Secret Santa and Sparrows Limited helped 365 less fortunate Moultrie County families have a better Christmas this year.
For the past 70 years the U.S. Marine Reserve sponsored Toys for Tots program has helped the less fortunate all over the world.
The idea started with a handmade doll in 1947 by Marine Major Bill Hendricks has grown to provide more than 8,000,000 toys to children for Christmas in 2018.
Eric Kenney of Sullivan is the area coordinator for Toys-For-Tots, and 723 area children received two or more gifts this season.
“Every child deserves a little Christmas,” Kenney said, noting that 756 children had originally signed up with two families receiving Secret Santa gifts, 15 children removed from the Cerro Gordo list and two who signed up on the website proved fictitious. Read More
Seventy pieces of art created by area school-aged children were entered in the Sullivan Area Arts second Youth Art show held at Elizabeth Titus Library. K-5 grade students with awards presented to Macey Boddy, Lovington; Isabella Manna, Lovington; Zoey Crothers, Sullivan; Addisyn Ploski, Lovington; Austin Bates, Lovington; Elise Fleming, Sullivan; Connor Edmonds, Lovington; Janae Hopper, Sullivan; Karsyn West, Sullivan and Jessica Voyles, Sullivan.
Sullivan High School student Katie Webb was chosen one of 10 state winners in the Illinois Public Radio essay contest. Webb’s composition “This I Believe” competed with 200 entries, with the author receiving a $100 prize.
The Findlay High School Alumni banquet will honor the classes of 1948,58,68,78,88 and 98. The Distinguished Alumni award recipient is Chris (Eadie) Tippit for her service to the community.
Maranda Tarvin, a junior at Windsor High School recently made varsity first team all conference (NTC) in Scholastic Bowl. Sophomore Max Carr made the fresh-soph first All Scholastic Bowl conference team.
Sullivan High School juniors Spencer Johnson and Brody Goss have been selected by the Sullivan American Legion Post 68 to attend the Illinois Premier Boys State program at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston during the summer. Post 68 and the Sons of American Legion are co-sponsors for Johnson and Goss. Read More
Have you heard about the 100 Women Who Care group in Sullivan? They have been in existence since July 2016 and have given over $39,000 to worthy organizations in the community. The best news is that they have done it by meeting for 30 minutes or less four times a year, and any woman is welcome to join.
100 Women Who Care is a nationwide initiative started by women who want to help their communities but don’t want to sell items or spend hours working fundraisers. Locally organized groups meet four times a year and ask women to commit to giving $100 each quarter, either as an individual or part of a team. Read More
An American Red Cross blood drive will be held 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. Friday, January 11 in the Okaw Valley High School gym in Bethany. Any healthy individual, age 16 through 75, who meets weight requirements may donate blood. Donors should eat a healthy meal and drink an extra 16 oz. of water and fluids before donating, and they must bring identification showing a picture and a signature.
All blood types are needed, especially Types 0- and 0+. Every 2.5 seconds someone needs blood; a friend, a family member, or maybe even you. The need is real. By donating at this blood drive, you are helping one or more graduating senior earn a scholarship. You can save up to 15 minutes when you donate blood by using RapidPass! Visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass for more information.
The drive is sponsored by the Okaw Valley High School Student Council. For more information or to make an appointment, contact Okaw Valley High School at 665-3631. An appointment may also be made online at www.redcrossblood.org. Walk-ins are also welcome.
File photo
Shawnee Donates $3,564
Shawnee Communications donates to Sparrows Unlimited. The check presentation was in the Lovington office (from left ) Shawnee customer service Jamie Franklin, Pam Anklam, Cheryl Murphy, representing Sparrows and Shawnee Communications President Mike Grisham.
Dalton City Monster truck driver Brianna Mahon designed the new Monster Jam “Whiplash” truck. In January Mahon debuted the 12 foot tall 10,000 lb. Monster truck in Anaheim,Calif. Mahon is a Sullivan High School graduate who raced dirt bikes until getting sidelined by injury in 2011. By 2013 she started driving for Monster Jam Trucks, winning rookie of the year honors in 2015.
Larry Edwards was promoted to assistant chief of the Sullivan Fire Protection District. A captain since 2005 Edwards started as a volunteer in 1997.
The Sullivan law offices of Wood and Mayberry merged with Decatur law firm Bolen, Robinson and Ellis as founding member Steven Wood began thinking about cutting back his schedule.
Pastor Paul McGhgy was recognized as 2017 Citizen of the Year during the Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development annual awards luncheon.
