Moultrie Circuit Clerk Takes on E-Filing 

News Progress Posted on by
September 24, 2014

New online tool to allow attorneys to file and retrieve case information remotely

by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

Cindy Braden’s office has undergone an upgrade, so to speak. But it hasn’t only made her office more efficient. It has also provided attorneys a more efficient way to file and retrieve case information without having to travel to Moultrie, which could eventually trickle down to clients in the form of some cost savings.

“Attorneys of record can now access documents electronically through Judici,” said Braden.

“It also means that an attorney in Chicago can file from his office and not make a trip here,” said sixth judicial circuit chief judge Dan Flannell. “The decision to go to e-filing is driven by the clerk in every county. It won’t matter in my view if the presiding judge each county is in favor. If the clerk isn’t, it won’t happen. And this has been Cindy’s project. Frankly, from a court’s perspective, it effects them more.” Read More

Sullivan Council Rescinds Vote on Purchase of Patterson Property

News Progress Posted on by
September 24, 2014

Appraisal comes in far below asking price

by Barry Featheringill
Sullivan Reporter

Council members voted to rescind a vote taken earlier this month to purchase a piece of property.

Following a 3-2 vote at the Sullivan city council meeting September 8 to purchase the property located at 402 S Patterson for $40,000 an independent appraisal was since obtained.

Due to Freedom of Information Act exclusions, the appraisal amount is not yet public knowledge until either the ongoing negotiations are completed or are terminated. However, the appraisal was described by Mayor Ann Short as well below the asking price. Read More

Smyser Christian Welcomes New Pastor

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Submitted Smyser Christian Welcomes New Pastor Dan Fultz has become the senior minister at Smyser Christian Church which serves the Moultrie, Shelby and Coles county area. Fultz began his ministry at the age of 17 when he served as a volunteer junior high leader at his home church, the Blanchard Church of Christ, in Blanchard, Penn. He completed his undergraduate work at Milligan College in Johnson City, Tenn. and received his Masters of Divinity in 2014 from Emmanuel Christian Seminary, also in Johnson City. With 10 years of ministry experience, Fultz has served congregations in Kentucky, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Maryland. His experience ranges from youth and children’s ministry to hospital chaplaincy and prison ministry and small rural churches to suburban mega-churches. He and his wife Lauren are the parents of two children.

Submitted
Smyser Christian Welcomes New Pastor
Dan Fultz has become the senior minister at Smyser Christian Church which serves the Moultrie, Shelby and Coles county area.
Fultz began his ministry at the age of 17 when he served as a volunteer junior high leader at his home church, the Blanchard Church of Christ, in Blanchard, Penn. He completed his undergraduate work at Milligan College in Johnson City, Tenn. and received his Masters of Divinity in 2014 from Emmanuel Christian Seminary, also in Johnson City. With 10 years of ministry experience, Fultz has served congregations in Kentucky, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Maryland. His experience ranges from youth and children’s ministry to hospital chaplaincy and prison ministry and small rural churches to suburban mega-churches. He and his wife Lauren are the parents of two children.

In 3-2 Vote, Council Agrees to Purchase Patterson Property for $40,000

News Progress Posted on by
September 17, 2014

Dissenting votes cite lack of appraisal, believe price is too high
by Barry Featheringill
& Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

After meeting in closed session last Monday to discuss the purchase or lease of real property for the use of the public body, the Sullivan city council then emerged and voted 3-2 in favor of moving forward on the purchase of property located at 402 S. Patterson for $40,000.
Commissioners Mike Kirk and Monte LeCrone both dissented, each citing that the price was, in their opinions, too high.
“Would it be logical for the city to own it?  Sure,” said LeCrone, in an email. “My no vote was the result of price and timing. We don’t know what it’s worth, but at the price given in the motion, [it] seems twice what I believe it’s worth.” Read More

ALAH School Board Sets District Goals and Objectives for School Year

News Progress Posted on by
September 17, 2014

Community service program planned for next year

by Ariana Cherry
Arthur/Lovington Reporter

As a school district grows, there comes a need to set new goals and insights for its students and the community. The ALAH School Board saw to this by creating a list of goals and objectives for the 2014-2015 school year which included areas of community relations and communications, district facilities and safety, and personnel and academic achievement.
To strive for more communication with the community, the board set a goal of enhancing the district’s website by unifying all the school sites and giving it a cohesive look and use, which was recently completed. The information on the website includes important school event dates, early dismissals, school lunch menu, faculty and staff directories and a current district calendar. Other forms of communication involve putting articles in area newspapers, making use of social media, conducting parent meetings and holding open houses There is also a future plan to create a goals and objectives brochure that will be distributed to the community. Read More

