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Open House Held for New Water Treatment Plant

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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

Sullivan Dance Studio Competition Team Members Attend Convention

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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.

Santa Picture Bingo

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•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.

SHS Veterans Day 2023

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photo by Crystal Reed
SHS Veterans Day
Sullivan High School Student Council members Daniel Downs and Addison Brush speak during the program held last Friday.

Metro Communications Christmas Tree

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photo by Crystal Reed
Metro Communications Christmas Tree
This past week Metro Communications took advantage of the weather to put up their Christmas tree. They have added another section to the tree this year and now the tree stands taller than their building.

Okaw Valley Observes Veterans Day 2023

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photo by Crystal Reed
Okaw Valley Observes Veterans Day
Okaw Valley fourth graders perform “Fifty Nifty United States” in American Sign Language during the Veterans Day program held at Okaw Valley High School on Friday, November 10.

photo by Crystal Reed
OVHS Choir
The Okaw Valley High School Choir sings “Song for the Unsung Hero” during the Veterans Day program last Friday.

photo by Crystal Reed
Keynote Address
Allen Morrison, a Sergeant Major in the Army, was the keynote speaker during the Veterans Day program at Okaw Valley High School.

Lady Redskins Basketball Open Season with High Expectations

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•November 15, 2023•

by E. Scott England

Typically when a team loses key seniors who combined to lead the team in points per game, assists per game, steals per game, and free throw percentage, the following season is one that is in question. That is not the case for the Sullivan Lady Redskins this year. They have several key players returning this season who are stepping up to fill the void left by Izabelle Hay, Alaina Moore, Chloe Smith, and Gabby Penberthy. Read More

Okaw Valley Illinois State Scholars 11-15-2023

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Delaney Miller

Delaney Miller

Gabe Benning

Photos submitted

Okaw Valley Illinois State Scholars

The Illinois State Scholar designation is awarded to high school seniors based on ACT or SAT test scores and the sixth semester class size and unweighted class rank and Grade Point Average (GPA). ISAC gathers student data during one academic year that is used in making students awards for the following academic year. Test scores are gathered from the testing companies for the ACT and SAT exams taken during the student’s third and fourth semester prior to graduation. Each student designated as a State Scholar receives a congratulatory letter, a Certificate of Achievement and statewide recognition in the news media.