Flooded Road

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Photo by R.R. Best
Flooded Road
The intersection of CR1425N and 1575E was impassable Saturday morning. Asssitant Fire Chief Larry Edwards reported the Sullivan Fire Protection District was called to the location east of Jonathon Creek Christian Church at 8:09 a.m. Jan. 11 where they assisted the dive team in rescuing the vehicle and its driver from high water. The Dodge van stalled in about two feet of water at the intersection as the driver was en route to transport members of the Amish community. Moultrie County Dive team member Jason Smith (left) prepares the van for towing as Moultrie County Sheriff Chris Sims discusses the weather with the driver. No injuries were involved with Sullivan Fire District and Dive Team personnel clearing the scene at 9:49 a.m.

2019-2020 Windsor High School Homecoming Court

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2019-2020 Windsor High School Homecoming Court
Windsor High School will be hosting its Homecoming Dance on Saturday, January 25th at the high school. Coronation will be at 7:30 p.m. and is open to the public. This year’s theme is Hawaiian Luau. Court members are pictured, Back row L to R: King candidates Mason Campbell, Brandon Milligan, and Eli Howard, Junior attendant Morgan Greuel, Sophomore attendant Sam Welton, and Freshman attendant Rhett Rincker. Front row L to R: Queen candidates Ava Bennett, Hannah Reed, and Zoe Nichols, Junior attendant Haley Beck, Sophomore attendant Karlie Bean, and Freshman attendant Kiersten Wheeler.

Sue Weaver-Three Decades at The Sullivan Civic Center

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Sue Weaver

•January 8, 2020•
By Ellen Ferrera
for The News Progress

December 23 was the final day of a successful 32-year career as Director of the Sullivan Civic Center for Sue Weaver.
Her retirement leaves only Bill White as the last member of her original 1987 staff.
“I can’t think of a better job than here in this community where my kids could go to school where I worked” Sue said in reflection. “I will truly miss the staff and all the kids.”
Weaver grew up in Princeton, IL and majored in recreational administration at Eastern Illinois University where she met her husband. Although her mother was a P.E. teacher Sue knew she didn’t want to teach but wanted to stay active in recreation.
For two years she worked in Decatur at the YWCA and in 1987 the Assistant Director position became available at the Civic Center which was perfect because she and her family lived in Sullivan. Two years later she was appointed Director.
Weaver lost no time implementing water exercise classes and swim lesson programs in cooperation with the elementary school to expand Civic Center offerings. Read More

County Clerk and Recorder Upgrades Improve Security and Service

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•January 8, 2020•
The Moultrie County Clerk and Recorder’s office recently updated recording technology and services.
County Clerk Georgia England explained this is provided to constituents by upgrading recording software to Fidlar Technologies’ AVID land records management software, which promotes improved efficiency and security.
“AVID brings efficiency and integrity to county recording by improving the day-to-day responsibilities,” England said. “Streamlining office workflow and reducing the amount of paperwork required.”
The Recorder’s office has been accepting eRecording (electronic recording filings) since September 2018, making it possible for submitters to record documents without having to drive or mail the documents to the Recorder’s office.
Documents may be submitted electronically to Moultrie County from anywhere in the country and recorded all in a day’s time instead of several days, and in some instances even a week. Read More

New Animal Warden Honors Retiring Pet Patrol Team

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Photo by Mike Brothers
Moultrie County Animal Control Warden Sam Donaker (left) and Animal Control Ambassador Ruby retired at the first of the year. New Animal Control Warden Moultrie County Deputy Caleb Smith (right) presented Donaker with a certificate of appreciation for his dedicated service as Animal Control Warden. Facility director Betsy Miller (center) presented Ruby with her favorite “Pupperoni” treat for serving as Sam’s companion and animal control ambassador.

•January 8, 2020•
By Mighty Manfred
for The News Progress

There is a new warden in Moultrie County.
Animal Control Warden Sam Donaker and his trusty sidekick, Ruby retired from full time duties in Moultrie County January 1, 2020.
Deputy Caleb Smith is the new Animal Control Warden and Emergency Services and Disaster Agency director with offices at the Animal Control Shelter.
Sam and Ruby’s retirement was recognized last week with shelter pet facilitator Betsy Miller and Smith presenting the pair with a certificate of appreciation and Pupperoni Treats.
Sam passed on the treats, but Ruby did not.
Deputy Smith noted Donaker’s love of animals and Ruby’s instinct for matching good owners with pets had helped make Moultrie County Animal Control successful.
“Sam and Ruby have done a great job of taking care of the shelter,” Smith said, explaining he looks forward to their occasional visits.
While Donaker was warden Bekki Stevens started a Facebook page which was utilized along with local pet adoption groups to keep the population of dogs and cats at a minimum in Moultrie County.
With a capacity for up to ten dogs, there were only two awaiting adoption when Donaker and Ruby arrived.
Sam indicated he was happy to turn over the reigns to Deputy Smith, but explained that Ruby would require periodic visits to make sure things are going the way they should be. Read More

State VOD Competitor

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State VOD Competitor
SHS Senior Blake Thompson won the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ district Voice of Democracy competition and will advance to the state competition. Thompson presented his winning speech January 5 at a VFW district meeting in Decatur where he received a medal, an all-expenses paid weekend trip to Springfield, and award money. VFW commander Russell Craig, VFW Auxiliary Commander Valerie Turnbow, VOD coordinator Jennifer Hobbs, sponsoring teacher Becky Lawson; parents: Candi Cole and Matthew Cole (step dad), father Carl Thompson; grandparents: Daniel Adrian and Gaye Adrian plus several other local VFW and VFW auxiliary members attended the awards ceremony.

ALAH High School Teachers Receive Anonymous Donation

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•January 1, 2020•
By Ariana Cherry
for The News Progress

A public hearing on the 2019 tax levy took place at the ALAH School Board meeting on December 18.
Last year, due to a new increased balance in the IMRF funds, a balloon levy was proposed. The levy will continue to be stable at a relatively low tax rate. Before the hearing, the levy had been on public file for 30 days and a notification was also put in the newspaper. There were no public calls concerning the levy during that time. A motion was made to approve the 2019 tax levy of 3.54 and it was approved.
“Compared to last year at this time, we have $137,000 more in expense items. That is really good, because we’ve had an increase in salaries,” Supt. Shannon Creek explained. “When you consider the increase in salaries and the roof project, we are in really good shape.”
In the Treasurer’s Report he noted “We’ve accumulated 24% expenses up to this point for this fiscal year, so we are right on track if not a little bit ahead.” Read More

Correction

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•January 1, 2020•
In the December 18 News Progress front page story on Genny Sutton’s 102 birthday honor some names were unintentionally omitted. They included Jacob Moritz, great grandson; Jonathan Inman, grandson and Mary Lou Kidwell, sister.

SHS Spanish Club Collects Food Twice for Families in Need

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Photos by Señora King
SHS Spanish Club members collected food and delivered Nov. 22.

•January 1, 2020•
By Seth Mayberry
for The News Progress

Twice over the past two months, the Spanish Club has collected food to be given to five different families in the surrounding Sullivan area.
Each member of the club was assigned a group and everyone signed up for one or more food items to be gathered and delivered on November 22 and again on December 12.
The seniors who are apart of Spanish Club went along with Amy Eller and Jodi Elzy to assist in delivering the food boxes to the families. Mrs. Eller and Mrs. Elzy work at Bright Start which is an organization that helps out families that are less fortunate.
A couple of those seniors who helped distribute the boxes had the following to say about their experiences: Read More