Photo furnished
Sullivan High School bi-literacy students recognized by the state of Illinois: Front from left - Annie Hogan, Grace Mauck, Madilyn Keller; back row from left - Bryce King, Tommy Schibur, Austin Schmohe, Bretton Crouse, Luke DeLong and Mason Harner.

•January 10, 2018•

Six Sullivan High School students received the new Seal of Bi-literacy granted by the state of Illinois.

The state seal of Bi-literacy is awarded students demonstrating proficiency in English and reading, writing, listening and speaking in a foreign language.

It is a new award which is added to the student’s diploma and high school transcripts.

SHS students Grace Mauck, Annie Hogan, Madilyn Keller, Luke DeLong, Austin Schmohe, and Bryce King received the Seal of Bi-literacy from the state. Read More

Photo by R.R. Best
Sullivan Fire Protection District Assistant Chief Larry Edwards and Chief Mike Piper in background.

•January 3, 2018•

Even as a kid when Larry Edwards heard sirens it made him curious. “I wanted to be able to find out what was going on,” Sullivan Assistant Fire Chief Larry Edwards recalled his reason for becoming a firefighter.

On December 18, 2017 Sullivan Fire District Captain Larry Edwards was promoted to Assistant Fire Chief, next in command to Chief Mike Piper, by the Sullivan Fire Protection District board of trustees. He has been captain since August 2005.

Edwards, certified as Firefighter III since 2004, got his chance to pursue that dream as a kid when he became a volunteer firefighter in 1997.

“I found out those sirens were usually heading someplace to help somebody in trouble,” Edwards continued. “It is a step that changed my life.”

By July 18, 1998 Edwards became a full time paramedic and firefighter with Sullivan Fire Protection District and was beginning to understand what being a first responder was all about.

“This is something I like doing,” he said. “The camaraderie among first responders is amazing. At a fire or accident scene working together as a team to get the job done is what it is all about.” Read More

Photo by R.R. Best
Operation Secret Santa
Jeepin for Jess is one of the largest fund raising gatherings held for Operation Secret Santa each year. This year the group successfully cruised various adult beverage serving establishments and returned to the Toy Bar in Sullivan. Throughout this week and next week’s editions of the News Progress we will be taking a look back at the Year that Was in 2017.

•December 27, 2017•

January 4, 2017

Sullivan City Council meetings are moving to the Elizabeth Titus Library, and new offices are replacing the city council chambers in city hall.

Prairie Winds musical ensemble opened its performance season at Mason Point.

Marrowbone Library in Bethany has a restored collection of high school senior class pictures from 1889 to 1993 with more current years in a scrapbook. Glenn Austin, Jim McLaughlin and Virginia Weakly rescued the collection presenting the restored collection to Marrowbone for public use.

Sullivan girls’ basketball team used a 21-6 third quarter run to propel them to a 59-42 win over MacArthur High School Decatur. Elizabeth Green, Brooke Tuttle and Chloe Riley scored in double figures for the win with Tatum Ellis, Esther Miller and Laine Cameron supporting on defense.

Okaw Valley defeated Arcola 51-35 at the Dieterich Tournament. Conner Cloyd, Jared Bunfill, Trey Yarnell, Cole Nichols, Garrett Fritz and Austin Hill contributed to the win.

Sullivan boys’ basketball defeated Blue Ridge 72-47 with Bryce Farris scoring 22 points. Josh Stutzman and Queintan Britton also scored in double digits. Read More

Photo by Ariana Cherry
Pictured are members of the ALAH Physics Club.

Tax Levy Approved

•December 20, 2017•

By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress

“Everything looks pretty good for now,” Supt. of Schools Kenny Schwengel reported noting the present balance for the Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond district is $7,410,556.10. “But we still have not received any mandated categorical payments. Although, there have been $91,000 paid in general state aid but no payments for transportation,” he added.

A public hearing for the 2017 tax levy was held and approved. The total tax levy is $7,827,550 at 5.91% with a tax rate of $3.58.

The board also discussed leasing a 14-passenger activity bus for the district for transportation to school events and extracurricular activites. Schwengel estimated that the district pays about $9,000 on trips per year. Leasing an activity bus could help save the district money on transportation.  Read More

•December 13, 2017•

By Madison Ulrich
For The News Progress

It is true that the holiday season brings with it a flurry of memories and a tradition of reminiscence. No doubt that everyone has their own favorite experiences and moments.

But what makes Christmas perfect? Maybe it’s the gifts, the under-the-tree treasures, maybe it’s the family we get to see after such a long time apart, or maybe it’s just the excited energy in the air.

Maybe it’s all three, but it’s different for everyone.  Read More