Captured Moments Captures Moultrie County’s History

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The cover of Moultrie County Historical and Genealogical Society’s new book “Captured Moments” features a photo of natural prairie in the county as it appeared to early settlers. Committee members are taking advanced orders starting Feb. 15. Above seated from left: Gail Price, Janet Roney, and Pat Cribbit; (standing) Joe Pound and Paul Stone.

•February 14, 2018•

By Mike Brothers

Captured Moments, the new pictorial history of Moultrie County, launches discounted pre-sales Feb. 15 at the Moultrie County Historical and Genealogical Society Heritage Center in Sullivan.

The hardbound full color book covers Moultrie County’s history from Native Americans to 2017 with Janet Roney and Pat Cribbit putting together the 197 page pictorial history of the area in under a year.

“We have posted historic photographs on FaceBook and the post of the 1900s eclipse this year received 5000 hits,” Cribbit said. “So we knew people were interested.”

She has sorted through the thousands of photos from the historical society files to include 32 color photographs among the 300 featured in Captured Moments.

Roney and Gail Price discovered intriguing and sometimes controversial documents while researching the first four chapters of the narrative.  Read More

Tension Mounts

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Photo by R.R. Best
Tension Mounts
There were tense moments on the court and in the stands for fans during Regional tournament action last week. Sullivan upset No. 3 seeded Greenville and No. 2 seeded Tuscola to win the Arthur regional, then upset No. 1 seeded Marshall in the sectional semifinals Monday night in Effingham. They play again at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15. More on page 10.

Unable To Go To The Polls On Election Day?

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•February 14, 2018•

Registered voters who are not able to go to the polls to vote on election day March 20 are able to vote before that date by the following two methods. Voters do not need an excuse to utilize these methods.

Vote by mail began February 8, and the last day an application may be accepted in the county clerk’s office for a ballot to be mailed is Thursday, March 15. Applications may be obtained by contacting the county clerk’s office at 728-4389, or on-line at www.moultriecountyil.com and download an application. Upon the clerk’s office receiving the completed application, the ballot will be mailed to the voter. Read More

Bethany Village Board Approves Ag Project, Police Act on Junk Autos

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Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Bethany Village Board welcomes new police chief. (L-R) Jack Kiley, David Doty, Jonathan Book, Police Chief Chris Nichols, Greg McLain, Raven Russell and village president Bill Ashley (front).

•February 14, 2018•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

Chris Nichols, Bethany police chief, told Bethany Village Board members about a program of getting rid of junk autos in the village.

The recently appointed chief suggested that a grant for a new squad car might be available from the state, but it will depend on funding from the federal government in the funding budget.

The estimated cost for a new car, fully equipped, is $39,000, and bids are being considered. The board then discussed the need for body cameras and spotlights, but no action was taken.

Board president Bill Ashley gaveled the meeting to order at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 8.  Read More

Rotary and Middle School Form Interact Club

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Photo furnished
Members of the Sullivan Rotary Club presented Sullivan Middle School charter Interact Club members with certificates recently at the school with students, the club and teachers and administrators attending.

•February 7, 2018•

By Paul Harris
for the  News Progress

Sullivan Middle School and Sullivan Rotary have partnered to form the first Interact Club in the school district.

“Last fall the Rotary Club asked the district if there would be any interest in either the middle school or high school to start an Interact Club,” SMS Principal Nathan Ogle said.  Interact is a student branch of Rotary Club International. Read More

Jury Determines Moultrie County Man Unfit for Trial

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•February 7, 2018•

By Mike Brothers

A Moultrie County jury determined Nathan Ragsdale, 39, was not fit to stand trial for the 2016 felony charge of disarming a police officer.

“We, the jury, find the defendant Nathan Ragsdale unfit to stand trial and also that there is a substantial probability that the defendant, if provided with a course of treatment, will attain fitness within one year.”

At 4:48 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 30 after 45 minutes deliberation the jury returned the “unfit” verdict for the Sullivan man. Ragsdale was remanded to Moultrie County Jail awaiting transportation to MacFarland Mental Health Center in Springfield where he will receive treatment and evaluation for his eventual return.

Circuit Judge Hugh Finson presided over the trial in which the defendant asked a jury rather than court appointed experts to determine his fitness. Read More

Redbird snowbird

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Photo courtesy Les Winkler
Redbird snowbird
The Cardinal above is making the most of this snow laced snack of sunflower seeds. Snow covered ground and single digit temps in Moultrie County hinder regular bird feeding. Cardinals, like the many fans of the baseball team, are waiting around for spring training and a chance at another season.

OV Expansion Adds Education Alternative

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•February 7, 2018•

Okaw Valley High School’s success with U.S. Corp of Engineers cooperative at Lake Shelbyville has the school district looking at breaking new ground.

The Okaw Valley Community School district approved plans Jan. 18 to move forward with a new 5000 sq. ft. agricultural building and facility including 1500 ft of classroom, 2000 sq. ft. animal handling facility and 1500 ft. animal housing structure.

The idea for this university style interactive agriculture facility came with a challenge to expand the coop concept from Supt. Kent Stauder to agriculture teacher and Corp coop coordinator Wes Wise.

“We hope to continue to offer experiences to Okaw Valley students that are not found at any other district, and we will continue to pave the way for career and technical education for students as they enter the workforce,” Stauder said of his reason to push the ag teacher for a grand idea. Read More

OVHS Student

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Photo furnished
OVHS Student
Selected for State Honors Choir
Okaw Valley junior Isabella Benning was selected to participate in the Illinois Music Educators Association All-State Conference in Peoria January 24-27. Benning qualified for Honors Choir through a rigorous audition process.
This festival is the highest honor that may be achieved by a high school musician. More than 1300 selected musicians representing more than 300 schools from across the state were chosen.
During the week they attended rehearsals with nationally known conductors, concerts, a college fair, and performed for the public on Saturday.

2017 Moultrie County Tentative Multiplier Announced

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•January 31, 2018•

Moultrie County has been issued a tentative property assessment equalization factor of 1.0000, according to Constance Beard, Director of the Illinois Department of Revenue.

The property assessment equalization factor, often called the “multiplier”, is the method used to achieve uniform property assessments among counties, as required by law. This equalization is particularly important because some of the state’s 6,600 local taxing districts overlap into two or more counties (e.g. school districts, junior college districts, fire protection districts). If there were no equalization among counties, substantial inequities among taxpayers with comparable properties would result. Read More