Salary Improvements Recommended for County Workers

News Progress Posted on by

Longevity Increases Proposed

•November 9, 2016•

By Mike Brothers

A plan to improve the salary structure for Moultrie County office employees was approved by the county board personnel committee Nov. 1.

Committee chair Roger Glazebrook presented a plan to increase new employee starting salary from $18,000 to $19,000 per year.

An opening in the supervisor of assessments office prompted the county to increase the advertised starting salary to $19,000 earlier and had not addressed the issue for other county offices.

A delegation from the courthouse office employees presented an alternative pay schedule proposal to the county board earlier that included across the board adjustments, equalizing pay levels as well as taking consideration for veteran employees

An alternative proposed by county board chairman Dave McCabe would have compensated those with the most experience with a $500 adjustment. Read More

Sparrow’s Annual Auction

News Progress Posted on by

•November 9, 2016•

Sparrow’s Unlimited 22nd annual auction for families in need is Saturday, Dec.3 at Jerry’s East End in Lovington.

Auction items will be available for viewing all day at the East End auction location.

Some items include cedar outdoor swing set, propane four-burner grill, large charcoal grill, large Cubs pallet sign, seven foot pre-lit Christmas tree, lots of holiday items, Cubs blanket, Cardinals blanket, Amish snowplow, Tin Man and much more. Read More

Housing Grant Offers Free Home Rehabilitation Funds

News Progress Posted on by

•November 9, 2016•

Homeowners in Arthur, Bethany and Lovington could receive free repairs if a state housing rehabilitation grant is approved.

Kevin McReynolds told members of the Moultrie County Public Health and Safety meeting about the Single Family Owner Occupied Rehabilitation grant application through Coles County Regional Planning and Development Commission.

“We need qualified home owners to apply as quickly as possible to get on the waiting list,” McReynolds said, explaining that three homes in each community are included in the application.

The more low income residents in the communities who apply demonstrate need and increase the chances for receiving the state grant.

Grant application deadline to the Illinois Housing Development Authority is Nov. 14 with McReynolds encouraging those interested to call 217-348-0521 for a pre-application form. Read More

News Progress Posted on by

Photo furnished First harvest of soybeans for the OVHS Corp of Engineers cooperative agricultural and environmental studies program is sold with the proceeds helping the school’s FFA and other community projects.

Photo furnished
First harvest of soybeans for the OVHS Corp of Engineers cooperative agricultural and environmental studies program is sold with the proceeds helping the school’s FFA and other community projects.

OVHS Students Reap Benefits of Corp Coop

By Derek Pope
for the News Progress

Okaw Valley School District drew a lot of attention earlier this year when it announced a first-of-its-kind agricultural program built on a partnership with the local division of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).

It allowed OVHS students to participate firsthand in the cultivation of crops and conservation efforts around Lake Shelbyville.

By the time of that announcement students had already contributed nearly 900 volunteer hours aiding the USACE and since then have dedicated many more. But last week the fruits of their labor paid off—Okaw Valley students harvested a 40-acre soybean plot to which they had tended since it was planted in June.

The cultivation project was overseen by Okaw Valley’s agriculture teacher Wes Wise and was accomplished through the efforts of five high school students and numerous businesses throughout the area.  Read More

Whole Food Nutrition Can Make You Feel Good

News Progress Posted on by

Photo furnished Pictured is Karen Bretz

Photo furnished
Pictured is Karen Bretz

•November 9, 2016•

By Kennedy Nolen
for the News Progress

Sullivan’s recently certified clinician in Whole Food Nutrition said she just “wants to make people feel good again.”

Karen Bretz completed the necessary courses and is now a certified clinician in Whole Food Nutrition two weeks ago.

Bretz has been employed at Bretz Chiropractic Nutrition and Acupuncture Clinic, owned by Dr. Craig Bretz, for two and a half years. The office is located in Sullivan at 101 W. Jefferson St.

Bretz said she gives dietary advice, and it helps people to feel better without prescription medicine.

Instead, Bretz aims on improving the client’s diet and nutrition with the addition of whole food supplements.

“My aim is to have people feel good again,” Bretz said. Read More

OVHS Manufacturing Day Tour

News Progress Posted on by

Photo furnished OVHS Manufacturing Day Tour Okaw Valley freshmen, sophomores, and juniors took part in the annual Okaw Valley Manufacturing Day Oct. 28. Students had the opportunity to visit some of the local manufacturing facilities including Agri-Fab, Hydro-Gear, Mid-State Tank, Marvin Keller Trucking, IHI Turbo, GSI, and MasterBrand. Students listened to employees talk about their experiences at the companies and also went on plant tours. Through the job learner program, students have the opportunity to work at some of these facilities and gain “real world” experiences. This also helps the companies attract potential future employees.

