•May 9, 2018•
David Smart, 45, of Canton was released from Dept. of Human Services custody following a Moultrie County jury’s verdict Wednesday, May 2. Read More
Category Archives: News
Sullivan Pencil Pals Meet Each Other for the First Time
Photo furnished. Pencil Pals Ellen Ferrera, Landon and Charlie (l to r) get acquainted.
•May 2, 2018•
By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress
The Sullivan Elementary School gym was filled with first and second graders on April 25 as they met with their volunteer Pencil Pals for the first time.
My little scribes, Charlie and Landon, were sitting in one of the 20 circles and began chatting away about their pets, siblings and other things we have shared in our monthly missive exchanges. Landon is moving to Florida, and Charlie has dogs and cats that he loves. The gym was abuzz with the sounds of laughter and conversation from the over 120 attendees.
Pencil Pals was started 25 years ago by Mary Lou Kidwell mainly to connect first and second graders with senior volunteers but also to help children improve their writing skills. Read More
Moultrie County Judge Sentences Chad Matheson to Ten Years in Prison
•May 2, 2018•
Chad Matheson, 43, of Sullivan was sentenced April 17 to 10 years in the Dept. of Corrections for burglary.
Matheson, who is an inmate at Sheridan Correctional, appeared with attorney Walter B. Lookofsky at Macon County along with Moultrie County State’s Attorney Jeremy Richey and Judge Hugh Finson.
Matheson withdrew his guilty plea from the original forgery charge and was sentenced for burglary, a Class 2 felony. Read More
Sullivan Council Looks into Civic Center’s Non-resident Rates
•April 25, 2018•
By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress
The membership rates at the Sullivan Civic Center was one of the topics of discussion during the most recent Sullivan City Council meeting.
While the rates were slightly adjusted four to five years ago, they had not been significantly changed.
A rule for residents and non-residents was put into action back in 1998 which assigned those with the zip-code 61951 as residents and those without as “non-residents.” This rule determined membership fees. Read More
County Board Learns Dangers of Lyme Disease, Lowers Salaries for New Office Holders, Approves Increases for Sheriff/County Clerk
•April 18, 2018•
By Mike Brothers
Lyme Disease is a worldwide pandemic where a poppy seed sized tick can change your life forever.
That is the message Karen Allen and her husband Pastor Gail Allen of Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Bethany presented Moultrie County board members April 12.
She explained the disease she and her family members have contracted creates devastating health problems when not diagnosed quickly.
The proclamation declaring May as Lyme Disease Awareness Month was presented to the board by Allen, who noted when detected early the auto immune disease can be treated effectively with antibiotics.
The proclamation was passed unanimously by president Dave McCabe and members Neil Bryan, Arlene Aschermann, Todd Maxedon, Billy Voyles, Kevin McReynolds, Gary Smith and Mike Barringer. Read More
A Chance to Lend a Helping Hand and Feel Good Doing It
Photo by Mike Brothers
Amy Rickelman and Amy Conlin are working to provide the Nohren family, who lost everything in a 2017 fire, this home, but volunteers are needed.
•April 18, 2018•
By Mike Brothers
Everyone feels good when they are helping someone in need.
It is that good feeling Kristen Conlin and Amy Rickelman are starting to get with the Nohren project.
Joined by partner Andy Pistorius in Fireside Investments, the two hope to turn their normal house flipping operation into something good for Matt, Nikki, Hayden and Whitney Nohren.
In October 2017 the Nohren’s lost everything in a fire that destroyed their Sullivan home.
Since then, the First Apostolic Church has offered the church parsonage as temporary residence for the family, but it will take a lot more to get the family back on their feet again. Read More
Musicians Wanted For Sullivan Community Band
Band leader Shaun Schaefers
•April 18, 2018•
By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress
Have you longed for the thrill of playing again in your high school or college band?
Well, oil up that slide trombone and bang out some buzz rolls on the drum because a community band is being organized, and all musicians aged 14 and up are invited to join.
Shaun Schaefers, Sullivan High School band director, has received a major grant from the Sullivan Community Education Foundation to help create a community band. “In even the smallest towns where I’ve taught there has been a community band,” Schaefers began. “Sullivan has been supportive of the arts so I was surprised there wasn’t one here. It is something I would really love to do”. Read More
City of Sullivan Approves New Subdivision
Map overlay courtesy Kirk Real Estate
Burdick Subdivision offers nine lots ranging from one acre to three acres southeast of Sullivan.
•April 18, 2018•
With the final plat approval by the city of Sullivan Darin Burdick is opening a new residential subdivision in the southeast section of the city.
“I wasn’t really looking to start a subdivision,” Burdick, local farmer and apartment owner said, “but the city has a need, and they have been really good to work with me.”
Of the 99 acres Burdick owns, the nine lots he is offering are at least one acre each and will have complete city utilities.
The property is staked and subdivided with Kirk Real Estate the handling agent for Burdick who is asking $35,000 per lot.
“Those building will have convenants similar to most subdivisions,” Burdick said, noting he realizes being five miles from the lake may attract people with boats so he has made provisions for up to 1500 sq. ft. outbuildings for boat storage. Read More
Circuit Clerk Candidate
Christa Helmuth
•April 18, 2018•
Christa Helmuth of Sullivan is seeking the Republican nomination for the remaining two years as Moultrie County Circuit Clerk.
The election in November will determine who completes the remaining two years of Circuit Clerk Cindy Braden’s term. Braden has accepted a position with the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts in Springfield.
Helmuth noted her past experiences working within the Moultrie County Circuit Clerk’s office inspired her to make a change for the citizens of Moultrie County.
“The circuit clerk’s office can be a very intimidating process for most citizens,” Helmuth said. “Customers will be greeted with a smile and helped with the process to the best of our ability without giving legal advice.” Read More
Sullivan Board Sets Graduation, Hires Teachers
Scholarships Presented May 2
•April 18, 2018•
By Mike Brothers
Sullivan Community Unit 300 school board learned that 2:30 p.m. Sunday, May 20 is high school graduation on the football field if weather permits.
High school principal Erik Young also reported that awards presentations will be split between an evening session Wednesday, May 2 for scholarship presentations and in school student recognition day Wednesday, May 9.
Supt. Ted Walk presented the amended tentative budget which will be available for viewing until the public hearing on June 11. He noted removing contingencies and shifting some fund designations have all areas of the budget in the black with an anticipated $84,000 surplus.
Personnel actions include Craig Toler employed as high school physical education teacher due to the resignation of William Manning. (BS+0) He is currently special education aide and volunteer assistant basketball coach. Read More