•June 12, 2019•
The purpose of the volunteer hall of fame for Okaw Valley Community Unit District is to recognize individuals or groups who have volunteered significant time, effort, or service to the school district or have contributed significant resources for the betterment of the school district.
The following were recognized at the 2019 Okaw Valley Commencement.
Ryan Christensen, Volunteer Coaching; Jim Underwood, Volunteer Coaching;
Craig and Lara Macklin, Band and FFA.
•June 12, 2019•
By Mike Brothers
Sullivan is making a clean sweep of its streets in homage to the Cubs sweeping the Cardinals last weekend.
A new $218,672.15 Pelican three broom street sweeper was approved for purchase by Sullivan City Council at the June 10 meeting in Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library.
Street commissioner Peggy Hargis made the motion, explaining the 1992 street sweeper was beyond repair.
Mayor Richard Glazebrook noted several sweepers were tested, and the consensus of employees and staff was the broom sweeper would best serve the city’s needs.
Commissioners Abbey Sherwood, Mike Fowler and Chuck Woodworth joined Hargis and Glazebrook to unanimously approve the purchase.
Prior to accepting comments from the public Mayor Glazebrook established the procedure: questions should be addressed to the mayor first, then redirected as necessary. Read More
Pictured above is the old North School in Sullivan around 1900. It was located at Hamilton and Jackson Streets (junction of 32 & 121) on the northwest corner. Powers school replaced it, followed by CVS, which is there today. 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.
•June 12, 2019•
The Windsor High School Class of 2020 will be hosting a 5k at the Windsor Harvest Picnic on August 17, 2019.
They are seeking sponsors for this event. If you or your business would be interested, please contact Lindsay Floyd (floydl@windsorcusd.org) or Shelly Clotfelter (clotfelters@windsorcusd.org) by August 1st.
If you would like to register for the run, registration forms can be found at http://www.windsor.k12.il.us and click on Junior Senior High School.
•June 12, 2019•
By Mike Brothers
The new state formula to generate revenue for road and bridge repairs could be a good thing for Moultrie County.
Proposed increased taxes at the gas pump have created speculation, but restricting the tax for road and bridge repair is a step toward improving the state’s infrastructure.
Motor Fuel Tax is collected by the state with a share distributed to local governments for use in annual road maintenance.
Moultrie County Highway engineer Jeff Birch explained the county’s share of MFT funds will double when the July 1, 2019 bill takes effect.
“Granted we won’t get all the funds at once, but doubling MFT funds gives the county a chance to develop future projects,” Birch said.
The one million Wilborn Creek Road project a few years ago utilized federal funds with local matching funds recycling the existing surface into a county highway that has withstood extensive boat as well as neighborhood traffic. Read More
•June 12, 2019•
By Jim Nowlan
NP Guest Columnist
Democratic Gov. J. B. Pritzker and the Legislature have gambled on a new direction for Illinois. The dramatic new course seeks to turn our state from a government mired in conflict, impasse and perennial deficits to that of big picture thinking, and big spending.
The two primary enactments this past month were a capital construction bill of breathtaking dimensions and a path toward significant higher income taxes to be imposed on the top 3 percent of earners.
The effects of the construction program for both transportation projects and vertical ones such as university laboratories and repairs will be felt almost immediately. An increase of 19 cents per gallon in gas taxes goes into effect July 1, along with sharp increases in licenses for drivers and their auto plates, as well as other fees.
Revenues from new casinos, sports betting, and more video terminals, always uncertain, are to pay for the university labs and other brick-and-mortar projects. I believe gambling revenue is fool’s gold and has been since the 1980s, when the lottery was sold as the solution to our school funding problems.
The possible income tax increases require us to vote in the November 2020 election on the issue of authorizing graduated, as opposed to the present flat, rates. If three-fifths of voters casting ballots on the issue say Yes, then rates on those with incomes above $250,000 will go as high as 7.99 percent, from the present 4.95 percent. Read More
Frank Nomina
Francis J. “Frank” Nomina, 82, of Sullivan, formerly of Monticello, Ind., passed away at 6:32 p.m. Monday, June 3, 2019 in Mason Point in Sullivan with family by his side.
He was born May 25, 1937 in Delphos, Ohio, a son of Francis C. and Agnes M. Bendele Nomina. On November 24, 1956, in Delphos, Ohio, he married Barbara “Barb” Sickels who preceded him in death on December 1, 2014. Read More
Madeline Smith
Madeline Rinay Smith passed away at 4:13 a.m. Saturday, June 8, 2019 in Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana.
A visitation will be held 6-7 p.m. Thursday, June 13 at McMullin-Young Funeral Home in Bethany.
Madeline was born June 8, 2019 in Urbana, a daughter of Shelby Lynn Morrow. Though her time was very short, she made a loving and lasting impact on her mother and family. They loved her unconditionally and will miss her dearly. Read More
•June 12, 2019•
Secretary of State Jesse White, in cooperation with Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library in Sullivan, is offering drivers a chance to renew their driver’s license or vehicle registration renewal sticker, obtain a duplicate or corrected license, or obtain an Illinois identification card. White’s mobile unit will be available at the library located at 2 West Water in Sullivan 10 a.m.-2 p.m. June 20. Read More
Photo furnished
See Motorcycles
Sullivan mayor Richard Glazebrook read and signed Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Proclamation with Liberty ABATE officers for the city of Sullivan during the city council meeting May 28. The signed proclamation urges all motorists to join in an effort to improve safety and awareness of motorcycles on the roadways as safety is the highest priority for the highways and streets of Sullivan. Pictured from left to right are Henry Magee, vice president/activities officer of Liberty ABATE, Glenn Brunson, PR/Webmaster officer of Liberty and mayor Glazebrook. For more info on Liberty ABATE go to www.libertyabate.org.