Category Archives: News

Metro Communications Christmas tree

News Progress Posted on by

•November 27, 2024•

by Megan Russell  

Sullivan has officially started the festive season with the set-up and decorating of the very large Christmas tree on the square. The tree set-up, spanning over two to three days, is a hometown tradition of the season, marking a point of no return into the holiday. Groups of two to four people, two on the lift and two watching the ground, began day two of set-up for the tree. Filling the monstrous wire base with dark green leaves and a mixture of silver, red and green matte and glossy ornaments.  The set-up crew started to decorate from the top of the tree and had close to five plastic totes filled with decorations accompanied by two large bags filled with even more décor for the grandiose tree. While the weather warmed up for the decorating of the tree on Tuesday, November 19th, the workers tasked with setting the large tree rings up the day prior were subjected to chilling winds and rain while assembling the metal bits, securing the base for the heavy leaves and ornaments. The tree can be seen in full on the corner of East Harrison and South Washington, next to the Metro Communications building. The tree, now taller than the building stands to beautify the downtown area for the festive season as an opportunity to give back to the community of which Metro grew and gained support. 

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Downtown Christmas Parade

News Progress Posted on by

•November 27, 2024•

Friday, December 6th was the date marked for the Christmas Parade and other festive events on the square by the Sullivan Chamber just last Tuesday, November 19th. Line-up for the parade starts at five in the Sullivan High School parking lot with the parade starting just an hour later, following the traditional parade route. Before the parade will be events by the pavilion on the square starting at four.   

For more information on the Christmas Parade or other festivities during the celebration contact the Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development at information@sullivanchamber.com, call (217)728-4223 or visit https://www.sullivanchamber.com/.

Giving our seniors the gift of connection

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We can help our seniors experience a joyful holiday season

•November 27, 2024•

by Angela Hogan

Christmas is hailed as a season of love, joy, and togetherness. Yet, for many seniors, it can be a time of loneliness and isolation. This year, let’s make a conscious effort to give the gift of connection.

Why Christmas Can Be Difficult for Seniors

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Heart of Illinois Community Foundation awards grants

News Progress Posted on by

Submitted  

Moultrie County celebrated two exceptional community initiatives recently as part of the Heart of Illinois Community Foundation’s Impact200 Grant Program. In partnership with Decatur Earthmover Credit Union, the Heart of Illinois Community Foundation awarded $200,000 to local nonprofits at a special reception recognizing the transformative power of philanthropy. The event highlighted the foundation’s commitment to empowering changemakers across Central Illinois. 

Left to Right: Mark Waelde, Kevin Landrus, Grant Wade, Brad Burcham, Dick Burcham.

Among the recipients honored were two organizations from Moultrie County, each receiving grants to support their critical programs. The Sullivan AMBUCS Chapter was awarded $10,000 to expand its Ramp Building & AmTrykes Program, providing mobility solutions to residents in need. The Sullivan Community Unit School District No. 300 (CUSD #300) also received $11,200 for its innovative “Buster the School Bus” School Bus Safety Program, an initiative designed to promote safety and awareness among young students. 

The $10,000 grant for the Sullivan AMBUCS Chapter will support the construction of wheelchair ramps and the distribution of AmTrykes—customized tricycles that offer mobility to people with disabilities. The chapter’s work has transformed lives across the community by enhancing accessibility and independence for individuals facing mobility challenges. This funding will allow AMBUCS to reach even more residents in need, fulfilling its mission of creating a more inclusive, accessible community.  Sullivan CUSD #300’s “Buster the School Bus” School Bus Safety Program was granted $11,200 to bolster school bus safety for elementary students. The program, centered around Buster, a robotic school bus, will engage students in interactive learning sessions about bus safety rules, encouraging lifelong habits of safe transportation.

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Sullivan Fire and Ambulance District donates to SBL

News Progress Posted on by

The Sullivan Fire and Ambulance District recently donated $580 to the Sarah Bush Lincoln Regional Cancer Center in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. 

