News – Page 313 – News Progress

Wyman Park Easter Egg Hunt Draws Huge Crowd

Posted on March 30, 2016 by webmasterMarch 30, 2016

Wyman Park Easter Egg Hunt Draws Huge Crowd
The Sullivan Fire District hosted a huge crowd at the Wyman Park Easter Egg Hunt at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 27. In addition they had a grand bicycle give away.
A bicycle was donated to both a boy and a girl in each of the six age groups participating. Bike winners included: 0-1 Faith Whitlow and Beavis Edwards; 2-3 Wesley Murray and Ana Kean; 4-5 Charlie Conlin and Gabby Hutchcraft; 6-7 Leighton Poulos and Wyatt Wehrle; 8-9 Jaiden Beckwith donated her bike to Hannah Kercheval and Ivan Moxley won the boys bike; 10-11 Noah Marlow and Madelyn Neville.
Photo by RR Best

Local Travelers Find Cuba Under Renovation

Posted on March 30, 2016 by webmasterMarch 30, 2016

Sullivan’s Joe Pound kneels at entrance of Hotel Nacional in Cuba

•March 30, 2016•

Reported by “Jose” Pound
For the News Progress

Imagine a lush, tropical island in the Caribbean Sea (just 200 miles south of Miami and 90 miles south of Key West, Fla.), about the length of Florida (700 miles), with so much natural beauty, warm & friendly folks plus delightful local food. Only in the last few years have Americans been allowed legally to visit this island to meet and greet these engaging, energetic, creative Cuban people.

This largest island in the Caribbean Sea is one of about 30 major islands, many of which (26) my wife and I have visited over the past 40 years, but never to Cuba. This void was due to our government’s restricted travel embargo policies. Fortunately for us, these past restrictive travel policies now are being relaxed by our government. Recently five adults from Sullivan were part of a flood of new visitors from the US taking advantage of this new freedom to travel to Cuba. It proved to be a great experience for me like none of the other islands of this tropical sea I’ve visited earlier.

Our touring company…Road Scholar (part of Elderhostel based in Boston) has been doing these tours to Cuba for a short time. Elderhostel has been around for 40+ years. It is a well regarded not-for-profit travel agency. Our small group (five) from Sullivan made this trip to Cuba in the middle of March. We were accompanied by 17 other persons from all over the country…from upper Wisconsin to Texas from Ohio to west coast. What a diverse group. This is my report of that experience. The program was called Havana and the Countryside.

This particular Road Scholar group seemed to coalesce well, as we toured the western part of this large beautiful, green tropical island for eight days (March 13-20, 2016). About half of us were singles and about half couples…a diverse group of explorers. All of us from Sullivan were singles.

This experience in the middle of March immediately preceded President Obama’s recent three day visit to Republic of Cuba. It’s been 88 years since a US President visited the island. Our small group departed Cuba on Sunday the March 20 just one hour before the President and his family arrived at Jose Marti International AP near Havana, Cuba. We were delighted to not be there during the President’s visit. One neat fact, our stay in Havana was at the huge Hotel Nacional, where the President stayed. There were all kinds of preparation activities preceding the President and his family’s arrival in the Cuban capital. Read More

Yost Defense Takes a Twist

Posted on March 30, 2016 by webmasterMarch 30, 2016

•March 30, 2016•

By Mike Brothers

Judge Dan L. Flannell granted Michael Yost until April 4 to produce evidence that involuntary intoxication be a reasonable defense in the death of Sheri Randall on March 4, 2015.

Yost, 41, appeared in Moultrie County Circuit Court March 29 with public defender Brad Rau requesting expert witness expenses. This is to help prove Yost’s diabetes condition combined with alcohol contributed to his amnesia.

State’s Attorney Jeremy Richey objected to Rau’s request for an additional expert evaluation of Yost.

“As for the involuntary intoxication, it was not involuntary if it was caused by his own failure to take care of his condition,” Richey said, after pointing out he didn’t see the link to an insanity plea and the involuntary intoxication issue. Read More

Injured Bald Eagle’s Captor Sought

Posted on March 30, 2016 by webmasterMarch 30, 2016

Photo by RR Best

Damage forces euthanization

•March 30, 2016•

A bald eagle in a severely weakened state due to being kept illegally in captivity, was euthanized March 17.

Illinois Conservation police officers Jason Moody and Brandon Barnes responded to a call about an injured eagle in a field near the Lake Shelbyville Wildlife Management Area in Moultrie County.

The eagle made several attempts to fly but was unable to fly more than 20 yards. After several attempts, the officers were able to capture the bird and deliver it safely to the Illinois Raptor Center in Decatur. Read More

Left Over Clothing Here, Helps Overseas

Posted on March 23, 2016 by webmasterMarch 23, 2016

•March 23, 2016•

By Nick Fiala
For The News Progress

A non-profit organization called Christian Aid Ministries, or CAM, has a small operating branch right here in Sullivan.

