•July 12, 2017•

Farmers Offered Land Leases

By Mike Brothers

Solar farms may shine a different light on the prairie soon.

Over the past few months farmers in Moultrie, Douglas, Coles, and Edgar counties received packets from solar farm companies interested in locating on the prairie.

Illinois Farm Bureau held an information meeting at Lake Land College June 28 to give interested farmers some direction.

“We have only had two or three inquiries at our office since the packets were sent out,” Tyler Harvey, Moultrie Douglas advisor said.

There were some 75 area farmers attending the Illinois Farm Bureau sponsored session that included Jason Carr of Cypress Renewables, one company that sent the packets. Read More

•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

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

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