Kayak for Laughs

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Photo by R.R. Best
Kayak for Laughs
Enough rain fell in Sullivan to turn normal streets into rivers for navigation. Above Rob and Whitney Martz take a kayak and tube cruise on their street in Bethany. According to the Illinois State Climatoligist Office 3.47 inches fell in Sullivan over the weekend with Sunday alone getting 2.77 inches. Lovington got a 2.46 inch weekend total and 2.06 one day maximum. Arthur received 2.06 inches for the weekend with a 1.11 inch single day maximum. Weekend totals are from 8 a.m. Friday, June 14 through 8 a.m. Monday, June 17.

Lovington Village Considers Railroad Property Sale

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•June 19, 2019•
The May 13 meeting of the Lovington village board opened with Clerk Alma Fair leading newly elected trustees April Daily and Al Rennert in the oath of office.
President Roger Walker called the new board to order and read a letter of resignation from Doug Smith. President Walker recommended Gary Clem take Smith’s place with trustees concurring. Read More

Circuit Court Fees Increase

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•June 19, 2019•
Starting July 1 fees for criminal, traffic and civil court cases will increase significantly in the county.
Moultrie County Circuit Clerk Christa Helmuth explained the legislation aimed at equalizing the fee structure in circuit courts was passed in 2018.
Under Public Act 100-987 traffic related fee charges ranging from a seat belt to a 25 mile per hour over the speed limit will increase to a minimum $164, she noted as an example.
Child restraint which was a traffic citation in the past is now a Class C Misdemeanor and filling fee for divorce has risen to $326. Read More

Lovington Journalism Adviser Inducted into Hall of Fame

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•June 19, 2019•
Throughout her advising career and now as a longtime retiree, Carol Smith has served scholastic journalism admirably, for her Lovington students and consolidated school community, for her mentees and for the state organization.
During her long career as newspaper adviser at Lovington High School, Carol inspired her students and community.
She molded close relationships with area professional media, she taught her students solid reporting and editing skills, and she stood up for them in various arenas.
She is still in contact with many of her former students, and she is continually proud of their accomplishments, whether they stayed in journalism or not.
Smith continued to educate herself on journalism curriculum, ethics and law, and she was an early supporter of the IHSA state journalism tournament––and she even judged two categories last year. Read More

Fans Donated

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Fans Donated
Moultrie County Pest Control donated fans to Mid-Illinois Senior Services, Inc. Moultrie County Senior and Community Center on Thursday, June 13. Pictured are L to R: Rob Young- Owner-Moultrie County Pest Control, Linda Sutton, Kathi Garvey-Director-Mid-Illinois Senior Services, Inc., Barb Sutton, Peggy Booker, and Lyle Isaacs-Moultrie County Pest Control assistant.

Community Band

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Community Band
The Sullivan Community Band performed a free concert in Wyman Park last week.
SHS Band director Shaun Schaefers is the leader of the band which includes musicians from Moultrie, Douglas and Shelby counties.
Photo by R.R. Best

New Leadership for Sullivan Police Department

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Photo by Mike Brothers
Sullivan Police Department leadership change includes Josh Qualls, assistant chief of police, and Police Chief Andy Pistorius. Mayor Richard Glazebrook appointed Pistorius to replace retiring Sullivan Police Chief Jim Waggoner.

•June 12, 2019•
Sullivan has a new chief of police and assistant chief bringing small town peace keeping and the latest technology possible its citizens.
“This is our home, and we want to keep it safe and secure as it has always been,” new Sullivan Chief of Police Andy Pistorius said.
Pistorius replaced retiring chief Jim Waggoner and was officially appointed chief of the department by mayor Richard Glazebrook at the May 28 city council meeting.
Chief Pistorius explained maintaining Sullivan’s safe small town atmosphere is the future challenge as technology gets more involved in everyday life. Read More

Sullivan Makes Clean Sweep of City Streets

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•June 12, 2019•
By Mike Brothers

Sullivan is making a clean sweep of its streets in homage to the Cubs sweeping the Cardinals last weekend.
A new $218,672.15 Pelican three broom street sweeper was approved for purchase by Sullivan City Council at the June 10 meeting in Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library.
Street commissioner Peggy Hargis made the motion, explaining the 1992 street sweeper was beyond repair.
Mayor Richard Glazebrook noted several sweepers were tested, and the consensus of employees and staff was the broom sweeper would best serve the city’s needs.
Commissioners Abbey Sherwood, Mike Fowler and Chuck Woodworth joined Hargis and Glazebrook to unanimously approve the purchase.
Prior to accepting comments from the public Mayor Glazebrook established the procedure: questions should be addressed to the mayor first, then redirected as necessary. Read More

New Funding Formula; More MFT for County

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•June 12, 2019•
By Mike Brothers

The new state formula to generate revenue for road and bridge repairs could be a good thing for Moultrie County.
Proposed increased taxes at the gas pump have created speculation, but restricting the tax for road and bridge repair is a step toward improving the state’s infrastructure.
Motor Fuel Tax is collected by the state with a share distributed to local governments for use in annual road maintenance.
Moultrie County Highway engineer Jeff Birch explained the county’s share of MFT funds will double when the July 1, 2019 bill takes effect.
“Granted we won’t get all the funds at once, but doubling MFT funds gives the county a chance to develop future projects,” Birch said.
The one million Wilborn Creek Road project a few years ago utilized federal funds with local matching funds recycling the existing surface into a county highway that has withstood extensive boat as well as neighborhood traffic. Read More

Annual Cookout

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Photo by Mike Brothers
Annual Cookout
Sullivan Boy Scout Troop 39 members were performing their annual cooking chores on the Sullivan IGA parking lot to commemorate Sullivan Townwide Rummages held June 7 and 8. IGA and First Community Bank joined the News Progress sponsoring the annual event. Above Scout Max Harner watches over brats at the beginning of lunch Friday, June 7.