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Hummingbird Festival at Okaw Valley Orchard Sunday

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•July 23, 2015•

The Okaw Valley Orchard will be the site for a Hummingbird Festival scheduled for Sunday, July 26 from 1-4 p.m. In years past dozens of hummingbirds have been present to “wow” Festival visitors. Vernon Kleen, a licensed hummingbird bander and volunteer from Springfield associated with the Lincoln Land Association of Bird Banders, will begin the festival at 1 p.m. with a short discussion about hummingbirds and explain why they are banded. After the discussion, hummingbirds will be captured and banded. Read More

Sullivan Man Formally Charged with Child Pornography Offenses

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•July 22, 2015•

Jim Lewis, U.S. Attorney for the Central District of Illinois, announced today that a federal grand jury in Peoria has returned an indictment charging Justen W. Troxell, 30, of the 400 block of South Worth Street, Sullivan, Ill., with distribution and possession of child pornography.
The indictment alleges that in June 2015, Troxell distributed and possessed images and videos of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The indictment also seeks forfeiture of computers and related materials allegedly used to commit or promote the offenses. Read More

Post 429 Splits Two Games to Open District Tourney

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Advanced to Tuesday’s must-win game

•July 22, 2015•

By Matt Kracht
NP Sports Reporter

Moultrie Douglas Legion ball took a disappointing 14-2 loss versus Shelby County Saturday in the first game of the district tournament. However, the team rebounded thanks to a double elimination format, beating Macon County 9-4 Sunday advancing to Tuesday night’s matchup versus the loser of Mattoon and tournament host Rantoul.
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Remember When? 7.22.15

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25 Years Ago This Week

Tim Williamson and Jeremy Phelps, both of Sullivan, Toby Bolsen of Lovington and Dave Peadro of Sullivan recently competed at state as members of the Moultrie County 4-H livestock judging team.
Lindsay Patrick demonstrated an Orange Julius and Paige Clark talked about taking pictures with various types of cameras during a recent meeting of the Marrowbone Merry Makers 4-H Club at the Christian Church in Bethany.
Kenneth Armstrong was selected as Mr. AmBuC for the past year by the Sullivan AmBuC Club, and Tom Elder was named the top project chairman for his effort in the Come Share Program.
Rick Matthews of Sullivan won the first place prize, a half of beef, July 4 in the Sullivan AmDoes raffle. Second prize of a whole ham went to Forrest Ferguson of Sullivan, and third prize, $25 worth of beef steaks, was won by Janet Schultz of Sullivan.
Bethany’s Steve VanLoon worked to get past two St. Teresa defenders Tuesday during the Prairie State Games-Decatur Festival Tournament at MacArthur High School in Decatur. The Mustangs, who have attended team camps at the University of Evansville and Millikin University this summer, lost to the Bulldogs 78-71. Read More

Understanding Illinois: Health Care Costs Overwhelming Budgets

News Progress Posted on by
Nowlan•July 22, 2015•

By Jim Nowlan
NP Guest Columnist

The overtime budget battles going on right now in Illinois and many other states are largely caused by relentless increases in health care costs that for decades have been growing faster than the tax revenues to pay for them. And it is only going to get worse, as the Baby Boom Generation moves into old age, where they will devour health care.
As a child in about 1950, I recall coming home from grade school with a flyer that encouraged my parents to buy health insurance for me at $1 per month from a new company called Blue Cross. Back then, few had coverage, and the cost to society of health care was modest.
But all that has changed, dramatically. For example, where is the commercial growth in your nearest city? At the hospitals, I will bet, which are also often the largest employers in town. And what occupations do you encourage your children and grandchildren to enter? Again, health care, I’ll wager, as that’s where the jobs are. Read More

Moultrie County Farm Bureau Update

News Progress Posted on by
Harvey•July 22, 2015•

By Tyler Harvey
Mo-Do Farm Bureau Manager

As of Sunday, July 19, the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) had Illinois corn condition at 55 percent good or excellent. This compares with 45 percent of the corn crop at poor or fair condition. Silking for the corn is at 75 percent which is slightly lower than the five year average of 77 percent. Soybeans are at 56 percent blooming with 16 percent setting pods. This compares with soybean condition of 47 percent in good or excellent condition and 46 percent in poor or fair condition.
In county news, the Moultrie County Farm Bureau annual meeting was held July 16. Phillip Nelson, director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture, was the guest speaker. Director Nelson spoke on many issues affecting agriculture including new regulations affecting the industry. Read More

