Category Archives: News Section

County Looks into Health Coverage Changes

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Office Input Encouraged

•June 8, 2016•

By Stu D. Baker
for the News Progress

Moultrie County employees could be facing increased health coverage costs if a plan presented by the county board insurance committee is approved.

Dave McCabe, committee chair, pointed out a spike in 2015 claims that reached $900,000, teamed with the changing health care industry, prompted the committee to look into ways to save on health coverage for the 55-60 county employees.

“The county can not sustain spending 25 percent  of the total general fund budget for coverage, and we are concerned about keeping employee premiums unchanged,” McCabe began.

“As a general rule five percent of the employees account for 50 percent of claims, and we are pretty close to that average,” he continued. Read More

Woods Lake Reopens

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Photo by RR Best Woods Lake Reopens Saturday, June 4 marked the grand reopening of Woods Lake south of Sullivan. Above the Burgess family from Sullivan enjoys the new fishing pier and handicap accessible boat dock which completed the U.S.Corp of Engineers project with help from volunteers of Sullivan AmBucs and Lincoln Trail Council Boy Scouts and others. The 30 acre lake was drained and cleaned and restocked with select fish. Part of the ceremony Saturday included a kid’s fishing tournament, hot dog roast, boat rides, archery and BB gun shoots. A plaque listing partners in the project was put on display as part of the 2 p.m. ribbon cutting ceremony.

Photo by RR Best
Woods Lake Reopens
Saturday, June 4 marked the grand reopening of Woods Lake south of Sullivan. Above the Burgess family from Sullivan enjoys the new fishing pier and handicap accessible boat dock which completed the U.S.Corp of Engineers project with help from volunteers of Sullivan AmBucs and Lincoln Trail Council Boy Scouts and others. The 30 acre lake was drained and cleaned and restocked with select fish. Part of the ceremony Saturday included a kid’s fishing tournament, hot dog roast, boat rides, archery and BB gun shoots. A plaque listing partners in the project was put on display as part of the 2 p.m. ribbon cutting ceremony.

Shrek the Musical Showing Now At Little Theatre

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•June 8, 2016•

By Brynna Sentel
For the News Progress

Kick off your Summer with Shrek the Musical.

Shrek the Musical is showing in Sullivan’s The Little Theatre on the Square through Sunday, June 12.

This delightful spin off of the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film is a must see for the whole family.

Shrek the Musical follows a rare duo of a humorous donkey and an angry ogre. This long and difficult journey to ultimately save their swamp will leave the audience thinking, “What the Shrek Just Happened?”.  Read More

Summer Homecoming for Lovington Alumni

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•June 8, 2016•

At the request of several alumni, the Lovington High School Alumni Association will host two homecomings this year.

The summer homecoming kicks off at Tom Conn Park Friday, June17 during the Community Club Junefest fish fry from 4:30-7 p.m. Entertainment including Steve Fleming, Dennis Garmon, and others will start at 5.

Anyone wishing to help with the fish fry may contact Pam Workman at 217-358-3936 or pworkman49@yahoo.com.

Saturday morning starts with the firemen’s pancake breakfast and a bake sale at the firehouse. The bank, telephone company and library will be open so alumni may see LHS memorabilia. Read More

Wilborn Creek Road Reopens

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Photo by Mike Brothers Progress is underway on straightening Wilborn Creek Road as part of the county’s road rehabilitation project. Above Moultrie County employees check measurements at the straightening site. The project is expected completion by August.

Photo by Mike Brothers
Progress is underway on straightening Wilborn Creek Road as part of the county’s road rehabilitation project. Above Moultrie County employees check measurements at the straightening site. The project is expected completion by August.

Project Makes Progress

•June 8, 2016•

County Highway engineer Jeff Birch reported Wilborn Creek road is reopened following culvert replacements as part of the overall $1.8 million improvement project.

Birch told members of the Moultrie County Road and Bridge Committee last week that preparations to recycle should take up to four days in early July.

Target date for project completion, which includes a new transition curve on the road south of CR1150N, is August 15.

The Moultrie County Highway Department  road rehabilitation project to improve the roadway smoothness and safety on (Wilborn Creek Road, CR 625E) began on May 2. Read More

A Respectful Thank You to The Fallen

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Photo by Mike Brothers Greenhill Cemetery Memorial Day program speaker Rita Florey expressed gratitude to those who have served. Post #68 Commander Bob Sims, Charles Bragg and the Honor Guard are in the background.