Ray Miller, a Mennonite from the community of Bourbon, has been assisting with the donations for the past five years. He voluntarily picks up donated or overstocked clothes from thrift stores and churches in the county and drives them out to a collection building rented out by CAM, near Arthur, where they are packaged and eventually shipped overseas.

“I donate my time picking them up,” Miller said. “It’s a really unique deal. Everybody’s doing a little something to help somebody.”

CAM, which is based out of Ohio, orders large containers from a third party company that go to each collection site across the country. The process for transporting the clothes is very thorough.

At the rural Arthur collection facility various church groups gather in shifts to sort through the mountains of donated clothing. For three months volunteers sort, clean repair and prepare the clothing for bales that are shipped overseas.

But since 1981, volunteers have been running it as a well-oiled machine, turning out two large containers per group, to be carried overseas on a barge every year by March. In fact, Miller’s group has already finished their first one this year, and they’re well on their way to finishing the second. Read More

ALAH District Dips into Reserves to Cover $240,000 State Owes

Posted on March 23, 2016 by webmasterMarch 23, 2016

Could be 5 months before anymore payments are made

•March 23, 2016•

By Ariana Cherry
For the News Progress

“The current checkbook balance is $5,525,184.24,” stated Superintendent Kenny Schwengel at the last Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond School Board meeting. “All funds are in the black, but the balance is getting a little smaller.”

Schwengel noted that the district received a second mandated categorical payment in the amount of $199,000. “I am anticipating it to be the last one for the year though,” he cautioned.

“The state still owes us about $240,000,” Schwengel informed. The district has received only two of four mandated payments. “We are definitely up for some challenges,” he solemnly said.

Schwengel explained that it could be five months before they see any type of payment.This could make the district come up with nearly $1 million.

Illinois may not approve any education budget until the November election or some type of reforming takes place he said of future expectations.

“Presently, we are looking at three areas to make some cuts – middle school math, media in the library and Spanish. We possibly could use those resources where they are better needed,” Schwengel said. “We are still in better shape than a lot of schools right now.” Read More

Lovington Board Reviews Drainage Issues

Posted on March 23, 2016 by webmasterMarch 23, 2016

•March 23, 2016•

The Lovington Village Board helped sponsor the Easter egg hunt held March 19 in the park.

Trustee Dennis Garman presented the request for $500 which was used to purchase new baskets and a variety of treats to fill them with Jenny Peck coordinating the effort.

Board president Jim Minor appointed the new park and recreation committee which will serve one year. Included on the committee are chair/treasurer Jenny Peck, co-chair Brandie Mendoza, secretary Amanda Kreher along with Nina Fridge, Paula Murray and Lisa Clark.

Dave Bowers presented a report to the village board concerning drainage issues and possible solutions.

Representing the drainage district, Bowers explained drainage tile are being inspected with a tree needing removed at the west end of town. Read More

Sullivan City Council Approves Temporary Plaza

Posted on March 23, 2016 by webmasterMarch 23, 2016

•March 23, 2016•

By Ariana Cherry
For the News Progress

Spring has arrived which means warmer weather and new shows arriving at the Little Theatre on the Square.

Sullivan residents will be seeing a few changes this season when the theatre opens. Starting May 15, Washington Street will become a one-way street to make room for an outdoor plaza.

The plaza will run from Harrison Street to the outside of the Little Theatre while the alleys remain open. The plaza will be protected by heavy blocks and large planters with outdoor patio furniture and other plants and flowers.

This new arrangement is to create a safe place for patrons to gather before and after shows and during intermission. It also will allow an accessible area for bus drop-offs.

Children will benefit by having a place to safely get autographs. The plaza will also provide an opportunity for specialty vendors during the season.

There are future plans to have a Farm to Table Dinner to kick-off the opening of the plaza and theatre. According to SCED (Sullivan Chamber Economic Development) Director Stepheny McMahon, the plaza will open at no cost to the city. The SCED will be heading the new project. “We have had 16 letters of support and offers to help from the Sullivan Rotary, Little Theatre Advisory, Sullivan High School and My Garden,” she said. Read More

OV FFA Donkey Baksetball 2016

Posted on March 23, 2016 by webmasterMarch 23, 2016

Photo By Sonya Best
Sean Kirksey deals with the classic problem during the Okaw Valley FFA donkey basketball challenge in Findlay Saturday, March 19. How to get back in the saddle with a basketball in your hand. Thrills and spills filled the evening with the students falling to the more experienced administration team. Click the above photo to access photo page.

Sullivan Schools Technolgy Budget Grows

Posted on March 23, 2016 by webmasterMarch 23, 2016

•March 23, 2016•

By Mike Brothers

As school technology expands so do the budgets required to keep pace.

Sullivan School Board members were updated on the FY 2017 budget by Supt. Brad Tuttle which includes a $34,938 increase from the prior year.

Formulated by the District Technology Committee the proposed annual budget is $268,003.

With the anticipated E-Rate reinbursment of $57,222 the total district cost should reduce to $210,781.

The iPad student program expands to include the ninth grade in the new budget. The purchase of 80 iPads and cases is $32,320. Read More