•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 operate gaming along with their bar six days a week.
The veterans group and community supporters met with the board March 14 with the question remaining up in the air.
“We were kind of in shock at not getting the license,” said Paul Snyder, American Legion representative attending the meeting.
Snyder explained the 99-year-old veterans organization had invested in new carpeting and applied to the state for gaming licenses and contacted vendors in anticipation of being allowed to operate video gaming at the Hwy. 121 club in Bethany.
He explained the club membership voted to open the American Legion to the public with gaming and a bar with 4 p.m.-10 p.m. hours six days a week in 2018.
Snyder explained the first Friday of the month fish dinners are the only funding source Post 507 has now, and over the past six months the club has lost $800. Read More

•March 20, 2019•

By Ellen Ferrera
For the News Progress

The public is invited to attend a tea at the First Baptist Church 1-4 p.m. March 23 in celebration of 100 years of the White Cross ministries.
Activities for the day include fellowship, devotion, refreshments, bandage rolling and a presentation on the 100th anniversary of White Cross.
During WWI American Baptist women assisted the American Red Cross by providing surgical dressings, bandages and other medical supplies for U.S. service personnel. Read More

•March 20, 2019•

By Ellen Ferrera
For the News Progress

The 2019 Candidate Forum convened to a nearly full house at The Little Theatre March 14 which indicates a keen interest in the April 2 election.
Sponsored by the Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development (SCED) with the Moultrie County News Progress providing a live FB video, the candidates were introduced by SCED Executive Director, Laurrie Minor, who also monitored the time. Sullivan Community Unit School Dist. Supt. Ted Walk selected and read the questions for the candidates.
The format for the program was that each candidate would have one minute for introduction, three minutes to answer each of three questions and a final minute for closing statements. The questions were drawn at random from seven questions that had been prepared for the candidates.
Abbey Buxton Sherwood and Mike Mossman, both running for Commissioner of Accounting and Finance, were the first speakers. The first question posed to them was: Five city departments are represented by a Union. Do you feel comfortable with the negotiation process? Also, how should compensation be managed for those employees not in the union?
Sherwood: I believe that all city employees should be treated fairly and compensated fairly to keep morale high.
Mossman: I am comfortable in negotiating those contracts.
Question 2: Sullivan is one of the few Mayor/Commissioner forms of government left in Illinois. Many have changed to Mayor/Alderman or other forms. What is your opinion on such a change? Read More