•January 15, 2025•
The Illinois State Treasurer’s Office returned nearly $299 million in missing money during 2024, Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs announced recently.
Illinois’ missing money program — also known as I-CASH — processed 331,032 claims last year. Preliminary numbers show that $260.6 million in cash and $38 million in securities were returned last year. The average amount of a claim was $902.
Read MorePrioritize your well-being with resolutions for a healthier and more fulfilling new year
•January 15, 2025•
by Angela Hogan
A new year is an excellent time to start improving your health. Small changes can yield significant long-term benefits. Here are eight resolutions worth considering:
1. Eat more whole foods
Fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and lean proteins are “nutrient-dense.” This means they are high in nutrients for the recommended serving size. Consuming whole foods can help keep you full and sustain energy. Start today:
Read More•January 8, 2025•
October
The Sullivan Blue Dolphins swim team, in collaboration with the Sullivan American Legion, had yet another successful annual Swimmers Supporting Soldiers event. The two groups teamed together with the Danville VA Hospital to get supplies and goods to local veterans who need it. This year the swim team collected over 1,200 items for the soldiers.
Mid-Illinois Senior Services and local sponsors Agri-fab and Hydro-Gear of Sullivan assisted in the return of the senior expo, a day long program which offers discounted prices or free options for services and goods to help the Moultrie County seniors and disabled community.
Read More•January 8, 2025•
As the time for making New Year’s resolutions is here, the American Red Cross asks you resolve to make a difference and support your community by becoming a volunteer in 2025.
“We’re seeing both the frequency and intensity of disasters increase across the country and the Red Cross is responding to nearly twice as many large disasters as we did a decade ago to help people. This uptick in responses means we need more volunteers. The need to help has never been greater,” said Catherine Rabenstine, Interim CEO of the Illinois Red Cross.
Read More•January 1, 2025•
January
The Moultrie County Childcare Committee announced the awarding of a substantial grant totaling $21,600 to Sullivan Preschool in acknowledgment of its exemplary commitment to providing exceptional childcare services in Moultrie County. This grant reflects the committee’s dedication to supporting and enhancing early childhood education within our community.
The Sullivan City Council agreed to helping the Sullivan Fire Department during their regular meeting on Monday, January 8.
The first item under new business was discussion and possible approval of a TIF agreement with the Sullivan Fire Protection District. The fire protection district has asked help to purchase a new truck. They asked for $40,000 a year for ten years out of TIF funds. Doug Shook said that fire trucks are important and that he would hate to lose a house in Cedar Dale or elsewhere. “If it can prevent one house fire I think it would be money well spent,” he said. The council agreed and approved the help.
Read More•January 1, 2025•
by Ariana R Cherry
The December meeting of the ALAH Board of Education was marked by a continued discussion on the referendum that had recently failed to pass. Community member Jeremy Hale voiced his disappointment at the outcome, emphasizing the community’s division and the urgent need to prioritize the children’s education and future.
“I am here to help, and I want success for us,” Hale began. “I’ve heard a lot of good and bad things here about this school. I am disappointed that not everyone is on the same page in this community. I don’t feel that everyone is putting our kids first,” he continued. I feel good about the growth of the referendum from both the first and second time. I feel there are still potential yes votes out there about the referendum and those who still haven’t been informed enough yet,” Hale went on. “We should all be on the same page when it comes to our kids. We shouldn’t be focusing on the building. All the other towns (Tuscola, Sullivan, etc) - they are all moving forward. We are stagnant…and keeping our kids stagnant. We’ve got to improve, rebuild, and we have to make it better for our kids and our future,” he concluded.
Read More•December 25, 2024•
by Sharon Barricklow
A 45 year old former Okaw Valley school teacher was sentenced to a total of five years in the Illinois Department of Corrections on December 12 after pleading guilty to Grooming, a Class 4 Felony, and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor, a Class 2 Felony.
Jason R. Engler of Shelbyville was a teacher and junior high cross country coach at the time of his arrest. He was sentenced in Moultrie County Court and still faces charges in Shelby County. Investigators said Engler sent pornographic pictures of himself to victims and a journal investigators entered into evidence showed he planned to take one student to his native Ohio and “make her his wife”.
•December 25, 2024•
Don’t let your Christmas tree go to waste this year after the holidays. Extend your tree’s life by donating it for Fish Habitat Improvement Day at Lake Shelbyville. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Lake Shelbyville Fish Habitat Alliance and Illinois Department of Natural Resources will place the discarded trees into Lake Shelbyville to enhance the fisheries for years to come.
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•December 11, 2024•
by E. Scott England
The Sullivan CUSD #300 school board held its regularly scheduled December meeting this past Monday. Both Zachary Hughes and Joshue Green were absent. There were far fewer guests than the previous month as well as no volunteers to talk during the citizen non-agenda items.
The evening got started with updates from the Spanish Club. They have been quite busy collecting nonperishable items for families in need. The club then partnered with the organization Baby Talk to help get the collected items distributed to around five families. Club members also made cookies to deliver to various organizations around town as well as sing Christmas carols in Spanish.
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