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Recent Obituaries: Veda Kay Chambers

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Veda Kay Chambers

Veda Kay Chambers, 73, of Lovington, passed away at 12:50 a.m. Tuesday June 25, 2019 in Decatur Memorial Hospital.
Celebration of Life services will be 4:00 p.m. Friday in the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan with Pastor Rodney Houser officiating. Visitation will be one hour before services at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Greenhill Cemetery, Sullivan. Memorials are suggested to the Lovington First Church of God or the Lovington Revitalization Coalition. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net.
Kay was born March 24, 1946 in Sullivan the daughter of Richard Donald and Fanny Pearl Selock Chambers. She graduated from Lakeland College Nursing School and was a retired LPN for the Illinois Masonic Home in Sullivan. After her retirement she did in home care for the elderly. Kay was a member of the Lovington First Church of God and served as an deaconess for the church, was the treasurer for the Lovington Revitalization Coalition, was a member of the Lovington American Legion Womens Auxiliary and she volunteered extensively in the Lovington Community.
Surviving are her son Paul Chambers of Lovington; daughter Linda Grogg of Angolia, Indiana; brothers John Andrew Baker of Avilla, Indiana, Scott Baker of Garrett, Indiana; sisters Rebecca Kiles of Charleston, South Carolina, Angela Kochert of Ft. Wayne, Indiana, Sheren Bryan of Ft. Scott, Kansas, Rickarda Lynn Mosser of Lovingtonand grandchildren Kelly David Ordway, Shane Allen Ordway and Veronica Chambers.
She was preceded in death by her parents.

Bethany Village Board Approves Liquor Changes

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•June 26, 2019•
The Bethany Village Board approved an additional Class E liquor license at the regular June meeting.
That allows for the sale of beer, wine and spirits by the drink for consumption on the premises (bar license). The total count for Class E licenses is two, allowing the village to approve a previous request from the Bethany American Legion. Read More

A Century of Fourth of July Celebrations

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File photo
Cool rides are in store for Sullivan kids when Conner Family Amusements opens the Fourth of July Celebration from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 3 through Sunday, July 7 (1:00 - 5:00 p.m.).

•June 26, 2019•
A century of Sullivan fireworks is celebrated during the July 3-7 Fourth of July celebration.
American Legion Post 68 continues its 100 year tradition with Central States Fireworks of Athens unloading $17,000 in fireworks into the July 4th sky above Wyman Park in Sullivan on July 4.
That is the finale to a celebration that begins with the arrival of Conner Amusements carnival from Beardstown on July 3.
At high noon July 4th the celebration parade kicks off thanks to coordination by Justin “Bubba” Farris and his crew of Legion, Sons of American Legion and Auxiliary volunteers. Terry Warren will prepare lunch for parade participants (more than 350 were served last year).
At 2 p.m. the watermelon eating contest, sack races and turtle races occur. Read More

Celebrating Independence Day Made Easier

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•June 26, 2019•
By Ileana Saveley

Social Security District Manager in Decatur, IL
July 4th brings family and friends together, as well as neighbors, to celebrate that we’re all part of a community. Everyone pitches in, combining their resources — great food, music, and displays — to lift our spirits.
Social Security has been helping people maintain their independence for over 80 years. In that time, we’ve made it even easier for you to access the programs and benefits you might need. Today, applying online is a fast way to get those crucial benefits.
Here are some of the benefits you can apply for: Read More

Fourth of July Crackdown by SPD on Impaired Drivers

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•June 26, 2019•
Sullivan Police Department announced plans for July Fourth traffic enforcement with a focus on impaired and unbuckled drivers.
The safety campaign will run from June 17 through July 8 to encompass three summer weekends leading up to and after Independence Day.
“We’re asking all of our residents and visitors to celebrate Independence Day safely,” said Chief Andrew Pistorius. “It’s simple: If you’re driving, don’t drink or use drugs. Our officers will be out in full force to keep impaired drivers off the road.”
Sullivan Police Department will join the Illinois State Police and more than 160 local police and sheriff’s departments for the increased statewide enforcement effort. Read More

Menu 6-26-2019

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Senior Peace Meal

For additional information or for reservations, please call 1-800-543-1770

Monday, July 1 - Chicken cordon bleu, mashed potatoes w/gravy, Italian green beans, dinner roll, pineapple chunks
Tuesday, July 2 - Breakfast casserole, applesauce, fruit juice, cinnamon roll, cranberries
Wednesday, July 3 - Ham salad, creamy broccoli soup, gelatin w/fruit, assorted crackers, peaches
Thursday, July 4 - Closed
Friday, July 5 - Pork tenderloin, potato casserole, mixed vegetables, Texas toast, pears

Newborn Screening

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Adrenoleukodystrophy added as the 48th disorder
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is rolling out today a test for adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) for all newborn babies statewide. ALD is a rare hereditary disorder that affects the brain, nervous system, and adrenal gland. It affects approximately 1 in 20,000 births.
“Babies born with adrenoleukodystrophy have normal brains at birth. However, progression of the disorder without treatment can be fatal,” said IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. “By adding ALD to the Illinois newborn screening panel, every baby born in Illinois will be tested for ALD. Babies who test positive for this disorder can then receive therapies during the early stage of the disease.” Read More

ALAH School Board Presented Random Drug Testing Proposal

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Supt. Schwengel’s Last Meeting

•June 26, 2019•
By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress

At the last board meeting the Arthur Lovington Atwood Hammond school board looked into changes to the student handbook which included drug testing, student parking and use of electronic devices.
The ALAH School Board held a hearing for the FY 2019 amended budget after it had been available to the public for the past 30 days. A few minor adjustments were made to supplies and expenditures as well as transferring money from the education department to transportation.
Superintendent Kenny Schwengel commented that funding for transportation may come in after July. After the hearing, board members voted on the budget and passed it for approval.
Schwengel informed the board that the district’s current balance is $4,525,647.87 and that the funds were in pretty good shape.
High school principal Steffanie Seegmiller discussed some of the changes to the high school student handbook. Starting in the 2019-2020 school year, students will be required to register their car and pay for a $2.00 parking tag. They also increased parking spaces for faculty and reserved parking space for visitors. Read More

Obituaries 6-26-2019: Jerry Isaacs

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Jerry Isaacs

Jerry L. Isaacs, 77, of Sullivan, passed away at 1:45 a.m. Sunday, June 23, 2019 in St. Mary’s Hospital in Decatur.
Celebration of Life services will be 11 a.m. Friday at Reed Funeral Home with Pastor Tom Farris officiating. Burial with military rites conducted by Sullivan American Legion Post #68 will be in Greenhill Cemetery. Visitation will be 10-11 a.m. Friday. Read More

Come join the fun!

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Photo furnished
Come join the fun!
The C.E.F.S. Head Start 0-5 Program is taking applications for the 2019-2020 school year. Head Start preschool classrooms are located in Moultrie County at 203 S. Graham Street in Sullivan. Call or text 1-217-663-7822