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.
Photo furnished Arthur Fire District Delivers Members of the Arthur Fire Protection District and volunteers delivered 90 boxes of food and toys Saturday, Dec. 15 to families living in the fire district. Arthur FD has a roster of 34 firefighters, but on delivery day they got help. Most of the volunteers were college age young adults who have helped in the past and came back to assist again.
Sullivan’s City Council candidates’ list was finalized with three people seeking the Mayor’s office. A drawing held December 21 determined ballot placement for canddiates in the April 2, 2019 election. Filing for Mayor: Incumbent Ann Y. Short, Richard R. Glazebrook, and William “Bill” Burger, Accounts and Finance commissioner: Abbey Sherwood challenging incumbent Mike Mossman. Public Health & Safety commissioner: Chuck Woodworth is challenging incumbent Grant Wade. Public Property commissioner: incumbent Michael E. Kirk., and challengers Michael C. Fowler and Austin Hunter. Streets & Public Improvements commissioner seat is open with Jerry Risley not seeking reelection. Candidates are Peggy J. Hargis, Edna M. Bailey, and Nancy Barker. The petition filing period was December 10-17 for placement on the ballot of the Consolidated Election April 2, 2019.
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.
Photo by Mike Brothers
Christmas Hams
Once again the generosity of Moultrie County residents was exhibited with the annual donation of 100 hams from Sullivan IGA to the Moultrie County Food Bank. The anonymous donor helps complete Christmas dinner once the staff at the Food Bank create the holiday boxes for families. Above Sullivan IGA meat department staff made the delivery to the Food Bank in plenty of time for Christmas dinner. Front Mason Harner, back from left Seth Cobb, IGA Meat Dept. manager Barry Golden and Emmalee Hortenstine.
Photo by Ellen Ferrera Carolers Visit Senior Center Sullivan Elementary School fourth graders entertained Mid-Illinois Senior Center visitors on Dec 17.Courtney Leach, SES Music Teacher, led some 80 members of the Elementary School Choir from their bus into the Senior Center on Wednesday to sing carols to the audience gathered for the concert. The children, all dressed in red and white Santa caps, were seated on the floor and sang such favorites as “Let it Snow”, “Silent Night”, “Deck the Halls” and “We Wish you a Merry Christmas”. The Elementary School Choir presented a delightful song, “Christmas Rush”, with choreographed with dance movements, shopping bags with long Christmas lists. They finished with a medley of Christmas songs. Santa and Norma Piper from RSVP were at the door to give each child a candy cane and a bag of cookies as they exited to a loud applause from the happy seniors.
Moultrie County took steps to prevent future computer hacking with approval of Malwarebytes Protection for $4,317.84.
Technology committee chair Neil Bryan moved the two year subscription with a cost of $79.96 for each of the county’s 54 units be approved. Dave McCabe, Kevin McReynolds, Bryan, Mike Barringer, Arlene Aschermann, Todd Maxedon, Bill Voyles, Tim Rose and Tyler Graven all voted for the motion.
Geographic Information System (GIS) committee chairman McReynolds moved that the price for the county’s aerial photographic mapping information to groups who intend to resale the information commercially be negotiated based on each individual instance. The motion passed unanimously. Read More
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
Photo furnished Sen. Chapin Rose hosts dozens of students during Youth Advisory Council in Champaign. Students from Okaw Valley and Sullivan high schools attended. Sullivan High School students L to R: Zane Finfrock, Carley Towle, Adalee Nichols, Sen. Rose.
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!”
