Author Archives:

Aspen Creek Memory Care Grows to Meet Demand

News Progress Posted on by

•April 3, 2019•

Due to an urgent incline in the need for dementia care, Aspen Creek Memory Care has started an expansion push by adding additional suites and amenities to its home in Sullivan. The Sullivan area has been very supportive of Aspen Creek throughout its journey, and they are eager to grow their presence in the community. Through the support of the community and the friends and family of Aspen Creek, they have been able to provide the most home-like experience possible to those who seek compassion, understanding, happiness, and familiarity in a world where it is quickly fleeting. Read More

Celebrity Karaoke

News Progress Posted on by

•April 3, 2019•

Sullivan’s American Legion Post 68 will host a Celebrity Karaoke contest at 8 p.m. Friday, April 12 at the Legion. Admission will be $5.
Area celebrities including representatives from the Sullivan school district, Sullivan fire and police departments, the Moultrie County Sheriff’s Department, the Legion, and the community will battle for bragging rights in the contest.
Contestants, who will come with one prepared song, have been encouraged to wear costumes and appear with backup dancers and singers. Audience members will also be able to purchase singing opportunities before and after the contest.
Money raised at the event will be used to purchase Walk of Honor bricks for the 78 charter members of Post 68. The Walk of Honor will be built this summer around the Legion’s current flagpole. Biographies of charter members will be provided at the event, and people are encouraged to “adopt” charter members by sponsoring bricks.
Information on purchasing bricks for the Walk of Honor may be found on the Legion’s Facebook page or at the Legion.

OVHS Work Day

News Progress Posted on by

Photo furnished
OVHS Work Day
OVHS students worked at Bo Wood helping prepare for the season. The students helped the Corps of Engineers complete necessary tasks to get the park ready to be opened. The partnership between Okaw and the Corps continues to give back to Lake Shelbyville and the surrounding communities.

Superintendent-Y Stuff: A Walk with Mr. Walk

News Progress Posted on by

•April 3, 2019•

By Supt. Ted Walk,
Sullivan CUSD #300

At Sullivan Schools, we have a number of pre-kindergarten students who attend Project Help, which is a preschool program organized and ran by the Assistant Director of Eastern Illinois Area of Special Education.
It is a program that is funded largely through a Preschool-for-All Grant. For about the past decade, the district has leased a classroom off-site for students participating in this program.
This year, we were able to return the program to Sullivan Elementary School and were able to use grant funding to support an additional classroom, effectively doubling the number of pre-kindergarten students who can take advantage of this program.
While there are always complications when hosting a program that is operated largely by an outside organization, there have been tremendous benefits to having these classrooms on site. Read More

Obituaries 4-3-2019: Earline Reed

News Progress Posted on by

Earline Reed

Earline Reed, 85, of Sullivan, passed away at 9:41 p.m. Saturday March 23, 2019 in Eastview Terrace in Sullivan.
Celebration of Life services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday April 6 in Reed Funeral Home in Sullivan with Pastor Charliam Renner officiating. Visitation will be 5- 8 p.m. Friday April 5 and one hour before services on Saturday. Private burial will be in Greenhill Cemetery in Sullivan. Read More

Obituaries 4-3-2019: Sandra Brownlee

News Progress Posted on by

Sandra Brownlee

Sandra K. Brownlee, 73, of Decatur, passed away Monday, April 1, 2019 in her residence.
Sandra was born June 1, 1945, a daughter of James “Jay” Speagle and Norma Morey-Crutcher.
Surviving are her son Rodney Brownlee of Decatur; daughters Diane Strode of Decatur and Laurie (Val) McKean of Decatur; sister Donna (Terry) Beasley of Macon; half-siblings Jerry, Danny, Vicki, and Jay; grandchildren Koren (Fred), Ashley (Devin), Skyler, Brandy, Drew, and Krissy; 10 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren and a special nephew Wade Beasley. Read More

Remember When? 4-3-2019

News Progress Posted on by

25 Years Ago This Week

Seven lettermen are among the eight juniors, seven sophomores and six freshmen who made up the 1994 Bethany Mustang baseball team. Commenting on his young team, Coach Dave Benning said he felt more confident with each practice. Mustangs making up the team are Wes Plummer, Deacon Patient, Rick Seeley, Kevin Bowser, Aaron Calhoun, Bliss Schwartz, Phil Ozier, Adam Gurchiek, Aaron Osman, Jon Ashley, Adam Yeager, Clay Brush, Scott Seeley, Shannon Pham, Eric Stollard, Shane Martin, Dan Webner, Rob Neathery Mike Smith and Derek Pickup.
Sullivan Middle School sixth grade held a Medieval Fair in the gym. Members of the community participated with teachers Angie Bendler and Joyce Shellabarger to coordinate the event. Nancy Burcham worked with Andrea VanOrmer, Kari Taylor, Kelly Moore, Jon Livergood, Amanda Scribner and Kara Herbert to make stained glass suncatchers. Other members of the community helping the students were Theresa Poland, woodworking, and Ruth Shasteen, calligraphy. Read More

Obituaries 4-3-2019: Vicki Nolen

News Progress Posted on by

Vicki Nolen

Vicki Jo Nolen, 60, of Sullivan passed away March 12, 2019, surrounded by her beloved daughter Bridget and grandchildren Jacob and Alexandrea Myers in her daughter’s home in Hobbs, N.M.
Vicki was born to parents Florence Allen (Manning-Bolyard) and the late Robert L Bolyard (Bobbie Bolyard), November 1, 1958, in Decatur, Ill. She was a graduate of Vandalia High School in 1976 and received her CNA/EMT from Vandalia Hospital. Read More

Building 1225 Breathes New Life into Vacated Retail Space

News Progress Posted on by

Building 1225 Breathes New Life into Vacated Retail Space
Photo by Ellen Ferrera
1225 Ribbon Cutting
Ribbon cutting for 1225 Building drew a good crowd Sunday including Mayor Ann Short (center), Vineyard Church Pastor Jim Plank (on mayor’s left, blue shirt), Sullivan Chamber Economic Development Director Laurrie Miner (far right) and members of the Vineyard Church.