We can help our seniors experience a joyful holiday season
•November 27, 2024•
by Angela Hogan
Christmas is hailed as a season of love, joy, and togetherness. Yet, for many seniors, it can be a time of loneliness and isolation. This year, let’s make a conscious effort to give the gift of connection.
Why Christmas Can Be Difficult for Seniors
Read MoreSubmitted
Moultrie County celebrated two exceptional community initiatives recently as part of the Heart of Illinois Community Foundation’s Impact200 Grant Program. In partnership with Decatur Earthmover Credit Union, the Heart of Illinois Community Foundation awarded $200,000 to local nonprofits at a special reception recognizing the transformative power of philanthropy. The event highlighted the foundation’s commitment to empowering changemakers across Central Illinois.
Among the recipients honored were two organizations from Moultrie County, each receiving grants to support their critical programs. The Sullivan AMBUCS Chapter was awarded $10,000 to expand its Ramp Building & AmTrykes Program, providing mobility solutions to residents in need. The Sullivan Community Unit School District No. 300 (CUSD #300) also received $11,200 for its innovative “Buster the School Bus” School Bus Safety Program, an initiative designed to promote safety and awareness among young students.
The $10,000 grant for the Sullivan AMBUCS Chapter will support the construction of wheelchair ramps and the distribution of AmTrykes—customized tricycles that offer mobility to people with disabilities. The chapter’s work has transformed lives across the community by enhancing accessibility and independence for individuals facing mobility challenges. This funding will allow AMBUCS to reach even more residents in need, fulfilling its mission of creating a more inclusive, accessible community. Sullivan CUSD #300’s “Buster the School Bus” School Bus Safety Program was granted $11,200 to bolster school bus safety for elementary students. The program, centered around Buster, a robotic school bus, will engage students in interactive learning sessions about bus safety rules, encouraging lifelong habits of safe transportation.
Read MoreThe Sullivan Fire and Ambulance District recently donated $580 to the Sarah Bush Lincoln Regional Cancer Center in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Sullivan Fire and Ambulance District staff sold pink shirts during the month of October to raise the funds.
“We express our gratitude to all who contributed to this endeavor, enabling us to support those affected by breast cancer,” Chief Chris Wright said.
For more information about donating to SBL, call the SBL Health Foundation at 217-258-2511.
•November 13, 2024•
by Ariana R Cherry
An executive session of the board was held to discuss the hiring and compensation of a full-time officer for the Arthur Police Department Sergeant position Candidate Skyler Sieving was approved for the position at an hourly rate of $33/ hour. He was sworn in before the board.
The board also approved a 50/50 economic development grant to the Arthur Association of Commerce in the amount of $1,432.50. This grant will help fund a WCIA/WCIX TV advertising package of 56 30-second commercials to encourage holiday shopping in Arthur. The chamber is working on a slogan and may shoot video and locate stock photos for Christmas scenes.
Read More•November 13, 2024•
The Sullivan CUSD #300 school board held its regularly scheduled November meeting this past Monday. All board members were present. As were a slew of guests who were eager to participate in the non-agenda items, but who were unwilling to stay for actual school business.
As always, the evening began with reports from NEHS and NHS. The next agenda item was Citizens Non-Agenda Items. Many within the audience had signed up to speak, but before anyone was given the opportunity to speak, Board President Jeff White read the following statement on behalf of the Board of Education:
Read More•November 13, 2024•
A Sarah Bush Lincoln employee recently donated to the SBL Regional Cancer Center in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Cynthia, CJ, Yoder, RN, SBL Emergency Department, and Jena Atchison, co-owners of the Sullivan Jazzercise, held a Pink-out Jazzercise event on Saturday, October 26, to give participants the opportunity donate.
Read More•September 11, 2024•
A brief history of the Illinois Masonic Home followed by the story of Project 61, the new proprietors of the home east of Sullivan, will be the Thursday, September 19th program at the Moultrie County History Center, 1303 S. Hamilton, Sullivan, at 7 p.m.
David Bowers will give the highlights of the Masonic Home’s history and introduce the new exhibit about the home in the Center’s museum. Jason Beachy, Project 61 Ministry’s Administrator and others will share their exciting plans for the former Mason Point facility. The Hart building in the complex is being restored with a new name, The House of Ruth. The public is invited to attend and hear how Project 61 is following the message in Isaiah 61 as it makes the old Masonic Home new again while giving new life and hope to those in need.
•September 11, 2024•
by Megan Russell
The Village of Lovington held their monthly meeting Monday, September 9th starting off with the community members comments. A returning project made its way into the meeting once again, covering the topic of active and deceased honor veteran signs for the streets or welcome signs of Lovington. Last meeting, it was discussed that it would be difficult to fit a number of signs on light poles that the village owns, considering Ameren owns all the poles in Lovington but a small few which are owned by the city. To solve the problem of signs not having enough space for enough active duty and fallen veteran signs, “Finding a spot we own is the issue - We own the welcome signs” stated village board president Dennis Garmon on the subject of moving the memorial signs to the welcomes signs.
This was furthered when Dennis asked the community member about other families or potential residents who may be interested in the project, in response however, the community member has not started fundraising or soliciting stating “We would rather be proactive than reactive...”, continuing forward to explain how they wish to only move forward with this part of their project after they have been cleared to do so by the council. Read More
•September 4, 2024•
by Sharon Barricklow
State Senator Steve McClure (R-Springfield) will host two gatherings for residents of the 54th district on September 12 in Sullivan and Shelbyville.
McClure, of Springfield, will be at the Red Apple Restaurant in Sullivan from 9 am to 10 am and at the Lakeview Family Restaurant in Shelbyville from 5 to 6 pm.
McClure was first elected to the Illinois Senate in 2018 after serving as a prosecutor in the Sagamon County State’s Attorney’s office. He began to represent Moultrie and Shelby Counties after redistricting following the 2020 census and now represents all or part of Christian, Cumberland, Effingham, Macon, Macoupin, Menard, Montgomery, Moultrie, Sangamon and Shelby counties as senator for the 54th District. He also serves as Assistant Republican Leader for the Illinois Senate.
•September 4, 2024•
by Morgan Jones
Moultrie-Douglas 4-H is announcing the launch of the “Mindful Me” program, a research-based health and wellness initiative designed for young children in grades K-2. This program, hosted by Moultrie-Douglas 4-H and the Villa Grove Camargo Township District Library, aims to introduce basic mindfulness concepts to youth through engaging children’s literature and hands-on activities.
“Mindful Me” focuses on helping young participants develop essential life skills, including goal setting, emotional regulation, stress management, time management, and mindful eating. Through these activities, children will build a strong sense of self and well-being, laying a foundation for healthy habits that will benefit them throughout their lives. Read More
