Photo by Mike Brothers
Shelby County Dive Team rescues Brittany Landreth and her two daughters from flood waters that threatened their home on N. Church Street in Bethany.

•June 26, 2019•
What happens when four inches of rain falls in half an hour?
Bethany was hit with four inches of rain within half an hour on June 19 that left streets flowing like an angry river and residents still dealing with flood conditions.
With a torrent of water rushing down North Church Street, Bethany Fire District called on the Shelby County Dive team to rescue Brittany Landreth and her two daughters by boat, while Bethany personnel escorted son Alex from Tamara Lillico’s house next door, utilizing guide ropes to steady the team against the rushing water.
“It came on all at once,” Bethany Fire Chief Tom Rucker said of the 1 p.m. deluge of water. “Firefighters turned out well for the middle of the day, and we first went to the grade school where water got inside the building.” Read More

•June 19, 2019•
Moultrie County is in good financial shape according to the audit presented by West and Company at the regular June 13 meeting of the Moultrie County Board.
According to the FY2018 audit the county enjoyed a $1.5 million net increase with $760,000 in cash. An increase of $130,000 in detention income from the Moultrie County Detention Center and a one time Ameren payment of $477,000 account for most of the increased income.
Health insurance coverage grew to $350,000 keeping with a $100,000 per year increase experienced recently. The audit was approved unanimously.
An additional $150,000 was approved for special projects for the Highway Dept. Committee chairman Kevin McReynolds explained some road and bridge project bids came in higher than anticipated requiring the extra funds. Read More

•June 19, 2019•
Throughout her advising career and now as a longtime retiree, Carol Smith has served scholastic journalism admirably, for her Lovington students and consolidated school community, for her mentees and for the state organization.
During her long career as newspaper adviser at Lovington High School, Carol inspired her students and community.
She molded close relationships with area professional media, she taught her students solid reporting and editing skills, and she stood up for them in various arenas.
She is still in contact with many of her former students, and she is continually proud of their accomplishments, whether they stayed in journalism or not.
Smith continued to educate herself on journalism curriculum, ethics and law, and she was an early supporter of the IHSA state journalism tournament––and she even judged two categories last year. Read More

•June 12, 2019•
By Mike Brothers

The new state formula to generate revenue for road and bridge repairs could be a good thing for Moultrie County.
Proposed increased taxes at the gas pump have created speculation, but restricting the tax for road and bridge repair is a step toward improving the state’s infrastructure.
Motor Fuel Tax is collected by the state with a share distributed to local governments for use in annual road maintenance.
Moultrie County Highway engineer Jeff Birch explained the county’s share of MFT funds will double when the July 1, 2019 bill takes effect.
“Granted we won’t get all the funds at once, but doubling MFT funds gives the county a chance to develop future projects,” Birch said.
The one million Wilborn Creek Road project a few years ago utilized federal funds with local matching funds recycling the existing surface into a county highway that has withstood extensive boat as well as neighborhood traffic. Read More

•June 5, 2019•
By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress

Eagle Scout Benjamin Matheny wants to create a wall in the high school that will feature past high school students who are veterans.
He presented his Eagle Scout project idea to the ALAH School Board.
Matheny intends to list names and photos of those who served from the past five years. The wall will have a magnetic background to which photos will attach. The cost is estimated at around $4,000 and will be paid for through donations.
Superintendent Kenny Schwengel reported that the current balance of all funds are $5,100,153.73. The district received a transportation payment of $134,000. Three for this year were received as well as one from last year, and the district may receive one in July. The school district also received $80,000 in personal replacement tax money.
The amended 2019 budget was presented to the board. Schwengel noted that there is a deficit in transportation funds and that money may have to be moved from the education fund to make up for it. “The district still isn’t receiving the transportation funds that it should,” noted Schwengel. The first budget hearing is scheduled June 19 prior to the board meeting.
Only two bids were received to repair the roof of the high school. One bid was from Top Quality Roofing at $229,800, and the other was from Industrial Services at $239,400. Top Quality was awarded the low bid. Read More