Category Archives: News

Enhanced 9-1-1 System Celebrates with Open House

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•July 12, 2017•

By Mike Brothers

Coles-Moultrie 9-1-1 consolidation was recently completed with an open house held at the Dispatch Center across from Sarah Bush Lincoln in Coles County.

The highway 16 facility was open from 3-6 p.m. June 28 with Director Bernie Buttrum conducting tours and explaining the path to completing the enhanced 9-1-1 emergency communication system.

Included in the tour was a look into the dispatch operations located safely in the windowless basement of the building.

Assistant Director Amanda Williamson explained committing to being a dispatcher means giving up a lot since they work from 8-12 hour shifts and can not leave the dispatch center .

“What we try to do in the beginning is explain to the candidate what they are up against,” Williamson began, noting that many applicants have a glorified image of the dispatch job as displayed on television. Read More

Sullivan Council Wrestles with Health Coverage Options

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•July 5, 2017•

By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress

Sullivan City Council members debated the issue of health insurance again at their most recent meeting. The debate was whether the retired employees over 65 and their dependents should share the cost of their health insurance with the city. Insurance carrier Health Alliance has urged a decision with commissioners Jerry Risley and Mike Mossman pointing out the need for further information. Commissioner Mike Kirk felt that they shouldn’t wait another year. “It isn’t fair to the people or to the city,” Kirk noted.

The outcome of their decision would affect about 10-15 people currently on the city’s health insurance plan. Retired city employee Joe Thompson spoke on behalf of the retired city employees, asking that the city stick with the plan that they made several years ago. With the costs of health insurance reaching a million dollars for the city the question is whether they can continue on the “promise” that was made back in the 80’s.  Read More

A Warm Reception for a Cold War Veteran

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Photo by Mike Brothers
Navy veteran Bill Zoetvelt was in the Iron Angel squadron serving on aircraft carrier Bon Homme Richard during the Cold War era.

•July 5, 2017•

By Mike Brothers

Bill Zoetvelt hadn’t thought about taking the Lincoln Honor Flight for veterans in June until he met Marsha Bowyer.

Bowyer from Sullivan, a nurse who has been on six honor flights as guardian, saw Zoetvelt’s hat from his Iron Angel’s Navy squadron and asked if he had considered going on the June flight.

He explained they were both at Dr. Dennis Costerisan’s office in Mt. Zion so he went home, discussed it with his wife Marilyn, and decided to go.

“It was fantastic, from the reception at the airport in Springfield to the memorials we visited in Washington,” Zoetvelt said of the Honor Flight on which Bowyer accompanied him as guardian. She also went as guardian for Gordon Wood of Sullivan. Read More

ALAH Amended Budget Approved, State Owes $1.4 Million

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Student fees announced

By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress

Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond School Board approved an amended 2017-18 budget at the June 21 meeting.

Superintendent Kenny Schwengel reported the total of all the funds in the ALAH district was $3,279,199.97. This past month, there were $128,887 in bills, and the transportation fund had a deficit of $290,000. In order to bring the fund out of debt, the district borrowed $325,000 from the Education Fund. Presently, the state of Illinois owes $1,437,592.48 to the ALAH school district.

The board also discussed the new rates for the 2017-2018 school year. Students in grades one through eight will have a $35 book fee. High school students - $10 per book;  new English class, Best Sellers, will have a $10 fee. It is the only English class with a fee. Read More

Broadband Expansion Gets a Boost in Lovington

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Photo by Mike Brothers
Matt Johnson, VP of Moultrie Independent Telephone/Shawnee Communications, (right) and Keith Adams, the USDA assistant administrator of telecommunications programs.

•July 5, 2017•

High speed internet is coming to Lovington in a big way with the kickoff of a $5 million Fiber to the Home project announced by the Moultrie Independent Telephone Company June 29.

Matt Johnson, VP of parent company Shawnee Communications, explained fiber optic service will expand to 800 customers by adding 80 miles of line.

The Fiber build-out is made possible with a $1 million capital investment by Shawnee and a $4 million loan through Rural Utilities Service, a division of U.S.D.A.

