County Board Protects Courthouse Computers

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•December 19, 2018•

By Mike Brothers

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 Council Approves Health Plan Changes

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•December 19, 2018•

By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress

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

Youth Advisory Council

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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.

Spirit of Giving Lives in Courthouse Fund Drive

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•December 19, 2018•

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!”

Lincoln Gets a New Home in Moultrie County

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Photo by Mike Brothers
A new portrait of Abraham Lincoln from 1858 is on display at the Moultrie County Courthouse. Employees gathered to check out the digitally reproduced photograph are Kim Woolen, Alicia Morgason, State’s Attorney Tracy Weaver, Sharon Cox and Erin Reedy seated, Resident Moultrie County Judge Jeremy Richey, Treasurer Stephanie Helmuth, Michelle Liddiard, Supervisor of Assessments Lori Barringer, Circuit Clerk Christa Helmuth and court security Mike Brewer.

•December 19, 2018•

By Steven Douglas
for the News Progress

Moultrie County Courthouse has provided a new home for Abraham Lincoln.
Retired Ford County Judge Steve Pacey presented a 30x40 inch framed digital reproduction of Alexander Hesler’s portrait of Lincoln to Moultrie County on Dec 3.
Prior to the county official swearing in ceremony Pacey, on behalf of the Illinois Judges Association and Illinois State Historical Society, made the presentation to county resident Judge Jeremy Richey. Read More

Sparrows Wrap

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Photo by Darian Hays
Sparrows Wrap
On Saturday Dec. 8 Lovington area volunteers gathered at the Lovington Church of God community building where Sparrows Unlimited helpers such as Tracy Garmon meticulously wrapped gifts to be presented to nearly 100 Lovington area children while village trustee Dennis Garmon volunteered as DJ, playing Christmas music all morning.

Secret Santa Delivers

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Secret Santa Delivers
It was Operation Secret Santa gift distribution on Dec 15 at the Moultrie County Beacon. Secret Santa helped more than 80 families and 265 kids to celebrate Christmas this year. Pictured are some of the volunteers: Justine Brewer, Angie Coy, Lisa Sheehan, Cheryl Thomas, Areiana Donaldson, Kassie Waggoner, Brock Waggoner and Elizabeth Houser.

Cookie Exchange Memories

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Photo by R.R. Best

•December 12, 2018•

Well, one of my favorite memories from growing up was holiday baking with my mom.
She was a great cook and baker. After her passing, I didn’t want to lose that tradition so I decided to do a cookie exchange with some friends.
We each bring several dozen of one type of cookie or candy, and I supply the containers, then we all share.
The first year I think we only had three or four. The next year we had a few more and decided to do enough for ourselves as well as the fire department and our city and county police.
This year was our sixth year of the cookie exchange, and Jennifer Voegel has done it with me each and every year.
While planning this year’s we decided that since the fire department and police get so many things brought to them, let’s do some for our local nursing homes instead. Read More

When Trouble was Always Just One Step Away

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•December 12, 2018•

By Evelyn Burtcheard
for the News Progress

In our family the person who caused the excitement was my brother Donny. He caused all sorts of havoc by just being in the wrong place at the right time and made it appear reasonable.
One may have difficulty seeing the reasoning at the time the incident is happening, especially if you are part of the big plan; and Donny always had a plan.
Donny did not have to look for trouble; it was always just one step away, no matter which way he turned. That is not to say Donny looked for trouble, just that it was always so, oh, so available.
An uncle gave Donny a Billy goat. If Mom and Dad had been asked about this gift, I am pretty certain they would not have agreed. As it was, Uncle Frank arrived with the goat in the back of his truck, and Donny fell in love with it. Read More

IGA Gives to Secret Santa

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Photo by Mike Brothers
IGA Gives to Secret Santa
As the holiday season heads toward Christmas, volunteers for Secret Santa are on their way to Kohl’s in Forsyth to shop for 265 kids in need. Local coordinator Kassie Waggoner said 30 volunteers helped shop Friday, Dec. 7 with each Secret Santa sponsored child receiving two outfits and two gift items. Sullivan Chief of Police Jim Waggoner explained the number in need increased by more than 100 kids this year. “It’s a testimony to the support of the community,” Waggoner said. “Thanks to donations from businesses such as Sullivan IGA we continue to help those who need it most.” Pictured above Chief Waggoner and daughter Kassie accept the annual Sullivan IGA donation of $500 from store manage Pat Stinson.