Photo by RR Best
SES Christmas Program
Sullivan Elementary School student Elira Halili performs during the SES Christmas Program last Thursday. To see more photos, be sure to visit www. moultriemoments.com
SES Christmas Program
Category Archives: News Section
Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation Awards Grant for Douglas/Moultrie Amish Schools
The Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation, the 501(c)(3) philanthropic arm of Delta Dental of Illinois, recently awarded $208,000 to 14 Illinois organizations, including a $100,000 Wisdom Tooth Award and $108,000 in community grants to help improve the oral health of children within the state. Read More
Alcohol Sales Underway in Bethany
Bethany Foods, Casey’s first to receive liquor licenses
Photo by RR Best
Pictured from left to right are: Bethany Foods owner Atta Abbed, Bethany mayor Bill Ashley, village trustees Dick Roe and Craig Wigness and former Bethany mayor Barb Meador.
by Derek Pope
Bethany Reporter
With nearly a month of liquor sales on the books for most eligible businesses in Bethany, there is no doubt retail establishments have benefited from the repeal of alcohol prohibition in the small town. Local business owner, Atta Abbed, of Bethany foods said that liquor sales “have definitely been a plus” for his business, which has seen an increase in sales in excess of his initial expectations. Bethany Foods, along with Casey’s General Store, was among the first establishments to begin offering sales of alcohol in Bethany on November 6. Read More
Liquor Ordinance Encounters Growing Pains
Potential passage of gambling also thrown into mix
By Joash Tiarks
Bethany Reporter
The growing pains associated with the recent introduction of Bethany’s first liquor ordinance are already manifesting themselves.
One of the primary beneficiaries of the new ordinance thus far, Hired Hand Winery & Saloon, was initially issued a license to remain open from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday to Thursday and from noon to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. This has turned out to be too constricting as the proprietor, Shane Weybright, requested the Village Board extend the hours till at least 10 p.m. on weekdays and midnight for Friday and Saturday. Business has been better than expected already, and many of the customers have stopped in because of evening school sporting events and activities. Read More
First-Team All-State
Submitted
First-Team All-State
Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond football senior Logan West accepts his plaque at the First-Team All-State Ceremony in DeKalb before the 1A championship game at Huskie Stadium, Friday, November 29. Teammates Jordan Feagin and Tyler Schuring were selected to the All-State Honorable Mention team.
50 Year Pins
Submitted by Charles Steck
50 Year Pins
Arthur Lodge # 825, A F & A M, recently presented 50 year pins and certificates during a dinner at Yoder’s Kitchen. Bros. James Jurgens and Ward McDonald were present to receive their pins; Bros. James Winningham and Calvin Coombes were unable to attend the presentation. Pins and certficates will be sent to Bros. Donald Knobloch who lives in Ohio, and Bro. Harold J. Curry in Arizona. Bro. Knobloch will be a 50 yr. member and Bro. Curry will be honored for being a member of the Fraternity for 75 years, which very few attain. Presentations were made by Bro. Barry D. Weer, currently Grand Master of the state of Illinois, and Bro. Noel C. Dicks, past Grand Master. Pictured left to right are: Bro. David Bowers, Worshipful Master of Arthur Lodge #825, Bro. James Jurgens, 50 yr. member, Bro. Barry D. Weer, Grand Master of the state of Illinois, Bro. Ward McDonald, 50 yr. member, and Bro. Noel C. Dicks, Past Grand Master of Illinois.
The Last Time for Tea
In final year of teaching, LGS instructor hosts last holiday tradition
Photo by RR Best
Lovington Grade School teacher Debbie Long reads a story to her students during her annual Christmas Tea Sunday at her home in Sullivan. Since this year marks Long’s last teaching, so will it for her holiday tradition.
by Christina Whitford
Sullivan Reporter
Growing up as a little girl in Decatur, Debbie Long always knew she wanted to dedicate her life to teaching children. With the support of her family, she was able to create a very successful career out of teaching, one that will culminate this year, her 35th.
Long followed her dreams and graduated from Illinois State University in 1978. From there she began her career teaching in Lovington in 1979.
“Ever since I can remember I wanted to teach children,” Long recalled. “I would get all the neighborhood kids and teach them in my school room in my basement. My grandpa even got me a chalk board out of an old one room school house and hung it up for me.” Read More
Reindeer Run Winners
Photo by Keith Stewart
Reindeer Run Winners
The Sullivan Singers’ Boosters Club hosted their second annual Reindeer Run 5k on a frigid Saturday morning in Wyman Park. Pictured are those who earned medals during the run: Brent King, overall male winner, 18:59; Laine Cameron, overall female winner, 21:29; 19 & under male-Josh O’Brien, first, 19:46; Travis Hanson, second, 24:03; Liam Bechtold, third, 27:25; Jed Wheeler, fourth, 28:49; Brayton Sparrow, fifth; and Ty Binnion, sixth, 41:07. 19 & under female–Jordan Bassett, first, 24:52; Madison Wall, second, 25:53; Kennedy Lucas, third, 25:41; Taylor Booker, fourth, 27:59; Ciara Anderson, fifth, 28:20; Lily Bales, sixth, 28:42; and Mackenzie Ruppert, seventh, 28:42. 30-39 male–Marc Dal Ponte, first, 22:25; Chris Ballinger, second, 28:31; 30-39 female–Jodie Carey, first, 30:55; Rachel Elzy, second, 34:01. 40-49 male–Brian Sparrow, first, 25:53; Rich Banning, second, 26:30. 40-49 female–Angie Cameron, first, 26:47; Lori Sparrow, second, 29:22; Cartha Foley, third, 29:33; and Connie Mulligan, fourth, 31:21. 50-59 male–James Ewing, first, 30:45. 60 + male–Larry Wilson, first, 21:35; Mike Faught, second, 25:30. 5k Walk–Abigail Chapman, first, 42:05; Chris Chapman, second, 42:05; and Angie Hayes, third, 42:05. 1 Mile Deer Dash–Marc Dal Ponte, first, 9:45; Sydni Mulligan, second, 13:02.
Kicking Off the Christmas Season
Photo by RR Best
Kicking off the Christmas Season
Bethany Mayor Bill Ashley addresses a packed room of children and village residents Saturday evening during their annual Christmas tree lighting at the former depot. Be sure to look in next week’s paper to see how the rest of Moultrie County kicked off the holiday season.
Tax Increase Approved Monday Night for Sullivan Schools
Head football coach resignation also accepted
by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com
The Sullivan school district approved their tax levy Monday night, representing a tentative net increase of $342,129 in tax dollars, an 8.78 percent increase over last year’s amount. Because the increase was more than five percent, the district held a truth-in-taxation meeting prior to the regularly scheduled meeting, giving members of the public an opportunity to voice either support for or opposition to the levy. Read More