebration for the coronation and to ride a float on the parade Saturday. They were Gena Tohill (1973), Dawn Ferguson (1977), Andrea Marshall (1982), Melissa Ashley (1985), Morgan Winskill (1986), Jordan Cuttill (1987), Sheena Ashley (1989), Sabrina Bone (1990), Melinda Seelow (1991), Danielle Willoughby (1992), and Holly Shafer (1993). Read More