Category Archives: News

A Moving Tribute to the American Spirit Presented to Sullivan School Board

News Progress Posted on by

•January 22, 2020•
By Ariana Cherry
for The News Progress

Sullivan High School student, Blake Thompson presented his winning Voice of Democracy speech at the Sullivan Community Unit 300 Dist. board meeting. Thompson competed and won the district competition and will be presenting his speech at the state competition in Springfield in February.
SES teacher Jennifer Hobbs coordinated the event, and SHS English teacher Becky Lawson was his sponsoring teacher.
“His speech on what makes America great is a moving tribute to the American spirit,” commented Sullivan High School Principal Daniel Allen.
The board discussed the changes to the district’s Course Description Book for the 2020-2021 school year, which were approved.
The Sullivan Elementary School building is over 20 years old and the floor tile has been starting to show some wear and will need replaced. Read More

SHS Agriculture Teacher is National Teacher of the Year Finalist

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Photo by Mike Brothers
SHS Agriculuture teacher honored at Jan. 9 assembly: left to right: Rod Stoll of Farm Credit IL, SHS Principal Daniel Allen, honoree Don Lockwood., State FFA Treasurer Emma Freebairn, State FFA President Gage Miller, and Shawnda Vega with Nationwide Sponsor Relations

•January 15, 2020•
Sullivan High School principal Daniel Allen opened the school assembly January 9 with an apology for gathering the student body under false pretenses.
In an unprecedented move students were called to an assembly for a reason which had been kept secret for days.
The secret was out at 2:30 p.m. Thursday and SHS Agriculture Teacher and FFA sponsor Don Lockwood was the reason.
Lockwood is a national finalist for the 2019-2020 Ag Educator of the Year honor through Nationwide’s Golden Owl Award.
As a finalist, Lockwood was presented with a $500 cash prize and plaque in front of fellow teachers and students. Read More

Two Decades of Service for Sullivan Dove Coordinator

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Photo furnished
Warrior sisters in fighting domestic violence. From left: Tammy Wilcox, Executive Director of Dove, retiring Sullivan coordinator Mary Hughes, and Teri Ducy Domestic Violence Director.

Mary Hughes Retires

•January 15, 2020•

By Ellen Ferrera
for The News Progress

As Dove, Inc. prepares to celebrate a 50th anniversary this year Mary Hughes will be ending her 20-year career as Coordinator of Dove Services in Sullivan.
A retirement reception for Hughes was held Tuesday at the United Methodist Church in Sullivan.
“It has been such an honor and privilege to work with Dove. They do advocacy above anything I have ever seen” Hughes said of her two decades of service. “There has been such love, support, trust and freedom to allow me to do my best work.”
Hughes grew up in Decatur. Her father was an electrician and worked on electric towers, but took the family every summer to visit most of the national parks.
Her mother loved military events and parades so she got to see the Rose Bowl parade and a ship christening. Read More

County Clerk and Recorder Upgrades Improve Security and Service

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•January 8, 2020•
The Moultrie County Clerk and Recorder’s office recently updated recording technology and services.
County Clerk Georgia England explained this is provided to constituents by upgrading recording software to Fidlar Technologies’ AVID land records management software, which promotes improved efficiency and security.
“AVID brings efficiency and integrity to county recording by improving the day-to-day responsibilities,” England said. “Streamlining office workflow and reducing the amount of paperwork required.”
The Recorder’s office has been accepting eRecording (electronic recording filings) since September 2018, making it possible for submitters to record documents without having to drive or mail the documents to the Recorder’s office.
Documents may be submitted electronically to Moultrie County from anywhere in the country and recorded all in a day’s time instead of several days, and in some instances even a week. Read More

New Animal Warden Honors Retiring Pet Patrol Team

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Photo by Mike Brothers
Moultrie County Animal Control Warden Sam Donaker (left) and Animal Control Ambassador Ruby retired at the first of the year. New Animal Control Warden Moultrie County Deputy Caleb Smith (right) presented Donaker with a certificate of appreciation for his dedicated service as Animal Control Warden. Facility director Betsy Miller (center) presented Ruby with her favorite “Pupperoni” treat for serving as Sam’s companion and animal control ambassador.

