Category Archives: News Briefs

EIU Hosts Journalism Workshop for High School Students

News Progress Posted on by

•March 16, 2016•

High school students can learn journalism hands-on from award-winning reporters, editors and photographers at the Illinois Press Foundation workshop taking place at Eastern Illinois University June 22 through July 1.

Applications for the 10-day workshop, which is funded by the Illinois Press Foundation, Robert R. McCormick Foundation and EIU, will be accepted through May 18, 2016. Eighteen students will be selected to participate in this free journalism experience.

Graduating seniors are eligible for this workshop as are those currently in their sophomore or junior years.

Held on the EIU campus in Charleston, this residential program provides students an intimate look at journalism as a career by immersing students into approaches used by modern, digital newsrooms. The workshop introduces students to the complete process of publishing news: gathering and validating information, substantiating and using multiple sources, writing news, editing, designing and production. In addition, students are exposed to the concepts of news literacy and how to differentiate and establish fact from fiction in today’s sometimes frenetic, rush-to-report news environment. Read More

Correction…

News Progress Posted on by

•March 16, 2016•

A Leah Dolan benefit is Saturday, April 23, at New Life Church in Sullivan. Dolan has been diagnosed with stage four cancer and is receiving treatment.

The benefit begins at noon and concludes at 7:30 p.m.

Included in the activities that day are inflatables, Andrews Family Magic show, bake sale, cake walk, silent auction, regular auction by auctioneer Frank Ellison, food stand, DJ & music by local singers from area churches, face painting, hairchalk and more. A concert by David and the Giants will be 6-7:30 p.m.

Donations may be made payable to Faith Lutheran Church, PO 109, Sullivan, IL, 61951.  Indicate “Leah” on check memo,or, gofundme.com/fightingforleah. Auction and bake sale items will be appreciated.

FFA Award for Sullivan Student

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•March 16, 2016•

Sullivan High School’s Devin Warren won the District FFA Proficiency Award in grain production.

Warren manages 20 acres of corn and five acres of soybeans as part of his FFA supervised ag experience project. As a district winner, he now advances to the state finals.

Illinois Treasurer Sues Phone Giant Sprint

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•March 16, 2016•

Nearly 32,000 residents are owed an estimated $2.7 million after they purchased a product or service from telecom giant Sprint but did not receive the rebate that incentivized the sale, treasurer Michael Frerichs charged in a lawsuit announced today.

Frerichs pursued the lawsuit after the telecommunications giant and its clearinghouse partner, Young America Corp. of Minnesota, kept the rebate money. The treasurer’s office has the ability to sue because rebates are considered unclaimed property if not paid within five years and must be surrendered to the state treasury. These purchases were made between 2003 and 2005.

“It is frustrating and wrong when these large companies with deep pockets and corporate attorneys break their promises, keep money that is not theirs, and dare people to file a lawsuit,” Frerichs said. Read More

Ammonia Distribution Terminal Planned in County

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•March 16, 2016•

A project by Archer Daniels Midland is underway to pipe anhydrous ammonia from New Orleans area production facilities to Decatur and a distribution terminal in Dalton City.

The Moultrie County Board heard a report from NuStar who operates the pipeline intended for the extension in to Moultrie and Macon counties.

During the county board planning and zoning report chair Todd Maxedon moved a variance request to allow John Denning to build one foot from the east property line at 1 Leisure Acres be approved which it was.

Kay C. Nalbach/NuStar Pipeline Company requested a 10 acre site outside Dalton City be changed from Ag-1 to I-2 to allow construction of the terminal which will contain four to five 90,000 gallon bullet tanks and a two bay truck loading facility.

Gary Hannig of Morrill and Associates explained that ADM had approached NuStar to extend the existing Ammonia pipeline in Shelby Co, 44 miles to Decatur. Read More

State Denied Federal Flood Assistance

News Progress Posted on by

•March 16, 2016•

The state of Illinois was notified today that its request for federal assistance to help people, businesses and local governments in several Illinois counties recover from flooding has been denied. In a letter notifying the state of the denial, FEMA Administrator W. Craig Fugate said the damage from the floods and severe storms “was not of such severity and magnitude as to be beyond the capabilities of the state, affected local governments, and voluntary agencies.”

On Feb. 26 the state submitted a request for two types of federal assistance: Individual Assistance to help people and businesses recover and Public Assistance to provide reimbursement to local governments for some of their disaster-related expenses. Both forms of federal assistance were denied. Read More

Remember When? 3-16-2016

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Compiled by Bekki Ferguson-Stevens

25 Years Ago This Week

Two students from Moultrie County earned straight A’s during the first semester at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale and are among five area students named to the fall semester academic dean’s list. Earning straight A’s were Paul E. Kaiser of Bethany and Paula J. Dolan of Sullivan. The other three on the dean’s list are Trent E. Doty of Lovington, Michael A. Hermann of Sullivan and Kimberly D. McHenry of Findlay.

Two Decatur Area Vocational Center students from Bethany have been selected students of the month for February. They are Ronnie Butt and Karie Skidmore. AVC teachers select the students based on regular and punctual attendance, grades, both theory and lab experiences and a demonstration of positive work habits.

Lori Ann Byers, a senior at Lovington High School, who is in the top two percent of her graduating class, has been recognized with a certificate for overall academic excellence through the Tandy Technology Scholars program.

Nine Moultrie Countians earned degrees at the close of the fall semester at Eastern Illinois University. Graduates from Bethany are Christopher S. Keller, Terri Rena Bolen and Mindy Carol Winskill. Lovington graduates are Pamela A. Grohmann and Linda Kay Casteel; and Sullivan graduates are Rebecca Ann Dickens, Denise Renae Jones, Samantha Jean Davis and Candace Sue Monroe. Read More

IDFPR Secretary Schneider Appointed to National Regulatory Committee

News Progress Posted on by

•March 9, 2016•

Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) Secretary Bryan A. Schneider was recently appointed to the Non-Depository Supervisory Committee of the Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS). The newly created committee will provide oversight of and support for multi-state, non-depository supervisory matters and provide advice on non-depository policy development. Non-depository financial institutions serve as an intermediary between savers and borrowers, but do not accept time deposits. In Illinois, IDFPR Division of Banking oversees the regulation and licensure of non-depository financial institutions, such as mortgage banks, payday loans, pawnbrokers and title loan companies.

“With his extensive regulatory and financial background, Secretary Schneider will be invaluable as a member of this national committee,” said Governor Bruce Rauner. “By serving in this capacity, Secretary Schneider ensures Illinois has effective representation in shaping national regulatory policies that impact the financial services that the people of our state depend upon.” Read More

Mobile Driver’s Facility Comes to Sullivan

News Progress Posted on by

•March 9, 2016•

The Secretary of State mobile unit is coming to Sullivan library Thursday, March 17.

Secretary Jesse White announced the event held in cooperation with the Elizabeth Titus 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.

The mobile unit will be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the library located at 2 W. Water St. in Sullivan. Read More