Category Archives: News

Salary Improvements Recommended for County Workers

News Progress Posted on by

Longevity Increases Proposed

•November 9, 2016•

By Mike Brothers

A plan to improve the salary structure for Moultrie County office employees was approved by the county board personnel committee Nov. 1.

Committee chair Roger Glazebrook presented a plan to increase new employee starting salary from $18,000 to $19,000 per year.

An opening in the supervisor of assessments office prompted the county to increase the advertised starting salary to $19,000 earlier and had not addressed the issue for other county offices.

A delegation from the courthouse office employees presented an alternative pay schedule proposal to the county board earlier that included across the board adjustments, equalizing pay levels as well as taking consideration for veteran employees

An alternative proposed by county board chairman Dave McCabe would have compensated those with the most experience with a $500 adjustment. Read More

Sparrow’s Annual Auction

News Progress Posted on by

•November 9, 2016•

Sparrow’s Unlimited 22nd annual auction for families in need is Saturday, Dec.3 at Jerry’s East End in Lovington.

Auction items will be available for viewing all day at the East End auction location.

Some items include cedar outdoor swing set, propane four-burner grill, large charcoal grill, large Cubs pallet sign, seven foot pre-lit Christmas tree, lots of holiday items, Cubs blanket, Cardinals blanket, Amish snowplow, Tin Man and much more. Read More

Housing Grant Offers Free Home Rehabilitation Funds

News Progress Posted on by

•November 9, 2016•

Homeowners in Arthur, Bethany and Lovington could receive free repairs if a state housing rehabilitation grant is approved.

Kevin McReynolds told members of the Moultrie County Public Health and Safety meeting about the Single Family Owner Occupied Rehabilitation grant application through Coles County Regional Planning and Development Commission.

“We need qualified home owners to apply as quickly as possible to get on the waiting list,” McReynolds said, explaining that three homes in each community are included in the application.

The more low income residents in the communities who apply demonstrate need and increase the chances for receiving the state grant.

Grant application deadline to the Illinois Housing Development Authority is Nov. 14 with McReynolds encouraging those interested to call 217-348-0521 for a pre-application form. Read More

Whole Food Nutrition Can Make You Feel Good

News Progress Posted on by

Photo furnished Pictured is Karen Bretz

Photo furnished
Pictured is Karen Bretz

•November 9, 2016•

By Kennedy Nolen
for the News Progress

Sullivan’s recently certified clinician in Whole Food Nutrition said she just “wants to make people feel good again.”

Karen Bretz completed the necessary courses and is now a certified clinician in Whole Food Nutrition two weeks ago.

Bretz has been employed at Bretz Chiropractic Nutrition and Acupuncture Clinic, owned by Dr. Craig Bretz, for two and a half years. The office is located in Sullivan at 101 W. Jefferson St.

Bretz said she gives dietary advice, and it helps people to feel better without prescription medicine.

Instead, Bretz aims on improving the client’s diet and nutrition with the addition of whole food supplements.

“My aim is to have people feel good again,” Bretz said. Read More

New Speed Limit and Stop Sign for Roane Street

News Progress Posted on by

Police Chief John Love Announces Retirement

•November 2, 2016•

By Ariana Cherry
For the News Progress

Complaints concerning drivers who were speeding around the Moultrie County Beacon prompted action for a lower speed limit and stop sign at the Oct. 24 Sullivan City Council meeting.

Concerns were brought to the council by street commissioner Ken Johnson and and discussed at previous meetings.

The council proposed a new speed limit for 20 miles per hour and that a stop sign be put at Roane Street which would stop the traffic coming from Lincoln Street, creating a four-way stop.  Read More

Domestic Violence Awareness

News Progress Posted on by

•October 26, 2016•

Moultrie County Dove candlelighting service is 7 p.m. Thursday, October 27 at the First United Methodist Church in Sullivan.

Throughout the month of October candlelight services are being held. These special events are bringing people together to remember those who have suffered because of violence. It is also to honor those who have survived a life of oppression, fear, and physical danger and who work to build abuse free lives for themselves and their children. Those who work to end the abuse will also be honored. Read More

IGA Round Up – Five Years of Giving

News Progress Posted on by

Moultrie County Food Pantry Benefits

•October 26, 2016•

Round Five of the Sullivan IGA Round up to feed others runs from October 30 through November 5.

