•July 20, 2016•

By Ariana Cherry,
For the News Progress

“All funds are in the black,” noted Superintendent Kenny Schwengel at the last Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond School Board meeting. “There is $1,669, 501.91 in the education fund balance. We are still short $240,000 from the incentive money that we did not receive.”

Schwengel also stated that the district was expecting around $670,000 in incentive funding for the 2016-2017 school year. “Things are still looking up from a budget standpoint, but there is still room to improve,” he said.

Other matters that were discussed or voted upon:

• The athletic department wanted to know the board’s opinion on including the local bar and gun shop as part of their ad sales for their fundraisers. Members of the board didn’t have any issues with it. Read More

Dog Kennel Questioned

•July 20, 2016•

By Mike Brothers

Concerns over the noise level of a dog kennel brought an audience to the Moultrie County Board meeting July 14.

When planning and land use committee chair Todd Maxedon presented the motion for a special use permit allowing Duane Schrock to operate a dog kennel in rural Arthur, neighbors voiced concerns.

Bill Crane spoke for a number of neighbors explaining the prior owner had a puppy mill in the location, and the noise was unbearable.

“There are a lot of people living within 400 feet of the area,” Crane pointed out, “and putting up with 60 or 70 yelping dogs is not what we want.”

Gary Cornwell lives next door to the proposed kennel. “When those dogs are howling at night, it’s like a freight train,” he said, pointing out coyote traffic in the area added to the dogs’ agitation.

Planning and zoning director Jan Haegen pointed out four P&Z directors met at the property, returning a split vote to the planning and zoning committee, which approved the permit with recommendations. Read More

Community Garden Grows

•July 20, 2016•

By Stu D. Baker
For the News Progress

During the June meeting of the Lovington village board a new animal control officer was appointed and a new police car purchased.

Lisa Clark was selected as animal control officer for the village at a $20 per hour rate. Clark was approved for a 30 day trial period.

A motion to purchase a 2017 Ford Explorer police vehicle from Wright Automotive for $26,310 was approved. Trustee Anklam noted the village received $11,000 from the Timm Foundation to add to the $15,000 budgeted for a new vehicle. The price includes the trade-in of the 2010 patrol car. An additional $2000 will convert the vehicle for police use. Read More

Land Line Locators Left

•July 13, 2016•

By Mike Brothers

Coles-Moultrie enhanced 911 system became the first emergency dispatch consolidation approved in Illinois.

Bernie Buttram told Moultrie County Board Public Health Safety and Welfare Committee members July 6 the process could move to the next step.

“This is indeed very good news, and I’m excited about moving forward,” committee chair Arlene Aschermann said of the approval.

The Coles-Moultrie Emergency Communications approval by the Illinois State Police administered program followed a state 911 board approval in Springfield last week.

“Thanks to the help from Kelly (Lockhart) and Kevin (McReynolds) from Coles County Regional Planning the mapping process is already underway,” Buttram said.

McReynolds explained the address enhancement utilizing aerial photos last updated in 2002 was a challenge. Read More