•January 24, 2024•

The Sullivan Fire Protection District responded to a structure fire at 7:04 pm on Friday, January 19 at 303 State Street in Allenville. Fire crews arrived on the scene at 7:17 pm and reported smoke coming from the front door of the residence. Occupants of the residence were able to escape after calling 911. Crews quickly deployed a handline and made entry to the structure and began attacking the fire. Crews were ordered to a defensive attack when the fire extended above them in the attic and below them in the crawlspace. The structure was a complete loss. The occupants are receiving assistance from the American Red Cross. There were no civilian or firefighter injuries reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by Sullivan Fire District and the Office of the State Fire Marshal. Crews remained on scene until 12:53 a.m. 

The Sullivan Fire Protection District was assisted by Coles-Moultrie 911, Moultrie County Sheriff’s Office, Bethany, Lovington, Findlay and Windsor Fire Protection Districts and the American Red Cross.

•January 17, 2024•

by Crystal Reed

The Moultrie County Board met on Thursday, January 11. Under the planning and zoning committee was an amendment to zoning ordinance 77-1 relating to Manufactured Homes in the unincorporated parts of Moultrie County. According to Kristi Hart, Planning and Zoning Director for Moultrie County, they all currently require a special use permit, but the amendment adds a definition of manufactured home which is in line with the assessors office so they are consistent as well as making them a permitted use in the Ag district if they meet 6 requirements.  Read More

•January 17, 2024•

Bethany Fire was dispatched to a structure fire on Sunday, January 14 at 12:45 pm on North First in Bethany. The first engine was on route within a few minutes. All crews were cleared from the scene around 3 pm. There were no injuries.  Read More

•January 3, 2024•

August

This year’s Sullivan Fire Cadet cadet class had five students they were Taylor Mercer, Alex Epperson, Dave Selby, Beau Fleming and Troy Rogers. The three month academy offered in house focused on topics such as equipment, CPR and ladders. 

Demolition began on Sullivan Middle School.

Findlay Walleye Fest was held with a parade on Saturday morning and live music throughout the three day festival. This year’s Grand Marshals were Duane and Marjorie Uphoff. There was also a 3 on 3 basketball tournament in Findlay Park and a bags tournament in the beer tent. 

Dalton City 13th Annual All Wheel Extravaganza was held featured not only cars and trucks but tractors, motorcycles and other vehicles on wheels. The event included food, entertainment by the band CoalShaft, vendor booths, 50/50, door prizes and a silent auction. 

The St. Jude Mattoon to Peoria run was held. Runners from Sullivan, Bethany and Lovington were part of the run. The main fundraiser for the Moultrie County recipients was the St. Jude Dash and Bash which is held in June each year. The run stopped in the late morning at the Findlay Fire Department giving runners a chance to have breakfast and a brief rest before continuing on the route. The department also presented a $100 check to the team to help them with their fundraising goal. 

Former area U.S. Rep. Glenn Poshard and journalist Carl Walworth traveled the local area for book signings in Effingham, Mattoon, Sullivan and Decatur. Walworth and Poshard have published “Son of Southern Illinois, Glen Poshard’s Life in Politics and Education through SIU Press. 

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