•January 24, 2018•

The Illinois Department of Revenue (“IDOR”) will begin accepting 2017 state individual income tax returns Monday, January 29, the same date that the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) begins accepting federal individual income tax returns.

IDOR is reminding taxpayers that filing tax returns electronically and requesting direct deposit into a checking or savings account is still the fastest, most secure way to receive a refund. IDOR begins this tax season with a continued focus on protecting taxpayers and state government against fraud.

•January 17, 2018•

Supervisor of Assessments Lori Barringer told Moultrie County board members the estimated 2017 equalized assessed value for county land was $347,199,162.

Based on the three year average she went on to point out the tentative equalization factor of .9978 is a .22% decrease in all values in Moultrie County. In 2016 a 1.0199% equalization factor led to a 2% increase in property values. The three year average is 33.01%.

Barringer noted the 2017 assessed values were published January 10 with February 10, 2018 the deadline to file appeals to the county Board of Review.

With the supervisor’s office Coefficient of Dispersion (COD) at 24.56% for 2016 and less than 30%, the state of Illinois will reimburse half Barringer’s salary plus an additional $3000 bonus.

In state real estate tax appeals Barringer reported the Courtyard Estates settlement  brought the 2017 assessed value to $1,292,067 with a .9978 equalization factor. Former assessed value was $3,876,201. Tax years 2017, 2016, 2015, and 2013 are affected.

Mason Point’s tax appeal yielded a $1,292,067 assessed value for 2017 for property previously assessed at $3,876,201. Tax years 2017 and 2016 were included.

Community Retirement Inc. (Eberhardt) settled for a $739,962 assessed valued from $2,219,886 with a stipulation for $674,933 for 2016.

•January 17, 2018•

It was a very cold end to a warm year making 2017 the sixth warmest year on record in Illinois with a statewide average temperature of 54.3 degrees, or two degrees above normal.

In spite of the extreme cold ending to December eight out of the 12 months in 2017 brought above-normal temperatures, according to Illinois State Climatologist Jim Angel of the Illinois State Water Survey at the University of Illinois. Illinois experienced the warmest February on record with a statewide average of 41 degrees, 10.1 degrees above normal.

On the other hand, Illinois’ 10th coolest August on record came in 2017 with a temperature of 70.5 degrees, 3.1 degrees below normal.

The statewide average precipitation for the year was 37.65 inches, 2.31 inches below normal, despite the dramatic precipitation events that occurred in 2017, such as the heavy rains in southern Illinois in spring, and in northern Illinois in July and September. Illinois received 6.86 inches of rain in April, 3.08 inches above normal, and the fifth wettest April on record.

Still, Illinois experienced its fifth driest September on record with only 0.82 inches, 2.41 inches below normal. Some exceptionally dry areas still exist in central Illinois, around St. Louis, and parts of southeastern Illinois. These will be areas to watch in spring for the 2018 growing season.

Snowfall for the 2017-2018 winter season started slowly but with some significant accumulations by the end of December. Snowfall totals ranged from six to 15 inches in the northern half of the state and down to almost zero in far southern Illinois by December 31.

Cissna Park (Iroquois County) reported the largest winter snowfall total of 15.5 inches. Mt. Carroll (Carroll County) was in second place with 10.8 inches, and Chatsworth (Livingston County) was in third place with 10.5 inches.

The statewide average precipitation total for December in Illinois was 0.86 inches, 1.83 inches below normal and the eighth driest December on record. Far southern Illinois received one to three inches of precipitation, but the rest of the state received less than an inch.

December temperatures in Illinois were exceptionally mild until Christmas Eve. The cold and warm weather balanced out in December, leaving the statewide average temperature for the month at 28.9 degrees, one degree below normal.

Overall, the state remained below normal on December snowfall.

•January 10, 2018•

An American Red Cross blood drive will be held 9 a.m-1 p.m. Friday, January 12 in the Okaw Valley High School gym in Bethany.

Any healthy individual, age 16 through 75, who meets weight requirements may donate blood. Donors should eat a healthy meal and drink an extra 16 oz. of water and fluids before donating, and they must bring identification showing a picture and a signature.

All blood types are needed, especially Types 0- and 0+.

By donating at this blood drive, you are helping one or more graduating seniors earn a scholarship! You may save up to 15 minutes when you donate blood by using RapidPass! Visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass for more information.

The drive is sponsored by the Okaw Valley High School student council. For more information regarding the drive or to make an appointment, contact Okaw Valley High School at 665-3631 or make an appointment online at www.redcrossblood.org. Walk-ins are also welcome.

•January 10, 2018•

The Little Theatre on the Square in Sullivan starts showing movies this week.

Friday, Jan 12 and Saturday, Jan 13 Goodbye Christopher Robin shows at 7 p.m. Friday and 2 and 7 p.m. on Saturday. Boss Baby plays at 11 a.m. Saturday.

Friday, Jan.19 and Sat. Jan. 20 the Little Theatre will show Murder on the Orient Express at 7 p.m. Friday and 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday. Diary of a Wimpy Kid plays at 11 a.m. Saturday.

Coming soon are Shape of Water and Greatest Showman in late February and early March.