Tree Stand Permits Available for 2015-2016 Season

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•July 22, 2015•

Lake Shelbyville ‘s tree stand policy for this year will remain the same as it was last season. The policy allows hunters to leave one stand up for the season (“seasonal tree stand”) and/or utilize a “roving” stand that can be left up for a period not to exceed a break in use greater than 72 hours - the length of a three-day weekend. Seasonal tree stands may be placed two weeks prior to archery season and must be removed within two weeks of archery season ending. The final day of archery season is January 17, 2016.
Hunters wishing to purchase a seasonal tree stand permit must present a valid hunting license before a permit will be issued. Seasonal and roving tree stand permits may be obtained from the Lake Shelbyville Project Office Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Bo Wood, Coon Creek or Lithia Springs fee booths during operating hours. Roving tree stand permits, which are free of charge, may also be obtained in Sullivan at Ace Hardware or Howy’s Lakeside Gas Station located five miles south of Sullivan on Highway 32.
Hunters utilizing ladder stands are encouraged to purchase a seasonal permit. A roving permit is designed for the mobile hunter and requires the hunter to remove the stand from the woods if there is a break in use greater than 72 hours. While a ladder stand could be utilized in this manner, due to their size and weight they are not considered very portable. Because of this, numerous citations are issued every season to hunters placing roving permit stickers on ladder stands and failing to remove them when not in use. The expense associated with a citation for failure to comply with posted restrictions is $75.00, which is approximately 2.5 years worth of seasonal permits.
For additional information concerning the Lake Shelbyville tree stand policy, contact the Environmental Stewardship Department at (217) 774-3951, ext. 7049.

Okaw Valley Schools Close out FY15 with Deficit

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New class schedule also to begin this fall

•July 22, 2015•

by Derek Pope
Bethany Reporter

In time for the closing of fiscal year 2015 on June 30, the Okaw Valley’s administration approved their final estimated ending budget, giving a glimpse into what Okaw Valley School District can expect this next fiscal year, financially.
The budget fell largely in line with what superintendent Kent Stauder had projected months earlier when concerns of state education budget cuts loomed overhead. The district ended their fiscal year with almost $5,2630,000 total in all their various funds, incurring a deficit of roughly $145,000—an increase over last year’s deficit of nearly $59,000. The majority of that deficit came from the district’s operation and maintenance fund, which ended with close to $97,000 less than with what the district began. The operation and maintenance fund pays for the upkeep of school building and grounds as well as the day to day functions needed to keep each school running. This year the district saw several one-time expenditures that affected the operation and maintenance fund, including the recent asbestos abatement and demolition of Okaw Valley Intermediate School in Findlay. Read More

Obituaries 7-22-2015: David Purvis

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FlagForWebsiteDavid Purvis

David Samuel Purvis, 89, of Sullivan passed away at 6:17 p.m. Tuesday, July 14, 2015 in Sullivan Rehabilitation and Health Care Center.

Memorial services were held at 3 p.m. Monday in Allenville Christian Church in Allenville. Arrangements were by McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Sullivan.

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ALAH District Short Another State Payment

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Reduction in funding causes change of summer maintenance, insurance policies

•July 22, 2015•

by Ariana Cherry
Arthur/Sullivan Reporter

At their meeting last Wednesday, the Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond school board discussed being denied a fourth state aid payment and how that looks to impact projects.
“We didn’t receive our fourth payment from the state which equaled about $80,000, ” said Superintendent Kenny Schwingel.
While the district didn’t expect to receive that missed payment from the state, it did still put them short for funding toward extra projects. The district had several projects for summer maintenance that were needing to be done, but because of funding issues, they had to be put on hold for the next school year. The total cost of the maintenance projects was over $105,000, but after taking a second look at the list, it was narrowed down to $70,000. Some of the projects that were put on hold include putting up a second hitching post, new storage shed and repairing/replacing the entrance at Arthur Grade School. Read More