City prepares for summer electrical usage
•June 4, 2025•
by Sharon Barricklow
The Sullivan City Electrical Department is getting ready for a busy summer with potential interruptions from Ameren that will require the city to generate its own power.
“In the past, we’ve had two hours’ notice before we need to go online,” Jon Edwards told the council. “Now they’re saying 30 minutes.”
Read more: City prepares for summer electrical usageETML Summer Reading Program Kickoff
First Responders of M.C. school supply drive
•June 4, 2025•
The first responders of Moultrie County are looking for donations to assist in the acquisition of school supplies for Sullivan, Bethany, and Lovington Elementary Schools. These donations can be monetary and/or physical supplies, as listed by each school district. The monetary donations will assist in the purchase of school supplies, as well as needs requested from each school district.
Read more: First Responders of M.C. school supply driveSullivan High School band director: Grammy music educator
Nomination an honor, testament to his students
•June 4, 2025•
by DM Williamee
Sullivan Schools 2024-2025 Interim Band Director, Chris Keniley, has been selected as a quarterfinalist for the 2026 Grammy Music Educator Award. This is a significant honor recognizing his contributions to music education. When asked about the nomination, Chris shared, “I didn’t know how significant it was; I learned more after I got a letter a month ago saying that I had been nominated, and could I fill out a few more details about what I’ve done at the school.” There is supplemental material he needs to submit, a video interview, and he will find out later this summer if he made the top 10. “I’m hoping for that, because you receive a grant for your school music program. I think that would be the greatest thing in the world. I’m doing what I can to help students achieve success. Although I am now handing the torch over to someone else, that was my mission this year.”
Read more: Sullivan High School band director: Grammy music educatorSign collision at Agri-Fab
Photo submitted
In the late afternoon of Saturday, May 31st, there was a single-vehicle accident, with the vehicle making contact with the Sullivan Agri-Fab factory signage located at the factory frontage on Hamilton Street. Per Sullivan Police Department’s Chief of Police, Andrew Pistorius, the airbag was deployed in the incident, and the driver refused medical treatment. No further information is available at this time.
SES 4th graders “Living Wax Museum” impresses
Student’s project entertaining and informative
•May 28, 2025•
by DM Williamee
On Wednesday, May 14th, Sullivan Elementary School 4th-grade students from Mrs. Wilson’s, Mr. Campbell’s, Mrs. Smith’s, and Mr. Friese’s classes wowed with their end-of-year “Living Wax Museum” project, which was open to the public. Each student chose a person they admired, whether alive or deceased, to represent---in character. After extensive research about their person, they created outlines, essays, flash cards, tablet presentations, wardrobes, posterboards, and props. They then practiced their public speaking skills and delivery in a class dress rehearsal before show time. Researching an individual and transforming themselves into that person, then speaking as that person to others in the first person is no small feat, but these 4th graders handled it with style and enthusiasm and were well prepared.
Poppies of Remembrance and Sacrifice
Stork pins awarded
Summertime food safety
Four proven strategies to improve food safety this summer
by Angela Hogan
The summer season has begun, offering opportunities for picnics, backyard cookouts, and family gatherings. However, warmer temperatures and outdoor events make food safety especially challenging.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), food poisoning affects approximately one in six Americans each year. Not surprisingly, more foodborne illnesses occur during summer than in other seasons.
The Moultrie County Health Department (MCHD) encourages you to follow four proven food safety strategies: Clean, Separate, Cook, and Chill. These simple actions can help improve your food safety and reduce your risk of foodborne illness.
Read MoreDistrict to receive final transportation payment for the fiscal year
by Ariana R Cherry
“We are going to receive a final transportation payment this fiscal year - it is in the queue,” stated Superintendent Shannon Cheek at the most recent meeting of the ALAH School Board held on Wednesday, May 21, 2025.
“There are many years where we get three payments. We don’t get the full amount every year. It still has been an ongoing issue,” informed Cheek as he spoke about the deficit that the transportation fund has had frequently due to not receiving payments from the state. “We budget conservatively and always budget for three payments,” he explained.
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