•April 11, 2018•

Elementary students and community volunteers are planning to grow fruits and vegetables on Sullivan Community Unit District 300 land this year.

“This is a great opportunity for the kids to experience everything from planting and weeding to harvest,” fourth grade SES teacher Nicole Hendry said of the SES Garden Project.

With help from Director of Maintenance Kevin Landrus the 10 by 100 ft plot was prepared first by burning then tilled by Kurk Grohler.

Hendry went on to tell the members of the school board that My Garden and Buxton’s Garden Farm have made donations and offered direction while the PTO has donated $250 for start up supplies.

Ten members of the faculty are involved with Hendry noting Melissa Haegan was interested in getting the summer park and recreation program involved.

May 10 and 11 are plant days with students, faculty and anyone from the community interested in participating are welcome.

•April 4, 2018•

Following the annual meeting of the First Community Bank of Moultrie County, Chairman E. Ray Duncan announced the following promotions: Reid Molzen has been named CEO and President.

Molzen, a 1992 Millikin graduate, has been with the bank 26 years and was previously President and Loan Officer.

In addition to receiving his B.S. in Finance from Millikin, he attended the Graduate School of Banking in Madison, Wisconsin. A lifelong Moultrie County resident, he lives in Sullivan with his wife Christy and has coached in the Sullivan School District for 16 years.

Lisa Florey has been promoted to Vice President, Compliance Officer and Trust Officer. In addition to 13 years at First Community Bank, she also has 26 years of accounting and legal experience. She is a lifelong Sullivan resident and lives in Sullivan.

Cindy Harshman has been promoted to Vice President, Loan Officer and Trust Officer. She has been with First Community Bank for 15 years and has 41 years of banking experience. A Sullivan native, she resides in rural Sullivan with her husband Keith.

Chairman Duncan also stated that one year after the merger of Hardware State Bank and First National Bank of Sullivan, First Community maintains very strong capital and profitability positions and has been named a 5 Star Bank by the Bauer Financial Rating Company.

•April 4, 2018•

Sullivan IGA is sponsoring the Moultrie County Food Pantry Golf Outing Friday, April 27 at Sullivan Country Club.

Those interested in participating in the outing should apply to Kristy Dawson at the Moultrie County Food Pantry by Friday, April 20.

Lunch is provided with an 11 a.m. signup and a noon shotgun start.

•March 28, 2018•

The Moultrie County Retired Teachers Association extends an open invitation to the area’s retired educators to join them for brunch.

Learn about retired teacher benefit offerings including dental and vision insurance, long-term care, heart attack, stroke policy and much more.

This can be accomplished while enjoying a delicious homemade brunch, interesting program and informative business meeting while renewing or forming new friendships with retired educators.

Those wishing to join should call 217-262-3121 before March 28.

Wednesday morning meeting dates and locations for 2018: April 4-Sullivan First United Methodist Church; June 6- Yoder’s Restaurant, Arthur; Aug. 1-First Christian Church, Bethany; Oct. 3 - First Christian Church, Lovington.

•March 28, 2018•

Eagle Creek Resort site is  now open for proposals from potential developers.

State Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet) and State Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) announced March 14 that the site of the state-owned Eagle Creek Resort in Shelby County is now officially open for vendors to submit a development proposal to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

The resort closed in 2009 due to financial problems and environmental issues and has since sat vacant.

Officially called a Request for Proposal, registered vendors with the state have from now until near the end of April to submit their plans for how they would develop the site on Lake Shelbyville.

“All we’ve asked for is a good old-fashioned college try to see if there is legitimate interest in redeveloping this property,” Rose said. “It’s my hope someone with an excellent vision and plan comes forward, and we can one day return Eagle Creek Resort to the crown jewel it once was for the region.”

“This has been a top priority of mine, Sen. Rose, and local officials for years,” Halbrook said. “I am excited about the prospects for the redevelopment of this beautiful piece of property on Lake Shelbyville. I am hopeful a resort at Eagle Creek can return, which will not only provide a spectacular destination for visitors from across the country, but also a much-needed boost for the local economy.”

The current Eagle Creek procurement represents a solicitation for private development, and no public funds would be used in redeveloping Eagle Creek.