Category Archives: News Section

Villages Approves Permit for Part-time Salon

News Progress Posted on by
February 11, 2015

by Florence Hallford
Lovington Reporter

Last month, Valsalon owner Valerie Brumfield approached the Lovington Village Board about acquiring a permit to place a building on a residential property.
“It’s getting expensive to do hair uptown using the storefront,” Brumfield said.
She presented her information, including specs on the building and letters of approval from her neighbors, to the board for approval. Zoning board member Mike Castelli was present to give the zoning board’s approval and answer questions relating to the permit Brumfield was seeking.
Under Zoning Ordinance 40-10-55, Castelli recommended approval for a nonconforming permit, which would allow Brumfield to erect a building to operate as a salon on a part-time basis. Other requirements include removing the building if the business closes or moves and seeking a different permit if the salon decides to begin operating on a full-time basis. Brumfield also cannot advertise on the property and can have an ‘open’ sign as long as it is not lit.
Before approval a week ago Monday, village board members expressed concern. Read More

Dive Team Rescue at Mason Point

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Photo by RR Best Dive Team Rescue at Mason Point The Moultrie County Dive Team helped rescue a 12-year-old boy last Thursday evening after his kayak became stuck in a pond at Mason Point. According to dive team commander Clay Brush, the boy was kayaking, but the pond began to refreeze around him. The boy grew afraid that his kayak would capsize should it suddenly find itself on top of the ice. The call for help came in at 6:07 p.m. Thursday with the first responding agency on scene five minutes later. The scene was then cleared at 7:05 p.m. Brush added that the boy was wearing gloves and a hat, but that his hands had become wet. The dive team upon arrival supplied the boy with warm gloves, a new hat, and life jacket. Once divers were properly equipped, the team pulled the boy and his kayak ashore. According to the Sullivan fire department, the boy did undergo a medical evaluation but was released to his mother without further treatment. Mason Point administrator Darin Wall says that Mason Point has two ponds and that signage is posted around each stating that it is private property. Wall added that the boy was stuck in the pond located behind the two-story brick house and that the boy was stuck in an area of the pond estimated to be 2-3 feet deep.

Photo by RR Best
Dive Team Rescue at Mason Point
The Moultrie County Dive Team helped rescue a 12-year-old boy last Thursday evening after his kayak became stuck in a pond at Mason Point. According to dive team commander Clay Brush, the boy was kayaking, but the pond began to refreeze around him. The boy grew afraid that his kayak would capsize should it suddenly find itself on top of the ice. The call for help came in at 6:07 p.m. Thursday with the first responding agency on scene five minutes later. The scene was then cleared at 7:05 p.m. Brush added that the boy was wearing gloves and a hat, but that his hands had become wet. The dive team upon arrival supplied the boy with warm gloves, a new hat, and life jacket. Once divers were properly equipped, the team pulled the boy and his kayak ashore. According to the Sullivan fire department, the boy did undergo a medical evaluation but was released to his mother without further treatment. Mason Point administrator Darin Wall says that Mason Point has two ponds and that signage is posted around each stating that it is private property. Wall added that the boy was stuck in the pond located behind the two-story brick house and that the boy was stuck in an area of the pond estimated to be 2-3 feet deep.

Sullivan Schools Hire Principals for Next Year

News Progress Posted on by
February 11, 2015

Total of 32 years, Calandrilla, Florey, to leave

by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

At their first regular board meeting of the year last month, the Sullivan school district hired two in-house staff members to replace outgoing principals following the completion of this school year.
Sullivan middle school principal Jerry Calandrilla tendered his resignation at last October’s meeting whereas Sullivan elementary school principal Rita Florey announced her retirement at last July’s board meeting.

Allen

Allen

Last month the board approved the hiring of Dan Allen and Ted Walk, both Sullivan school district staffers, to replace Florey and Calandrilla, respectively.
Allen has been a high school teacher at Sullivan for 14 years and has served as student council sponsor, scholastic bowl coach, and middle school basketball coach. He was hired after a group of candidates was narrowed to eight and then interviewed.
“I’m really looking forward to this new atmosphere and working with the staff,” said Allen. “One of the biggest reasons my family and I stayed in Sullivan is the staff at all three buildings. I’m confident we’ll give our children a great education, and I’m very excited about working with the elementary teachers. Read More

FFA Travels for Public Speaking Event

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Submitted by Travis Fox FFA Travels for Public Speaking Event Members of the Windsor FFA Chapter traveled to Blue Ridge High School in Farmer City recently to compete in the Section 16 Public Speaking career development event. Three members participated in two categories. Gage Sattler and Brad Farmer competed in the Creed Speaking contest with Sattler taking home fifth place. Whitney Pepperdine was awarded first place in the JV Extemporaneous Speaking contest and will advance to the District IV Public Speaking contest to be held April 1 at Monticello High School. Pictured from left to right: Brad Farmer, Whitney Pepperdine, and Gage Sattler.

Submitted by Travis Fox
FFA Travels for Public Speaking Event
Members of the Windsor FFA Chapter traveled to Blue Ridge High School in Farmer City recently to compete in the Section 16 Public Speaking career development event. Three members participated in two categories. Gage Sattler and Brad Farmer competed in the Creed Speaking contest with Sattler taking home fifth place. Whitney Pepperdine was awarded first place in the JV Extemporaneous Speaking contest and will advance to the District IV Public Speaking contest to be held April 1 at Monticello High School.
Pictured from left to right: Brad Farmer, Whitney Pepperdine, and Gage Sattler.

Council Asked to Zone Travel Trailer Area

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February 4, 2015

Council Asked to Zone Travel Trailer Area Tuscola’s Cronus plant construction seen as local economic opportunity

by Ariana Cherry
Sullivan/Arthur Reporter

Stepheny McMahon, director of the Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development, addressed the Sullivan City Council in their last regular meeting about the possibility of zoning for a travel trailer area in preparation for the Cronus Plant (Tuscola) construction workers who will be coming to work in September.
McMahon questioned whether the mobile home parks would be interested in allowing campers and fifth wheels to come fill their empty spots.
“I spoke with the regional manager of the trailer parks, and she was interested, whether it be temporary or permanent, if the city would allow it,” said McMahon. Read More

Standerfer’s “Scroll” an Ambitious Endeavor

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Photo by RR Best Pictured is the Sullivan Elementary School newspaper staff, from left to right: Connor Golden, Devon Winings, Clayton Schmohe, Wes Standefer, and Ben Bushue.

Photo by RR Best
Pictured is the Sullivan Elementary School newspaper staff, from left to right: Connor Golden, Devon Winings, Clayton Schmohe, Wes Standerfer, and Ben Bushue.

January 28, 2015

Fifth grader starts elementary school newspaper

by Ariana Cherry
Sullivan/Arthur Reporter

Fifth grader Wesley Standerfer isn’t your typical kid.
Just a little over a year ago, he started his very own neighborhood newspaper, the “Shumanville Times.” Living on Shuman farmland inspired him to share the family news to those nearby. He delivered print editions locally, while others requested it by email from as far away as Texas and Washington D.C. At such a young age, he already began to see the potential of the printed word so Standerfer expanded his horizons and took to reporting in the halls of Sullivan Elementary School.
“I had the idea to start the newspaper because I thought that it would be a good idea to educate the students in the school about what was going on in the grades above and below them,” said Standerfer.
Although, the first time around, it didn’t quite come out as expected. Read More