New TIF District Explored South of Sullivan

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•September 7, 2016•

By Mike Brothers

Possible development of an Alzheimer treatment facility south of Sullivan could lead to a new Tax Increment Financing district.

Mayor Ann Short explained that Dr. Faisal Burkhari of Sullivan and a group of investors contacted the city expressing interest in building a treatment facility near Vineyard Church, south of Sullivan on Route 32.

Short noted the area is within the city limits, and if the city of Sullivan annexed property to the east, a TIF 4 district could be formed to allow future growth in the area.

Mayor Short noted those property owners could benefit from increased development of subdivisions as well as commercial expansion without endangering tax bases for existing agricultural operations.

“The city has been able to work with landowners to encourage participation in successful TIF districts, with those expiring possibly included in a new district,” she said. Read More

Care-A-Vanners Are Back

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Photo by Mike Brothers Care-A-Vanners Are Back Habitat for Humanities volunteer Care-A-Vanners from all over the country have set up at Faith Resort behind Faith Lutheran Church in Sullivan. The inhabitants of eight RVs are in the process of building the 27th Habitat for Humanity house in Moultrie County. Care-A-Vanner Project leader Bob Gillespie said they have an additional RV this year to help with a Habitat rehabilitation project during the six week build.

Photo by Mike Brothers
Care-A-Vanners Are Back
Habitat for Humanities volunteer Care-A-Vanners from all over the country have set up at Faith Resort behind Faith Lutheran Church in Sullivan. The inhabitants of eight RVs are in the process of building the 27th Habitat for Humanity house in Moultrie County. Care-A-Vanner Project leader Bob Gillespie said they have an additional RV this year to help with a Habitat rehabilitation project during the six week build.

Flags Wave

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Photo by Mike Brothers Flags Wave Sullivan utility workers put the crowning touches on the city’s Labor Day weekend placing flags around town Friday in preparation for the last holiday of summer.

Photo by Mike Brothers
Flags Wave
Sullivan utility workers put the crowning touches on the city’s Labor Day weekend placing flags around town Friday in preparation for the last holiday of summer.

Sullivan FFA Officer Team

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Photo furnished Sullivan FFA Officer Team Sullivan FFA elected their officers for the 2016-2017 year this past May. Serving as president is Devin Warren, and vice president is Andrew Matlock. Bryce King serves as chapter reporter, Jon Gavin, chapter secretary, Blake Read, treasurer, Devan Tull, sentinel, and historian is Irie Dulin. On Target for Success was selected as the chapter theme by the officers during their officer orientation meetings held this summer. Officers worked throughout the summer to learn their new offices, and the summer culminated in the Chapter Officer Leadership Training (COLT) program. During this two day retreat, officers had the opportunity to try “escaping” from two different escape rooms, The Office and The Curse of Jackling Manor, in Escape-Bloomington. The overall theme for the COLT program was Leadership Escape and featured a series of activities to promote teamwork and communication amongst the officer team.

Photo furnished
Sullivan FFA Officer Team
Sullivan FFA elected their officers for the 2016-2017 year this past May. Serving as president is Devin Warren, and vice president is Andrew Matlock. Bryce King serves as chapter reporter, Jon Gavin, chapter secretary, Blake Read, treasurer, Devan Tull, sentinel, and historian is Irie Dulin.
On Target for Success was selected as the chapter theme by the officers during their officer orientation meetings held this summer. Officers worked throughout the summer to learn their new offices, and the summer culminated in the Chapter Officer Leadership Training (COLT) program. During this two day retreat, officers had the opportunity to try “escaping” from two different escape rooms, The Office and The Curse of Jackling Manor, in Escape-Bloomington. The overall theme for the COLT program was Leadership Escape and featured a series of activities to promote teamwork and communication amongst the officer team.

Tabor Park Clearing Opens Asa Creek Walk

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Photo by Mike Brothers Large brush clearing equipment was contracted to help clear Asa Creek in Tabor Park

Photo by Mike Brothers
Large brush clearing equipment was contracted to help clear Asa Creek in Tabor Park

•August 31, 2016•

By Gerry Mander
for the News Progress

Walkers and runners visiting Tabor Park in Sullivan the past week may notice a different look along the creek.

“We are in the process of clearing honeysuckle and cleaning up around Asa Creek,” park’s supt. Kory Wiley explained.

Over the past decade honeysuckle and other invasive overgrowth has closed in on the walking paths at the 40 acre Tabor Park where Asa Creek flows.

Wiley explained clearing that brush away has opened the trails and should make those using the trails for exercising more comfortable.

The park district contracted with a Mattoon excavating firm for the major clearing which was accomplished over six days. Read More

44th Annual Cheese Festival in Arthur over the Labor Day Weekend

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•August 31, 2016•

by Ariana Cherry
For the News Progress

“The early bird gets the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese,” said singer/songwriter Willie Nelson.

