Submitted OV Homecoming Court
Pictured is this year’s Okaw Valley homecoming court, from front to back, left to right: Kaylee Thomas
& Nick Tipsword (Junior Attendants), Hayley Carlson & Isaac Vanderlaan , Caity Ohm & Justin VanderBurgh, Paige Harlin & Devon Still, Amanda McClain & Joe Jeffers (all Senior Court), Brianna Creviston & Keith Bone (Sophomore Attendants), Natalie Jeffers & Dylan Holt (Freshman Attendants).
Board delays decision on new roof for maintenance building
by Florence Hallford
Lovington Reporter
Sidewalks and the village maintenance building were high on the agenda at this month’s Lovington village board meeting as the season is turning to fall, leaving little time to complete work that is time sensitive.
During last month’s meeting, it was determined that new sidewalks would be put in on Church Street where there exists a path already taken by many Lovington children heading to school. The budget allowed for two sections of sidewalk to be completed, and work is expected to begin within the next two months. Read More
September 10, 2014
Fugitive that Mo.Co. deputies searched for last week found in K-Mart
by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com
Armer
A fugitive that sparked a manhunt last Tuesday near Windsor was found and arrested Saturday in Effingham.
Matthew E. Armer, 42, of Trilla, was arrested Saturday just after 8 p.m. at a K-Mart in Effingham according to area authorities.
Armer’s arrest comes after he fled from Moultrie County deputies last Tuesday while they were attempting to serve him an arrest warrant. Armer fled on foot into a cornfield around 3:12 p.m., sparking an immediate manhunt in the area by Sullivan, Windsor, and Mattoon police, as well as Coles, Shelby, and Moultrie county deputies. The Illinois State police also assisted with patrol units and with an aerial unit that was already in the area. Read More
Photo by Keith Stewart
The new Moultrie County Health Department facility was unveiled at an open house last month. Pictured in front of the new facility, from left to right, are: Ill. Rep. Adam Brown, board of health member Dr. Glen Dust, State Senator Chapin Rose’s chief of staff Landon Stenger, ADG, LTD architects Tim Raibley and Jason Wright, Moultrie County health department administrator Angela Hogan, board of health secretary Vickie Bowers, board of health members Marge Overlot and Kerry Pate, health department building committee chair Ron White, board of health member Mike Reedy, county board chairman Dave McCabe, and former director of the Coles County Regional Planning and Development Doug McDermand.
Open house last month celebrates move
by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com
An estimated 175-200 people came out to see the official public unveiling of the new Moultrie County Health Department building last month.
Relocating to an-above ground and newly constructed facility just south of where it was previously in the basement of the Fields Wright Medical Facility, the county health department began operating out of its new space July 17 but held its open house almost a month later on August 14 with both county board and health department committee members in attendance, as well as architects Tim Raibley and Jason Wright of ADG, LTD.
“The biggest challenge was the lot sloped seven feet,” remarked Raibley. “But once that was taken care of, it went very smoothly. We had a good contractor and an excellent owner to work with.” Read More
Matthew E. Armer
September 3, 2014
Matthew E. Armer wanted in four counties and one state
by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com
A manhunt that began early Tuesday evening near Windsor was later concluded unsuccessful.
According to Moultrie County Sheriff’s deputy Gary Carol, county deputies were attempting to serve an arrest warrant to Matthew E. Armer, 41, of Trilla, Tuesday at 3:12 p.m. when Armer fled on foot into a corn field. A search then commenced with Moultrie County deputies assisted by Sullivan, Windsor, and Mattoon police as well as Coles and Shelby county deputies. The Illinois State police also assisted with patrol units and with an aerial unit that was already in the area. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ police division also assisted. Read More
Photo by Darian Hays
Knights Fall
Tyler Schuring (no. 2) goes to pass as a Villa Grove player closes in Friday night. Schuring went 8-25 for just 36 yards and one interception while rushing for 140 yards on 20 attempts during his team’s 20-6 loss to Villa Grove. The Knights now begin what is one of four consecutive home games beginning with Martinsville this Friday.
Submitted
July Yard of the Month
The W.H.A.T. (Windsor Happenings Around Town) July Yard of Month belongs to Brenda Kasey. Pat and Brenda Kasey live on the east end of Maine Street in Windsor. Brenda uses perennial and annuals to create many flower beds around their home. WHAT gro is a community mapping group working to encourage beautification in and around Windsor.
Photo by RR Best
Pictured are the remains of a 2012 Chevrolet Cruze that collided head-on with a 1999 Harley Davidson last Wednesday evening. The driver of the motorcycle, Leslie Harlin, of Mattoon, was prounounced dead at the scene.
September 3, 2014
Mattoon resident hits oncoming car head-on Wednesday evening
by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com
A Mattoon man that collided head-on with a vehicle and was ejected from his motorcycle, was later pronounced dead Wednesday evening.
The man was heading northbound on his 1999 Harley Davidson motorcycle on county road 1100E (north of Worth Street) Wednesday evening and later struck an oncoming 2012 Chevrolet Cruze, according to a press release by the Moultrie County Sheriff’s Department. Read More
Numbers cited as a concern
by Joash Tiarks
Bethany Reporter
During last month’s Okaw Valley school board meeting, OVES principal Doug McCausland gave his school’s most recent enrollment numbers, which he cited as a concern.
With a class size of just 26 students, “the numbers are a concern,” he stated.
“We’ve been used to the high 30’s, low 40’s numbers.” Read More
Purpose is to get new business to the area
by Derek Pope
Bethany Reporter
In a move to help bring new businesses to Bethany, village officials this month approved a public request to form a new planning committee made up of local residents.
The committee, when formed, would be tasked with reaching out to new businesses, as well as determining potential locations and properties for commercial and industrial establishments wishing to open in Bethany. Similar to Bethany’s now well-established TIF committee, members of the group would be appointed rather than elected and would submit their consensus opinions as documented proposals for the village board to consider—the committee would be unable to pass any resolutions on its own. Read More