•March 7, 2018•
Lovington community fireworks committee is holding a reverse raffle Saturday, March 17 at the Lovington American Legion.
Only 100 tickets are being sold with the last ticket drawn receiving the $1000 grand prize.
Nine additional drawings for $50 will be held prior to the grand prize.
The last five tickets can split first prize only if remaining ticket holders agree to do so.
All proceeds go to Lovington fireworks. Need not be present to win.
Photo by RR Best
Devoted St. Jude Runner training at 3 below zero.
•February 28, 2018•
The St. Jude Runners host the 4th annual St. Jude Dash and Bash June 2 in coordination with the Sullivan American Legion Post 68.
The event is hosted by local runners who plan to participate in the Mattoon to Peoria St. Jude run August 3-4.
“Over the past three years St. Jude Dash and Bash in Sullivan has raised $32,160 for St. Jude’s,” local coordinator Stephanie Helmuth said. “We hope to rock that number this year.”
“Our local communities have been impacted by St. Jude, and many of us personally know someone who is a St. Jude patient,” she continued. “Through contributions like the run, families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food so they can focus on the most important thing-helping the child live.”
Daily operational cost of the hospital is $2,000,000 with individual and corporate sponsorships critical. The majority of St. Jude funding comes from local fund-raising events such as the Dash and Bash in Sullivan.
Helmuth emphasized the St. Jude Dash and Bash is a large event that requires lots of volunteers and sponsors. “We are seeking supporters to help us cut our expenses and pass the proceeds directly to St. Jude.”
Last year St. Jude Dash and Bash in Sullivan was able to donate 90 percent of the funds raised directly to St. Jude.
“We are looking for supporters large and small for both sponsorships and donations of items for the raffle,” Helmuth said, noting each sponsorship level is specially designed to give the most value for the donation made.
The St. Jude run began in 1982 with the mission to provide funds in support of St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Memphis and the St. Jude affiliate located in Peoria. Since inception the runs have raised an astounding $50.8 million dollars with 37 runs and 3,022 runners participating in 2017.
•February 28, 2018•
A benefit for Kathy Minor will be held in Lovington April 14.
Due to medical issues Minor has required hospitalization several times during the past year and has no insurance.
Events begin with a 6-10 a.m. biscuits and gravy breakfast at the Church of God Life Center on State Street.
The benefit at Jerry’s East End starts at 5 p.m. Whiskey River will provide music from 6-10 p.m.
There is also a 50/50 raffle, meat board raffles, hot dogs and chips.
Anyone interested in volunteering or making a donation may contact Pam Anklam at 217-201-0662 or Jessica Mercer at 217-620-7579.
•February 28, 2018•
March 4–10 is Sullivan IGA Roundup time. IGA customers will be given the opportunity to round up to the nearest dollar from their purchase. All proceeds will go to the Moultrie County Food Bank.
At the end of Roundup week on March 10 Agri-Fab of Sullivan is sponsoring the IGA Parking Lot Food Drive.
Agri-Fab will hand out bags to fill for the Moultrie County Food Bank at the IGA from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, March 10.
•February 21, 2018•
The last day to register to vote has passed; however, it’s not too late to vote in this election by taking advantage of Grace Period Registration And Voting in the county clerk’s office. This method of registration is available only in the county clerk’s office, 10 S. Main, Sullivan, weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and runs from February 21 through election day. If a person registers to vote or change an address during Grace Period and wants to vote in the upcoming election, he/she must vote at the time of registration.
Requirements for registration are:
• Must be a U.S. Citizen;
• Must be at least 18 years of age by election day; 17 years of age to vote in a General Primary if individual will be 18 as of the following general election;
• Must have been a resident of your precinct at least 30 days prior to election day;
• Two forms of identification, one showing registrant’s current address
A few circumstances in which a person would need to re-register or change registration are: (1) A person has married or changed their name. (2) A person has moved to Moultrie County from another jurisdiction [county]. (3) A person has moved within the county; even if it would be next door, a transfer of registration is required.
Special Saturday hours for early voting, and grace period registration/voting will be held Saturday, March 17 from 9 a.m. to noon in the county clerk’s office.
Not sure that you are registered?
Call and check with the county clerk’s office at 728-4389 or go online at www.elections.il.gov and go to the link called “Registration and Polling Place Information”.
Those having questions regarding their registration or the upcoming election should contact the county clerk’s office at 728-4389 prior to the deadlines.
•February 21, 2018•
William P. Potter, Jr. 46, of Gays died as the result of a Feb. 18 single vehicle accident in Moultrie County.
Moultrie County Sheriff’s Department responded to the 1:58 a.m. Sunday morning accident on CR800N a quarter mile west of CR1300E.
MCSD’s statement noted that Potter was traveling east on 800N in a 1996 Toyota pickup, lost control, struck the westbound ditch and overturned.
Potter Jr. was pronounced dead at the scene by coroner Lynn Reed.
He was a locomotive engineer for the Norfolk and Southern Railroad and a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen Division 155 in Decatur.
Potter was active in Flatlanders ABATE and the Tree of Life Christian Center in Sullivan.
•February 21, 2018•
Social media posts from two Sullivan High School students earlier in the week put schools in turmoil and parents speculating, but students were not in danger.
Chief of Police Jim Waggoner called in officers to assist when school administration discovered the first post Sunday afternoon.
“The person was called in, and we worked with the school administration to set up a Monday meeting along with his parents,” Chief Waggoner said.
By that time word was circulating among students and parents about the incident, and the administration sent messages concerning the school’s response.
“If we had thought any student was potentially threatened, we would not have had school in session,” Supt. Ted Walk said.
He explained that the administration monitors social media traffic and discovered the post, then alerting Sullivan police.
During the week Chief Waggoner has assigned a patrolman at each school’s entrance each morning to assure parents of student safety.
On Monday the turmoil increased when a female student made a questionable post from inside the high school.
“These are students, and their identities are protected,” Chief Waggoner said of the social media traffic on the issue. “I know people want to know the details, but the important thing is the school administration handled this in a top-notch way.”
He noted principal Erik Young and Supt. Ted Walk were above board and professional. “They handled it the best possible way.”
•February 21, 2018•
The fifth annual Celebrate Agriculture Breakfast will be held Saturday, March 17 in Atwood.
The breakfast featuring scrambled eggs, biscuits, gravy, sausage, milk, juice, and coffee will be served from 7-10 a.m. in United Church of Atwood, located at 210 N. Main Street.
This is an opportunity to meet the FFA as they kickoff National Agriculture Week. The breakfast is sponsored by the ALAH FFA Alumni Chapter. Donations are encouraged and accepted. All funds raised help support the Agriculture Education Program and FFA Chapter at Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond High School.
•February 21, 2018•
Pre-registration for Lovington kindergarten students for the 2018-2019 school year will be held Tuesday, March 6, in the Lovington Grade School office between noon and 6 p.m.
Any student who will be five years of age by September 1, 2018 and resides in the Lovington Grade School District is encouraged to attend. Parents are asked to bring the child’s birth certificate to pre-registration.
If a child is in the Lovington preschool program this year, you need not attend, but return the form (sent home with your child) to the office.
•February 14, 2018•
The Arthur Beekeepers can help you learn how to set up and maintain a beehive throughout the year.
A one day class will be 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Feb. 24 at Arthur United Methodist Church, 128 E Illinois. There is a fee.
Class includes handout material and a year’s membership in the Arthur Beekeepers. Lunch and snacks will be provided.
For more information or to register contact Bob Frantz at 454-1441 or Joe Kaufman at 543-3701.