•March 23, 2016•
On the front page of the Wednesday, March 16 issue there was an error in the Yost Fit to Be Tried article. In that story public defender Brad Rau was incorrectly referred to as David Rau. My apology for the error.
Category Archives: News
Scholastic Bowl Wins Regionals, Ends Season
•March 16, 2016•
Sullivan Varsity Scholastic Bowl team won Regionals Monday, March 8 in Maroa-Forsyth.
The first match against Oakwood ended 320-110. Grace Mauck had five tossups, Ross Metzger three, Luke Delong three, and Ryan Baker two.
The second match of the night was against Argenta-Oreana. Sullivan was victorious winning 280-210. Leading were Ryan Baker and Grace Mauck with four, Ross Metzger two, and Luke Delong two. Read More
County Board Increases Sheriff’s Service Fees
•March 16, 2016•
The Moultrie County Board updated sheriff’s fees and learned of changes with Central Illinois Public Transit at the Thursday, March 10 meeting.
Coles County Regional Planning and Development commission conducted a study of the Sherfiff’s Department fee schedule which revealed some fees needed to be increased to cover actual costs.
That study showed the $85,561.79 in fees now generated could increase to $96,466.29 in annual fee revenue for the county.
Sheriff’s fee cost analysis revealed: eviction fee is currently $101.01 with an actual cost of $147.55 for a $46.54 difference; 321 warrants were served last year for a $46.00 fee with the actual cost $96.19 for a $50.19 difference; 643 civil processes were served at a $46 fee which cost $94.36; taking bond was a $10 fee with a $24.20 cost.
Budget committee chair Ron White moved the resolution adopting the new sheriff’s fee schedule be adopted. In addition the court security fee was increased from $25 to $35 following approval of Chief Judge Dan L. Flannell. Motions received unanimous approval. Read More
Enhanced 911 Enters The Home Stretch
•March 9, 2016•
State agencies can be consistently inconsistent,” was how Coles County Emergency Communications CECOM Director Bernie Buttram described attempts to file the joint Coles Moultrie County joint agreement for enhanced 911 service.
Buttram explained that the switch from the Illinois Commerce Commission to Illinois State Police control of the state emergency services system prompted CECOM to enlist the resources of the Coles County Regional Planning Commission to complete the filing.
The planning commission’s software provided better access to the new Illinois State Police system facilitating filing the two county agreement for CECOM to provide emergency service dispatch under the enhanced 911 system.
Buttram went on to explain the enhanced system is about 90 percent complete with the addition of Moultrie County land lines into the database as the last step.
Public health and safety member Kevin McReynolds noted that 911 calls now are located within a range, the enhanced 911 system actually pinpoints the call location. Read More
Moultrie Co. 2016 Mobile Home Privilege Tax Time
•March 9, 2016•
Mobile home tax bills will be mailed March 11, 2016 and are due on May 16, 2016. Taxes may be mailed to Moultrie County Collector, P.O. BOX 650, Sullivan, IL. 61951. Taxes may also be paid at all Moultrie County banks: Hardware State Bank, Scott State Bank Bethany/Dalton City/Sullivan, State Bank of Arthur, Arthur Community Bank, First National Bank of Arthur, First National Bank of Sullivan and First Mid-Illinois Bank Sullivan. Read More
No Job Left Behind—Leaves No Community Behind
•March 9, 2016•
By Kennedy D. Nolen
For the News Progress
The Chamber of Commerce and select businesses in Moultrie County have teamed up with local school districts to help educate students about different career paths and job availability in the community.
According to the Skills Gap Survey conducted by ‘No Jobs Left Behind,’ 30 businesses, under four main sectors: healthcare, logistics, manufacturing, and technology and services, in Moultrie, Coles, Douglas, and Shelby counties projected an estimate of almost 800 jobs available in 2016 in a variety of fields; jobs varied from accountants to drivers and from mechanics to welders. Some of these companies started lacking labor in their facilities, leading to a decrease in growth and expansion.
