•April 3, 2019•
Findlay American Legion Auxiliary will sponsor an American Red Cross Blood Drive 2-6 p.m. Monday, April 8 at the Findlay American Legion Hall.
Blood lasts only 42 days, and there is no synthetic alternative. Refreshments will be served.
Photo furnished
•April 3, 2019•
Secretary of State Jesse White unveiled a new ad campaign today featuring Sofia Sanchez - the 11-year-old who received a hospital visit from Grammy Awards-winner Drake shortly before she received her lifesaving heart. The campaign marks the beginning of National Donate Life Month in April.
“For such a young girl, Sofia has shown tremendous strength and maturity during her organ donation journey and I am so proud of her,” White said. “Drake’s visit helped Sofia during a difficult time and raised awareness regarding organ donation. And a special thank you to Sofia’s donor family for giving her the gift of life.” Read More
•April 3, 2019•
Moultrie County Pest Control received honorable mention in the Best of Readers Choice Award 2019 announced in the Decatur Herald and Review Sunday edition. Rob Young of Sullivan opened Moultrie County Pest Control and has been battling pests for 16 years this spring.
•April 3, 2019•
By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress
At the Sullivan Community Education Foundation’s annual Staff Appreciation Dinner March 28 the group awarded some $16,000 in grants to 11 individuals and two organizations.
Held at the 1225 Building in Sullivan more that 170 people attended.
Sullivan Community Education Foundation Chair, Betty Jo Emel, welcomed the attendees and introduced the board of trustees as well as the superintendent of schools and the three school principals. Grant Wade gave the invocation.
The high school students were represented by both the jazz band which provided the entertainment and the National Honor Society members who assisted in serving the dinner.
Music director Shaun Shaefers conducted the jazz band during the buffet dinner which was catered by Griffith Catering.
Following dinner, the 2018 Major Grant recipients each gave a report of how their grants had been used throughout the previous year.
Wade awarded the 2019 Mini Grants as follows: Read More
25 Years Ago This Week
The new ramp has been completed outside the Moultrie County Courthouse to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
Lori Shasteen, a seven-year employee of Horn Insurance Agency, passed the Illinois state exams for life and health as well as property and casualty insurance to become a licensed insurance agent for all lines of insurance.
The fourth annual Young Authors Program, sponsored by the Sullivan PTO, was held at Sullivan High School and Middle School. Those students reading their manuscripts are Kindergarten, Monica Giberson and Stephanie Lane; First grade, Stephanie Austin, Sarah Donoho, Caleb Hawbaker and Wyatt Jenkins. Third grade: Elizabeth Kellog, Deana Sides, Matthew Vail, and Ashlee Walton. Fourth Grade: Chris Crawford, Drew Miller. Becky Moore, and Cindi Reed. Fifth Grade: Emily Feeler, Lisa Lilly, Amanda Russell, and Mary VanDuersen. Sixth Grade: Chase Arnold, Christal Norton, Angela Perry and Lena Singer. Seventh Grade: Derek Elder, Nikki Hingson, Keath Murray, Melissa Steward. Eighth Grade: Missy Gillon, Jim Highland, Casey Matthews and Abbie Rodgers
Jalee Fifer is the Moultrie County Spelling Bee Champion. Read More
•March 27, 2019•
By Jack Myers
Social Security Public Affairs Specialist
It’s National Social Security Month and this year we’re highlighting some of the time-saving features of the my Social Security account. Once you create an account, you’ll see that we already have your work history and secure information to estimate what you could receive once you start collecting benefits. With your personal my Social Security account, you can also: Read More
•March 27, 2019•
Supt. Ted Walk,
Sullivan CUSD #300
There has been a lot of variation in dates of attendance for schools in Illinois over the years.
Currently, a district is required to schedule 180 days, with an additional five days reserved as Emergency Days for instances when school has to be closed due to weather. Apart from a standard Pupil Attendance Day, schools may use some of these days for items such as Teachers Institutes, School Improvement, or Parent-Teacher Conferences. Read More
•March 27, 2019•
Editors Note: In the March 20, 2019 article on the candidate forum held March 14 Sullivan Mayor Ann Short’s answers were incomplete. In the effort to provide her an equal opportunity to respond, the News Progress is publishing the mayor’s complete responses to the SCED forum questions. Our duty at the News Progress is to allow each candidate fair and equal coverage.
Question 1 TIF districts
Tax Increment Financing is confusing to the general public. It is an economic development tool that was created by the State for municipalities to use. We created TIF 1 in 1986 and TIF 2 in 1991. The will be expiring in 2011 and 2026. TIF 3 was created in 2001 and will expire in 2024.
On your property tax bill about ½ of the amount goes to the schools and the remaining ½ is divided u-up between the City, Fire and Ambulance, County and Lake Land. However, since some properties are located in a TIF district, the distribution of those amounts are treated differently by the County. We have worked with 57 different individual developers who came to the City and expressed a desire to increase the value of their property. We have signed agreements with them and they have increased the value of their property. When they pay their increased property taxes annually, the initial amount paid before TIF goes to the various taxing bodies in the county. That difference between the two amounts is the Increment. That is paid to the City Tax Increment Fund. We can then share that back with the developer, through a signed agreement, to meet the eligible costs he incurred in making the improvements. The balance of the funds can then be used for City improvements which are allowed under the original and amended plan. We hire a TIF attorney to determine what reimbursements to the developers are allowed and also what City expenditures are allowed. Those must follow what is allowed by State Statute. Read More
Senior Peace Meal
For additional information or for reservations, please call 1-800-543-1770
Monday, April 1 - Biscuits and gravy, breakfast pattie, baby bakers, fruit juice, warm fruit compote
Tuesday, April 2 - Fried chicken, mashed potatoes w/gravy, black-eyed pea salad, Texas toast, pineapple tidbits
Wednesday, April 3 - Brat sandwich, corn, broccoli and cauliflower, bun, fruit salad
Thursday, April 4 - Chili w/beans, lettuce salad w/spinach, pears, crackers, cake or brownie
Friday, April 5 - Beef and noodles, mashed potatoes, Italian green beans, whole grain wheat, apple slices
Peace Meal Editors Note
Editor’s Note: In the March 13 edition of the Moultrie County News Progress the continued story from page 4 - Restaurant Opens …ended up on page 8 above the weekly Peace Meal menus. Unfortunately some readers mistakenly thought Fairways Family Restaurant had become the Senior Peace Meal provider. Peace Meal menus remain a separate program providing meals for senior citizens.
•March 27, 2019•
February Students of the Month at Windsor schools include Pyrintha Ballinger, a senior and the daughter of David and Paulette Ballinger. She is involved in Student Council, WYSE, and Spanish Club.
Seventh grader Hannah Gossard is the daughter of Todd and Delaine Gossard. She participates in volleyball and hopes to one day become a designer or doctor.