Photo courtesy Les Winkler
Redbird snowbird
The Cardinal above is making the most of this snow laced snack of sunflower seeds. Snow covered ground and single digit temps in Moultrie County hinder regular bird feeding. Cardinals, like the many fans of the baseball team, are waiting around for spring training and a chance at another season.
Photo furnished
OVHS Student
Selected for State Honors Choir
Okaw Valley junior Isabella Benning was selected to participate in the Illinois Music Educators Association All-State Conference in Peoria January 24-27. Benning qualified for Honors Choir through a rigorous audition process.
This festival is the highest honor that may be achieved by a high school musician. More than 1300 selected musicians representing more than 300 schools from across the state were chosen.
During the week they attended rehearsals with nationally known conductors, concerts, a college fair, and performed for the public on Saturday.
Photo furnished
ALAH FFA Students Place at Section Public Speaking Contest
Submitted by: Katie Gingerich,
ALAH FFA Reporter
The Section 17 FFA Public Speaking contest was held January 24 at Monticello High School. Makenna Green competed in Varsity Extemporaneous Public Speaking, and Zane Crist in Prepared Public Speaking.
Green drew a topic out of a hat and had 30 minutes to prepare a speech. She then presented her speech and answered questions about her topic. “It is really fun to have to think on your feet. I would definitely recommend it to kids to step outside of their comfort zone and learn to defend what you know and fly by the seat of your pants. And learn to conquer the fear of talking in front of people,” Green said.
Crist prepared a speech about the excess levels of nitrogen and phosphorus and stimulating the growth of algae. “These algae deplete oxygen from the water and eventually kill fish due to the low levels of oxygen. I liked it and I would recommend it,” he said.
Green and Crist each placed second in extemporaneous and prepared speaking respectively. They compete at the District 4 Public Speaking CDE in April.
Photo furnished
SES Gold Slip Awards
Pictured from back left to right: Ivan Moxley, Gavin Helmuth, Caidon Hill, Nixon Dundee, Tessla Ashbrook, Kendall Penberthy, Nevaeh Marlow
Front left to right: Avram Bates, Aiden Dinger At Sullivan Elementary School, students who go above and beyond expectations are awarded a “Gold Slip.”
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.