Photo by Mike Brothers
Okaw Valley Honors Teacher
During an awards ceremony at Okaw Valley Elementary School a special honor was given retiring teacher Debbie Weinstock. Members of Weinstock’s third grade class presented her with a quilt they made for her in class without her knowledge. Principal Doug McCausland pointed out the students had Mrs. Weistock pick material for the quilt they secretly made for her.
Photo furnished
Scholarship for Sullivan Grad
Nick Frerichs of Sullivan has been named the recipient of the US Bank Scholarship awarded through the Kaskaskia College Foundation at Kaskaskia College in Centralia. Frerichs is a graduate of Sullivan High School and is a sophomore at KC. He is the son of Dan and Kerri Frerichs and a member of the Kaskaskia College Blue Devils Baseball Team. Pictured are Pam Prather and Brad Haege of US Bank and Nick Frerichs (center).
Photo furnished
Secret Santa Volunteers
Secret Santa volunteers from pickup day are Gregg Foster, Lisa Sheehan, Justine Brewer, Mark Brewer, Carol Mode and Cheryl Thomas. These are just a few of the volunteers with Secret Santa. The volunteers say they are blessed to be able to give back to the communities of Moultrie County.
•December 14, 2016•
The Lovington Village Board met December 12 to discuss holiday bonuses, schedule changes and requests for an additional opening hour New Year’s Eve for Shooters Bar and the East End Tavern.
Board members voted to amend the village liquor ordinance in November. Unanimously approved was the reduction from three liquor licenses to two.
According to the new meeting schedule the village board next meets on Monday, January 9 with meetings moved from the first Monday to the second Monday of the month.
During the November village board meeting action was taken on participation in the Illinois Municipal League Risk Management insurance program. Trustee Pam Anklam moved the village select the one installment pay option of $41,882.94 with trustee Jim McMahan seconding and board voting unanimously to approve. Read More
Photo by RR Best
Holiday Concert
Sullivan Middle School was the scene of the holiday concert held this past weekend. Mr. Jeff Thomas and Mr. Brock Freece coordinated the school wide musical event played to a capacity crowd. Above Thomas leads: (left to right) Molly Dendy, Natalee Hunter, and Rylee Roehrs sing a special holiday tune.
•December 14, 2016•
By Mike Brothers
School funding approved by the state before the election has yet to produce results in Sullivan.
Superintendent Brad Tuttle explained Sullivan Unit #300 has not yet received a categorical payment from the state.
“If the state makes one payment instead of the three it committed to, it is going to hurt the district,” Tuttle said, noting the September voucher is still pending comptroller payment.
“It is unfortunate our state is inconsistent to the point we can’t count on it,” he continued, noting the consequence could be a loss of $500,000 in state aid.
The school board adopted a .40537 levy in an attempt to raise an additional $209,130 in local taxes. Read More
•December 14, 2016•
Moultrie County Public Health and Safety committee learned the County Health Dept. survived state funding shortages last year by tightening their belts.
Moultrie County Health Dept. executive director Angie Hogan pointed out last year state budget crisis proved a challenge financially for county’s health service agency.
“Last year state budget grants stalled,” Hogan said of the major revenue short fall. “We had one nurse resign, and although it made it harder on our already limited staff, we didn’t replace her.”
That was the formula for the health dept. making it through the fiscal year $17,000 in the black. Read More
Photo by RR Best
Holiday Music Program
The Sullivan Middle School choir performed in holiday concert Dec 10 before a capacity crowd in the middle school gymnasium. Music director Jeff Thomas and band director Brock Freece prepared the program.
Photo furnished
November Students
Nicholas Hutchinson, son of Jim Hutchinson, and Kyhe Wheeler, son of Chris and Kelly Wheeler, are November Students of the Month at Windsor Jr./Sr. High School. Hutchinson, a senior, is involved in basketball, baseball, student council,WYSE, physics club, and pep club. He plans to attend Lake Land College to study biology and play baseball. Wheeler is an eighth grader and participates in basketball, FFA, and team quest.
•December 14, 2016•
Moultrie County Board Budget and Finance Committee met December 12, recommending Christmas bonuses for county employees.
Budget and finance chairman Ron White proposed that full time employees receive $500 net bonuses with part-time employee amounts pro-rated. The bonuses, approved unanimously by committee members, were increased from $200 net bonus the previous year. Read More