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Remember When? 4-22-2020

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25 Years Ago This Week

The Bethany Mustangs bats exploded for 32 runs in their first two games, while the pitching staff held opponents to three runs and three hits.
A 22-3 victory over Springfield Calvary and 10-0 shut out at Bement.
Against Springfield in the top of the first Phil Ozier (4 for 5 with 5 RBIs) knocked in Shane Martin for the first run. Aaron Osman used a bunt to score two runs. Bliss Schwartz smashed a single to center scoring a run. Jon Ashley knocked in Osman with a ground out.
Bethany voters bought at least three years life for their schools with a decisive vote facing steeper taxes. Voters approved a $1.25 tax rate increase 436-327 to prevent consolidation. Read More

Alpha Phi Scholarships

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•April 22, 2020•

The Alpha Phi Chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa, an international honorary organization of women educators, offers a $500 scholastic scholarship annually.
Applicants must be a junior or senior in college or graduate student in the field of education.
Please contact Ellen Feeler at 217/259-4722 if you are interested in receiving an application. Deadline is May 20, 2020.

Prison Sentence Commutations Raise Questions in Springfield

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Prisoner Review Board Signs Off

•April 22, 2020•
By Jerry Nowicki
Capitol News Illinois

Illinois Senate Republicans are calling for greater communication from the governor’s office when he commutes prison sentences, but Gov. JB Pritzker has not indicated he will make any voluntary changes to the process, which is spelled out in state law and also goes through the state Prisoner Review Board.
The Chicago Tribune reported Pritzker commuted 17 sentences between March 11 and April 9. Another two commutations were conducted on April 13, according to the Prisoner Review Board.
“We have learned through the media that you have reduced the sentences of some violent criminals, including seven or more convicted murderers,” eight Senate Republicans wrote in a letter to the governor on April 16. “We are concerned that you have done so without informing the victims, their families, witnesses who testified against them, local law enforcement leaders, the judges who decided their sentences, or members of the General Assembly. Are all of these commutations because of the COVID-19 crisis? We believe that the public deserves to know.” Read More

City is Assisting Businesses Seeking Help

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•April 22, 2020•
By Mike Brothers

As the Covid-19 closings affect more and more businesses the city of Sullivan is looking into ways to help.
Since the announcement of potential small business grants, Sullivan Economic Development Chamber director Laurrie Minor has worked with six local businesses.
“Although several of our local businesses have had to close, many do not have enough full-time employees to qualify,” Minor explained.
Of the six potential businesses, three will be able to move forward in the Downstate Small Business Stabilization program funded by federal Community Development Block Grant funds.
On Monday, April 27 a public hearing will be held before the city council at the Elizabeth Titus Library for The Little Theatre on the Square and Sullivan Dance Studio LLC. Both are seeking $25,000 for working capital to address the urgent needs due to COVID-19 emergency. Read More

How Earth Day and Environmental Conciousness Have Evolved

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•April 22, 2020•
Reduce, reuse, recycle is a mantra for many people. It’s difficult to imagine that just 50 years ago awareness of the state of the environment was not part of the collective consciousness.
An emerging public consciousness about the planet began amid environmental issues like increased air pollution and massive consumption of fossil fuels in the 1960s. The bestselling book “Silent Spring” by Rachel Carson also raised public concern for living organisms and the links between pollution and public health. The push for environmental reform gained even more momentum on April 22, 1970, when the first Earth Day was celebrated. Then-Senator Gaylord Nelson from Wisconsin put Earth Day on the national stage following a large oil spill that struck off the coast of Santa Barbara, Calif. Before this disaster, recycling was not a word in the popular lexicon. But when the disaster struck, people began to reason that changes would have to be made to save the planet. Read More

Sullivan Graduation and Prom Tentatively Scheduled

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•April 22, 2020•
By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress

Tentative dates for possible graduation ceremonies at Sullivan High School are Sunday, June 28 or Sunday, July 26th.
A plan is being made to hold a virtual award’s night on Wednesday, May 6 and a virtual Decision Day ceremony on Friday, May 16.
Prom is tentatively being rescheduled for Saturday, June 13 with a contingency date of Saturday, July 18.
“There are a number of items that are very much on the minds of our community and our school personnel that still do not have answers,” Supt. Ted Walk told the school board April 13.
“This is an ending to a school year unlike any that we could have imagined. Though we have planned for the end of the school year, there is still so much learning that is yet to take place. I continue to encourage all students to try their best. I continue to urge all parents to help to the extent you are able, but I want you to understand that we will have protocols in place over the summer or in the fall to help make certain your students continue to see the academic success that we expect from students at Sullivan Schools.” Read More

Courthouse Reopens May 4

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•April 22, 2020•

Moultrie County Board chairman Dave McCabe announced the courthouse in Sullivan would return to full time hours Monday, May 4
Access will still be limited to the north entrance. Social distancing, temperature checks and hand sanitizing practices will still be observed.
“After conferring with Judge Richey, Sheriff Sims and Angie Hogan of the health department I notified elected officials and department heads that we would returned to full time hours,” McCabe said.

Beacon Shines

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Photo furnished
Beacon Shines
Early in April the Moultrie County Beacon held parades to help connect during the stay at home order. Half of the Cila houses organized a parade on one day challenging the members of the other Cila houses to top their effort during the second parade. It had been a month since they had been able to see friends, with the parade letting everyone exchange waves and greetings.

Sullivan School District is Committed to Serving Students and Community

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•April 22, 2020•
By Supt. Ted Walk
Sullivan CUSD #300

Governor Pritzker has announced that all public schools in Illinois will be closed for the remainder of the academic year. It is truly heartbreaking that we will not be able to interact with our students as we normally would again this year. The Sullivan School District remains committed to serving our students and community throughout these unprecedented times.
While additional information may cause modifications to our plan moving forward, we did want to update our students, parents, and community with the following tentative information. Read More

Sycamore at Tabor

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Photo by Mike Brothers
Sycamore at Tabor
Mayor Richard Glazebrook and Sullivan Park Supt. Ed Moody wrestled a Sycamore tree into its new home at Tabor Park on April 20. The new tree commemorates Earth Day Wednesday, April 22 and was donated to the park from the mayor’s back yard.