Expenses, Revenue Both Down, Tax Levy Up

News Progress Posted on by
November 19, 2014

New levy increases $7,141

Barry Featheringill
Sullivan Reporter

Once again the city of Sullivan had the first reading of the ordinance for the levy and assessment of taxes for the fiscal year beginning May 1, 2014 and ending April 30, 2015. This year the total appropriation, or money spent, of $28,173,950.00 is down from past year’s total appropriation by $663,850.

“This reduction is due to several factors but mainly fewer transfers from general fund, fewer gas fund purchases and a reduction in the water and sewer department expenses since the construction projects will not be completed in the fiscal year as had been previously hoped,” explained city treasurer Myron Salmon.

The receipts from sources other than the tax levy are also down by $697,991 from last year, and the amount raised by the new tax levy represents an increase of $7,141. Read More

SHS Alum Speaks at Veterans Day Ceremony

News Progress Posted on by

November 12, 2014

Photo by Keith Stewart Sullivan high school students Cody Kay (left) and Tristin Minard (middle), who are both currently enlisted in the Army, march with a ceremonial wreath under the guidance of Steve Jenne (right), a retired Army E5. The wreath was placed on the Veterans Monument in front of the high school after the Veterans Day assembly Tuesday afternoon.

Photo by Keith Stewart
Sullivan high school students Cody Kay (left) and Tristin Minard (middle), who are both currently enlisted in the Army, march with a ceremonial wreath under the guidance of Steve Jenne (right), a retired Army E5. The wreath was placed on the Veterans Monument in front of the high school after the Veterans Day assembly Tuesday afternoon.

Bragg reflects on service to country

by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

Dallas Bragg doesn’t recall ever finishing one book in high school. Well, that is with the exception of one.

As a sophomore in Rebecca Lawson’s Career English Class, Bragg along with his late friend Brian VandenBrink, set out to finish the novel “Fallen Angels” before their instructor could.

They won. Read More

Otter Plunge 2014

News Progress Posted on by

Dolphins1

Submitted Otter Plunge The Otter Plunge at Olympia, Ill, was held on October 11-12. Pictured (top) from left to right are: Sofia Nuzzo 10 & U 3rd , Noah Spain 10 & U 4th place. Not pictured is Ava Shriver, 8 & U, 2nd place. Pictured (bottom) from left to right are: Connor Russell, open, 3rd; Aiden Short 11-12, 5th; Bryce King, open, 1st, Grant King, open, 2nd, Brynna Sentel, open, 1st, McKenna Kull, open, 2nd, Natalie Drury, open, 4th. Not pictured is Charlie Goss, open, 6th.

Submitted
Otter Plunge
The Otter Plunge at Olympia, Ill, was held on October 11-12. Pictured (top) from left to right are: Sofia Nuzzo 10 & U 3rd , Noah Spain 10 & U 4th place. Not pictured is Ava Shriver, 8 & U, 2nd place. Pictured (bottom) from left to right are: Connor Russell, open, 3rd; Aiden Short 11-12, 5th; Bryce King, open, 1st, Grant King, open, 2nd, Brynna Sentel, open, 1st, McKenna Kull, open, 2nd, Natalie Drury, open, 4th. Not pictured is Charlie Goss, open, 6th.

Sullivan Volleyball Awards 2014

News Progress Posted on by

Submitted by Krista Smith Sullivan Volleyball Awards The Sullivan volleyball team held their awards banquet November 4 at the Sullivan Country Club. Award winners included, from left to right: Offensive and defensive blocking awards Brittin Boyer with 140 kills and 43 blocks; defensive digging award Emily Neuhauser with 228 digs; Lady Redskin award Kailyn Boyer; most assists Abby Elzy with 134 assists; most aces: Alyssa Marshall with 25 aces; and team manager: Becca Pratt. Boyer and Neuhauser were also the team’s only all-conference selections, being named to the CIC all-conference second-team.

Submitted by Krista Smith
Sullivan Volleyball Awards
The Sullivan volleyball team held their awards banquet November 4 at the Sullivan Country Club. Award winners included, from left to right: Offensive and defensive blocking awards Brittin Boyer with 140 kills and 43 blocks; defensive digging award Emily Neuhauser with 228 digs; Lady Redskin award Kailyn Boyer; most assists Abby Elzy with 134 assists; most aces: Alyssa Marshall with 25 aces; and team manager: Becca Pratt. Boyer and Neuhauser were also the team’s only all-conference selections, being named to the CIC all-conference second-team.

