ALAH Graduates Look to the Future

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•June 1, 2016•

Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond graduation ceremonies were held at the ALAH gymnasium at 7 p.m. Friday May 27 with 66 candidates receiving diplomas for 2016.

Valedictorians are Jakob Brewer and Rebecca Davis.

Photo by Darian Hays Pictured above is ALAH’s 2016 graduating class.

Photo by Darian Hays
Pictured above is ALAH’s 2016 graduating class.

Brewer plans to attend Parkway Pathway to the University of Illinois in the college of engineering. His idea of success is not about how much money you make, but whether you live your life to its fullest potential.

“Procrastination will get you nowhere, and life is 10 percent about what happens to you and 90 percent  how you react.”

Davis is currently attending Paul Mitchell the School in Normal. Her idea of success is achieving your goals no matter what others think about them.

“Taking the time to grow as an adult can be more beneficial than class time.”

Madeleine Brown and Allison Irwin are salutatorians.

Madaleine is studying English through the Parkland Pathway to University of Illinois. Read More

Time for a New Approach for Eagle Creek Resort

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Demolition Ahead

•June 1, 2016•

By Mike Brothers

Eagle Creek Resort’s $17.8 million repair and upgrade costs led the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to a demolition decision last week.

The fate of the 138 room hotel and golf course east of Findlay has been in limbo since its 2009 closing over mold issues.

Sullivan mayor Ann Short has served on a two county committee of public officials trying to revive tourism prospects for the area and attended a meeting following the IDNR announcement last week.

Representatives met at the Corp of Engineers Lake Shelbyville office.

“This is the first positive step I’ve seen in a long time,” she said of the decision to move forward on the fate of the resort. Read More

DMH Honors Founder Sue Hagaman in Bethany

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Photo by Mike Brothers DMH CEO and President Tim Stone places a wreath on Sue Hagaman’s grave.

Photo by Mike Brothers
DMH CEO and President Tim Stone places a wreath on Sue Hagaman’s grave.

•June 1, 2016•

Sue Hagaman of Bethany embarked on a 15 year mission in 1901 that developed into Decatur Memorial Hospital of today. On Friday, Mary 27 DMH President and CEO Tim Stone placed a wreath on Mrs. Hagaman’s grave site at Marrowbone Township Cemetery in observation of the hospital’s 100th anniversary.

Julie Moore introduced Stone to the Bethany gathering that included mayor Bill Ashley, Marrowbone township representatives, family, friends former nurses and DMH employees.

Stone told a crowd during the 4:30 p.m. commemoration that Hagaman’s vision of a place where women could safely give birth actually is what gave birth to Decatur’s hospital.

“It started with the dream of a woman who saw a need,” Stone said. “She started having bake sales, which became the seed for capital to build Decatur’s hospital.”  Read More

Okaw Valley Grads Honored

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Photo by RR Best Dylan Park adjusts his cap before Okaw Valley High School graduation ceremonies in Bethany Sunday, May 29. Thirty three graduates received diplomas during the outdoor ceremony. PTO Provides Help with Funding The continued underfunding of schools in Illinois is no secret. Fortunately, the Sullivan PTO has stepped up its efforts to provide opportunities for the students of Sullivan Elementary School.

Photo by RR Best
Dylan Park adjusts his cap before Okaw Valley High School graduation ceremonies in Bethany Sunday, May 29. Thirty three graduates received diplomas during the outdoor ceremony. PTO Provides
Help with Funding
The continued underfunding of schools in Illinois is no secret. Fortunately, the Sullivan PTO has stepped up its efforts to provide opportunities for the students of Sullivan Elementary School.

•June 1, 2016•

Seventy five students were recognized with Okaw Valley High School Awards prior to graduation.

Thirty-three OVHS graduates gathered under sunny skies in Bethany at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 29 for commencement.

Okaw Valley High School recognized more than 75 students for their academic achievement and awarded several scholarships May 11. Eastern Illinois University scholarship was presented to senior Devan Nave, Lake Land College presented scholarships to Nicole Miller, Gretchen Macklin, and Adam Bricker.

Other scholarships presented include the Toby J Jump Memorial to Alex Martin, George A Sentel Lodge #764 to Devon Meredith, Jackson Masonic Lodge to Nicole Miller, American Red Cross to Charli Uhlrich, Okaw Valley Education Association to Nicole Miller, Bethany Sons of the American Legion to Race Underwood, Angela Marie Diss Memorial to Nicole Miller, Community Service to Charli Uhlrich, Overlot Memorial to Nicole Miller, Psi Iota Xi winners Charli Uhlrich and Race Underwood, OV Booster to Alex Martin and Charli Uhlrich. Receiving the Eastern Star Scholarship was Madison Fox, and Findlay Fireman’s Association recipients Charli Uhlrich and Robbie Stiner. Other special recognition awards were presented to Alex Martin and Nicole Miller for LOVC Student Athletes as well as Army Scholar Athletes. Brianna Creviston was recognized as a delegate at Youth Day to Springfield and Gretchen Macklin received the DAR award. Gretchen Macklin, Alex Martin, Nicole Miller, Nick Tipsword, and Charli Uhlrich were honored as Illinois State Scholars. Receiving honors as Heartland Students of the Quarter were Jasmine Guzzie, Cole Thompson, Preston Gibbons, and Brianna Clardy. Those students receiving perfect attendance for the entire year were Quinn Brooks, Tyus Brooks, Taylor Coleman, Race Underwood, Shelby Hagerman, Preston Gibbons, and Isabella Benning. Sophie Zimmerman received the volunteer of the year award from the Heartland Mini Hooves.  Gretchen Macklin, Alex Martin, Nicole Miller, Charli Uhlrich, and Race Underwood received recognition from the CBAI.   Read More

