Photo By R. R. Best
Priceless Gift
Tyrea Riley, a student in the Moultrie Co. CEFS Head Start 0-5 Program, gets a priceless gift from Santa Claus during the class visit to the Moultrie County Courthouse. Candy and gifts are soon gone, but this hug will last a lifetime.
•December 20, 2017•
By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress
Increasing the cost of grave openings and possibly building a cremation wall were discussed by Sullivan City Council.
The cemetery board met at 1 pm December 11 with members recommending an increase in rates by $50.
During the week, grave openings would be $650 and $750 during the weekend; although cremation grave openings would remain the same. Read More
Photo by Ariana Cherry
Pictured are members of the ALAH Physics Club.
Tax Levy Approved
•December 20, 2017•
By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress
“Everything looks pretty good for now,” Supt. of Schools Kenny Schwengel reported noting the present balance for the Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond district is $7,410,556.10. “But we still have not received any mandated categorical payments. Although, there have been $91,000 paid in general state aid but no payments for transportation,” he added.
A public hearing for the 2017 tax levy was held and approved. The total tax levy is $7,827,550 at 5.91% with a tax rate of $3.58.
The board also discussed leasing a 14-passenger activity bus for the district for transportation to school events and extracurricular activites. Schwengel estimated that the district pays about $9,000 on trips per year. Leasing an activity bus could help save the district money on transportation. Read More
•December 20, 2017•
Drainage district appointments and a couple of zoning issues occupied Moultrie County Board board members Dec. 14.
Legislative committee chair Tim Rose appointed drainage commissioners to 2020 terms: Tony Sager-Asa Creek, Kurt Robson-Dist 34 Jonathon Creek Twp, Dennis Coslow-Lovington 22,23,26,27 & 34, Keith Krapf-Dist #3 town of Lovington, Tony Brown-#6 town of Lovington, Doug Jurgens-Dist #4 town of Lowe, Willard L Schalbach-Union Dist #1, Eric Crawford-Dist #2 town of Sullivan, Lucille Crawford-sub Dist #2 of Dist #6 Sul two, Charles R. Doty - Wet Okaw outlet, William McIlwain-Whitely Dist #1, Michael Green-LovingtonLowe, Jonathan Creek Special, Scott Anthony Brown-Hostetler Dist. All were approved unanimously. Read More
Photo furnished
VFW Donates
Sullivan VFW #6410 Auxiliary recently donated $1000 to the local Peace Meal program coordinated by Sarah Bush Lincoln hospital. Pictured from left to right: Valerie Turnbow V.F.W. Aux. treasurer; Barbara Wylie of Sarah Bush Lincoln Hospital and Barbara Vail VFW #6410 Aux. president.
Photo by Mike Brothers
Grant for Lovington Fire District
Lovington Fire District received a $2000 grant from ExonMobil Pipeline Co. Above Adam Tedrick of the ExonMobil office in Shelbyville presents the check to Lovington fire chief Gary Smith.
Smith explained that part of the funds helped purchase a vehicle stabilizer (foreground) to assist in accident extrications. Tedrick noted ExonMobil has a pipeline pumping crude oil about three miles from Lovington and the Good Neighbor Grants help out smaller rural fire districts.
Tedrick coordinates Operations and Maintenance for ExonMobil in a five county area with the grants rotated annually.
“I meet with each of the fire departments in my service area one time a year,” Tedrick said. “I reached out to Gary and he pointed out Lovington Fire District could use equipment.”
One district in each of the ExonMobil counties in this are received $2000 grants. This is the first time Lovington Fire District has received an ExonMobile Good Neighbor Grant.
•December 13, 2017•
By Madison Ulrich
For The News Progress
It is true that the holiday season brings with it a flurry of memories and a tradition of reminiscence. No doubt that everyone has their own favorite experiences and moments.
But what makes Christmas perfect? Maybe it’s the gifts, the under-the-tree treasures, maybe it’s the family we get to see after such a long time apart, or maybe it’s just the excited energy in the air.
Maybe it’s all three, but it’s different for everyone. Read More
Photo furnished
OV Youth Advisors
Okaw Valley High School students Natalie Jeffers and Ethan Macklin along with Cullen Dyer and Spencer Johnson of Sullivan High School and Eusebio Briseno, Abbi Duzan and Kolby Rickman of Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond High School met recently with State Senator Chapin Rose at Richland Community College. Senator Rose has put together a Youth Advisory Council consisting of two outstanding students per high school in the 51st Senate District. Students discussed issues that are important to today’s youth. They will meet in Springfield in the spring so that the students may experience the legislative process firsthand and participate in a mock committee hearing. Pictured from left: Ethan Macklin, OV social studies teacher, Brad Ackers, and Natalie Jeffers.
Photo furnished
Secret Santa Sunday
Volunteers for Secret Santa met at the Moultrie County Beacon for a final wrap party. In a few hours packages were wrapped and packed away ready for delivery to more than 180 Secret Santa families who are awaiting the gifts it takes a year of fundraising to earn.
•December 13, 2017•
The Sullivan Education Association (SEA) and the Sullivan Board of Education came to a tentative contract agreement Wednesday, November 8.
The contract was ratified by the SEA November 16 and approved by the Board of Education in a special meeting held December 4.
The contract is a three-year agreement on salary which keeps the starting salary at $34,029 for 2018-2019 and increasing to $34,268 and $34,468 during the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 school years. Read More