Category Archives: News Section

Veterans Paid the Price for Our Freedoms

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Photo by Mike Brothers Veterans Honored on November 11 included keynote speaker retired Marine Major Lynn Lowder. Lowder was presented a personalized Marine Corp emblem from students as a token of their appreciation for his service. Pictured to the right of Major Lowder is Career English senior Trey Garriott while veterans look on during the Sullivan High School ceremony.

Photo by Mike Brothers
Veterans Honored on November 11 included keynote speaker retired Marine Major Lynn Lowder. Lowder was presented a personalized Marine Corp emblem from students as a token of their appreciation for his service. Pictured to the right of Major Lowder is Career English senior Trey Garriott while veterans look on during the Sullivan High School ceremony.

•November 16, 2016•

Sullivan schools participated in Veterans Day observations Friday, Nov. 11 with the American Legion Post 68 Honor Guard presenting the colors followed by recognition of veterans during programs at each school.

Sullivan High School’s Career English class hosted recognition of local veterans through song, dance and the reflections of veterans before students who were gathered in the gymnasium.

Keynote speaker 1964 Sullivan High School graduate attorney and retired Marine Major Lynn Lowder is a decorated Vietnam platoon leader, who continues to advocate for veterans through his non-profit 1 Vet at a Time organization.

As a volunteer Lowder left college and went to Vietnam as a second lieutenant Marine specialist in the First Force Reconnaissance Company in 1967. Dropped into the enemy infested jungles of Vietnam by ropes from helicopters, the  FFRC encountered some of the brutalist fighting of the war.

Lowder earned the Silver Star for valor, Bronze Star, Navy Commendation Medal and a Purple Heart, and his message to the high school school audience centered on the price of freedom.

“Veterans took the time out of life to serve at considerable risk to protect our freedom,” Lowder began, explaining not only the veteran but his family was included in the sacrifice. “We owe them our gratitude everyday for letting us live in a country that is free.” Read More

Elections Over: Results Tallied in Moultrie Co.

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•November 16, 2016•

Elections have passed, and the Moutlrie County Clerk’s office is assembling tallies for the official caucus next week.

In the 2016 Moultrie County election chief election deputy Jamie Helton reported there were 370 new voters registered and 1400 absentee ballots voted. Of that number 1146 were voted along with early and grace voting periods while 254 were submitted by mail.

In the only race contested in the county incumbent Republican State’s Attorney Jeremy Richey withstood a challenge from former Democrat State’s Attorney Marvin Hanson.

Richey received 4121 total votes to Hanson’s 2040.

The state’s attorney received 710 early votes, 117 absentees and 3299 votes on election day. Hanson had 410 early votes and 109 absentees with 1521 election day votes. Read More

New Employees Return Raises Helping Veteran Staff

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•November 16, 2016•

By Mike Brothers

Courthouse office staff returned raises in an effort to get the Moultrie County Board to give salary increases to all staff at the Thursday, Nov. 10 meeting.

And it worked.

During a personnel session earlier, an effort was proposed to equalize county employee salaries after increasing the starting rate to $19,000 per year for full time staff.

This improved salaries by $2500 for county employees hired after Dec. 2014 but neglected veteran staff, many serving the courthouse from 10-30 years.

Personnel  committee chairman Roger Glazebrook presented the motion with discussion open before the vote. Board member Tim Rose noted the wording led him to believe that any new hire would be eligible for the $1500 increase over the $19,000 starting salary.

County clerk chief deputy Pam Wittkowski suggested the county board consider giving those veteran employees an additional $1000 to help equalize the salary schedule across the board. Read More

ALAH Schools Pass Tentative Tax Levy

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•November 16, 2016•

By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress

Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond School Board members passed a tentative estimated tax levy of 6.11%. Supt. Ken Schwengel explained that this estimate is based on an inflated EAV. “It is an increase in what the total levy would generate (minus bonds) based on our established tax rates and the inflated EAV.

It is not an indication of how much a person’s property taxes are going to increase,” he said. Schwengel receives estimates from each county which helps him calculate an estimated EAV. “I balloon the levy to protect the district from possible variances in the actual EAV. Regardless of how much I inflate the EAV, we will not receive more than our tax rate will generate,” he informed.

Last year’s projected EAV was $197,819,278 with a tax levy of 3.6753%. Schwengel estimated this school year’s EAV at $202,511,690. A truth and taxation hearing will take place at the board meeting in December. Read More

VFW Auxiliary Donates to Peace Meal

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Photo by Eric Kenney VFW Auxiliary Donates to Peace Meal The Sullivan VFW Post 6410 Women’s Auxiliary presented a check for $1000.00 to the director of Peace Meal/Seniors Nutrition Program Left to right: Barbara Wylie - Sarah Bush Lincoln Peace Meal Director, Reva Martin, Sullivan Site Supervisor, Valerie Turnbow, Auxiliary Treasurer and Terrie Punches, VFW Post # 6410, Women’s Auxiliary President. Peace Meal is funded only partially with state and federal funds, and nearly 60% of the funds must come from local donations. The Community Services Grant will help fund Meals on Wheels for one year. In addition the Auxiliary serves a Friday night meal at the Post for seniors at special reduced rates.

