photo furnished
Wyman Lake Catch
Christian Morrison, 10, grandson of Ken “Catfish” Morrison caught this five pounder on a rainy day in Wyman Park with his grandfather. The fish was released as she was full of eggs.
Wyman Lake Catch
OVHS Drum Majors
photo furnished
OVHS Drum Majors
Okaw Valley middle and high schools had their spring concert recently during which current drum major Corey Clark passed the baton to the newly selected drum majors Caleb Hildebrandt and Connor Powers. Hildebrandt and Powers will lead the Marching Timberwolves next school year. Clark will continue his musical career at Roosevelt University where he will major in music education. Pictured from left: Caleb Hildebrandt, Corey Clark, Connor Powers.
OVHS Ladies Pitch in
Photo furnished
OVHS Ladies Pitch in
Okaw Valley students helped out with the Corps of Engineers at Lake Shelbyville April 24. The all female team spread 30 cubic yards of mulch, cleaned up the flower beds at the visitor center and Coon Creek, and trimmed back and cleaned the trails at Coon Creek.
ALAH Board Uses Sales Tax Funds to Improve Elementary School
New Members Join Board
•May 3, 2017•
By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress
Superintendent, Kenny Schwengel told Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond board membersat the last meeting that the negative balance in the transportation fund will require a transfer from the education fund.
The school district has not received any categorical payments, but the superintendent is hopeful a payment will arrive by June.
He explained the district should get the total owed by the state after July 1 (the beginning of the next fiscal year).
The total of all funds currently is $4,390,299.64. At the May meeting a tentative budget will be presented, and it will be posted for 30 days before it is presented.
Other issues voted upon or discussed: Read More
Moultrie County Officials at Statehouse
Photos furnished
Moultrie County Officials at Statehouse
State Rep. Brad Halbrook (left) and State Sen. Chapin Rose (right) met with Lynn Reed, Coroner; Dave McCabe, County Chairman; Georgia England, County Clerk and Recorder, all of Moultrie County, April 24 at the Capitol. The group was in Springfield to discuss local issues with Rose and Halbrook.
Historic Amish Workshop To Be Moved To The New Amish Heritage Center
Photo furnished
Moses Yoder Workshop ready to move.
•May 3, 2017•
The historic 1860s workshop of Moses Yoder, one of the first three Amish settlers in the Arthur/Arcola area, will be moved to the new Illinois Amish Heritage Center located just west of Chesterville. The workshop is one of the earliest Amish buildings in the area.
Moses Yoder purchased his farm east of Arthur in 1865. Soon after, he built a two-story, timber-frame house and various farm buildings. His house was moved to the Amish Heritage Center last September along with the 1882 Daniel Schrock house.
The workshop was originally a multi-purpose building used for woodworking, blacksmithing, harness making and repair, and other activities needed to keep the farm operating. At the new Amish Heritage Center, it will become part of the newly restored Moses Yoder living history farm where Amish farming in the late 19th and early 20th centuries will be demonstrated. Read More
WHS Prom Court
Photo furnished
WHS Prom Court
Windsor High School will host prom May 6 at the Mason Point Knight’s Hall in Sullivan. Coronation is open to the public and will begin at 7:30 p.m. with the dance beginning at 8 p.m. King candidates are pictured top row L to R: Zackary Van Hyfte, Sterling Howard and Nic Hutchinson. Queen candidates are L to R: Jodie Harris, Desirae Milligan, and Bailey Fleshner.
Sullivan City Council Welcomes New Member
•May 3, 2017•
By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress
A possible new online payment option (Payment Service Network) offer to the residents of Sullivan was discussed at the most recent council meeting. This new online option would have paperless billing and send email notifications to customers when their utility bill is due or late. Treasurer Sarah Golden advised that the city processed 3,000 bills per month. Going paperless would cut back on work for the clerks, and it would automate payments for the customers. In addition to saving paper, this could also save the city money on postage. The city would also be able to accept credit cards with the new payment option. The city would pay any additional credit card fees. Council members discussed this possible option and stated they would research it more before a decision was made to move forward. Read More
Sullivan Unit #300 School Board Reorganizes
Photo by Mike Brothers
Reorganized Sullivan Unit #300 School Board (seated from left) Vice-president Ann Wheeler, President Jeff White, Secretary Norm Wood, Erik Stollard; (back row) Tyson Grooms, Zak Horn, and Steve Poland.
•May 3, 2017•
Sullivan Community Unit #300 school board reorganized with Jeff White as president while four newly elected members took seats.
The previous school board approved minutes of the last meeting and verified election results before Supt. Brad Tuttle was appointed president pro tempore with Becky Batman as interim secretary until offices were filled.
Vote totals were verified prior to new board members taking their seats. Ann Wheeler won a two year term with 1234 votes. Zak Horn - 1402; Tyson Grooms -1197; Erik Stollard - 954 were all elected to four-year terms. Read More
Sullivan Volunteer Receives Governor’s Service Award
Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Governor’s Volunteer Service Award Winner Genny Sutton.
•May 3, 2017•
By Ellen Ferrera
for The News Progress
On Thursday. April 27 at the Senior Center, 99 year old Genevieve “Genny” Sutton was surrounded by adoring family and legions of friends as she received the prestigious 2017 Governor’s Volunteer Service Award from Norma Piper. Sutton was one of six recipients in the Senior Awardees category and was selected from over 200 nominees statewide.
Piper, RSVP coordinator for Moultrie County, had nominated Sutton and traveled to Springfield to accept the award on Sutton’s behalf. While there, she was in the same elevator as one of the judges who told her, “When I read Genny’s biography, I knew she had to win.”
For more than 70 years Sutton has devoted 20-30 hours a month volunteering in Sullivan. Known for founding and coaching a women’s softball league as well as bowling leagues - they are the two activities she enjoyed the most. She was voted Bowler of the Year and elected to the Sullivan Women’s Bowling Association Hall of Fame and in her spare time also played in a kitchen band. Read More