•August 17, 2016•

By Emily Stutzman
For the News Progress

In 1950, tensions between the Soviet Union and the United States were defining the era we know as the Cold War.

Although no direct fighting occurred between the two countries, the distrust and animosity began showing itself in the proxy wars, as they were called, that broke out in several small Asian countries.

The Korean War was the first of these. It led to the creation of North and South Korea as two separate countries, split at the 38th parallel. After an armistice on July 27, 1953, the unrest remained.

Local resident and veteran of the Korean War, Dane Henderson, had a first-hand experience with those events during his days in the United States Navy.

Henderson was drafted as a 21 year-old who had just graduated Eastern Illinois University.

He spent his time patrolling the coast of Korea in a destroyer whose mission was to intercept any messages that would provide any insight into “what they were talking about”, with “they” being the North Korean military.  Read More

Enrollment Up

•August 17, 2016•

By Arianna Cherry
For the News Progress

A tentative budget for 2017 was approved at the last Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond School Board meeting. According to the tentative budget, an estimated beginning balance for July 1, 2016 was $1,675,641. The estimated end balance for June 2017 is $1,995,394.

The transportation fund was short due to state funding issues; therefore, $37,000 was transferred from the education fund. Superintendent Kenny Schwengel informed the board that the district would pursue the incentive money that was not received the previous year. In order to do so, the district must show a need for the funds. A hearing for the tentative budget will be scheduled at the board’s next meeting on September 14.

Other matters that were discussed or voted upon:

-The number of students are slightly up at ALAH High School. Enrollment figures for 2016-2017 are as follows: freshmen, 83; sophomore, 77; junior, 70 and senior,60. A total of 290 students are enrolled for 2016-2017. There were 285 in 2015-2016. Nine students transferred out and 16 students transferred in including two exchange students from Thailand and Germany. High School open house will be 7-8 p.m. Monday, August 22. Read More

•August 10, 2016•

Lovington Village Board met Monday, August 8 to finalize ordinance changes with utilities, motor vehicles- golf carts and UTVS permits and open  burning offenses.

During the July 11 meeting, the animal control contract with Lisa Clark was amended to a $25 per animal fee but with no hourly amount.

Dennis Garmon reported the the condition of the park condition is excellent and reported that Lovington Homes is being sold. Pam Anklam and Jim McMahon moved to send a letter to the board to reconsider the sale. Read More

Photos by Stu D. Baker
Travis Phelps displays an antler rack from a four year old buck, about twice normal size.

Animal Crackers Treat the Herd

•August 3, 2016•

By Stu D. Baker
For the News Progress

Travis Phelps Moultrie County Monsters Deer Farm northwest of Sullivan is anything but scary.

To prove his point Phelps scooped a cup full of animal crackers up and headed in to the eight foot high corral that’s home to five young deer. As the yearling does and bucks gathered around the cups of animal crackers, Phelps pointed out one of the his favorite benefits of deer farming.

“It doesn’t matter how rough work has been,” Phelps, a veteran Illinois Department of Corrections employee, said, “As soon as I enter the pen, I’ll sit down on a bucket, and the deer gather around for a few animal crackers, and all the stress of the day drops away.”

The monsters theme of the farm started with one deer who got a little eager for the animal crackers.

“Each deer has its own personality, and we gave them fun names like Cookie Monster,” he said, noting they even went as far as to incorporate Silence of the Lamb movie characters Hannibal and Clarice into the monster mix. Read More

Photo by Mike Brothers
A group touring the state with An Appeal to Heaven stopped in Sullivan last week. Pictured following prayer at the Moultrie County Courthouse flagpole from left to right Christiane Sheets, Roy Lyerla, Moultrie County Courthouse officer Mike Brewer, Jim Skaggs, Pat Sheets, Ron Turnbow, Lee Clawson.

•July 27, 2016•

It was high noon Thursday on the Moultrie County Courthouse lawn, and in spite of the 90 degree heat people of faith from around the state gathered around the flag pole for “An Appeal to Heaven”.

Pastor Patrick Sheets of Peoria began his trek visiting all 102 counties in Illinois April 8, 2016.

The Moultrie County courthouse July 21 was the 58th visit.

“The state of this state and this nation has reached crisis stage,” Sheets said, explaining he had presented county clerk Georgia Clerk with  “An Appeal to Heaven” flag for the county.

The group then gathered around the courthouse flag pole and prayed for the condition of the country to improve. Read More