To solve the problem, the Chamber and businesses such as Agri-Fab, Hydro-Gear, Marvin Keller Trucking, Caterpillar, Justrite, MasterBrand, GSI, and Mid-State Tank offered tours of their facilities to students interested in career opportunities during Manufacturing Week last October 26-30. During that week of Manufacturing Month, 245 students from Humboldt, Sullivan, Okaw Valley, Shelbyville, Tuscola, Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond, and Windsor were able to see the facilities and talk with professionals about potential opportunities. Since this event was such a success, it will continue again this October. Read More
Time to Enact Commonsense Drone Rules
•March 9, 2016•
By Mickey H. Osterreicher, Esq.
NP Guest Columnist
Amidst all the hysterical reports that the sky is falling or it’s literally raining drones, Illinois Congressman Rodney Davis recently introduced a thoughtful Micro Drone amendment to the FAA Reauthorization Act (AIRR Act). The amendment would create a new “Micro UAS Classification” of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), improving safety, access and compliance while also encouraging innovation. For the first time, micro drones would be permitted for commercial purposes, appropriately advancing what many believe to be the smallest, safest and fastest-growing sector of the UAS community. The House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee very commendably voted to accept that amendment without any voiced opposition and then approved the entire AIRR Act, as amended.
It is crucial to note this legislation would not deregulate the use of UAS, but rather proposes regulations containing five commonsense rules that are easy to remember and follow. In fact, many of these rules already exist to oversee safe practices for the recreational use of drones. Under the new amendment, micro UAS (mUAS) would be required to operate at: “(1) less than 400 feet above ground level; (2) at an airspeed of not greater than 40 knots; (3) within the visual line of sight of the operator; (4) during daylight; and (5) at least 5 statute miles from the geographic center of an airport [with an exception for those who provide notice and obtain permission].” Read More
Decatur Hospital Established by Dedicated Bethany Woman
Photo Submitted
•March 2, 2016•
By Nick Fiala
For the News Progress
Decatur Memorial Hospital recently celebrated its 100th anniversary.
The January first date was also a celebration of a Bethany woman who dedicated a significant portion of her time and energy to birthing the establishment a century ago.
Sue Hagaman (1841-1919) was known as “The Mother of the Hospital” by those who took up the task of finishing DMH’s construction after her.
The plans for the project began as early as 1901 with the encouragement of many prominent physicians of central Illinois. Finally, in 1916, she was present to literally turn the first shovel of dirt and witness the laying of the hospital’s cornerstone.
This inspirational effort came after Hagaman had already served for 35 years as a Sunday school teacher at the First Methodist Church of Decatur, as well as raised two biological children and no less than eight adopted orphans. Read More
Correction
•February 24, 2016•
Mid Illinois Senior Services representatives Alicia Moyer and Director Deb Groendal enjoyed a record crowd at the Valentine’s Day Poetry Contest held at Courtyard Estates. They were incorrectly identified as CEFS representatives in a page 8 photograph of the February 17 News Progress. Our apologies for the error.
City Increases Website Offerings to Citizens
•February 24, 2016•
By Ariana Cherry
For the News Progress
Sullivan’s city website has a couple new apps which are available to residents.
One, a citizen problem reporter, allows citizens to report animal, park or utility problems from their computer or cell phone. They may sign in via Twitter or Facebook.
Green Hill Cemetery also has its own app. Currently it shows about 9,000 different spaces not including the old part of the cemetery. Users may click on different plots to see who is buried in a particular space or if it is available for sale. It also presents details such as who is cremated or is a veteran. Plots may be searched by location number or name.
The city of Sullivan is looking to purchase new time clocks for all of their employees. One package plan they are looking into has a $2,600 one time set up fee plus the purchase of the software.
The city may have the company host it on their site which would cost $3 per employee or Sullivan may host it themselves.
The council is also planning to get quotes for computer login software. Clerk Monte Johnson informed the council that there were three commonly used time keeping systems- pin numbers, card swipes and thumb prints. Employees may login remotely or onto a computer at their job site. Council members discussed the positives and negatives of both logging in remotely and on a nearby computer. Read More