Bethany American Legion Hopes Gaming will Keep Doors Open

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•March 20, 2019•

By Mike Brothers

The village of Bethany denied American Legion Post 507 a video gaming license once, but further investigation into the state gaming code has changed that.
Village president Bill Ashley Jr. explained that once the group had completed the state requirements for a gaming license the village doesn’t get to determine who gets a license since the local ordinance has no limit.
On Wednesday, March 20 the Bethany Village Board will meet in special session to correct the mistaken vote by rescinding the motion and allow the American Legion to proceed with their plans to operate gaming along with their bar six days a week.
The veterans group and community supporters met with the board March 14 with the question remaining up in the air.
“We were kind of in shock at not getting the license,” said Paul Snyder, American Legion representative attending the meeting.
Snyder explained the 99-year-old veterans organization had invested in new carpeting and applied to the state for gaming licenses and contacted vendors in anticipation of being allowed to operate video gaming at the Hwy. 121 club in Bethany.
He explained the club membership voted to open the American Legion to the public with gaming and a bar with 4 p.m.-10 p.m. hours six days a week in 2018.
Snyder explained the first Friday of the month fish dinners are the only funding source Post 507 has now, and over the past six months the club has lost $800. Read More

All-Conference

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Photo by R.R. Best
All-Conference
The Central Illinois Conference announced its all-conference teams this past week. Sullivan senior Caden Ellis earned second-team honors. Sullivan’s basketball team finished with a 4-25 overall record this year.

First Baptist Church Celebrates 100 Years of White Cross

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•March 20, 2019•

By Ellen Ferrera
For the News Progress

The public is invited to attend a tea at the First Baptist Church 1-4 p.m. March 23 in celebration of 100 years of the White Cross ministries.
Activities for the day include fellowship, devotion, refreshments, bandage rolling and a presentation on the 100th anniversary of White Cross.
During WWI American Baptist women assisted the American Red Cross by providing surgical dressings, bandages and other medical supplies for U.S. service personnel. Read More

Spirited Candidates Forum Fills The Little Theatre

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•March 20, 2019•

By Ellen Ferrera
For the News Progress

The 2019 Candidate Forum convened to a nearly full house at The Little Theatre March 14 which indicates a keen interest in the April 2 election.
Sponsored by the Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development (SCED) with the Moultrie County News Progress providing a live FB video, the candidates were introduced by SCED Executive Director, Laurrie Minor, who also monitored the time. Sullivan Community Unit School Dist. Supt. Ted Walk selected and read the questions for the candidates.
The format for the program was that each candidate would have one minute for introduction, three minutes to answer each of three questions and a final minute for closing statements. The questions were drawn at random from seven questions that had been prepared for the candidates.
Abbey Buxton Sherwood and Mike Mossman, both running for Commissioner of Accounting and Finance, were the first speakers. The first question posed to them was: Five city departments are represented by a Union. Do you feel comfortable with the negotiation process? Also, how should compensation be managed for those employees not in the union?
Sherwood: I believe that all city employees should be treated fairly and compensated fairly to keep morale high.
Mossman: I am comfortable in negotiating those contracts.
Question 2: Sullivan is one of the few Mayor/Commissioner forms of government left in Illinois. Many have changed to Mayor/Alderman or other forms. What is your opinion on such a change? Read More

County Board Shifts Office Duties

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•March 20, 2019•

The Moultrie County Board moved responsibility of county budget preparation and group health insurance to the county treasurer’s office at the March 14 meeting.
Board chairman Dave McCabe stated the ever increasing election workload in the county clerk’s office prompted the recommended move in an effort to even the work load between offices. McCabe’s motion was approved by Kevin McReynolds, Neil Bryan, Mike Barringer, Arlene Aschermann, Billy Voyles Todd Maxedon and Tyler Graven. Read More

Sullivan Schools Approve Sport Coops, Change Kindergarten Assessment

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Testing After Spring Break

By Mike Brothers

Sullivan Community Unit District #300 school board met March 11 voting to continue existing sports cooperative programs.
The football coop between Okaw Valley and Sullivan and the swimming coop between Shelbyville, Okaw Valley and Sullivan were approved for two years.
Supt. Ted Walk recommended changes to the kindergarten screening tool and report card. He explained kindergarten teachers had collaborated with first grade teachers to improve the transition by giving teachers a better gauge of progress.
Ali Elzy, senior in Cami Badman’s AP language and composition class, read her NPR radio “This I Believe” contest winning essay to the board. Read More

Sullivan City Council Preview

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Sullivan, Village of Bethany, Lovington and Windsor plus School Board elections are Tuesday, April 2, 2019

•March 20, 2019•

City Mayor

Ann Short
I am Ann Short and I am running for re-election as Mayor of Sullivan. I am married to my husband Bob. We have two children, Scott and Tracy, and two grandchildren.
I grew up in Arthur, attended Millikin University, and came to Sullivan when we married.
I started working in the City Treasurer’s office in 1961. I was appointed City Treasurer in 1975 and served there until I retired in 1999.
My term as Mayor started in 2003. Sullivan is a unique community because of our $27M budget, owning our own utilities, and offering the many services that we all enjoy.
I am qualified to provide the leadership needed to advance our community based on my understanding of municipal finances, Tax Increment Financing and the many rules and regulations imposed upon municipalities. Read More

Sullivan Council Approves TIF Funds to Help Library

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•March 20, 2019•

By Ariana Cherry
For the News Progress

The Sullivan City Council approved the use of TIF funds to help Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library purchase new LED sign
“We need to inform the people in Sullivan what the library does,” library director Michelle Nolen explained to the members of the council. “We have more than just books.”
Along with members from the library board sitting in support, Director Nolen presented a quote and information about a new LED sign for Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library.
She noted the sign was not the “whole puzzle” but was a way to tell people in Sullivan what the library has scheduled on specific days. The library board decided on a double-sided LED sign with a quote of $24,700 which includes installation. It also has wifi capabilities which allows it to be controlled wirelessly. There was also some discussion about renting the sign to organizations or businesses that could go towards paying for the sign maintenance. Read More

Two Injured in Sunday Crash

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Photo by R.R. Best
Two Injured in Sunday Crash
Deborah S. Ryan, 54, Bethany was transported by Carle Evac Life team with serious injuries following a single vehicle crash at 7:00 p.m. Sunday, March 10. The Moultrie County Sheriff’s Dept. was called to the scene on CR 400E south of 2000N where a passenger, Ryan L Sieber was transported to a local hospital by Lovington Ambulance Service. Deputy Paul Hildebrandt is pictured following rescue of the crash victims.Sullivan, Bethany and Findlay fire depts. assisted at the scene of the accident.