National Library Week will be observed from April 14-20, and the Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library staff encourages everyone to stop by and see what the library has to offer. If a member of the public doesn’t already have a library card, stop by the desk and become a registered patron. (Individuals who live outside the city are required to pay a non-resident fee. Those who fall in that category should call 728-7221 for details. Read More
Category Archives: News
Free Two-Week Summer Journalism Workshop for High Schoolers
High school students will have an opportunity to learn journalism hands-on from award-winning reporters, editors and photographers at the Illinois Press Foundation workshop at Eastern Illinois University on June 15-27.
Applications for the 13-day workshop, which is funded by the IPF, Dow Jones Newspaper Fund, Robert R. McCormick Foundation and EIU, will be accepted through May 10. Eighteen students will be selected to participate in this free journalism experience. Go to IPFworkshop.wordpress.com or contact director Joe Gisondi at jjgisondi@eiu.edu for further information. Read More
March was Cold and Dry in Illinois
The statewide average temperature for March in Illinois was 33.8 degrees, which was 7 degrees below average and the eighth coldest March on record. Combined with the colder-than-average January and February made this the fourth coldest start (23.6 degrees) for Illinois for the year to date, according to State Climatologist Jim Angel at the Illinois State Water Survey, University of Illinois. Read More
Illinois 2014 Spring Trout Fishing Season Opens April 5
The 2014 Spring Trout Fishing season in Illinois will begin at 5 a.m. Saturday, April 5, Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Director Marc Miller announced recently.
“The spring trout season is always a great time for families to go fishing and catch some tasty trout, and we’re delighted to be able to add several new locations for trout fishing,” said Director Miller. Read More
Lake Shelbyville 2014 Recreation Season Kickoff
The 2014 camping season began with the early opening of Area 5 at the Forrest W. “Bo” Wood Campground on Tuesday, April 1. These campsites (114 – 141) are available on a first come, first served basis and sites will be paid for using the honor vault system until Thursday, April 17. From May 8 to May 14, prior to the official opening date, Lone Point Campground is offering free first come, first served camping. Lone Point Campground will host an open house on May 9 and May 10. There will be activities for all ages, inflatable bounce houses, bands, and more.
GRIZ-FM honors former Moultrie County Clerk
After a heart attack took his life Easter Sunday 2001, former Moultrie County Clerk and radio broadcaster Gerald “Griz” England is being honored by Cromwell Radio Group.
Before his time as county clerk, England worked for a couple of radio stations, finishing his broadcasting career at Cromwell Radio Station, WYDS when it was known as “D-93”. He married his wife of nearly 27 years, Georgia—who is currently Moultrie County Clerk—June 2, 1974.
Before being elected clerk in 1998, England enjoyed a long radio career that began in Sullivan at WFWA-FM. He worked at several area radio stations and made a national name for himself as a country radio personality.
Second Quarter Honor Rolls for Moultrie County Schools
Second quarter honor rolls for Moultrie County schools have been announced.
Lovington Grade School
Five eighth graders, one seventh grader, two six graders and one fifth grader received “A” honors for the first quarter at Lovington Grade School. They include Brayden Coble, Janette Comstock, Samuel Renfro, Kolby Rickman and Kobe Wells, eighth grade; Hunter Day, seventh grade; Natalie Lambdin and Kenli Nettles, sixth grade and Tatjana Mehmen, fifth grade.
Earning high honors are Madison Brown and Kaylee Conder, eighth grade; Paul Brodnansky, Kyle Carnahan, Adam Day, Ciara Emrick, Sean Evans, Katelynn Gingerich, Taylor Powell and Alexia Stanley, seventh grade; Clayton Stanley and Colin Stanley, sixth grade and Ashley Brodnansky, Jesse Hopkins, and Colton Middleton, fifth grade. Read More
Resignations Received at Regular Meeting
by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com
At their regular meeting earlier this month, the Sullivan school board approved four staff resignations and also approved the dismissal of a third year teacher.
Certified preschool teacher Brittney Phebus was dismissed after the board discussed the potential action in closed session. Because she had less than four years of continuous service to the district, the board does not, nor did it, disclose the reason for her dismissal. As Brad Tuttle, superintendent, explained, a faculty member with less than four years and excellent ratings could still be dismissed. Read More
Sullivan Schools Proceed with Reductions in Force
Includes cutting one full-time P.E. teacher
by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com
The Sullivan school board approved three types of measures Monday evening in a special meeting concerning reduction in force.
Faced with potentially steeper cuts in state aid payments for the next school year, the board approved nine resolutions totaling approximately $65,000 in cuts, including the honorable dismissal of Brent Weakly, a physical education teacher at Sullivan Middle School. Read More
Arthur-Lovington Mulls Over Concealed Carry’s Effects on Policy
Decision to ban firearms on all school property up in the air
by Ariana Cherry
& Keith Stewart
Reporting in Arthur
Thoughtful silence filled the room for a few moments during a discussion regarding Policy 8:30 during last Wednesday’s Arthur-Lovington school board meeting.
According to the present 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.” Although, with the Concealed Carry Law, that could change.
The Concealed Carry Law reads, “The new law generally allows license holders to carry concealed firearms in areas of the state not designated as prohibited areas. Those prohibited areas include buildings or portions of buildings under the control of local governments such as schools, public libraries, court buildings, parks, playgrounds, buses, trains and other forms of public transportation, etc...” Read More