Category Archives: News Briefs

National Bike Your Park Day is Coming Up

News Progress Posted on by

•August 23, 2017•

Over 550 rides with more than 3,000 participants in 48 U.S. states, Washington D.C., and several countries are already registered for the second annual Bike Your Park Day on September 30. Thousands more will participate and are expected to register at BikeYourParkDay.org in the next several weeks.

Bike Your Park Day encourages people to explore urban and rural parks and public lands by bicycle whether it’s on paved roads, paths, or mountain bike trails. Bike Your Park Day is on the same day as National Public Lands Day and many parks will offer free entrance and will organize special activities and service projects. Read More

August Begins with Cooler Soils and Dryer Conditions

News Progress Posted on by

•August 23, 2017•

Soils across Illinois were cooler and drier than average in the first half of August, according to Jennie Atkins, Water and Atmospheric Resources Monitoring (WARM) Program manager at the Illinois State Water Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois.

Soil temperatures at depths of 4 inches under sod averaged 75.8 degrees in Illinois during the first half of August, 1.2 degrees below the long-term average and 4.0 degrees lower than the same period in 2016. Daily highs reached the mid-90s with lows in the 60s. This follows the trends seen with air temperatures that are 3.6 degrees below normal as of August 15.

Temperatures were also lower under bare soil, averaging 77.9 degrees at 2 inches and 77.4 degrees at 4 inches.

August has also been dry. Precipitation for the month was 1.00 inch below the long-term average as of August 15. The drier weather has led to lower soil moisture levels throughout the state with the largest decreases seen in northern and east central Illinois. Soil moisture levels declined 11 percent at depths of 2 inches to a state average of 0.18 water fraction by volume (wfv) on August 15.

There were similar declines at depths from 4 to 20 inches. Soil moisture levels remained steady at 39 and 59 inches, averaging 0.41 and 0.40 wfv, respectively, on August 15.

The Illinois State Water Survey’s WARM Program collects hourly and daily weather and soil information at 19 stations across the state. Daily and monthly summaries can be found at the WARM website (http://www.isws.illinois.edu/warm/) and in the Illinois Water and Climate Summary (http://www.isws.illinois.edu/warm/climate.asp).

Menus 8-23-2017

News Progress Posted on by

Sullivan Pre-School Breakfast

Monday, August 28 - Poptarts, apple juice, milk
Tuesday, August 29 - Muffins, apple juice, milk
Wednesday, August 30 - Cereal, apple juice, milk
Thursday, August 31 - Cinnamon raisin biscuits, apple juice, milk
Friday, September 1 - Toast, apple juice, milk

Sullivan Pre-School Lunch

Monday, August 28 - Fish sticks, carrots, pears, bread & butter, milk
Tuesday, August 29 - Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes, peaches, dinner roll, milk
Wednesday, August 30 - Chicken strips, green beans, pineapple, bread & butter, milk
Thursday, August 31 - Corn dogs, tater tots, mandarin oranges, milk
Friday, September 1 - Burritos & cheese sauce, lettuce salad, mixed fruit, milk

Senior Peace Meal
For additional information or for reservations, please call 1-800-543-1770

Monday, August 28 - Fish sandwich w/tartar sauce, baked beans, herbed peas, bun, pears
Tuesday, August 29 - Fried chicken, mashed potatoes w/gravy, broccoli salad, whole grain wheat (1), warm fruit crisp
Wednesday, August 30 - Stuffed peppers in tomato sauce, buttered corn, whole grain dinner, roll, tropical fruit
Thursday, August 31 - Shepherd’s pie, cucumber and onion salad, biscuit, graham crackers (1), hot cinnamon buttered apples
Friday, September 1 - Pork chop in gravy, mini potato bakers, tomatoes and zucchini, Texas toast, melon salad w/grapes

Annual Mennonite Relief Sale Offers Family Friendly Fun

News Progress Posted on by

•August 23, 2017•

The 56th Annual Arthur Mennonite Relief Sale will be held August 25 and 26 in the Otto Center, ½ mile south of Arthur.

The activities will begin at 4:30 p.m. Friday with a pulled BBQ pork dinner and the auction at 6 p.m. A pancake and sausage breakfast runs from 6-10 a.m. Saturday with the auction beginning at 8 a.m. The silent auction is from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday. Read More

ALAH Schools Approve Positive Tentative Budget

News Progress Posted on by

•August 23, 2017•

By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress

Superintendent Kenny Schwengel reported that the total of all funds in the district was $5,692,954.97. He said that the district received another installment from the mandated categorical payments, although, they were still short about $200,000. A tentative budget was passed for the 2017-2018 school year. Schwengel stated that the figures could change as they figure out the general state aid and mandated categorical payments. According to the tentative budget, the district will have about $13.1 million in total revenue and end the year with $700,000. A budget hearing will be held at 6 p.m. September 20. The tentative budget was approved as presented.

