Category Archives: News

Local Artist Completes Decatur Mural Project

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Photo furnished
Pictured is local artist Nick Beery.

•September 20, 2017•

Sullivan artist Nick Beery will complete the third of three downtown murals in Decatur this week. This mural for the Decatur Mural Project in 2017 will be at the 200 block of W. Main St. in Decatur (east wall facing parking lot).

Beery is a freelance artist and owner/founder/creative director of Beery Method. The design for the mural is made up of a series of light, medium, and dark shapes and based on a mathematical expression/pattern structure known as the golden spiral. The golden spiral is found in nature everywhere from nautilus shells and leaves to the arms of galaxies. Read More

County Offers Real Estate at Tax Sale

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•September 20, 2017•

Moultrie County, as Trustee, has completed their tax deed proceedings on real estate properties that were delinquent for 2013 and prior real estate taxes.

The County, as Trustee, will now offer for sale the real estate obtained to the public. They will offer approximately four items through a sealed bid auction sale. All sealed bids must be in the Moultrie County treasurer’s office located in the Moultrie County Courthouse, 10 S. Main Street — Suite 10 in Sullivan, Illinois 61951 no later than the close of business on October 6, 2017.  Read More

Sullivan Schools Approve Balanced Budget

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PARCC/MAP Test Complete

By Mike Brothers

Sullivan schools approved the 2017-2018 budget with Supt. Ted Walk noting the net budget was balanced and District #300 would end the fiscal year June 2018 with $25,000 in the black.

In the budget summary education begins the fiscal year with a $3,645,588 fund balance, anticipating $3,527,948 in state resources included in the $7,458,329 in revenues. Expenses in education are expected at $7,518,893, resulting in a $35,488 deficit with the education fund showing a $3,549,536 balance June 30, 2018.

Operations and maintenance receipts are budgeted at $957,169 while expenses are expected at $1,008,059 for a $50,890 deficit. Fund balance June 30, 2018 is budgeted at $851,487.  Read More

Patriots Day – Remembering the Attack Sixteen Years After

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Photo by Mike Brothers
“Flowers of the Forest” a traditional Scottish Highland bagpipes song, is played for first responders who passed away on 9/11/2011 by Oakland piper Paul Hinson at the Patriots Day observation held at Sullivan schools Monday, Sept. 11.

•September 20, 2017•

Monday, September 11 was Patriots Day and the 16th anniversary of the Twin Towers terrorist attack. A day that changed America forever.

Sixteen years later a generation of students who weren’t as yet born at that time wrestle with understanding what 9/11/2011 was all about.

Rebecca Lawson’s Mirror Images class at Sullivan High School has established a Patriot’s Day observance tradition that keeps the memory of that day alive.

For the past several years Mirror Image students have put together combined high school and middle school assemblies honoring local first responders and the memory of the 2997 people who died that day.  Read More

County Settles Tax Dispute Over Mason Point

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Petersen’s Appeal Approved

•September 20, 2017•

By Mike Brothers

Settling a tax dispute with the owners of Mason Point will cost some Moultrie County taxing bodies.

Supervisor of Assessments Lori Barringer explained the settlement for tax years 2013-2018 for the Petersen Health Care VIII LLC facility was based on a negotiated $5 million fair market value for the property with a new assessed value of $1,666,500.

Mason Point taxes for 2015 should be $153,303.30 including interest. With the reduced tax bill going back to tax years 2011 and 2012 Petersen will get tax refunds from Sullivan Schools, East Nelson Twp., Lake Land College, Sullivan Fire Dist., Moultrie County and East Nelson-Whitley MTA 2. Read More

Sullivan Honor Blood Drive for Girl with Medical Issues

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Photo by Jeri Davis
Above a healthier looking 18-month-old River Helmuth sits on father Troy’s lap as he gives blood during the Sept. 16 Honor Blood Drive held on her behalf.

•September 20, 2017•

Sullivan blood donors turned out in force at the American Legion in Sullivan Saturday, Sept. 16 as the Sullivan Church of God partnered with Red Cross for an honor drive benefiting River Helmuth with 96 units collected.

River is the 18-month-old daughter of Tony and Stephanie Helmuth of Sullivan. She was born with medical issues requiring several transfusions to survive.

“River’s parents contacted me about doing an honor drive in River’s name,” Red Cross coordinator Jeri Davis began. “I spent about four months total planning and coordinating this first honor drive I have hosted in my four years of being a Red Cross volunteer.”

More than 100 people attempted to donate Saturday, with 96 units collected. Every unit collected can help up to three separate people so it is possible 288 people may have been saved with the 96 units.     Read More

Moultrie County’s Poor Farm Marked an Era of Despair for Some

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Photo furnished

•September 20, 2017•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

In 1864 the Moultrie County Board purchased 200 acres from Eli York to establish what would be variously called the Almshouse, the Poor Farm, the York Farm or the Poor House. In 1865 William F. Crouch was hired as the first superintendent.

In those days pauperism was considered a moral failing that could be erased through order and hard work. The poor, sick, insane and orphans were sent to these places when they had no other means or anyone to care for them.   Read More

Bethany Alumni Banquet Offers Many Firsts

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•September 20, 2017•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

John Schwartz, a 1968 graduate of Bethany High School, recently retired from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Director Credibility Assessment Division Office of Internal Affairs, U. S. Customs and Border Protection, and he will be the guest speaker at the Alumni Association’s banquet Saturday, October 7.

Several changes have been made to this year’s celebration. A live band will perform for the first time, courtesy of Bill Rowe, and the venue this year will be the Bethany Grade School gym. Also, for the first time, the 2017 and 2018 Okaw Valley seniors have been invited to attend. The classes of 1967 and 1992 will be honored. Read More

Moultrie County Partners with State For Liquor Inspection Pilot Program

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•September 13, 2017•

In an effort to improve the allocation of alcohol beverage compliance resources, the state of Illinois and Moultrie County have recently joined forces to launch the Moultrie County Liquor Inspection Pilot Program.

Under the agreement, the Moultrie County Health Department has begun carrying out Standard Liquor Inspections for all Moultrie County license holders on behalf of the state of Illinois. Utilizing existing state resources, the Illinois Liquor Control Commission (ILCC) is providing financial assistance and training for designated local inspectors.  Read More

Trustee Quits Lovington Village Board

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•September 13, 2017•

During an August 14 meeting the Lovington Village Board voted not to allow Otto Wash to put portable storage units on the lot north of the car wash.

Village clerk Alma Fair reported the village is preparing to allow employees direct deposit once she has completed training.

On a motion by Dennis Garmon the board approved procedures for overtime when employees are called out. This includes time clock verification or supervising trustee approval when the time clock is not available.

The Lovington Revilatization Coaltion chair Tamara McRill requested permission for the group to have a wiener roast at the park with portable fire pits at 2 p.m. October 15, and approval was granted. Read More