Mamma Mia! Brings the Music of ABBA to Sullivan’s stage

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Photo furnished
The Music of Mamma Mia comes alive at The Little Theatre on the Square through August 20.

•August 9, 2017•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

Mamma Mia closed on Broadway in 2015, but it’s open now at The Little Theatre on the Square in Sullivan through August 20.

The 14-year run on Broadway grossed over $2 billion worldwide and was seen by more than 60 million people.

With words and music written by Benny Anderson and Bjorn Ulvaeus, former ABBA band members, it showcases the legendary hit songs of ABBA.

This is a happy, fun-filled musical essentially about a young girl (Sophie) searching for her father, but it is also about reunions – Sophie reuniting with her friends, Donna and her former pop group members and Donna and her former lovers, Sam, Bill and Harry – one of whom is Sophie’s father. Read More

County Weighs Different Approaches to New Salary Schedule

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Longevity Increases Proposed

•August 9, 2017•

By Mike Brothers

The Moultrie County Board personnel committee heard different views on how to approach future salary schedules among the 20 courthouse employees.

Jeff Birch, supt. of highways, was appointed to chair an ad hoc committee consisting of courthouse elected and appointed officers by county board chairman Dave McCabe to make recommendations of the future salary structure for courthouse employees.

Birch presented the committee chair Bill Voyles and members with a schedule that would tie county employee salary increases annually to the consumer price index. Birch plotted the scale based on the CPI from 2009 to 2016. By increasing salary levels with the CPI the $19,000-21,000 starting based recommended would have improved to $21,215-$23,455 range for first year courthouse employees. Read More

Teachers Dig Deep To Help Support Student Learning

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Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Elementary teachers such as Cindy Yoder and Micah Meddins of Sullivan join educators all over Illinois by digging into their own pockets for school supplies to help their students learn.

•August 9, 2017•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

The amount of money teachers spend out-of-pocket every year for their classrooms is growing.

In Sullivan Unit #300 schools 53% of elementary students are at poverty level leaving the burden for providing basic school supplies on others. And who are the people closest to these children in need - teachers.

Each of the teachers interviewed reported spending $500-$1,000 each year to fill another education funding gap. Parents of elementary school students spend $45 per student for required school supplies with the amount growing to $70-$80 per middle and high school student.  Read More

Students are Going to High School While Attending College

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OVHS Dual Credit Program Expands

•August 9, 2017•

By Brody Sparks
for the News Progress

Dual credit programs allow students to earn college and high school credits simultaneously by participating in college level courses.

These courses are taught by high school teachers who are certified to instruct college classes. Okaw Valley High School is on the forefront of making these opportunities available to students.

“Okaw Valley High School is one of the leading schools in the area when it comes to dual credit offerings,” said OVHS principal Matt Shoaff. “Last year OVHS offered 50 hours of dual credit, and that increases to 65 for the 2017-2018 school year.”

Dual credit classes are available for Okaw Valley students in a variety of subjects including nine credit hours in agriculture, nine hours in business, 12 credit hours in English, 26 hours in math, six hours in social studies, and three hours in science. Generally, an associate’s degree requires 60 credit hours (around 20 college courses).  Read More

Lovington Homes Live On Under New Owners

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Photo by Mike Brothers
Lovington Homes board members and Garmon Properties personnel at First Community Bank of Moultrie County in Lovington: Elaine Rice; bank president and board treasurer Sally Duncan; Lovington Homes board president Norma Brust; Judy McGregor; village board president and board member Roger Walker; new owners Tracy and Dennis Garmon. Lovington Homes board members not pictured are Bev Morgan, Ron Nettles and Alma Fair.

•August 9, 2017•

By Mike Brothers

Since 1969 Lovington Homes has assisted people with housing operating with a volunteer not-for profit board.

All that changed August 1 when Dennis and Tracy Garmon purchased Lovington Homes from the community volunteer group. Garmon Properties has taken over the 50-year-old operation.

A well-timed set of circumstances in the Garmons’ lives and with the Lovington Homes board led to the sale. Read More

Low Jobless Rate in Moultrie 

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•August 2, 2017•

Moultrie County recorded the lowest non-seasonal unemployment rate in the area with 3.9 percent for June.

Moultrie’s unemployment rate in June 2016 was 4.2 percent, which was the lowest of 11 reporting counties in central Illinois.

Iriquois County was next lowest with 4.1 percent improving from 4.7 percent in 2016.

Douglas County improved one tenth of a percent over the 4.5 percent rate from 2016 to 4.4 percent in 2017.

Piatt County is 4.2 percent in June 2017 compared to 4.8 percent unemployment in 2016. Shelby County improved to 4.5 percent in June 2017 from 5.3 percent in June 2016.  Read More

Paperless Court on Trial in Moultrie Co.

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•August 2, 2017•

Moultrie County courts went paperless Friday, July 21 well ahead of the January 1, 2018 deadline for Illinois courts to comply.

Circuit Clerk Cindy Braden explained Moultrie County courts introduced paperless proceedings with Circuit Judge Brad Rau on civil and small claim cases on that date.

Rather that shuffling through the paper files in the courtroom the judge and circuit clerk court deputy utilize two shared laptop computers for inside courtroom access to files on the docket. Read More

Slip Sliding Away

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Photo by RR Best
Slip Sliding Away
Sophia Smith is making the most of the Sullivan Fire Department water fun day at Wyman Park. This the third year that the Sullivan Fire Dept. has organized a cookout and water day for park rec students. More than 100 children enjoyed the day. Firefighters grilled and served hot dogs, chips and drinks to all the students. All food was donated by Courtyard Estates, Sullivan IGA and Sullivan Elementary School. After lunch, the aerial truck was pulled over to the open lots by the park shed and the children got to slip n’ slide on giant tarps as the aerial truck sprayed down on them. Fire Department volunteers also had a sprinkler system set up which cast off water that became tiny mud puddles which the children enjoyed even more. One group even created a dam, where the sidewalk slopes down, using grass, sticks and other things they could find. They all left filthy and wet but the most heard comment: “This was the best Park Rec day ever!” See Page 11 of this week's issue. There are also more photos here.

Pedal Tractor Pulls Bring Competition to Tabor Park

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Photo by RR Best
Tot Rod Pedal Pull coordinator Paul Callan encourages Callum Welty as the young peddler powers his way to second place in the 3-4 age bracket at Tabor Park.

•August 2, 2017•

Tabor Park in Sullivan came alive with pedal tractor pulling Saturday, July 15 as young peddlers from three to 12 tested their leg power.

Tot Rod Pedal Pull. which is operated by Paul and Stefani Callan of Assumption, organized the competition with prizes awarded in five different age categories. The Altgilbers brothers traveled from Sigel winning each of the three age brackets they entered. Read More