Author Archives:

Sullivan Man Found Dead Friday

News Progress Posted on by
Photo by Keith Stewart Sullivan Man Found Dead Friday Ryan J. Benton, 41, of Sullivan was found dead late Friday afternoon. According to Sullivan Police Chief John Love, his department was called to do a welfare check, and upon visiting Benton’s residence at 504 N. Van Buren, found the 41-year-old dead. Benton was pronounced deceased by Moultrie County Coroner Lynn Reed at 4:02 p.m. Friday. Sullivan police and Reed’s office are still conducting an investigation into Benton’s death but say that no foul play is suspected. Love declined to provide comment on a preliminary cause of death and instead said that they are awaiting both autopsy and toxicology reports. Pictured are both Sullivan police and officials from the coroner’s office preparing to enter Benton’s apartment.

Photo by Keith Stewart
Sullivan Man Found Dead Friday
Ryan J. Benton, 41, of Sullivan was found dead late Friday afternoon. According to Sullivan Police Chief John Love, his department was called to do a welfare check, and upon visiting Benton’s residence at 504 N. Van Buren, found the 41-year-old dead. Benton was pronounced deceased by Moultrie County Coroner Lynn Reed at 4:02 p.m. Friday. Sullivan police and Reed’s office are still conducting an investigation into Benton’s death but say that no foul play is suspected. Love declined to provide comment on a preliminary cause of death and instead said that they are awaiting both autopsy and toxicology reports. Pictured are both Sullivan police and officials from the coroner’s office preparing to enter Benton’s apartment.

Yard of July

News Progress Posted on by
Submitted WHAT’S Yard of July Windsor’s yard of the month winner is Noel and Gloria Helton. Making good use of perennials and annuals in their flower beds makes this a favorite drive by spot of many in Windsor, and the new log siding on their home has been a long awaited goal. The WHAT group, Windsor’s Happenings Around Town, is a mapping group that is working on beautification of Windsor. The group encourages all residents to beautify their homes and yards. Nominations may be made by stopping by city hall or calling 273-5488.

Submitted
WHAT’S Yard of July
Windsor’s yard of the month winner is Noel and Gloria Helton. Making good use of perennials and annuals in their flower beds makes this a favorite drive by spot of many in Windsor, and the new log siding on their home has been a long awaited goal. The WHAT group, Windsor’s Happenings Around Town, is a mapping group that is working on beautification of Windsor. The group encourages all residents to beautify their homes and yards. Nominations may be made by stopping by city hall or calling 273-5488.

Trashy

News Progress Posted on by
Photo by RR Best Trashy Pictured are several televisions that were dumped in a drainage ditch just north of Wyman Park sometime over the weekend. According to Sullivan road district commissioner Elmo Weaver, the televisions were left in the ditch in what appeared to be a result of complications with the Sullivan citywide electronic recycling event which was held Saturday. According to the city, the recycling company was not equipped to handle the large volume of electronics, which citizens brought to be recycled. “They should have taken them back home instead of dumping it on someone else,’ said Weaver. “It’s not right.” The city does plan to hold another electronics recycling day. Information on that event will be provided in the News•Progress once available.

Photo by RR Best
Trashy
Pictured are several televisions that were dumped in a drainage ditch just north of Wyman Park sometime over the weekend. According to Sullivan road district commissioner Elmo Weaver, the televisions were left in the ditch in what appeared to be a result of complications with the Sullivan citywide electronic recycling event which was held Saturday. According to the city, the recycling company was not equipped to handle the large volume of electronics, which citizens brought to be recycled. “They should have taken them back home instead of dumping it on someone else,’ said Weaver. “It’s not right.” The city does plan to hold another electronics recycling day. Information on that event will be provided in the News•Progress once available.

