Category Archives: News Section

County Board Hears how Local Fire Departments Utilized ARPA Funds

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•September 20, 2023•

by Crystal Reed

The Moultrie County Board held a regular meeting on Thursday, September 14. Board member Scott Buxton attended the meeting via phone. During the guest speaker portion of the meeting, the board was able to hear from representatives of Sullivan Fire, Lovington Fire and Bethany Fire Departments and Moultrie County Habitat for Humanity in regards to how the organizations utilized their ARPA funds. 

Sullivan Assistant Fire Chief Chris Wright reported they received a ARPA grant in 2022. He noted they were operating a 2008 Ford ambulance that was experiencing many mechanical problems to the point where it would not run. They had another ambulance that was out of commission due to striking a deer. 

The department made a request for $245,000 to purchase a new ambulance to replace the 2008 one. Several options were explored including mounting the box on a new chassis. They found a demo ambulance at a reduced cost of $208,000.  Read More

Hometown LOVE Reveals Latest Project to the Lovington Community

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photo by Crystal Reed
From left to right: Dennis Garmon (mayor) Tracy Garmon, Westin Perrero (artist) and Hometown Love board members Stephanie Leinard, Jamie Franklin, Kelly Cree, and Pamela Anklam.

•September 20, 2023•

by Crystal Reed

Hometown LOVE revealed their latest project to the Lovington community on Saturday, September 16. Over the past couple of years they have helped multiple families with their yards, partnered with the food pantry and brought a blessing box to the town. The group put in hours to add the planter box to the Lovington Fire Department property. 

Going into 2023 Hometown LOVE knew that they wanted to do a big project that would benefit the whole town and beautify it. They asked Gary Smith if they could use his building to help do that.  Read More

Illinois Amish Heritage Center to host program on quilting techniques

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•September 13, 2023•

by Crystal Reed

The Illinois Amish Heritage Center will host Sharon K. Jack of Country Home Quilting and More on Saturday, September 30, at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on their campus. Cost is $10 which includes admission to the campus and the program. Jack will be doing a techniques demonstration on the evolution of quilting techniques from how her grandmother made quilts and how she makes quilts. She will have samples of the different tools used as well as display boards. Read More

City Council Approves Ordinance Amending Electric Rates

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•September 13, 2023•

by Crystal Reed

The Sullivan City Council held a meeting Monday, September 11, and voted to approve an ordinance amending electric rates. Commissioner Doug Shook was absent due to being on vacation. Commissioner Mike Kirk said the last council hired a company to do a study, and they broke down the fixed rates including meter reading, meter replacement, billing, customer service, etc.

The total of that was $9.00 currently, but the fees come to $17.37. He said that over the years they are going to get that number. Starting October 1, this will change from $9.00 to $11.80 on residential.

“Every class of rates is charged differently,” he said. Kirk noted the average of all of the six different classes is a 3.5% increase. The ordinance was approved. Read More

Honor Blood Drive for Jodi Phelps

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photo by Jeri Davis
Honor Blood Drive for Jodi Phelps
An Honor Blood Drive for Jodi Phelps was held on Saturday, September 9 at the Sullivan American Legion. 90 units of blood were collected during the drive. There were several donors that reached milestones for gallons of blood donated. Lucia Roney has given 17 gallons of blood and Terrie Punches has given 16 gallons of blood. Pictured above is Lucia Roney (left) with Jodi Phelps (right) during the blood drive.

Windsor Junior/Senior High Holds Open House to Showcase Renovations

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photo by Crystal Reed
The gymnasium as Windsor Junior/Senior High, as a result of renovations, has a refinished floor, paint, new bleachers, upgraded scoreboard and eventually air conditioning which has been delayed to Spring 2024 due to part delays.

•September 13, 2023•

by Crystal Reed

Windsor Junior/Senior High School had a renovation open house Wednesday, September 6. The open house was to show the newly renovated gym, gym lobby, locker rooms, ladies’ restroom and library. In addition to those renovations there is the addition of air conditioning and electrical upgrades and a large section of tuckpointing done on the 1936 portion of the high school. Read More

Arthur Cheese Festival Celebrates 50th Year

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•September 6, 2023•

The Arthur Cheese Festival was held on Saturday, September 2-Monday, September 4. This year the festival celebrated it’s 50th year. On Saturday the event featured a car show, buggy and pony rides, the International Cheese Curling Championships, Ceremonial Cutting of the Cheese, The Big Cheese Parade, Cheese Eating Nationals, Founders Day Dinner and music. On Sunday, the day started with a community worship service with other events throughout the day including cheese carving, kiddie tractor pull, an ice cream social, music, corn hole tournament. On Monday, the last day of the festival, there was the Rat Race 5K and 10K runs, cheese curd spitting contest and sub sandwich giveaway. Throughout the weekend each day there was free cheese given away at the cheese tent. More photos are on page 8.

Moultrie County Woman Arrested for Possession of Illegal Substances, DUI and Child Endangerment 

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•September 6, 2023•

On Saturday, September 2, 2023, the Bethany Police Department arrested Danielle M. Payton, age 33, of Sullivan, Illinois, for the offenses of Possession of Controlled Substances, DUI, and Child Endangerment.

Police were called to Dollar General located in Bethany, Illinois around 5:00 p.m. in response to reports of a woman passed out in the driver’s seat of an automobile in the parking lot. The windows were up on the vehicle and the key was found in the ignition. Read More

MCHD Now Offering Lab Services

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photo by Crystal Reed
Registered Nurse Kim Garcia prepares to take blood from a patient at the Moultrie County Health Department recently. The health department recently added lab services to the list of services they offer. They have partnered with the company Labcorp to provide this service to the community.

•September 6, 2023•

by Crystal Reed

The Moultrie County Health Department recently began offering laboratory diagnostic testing services in the county. In partnership with Labcorp, Inc., MCHD can provide residents with a lower cost and easy to access solution for required labs. Moultrie County Health Department Administrator Angie Hogan said last month the department was able to serve 15 persons with lab services.

Lab service visits consist of two parts, the office visit which is provided by the health department and diagnostic testing which is provided by Labcorp. Payment to MCHD for the office is required at time of service. Charges for labs may be paid at the time of the visit or individuals can opt to have Labcorp bill their insurance. Read More

Arthur Celebrates Sesquicentennial with Founders’ Day Dinner

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photo by Crystal Reed
Sesquicentennial Essay Winner
A contest was held in Arthur earlier this year where students were asked to write essays in regards to Arthur’s Sesquicentennial. The overall winner of that contest Adyson Hopkins whose essay was titled “150 Years of Arthur” was given the honor of reading her essay during the Founders’ Day Dinner.

•September 6, 2023•

The Village of Arthur celebrated 150 years with a Founders’ Day dinner at Penn Station Saturday, September 2. The dinner celebrated Arthur being established on September 2, 1873.

The program began with a presentation from Illinois State Senator Chapin Rose, who presented a message from the Illinois Senate. That was followed by reading a letter of welcome from Richard J. Durbin. The National Anthem was sung by members of the ALAH High School Choir directed by Stephen McClarey. Read More