Category Archives: News Section

Enhanced 911 Enters The Home Stretch

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•March 9, 2016•

State agencies can be consistently inconsistent,” was how Coles County Emergency Communications CECOM Director Bernie Buttram described attempts to file the joint Coles Moultrie County joint agreement for enhanced 911 service.

Buttram explained that the switch from the Illinois Commerce Commission to Illinois State Police control of the state emergency services system prompted CECOM to enlist the resources of the Coles County Regional Planning Commission to complete the filing.

The planning commission’s software provided better access to the new Illinois State Police system facilitating filing the two county agreement for CECOM to provide emergency service dispatch under the enhanced 911 system.

Buttram went on to explain the enhanced system is about 90 percent complete with the addition of Moultrie County land lines into the database as the last step.

Public health and safety member Kevin McReynolds noted that 911 calls now are located within a range, the enhanced 911 system actually pinpoints the call location. Read More

Fire Destroys Woodworking Business

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Photo by RR Best Fire Destroys Woodworking Business Sullivan Fire Department joined other first responders from Bethany, Lovington, Findlay, Arthur and Windsor to a 1:45 p.m fire Tuesday, March 8 south of Sullivan and west of Highway 121. Ivan’s Woodworking at 1421Cr 1275N, Sullivan was engulfed in smoke when firefighters arrived. Fire that started at the west end of the manufacturing/office complex quickly engulfed the building as area departments scrambled to get adequate water supplies to the location. Owned by Ivan Schrock, the company has manufactured custom wood chairs, hardwood floors and interior wood products since 1993.

Photo by RR Best
Fire Destroys Woodworking Business
Sullivan Fire Department joined other first responders from Bethany, Lovington, Findlay, Arthur and Windsor to a 1:45 p.m fire Tuesday, March 8 south of Sullivan and west of Highway 121. Ivan’s Woodworking at 1421Cr 1275N, Sullivan was engulfed in smoke when firefighters arrived. Fire that started at the west end of the manufacturing/office complex quickly engulfed the building as area departments scrambled to get adequate water supplies to the location. Owned by Ivan Schrock, the company has manufactured custom wood chairs, hardwood floors and interior wood products since 1993. Click for more photos.

Moultrie Co. 2016 Mobile Home Privilege Tax Time

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•March 9, 2016•

Mobile home tax bills will be mailed March 11, 2016 and are due on May 16, 2016. Taxes may be mailed to Moultrie County Collector, P.O. BOX 650, Sullivan, IL. 61951. Taxes may also be paid at all Moultrie County banks: Hardware State Bank, Scott State Bank Bethany/Dalton City/Sullivan, State Bank of Arthur, Arthur Community Bank, First National Bank of Arthur, First National Bank of Sullivan and First Mid-Illinois Bank Sullivan.  Read More

Community Responds to One Book One Sullivan

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Photo by Mike Brothers One Book One Sullivan community discussion at the First United Methodist Church was held last week. Above high school teacher Becky Lawson, One Book coordinator Rikki Ray and table leader sixth grader Lilly Graham discuss the book while One Book volunteer partner Cheryl Wildman, special education teacher, watches in the background.

Photo by Mike Brothers
One Book One Sullivan community discussion at the First United Methodist Church was held last week. Above high school teacher Becky Lawson, One Book coordinator Rikki Ray and table leader sixth grader Lilly Graham discuss the book while One Book volunteer partner Cheryl Wildman, special education teacher, watches in the background.

•March 9, 2016•

By Mike Brothers

One Book One Sullivan members filled the First United Methodist Church community room Thursday, March 3 to discuss the latest community /school based book selection.

Sponsored by the Sullivan Rotary Club, One Book One Sullivan released the new read November 25 distributing copies of Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25 to students and those interested in the community.

Coordinated by middle school language arts instructor Rikki Ray with the help of volunteer middle school teachers Cheryl Wildman and Haley Seeley, 20 sixth, seventh and eighth grade students volunteered for the project.

Students who volunteer for One Book One Sullivan also agree to read a  book a week during the summer as well as participate in the selection process for the annual community/school read.

As the 6 p.m. start time of the community discussion of the Michael Vey series by author Richard Paul Evans approached, more tables and chairs had to be included to accommodate the growing crowd.

Community members were seated at tables along with One Book One Sullivan volunteers to lead discussion on the book.

Michael Vey is a ninth grade student from Utah with special powers that lead him on an incredible adventure. Read More

No Job Left Behind—Leaves No Community Behind

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•March 9, 2016•

By Kennedy D. Nolen
For the News Progress

The Chamber of Commerce and select businesses in Moultrie County have teamed up with local school districts to help educate students about different career paths and job availability in the community.

According to the Skills Gap Survey conducted by ‘No Jobs Left Behind,’ 30 businesses, under four main sectors: healthcare, logistics, manufacturing, and technology and services, in Moultrie, Coles, Douglas, and Shelby counties projected an estimate of almost 800 jobs available in 2016 in a variety of fields; jobs varied from accountants to drivers and from mechanics to welders.  Some of these companies started lacking labor in their facilities, leading to a decrease in growth and expansion.

