•November 18, 2020•
By Ted Walk
Students in Sullivan Schools showed their desire to remain competitive regardless of challenges faced this year. Many students in both the middle school and high school participated in fall sports. The middle school boys’ baseball team completed their first season under a new coaching staff and made fundamental improvement throughout the season laying the foundation for future successful seasons. Read More
Dear Editor,
Having served as an election judge at the Moultrie County courthouse during this past election, I would like to publicly thank County Clerk Georgia England and her staff for their outstanding work during an especially difficult election period.
Georgia, Jamie, Pam and Mary spend countless hours preparing for early voting, absentee voting, in-person voting, and curbside voting, making sure that every eligible voter could exercise his/her Constitutional right to vote. All of this preparation was done with the pandemic adding to their workload. Read More
•November 18, 2020•
West & Company, LLC is pleased to announce some changes in our firm. Jim Russell has been promoted to Tax Manager with firm-wide review and preparation responsibilities. Jim started with the firm in the Mattoon office in January 1989 and transferred to the Sullivan office in 1998, where he has been the Office Manager since 2017. Jim has always enjoyed advising, educating, and assisting clients to help them achieve their financial goals, and he looks forward to continuing to do so in this position. Jim lives in Mattoon with his wife and daughter. Read More
Driver’s licenses and ID card expirations will be extended
•November 18, 2020•
Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White is reminding the public that Driver Services facilities statewide will be closed for in-person transactions effective Tuesday, Nov. 17, and will reopen on Monday, Dec. 7, 2020, due to the worsening COVID-19 pandemic. White is encouraging the public to take advantage of online services.
In an effort to reduce facility visits for in-person service, White has expanded online renewals for driver’s licenses and ID cards. Not everyone qualifies, particularly those who are required to pass a written or road test. For qualifying drivers, if the driver’s license or ID card expired between Feb. 1, 2020 and Jan. 31, 2021, then the individual will receive a letter with a unique PIN needed to renew online. This letter will be sent in December 2020 or January 2021. If the driver’s license or ID card expires after Feb. 1, 2021, the individual will receive the PIN letter approximately 90 days before the expiration date. For more information on determining whether an individual qualifies for online renewal, visit www.cyberdriveillinois.com and click on “Read more on how to renew your driver’s license or ID card online” near the top of the main page. Read More
New temporary license plates provide more information
•November 18, 2020•
Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White announced that his office has upgraded temporary license plates (also known as TRPs or temporary registration permits), making them more durable and providing more information to law enforcement in an effort to continue to combat fraud and criminal activity.
“This newly designed temporary license plate continues to give law enforcement the tools to quickly and accurately identify the owner of a vehicle,” said White. “Illinois was the first state in the nation to connect temporary license plates with LEADS (Law Enforcement Agency Data System), and we continue to make upgrades to our program and to the temporary license plate itself.” Read More
Submitted by Yolanda Nation
Assisting with Mobile Food Pantry are, from left, 4-H members Caitlynne Therieau, Amanda Hall, Aiden Lister, Lilah Bonny, Marissa Barringer, Zoie Wemple and Delaney Nation.
•November 18, 2020•
Seven Shelby County 4-H Federation members assisted at the Mobile Food Pantry held at Windsor Grade School on October 28. The Mobile Food Pantry is sponsored by Decatur Catholic Charities and the Windsor School District and coordinated by Shelby County Extension SNAP ED Program Coordinator MaryBeth Massey. Federation members helped unload 225+ boxes and distributed food to 90 families. This is just one of many community service projects that 4-H Federation has assisted with this fall. Shelby County 4-H Federation members meet once a month and plan county programs for 4-H members, and sponsor a variety of activities for 4-H clubs. When asked why Federation members like helping in community service projects, Delaney Nation, Federation president commented “it’s a way to give back to our community and also, let the community know that the youth in Shelby County 4-H are here to help in any way we can”.[/s2If]
25 Years Ago This Week
About $18,000 worth of damage was sustained at the Bethany home of Richard Kenneller. The fire was attributed to a malfunction in an attic furnace, Bethany Fire Chief Jerry Ward said.
Increased assessed valuation on local property will boost the Lovington school district’s tax levy to more than 105 percent, school board members learned in last week’s meeting. That means that a truth-in-taxation hearing must be held on the tax levy for taxes payable in 1996. Dianne Reedy, board secretary canvassed the election results and declared the following elected to the new Board of Education: Jan Harner, Larry Traxler and Cindy VanWinkle who were incumbents and Tina Bolsen, who was running for the seat being vacated by Dean Creviston. Read More
Senior Peace Meal
For additional information or for reservations, please call 1-800-543-1770
Nov. 23 - Pork Chop in Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, Seasoned Baby Carrots, Dinner Roll, Whole Grain Fruit Bar
Nov. 24 - Baked Ham, Candied Sweet Potatoes, Buttered Midori Vegetables, Whole Grain Wheat (1), Blushing Pears
Nov. 25 - Chili with Beans, Mixed Lettuce Salad w/Dressing Pkt., Crackers, Waldorf Salad
Nov. 26 - CLOSED FOR THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY
Nov. 27 - CLOSED FOR THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY
November is Winter Weather Preparedness Month in Illinois
•November 18, 2020•
While the official start of winter is not for several weeks, those in Illinois know that winter weather is inevitable. Knowing what to do before a winter storm strikes can provide peace of mind and ultimately impact how well we respond and recover from any winter storm. To help Illinois residents be prepared for winter weather, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and National Weather Service (NWS) developed a Winter Weather Preparedness Guide to help families prepare for extreme cold, snow and ice.
“Being unprepared for winter weather is not only inconvenient, but it can be dangerous,” said IEMA Director Alicia Tate-Nadeau. “We are encouraging all Illinoisans to take a few minutes to put together your home and vehicle emergency supply kits and review the steps you should take to stay safe during hazardous winter weather.” Read More
•November 18, 2020•
Sullivan Chamber & Economic Development is now accepting nominations for recipients of the 2020 Community Service Award, Lifetime Achievement Award, Small Business of the Year, and Business of the Year. Winners of the 2020 annual awards will be presented at the SCED Annual Luncheon or replacement due to COVID-19. Read More