Photo by Sally McCarthy
ALAH XC Award
The Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond cross country team held their awards’ banquet earlier this year following the conclusion of their season. Pictured is Logan Hall - most varsity points
2014 ALAH XC Award
Category Archives: News Section
2014 ALAH Volleyball Awards
Photo by Sally McCarthy
ALAH Volleyball Awards
The Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond volleyball team held their awards’ banquet earlier this year following the conclusion of their season. Pictured, left to right: Kalli Martin - team spirit award; Kimberly Davis - hustle award; Emily Seegmiller - most valuable player, and 1st team all-LOVC; Elyse Harris - sportsmanship award; and Janette Comstock - Knights spirit award. Not pictured is Makayla Brown - most improved player, and Madison Brown, honorable mention all-LOVC.
OVES Donates Food
Submitted
OVES Donates Food
The students at Okaw Valley Elementary have been busy this month trying to make the holiday season of others’ bright. Casey’s Pizza joined the school in sponsoring a food drive that ran from December 1 to the 12. The students ranging from kindergarten to fourth grade amassed over 1000 pounds of food, which was divided between the Bethany and Findlay food pantries. The combined kindergarten classes earned a Casey’s pizza party for donating more items than the other classes. OVES will also be hosting “Dance for a Cause II” and will be collecting new toys that will be donated to the Barnes Children’s Hospital in St. Louis. The students have organized a dance for the students and ask that they donate a toy or money to purchase toys. All OVES students will be attending the dance on December 18. Pictured, left to right: Camille Brown - manager of the Bethany Casey’s, Heidi Vander Burgh - kindergarten teacher and Angie Russell - kindergarten teacher.
Moultrie County Farm Bureau Earns Award at 2014 Annual Meeting
Submitted
Moultrie County Farm Bureau First in State
The Moultrie County Farm Bureau was honored with the 2014 Membership Award of first place for total quota in the state. Pictured (left to right) are Richard Guebert Jr., Illinois Farm Bureau President, Andy Bolsen, Moultrie County Farm Bureau President, and Tyler Harvey, Moultrie County Farm Bureau Manager.
Semi-trucks Reminded of Restrictions on Parking in Village Limits
December 17, 2014
Ordinance says vehicles over 3/4 ton unable to park in village limits for more than 30 minutes
by Florence Hallford
& Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com
The topic of semi-truck parking has been an on-going discussion since a resident asked permission to park his truck over a sidewalk several months ago.
The board members have been looking into solutions since, unable to find a suitable one. During his research, village president Jim Minor located an ordinance that prevents owners of vehicles in excess of ¾ ton from parking in most of the village limits for more than half an hour.
While the board members identified with residents on the issue, there is not much they can do about it, noting that the resident needs to find suitable parking. However, trustee Roger Walker became concerned, stating that many residents drive regular trucks that weigh close to, if aren’t at the weight limit of the truck size the ordinance includes that need special parking. Read More
ALAH Schools Go Ahead with Levy Increase
December 17, 2014
With over $10,000 increase in property value, levy up nearly 8 percent
by Ariana Cherry
Arthur/Sullivan Reporter
After holding a truth and taxation hearing, Arthur-Lovington/Atwood Hammond school board members approved the tax levy for the tax year 2014 payable 2015.
This year’s EAV was estimated at $193, 490,228 while last year’s total was $183,286,949. An increase of 7.98 percent was passed by the board. So far, the district has not received its incentive money from the state, and Schwengel noted that it is possible that they may receive only three out of four payments. The present total of all funds in the district’s accounts is $6,965,024.74. A resolution abating the tax levied for the year 2014 to pay debt service on General Obligation School Bonds (an alternative revenue source) was also passed. Read More
Man Found Dead Sunday in Sullivan
Photo by RR Best
Sullivan fire and police personnel are seen at 412. N. Seymour in Sullivan Sunday, where 58-year-old James Helms was found deceased after an apparent house fire.
December 17, 2014
Apparent house fire to blame, but still under investigation
by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com
A Sullivan man was found dead inside his residence Sunday afternoon after a neighbor came by to check on him.
According to Moultrie County Coroner Lynn Reed, James E. Helms, 58, of Sullivan was pronounced dead in his residence located at 412. N. Seymour at 4:20 p.m. Sunday. An autopsy was performed Monday, and a full report on the cause of death including toxicology results is not expected for two to three weeks. Reed did say that, while preliminarily there does not appear to be anything suspicious surrounding Helms’ death, it is still under investigation.
Helms was found by Sullivan fire personnel Sunday after they received a 911 call at 4:02 p.m. that alerted them of a house fire with a trapped individual. However, when Sullivan fire fighters arrived four minutes later, there was no fire.
“The fire was out and had been for some time,” said Sullivan fire chief Mike Piper. “There was no heat smoke and no fire. It appeared that the fire had occurred several hours before, probably when he succumbed to it.” Read More
Sullivan Employees See Bonus Increase
December 17, 2014
Extra $25 added on
by Ariana Cherry
Arthur/Sullivan Reporter
A discussion was held at this month’s first city council meeting whether or not to increase the Christmas bonus for city of Sullivan employees.
Since about 1999, employees have been given $75. Health and safety commissioner Bill Hagen motioned that it be increased to $100, explaining that $75 doesn’t go quite as far today as it did in the 90’s. Public property manager Mike Kirk seconded the motion, and the council agreed to raise the Christmas bonus to $100.
A TIFF participation loan of $680,000 (including full project fees) was also approved for the Red Apple.
About $250,000 will be financed by First Mid Illinois Bank in an eight year balloon payment. Sullivan has received $700,000 in TIFF funds, but they must be used for TIFF purposes only. All funds must be used by 2022, or they will be returned to their original source. Read More
2014 Okaw Valley Girls’ Holiday Basketball Tournament Schedule
Windsor High School 2014 Homecoming Court
Submitted
Windsor High School 2014 Homecoming Court
Windsor High School will host their homecoming dance on December 20 at the high school. Coronation will begin at 7:30 p.m. with the dance starting at 8 p.m. Pictured (back row left to right): freshman attendant Dalton Armes, sophomore attendant Anthony Curry, junior attendant Tristan Warner, king candidates Ken Chan and Uriah Jones. Front row: freshman attendant Amber Newell, sophomore attendant Jodie Harris, junior attendant Mercedez Austin, queen candidates Taylor Higgins, Claire Pfeiffer, and Lindzie Douglas. Not Pictured is king candidate Dalton Turner.