Category Archives: News

Mid-Illinois Senior Services Benefits from 5K/Walk

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Healthcom Sponsors Event

•May 31, 2017•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

For its maiden charity event Healthcom is sponsoring a 5K/walk in Wyman Park in Sullivan Saturday, June 10 to benefit Mid-Illinois Senior Services

“We wanted to help out in the community and coordinate with Senior Fitness Month,” Caleb Titus, Healthcom coordinator for the event, said, “ Healthcom is the largest national provider of medical alert systems for seniors so teaming with the Senior Center was a perfect match for us.”

The race will be held at 9 a.m. June 10 in Wyman Park, but participants should arrive by 8:30 a.m. Registration fee is $20 up to day of race, $30 June 10 and everyone over the age of 65 may enter free although the participant t-shirt is $10 to everyone. Read More

OVHS Graduates Move to the Next Phase

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Photo by Mike Brothers
Okaw Valley seniors Kailyn Marie Boyer and Keith Lloyd Bone reflect on their last few minutes as students before facing the next phase of life.

•May 31, 2017•

By Madison Uhlrich
for the News Progress

The newest batch of high school graduates was released into the world Sunday, May 28.

Okaw Valley High School Commencement was held at 2 p.m. in the OVHS gym amid a packed audience of family and friends.

Key speakers included Brianna Creviston and Tyus Brooks with the salutatory addresses, Kayla Wheeler (class president) with the class history, and Jonathan Gentry with the valedictory address.

Before the class speakers Supt. Kent Stauder presented Sam Scott as the Alumni Hall of Fame inductee. Read More

Sullivan Council Improves Utility Billing Process, New Website Constructed

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•May 31, 2017•

By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress

City council members discussed revising their sick leave policy during a regular session.

They considered the possibility of abolishing the current 40-day policy where an employee would exhaust all of their leave before returning to work. There was discussion concerning some employees returning to work before the 40 days were up and need those extra days for doctor follow-up appointments.

A new policy where employees could retain some of the 40 day leave is under consideration. The issue was tabled and will be further discussed at the next council meeting.

During the week of June 12-16, WCIA’s “Our Town”series will be filming at various areas in Sullivan. The filming will finish up with a news broadcast from downtown Sullivan Friday, June 16.  Read More

Sullivan FFA Named National Finalists

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Photo furnished
Sullivan FFA pictured with awards from left to right: Jon Gavin, 2016-2017 FFA Secretary, Blake Read; 2016-17 FFA Treasurer and 2017-18 FFA President, and Devin Warren, 2016-17 FFA President.

•May 24, 2017•

The FFA’s National Chapter Award program recognizes the top FFA chapters with innovative activities in each of the three divisions: growing leaders, building communities and strengthening agriculture.

Recognition occurs at the local, state, and national levels. The FFA Chapter’s Program of Activities is evaluated and rated as Gold, Silver, Bronze, or Superior Chapters in each of three divisions and an overall rating is presented.

The Sullivan FFA was notified that the chapter had been designated a Gold Emblem Chapter in each of the three divisions and a Gold Emblem Chapter overall.

Furthermore, Sullivan FFA was named the Section Winner in all three divisions and was also named the winner of the Section Bankers Plaque for the Top Overall Program of Activities in the Section.  Read More

Timeline Set for Supt. Search

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•May 24, 2017•

The Sullivan School District #300 board of education met in special session Thursday, May 19 to establish a timeline for the superintendent search.

Supt. Brad Tuttle accepted a position in Jerseyville, Ill. with his resignation effective June 30. Read More

Braden Chairs Illinois Court Clerk Education Committee

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Circuit Clerk Cindy Braden

•May 24, 2017•

Moultrie County Circuit Clerk Cindy Braden was appointed chairperson of the Committee on Circuit Court Clerk Education by the Illinois Supreme Court last week in an announcement from Chief Justice Lloyd A. Karmeier.

Braden’s appointment is effective July 1, 2017 when she presides over the 14 member Judicial College committee responsible for continuing eduction of the state’s circuit clerks. Circuit Judge Mark L. Levitt of Lake County is Braden’s vice-chair.

“I am thankful for the confidence and support from my colleagues in receiving the appointment,” Braden said, noting she had served with many on the committee during her past involvement in the Clerk’s Association.

“We have a good education infrastructure in place,” Braden said. “I look forward to working with everyone on the committee.” Read More

SCED Is Reaching Out

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For Community Input

•May 17, 2017•

Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development is ready to help accelerate area growth by becoming an information hub for the community.

“We have always tried to gather information about what is going on, utilizing social media, the web page and print media to get the word out,” Executive Director Laurrie Minor explained.

In an effort to best utilize the resources of the Sullivan area and its potential for increasing tourism income, SCED is reaching out for ideas from the community including civic organizations, ministerial alliances and individuals who have information to share about themselves and ideas on how the community can grow. Read More

County Funds New Comprehensive Plan

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•May 17, 2017•

Moultrie County board members approved $25,000 to have a new Comprehensive Plan prepared by Coles County Regional Planning and Development Commission during the May 11 meeting.

County board chair Dave McCabe reported that he felt a new plan could be a useful tool to help promote economic growth for the county.

Planning commission executive director Kelly Lockhart explained that the Moultrie County plan would include an overview of the county and incorporated areas including economic factors, land use, housing and zoning information.

He went on to point out the planning commission had completed the Coles County Comprehensive Plan earlier which will be used as Moultrie County’s model. Lockhart explained the process would include information collected with advice and consent of a 12-18 member committee.  Read More

Sullivan Looks into New TIF District with Hopes for Growth

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Interested Party Registry Opens

•May 17, 2017•

By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress

The Sullivan TIF IV proposal went through a public hearing February 14 for people to ask questions.

There is an “Interested Parties Registry,” to receiving mailings, updates or hearing notices as the process moves forward. Presently, no one has signed up to be on that registry.

Some questions asked at the first public meeting and those who had residences near the proposed district automatically received mailings.

One common question that many residents in Sullivan have asked is whether a new TIF District will raise property taxes.

“Nobody’s taxes are increased by the adoption of TIF,” city administrator Dan Flannell said.  Read More

Moultrie County Sunshine Draws Solar Farm Interest

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Local Farmers Contacted

•May 17, 2017•

By Mike Brothers

Solar farm interest in Moultrie County prompted the county planning and zoning committee to look into regulating the possible growth in this area.

Planning and zoning director Jan Haegen reported a single solar farm company had made about 400 contacts in 15 area counties.

Farm advisor Tyler Harvey noted that some 150 landowners had been contacted in Douglas and Moultrie counties and some of the contacts were about 40-60 acre parcels.

Director Haegen reported that, of those counties where contacts were made, none had active resolutions to regulate solar farming. He explained he was reviewing information concerning where the farms could be located, financial protection to cover possible removal of equipment and a number of issues relating to neighboring property owner concerns. Read More