•July 16, 2025•

Bethany Free Methodist Church will be hosting a 90s-themed “Back to School Bash” at Crowder Park in Bethany from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on August 1st. This will be a family-friendly event. Wear your best ’90s clothes. A DJ will be spinning all your favorite songs, and BFMC will be serving hot dogs, chips, and drinks at $1.00 each. Everyone is invited to come and have some family fun. For more information, visit BFMC’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572803151531, call (217) 775-9041, or email at BFMC312@Gmail.com.

Card skimmer found at Casey’s General Store

•July 9, 2025•

The Bethany Police Department is warning residents after a credit card skimming device was discovered on a gas pump at the Casey’s General Store located in Bethany. The device was located during a routine inspection on June 30. An investigation is now underway.

Skimming devices are designed to capture card data from customers who use the pump to pay for fuel. We are working to determine how long the device was active and whether any customer information was compromised.

“We want to alert our community to this potential threat and encourage everyone to take precautions when using card readers at fuel pumps. If you used your card at this Casey’s location recently, please monitor your bank accounts closely and report any suspicious activity.”

Tips to Protect Yourself from Skimmers: Inspect the card reader: If it appears loose, misaligned, or different from other pumps, do not use it. Choose well-lit pumps close to the storefront, which are more visible to staff and less likely to be tampered with. Use credit cards or contactless payment instead of debit cards when possible. Monitor bank and credit card statements for unauthorized charges. Report suspicious findings to store staff or local law enforcement immediately.

Anyone who believes they may have been affected or has information about this case is urged to contact the Bethany Police Department.

•July 9, 2025•

The saying that “good things come in small packages” holds for Findlay’s annual Walleye Festival. Pure pride in one small town provides a weekend full of fun for all at this family-friendly event. The schedule of events is as follows:

On Friday, July 25th, the Festival opens at 4:00 p.m., with the Walleye tent opening with the Kids Zone opening as well at the Firehouse from 4:00 -8:00 p.m., and the American Legion Dinner held from 4:00 -8:00 p.m. From 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., the Fire Station Obstacle Course will be held at the Firehouse, and ‘Sound City Band’ will be performing on the main Stage from 6:30-9:00 p.m. From 8:00 to midnight, ‘Identity Crisis’ will be performing in the beer tent.

On Saturday, July 26th, Findlay Fire & Ambulance will have their B&G breakfast at the firehouse from 6:00-9:00 a.m., followed by the Parade line up at 8:30 at OVMS, with the Parade beginning at 10:00 a.m. This year’s theme is “Anchored in the Community.” At 9:00 a.m., the Car Show registration begins on Main Street, with the show beginning at noon, and awards handed out at 3:00 p.m. At 11:00 a.m., the festival switches into high gear with the following: Festival formally opens, Walleye tent opens at the firehouse, 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. will be the American Legion Dinner, and from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., ‘Big Spike Hammer’ will be entertaining on the main stage. At 11:30, the Pedal Pull Registration opens at the grain elevators before the actual event at noon. Noon to 8:00 p.m., the Kids Zone opens at the firehouse, and at the Kids Zone, the Kids Photo Booth will be open from noon until 4:00 p.m. At 12:30 p.m., the Garden Tractor Pull registration opens behind the beer tent, with the Garden Tractor Pull beginning at 1:00 p.m. From 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., the ‘Greg Bickers Band’ will be performing on the main stage, followed by ‘Billy Galt and the Blues Deacons’ from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. ‘Flight Fifty’ will be performing in the beer tent from 8:00 p.m. until midnight.

•July 2, 2025•

On Thursday, August 7th, from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m., the Mobile Food Pantry will be at the Windsor Grade School. Register by calling the Windsor Storm Library at (217) 459-2948 Mondays through Thursdays between 9:00 a.m. and noon, and 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Registration must be completed by July 31st at 12:00 p.m. 

Once your form is completed by phone, you will be given a number to bring on the distribution day. If you lose your number, you will need to provide identification. 

Delivery truck space is limited and the first 120 families will be served. The Mobile Food Pantry held in Windsor can only serve residents of Shelby and Moultrie Counties. Mobile Food Pantry is made possible through the University of Illinois Extension, in cooperation with sponsors Decatur Catholic Charities and the Windsor School District.

•July 2, 2025•

The Moultrie County News Progress will be closed on July 4th, in observance of Independence Day. This will not impact due dates for advertising and news item submittals.