The Sentinel

08/22/2024

Menu for FRIDAY SCRIMMAGE

08/17/2024

Joseph T. Donovan, 91, of Illiopolis, IL passed away on Thursday August 8, 2024. Joe was born in Decatur, IL on January 14, 1933 and was the son of John Paul and Mae Donovan.

Joe loved his Illiopolis community and was a devoted member of Resurrection Catholic Church in Illiopolis.

In honor of Joe’s memory a visitation will be held on Wednesday August 21, 2024 at Resurrection Catholic Church, 410 Anne St, Illiopolis, IL 62539 from 8:00 am till the time of the Funeral Mass at 9:00 am. Joe will be laid to rest at Calvary Cemetery outside Illiopolis.

Memorial donations may be made to Resurrection Catholic Church.

A funeral lunch will be provided following the burial at Calvary Cemetery back at the church.

Fullenwider Park Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

08/12/2024

Terri Casteel Obituary
Terri Lee Casteel, 62, of Illiopolis, Illinois passed away on Wednesday August 7, 2024, surrounded by her family.
Terri was born in Taylorville, Illinois on June 7, 1962, the daughter of Robert and Nancy (Anderson) Reed.
She was preceded in death by her father, Robert and father-in-law, Jared Casteel.
Terri is survived by her husband, Jeffrey Casteel; children, Joe Hunsley (Nicole), Amy Hunsley, and Christian Rucker (Briana); mother, Nancy; sister, Shirley Frost (Jerry); brother, William Reed; six grandchildren; 2 great grandchildren; mother-in- law, Cora Casteel; brothers-in-law, Jerry Casteel (Robin) and Donny Casteel; sister-in-law, Jeanna Casteel; and several extended family members.
Terri married Jeffrey Casteel on June 27, 1999. She was one of the most loving and giving people anyone could meet. She enjoyed traveling and fishing with her husband. Her grandchildren were everything to Terri; she loved them dearly. Before retiring, Terri spent 25 plus years as a Medical Examiner in the state of Illinois.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday August 14, 2024 at Fullenwider-Park Funeral Home, 432 7th St, Illiopolis, from 11:00 am till the time of the Funeral Service at 1:00 pm. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery outside Illiopolis.

08/08/2024

You're running out of time to drop into the Student Success Center & register for fall classes at Richland! We only have FOUR walk-in times left.

They include:
- Thursday, August 8 | 1 PM - 6 PM
- Saturday, August 10 | 10 AM - 2PM
- Monday, August 12 | 1 PM - 6 PM
- Tuesday, August 13 | 1 PM - 6 PM

The final day to register for classes is Wednesday, August 14. The semester begins on Monday, August 19.

08/08/2024

08/08/2024

Parents, Should your child have any interest in participating in any extracurricular activities, and you wish to decrease paperwork for yourself as much as possible, please consider completing this participation form (one form for each student).

08/04/2024

Back-to-School Physicals for Kindergarten, 6th Grade, and 9th Grade

August 6th & August 23rd
Macon County Health Department
1221 E. Condit St.
1-3:30 p.m.

Those coming for physicals can receive:
◾ Vaccines
◾ Vision test
◾ Lead test
Please bring your insurance card and records, if possible.

Questions: 217-423-6988 Option 2

07/29/2024

This Friday is one of our back-to-school events!
Back-to-school vaccines, school dental screenings, and lead testing will be offered.

Date: Friday, August 2nd
Time: 8:30-11:30 a.m. & 1-3:30 p.m.
Location: 1221 E. Condit St.

Walk-in only. First-come, first-served.

Questions? Call 217-423-6988 Option 2.

07/24/2024

THURSDAY!! Make your appointment or walk ins are also welcome! Blood is in high demand! Please donate blood 🩸 if you can!

07/15/2024

The Macon County Health Department (MCHD) is hosting back-to-school events starting July 30th through August 23rd. All Macon County students are welcome to attend and will have access to age/grade appropriate vaccinations, physicals, lead testing, dental and vision screenings on select dates. These events are walk-in only, on a first-come, first-served basis. Below is a list of upcoming events and the services provided at each event.

