Obituaries 11-2-2016: Jack Wheeler, Jr.

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Jack Wheeler, Jr. Jack “Jackie” Otis Wheeler, Jr., 56, of Bethany passed away at 8:14 p.m. Saturday, October 29, 2016 surrounded by his loved ones. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, November 5 in Heartland Community Church in Decatur with Pastor Dave Blessent officiating and Pastor Joe Bowman assisting. Visitation will be held 1-3 p.m. Saturday in Heartland Community Church in Decatur. Jackie will take his final ride starting at Coziahr Harley Davidson in Forsyth prior to the visitation with kickstands up at 11:30 a.m. Burial will be at a later date in Marrowbone Township Cemetery in … Read More

Obituaries 11-2-2016: Bud Clark

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Bud Clark Charles F. “Bud” Clark, 86, of Decatur, formerly of Bethany, died at 5:25 p.m. Thursday, October 27, 2016 in Decatur Memorial Hospital. Services were held at 11 a.m. today (Wednesday) in Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home in Decatur with burial in Graceland Cemetery. … Read More

Remember When? 11-2-2016

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Compiled by Bekki Ferguson-Stevens 25 Years Ago This Week Sullivan residents Elizabeth and Gretchen Rasmussen, semi-professional country music singers, have been focusing their talents on a new project as of late: a gospel album. For two years, the mother and daughter duo and Sullivan dentist, Dr. Jerry Ozee, have been collaborating on the venture, which will be realized with the arrival of 500 cassette tapes in a couple of weeks. For each of them, it is the culmination of a dream come true. Sullivan residents Rod Fleming and Mike Piper are the newest emergency medical technicians employed by the Sullivan Fire … Read More

C.E.F.S. Head Start Taking Children’s Applications

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Extended Hours for Center-Based Class •November 2, 2016• C.E.F.S. Head Start 0-5 Program is a federally-funded program that provides comprehensive classroom and home-based educational services to pregnant women and children ages 0-5 including those with significant or multiple special needs. Recruitment is now going on. The C.E.F.S. Head Start 0-5 Program is located at 203 S Graham Street in Sullivan. The preschool center-based class provides services to children from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Thursday. A nutritious breakfast, lunch and snack are provided daily. Teachers plan daily lessons with developmentally appropriate activities that advance the children’s self-confidence, problem … Read More

Reading Brings Community Together

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One Book One Sullivan •November 2, 2016• By Samuel Clemmons for the News Progress Thanks to the generosity of Sullivan Rotary Club One Book One Sullivan enters its ninth year of bringing the community together through literacy. The One Book One Sullivan committee is announcing the winning title on Wednesday, Nov. 23 during a Sullivan Middle School gymnasium assembly. Since its beginning, Sullivan Rotary Club has contributed $16,000 to One Book One Sullivan. Founder Rikki Ray and Sullivan middle school student members explained the program to Rotarians during the Oct. 11 meeting at TnT Pizza. … Read More

SHS Footloose at Little Theatre

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•November 2, 2016• The Sullivan Singers and Sullivan High School will present Footloose November 4, 5, and 6. Tickets may be purchased at the door,. The story of Footloose follows the troubles of a small town outside of Chicago as the townspeople struggle to overcome a community tragedy. With loud music, dancing, and all partying strictly against the law, a newcomer strives to bring the joy of dance back to the grief-stricken town. … Read More

Lovington Public Library November News

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•November 2, 2016• Reading Redbirds Youth Book Club for fourth-eighth graders will meet 3:45-4:45 p.m. month. Tuesday, November 1. The children in this club enjoy planning/assisting with library events and talking about their favorite books. This month the book club will help make decorations for “Harry Potter Week.” “Wee Readers Story Time” will be at its new time this month, so both preschool classes will be able to attend. Thursday mornings from 10:45-11:15 a.m., preschoolers two years and older enjoy a story, song and dance, games and more. October themes are Nov. 3: “Read & Sing: Bingo” ; Nov. 10: … Read More

Understanding Illinois: Parties and Print Media Play Declining Roles in Politics

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•November 2, 2016• By Jim Nowlan NP Guest Columnist The strange 2016 presidential campaign prompts important questions about the roles of political parties and the media in American politics. Are these institutions today fulfilling generally constructive functions for a healthy democracy? My premise is that even with generally thoughtful citizens like you and me included in the mix, the public is nevertheless a collective “beast,” largely uninformed, undisciplined. This beast needs mediating institutions like parties and the media to help guide it along the democratic process. I fear that parties and the media, at least as critical mediating institutions, are … Read More