Photo by Mike Brothers
Greenhill Cemetery Memorial Day program speaker Rita Florey expressed gratitude to those who have served. Post #68 Commander Bob Sims, Charles Bragg and the Honor Guard are in the background.

•June 1, 2016•

Thanks to those who gave their lives fighting for America.

It was the expression of Taps as Memorial Day Services ended at Greenhill Cemetery in Sullivan on Sunday morning.

American Legion Post #68 Honor Guard, Auxiliary and Lincoln Trails Council Boy Scouts marched from the Moultrie County Courthouse to the cemetery with Sullivan Police Dept. escort.

Sullivan High School band, directed by Brock Feece opened the 8 a.m. ceremony with the Star Spangled Banner.

Rita Florey, founder of the present day Sullivan’s Memorial Celebration emphasized those who stepped forward to serve, didn’t do it for glory, but for a greater cause.

A cause and freedom we can enjoy because of the price they paid.

“Those who selflessly served exemplify patriotism at its core,” Florey said of the fallen. “This is the highest form of citizenship that deserves our respect and gratitude.”

She told the crowd gathered in the morning sun about a prisoner of war in North Vietnam in 1967.

Mike was a 17 year old from Selma, Alabama who had enlisted in the Navy and was captured.  Read More

Sullivan First grade classes go to Altamont

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Photo furnished Sullivan First grade classes go to Altamont First grade students in Cassie Becker, Lauren Fultz, and Eudora Drollinger’s classes received a grant from Illinois Biodiversity which enabled the students to go on a field trip to Ballard Nature Center in Altamont. The day was spent exploring and learning about trees and how animals use them. The students also went on a nature walk and explored the discovery center.

Photo furnished
Sullivan First grade classes go to Altamont
First grade students in Cassie Becker, Lauren Fultz, and Eudora Drollinger’s classes received a grant from Illinois Biodiversity which enabled the students to go on a field trip to Ballard Nature Center in Altamont. The day was spent exploring and learning about trees and how animals use them. The students also went on a nature walk and explored the discovery center.

Relay For Life Celebrates Twenty Years in Moultrie County

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•June 1, 2016•

We just want to invite everyone out to Wyman Park on June 11 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. for Relay for Life. We are celebrating our 20th Anniversary of Relay in  Moultrie County.

Opening ceremony will began at 10. We have entertainment planned, survivors laps, caregiver laps, bounce houses, Dunk Tank, Frozen T-Shirt Contest and many more activities including a Lip Sync Contest and Karate Demos. Luminarias will begin at dusk.  Read More

ALAH Graduates Look to the Future

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•June 1, 2016•

Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond graduation ceremonies were held at the ALAH gymnasium at 7 p.m. Friday May 27 with 66 candidates receiving diplomas for 2016.

Valedictorians are Jakob Brewer and Rebecca Davis.

Photo by Darian Hays Pictured above is ALAH’s 2016 graduating class.

Photo by Darian Hays
Pictured above is ALAH’s 2016 graduating class.

Brewer plans to attend Parkway Pathway to the University of Illinois in the college of engineering. His idea of success is not about how much money you make, but whether you live your life to its fullest potential.

“Procrastination will get you nowhere, and life is 10 percent about what happens to you and 90 percent  how you react.”

Davis is currently attending Paul Mitchell the School in Normal. Her idea of success is achieving your goals no matter what others think about them.

“Taking the time to grow as an adult can be more beneficial than class time.”

Madeleine Brown and Allison Irwin are salutatorians.

Madaleine is studying English through the Parkland Pathway to University of Illinois. Read More

Time for a New Approach for Eagle Creek Resort

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Demolition Ahead

•June 1, 2016•

By Mike Brothers

Eagle Creek Resort’s $17.8 million repair and upgrade costs led the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to a demolition decision last week.

The fate of the 138 room hotel and golf course east of Findlay has been in limbo since its 2009 closing over mold issues.

Sullivan mayor Ann Short has served on a two county committee of public officials trying to revive tourism prospects for the area and attended a meeting following the IDNR announcement last week.

Representatives met at the Corp of Engineers Lake Shelbyville office.

“This is the first positive step I’ve seen in a long time,” she said of the decision to move forward on the fate of the resort. Read More