•January 13, 2016•

Secretary of State Jesse White, in cooperation with the Sullivan library, is offering drivers a chance to renew their driver’s license or vehicle registration renewal sticker, obtain a duplicate or corrected license, or obtain an Illinois identification card. White’s mobile unit will be available at the library, located at 2 West Water in Sullivan, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. January 21.

“I am pleased to work with the Sullivan library to bring my office’s services directly to the people,” said White. “This is another example of how my office continues to use technology as an ally to improve upon the delivery of services to Illinois residents.”

An applicant renewing a current Illinois driver’s license or identification card need only present a current valid driver’s license or identification card.

If the applicant is applying for either a duplicate or corrected driver’s license or identification card, the applicant must present two forms of identification. To find out what documents are considered acceptable identification, call 217-782-7044 or visit the Illinois Secretary of States website at:

http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/publications/pdf_publications/dsd_x173.pdf.

•January 6, 2016•

The Bethany Celebration committee will hold their first trivia night of 2016 January 9 at the American Legion in Bethany.

Cost per 6 person team is $75 if pre-registered by January 8, or $85 at the door. Doors open at 6 p.m.; trivia begins promptly at 7 p.m.

Cash prizes will be given out for first, second and third places.

For more information or to request a registration form, email bethanycelebration@yahoo.com or call Heidi Bruns at 217-565-0179. Space is limited.

•January 6, 2016•

Miss Moultrie-Douglas County Fair Queen Gaby Uphoff will be one of 71 young ladies competing for the Miss Illinois County Fair Queen Title at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Springfield the weekend of January 15-17.

Uphoff’s interview portion will be held Friday.  Her preliminary—which consists of speech, swimsuit, and evening gown--will be at 1 p.m. Saturday.

The public is invited to attend, and the tickets may be purchased at the door. Finals will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday. At that time the top 15 will be announced and the non-finalists recognized.

The top 15 will then start over with all four categories along with answering three pop questions on stage.  Tickets for the final portion had to have been purchased in advance. Those interested in attending may contact Sandy Hoke at 217-253-2377.

•December 30, 2015•

It has been a busy past few days for the Moultrie County Sheriff’s Department responding to motorists inquiries about flooding roads while patrolling rural areas to make sure no motorists are stranded.

Sheriff Chris Sims reported that one potentially dangerous situation was avoided northwest of Lovington Monday, December 28.

Sheriff’s deputies were called to Old Springfield Road at 10:05 p.m. about a quarter mile west of Route 32.

David Rosenbaum, 19, of Arthur was driving his van west on Old Springfield Road on his way to a friend’s house. He drove into water that was crossing the roadway without realizing how deep it was.

The van was swept away by the flooding waters while Rosenbaum escaped by the driver’s side window.

He waded from the flooded roadway to a nearby house where Moultrie County authorities were notified. Lovington Ambulance Service was called to check out the driver.

Sheriff Sims explained water washing across a roadway is deceiving, and motorists shouldn’t take unnecessary chances.

•December 23, 2015•

The Moultrie County News Progress offices will be closed on Thursday, December 24 and  Friday, December 25 to observe the Christmas holidays.

Offices will reopen for business as usual at 8 a.m. Monday, December 28. Happy a Merry Christmas!