Driving tips are critical for farmers and all drivers

•April 30, 2025•

by Angie Hogan

The spring planting season has arrived. As farmers approach the 2025 crop season, drivers across rural communities are reminded of their role in making 2025 a safe and successful year in American agriculture. Large agricultural machinery, rural roadways, and unpredictable spring weather can create dangerous driving conditions. Staying alert and respectful can help prevent accidents and keep everyone safe this season.

More farm equipment on the road: Spring planting brings early mornings, long days, and an increased number of slow-moving vehicles on the road. While these machines are essential to help farmers produce America’s food supply, they often travel at speeds under 25 mph. Additionally, modern farm equipment may span across lanes and require wide turns into fields and driveways. Awareness and patience among all drivers are key to avoiding dangerous situations.

A career that is different every day; in service to others

•April 23, 2025•

by Denise Williamee

If you are looking for a new career or just starting on your career path, consider joining the Sullivan Fire Department, located in Sullivan, Illinois. It’s a stable, service-driven career path, with earnings that can support a family; each workday will be different, and you will have an opportunity to give back to the community. The starting salary for EMT Basic is $49,787.00, and EMT Paramedic certified at $56,872.00, with an additional $1,000.00 for Basic Operations Firefighter certification, and a generous benefits package. 

Despite the stereotype of firefighters only running into burning buildings, or saving kittens from trees, you will meet people on what could be the worst day of their life, and have an opportunity to mitigate that by making that day better through service and directing them to resources they may not have been aware of. As a paramedic, you will also be responsible for not just life-saving heroics, but important services such as patient transfers and other less publicized duties. The Sullivan Fire Department averages 16 to 17 hundred call-outs per year. Stereotypes aside, it’s an exciting and interesting career that many have found rewarding on multiple levels. Shifts are 24 hours on, 48 hours off, leaving plenty of time for family and other interests.

New HS delays while students continue to impress

•April 23, 2025•

by DM Williamee

The Sullivan School Board met on April 14th at 6:30 p.m. After a call to order, no citizen non-agenda items were to be addressed, and the meeting moved to NHS/NEHS news. Brooklyn Booker, NEHS Sgt. at Arms, reported that Juniors and Seniors are reviewing contests, including essay writing and art pieces, to get an NEHS cord for graduation. They are currently in the process of changing over to their new officers, beginning tomorrow, with ballots open for a week. They are also looking forward to their pen pal meetup on Wednesday, April 30th. Annual English trivia event coming up, involving every student in the High School, which is structured thematically, with a snack party reward. Speaking as the NHS president, Ms. Booker shared the Blessed teachers for April. Two school beautification events have been held, but clean-up has been hampered by the weather. On May 8th, the “Breakfast of Champions” will be held. NHS is also in the process of changing officers. Additionally, NHS donated monies to assist the tornado-damaged school in Neoga and for the North Carolina school that suffered catastrophic flooding earlier this year, SHS made school bracelets in their school colors and personalized bags for every student and teacher of the high school, filled with goodies. SHS received a surprise envelope filled with over a hundred thank you cards and a banner. Two students reported that they were both national qualifiers and state winners for their record book areas. 

•April 16, 2025•

by Sharon Barricklow

The Sullivan City Council heard some updates on a variety of projects and the city’s response to recent damage to power lines in a brief meeting Monday night. 

During the public comment portion at the beginning of the meeting, the council heard a complaint about a deteriorated property. Mayor Mike Mossman said the city has had a hard time finding the property owner after the property had been sold.