Photo furnished
OVHS Manufacturing Day Tour
Okaw Valley freshmen, sophomores, and juniors took part in the annual Okaw Valley Manufacturing Day Oct. 28. Students had the opportunity to visit some of the local manufacturing facilities including Agri-Fab, Hydro-Gear, Mid-State Tank, Marvin Keller Trucking, IHI Turbo, GSI, and MasterBrand. Students listened to employees talk about their experiences at the companies and also went on plant tours. Through the job learner program, students have the opportunity to work at some of these facilities and gain “real world” experiences. This also helps the companies attract potential future employees.

FFA Quiz Bowl

News Progress Posted on by

Photo furnished FFA Quiz Bowl Six members of the Windsor FFA chapter attended the Greenhand Quiz Bowl Contest hosted by the Sullivan FFA Chapter. The contest tested the members’ knowledge of FFA history, important figures, and terminology in agriculture. Overall, the team from Windsor placed fifth. Team members included Brandon Milligan, Mason Campbell, Colby Kidwell, Abe Welton, Matthew Wujick, and Hannah Morlen.

Photo furnished
FFA Quiz Bowl
Six members of the Windsor FFA chapter attended the Greenhand Quiz Bowl Contest hosted by the Sullivan FFA Chapter. The contest tested the members’ knowledge of FFA history, important figures, and terminology in agriculture. Overall, the team from Windsor placed fifth. Team members included Brandon Milligan, Mason Campbell, Colby Kidwell, Abe Welton, Matthew Wujick, and Hannah Morlen.

Sullivan Masons Donate

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by Mike Brothers Sullivan Masons Donate Following the annual Grand Masters Banquet at the George Sentel Masonic Lodge in Sullivan recently, the lodge made donations to the Secret Santa program and the Moultrie County Food Pantry. Above, Senior Warden Mike Rollins presents Sullivan chief of police John Love with a $500 check for the Secret Santa program in Sullivan and Bethany. The same amount was donated to the Food Pantry. The Masonic Lodge’s annual golf outing in August generates funds allowing the George Sentel lodge to support the scholastic bowl and academic bowl for all schools as well as scholarship presentations to Sullivan, Okaw Valley and Windsor high school students and a variety of other community programs.

Photo by Mike Brothers
Sullivan Masons Donate
Following the annual Grand Masters Banquet at the George Sentel Masonic Lodge in Sullivan recently, the lodge made donations to the Secret Santa program and the Moultrie County Food Pantry. Above, Senior Warden Mike Rollins presents Sullivan chief of police John Love with a $500 check for the Secret Santa program in Sullivan and Bethany. The same amount was donated to the Food Pantry. The Masonic Lodge’s annual golf outing in August generates funds allowing the George Sentel lodge to support the scholastic bowl and academic bowl for all schools as well as scholarship presentations to Sullivan, Okaw Valley and Windsor high school students and a variety of other community programs.

Reverie and Rule

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by Mike Brothers Reverie and Rule Sullivan Chamber representatives gathered at the November 4 ribbon cutting ceremony for Reverie and Rule in downtown Sullivan. Pictured from left: City Clerk Monte Johnson, Chamber president Cathrine Craig, Reverie & Rule owners Brett and Chelsea Beery, Hollie Atchison, Lori Harbaugh, and John Stephens. Reverie and Rule offers specialty gifts, stationary and gift cards.

Photo by Mike Brothers
Reverie and Rule
Sullivan Chamber representatives gathered at the November 4 ribbon cutting ceremony for Reverie and Rule in downtown Sullivan. Pictured from left: City Clerk Monte Johnson, Chamber president Cathrine Craig, Reverie & Rule owners Brett and Chelsea Beery, Hollie Atchison, Lori Harbaugh, and John Stephens. Reverie and Rule offers specialty gifts, stationary and gift cards.

Making A Difference

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by R.R. Best Making A Difference Approximately 60 women came together for the quarterly session of 100 Women. Of all the charitable organizations reviewed during the evening the group selected the Weekend Backpack Program. This program provides weekend food for 75-80 children each week. Beth White explained how the program which her mother-in-law Mary White directs reaches those in need. Final count collected to donate to Weekend Backpack was $4500. The next meeting is Tuesday, January 10.

Photo by R.R. Best
Making A Difference
Approximately 60 women came together for the quarterly session of 100 Women. Of all the charitable organizations reviewed during the evening the group selected the Weekend Backpack Program. This program provides weekend food for 75-80 children each week. Beth White explained how the program which her mother-in-law Mary White directs reaches those in need. Final count collected to donate to Weekend Backpack was $4500. The next meeting is Tuesday, January 10.