•July 13, 2022•
Eastern Illinois University recently announced their Spring 2022 graduates. Graduates from our area are Eusebio Briseno and Kayli Worthey both of Arthur; Haley Caulfield and Hope Ruppert of Bethany; Ashley Dial of Findlay; Janelle Rafferty of Lovington; Sara DeVore, Lauren Fultz, Tate Fultz, Kylie Goss, Melissa McFadden, Jarod Merryman, Tanner Tarr, all of Sullivan; Mercedez Austin, Joel Beck, Emma Burdick, Luke Gilbert, all of Windsor.
•July 13, 2022•
The 12th annual Dalton City All Wheel Extravaganza will be held on Sunday, July 31 from Noon to 5 pm in downtown Dalton City. This is a car, truck, motorcyle and tractor show. Registration is $15 and each entry includes a free t-shirt. Goody bags for the first 75. There will be food and entertainment, vendor booths, 50/50 drawing, silent auction and door prizes. There will be participant choice trophies and best of show. For more information contact Harley’s Hideout 217-874-2309, Shamrock Pub at 217-874-9701 or Bob Weltig at 217-413-9292.
•July 13, 2022•
There will be a trivia night fundraiser for the Sullivan-Okaw Valley football team on Friday, July 22 at the Sullivan American Legion. Doors open at 5:30 pm with dinner at 6 pm and trivia starting at 7 pm. All participants must be 21 or older. Trivia reservations are $20 per person or $100 for a table of six. $10 pork chip dinner tickets are available at Sullivan High School office, Moultrie County Treasurer’s Office and Chip’s Marine. Awards and prizes for trivia winners, best themed table and most team spirit. Trivia reservations can be made by contacting Stephanie Helmuth at 217-714-9028 or April Christensen-Stephens at 217-827-1726.
•July 6, 2022•
The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) announced today that Future Farmers of America (FFA) dues for every student taking agriculture education classes across the state will be covered starting this fall. The $550,000 appropriation is spearheaded by State Senator Doris Turner. FFA is a national organization for young adults interested in leadership and agriculture. It has been a priority of the Pritzker administration to make farming and agriculture more accessible, and these dollars help to diversify the make-up of the FFA organization.
The elimination of dues makes Illinois a FFA affiliation membership state, ensuring every student that is enrolled in agricultural education will have FFA membership dues automatically paid, making them a FFA member.
“In Illinois, we’re making it so students can choose their extracurriculars based on what interests them the most, not what they can afford,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “It’s been a priority of mine to make agricultural education more accessible and widely recognized throughout my administration. It’s why I signed into law two measures to include ag classes in our state college admission requirements, and it’s why I’m proud to implement Senator Doris Turner’s initiative to waive FFA membership fees for all Illinois students.”
“I am proud to support the next generation of Illinois agricultural enthusiasts by helping alleviate the financial burden of membership dues,” State Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield) said. “The more bright minds we can bring in to help solve the agricultural problems of tomorrow, the better we all will be in the future.”
“In 2022, nearly 37,000 students across the state were enrolled in ag classes, but the state’s FFA membership was 23,000 members,” said IDOA Director Jerry Costello. “By removing the cost barrier, this opens up the doors for thousands more students to benefit from what FFA provides, which goes well beyond what can be taught in the classroom.”
“This news couldn’t come at a better time,” said Illinois FFA Executive Director Mindy Bunselmeyer. “Illinois’ number one industry touches so many beyond traditional family farms. FFA continues to expand its mission to prepare our Ag leaders for tomorrow. To announce before students prepare to enter school allows even more future leaders to join our ranks. To have Director Costello share the news with our FFA convention attendees and their families was a great capstone to our week.”
In 2021, Governor Pritzker signed House Bill 3218 and Senate Bill 1624, two measures that add “agriculture education” to the list of acceptable electives that qualify a student for admission to state universities, and “agricultural sciences” to the list of acceptable science courses for admission. The FFA agriculture education program is for students in 7th-12th grade. Currently, over 350 schools across Illinois have a FFA chapter.
