Category Archives: News

Okaw Valley Student Jury Returns Innocent Verdict for Car Thief

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Photo by Mike Brothers
Moultrie County Courthouse became a classroom with students from Okaw Valley High School civics classes participating in a mock trial. Circuit Judge Bradford Rau presided over the case with Brad Ackers students filling all other roles in the courtroom.

•November 29, 2017•

An Okaw Valley high school jury decided the driver of a stolen car was doing a good deed rather than committing a crime as they returned a not guilty verdict during mock trial proceedings in Moultrie County Circuit Court Nov. 17.

OVHS social studies teacher Brad Ackers took his civics classes to the Moultrie County Courthouse Friday. The students participated in a mock trial over which sitting Moultrie County Circuit Judge Brad Rau presided.

“The simulation allowed our civic students to fill the roles in the courtroom ranging from court reporters, clerks, prosecutors and defense attorneys to defendants, witnesses, jurors and bailiff,” Akers said of the exercise. “This gives them a chance to experience trial procedures in the actual setting.”

That setting was complete with presiding Circuit Judge Rau on the bench. Rau not only guided the students through the court procedure but answered questions afterwards.

His comments were based on his background as prosecutor and public defender, explaining he had defended people who were guilty in the past and was able to get them released when prosecutors failed to present a solid case. Read More

Beat “Cabin Fever” at Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library

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Escape Room Opens Daily

•November 29, 2017•

By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress

The weather has gotten cooler, and you may be looking for activities to do indoors. You don’t have to look any further than your neighborhood library. Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library has some fun activities for you and your family during these cold winterlike days.

Keep in mind, if you need a little warming up, the library has free coffee everyday. Enjoy a couple cups of coffee, and then catch up on your emails and news of the day with their free WiFi. If you are feeling creative, don’t forget that they have their 3-D printer to create three dimensional objects. Read More

Sullivan Council donates $500 to Santa’s Workshop

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Casey’s Drive Expansion Approved

By Ariana Cherry
For the News Progress

Santa’s Workshop will celebrate its fifth year at the American Legion. It is not only a fund-raiser for Dove but an event for the entire community.

Mary Hughes of Dove approached the Sullivan City Council requesting a donation to assist in sponsoring the event for 2017. Last year Santa’s Workshop served about 300 children. Hughes stated that this event helps with tourism within Sullivan as children from nearby areas travel to Sullivan to participate in the event.

The council made a motion to donate $500 towards the cost of sponsoring Santa’s Workshop. It was approved.

Other items that were discussed or voted upon:

-Citizens are reminded to not blow their leaves into the road because they could easily fall into the gutters. Leaves are also not to be burned in the road.

Read More

Sullivan Community Economic Development Elf Hunt Is Back! 

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Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Elves are back. Melinda Calhoun-Hurt and SCED Exec Director Laurrie Minor with the Elf on the Shelf.

•November 22, 2017•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

From Nov. 10 through Dec. 10 the Sullivan Community Economic Development’s second Elf on the Shelf contest will be held in 22 member stores throughout Sullivan.

“We are just thrilled to have so many members participating this year — it more than doubles last year,” SCED Executive Director, Laurrie Minor, said

Each one has contributed a gift card, gift certificate or merchandise from their store to a huge gift basket that is valued at more than $500 for a lucky winner.

How do you win this gift basket?  Read More

Veterans Honored at Sullivan Senior Center

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Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Pictured are some of the veterans who attended a Veteran’s Appreciation luncheon at the Mid Illinois Senior Center.

•November 22, 2017•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

“Wear a Poppy”,  a poem by Betty Toops of Neoga, expressed the sentiment at the Mid Illinois Senior Center Veterans observance Nov. 15.

With tables decorated in red, white and blue the Peace Meal staffers Barbara Brown and Blake Sanders from Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Services hosted a Veterans Appreciation luncheon for 60 veterans, their wives and widows.