Of course, there won’t be any reason to fight over cheese - there will be plenty of opportunities for free cheese at this year’s 44th Annual Cheese Festival in Arthur over the Labor Day weekend. There will be a variety of events, live entertainment, cheese tasting and shopping for everybody.

The celebratory “Cutting of the Cheese” kicks off the festival at 10 a.m. Saturday, September 3 with “Erste Kase Schnitzen.”

At 11 a.m., 300 pounds of free cheese will be given away at the main cheese tent at Cheesy Hollow.

Attendants who enjoy a good refreshment and need to cool off during the live music entertainment may visit the beer tent (sponsored by Angie’s Food and Spirit) and wine (sponsored by Wine on Vine). It is near the Welcome Center. Read More

Okaw Valley School District Partners With Army Corps

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Photo courtesy OVHS Corps of Engineers and Okaw Valley School District recently began a vocational cooperative program on 40 acres of Corps property in Shelby and Moultrie counties. Pictured above are Okaw Valley students, administration and the Corps of Engineers during the agreement’s official signing at the Lake Shelbyville headquarters.

Photo courtesy OVHS
Corps of Engineers and Okaw Valley School District recently began a vocational cooperative program on 40 acres of Corps property in Shelby and Moultrie counties. Pictured above are Okaw Valley students, administration and the Corps of Engineers during the agreement’s official signing at the Lake Shelbyville headquarters.

•August 31, 2016•

By Derek Pope
For the News Progress

Shortly after the 2016-2017 school year commenced, Okaw Valley’s administration announced a milestone addition to their schools’ growing vocational education programs—a focal point for the district over the last few years.

In a partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Okaw Valley was granted an in-kind lease on 40 acres of land around Lake Shelbyville for educational purposes. The plots, which span both Moultrie and Shelby counties, are intended to provide students with numerous opportunities for field studies in agriculture, engineering, and science. The first of its kind collaboration was officially approved with a signing held at the Lake Shelbyville Visitor Center on August 29.

Col. Anthony Mitchell, commander of the USACE St. Louis District, who was on hand for the signing, said of the program, “What you see here is a community effort. What you hear amongst these people is a shared vision. That breeds innovative thought, and innovative thought leads to creative ideas and critical thinking” . Read More

Increased Tennis Court Use Prompts Resurface Proposal

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•August 31, 2016•

By Ariana Cherry
For the News Progress

The Sullivan City Council was recently approached about repairing the tennis courts in Wyman Park. Coach Chris Dobosz explained that the tennis association was growing larger, and the courts were getting much more use.

Commissioner Mike Mossman noted that he had been out to the tennis courts and noticed the numbers had increased. Dobosz presented a proposal of $18,560 from All Weather Courts of Dawson, Illinois.

The cost would cover repairs such as fixing the cracks, resurfacing the courts and adding more holes for new tennis nets. All Weather Courts resurfaced the courts about 10 years ago.

Mossman stated that there could also be the possibility of making the current basketball courts dual purpose so that more courts would be available for playing tennis. Further research and discussion needs to be done before moving forward with repairing the courts. Read More

Ice Cream Social Thanks

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Photo by RR Best Ice Cream Social Thanks Betty Book expresses her gratitude to Moultrie County deputy Clint Walker at the police and sheriff’s department appreciation ice cream social held at the Sullivan V.F.W. Saturday August 27. The 3 p.m. reception sponsored by Citizens of Sullivan gave the public a chance to show their appreciation for what law enforcement does everyday, event coordinator Rob Young explained.

Photo by RR Best
Ice Cream Social Thanks
Betty Book expresses her gratitude to Moultrie County deputy Clint Walker at the police and sheriff’s department appreciation ice cream social held at the Sullivan V.F.W. Saturday August 27. The 3 p.m. reception sponsored by Citizens of Sullivan gave the public a chance to show their appreciation for what law enforcement does everyday, event coordinator Rob Young explained.

Blend of Old and Young for St. Isidore

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Father Steve Arisman

Father Steve Arisman

•August 24, 2016•

by Mike Brothers

St. Isidore Catholic Church, one of the oldest parishes in the area, has one of the youngest priests in the Springfield diocese.

The rural Bethany parish established in 1864 welcomed Father Steve Arisman to his first assignment as a priest from the bishop of the Springfield diocese recently.

Father Arisman at 35, serves St. Isidore, Holy Family in Mt. Zion, is chaplain at St. Teresa High School and for all scouting programs within the 28 counties of the Springfield diocese. Arisman is also one of four assistants assigned to travel with the bishop while visiting parishes within the diocese.

“I had only been here for two weeks when the McCabe family invited me to their family reunion,” Father Steve said, noting that early acceptance into the church family was a gift.

“When I had spoken with other visiting priests who have served St. Isidore, they said everyone sings there,” he recalled, noting each would have been honored to receive his assignment. Read More