•December 14, 2016•
Moultrie County Board Budget and Finance Committee met December 12, recommending Christmas bonuses for county employees.
Budget and finance chairman Ron White proposed that full time employees receive $500 net bonuses with part-time employee amounts pro-rated. The bonuses, approved unanimously by committee members, were increased from $200 net bonus the previous year. Read More
•December 14, 2016•
Moultrie County Building and Grounds committee was updated on some communication needs and interior building restoration.
Rick Matthews reported that the judge’s office was continuing to finance restoration of the courthouse columns to the natural original oak finish, and that project should be completed before Judge Flannell retires in January.
Matthews reported phone service issues had plagued the courthouse, and he had been looking into possible upgrades that could include voice activated internet, utilizing fiber optics for the phone service. Read More
Photo furnished
Turtle Island was the scene of prayer by Water Protectors at Standing Rock on Thanksgiving Day.
•December 7, 2016•
By Mike Brothers
for the News Progress
Access on the Dakota Access Pipeline’s Missouri River crossing was denied by the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, but the battle to protect water is not over.
The Cannon Ball River encampment by the Standing Rock Sioux Water Protectors began in April with a few dozen Native Americans and grew into a 4500 person city at the northern entrance of the Sioux reservation by Thanksgiving.
What also grew were the actions against the 4500 peacefully encamped by hired pipeline security militia and local law enforcement.
Dawn Champiny watched the activities at Standing Rock’s encampment from her Venice, Fla. home until deciding to travel to North Dakota with daughter Ryan during the week of Thanksgiving. Read More
•December 7, 2016•
Sullivan police are investigating two reported incidents involving a potential sexual predator operating in the city. The latest incident occurred during the day over the weekend.
Police Chief Jim Waggoner said police were called to a Saturday afternoon incident in the northwest part of the city where a man in a small white pickup truck approached a nine year old boy.
“We responded to the neighborhood report immediately and added additional patrols over the weekend,” Waggoner said, explaining citizens should be on the alert for suspicious behavior in neighborhoods.
Waggoner stated two separate incidents in the general area of the city were reported and that each occurred during daylight hours on weekends. Read More
Photo by Mike Brothers
Sullivan IGA manager Pat Stinson (right) presents $500 check to Moultrie County Secret Santa representatives Police Chief Jim Waggoner and Greg Foster.
•December 7, 2016•
Through the generosity of Moultrie County Secret Santa some 200 kids will have a better Christmas this year. Last weekend secret shoppers went to work and gift wrapping is Dec. 17.
IGA manager Pat Stinson presented police chief Jim Waggoner and Secret Santa council chair Greg Foster with a donation last week as the number of applications for Secret Santa’s help reached 200.
Stinson explained the $500 donation was raised partially from the IGA annual golf outing with additional donations from the Sullivan IGA store.
“IGA is always there for the community,” Foster said, explaining they are also a big help during the annual Jeepin’ for Jessi Secret Santa fund-raiser held at the Toy Bar in July.
This is December and the time for children to reap the benefits of Secret Santa’s annual efforts. Read More
•December 7, 2016•
The Moultrie County Board reorganized December 1 following oaths administered to newly elected members.
County Clerk Georgia England presided over the new board, reminding county board members they have been elected to serve the best interests of all 15,000 citizens of the county.
She also encouraged each board member to visit every county office, encouraging their involvement in all aspects of county government. Read More
Gypsy Soul
•November 30, 2016•
By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress
Gypsy Soul Revival, next to Thrifty Boutique is just full of beautiful eye candy. Colorful blouses and tees, an entire rack of pastel, plaid, flannel shirts, turquoise handmade jewelry and two comfy chairs in front of a table of goodies for that shopping-weary hubby.
The mother/daughter owners are Sheri Seabaugh and Darby Harden, and they started their store almost four years ago. They had been doing a runway show which was closing down, and they felt like gypsies with nowhere to go, and thus was the inspiration for their store name.
“I make most of the jewelry, and Darby makes a lot of the clothes,”said Sheri, “although some of the clothing comes from California. We are pleased to offer sizes from small to 3X including children’s clothing.” Read More
•November 30, 2016•
By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress
Simpler Thymes located across from the IGA is by no means simple but seems like a walk back in time with all the carefully selected antiques, primitives and vintage items artfully displayed by owner Brandi Novak and her staff. While many of the items belong to Novak, she does rent out space to other dealers.
“A lot of the materials in the booths are made by the dealers, said Novak. We have an art teacher from Windsor, and she makes all of the pottery in her booth”.
Most everything here is primitive, vintage antique or repurposed old items such as paintings on barn wood or painted window frames. The unique feature is that Simpler Thymes carries a lot of the larger items such as furniture, chairs, desks and cabinets that most stores of this genre don’t carry. Read More
•November 30, 2016•
By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress
Cathrine’s and West 5 Coffee and Wine Bar - these two stores in one are most welcoming and delightful. The owner is Cathrine Craig, but this is truly a family business. Husband, JR, is the barrista and her son-in-law does all of the custom framing. But her daughter and mother also put in time to help keep everything running smoothly.
“We felt that Sullivan needed a unique retail shop with a unique shopping experience for those looking for something special not found in the mall shops,” explained Craig. “We have people come from Decatur, Champaign, Chicago and even those on their way to a wedding stop by for a gift that is packaged and all ready to take to the gift table.” Read More
Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Chamber of Commerce executive director Laurrie Minor pictured with new intern Melinda Calhoun-Hurt.
•November 30, 2016•
By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress
Chamber of Commerce executive director Laurrie Minor welcomed me into her office and introduced me to her new intern, Melinda Calhoun-Hurt who was just completing her fifth day on the job.
Calhoun-Hurt is from Memphis, Tennessee and is a senior at Lake Land College majoring in administrative executive assistantship.
She learned about the position from her sister Amy who works at Moultrie County Counseling.
Minor said “I have had other interns from high school, but Melinda is the first one working on a degree in this job category so we are really happy to have her.” When asked her favorite part of the job, Calhoun-Hurt said, “Actually, working with Laurrie because she gives me a lot of confidence and allows me to work on a lot of different projects. I have done everything from helping with planning to getting soaked in the rain while delivering bags to members.” Read More