•May 28, 2020•
The Moultrie County State’s Attorneys office staff is under quarantine which will postpone criminal and traffic cases scheduled early the first week of the courthouse reopening.
State’s Attorney Tracy Weaver explained the procedure for the week of June 1.
“Some members of the State's Attorney's Office are self-isolating due to potential exposure to COVID-19
“Out of an abundance of caution, criminal and traffic cases scheduled for the early part of next week have been rescheduled.
“We anticipate that those potentially impacted will return to work later next week,” State’s Attorney Weaver explained.
Category Archives: News
ALAH Schools Reinvented the Finishing of the Year
District receives $261,000 through the CARES ACT
•May 27, 2020•
By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress
Members of the ALAH School Board met via Google Hangout as some remained at home, while a few others met at the high school to practice social distancing during the COVID19 pandemic.
After approving the consent agenda, Kevin Heid presented a bond presentation for informational purposes for members of the board.
Superintendent Shannon Cheek gave the Treasurer’s report after the presentation. “We are up to date on payments from the state, although we have only received one payment for transportation for this fiscal year. I would like to remain optimistic, but realistically, the other payment will probably not be coming in for this present fiscal year,” he informed.
The district was also grateful for two donations that it received. Curtis Plank and Eric Plank were part of the “League of Champions.” The games for their league was canceled because of the pandemic, and they had extra unused money. Read More
ALAH Class of 2020 Has Drive Through Ceremony
Photo furnished
•May 27, 2020•
The Arthur Lovington Atwood Hammond Class of 2020 received diplomas in a drive through ceremony Tuesday,May 14.
Held at the Moultrie Douglas County Fair Merchant building a make shift stage was built for the event which ran from 12:30 to 7:00 p.m.
There were 78 members of the class with each senior announced and receiving diplomas from Supt. Shannon Creek and ALAH principal Steffanie Seegmiller.
The senior with family arrived at the north entrance of the merchant building driving toward the south. The senior only exited the vehicle received a diploma and a photograph then leave the south exit.
Each senior received a thumb drive of the ceremony and two photos.
ALAH Class of 2020 seniors completed online questionnaires from the New Progress and we are glad to share them with our readers.
Abigail Abercrombie is the daughter of Dan and Sara Abercrombie and April Carter all of Arthur.
Future Plans: I plan to attend Eastern Illinois University (four-year program) and major in pre-veterinary medicine. My career goal is to become a veterinarian. I have received a merit scholarship from EIU.
Madison Allen is the daughter of Cynthia and Derrill Allen of Arthur. Read More
Dreams Come True
Photo by R. R. Best
Dreams Come True
Somewhere over the rainbow way up high, and the dreams that you dream of once in a lullaby. Photographer R.R. Best caught a photograph of this double rainbow over Sullivan last weekend. So if you believe dreams can come true it just might be true.
Real Estate Tax Bills Mailed, First Installment Due in July
•May 20, 2020•
After much discussion with the levying bodies, the State’s Attorney, and county board members made the difficult decision to maintain the tax cycle and mailing of tax bills as we have always done in the past.
We know these times have been trying for many, but we also know we need to keep moving forward. We reviewed the Illinois State Statutes and the requirements by law for the tax due dates and levying body distributions. Read More
Mental Health is Important Everywhere, Every Month
•May 20, 2020•
Moultrie Counseling Center in Sullivan deals with mental health issues on the front line every day. Now more than ever is a time for awareness.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and comes at an appropriate time, as we are all struggling on some level with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Like the virus, anxiety about the pandemic is contagious, so we need to work to maintain our own emotional equilibrium.
This is especially true for so many on the front lines of COVID, including behavioral health professionals. We are proud to recognize Mental Health Month and celebrate the behavioral health heroes on the front lines.
The Importance of Mental Health Awareness
According to a recent article written by Jean Holthaus, LISW, MSW, mental illnesses affect 19% of the adult population, 46% of teenagers and 13% of children each year. People struggling with their mental health may be in your family, live next door, teach your children, work in the next cubicle or sit in the same church pew. Read More
Bethany Board Accommodates Affected Businesses
•May 20, 2020•
By Ellen Ferrera
For the News Progress
The May 14 agenda for the Bethany Board of Trustees was full with some 20 items for discussion but most were tabled or postponed due to the uncertainties and unknowns surrounding corona virus regulations.
The Board voted to extend shut-offs and penalties for utility bills to July 1. Many closed businesses are maintaining utilities even though they have no income and many people are still out of work prompting the extension of the original May 1 date. There has been a small uptick in unpaid utility bills. Read More
Sullivan Council Approves Titus Demolition
•May 13, 2020•
By Mike Brothers
Sullivan City Council authorized Milano and Grunloh to start Elizabeth Titus Home demolition procedures during the May 11 meeting.
Commissioner Peggy Hargis moved for the engineering company in Effingham to prepare a demolition plan with Commissioner Mike Fowler seconding the motion.
Commissioners Abbey Sherwood, Chuck Woodworth and Mayor Richard Glazebrook unanimously approved.
City administrator Dan Flannell explained the next step was for the RFP, Request for Proposal. Read More
Moultrie County State’s Attorney Won’t Prosecute Those Reopening
•May 13, 2020•
By Tracy Weaver
Mo.Co. State’s Attorney
In light of the most recent executive order issued by the Governor, the Moultrie County State’s Attorney’s Office has received many questions regarding the reopening of local churches and businesses.
I, like other state’s attorneys and many of our citizens and government officials, have concerns about the constitutionality of the executive order and the authority for such order from laws previously passed.
When considering the issue of religious services, for instance, something we as citizens have a fundamental right in which to engage, I cannot agree that the current executive order is the least restrictive and most narrowly tailored option for addressing the COVID-19 outbreak. Read More
Sullivan High School 2020 Graduation Car Parade Rolls Sunday
•May 13, 2020•
Instead of the community gathering for graduation the graduates of Sullivan High School have a parade of seniors.
The Sullivan High School graduation car parade kicks off at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, May 17 from the school parking lot.
With Pomp and Circumstance playing on the radio, live Honor guards Mallory Nichols and Reagan Crouse lead the seniors vehicles, arranged in order with police escort, south on Hamilton St. to Jefferson around the courthouse and exit on Main St. returning to the high school. Read More