Shawnee Communications Makes Donation to Lovington Grade School Backpack Program

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•January 24, 2024•

On Friday, January 12th, Jamie Franklin, Sales & Marketing Manager for Shawnee Communications, presented the Lovington Grade School Backpack Program with a jump start to the new year in the form of a $9,780 donation. The donation was collected through Shawnee employee contributions, which were matched individually by Shawnee’s four shareholders and that new amount was matched by the company. On hand to receive the donation was Lovington Grade School Principal, Marla Graham.

The Lovington Grade School Backpack Program became a vision for Principal Graham shortly after her arrival at Lovington Grade School. With nearly 70% of her students categorized as “low income” and qualifying for free or reduced lunches, her mission became to help ensure that the basic needs of the students were met so that they could be more focused on receiving an education. Read More

Board Approves Amendment for Manufactured Homes

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•January 17, 2024•

by Crystal Reed

The Moultrie County Board met on Thursday, January 11. Under the planning and zoning committee was an amendment to zoning ordinance 77-1 relating to Manufactured Homes in the unincorporated parts of Moultrie County. According to Kristi Hart, Planning and Zoning Director for Moultrie County, they all currently require a special use permit, but the amendment adds a definition of manufactured home which is in line with the assessors office so they are consistent as well as making them a permitted use in the Ag district if they meet 6 requirements.  Read More

OVMS Offers Unique Elective Courses

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photo by Crystal Reed
Maggie Patient and Eden Hagerman during the Electric Guitar class at OVMS. These explore courses let students learn about everything from foreign language to art and podcasts.

•January 17, 2024•

by Crystal Reed

Okaw Valley Middle School students have the opportunity to learn guitar, design their own comics, learn how to sew and basic concepts of digital photography during their regular school day. The Explore program is in it’s third year at the school. According to OVMS Principal Ross Forlines when the school started to offer the classes there were not as many offerings available to students. 

Prior to the Explore courses there were only three electives - Spanish, Ag and Band and that was only for eighth grade students. Currently there are thirteen offerings for grades 6-8 and two offerings that are eighth grade only.  Read More

Illinois Amish Heritage Center Announces Events for 2024 

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•January 17, 2024•

The Illinois Amish Heritage Center near Arthur has announced their events for the year. The first event of the year is the Sheep, Yarn and Quilts event to be held on Saturday, May 4 from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm. 

Sheep, Yarn and Quilts show teaches attendees how wool is taken from sheep and used to make a quilt. The Amish use many of these methods in their homes today. The show continues to expand each year. The event includes shearing demonstrations of sheep and alpacas.  Read More

Bethany American Legion Post 507 Delivers Donations to VA Home

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photo furnished
Bethany American Legion Post 507 Delivers Donations
to VA Home
Paul Snyder (left) and Sam Scott (right) recently delivered clothing to the VA home in Danville. They donated winter coats, jeans and undergarments with a total value of $1,000. The donation was provided by the Bethany American Legion Post 507 and their Veterans Service Organization (VSO). The Bethany Auxiliary Post 507 had recently donated $500 to the Danville Christmas gift shop and the Yanks Who Gave.

City Council Approves Motion to Help Fire Department with Purchasing New Truck

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•January 10, 2024•

by Crystal Reed

The Sullivan City Council agreed to helping the Sullivan Fire Department and changed the day for Council meetings during their regular meeting on Monday, January 8. 

The first item under new business was discussion and possible approval of a TIF agreement with the Sullivan Fire Protection District. The fire protection district has asked help to purchase a new truck. They asked for $40,000 a year for ten years out of TIF funds. Doug Shook said that fire trucks are important and that he would hate to lose a house in Cedar Dale or elsewhere.  Read More

Moultrie County Childcare Committee Grants $21,600 to Sullivan Preschool

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•January 10, 2024•

The Moultrie County Childcare Committee recently announced the awarding of a substantial grant totaling $21,600 to Sullivan Preschool in acknowledgment of its exemplary commitment to providing exceptional childcare services in Moultrie County. This grant reflects the committee’s dedication to supporting and enhancing early childhood education within our community.

As advocates for quality childcare and education, the Moultrie County Childcare Committee recognizes the pivotal role that Sullivan Preschool plays in nurturing the development of our youngest community members. Read More

Year in Review Continued from Last Week

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•January 3, 2024•

August

This year’s Sullivan Fire Cadet cadet class had five students they were Taylor Mercer, Alex Epperson, Dave Selby, Beau Fleming and Troy Rogers. The three month academy offered in house focused on topics such as equipment, CPR and ladders. 

Demolition began on Sullivan Middle School.

Findlay Walleye Fest was held with a parade on Saturday morning and live music throughout the three day festival. This year’s Grand Marshals were Duane and Marjorie Uphoff. There was also a 3 on 3 basketball tournament in Findlay Park and a bags tournament in the beer tent. 

Dalton City 13th Annual All Wheel Extravaganza was held featured not only cars and trucks but tractors, motorcycles and other vehicles on wheels. The event included food, entertainment by the band CoalShaft, vendor booths, 50/50, door prizes and a silent auction. 

The St. Jude Mattoon to Peoria run was held. Runners from Sullivan, Bethany and Lovington were part of the run. The main fundraiser for the Moultrie County recipients was the St. Jude Dash and Bash which is held in June each year. The run stopped in the late morning at the Findlay Fire Department giving runners a chance to have breakfast and a brief rest before continuing on the route. The department also presented a $100 check to the team to help them with their fundraising goal. 

Former area U.S. Rep. Glenn Poshard and journalist Carl Walworth traveled the local area for book signings in Effingham, Mattoon, Sullivan and Decatur. Walworth and Poshard have published “Son of Southern Illinois, Glen Poshard’s Life in Politics and Education through SIU Press. 

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2023 Tax Levy Hearing Held at December ALAH School Board Meeting

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•January 3, 2024•

by Ariana Cherry

A public hearing on the 2023 Tax Levy was held at the most recent meeting held of the ALAH School Board. Superintendent Shannon Cheek noted that the combined increase for the area districts around us the last few years has been at 7%. “We have been ballooning the levy in this district and so far, that has worked for us,” said Cheek. “I have looked at 22 other schools and we are at the bottom as far as tax rates are concerned. We have been extremely conservative. It is being fiscally responsible for the taxpayers,” he stated. After the hearing, it was voted and approved that the levy would be raised to 8% to give the district some extra room as needed. 

The 2023 District Audit was also approved. “The auditors we normally use were bought out by another firm, so we have someone new doing our audit,” informed Cheek. The new firm would not be presenting the audit like it had been done in the past. Cheek presented one of the highlights of the district stating that it still had a financial profile score of 4.0 which is recognition. “This is something we should be proud of as a district. We have been mindful of our spending,” he said.  Read More