The shirts sold by the Sullivan Fire and Ambulance District are pictured.

Sullivan Fire and Ambulance District staff sold pink shirts during the month of October to raise the funds.  

“We express our gratitude to all who contributed to this endeavor, enabling us to support those affected by breast cancer,” Chief Chris Wright said. 

For more information about donating to SBL, call the SBL Health Foundation at 217-258-2511. 

Skyler Sieving hired as new Arthur Police Sergeant

News Progress Posted on by

•November 13, 2024•

by Ariana R Cherry

An executive session of the board was held to discuss the hiring and compensation of a full-time officer for the Arthur Police Department Sergeant position  Candidate Skyler Sieving was approved for the position at an hourly rate of $33/ hour. He was sworn in before the board. 

The board also approved a 50/50 economic development grant to the Arthur Association of Commerce in the amount of $1,432.50. This grant will help fund a WCIA/WCIX TV advertising package of 56 30-second commercials to encourage holiday shopping in Arthur. The chamber is working on a slogan and may shoot video and locate stock photos for Christmas scenes.

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Large crowd parts ways when school business comes

News Progress Posted on by

•November 13, 2024•

The Sullivan CUSD #300 school board held its regularly scheduled November meeting this past Monday. All board members were present. As were a slew of guests who were eager to participate in the non-agenda items, but who were unwilling to stay for actual school business.

As always, the evening began with reports from NEHS and NHS. The next agenda item was Citizens Non-Agenda Items. Many within the audience had signed up to speak, but before anyone was given the opportunity to speak, Board President Jeff White read the following statement on behalf of the Board of Education:

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Sullivan Jazzercise donates to SBL Regional Cancer Center

News Progress Posted on by

•November 13, 2024•

A Sarah Bush Lincoln employee recently donated to the SBL Regional Cancer Center in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Cynthia, CJ, Yoder, RN, SBL Emergency Department, and Jena Atchison, co-owners of the Sullivan Jazzercise, held a Pink-out Jazzercise event on Saturday, October 26, to give participants the opportunity donate.

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Moultrie County Historical and Genealogical Society to meet

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•September 11, 2024•

A brief history of the Illinois Masonic Home followed by the story of Project 61, the new proprietors of the home east of Sullivan, will be the Thursday, September 19th program at the Moultrie County History Center, 1303 S. Hamilton, Sullivan, at 7 p.m.  

David Bowers will give the highlights of the Masonic Home’s history and introduce the new exhibit about the home in the Center’s museum. Jason Beachy, Project 61 Ministry’s Administrator and others will share their exciting plans for the former Mason Point facility. The Hart building in the complex is being restored with a new name, The House of Ruth. The public is invited to attend and hear how Project 61 is following the message in Isaiah 61 as it makes the old Masonic Home new again while giving new life and hope to those in need.

Community of Lovington out-pours with service member sign project

News Progress Posted on by

•September 11, 2024•

by Megan Russell

The Village of  Lovington held their monthly meeting Monday, September 9th starting off with the community members comments. A returning project made its way into the meeting once again, covering the topic of active and deceased honor veteran signs for the streets or welcome signs of Lovington. Last meeting, it was discussed that it would be difficult to fit a number of signs on light poles that the village owns, considering Ameren owns all the poles in Lovington but a small few which are owned by the city. To solve the problem of signs not having enough space for enough active duty and fallen veteran signs, “Finding a spot we own is the issue - We own the welcome signs” stated village board president Dennis Garmon on the subject of moving the memorial signs to the welcomes signs. 

This was furthered when Dennis asked the community member about other families or potential residents who may be interested in the project, in response however, the community member has not started fundraising or soliciting stating “We would rather be proactive than reactive...”, continuing forward to explain how they wish to only move forward with this part of their project after they have been cleared to do so by the council.  Read More