photo by Crystal Reed
Sullivan Pageant Held
The 2023 Sullivan Pageants were held on Sunday, November 12 at Sullivan Elementary School. This year’s royalty is Little Miss Brystol Wiltermood, Young Miss Brooklyn Bates, Miss Sarina Voegel, Junior Miss Miah Voegel and Little Mister Leland Rich.
•November 22, 2023•
Sonja Coon and Jessica Lott of Staley Credit Union recently attended a mortgage conference in Ohio, which was represented by 200 other financial institutions throughout the U.S. While attending the conference, they proudly accepted the Marketer of the Year award on behalf of Staley Credit Union.
The award was based on the consistent and successful on-going growth of mortgage loans they have funded over the years.
•November 22, 2023•
The United Way of Decatur & Mid-Illinois has partnered with Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library to bring the Dolly Parton Imagination Library to Moultrie County. The Dolly Parton Imagination Library has grown from Parton’s local Tennessee roots to an international program giving children the ability to receive a free book in the mail, each month, from birth to five years old. The United Way of Decatur & Mid-Illinois is in its third year providing the program to many of the counties they invest in, and today it is now available for the children of Moultrie County. Read More
•November 22, 2023•
Austin Babb, originally from Sullivan, was nominated for the Non-Traditional Student of the Year Award at Lake Land College. Austin Babb is a non-traditional student in Lake Land’s Paramedical Services Program. She was nominated by Jasmine Ballard, emergency services program coordinator. Austin is originally from Sullivan and now lives in Lerna with her husband and children. She works full time as an EMT while also keeping up with the demands of being both a student and a mother.
In the nomination form, Ballard said, “Austin is compassionate with her patients and knowledgeable in her industry. When she finishes class, she will be a great provider and mentor to fellow providers as well as a wonderful teacher to students.”
•November 22, 2023•
by E. Scott England
The Sullivan Redskins had a rough season last year going 5-24 that also included a nine game losing streak. But it all depends on how you look at it. They were a relatively young team still figuring out how to work together on the court. Ten of their 24 losses were by 10 points or less. Two of those losses went into overtime. One of their losses of more than 10 points was against Tuscola, the eventual IHSA class A third place team. Factor all these things together and you have a team looking to completely change things around this year. Read More
•November 22, 2023•
While historically high food costs continue to strain consumers’ wallets, Illinois shoppers participating in the 38th annual American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) Thanksgiving Cost Survey reported the average cost of a traditional Thanksgiving meal is down slightly compared to 2022.
Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB) volunteer shoppers reported a state-wide average price of $63.87 for a classic holiday feast for 10, or around $6.39 per person. This reflects a 2.5% decrease over the previous year’s state average of $65.53.
“Gathering around the table with family and friends during the holidays remains an important tradition in many households,” said IFB President Richard Guebert Jr. “While the average cost of a Thanksgiving meal decreased slightly over the previous year, inflation continues to strain families’ wallets. Like consumers, farmers are price-takers and cannot increase the price of their products to make up for higher supply costs such as the price of fuel, seed, fertilizer and transportation.” Read More
photo by Crystal Reed
City Council members, contractors and water plant employees gathered to cut the ribbon on the City of Sullivan’s new water treatment plant on Thursday, November 16.
•November 22, 2023•
by Crystal Reed
An open house was held at the City of Sullivan’s new water treatment plant in the evening of Thursday, November 16. A ribbon cutting by the Sullivan Chamber of Commerce and Economic Opportunity kicked off the event. Construction on the plant began June 6, 2022.
Commissioner Chuck Woodworth said the planning and designing of the plant began around August 2019 but it took 14 months for the EPA to issue a construction permit because of COVID. At that time EPA employees were working at home remotely.
Woodworth said that the major factor in building the new water treatment plant was several changes with EPA regulations. “Meeting the new requirements would have been almost $9 million and there was not enough room around the old plant to build the new requirements, which was another softener unit,” he said “The condition of the wood frame buildings and several other factors.” Woodworth said the options were to spend $9 million in updates to a 30 year old plant or $12 million on a new plant. Read More
Photo submitted
Sullivan Dance Studio Competition Team Members Attend Convention
Sullivan Dance Studio had 25 Competition Dance team members plus one recreational dancer attend Dance Directive Master Classes Tour in St. Charles, Missouri on November 5. Those attending were: Gianna Krieger, Tiffany Hostetler, Mia Lovett, Natalia Beals, Kaylee Hostetler, Addi Finn, Lexi Yoder, Addisyn Carter, Brinnley Hobbs, Emma Hostetler, Hannah Taylor, Miah Voegel, Adalee Foster, Elizabeth Plank, Synthea Doss, Zoe Lynch, Sophie Foster, Caroline Hobbs, Knox Weakly, Alayna Young, Blair Camp, Abigail Plank, Mara Inman, Pasley Dowds, Alayna Ard, and Keelyn Karnes. Special shoutouts to Knox Weakley, Brinnley Hobbs and Synthea Doss for being awarded scholarships by the staff at the event. Dance Directive Conventions have classes, training and instruction with some of the top teachers and dance professionals from around the country. Those who attended had a chance to attend ballet, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop, jazz, acro, tap classes and more.
•November 22, 2023•
Santa Picture Bingo will be held on Saturday, December 2 from 8 to 11 am at the Sullivan American Legion Post 68. Breakfast will be served from 8 to 10:30 am and the menu is all you can eat pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, donuts, fruit and white and chocolate milk. Cost is $8 for ages 12 and up and $5 for children under 12. Bingo will start at 8:15 am with the last game played at 11 am. Bingo games are just 25 cents each with all prizes geared to children but fun for all ages to play. There will also be a bake sale, homemade fudge and a fun bag raffle. All proceeds benefit Down Syndrome Awareness. Santa and Mrs. Claus will also be there for photos and to collect children’s wish lists.
photo by Crystal Reed
Senior Center Holds Veterans Day Lunch
Members of the Sullivan American Legion post the colors during the Veterans Day lunch at Mid-Illinois Senior Services, Inc..