Board approves sales tax resolution for November ballot
by Joash Tiarks
Bethany Reporter
With residents passing the one percent Facility Sales Tax initiative for Shelby County, Okaw Valley schools voted in June to finalize their receipt of their portion of the sales tax revenue, which could begin as early as November. Read More
Photo by Keith Stewart
Pictured is the 2014 Little Theatre cast, which will begin the season June 4 with “42nd Street.”
Doors open June 4 with first production
By Mallory Murphy
Sullivan Reporter
Sullivan’s square gained more than 50 new faces this week as The Little Theatre brought in its cast and crew for their 57th summer season of shows. A total of 112 actors, designers, directors, technicians, and staff members from all over the United States will come to town during the 10 weeks of shows.
“To have so many great actors and technicians back again this year who have made The Little Theatre their second home makes putting these shows together so much fun,” said executive director and producer John Stephens. Read More
Each to vote on own resolution this month
by Derek Pope
& Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com
Sullivan Schools may have passed a resolution Monday evening to place a school facility sales tax on the November ballot, but they aren’t the only district to serve the county desiring the extra revenue.
Both Okaw Valley and Arthur-Lovington school districts are expected to pass their own resolutions this month, with OV meeting on the 22nd and AL meeting on the 14th, though even without them, the referendum would still go before Moultrie County voters in November. Read More
Board wishes to get public input before a vote
by Florence Hallford
Lovington Reporter
Last week, the Lovington Village Board discussed amending the Sunday Liquor Ordinance to allow class B alcohol sales on Sundays. This would mean that businesses such as Casey’s would be able to sell packaged liquor from noon Sunday until 1 a.m. Monday, allowing extra revenue. Read More
New ordinance will allow for sidewalk signs, merchandise
by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com
In last month’s first meeting, the Sullivan city council gave the go-ahead allowing for sandwich boards and the selling of merchandise on sidewalks.
Previously, the city code book barred the placement of signs and merchandise on sidewalks in Sullivan without specific approval by the council. Last August the issue was raised, briefly, whether or not to allow the signage, but when little support for overturning the ordinances appeared, the council dismissed it. Read More
Board in favor, but will have to wait for vote
by Florence Hallford
Lovington Reporter
The last bastion of prohibited liquor sales on Sunday in Moultrie County may fall as indicated by the Lovington Village Board meeting Monday night.
The current ordinance on alcohol sales in Lovington restricts all sales of alcohol on Sundays, but at this week’s monthly meeting, Casey’s store manager Debbie Howell and regional district manager Colleen Leischner requested an amendment to the ordinance to allow sales from noon to close on Sundays, citing a loss of potential revenue due to boaters who filled their tanks and sought to buy alcohol. Read More
Other Matters From Last Month's Sullivan City Council Meetings Include:
• Approved a two year lease with Darin Burdick for the 10 acres across from the city sewer plant. It will result in a fee of $1,000 a year to the city. The plot has just over six acres of tillable soil. Read More
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