Influx of money helps, but still short

July 1, 2015

by Ariana Cherry
Arthur/Sullivan Reporter

The Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond School Board approved an amended budget for 2014-2015 at their last regular board meeting after receiving an unexpected payment of $285,000 from the state.
“We are definitely excited about the additional revenue,” said superintendent Kenny Schwengel.
The district received $121,000 for transportation, $122,900 for special education services and $42,000 from the “adequacy grant.” Although the board received the unexpected funding, the state is still short, sending the district about $225,000 due to the 89% proration (11% cut). “Had we not received that money, we would have been about a half a million short of what we should have received,” explained Schwengel. “We continue to look for opportunities to save money due to the financial outlook in Illinois. Purchases have to be reduced. Staffing will be reduced when possible due to attrition,” he added. As of May 2015, the district’s overall balance stood at $1,128,388.12. Read More

Taken to St. Mary’s, man in fair condition

June 24, 2015

by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

A 24-year old man was arrested after he allegedly stabbed his father at a home in Lovington Sunday night.
Matthew Archer-Newberry, 24, of Lovington was arrested after he stabbed his father Randy Newberry, 54, twice according to a probable cause affidavit by Lovington police officer Jay Clark.
The affidavit explains that Randy Newberry was transported to St. Mary’s hospital for a stab wound to the chest and cuts to his left arm. According to Clark’s statements, Newberry told the Lovington officer that he and his son Matthew were watching television prior to the incident. Archer-Newberry then allegedly went to the kitchen and returned with a knife, which he shoved into the upper left chest area of Randy Newberry. After managing to stand up from the recliner he was in, the 54-year-old was then stabbed again in his left inner forearm. Read More

Victim of aggravated DUI wreck in Warrensburg Wednesday

by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

A Sullivan woman endured life-threatening injuries Wednesday evening following a collision near Warrensburg.

According to a press release by the Macon County sheriff's department, a call came in at approximately 6:35 p.m. regarding the two-vehicle wreck. Once on scene, responders had to extricate a 69-year-old Sullivan woman  from her 2011 Chevrolet after it collided with a 2009 Ford pickup truck, driven by Ryan M. Maurer, 41, of Harristown.

The release says that the preliminary investigation "indicates the Ford was northbound on Glasgow Rd and the Chevrolet was westbound on Park Rd.  The driver of the Ford indicated he stopped at the stop sign and upon pulling into the intersection collided with the Chevrolet.  The north-south traffic on Glasgow Rd. is controlled by a stop sign, while the east-west traffic on Park Rd. is not required to stop." Read More

Suspect wrecks, suffers minor injuries

June 17, 2015

by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

A 23-year-old man was arrested in the early morning hours last Wednesday after he fled police on a motorcycle.
Chris Tomasello, 23, of Decatur, was arrested last Wednesday morning for not only driving on a suspended license and operating an uninsured vehicle, but for also exceeding the speed limit by as much as 35 miles per hour.
According to Sullivan police officer Adam Collins’ report, at approximately 12:53 a.m. June 10, county deputy Clint Walker advised Sullivan PD that a motorcycle traveling at a high rate of speed was not pulling over and was headed westbound into Sullivan. Collins began to make his way east on Jackson and as he approved Madison Street observed a single headlight approaching. The officer then activated his radar and heard a “loud pitch.” Shortly thereafter, the radar then clocked the motorcycle at 98mph before the suspect turned north onto Calhoun. Read More

4% raise in water/sewer while gas rate increase is undecided

June 10, 2015

by Ariana Cherry
Arthur/Sullivan Reporter

At their May 26 meeting, the Sullivan city council voted to not raise electric rates this summer.
“Normally, every year, there is a four percent increase in electric rates, but this year since we are at a good balance, I ask that it be abated,” said Commissioner Mike Kirk.
Although the electric rates did not see an increase, the water rate’s annual four percent increase was allowed.
“Since it is automatic, and it is an annual increase, I pass that we go ahead and raise the water rates,” said Commissioner Bill Hagen. Read More