•April 18, 2018•
The Churches of Lovington Area, C.O.L.A. fundraising event is 9-11:30 a.m. Saturday, April 28 in downtown Lovington. Monetary donations are being accepted.
Category Archives: free news stories
Rotary Golf Outing Helps
•April 18, 2018•
The Sullivan Rotary Club will hold a golf outing at 11 a.m. Friday May 18 at the National Golf Course at Eagle Creek.
This fundraiser will help with Rotary’s primary projects of funding the One Book One Sullivan program and Habitat for Humanity tree planting.
One Book One Sullivan has been very successful in promoting literary and the joy of reading with local middle school students.
Individual and team registrations may be sent to Susan Rauch, Moultrie County Beacon, 401 West Water St., Sullivan; Bradley Pullen, First Mid Bank & Trust, 200 South Hamilton, Sullivan, or Joe Keller, Keller Trucking, 921 West Magill St, Sullivan.
The entry fee of $60 includes green fees, cart, and lunch. A foursome plus hole sponsorship is $300. A hole sponsorship alone is $100. Make checks payable to Sullivan Rotary Club.
Acrylics on Birch Panels
•April 18, 2018•
The Sullivan Art Club will host its second workshop for the 2018 season 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, April 21 with an hour break for lunch.
It will be held at the St. Columcille Church hall located at the east end of the church at the corner of W. Jackson and McClellan streets. There is a dedicated entrance adjacent to the parking lot.
Returning artist Tom David will be leading participants in painting a still life on birch panels using acrylic paints. In addition, participants will be able to view some of his recent still life works and learn how to set up a still life for a photo session.
David ‘s artistic endeavors have spanned a variety of styles and mediums. He has exhibited in art shows throughout the area and has won numerous awards for his work. His online portfolio may be viewed at www.tom-david.net.
For more information and a complete list of suggested materials, call Ron Bartanen at 217-728-7280 or Sherry Harris at 217-797-6974.
CECOM Fixing E9-1-1 Issues
•April 11, 2018•
Coles-Moultrie County Emergency Communication Center (CECOM) assistant Director Amanda Williamson explained a new tower in Mattoon should improve communication issues with local emergency responders.
Public Health and Safety Chair Arlene Aschermann hosted a meeting earlier in the month at the county jail for Moultrie County first responders to discuss E 9-1-1 issues. Only Sullivan and Lovington attended.
Communication with central E9-1-1 central dispatch in Charleston had been affected with Williamson noting Global Tech Systems, Inc.(GTSI) of Effingham had installed a new microwave tower and repeater in Mattoon.
Gary Smith, Lovington fire chief, noted their department was receiving calls, but Bethany had been having problems communicating within their department.
Kevin McReynolds, who along with Chris Wright serves on the CECOM board, suggested each of the first responder districts be visited during a regular meeting by someone from CECOM to help determine issues and provide support.
Williamson noted that all the departments have been good about providing information through emails from their chiefs and that has been the most effective way to deal with issues so far.
By attending meetings within the individual fire districts Chairman Aschermann noted everyone would have a chance to ask questions, air issues and learn what can be done.
Williamson told members of the committee she would be willing to meet with departments, possibly adapting her half hour public education presentation for pre-schoolers for the emergency responder audience.
Sec. State Combats Texting
•April 11, 2018•
Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White commended the Illinois House Transportation: Vehicles & Safety Committee today for approving legislation initiated by his office to strengthen Illinois’ law on distracted driving. House Bill 4846 cracks down on texting while driving by classifying first-time offenses as moving violations. Under the current law, which took effect in 2014, second and subsequent texting while driving offenses are treated as moving violations, while first offenses are treated as nonmoving violations.
“With the increased use of technological devices, distracted driving has become a serious problem on the roads of our state and the nation,” said Secretary of State Jesse White. “This important legislation will make our roads safer. No driver should be texting while driving.”
The penalty for a violation of this law results in a moving violation that will be recorded to the motorist’s driving record, as well as fines and court costs which will be determined by a judge. A driver who is convicted of three moving violations in a 12-month period is subject to a driver’s license suspension.
