Category Archives: News Section

Lovington Board Reduces Number of Liquor Licenses

News Progress Posted on by

•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

Holiday Concert

News Progress Posted on by

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.

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.

Schools Struggle Without Regular State Funding

News Progress Posted on by

•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

Health Dept. Tightens Belt to Weather Budget

News Progress Posted on by

•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

Holiday Music Program

News Progress Posted on by

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 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.

November Students

News Progress Posted on by

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.

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.

County Finance Committee Recommends Bonuses

News Progress Posted on by

•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

Communications and Security Proposals Discussed

News Progress Posted on by

•December 14, 2016•

Moultrie County Building and Grounds committee was updated on some communication needs and interior building restoration.

Rick Matthews reported that the judge’s office was continuing to finance restoration of the courthouse columns to the natural original oak finish, and that project should be completed before Judge Flannell retires in January.

Matthews reported phone service issues had plagued the courthouse, and he had been looking into possible upgrades that could include voice activated internet, utilizing fiber optics for the phone service.  Read More

Sparrows Wrap

News Progress Posted on by

sparrows-elves-2

Photo by Darian Hays Sparrows Wrap Sparrows volunteers gathered to wrap gifts for the nearly 200 families helped by the Lovington based volunteer organization this holiday season. Above Andrea Miller cuts the paper for her next gift wrapping.

Texas Hold’em Winner

News Progress Posted on by

Photo furnished Texas Hold’em Winner “Cool Hand” Luke Dorsey won the Bethany American Legion Post 507 poker tournament held on Dec 10. Dorsey is the first two-time winner of the 11th annual event. He bested a field of 63 players and 98 total entries to secure the victory. The annual Texas Hold’em tournament benefits the scholarship program for students of Okaw Valley High School.

Photo furnished
Texas Hold’em Winner
“Cool Hand” Luke Dorsey won the Bethany American Legion Post 507 poker tournament held on Dec 10. Dorsey is the first two-time winner of the 11th annual event. He bested a field of 63 players and 98 total entries to secure the victory. The annual Texas Hold’em tournament benefits the scholarship program for students of Okaw Valley High School.