Elizabeth Titus Library Winter Operations

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•December 21, 2016• It’s starting to look as though winter has finally arrived. The Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library staff wants to remind patrons that certain circumstances may call for the library’s closure in order to ensure patron and staff safety. Power failure, no heat, snowfall of six inches or more, hazardous icing conditions, or a police advisory that travel is hazardous are just a few of the circumstances that may require closing of the library. When closure becomes necessary, the director or the person in charge will notify local radio (Decatur WEJT 105.1FM or WDZ 1050AM) and television stations (WAND … Read More

Drive Sober and Buckle Up

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•December 21, 2016• The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), Illinois State Police (ISP) and local police throughout the state are teaming up to make sure driving sober and buckling up are a holiday tradition. As part of the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign, nearly 200 law enforcement agencies will be out in force across Illinois in an end-of-year push to drive down fatalities. “The most important gift your friends and family want is you home safely,” said Priscilla Tobias, director of IDOT’s Office of Program Development. “Driving zero fatalities to reality is an ambitious but achievable goal … Read More

Magic Number Haunts Knights in Loss to Raiders

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•December 21, 2016• Kirk Whitaker NP Sports As the saying goes, 13 is “the magic number.” Tuesday night, Dec. 20 for the Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond girls’ basketball team against Central A&M was unlucky. On top of being without senior guard Kim Davis, ALAH missed 13 layups throughout the game—including seven in the first quarter—in what went from a close, physical game to start, to a blowout by night’s end, 53-36 in favor of the defending 1A runners-up. “I knew we missed a lot of close shots, but I didn’t know we missed that many,” Knights’ head coach Craig Moffett responded. “I thought … Read More

What Is the Problem Here?

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•December 21, 2016• By Stu D. Baker for the News Progress An editorial in the News Gazette has stirred up some people in Sullivan, and I can’t help but wonder why. The piece was the paper’s opinion on public servants accepting retirement from one job while doing another. Specifically cited was the city of Sullivan’s recent hiring of retiring judge Dan L. Flannell as city administrator. First of all, those who follow the News Progress know this search has been going on for some time. The city has tried over the past two years to get someone to oversee the … Read More

Sages Knock Redskins

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•December 21, 2016• Redskins’ Brett Tuttle works around Sage defense to find the basket at Monticello  Dec. 16. Monticello won 74-34.As fans and students alike braved the ice and wintery mix of mother nature to get to the game, the Redskins just couldn’t get over the hump against the Sages.The Sages ran past, shot over, and around Sullivan’s young team to the tune of a 40-point beatdown, 74-34, and the road is not getting easier for the Redskins. … Read More

Does the Cures Act Reflect Big Pharma Wants?

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Newly Passed 21st Century Cures Act Is No Panacea •December 21, 2016• By Trudy Lieberman, Rural Health News Service Will patients benefit from the passage of the 21st Century Cures Act? After listening to politicians and reading the headlines, most people might think it’s the best thing ever to come along for patients. “A new day for medical research is on the horizon,” proclaimed Rep. Fred Upton, the outgoing chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee which had just won a major victory last week. “The House and the Senate have passed this bipartisan legislation which will ensure our … Read More

Remember When? 12-21-2016

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Compiled by Bekki Ferguson-Stevens 25 Years Ago This Week Ronnie Elder of Bethany won the cellular phone, the grand prize given during P.E.C.’s grand opening in Sullivan. A barbecue grill was won by Jeannie Belton of Bement, and a smoker grill was won by Bernice Obrecht of Sullivan. Numerous other gifts were awarded during the hourly drawings including clock radios, jackets, coolers, mugs, hats and key chains. Melvin Newlin of Lovington will retire December 31 from A.B. Seals, Inc. in Sullivan. Since 1968, Newlin has worked primarily as supervisor of the shipping and receiving department for the manufacturer of sealants for … Read More

County Board Finalizes Supervisor Appointment

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•December 21, 2016• The reorganized Moultrie County Board met Dec. 15 appointing Lori Barringer supervisor of assessments. On a motion by new personnel committee chairman Bill Voyles, Barringer was appointed to a term from December 16, 2016 to December 16, 2020 increasing her salary to $50,000. County board member Gary Smith questioned the second salary increase since October since it was different than the originally approved motion. Barringer, who was appointed interim supervisor of assessments Oct. 5 following Cindy Kidwell’s death, was originally slated to fulfill Kidwell’s unexpired term through Feb 28, 2017. Board chairman Dave McCabe explained the interim … Read More

Early Christmas for Two Sullivan Families

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•December 21, 2016• Christmas came early for two Sullivan families thanks to Moultrie County Habitat for Humanity. On December 14 members of the Habitat board surprised Abbie O’Connell with a balloon congratulatory arrangement at her Eastside Terrace workplace. She and husband Keegan were selected for the Habitat rehab project which could be ready in February. From there Habitat’s band of Christmas elves went to the Moultrie County Courthouse. There the group hid in the back room until Paige Schoonover was brought up from the basement for the surprise announcement. “I knew last Friday and was afraid I couldn’t keep the … Read More