Free Two-Week Summer Journalism Workshop for High Schoolers

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High school students will have an opportunity to learn journalism hands-on from award-winning reporters, editors and photographers at the Illinois Press Foundation workshop at Eastern Illinois University on June 15-27.

Applications for the 13-day workshop, which is funded by the IPF, Dow Jones Newspaper Fund, Robert R. McCormick Foundation and EIU, will be accepted through May 10. Eighteen students will be selected to participate in this free journalism experience. Go to IPFworkshop.wordpress.com or contact director Joe Gisondi at jjgisondi@eiu.edu for further information. Read More

March was Cold and Dry in Illinois

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The statewide average temperature for March in Illinois was 33.8 degrees, which was 7 degrees below average and the eighth coldest March on record. Combined with the colder-than-average January and February made this the fourth coldest start (23.6 degrees) for Illinois for the year to date, according to State Climatologist Jim Angel at the Illinois State Water Survey, University of Illinois. Read More

Illinois 2014 Spring Trout Fishing Season Opens April 5

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The 2014 Spring Trout Fishing season in Illinois will begin at 5 a.m. Saturday, April 5, Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) Director Marc Miller announced recently. 

“The spring trout season is always a great time for families to go fishing and catch some tasty trout, and we’re delighted to be able to add several new locations for trout fishing,” said Director Miller.  Read More

Lake Shelbyville 2014 Recreation Season Kickoff

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The 2014 camping season began with the early opening of Area 5 at the Forrest W. “Bo” Wood Campground on Tuesday, April 1. These campsites (114 – 141) are available on a first come, first served basis and sites will be paid for using the honor vault system until Thursday, April 17. From May 8 to May 14, prior to the official opening date, Lone Point Campground is offering free first come, first served camping. Lone Point Campground will host an open house on May 9 and May 10. There will be activities for all ages, inflatable bounce houses, bands, and more.

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GRIZ-FM honors former Moultrie County Clerk

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After a heart attack took his life Easter Sunday 2001, former Moultrie County Clerk and radio broadcaster Gerald “Griz” England is being honored by Cromwell Radio Group.

Before his time as county clerk, England worked for a couple of radio stations, finishing his broadcasting career at Cromwell Radio Station, WYDS when it was known as “D-93”. He married his wife of nearly 27 years, Georgia—who is currently Moultrie County Clerk—June 2, 1974.asdfasdfasdfadsfasdfasdfasdfBefore being elected clerk in 1998, England enjoyed a long radio career that began in Sullivan at WFWA-FM. He worked at several area radio stations and made a national name for himself as a country radio personality.

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Spring Equinox

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Photo by RR Best Spring Equinox Last Thursday may have marked the official start to spring according to our calendars, but temperatures, so far, would suggest otherwise. Nonetheless, the cold temps didn’t stop our publisher and chief photographer Robert Best from grabbing this Vernal (spring) Equinox sunrise, which coincidentally enough lines up with Jackson Avenue in Sullivan.

Photo by RR Best
Spring Equinox
Last Thursday may have marked the official start to spring according to our calendars, but temperatures, so far, would suggest otherwise. Nonetheless, the cold temps didn’t stop our publisher and chief photographer Robert Best from grabbing this Vernal (spring) Equinox sunrise, which coincidentally enough lines up with Jackson Avenue in Sullivan.

Second Quarter Honor Rolls for Moultrie County Schools

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Second quarter honor rolls for Moultrie County schools have been announced. 

Lovington Grade School

Five eighth graders, one seventh grader, two six graders and one fifth grader received “A” honors for the first quarter at Lovington Grade School. They include Brayden Coble, Janette Comstock, Samuel Renfro, Kolby Rickman and Kobe Wells, eighth grade; Hunter Day, seventh grade; Natalie Lambdin and Kenli Nettles, sixth grade and Tatjana Mehmen, fifth grade.

Earning high honors are Madison Brown and Kaylee Conder, eighth grade; Paul Brodnansky, Kyle Carnahan, Adam Day, Ciara Emrick, Sean Evans, Katelynn Gingerich, Taylor Powell and Alexia Stanley, seventh grade; Clayton Stanley and Colin Stanley, sixth grade and Ashley Brodnansky, Jesse Hopkins, and Colton Middleton, fifth grade. Read More

Computer Networks Combined for Tracking, Security Measures

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Council also hears update on Sullivan fireworks

by Joash Tiarks
Reporting in Sullivan

The city council Monday moved forward with combining computer networks across the city of Sullivan’s departments.

As a follow up on the discussion and recommendation made by the council at the Feb. 24 meeting, the city is moving forward to have QNS combine the computer networks of the different departments into one that can be monitored, tracked, and protected as a unit.

Previously each department had a network unto themselves, with each computer having access as soon as it was turned on. This not only exposed the city’s digital resources to potential unauthorized access but also made it impossible for the city to keep track of its resources and to monitor unauthorized activity. Moving forward, each employee will have their own personal access passcode, both for their own safety and to track web activity. Network administrators will then be able to solve problems quickly and specifically, as well as impose a web filter and block access to any unnecessary websites by department. Read More

Resignations Received at Regular Meeting

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by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

At their regular meeting earlier this month, the Sullivan school board approved four staff resignations and also approved the dismissal of a third year teacher.

Certified preschool teacher Brittney Phebus was dismissed after the board discussed the potential action in closed session. Because she had less than four years of continuous service to the district, the board does not, nor did it, disclose the reason for her dismissal. As Brad Tuttle, superintendent, explained, a faculty member with less than four years and excellent ratings could still be dismissed. Read More

Sullivan Schools Proceed with Reductions in Force

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Includes cutting one full-time P.E. teacher

by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

The Sullivan school board approved three types of measures Monday evening in a special meeting concerning reduction in force.

Faced with potentially steeper cuts in state aid payments for the next school year, the board approved nine resolutions totaling approximately $65,000 in cuts, including the honorable dismissal of Brent Weakly, a physical education teacher at Sullivan Middle School.  Read More