Mechanical bull ride to present fun challenge for courageous takers
By Christina Whitford
Sullivan Reporter
As the weather changes and we move into fall, the Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development office is working to prepare for Sullivan’s annual Oktoberfest event.
“This event is the longest running festival in Sullivan. It has been going for 10 years, which is even longer than the Festival of Stars,” explained Chamber Administrator Laurrie Minor. Read More
Despite reorganization incentive funds being cut, budget in the black
by Ariana Cherry
Arthur/Sullivan Reporter
The Arthur-Lovington School Board adopted a new tentative budget for the 2013-2014 school year last Wednesday, with a beginning cash balance on hand of $2,125,989 as of July 1, 2013. The district estimates their ending cash balance at $1,598,966 for June 30, 2014.
“It’s a little better than I thought it would be a few years ago,” commented Superintendent Travis Wilson. “All funds are in the black.
“We received a few more thousand dollars from the state incentive money that we were promised,” Wilson noted. Arthur-Lovington’s second year reorganization incentive funding was cut by $121,000. Wilson stated that he was currently working to secure the rest of the funds by contacting state representatives. Read More
Prior damage to street motivates redirect
by Derek Pope
Bethany Reporter
Bethany’s village council has come forward with a new traffic route for grain semis during this year’s harvest in an attempt to maintain roadway conditions inside of town.
Officials are urging farmers to familiarize themselves with the new route and adhere to it for their benefit and to help the community as a whole.
In recent years, Robinson Street, the main roadway access to Bethany’s grain elevators, has seen extensive damage from increased semi traffic, particularly semis that line up while waiting to unload their crops. In an attempt to minimize further damage to the roadway, officials are instead asking farmers to wait on St. John Street should a queue form as multiple farmers try to access the grain elevators during busy harvest times. Read More
Still, overall, budget in the black for 13-14
by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com
The Sullivan School board approved a budget for the 2013-2014 year Monday, September 9 with an estimated deficit of $1,494,373.
However, the budget overall is estimated in the black after considering the beginning fund balances as of July 1, 2013, as well as the $1.4 million in working cash bonds, leaving the district with an estimated $3,688,945 balance across its nine funds come next June. Read More
Photo by Keith Stewart
Pictured is the bench that accompanied the Lovington skate park and that was donated by the American Ramp Company. At Monday night’s village board meeting the bench was the focus of debate as the board tried to conclude whether its presence made the project a memorial, which some argued was against the park’s approval in March.
Distinction of memorial vs. dedication argued
by Florence Hallford
Lovington Reporter
While most of the controversy over the Lovington skate park died back in March when the project was approved, that which was left over flared up during Monday night’s meeting when the issue of a bench accompanying the park and its being removed was discussed.
Candi Bennett, mother of the late Dakota Hoffman, addressed the board Monday asking why they were told to remove a bench that accompanied the skate park equipment. Read More
by Barry Featheringill
Sullivan Reporter
Sullivan’s forthcoming sewer line repair project was reported as one step closer to beginning Monday.
Commissioner Bill Hagen noted that the survey of sewer lines in the northwest part of the city has been completed as well as the process of submitting a grant request for $450,000 to go along with the city’s portion of the $600,000 project. The project itself will involve either relining or replacing current piping, whichever will be the most cost effective for the city. Read More
IDOA reverses decision after investigation, awards funding to SBLHC
by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com
The ensuing fears over the Peace Meal program and it doing away with hot meals come October 1 were put to rest Tuesday night, as a statement was released explaining that Sarah Bush Lincoln Hospital has now been awarded the funding, thus keeping the Peace Meal program intact. Read More
Tragic Shooting in Georgia Last Week Leaves Family Grieving
by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com
Following the standoff that left Sullivan resident Joseph E. Crist dead last week in Georgia, family members as far as Phoenix have come back to Sullivan to remember him and to console one another. Read More
by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com
Columbia County, Ga.–According to a report by the Augusta Chronicle, 58-year old Joseph Crist of Sullivan was killed by Georgia deputies Sunday night following a stand-off on Interstate 20. Read More
The Sullivan City Council addressed a request from Sullivan Elementary School Principal Rita Florey Monday night to have stops signs placed at the intersection of North Graham and Hagerman Streets to help with the traffic congestion when teachers arrive at school and parents are dropping of students on the west side of the school.
Florey’s request was for a stop sign on Graham Street at the north driveway from the school parking lot, another stop sign on Hagerman Street going east at Graham Street, and another stop sign at the north driveway. After considerable discussion the council agreed to have city attorney draw up an ordinance to place a stop sign on North Graham at the north driveway. The stop sign on Hagerman Street was not approved since traffic coming out of the apartment complex could become stacked up. Read More