Photo by Ariana Cherry
Pictured are members of the ALAH Physics Club.

Tax Levy Approved

•December 20, 2017•

By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress

“Everything looks pretty good for now,” Supt. of Schools Kenny Schwengel reported noting the present balance for the Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond district is $7,410,556.10. “But we still have not received any mandated categorical payments. Although, there have been $91,000 paid in general state aid but no payments for transportation,” he added.

A public hearing for the 2017 tax levy was held and approved. The total tax levy is $7,827,550 at 5.91% with a tax rate of $3.58.

The board also discussed leasing a 14-passenger activity bus for the district for transportation to school events and extracurricular activites. Schwengel estimated that the district pays about $9,000 on trips per year. Leasing an activity bus could help save the district money on transportation.  Read More

•December 13, 2017•

By Madison Ulrich
For The News Progress

It is true that the holiday season brings with it a flurry of memories and a tradition of reminiscence. No doubt that everyone has their own favorite experiences and moments.

But what makes Christmas perfect? Maybe it’s the gifts, the under-the-tree treasures, maybe it’s the family we get to see after such a long time apart, or maybe it’s just the excited energy in the air.

Maybe it’s all three, but it’s different for everyone.  Read More

•December 6, 2017•

Moultrie County Clerk Georgia England conducted a lottery to determine candidates placement on the March primary ballot Tuesday, December 5.

The Democrats and Republicans both held a lottery in the county board meeting room at the courthouse for Treasurer ballot placement on each respective party ballot.  Read More

Photo submitted
Pictured is the Jefferson Theater.

•November 29, 2017•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

After the Titus Opera House was consumed in fire, Irving Shuman built the Jefferson Theater on the corners of Jefferson and Hamilton streets. It was a two-story building, and the entire outside was covered in a white, pearlized brick that was the first of its kind in Sullivan.

As the new theater neared completion Shuman asked Mayor Johnson, County Judge Grider and Circuit Clerk Gaddis to act as judges in a naming contest for the new theater. The name Jefferson Theater was submitted by both Genevieve Lowe and Mrs. C. O. Patterson for three reasons: first, the building was located on Jefferson street, second, the name brought to mind the great figure of the American stage, Joseph Jefferson, who was famous for portraying Rip Van Winkle, and third, because Thomas Jefferson was “the greatest Democrat in the history of our nation and wrote the Declaration of Independence”. Read More

Dr. Anne Walk

•November 29, 2017•

By Erin Valentine
For the News Progress

A look into our eyes tells more than ever before.

If your diet consists of burgers and fries over kale and spinach, it is now visible to scientists studying the effects of the nutrient lutein. And a lack of lutein could catch up with us both physically and mentally, according to research from University of Illinois’ Body Composition and Nutritional Neuroscience Lab, Department of Kinesiology and Community Health.

Anne Walk is a postdoctoral research associate at the University. She and her husband Ted, Sullivan superintendent of schools, also own Dedicated Realty in Sullivan.

Walk is part of the research group discovering the effects of lutein, a nutrient found primarily in green, leafy vegetables such as kale, turnip greens, spinach and romaine lettuce, avocados, eggs and yellow carrots. Their findings have been featured in the November issue of Woman’s Day and online for Reader’s Digest and Men’s Health. The new information was first published in the scientific journal Frontiers in Human Neuroscience. Read More