Category Archives: News Section

ALAH Schools Pass Tentative Tax Levy

News Progress Posted on by

•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

News Progress Posted on by

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

News Progress Posted on by

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

News Progress Posted on by

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

News Progress Posted on by

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

News Progress Posted on by

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

News Progress Posted on by

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.

Sullivan TIF Districts are Ready for Expansion to the South

News Progress Posted on by

•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

Local Veterans Share Military Experiences at Senior Center

News Progress Posted on by

Photo furnished veterans were honored at the senior citizen luncheon in Sullivan, Nov. 1

Photo furnished
veterans were honored at the senior citizen luncheon in Sullivan, Nov. 1

More than 50 Attend 

•November 9, 2016•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

Nearly 50 veterans and their spouses attended a special luncheon in their honor at the senior center on Monday. The event was generously underwritten by the First Mid Illinois Bank and the First National Bank of Sullivan with door prizes and dessert provided by Sarah Bush Lincoln peace meal program.

Mike Gross, Charlie Bragg and Mike Keown of the American Legion Post presented a short program telling of their military experiences. Keown then gave a brief history of Veterans Day. He said, “The Sullivan Post was established on July 4, 1919, making it one of the first to organize at the end of WWI.”  Read More

Salary Improvements Recommended for County Workers

News Progress Posted on by

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