Category Archives: News Section

County Observes Bicentennial

News Progress Posted on by

•November 22, 2017•

Moultrie County joins the Illinois bicentennial celebration with an 11:45 a.m., Dec. 4 flag raising ceremony on the courthouse lawn.

This commemorating opening ceremony of the state’s 200th celebration of statehood begins with presentation of the colors by the Sullivan American Legion Post 68 Honor Guard. The Pledge of Allegiance and Star Spangled Banner will be given.

County board chairman Dave McCabe will read the proclamation of statehood at noon followed by the raising of the Bicentennial Flag of Illinois by the Honor Guard. The state song will be played during the flag raising. Pastor Don Lusk of Southern Baptist Church will close the ceremony with prayer followed by the playing of America the Beautiful. Read More

Getting Covered Help Hits Sullivan

News Progress Posted on by

•November 22, 2017•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

Getting insurance coverage help was offered in Sullivan last week to aid those seeking health plans.

Michael Bitkinn from the Illinois Department of Insurance was at the Titus Memorial Library Wed., Nov. 15 to inform people of insurance plans available online at GetCoveredIllinois.gov.

“Many uninsured Illinoisans will qualify for low-cost or free coverage. You might also qualify for discounts on costs beyond what your insurance company will pay,” according to Bitkinn. “You can no longer be denied insurance because of pre-existing conditions.” Read More

Circuit Clerk Brings State Honor to Moultrie County

News Progress Posted on by

Photo furnished
Cindy and Jan Braden (center) were allowed to share Cindy’s award as County Official of Illinois with family at the Illinois Association of County Officials convention last week.Back row from left Cindy’s daughter Katy Black and fiance’ Mike Burton; son Craig Black and girlfriend Erica Tomczewski. The children live in Champaign while Jan and Cindy reside in Sullivan.

•November 22, 2017•

By Mike Brothers

Moultrie County Circuit Clerk Cindy Braden was named Illinois’ County Official of the Year at the annual conference in Peoria Nov. 13-15.

Braden was surprised not only by the award but the way her family kept the secret and attended the event at the Pere Marquette Hotel.

“I was shocked,” Braden said, explaining that since a circuit clerk had won the previous year, she figured it would go to another office holder. She was selected among four state officials nominated for the honor.

Braden learned that the fellow clerk who had nominated her had been conducting a secret phone call campaign to make sure her family attended the award session in Peoria. “It was totally unexpected, but I am happy a fellow clerk in the zone nominated me.” Read More

OVHS and EIU Dual Credit

News Progress Posted on by

Photo furnished
OVHS and EIU Dual Credit
Thirty Okaw Valley Dual Credit Students visited Eastern Illinois University recently to meet with professors and tour the campus. Okaw Valley is currently partnering with EIU in two dual credit classes, speech and U.S. History, during the fall semester.
Three more dual credit classes will be taught in the spring at OVHS which include Environmental Science, English 3 (Brit Lit), and the second semester of U.S. History.
Okaw Valley juniors and seniors have a total of 15 dual credit hours available through EIU to go along with the 60 dual credit hours already offered through Lake Land College.

Sullivan School District Nonprofits Receive Donation

News Progress Posted on by

•November 15, 2017•

By Mike Brothers

The election of one school board member became a financial windfall for Sullivan school organizations at the Nov. 13 meeting.

Zak Horn, owner of MCC Network Services, LLC, was elected to the school board in 2016 and telecommunications services was provided Sullivan Unit District #300 by his company prior to that.

“The law is clear on this,” Horn told the board. “I can not touch the money.”

Taking the money from the district would be a conflict that could carry a felony charge.

Instead Horn came up with an innovative solution that benefits nonprofit school organizations such as; Sullivan Education Foundation, Sullivan FFA Chapter, Sullivan Singers Boosters and Sullivan Sports Boosters.

