Photo by Darian Hays
Frying Fish
Pictured are Steve Fleming(left) and Ralph Zancha (right) frying pollock during the annual Lovington fish fry held June 26 in Tom Conn Park. According to Carol Smith of the Community Club, which sponsored the fish fry, approximately 140 pounds of fish were cooked, 200 people served, and $800 raised.
No life threatening injuries sustained
by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com
A Sullivan woman was struck while riding her bicycle in town the evening of Tuesday, June 30.
According to Sullivan police, Addie Comanse, 55, was riding her bicycle at approximately 5:45 p.m. southbound on Hamilton Street June 30 when she was struck by a vehicle driven by Victoria Clark, 20, of Assumption. Read More
Submitted
Salute to Farmer Veterans
More than 100 farmers and ranchers who previously served in the U.S. military and their respective homegrown products were celebrated at a Salute to Farmer Veterans reception at the Cannon House building in Washington D.C. June 2 hosted by the House Agriculture Committee and sponsored by the Farm Credit Council. The Illinois delegation at the Salute to Farmer Veterans reception featured (from left to right): Gene and Sandy Garver, Macon County farmers; Congresswoman Cheri Bustos; Sina Ringhausen, Jersey County farmer; Dale Crawford, Farm Credit Illinois Director and Moultrie County farmer; Alan Ringhausen, Jersey County farmer, Congressman Mike Bost; Joe Ringhausen, Jersey County farmer; and Beth Bolger, Farm Credit Illinois.
Christina Sanders, 30, pronounced dead Thursday
July 3, 2015
by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com
A Sullivan elementary school teacher was pronounced dead Thursday evening after being struck by a vehicle Tuesday.
According to the Moultrie County sheriff's department, Christina Sanders, 30, of Sullivan was pronounced dead at Carle Hospital at 5:33 p.m. Thursday.
Shortly before 7:13 p.m. Tuesday, Sanders was struck by an automobile while jogging along county road 850E just north of the Bruce-Findlay road according to the sheriff’s department.
The release further adds that the automobile was being driven by Kali Forsyth, 18, of Sullivan. Read More
Organizers now looking for another site
by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com
A special use permit filed in May for a zoo near Arthur has been withdrawn.
According to the Moultrie County planning and zoning officer Jan Haegan, James Aikman’s application for a special use permit for his wildlife park was withdrawn Monday afternoon.
Shortly thereafter, a post on the Facebook page Aikman Wildlife Adventure, which James Aikman confirmed as the project’s official page, explained the decision to withdrawal the application, citing the last zoning board of appeals meeting, which concluded with its members not recommending a permit for the zoo.
“The last meeting made it very apparent by the objectors that no matter what we do, nothing will ever be good enough,” read the post. Read More
Photo by RR Best
Miss Moultrie-Douglas Contestants
Pictured are the contestants who will compete in the 53rd annual Miss Moultrie-Douglas pageant , which will be held Tuesday, July 7 at 7 p.m. in Arthur. Pictured, from left to right, are this year’s contestants: Kiela Martin, Villa Grove; Becca Greathouse, Arthur; Ashton Doty, Bethany; Lauren Cody, Sullivan; Taylor Reifsteck, Tuscola; 2014 Miss Moultrie-Douglas Maria Meyer, Tuscola; Lexi Sluder, Tuscola; Gabrielle Uphoff, Sullivan; Michelle VanCleave, Tuscola; and Brittany Rader, Lovington. Not Pictured – Morgan Miller, Sullivan; Karla Madden, Newman; Hannah Leal, Arthur
Photo by RR Best
Jr. Miss Moultrie-Douglas Contestants
Pictured are the contestants who will compete in the Jr. Miss Moultrie-Douglas pageant , which will be held Monday, July 6 at 7 p.m. in Arthur. Pictured, from left to right, are this year’s contestants: Kali Pierce, Tuscola;Lexie Jaeger, Arcola; Julia Kerkhoff, Tuscola; Calista Clark, Lovington; Sydney Hoel, Tuscola; Janette Comstock, Lovington; Brandi Reinhart, Tuscola; Sidney Edwards, Oakland; 2014 Jr Miss Moultrie-Douglas Kayla Hodge, Arthur; Kenli Nettles, Lovington; Sabrina Alcorn, Tuscola; Emma Lee, Arthur; Faith Hardwick, Tuscola; Madysen Melton, Arcola; Meyha Evans, Arthur; and Logan Streible, Atwood. Not pictured is Kyla Carson, Arthur.
