By Gerald Tilley Social Security District Manager in Decatur It’s summertime, and that means it’s time for popcorn, snacks, and blockbuster movies on the silver screen. Have you noticed that many of the heroes in theaters this year seem to be of a certain age? In fact, some of them are old enough they could easily be getting Social Security retirement benefits even as they continue to work—saving the world or otherwise. … Read More
by William C Bailey School of Agriculture Western Illinois University An interesting confluence of events could affect your pocketbook the next time you go shopping. Because of strong international demand for dairy products, butter prices are near record levels with the retail price of butter nearly 50% higher than last year at this time. A similar situation holds for beef. Prices are near record levels, with rib eye prices nearly 10% higher than last year and hamburger prices almost 50% higher. And, as the beef industry attempts to re-build the national herd from its smallest size in 60 years, beef … Read More
Lois Watson Graveside services for Lois M. Watson, 90, of Sullivan, formerly of Bethany, were held at 10 a.m. Monday in Marrowbone Township Cemetery in Bethany. Arrangements were made by McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Sullivan. … Read More
Theron Doss Theron Eldon Doss, 89, of Windsor passed on in his home Tuesday, June 10, 2014. He was born in Akersville, Kentucky to Jack and Alma Stinson Doss. As a young boy he worked in the family tobacco fields before heading to Illinois at the age of 15. Soon after arriving, he felt the call to serve his country but had to wait until he was old enough. He went on to join the United States Army during World War II. … Read More
By Jim Nowlan Outside Columnist It is time to begin to turn things around in Illinois. I think some positive elements are coming into place. And I have the sketch of a plan to do so. Plan is the operative word or, better, implementation of a plan is the operative phrase. As I have said in this space before, Illinois doesn’t do any planning, or big picture thinking, at the state level. We haven’t done so for decades, all the while we have been slipping relative to the nation in economic terms. … Read More
Hazel Davis Hazel C. Davis, 87, of Bethany passed away at 12:02 p.m. Thursday, June 12, 2014 in her home, Bethany. No funeral services will be held. Arrangements were by McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Bethany. … Read More
The Lovington pageant crowned a jr. miss and little miss Saturday June 7, but did away with both Miss Lovington and the first runner up amid rule violations. Natalie Lambdin was crowned Jr. Miss Lovington while Halle Wardrip earned Little Miss Lovington. As for both Miss Lovington and the first runner up, pageant director Julie Kinert released the following statement: … Read More
There will be a fundraiser June 21 from 3-9:30 p.m. at Sliderz in Decatur to raise funds to finish the home of Debbie and Ralph Yowell. Ralph Yowell recently passed after being diagnosed with cancer. … Read More
June 18, 2014 This year to see entertainment tent The Village of Bethany will hold its annual town festival, The Bethany Celebration in Crowder Park June 20-21. The theme is “Made in the USA” and will feature many of the same fun activities that the Celebration is known for, as well as some new additions. … Read More