Photo by Ariana Cherry
Arthur Cheese Fest Visitors
Sean and Bailey Clark of Sullivan brought grandmother Tari Howard and family to the Arthur Cheese Festival over the weekend. Nephew Jensen Howard, 5; daughter Brooklynn Clark, 5 and niece Joslynn Howard, 3, all waited for and received free cheese. The family spent their time eating lunch (fried macaroni was a favorite), getting free cheese and visiting the petting zoo.
•September 19, 2018•
One Windsor man was hospitalized and another jailed following a Sept. 15 shooting.
According to Windsor Chief of Police J.T. Boyer, Robert A. Fraker, 62, of Windsor was charged with aggravated battery with a firearm and attempted murder. Read More
Big, Hairy, Audacious Goals
•September 19, 2018•
By Mortemer Snerd
for the News Progress
Sullivan Spark Community Planning kicked off the first of five sessions with a large crowd gathering in the Sullivan High School Commons Thursday, Sept. 13.
Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs at Western Illinois University representatives Gisele Hamm and Linda Blaine gave an overview of the sessions designed to enhance Sullivan’s growth by building on its assets.
Information gained through introductions, surveys and an exercise in naming significant historical events since the 1960s in Sullivan will be analyzed by Blaine to determine the individual planning groups into which Spark volunteers will be divided for the next phase.
Hamm explained the key successes enjoyed by surround communities such as Mattoon and Strasburg were generated by proactive volunteers with positive attitudes. Read More
Photo furnished
SES Holds Scholastic Book Fair
RSVP volunteer Janet Paslay watches Dimitri Schrock count out his money with the help of his mom LaDonna while brother Aaron waits his turn at the SES Scholastic Book Fair.
Photo by Mike Brothers
Which animal do I want? 22 month old McKinzie Ray asks as she sifts through the bag of stuffed animals offered free to children visiting the Moultrie County Courthouse. McKinzie was accompanying her mother Autumn Ray of Sullivan who was in the courthouse paying real estate taxes.
Employees show generosity
•September 19, 2018•
Children visiting the Moultrie County Courthouse are getting free stuffed animals thanks to the generosity of those working in the county offices.
Funds collected on blue jean Fridays is helping finance a new program by courthouse security aimed at helping children feel a little more comfortable in a large public place.
“When these kids come in, they don’t know what to think,” courthouse deputy John Love began. “They see a guy in a uniform and a badge and it scares the little ones.”
He noted that sometimes the children are there with parents who have to wait for court proceedings, and it can be a test of patience to be stuck in a strange place for a long time.
Love recalled when he was chief of police in Sullivan, children waiting at the station could receive a toy from Secret Santa to give them something to occupy themselves during the wait. Read More
Photo by Mike Brothers
The Illinois Solar Tour travels through Sullivan Saturday, Sept. 22 featuring the solar powered home of Mike Fowler on S. Patterson Road.
•September 19, 2018•
By Reddy Kilowatt
for the News Progress
Mike Fowler installed solar panels two years ago and on Saturday, Sept. 22 his Sullivan home will be part of the Illinois Solar Tour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. when solar energy users from all over the state open their homes for the public to learn about renewable energy.
The statewide tour including 200 locations is coordinated by the Illinois Solar Energy Association.
Fowler became the first home in Sullivan to operate on dual solar power and conventional electric service in September 2016.
Not only does he save money utilizing the sun to generate electricity for his home, but he can sell excess electricity back to the city of Sullivan’s electric utility.
“I am really appreciative of the cooperation from the city council on agreeing to the solar contract,” Fowler said, noting he gets wholesale credit on the excess electricity produced by his solar system.
“The system has operated with no problems,” he said, emphasizing the company he chose not only did professional work but helped direct him to financial incentives that will almost pay for the whole system in five years. Read More
•September 19, 2018•
By Mike Brothers
Moultrie County Board members approved a plan for a new website which could provide online forms as well as the ability to accept online payments.
At the Thursday, Sept. 13 meeting website adhoc committee chair Neil Bryan recommended approving the $10,900 website update proposal from government website developer Revize.
Bryan and committee member Mike Barringer noted Revize. presented a professional proposal of a branding website for Moultrie County and, with a staff of 20, provides 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. support seven days a week.
Bryan noted in addition to development cost, Revize. would charge $2475 annually for maintaining the site. He moved the proposal be accepted and work start immediately since it is a project that will take several months. Motion was seconded by Tim Rose with unanimous approval of Moultrie County Board members attending.
Chairman Dave McCabe reported on personnel committee recommendations for salary increases in the absence of committee chair Billy Voyles. Read More
Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Candidates Gather for Dinner
Democratic candidates attending the spaghetti dinner hosted by the Moultrie County Democrat Party Sept. 14 at Sullivan American Legion Post 68 . From left County Board candidate Gary Smith, Sixth Circuit judge candidate Ramona Sullivan, U.S. District 15 Congressional candidate Kevin Gaither, Circuit Clerk Beth Pruitt, Sixth Circuit judge candidate Chad Beckett, County Clerk Georgia England, County board candidate Steve Mayberry, and County Treasurer candidate Diane Waggoner. Glenn Poshard, retired U.S. Congressman, was the headline speaker and gave an impassioned speech calling for a return to a time when those at home and abroad could trust America to keep promises, commitments and treaties. He received a rousing standing ovation from the capacity-filled crowd.
Photo furnished
OVES Grandparents Play
OVES Grandparents Day had visitors participating in all sorts of activities under the direction of student assistants Molly Phillips and Kailey George.
Photo by Jeni Yantis
King and Queen of OVHS
Garrett Tippit and Bella Benning were crowed as the 2018 Okaw Valley High School Homecoming King and Queen at the Homecoming Dance Saturday, September 8.