“This is our eighth Veteran Appreciation luncheon this month in Moultrie County, and we are just honored to thank our veterans with this complimentary meal,” Sanders said.  Read More

County Observes Bicentennial

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•November 22, 2017•

Moultrie County joins the Illinois bicentennial celebration with an 11:45 a.m., Dec. 4 flag raising ceremony on the courthouse lawn.

This commemorating opening ceremony of the state’s 200th celebration of statehood begins with presentation of the colors by the Sullivan American Legion Post 68 Honor Guard. The Pledge of Allegiance and Star Spangled Banner will be given.

County board chairman Dave McCabe will read the proclamation of statehood at noon followed by the raising of the Bicentennial Flag of Illinois by the Honor Guard. The state song will be played during the flag raising. Pastor Don Lusk of Southern Baptist Church will close the ceremony with prayer followed by the playing of America the Beautiful. Read More

Getting Covered Help Hits Sullivan

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•November 22, 2017•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

Getting insurance coverage help was offered in Sullivan last week to aid those seeking health plans.

Michael Bitkinn from the Illinois Department of Insurance was at the Titus Memorial Library Wed., Nov. 15 to inform people of insurance plans available online at GetCoveredIllinois.gov.

“Many uninsured Illinoisans will qualify for low-cost or free coverage. You might also qualify for discounts on costs beyond what your insurance company will pay,” according to Bitkinn. “You can no longer be denied insurance because of pre-existing conditions.” Read More

Sullivan School District Nonprofits Receive Donation

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•November 15, 2017•

By Mike Brothers

The election of one school board member became a financial windfall for Sullivan school organizations at the Nov. 13 meeting.

Zak Horn, owner of MCC Network Services, LLC, was elected to the school board in 2016 and telecommunications services was provided Sullivan Unit District #300 by his company prior to that.

“The law is clear on this,” Horn told the board. “I can not touch the money.”

Taking the money from the district would be a conflict that could carry a felony charge.

Instead Horn came up with an innovative solution that benefits nonprofit school organizations such as; Sullivan Education Foundation, Sullivan FFA Chapter, Sullivan Singers Boosters and Sullivan Sports Boosters.

Supt. of Schools Ted Walk presented the board with an agreement to place the $20,000 MCC annual contract amount into a Sullivan First Mid-Illinois Bank and Trust Escrow Account held for the benefit of the designated organizations. The agreement was approved unanimously by board members Tyson Grooms, Steve Poland, Erik Stollard, Ann Wheeler, Norman Wood and president Jeff White with Horn abstaining. Read More

New Trustee for Lovington Village Board

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•November 15, 2017•

The Lovington Village Board approved Gary Clem as replacement trustee for the seat vacated by Jim McMahon at the October 9 meeting.

Clem’s recommendation by village president Roger Walker noted he agreed to serve over the water department for the next 18 months.

Doug Smith, Brenda Wood, Pam Anklam, Dennis Garmon and April Daily voted unanimously for Clem’s appointment.

Following a closed session discussion the board moved to vacate and sell a small portion of N. County St., north of William St. with owners of adjoining property incurring the expense. Trustees approved unanimously. Read More

Moultrie County Board Votes Down Paintball Facility

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•November 15, 2017•

Moultrie County residents concerned about having a paintball facility witnessed the measure voted down by the county board Nov. 9.

In the absence of planning and zoning chair Todd Maxedon, Gary Smith presented the application by Johnny Chauncy Tandarich to rezone property from agriculture to commercial for a paintball recreational facility.

County planner Jan Haegen noted the P&Z board and county board committee had recommended the request be denied.

With the room filled with property neighbors the board voted unanimously to deny the rezoning request by Tandarich.

Personnel committee chairman Billy Voyles joined Tim Rose and Mike Barringer voting no on a $300 increase for courthouse employees that was recommended by his committee. Board chairman Dave McCabe, Ron White, Arlene Aschermann, Kevin McReynolds and Gary Smith voted to approve the increase to the previously approve $1000 per year figure. Read More