•January 8, 2020•
By Mighty Manfred
for The News Progress

There is a new warden in Moultrie County.
Animal Control Warden Sam Donaker and his trusty sidekick, Ruby retired from full time duties in Moultrie County January 1, 2020.
Deputy Caleb Smith is the new Animal Control Warden and Emergency Services and Disaster Agency director with offices at the Animal Control Shelter.
Sam and Ruby’s retirement was recognized last week with shelter pet facilitator Betsy Miller and Smith presenting the pair with a certificate of appreciation and Pupperoni Treats.
Sam passed on the treats, but Ruby did not.
Deputy Smith noted Donaker’s love of animals and Ruby’s instinct for matching good owners with pets had helped make Moultrie County Animal Control successful.
“Sam and Ruby have done a great job of taking care of the shelter,” Smith said, explaining he looks forward to their occasional visits.
While Donaker was warden Bekki Stevens started a Facebook page which was utilized along with local pet adoption groups to keep the population of dogs and cats at a minimum in Moultrie County.
With a capacity for up to ten dogs, there were only two awaiting adoption when Donaker and Ruby arrived.
Sam indicated he was happy to turn over the reigns to Deputy Smith, but explained that Ruby would require periodic visits to make sure things are going the way they should be. Read More

ALAH High School Teachers Receive Anonymous Donation

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•January 1, 2020•
By Ariana Cherry
for The News Progress

A public hearing on the 2019 tax levy took place at the ALAH School Board meeting on December 18.
Last year, due to a new increased balance in the IMRF funds, a balloon levy was proposed. The levy will continue to be stable at a relatively low tax rate. Before the hearing, the levy had been on public file for 30 days and a notification was also put in the newspaper. There were no public calls concerning the levy during that time. A motion was made to approve the 2019 tax levy of 3.54 and it was approved.
“Compared to last year at this time, we have $137,000 more in expense items. That is really good, because we’ve had an increase in salaries,” Supt. Shannon Creek explained. “When you consider the increase in salaries and the roof project, we are in really good shape.”
In the Treasurer’s Report he noted “We’ve accumulated 24% expenses up to this point for this fiscal year, so we are right on track if not a little bit ahead.” Read More

Correction

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•January 1, 2020•
In the December 18 News Progress front page story on Genny Sutton’s 102 birthday honor some names were unintentionally omitted. They included Jacob Moritz, great grandson; Jonathan Inman, grandson and Mary Lou Kidwell, sister.

SHS Spanish Club Collects Food Twice for Families in Need

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Photos by Señora King
SHS Spanish Club members collected food and delivered Nov. 22.

•January 1, 2020•
By Seth Mayberry
for The News Progress

Twice over the past two months, the Spanish Club has collected food to be given to five different families in the surrounding Sullivan area.
Each member of the club was assigned a group and everyone signed up for one or more food items to be gathered and delivered on November 22 and again on December 12.
The seniors who are apart of Spanish Club went along with Amy Eller and Jodi Elzy to assist in delivering the food boxes to the families. Mrs. Eller and Mrs. Elzy work at Bright Start which is an organization that helps out families that are less fortunate.
A couple of those seniors who helped distribute the boxes had the following to say about their experiences: Read More

Sullivan School Board Approves Tax Levy, Schools Report on Holiday Activities

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•December 25, 2019•
By Ariana Cherry
for The News Progress

The cash balance for the Sullivan School District stated at the most recent board meeting was $335,169.88. The balance of the Education fund was $4,637,824.83 and transportation funds sat at $1,431,386.20. Bills totaling $155,675.75 along with the treasurer’s report was authorized.
Last month, the board also authorized Superintendent Ted Walk to prepare the 2020-2021 annual budget.
Supt. Walk presented the tentative tax levy mentioning that there would be a slight decrease in the IMRF, Social Security and Tort funds. The tentative tax levy for 2019 payable in 2020 is $4,780,928. The estimated 2019 tax rate payable in 2020 is 4.1213% which was an estimated decrease of 0.0389%. Read More