County Board Hears Update from Central Illinois Public Transit Representative

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•February 15, 2023•
by Crystal Reed

The Moultrie County Board held a regular meeting Thursday, February 9 where they heard an update on Central Illinois Public Transit from representative Nathan Nichols. So far this year they have 45 new riders and 23 last year.
Nichols said they are on target to see a 32 percent increase in trips from FY 22. Trip purposes include general business, medical, employment, education, nutrition, shopping and social/recreational. “Moultrie County has one full time driver and two part time drivers,” Nichols said. “We have substitute positions open currently.”
The Effingham County Health Department received a grant which allowed them to hire a new position and a driver in Effingham County. The dispatcher will also be able to be utilized in Moultrie County. They are a non-emergency medical transportation provider.
He mentioned over the holiday season they took a group to Shelbyville, and they attended a concert at the Chautauqua building. Nichols added that they work with the senior center quite a bit as well. The transportation is offered through CEFS. He noted that in this county they transport students to school on a regular basis. Read More

Arthur Public Library Teams Up With U of I Extension for Program

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Caitlin Mellendorf tests a dial gauge pressure canner lid to see if it is accurate at Arthur Public Library after the program held on February 4.

•February 8, 2023•
by Crystal Reed

Approximately a dozen people interested in learning about preserving food through canning attended Yes! You Can: Preserving Safely at the Arthur Public Library Saturday, February 4. The program was led by Nutrition and Wellness Educator Caitlin Mellendorf.
She began the program by explaining the two ways that food usually spoils. The first is through microorganisms causing food spoilage including molds, yeast and bacteria. Controlling the growing conditions for these harmful microorganisms is the best way to prevent food spoilage and decrease the risk of foodborne illness. Another way is through enzymes; she gave the example of bananas that change color over time. Read More

Marrowbone Public Library Story Time

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Marrowbone Public Library Story Time
Marrowbone Public Library in Bethany holds story time on Fridays, starting in September and going through December and then resuming in January until May at 11:15 am. It is open to preschoolers ages 3-5. Programming includes books, crafts and a snack and it goes for one half hour. Pictured is Children’s Librarian Lesa Oathout reading to children at story time.

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Photos by Crystal Reed
Demolition of Old City Building Begins
The demolition of the old city building began on Monday, February 6. A new city building will be built on the same spot in the near future. The building had indoor air quality and structural issues including 5,400 square feet of asbestos floor tile, holes and missing brick and mortar in structural foundation walls intended to hold multiple vaults, extensive mold growth in the HVAC system that serviced personnel workspaces and recommendations to utilize hazmat suits when accessing the second floor. Asbestos abatement was done before demolition began on the building.

Sullivan School District Spelling Bee

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Sullivan School District Spelling Bee
The Sullivan School District Spelling Bee was held on Tuesday, January 31 in the Sullivan High School Commons. There were 36 speller from third grade to eighth grade that competed. There are six finalists and two alternates for the next step in the process the Moultrie County Spelling Bee which will be held on Thursday, February 16 at The Little Theatre On The Square. The top six were Caleigh Dyer, eighth grade; Chester Ray, sixth grade; Koda Polley, fifth grade; Scarlett Perrott, fourth grade; Tenley Stollard, sixth grade and Bear Bryant, sixth grade. The two alternates are Mary Crist, eighth grade and Alex Fultz, seventh grade.

Lovington Grade School Spelling Bee Finalists

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Lovington Grade School Spelling Bee Finalists
Lovington Grade School held their school spelling bee on Monday, January 23. Six finalists and two alternates were selected to move on to the Moultrie County Spelling Bee on February 16. The top three were first place Macee Boddy, second place John Williams IV and third Alexis Chism. Also qualifying to move on were Landon Willoughby, Makena Liming and Maxton Boddy. Alternates are Leland Willoughby and Ryan Mgawi.

Mirror Images to Present “Change”

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Photo by Crystal Reed
Mirror Images to Present “Change”
Sullivan High School’s Mirror Images will be presenting their original play “Change” at The Little Theatre On The Square on Friday, February 3 at 5:30 p.m. Change is about a group of high school students who find a sense of belonging and healing through their school’s theater club. The play is starring Natalee Hunter, Elora Mast, Cora Emel, Logan Brinkman, Anna Durdel, Ivan Moxley, Avery Hopper, Elise Fleming, Johnathan Voegel, Jalen Herschberger, and Aston Johnson. Tickets for the play are $3.

Illinois EPA Grant Recipients

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•February 1, 2023•

Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) Director John J. Kim today announced Lead Service Line Inventory (LSLI) Grants to 48 communities to assist in meeting the requirements outlined in the Lead Service Line Replacement and Notification Act. The LSLI Grants, ranging from $20,000 - $50,000, will fund the creation of a complete lead service line inventory.
The Village of Lovington is the recipient of a $30,000 grant. Read More

Construction Progresses on Addition to SES

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•February 1, 2023•

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Sullivan Elementary students and staff were able to sign one of two I-beams that will be part of the sixteen classroom addition to the school.

by Ted Walk
Sullivan School District Superintendent

Construction of a sixteen classroom addition to the Sullivan Elementary School commenced last fall. The classroom addition will allow the 5th grade students to return to SES. Fifth grade students have been housed in the middle school for the past several years due to a lack of classroom availability at SES. Read More

TLTOTS Wins Four Broadway World Regional Awards in Chicago Region

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•February 1, 2023•
by Crystal Reed

The Little Theatre On The Square has won four BroadwayWorld Regional awards in the Chicago Region. According to Executive Director John Stephens, this is the first time they have been nominated for these awards. They were nominated in nine categories and won four of them.
The awards won are Best Music for Always...Patsy Cline, Best Actor in a Musical for Brittany Ambler as Louise in Always...Patsy Cline, Best Director of a Musical for Clint Hromsco with La Cage Aux Folles and the biggest Best Neighborhood Theatre. They received runner up for Best Costume in La Cage Aux Folles, Best Ensemble for La Cage Aux Folles and Best Theatre for Young Audiences for Junie B. Jones Jr.
According to the awards website www.broadwayworld.com, the awards honor the best in regional productions, touring shows and more which had their first performance between October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022. While there is no awards ceremony or physical awards given out, the winners of each category receive online acknowledgement. Read More