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A Look Back…3-26-2025

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2015

A boy was being treated for injuries he received after he apparently jumped from the third floor of the Moultrie County Courthouse onto the first-floor rotunda. The boy, shackled and clad in an orange jumpsuit, had just left a courtroom when he went over the railing.

Not only does knowledge equal power, but it also can help you earn some extra money for your bank account. That is what Sullivan native and recent law school graduate Rachael Sims found out after competing on the famous “Jeopardy!”!” game show. “I won $21,500 in my first game, which was very exciting!” said Sims. “Unfortunately, I didn’t win my second game, but I did get to earn $1,000 for my third-place finish. Of course, all of these totals are before taxes!”

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OV School Board discusses youth football Co-Op, anticipated impact of the dismantling of the DOE

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•March 26, 2025•

by DM Williamee

The Okaw Valley CUSD #302 school board held its regularly scheduled meeting on March 20th at 7:00 p.m. at the Okaw Valley Middle School in Findlay. 

After a call to Order, the first order of business was the public hearing, “Conduct of Public Hearing concerning the intent of the Board of Education to sell not to exceed $2,500,000.00 School Fire Prevention and Safety Bonds” of which no public comments were offered. It was then tabled for closed discussions.

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Growth, cashflow, and graves: Discussion at City Council

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•March 26, 2025•

by Sharon Barricklow

"When is a good thing too much of a good thing?” was on the minds of the Sullivan City Council Monday night. 

Rapid growth, including new apartments and businesses, has caused the city to worry about the cash flow of different city departments. That concern led Accounts and Finance Commissioner Abby Sherwood to urge the city departments to consider budget cuts. “With all the projects going on, we have a cash flow problem,” she said.

Commissioner Mike Kirk said departments like electrical services and water have little room to make cuts, especially in personnel. “These are skilled workers with certifications and licenses,” he said. “There’s nothing we can do to reduce those costs.” Kirk said the impact of Covid-era price jumps is still being felt for electrical department purchases. “Things went up 20, 50, even 100 percent,” he said. “And they never went back down.”

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Empower Academy breaks ground

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New facility will expand studio and local childcare

•March 26, 2025•

by DM Williamee

Empower Academy held a groundbreaking ceremony on Friday, March 21st. Owners Ryan and Melissa Krieger are planning to build 20,000+ square foot building that will expand Sullivan Dance Studio’s operations, as well as provide 126 licensed childcare spots in the future. The studio and facility will be licensed and accepting childcare assistance funding.

The new name was inspired by Melissa’s passion of empowering our community’s youth. The facility will house multiple dance spaces, tumbling, childcare, and parties/events as well as the childcare spots. Ryan and Melissa experienced first-hand the local childcare crisis when looking for care for their 3 daughters. The frustrations of lack of availability and non-conducive operating hours inspired Melissa towards change. 

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Windsor Mobile Food Pantry

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•March 26, 2025•

On Thursday, April 3rd, from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m., the Mobile Food Pantry will be distributing food to those in need at Windsor Elementary, at 808 Wisconsin Ave. This delivery is for residents of Moultrie and Shelby counties only.

Those in need of a food box must register by noon on March 28th by calling the Windsor Storm Library, Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at (217) 459-2498, during business hours only. Once your form is completed by phone, you will be given a number to bring on the distribution day. If you lose your number, you need to bring identification.

Availability is limited to 120 families. Don’t wait until the last minute to call; the delivery truck has limited space. This Mobile Food Pantry is made possible by the University of Illinois Extension in cooperation with partnership sponsors Decatur Catholic Charities and the Windsor School District.

ACOE releases campground date openings

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•March 26, 2025•

Opening dates for Lake Shelbyville campgrounds, released by the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers is as follows: Forrest W. Bo Wood, April 17th; Lithia Springs, April 17th; Coon Creek, May 1st, Opposum Creek, May 15th, and Lone Point on May 15th.

Sullivan Easter “Eggstravaganza”

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•March 26, 2025•

A community Easter egg “Eggstravaganza” will be held on Saturday, April 19th from 11:00 a.m. -3:00 p.m. at 20 Courtyard Blvd., Sullivan. Food trucks Sweetea’z, Eddie’s Taco Truck, Tucker Family Concession, Sweet Vail, and Donut Dollies will be there. Also at the event will be the Sullivan Fire Department, Sullivan PD, MCSD, City of Sullivan, and IDOT. Pony rides, inflatable bounce house, DJ music, and more. There will also be kid’s bike raffles for ages 0-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-11; adult Easter basket worth $250.00, a 50/50 raffle. Character visits from Bluey, Elsa, Poppy, Branch, Spiderman, and the Easter Bunny. For more information, call (217) 728-4300.

