Sullivan Chief Served a Giving Community

News Progress Posted on by

Photo furnished Chief John Love accepts appreciation plaque from Mayor Ann Short at a recent city council meeting. Chief Love begins retirement November 23 after serving the city of Sullivan for 28 years.

Photo furnished
Chief John Love accepts appreciation plaque from Mayor Ann Short at a recent city council meeting. Chief Love begins retirement November 23 after serving the city of Sullivan for 28 years.

•November 23, 2016•

By Mike Brothers

When Sullivan Chief of Police John Love became a patrolman in 1985, he knew local police could have a greater purpose in the community.

As Chief Love looks toward retirement Nov. 23 after 28 years on the force, it’s with mixed emotions.

“It’s kind of funny, but I know I’m going to miss those weekend calls at home and people stopping me at the local restaurant to discuss a problem,” Love said of the years he has served the community.

For the past 10 years Chief Love, with the backing of the Sullivan City Council, has been able to maintain a professional police force that is well-equipped.

“Jim Waggoner will be a good chief who I have total confidence in,” Love said of his replacement. “With the help of Mayor Short and the city we have a well-equipped professional staff force, and I look forward to that continuing.” Read More

Sparrow Volunteers

News Progress Posted on by

Photo furnished Sparrow Volunteers Volunteers of all ages gathered Saturday, Nov. 19 for the annual Sparrows Unlimited fruit basket day. In all, 150 baskets were assembled and delivered in and around Lovington. Sparrows’ 22nd annual fundraising auction will be held December 3 at Jerry’s East End in Lovington.

Photo furnished
Sparrow Volunteers
Volunteers of all ages gathered Saturday, Nov. 19 for the annual Sparrows Unlimited fruit basket day. In all, 150 baskets were assembled and delivered in and around Lovington. Sparrows’ 22nd annual fundraising auction will be held December 3 at Jerry’s East End in Lovington.

Wild Ride Ends in Lake

News Progress Posted on by

•November 23, 2016•

Kaden R. Dedman, 19, of Sullivan led authorities on a chase that ended with his taking a swim in Lake Shelbyville the evening of November 11.

According to reports, Illinois State Police first encountered Dedman traveling 108 miles per hour on the Findlay blacktop.

The car fled from the pursuing state trooper down country roads until crashing the vehicle that had been reported stolen earlier from Coles County. Read More

Windsor FFA Honors Veterans

News Progress Posted on by

Photo furnished Windsor FFA Honors Veterans The Windsor FFA Chapter showed its support for veterans Nov. 10. Eight FFA members folded four flags while a ninth member read the symbolism behind each fold. The flag folding ceremony took place during the Veterans Day assembly at Windsor High School. Advisor Emily Perry also played taps at the end of the assembly. The members participating in the ceremony were front row (left to right) Gillian Sanders, Beau Bennett, Gavin Bennett, Ben Beck, Morgan Lesko. Back row (left to right) Gage Sattler, Travis Fox, Tristan Boehm, and Mackenzee Hooten.  

Photo furnished
Windsor FFA Honors Veterans
The Windsor FFA Chapter showed its support for veterans Nov. 10. Eight FFA members folded four flags while a ninth member read the symbolism behind each fold. The flag folding ceremony took place during the Veterans Day assembly at Windsor High School. Advisor Emily Perry also played taps at the end of the assembly. The members participating in the ceremony were front row (left to right) Gillian Sanders, Beau Bennett, Gavin Bennett, Ben Beck, Morgan Lesko. Back row (left to right) Gage Sattler, Travis Fox, Tristan Boehm, and Mackenzee Hooten.

Lovington Fire Department Training

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by Mike Brothers Lovington Fire Department Training Members of the Lovington Fire Protection District gathered at the fire station for special training in automotive crash extrication Saturday, Nov. 19. Volunteers train twice monthly and are accepting qualified members. Pictured above with the demonstration van in extrication gear are (from left) Mike Young, Josiah Kinert, and Rick Anklam.

Photo by Mike Brothers
Lovington Fire Department Training
Members of the Lovington Fire Protection District gathered at the fire station for special training in automotive crash extrication Saturday, Nov. 19. Volunteers train twice monthly and are accepting qualified members. Pictured above with the demonstration van in extrication gear are (from left) Mike Young, Josiah Kinert, and Rick Anklam.

