•September 9, 2015•

With the closing of ShopKo Police Chief John Love explained shopping for children in need who are older than seven is a challenge.

“We try to shop locally, but we don’t have a way to buy clothes and boots for older kids,” Love said, noting that Dollar General in town has been great for children six to seven years old.

”We’re taking Secret Santa back to its roots,” he continued. “We will seek out those in need throughout the year and help the best way we can.”

For the past few years people receiving Secret Santa help around Christmas would start filing into the police department to sign up in September and October. He explained with the way Secret Santa has grown that has to change. Read More

Compiled by Bekki Ferguson-Stevens

25 Years Ago This Week

Cameron Parrott and Susan Ozier of Moultrie County were each named a recipient of a CEFS Economic Opportunity Corp. Community Services Block Grant scholarship Aug. 2 at the agency’s annual board of directors meeting. Parrott is the son of Robert and Suzanne Parrott of Lovington and is attending Eastern Illinois University. Ozier is the daughter of Bobby and Linda Book of Bethany and is enrolled in the pre-law program at the University of Illinois.

With seven of ten letter winners returning, a little more hard work and a lot of dedication may prove to be an unbeatable combination for the Lady Redskins’ volleyball team. All seven of the letter winners were in starting positions at one time or another last season. Topping the list are third year varsity players Becky Clayton and Amanda Glazebrook.

For more than 20 years, Sharon Emel has served countless area residents food as a waitress in several Sullivan eating establishments, including her former restaurant, the Ham ’n’ Egg. A former employee of Hezzy’s, Little Richard’s and the former Red Fox, Sharon is popular among local residents—many who have dubbed her “the best waitress in town.” Popularity aside, Sharon said she loves waitressing, which is one of the reasons she is opening Sharon’s Family Restaurant in Sullivan this Saturday morning.

“It really feels good to win!” was the consensus of the Bethany Mustangs followng their 20-0 victory over the Lovington-Arthur football team Friday night in the season opener for both teams. “Hungry was the first word first year head coach Kris Wheeler used to describe the Mustangs and specifically the quarterback Burl Coclasure. Read More

Compiled by Bekki Ferguson-Stevens

25 Years Ago This Week

Seven Moultrie County 4-H’ers received superior awards for their entries Monday at the 1990 Illinois State Fair. Superior award winners from Sullivan were Amy R. Bishop, Ross A. Haverstock and Krystal L. Horsman, Sarah E. Shasteen and Carrie L. Wildman. Lovington superior award winners were Wesley J. Bolsen and Ryan D. Nettles.

The Illinois State Fair open show Grand Champion Barrow became a family project for the DeOrnellases of Sullivan, who brought home the winning ribbon, silver bowl and a prize check for approximately $800. Ron Deornellas of Sullivan showed his sister’s Grand Champion Barrow, Nicki, in the Illinois State Fair open show. The 241-pound crossbred is owned by Pam Deornellas.

With her brown and shiny 29-inch pony tail, Lacosta Meadows of Sullivan, daughter of Kenneth and Deborah Meadows, won first place last week in the Illinois State Fair’s pony tail contest for five and six year olds. Lacosta won over approximately 25 other contestants in her age group for having the longest hair.

Ruby Christy of Sullivan and Gloria Foley of Lovington represented the Moultrie County Homemakers Extension Assn. at the Illinois Homemakers Extension Federation District 4 and 5 meeting held recently in Decatur.

Approximately 2,000 submarine sandwiches were prepared for customers during Sullivan Subway’s grand opening Friday and Saturday. Cathy Janes and Hillary Barnes were among the many employees who prepared the made-to-order sandwiches. Read More

•September 2, 2015•

By Ariana Cherry
Reporting from Arthur

The Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond school board discussed a tentative 2016 budget at their last regular meeting. “There is about a $150,000 difference in the education fund,” stated Superintendent Kenneth Schwengel. “We had to move $150,000 to the transportation fund so that it would be in the black,” he said. “We also have yet to receive a million dollars in reorganization funds.”

The estimated beginning fund balance for the ALAH district as of July 1, 2015 is $1,347,192. The budget calculates the total disbursements/expenditures to be $8,556,208. If the district receives all of their appropriate funding, the anticipated ending balance for June 2016 has been calculated to be $1,615,666. The board noted that the budget will be on display for the next 30 days and then a hearing will be held at 6 p.m. September 21 to approve it.

Other matters that were discussed or voted upon:

-Students returned to class Wednesday, August 19. Read More

Coleen Miller

•September 2, 2015•

A celebration in honor of Coleen Miller’s 100th birthday will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 6 in the Collins Building at Mason Point in Sullivan.

Miller, who was born Sept. 10, 1915, was secretary for McPheeter’s Loan Company and Citizen’s Abstract Company and spent many hours boating on Lake Shelbyville with her husband. She also enjoyed spending time with her family, dancing and shopping.

She married Irtys W. Miller, Sr., who is now deceased, Aug. 29, 1936. She is the mother of Sharon (Jim) Taylor and Irtys W. (Carol) Miller, Jr., both of Sullivan and Stanley (Pam) Miller of Florida. Her daughter Shirley is deceased. She also has six grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild as well as two step-grandchildren, two step-great-grandchildren and one step-great-great-grandchild. Read More