photo by Crystal Reed
Bethany High School alumni surround Chris Davis, a Bethany High School alum, Class of 1983, during the 92nd Alumni Banquet held Saturday, September 30. Davis was the guest speaker at the banquet held in the Okaw Valley High School gymnasium.

•October 4, 2023•

by Crystal Reed

Bethany High School Alumni gathered on Saturday, September 30, for the 92nd Alumni Banquet at Okaw Valley High School. Six classes were recognized, classes of 1953, 1963, 1973, 1983, 1993 and 1998. Prior to the dinner there was a social hour in the gymnasium and interested alumni could also take a tour of the high school.

Dinner music was provided by David Hagerman, class of 1984. Terry Muzzy, class of 1966 addressed the alumni in regard to the military recognition and encouraged those who know of alumni who have served to submit photos and information so they can be on the wall in the high school. There was also a roll call of classes where alumni introduced themselves and the year they graduated. Read More

•October 4, 2023•

by Ariana R. Cherry

Grants have been an important way of acquiring specific technology items needed in the Arthur #305 School District. Technology Director Amanda Romine provided a three-year Technology Plan for the district. In 2027, there are many Chromebooks that will need to be replaced with their “end of life dates” (Chromebooks have specified dates where the system will no longer make security or other necessary app updates) approaching. Since that time isn’t too far away, the technology department has a plan to help stretch their dollars.

With Google extending the “end of life dates,” on some of the current devices, they will be able to last longer. Some of those dates have been extended through 2029. Each Chromebook also carries Accidental Insurance (in case they are dropped, etc). If each one is taken care of adequately, the Chromebooks should last up to nine years.  

The ESEF Grant helped purchase 140 Chromebooks, and last year, all new Promethean Boards were purchased for all the buildings using ESSOR Funds. Also, this school year, every desktop computer was able to be replaced in the district. Desktop computers can last five to seven years at a time. Read More

photo furnished
Pamela Browning had a moving team to help her move out of her three story home in Sullivan on Sunday. She noted that she had nobody to help her initially but that members of the SOV football team volunteered to help her out. Browning said that her group of helpers were an answer to prayers for help.

•September 27, 2023•

by Crystal Reed

Pamela Browning moved out of her house in Sullivan on Sunday, September 24 so that she can live closer to her daughter who lives in Southern Illinois. Something that weighed on her mind though was how was she going to get everything moved out of her three story house all on her own. Browning said that she prayed for someone to help and she not only had help she had a whole team, a football team that is.

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•September 20, 2023•

by Crystal Reed

The Moultrie County Board held a regular meeting on Thursday, September 14. Board member Scott Buxton attended the meeting via phone. During the guest speaker portion of the meeting, the board was able to hear from representatives of Sullivan Fire, Lovington Fire and Bethany Fire Departments and Moultrie County Habitat for Humanity in regards to how the organizations utilized their ARPA funds. 

Sullivan Assistant Fire Chief Chris Wright reported they received a ARPA grant in 2022. He noted they were operating a 2008 Ford ambulance that was experiencing many mechanical problems to the point where it would not run. They had another ambulance that was out of commission due to striking a deer. 

The department made a request for $245,000 to purchase a new ambulance to replace the 2008 one. Several options were explored including mounting the box on a new chassis. They found a demo ambulance at a reduced cost of $208,000.  Read More