Photo by Mike Brothers
Enhanced 9-1-1 Open House
Coles-Moultrie 9-1-1 Director Bernie Buttram and Moultrie County States Attorney Jeremy Richey during the recent open house at 9-1-1 dispatch headquarters.
Enhanced 9-1-1 Open House
Category Archives: News Section
More Than Knee High
Alex Menke photo
More Than Knee High
Knee High Fourth of July Luke Clevenger, 5, and Emma Clevenger, 3, illustrate this Moultrie County cornfield is well over knee high.
Sullivan Council Wrestles with Health Coverage Options
•July 5, 2017•
By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress
Sullivan City Council members debated the issue of health insurance again at their most recent meeting. The debate was whether the retired employees over 65 and their dependents should share the cost of their health insurance with the city. Insurance carrier Health Alliance has urged a decision with commissioners Jerry Risley and Mike Mossman pointing out the need for further information. Commissioner Mike Kirk felt that they shouldn’t wait another year. “It isn’t fair to the people or to the city,” Kirk noted.
The outcome of their decision would affect about 10-15 people currently on the city’s health insurance plan. Retired city employee Joe Thompson spoke on behalf of the retired city employees, asking that the city stick with the plan that they made several years ago. With the costs of health insurance reaching a million dollars for the city the question is whether they can continue on the “promise” that was made back in the 80’s. Read More
A Warm Reception for a Cold War Veteran
Photo by Mike Brothers
Navy veteran Bill Zoetvelt was in the Iron Angel squadron serving on aircraft carrier Bon Homme Richard during the Cold War era.
•July 5, 2017•
By Mike Brothers
Bill Zoetvelt hadn’t thought about taking the Lincoln Honor Flight for veterans in June until he met Marsha Bowyer.
Bowyer from Sullivan, a nurse who has been on six honor flights as guardian, saw Zoetvelt’s hat from his Iron Angel’s Navy squadron and asked if he had considered going on the June flight.
He explained they were both at Dr. Dennis Costerisan’s office in Mt. Zion so he went home, discussed it with his wife Marilyn, and decided to go.
“It was fantastic, from the reception at the airport in Springfield to the memorials we visited in Washington,” Zoetvelt said of the Honor Flight on which Bowyer accompanied him as guardian. She also went as guardian for Gordon Wood of Sullivan. Read More
ALAH Amended Budget Approved, State Owes $1.4 Million
Student fees announced
By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress
Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond School Board approved an amended 2017-18 budget at the June 21 meeting.
Superintendent Kenny Schwengel reported the total of all the funds in the ALAH district was $3,279,199.97. This past month, there were $128,887 in bills, and the transportation fund had a deficit of $290,000. In order to bring the fund out of debt, the district borrowed $325,000 from the Education Fund. Presently, the state of Illinois owes $1,437,592.48 to the ALAH school district.
The board also discussed the new rates for the 2017-2018 school year. Students in grades one through eight will have a $35 book fee. High school students - $10 per book; new English class, Best Sellers, will have a $10 fee. It is the only English class with a fee. Read More
Knee High
Photo by RR Best
Knee High
Betty Mode and Judy Featheringill prove the old adage “Knee High by the 4th of July”.
Shown here standing in a field farmed by Dennis Smith of Sullivan which was planted in late April, the corn has already tasseled.
Broadband Expansion Gets a Boost in Lovington
Photo by Mike Brothers
Matt Johnson, VP of Moultrie Independent Telephone/Shawnee Communications, (right) and Keith Adams, the USDA assistant administrator of telecommunications programs.
•July 5, 2017•
High speed internet is coming to Lovington in a big way with the kickoff of a $5 million Fiber to the Home project announced by the Moultrie Independent Telephone Company June 29.
Matt Johnson, VP of parent company Shawnee Communications, explained fiber optic service will expand to 800 customers by adding 80 miles of line.
The Fiber build-out is made possible with a $1 million capital investment by Shawnee and a $4 million loan through Rural Utilities Service, a division of U.S.D.A.
Keith Adams, the USDA assistant administrator of telecommunications programs, emphasized the importance of connecting rural america to fiber optics.
“Enhanced broadband can help rural communities bring young people back home,” Adams said, noting USDS has invested $116 million in partnerships such as the one with Moultrie Independent Telephone Co. since 2010. Read More
Hand In Hand Kids Camp Makes For Happy Campers
Photo furnished
Hand in Hand
The Hand in Hand group enjoys camp. See story on page 1.
•July 5, 2017•
By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress
Every child should grow up happy – it should be their unalienable right. Reality, however, is grim and often unfair. Special needs children face daunting challenges and some of these include not being asked to join teams or to sleepovers or to join other activities.
In Sullivan these children have two angels- Christine Grohler and Monica Green who received grant funds 15 years ago to found Hand in Hand Kids Camp for special needs children. Read More
Life is a Carnival
Photo by Mike Brothers
Life is a Carnival
Sullivan children gathered at the Civic Center parking lot beginning at 6:00p.m. Friday enjoying rides from Conner Family Amusements of Beardstown. The new carnival sponsored by the Sullivan American Legion drew enthusiastic crowds during the city’s Fourth of July celebration that ended with a big bang.
Sunken Garden Work
Photo furnished
Sunken Garden Work
Garden club members along with OVHS students helped spread mulch and worked in the sunken garden June 12. OV students who volunteered their time were Garrett Tippit, Dalton McGill, Ethan Macklin and Jacob Brewer. Wes Wise, OV agriculture teacher assisted the students.
Pictured - OVHS agriculture teacher - Wes Wise, Dalton McGill, Ethan Macklin, Garrett Tippit, and Jacob Brewer.