SHS 9/11 Ceremony

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by Keith Stewart SHS 9/11 Ceremony Students in SHS’s Career English class honored the victims of 9/11 and current emergency services personnel and members of the military in a 9/11 ceremony given for middle and high school students last Thursday. Brock Read and Chanley Heykoop led the assembly which was also attended by family members of Capt. Jack Punches, who was killed at the Pentagon on 9/11; local fire department, police, and sheriff personnel; and representatives from the Marine Corps and National Guard. Each organization and the family of Capt. Punches received a card designed and made by class members and signed by students and staff of the high school. Pictured is former Sullivan fire department chief Jeff Waite, who spoke during the ceremony, recalling his department’s reaction to the events that unfolded 13 years ago. The students also raised over $100 through donations to sponsor a cobblestone at the 9/11 memorial in New York City. Senior Brody Elder and junior Grant King also sang at the ceremony, and class member Cody Kay and senior Tristan Minard were honored as current members of the United States Army.

Photo by Keith Stewart
SHS 9/11 Ceremony
Students in SHS’s Career English class honored the victims of 9/11 and current emergency services personnel and members of the military in a 9/11 ceremony given for middle and high school students last Thursday.
Brock Read and Chanley Heykoop led the assembly which was also attended by family members of Capt. Jack Punches, who was killed at the Pentagon on 9/11; local fire department, police, and sheriff personnel; and representatives from the Marine Corps and National Guard. Each organization and the family of Capt. Punches received a card designed and made by class members and signed by students and staff of the high school.
Pictured is former Sullivan fire department chief Jeff Waite, who spoke during the ceremony, recalling his department’s reaction to the events that unfolded 13 years ago.
The students also raised over $100 through donations to sponsor a cobblestone at the 9/11 memorial in New York City.
Senior Brody Elder and junior Grant King also sang at the ceremony, and class member Cody Kay and senior Tristan Minard were honored as current members of the United States Army.

ALAH Homecoming Court 2014

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Photo by Kent Stock ALAH Homecoming Court Pictured is this year’s ALAH homecoming court, first row, left to right: (Junior Attendants), Liz Shipman and Marcus Vanausdoll (Freshman Attendants), Kim Davis and Nick Stolte (Sophomore Attendants). Queen candidates in middle row are: Elyse Harris, Alyssa McArthur, Jessica Davis and Emily Seegmiller. The King candidates in the back row are: Nathan Rose, Tyler Schuring, Kyle Feagin and Jeremy Plank.

Photo by Kent Stock
ALAH Homecoming Court
Pictured is this year’s ALAH homecoming court, first row, left to right:
(Junior Attendants), Liz Shipman and Marcus Vanausdoll (Freshman
Attendants), Kim Davis and Nick Stolte (Sophomore Attendants).
Queen candidates in middle row are: Elyse Harris, Alyssa McArthur,
Jessica Davis and Emily Seegmiller. The King candidates in the back
row are: Nathan Rose, Tyler Schuring, Kyle Feagin and Jeremy Plank.

OVHS Homecoming Court 2014

News Progress Posted on by

Submitted OV Homecoming Court Pictured is this year’s Okaw Valley homecoming court, from front to back, left to right: Kaylee Thomas & Nick Tipsword (Junior Attendants), Hayley Carlson & Isaac Vanderlaan , Caity Ohm & Justin Vander Burgh, Paige Harlin & Devon Still, Amanda McClain & Joe Jeffers (all Senior Court), Brianna Creviston & Keith Bone (Sophomore Attendants), Natalie Jeffers & Dylan Holt (Freshman Attendants).

Submitted OV Homecoming Court
Pictured is this year’s Okaw Valley homecoming court, from front to back, left to right: Kaylee Thomas
& Nick Tipsword (Junior Attendants), Hayley Carlson & Isaac Vanderlaan , Caity Ohm & Justin VanderBurgh, Paige Harlin & Devon Still, Amanda McClain & Joe Jeffers (all Senior Court), Brianna Creviston & Keith Bone (Sophomore Attendants), Natalie Jeffers & Dylan Holt (Freshman Attendants).

New Sidewalks to be Poured on Church Street

News Progress Posted on by
September 10, 2014

Board delays decision on new roof for maintenance building

by Florence Hallford
Lovington Reporter

Sidewalks and the village maintenance building were high on the agenda at this month’s Lovington village board meeting as the season is turning to fall, leaving little time to complete work that is time sensitive.
During last month’s meeting, it was determined that new sidewalks would be put in on Church Street where there exists a path already taken by many Lovington children heading to school. The budget allowed for two sections of sidewalk to be completed, and work is expected to begin within the next two months. Read More