Additional snow, severe temps, and wind gusts to start Saturday

by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

FRIDAY, JANUARY 3–The National Weather Service issued winter storm advisories for most of central Illinois Friday, including Moultrie County, which is expected to see upwards of 10 inches of snow this weekend. That, in addition to the already three or more inches the county received Wednesday evening, will combine with plummeting temperatures to create what local law enforcement is describing as a dangerous situation.

“Basically, you should stay in doors unless it’s absolutely necessary to travel,” warned Moultrie County sheriff Jeff Thomas. “It’s just very unsafe to be out in weather like that. If you can avoid it all costs, stay home.”

Thomas also says that with the impending weather comes often times sudden road closures.

“With that wind and the snow along with what we already have, snow will be blowing and drifting so there will likely be some closed roads, but you may not know until you’re out there,” explained Thomas. “If have to venture out, bring warm clothing blankets, some food, bottle water.”

The Illinois Department of Transportation does post major road closures, available at http://www.dot.state.il.us/road/roadClosures.htm, but there may be a delay between the actual closure and its posting.

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Potential passage of gambling also thrown into mix

By Joash Tiarks
Bethany Reporter

The growing pains associated with the recent introduction of Bethany’s first liquor ordinance are already manifesting themselves.

One of the primary beneficiaries of the new ordinance thus far, Hired Hand Winery & Saloon, was initially issued a license to remain open from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday to Thursday and from noon to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. This has turned out to be too constricting as the proprietor, Shane Weybright, requested the Village Board extend the hours till at least 10 p.m. on weekdays and midnight for Friday and Saturday. Business has been better than expected already, and many of the customers have stopped in because of evening school sporting events and activities.  Read More

New revenue to equal $4,052

by Florence Hallford
Lovington Reporter

The Lovington Annual Tax Levy Ordinance for the fiscal year (May 1, 2013-April 30, 2014), a discussion that was tabled in November, passed Monday night with a five percent increase in new revenue. Read More

The Lovington American Legion and Lovington Grade School are partnering to help raise money for the grade school’s purchase of Promethean Boards in the classrooms. These electronic boards help students become more active and engaged in the learning process. Read More

Training Stresses uniformity of response and
safety for both victims and responders

By Christina Whitford
Sullivan Reporter

Every 15 seconds a women is abused here in the U.S. This assault is usually perpetrated by someone intimately related to her. As such, domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women in America, even more than car accidents. This abuse not only has an effect on the victim but greatly impacts the entire family, especially the children.

This past Friday, those who are trained to assist and respond to this domestic violence attended the Best Practices for Domestic Violence Response training at Mason Point in Sullivan. Sponsored by the Family Violence Coordinating Council, the training was made possible by an arrest grant awarded by the Department of Justice, Office of Violence Against Women and is distributed to encourage the arrest and enforcement of orders of protection. Read More