•February 5, 2020•
A Moultrie County jury trial started February 3, 2020 for Alvan Booths, 33, of Mattoon who was charged with attempted murder, home invasion and aggravated battery February 4, 2019.
Sullivan police responded to a shots fired call to 804 W. Hunter the night Feb. 4 where Otha Phillips had been shot in the neck.
Booths appeared with court appointed attorney Todd Reardon while Tammy Wagnor led prosecution along with State’s Attorney Tracy Weaver. Read More
•February 5, 2020•
The Coles Moultrie County Emergency Communications Center now has 9-1-1 text capabilities
The Charleston based CECOM 9-1-1 is now live with Text 911. This is something that the state has mandated.
The Text 911 has been tested and CECOM is up and running and can now receive Text for 911 emergency calls. Read More
•February 5, 2020•
Lake Shelbyville Fish Habitat Alliance will host their second annual Banquet at the Sullivan VFW on February 22, 2020 with 100% of the proceeds going to improve the fisheries and fish habitat in Lake Shelbyville!
The doors open at 4:00 p.m.. with dinner starting at 5:00. The banquet is being hosted by the Lake Shelbyville Fish Habitat Alliance, a group that is focused on improving the fisheries at Lake Shelbyville. Tickets will be available online http://tinyurl.com/lsfha2020, Chip’s Marine in Sullivan, IL and the Lake Shelbyville Visitors Center in Shelbyville, IL.
The tickets include your choice of chicken or steak, sides, and adult beverages while they last. Read More
•January 29, 2020•
By MikeBrothers
Renovating the Winifred Titus Sentel Home is a nostalgic notion that could cost a lot of money the Sullivan City Council learned at the Jan 27 meeting.
Architect Riley Glerum of IGW Architecture in Urbana and Engineer Jim Gleason explained it would take $1,123,425 in hard construction to convert the 6700 square foot brick structure into office space.
Operated as a retirement home for ladies until closing the Titus Sentel Home was purchased by the city for $210,000 in Sept. with funds from the Winifred Titus Sentel Trust.
Glerum and Gleason indicated the existing brick home south of Wyman Park would require gutting and rebuilding the interior which, along with elevator installation for accessibility, could total from $1.3 to $1.4 million.
Following the power point presentation evaluation of the home’s condition citizen Nancy Barker ask what it would cost to tear down the home and rebuild a new structure. Read More
Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Forum for the 15th Legislative District candidates from left: Erika Weaver, Dr. Craig Morton, John W. Hurley, Jr., and Kevin Gaither.
•January 29, 2020•
By Ellen Ferrera
for The News Progress
The primary elections are just months away and the first Democratic candidate forum for the 15th Congressional District kicked off at the Charleston Carnegie Public Library January 26 at 2:30pm. The public meeting room was filled to capacity.
The Democratic candidates seeking the nomination are Kevin Gaither, John W. Hursey, Jr., Dr. Craig Morton and Erika Weaver.
Kevin Gaither grew up in Sullivan, IL where he was involved in his grandfather’s farm, was a journalist, played the pipe organ for church and was actively engaged in efforts to pass a school referendum.
He served in AmeriCorps in poverty-stricken neighborhoods in Indianapolis and was elected to serve on federally mandated healthcare advisory boards there. Moving back to the 15th District in 2013 Gaither returned to community involvement. In 2018 he ran for the Democratic nomination for the 15th District. His grassroots campaign won 62% of the vote through common sense messaging focused on the entire 15th District. Read More
Tyler Harvey
•January 29, 2020•
By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress
The Illinois Farm Bureau (officially the Illinois Agriculture Association) was founded in Illinois in 1916 and in Moultrie County in 1918.
It is a private entity that provides education and information to help farmers while supporting legislation and lobbying for agricultural issues.
The IAA supports many affiliates such as Country Financial, GrowMark, FS, Prairie Farms Dairy and the beef, pork, corn and soybean associations along with the county Farm Bureaus.