The original law was based on recommendations made by the state’s Distracted Driving Task Force chaired by White. The task force, which was created by Joint House Resolution 22, was charged with examining ways to reduce fatalities and injuries caused by distracted driving.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), driving a vehicle while texting is six times more dangerous than driving while intoxicated. The NHTSA estimates that at least 25 percent of police-reported crashes involve some form of distracted driving. Texting while driving is considered among the most deadly forms of distracted driving.
House Bill 4846, which now advances to the full House, is being sponsored by state Rep. John D’Amico (D-Chicago).
SES Starts Garden Project
•April 11, 2018•
Elementary students and community volunteers are planning to grow fruits and vegetables on Sullivan Community Unit District 300 land this year.
“This is a great opportunity for the kids to experience everything from planting and weeding to harvest,” fourth grade SES teacher Nicole Hendry said of the SES Garden Project.
With help from Director of Maintenance Kevin Landrus the 10 by 100 ft plot was prepared first by burning then tilled by Kurk Grohler.
Hendry went on to tell the members of the school board that My Garden and Buxton’s Garden Farm have made donations and offered direction while the PTO has donated $250 for start up supplies.
Ten members of the faculty are involved with Hendry noting Melissa Haegan was interested in getting the summer park and recreation program involved.
May 10 and 11 are plant days with students, faculty and anyone from the community interested in participating are welcome.
Senior Center Health Screens
•April 11, 2018•
SBL Lincolnland Home Care and Lincolnland Hospice will conduct a free blood pressure clinic from 8:30 to 9 a.m. Thursday, May 17 in the Senior Center in Sullivan. For more information, call Lincolnland Home Care at 1-800-879-3212.
SBL Lincolnland Home Care, Lincolnland Hospice and Lincolnland Home Medical will sponsor bingo from 9-10 a.m. following the blood pressure clinic.
First Community Bank Promotes Three
•April 4, 2018•
Following the annual meeting of the First Community Bank of Moultrie County, Chairman E. Ray Duncan announced the following promotions: Reid Molzen has been named CEO and President.
Molzen, a 1992 Millikin graduate, has been with the bank 26 years and was previously President and Loan Officer.
In addition to receiving his B.S. in Finance from Millikin, he attended the Graduate School of Banking in Madison, Wisconsin. A lifelong Moultrie County resident, he lives in Sullivan with his wife Christy and has coached in the Sullivan School District for 16 years.
Lisa Florey has been promoted to Vice President, Compliance Officer and Trust Officer. In addition to 13 years at First Community Bank, she also has 26 years of accounting and legal experience. She is a lifelong Sullivan resident and lives in Sullivan.
Cindy Harshman has been promoted to Vice President, Loan Officer and Trust Officer. She has been with First Community Bank for 15 years and has 41 years of banking experience. A Sullivan native, she resides in rural Sullivan with her husband Keith.
Chairman Duncan also stated that one year after the merger of Hardware State Bank and First National Bank of Sullivan, First Community maintains very strong capital and profitability positions and has been named a 5 Star Bank by the Bauer Financial Rating Company.
Findlay Post 409 Hosts Dinner
•April 4, 2018•
The Findlay Clarence Bixler Post #409 will host a drive thru dinner fundraiser Monday, April 16 to help raise money for their Scholarship Fund.
Tickets are on sale now until April 9 from members.
The drive thru meal consists of chicken and noodles, mashed potatoes, green beans, a roll, and a dessert.
Meals are available for pick up 4:30-6 p.m. Monday, April 16.
To purchase tickets contact Patty Brooks at 217-273-2421 or Chris Tippit at 217-823-9237. All proceeds will go toward this year’s Okaw Valley Scholarship Fund.
Food Pantry Golf Outing
•April 4, 2018•
Sullivan IGA is sponsoring the Moultrie County Food Pantry Golf Outing Friday, April 27 at Sullivan Country Club.
Those interested in participating in the outing should apply to Kristy Dawson at the Moultrie County Food Pantry by Friday, April 20.
Lunch is provided with an 11 a.m. signup and a noon shotgun start.