by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com
According to a police report by Sullivan PD , a woman was hit by a dark grey colored traverse vehicle while walking back to work around 8:45 a.m. August 12. The vehicle struck her on Jefferson Street while she was a third into the intersection, hitting her by the driver side front quarter panel and the side mirror. Read More
UPDATED THURS. 1:04 p.m.: The Illinois State Police have concluded their investigation into the double shooting that occurred in rural Bethany July 4, according to Lt. Greg Lindemulder, and will now await Macon County coroner Michael Day's inquest which is due to be released September 21.
After a contractor was injured at MasterBrand Cabinets in Arthur July 27, an Arcola man was found dead just two weeks later at the same location, spawning an investigation by both OSHA and Arthur police, according to Moultrie County Coroner Lynn Reed. Read More
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.