News Progress

•June 26, 2019•
By Mike Brothers

Sullivan’s City Council improved Electric Dept. salaries and removed employee residency restrictions but said no to chickens in the city.
Public Property Commissioner Mike Fowler proposed the journeyman lineman base rate increased to $39.05 per hour. Fowler explained lack of competitive wage for journeymen has made it difficult to hold skilled electricians in the department.
The wage restructure is based on the entry journeyman lineman rate with first apprentice 65% at $25.38; up to fourth step apprentice $33.19.
Fowler noted seven day on call service was set at a flat $275 along and removal of residency were also approved changes to the current IBEW Local 51 contract. The modified IBEW contract was unanimously approved by the council. Read More

Photo by Mike Brothers
Shelby County Dive Team rescues Brittany Landreth and her two daughters from flood waters that threatened their home on N. Church Street in Bethany.

•June 26, 2019•
What happens when four inches of rain falls in half an hour?
Bethany was hit with four inches of rain within half an hour on June 19 that left streets flowing like an angry river and residents still dealing with flood conditions.
With a torrent of water rushing down North Church Street, Bethany Fire District called on the Shelby County Dive team to rescue Brittany Landreth and her two daughters by boat, while Bethany personnel escorted son Alex from Tamara Lillico’s house next door, utilizing guide ropes to steady the team against the rushing water.
“It came on all at once,” Bethany Fire Chief Tom Rucker said of the 1 p.m. deluge of water. “Firefighters turned out well for the middle of the day, and we first went to the grade school where water got inside the building.” Read More

•June 19, 2019•
By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress

The Sullivan School Board was presented at their recent meeting with a proposal from the Sullivan High School band for a field trip to New Orleans for the 2020-2021 school year
Some of the opportunities presented for this trip include playing at a public venue, receiving a clinic from a collegiate institution, watching a performance of the Preservation Jazz Band and learning about the culture, history and architecture in the New Orleans area. The band also has plans to visit some of the museums and go on a few tours as well. The trip is scheduled during spring break of April 5-9, 2021. By planning and scheduling the trip for another year, it will enable families the ability to financially plan and give students some chances to do some fundraisers as well. School board members Erik Stollard, Jason Florey, Tyson Grooms and Jeff White unanimously passed the proposal stating that students would need to set up accounts in which to place money for the trip. Norm Wood, Zak Horn and Steve Poland were absent. Read More

•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