Today there are 96 county Farm Bureaus in Illinois with 400,000 members. Approximately 25% of the Illinois population works in the agricultural industry. Agriculture is, after all, the largest industry in Illinois.
Since 2014 Tyler Harvey has been the Farm Bureau Manager for both Moultrie and Douglas counties.
“I wear a lot of hats.,” Harvey says of his various duties. “One day I may be in a suit attending a Springfield meeting and the next day in jeans touring a farm. Advocacy on so many levels comprises a lot of our work.” Read More
•January 22, 2020•
Fields Tax Questions
By Mike Brothers
A county hiring freeze didn’t hinder the Moultrie County Board from giving $50,000 to the Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development at the January 16 meeting.
SCED Director Laurrie Minor explained the county’s $50,000 contribution goes exclusively toward tourism promotion of the county.
She reported this will be the third year attending the Recreation and RV Show in Rosemont and visitors return to tell about their experiences in the area.
Jon Summers Corp of Engineers at Lake Shelbyville participates with SCED at the Rosemont show and reported increases in campers this past season during a recent budget committee meeting.
County Board Chairman Dave McCabe recommended this third annual $50,000 contribution to SCED explaining the first year the county saw a 14.44 percent sales tax boost. In the second year sales tax income was down .06 percent.
Prior to the vote board member Neil Bryan asked Minor for more information concerning surrounding counties contributions to promote tourism. Read More
•January 22, 2020•
By Ariana Cherry
for The News Progress
Atwood-Hammond Junior High Social Studies teacher, Angie Hollingsworth announced her future retirement at the opening of the ALAH School Board meeting, scheduled for the 2023-2024 school year.
Hollingsworth has been in Atwood-Hammond for the past 26 years and overall has been teaching for 30.
“We appreciate what you’ve done for the district and the students. I’m very grateful for all you’ve done for the district and our students...You will be missed for sure, but I am glad we get to have you for four more years,” said Superintendent, Shannon Cheek.
“She is a great asset at the junior high,” stated Atwood-Hammond Principal, Kristin Nall. “She’s made so many relationships with the families there and bridged the gap with home and school. And she helped transition me in my position. You will be extremely missed, ” she added. Read More
•January 22, 2020•
By Ariana Cherry
for The News Progress
Sullivan High School student, Blake Thompson presented his winning Voice of Democracy speech at the Sullivan Community Unit 300 Dist. board meeting. Thompson competed and won the district competition and will be presenting his speech at the state competition in Springfield in February.
SES teacher Jennifer Hobbs coordinated the event, and SHS English teacher Becky Lawson was his sponsoring teacher.
“His speech on what makes America great is a moving tribute to the American spirit,” commented Sullivan High School Principal Daniel Allen.
The board discussed the changes to the district’s Course Description Book for the 2020-2021 school year, which were approved.
The Sullivan Elementary School building is over 20 years old and the floor tile has been starting to show some wear and will need replaced. Read More
Photo by Mike Brothers
SHS Agriculuture teacher honored at Jan. 9 assembly: left to right: Rod Stoll of Farm Credit IL, SHS Principal Daniel Allen, honoree Don Lockwood., State FFA Treasurer Emma Freebairn, State FFA President Gage Miller, and Shawnda Vega with Nationwide Sponsor Relations
•January 15, 2020•
Sullivan High School principal Daniel Allen opened the school assembly January 9 with an apology for gathering the student body under false pretenses.
In an unprecedented move students were called to an assembly for a reason which had been kept secret for days.
The secret was out at 2:30 p.m. Thursday and SHS Agriculture Teacher and FFA sponsor Don Lockwood was the reason.
Lockwood is a national finalist for the 2019-2020 Ag Educator of the Year honor through Nationwide’s Golden Owl Award.
As a finalist, Lockwood was presented with a $500 cash prize and plaque in front of fellow teachers and students. Read More