Photo furnished
Sullivan Lions Donate to Boy Scout Troop 39
Sullivan Lions recently donated $2,200 to Boy Scout Troop 39. Pictured in the front row are Verna Tice, Lions’ President, presenting the check to Eric Bettinger, Scoutmaster. In the back row are Lions members Dave Reed, Jess Barker, and Roger Tice.
•May 4, 2022•
Cheri Burcham
Extension Educator University of Illinois Extension
We traditionally celebrate Older Americans Month (OAM) each May. OAM is a time to acknowledge the contributions of past and current older persons in our country, in particular those who defended our country. Every President since Kennedy has issued a formal proclamation during or before the month of May asking that the entire nation pay tribute in some way to older persons in their communities. OAM is celebrated across the country through ceremonies, events, fairs, and other activities. Older adults play vital, positive roles in our communities – as family members, friends, mentors, volunteers, civic leaders, members of the workforce, and more. Just as every person is unique, so too is how they age and how they choose to do it – and there is no “right” way. That’s why the theme for Older Americans Month (OAM) 2022 is Age My Way. Read More
•May 4, 2022•
Millikin University will welcome athletes and loyal supporters of women’s athletic teams back to campus May 13-15, for a celebration weekend to honor 50 years of women’s athletics at Millikin.
Millikin’s Women in Athletics celebration will be full of events that Millikin University 50 Years of Women Athleticsallow the university to recognize athletes as part of a Big Blue tradition of trailblazers.
Millikin University has a long history of nurturing lives of meaning and value in its students. It was important to the university that its female students be validated when they expressed their desire to receive more from their collegiate experience. In 1970, two full years before Title IX legislation was passed, Millikin put that value into action as Harriett Crannell pioneered the charge and assembled Millikin’s first women’s basketball team, marking the beginning of MU’s storied history of women’s athletics. Now, 50 years and 10 NCAA teams later, Millikin celebrates a proud tradition of women wearing the Big Blue. Read More
•May 4, 2022•
Arthur Lovington Atwood Hammond (ALAH) FFA Alumni has selected four students to receive scholarships for the 2022 – 23. The chapter’s purpose is “to provide leadership, mentoring, and financial assistance to the agricultural education program at Arthur Lovington Atwood Hammond High School.” The scholarship fund receives donations, fundraising, proceeds from the variety test plot hosted by Jeff Davis of Hammond, proceed from the Land Lab donated by Masterbrand Cabinets, and proceeds from the Amish Country Tractor Cruise. Students fill out a comprehensive application and are reviewed by the FFA Advisor and Alumni representative.
Receiving $500.00 scholarships are Quentin Day, Jace Green, Michaela Powell, and Peyton Rawlins. Read More
•May 4, 2022•
In Illinois last year, approximately 103 people were killed or injured in grade crossing and trespassing incidents. Illinois Operation Lifesaver works to prevent these needless incidents from happening through public awareness campaigns, education programs and free rail safety presentations.
Operation Lifesaver, the non-profit rail safety education and awareness organization dedicated to reducing collisions, fatalities and injuries at highway-rail crossings and preventing trespassing on or near railroad tracks, is observing its 50th anniversary in 2022. Over the past five decades, Operation Lifesaver and its safety partners have helped reduce railroad crossing incidents by 84 percent across the nation. But there is more work to do – every three hours a person or vehicle is hit by a train in the United States.
“The Illinois Commerce Commission has overseen Illinois’ rail safety efforts for more than 150 years. Keeping pedestrians, motorists, and train employees safe near and around railroad tracks and trains is a top priority for our agency. We are proud of our partnership with Operation Lifesaver, year after year the statistics reflect the effectiveness of our robust educational efforts and awareness campaigns,” said ICC Chairman Carrie Zalewski. Read More
•May 4, 2022•
Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Transportation recently announced $12.3 million in grants for local projects that will help boost the health and safety of children via safer walking and biking routes to school. The Safe Routes to School program is funding 57 projects selected from 102 applications received from municipalities and schools across the state.
The Village of Bethany’s project will impact the Okaw Valley Elementary School. The project description says it involves Illinois 121 sidewalk replacements and additions, including a new crosswalk with flashing beacons at Washington Street intersection, The existing sidewalk on the west side of Washington Street will also be improved and connected to Okaw Valley Elementary School. Funds awarded for the project are $188,520.00. Read More
Photo by Crystal Reed
Shelby Realty After Hours
Shelby Realty’s new office in Sullivan had an after hours event on Thursday, April 29. The new office is located at 5 West Jefferson. Pictured are some of the realtors that are with the company. From left to right: Bruce Steinke, Sandy Steinke, Cheyenne Pieszchalski, Cathrine Craig, Debbie Cruit and owner Matt Forcum.
•May 4, 2022•
The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM) is raising awareness about arson and the seriousness of this crime, while educating Illinois residents about the true cost of arson and it’s impacts on individuals and communities. The theme for Arson Awareness Week 2022 (May 1-7), Arson in Homeless Communities: Engagement – Education – Outreach. Read More
Dear Editor:
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. As a volunteer and advocate with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, this month I am asking everyone to join us and demand #MoreForMentalHealth.
As a survivor of a son’s suicide, I can personally attest to how critical it is to take every effort to educate everyone about the dramatic consequences of a suicide, to raise everyone’s awareness levels to find opportunity to intervene and save a life whenever possible. Read More
Roger Wilhelm
Roger K. Wilhelm, 73, of Sullivan, passed away at 9:18 a.m., Tuesday, April 26, 2022, at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center in Mattoon. Read More