SMS Softball Information

News Progress Posted on by
•July 22, 2015•

Prior to the start of the Sullivan Middle School softball season, a conditioning camp will be held 9-11 a.m. the week of July 27 at the north diamond at Wyman park for seventh and eighth graders. Read More

June Jobs in Illinois Decrease -7,500

News Progress Posted on by
•July 22, 2015•

The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today that Illinois’ unemployment rate in June declined to 5.9 percent and nonfarm payroll employment shed -7,500 jobs, based on preliminary data released by the Department and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The state’s unemployment rate is higher than the national unemployment rate reported for June, which fell from the prior month to 5.3 percent.
On a county level, the most current unemployment data is for May, during which Moultrie recorded a rate of 3.8 percent, up two-tenths a percent from April, but down 1.5 percent from a year ago. June’s data is expected to be released Thursday, July 23.
The BLS revised May data, which showed a smaller increase in Illinois’ job gain from a preliminary +9,200 to +7,400. Read More

Wet Soil Conditions Continue Throughout Ill.

News Progress Posted on by
•July 22, 2015•

Soil conditions throughout Illinois remain wet as most of the state experienced higher than normal rainfall in the first two weeks of July, according to Jennie Atkins, Water and Atmospheric Resources Monitoring (WARM) Program Manager at the Illinois State Water Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois.
Rainfall across the Illinois Climate Network averaged 3.36 inches the first two weeks of July, only 0.03 inches below the long-term average for July. Three of the network’s stations – Dixon Springs (Pope County), Monmouth (Warren County), and Stelle (Ford County) – measured totals over five inches.
Soil moisture levels remain high with a state average of 0.37 water fraction by volume (wfv) at depths of two inches July 14, 48 percent higher than the long-term average. Levels are at or above field capacity at most sites measured as levels at two inches ranged from 0.41 wfv in the east central region to 0.35 wfv in west central Illinois. Read More

Illinois Releases Final State Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy

News Progress Posted on by
•July 22, 2015•

Illinois EPA Director Lisa Bonnett and Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Philip Nelson announced Tuesday the release of a finalized statewide strategy designed to improve water quality in Illinois and the Gulf of Mexico. The Illinois Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy (the Strategy) is the culmination of more than a year of work by a policy working group as well as public input.
The Strategy does not call for new regulations for either point or non-point sources; however, it does rely on the latest science and best available technologies to guide statewide efforts to reduce phosphorus and nitrogen losses that impact Illinois waterways and ultimately the Gulf of Mexico. These nutrients spur algae blooms that deplete oxygen levels, hinder recreation, and threaten public health. Nutrient pollution can also degrade drinking water quality and require cities to install costly treatment equipment.
“Illinois EPA appreciates the collaboration of our partners and the public to make this Strategy an action plan that Illinois is committed to implementing,” said Illinois EPA Director Lisa Bonnett. “By building on and scaling up the work that municipalities, sanitary districts, farmers and landowners are already doing to reduce nutrient losses, we will be able to make great strides in protecting Illinois rivers, lakes and streams, as well as reducing our contribution to Gulf of Mexico hypoxia.” Read More

Free Mulch

News Progress Posted on by
•July 22, 2015•

The city of Mattoon has an abundance of ground mulch to be given away to any persons requesting bulk quantities. City workers will be on site to load bulk mulch quantities. Call 235-5171 for more information or to schedule a loading date.

Lake Shelbyville Dove Hunt Applications Available

News Progress Posted on by
•July 22, 2015•

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Lake Shelbyville conduct a dove hunt on opening day of dove season, Tuesday September 1 at Whitley Creek and South Sand Creek Dove Fields.
On September 1, two hunts will take place, one in the morning (6-11 a.m.) and one in the afternoon (2-7 p.m.). A permit is required to participate in the hunt on opening day. Permit applications may be picked up at the Lake Shelbyville Project Office Monday through 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday or obtained online at www.tinyurl.com/LakeShelbyville-Hunting. Read More

4-H Project Auction a Success

News Progress Posted on by
•July 22, 2015•

The Moultrie Douglas Extension Foundation held a 4-H project auction July 8 during the Moultrie Douglas County Fair. The evening was a little damp with the occasional rain shower, but the 4-Hers and bidders weren’t bothered by it. More than 50 bidders along with friends and family came out to see the hard work of some of the 4-Hers that was available for sale.
After some opening comments from foundation officers Sarah Reedy, auction chairperson/treasurer, Charla Coombe, foundation president and Moultrie Douglas Fair Board president Lyle Dorjhan, the ring was handed over to the auctioneers Larry Plank and Rudy Huber. Read More