Still, overall, budget in the black for 13-14
by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com
The Sullivan School board approved a budget for the 2013-2014 year Monday, September 9 with an estimated deficit of $1,494,373.
However, the budget overall is estimated in the black after considering the beginning fund balances as of July 1, 2013, as well as the $1.4 million in working cash bonds, leaving the district with an estimated $3,688,945 balance across its nine funds come next June. Read More
Photo by Keith Stewart
Pictured is the bench that accompanied the Lovington skate park and that was donated by the American Ramp Company. At Monday night’s village board meeting the bench was the focus of debate as the board tried to conclude whether its presence made the project a memorial, which some argued was against the park’s approval in March.
Distinction of memorial vs. dedication argued
by Florence Hallford
Lovington Reporter
While most of the controversy over the Lovington skate park died back in March when the project was approved, that which was left over flared up during Monday night’s meeting when the issue of a bench accompanying the park and its being removed was discussed.
Candi Bennett, mother of the late Dakota Hoffman, addressed the board Monday asking why they were told to remove a bench that accompanied the skate park equipment. Read More
Photo by RR Best
Two dry ears of corn rest beside an already harvested plot of farmland Saturday, August 31 just north of Sullivan. The recent dry spell has prompted some farmers to take to their combines a little earlier than expected, while soybeans remain in desperate need of rain.
Corn looks to benefit from recent spell, yet likely to see lower market prices
by Ian Murphy
NP Contributor
Wet and dry, cool and hot, up and down.
Inconsistent weather this growing season delayed the planting of corn and soybeans and could draw the crop harvest into late October
Clint Robinson, a member of the Moultrie County Farm Bureau board, said he waited until May 15 to plant corn and waited into June to plant soybeans because of the excess moisture in the soil.
Last year he planted during the last week of March and first week of April. Read More
by Barry Featheringill
Sullivan Reporter
Sullivan’s forthcoming sewer line repair project was reported as one step closer to beginning Monday.
Commissioner Bill Hagen noted that the survey of sewer lines in the northwest part of the city has been completed as well as the process of submitting a grant request for $450,000 to go along with the city’s portion of the $600,000 project. The project itself will involve either relining or replacing current piping, whichever will be the most cost effective for the city. Read More
IDOA reverses decision after investigation, awards funding to SBLHC
by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com
The ensuing fears over the Peace Meal program and it doing away with hot meals come October 1 were put to rest Tuesday night, as a statement was released explaining that Sarah Bush Lincoln Hospital has now been awarded the funding, thus keeping the Peace Meal program intact. Read More
After being a student of Bruce Weber’s at UIUC, Yoder continues to learn at Kansas
Photo Submitted
Dustin Yoder (left) is seen here at Kansas State University with close friend Michael Corum. Yoder was recently promoted by Kansas State Men’s Head Basketball Coach Bruce Weber to video coordinator.
by Derek Pope
Bethany Reporter
Dustin Yoder, a graduate of Okaw Valley school system, was recently given an assistant coaching position for Kansas State’s basketball program. The announcement came in late August following a move by head coach, Bruce Weber, which made Drew Speraw the director of basketball operations and Yoder the team’s video coordinator. Prior to receiving the position, Yoder was a graduate assistant during Kansas State’s groundbreaking 2012-2013 season, during which the Wildcats finished with a 27-8 overall record and received their first ever regular season Big 12 championship.
“These are well deserved promotions for both Drew and Dustin,” Weber said in an announcement. “I think staff continuity and chemistry is very important, and both guys were critical to the success we had last season.” Read More
Tragic Shooting in Georgia Last Week Leaves Family Grieving
by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com
Following the standoff that left Sullivan resident Joseph E. Crist dead last week in Georgia, family members as far as Phoenix have come back to Sullivan to remember him and to console one another. Read More
by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com
Columbia County, Ga.–According to a report by the Augusta Chronicle, 58-year old Joseph Crist of Sullivan was killed by Georgia deputies Sunday night following a stand-off on Interstate 20. Read More
The Sullivan City Council addressed a request from Sullivan Elementary School Principal Rita Florey Monday night to have stops signs placed at the intersection of North Graham and Hagerman Streets to help with the traffic congestion when teachers arrive at school and parents are dropping of students on the west side of the school.
Florey’s request was for a stop sign on Graham Street at the north driveway from the school parking lot, another stop sign on Hagerman Street going east at Graham Street, and another stop sign at the north driveway. After considerable discussion the council agreed to have city attorney draw up an ordinance to place a stop sign on North Graham at the north driveway. The stop sign on Hagerman Street was not approved since traffic coming out of the apartment complex could become stacked up. Read More
Photo by Keith Stewart
Moultrie County Clerk Georgia England was honored recently with clerk of the year for zone three, which comprises 21 counties in central Illinois. She will now have the chance of being selected as Illinois’ Clerk of the Year as one of four finalists. If selected, she could go on to be chosen as Illinois’ elected offical of the year.
by Barry Featheringill
Sullivan Reporter
Moultrie county clerk Georgia England was overwhelmed when at the zone three monthly meeting of Illinois Association of County Clerks & Recorders (IACCR) she was named “County Clerk of the Year”. So overwhelmed in fact, that upon returning to her office in Sullivan, she almost forgot to tell her staff.
England had no idea that she would even be nominated for the honor.
Zone 3 is made up of 21 counties (of the 102 counties in the state of Illinois) covering the east central counties from Clark to Christian then north to Woodford and then back to the state line at Kankakee.
In September all 102 county clerks will be voting on the county clerks of the year from all four zones of the state of Illinois. The county clerk selected as clerk of the year for the state will then compete for elected official for the year for the entire state competing against elected officials such as county treasurer, county coroner, and circuit clerk from all four zones
In 2001, when England’s husband Gerald, who was county clerk at the time, passed away, Georgia recalls her former boss Steve Wood telling her jokingly that she could do the job as he knew her work ethic and “if she didn’t take the county clerk position, she was fired”. Read More