Photo by Crystal Reed
Rep. Halbrook and Sen. McClure Host Town Hall
State Rep. Brad Halbrook and State Senator Steve McClure hosted a town hall at the Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library on Monday, February 20. Both legislators gave updates on what is happening in Springfield and took questions from those in attendance. Topics included the expansion of abortion, unconstitutional gun ban, administrative pay raises and Governor Pritzker’s FY 2024 budget.
•February 22, 2023•
by Ariana R. Cherry
Superintendent Shannon Cheek, members of the school board and Rod Wright of Creative Entourage discussed the results of the facility survey that was sent out to members of the communities of the ALAH School District at the most recent Board of Education meeting which was held at Lovington Grade School.
In the communities of Arthur, Lovington and Atwood, only 361 surveys were completed. One of the main reasons that those who voted selected no to the proposal was they worried that the tax increase would be too much. Another big worry was that the elementary schools in Atwood and Lovington would eventually be closed down and/or torn down. Board member Ryan Nettles pointed out that since the high schools have all consolidated, both the Atwood and Lovington buildings were torn down. People could have some anxiety about their elementary buildings being torn down next. One other concern to which voters chose no to the proposal was the uncertainty of the current state of the economy. Read More
•February 15, 2023•
Lake Land College students and community members will have the opportunity to explore London, England and Paris, France in June 2023. Those interested can secure a spot on the trip for less than $100 by March 20, 2023.
Those participating will depart from Lake Land College on Friday, June 23, 2023 and will return Saturday, July 1, 2023
The trip will include a stop at Disneyland Paris on the trip’s final day as well as the optional opportunity to attend a St. Louis Cardinals vs. Chicago Cubs MLB exhibition game in London, England. Read More
•February 15, 2023•
Sheep to Yarn to Quilts returns to the Illinois Amish Heritage Center on Saturday, May 13, 2023, and hours for the event are from 7:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. CDT. This event will include sheep shearing demonstrations, cleaning and dyeing the wool, and spinning it into wool. Weavers will demonstrate weaving with looms, and quilting displays and demonstrations will complete the journey from Sheep to Yarn to Quilts. Visitors will be invited to try their hand at many of the activities being demonstrated. Read More
Photo by Crystal Reed
Marrowbone Public Library Story Time
Marrowbone Public Library in Bethany holds story time on Fridays, starting in September and going through December and then resuming in January until May at 11:15 am. It is open to preschoolers ages 3-5. Programming includes books, crafts and a snack and it goes for one half hour. Pictured is Children’s Librarian Lesa Oathout reading to children at story time.
Photos by Crystal Reed
Demolition of Old City Building Begins
The demolition of the old city building began on Monday, February 6. A new city building will be built on the same spot in the near future. The building had indoor air quality and structural issues including 5,400 square feet of asbestos floor tile, holes and missing brick and mortar in structural foundation walls intended to hold multiple vaults, extensive mold growth in the HVAC system that serviced personnel workspaces and recommendations to utilize hazmat suits when accessing the second floor. Asbestos abatement was done before demolition began on the building.
Photo by Crystal Reed
Lovington Grade School Spelling Bee Finalists
Lovington Grade School held their school spelling bee on Monday, January 23. Six finalists and two alternates were selected to move on to the Moultrie County Spelling Bee on February 16. The top three were first place Macee Boddy, second place John Williams IV and third Alexis Chism. Also qualifying to move on were Landon Willoughby, Makena Liming and Maxton Boddy. Alternates are Leland Willoughby and Ryan Mgawi.
•February 1, 2023•
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) Director John J. Kim today announced Lead Service Line Inventory (LSLI) Grants to 48 communities to assist in meeting the requirements outlined in the Lead Service Line Replacement and Notification Act. The LSLI Grants, ranging from $20,000 - $50,000, will fund the creation of a complete lead service line inventory.
The Village of Lovington is the recipient of a $30,000 grant. Read More
•February 1, 2023•
Photo furnished
Sullivan Elementary students and staff were able to sign one of two I-beams that will be part of the sixteen classroom addition to the school.
by Ted Walk
Sullivan School District Superintendent
Construction of a sixteen classroom addition to the Sullivan Elementary School commenced last fall. The classroom addition will allow the 5th grade students to return to SES. Fifth grade students have been housed in the middle school for the past several years due to a lack of classroom availability at SES. Read More
•January 25, 2023•
by Crystal Reed
The Sullivan City Council held a regular meeting on Monday, January 23, with Commissioner Chuck Woodworth absent. They approved a professional service agreement with Chastain and Associates LLC for $83,850 for Wyman Park improvements, including a splash pad and tennis and basketball court improvements. This amount will be taken from the OSLAD grant the city was awarded.
Sullivan Fire Chief Larry Edwards requested TIF funds for the purchase of some engines to replace their aging fleet. Currently, they have a 26-year-old engine and a 20-year-old engine. The average life span of an engine is 20-25 years. Read More