•May 14, 2025•

by Sharon Barricklow

Public utility costs will be going up for Sullivan residents after the City Council passed several rate increases at their meeting Monday night. 

The council approved a four and one half percent increase in electrical rates on the recommendation of Commissioner Mike Kirk who said wholesale electric rates continued to rise. 

HICF donates machine, students reap rewards

by DM Williamee

On Tuesday, May 6th, the Heart of Illinois Community Foundation (HICF) unveiled a book vending machine at Sullivan Elementary School at 8:00 am. Each year, the HICF funds the book vending machines. This year, Sullivan is one of the schools fortunate to receive one. On hand from HICG were Kaitlyn Farrar and Chastity Casey. Rev. Grant Wade serves as the Moultrie County advisor for HICF and has worked on this project with Leslie Guyot (school principal) and Leah Fleming (school librarian). 

•May 7, 2025•

Membership finding success in leadership journey

SHS’s FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America) recently received word from National FCCLA, for which they earned recognition as a Gold Level chapter in the 2024-2025 “Go For The Red Membership” recruitment campaign. Chapters that demonstrate exceptional recruitment efforts and increase their membership by at least 20 members are eligible to apply for this yearly award. Sullivan High School FCCLA announced they are the only chapter in the state of Illinois to earn this “Gold” recognition for increasing membership from 22 members in 2023-2024 to 60 members for the 2024-2025 year.

•April 30, 2025•

by Ellen Ferrera

On April 26th, members of the Moultrie Amateur Radio Klub (MARK) held the first of two annual “Hamfests” at the American Legion Hall. Approximately 75 ham radio enthusiasts from all over Central Illinois gathered to sell, buy, or trade all manner of ham radio equipment, electronics, tools, and all related to ham radio. It was part flea market, part swap meet.

Shane Ramos, President of the Klub, said, “Besides the swapping and trading, we also administer the test here for those seeking to get their ham radio license.” He added, “Our next Hamfest will be in the Fall, and they are always open to the public.”

The Moultrie Klub has been in existence for more than 60 years and meets on the third Monday of each month at the Honey Bee restaurant in Mattoon. Dinner is at 5:00 p.m. with the meeting at 6:00 p.m. Visitors and those interested in joining the Klub are always welcome.

Custodian night crew needed

•April 23, 2025•

by Ariana R Cherry

Superintendent Shannon Cheek announced that the school district was in need of a custodian night crew at the most recent school board meeting held on Wednesday, April 16. “We have open positions in each building, and we need those positions filled as we are trying to have a full custodian crew. We have zero applicants at the moment. If it doesn’t come to fruition by next year, we will have to reach out to a few other companies,” he said.