07/02/2024

Area Fireworks

Wednesday, July 3
- Dawson Fireworks at 9:30 at Dawson Village Park. (Food, music, bags fun 5-11)
- Lincoln Fireworks at Lincoln Park District, 1400 Primm Rd. at 9
- Mt. Zion Fireworks at Fletcher Park, at dusk

Thursday, July 4
- Decatur Fireworks at dusk at Nelson Park
- Taylorville Fireworks at dusk at Taylorville Lake
- Mechanicsburg Fireworks at dusk at Community Park (Food, bounce houses, bingo, music starting at Noon, Parade at 4:00) Fireworks rain date - July 5th
- Sherman Fireworks at dusk at Village Park
- Knight’s Action Park, at Trade Winds (concert 6:00 & fireworks 9:30)

Friday, July 5
- Mt. Pulaski Fireworks at Frazier Park at dusk
- Rock the Dock at Lake Springfield Marina at dusk

Send a message to learn more

07/02/2024

Do you or a family member need immunizations?

Our immunization clinics are held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays!
⌚️ 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 to 3:30 p.m.

Appointments are preferred. Limited walk-in availability.
Questions: 217-423-6988 opt. 2

07/02/2024

Planning on lighting fireworks for the Fourth of July?

HERE ARE SOME FOURTH OF JULY FIREWORK SAFETY TIPS:
1) Keep a supply of water close by as a precaution.
2) Store fireworks in a cool, dry place away from children and pets.
3) Light only one firework at a time, and never attempt to relight "a dud".
4) Never give fireworks to small children.
5) Never throw or point a firework toward people, animals, vehicles, structures or flammable materials.

07/02/2024

06/29/2024

Come join us for all the fun!! Lots of food and games. The Niantic United Methodist Church will have a table with Patriotic items and grab bags for $1.00 or less.

06/18/2024

Niantic Farmer, Todd Miller, has moved into the second round in the Successful Farming Shop Hacks contest and needs everyone to vote for his "Hammer Rack" to keep it in the contest.
The eight semi-finalist shop hacks will move forward, and the second round of voting will run from June 17 to June 28. You can vote one time each day for your favorite Hack. After the final four hacks are selected, our team of experts will decide on the winner. That hack will be featured in the October 2024 issue of Successful Farming magazine and win a $10,000 customizable package from John Deere. To see all of the hacks and vote for your favorite, visit Agriculture.com/shophacks.

Send a message to learn more

06/14/2024

06/13/2024

Mildred Kilhoffer Obituary
Mildred E. Kilhoffer, 104, of Mechanicsburg, passed away on Wednesday, June 12, 2024 at her home. She was born on April 27, 1920, in Stonington, the daughter of William and Vinece (Rhodes) Lawson. She married Vincent Joseph Kilhoffer on February 9, 1949, in Stonington. Mildred worked as the Post Master for several years in Mechanicsburg. She enjoyed sewing, crocheting, gardening, and loved cooking for others.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; sister, Ruth Smith; brother, Harold Lawson; and her best friend of 72 years, Marie Scales.
Mildred is survived by her daughters, Nancy Baka and Phyllis (Ken) Shutt; grandchildren, Brad (Amber) Baka and their children, Madison and Brady, Lori Baka and her children, Hailey and Brett Cook and Tracy Teague, Todd (Michelle) Shutt, and their daughter, Sydney, Amanda (Sean) Dickerson, and their son, Cameron, and Julie (Mike) Norris, and their children, Kenzie and Mason Norris; as well as several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held on Monday from 10:00AM until the time of the funeral service at 11:00AM at Fullenwider-Park Funeral Home, 200 S. Church Street, in Mechanicsburg.
Memorial donations may be made to the Mechanicsburg Fire and EMS Department.
Fullenwider-Park Funeral Home in Mechanicsburg is in charge of arrangements.
Mildred Kilhoffer Obituary
Mildred E. Kilhoffer, 104, of Mechanicsburg, passed away on Wednesday, June 12, 2024 at her home. She was born on April 27, 1920, in Stonington, the daughter of William and Vinece (Rhodes) Lawson. She married Vincent Joseph Kilhoffer on February 9, 1949, in Stonington. Mildred worked as the Post Master for several years in Mechanicsburg. She enjoyed sewing, crocheting, gardening, and loved cooking for others.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; sister, Ruth Smith; brother, Harold Lawson; and her best friend of 72 years, Marie Scales.
Mildred is survived by her daughters, Nancy Baka and Phyllis (Ken) Shutt; grandchildren, Brad (Amber) Baka and their children, Madison and Brady, Lori Baka and her children, Hailey and Brett Cook and Tracy Teague, Todd (Michelle) Shutt, and their daughter, Sydney, Amanda (Sean) Dickerson, and their son, Cameron, and Julie (Mike) Norris, and their children, Kenzie and Mason Norris; as well as several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held on Monday from 10:00AM until the time of the funeral service at 11:00AM at Fullenwider-Park Funeral Home, 200 S. Church Street, in Mechanicsburg.
Memorial donations may be made to the Mechanicsburg Fire and EMS Department.
Fullenwider-Park Funeral Home in Mechanicsburg is in charge of arrangements.

