Sullivan Schools to Move Forward With Security Upgrades

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Initial phase reportedly near completion

by Keith Stewart

keith@newsprogress.com

The Sullivan board of education gave Superintendent Brad Tuttle the green light to move forward with developing bid specifications for a new entrance at Sullivan High School Monday night.

Part of a list of security measures the district adopted earlier this year following a community meeting that was held on January 24 in response to the Sandy Hook Elementary massacre last December, the new entrance will attempt to mirror the middle school entrance, featuring a double set of doors, the first of which would divert any visitor to the office before then gaining entry to the rest of the school, as well as other specifications that Tuttle will develop along with a certified architect.

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St. Jude’s Mattoon to Peoria Run a success for Moultrie County runners

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Seven area runners make commitment

Kirk Whitaker
Arthur/Sullivan Reporter

At the start, runners were greeted with crowds, balloons, and a spirited sendoff before heading west out of Mattoon the morning of August 2 en route to the Peoria St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

At the start, runners were greeted with crowds, balloons, and a spirited sendoff before heading west out of Mattoon the morning of August 2 en route to the Peoria St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has aided children and families for 50 years by trying to solve the traumatic and catastrophic diseases that particularly affect children. And for seven area runners, they made an effort to help St. Jude do just that, by committing a weekend full of running, not to mention fundraising done throughout the past year.

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Little Theatre Reports Lower Ticket Sales for Spring Season

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As part of a routine financial report to the city, LTOTS still looking at how to cut costs, raise more funds

by Barry Featheringill
Sullivan Reporter

Members of the Little Theatre On the Square board and staff were in attendance to update the council on where the theatre is financially with their bills to the city and explain what they are trying to do to keep current with expenses.

John Stephens, executive artistic director for LTOTS, said the spring season had been well-attended and going into the production of Mermaid was the highest subscription show that LTOTS has had. Currently ticket sales are down from last year, and he has not been able to figure out what has caused this slump. The theatre has had to eliminate cost of living raises, look to ways to reduce cost, and has raised additional funds from theatre patrons.

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Carriage Crossing Ribbon Cutting

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Photo by Keith Stewart Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Carriage Crossing, an assisted living senior community in Arcola, commenced its five-day grand opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony Tuesday morning. Those in attendance included several owners, members of Arcola’s Economic Development, and managers of Carriage Crossing.

Photo by Keith Stewart
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Carriage Crossing, an assisted living senior community in Arcola, commenced its five-day grand opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony Tuesday morning. Those in attendance included several owners, members of Arcola’s Economic Development, and managers of Carriage Crossing.

Animal Control Program Kept; Computer Systems See Update

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Outdated system will receive more than a $4,000 facelift

by Florence Hallford
Lovington Reporter

The decision to keep the animal control program was a relatively easy one for the Lovington Village Board Monday night.

“Things are working out pretty good,” said village president Jim Minor.

Pam Anklam also voiced her support for the program along with other board members.

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Bethany Businesses Expect Increased Revenue from Liquor Sales

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Several already interested in soon-to-be established licenses

by Derek Pope
Bethany Reporter

With the anticipated passage of Bethany’s new liquor ordinance on the horizon, several local businesses have already showed interest in adopting the sale of alcohol as a lucrative source of new revenue. Based on discussions by village officials, a total of five licenses authorizing various forms of alcohol sales is expected to be made available to local business owners. In addition, special event vouchers are planned to be made available to local organizations and individuals, allowing the sale of alcohol for fundraising, celebrations, or other approved reasons for a 24-hour period. Mayor Bill Ashley, as well as the other members of the village council, had been clear during their deliberations on the new ordinance that at least three specific businesses and one organization formally showed interest in purchasing the available licenses on a yearly basis. As a result, much of the board’s legislating reflected their desire to accommodate these establishments or organizations, though some efforts were made to provide an attractive environment for new business in the future.

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Discharge Hearing Involving Alleged Juvenile Offender and Victim

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Next Tuesday's hearing could set the stage for jury trial if defendant found fit

by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

A discharge hearing involving a 16-year old juvenile who allegedly assaulted (sexually) a seven-year-old boy will be held Tuesday at the Moultrie County Courthouse. Though found unfit to stand trial after a psychological report was completed by clinical psychologist Dr. Jerry Boyd, which found the boy to likely suffer from Asperger's Syndrome, the 16 year old, if found not innocent, could be forced to undergo further treatment. A two-year window would then follow, in which the defendant, if deemed fit for trial, could be subjected to a jury trial, facing three charges, including aggravated sexual assault, and two counts of criminal sexual abuse.

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Tuesday Night Rally Full of Vigor as Seniors Question Upcoming Frozen Meals

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Full VFW room echoes with questions of "why?" as Oct. 1 deadline looms

by Katie A. Davis
Sullivan Reporter

Photo by Keith Stewart Katherine Butt of Sullivan listens as area seniors took to the VFW in Sullivan Tuesday night, filling its banquet hall in order to ask questions as well as vent about their frustration over the expected shift to frozen meals come October 1. After Eastern Illinois University announced earlier this year that it would cease sponsoring the Senior Peace Meal Program, a bidding process began that eventually awarded CRIS Healthy Aging Center of Vermilion County.

Photo by Keith Stewart
Katherine Butt of Sullivan listens as area seniors took to the VFW in Sullivan Tuesday night, filling its banquet hall in order to ask questions as well as vent about their frustration over the expected shift to frozen meals come October 1. After Eastern Illinois University announced earlier this year that it would cease sponsoring the Senior Peace Meal Program, a bidding process began that eventually awarded CRIS Healthy Aging Center of Vermilion County.

Local seniors want to keep their hot meals.

That was the sentiment expressed by local senior advocates at a Tuesday rally to save Peace Meal, a senior nutrition program that provides hot meals to local seniors in need four days a week.

Peace Meal will serve its last meals Sept. 30. Starting Oct. 1, the CRIS Healthy Aging Center, based in Vermilion County, will provide frozen dinners for distribution to local seniors, to be delivered twice a week.

Eastern Illinois University announced earlier this year it would no longer continue sponsorship of the Peace Meal program, sparking a bidding process that included a new sponsor for Peace Meal, Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center.

Only two bids -- CRIS Meals and Peace Meal -- were submitted to the East Central Illinois Area Agency on Aging, which funds the senior nutrition program, and according to Mike O’Donnell, the agency’s executive director, the CRIS bid exceeded marks for many categories such as the number of meals it projects to serve.

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