Category Archives: News

ALAH Receives Transportation Payment From State

News Progress Posted on by
January 21, 2015

Only two payments expected

by Ariana Cherry
Arthur/Sullivan Reporter

“We’ve received our first payment for transportation and special education, and we are excited about that,” superintendent Kenny Schwengel announced during his treasurer’s report at the ALAH School Board meeting Wednesday, January 15.
The district’s transportation fund had been short for several months, and the district found themselves borrowing money from other sources to help cover costs.
“We’ve had to take money from the education fund to help pay for transportation and special education needs” added Schwengel. Recently the district received a voucher for $11,324.89, although other payments are still to be expected. “We should receive four payments this year, but we will be lucky to see two of them,” noted Schwengel. It was also reported that the district received a voucher of $20,660 for reorganization. The current balance of all the district funds is $6,290,154.05. Read More

Sullivan PD Warns of Unlocked Vehicle Thefts

News Progress Posted on by
January 21, 2015

Recent string has police urging public for help

by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

After several instances where items were taken from unlocked vehicles this past week, Sullivan police chief John Love is asking the community to be alert and to call his office for any information related to the thefts.
Love, who declined to comment on the number of actual thefts or their exact location within Sullivan said that it appears at least one individual is targeting vehicles that are unlocked and then stealing items, though so far the value of such items remains minor. Read More

Fire Saturday Destroys Motor Coach

News Progress Posted on by
January 7, 2015

Electrical system deemed the cause

by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

A fire Saturday morning north of Lovington ravaged a motor home that was inside a shed.

According to assistant Hammond fire district chief Gary Gee, his department was dispatched Saturday morning around 8:30 a.m. and upon arrival saw fire and smoke exiting a shed. Read More

Daily Successfully Pushes for First 2015 Baby at DMH

News Progress Posted on by

Submitted Pictured is the Daily family with their New Year's newborn Oliver Daily. From left to right, husband Andrew, their daughter Addison, mother Heather with Oliver, and son Colby.

Submitted
Pictured is the Daily family with their New Year's newborn Oliver Daily. From left to right, husband Andrew, their daughter Addison, mother Heather with Oliver, and son Colby.

January 7, 2015

Oliver Daily born at 3:34 a.m. Jan. 1

by Ariana Cherry
Sullivan/Arthur reporter

On New Year’s Eve, when the clock strikes midnight, there’s a push to kiss that special someone, make a new year’s resolution, and/or let bygones be bygones. But for Heather Daily of Sullivan- she was pushing against the clock to deliver the first baby of 2015 at Decatur Memorial Hospital, which ultimately, would become the first baby born in Macon County.

“The nurses at DMH were very competitive. They were all rooting for us and wanted to be the first ones. They were like, “let’s go!” said Daily.

While, indeed, the race was on at DMH, Daily never planned on delivering a new year’s baby.

“We were not expecting it at all and attended several occasions throughout the day. Everyone kept telling me, ‘You better get that baby in before the end of the year.’”

And as Daily’s friends and family said those very words, she began to feel her first labor pains at 7:30 p.m. that evening.

“We called the doctor at 9:30 and then again at 10:30. It was after 11 once we got to DMH.

“The whole experience was surreal because we weren’t planning on it and didn’t think it would happen,” added Daily. “They (the nurses) wanted our baby to be the first one.”

After the successful efforts, Daily and her husband Adam welcomed their new baby boy Oliver Lewis Daily, weighing 6 lbs, 11 oz, born at 3:34 am. January 1, 2015. Read More

Sullivan Schools Approve 6.73 Percent Levy Increase

News Progress Posted on by
January 7, 2015

Final figure to depend on actual EAV yet to be determined

by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

The Sullivan school district approved their levy request last month and went with the higher of two levy increases that the board first made public in November.

At their December 18 truth in taxation hearing, which was attended by two members of the public, the board explained the need for the 6.73 percent levy increase request, citing in part the nearly $200,000 lost this year in state aid after the local property value raised considerably while student population fell. Superintendent Brad Tuttle also cited approximately $61,000 in tax money the board recently left on the table after last year’s levy request fell short of the full actual levy amount for which they could have asked.