Veterans Paid the Price for Our Freedoms

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by Mike Brothers Veterans Honored on November 11 included keynote speaker retired Marine Major Lynn Lowder. Lowder was presented a personalized Marine Corp emblem from students as a token of their appreciation for his service. Pictured to the right of Major Lowder is Career English senior Trey Garriott while veterans look on during the Sullivan High School ceremony.

Photo by Mike Brothers
Veterans Honored on November 11 included keynote speaker retired Marine Major Lynn Lowder. Lowder was presented a personalized Marine Corp emblem from students as a token of their appreciation for his service. Pictured to the right of Major Lowder is Career English senior Trey Garriott while veterans look on during the Sullivan High School ceremony.

•November 16, 2016•

Sullivan schools participated in Veterans Day observations Friday, Nov. 11 with the American Legion Post 68 Honor Guard presenting the colors followed by recognition of veterans during programs at each school.

Sullivan High School’s Career English class hosted recognition of local veterans through song, dance and the reflections of veterans before students who were gathered in the gymnasium.

Keynote speaker 1964 Sullivan High School graduate attorney and retired Marine Major Lynn Lowder is a decorated Vietnam platoon leader, who continues to advocate for veterans through his non-profit 1 Vet at a Time organization.

As a volunteer Lowder left college and went to Vietnam as a second lieutenant Marine specialist in the First Force Reconnaissance Company in 1967. Dropped into the enemy infested jungles of Vietnam by ropes from helicopters, the  FFRC encountered some of the brutalist fighting of the war.

Lowder earned the Silver Star for valor, Bronze Star, Navy Commendation Medal and a Purple Heart, and his message to the high school school audience centered on the price of freedom.

“Veterans took the time out of life to serve at considerable risk to protect our freedom,” Lowder began, explaining not only the veteran but his family was included in the sacrifice. “We owe them our gratitude everyday for letting us live in a country that is free.” Read More

Elections Over: Results Tallied in Moultrie Co.

News Progress Posted on by

•November 16, 2016•

Elections have passed, and the Moutlrie County Clerk’s office is assembling tallies for the official caucus next week.

In the 2016 Moultrie County election chief election deputy Jamie Helton reported there were 370 new voters registered and 1400 absentee ballots voted. Of that number 1146 were voted along with early and grace voting periods while 254 were submitted by mail.

In the only race contested in the county incumbent Republican State’s Attorney Jeremy Richey withstood a challenge from former Democrat State’s Attorney Marvin Hanson.

Richey received 4121 total votes to Hanson’s 2040.

The state’s attorney received 710 early votes, 117 absentees and 3299 votes on election day. Hanson had 410 early votes and 109 absentees with 1521 election day votes. Read More

New Employees Return Raises Helping Veteran Staff

News Progress Posted on by

•November 16, 2016•

By Mike Brothers

Courthouse office staff returned raises in an effort to get the Moultrie County Board to give salary increases to all staff at the Thursday, Nov. 10 meeting.

And it worked.

During a personnel session earlier, an effort was proposed to equalize county employee salaries after increasing the starting rate to $19,000 per year for full time staff.

This improved salaries by $2500 for county employees hired after Dec. 2014 but neglected veteran staff, many serving the courthouse from 10-30 years.

Personnel  committee chairman Roger Glazebrook presented the motion with discussion open before the vote. Board member Tim Rose noted the wording led him to believe that any new hire would be eligible for the $1500 increase over the $19,000 starting salary.

County clerk chief deputy Pam Wittkowski suggested the county board consider giving those veteran employees an additional $1000 to help equalize the salary schedule across the board. Read More

ALAH Schools Pass Tentative Tax Levy

News Progress Posted on by

•November 16, 2016•

By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress

Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond School Board members passed a tentative estimated tax levy of 6.11%. Supt. Ken Schwengel explained that this estimate is based on an inflated EAV. “It is an increase in what the total levy would generate (minus bonds) based on our established tax rates and the inflated EAV.

It is not an indication of how much a person’s property taxes are going to increase,” he said. Schwengel receives estimates from each county which helps him calculate an estimated EAV. “I balloon the levy to protect the district from possible variances in the actual EAV. Regardless of how much I inflate the EAV, we will not receive more than our tax rate will generate,” he informed.

Last year’s projected EAV was $197,819,278 with a tax levy of 3.6753%. Schwengel estimated this school year’s EAV at $202,511,690. A truth and taxation hearing will take place at the board meeting in December. Read More