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Remember When? 6-19-2019

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25 Years Ago This Week

Beginning Jan 1, 1996, Bethany village employees who are involved in an automobile accident will be required to undergo alcohol testing by the village according to utilities manager Mike Collins. Testing would take place within two hours of the accident, and those tested must have a blood alcohol content of less than 0.04.
Moultrie County board members held their first meeting in their newly remodeled board room on the second floor of the courthouse. With the new desk board members are able to face visitors. Members of the board are Kerry Pate, Mick Braden, Joe Bone, Orris Drew, Blaine Erhardt, Lynn Bickers, Steve Mayberry, Sally Foley and Tim Singer. Read More

Importance of the US Flag

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Photo by Mike Brothers
Flag Raising: At the re-opening celebration for McDonald’s Restaurant in Sullivan last week Rick Matthews (right) and Dustin Rawlings raise the new flag to full staff.

•June 19, 2019•
I helped raise the flag at the newly remodeled McDonald’s today. It brought to mind the importance of our US Flag. We all see them flying throughout the US in our travels, but it seems a lot of us take our flag for granted. How many times have we seen a torn and tattered flag just hanging on by a thread to an old pole? No one has the time or effort to care for it properly. How many times have we seen it at half-mast and not really cared to find out why? It is a great responsibility to have a flag pole and care for our flag. If you plan to have a flag, care for it properly. A lot of people have died protecting our freedom, and it’s our Flag that represents this freedom, we all enjoy.
In recent years our Presidents and Governors have changed the way our flag is to be displayed. My understanding is if the President and Governor order the flag to be lowered on all State and Federal properties, then the State and federal funded facilities must all comply. Recent flag lowering was for a president’s wife who passed, the victims of the Virginia Beach shooting, a US Army Corporal from Sterling, Illinois, and a firefighter from Christopher, Illinois.
The statement from Central Management Services explains that all entities covered by the Illinois Flag Display act lower their flag to half-mast for the time prescribed. Read More

Scholarship Recipient Reports to MCRTA

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Addison Graham

Dennis Hutchings Nominated IRTA Unit Honoree

•June 19, 2019•
The Moultrie County Retired Teachers Association met June 5 at First United Methodist Church in Sullivan. President Sue Yarnell presided and introduced Jim Bachman, the Illinois Retired Teachers Association Executive Director.
Bachman’s presentation included explanations of the recent Illinois legislation regarding retired teachers and their pensions.
Addison Graham, a recent graduate of Sullivan High School, was present to thank the Moultrie County Retired Teachers for the scholarship he received. He was chosen for his intentions to major in education this fall. He also discussed how he decided to seek education as his future career. Read More

Winning Golf Team

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Photo furnishged
Winning Golf Team
The winning team of the Denny Hutchings Memorial Golf Outing shot an amazing 57 which is 15 strokes under par for 18 holes. The outing was held June 14 at Sullivan Country Club.
Team members were left to right: Troy Rogers, Rieck Kendall, Drew Rogers and Alex Wood. The AmBucs golf outing was in remembrance of Hutchings and an AmBucs fund-raising event to provide Amtrykes, scholarships for therapy students and building of wheelchair ramps in the local area.

Lovington Village Considers Railroad Property Sale

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•June 19, 2019•
The May 13 meeting of the Lovington village board opened with Clerk Alma Fair leading newly elected trustees April Daily and Al Rennert in the oath of office.
President Roger Walker called the new board to order and read a letter of resignation from Doug Smith. President Walker recommended Gary Clem take Smith’s place with trustees concurring. Read More

Junefest 2019

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Photo by Darian Hays
Junefest
Junefest in Lovington was packed with good food and entertainment for the annual fish fry with the Lovington Community Club ending the evening with fireworks. Among the entertainers were the Collage of Faith singers l-r: Dennis Garmon of Lovington, Lonnie Connor of Decatur, Bobbi Welch of Arcola, Shari Schable of Atwood, Monica Connor of Decatur and Bob Crossman of Arthur.

Circuit Court Fees Increase

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•June 19, 2019•
Starting July 1 fees for criminal, traffic and civil court cases will increase significantly in the county.
Moultrie County Circuit Clerk Christa Helmuth explained the legislation aimed at equalizing the fee structure in circuit courts was passed in 2018.
Under Public Act 100-987 traffic related fee charges ranging from a seat belt to a 25 mile per hour over the speed limit will increase to a minimum $164, she noted as an example.
Child restraint which was a traffic citation in the past is now a Class C Misdemeanor and filling fee for divorce has risen to $326. Read More

Lovington Journalism Adviser Inducted into Hall of Fame

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•June 19, 2019•
Throughout her advising career and now as a longtime retiree, Carol Smith has served scholastic journalism admirably, for her Lovington students and consolidated school community, for her mentees and for the state organization.
During her long career as newspaper adviser at Lovington High School, Carol inspired her students and community.
She molded close relationships with area professional media, she taught her students solid reporting and editing skills, and she stood up for them in various arenas.
She is still in contact with many of her former students, and she is continually proud of their accomplishments, whether they stayed in journalism or not.
Smith continued to educate herself on journalism curriculum, ethics and law, and she was an early supporter of the IHSA state journalism tournament––and she even judged two categories last year. Read More

Menu 6-19-2019

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Senior Peace Meal

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

Monday, June 24 - Biscuits and gravy, breakfast pattie, baby bakers, fruit juice, warm fruit compote
Tuesday, June 25 - Fried chicken, mashed potatoes w/gravy, black eyed pea salad, Texas toast, pineapple tidbits
Wednesday, June 26 - Brat sandwich, corn, broccoli and cauliflower, bun, fruit salad
Thursday, June 27 - Chili w/beans, lettuce salad w/spinach, pears, crackers, cake or brownie
Friday, June 28 - Chef’s choice