06/13/2024

Update: added the Sip-n-Paint party and 1974 Track Team Announced.

Here are the times for ALL of the events for Illiofest THIS Saturday.

*all online registration is closed. Same day registration is still OPEN for 3 on 3, carshow, and 5K.

06/13/2024

❓❓ ATTEMPT TO IDENTIFY ❓❓

On June 5, 2024, the subject pictured is the suspect in a Burglary, Motor Vehicle Theft, Criminal Damage to Property, and Burglary to Motor Vehicle at Prairie Land FS, 3688 Mount Pulaski Rd. in Illiopolis.

The male suspect made entry and damaged several steering wheel columns before forcing entry through a window to the building and stealing the keys to a Ford F-350. The suspect left in the vehicle east on Old Route 36.

If you are able to identify the suspect pictured please reach out to Detective Kuntzi at (217) 588-8820, or the Crime Stoppers tip line 217-788-8427 or cashfortips.us.

06/12/2024

Todd Miller who farms south of Niantic has an entry in the Successful Farming Shop Hacks contest and needs everyone to vote for his "Hammer Rack" to keep it in the contest.
From May 31 to June 13, you can vote once a day for your favorite shop hacks. The eight semi-finalist shop hacks will move forward, and the second round of voting will run from June 17 to June 28. After the final four hacks are selected, our team of experts will decide on the winner. That hack will be featured in the October 2024 issue of Successful Farming magazine and win a $10,000 customizable package from John Deere. To see all of the hacks, visit Agriculture.com/shophacks.

Send a message to learn more

06/10/2024

On Sunday June 9th at 4:46pm the Illiopolis Fire Department responded to a report of a barn fire. Illiopolis arrived to find a heavy fire in a continuous warehouse building that expanded approximately 400 feet. With the amount of fire and strong winds the fire spread rapidly. All firefighters from 7 departments worked hard to bring the fire under control. An estimated 200,000 gallons of water was used to fight the fire! The last of the crews cleared the scene around 10:45pm. No civilian or emergency responders were injuried during the incidnet. A huge thank you to the mutual aid departments; Niantic, Buffalo, Mechanicsburg, Riverton, Mt. Auburn, Mt. Pulaski, Sangamon County Sheriffs Office, Sangamon County Dispatch Center, Medics First Ambulance, and Ameren.

05/31/2024

🚨 SCAM ALERT 🚨

Dear Sangamon County residents, we have become aware of another recent phone scam affecting our community. A resident reported losing $9,800 due to this scam. The scammer has been reported to be calling from the following numbers: 217-753-6886, 217-279-6010, and 217-952-4402. Please be advised that these numbers are linked to fraudulent activity.

The scam involves a caller identifying as Sgt. Smith from Sangamon County law enforcement. The caller misleads the victim into believing they've missed a court date as a juror or witness for a federal case and threatens charges for failure to appear and contempt of court. The "remedy" offered is either a 72-hour detention or a fine totaling $10,000, payable via Bitcoin.

Please be aware that this is a SCAM. Our office would like to emphasize the jury selection process is conducted through mail and online via eJuror for federal cases and iJuror for local cases. You can find all relevant information as well as contact details in case you've been contacted about fines or have any questions about the jury selection process at https://ijuror.co.sangamon.il.us/main.asp?id=index and https://www.ilcd.uscourts.gov/jury-information.

Protect yourself and your loved ones:
1. Be Skeptical: Law enforcement agencies will never call to demand payment over the phone, especially not in Bitcoin.
2. Don't Share Personal Information: Never disclose personal or financial information over the phone, especially if the identity of the caller cannot be verified.
3. Hang Up: If you receive such a call, hang up immediately and report the incident to your local law enforcement agency.
4. Block Suspicious Numbers: If you repeatedly receive calls from the same suspicious numbers, consider blocking them.

Stay vigilant and help us spread the word by sharing this post.

05/30/2024

Today on our last official day with staff we were able to celebrate the many years Superintendent Meadows has served SV as our fearless leader! Thank you for all the years you have served our community, our students, our staff and our families. We only wish you the best on your next adventure in retirement…GO STORM!!!

05/20/2024

Parents, please help make sure Chromebooks come back to school tomorrow!

05/12/2024

05/09/2024