Recent Obituaries: David James Smith

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David James Smith David James (DJ) Smith of rural Lovington passed away at Carle Foundation Hospital in Champaign on Wednesday, March 20, 2019. Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 23, 2019, at the Lovington United Methodist Church, with Pastor Larry Bricker officiating. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Friday at the Lovington United Methodist Church. Burial will be at a later date. The family requests that any memorials be made to the Lovington United Methodist Church, the Gideons International, or the Lovington Alumni Association. McMullin-Young Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements. … Read More

Battle of Badges Pleases Crowds, Recognizes First Responders

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•March 20, 2019• The Battle of the Badges was a crowd pleasing fund-raiser for the Sullivan Elementary School P.T.O. on March 14. Moultrie County’s law enforcement team won the game over the Sullivan Fire Protection District. The game, which benefits school children, is a spirited competition that still has some players feeling muscle pain . Members of the Larry and Ruby Schrock family, whose daughter was severely burned during a home explosion in February, attended the event to witness awards presented to first responders for their efforts above the call of duty on that day. Sullivan Fire District Chief Mike … Read More

OV Places Third

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  •March 20, 2019• By Jason Brown NP Sports Editor The Okaw Valley eighth grade volleyball team defeated Pontiac St. Mary’s 25-19, 25-21 to advance to the semifinals of the IESA State volleyball tournament in Pana Friday. After losing to Peoria Limestone Walters (25-22, 25-3) in the semifinals, OV eighth grade volleyball defeated Royal Prairieview Ogden (25-14, 25-15) to place third in the state volleyball tournament. The trip to state was the eighth grade team’s first. The players are Lexie Bartimus, Karson Park, Bailey Bennett, Reagan Reedy, Abbey Luckenbill, Avery Bruns, Kaydence Kennedy, Danielle Simpson, Kayla Fleshner and Brie Williams. … Read More

School Board Candidates Limited

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•March 20, 2019• Moultrie County has four school districts that elect board members by Congressional Townships. They are Arthur CUSD No. 302, Mattoon CUSD No. 2, Sullivan CUSD No. 300 and Windsor CUSD No. 1. Board membership is restricted to a maximum of three members from any one Congressional Township, with the board member serving for a term of four years. Those elected in 2017 will serve until April 2021. Slots available in a township for the 2019 election are, therefore, determined by how many are currently serving from the 2017 Consolidated Election. … Read More

Donny Gets More Than He Bargained for at Haunted House

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•March 20, 2019• By Evelyn Burtcheard NP Guest Columnist On our small farm horses were a big part of our livelihood. We always dreamed of riding each one that came to us. As we grew old enough to have our own horses we were in seventh heaven. The horse that I claimed was the black Morgan named Billy, a most intelligent little gentleman. Uncle Frank knew of some people who had a horse for sale; maybe he was trying to be redeemed from the goat fiasco. Lady was the horse that Donny fell in love with. She had been broken … Read More

Ill. House Passes Bill to Raise Tobacco Purchase Age to 21

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•March 20, 2019• By Rebecca Anzel Capitol News Illinois Lawmakers on Tuesday successfully passed a bill through the House raising the age to purchase tobacco products to 21. The legislation moves to the Senate for a vote expected next week. There it will likely receive enough support to land on Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s desk. Although the governor has not definitively indicated whether he supports the measure — which would raise the minimum age to purchase cigarettes, e-cigarettes, vapes, chewing tobacco and other products containing nicotine in Illinois — his spokeswoman said in a written statement that Pritzker “looks forward to … Read More

ALAH Defeats Midland with Fifth Inning Score

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•March 20, 2019• By Jason Brown NP Sports Editor The Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond’s baseball defeated Midland but lost to Mendota. Against Midland the Knights scored two in the first inning and five in the fourth to take an early lead, but Midland plated five runs in the fifth to cut the lead to 7-6. ALAH answered in the bottom of the fifth inning with a run for the final 8-6 score. The Knights pounded out 11 hits and played errorless in the field. … Read More

Bethany American Legion Hopes Gaming will Keep Doors Open

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•March 20, 2019• By Mike Brothers The village of Bethany denied American Legion Post 507 a video gaming license once, but further investigation into the state gaming code has changed that. Village president Bill Ashley Jr. explained that once the group had completed the state requirements for a gaming license the village doesn’t get to determine who gets a license since the local ordinance has no limit. On Wednesday, March 20 the Bethany Village Board will meet in special session to correct the mistaken vote by rescinding the motion and allow the American Legion to proceed with their plans to … Read More