Category Archives: News Briefs

Remember When? 9-18-2019

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25 Years Ago This Week

Bethany High School students have chosen their 1994 King and Queen candidates. They are Wes Plummer, Scott Seeley, Kevin Bowser, and Shane Martin for king and Brandy Caldwell, Brandi Moody, Amy Bagley and Tracy Phelps for queen. The attendants are Rick Seeley, Heidi Boyer, John Harshman, Erin Yarnell, Ted Abbott and Natalie Cohan. Homecoming week events include pajama day on Monday, Twin day on Tuesday, Rainbow day on Wednesday with each grade from 7-12 wearing a color of the rainbow, Thursday is hat and Shades Day and a powder puff game and a bonfire in the evening, and Friday is Red-Black-Gold day with a varsity football game against Argenta-Oreana. Saturday begins with a parade in Bethany at 10:30, a tailgate party at 11:30 and a JV football game at 1 pm. The alumni banquet is from 6-8 and the Homecoming dance is from 9-11:30. The dance is semi-formal.
Cousin’s kitchen is now open Monday through Saturday. The entertainment for Sept 9 and 10 is Gary Lee and the Wanderers. They play music from the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s rock ‘n roll. Read More

Mosquito Season Intensifies in Autumn

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•September 11, 2019•
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has recently reported the first confirmed case of human West Nile Virus (WNV) in Illinois for 2019. The individual, a resident of Chicago, IL, is 70 years old.
While many people anticipate mosquito activity to decline in autumn months, this time of year is actually the most intense for the spread of West Nile Virus (WNV) through mosquito bites. According to the IDPH, there are currently 31 counties in Illinois with confirmed WNV cases. In 2018, IDPH reported 176 human cases of West Nile Virus in Illinois, including 17 deaths.
For most people, symptoms of WNV usually occur three to 14 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. The illness often appears as a mild case of influenza with fever, nausea and muscle aches. In some people, the symptoms of the infection won’t show at all. However, people over the age of 60 or those with a compromised immune system may be at risk for severe illness, including meningitis, encephalitis, coma or even death. All individuals who have been bitten by a mosquito and are ill should seek the attention of a medical provider. Read More

Scams, Fraud and ID Theft Workshop

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•September 11, 2019•
SAIL, Soyland Access to Independent Living, will host a workshop introducing the Scams, Fraud and ID Theft 1-2:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 25 at First United Methodist Church, 216 W. Jefferson in Sullivan. The presenter is Josh Downs, Outreach Coordinator for Southern Region with the State of Illinois Comptroller’s Office.
The workshop is free; reservations are not required. For more information call Betty Watkins, SAIL Rural Outreach Coordinator at 774-4322.

New Electronic SS Number Verification Service Begins in 2020

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•September 11, 2019•
The Social Security Administration today announced the first potential group of selected participants for its new electronic Consent Based Social Security Number (SSN) Verification (eCBSV) service. The agency will roll out the service to these users in June 2020, and plans on expanding the number of users within approximately six months of the initial rollout.
“Our new electronic SSN verification service will help to reduce synthetic identity fraud by comparing data provided electronically by approved participants with the agency’s records,” said Andrew Saul, Commissioner of Social Security. “This will provide fast, secure, and more efficient SSN verifications for the financial services industry and customers using their services.” Read More

Remember When? 9-11-2019

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25 Years Ago This Week

The residence of Sullivan Fire Chief Jeff Waite was burglarized. Several firearms were taken in the daylight burglary of the home. The Moultrie County Sheriff’s Department recovered the firearms and reportedly questioned juveniles about it.
According to Sullivan police report, a riding lawn mower driven by Zachary Horn, 15, turned left onto Eastview and was struck by a westbound motorcycle driven by Kent Spencer, 40, of rural Sullivan. Both Horn and Spencer were treated for minor injuries.
Sullivan Fire Department collected $2,100 over the weekend for Muscular Dystrophy Association during their annual Fill-the-Boot campaign.
Gun owners and sportsmen rallied in Sullivan to discuss firearms legislation. The meeting was sponsored by the Macon County Chapter of t he Illinois State Rifle Assn. Speakers include J.E. Miller, 101st Dist. candidate for state representative; Brent Winters, candidate for the 19th Congressional Dist.; Rep. Duane Noland; Rep. Tim Johnson; Associate Circuit Judge Jim Hendrian, a candidate for sixth Judicial Circuit judge; Jim Valentino, president of the Illinois State Rifle Assn. and Pat Valentino, head legislative representative. The rally is “prompted by the recent attempts on local, state, and federal levels to ban or severely restrict firearm ownership.” Read More

