Photo by Ellen Ferrera
SHS art student Imogene Stidaham (L) and art teacher Melissa Nichols show student artwork.

•January 30, 2019•

By Ellen Ferrera
For the News Progress

More than 100 colorful and imaginative pieces of artwork from Sullivan High School students were displayed for public viewing at Stifel Company offices January 16.
The works were created in last semester’s drawing class taught by art teacher Melissa Nichols. Attractively arranged on the walls were creations in ink, pencil, colored pencil, water colors and oils.
Most were on paper, but a few drawings were done on corrugated tin. A pink octopus drawn on the rippled tin was especially interesting as the tentacles appeared to undulate over the tin.
Maggie McLaughlin drew a woman’s portrait in all black ink except for bright green eyes. There was a hint of the French pointillism style in the background. Read More

•January 30, 2019•

By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress

If you are on a limited income or prefer to stick to a monthly budget, signing up for budget billing on your utility bills can be helpful.
The city of Sullivan offers budget billing for utilities to its residents as a way to help budget monthly expenses.
“Signing up for budget billing is completely optional,” said city treasurer Sarah Golden. While budget billing can be quite helpful, at times it might be difficult to understand if you don’t know the basics or if temperatures turn out to be more extreme compared to the previous year.
Recently, a customer who receives utilities from the city of Sullivan questioned their bill, discovering the fluctuation. They have been on budget billing for the past five years so they were familiar with the process.
After studying a few bills, the individual realized the numbers seemed a bit higher than usual – even though the person believed their usage had not changed. The higher amounts reflected on the customer’s bill had caused some confusion. Read More

•January 23, 2019•

By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress

Members of the ALAH School District faculty completed ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) training.
Police officers from three nearby towns (Arthur, Lovington and Atwood) and assistant principal Jared Vanausdoll helped lead the training. ALICE is a nationwide program that is used to help civilians handle possible violent threats. “I want my teachers to feel empowered and know they are doing the right thing,” remarked Vanausdoll. Within the next mont, the district will have information available for both students and parents. Read More

•January 16, 2019•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

Ben Booker opened his original Second Chance Gym in Arthur and has now opened a Second Chance Gym in Sullivan.
With some parts still under construction inside the former Pamida location on Hamilton Street, the gym has a huge weight training room with weights and training equipment with personal strength sessions available from Booker.
He is a well-known strength trainer, but the journey has not been as easy as it might appear.
In 1999 just before the start of his senior year in high school he broke his back in a car accident, was bedridden for two months and had to learn how to walk again.
He could no longer play his favorite sports of football and basketball, but he found the weight room. While his classmates played sports, he lifted weights.
Booker entered college but dropped out the same summer he met his wife. He was 20 years old and fighting a demon – alcoholism. He found work in his father’s business where he could focus on the work and building his own home. He continued his weight training on and off between benders but knew he always felt better when he was training. Read More

September 2018

September 5

The Sullivan girls golf team split a pair of matches snapping an undefeated streak. The Redskins defeated St. Teresa at Red Tail Run in Decatur then lost to Teutopolis.
Addison Darush was the medalist and Alexis Britton, Erin Wallace and Esther Miller rounded out the team score in the St Teresa match.
In the Teutopolis match Darush shot a 48, Irie Dulin a 52, Esther Miller 57 and Erin Wallace 58.
Okaw Valley boys golf placed second in a triangular meet at Eagle Creek with Shelbyville the winner and Mt. Pulaski third. Case Crawford placed second shooting a 40, Beau Atchison was fifth with a 49. Addison Webner shot a 51, Miles Harlin 55, Seth Webner 56 and Hayden Carlson 62.
Sullivan golfer Gary Herschberger playing in the junior varsity match scored his first ever hole in one on the fourth hole.
The SHS golf team won 10 in a row. At Richland Country Club in Olney the team finished with a low score of 330. Caden Ellis was medalist with two over par, 73. Drew Rogers shot an 82 for fifth with Leighton Burcham shooting an 85 and Leyton Ellis a 90.
Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development has a new home at 101 W. Jefferson St. Coinciding with the new offices is a new approach to growth assessment. Sullivan Spark under direction of the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs at Western University is organizing and will involve local citizens to create a long range plan for the community. Read More