Sullivan Golf Awards 2014

News Progress Posted on by

Submitted by Krista Smith Sullivan Golf Awards The Sullivan golf teams held their awards banquet November 3 at the Sullivan Country Club. Award winners included, from left to right: Sam Mulligan, boys’ most valuable player, all-conference medalist; Tommy Schibur, boys’ most improved player; Alexis Matlock, girls’ most valuable player; Hannah Elzy, girls’ most improved player.

Submitted by Ben Richter
Sullivan Golf Awards
The Sullivan golf teams held their awards banquet November 3 at the Sullivan Country Club. Award winners included, from left to right: Sam Mulligan, boys’ most valuable player, all-conference medalist; Tommy Schibur, boys’ most improved player; Alexis Matlock, girls’ most valuable player; Hannah Elzy, girls’ most improved player.

Just Shy of 42 Years of Service, Thomas Retires

News Progress Posted on by

November 12, 2014

Photo by RR Best Outgoing sheriff Jeff Thomas holds a plaque congratulating him on his retirement at a public gathering in October.

Photo by RR Best
Outgoing sheriff Jeff Thomas holds a plaque congratulating him on his retirement at a public gathering in October.

Outgoing sheriff’s tenure up Nov. 30

by Barry Featheringill
Sullivan Reporter

There’s a new sheriff in town–almost. And another, well, not quite leaving, but turning in his badge.

After more than four decades of service with the Moultrie County Sheriff’s office Jeff Thomas is retiring. And when Thomas leaves office November 30, he will be 90 days short of having spent 42 years of service to Moultrie County.

Thomas joined the sheriff’s office in 1973 and was elected to the office of sheriff in 2002.

“I’ll do anything that I want that does not require that I be responsible for actions of 22 other people,” said Thomas of his upcoming retirement. “I plan to spend time playing golf, fishing, traveling, along with spending time with the grandkids.” Read More

School Facility Sales Tax Fails

News Progress Posted on by
November 5, 2014

57 % of voters say “no”

by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

The voters of Moultrie County voted down a referendum proposing to increase the local sales tax by 1 percent Tuesday.

The county school facility occupation tax measure, which would have raised funds for Moultrie County school districts to use towards building upgrades and other school facility related expenses, failed with 2563 voters saying “no” while 1947 voted in favor.

Superintendent of Sullivan schools Brad Tuttle had previously cited particular building needs such as a new HVAC system and roof in certain areas of buildings. It was estimated that up to $800,000 would be generated annually from the 1 percent increase in sales tax, which would have applied to prepared food at restaurants, soft drinks and candy, and other tangible property. Okaw Valley and Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond would have also seen influxes of money. Read More

Arthur Man Dies After Being Hit on Bike Friday

News Progress Posted on by
November 5, 2014

Car strikes man while passing another bike

by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

An Arthur man was struck while riding his bike to work last Friday and was later pronounced dead at the scene.

According to Moultrie County coroner Lynn Reed, 54-year-old Velvon J. Schrock was traveling south on county road 1800 north to work around 7 a.m. last Friday when he was struck head on by a car that was attempting to go around another bike that was heading north. Reed said that preliminarily it appeared that the driver had been focused on the bike he was passing and had not given consideration to the possibility of an oncoming bike in the southbound lane. Read More

Train Strikes Car, Sending Single Occupant to Hospital

News Progress Posted on by
November 5, 2014

Shelbyville man listed in critical condition

by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

AShelbyville man’s vehicle was struck by a train last Tuesday in Dalton City, sending the single occupant to Carle Hospital in Urbana where he was listed in critical condition this week.

According to a Moultrie County sheriff’s crash report 43-year-old James N. Lewis’s 1997 Pontiac Grand Am collided with a locomotive near the railroad crossing situated closest to the intersection of Illinois Routes 128 and 121 in Dalton City at 4:55 a.m. October 28. Read More

Sullivan High School Class to Host Veterans Day Program November 11

News Progress Posted on by
November 5, 2014

A Veterans Day program is scheduled for November 11 at 1 p.m. in the Sullivan high school gym.

“We are doing this to give back,” said Sullivan High School senior Issac Shields about his Career English Class who is hosting the Veterans’ Day program.

The class, guided by high school English teacher Becky Lawson, has been working on the event for several weeks.

“We are giving honor to the ones who deserve honor,” added senior class member Brooke Leavitt. Read More