Windsor High School Class of 2016

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Photo courtesy Inter-State Studio Windsor High School Class of 2016 Twenty-six seniors graduated from Windsor High School at 7 p.m. Friday. WHS graduating class: Top row L to R Zach Caywood, Simon Carr, Chase Linn, Brad Kidwell, Tristan Warner, Mitchell Haddock, Autumn Bennett, Dalton McCormick, and Mercedez Austin. Middle row L to R: Shelby Lawrence, Hannah Miller, Devin Jones, Kristen Morlen, James Hortenstine, Taylor Reynolds, Dakota Beal, and Taylor Wiback. Front Row L to R: Harley Rogers, Raquel Jackson, Zach Salsiccia, Todd Elliott, Tyler Kemper, Breana Wiltermood, Christian Williams, Kesha Arthur, and Ethan Neal.

Photo courtesy Inter-State Studio
Windsor High School Class of 2016
Twenty-six seniors graduated from Windsor High School at 7 p.m. Friday. WHS graduating class: Top row L to R Zach Caywood, Simon Carr, Chase Linn, Brad Kidwell, Tristan Warner, Mitchell Haddock, Autumn Bennett, Dalton McCormick, and Mercedez Austin. Middle row L to R: Shelby Lawrence, Hannah Miller, Devin Jones, Kristen Morlen, James Hortenstine, Taylor Reynolds, Dakota Beal, and Taylor Wiback. Front Row L to R: Harley Rogers, Raquel Jackson, Zach Salsiccia, Todd Elliott, Tyler Kemper, Breana Wiltermood, Christian Williams, Kesha Arthur, and Ethan Neal.

Challenged Runner on Inspirational Trip

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Photo by Mike Brothers Jeff Hobbs’ journey to the Chicago Marathon inspires Sullivan students during recent assembly.

Photo by Mike Brothers
Jeff Hobbs’ journey to the Chicago Marathon inspires Sullivan students during recent assembly.

•May 25, 2016•

By Mike Brothers

Sullivan High School principal Erik Young saw Jeff Hobbs running in a high school cross country meet 18 years ago and was inspired.

Hobbs has Spastic Cerebral Palsy (Quadriplegia) and is a runner who has already overcome more obstacles than you can imagine. Now he  is training to run the Chicago Marathon.

Hobbs told Sullivan High School students his story of determination during an assembly May 9.

His attempt to run the 26.2 mile Chicago Marathon in 2014 ended short with severe damage to tendons and stress fractures to his feet.

With the help of special shoes and training on an ultra gravity treadmill his hope to run is rekindled.

Hobbs’ big hope is to be the first person with Quadriplegia to ever finish the Chicago Marathon which celebrates its 39th anniversary this October. Read More

Memorial Day Weekend Scheduled at Lake Shelbyville

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•May 25, 2016•

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Lake Shelbyville is gearing up for a busy Memorial Day weekend. A variety of programs are planned including tours of the dam, campground programs, and many other activities.

Beginning Memorial Day weekend, tours of the dam will be offered free of charge every Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m. Tours are approximately 50 minutes long and begin in the Lake Shelbyville Visitor Center lobby. Small groups may sign in upon arrival at the Visitor Center. Large groups must call ahead. Tours run through Labor Day weekend. Read More

Area Memorial Day Services Scheduled

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•May 25, 2016•

The Lovington American Legion family will host a Memorial Day service at 1 p.m. Sunday, May 28 in Tom Conn Park.

Sullivan American Legion Post #68 Honor Guard begins Memorial weekend observations following church service at Jonathan Creek Christian Church Sunday, May 29. The Honor guard will march the congregation across the road to the cemetery where prayer, a 21 gun salute and taps will be played.

Groups wishing to march in the Memorial Day parade are encouraged to gather at the Moultrie County Courthouse by 7:45 a.m. Monday, May 30. Read More

A Day at the Wax Museum

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Photo by Mike Brothers Babe Ruth is ready to hit as Jake Stewart.

Photo by Mike Brothers
Babe Ruth is ready to hit as Jake Stewart. Click the photo for the photo page.

•May 25, 2016•

The fourth grade wax museum at Sullivan Elementary School displayed a mix of pop culture and history Wednesday, May 11.

Students in the three fourth grade classes of Kurt Friese, Drew Campbell and Kay Lehman spent the past two months learning about characters from history and pop culture.

Inside the elementary school gymnasium on Wednesday those students became the characters they were studying.

“Students were given a month to select their character,” said Kay Lehman, noting they had to make the case for their character having an influence on history before approval was given.

Social studies help provide many of the characters. “Those choosing pop culture characters had to show how they impacted America,” Lehman explained.

This is the third year for the wax museum, and students added an iPod dimension to their character displays. Read More

Moultrie County Final Multiplier Announced

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•May 25, 2016•

Moultrie County has been issued a final property assessment equalization factor of 1.0000, according to Constance Beard, Director of the Illinois Department of Revenue.

The property assessment equalization factor, often called the “multiplier”, is the method used to achieve uniform property assessments among counties, as required by law. This equalization is particularly important because some of the state’s 6,600 local taxing districts overlap into two or more counties (e.g. school districts, junior college districts, fire protection districts). If there were no equalization among counties, substantial inequities among taxpayers with comparable properties would result.

Under a law passed in 1975, property in Illinois should be assessed at one-third (1/3) of its market value. Farm property is assessed differently, with farm homesites and dwellings subject to regular assessing and equalization procedures but with farmland assessed at one-third of its agriculture economic value. Farmland is not subject to the state equalization factor. Read More