Submitted
Tournament Winner
The winner of the American Legion Post 507 Poker Tournament was Luke Dorsey of Mt. Zion. Dorsey defeated a field of 25 other poker players. The American Legion uses the tournaments to raise money for the Okaw Valley Academic Scholarships and. to date, has raised approximately $1,500.
Small Crowd Arrives to Show Support for Local Saloon
by Joash Tiarks
Bethany Reporter
There are always at least two sides to every story and this month’s village board meeting proved no exception.
The normally adequate conference room at the village hall seemed almost overcrowded for this month’s board meeting as several members of the community were present to express to the trustees their support of Hired Hand Winery and Saloon.
Last month, proprietor Shane Weybright presented a request to the board that the liquor ordinance, and subsequently their liquor pouring license, be amended to allow for longer hours of business. He stated that he felt “his hands are tied” with the current hours of operation, with a relatively small number of customers being able to arrive and relax before alcohol could no longer be served. He said that if business hours were extended to 10 p.m. on weekdays, for example, he would be able to serve a much more diverse portion of the community, turn a much better profit, and so benefit the village by then paying more in taxes. Read More
Former Lov. district tax payers to see smaller levy
by Keith Stewart & Ariana Cherry
keith@newsprogress.com
In their December meeting, the Arthur-Lovington school board approved the 2013 levy, which is payable this year.
But due to working cash bonds that were approved prior to the reorganization of Arthur and Lovington schools, the levy branches off into two figures depending on whether one lives in the former Arthur or Lovington district. Read More
Photo by Keith Stewart
The southwest corner of the Casey’s store front remains damaged after a hit and run incident occurred on December 28. The damage went beyond just the outside facade to include the kitchen and an office inside as well.
Incident leaves kitchen and exterior badly damaged
by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com
The Casey’s General Store in Sullivan was the victim of a hit and run December 28, which in turn left the business badly damaged on both the interior and exterior.
Jermel D Barlow, 24, of Decatur was arrested by Sullivan police at 10:35 p.m. shortly after the incident.
According to the crash report, for reasons yet to be determined, Barlow allegedly accelerated, jumping the curb before then colliding with the south side storefront of Casey’s. Barlow then backed out and fled the scene but was stopped a few blocks away by police.
According to Casey’s general manager Samantha Drake, not only did the incident damage the exterior of the building, but it also damaged the kitchen, an office, and a freezer. As a result, the kitchen was closed both the day of the incident and another day for repairs to be made, each causing an inability to make food including pizza. Read More
by Florence Hallford
Lovington Reporter
Streets and alleys department worker Chris Gillis submitted his resignation by letter at the Lovington Village Board meeting Monday night. The resignation was to take effect on January 10. Gillis has been with the village of Lovington for eight years. The position is now open, with applicants needing a class B CDL, ability to operate heavy equipment and mechanical knowledge of equipment. A committee was formed to select a new employee, and applications will be accepted until noon January 17. Read More
The Sullivan Chamber & Economic Development has announced the winners of the 2013 annual awards which will be distributed at the SCED Annual Dinner Saturday, January 25. Read More
Photo by Keith Stewart
A hawk sits in the middle of Harrison Street in Sullivan feeding on a cold meal Sunday morning.
First the snow, then the cold
by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com
“It’s for the birds.”
Likely, much of the midwest was saying just this when over the weekend and into Monday a 1-2 punch of winter weather stretched its way across the nation’s middle, dumping upwards of 30 inches according to preliminary snowfall reports Monday.
Here in Moultrie County official totals didn’t exceed eight inches.
The snow started later than at first expected, early Sunday morning, and continued for most of the day. That evening, wind gusts up to 35 mph caused drifts, some reported as tall as six feet, that in turn severely hampered travel and even ushered in the closing of dozens of IL roadways, including a portion of IL 121, 32, and IL 128 here in the county. As such, emergency crews had to wait for assistance from snow plows before being able to make treks into rural areas. Read More
by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com
While it’s true that the recent spell of winter weather brought havoc in the form of diminished visibility, poor road conditions, and life threatening temperatures, the craziness began well before the weather arrived.
Area grocery stores quickly ran out of bread, milk, eggs, and other basic foods.
“The grocer’s best friend is the W on the screen, but we just don’t ever want what comes with it,” said Sullivan IGA manager Pat Stinson. “We had a huge, record sales day Saturday, which then led to a record week…it was the best we’d ever done.” Read More
Nearly $300,000 in new money requested
By Joash Tiarks
Bethany Reporter
At the regular monthly meeting, one of the primary issues on the agenda for the Okaw Valley Board of Education was to bring to a vote the proposed Tax Levy for 2014, with an increase of 9.05% over last year.
Because the request exceeded a threshold increase of five percent over last year’s request, the board was required by law to hold a public truth in taxation hearing to inform the community and allow any concerned taxpayers to ask questions and to voice their opinions.
However, no concerned citizens were present. Read More
Additional snow, severe temps, and wind gusts to start Saturday
by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com
FRIDAY, JANUARY 3–The National Weather Service issued winter storm advisories for most of central Illinois Friday, including Moultrie County, which is expected to see upwards of 10 inches of snow this weekend. That, in addition to the already three or more inches the county received Wednesday evening, will combine with plummeting temperatures to create what local law enforcement is describing as a dangerous situation.
“Basically, you should stay in doors unless it’s absolutely necessary to travel,” warned Moultrie County sheriff Jeff Thomas. “It’s just very unsafe to be out in weather like that. If you can avoid it all costs, stay home.”
Thomas also says that with the impending weather comes often times sudden road closures.
“With that wind and the snow along with what we already have, snow will be blowing and drifting so there will likely be some closed roads, but you may not know until you’re out there,” explained Thomas. “If have to venture out, bring warm clothing blankets, some food, bottle water.”
The Illinois Department of Transportation does post major road closures, available at http://www.dot.state.il.us/road/roadClosures.htm, but there may be a delay between the actual closure and its posting.