Photo by R.R. Best
Winter Blow
While the wind was still blowing and others were busy shoveling out of the latest winter gift in Moultrie County, Jerry Risley fired up his leaf blower to clear away snow from the walkways at his Sullivan home while also taking care of a few of those pesky leaves left over from a season gone by.
Photo by R.R. Best
Catlin Couple Injured in Allenville Crash
A Catlin couple was hospitalized following a head on collision near Allenville Saturday evening.
James Dolan, 80, and his wife Nancy were traveling west on Hwy. 121 when the traffic accident occurred, Moultrie County Chief Deputy Gary Carroll said referring to the accident report.
The Dolan car was hit head on by a vehicle driven by Matthew Ashby, 16, of Mattoon. Ashby was eastbound and passed another eastbound vehicle not seeing the oncoming Dolan vehicle. The collision was at Hwy. 121 at the 1050N intersection.
Sullivan ambulance service transported the Dolans to a Champaign hospital with charges pending further investigation.
Moultrie County Sheriff’s deputies were called to an accident scene at the intersection of Rte. 32 and Hwy. 121 at 5:35 p.m. Saturday.
A vehicle driven by Jeremy Browder, 19, of Alabama was traveling south on Rte. 32 when he told the Moultrie County Sheriff investigator he fell asleep at the wheel.
The Browder vehicle traveled through the Rte. 32/Hwy.121 intersection over the railroad tracks and came to rest in an open field. Browder was not injured in the crash.
Photo furnihsed
Sullian Educators Recognized
The Sullivan Education Association (SEA) with the support of the Sullivan School District recognized a teacher from each building and one support staff member of the semester. Teachers and support staff members were nominated by their colleagues, and the SEA executive officer chose the recipients. The award is part of the Morale Matters program that was started in the district in 2016 by former SEA president and current FFA teacher Don Lockwood.
The recipients this year all show extreme dedication to their profession, the students, and community of Sullivan. They all go above and beyond what is asked of them, provide a positive learning environment, and show leadership within the district. This year the Chamber of Commerce has generally donated Chamber Bucks for the recipients, and Kevin Landrus donates his time to detail the vehicle for the winner. This year’s recipients are (from right) Don Lockwood (HS), Deena Lee (MS), Lauren Fultz (ES). Inset Cindy Tarr (Support Staff).
Photo by R.R. Best
Bethany Fire Dist. Promotes Two
The Bethany Fire Protection District has announced the promotion of Assistant Fire Chief Tom Rucker to the position of Fire Chief. Rucker (left) has been with the department for 30 years and for most of those years held a state license as an EMT. Rucker is a certified Firefighter II with the Illinois State Fire Marshal. Stepping up to the chief position Rucker has promoted Training Captain Michael Jennings as Assistant Fire Chief. Jennings is in his eleventh year with the fire department . He is a licensed paramedic and Firefighter III certified.
Photo by R.R. Best
First Snowman
J.J. Standerfer of Sullivan took advantage of a snow covered Christmas to build the first snowman of the season. The snow started on the heals of a warm few days mixed with rain then gently covered the ground. With temperatures in the single digits Standerfer’s first snowman could last all season.
Photo by Mike Brothers
Bicycle Gifts
Four Lovington students benefited from the French family bicycle giveaway just in time for Christmas. The family tradition began 26 years ago with son, Joc, coordinating the event since 2012. Pictured from left: pre-school bicycle winner Jaxson Wiley, founder Tammy French, Kinzin French (Joc’s daughter), Austin Scroggins (nephew), Joc French, bicycle winners Logan Wiley and Mariyah Miller, Austyn Scroggins (niece). Not pictured was pre school bicycle winner Layleen Sutton. Mark and Tammy French started the tradition after Joc, who was born with Cerebral Palsy, was able to ride a bike. Not only did Joc pass that special needs bicycle on when he was 16 but took over the tradition along with his sister Amanda Scroggins help as an adult. His daughter, niece and nephew all attend Lovington Grade School.
Photo By R. R. Best
Priceless Gift
Tyrea Riley, a student in the Moultrie Co. CEFS Head Start 0-5 Program, gets a priceless gift from Santa Claus during the class visit to the Moultrie County Courthouse. Candy and gifts are soon gone, but this hug will last a lifetime.
Photo furnished
VFW Donates
Sullivan VFW #6410 Auxiliary recently donated $1000 to the local Peace Meal program coordinated by Sarah Bush Lincoln hospital. Pictured from left to right: Valerie Turnbow V.F.W. Aux. treasurer; Barbara Wylie of Sarah Bush Lincoln Hospital and Barbara Vail VFW #6410 Aux. president.
Photo by Mike Brothers
Grant for Lovington Fire District
Lovington Fire District received a $2000 grant from ExonMobil Pipeline Co. Above Adam Tedrick of the ExonMobil office in Shelbyville presents the check to Lovington fire chief Gary Smith.
Smith explained that part of the funds helped purchase a vehicle stabilizer (foreground) to assist in accident extrications. Tedrick noted ExonMobil has a pipeline pumping crude oil about three miles from Lovington and the Good Neighbor Grants help out smaller rural fire districts.
Tedrick coordinates Operations and Maintenance for ExonMobil in a five county area with the grants rotated annually.
“I meet with each of the fire departments in my service area one time a year,” Tedrick said. “I reached out to Gary and he pointed out Lovington Fire District could use equipment.”
One district in each of the ExonMobil counties in this are received $2000 grants. This is the first time Lovington Fire District has received an ExonMobile Good Neighbor Grant.
Photo furnished
OV Youth Advisors
Okaw Valley High School students Natalie Jeffers and Ethan Macklin along with Cullen Dyer and Spencer Johnson of Sullivan High School and Eusebio Briseno, Abbi Duzan and Kolby Rickman of Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond High School met recently with State Senator Chapin Rose at Richland Community College. Senator Rose has put together a Youth Advisory Council consisting of two outstanding students per high school in the 51st Senate District. Students discussed issues that are important to today’s youth. They will meet in Springfield in the spring so that the students may experience the legislative process firsthand and participate in a mock committee hearing. Pictured from left: Ethan Macklin, OV social studies teacher, Brad Ackers, and Natalie Jeffers.