photo by Ariana R. Cherry
During the ALAH school board meeting, AGS Principal Andrew Peralta, highlighted the grade schools’ emphasis on literacy, with live demonstrations during the meeting’s visitors portion. Two tables were set up for board members and attendees to observe classroom lessons.

•January 24, 2024•

by Ariana R. Cherry

During the latest ALAH School Board meeting, Superintendent Shannon Cheek directed attention to the district’s facilities, emphasizing repairs, associated costs, and the pursuit of funding to cover them.

“I would like to start being proactive in the buildings and get ahead of things before they start to become a problem,” stated Cheek, highlighting his commitment to addressing issues preemptively. The immediate focus on district buildings centers on roof repairs, particularly at Atwood Hammond Grade School, where leaks have been identified. The estimated cost for these repairs is $235,000. Cheek expressed the need to explore additional funding sources to cover these expenses and aims to present recommendations to the board for approval. Read More

•January 17, 2024•

The Illinois Amish Heritage Center near Arthur has announced their events for the year. The first event of the year is the Sheep, Yarn and Quilts event to be held on Saturday, May 4 from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm. 

Sheep, Yarn and Quilts show teaches attendees how wool is taken from sheep and used to make a quilt. The Amish use many of these methods in their homes today. The show continues to expand each year. The event includes shearing demonstrations of sheep and alpacas.  Read More

•January 10, 2024•

by Crystal Reed

The Sullivan City Council agreed to helping the Sullivan Fire Department and changed the day for Council meetings during their regular meeting on Monday, January 8. 

The first item under new business was discussion and possible approval of a TIF agreement with the Sullivan Fire Protection District. The fire protection district has asked help to purchase a new truck. They asked for $40,000 a year for ten years out of TIF funds. Doug Shook said that fire trucks are important and that he would hate to lose a house in Cedar Dale or elsewhere.  Read More

•January 3, 2024•

by Ariana Cherry

A public hearing on the 2023 Tax Levy was held at the most recent meeting held of the ALAH School Board. Superintendent Shannon Cheek noted that the combined increase for the area districts around us the last few years has been at 7%. “We have been ballooning the levy in this district and so far, that has worked for us,” said Cheek. “I have looked at 22 other schools and we are at the bottom as far as tax rates are concerned. We have been extremely conservative. It is being fiscally responsible for the taxpayers,” he stated. After the hearing, it was voted and approved that the levy would be raised to 8% to give the district some extra room as needed. 

The 2023 District Audit was also approved. “The auditors we normally use were bought out by another firm, so we have someone new doing our audit,” informed Cheek. The new firm would not be presenting the audit like it had been done in the past. Cheek presented one of the highlights of the district stating that it still had a financial profile score of 4.0 which is recognition. “This is something we should be proud of as a district. We have been mindful of our spending,” he said.  Read More

•December 20, 2023•

by Crystal Reed

The Moultrie County Board held a regular meeting Thursday, December 14, at the Moultrie County Courthouse. County Board members Kenny Graven and Billy Voyles were absent. The board approved the Tax Levy for Fiscal Year 2024 budget. The total levy is $2,602,843.00. Board members Scott Buxton and Aaron Wilhelm voted no.

Wilhelm explained his reason for being a no vote, saying he has been a no vote through the process because he made a promise when he was running for office that he wouldn’t vote for any kind of tax increases. “I’m going to stand by my vote this year,” he said. “I made that commitment before I had a true understanding of how taxation worked at the local level.” Read More