Understanding Illinois: Where Have All the Lions Gone?

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July 1, 2015 By Jim Nowlan NP Guest Columnist My home office is in what decades ago was the dressing room for the Toulon Independent Order of Odd Fellows, adjacent to the old IOOF lodge hall (members wore gowns and regalia to lodge). With a lineage that goes back to the guilds in 16th Century England, the Odd Fellows (which did not mean “odd” as we think of it), now mostly defunct, comprised a fraternal organization such as the Masons, and later in the U.S., more of a service club. I am active in my local Lions Club, [another club] … Read More

Lake Land College Spring Graduation 2015 List Announced

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July 1, 2015 More than 700 candidates received their degrees and certificates after the completion of the spring semester 2015. Degree abbreviations are as follows: AS-Associates of Science; AAS-Associates of Applied Science; AA-Associates of Art; Associate in Liberal Studies. Area graduates included: Bethany Gene-Austin Birch, AS, Bioscience Non-Teaching; Ashton Doty, AS, Elementary Education; Leah Oathout, AA, Art; Taylor Piper, AAS, Nursing; Tamra Sims, ALS. Findlay Katelyn Coleman, AAS, Early Childhood Care and Education; Slade Keller, AAS, IT-Network Administration. Gays Cole McKimmy, AAS, CET/Advanced Technical Studies. Lovington James Bates, Certificate, Management; Nicholas Day, AAS, Agriculture Business & Supply; Brody Elder , … Read More

Obituaries 7-1-2015: Beulah Lacey

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Beulah Lacey Funeral services for Beulah Lacey, 97, of Sullivan were held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in Reed Funeral Home in Sullivan. Burial was in Greenhill Cemetery in Sullivan. She died at 1:45 p.m. Monday June 15, 2015 in Sullivan Rehabilitation and Health Care Center. … Read More

Dolphins Donate to Food Pantry

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July 1, 2015 This year when approached by Jamie Crosier of the Moultrie County Relay for Life to help her team with a food drive, the Sullivan Blue Dolphins saw the chance to help two groups instead of one. The challenge? Raise 500 cans in four weeks. Kristy Dawson of CEFS met with the swimmers and explained to them how the need for food increases in the summer months due to kids being out of school. The cans would first be used to hold the luminaries at Relay for Life and then be delivered to the food pantry to feed … Read More

Obituaries 7-1-2015: Cindy Dobbs

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Cindy Dobbs A funeral service in honor of Cynthia “Cindy” L. Dobbs, 58, of Mattoon was held at 2 p.m. Friday in Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home in Mattoon with the Reverend Travis Spencer officiating.  Interment was in Greenhill Cemetery in Sullivan. She  passed away at 5:50 p.m., Monday, June 22, 2015, in Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center in Coles County. … Read More

Alcohol Seller/Server Training July 9 in Bethany

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July 1, 2015 The American Legion in Bethany will host a beverage alcohol sellers and servers education and training class (BASSET) July 9 beginning at 1 p.m. The class is mandatory for those selling or serving alcohol in Bethany per village ordinance. Upon completion, the certificate is good for three years. The class will train participants on how to spot fake identification cards as well as how to determine whether a patron has consumed too much alcohol and how to legally deny further service. Preregistration is not required for the class, but it is strongly encouraged. To preregister, call the … Read More

June Rains Aid in Growth of Produce and Weeds

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July 1, 2015 by Kim Riedel N•P Columnist This past month has kept me very busy with all the rain that we have had. Not only are the weeds racing to outgrow my garden plants by three times, the rain has also been trying to take over my basement and shop. The rain has been a full time job trying to stay on top of let alone everything else going on in my life. Although the rain has put me behind in some of the outdoor jobs that need to be done and loaded me up with a lot of … Read More

Aikman Wildlife Pulls Special Use Permit

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Organizers now looking for another site July 1, 2015 by Keith Stewart keith@newsprogress.com A special use permit filed in May for a zoo near Arthur has been withdrawn. According to the Moultrie County planning and zoning officer Jan Haegan, James Aikman’s application for a special use permit for his wildlife park was withdrawn Monday afternoon. Shortly thereafter, a post on the Facebook page Aikman Wildlife Adventure, which James Aikman confirmed as the project’s official page, explained the decision to withdrawal the application, citing the last zoning board of appeals meeting, which concluded with its members not recommending a permit for … Read More

July Lovington Public Library Events

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July 1, 2015 Ancestry and Genealogy Workshop The Lovington Public Library District has just subscribed to ancestry.com for a year and is offering a “Ancestry & Genealogy Workshop” on Friday July 17 from 1-3 p.m. The class is free but pre-registration is required by calling the library at 873-4468. Basic genealogy tips and web resources will be presented by Kaye Webb. Bob Ross Painting Jim Rhode will be offering the Bob Ross Painting class on Saturday July 18 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. There is a $35 charge that includes the canvas and paints needed. Each participant is asked to bring … Read More

Scrambler Results 7.1.15

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July 1, 2015 Competing at Timberlake Golf Course Monday, June 23, the team of Adam Dillard, Clint Marshall, Bill Hubbartt and Steve Effner finished first with an 8-under par. Taking second with a 5-under par was the team of Chad Palmer, Steve Nickerson, Kevin Elder and Gage Elder. … Read More