24 new high school names also received

by Ariana Cherry
Arthur/Sullivan Reporter

A tour of Lovington grade school was conducted by principal Brandon Stone at the opening of the Arthur-Lovington School Board meeting last Wednesday.

Previous and planned asbestos projects that are scheduled for the building were shown and discussed. At an estimated cost  of $82,000 to $124,000 the projects will  eliminate all of the asbestos in elementary classrooms, the junior high area, and hallway and office. Completion is set for late June. Read More

Small Crowd Arrives to Show Support for Local Saloon

by Joash Tiarks
Bethany Reporter

There are always at least two sides to every story and this month’s village board meeting proved no exception.

The normally adequate conference room at the village hall seemed almost overcrowded for this month’s board meeting as several members of the community were present to express to the trustees their support of Hired Hand Winery and Saloon.

Last month, proprietor Shane Weybright presented a request to the board that the liquor ordinance, and subsequently their liquor pouring license, be amended to allow for longer hours of business. He stated that he felt “his hands are tied” with the current hours of operation, with a relatively small number of customers being able to arrive and relax before alcohol could no longer be served. He said that if business hours were extended to 10 p.m. on weekdays, for example, he would be able to serve a much more diverse portion of the community, turn a much better profit, and so benefit the village by then paying more in taxes.  Read More

by Florence Hallford
Lovington Reporter

Streets and alleys department worker Chris Gillis submitted his resignation by letter at the Lovington Village Board meeting Monday night. The resignation was to take effect on January 10. Gillis has been with the village of Lovington for eight years. The position is now open, with applicants needing a class B CDL, ability to operate heavy equipment and mechanical knowledge of equipment. A committee was formed to select a new employee, and applications will be accepted until noon January 17.  Read More

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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