This is the fifth year Sullivan gets a chance to reach out and give local families a helping hand up at a time when it is needed most.

The CEFS food pantry is partnering with Sullivan IGA where rounding up the amount of your grocery bill to the next dollar makes helping a little help a lot.

IGA Store manager Pat Stinson noted the partnership with CEFS has helped do a lot for the community and families in need.  Read More

ALAH School District’s 2016 Financial Audit

News Progress Posted on by

“Things look good for now...”

•October 26, 2016•

By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress

The 2016 budget was presented and audited by McGuire, Yuhas and Buckley P.C. at the most recent Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond School Board meeting. They noted that the budget is looking better than it did a year ago.

Revenues exceeded expenditures, and none of the fund balances had deficits. Some of the recommendations that were made included trying to increase internal controls. The activity fund needs more than one signature when people are counting cash. Invoices or receipts also need to be turned in when using debit/credit cards. If there are any budgets where the district could go over, then they should be amended accordingly. Superintendent Ken Schwengel noted that current funds stood at $7,796,238.37, and all funds are in the black; although there have been no state payments received for transportation or special education funds. “Things look good now, but we have to be concerned as we move forward,” said Schwengel.

Other matters that were discussed or voted upon: Read More

Speeding Around Moultrie County Beacon Prompts Request for Sullivan to Lower Limit

News Progress Posted on by

•October 19, 2016•

By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress

At the Oct 10 Sullivan City Council meeting commissioner Ken Johnson suggested a lower speed limit on South Lincoln St. after receiving complaints.

Johnson explained that drivers are speeding down South Lincoln Street coming in from Eden Street. Some drivers also are not stopping.

Johnson emphasized that the Moultrie County Beacon is on the route and proposed a speed limit change for the area. From Graham Street to Harrison Street, south of the railroad tracks, drivers are moving very fast. “It is like a race-track,”  Johnson said.  Read More

13th Oktoberfest: Good Weather, Good Crowds, Good Times

News Progress Posted on by

Photo furnished Young Chili Cookers Not to be outdone by the adult chili cook off participants two Sullivan students decided to compete. Above Addison Minor (front) and Taylar Mercer combined hamburger, tomato sauces and juice, salsa and a variety of seasonings in the blend that would make any first year chef proud. Mercer’s father Jerod and mother Nichole (background) assisted in the cooking set up, but the girls developed the recipe and prepared all ingredients.

Photo furnished
Young Chili Cookers
Not to be outdone by the adult chili cook off participants two Sullivan students decided to compete. Above Addison Minor (front) and Taylar Mercer combined hamburger, tomato sauces and juice, salsa and a variety of seasonings in the blend that would make any first year chef proud. Mercer’s father Jerod and mother Nichole (background) assisted in the cooking set up, but the girls developed the recipe and prepared all ingredients.

•October 19, 2016•

Sullivan’s 13th Annual Oktoberfest enjoyed good weather and appreciative crowds during the October 14 and 15 celebration on the courthouse square.

A weekend filled with activities for young and old alike went off without a hitch. Sullivan Chief of Police John Love noted, “Everyone was there to have a good time, and the well-organized events helped make the whole weekend go smoothly.”

From children and family activities during the day to Feudin Hillbillies and Brushville music in the beer tent Friday and Saturday nights, it was a weekend offering something for everyone.

Included was the annual chili cook off which enjoyed enthusiastic crowd tasting and voter participation from four in the afternoon until the 7 p.m. tally time.

This year’s judges’ choice: Racy Hot Pot; First Runner up: Moultrie County Counseling; Second Runner up: AmBucs

Best Chili Cook-off Booth prize also went to the Racy Hot Pot chili cooking team.

Artoberfest winners were first place photography: Greg Brandt--”Guitar Guy”; first place 2D: Amanda White’s oil painting on canvas, “Lucy”; first place 3D: Joanna Drost’s ceramic sculpture, “Wine Spirt: The Ground Is Warm”. Read More