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County Board Gives, Then Takes Away

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•November 21, 2018•

By Mike Brothers

The Moultrie County Board took away $500 earmarked for the CEFS Interagency and gave $50,000 to the Sullivan Chamber Economic Development for tourism promotion at the regular meeting Nov. 15.
In reaction to the County Board’s removal of its annual support for the Interagency group which directly helps Moultrie County people in need, County Clerk Georgia England announced courthouse employees would immediately start collecting food and donations to help make up the $500 taken away from the Food Pantry and other groups helped through the Interagency.
“The Interagency helps people with the greatest needs and the least ability to pay; we will collect donations to make up the $500 gap,” England said.
County Board chairman Dave McCabe noted State’s Attorney Tracy Weaver reviewed the Interagency request and said it was “probably not appropriate to make that donation” prior to moving to rescind the previously approved motion. The board voted unanimously to rescind the $500 contribution. Read More

Moultrie Moment of the Week

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Pictured above are Ross and Goldie Tucker at their gift shop located at 3 W. Jefferson in Sullivan. For several years after it was known as Anderson’s Gift shop, and is now a beauty salon. The year that this photo was taken is unknown. Please submit photos to the News Progress for future consideration. Originals will be saved for return or forwarded to Moultrie County Historical Society. If you have any other information, please contact the Moultrie County Historical Society at 217-728- 4085.

Make it to the Table This Thanksgiving

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•November 21, 2018•

The Illinois Department of Transportation and the Illinois State Police want travelers to make it to the table safely this Thanksgiving by buckling up and driving sober. Increased traffic contributes to an increase in crashes that sadly often result in serious injury or death. Last year in Illinois, 15 people died rather than celebrating the holidays with their family and friends.
“Traffic crashes are almost entirely preventable by changing driver behavior,” said Cynthia Watters, bureau chief of Safety Programs and Engineering at IDOT. “Driving distracted or impaired significantly increases the likelihood of a crash, and not wearing your seat belt increases your risk of serious injury or death.” Read More

Lovington Water Bills Increase

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•November 21, 2018•

Lovington water customers will pay an additional $6.87 per month for water service to help pay for improvements to the village water system.
Lovington’s minimum water bill is currently $30 compared to $50 average bills in surrounding communities, with the increase keeping the monthly bill below other communities.
At the Tuesday, Nov. 13 village board meeting president Roger Walker explained the increase for water customers was part of the required application process for a $600,000 Environmental Protection Agency loan to makes upgrades to the water treatment plant as well as replace existing water meters and some older valves and main lines.
Walker noted once the application is submitted by ESI consultants the village could be eligible for principal forgiveness which could reduce the loan amount.
On a motion by Dennis Garmon, attending trustees Gary Clem, Brenda Wood and April Daily approved the water increase in preparation for the water improvement loan application. Doug Smith and Pam Anklam were absent.
A proposed $200,000 Safe Routes to Schools grant which will provide safe sidewalks from Lovington Elementary School for students was approved with ESI providing preliminary work preparing for the grant.
Walker explained it was a two phase project with ESI charging up to $16,500 if the grant is approved. Attending trustees approved the resolution to support the Safe Routes to Schools program.
Following a 30 minute executive session, the village approved sale of previous purchased RR right of way property to the Harold Dietz farms retaining an easement for village use.
Breakfast with Santa at the First Church of God from 9-11 a.m. Sat. Dec. 15 was supported by the board with up to a $500 contribution upon recommendation by Garmon.
Trustee Wood reported on the Christmas Gathering set for Sat. Dec. 1 from 3 to 5 p.m. During the event citizens are asked to help decorate the Christmas tree downtown as well as enjoy Christmas caroling and refreshments at the library.
In conjunction with the downtown Christmas Gathering the village has upgraded the public address system for improved sound.
April Daily recommended approval of the new health insurance program with Blue Cross Blue Shield. The $250 deductible remains with increases in emergency room fees and medications as major changes with no premium increases.
Christmas bonuses for employees remain the same as the previous year with $200 for full time and $100 for part -time employees approved.
Approval was granted Shooter’s Bar and Jerry’s East End Tavern to remain open until 2 a.m. New Year’s Eve.
Zoning coordinator Dave Gregory presented two variance recommendations which were approved. A carport for 101 E. William St. and a garage for 415 S. Panther Dr. were approved with variance requests.
Meeting adjourned with Walker, Daily, Clem, Garmon, Wood and city clerk Alma Fair attending.

