Photo by Crystal Reed
Rep. Halbrook and Sen. McClure Host Town Hall
State Rep. Brad Halbrook and State Senator Steve McClure hosted a town hall at the Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library on Monday, February 20. Both legislators gave updates on what is happening in Springfield and took questions from those in attendance. Topics included the expansion of abortion, unconstitutional gun ban, administrative pay raises and Governor Pritzker’s FY 2024 budget.
Photo by Crystal Reed
Moultrie County Spelling Bee
The Moultrie County Spelling Bee was held on Thursday, February 16 at the Little Theatre On The Square. Spellers from Sullivan Elementary and Junior High and Lovington Grade participated in the bee. The top speller that will be moving on to the next level is Macee Boddy (right). Runner up was John Williams IV (left). Both are students at Lovington Grade School.
•February 22, 2023•
by Ariana R. Cherry
Superintendent Shannon Cheek, members of the school board and Rod Wright of Creative Entourage discussed the results of the facility survey that was sent out to members of the communities of the ALAH School District at the most recent Board of Education meeting which was held at Lovington Grade School.
In the communities of Arthur, Lovington and Atwood, only 361 surveys were completed. One of the main reasons that those who voted selected no to the proposal was they worried that the tax increase would be too much. Another big worry was that the elementary schools in Atwood and Lovington would eventually be closed down and/or torn down. Board member Ryan Nettles pointed out that since the high schools have all consolidated, both the Atwood and Lovington buildings were torn down. People could have some anxiety about their elementary buildings being torn down next. One other concern to which voters chose no to the proposal was the uncertainty of the current state of the economy. Read More
•February 22, 2023•
by Crystal Reed
The Sullivan City Council held a regular meeting Tuesday, February 14.
Commissioner Abbey Sherwood reported that at the park they removed stumps from the playground and have been working on cleaning up Tabor Park. She estimated they are about two months out on a bid package for the splash pad.
Concerning the city building, she noted that the demolition has taken place. She noted that the process had gone relatively smoothly. Sherwood also read a prepared statement.
She said that the council had been asked to slow down or delay the project. “We cannot slow this project down,” she said. “It’s not been a slow process, and it has taken three years to get to where we are today.” Sherwood noted that the building has been severely neglected for decades and hundreds of dollars spent to band-aid serious issues. Read More
•February 22, 2023•
Southern Illinois University at Carbondale has announced its Fall 2022 dean’s list. Students named to the list are: Sarah Rafferty of Arthur, Talon Russell of Bethany, Coen Foster, Kaitlynn Snelling, Alyssa Thompson, Morgan Wallace and Kiley Will, all of Sullivan; Cole Nichols, Sadie Zimmerman, both of Findlay.
•February 22, 2023•
A pancake and sausage breakfast to benefit the 2023 Bethany Celebration will be held on Saturday, March 11 from 7-10 am at the Bethany Fire Department. Cost is $10 for adults, $8 for children and free for children 3 and under. Dine in or carry out. All proceeds go to the 2023 Bethany Celebration.
•February 22, 2023•
Taylor Colclasure, of Sullivan, has earned a MARCH in Architecture at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.
•February 22, 2023•
Richland Community College has announced their Fall 2022 Vice President’s Academic Honor List. Karsyn West of Sullivan was named to the list.
•February 22, 2023•
The University of Illinois Extension in cooperating partnership with sponsors Decatur Catholic Charities and Sullivan United Methodist will hold a mobile food pantry on Wednesday, March 15 from 4 pm to 5 pm at Sullivan Methodist Church, 216 W. Jefferson, Sullivan (across from the firehouse). A mobile food pantry delivers a 2 week supply of food per family in rural communities. Any individual or family that does not have a steady good supply qualifies to receive food. No financial information is required to qualify. This distribution is open to all, not only residents of Sullivan. Sign up by 4:30 pm on Wednesday, March 8 by calling 217-259-2920 or 217-728-8521 during regular business hours. Once your form is completed by phone, you will be given a number to bring with you on the day of distribution. If you lose your number, you will need to bring identification. Food will be distributed according to household size on March 15 from 4 pm to 5 pm at the Methodist Church in parking lot across the street.
Photo submitted
Jeep Run
A Jeep Run was held last Saturday to raise funds for the Windsor Harvest Picnic. Pictured is the arrival in Windsor.