Photo by Eric Kenney
VFW Auxiliary Donates to Peace Meal
The Sullivan VFW Post 6410 Women’s Auxiliary presented a check for $1000.00 to the director of Peace Meal/Seniors Nutrition Program
Left to right: Barbara Wylie - Sarah Bush Lincoln Peace Meal Director, Reva Martin, Sullivan Site Supervisor, Valerie Turnbow, Auxiliary Treasurer and Terrie Punches, VFW Post # 6410, Women’s Auxiliary President. Peace Meal is funded only partially with state and federal funds, and nearly 60% of the funds must come from local donations. The Community Services Grant will help fund Meals on Wheels for one year. In addition the Auxiliary serves a Friday night meal at the Post for seniors at special reduced rates.

Church Family Honored

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Photo Courtesy Rev. Tracy A. Siegman Church Family Honored Virginia Weakly, 96, and Asher Graven Livingston, three months old, were the oldest and youngest members of the First Christian Church of Bethany attending the annual fall wiener roast. Weakly was a kindergarten teacher for many years and has been a member of the church for 73 years. Although not related by blood, they are bound in relationship by the fellowship of the church. Weakly has gone to church with four generations of Asher’s family.

Photo Courtesy Rev. Tracy A. Siegman
Church Family Honored
Virginia Weakly, 96, and Asher Graven Livingston, three months old, were the oldest and youngest members of the First Christian Church of Bethany attending the annual fall wiener roast. Weakly was a kindergarten teacher for many years and has been a member of the church for 73 years. Although not related by blood, they are bound in relationship by the fellowship of the church. Weakly has gone to church with four generations of Asher’s family.

Another Hole In One

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Photo furnished Another Hole In One Steve Caissie got a hole in one at Eagle Creek Golf Course Nov. 2. He made in on hole number eight. He hit an eight iron 123 yards with a Taylormade Rocketballz golf ball.

Photo furnished
Another Hole In One
Steve Caissie got a hole in one at Eagle Creek Golf Course Nov. 2. He made in on hole number eight. He hit an eight iron 123 yards with a Taylormade Rocketballz golf ball.

Election Day

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Photo by Mike Brothers Election Day Sullivan Precinct #6 voters were in the polling place at First United Methodist Church Nov. 8. Above Kurt Thompson prepares to place his ballot in the voting tabulator with some instruction from election judge Angie Coy.

Photo by Mike Brothers
Election Day
Sullivan Precinct #6 voters were in the polling place at First United Methodist Church Nov. 8. Above Kurt Thompson prepares to place his ballot in the voting tabulator with some instruction from election judge Angie Coy.

A Candy Lover’s Dream Visits Sullivan

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Photo by Mike Brothers Flesor Candy Kitchen owners (from left) Devon and Ann place Paul’s Pecan Favorites before packaging. The “turtle style treat” has been a Candy Kitchen favorite since Grandfather Gus created it back in 1901.

Photo by Mike Brothers
Flesor Candy Kitchen owners (from left) Devon and Ann place Paul’s Pecan Favorites before packaging. The “turtle style treat” has been a Candy Kitchen favorite since Grandfather Gus created it back in 1901.

Food Pantry Benefits

•November 9, 2016•

By Mike Brothers

Once a year Sullivan visitors to Cathrine’s Galley are treated to the creations of Flesor’s Candy Kitchen while helping the Moultrie County Food Pantry in a big way.

For one day only on Saturday, November 19 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. dozens of candy treats are ready for the tasting wit an opportunity to take care of holiday gift giving for the whole family.

Candy lovers may select from a variety of handcrafted holiday baskets with orders delivered in December. Moultrie County Food Pantry benefits at the time its help is needed most by families.

Donating 20 percent of their total proceeds to the Food Pantry also gives patrons a chance to give to the community while getting some of the best handmade candies on the planet. Read More

Lending Library at Mason Point

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Photo By Ellen Ferrera Lending Library at Mason Point Judith Brown (l) and Jean Dulik visit the little lending library at Mason Point. Ellen Dick-Ferrera, former librarian, with some help from friends at the Senior Center established the free lending library at Mason Point earlier this year. Visitors can rest on the bench and read books from the box or borrow them to bring back later. Located along a popular walking route, people living in the duplexes can take a book or leave a book, with eveyone sharing from the little library. Ferrera hopes to eventually include books from the main library and share magazines as well.

Photo By Ellen Ferrera
Lending Library at Mason Point
Judith Brown (l) and Jean Dulik visit the little lending library at Mason Point. Ellen Dick-Ferrera, former librarian, with some help from friends at the Senior Center established the free lending library at Mason Point earlier this year. Visitors can rest on the bench and read books from the box or borrow them to bring back later. Located along a popular walking route, people living in the duplexes can take a book or leave a book, with eveyone sharing from the little library. Ferrera hopes to eventually include books from the main library and share magazines as well.