Sullivan Mayoral Candidates Participate in Meet and Greet

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Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Sullivan Mayoral candidates Bill Burger, Incumbent Mayor Ann Short and Richard Glazebrook visited the Senior Center in Sullivan last week.

•February 20, 2019•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

Mayoral candidates were guest speakers at a free luncheon provided by Mason Point at the Senior Center in Sullivan on February 15.
Current mayor Ann Short introduced herself to the 65 seniors in attendance and recalled that after moving to Sullivan, “I began my career in the treasurer’s office, and in 1975 when the office became vacant, I was voted the first woman treasurer of Sullivan.” She retired as treasurer in 2003 but was asked to run for mayor—an office she has held for the past 16 years.
Short stressed that government is a “we” thing. There are five commissioners, and they all work together really well.
She admitted to bein

g “old school” but really loves being mayor of Sullivan and would like to continue serving the community.
William “Bill” Burger spoke next, and he is running on a platform of “Change and Transparency”. He has spent the past two years researching, in particular, the rate of Sullivan’s population to the appropriations and also the TIF districts. Read More

Okaw Valley Schools Plan Major Building Improvements

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Photo by Mike Brothers
Tom Caldwell from Stifel Investments explained financing during the public information session.

•February 20, 2019•

By Mike Brothers

Okaw Valley School District #302 plans for major improvements were unveiled before a crowd of interested citizens Feb. 13.
Parents and civic leaders filled the high school cafeteria as Supt. Kent Stauder gave background on the proposed $6.5 million project which includes a new high school gym, secured entry improvements at the high school and middle school in Findlay plus new playground equipment for the elementary school.
“We are investing in future generations’ memories,” Stauder said. He pointed out when the existing gym was built in 1937-38, some said it didn’t make sense, but that gymnasium has provided more than 80 years of memories for the students who passed through it.
“We want our kids to have the best experience they can have,” he continued, emphasizing the recently completed erg facility and the athletic complex illustrate the commitment of the community and school board to provide Okaw Valley students a well-rounded education.
Stauder explained administrators including high school principal Matt Schoaff, middle school principal Russ Forlines and elementary principal Heidi Vander Burgh were crucial to the success of the #YnotOV philosophy and would be on hand to help answer questions.
Members of the OVHS student council were escorts for the evening as the group was divided. Damien Schlitt of BLDD Architects went over the schematics of the construction in the new biology room with Tom Crabtree of Stifel Investments, the bond seller, explaining the financial side in the new chemistry room. Read More

Eagle Creek Resort Becomes Fire Training Ground

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Photo by R.R. Best
Firefighters from Sullivan, Bethany, Lovington, Windsor and Shelbyville removed chemicals from the shuttered Eagle Creek Resort over the weekend as local departments prepare to burn the mold infested resort in three different training sessions over the next two months.

•February 20, 2019•

By Mike Brothers

Eagle Creek Resort could be little more than a memory following an IDNR decision to allow area fire departments to burn the structure and haul it away.
Over the weekend Sullivan Fire Protection District fire fighters traveled to the resort for preliminary inspection of conditions and removal of chemicals and some equipment prior to the training exercise that includes: Bethany, Lovington and Windsor, Shebyvlle and Arthur firefighters.
“Following an earlier assessment of the Eagle Creek resort facilities, IDNR worked with local officials to determine the best path forward for the community,” Ed Cross IDNR Dir. of Communications, said in a release.
“That plan includes the demolition of the resort buildings and seeking out development proposals for a modern resort in the area. IDNR is also partnering with the Illinois Fire Service Institute and local officials to allow firefighter training on the resort complex and to ensure the site is cleared for redevelopment.” Read More

