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A Look Back…2-28-2024

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2014

A new school name had been chosen for that next year’s annexation of Arthur-Lovington and Atwood-Hammond school districts by students, and the victor wasn’t much of a stretch. The winner was Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond. 

The community of Lovington reached a 750 book goal as part of a community reading program that kept track of children’s reading on bookmarks. To celebrate that endeavor Abra-Kid-Abra performed at the Lovington Public Library. 

A new business opened in Bethany called Hired Hand Winery and Saloon was open in downtown Bethany. Owners were Erin and Shane Weybright. Read More

What Brought Me to Sullivan and the Moultrie County News Progress…

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•February 28, 2024•

by Crystal Reed

Hi, my name is Crystal Reed and I have been the Writer for the Moultrie County News Progress since late July 2020. I have recently decided to resign my position at the publication and my last day will be Friday, March 1. When I made this decision, I weighed my options and did a lot of thinking about what I should ultimately do. In the 3 years and 7 months or so that I have served in this role, I have met many people and learned so much about the communities in Moultrie County.

However let’s back up and go back to 2020 for a minute. Some people are not aware of the circumstances of how I ended up in Sullivan and at the News Progress. Shortly after the State of Illinois was shut down in 2020, I was furloughed from my employer in Effingham. I can’t express to you how difficult that was for me, it was the first time since I got out of college that I was unemployed for longer than a few months or so.  Read More

Drive Your Tractor To School Day 2024

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photo by Crystal Reed
Drive Your Tractor To School Day
Sullivan FFA members with a few of the tractors that were driven to school on Thursday, February 22. To celebrate FFA week Sullivan FFA had dress up days including Camo Day, American Day, PJ Day, Blue and Gold and Red vs. Green. Students could also pay an amount to wear a hat to school for a day or the whole week. 

photo by Crystal Reed
The Smallest Tractor
Pictured is the smallest tractor that was brought for Sullivan High School FFA’s Drive Your Tractor to School Day.

photo by Crystal Reed
Petting the Animals
Bella Purcell (left) pets a rabbit that Lexi Mashaw (right) is holding.

photo by Crystal Reed
Okaw Valley FFA Petting Zoo
As part of their FFA Week activities the OV FFA had a petting zoo on Wednesday, February 21. Students from OVES were able to come over and see a rabbit, goats, a horse, piglets and a calf that had been born on Monday, February 19 around 9 pm. Pictured is Bo Neal (left) brushing a horse while Gracie Plummer holds the animal still.

ALAH School Board Approves Check to Solicit Bids for Roof Work at AHGS and Pavement Work at LGS

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•February 28, 2024•

by Ariana R. Cherry 

The ALAH School district continues to focus on the needs of its facilities. There are some places on the roof of the AHGS that have significant leaks. Superintendent Shannon Cheek had noted at January’s Board of Education meeting that he wanted to get ahead of things before they became a problem. At the meeting on February 21, the Board of Education approved Cheek to go ahead and solicit bids for roof work to be completed for summer 2024. The cost estimated could be anywhere from $200,000 to $240,000. The Lovington Grade School is also in need of pavement work, in which the board also approved Cheek to solicit bids. The estimate of cost for that is $410,000. Principal Andrew Peralta and his students at the Arthur Grade School are beginning to get excited for restroom repairs as some of the classrooms have already begun their plans for moving class until the renovations have been completed.  Read More

City of Sullivan Receives Another Grant to be Used for Park Improvements

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photo furnished
A concept drawing of what the splash pad project will look like after it is built.

•February 28, 2024•

by Crystal Reed

The City of Sullivan was recently notified that they received another Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant from the State of Illinois. According to a press release from the State of Illinois, nearly $55 million in state grants are being awarded for 111 local park projects throughout Illinois to help communities acquire land and develop recreational opportunities. The grants also want the recipients to make sure that the facilities they develop are accessible.  

The first OSLAD project total is $763,000. It is considered a matching grant and the city contributes 50% of that amount through mileage and man hours. “I am aware that the park is not an income generating department,” City Commissioner Abbey Sherwood said “that’s why it’s important to find other resources like grants.” Read More

Math and Science Career Event

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•February 28, 2024•

Lake Land College’s Math and Science Division will host STEM Exploration Day (formerly known as the open house) from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Friday, April 12.  The event allows high school juniors and seniors to learn more about Lake Land’s math and science academic programs as well as career opportunities in STEM fields.

The STEM Exploration Day will begin in Lake Land’s Foundation & Alumni Center, where attendees will be separated into five groups. Current Lake Land students will serve as group leaders to guide the groups through campus and provide a student perspective. Each group will attend five informational sessions to tour Lake Land’s labs, learn from faculty and participate in hands-on demonstrations related to physics, chemistry, biology, math and geographic information systems (GIS).

Attendees will also experience real-world and work-place applications associated with fast-growing occupations in STEM fields.

“We encourage anyone who is interested in a career in math or science to attend this open house,” Division Chair of Math & Science/Geography/Earth Science Instructor Mike Rudibaugh said. “This event is a perfect way for prospective students to get familiar with the faculty, labs and equipment that will prepare them for success in their chosen career.”

The event will conclude with a faculty Q/A panel and small group discussion for students to ask questions. Lunch will also be provided during this segment.

Parents or guardians of high school students, as well as anyone interested in pursuing a math or science degree, are welcome to attend.

Registration is open now on the Lake Land College visit page at lakelandcollege.edu/visit. To learn more about the STEM Exploration Day, contact Laurie Rincker, event coordinator, at lrincker@lakelandcollege.edu or 217-234-5237.

2024 Gospel Meeting 

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•February 28, 2024•

The 2024 Gospel Meeting will be held from Sunday, March 17 to Wednesday, March 20 at Highway Church of Christ, 704 West Jackson Street, Sullivan. Times are Sunday at 9:30 am, 10:30 am and 1 pm and Monday-Wednesday at 7 pm. Speaker is Phil Sanders. Lesson schedule is Sunday at 9:30 am “A Fire in Our Hearts”, Sunday at 10:30 am “Jesus Is Lord”, Sunday at 1 pm “It Is Written”, Monday at 7 pm “Hungering for Righteousness”, Tuesday at 7 pm “The Cost of Discipleship and Wednesday at 7 pm “When We All Get To Heaven.

Jigsaw Puzzle Contest

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•February 28, 2024•

A jigsaw puzzle contest will be held on Saturday, March 16 from 11 am to 1 pm at the Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library. 

They are looking for six teams of six people or less to compete. The teams will be tasked with putting together the same 750 piece puzzle in a two hour time frame. To preregister call the library at 217-728-7221. There will be a prize for the winners.

Puzzle Swap

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•February 28, 2024•

The Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library will be hosting a puzzle swap from March 4-16 during regular business hours. Bring a puzzle and trade it for another. They ask that you only bring puzzles that have all their pieces.