Yost Murder Trial Continues in County

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*Update: Yost has been found guilty

•September 14, 2016•

by Mike Brothers and Soyna Best
For the News Progress

The murder trial of Michael S. Yost, 43, for the cutting death of Sheri Randall in March 2015 continued Sept. 13 in the Moultrie County Courthouse with Judge Dan L. Flannell presiding.

Appearing with his court appointed attorney Brad Rau, Yost sat quietly listening to testimony from Illinois State Police CSI Stephen Hulen.

Hulen recounted his investigation of Randall’s Graham Street apartment crime scene. Referring to a series of crime scene photographs, Hulen told prosecutor Jeremy Richey and the court that entry was gained by a concrete block thrown through a window.

He went on to describe blood from the kitchen where knives were removed from drawers, then on to the bedroom where Randall was found dead as Yost lay semiconscious with his arm over her. Read More

Two of the Oldest Banks in Moultrie County to form a New Bank

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•September 14, 2016•

Ray Duncan, Chairman of the board of First National Bank of Sullivan and chairman and CEO  of Hardware State Bank of Lovington, announced last week that the two banks will merge to form a new state bank named First Community Bank of Moultrie County.

Hardware  State Bank has been serving the county since 1885, and the First National has been in business since 1905.

Both banks provide a wide array of banking services meeting the needs of their communities.

First National Bank Sullivan received a Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) rating of “Outstanding” on its March 2, 2015 examination. For the last 15 years, Hardware State Bank has maintained a 5-Star Superior rating from Bauer Financial. Read More

ALAH Homecoming

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Photo by Mike Brothers ALAH Homecoming Homecoming King and Queen candidates prepare for coronation in Arthur Saturday night. They are: front to back: Shandon Herschberger and Gracie Plank, Nick Stoltey and Mycaela Miller, Jacob Larimore and Kimberly Davis, Justin Laughlin and Megan Cornwell. Coronation is 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17 in the high school gymnasium.

Photo by Mike Brothers
ALAH Homecoming
Homecoming King and Queen candidates prepare for coronation in Arthur Saturday night. They are: front to back: Shandon Herschberger and Gracie Plank, Nick Stoltey and Mycaela Miller, Jacob Larimore and Kimberly Davis, Justin Laughlin and Megan Cornwell. Coronation is 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17 in the high school gymnasium.

Supervisor of Assessments Was The Ultimate Public Servant

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•September 14, 2016•

Cindy Kidwell passed away in her sleep Sunday. She was 67 years old and just announced her retirement after serving 15 years as Moultrie County Supervisor of Assessments.

Services are at Reed Funeral Home in Sullivan at 7 p.m. Friday.

In a departing email sent out last week Kidwell noted that after 15 years of service “my body feels like it has been like a hundred so I want to get out while I can hopefully do all the things on my list before my legs give out.”

It was a list left incomplete.

For those past 15 years Cindy soothed taxpayers upset about property taxes while meticulously taking care of the myriad of legal requirements for the chief county assessment office. Last year was a quadrennial tax assessment year when all properties are evaluated.  Read More

First Color Run Fundraiser Planned for Titus Manor

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•September 14, 2016•

By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress

Titus Manor located at 513 N. Worth St. has been a part of Sullivan for a little over 150 years. In its quiet part of town, Titus Manor was built by Joseph B. Titus who came to Sullivan in 1862 with his family.

The Titus Manor is hosting its first ever Color Run Saturday, September 24 in Wyman Park. (Rain date is October 1). Sign-in begins at 8 a.m., and the walk/run starts at 9 a.m. Registration deadline is Sept. 23.

This year Titus Manor decided to try something different- a Color Run. “Because of the popularity of Color Runs, we decided to try one in hopes we could raise enough funds that we could just have one event this year, along with our fall bazaar, instead of having several smaller fund-raisers throughout the year,” said Lisa Smothers, office manager. There have been several businesses who have come together to support the Color Run. “The response from the community has been amazing, and we could’ve never pulled it off without them,” stated Smothers. Read More

LHS Alumni Honor Three Graduates

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•September 7, 2016•

The Lovington High School Alumni Association will honor three Lovington graduates at its banquet September 10 at Yoder’s Country Kitchen in Arthur.

