Bethany Bar Closes for the Summer, TIF Funds Revoked

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Village also hears petition concerning rental utilities July 8, 2015 by Derek Pope Bethany Reporter At the end of May, Bethany’s first bar in decades decided to close—at least temporarily. The Hired Hand Winery and Saloon, located in Bethany’s downtown district, formally announced the closure on their Facebook page on May 31, pledging to return to business in August. The reason they cited for the closure was an extended family summer vacation, but the announcement came unexpectedly following the approval of a sizable loan from the village’s township investment funds (TIF) intended to aid in the business’s summer operations. Prior … Read More

LLC Presidential Scholars

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•July 8, 2015• Lake Land College has awarded 142 students in the surrounding communities with the Presidential Scholarship for the 2015-2016 school year. This monetary award is offered to district high school graduates who have demonstrated outstanding academic performance in high school. The scholarship is good for two years with a value up to $4,625 per year or $9,250 total. To receive the scholarship, a student must either rank in the top 15 percent of his/her senior class; or have an ACT composite score of 26 or higher. Additionally, students must enroll at LLC full-time the fall semester immediately following … Read More

Obituaries 7-8-2015: Thelma King

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Thelma King Thelma Louise King, 89, of Sullivan, died at 9 p.m. Thursday July 2, 2015 in Mason Point in Sullivan. Celebration of Life services were held at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Elim Springs Church of Jesus Christ with Felix Hagerman and Vanessa Patient officiating. Burial was in Greenhill Cemetery in Sullivan. Reed Funeral Home in Sullivan was in charge of arrangements. … Read More

Uphoff Crowned Miss Moultrie-Douglas

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First Sullivan queen since 2006 •July 8, 2015• by Keith Stewart keith@newsprogress.com She may have come off to the judges as a seasoned pro, but for Gabrielle Uphoff of Sullivan, Tuesday night’s pageant was her first. So was her crown. “I’m kind of in shock, but I’m very excited,” said Uphoff shortly after her crowning. “Fairs are my favorite.” The two-hour pageant came after months of preparation that for Uphoff included, perhaps more than those with more pageant-going experience. “It’s been practicing interview skills, and trying to calm my nerves when it came to my speech, and walking,” said the … Read More

Emergency Management Officials Urge Caution When Temps Rise

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•July 8, 2015• The hottest days of summer are just around the corner, and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and local emergency management agencies are offering heat safety tips to help people play it safe when temperatures rise. “Warm weather is a welcomed relief after the long, cold winter we endured this year,” said IEMA Director James K. Joseph. “But summertime comes with its own hazards, many related to excessive heat. We want to help people avoid these risks and enjoy a fun, safe summer.” Joseph said one of the most important safety tips when temperatures rise is to … Read More

Understanding Illinois: The Fiscal Mess in Chicago

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•July 8, 2015• By Jim Nowlan NP Guest Columnist We are in the lull before the storm in Springfield, as politicos watch intently—and rather helplessly—as the longstanding alpha male (Speaker Mike Madigan) is challenged for dominance of the pride by newcomer Gov. Bruce Rauner. When the tussle is over, be assured that state taxes will have gone back up toward recent levels. The big question is whether the governor will achieve much or any of his business-friendly “turnaround agenda.” Meanwhile, Chicago’s major local governments are struggling with fiscal messes that may be even worse than those in Springfield. The problems … Read More

Sullivan Teacher Dies After Being Struck by Vehicle

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Christina Sanders, 30, pronounced dead Thurs. •July 8, 2015• by Keith Stewart keith@newsprogress.com A Sullivan elementary school teacher was pronounced dead last Thursday evening after being struck by a vehicle the Tuesday prior. According to the Moultrie County sheriff’s department, Christina Sanders, 30, of Sullivan was pronounced dead at Carle Hospital at 5:33 p.m. Thursday. Shortly before 7:13 p.m. Tuesday, June 30 Sanders was struck by an automobile while jogging along county road 850E just north of the Bruce-Findlay road according to the sheriff’s department.
The release further adds that the automobile was being driven by Kali Forsyth, 18, of Sullivan.
Sanders, … Read More