To solve the problem, the Chamber and businesses such as Agri-Fab, Hydro-Gear, Marvin Keller Trucking, Caterpillar, Justrite, MasterBrand, GSI, and Mid-State Tank offered tours of their facilities to students interested in career opportunities during Manufacturing Week last October 26-30. During that week of Manufacturing Month, 245 students from Humboldt, Sullivan, Okaw Valley, Shelbyville, Tuscola, Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond, and Windsor were able to see the facilities and talk with professionals about potential opportunities. Since this event was such a success, it will continue again this October. Read More

Time to Enact Commonsense Drone Rules

News Progress Posted on by

•March 9, 2016•

By Mickey H. Osterreicher, Esq.
NP Guest Columnist

Amidst all the hysterical reports that the sky is falling or it’s literally raining drones, Illinois Congressman Rodney Davis recently introduced a thoughtful Micro Drone amendment to the FAA Reauthorization Act (AIRR Act). The amendment would create a new “Micro UAS Classification” of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), improving safety, access and compliance while also encouraging innovation. For the first time, micro drones would be permitted for commercial purposes, appropriately advancing what many believe to be the smallest, safest and fastest-growing sector of the UAS community. The House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee very commendably voted to accept that amendment without any voiced opposition and then approved the entire AIRR Act, as amended.

It is crucial to note this legislation would not deregulate the use of UAS, but rather proposes regulations containing five commonsense rules that are easy to remember and follow. In fact, many of these rules already exist to oversee safe practices for the recreational use of drones. Under the new amendment, micro UAS (mUAS) would be required to operate at: “(1) less than 400 feet above ground level; (2) at an airspeed of not greater than 40 knots; (3) within the visual line of sight of the operator; (4) during daylight; and (5) at least 5 statute miles from the geographic center of an airport [with an exception for those who provide notice and obtain permission].” Read More

Mighty Mite Action

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Photo by RR Best Mighty Mite Action Basketball came to Sullivan last weekend with future players ranging from 5-8 years old hitting the court, many for the first time. The Mighty Mites basketball program offers boys and girls an introduction to the basic skills required to play basketball. Not only do they learn how to dribble and shoot, but future players get a chance to see how teamwork and good sportsmanship contribute to the overall fun of the game.

Photo by RR Best
Mighty Mite Action
Basketball came to Sullivan last weekend with future players ranging from 5-8 years old hitting the court, many for the first time. The Mighty Mites basketball program offers boys and girls an introduction to the basic skills required to play basketball. Not only do they learn how to dribble and shoot, but future players get a chance to see how teamwork and good sportsmanship contribute to the overall fun of the game.

Blue Dolphins Host Busterball

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Photo Submitted Blue Dolphins Host Busterball Sullivan Blue Dolphins hosted their 13th Anniversary Busterball tournament fundraiser Saturday March 5 at Sullivan High School. Sixty-two teams played with more than 400 participants from kindergarten to adult. Teams from Okaw Valley, Mattoon, Lovington and Sullivan participated, and spectators were welcome to watch the action free all day long. Trophies were given to first place team winners, medals to the second place team winners and free snow cones for the team members who exhibited the best sportsmanship for each grade level. Many new fun activities were available during the event as well such as games, face painting and a raffle table with a wide variety of prizes.

Photo Submitted
Blue Dolphins Host Busterball
Sullivan Blue Dolphins hosted their 13th Anniversary Busterball tournament fundraiser Saturday March 5 at Sullivan High School. Sixty-two teams played with more than 400 participants from kindergarten to adult. Teams from Okaw Valley, Mattoon, Lovington and Sullivan participated, and spectators were welcome to watch the action free all day long.
Trophies were given to first place team winners, medals to the second place team winners and free snow cones for the team members who exhibited the best sportsmanship for each grade level. Many new fun activities were available during the event as well such as games, face painting and a raffle table with a wide variety of prizes.

Mighty Mites Basketball – Aiden Burgess

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Photo by RR Best Mighty Mites Basketball Mighty Mites basketball player Aiden Burgess (above) looks for someone to pass the ball to during Sullivan action last weekend. The introductory program for 5-8 year olds teaches basic skills, team work and good sportsmanship.

Photo by RR Best
Mighty Mites Basketball
Mighty Mites basketball player Aiden Burgess (above) looks for someone to pass the ball to during Sullivan action last weekend. The introductory program for 5-8 year olds teaches basic skills, team work and good sportsmanship.

AYCE Fish Fry at the Strasburg Lions Club

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•March 3, 2016•

The Strasburg Lions Club will hold an all you can eat fish fry on Friday, March 11th. The Lions will be serving fried fish, scalloped potatoes, applesauce and slaw from 4:30 to 7 pm at the Strasburg Community Center (East of Marathon Gas Station). The AYCE fish fry will be free will donation. Donations go towards park improvements and upkeep.