•June 24, 2020•
By Ted Walk,
Supt. Sullivan CUSD #300
Sullivan Schools have received approval for in-person learning and limited summer extra-curricular activities, which are currently underway with a number of precautions in place.
The Illinois State Board of Education has indicated that specific reopening guidelines will be forthcoming soon, which we are eagerly awaiting. Read More
•June 24, 2020•
By Mike Brothers
Development of 17 acres of city owned property south along Route 32 took a step forward at the Sullivan City Council meeting.
Tabeling Development Company, LLC is purchasing the TIF qualified site for $242,200 with the intent to develop 12 lots initially.
City attorney Andrew Bequette explained that the agreement includes for the city to provide up to $250,000 in utilities including water, sewer, gas and electric services but no roads or sidewalks.
If a portion goes undeveloped for five years, the city may purchase acreage back at market value.
The agreement is pending rezoning from Agriculture to Residential and whether possession is before or after crops are harvested from the farm property.
Mayor Richard Glazebrook made the motion to approve the ordinance approving and authorizing execution of the Tax Increment Financing District Redevelopment agreement with Tabeling. Read More
•June 24, 2020•
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Illinois State Director Douglas A. Wilson today announced that USDA is investing $10 million in a joint project to build or improve rural electric infrastructure in Wisconsin’s Scenic River Co-op.
“Rural Development has a history of bringing areas together, whether with electricity, telecommunication, or broadband. Wilson said. This venture will expand services in two states. Another example of Rural Development bridging the gap to improve rural America.”
USDA is providing loans and loan guarantees to rural electric cooperatives and utilities through the Electric Loan Program throughout the United States. The recipients will use the funds to build and improve electric transmission and distribution lines, benefiting rural residents and businesses. The loans include funds for investments in smart grid technology, which uses digital communications to detect and react to local electricity usage changes. Read More
Droneography by R.R. Best
Knee High/Sky High
This planting season was plagued with weather challenges but Moultrie County farmers stuck it out and corn is growing in the summer sun. The 4th of July arrives next week and the standard measurement of a good crop was if the corn is knee high by the fourth of July. Five year olds Leah and Landon Ziebler are looking to the sky in their grandpa, Mark Brewer’s field southwest of Bethany.
Billy Park
Billy Park, 81, of Sullivan passed away at 8:54 a.m. Wednesday, June 17, 2020, in his residence.
Celebration of Life Services were noon Saturday, June 20, 2020, in Reed Funeral Home in Sullivan. Burial was in Greenhill Cemetery in Sullivan. Read More
•June 24, 2020•
By Fiery Works
for the News Progress
It’s the Fourth of July, why wouldn’t we be there,” American Legion Post 68 Fundraising Chair Mike Keown said of the club’s commitment to Fourth of July celebration for Sullivan.
Keown told Sullivan’s City Council that the parade and fireworks show will happen on the Fourth.
“The Color Guard, fire trucks and other emergency vehicles will be in the parade,” Keown said, noting safe distance guidelines would be observed. Read More
•June 24, 2020•
By Joe Pound
for the News Progress
Today I sat down with John Junior Green (Johnnie Green), who is being cared for by Lulubelle (Logue) Morris, my next door neighbor to the south. John is 94 years of age (born in 1926) and has a home elsewhere in Sullivan.
He is the son of Earl Lucion Green & Mildred Moran. Their children are Dorothy, John J., Robert, Billy, Jimmy and Inius, who died at birth. John’s children are Linda (Robinson) & John S.
John’s health is fragile and his hearing is minimal even with hearing aids, but his memory of his WW II experiences is excellent. To communicate Lulubelle speaks directly into his left ear the questions that I asked him. Even then he often needed her to repeat the question.
My purpose in visiting with John and Lulubelle, was to ask about his service in the U. S. Navy in the western Pacific during WW II. Lulubelle had advised me in an earlier backyard conversation about his many fascinating stories from his service during the great war. I was also encouraged to consider this history story by the June 2020 issue of the National Geographic magazine. The cover article is “The Last Voices of World War II.”
Johnnie Green is certainly one of those voices. Read More
Selects New Elementary Principal
•June 24, 2020•
By Ariana Cherry
for the news Progress
During the 2020-2021 school year, the Sullivan School district plans to move to a self-operated food service program.
A Food Service Director will be needed to operate the program.
The job description of a food service director is explained as follows: “ The food service director plans, directs and coordinates the activities of the district’s food service program. They shall be responsible for the completion of all obligations specified by county, state and federal laws and regulations, as well as other duties as specified by the superintendent and board. Some of the qualifications for the position include having a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent educational experience with an academic major in nutrition or culinary, completing at least 8 hours of food safety training, have a food service sanitation certificate that is up to date and basic understanding and experience with personal computers and programs. Read More
•June 24, 2020•
Upon an agreement between Democratic Chair Tim Singer and Republican Chair Dave McCabe, the Moultrie County Board voted unanimously to Consolidate Sullivan 1 and Sullivan 6 precincts into one precinct, to be called Sullivan 1 precinct; and to Consolidate Sullivan 2 and Sullivan 5 precincts into one precinct, to be called Sullivan 2 precinct.
The Polling Location for both precincts will be the First United Methodist Church of Sullivan.
Board Chairman Dave McCabe stated that from a political standpoint he is opposed to consolidating precincts.
However, from a practical and financial standpoint it is something that needs to be done.
This will save the County money, not just the cost in election judges, but in equipment and supplies.
County Clerk Georgia England said that Election Judges need a good foundation to form a strong team.
Combining a precinct brings the judges’ knowledge together as a unit that will work well together. This makes a precinct solid and secure. It will also afford efficient and economical elections for the County.
Registered Voters in the previous Sullivan 6 precinct will receive new Voter ID Cards showing that they are now known as Sullivan 1; Sullivan 2 and 5 precincts will also receive new Voter ID Cards showing that they are now known as Sullivan 2, and that their voting polling location has changed from St. Columcille Catholic Church to First United Methodist Church of Sullivan.
The new Voter ID cards will be placed in the mail Thursday, June 25. Should a Voter from the previous Sullivan 2, 5 or 6 not receive a Voter ID card by July 10, England asks that they contact the County Clerk’s office at 728-4389.
The Great Daylight Comet Answers Photo Mystery
Thank you for publishing the 1910 comet photograph in the May 20 issue. The publication of a photograph of such a notable event, from a time when photography was still relatively new, was not only fascinating, but also it launched me and my family into some illuminating historical research that makes a great story.
My family loves both history and outer space, so I was excited to show the photograph to my husband and our children over breakfast one morning. I asked them to guess what it was. Their first guess was the sun, since the object was so bright. After a few farther-fetched ideas were suggested, my son finally guessed that it was a comet and, from there, the famous Halley’s Comet. I read the tag line to let them know that it was, indeed, a photograph of Halley’s Comet from May 19, 1910. Read More