Recent Obituaries: Jacqueline Thomas Grace

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Jacqueline Thomas Grace

Jacqueline Thomas Grace, 94 of Sullivan, formerly of Decatur, passed away Friday, March 21, 2025, in the Arthur Home.
Services to celebrate Jacqueline’s life will be held at 11 am Wednesday, March 26, 2025, in the Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the services. Interment will be in Macon County Memorial Park, Harristown. Memorial are suggested to the donor’s choice. 
Jacqueline was born on July 11, 1930, in Decatur, the daughter of Herschel “Jack” and Ruth (Kerns) Sattley. Jacqueline married Charles “Loren” Thomas on November 20, 1948. He passed away in 1982. She later married Jerald Eugene Grace on May 2, 1987. He passed away in 2002. Jacqueline owned Sattley’s Office Machines for many years. She went on to work in housewares at True Value and later at the Sun ‘N Fun Swim Club. She was a former member of Cresthaven Country Club and Sun ‘N Fun Swim Club.  
Surviving are her children: Cheryl Rich of Sullivan, and Jack (Cindy) Thomas of Decatur, grandchildren: Steven (Shannon) Phillips and Shannon (Kevin) McGregor, Lindsey Thomas, Shaun (Savana) Thomas, Amanda (John) Pizarek and Eric (Katrina) Robinson.  Great grandchildren: Kylee Phillips, Jake Thomas, Avery Robinson and Landyn Robinson.  
Jacqueline was greeted in Heaven by her parents, husbands, infant brother and son-in-law Bill Rich.
Condolences and memories may be shared at www.gracelandfairlawn.com.  Jacqueline Thomas Grace, 94 of Sullivan, formerly of Decatur, passed away Friday, March 21, 2025, in the Arthur Home.
Services to celebrate Jacqueline’s life will be held at 11 am Wednesday, March 26, 2025, in the Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the services. Interment will be in Macon County Memorial Park, Harristown. Memorial are suggested to the donor’s choice. 
Jacqueline was born on July 11, 1930, in Decatur, the daughter of Herschel “Jack” and Ruth (Kerns) Sattley. Jacqueline married Charles “Loren” Thomas on November 20, 1948. He passed away in 1982. She later married Jerald Eugene Grace on May 2, 1987. He passed away in 2002. Jacqueline owned Sattley’s Office Machines for many years. She went on to work in housewares at True Value and later at the Sun ‘N Fun Swim Club. She was a former member of Cresthaven Country Club and Sun ‘N Fun Swim Club.  
Surviving are her children: Cheryl Rich of Sullivan, and Jack (Cindy) Thomas of Decatur, grandchildren: Steven (Shannon) Phillips and Shannon (Kevin) McGregor, Lindsey Thomas, Shaun (Savana) Thomas, Amanda (John) Pizarek and Eric (Katrina) Robinson.  Great grandchildren: Kylee Phillips, Jake Thomas, Avery Robinson and Landyn Robinson.  
Jacqueline was greeted in Heaven by her parents, husbands, infant brother and son-in-law Bill Rich.
Condolences and memories may be shared at www.gracelandfairlawn.com. 

Feature documentary coming to The Roxy Theater for free showing

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•March 19, 2025•

After two years in production, the feature documentary, “The Farmer’s Daughter” is now ready to touch the hearts of all who see it.

“The Farmer’s Daughter” follows the life of former television news anchor Tara Barrett-Duzan as she carries on her father’s farming legacy in east central Illinois. When tragedy hit her family, Tara made the decision to move from the anchor seat to the tractor seat.

“It was a little strange,” smiles Tara Barrett-Duzan. “They told me a camera crew was going to follow me for an entire year. I have to be honest and say that I really dreaded it. But I trusted Scot and I knew if he was involved that it was going to be something special.”

The film is directed by Barrett’s former co-anchor, Scot England. Kylie Daniel, who owns Half Moon Digital in Shelbyville, was in charge of the documentary’s filming and editing. 

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