4.97% Levy Increase Ahead

•November 25, 2015•

By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress

The checkbook currently has $7,169, 575.50, and all funds are in the black,” stated superintendent Ken Schwengel at the most recent Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond School Board meeting. “The state aid payments are scheduled through December 20, but after the first of the year, I am not sure what will happen,” he stated. “We’ve received 90% of the property taxes and have not received any incentive funding yet,” he added.

The board also discussed and approved a tentative 2015 tax levy for property taxes paid in 2016. The levy is set at a 4.97% increase in property taxes. There won’t be a Truth in Taxation hearing since the increase is less than 5%. The levy was calculated from the estimated 3% increase in the district’s assessed value. In 2014 it was $193,270,479 and in 2015 it increased to $199,068,593. The tax rate for Arthur and Lovington will be $3.56 per $100 assessed value and those in the Atwood-Hammond area will be $4.62 per $100. The board will vote on the final tax levy at their December 9 meeting.

Other matters that were discussed or voted upon:

-The district received $3,700- their first check from Piatt County sales tax. Read More

•November 18, 2015•

Moultrie County board members learned of the progress of the No Job Left Behind initiative at the November 12 meeting.

Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development Director Stepheny McMahon explained that the initiative to promote jobs and job training for local businesses has grown since 2013.

“We have grown to include 160 different people from business, manufacturing and education,” McMahon said. “ During our recent No Job Left Behind manufacturing tour, Okaw Valley took the whole school.”

The partnership between area schools, manufacturing and business has led districts to implement new vocational offerings for those wishing to enter the workforce right out of high school.

McMahon explained the $5000 investment by the county continues to produce results with the No Job Left Behind initiative.

“We are implementing a new program at the eighth grade level to help get students thinking about their future goals,” McMahon said, indicating they were working to expand into the lower grades to increase awareness.

Central Illinois Public Transportation mobility manager Jennifer Moore responded to questions from board member Roger Glazebrook concerning the service to which Moultrie County contributes $1000 annually. Read More

 End Season on High Note

•November 11, 2015•

The Okaw Valley Marching Timberwolves ended their 2015 season Saturday Oct. 31 with third place in the Class 1A field competition and second place in the Class 1A parade competition in the Pinckneyville Mardi Gras Field Show and Parade.

In addition, the OV percussion tied for first place in the parade, and Nick Tipsword was awarded best soloist in Class 1A field. The competition is a popular one for OV as it adds the fun of an overnight trip and a nighttime parade with Halloween costumes substituted for uniforms.

It was a successful season for the small but determined band of 29 members. There were five field competitions in September and October, with the Timberwolves taking home two firsts, one second, and two third place rankings in overall band score.

Although outscored by five schools, they defeated a total of 15, most of which have a much larger student enrollment and band membership. In addition, their drum majors, percussion, and color guard received Best in Class one time each in field competitions this season.

The band’s show this year had a New Orleans theme, and judging by the cheers from the stands, it was popular with the crowds in addition to the judges. A major goal of the Marching Timberwolves is audience entertainment. The reaction during the performances and the compliments afterwards, often from complete strangers, indicate the band’s success at being fun to watch and hear.

The Marching Timberwolves are directed by Theresa Colclasure and assisted by Kathy Doty and Cami Brown, color guard coaches, David Hagerman, drill design/instruction and Taylor Colclasure, marching coach.  Read More

Photo by RR Best
The cast of The Wedding Singer is in costume and ready for a weekend of performances at The Little Theatre On The Square in Sullivan.

Four Weekend Performances

•November 4, 2015•

Sullivan High School is presenting “The Wedding Singer” starting Friday, Nov. 6 at the Little Theatre On The Square.

This production by the Sullivan Singers is a first for show choir director Jeff Thomas this season and promises to be a good time for audiences.

The musical was created following the popularity of “The Wedding Singer” movie starring Adam Sandler.

“It’s a comedy that pokes fun at the 80s era, with all the glitter and big hair of the time,” Thomas said of the story of a guy performing as a wedding singer during the 80s glam rock era.

“There are some great 80s rock songs and some iconic characters like Hulk Hogan and Cindy Lauper blending into a really funny show.”

Thomas explained the musical is a lot of fun for audiences.

“For high schoolers it is important to keep it light,” he said of the musical. “Everyone likes a good laugh, and it is very entertaining.”

All the 51 Sullivan Singers and stage crew are involved in the production with the Sullivan Singers combo providing musical back up.

Thomas noted that the Little Theatre is building the sets and providing sound and lighting for the performances.

It is an ambitious production that began only five weeks ago. He explained that some characters have as many as 200 lines, and the lead has six to seven songs to learn in less than a month. Read More

In Eagle Creek Resort Revival 

•October 21, 2015•

By Mike Brothers

Moultrie County took steps to kick start attempts to revive Eagle Creek Resort at the regular meeting Thursday, October 15.

Finance and budget chair Ron White proposed that an additional $50,000 be placed in the current budget’s contingency fund, which was approved unanimously.

County board chairman Dave McCabe explained the purpose of the transfer.

Moultrie and Shelby county governments working with the Illinois Department of Nature Resources have an engineering study under way to determine feasibility of reopening Eagle Creek.

McCabe explained that the $138,000 study stopped when the state’s budget expired.

With the IDNR grant suspended, progress gained by the group is threatened, according to the board chairman.

“We have developers interested in the project, but we can’t move forward until the engineering study is completed,” McCabe said.

He went on to point out the consensus of the Shelby/Moultrie county committee, which includes city government representatives, was to share the cost of completing the study with hopes when the state gets a budget, the local loan will be reimbursed.

McCabe said $92,000 is needed for the 20 weeks to complete the IDNR study. Read More