•November 9, 2016•

Annual review of Sullivan’s three Tax Increment Financing ended with discussion of a possible expansion south along Route 32.

Mayor Ann Short noted that infrastructure is already in place in the Vineyard Church area where Dr. Faisal Bukhari and a group of investors hope to build an Alzheimer treatment facility.

“The city is willing to work with developers on feasible projects,” Short said, noting with enough interest, surrounding property owners could benefit from improved values following both commercial and residential expansion.

Gwen Crawford of The Economic Development Group of Bloomington oversees the Sullivan TIFs and presented the report in public hearing held Oct. 24 in Sullivan City Council chambers. Read More

Longevity Increases Proposed

•November 9, 2016•

By Mike Brothers

A plan to improve the salary structure for Moultrie County office employees was approved by the county board personnel committee Nov. 1.

Committee chair Roger Glazebrook presented a plan to increase new employee starting salary from $18,000 to $19,000 per year.

An opening in the supervisor of assessments office prompted the county to increase the advertised starting salary to $19,000 earlier and had not addressed the issue for other county offices.

A delegation from the courthouse office employees presented an alternative pay schedule proposal to the county board earlier that included across the board adjustments, equalizing pay levels as well as taking consideration for veteran employees

An alternative proposed by county board chairman Dave McCabe would have compensated those with the most experience with a $500 adjustment. Read More

•November 9, 2016•

Homeowners in Arthur, Bethany and Lovington could receive free repairs if a state housing rehabilitation grant is approved.

Kevin McReynolds told members of the Moultrie County Public Health and Safety meeting about the Single Family Owner Occupied Rehabilitation grant application through Coles County Regional Planning and Development Commission.

“We need qualified home owners to apply as quickly as possible to get on the waiting list,” McReynolds said, explaining that three homes in each community are included in the application.

The more low income residents in the communities who apply demonstrate need and increase the chances for receiving the state grant.

Grant application deadline to the Illinois Housing Development Authority is Nov. 14 with McReynolds encouraging those interested to call 217-348-0521 for a pre-application form. Read More

Photo furnished
Pictured is Karen Bretz

•November 9, 2016•

By Kennedy Nolen
for the News Progress

Sullivan’s recently certified clinician in Whole Food Nutrition said she just “wants to make people feel good again.”

Karen Bretz completed the necessary courses and is now a certified clinician in Whole Food Nutrition two weeks ago.

Bretz has been employed at Bretz Chiropractic Nutrition and Acupuncture Clinic, owned by Dr. Craig Bretz, for two and a half years. The office is located in Sullivan at 101 W. Jefferson St.

Bretz said she gives dietary advice, and it helps people to feel better without prescription medicine.

Instead, Bretz aims on improving the client’s diet and nutrition with the addition of whole food supplements.

“My aim is to have people feel good again,” Bretz said. Read More