Moultrie Co. Gets Road and Bridge Projects Moving

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Sales Tax Revenue Up

•February 20, 2019•

By Mike Brothers

County road and bridge projects moved forward with Moultrie County Board approval during their regular meeting Feb. 14.
Road and Bridge Committee Chairman Kevin McReynolds recommended approval of two bridge projects submitted by County Highway Engineer Jeff Birch. Approved were Dora Township bridge for $268,328.80 from low bidder County Contractors,Inc. with a resolution appropriating $82,000 from the Special Bridge Fund to help finance the project.
Federal participation in the Jonathan Creek Bridge project was approved along with $105,000 local funds.
The annual $550,703.12 Motor Fuel Tax Maintenance Program was approved as was $80,000 in local funds toward the County Road 300E/Co Highway 13 resurface project.
Attending county board members Tyler Graven, Tim Rose, Bill Voyles, Arlene Aschermann, Mike Barringer, Neil Bryan, McReynolds and board chairman Dave McCabe voted for the road and bridge committee recommended projects. Read More

Health Dept. Presents Healthy Financial Report to County

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•February 20, 2019•

Moultrie County Health Dept.’s outside revenue growth helped the county’s health service agency finish the fiscal year in the black.
Health Dept. Executive Director Angie Hogan presented the annual report to the County Public, Safety and Welfare committee Feb. 6.
Hogan pointed out an $8,000 nontax revenue increase helped the Health Dept. finish the Dec. 1, 2017-Nov. 30, 2018 year $5,463.34 in the black.
Some 30 percent of the annual health dept. revenue comes from the $129,719.38 tax levy, with 70 percent from other sources. That includes $199,805.35 in state grants and contracts plus an additional $96,089.86 in miscellaneous revenue, fees and contracts.
Expenses for the fiscal year totaled $420,151.25. That included $227,077.22 in salaries, $180,527.62 operating expenses, $8,675.13 rent, utilities, waste, and $3,871.28 for equipment. Read More

Lovington Board Approves Sparrows Celebration

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•February 13, 2019•

In a special Lovington Village Board meeting Jan. 28, trustees approved an ordinance to borrow funds from the Public Water Supply Loan program.
In connection village board members approved increasing the minimum water rate to $16.87 as a base with a one percent annual increase taking effect January 2020.
Trustee Dennis Garmon pointed out the base water rate would be $20.79 in 20 years under the new rate increase. Trustees Garmon, Doug Smith, Brenda Wood Gary Clem and April Daily voted for the two measures. Read More

Sweet Success!

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Photo by Jason Brown
Sweet Success!
Sullivan came out of the half time break on fire Monday taking control to start the fourth quarter with a 19-2 run to extend the lead to 63-40. After late substitutions, Sullivan won the game 65-42. Sullivan faces Teutopolis in the sectional championship game scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at Tuscola High School Thursday, Feb. 14.

Yost Appeal Returns Case to Moultrie County

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•February 13, 2019•

Michael S. Yost was sentenced to 75 years for the 2015 murder of Sheri Randall in 2016; at 11:00 a.m. March 7 that case returns to Moultrie County.
On Jan. 8 an Illinois Appellate Court decision determined cause for a Krankel hearing before the honorable judge Hugh Finson on that date in Moultrie County Circuit Court.
Ineffective assistance of counsel claims are fought in a Krankel hearing. Read More

OVES Students Earn and Learn with Pennies for Patients

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Photo by Ellen Ferrera
OVES pitched in pennies to help patients. From left: Teacher Kathy Doty, Principal Heidi Vander Burgh, and Counselor Paula Coffer hold a collection box for Pennies for Patients.

Giving Back but Looking Forward

•February 13, 2019•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

OVES Principal, Heidi Vander Burgh has a theme this year of “Giving Back but Looking Forward” for her 157 students.
When the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) contacted her with their program, she saw an opportunity to implement her theme.
The LLS’s program is called Pennies for Patients, and each student is given a little cardboard box to fill with 500 pennies each of four weeks. There are various prizes the students may win depending on how much they raise each week. Read More

Where’s My Pencil?

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Where’s My Pencil?
Students won’t have to ask that question in Sullivan. Sullivan Middle School teacher Deena Lee holds sign thanking K.C. Summers in Mattoon for the generous donation of 2000 pencils.  “Our entire student body, as well as our teachers, are overwhelmed with this act of kindness,” Lee explained as students gathered for their share.