The students represented in the 2013-2014 Cultivating Creativity: Consolidated Communications Children’s Art Exhibition will be recognized for their achievement at an awards reception at the Tarble Arts Center on Eastern Illinois University’s campus at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 13. Admission is free, and the public is invited. Read More
Category Archives: News Section
Feb. Unemployment Shows Moultrie as Lowest in Central Ill.
Most still see overall increase from Dec.
by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com
Moultrie County ranked the lowest among nine east central Illinois counties in unemployment for February.
Coming in at 7.5 percent, Moultrie is, in fact, tied for the fourth lowest rate of unemployment in the state with Washington county also at 7.5.
However, the county’s rate was an uptick from each of the two prior months, a trend nearly all other neighboring counties also saw. Read More
One Big Catch
Submitted
Nathan Riley is seen with his 20 inch long 5-pound, 7-ounce large-mouth bass, which he caught in Wyman Lake in March.
20 inch, 5lb large-mouth caught out of Wyman
by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com
Nathan Riley is 12 years old. He’s been fishing for only a couple years. He is mostly self-trained too, having watched dozens of YouTube videos on the sport. And it was he who was by himself at little ol’ Wyman Lake when he supposedly caught a 20-inch, 5-pound., 7-ounce large mouth bass on a cold March morning.
Sounds a little fishy.
Perhaps some doubt could, in fact, be cast if there wasn’t a photo or two of the Sullivan middle schooler showing off his fresh catch. His friends at school can’t deny it–Riley has shown them photos on his cellphone. It’s the reel-deal.
Bad fishing puns aside, Riley’s catch is the biggest of his life so far and a young life at that.
He first got into fishing after seeing the line and reel for the first time. Read More
Okaw Valley to See Big Benefit from New Shelby County Tax
As much as $50,000 could go to OV
by Derek Pope
Bethany Reporter
Earlier this month Shelby County residents passed a new one percent sales tax aimed at helping area schools maintain their often-aging buildings. The referendum, which passed on March 18 and goes into effect April of next year, could bring Okaw Valley schools as much as $50,000 in increased revenue according to district superintendent Kent Stauder. Read More
National Library Week Starts April 14
National Library Week will be observed from April 14-20, and the Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library staff encourages everyone to stop by and see what the library has to offer. If a member of the public doesn’t already have a library card, stop by the desk and become a registered patron. (Individuals who live outside the city are required to pay a non-resident fee. Those who fall in that category should call 728-7221 for details. Read More
Free Two-Week Summer Journalism Workshop for High Schoolers
High school students will have an opportunity to learn journalism hands-on from award-winning reporters, editors and photographers at the Illinois Press Foundation workshop at Eastern Illinois University on June 15-27.
Applications for the 13-day workshop, which is funded by the IPF, Dow Jones Newspaper Fund, Robert R. McCormick Foundation and EIU, will be accepted through May 10. Eighteen students will be selected to participate in this free journalism experience. Go to IPFworkshop.wordpress.com or contact director Joe Gisondi at jjgisondi@eiu.edu for further information. Read More
March was Cold and Dry in Illinois
The statewide average temperature for March in Illinois was 33.8 degrees, which was 7 degrees below average and the eighth coldest March on record. Combined with the colder-than-average January and February made this the fourth coldest start (23.6 degrees) for Illinois for the year to date, according to State Climatologist Jim Angel at the Illinois State Water Survey, University of Illinois. Read More
Illinois 2014 Spring Trout Fishing Season Opens April 5
The 2014 Spring Trout Fishing season in Illinois will begin at 5 a.m. Saturday, April 5, Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Director Marc Miller announced recently.
“The spring trout season is always a great time for families to go fishing and catch some tasty trout, and we’re delighted to be able to add several new locations for trout fishing,” said Director Miller. Read More
Lake Shelbyville 2014 Recreation Season Kickoff
The 2014 camping season began with the early opening of Area 5 at the Forrest W. “Bo” Wood Campground on Tuesday, April 1. These campsites (114 – 141) are available on a first come, first served basis and sites will be paid for using the honor vault system until Thursday, April 17. From May 8 to May 14, prior to the official opening date, Lone Point Campground is offering free first come, first served camping. Lone Point Campground will host an open house on May 9 and May 10. There will be activities for all ages, inflatable bounce houses, bands, and more.
GRIZ-FM honors former Moultrie County Clerk
After a heart attack took his life Easter Sunday 2001, former Moultrie County Clerk and radio broadcaster Gerald “Griz” England is being honored by Cromwell Radio Group.
Before his time as county clerk, England worked for a couple of radio stations, finishing his broadcasting career at Cromwell Radio Station, WYDS when it was known as “D-93”. He married his wife of nearly 27 years, Georgia—who is currently Moultrie County Clerk—June 2, 1974.
Before being elected clerk in 1998, England enjoyed a long radio career that began in Sullivan at WFWA-FM. He worked at several area radio stations and made a national name for himself as a country radio personality.