During the ALAH Knights Classic Holiday tournament the team finished in second place with senior Hannah Wallen scoring her 1000 career point during the Cumberland game. In the championship game with St. Teresa Wallen tallied a team high 16 points including three 3-pointers, Marissa Herschberger scored five 3-pointers for 15, Janette Comstock tallied 12 points, Kyla Carson nine points, Marcy Petersheim six points, and Abi Duzan three points.
The Okaw Valley girls’ basketball team won the 17th annual OV Holiday tournament, defeating Martinsville in the championship game 59-24. Paige Robinson scored 23 points, Danielle Hill and Kate Jeffers each scored eight, Ciera Perry seven, Natalie Jeffers added six and Hope Ruppert four points.
Photo furnished
Timberwolves Cheerleaders Compete
OVHS Cheerleaders competed in the Waterloo Regional on Saturday. They finished 10th. Cheerleaders Front row from left: Kailey George, Grace Bunfill, Marissa Bell, and Alyssa Nihiser.Back row from left : Riley Kesterson, Julia Hildebrandt, Lexi Roe, and Angela Robinson
January 10
The Little Theatre on the Square in Sullivan started showing movies with Goodbye Christopher Robin playing the matinee and Murder on the Orient Express shown in the evening on the weekend.
Sullivan City Council discussed and voted upon health insurance options for retirees over 65 and their spouses at their last meeting.
City Administrator Dan Flannell explained the council voted to follow the recommendation of health insurance agent, CF&H Insurance going with the proposal from Amwins Company.
Commissioners voted to raise the over 65s retirees’ contribution for spousal coverage in line with the current employee’s rate of 40% with the city funding 60%.
The city council voted to give $100 Christmas bonuses to all employees just as they did last year. There was some discussion about a possible additional bonus as the city received a substantial Worker’s Compensation dividend which was achieved with employees attention to safety. That issue will appear on the December 26 agenda for the council to discuss.
Other topics discussed/voted upon: Read More
Moultrie County Clerk Georgia England organized a food and fund drive for the food pantry and Moultrie County Interagency.
From the November county board meeting when the board took away an annual $500 donation to the Interagency until the Dec. 13 meeting England and courthouse employees raised a total of $1450.
Of that amount the Food Pantry received $550 plus a table full of donated food and the Interagency received a $900 donation.
“A big “thank you” to everyone who contributed to the food pantry and interagency,” England said Friday when the donations were distributed. “Your generosity will help provide many families with a Christmas dinner and help where it is needed. This is truly the Christmas spirit!”
Photo by Mike Brothers A new portrait of Abraham Lincoln from 1858 is on display at the Moultrie County Courthouse. Employees gathered to check out the digitally reproduced photograph are Kim Woolen, Alicia Morgason, State’s Attorney Tracy Weaver, Sharon Cox and Erin Reedy seated, Resident Moultrie County Judge Jeremy Richey, Treasurer Stephanie Helmuth, Michelle Liddiard, Supervisor of Assessments Lori Barringer, Circuit Clerk Christa Helmuth and court security Mike Brewer.
•December 19, 2018•
By Steven Douglas
for the News Progress
Moultrie County Courthouse has provided a new home for Abraham Lincoln.
Retired Ford County Judge Steve Pacey presented a 30x40 inch framed digital reproduction of Alexander Hesler’s portrait of Lincoln to Moultrie County on Dec 3.
Prior to the county official swearing in ceremony Pacey, on behalf of the Illinois Judges Association and Illinois State Historical Society, made the presentation to county resident Judge Jeremy Richey. Read More
Well, one of my favorite memories from growing up was holiday baking with my mom.
She was a great cook and baker. After her passing, I didn’t want to lose that tradition so I decided to do a cookie exchange with some friends.
We each bring several dozen of one type of cookie or candy, and I supply the containers, then we all share.
The first year I think we only had three or four. The next year we had a few more and decided to do enough for ourselves as well as the fire department and our city and county police.
This year was our sixth year of the cookie exchange, and Jennifer Voegel has done it with me each and every year.
While planning this year’s we decided that since the fire department and police get so many things brought to them, let’s do some for our local nursing homes instead. Read More
In our family the person who caused the excitement was my brother Donny. He caused all sorts of havoc by just being in the wrong place at the right time and made it appear reasonable.
One may have difficulty seeing the reasoning at the time the incident is happening, especially if you are part of the big plan; and Donny always had a plan.
Donny did not have to look for trouble; it was always just one step away, no matter which way he turned. That is not to say Donny looked for trouble, just that it was always so, oh, so available.
An uncle gave Donny a Billy goat. If Mom and Dad had been asked about this gift, I am pretty certain they would not have agreed. As it was, Uncle Frank arrived with the goat in the back of his truck, and Donny fell in love with it. Read More