Keith Adams, the USDA assistant administrator of telecommunications programs, emphasized the importance of connecting rural america to fiber optics.

“Enhanced broadband can help rural communities bring young people back home,” Adams said, noting USDS has invested $116 million in partnerships such as the one with Moultrie Independent Telephone Co. since 2010. Read More

Thoroughly Modern Millie is Thoroughly Entertaining

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•June 28, 2017•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

The music was written by Jeanine Tesori, lyrics by Dick Scanlon and it was based on the 1956 British musical, “Chrysanthemum”. The pre-Broadway promo starred Kristin Chenoweth as Millie and the redoubtable Bea Arthur as Mrs. Meers. It had nearly 1,000 performances and won six Tony awards including Best Musical and Best Actress.

Basically, it is a small town Kansas girl, Millie Dillmount, who comes to New York in the 20’s to marry for money and not love. She takes delight in the flapper lifestyle, but problems arise when she checks into a hotel run by a washed-up stage star who is reduced to a life of crime in a white slavery ring in China.

Having never seen this musical before I came prepared to be wowed. Thoroughly Modern Millie is thoroughly, magically magnificent.

The musical opens on a beautiful blue and grey New York backdrop, and above the stage is a marquee which sets the scenes and also translates the Chinese language of some characters so pay attention to the marquee! Read More

New Superintendent for Sullivan District #300

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•June 28, 2017•

In a 7-0 vote, the Sullivan Community Unit School District #300 Board of Education approved the hiring of a new superintendent at a special meeting Thursday, June 22.

Ted Walk, who has served as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, and principal in the district over the last 11 years, will begin as Sullivan’s superintendent July 1 under a four-year contract at $122,500 annual salary. He is replacing Brad Tuttle who recently accepted a position with the Jerseyville School District.

The hiring of Walk follows a search by the district that included input from a meeting of various stakeholders, including members of the community, faculty, and staff in order to determine the qualities that the next superintendent of Sullivan schools should possess. Utilizing the results from this meeting, the board reviewed applications and supporting documentation and conducted interviews which led to the selection of Walk as the district’s next superintendent. Read More

Sullivan Schools Enjoy Utility Savings Following HVAC Improvements

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10¢ Meal Increase

•June 28, 2017•

By Mike Brothers

Sullivan Community Unit #300 school board members received good news about facility savings at the regular meeting June 12.

Director of maintenance Kevin Landrus gave an assessment of the HVAC replacement project for Sullivan elementary, middle school and high school.

“With the present trend the three buildings are saving 20 percent in utility costs,” Landrus began. He explained the new HVAC systems will need a full year before net savings are realized. The school district saved $4100 in May over the previous year which was under the old HVAC systems.

He went on to emphasize the new HVAC systems have improved the comfort levels in the classrooms which is of greater benefit to the learning environment for students. Read More

Bethany Celebration Offered Everyone a Good Time, Real Family Fun

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Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Participants perform in the Bethany Celebration talent show over the weekend.

•June 28, 2017•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

Let it never be said that Bethany doesn’t know how to throw a party. This year’s annual Celebration had something for everyone in the family and then some.

The two-day festival on Friday and Saturday June 23 and 24 was sponsored by the village of Bethany.

“A small committee of volunteers puts the entire program together, hires the vendors, musicians, petting zoos, cars and all other attractions,” Sam Scott explained. Read More

Our Town Sullivan Celebration Brings People Uptown

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Photo by Alex Menke
Kylie Burke gets her face painted as part of the fun.

•June 21, 2017•

By Alex Menke
for the News Progress

Local residents of all ages came to Sullivan’s town square from 4-7 p.m. Friday, June 16 for a celebration of community.

The festival was created by Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development agency with WCIA-TV’s Our Town segment showcasing Sullivan. Chamber director Laurrie Minor explained how it all began. “Channel 3 called and said they wanted to cover Sullivan for an ‘Our Town’ program, and we threw a festival together and made it happen.”

She expressed her delight at the success of the event. “It became bigger than what we anticipated and more successful.”  Read More