Lovington Decorates

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•November 21, 2018•

Lovington mayor and trustees invite the community to help decorate the Christmas tree on the square on Sat. December 1 from 3-5 p.m.
Some ornaments will be provided, or participants may bring their own to share.
Some businesses will be open and serving refreshments.
The Lovington library will be open for stories with Santa.

Visit with Santa at Lake Shelbyville

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•November 21, 2018•

Santa Claus is coming to the Lake Shelbyville Visitor Center 9 a.m.-noon December 8. The Lake Shelbyville Visitor Center is transformed into the North Pole, and the event is open to children of all ages and their caregivers. See Santa and his photographer elves in the Grand Lobby for one free photo print to take home. Read More

ALAH Girls Pick up a Couple of Big Wins

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Photo by RR Best
Kathy Best (upper left) observes ALAH basketball action 11-20.

•November 21, 2018•

By Jason Brown
NP Sports Editor

The Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond girls’ basketball team picked up its second and third wins of the season against Arthur Okaw Christian and Shelbyville.
To defeat AOC Thursday (15th), the Knights outscored the Conquering Riders 15-2 in the fourth quarter to pull away for the 38-26 win.
ALAH fell behind in the first quarter 11-4 but battled back in the second quarter to cut the lead to 19-15 at half.
The Knights ended the third quarter down one, before dominating the final period.
Senior Marissa Herschberger led ALAH with 16 points, along with three rebounds, five steals and two assists.
Junior Addi Tinkle and freshman Mallory Nichols each scored five points, and freshman Alexa Miller and sophomore Mackenzi Bowles each had four points and three rebounds.
Miller also had four steals and one assist, and Bowles added two assists.
Senior Emma Harris collected seven rebounds, three points and a steal, and senior Nisa Asghar Read More

A Walk with Mr. Walk: Superintendent-Y Stuff

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•November 21, 2018•

By Ted Walk,
Supt. Sullivan CUSD #300

This year Sullivan High School opened a Student Technology Service Center. During almost every period of the school day, students report to this room to fulfill varied tasks. These can range from editing video, to updating the school website, to repairing student iPads. Students can be assigned to these tasks through the Service Learning Program. The students in this room are led and taught by Mr. Waelde, our District IT Director. He has had significant previous experiences working on Google and Apple products and is a wealth of information for our students. The hands-on learning experienced by our students, coupled with the advantages for students who utilize these services is a great asset to our schools. Teachers and other staff members benefit from different services offered in the Student Technology Services Center as well. These include simple tasks such as making copies, creating materials for teacher web pages, and using Photoshop or Illustrator to enhance projects. I have been very impressed with the skills our students are acquiring as well as the quality of the work produced. This unique opportunity for our students to create materials and products for real-world use is one of the many reasons that I am proud to be a part of the Sullivan School District, where we strive to be Preparing Students for Successful Lives by Inspiring and Expecting Excellence in Ourselves, Our Community, and in Every Student, Every Day!

SES Gold Slip Winners

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Photo furnished
SES Gold Slip Winners
Each month Sullivan Elementary School honors students who go above and beyond expectations by awarding them a “Gold Slip.” Below are the Gold Slip winners from the month of October.
From Left to Right: Nixon Dundee was in the middle of a race during recess when his competitor fell to the ground. Nixon stopped racing and went back to see whether the other student was okay.
Bryar Cowger was playing “Around the World” with the class. He was doing very well as he is a math facts Whiz! After competing against many students and winning, a classmate finally beat Bryar by saying the answer before Bryar did. Bryar calmly sat down since his turn was over but then reached out to “high five” the girl who beat him.
Koda Plumb offered to help another student with his math activity since the other student needed someone to explain the process to him. Koda was patient and helpful.
As her class was headed to the restroom, Paityn Strauf noticed that a student from another room had spilled paint. She offered to clean it up without anyone even asking her to.

Okaw Valley Girls Outscored by Rams

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•November 14, 2018•

The Okaw Valley girls’ basketball team lost a tough season opener 57-54 to Shelbyville at Shelbyville Monday night.
The Timberwolves kept the game close, but the Rams outscored OV 19-16 in the fourth quarter for the win.
To lead OV, Kate Jeffers scored 25 points, and Bella Benning hit double digits with 17 points, included five 3-pointers.
The Timberwolves are scheduled to enter the Pana Thanksgiving Tournament Friday and Saturday to play Mattoon, Athens and Centralia.