“Even though we asked for 9.98 (percent levy increase) last year, it came in at 11.90. By us not asking for 11.90, we actually lost $61,000 that we could have recouped,” said Tuttle. “And if you look at the history of our school, we have not received the amount we could have received since 2002.” Read More

OV Schools Approve Nearly 9 Percent Levy Increase

News Progress Posted on by
December 31, 2014

Over $300,000 additional revenue requested

by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

In this month’s board meeting, the Okaw Valley school district approved a levy that seeks more than $300,000 in new revenue.
After holding a truth in taxation hearing December 18, at which no objections were raised, the board formally approved the 8.81 percent increase in the levy using an estimated EAV of $81 million, up from the previous actual EAV of $73,966,393
The district tax rate comes to 4.5 percent, and results in an aggregate levy of $3,664,079, which is a $322,805.36 increase over the previous levy.
The estimated EAV of $81 million comes prior to the county assessor’s office’s actual EAV figure, which will be calculated within the upcoming months. Only then will the district have a concrete levy total. Read More

Bethany Awaits State Action on Police Cameras

News Progress Posted on by
December 24, 2014

Camera system estimated around $800

by Derek Pope
Bethany Reporter

At this month’s regular meeting, Bethany village council members decided to delay a vote on the implementation of police body cameras until it is clear whether the state of Illinois itself will act on new legislation concerning them.

Since October, lawmakers have been actively engaged in creating legislation that would govern police use of body cameras, citing an Illinois Supreme Court ruling earlier this year that struck down the state’s current “eavesdropping” law as one of the major hurdles in drafting such legislation. On December 15, however, a new bill that would close the gaps in policy introduced by the Supreme Court’s ruling was sent to the desk of the Governor. Should the bill be approved, lawmakers would presumably resume discussions on police cameras when they return to session January 13 of next year. Read More

Semi-trucks Reminded of Restrictions on Parking in Village Limits

News Progress Posted on by
December 17, 2014

Ordinance says vehicles over 3/4 ton unable to park in village limits for more than 30 minutes

by Florence Hallford
& Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

The topic of semi-truck parking has been an on-going discussion since a resident asked permission to park his truck over a sidewalk several months ago.

The board members have been looking into solutions since, unable to find a suitable one. During his research, village president Jim Minor located an ordinance that prevents owners of vehicles in excess of ¾ ton from parking in most of the village limits for more than half an hour.

While the board members identified with residents on the issue, there is not much they can do about it, noting that the resident needs to find suitable parking. However, trustee Roger Walker became concerned, stating that many residents drive regular trucks that weigh close to, if aren’t at the weight limit of the truck size the ordinance includes that need special parking. Read More

ALAH Schools Go Ahead with Levy Increase

News Progress Posted on by
December 17, 2014

With over $10,000 increase in property value, levy up nearly 8 percent

by Ariana Cherry
Arthur/Sullivan Reporter

After holding a truth and taxation hearing, Arthur-Lovington/Atwood Hammond school board members approved the tax levy for the tax year 2014 payable 2015.

This year’s EAV was estimated at $193, 490,228 while last year’s total was $183,286,949. An increase of 7.98 percent was passed by the board. So far, the district has not received its incentive money from the state, and Schwengel noted that it is possible that they may receive only three out of four payments. The present total of all funds in the district’s accounts is $6,965,024.74. A resolution abating the tax levied for the year 2014 to pay debt service on General Obligation School Bonds (an alternative revenue source) was also passed. Read More

Sullivan Employees See Bonus Increase

News Progress Posted on by
December 17, 2014

Extra $25 added on

by Ariana Cherry
Arthur/Sullivan Reporter

A discussion was held at this month’s first city council meeting whether or not to increase the Christmas bonus for city of Sullivan employees.

Since about 1999, employees have been given $75. Health and safety commissioner Bill Hagen motioned that it be increased to $100, explaining that $75 doesn’t go quite as far today as it did in the 90’s. Public property manager Mike Kirk seconded the motion, and the council agreed to raise the Christmas bonus to $100.

A TIFF participation loan of $680,000 (including full project fees) was also approved for the Red Apple.

About $250,000 will be financed by First Mid Illinois Bank in an eight year balloon payment. Sullivan has received $700,000 in TIFF funds, but they must be used for TIFF purposes only. All funds must be used by 2022, or they will be returned to their original source. Read More