Thomas Standerfer Thomas Wayne Standerfer was called away to heaven surrounded by his family Tuesday, May 19, 2020, at 9:55 a.m. Private family services will be held at McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Sullivan. Burial will be in Moultrie County Memorial Park in Bethany. Tom was Born January 17, 1935, in Dunn to Chessley F. Standerfer and Mary E. Quicksall. Tom Married Norma Jean (Smith) July 24, 1955, in Bethany. … Read More
Dennis Mayer Dennis William Mayer, 60, of Bethany, passed away at 3:57 p.m. Friday, May 22, 2020, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Decatur. Private family graveside services will be held at Greenhill Cemetery in Sullivan, with military rites by Sullivan American Legion Post #68. McMullin-Young Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements. … Read More
•May 27, 2020• Reflecting the trying times we are enduring, an oil painting titled “War Paints” by Red Hill High School’s Lydia Higgins has been selected as the winner of the 2020 Congressional Art Competition for the 15th District of Illinois, Congressman John Shimkus (R, Illinois-15) has announced. “Lydia’s technique certainly stood out in her piece. It is a worthy champion to wrap up my final art contest,” said Shimkus, who is retiring from Congress at the conclusion of his current term. Lydia Higgins, Red Hill High School, “War Paints,” oil painting … Read More
25 Years Ago This Week A tornado ripped through Bethany at 9:45 p.m. Tuesday mowing down fields south of the business district. “You know they say it sounds like a train,” Kathy Steimel said. “Well that’s just how it was.” The tornado drove right through the Steimel farm, blowing a shed to pieces and collapsing the barn but leaving their house untouched. Not only has Sullivan native Tony Armstrong achieved something for himself, but he’s brought academic bragging rights of the area to his own high school as well. Armstrong is the lone student from the area and in particular, … Read More
•May 27, 2020• The Strasburg Lions Club’s Annual Chicken fry will be Sunday, June 7: 4:30 PM – 7:00 pm at the Strasburg Park (East of Marathon Gas Station). This year the Lions will be offering drive through only. Adult meals will be 3 pieces of chicken and 2 sides and Kids meals will be 1 piece of chicken and 2 sides. Drinks will not be provided. Proceeds go towards helping the hearing and visually impaired, as well as Strasburg improvements. … Read More
•May 27, 2020• By Jim Nowlan NP Guest Columnist Since I live in a small out-of-the way county that has had one reported case of COVID-19, a second recently rumored, I have been hesitant to write about The Big Disruption in our lives. I am obviously not sharing the valiant struggles of nurses and their associates, at the side of infected patients gasping for air, most in densely populated urban centers like Chicago, or in nursing homes. I will not gainsay or second-guess decisions made thus far by top elected officials, who are up to their eyeballs in alligators. My … Read More
Jerry Utsler Jerry L. “Ping” Utsler, 68, of Franklin passed away Friday evening, May 22, 2020 at Passavant Area Hospital. He was born January 15, 1952 in Decatur the son of Delbert and Celbra Piercy Utsler. He was married to Paula Spence for almost 49 years and she survives. … Read More
•May 27, 2020• By Jerry Nowicki Capitol News Illinois jnowicki @ capitolnewsillinois.com Measures addressing aggravated battery of retail workers, disability leave for public employees and unionization of employees in the horse racing industry found their way into a COVID-19-response bill this week at the Capitol. The aggravated battery language in Senate Bill 471 was a subject of heated debate in the House on Friday, which often turned into a philosophical discussion as to whether “penalty enhancements” were worthy public policy. Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, who sponsored the bill, claimed that “penalty enhancement” was not the correct characterization of the measure, … Read More