Remember When? 12-11-2019

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25 Years Ago This Week Bethany school board authorizes $480,000 in working cash bonds. School board members Norma Farris, Carol Gregory, Dick Lamb, Dave McCabe and Paul Roney voted in favor, Steve Funk voted in opposition stating that he would prefer to explore other means of resolving the financial issues. Norma Farris, board president said “This is a band-aid, That’s all it is” and superintendent Marilyn Bayley reported that there’s no way to cut enough from the budget to solve the financial situation we’re in. Local veterinarian Gregory Mauck recently performed an onychectomy, or surgical declaw, on a five month … Read More

ESDA/Animal Control Consolidate

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•December 11, 2019• Animal Control and Emergency Services and Disaster Agency consolidated in Moultrie County and Sheriff Chris Sims reported progress to two county board committees last week. Sims and Deputy Caleb Smith, who is designated Animal Control and ESDA coordinator, replaces animal control officer Sam Donaker, who retires at the end of the year and ESDA coordinator Jan Haegen who retired in December. … Read More

Sullivan Fire Department’s New Tanker Improves Rural Fire Protection

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•December 11, 2019• By Mike Brothers Sullivan Fire Protection District can deliver 3000 gallons of water and dispense it in three minutes thanks to the Fire Truck Revolving Loan Program. The new $278,335 3000 gallon tanker was on display at the Sullivan Fire department Dec. 3 when Illinois State Fire Marshal Matt Perez announced Sullivan was one of 23 communities benefiting from 0% interest loan program. “The Sullivan Fire Protection District was approved for a 0% loan through OSFM for a new 3000-gallon tanker, a much needed new piece of equipment,” Sullivan Fire Chief Mike Piper began. “Through the program, … Read More

Night Parade Grand Marshal Reflects on Community and Giving

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By Marshal Cook for The News Progress Becky Lawson came to Sullivan High School as an English teacher 32 years ago, this Friday, Dec. 13 she is Grand Marshal of the Sullivan Night Christmas parade. Entries should gather at 4:30 p.m. Dec. 13 in the high school parking lot prepared to light up the night over Sullivan. The parade kicks off at 6:00 p.m. Parade director Jeri Davis noted the perfect candidate for the nighttime Christmas Parade Grand Marshal had to be Lawson whose devotion to community, veterans and her students has been an inspiration for more than three decades. … Read More

Cold and Dry in November

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•December 11, 2019• November temperatures were well below the long-term average across the state, breaking hundreds of local daily records, according to Illinois State Climatologist Trent Ford at the University of Illinois’ Illinois State Water Survey. The preliminary statewide average temperature for November was 35.6 degrees, about 7 degrees below Illinois’ 30-year normal and tied for the ninth coldest on record. The intense cold weather at the end of October continued into the first two-thirds of November. Average temperatures ranged 10 to 15 degrees below normal for the first half of the month. Between Nov. 1 and Nov. 15, 149 … Read More

EIU Changes Tuition Rates

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•December 11, 2019• Eastern Illinois University now offers in-state tuition to prospective undergraduate students from any state in the U.S. who have a 3.0 or higher grade point average. Previously, EIU only offered in-state tuition to students from Illinois and “collar states”—the six states that directly border Illinois – Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, and Wisconsin. That offer has now been expanded to include any student in America’s 50 states through EIU’s new Out-of-State Distinguished Rate Program. “Universities throughout Illinois and across the country continue to compete for the best and brightest students available,” said Josh Norman, EIU’s associate vice … Read More

Have a Safe Holiday

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•December 11, 2019• The holidays are here and that means many will be decorating their homes. Hanging up decorations is fun, but keep in mind, holiday decorations can increase your risk for a home fire. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) more than two of every five home decoration fires occur due to decorations being placed too close to a heat source. More than one-third of home decoration fires are started by candles. “More than half of home decoration fires in December are started by candles,” says State Fire Marshal Matt Perez. “The top three days for home … Read More

Elks Hoop Shoot Set

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•December 11, 2019• The annual Charleston Elks #623 National Hoop Shoot is Dec. 14 at the Mattoon Middle School. The National contest in its 48th year is a free throw competition for ages 8-13. Three divisions each for boys and girls will shoot 25 free throws for best score. Winners advance to the district level in January at Robinson. Registration begins at 9:00 a.m. with competition starting at 9:45. For further information contact Rod Franklin at 345-9668. The event is free and any expenses past the local level will be covered by The Elks National Foundation. … Read More