Supt. of Schools Ted Walk presented the board with an agreement to place the $20,000 MCC annual contract amount into a Sullivan First Mid-Illinois Bank and Trust Escrow Account held for the benefit of the designated organizations. The agreement was approved unanimously by board members Tyson Grooms, Steve Poland, Erik Stollard, Ann Wheeler, Norman Wood and president Jeff White with Horn abstaining. Read More

New Trustee for Lovington Village Board

News Progress Posted on by

•November 15, 2017•

The Lovington Village Board approved Gary Clem as replacement trustee for the seat vacated by Jim McMahon at the October 9 meeting.

Clem’s recommendation by village president Roger Walker noted he agreed to serve over the water department for the next 18 months.

Doug Smith, Brenda Wood, Pam Anklam, Dennis Garmon and April Daily voted unanimously for Clem’s appointment.

Following a closed session discussion the board moved to vacate and sell a small portion of N. County St., north of William St. with owners of adjoining property incurring the expense. Trustees approved unanimously. Read More

Okaw Valley Celebrate Veterans Day

News Progress Posted on by

Photo submitted
Okaw Valley Celebrate Veterans Day
Okaw Valley celebrated Veterans Day November 10 with a breakfast and districtwide assembly.
The keynote speaker was Col. Bob Mitchell. Col. Mitchell spoke to the entire district on the importance of Veterans Day and the importance of supporting military families.
Col. Mitchell also highlighted his experience while being an aviator in Vietnam which was documented in the Book, A Time to Honor, Stories of Service, Duty, and Sacrifice.
Mitchell spent 30 years in the Army and stated in the book, “The reason I stayed is because of what I found in the Army. I found guys who were willing to die for me, and I willing to die for them.”

Moultrie County Board Votes Down Paintball Facility

News Progress Posted on by

•November 15, 2017•

Moultrie County residents concerned about having a paintball facility witnessed the measure voted down by the county board Nov. 9.

In the absence of planning and zoning chair Todd Maxedon, Gary Smith presented the application by Johnny Chauncy Tandarich to rezone property from agriculture to commercial for a paintball recreational facility.

County planner Jan Haegen noted the P&Z board and county board committee had recommended the request be denied.

With the room filled with property neighbors the board voted unanimously to deny the rezoning request by Tandarich.

Personnel committee chairman Billy Voyles joined Tim Rose and Mike Barringer voting no on a $300 increase for courthouse employees that was recommended by his committee. Board chairman Dave McCabe, Ron White, Arlene Aschermann, Kevin McReynolds and Gary Smith voted to approve the increase to the previously approve $1000 per year figure. Read More

Sullivan Schools Honor Veterans in Silence and Song

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by Mike Brothers
Sullivan American Legion Post 68 Honor Guard presented the colors while the crowd stood at the annual Sullivan High School Veterans observance in the high school gym Nov. 10.

•November 15, 2017•

Following taps by John Mathias the gymnasium filled with Sullivan High and Middle School students observed a moment of silence out of respect for veterans.

The Friday, Nov. 10 observation of Veterans Day was prepared by Rebecca Lawson’s SHS Careers English Class.

The program included a mix of music, dance, testimony and honors for those who served in the various military branches.

Serena Spencer, a 2001 SHS graduate who served in Iraq in 2004 as combat support with the 1544th Paris National Guard unit, recalled her time overseas.

“Life is short,” she told the crowd of students and veterans being honored during the 10 a.m. assembly. “Those were the best and worst days of my life, and what I learned is that the people who care about you are what matters.” Read More

Bethany Village Meters Steve Sowers’ Exit

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Metered retiree Steve Sowers (left) received plaque and electric meter lamp from Shannon Risley and Village President Bill Ashley.

•November 15, 2017•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

Bethany village board recognized retiring village employee Steve Sowers for 32 years of service during their regular meeting November 9 at village hall.

After President Bill Ashley gaveled the meeting to order at 7 p.m. Sowers was presented with a plaque and a desk lamp fashioned from a water meter.

A report was made by the Christmas committee on plans for the Santa Coming to Town and tree lighting. They requested some street closings for safety concerns. The committee’s next meeting is at 6 p.m. Dec. 16 at Scott State Bank, and volunteers are welcome.

The board approved an Appropriation Ordinance and a TIF Ordinance agreement with Jeff Taylor. Taylor is planning to open a bakery on Main Street and is seeking funds to help with roof and wall repair of his building. Read More