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Citizens View and Commissioners Attend Sullivan City Council Remotely

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•April 15, 2020•
By Mike Brothers

Sullivan City Council met Monday with Mayor Richard Glazebrook, city administrator Dan Flannell and city clerk Carrie Creek attending at Elizabeth Titus Library.
Commissioners Abbey Sherwood, Mike Fowler, Peggy Hargis and Chuck Woodworth attended remotely from separate locations.
Mayor Glazebrook explained the council was complying with the Governor’s Emergency Order limiting group meetings.
The proceedings were live streamed on www.facebook.com/News Progress and available online at www.newsprogress.com
Dan Bathe, a 24 year 11 month city employee was in attendance. Bathe first worked for the city street department then at the Sullivan Gas Dept. from where he recently retired. Read More

Remember When? 4-15-2020

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25 Years Ago This Week

Seven of eight candidates for Sullivan City Council attended a Chamber of Commerce sponsored forum at First Mid-Illinois Bank.
First Mid-Illinois President Larry Stenger moderated the event.
East View subdivision drainage was discussed with water and sewer commissioner candidates Ken Meadows and Richard Glazebrook responding.
Glazebrook explained the issue was identified in an earlier study with resident George Clayton noting the city should give the subdivision a break on storm drainage.
Mayor Leon Lane explained the way to solve the drainage problem was buy land from a private owner and reroute the drainage ditch.
Wayne Lindley and George “Pat” Frazier are seeking commissioner of accounts and finance and electric commissioner posts respectively
Jon England is also running for electric commissioner. Wallace Booker is Lindley’s opponent for accounts and finance.
Two area students were presented awards at the Eastern Illinois University All-Student show. Read More

Stay at Home – and Shop Local

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•April 15, 2020•
Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development is joining chambers and small businesses across the state of Illinois to launch the ‘IL’ove Local campaign to encourage people to support local businesses during the week of April 11 – 18, 2020.
While the Illinois Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (IACCE) is leading efforts to unite chambers across the state in the initiative, Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development is taking a leadership role in our community.
“Our local business are the heart and soul of this community. People from our local and neighboring communities come to Sullivan for the unique products and services they provide,” explains Laurrie Minor,Executive Director, SCED. “We want our local businesses to survive this shut-down.”
The statistics are staggering for small businesses following natural disasters: according to FEMA, roughly 40-60% of small businesses that close after a disaster never re-open. Read More

Obituaries 4-15-2020: Kenny Lambdin

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Kenny Lambdin

Kenneth G. ‘Kenny’ Lambdin, 50, of Sullivan passed away at 7:44 p.m. Wednesday April 8, 2020 in St. Mary’s Hospital, Decatur.
Cremations rites have been accorded and their will be no formal services. Arrangements by the Reed Funeral Home, Sullivan. Online condolences may be sent to the family at reedfuneralhome.net. Read More

Obituaries 4-15-2020: Rebecca Finley

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Rebecca Finley

Rebecca Ann Finley, age 74, of Gays passed away at 4:50 p.m. April 9, 2020, in her daughter’s residence.
A Celebration of Life will take place at a later date. Schilling Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Becky was born March 5, 1946, in Mattoon, a daughter of Merle W. Sr. and Betty L. (Carter) Cline. She married David Glen Finley January 27, 1965. He preceded her in death December 13, 2014. Read More

Lovington Board Cancels Fish Fry

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•April 15, 2020•

Lovington Village Board of Trustees met in regular session April 13 deciding to delay the annual June Fish Fry and Fireworks display..
At the regular March 9 meeting plans for the Lovington Community Club Fish Fry were set for Friday June 12 after community club members James Caudle and Carol Smith requested village participation.
Smith asked the village for use of Tom Conn Park for the fish fry.
The village was requested to participate in Fireworks funding.
On a motion by Pam Anklam seconded by Brenda Wood, April Daily, Gary Clem, and Dennis Garmon approved a $5000 donation toward the Fireworks display.
Village President Roger Walker reported the used Ford F450 truck Lovington is purchasing from the village of Atwood for $9000 is ready for delivery.
He noted the Lovington dump truck, pick up truck and Case tractor will then be put up for sale.
Building and grounds trustee Dennis Garmon inquired about the burned out property on East State street.
Walker reported condemnation procedure has started and will require 90 days, then the house can be removed.
Trustee Al Rennert reported tree removal was completed along the main line to the sewer plant and now brush removal is required to keep the lines clear. He moved Lester Mechling’s bid of $3,000 to remove brush along the sewer line be accepted with Garmon seconding. All trustees approved.
Trustee Anklam reported the 2020 Ford Explorer Police Unit has been delivered and is being equipped. Base cost of the new police vehicle is $33,875.
Parks and Special projects trustee Wood is seeking park board members. Members Nena Fridge and Kathy Thomas have resigned and Wood is looking for recommendations.

COVID-19 Won’t Stop Blue Dolphins

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Photo furnished
Grant Martin with his $25 Swim Outlet Gift Card Participation Award.

•April 15, 2020•
By Kevin Cremeens
SBD Publicity Director

The Sullivan Blue Dolphins Swim Team has not been allowed to gather and practice in the pool since March 16th, but they are not letting that stop them.
Don’t be alarmed, they are not still meeting and working out together, but are doing so “virtually”. Read More

Entries Accepted for Virtual Edible Book Festival

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•April 15, 2020•
Booth Library is sponsoring its 10th annual Edible Book Festival as part of National Library Week. This year’s festival will be a week-long, VIRTUAL event.
Instead of bringing your edible book entry to Booth Library, you will submit photos of it for an online gallery and voting process. Submissions will be accepted through Monday, April 20, at 4 p.m. Voting will open at noon on Tuesday, April 21, and close Saturday, April 25, at 4 p.m. Winners will be announced on Monday, April 27.
To enter or for more information, visit https://eiu.libguides.com/ediblebooks2020. Prizes will be awarded.
Anyone may enter a work made out of edible materials that has something to do with books in either its shape or content. To view entries from last year’s competition, go to https://thekeep.eiu.edu/ediblebook_2019/.
Questions about the Edible Book Festival may be directed to event organizer Michele McDaniel at mkmcdaniel@eiu.edu.

Easter Drive Thru

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Photo by R.R. Best
Easter Drive Thru
The Sullivan Fire Protection District protected young Easter Egg hunters this year by keeping a safe distance with the Easter Egg Drive-Thru. Above Volunteer Jason Fleming joined droves of first responders handing out Easter bags to waiting hunters. Some 200 drove up to the north parking lot at Wyman Park in Sullivan Sunday at 3:00 p.m. SFPD volunteers greeted the families with bags of Easter eggs for each child up to age 11. The bags were filled with a random selection of eggs plus select Easter bags contained bicycle certificates, which may be claimed by calling the Sullivan Fire Protection District.

Easter Blessings

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Photo by Mike Brothers
Easter Blessings
The Sullivan IGA Meat Dept. had to pick up their game this year because one individual donated 150 hams to the CEFS Moultrie County Food Pantry just before Easter. Dept. manager Barry Golden explained this person has donated 100 hams in the past, but considering the stress the COVID-19 crisis has put on families the donor stepped up his contribution to 150 hams this year. “I had quite a time rounding up that many hams,” Golden said, explaining the generosity is amazing. Delivering the hams to the Moultrie County Food Pantry just in time for distribution before Easter dinner last week were: Mason Harner, Seth Cobb, Barry Golden and, in front Blake Eller.