•July 6, 2022•
Lisa Blackwell and Elizabeth Morrow, both of Mattoon, were named to the Winter 2022 President’s List at Southern New Hampshire University. Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.700 and above are named to the President’s List. Full-time status is achieved by earning 12 credits; undergraduate day students must earn 12 credits in the fall or spring semester, and online students must earn 12 credits over two consecutive terms (EW1 & EW2, EW3 & EW4, or EW5 & EW6).
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Kristyne Ashbrook of Sullivan has earned President’s List honors during the spring 2022 semester at Illinois Central College. President’s List recognition is achieved with a perfect 4.0 grade point average.
•July 6, 2022•
Zoe Ray of Sullivan was named to the dean’s list at Greenville University for the Spring 2022 semester. To qualify for the GU Dean’s List, a student must successfully complete a minimum of 12 hours for the semester. Freshmen (0-29.5 credits) must have a semester GPA of 3.5 or above. Sophomores, juniors, and seniors must have a semester GPA of 3.7 or above.
•June 22, 2022•
Lake Land College will be hosting an after-hours open house Thursday, June 30 from 4 to 7 p.m. to celebrate both the new Foundation & Alumni Center and the Workforce Development Center on campus.
Attendees will have the opportunity to network with the event’s co-hosts, the Effingham, Mattoon and Charleston Chambers of Commerce.
Other activities will include touring the state-of-the-art reception area at the Foundation & Alumni Center and experiencing real world demonstrations in the Manufacturing Skills Lab or driving the CDL truck simulator in the Workforce Development Center.
Those in attendance can also explore services and opportunities available in WIOA & Adult Education as well as enjoy food and beverages.
Attendees are encouraged to begin at the building of their choice and be certain to visit the other before leaving. While the distance between the buildings is only a short walk, there will be a complimentary shuttle available.
To learn more, contact Alumni Engagement & Special Events Coordinator Amanda Tucker at 217-234-5376 or atucker1563@lakelandcollege.edu for more information.
•June 22, 2022•
Friday, June 24
5:00pm - Opening Ceremonies
Vendors, Inflatables, and Touch a Truck
5:30pm - Kids Car Show
6:00pm -Sullivan Dance Studio Showcase
Softball Tournament
6:30pm - Pedal Pulls with bonus Adult pedal pulls (Signups at 6:30)
7:00 pm - Teen dance with Nidal Entertainment
Beer Tent
9:00 pm - Silver Lake Band
Saturday June 25
8:00 am -Softball Tournament
Back the Blue 5K (Registration @ 7)
10:30am - Parade
11:00am - Vendors & Inflatables (Wristbands 1-5) Mud Volleyball Tournament
Shawn Dawson on main stage
12:00pm -Car Show (weather permitting)
1:00pm - Leighton Ewers on main stage
3:00 pm - Michael Lewis on main stage
4:00pm - Relay For Life Dinner
6:00pm - Sawyer Brothers Band
9:15pm - Fireworks
Beer Tent
3:00 pm - Opens
9:00 pm - 8Up
•June 22, 2022•
The Sullivan American Legion is looking for parade entries for the Fourth of July parade. Those interested should line up behind the high school at 10 am on Monday, July 4. Parade will kick off at Noon. As part of activities for the holiday the carnival provided by Connor Family Amusements will be held from July 1-4. Armbands are $25 from 6 to 10 pm and can be purchased in the Sullivan American Legion for $22. The watermelon eating contest, sack races and turtle races will start at 2 pm that afternoon. Fireworks will be at dusk.
•June 22, 2022•
There will be early deadlines for the Fish Wrap and News Progress due to the Fourth of July holiday. Deadlines for classified and display advertising will be Thursday, June 30 at Noon.