In Case of Emergency App

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•September 11, 2019•

McMullin-Young Funeral Home has graciously invested back into the community in order to promote the saving of lives.
This is a unique opportunity to assist local first responders through an ingenious marketing initiative that could help save lives.
The funeral home asks that residents download the Vital ICE (In Case of Emergency) app, from either the Apple App Store or Google Play, for their smart phones and enter in their code: #4309. Read More

Remember When? 9-4-2019

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25 Years Ago This Week

Organizers of the 1994 Bethany Fall Festival say it was a success with the weather cooperating. Molly Rhodes, daughter of Rick and Kathy Rhodes was crowned Little Miss Bethany for 1994. Other contestants were Whitney Brewer, Alishia Utsler and Tiffany Herbord. Twelve former Little Miss Bethany title-holders were present at the celebration for the coronation and to ride a float on the parade Saturday. They were Gena Tohill (1973), Dawn Ferguson (1977), Andrea Marshall (1982), Melissa Ashley (1985), Morgan Winskill (1986), Jordan Cuttill (1987), Sheena Ashley (1989), Sabrina Bone (1990), Melinda Seelow (1991), Danielle Willoughby (1992), and Holly Shafer (1993). Read More

Superindent-Y Stuff: A Walk with Mr. Walk

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•September 4, 2019•
By Ted Walk
Supt. Sullivan CUSD #300

I wanted to take the opportunity this week to introduce new teachers in Sullivan Schools.
We were very fortunate this past year that our teacher retention levels were phenomenal, but we did have three retirees, two staff members who took promotions, and we added one position.
At the high school, Janet McFarland and Lesley Banks retired this past year.  The math position was filled by Natalie Hoijer while the English position was filled by Becca Gervais.  Read More

SBL/Mattoon Host Paint the Town 5K for Cancer Awareness

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•September 4, 2019•
Cancer affects us all in some way, so Sarah Bush Lincoln is encouraging community members to come together to create awareness, honor loved ones and support cancer warriors during its Paint the Town 5K Color Run/Walk on Saturday, Oct. 12, in Mattoon. Net proceeds will be used to support people fighting cancer at the SBL Regional Cancer Center.
This is the fourth year the Health Center has hosted a non-timed cancer awareness color run/walk, drawing more than 600 friends and family members together each year. This year’s Paint the Town pre-run party begins at 8 a.m. Festivities include music, a dynamic stretching warm-up with personal trainers from the SBL Center for Healthy Living at 8:30 a.m., and a special bubble blowing celebration in honor of cancer warriors at 8:55 a.m. Read More

Sarah Bush Lincoln DAISY Nurse Award Recipient Defines Compassionate Service

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Photo furnished
DAISY Award winner Nancy Bollenbaugh, RN

•September 4, 2019•
Lincolnland Home Care Nurse Nancy Bollenbaugh, RN, was honored with the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses at Sarah Bush Lincoln on August 28.
Bollenbaugh was nominated for taking the initiative to provide compassionate care to a patient in need. In a nomination letter, a coworker shared the following story:
“Nancy went above and beyond to provide care to an 86-year-old woman who was recently discharged from the hospital. After visiting the patient’s home, she immediately knew that this woman was not in any condition to take care of herself, nor could her 89-year-old husband. Instead of admitting her for home care services, Nancy took care of the woman’s immediate needs and spoke to her husband about caring for his wife. Nancy offered to help him find placement for her at a long-term care facility and made several calls. She also worked with the woman’s children, who both live out-of-state, to inform them of the conditions at home and that their mother could not remain at home without 24-hour assistance. Read More