Okaw Valley Schools Pass Levy for 2014

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Nearly $300,000 in new money requested

By Joash Tiarks
Bethany Reporter

At the regular monthly meeting, one of the primary issues on the agenda for the Okaw Valley Board of Education was to bring to a vote the proposed Tax Levy for 2014, with an increase of 9.05% over last year.

Because the request exceeded a threshold increase of five percent over last year’s request, the board was required by law to hold a public truth in taxation hearing to inform the community and allow any concerned taxpayers to ask questions and to voice their opinions.

However, no concerned citizens were present.  Read More

With Impending Winter Weather, Public Urged to Stay Indoors

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Additional snow, severe temps, and wind gusts to start Saturday

by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

FRIDAY, JANUARY 3–The National Weather Service issued winter storm advisories for most of central Illinois Friday, including Moultrie County, which is expected to see upwards of 10 inches of snow this weekend. That, in addition to the already three or more inches the county received Wednesday evening, will combine with plummeting temperatures to create what local law enforcement is describing as a dangerous situation.

“Basically, you should stay in doors unless it’s absolutely necessary to travel,” warned Moultrie County sheriff Jeff Thomas. “It’s just very unsafe to be out in weather like that. If you can avoid it all costs, stay home.”

Thomas also says that with the impending weather comes often times sudden road closures.

“With that wind and the snow along with what we already have, snow will be blowing and drifting so there will likely be some closed roads, but you may not know until you’re out there,” explained Thomas. “If have to venture out, bring warm clothing blankets, some food, bottle water.”

The Illinois Department of Transportation does post major road closures, available at http://www.dot.state.il.us/road/roadClosures.htm, but there may be a delay between the actual closure and its posting.

Read More

Hydro-Gear Donates

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Hydro-Gear Donates Submitted More than 3500 lbs of food were distributed to the food pantry recently after employees at Hydro-Gear were incentivized to donate nonperishable food and toiletries during the Dare To Care campaign. Employees accumulated points on products they donated. In return Hydro-Gear donated $2,000 to the Moultrie County Food Pantry. Employees also donated a total of $545 and will receive a pancake meal for their effort.

Hydro-Gear Donates
Submitted
More than 3500 lbs of food were distributed to the food pantry recently after employees at Hydro-Gear were incentivized to donate nonperishable food and toiletries during the Dare To Care campaign. Employees accumulated points on products they donated. In return Hydro-Gear donated $2,000 to the Moultrie County Food Pantry. Employees also donated a total of $545 and will receive a pancake meal for their effort.

Hundreds of New Laws on the Books in 2014

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Laws from wasting deer meat to hand-held cellphone use

Photo by Keith Stewart Arthur-Lovington High School senior Brittany Rader dials a phone number prior to buckling up and driving. With the new ban on hand-held usage of cellphones beginning this year, drivers will either have to resort to headset devices or voice-controlled applications if they want to continue to use their electronic device.

Photo by Keith Stewart
Arthur-Lovington High School senior Brittany Rader dials a phone number prior to buckling up and driving. With the new ban on hand-held usage of cellphones beginning this year, drivers will either have to resort to headset devices or voice-controlled applications if they want to continue to use their electronic device.

by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogess.com

Its formal name is House Bill 1247 (HB1247), but to many drivers, it’s their next ticket.

Back in May of 2013, both houses approved the total ban on the hand-held usage of “electronic communication devices”–which to you and me means, largely, cellphones. Though the law also excludes hand-held personal digital assistants and portable/mobile computers, most of the attention is on cellphone usage, which now, must be hands free. The only way around the new law is to either not use your cellphone while driving or to do so with it out of your hands and with the help of bluetooth or other wireless headsets or voice controlled apps, such as Apple’s Siri. Read More

Second Place High-Point Winners

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Submitted by Don Rousser Second Place High-Point Winners The Sullivan Blue Dolphins traveled to Bourbonnais, Ill. for the Bradley Bourbonnais Swim Club Pentathlon on November 10. This was a one day five event competition. The attached picture was the second place high point winners; Front row: Deanna Clark, Back row: Brynna Sentel, Anna Wooters , Charlie Goss and not pictured: Michaela Donnel.

Submitted by Don Rousser
Second Place High-Point Winners
The Sullivan Blue Dolphins traveled to Bourbonnais, Ill. for the Bradley Bourbonnais Swim Club Pentathlon on November 10. This was a one day five event competition. The attached picture was the second place high point winners; Front row: Deanna Clark, Back row: Brynna Sentel, Anna Wooters , Charlie Goss and not pictured: Michaela Donnel.

SES Christmas Program

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Photo by RR Best SES Christmas Program Sullivan Elementary School student Elira Halili performs during the SES Christmas Program last Thursday. To see more photos, be sure to visit www. moultriemoments.com

Photo by RR Best
SES Christmas Program
Sullivan Elementary School student Elira Halili performs during the SES Christmas Program last Thursday. To see more photos, be sure to visit www. moultriemoments.com

Alcohol Sales Underway in Bethany

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Bethany Foods, Casey’s first to receive liquor licenses

Photo by RR Best Pictured from left to right are: Bethany Foods owner Atta Abbed, Bethany mayor Bill Ashley, village trustees Dick Roe and Craig Wigness and former Bethany mayor Barb Meador.

Photo by RR Best
Pictured from left to right are: Bethany Foods owner Atta Abbed, Bethany mayor Bill Ashley, village trustees Dick Roe and Craig Wigness and former Bethany mayor Barb Meador.

by Derek Pope
Bethany Reporter

With nearly a month of liquor sales on the books for most eligible businesses in Bethany, there is no doubt retail establishments have benefited from the repeal of alcohol prohibition in the small town. Local business owner, Atta Abbed, of Bethany foods said that liquor sales “have definitely been a plus” for his business, which has seen an increase in sales in excess of his initial expectations. Bethany Foods, along with Casey’s General Store, was among the first establishments to begin offering sales of alcohol in Bethany on November 6. Read More

Liquor Ordinance Encounters Growing Pains

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Potential passage of gambling also thrown into mix

By Joash Tiarks
Bethany Reporter

The growing pains associated with the recent introduction of Bethany’s first liquor ordinance are already manifesting themselves.

One of the primary beneficiaries of the new ordinance thus far, Hired Hand Winery & Saloon, was initially issued a license to remain open from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday to Thursday and from noon to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. This has turned out to be too constricting as the proprietor, Shane Weybright, requested the Village Board extend the hours till at least 10 p.m. on weekdays and midnight for Friday and Saturday. Business has been better than expected already, and many of the customers have stopped in because of evening school sporting events and activities.  Read More

First-Team All-State

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Submitted First-Team All-State Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond football senior Logan West accepts his plaque at the First-Team All-State Ceremony in DeKalb before the 1A championship game at Huskie Stadium, Friday, November 29. Teammates Jordan Feagin and Tyler Schuring were selected to the All-State Honorable Mention team.

Submitted
First-Team All-State
Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond football senior Logan West accepts his plaque at the First-Team All-State Ceremony in DeKalb before the 1A championship game at Huskie Stadium, Friday, November 29. Teammates Jordan Feagin and Tyler Schuring were selected to the All-State Honorable Mention team.