•June 15, 2016•

The state of Illinois earned $7.8 million less in investment income the first quarter of 2016 as a result of the budget impasse, Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs said today. That translates into projected missed earnings of $31.2 million for 2016.

Threats of unplanned fund sweeps and the need to pay court-ordered bills required the treasurer’s office to make short-term investments that prioritized cash availability rather than longer-term, higher-yielding investment opportunities.

“A budget is a spending plan. Without a spending plan, it is very difficult to know what money is needed for basic government operations and what money for normal investments,” Frerichs said. “The law requires us to have money available to pay bills. The inability to adequately plan investments rips money out of the pockets of every person in our state, especially hurting those on the margins such as the poor, senior citizens, and children.”

Metropolitan Family Services of Chicago is among the service providers that essentially has lent the state of Illinois money because the state has not paid its bills. Read More

•June 8, 2016•

The Okaw Valley High School spring semester honor roll has been announced.

Earning straight As are Gretchen Macklin, Nicole Miller and Charli Uhlrich, seniors; Jasmine Baumbarger, Tyus Brooks, Elaina Crawford, Brianna Creviston, Connor Dotson, Sydney Hagerman, Moranda Matheson and Seth Yeakel, juniors; Evan Baumbarger, Quinn Brooks, Tyson Brown, Garrett Fritz, Grace Harlin, Kaytlyn Hinton, Kyra Jackson, Natalie Jeffers, Hannah Landreth, Danielle Lochbaum, Ethan Macklin, Kelly McGill, Paige Robinson and Trey Yarnell, sophomores and Bella Benning, Kailynn Bobbett, Shelby Hagerman, Elizabeth Herbord, Jalynn Johnson, Molly Phillips and Sadie Zimmerman, freshmen. Read More

•June 8, 2016•

Foreign exchange student host families are being sought for area foreign exchange students for the upcoming school year.

Area coordinator for the foreign exchange student program in this area is Cindy Yoder who explained that 100 English speaking students from various foreign countries are available for host families in the area. Read More

•June 8, 2016•

With only land line information left to include, the Coles-Moultrie enhanced 911 system is poised to be among the first systems approved in Illinois,

Coles County 911 Director Bernie Buttram told members of the Moultrie County Public Health and Safety committee June 1. The Coles-Moultrie application was the first approved by the Illinois State Police administered program with further approval expected following a state 911 board meeting this week. Read More

•June 8, 2016•

Lovington Grade School’s fourth quarter honor rolls include the following students who earned straight As: Tori Morgan, Kenli Nettles and Colin Stanley, eighth grade; Max Allen, Quentin Day, Reggie Edmonds, Delaney Gillis, Gavin Mechling, Michaela Powell, Trey Wardrip and Kaitlyn Zander, sixth grade and Chloe Franklin and Josie Hale, fifth grade.

On the Honor Roll are Ronda Hettinger, Shalonda Hettinger, Natalie Lambdin, Makayla Mitchell, Aaron Schmitt, Karyzma Smith and Clayton Stanley, eighth grade; Keegan Ashenfelter, Makenzie Brown, Madisyn Crafton, Allysa Hilton, Rachel Kinney, Robby LeCates, Tatjana Mehmen, Colton Middleton, Devon Miller and Quentin Morgan, seventh grade; Brady Foster Joshua Gingerich, Elyssa Hall, Layna Kapp, Jordan Pratt and Elizabeth Tighe, sixth grade; Mason Allen, Ashlynn Baker, Devon Barron, Connor Edmonds, Emma Edwards, Wyatt Hilligoss, Chilton Ingram, Brady Moore and Thomas Powell and Marilyn Hill, Connor Nettles, Peyton Newberry, Gracelynn Query and Nathan Tighe, fourth grade. Read More