Photo by RR Best
Little Miss Moultrie-Douglas Contestants
Pictured are the contestants who will compete in the Little Miss Moultrie-Douglas pageant , which will be held Tuesday, July 7 at 7 p.m. in Arthur. Pictured, from left to right, are this year’s contestants: Top Row-Salina Kimberlin, Sullivan; Lilly Evans, Atwood; Chloe Smith, Hammond; Alyssa Adkins, Tuscola; Morgan Casteel, Lovington; Addison Dixon, Atwood; Sawyer Cleland, Tuscola; and Brooklynn Colter, Arthur; Bottom Row-Aymara Leal, Arcola; Gracelyn Johnson, Sullivan; Anna Rawlins, Pierson Station; Paislee Lorenzen, Newman; 2014 Little Miss Moultrie-Douglas Brynlee Moore, Lovington; Alyssa Ryherd, Sullivan; Emeline Greathouse, Arthur; Aaliyah Osborn, Sullivan; and Emmersyn Jainnoni, Sullivan. Not pictured is Kate Foltz, Tuscola.
Council plans to pursue legal action concerning the Sullivan Civic Center roof
by Ariana Cherry
Arthur/Sullivan Reporter
At their June 8 regular meeting, the Sullivan City Council decided they would move forward with litigation concerning the roof of the Sullivan Civic Center.
Problems with the Civic Center roof began back in 2006 when it was decided that a new roofing system would be constructed.
After receiving bids, Advanced Wayne Cain of Champaign, was chosen to start work on the roof in 2007 which would be completed during that spring and summer. Then, in 2013, when it was noticed that the top covering of the roof was loose, Advanced Wayne Cain was called back to help fix it. The roof was secured in order to stop it from blowing and being damaged any further. According to Sullivan commissioner Mike Mossman, it was never completely repaired as it was only secured until it could be permanently fixed. Read More
FBI make arrest last Thursday
by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com
A 30-year-old Sullivan man was arrested last week after a federal investigation into claims of child pornography.
Justen W. Troxell, 30, of Sullivan was arrested by federal investigators and with the assistance of Sullivan police last Thursday.
According to an affidavit filed with the United States District Court in Urbana, the investigation began on June 21 when a 23-year-old woman in Douglas County contacted the Tuscola Police Department in regard to a child pornography complaint.
The woman told police that she had received a pornographic image on her cell phone from a white male whom she had met on social media and that later appeared to be Troxell according to federal investigators. The image was presented to Tuscola police and was also observed by FBI special agent Brian Schenkelberg, who, in the affidavit, described it as depicting a female child approximately three-five years performing a sex act with an adult male. Read More
Influx of money helps, but still short
by Ariana Cherry
Arthur/Sullivan Reporter
The Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond School Board approved an amended budget for 2014-2015 at their last regular board meeting after receiving an unexpected payment of $285,000 from the state.
“We are definitely excited about the additional revenue,” said superintendent Kenny Schwengel.
The district received $121,000 for transportation, $122,900 for special education services and $42,000 from the “adequacy grant.” Although the board received the unexpected funding, the state is still short, sending the district about $225,000 due to the 89% proration (11% cut). “Had we not received that money, we would have been about a half a million short of what we should have received,” explained Schwengel. “We continue to look for opportunities to save money due to the financial outlook in Illinois. Purchases have to be reduced. Staffing will be reduced when possible due to attrition,” he added. As of May 2015, the district’s overall balance stood at $1,128,388.12. Read More
Submitted
Pictured are emergency personnel meeting with a Life Flight helicopter, which transported Christina Sanders from Arthur to Carle Hospital Tuesday evening after she was stuck by a vehicle in rural Sullivan.
Woman in critical condition
July 1, 2015
by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com
A Sullivan elementary school teacher is in critical condition after being struck by a vehicle Tuesday evening.
Shortly before 7:13 p.m. Tuesday, Christina Sanders, 30, of Sullivan was struck by an automobile while jogging in rural Sullivan according to a press release from the Moultrie County Sheriff’s Department.
The release further adds that the automobile was being driven by Kali Forsyth, 18, of Sullivan. Read More