Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus

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December 24, 2014 It’s been 117 years since Virginia O’Hanlon sought the truth about Santa from the New York Sun. In over a century, the lives of children — and their parents—have increased in complexity by a factor of ten. Man landed on the moon, communism rose and fell, countries changed names and borders, Elvis begat Jagger, who in turn led to “gangsta rap”. The kidnap and murder of children, which made world headlines for the Lindbergh family, now touches the lives of hundreds of families annually. Children begin learning at ages two and three about “stranger danger,” AIDS and … Read More

Bethany Awaits State Action on Police Cameras

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December 24, 2014 Camera system estimated around $800 by Derek Pope Bethany Reporter At this month’s regular meeting, Bethany village council members decided to delay a vote on the implementation of police body cameras until it is clear whether the state of Illinois itself will act on new legislation concerning them. Since October, lawmakers have been actively engaged in creating legislation that would govern police use of body cameras, citing an Illinois Supreme Court ruling earlier this year that struck down the state’s current “eavesdropping” law as one of the major hurdles in drafting such legislation. On December 15, however, … Read More

Obituaries 12-24-2014: Bill Honn

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Bill Honn Funeral services for William D. “Bill” Honn, 81, of Tuscola were held Friday in the Arthur United Methodist Church. Burial with military rites by Arthur American Legion Post 479 was in Arthur Cemetery. Edwards Funeral Home in Arcola assisted with arrangements. … Read More

T-wolves Win Back-to-Back to Earn Championship Bid

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December 24, 2014 Play Heyworth Tuesday night By Matthew Kracht & Keith Stewart keith@newsprogress.com Entering their holiday tournament Saturday as the no. 1 seed, Okaw Valley lived up to it, as they defeated Oakwood Saturday and then Shelbyville Monday to earn a ticket to the championship Tuesday night against Heyworth. In the opening round, the Timberwolves were winners over Oakwood by nine points in what turned out to be a competitive contest. The victory came behind a strong shooting performance from Amanda McClain who scored six points in the fourth quarter to ensure the victory. Mclain lead all scorers with … Read More

Sages Stave Off Redskin Comeback Friday

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December 24, 2014 3rd quarter the difference in Sullivan loss by Keith Stewart keith@newsprogress.com After holding Monticello to just seven points and taking a 27-20 lead following the second period Friday night, Sullivan began to crumble in the third, which would eventually lead to a 49-47 Sage victory. In contrast to the second quarter, where Sullivan sank its only 3-pointers of the night with three, and took the game’s largest lead, the third period saw a sluggish Redskin performance from the start when Monticello embarked on an 8-0 run to erase Sullivan’s lead. This was helped along by three back-to-back-to-back … Read More

Annual Meeting with Township Assessors Jan. 7

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December 24, 2014 As required by Section 200/9-15 of the Property Tax Code, Moultrie County Chief County Assessment Officer Cindy Kidwell advises that she hold her annual meeting with the Moultrie County township and multi-township assessors at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, January 7 in the Moultrie County Board Room located on the second floor of the Moultrie County Courthouse in Sullivan. The purpose of this meeting is to consult with and instruct the assessors in the uniformity of their functions.  The meeting is open to the public. … Read More

Obituaries 12-24-2014: Norma Erwin

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Norma Erwin Funeral services for Norma Jean Erwin, 84, of Shelbyville were held at noon Tuesday in First Christian Church in Shelbyville with the Rev. Kevin Ray officiating. Burial was in Greenhill Cemetery in Sullivan. Arrangements were by Howe and Yockey Funeral Home in Shelbyville. She died at 2:10 p.m. Saturday Dec. 20, 2014 in Heritage Health in Pana. … Read More

Health Screenings Jan. 15

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December 24, 2014 SBL Lincolnland Home Care and Lincolnland Hospice will conduct a free blood pressure clinic 8:30-9 a.m. Thursday, January 15 at the Senior Center in Sullivan. For more information, call Lincolnland Home Care at 1-800-879-3212. Bingo will follow from 9–10 a.m. … Read More

Lady Red Dominate to Stay Undefeated Saturday

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December 24, 2014 Improve to 3-0 in conference by Aaron Dyer Sullivan Reporter Saturday’s conference matchup between Sullivan and Meridian was, at times, much like the matchup between the Redskins’ Brittin Boyer and Meridian’s Maggie Comerford head to head for the jump ball of Saturday’s conference girls’ basketball game. But by the end of the game, only a clean floor and flawless record was left for the 9-0 season and 3-0 conference Lady Redskins. As Comerford tipped a victorious jump ball back to one of many sophomore teammates, Emily Neuhauser of Sullivan quickly kicked into game mode by stealing the … Read More