Photo by Emily Stutzman
Sullivan Rotary President Dave Cole (from right) Dist. Governor Kevin Younce and Mary Hodson, Assistant District governor at Oct. 4 meeting.

•October 19, 2016•

By Emily Stutzman
for the News Progress

The Sullivan Rotary Club met October 4 for their weekly meeting at the local TnT. Over salads and fried chicken, cobbler, and ice-cream, they chatted about local happenings and discussed their plans for the next week. Among the topics were Oktoberfest, the Zombie 5k Run (Susan Rauch laughingly assured us, “They’re not real zombies, don’t worry”), and the chili contest.

After lunch, new assistant governor Mary Hodson introduced herself saying, “My real job is to introduce Kevin Yonce, your district governor, but anyone who knows me, knows I talk a lot, so I’m going to introduce myself as well. Since I’m from Champaign-Urbana, I’m totally new to your club so I’m really eager to get to know you.”

She went on to speak about her experience as the district awards chair, a position she had held for the last 12 years at Rotary district conferences. Hodson also encouraged Sullivan Rotary members to attend district conferences, saying that it is “a good way to meet other Rotarians and share ideas”.

She explained that since Rotary is an international organization with the goals of community service, international service, and peace and friendship, it would be a good idea for the Sullivan club to become involved in an international project.  Read More

•October 19, 2016•

Sullivan Unit District #300 met Tuesday, October 11 accepting the district audit and a handbook for volunteers.

Superintendent Brad Tuttle explained the expanded use of volunteers has led to the development of a volunteer handbook as a general guide toward how and what is acceptable while volunteering within the school.

Tuttle noted the district is appreciative of the volunteers and hopes the handbook will provide a guideline.

In principal Dan Allen’s report he explained the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) is in operation at Sullivan Elementary School. Most classrooms have reading volunteers whole listen to students read once a week. Other RSVP members are pen pals with primary age students.

He went on to note RSVP along with homework hangout for students needing extra help, as well as student mentoring programs have all built on the school’s improvement plan. Read More

•October 12, 2016•

Moultrie County Habitat for Humanity provided another hand up presenting the keys to Nina Sides for her new home in a ceremony held at 5 p.m. Friday, October 7 in Sullivan.

Pictured left Sponsor Trish Welsh and Nina hug with Logan sandwiched in the middle and Gary Smith in background.

Six weeks from starting this 27th Moultrie County Habitat home the group of Habitat Care-A-Vanners who completed the last two week phase of the project were at the Sides’ new home for the key presentation.

Local Habitat committee chair Gary Smith explained the national Care-A-Vanners from Habitat for Humanity spend six weeks working and camping.

He noted that Faith Lutheran Church graciously donates a campground and that Pastor Paul McGhghy coordinated the local ministerial alliance area businesses and individuals to feed the volunteers during the build. Read More

Crowd Seeks Answers

•October 12, 2016•

By Stu D. Baker
for the News Progress

State Senator Chapin Rose’s town hall meeting Sept 29 at the Elizabeth Titus Library in Sullivan focused on worker compensation and pension reform issues.

The Republican 51st District senator addressed a room filled with county and municipal government representatives, along with citizens and a handful of students fulfilling class requirements.

In this seventh of seven town hall meetings Rose’s power point presentation centered on budgetary matters that he and his colleagues would like to address.

He pointed out the stop gap budget agreement reached in the state earlier this year helped fully fund K-12 for the first time in the past six years. and the formula for districts with higher poverty levels was equalized for all districts.

In a state exceeding the national unemployment rate average the 13 year veteran of Illinois legislature and senate indicated education is key. Read More

Photo by Mike Brothers
Owner Mike Fowler, foreground, checks solar panel for connection while Sullivan utility lineman Kim Miller makes sure the connection to the city power grid is safe.

Dual System Pays Back

•October 5, 2016•

By Redi Kilowatt
for the News Progress

Mike and Donna Fowler live in the first home in Sullivan operated on dual solar power and conventional electrical service.

The city of Sullivan installed the dual operation service meter Sept. 30, and the solar panels were activated moments later for a system that Mike can monitor from his smart phone.

It was a journey with an unlikely beginning.

“My wife and I needed to remodel our kitchen, so we went to a home show in Springfield for ideas,” Mike began.

A retired member of the IBEW, Fowler admitted he was always interested in solar farms and solar electricity.

While shopping for kitchens with Donna, Mike met a guy with a solar systems booth set up at the home show. Read More