Other items that were discussed/voted upon: Read More

Sec. of State Mobile Unit Coming to Sullivan

News Progress Posted on by

•August 23, 2017•

Secretary of State Jesse White, in cooperation with Sullivan Library, 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 Sullivan Library 10 a.m-2 p.m. September 21. Read More

Alumni Wall of Fame Inductee

News Progress Posted on by

•August 16, 2017•

Sam Scott of the class of 1964 is the Bethany Alumni Wall of Fame inductee.

To be nominated the individual must have been a graduate of Bethany, Findlay, or Okaw Valley. Nominations are based on an individual’s contribution to society and community, the betterment of mankind or occupational/endeavor recognition.

Scott earned his degree in finance at Colorado State University in 1968 and a graduate degree from the University of Wisconsin in 1980. He also was a first lieutenant in the US Army and platoon leader and company executive officer in Vietnam 1969-1970. During his service to his country he earned a Bronze Star with Valor and Air Medal. Read More

Remember When? 8-16-2017

News Progress Posted on by

25 Years Ago This Week

The village of Bethany approved installation of 20 feet of guardrail to curb an ongoing traffic problem at the Charles Bland residence near the Depot.

The Bethany Education Assn. filed a letter of intent to strike following a meeting between the group, the school board and a federal mediator.

The 130 foot tall smokestack from the old Brown Shoe Building in Sullivan was pulled down. Located at the AB Seals building the stack was pulled down with souvenir fire bricks sold with proceeds going to the Moultrie County Beacon.

Mulch made from old newspapers recently was tested at SIU Carbondale with results proving that 80 percent of seed planted at a mine reclamation test project grew. The mulch performed as well as traditional straw and wood mulch. Read More

New Unemployment Insurance Process 

News Progress Posted on by

•August 16, 2017•

Beginning September 11, the Illinois Department of Revenue’s MyTax Illinois will become Illinois employers’ most convenient option for filing unemployment insurance monthly wage reports, quarterly unemployment insurance reports, and for making contribution payments.

The transition is a joint effort between the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) to simplify the tax experience for both new and existing Illinois employers.

“By utilizing MyTax Illinois for IDES’ unemployment insurance processes, employers will be afforded an easy, secure method to file and pay unemployment insurance taxes,” said Connie Beard, IDOR Director. “With more than 100 taxes and fees collected through MyTax Illinois, we believe it will provide a user-friendly online method to manage employer tax accounts.” Read More

Menus 8-16-2017

News Progress Posted on by

Senior Peace Meal
For additional information or for reservations, please call 1-800-543-1770

Monday, August 21 - Captains seafood cake w/tartar or cocktail sauce, macaroni and cheese, Italian mixed veggies, orange juice, dinner roll, peaches
Tuesday, August 22 - Chicken enchiladas, brown rice vegetable pilaf, Harvard beets, whole grain wheat (1), apricots
Wednesday, August 23 - Meat loaf, mashed potatoes w/gravy, Texas toast, seasoned greens, dreamsicle dessert
Thursday, August 24 - Taco salad w/meat, be a,s lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, sour cream and taco sauce, mandarin oranges, taco chips, cake
Friday, August 25 - Turkey or cheese salad, vegetable soup, sunshine salad, crackers, whole grain wheat (1), watermelon

Sullivan Pre-School Breakfast

Monday, August 21 - Cereal bars, orange juice, milk
Tuesday, August 22 - French toast, orange juice, milk
Wednesday, August 23 - Bagel, orange juice, milk
Thursday, August 24 - Coffee cake, orange juice, milk
Friday, August 25 - Donuts, orange juice, milk

Sullivan Pre-School Lunch

Monday, August 21 - Chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, mandarin oranges, dinner roll, milk
Tuesday, August 22 - Sloppy Joe on bun, tater tots, pineapple, milk
Wednesday, August 23 - McRibs, green beans, peaches, bread & butter, milk
Thursday, August 24 - Chicken nuggets, french fries, peaches, bread & butter, milk
Friday, August 25 - Ravioli, lettuce salad, mixed fruit, garlic bread, milk