Dan Bolsen, Class of 2009, will receive the Outstanding Athletic Hall of Fame award.

Bolsen made the LOVC All Conference and All Area teams in basketball and football his sophomore, junior and senior years at LHS. He made the AP All State team in basketball and the Illinois Press Association’s All State Journalism team his senior year. Bolsen also played basketball and then football at Eureka College, where he received his bachelor’s degree. He also earned a master’s degree from the University of Illinois. Read More

Moultrie County Awarded Federal Funds For Food Pantry

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•September 7, 2016•

$2,800 for Food and Shelter

By Stu Baker
For the News Progress

Moultrie County has been chosen to receive $2,800.00 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county.

The selection was made by a National Board that is chaired by the U. S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency and consists of representatives from American Red Cross; Catholic Charities, USA; National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA; The Jewish Federations of North America, The Salvation Army; and, United Way Worldwide. The Local Board was charged to distribute funds appropriated by Congress to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in high-need areas around the country.

A Local Board is made up of representatives from local government, Salvation Army, United Way, Catholic Charities and a former homeless person who will determine how the funds awarded to Moultrie County are to be distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local service agencies in the area.  Read More

Moultrie County Prepares for Real Estate Tax Sale

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•September 7, 2016•

Moultrie County, as Trustee, has completed their tax deed proceedings on real estate properties that were delinquent for 2012 and prior real estate taxes.

The County, as Trustee, will now offer for sale the real state obtained to the public. They will offer approximately five items through a sealed bid auction sale. All sealed bids must be in the Moultrie County Treasurer’s Office located in the Moultrie County Courthouse, 10 S. Main Street, Suite 10, Sullivan, Illinois 61951 no later than the close of business on September 23, 2016.

The sale of these lots should be a major benefit to both the taxing districts and the neighboring property owners. This sale will place the properties into the hands of individuals who have interest in owning them.  Read More

Dr. Suess on the Loose OVHS HC Week

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The Okaw Valley High School 2016 Homecoming Court Homecoming is Sept. 17 for Okaw Valley High School. Front row (L to R): Brianna Creviston, Kristy Burford, Madison Uhlrich, and Jasmine Baumbarger. Back row (L to R): Evan Blakey, Brendon Lane, Ty Nichols, and Skyler Birch.

The Okaw Valley High School 2016 Homecoming Court
Homecoming is Sept. 17 for Okaw Valley High School. Front row (L to R): Brianna Creviston, Kristy Burford, Madison Uhlrich, and Jasmine Baumbarger. Back row (L to R): Evan Blakey, Brendon Lane, Ty Nichols, and Skyler Birch.

•September 7, 2016•

Okaw Valley High School Student Council is announcing the annual Homecoming Week September 12-17. The overall theme to this year’s festivities is “Dr.Seuss”. Each day will highlight a special theme at OVHS, and students are encouraged to participate accordingly.

The week kicks off Monday as “Pass the Yawn Day” in which students will wear pajamas. Monday evening the Okaw Valley Lady Timberwolves volleyball team will host the Hawks from Heritage High School.

Immediately following the matches, there will be a Fall Sports Rally on the OVHS football field that will highlight the Marching Timberwolves along with introducing the fall sports teams. The rally will end with a victory march to the bonfire. All OV and SOV supporters are encouraged to attend this spirited event.

Tuesday students will dress for “Thing One and Thing Two Day”, where they will be encouraged to dress as twins.

Wednesday’s theme is “Maisy Head Daisy Day” with the “Powder Puff” football games beginning at 11:40 am.  Read More

Harvest Begins

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Photo by R.R. Best Harvest Begins John and Mike Durbin started harvesting corn for Carroll Weaver north of Sullivan last week and discovered weather conditions had created a blight on the crop damaging the corn harvest yield.

Photo by R.R. Best
Harvest Begins
John and Mike Durbin started harvesting corn for Carroll Weaver north of Sullivan last week and discovered weather conditions had created a blight on the crop damaging the corn harvest yield.