The East Central Illinois Area Agency on Aging will host a Moultrie County Conversation on Aging and Independent Living 6:30-8:30 p.m. Monday, January 6 at First United Methodist Church located at 216 W. Jefferson St. in Sullivan. Read More
Windsor Donates
Submitted
Windsor Donates
Recently, the Windsor Jr/Sr High School student council held a fundraising drive to collect money for donations to be sent to those impacted by last month’s tornadoes in Washington. Students sold links for a Giving Chain for $1 per link. Anyone who donated had their name added to a link that was then put onto the chain. The chain then was hung up in the school so that students could watch as it grew each day. Thanks to the generous donations of the community and the school the WHS student council was able to buy $466 in donations for Secret Santa gifts that were sent to families in Washington.
Cheeseball Fundraiser to Raise Money for New Interactive Boards
The Lovington American Legion and Lovington Grade School are partnering to help raise money for the grade school’s purchase of Promethean Boards in the classrooms. These electronic boards help students become more active and engaged in the learning process. Read More
November Brings Proposed Tax Increases for Bethany
OV school district proposes 9.1 percent
increase in new money
by Derek Pope
Bethany Reporter
Near the end of the fiscal year, towns and school districts across Illinois are tasked with deciding what amount they will increase property tax levies for the next calendar year. Sometimes these tax increases go largely unnoticed for residents, as city councils and school boards alike can pass up to a five percent increase without notifying the public. But when the financial climate necessitates larger tax increases or the introduction of new taxes, these institutions are required to provide an open opportunity for discussion with the communities they govern. Read More
Feeling the Proration Pinch, Sullivan Schools Max Rates
9.98 percent increase now, cuts to come later in school year
by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com
The Sullivan school district will vote on a tax increase next week, but not before holding a truth-in-taxation hearing.
At last month’s board meeting, the district preliminarily approved a tax increase resulting in approximately $234,901 of new money. This would result in a 22 cent or less increase per $100 equalized assessed value, or EAV. According to Superintendent Brad Tuttle, this would mean for a home with an EAV of $50,000, there would be an increase of $23.47 on their tax bill for the district’s portion. Read More
Suspicious House Fire
Photo by RR Best
Fire Departments from Lovington, Bethany, and Sullivan all responded to a house fire early Sunday morning near the Okaw Valley Orchard. Since then, the State Fire Marshal Arson Investigator has been called in, but according to media spokeswoman Milly Santiago, the investigation is still ongoing. Santiago did say that the fire appears to have originated in the bathroom. Lovington fire chief Gary Smith said his department is still assessing the damge.
Which To Choose?
Photo by Keith Stewart
Three-year-old Ava Long of Toledo, along with her mother Lyndsay, tries to decide from which candy to choose Saturday. The Longs were just a few of the many customers of Saturday’s candy sale held at the Coffee Bean in Sullivan. Featuring freshly made chocolates and candy from Tuscola’s Flesor’s Candy Kitchen, the sale promised to donate 20 percent of the day’s proceeds to the Moultrie County Food Pantry. This year’s sale bested last year’s inaugural sale by 50 percent, resulting in more than a $1,200 donation to the pantry. Pictured in the foreground is part owner of Flesor’s Candy Kitchen Devon Flesor-Story.
Girl Scout Food Drive
Submitted
The Lovington Girl Scout Troop 3009 conducted their annual food drive November 16, collecting more than 500 pounds of nonperishable food and paper goods for Lovington’s Christ Pantry which supplies food to those in need not only in Lovington but in surrounding communities.
Helping Local Heroes
Photo by RR Best
Jackson Family of Dealerships recently took part in the Chevrolet Drive to Help a Hero program, a voluntary cause which the Sullivan dealership began with the Sullivan Fire Department at their recent pancake and sausage breakfast. There, the dealership offered free test rides, with each successful ride resulting in $20 donated towards the department. In total, Jacksons was able to donate $1,000 to the fire department, which fire chief Mike Piper says will most likely be used to fund the purchase of structural fire fighting boots for the department’s volunteer force.
Turkey Donation
Photo by Keith Stewart
Owner and operator of Sullivan McDonald’s Angie Matlock (middle) recently donated a $500 check to the Moultrie County Food Pantry, which in turn used the money to purchase turkeys for the Thanksgiving holiday. Pictured to her left is Lindsay Schmohe, a volunteer with the Moms On a Mission in Sullivan group, and to her right is the food pantry director Barbara Waymire.