Photo by Crystal Reed
Rep. Halbrook and Sen. McClure Host Town Hall
State Rep. Brad Halbrook and State Senator Steve McClure hosted a town hall at the Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library on Monday, February 20. Both legislators gave updates on what is happening in Springfield and took questions from those in attendance. Topics included the expansion of abortion, unconstitutional gun ban, administrative pay raises and Governor Pritzker’s FY 2024 budget.
Photo by Crystal Reed
Moultrie County Spelling Bee
The Moultrie County Spelling Bee was held on Thursday, February 16 at the Little Theatre On The Square. Spellers from Sullivan Elementary and Junior High and Lovington Grade participated in the bee. The top speller that will be moving on to the next level is Macee Boddy (right). Runner up was John Williams IV (left). Both are students at Lovington Grade School.
•February 22, 2023•
by Ariana R. Cherry
Superintendent Shannon Cheek, members of the school board and Rod Wright of Creative Entourage discussed the results of the facility survey that was sent out to members of the communities of the ALAH School District at the most recent Board of Education meeting which was held at Lovington Grade School.
In the communities of Arthur, Lovington and Atwood, only 361 surveys were completed. One of the main reasons that those who voted selected no to the proposal was they worried that the tax increase would be too much. Another big worry was that the elementary schools in Atwood and Lovington would eventually be closed down and/or torn down. Board member Ryan Nettles pointed out that since the high schools have all consolidated, both the Atwood and Lovington buildings were torn down. People could have some anxiety about their elementary buildings being torn down next. One other concern to which voters chose no to the proposal was the uncertainty of the current state of the economy. Read More
•February 22, 2023•
by Crystal Reed
The Sullivan City Council held a regular meeting Tuesday, February 14.
Commissioner Abbey Sherwood reported that at the park they removed stumps from the playground and have been working on cleaning up Tabor Park. She estimated they are about two months out on a bid package for the splash pad.
Concerning the city building, she noted that the demolition has taken place. She noted that the process had gone relatively smoothly. Sherwood also read a prepared statement.
She said that the council had been asked to slow down or delay the project. “We cannot slow this project down,” she said. “It’s not been a slow process, and it has taken three years to get to where we are today.” Sherwood noted that the building has been severely neglected for decades and hundreds of dollars spent to band-aid serious issues. Read More
Photo by Crystal Reed
Mid-Illinois Senior Services Inc. Holds Valentine Luncheon
Mid-Illinois Senior Services Inc. held their Valentine Luncheon on Friday, February 10 at the senior center. Part of the luncheon included a poetry contest as well as a catered lunch and door prizes. Winners received gift certificates to area businesses. Poetry contest winners were first place Harry McCorkle with “Helen’s Song”, second place Shirley Ford with “Twas the Night After Christmas”, third place Rachele Lane with “My Husband” and Honorable Mention to Joane Hutton.
•February 15, 2023•
Lake Land College students and community members will have the opportunity to explore London, England and Paris, France in June 2023. Those interested can secure a spot on the trip for less than $100 by March 20, 2023.
Those participating will depart from Lake Land College on Friday, June 23, 2023 and will return Saturday, July 1, 2023
The trip will include a stop at Disneyland Paris on the trip’s final day as well as the optional opportunity to attend a St. Louis Cardinals vs. Chicago Cubs MLB exhibition game in London, England. Read More
•February 15, 2023•
Sheep to Yarn to Quilts returns to the Illinois Amish Heritage Center on Saturday, May 13, 2023, and hours for the event are from 7:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. CDT. This event will include sheep shearing demonstrations, cleaning and dyeing the wool, and spinning it into wool. Weavers will demonstrate weaving with looms, and quilting displays and demonstrations will complete the journey from Sheep to Yarn to Quilts. Visitors will be invited to try their hand at many of the activities being demonstrated. Read More
•February 15, 2023•
by Crystal Reed
The Moultrie County Board held a regular meeting Thursday, February 9 where they heard an update on Central Illinois Public Transit from representative Nathan Nichols. So far this year they have 45 new riders and 23 last year.
Nichols said they are on target to see a 32 percent increase in trips from FY 22. Trip purposes include general business, medical, employment, education, nutrition, shopping and social/recreational. “Moultrie County has one full time driver and two part time drivers,” Nichols said. “We have substitute positions open currently.”
The Effingham County Health Department received a grant which allowed them to hire a new position and a driver in Effingham County. The dispatcher will also be able to be utilized in Moultrie County. They are a non-emergency medical transportation provider.
He mentioned over the holiday season they took a group to Shelbyville, and they attended a concert at the Chautauqua building. Nichols added that they work with the senior center quite a bit as well. The transportation is offered through CEFS. He noted that in this county they transport students to school on a regular basis. Read More
Photo by Crystal Reed
Caitlin Mellendorf tests a dial gauge pressure canner lid to see if it is accurate at Arthur Public Library after the program held on February 4.
•February 8, 2023•
by Crystal Reed
Approximately a dozen people interested in learning about preserving food through canning attended Yes! You Can: Preserving Safely at the Arthur Public Library Saturday, February 4. The program was led by Nutrition and Wellness Educator Caitlin Mellendorf.
She began the program by explaining the two ways that food usually spoils. The first is through microorganisms causing food spoilage including molds, yeast and bacteria. Controlling the growing conditions for these harmful microorganisms is the best way to prevent food spoilage and decrease the risk of foodborne illness. Another way is through enzymes; she gave the example of bananas that change color over time. Read More
Photo by Crystal Reed
Marrowbone Public Library Story Time
Marrowbone Public Library in Bethany holds story time on Fridays, starting in September and going through December and then resuming in January until May at 11:15 am. It is open to preschoolers ages 3-5. Programming includes books, crafts and a snack and it goes for one half hour. Pictured is Children’s Librarian Lesa Oathout reading to children at story time.