Grant money held up so far

•August 5, 2015•

by Mike Brothers

The real life of recovery is something clients at Moultrie Counseling Center deal with every day, but the state’s budget stalemate is forcing the center to face its own real life dilemma.

How to continue providing needed mental treatment when funding sources are threatened is the problem.

Running without a state budget means the Sullivan based community mental health provider has not received $37,076 of its total state grant of $49,075 for contract services.

David Cole, center executive director, explained that is the money needed for psychiatric services. Funding from state Division of Mental Health is essential for paying doctors, who are required to evaluate clients.

“The psychiatrist is the centerpiece to successful mental health intervention,” Cole explained, noting that a third of Moultrie Counseling Center clients are required to have a doctor review medications periodically before prescriptions may be renewed.  Read More

Photo by RR Best
Pictured are Bethany’s two newest police officers Thomas Lehew (left), and Joshua Ekiss (middle) along with Bethany Mayor Bill Ashley.

Will work two days a month

•August 5, 2015•

by Joash Tiarks
Bethany Reporter

While the scars and immeasurable loss of September 11 will likely always weigh heavily on the nation, and especially the community of law enforcement, for two local public servants this date now carries positive significance as well.

Joshua Ekiss of Sullivan and Thomas Lehew of Bethany applied for the position of part-time police officer with the village of Bethany and were hired on September 11 of 2014. It is nearing the completion of this first year since local law enforcement welcomed these additional two officers into their ranks.

Lehew was born and raised in Decatur but has called Bethany home for the last 11 years. He is a self-employed contractor and construction manager and was drawn to the area because of Lake Shelbyville where, apart from the occasional day of fishing, he has enjoyed hunting over the past two decades.

Ekiss, now living in Sullivan, was part of the first graduating class of the consolidated Okaw Valley High School in 2002. His wife is from the Charleston area, and they have four small children. Ekiss works for MasterBrand Cabinets in Arthur and serves with the Bethany Volunteer Fire Department as well.  Read More