Understanding Illinois: Changing Faces Challenge Illinois

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March 4, 2015 By Jim Nowlan Outside Columnist A regular reader of this space suggested that I write a column about the changing demographics of our state and of what it means for our future. Since my childhood half a century ago, there have been dramatic changes in who we are and where we live in Illinois. My rural home county of Stark in central Illinois has, for example, lost population every decade since 1880, from almost 12,000 then to fewer than 6,000 today. Most of the hundreds of vibrant downstate market towns of my youth have shrunk to a … Read More

Lovington Public Library Events

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March 4, 2015 The Lovington Public Library will host the following events in the early part of March: Wee Readers Story time Wee Readers Story time is every Thursday from 10-10:30 a.m. for preschool children who are two years and older. The library is recognizing March as Dr. Seuss month, and the following dates and themes for March are: March 5 is “Cat in the Hat”; March 12 is “Green Eggs and Ham” and “St. Patrick’s Day”; March 19 is “Make a Bird Feeder” and March 26 is “One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish”. Youth Book Club Youth … Read More

Scott State Bank Food Drive Throughout March

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March 4, 2015 Scott State Bank in Bethany will be hosting a food drive to benefit the Bethany food pantry throughout the month of March. Non-perishable food items or paper products may be dropped off during the month; the most needed items include instant potatoes, green beans, apple sauce, spaghetti and sauce, cereals, pancake mix and syrup, flour and sugar, toilet paper, tissues, dish soap, and laundry soap. … Read More

Legion to Host Blood Drive March 10

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March 4, 2015 The American Red Cross and the American Legion in Sullivan will host a blood drive noon-6 p.m. Tuesday, March 10. The need for blood is constant. Every unit of blood donated may potentially help up to three people. For an appointment, call drive coordinator Jeri Davis at 273-9456. Walk-ins are welcome, but having an appointment helps ensure that adequate staffing is available and decreases wait time. … Read More

Drainage, and Farmland, and Zoning, Oh My!

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March 4, 2015 County will have to amend ordinance before zoo can apply by Keith Stewart keith@newsprogress.com The three-member county planning and zoning committee met Friday afternoon and unanimously approved amending the zoning ordinance to allow for zoo operations in the county. The amendment comes after the county received a permit application for a zoo from the State Bank of Arthur on January 16. After issues were raised about the permit not including the names of those with the actual vested interest, an amended application was then filed by James Aikman, a loan officer with the bank on February 13, … Read More

A Zoo In Moultrie County?

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March 4, 2015 Arthur loan officer pursues dream from God by Keith Stewart keith@newsprogress.com After the first dream about owning his own wildlife park, James Aikman, an Arthur resident, woke up and told his wife Kelsey. “On the night of October 21, 2013, I had a dream of my wife and I basically owning and running this wildlife drive-through park, so that next morning I told my wife about it, and she looked at me like I was crazy,” recalled Aikman to a full room during an economic luncheon at TnT Pizzeria February 19. “Our first son was going to … Read More

Lovington Revitalization Discussed

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March 4, 2015 by Florence Hallford Lovington Reporter A small group of Lovington residents gathered in the basement of the First Christian Church February 24 to discuss the possibility of introducing new programs and activities for the children of Lovington. The group included Pastor Al Rennert, Roger Walker, Norma Woolridge, and Nicole Brodnansky. Resident Victoria Goacher presented information to the group along with community organizer Mike Crews with the Illinois Coalition for Community Services (ICCS). Goacher then presented the information to the board at the Lovington Village Board meeting Monday night. ICCS began in 1985 in underserved and low-income communities … Read More

Bethany Village Council Again Pushes Video Gaming Vote Back

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March 4, 2015 Final approval of ordinance tabled for at least a year by Derek Pope Bethany Reporter Last month, and without much fanfare, Bethany’s village council came to the consensus that they would not vote one way or another on the legalization of video gambling in Bethany for at least another year. The decision was executed by legislatively “tabling” the vote or, in other words, taking no action on the issue and placing it on the council’s agenda at a later date. The decision, though not opposed by some members of the council, would effectively block video gaming machines … Read More

Electric Customers Awarded $200 Credit On Bill

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March 4, 2015 Settlement refunds Sullivan more than $150,000 by Ariana Cherry Sullivan/Arthur Reporter Commissioner Mike Kirk announced at the city council’s last regular meeting that all electric customers who were billable on December 31 of last year will be receiving a $200 credit on their next utility bill. The $200 credit is a result from an appeal that IMEA (Illinois Municipal Electric Agency) had filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, in which they had protested a rate hike. Ameren had increased the wholesale distribution in 2011, which had been passed onto Sullivan and its customers. Customers saw this … Read More