The Bethany Celebration Committee is requesting entries for both the upcoming talent and Miss Bethany contests.
The talent show will take place the evening of Friday, June 20. Contestants or at least half of all groups must hail from Bethany or be students in the Okaw Valley School district. There will be two categories, solos and groups, as well as two age divisions, 4-14 and 15-adult. Read More
Frustrations flare up in special meeting
by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com
The Sullivan City Council effectively postponed plans to repave the square and nearby side streets a week ago Monday amid concerns over the project’s bid specs.
After raising questions in their March 24 regular meeting, from which Streets and Public Improvements commissioner Monty LeCrone was absent, a special meeting was then held on April 4, so as to have LeCrone clear up the supposed deficiencies in his bid proposal. Read More
Organizational meeting held two weeks ago, Wednesday
by Joash Tiarks
Bethany Reporter
Two weeks ago Wednesday, a small group of parents, staff, and students gathered in the Okaw Valley High School Ag classroom to initiate the process of forming an FFA Alumni Association.
Aspen Cassady, now in her second year as the ag instructor at the high school, had planned this meeting since her first day on the job. The National FFA Organization and the National FFA Alumni Association have played a pivotal role in her own career development in the agricultural field, and Cassady says she wanted to see the same opportunities made available to as many students as possible in the community. Read More
Funding from area counties to remain the same
by Barry Featheringill
Sullivan Reporter
At the monthly Moultrie County Board meeting Central Illinois Public Transit Program (CIPT) Director Dennis Shiley, spoke to the board regarding the intergovernmental agency agreement and annual ordinance to fund CIPT in Moultrie County.
“Our budget is down by $75,000 from last year,” noted Shiley. “Unfortunately the state and federal government did not give us (CIPT) any increase, but the funding from each of the six counties in the Shelby grantee area will remain the same and there will be no changes in service.” Read More
Funding from area counties to remain the same
by Barry Featheringill
Sullivan Reporter
At the monthly Moultrie County Board meeting Central Illinois Public Transit Program (CIPT) Director Dennis Shiley, spoke to the board regarding the intergovernmental agency agreement and annual ordinance to fund CIPT in Moultrie County.
“Our budget is down by $75,000 from last year,” noted Shiley. “Unfortunately the state and federal government did not give us (CIPT) any increase, but the funding from each of the six counties in the Shelby grantee area will remain the same and there will be no changes in service.” Read More
Policy 8.30 to allow concealed firearms in school parking lot
by Ariana Cherry
Arthur/Sullivan Reporter
In March, the Arthur-Lovington school board tabled further discussion regarding policy 8.30 and how it was effected regarding the Concealed Carry Law, but last Wednesday the board moved forward, passing an update.
In the current handbook, Policy 8.30 states, “Arthur-Lovington District 305 has established a policy that prohibits guns, ammunition, knives and any other weapons from school property.” Read More
Lovington averts closure with community input
by Ariana Cherry
Arthur/Sullivan Reporter
Local post offices will soon be undergoing changes, a trend that is not just confined to this area, but happening all across the country.
“Nationwide, larger offices will now take care of smaller offices,” said Ann Stock, the current OIC (officer in charge) at Sullivan Post Office.
But contrary to what some may think, post offices aren’t making changes because of budget cuts. “Instead of closing, post offices are being re-evaluated for customer usage. This way they can still have a presence in rural America,” explained Valerie Welch, the spokesperson for Gateway District of Post Offices. Read More
The 11th annual Spores N’ More Mushroom Festival will be held at Lake Shelbyville Friday and Saturday April 18 and April 19.
The mushroom festival boasts a variety of activities sponsored by Heartland RC&D, Shelby County Office of Tourism, and area communities surrounding Lake Shelbyville including Findlay, Shelbyville, Sullivan, and Windsor. All activities are open to the public. Read More
Photo by RR Best
Sullivan firefighter David Welsh inspects the aftermath of a garage fire Sunday afternoon at 532. S. Sixth St. in Sullivan.
Severe smoke damage to residence, garage a total loss
by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com
The garage and parts of a home belonging to Gerald and Mary Nolen of Sullivan were severely damaged Sunday afternoon after an ember from a nearby burn barrel ignited a fire, according to Sullivan Fire Chief Mike Piper.
A call was received at 12:34 p.m., and the department’s time of arrival was 12:36 p.m. Piper says the scene was cleared at 2:28 p.m. and that the fire was extinguished around 1:10 p.m.
“The garage is a total loss, and they had a car in there, too, that was a total loss,” explained Piper. The home was damaged on the east end, including parts of a kitchen and dining area. Read More
Moultrie County State’s Attorney initiatives pass Illinois Senate
Two initiatives of the Moultrie County State’s Attorney’s Office are halfway through the legislative process, thanks to the sponsorship of State Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet).
Senate Bills 3435 and 3547 will toughen penalties on those who assault children and also unsafe drivers. Read More