News Progress

•June 29, 2016•

It is a tradition to take a look at the annual corn crop in the area and judge whether it is knee high in July.

Corn has grown especially well lately with the combination of rain and heat.

Some may say it is at the point where you can hear the stalks as they grow.

This year’s corn is far past knee high in July, as RR Best’s drone photograph of the Graven family illustrates. From the drone: Aubrey, Kennedy, Chelsea and Kenny stand in sky high corn.

“Driving between Tuscola and Sullivan and looking at various crops, the 2016 crop is off to a great start,” Moultrie Douglas Farm Bureau Manager Tyler Harvey said of the crop so far this June.

“It is amazing to see the growth and size of some of the cornfields for being in June,” he continued.

However, looking at the long range forecast, upper 80’s and 90’s is slated to stick around.

With this,some measurable rainfall is needed every few days to keep the crop growth at the level it is.

Harvey noted in a recent report that with the warm temperatures, wind, and sun, it does not take long for the moisture to be pulled out of the ground.

Photo by RR Best

ALAH Principal Steffanie Seegmiller

•June 29, 2016•

By Ariana Cherry
For the News Progress

After serving on the district school board for seven years, a strong dedication to education pushed Steffanie Seegmiller toward Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond’s new high school principal position.

“I’m excited to have this opportunity,” she said. “I’m invested in this district and community. I believe we are fortunate when students call our high school home, and it’s our job to provide them with the best education possible,” she said.

Her educational background began with a Bachelor of Science in Education from Southern Illinois University, Master of Science in Educational Administration from the U of I in Springfield.

Six years of experience teaching undergraduate education courses in areas of instructional analysis and design and best practice in assessment,  seven years of teaching and supervising student teachers allowed her experiences from different fields.

Not only does Seegmiller excel in experience, but she has the drive and motivation to overcome the challenges in education while working with students and teachers. Read More

•June 22, 2016•

Michael S. Yost, 43, waived his right to a jury trial in Moultrie County Circuit Court  June 21.

Public Defender Brad Rau presented the waiver to Chief Judge Dan L. Flannell with State’s Attorney Jeremy Richey explaining the trial could take up to four days without juror selection.

Before setting the 9 a.m. September 12 court date, Judge Flannell read the four counts of murder with which Yost has been charged. The most serious of the first degree murder charges could carry a 20 years to natural life sentence and up to a $25,000 fine.

Flannell explained that the trial by the court would mean the decision on Yost’s innocence or guilt would rest exclusively with the judge.

Once agreed on the new court date Judge Flannell then addressed Yost’s correspondence concerning jail accommodations. Read More