Last minute discovery pushes vote back
by Derek Pope
Bethany Reporter
This month, members of Bethany’s village council did not meet their original goal of bringing a completed liquor ordinance to vote in August. Read More
Category Archives: News
Arthur/Lovington School Board Votes to Issue Bonds up to $2.1 million
Alternate revenue from approved sales tax to supplement bonds
by Ariana Cherry
Arthur/Lovington Reporter
The Arthur/Lovington school board was presented with two bond proposals from First Midstate and Stifel at their regular meeting Wednesday, August 14. The board plans to issue bonds for no more than $2.1 million to use for the purpose of building and equipping an addition to the Arthur elementary school. Funds from the bonds will cover any needed improvements, maintenance and repairs to the school buildings and facilities of the district. Read More
Sullivan Schools to Move Forward With Security Upgrades
Initial phase reportedly near completion
by Keith Stewart
The Sullivan board of education gave Superintendent Brad Tuttle the green light to move forward with developing bid specifications for a new entrance at Sullivan High School Monday night.
Part of a list of security measures the district adopted earlier this year following a community meeting that was held on January 24 in response to the Sandy Hook Elementary massacre last December, the new entrance will attempt to mirror the middle school entrance, featuring a double set of doors, the first of which would divert any visitor to the office before then gaining entry to the rest of the school, as well as other specifications that Tuttle will develop along with a certified architect.
Little Theatre Reports Lower Ticket Sales for Spring Season
As part of a routine financial report to the city, LTOTS still looking at how to cut costs, raise more funds
by Barry Featheringill
Sullivan Reporter
Members of the Little Theatre On the Square board and staff were in attendance to update the council on where the theatre is financially with their bills to the city and explain what they are trying to do to keep current with expenses.
John Stephens, executive artistic director for LTOTS, said the spring season had been well-attended and going into the production of Mermaid was the highest subscription show that LTOTS has had. Currently ticket sales are down from last year, and he has not been able to figure out what has caused this slump. The theatre has had to eliminate cost of living raises, look to ways to reduce cost, and has raised additional funds from theatre patrons.
Animal Control Program Kept; Computer Systems See Update
Outdated system will receive more than a $4,000 facelift
by Florence Hallford
Lovington Reporter
The decision to keep the animal control program was a relatively easy one for the Lovington Village Board Monday night.
“Things are working out pretty good,” said village president Jim Minor.
Pam Anklam also voiced her support for the program along with other board members.
Bethany Businesses Expect Increased Revenue from Liquor Sales
Several already interested in soon-to-be established licenses
by Derek Pope
Bethany Reporter
With the anticipated passage of Bethany’s new liquor ordinance on the horizon, several local businesses have already showed interest in adopting the sale of alcohol as a lucrative source of new revenue. Based on discussions by village officials, a total of five licenses authorizing various forms of alcohol sales is expected to be made available to local business owners. In addition, special event vouchers are planned to be made available to local organizations and individuals, allowing the sale of alcohol for fundraising, celebrations, or other approved reasons for a 24-hour period. Mayor Bill Ashley, as well as the other members of the village council, had been clear during their deliberations on the new ordinance that at least three specific businesses and one organization formally showed interest in purchasing the available licenses on a yearly basis. As a result, much of the board’s legislating reflected their desire to accommodate these establishments or organizations, though some efforts were made to provide an attractive environment for new business in the future.
Discharge Hearing Involving Alleged Juvenile Offender and Victim
Next Tuesday's hearing could set the stage for jury trial if defendant found fit
by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com
A discharge hearing involving a 16-year old juvenile who allegedly assaulted (sexually) a seven-year-old boy will be held Tuesday at the Moultrie County Courthouse. Though found unfit to stand trial after a psychological report was completed by clinical psychologist Dr. Jerry Boyd, which found the boy to likely suffer from Asperger's Syndrome, the 16 year old, if found not innocent, could be forced to undergo further treatment. A two-year window would then follow, in which the defendant, if deemed fit for trial, could be subjected to a jury trial, facing three charges, including aggravated sexual assault, and two counts of criminal sexual abuse.
Tuesday Night Rally Full of Vigor as Seniors Question Upcoming Frozen Meals
Full VFW room echoes with questions of "why?" as Oct. 1 deadline looms
by Katie A. Davis
Sullivan Reporter
Photo by Keith Stewart
Katherine Butt of Sullivan listens as area seniors took to the VFW in Sullivan Tuesday night, filling its banquet hall in order to ask questions as well as vent about their frustration over the expected shift to frozen meals come October 1. After Eastern Illinois University announced earlier this year that it would cease sponsoring the Senior Peace Meal Program, a bidding process began that eventually awarded CRIS Healthy Aging Center of Vermilion County.
Local seniors want to keep their hot meals.
That was the sentiment expressed by local senior advocates at a Tuesday rally to save Peace Meal, a senior nutrition program that provides hot meals to local seniors in need four days a week.
Peace Meal will serve its last meals Sept. 30. Starting Oct. 1, the CRIS Healthy Aging Center, based in Vermilion County, will provide frozen dinners for distribution to local seniors, to be delivered twice a week.
Eastern Illinois University announced earlier this year it would no longer continue sponsorship of the Peace Meal program, sparking a bidding process that included a new sponsor for Peace Meal, Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center.
Only two bids -- CRIS Meals and Peace Meal -- were submitted to the East Central Illinois Area Agency on Aging, which funds the senior nutrition program, and according to Mike O’Donnell, the agency’s executive director, the CRIS bid exceeded marks for many categories such as the number of meals it projects to serve.
New Progress in Your News Progress, both print and web
Redesign aimed at creating fresh look, while integrating web and print
by Kevin StrongafurNP Contributor
If you're reading this, you might have noticed something, well, different. That is the News Progress's hope anyway, as this week they rolled out a completely new look to both their print and web editions.
"We're really excited for our readers," said Managing Editor Keith Stewart.
Nearly six months in the making, the redesign was first considered by Stewart when he first arrived back in August of 2011.
"At the time I was just the sport's editor, so I had other things to consider, but in the back of my mind, I wanted to change the look of the paper. I'm a big serif fan, especially for headlines and mastheads. Having a sans serif font just never appealed to me, and I didn't feel like it commanded the reader's attention."
Not in the position to make those changes, however, Stewart put the idea aside until he was made managing editor in February 2012.
"It was an overwhelming period stepping into those shoes," he admitted. "But I'd be lying if I said the redesign didn't immediately pop back into my mind. I knew then that I wanted to, in time, make it happen."
But Stewart would need more than Read More
Bethany’s New Liquor Ordinance Nears Completion
Just three licenses available with exceptions to include bar-like establishments
by Derek PopeBethany Reporter