Category Archives: News Briefs

Superintendent-Y Stuff: A Walk with Mr. Walk

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•March 4, 2020•
By Ted Walk,
Supt. Sullivan CUSD #300

Sophomores at Sullivan High School recently had the opportunity to sign up for the free Rotary Athletic Heart Screening Program.
This event, sponsored by Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center, will take place on Saturday, March 28.
The screening is intended to detect undiagnosed heart problems.  The program includes collecting health history and performing a physical specifically targeted to detect at-risk athletes, as well as an electrocardiogram.  Read More

Remember When? 3-4-2020

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25 Years Ago This Week

Lois Shuman’s kindergarten class at Powers School in Sullivan told the story of Stone Soup—A Rock Opera. Cast members included: Cody Ohm, Samantha Armer, Carrie Kuhns, Savannah Reeves, Shaylee Walker, Casey McClain, Shera Byers, Paige Schoonover, Ashley Danford, Curtis Bushert, Craig Black, Blake Whitkanack, Sam Nunn, Andy Woolen, Ryan Irvin, Andy Morgason and Ashlie Wilson.
Chris Oglesby and David Montague, members of the Sullivan FFA chapter attended the National FFA Convention Made For Excellence conference in Springfield.
Christine Claytor of Bethany is one of three area Millikin University students who are members of he Big Blue cheerleading squad. She is the daughter of Wayne and Dee Claytor and a 1994 graduate of Bethany High School. Christy Cloyd of Findlay and Jeremy Thompson of Windsor are the two area cheerleaders joining Claytor on the squad. Read More

Student Assistant Funding Does Help Targeted Recipients

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•March 4, 2020•
By Capitol News Illinois

STUDENT ASSISTANCE FUNDING: The state commission that oversees higher education grants for low-income students detailed the diminishing buying power of state financial aid Thursday, Feb. 27, during a budget request hearing.
Eric Zarnikow, executive director of the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, spent much of his testimony before a Senate appropriations committee breaking down the state’s Monetary Award Program grants, which apply to tuition and fees. The grants are available to eligible Illinois residents who demonstrate financial need and attend approved Illinois colleges, and they do not need to be repaid.
“MAP really does meet today’s low-income Illinois students where they are and it gets aid to the people that need it the most,” Zarnikow said, later noting that MAP recipients graduate at about the same rate as other students enrolled at the same university.
This year, 54 percent of MAP recipients have no parent who graduated college, and 53 percent come from families that are judged by the federal government as having no money to contribute to the cost of higher education. Read More

Dine With Doc at Mason Point

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•February 26, 2020•
Senior Education Ministries, Inc. in partnership with the Sullivan Community has scheduled Dine with a Doc®-Sullivan for March 3, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Max J. Knight Community Building banquet hall at Mason Point in Sullivan.
This month we are excited to present Dr. Marisa Overton AuD SBL Audiology from Charleston.
Dr. Overton is a native of Mattoon and has worked for Sarah Bush Lincoln for 17 years. Read More

Menu 2-26-2020

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Senior Peace Meal
For additional information or for reservations, please call 1-800-543-1770
Monday, March 2 - Beef stew w/potatoes, carrots, & onions, seasoned greens, biscuits, tropical fruit
Tuesday, March 3 - Chili mac, tossed salad, dinner roll, warm cinnamon peaches
Wednesday, March 4 - Chicken tetrazzini, peas and onions, seasoned green beans w/pimentos, whole grain wheat (1), chunky applesauce
Thursday, March 5 - Roast beef in gravy, mashed potatoes, cabbage tomato au gratin, dinner roll, overnight fruit salad
Friday, March 6 - Salmon loaf, frosted sweet potatoes, midori blend vegetables, whole grain wheat (1), pears

Visions of Our Future: Fulton Sheen’s Plan

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•February 26, 2020•
The Immaculate Conception Parish Center in Mattoon will be hosting a 3-hour event with Dr. Peter Howard.
Dr. Howard holds a doctorate in sacred theology from the Angelicum in Rome. He is founder of the Fulton Sheen Institute, author of The Woman - the authoritative book on Fulton Sheen’s Mariology, and has traveled internationally, helping others discover this future saint. This even will take place Sunday, March 8 from 6-9 p.m. Admission is free and snacks and drinks will be provided.

Sullivan Girls Scouts Have Paint N Pour

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•February 26, 2020•
The Sullivan Girl Scouts are working toward their Silver Award by raising funds.
The scouts are having a Paint N Pour party from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Sunday, March 29 at Jackson Family of Dealerships in Sullivan.
Teamed with a vendor expo the Art Night and More Art Parties- Paint N Pour offers participants a chance to create their own masterpieces. Wear paint clothes.
Register at Tickets PayPal link for Paint Pour!

Sullivan Dance Studio’s Team Attends Competition

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•February 26, 2020•
Sullivan Dance Studio’s Competition Team attended their first competition of the year February 14, 15 and 16 at Oswego East High School.
Seventeen dancers participated in the Groove Dance Competition with their solos, duets and trios. Some of the dancers danced in the “Novice” level, while others danced in the “Intermediate” level. They had dancers in the Mini, Petite, Junior and Teen age categories also.
Results: Read More

Remember When? 2-26-2020

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25 Years Ago This Week

Ice? We don’t need ice. Sullivan hockey players Scott England, John Pruitt, Michael Rogers, Jake Shasteen and Tyler Burich strapped on their inline skates and let the games begin at Wyman Park. Mid-February temperatures were in the 50s as March approaches.
Nancy Schaljo, Judy Marrs, Bob Hagen, Gordie Wood and Rita Florey have volunteered to man the phone bank during the Easter Seals fund drive on WAND-TV.
The Sullivan Redskins held Monticello to eight points in the third quarter but couldn’t hold on as the Sages rallied for a 79-66 win. Zach Hilliard scored 19 points and Jake Moore added 18 for the Sages. Travis Florey led the Redskins with 19 points, Kenny Webb and Kevin Towle scored 12 points and Greg Yoder pitched in with ten points.
Lovington scored 34 first half points in their cruise to a 56-37 win over Villa Grove. Josh Born scored 21 points, Jim Minor added 11 points, Ed Sanner scored nine and Kevin McGregor added seven points. Read More

The Trouble with Billionaire Money in Politics

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•February 26, 2020•
By Jim Nowlan
NP Guest Columnist

The rise of billionaires running for office is dampening the democratic impulse, that is, they threaten to take “by the people” out of government. The threat from those who swirl big money around in campaigns drives others to the sidelines of democracy, unwilling to waste their time in a contest where they fear being overwhelmed by billionaire money.
Some context, followed by a few observations:
The four resources critical to all political campaigns are money, people, skill and time. Money has always been necessary to communicate candidate credibility, issue positions, and stimulate voters to the polls. People extend the candidate by spreading his or her message and providing the campaign management skill. Time is undervalued as a resource, as late-starting Michael Bloomberg is finding on the presidential campaign trail.
Until recent decades, political party organizations at the local, state and national levels have been indispensable in helping party-endorsed candidates campaign at both primary and general elections. Party foot-soldiers helped spread the word, and party treasuries provided some or all of the money needed. Read More