Category Archives: News

First graders visit Ballard Nature Center 2024

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First graders visit Ballard Nature Center
On May 8, first grade students from Sullivan Elementary School attended a field trip as part of their studies in life science. After several weeks of studying different habitats around the world, 72 students traveled to Ballard Nature Center in Altamont, IL. For many of these students, this was a new kind of experience. They learned about the different types of birds that are native to Illinois and how they interact within their native habitats. This trip was solely possible due to a grant through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Illinois Conservation Foundation. This grant is funded by the D.F. and M.T. Grohne Family Foundation and the Daniel F. and Ada T. Rice Foundation. Sullivan Elementary is grateful for this opportunity and for the support their students have been shown. More photos on page 11.

Amish Heritage Center celebrates largest Sheep to Clothing to Quilts event ever

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Photo by Ariana R. Cherry
Joanna and her sister from Chadsworth, IL take a moment
to pet the llamas.

•May 8, 2024•

by Ariana R. Cherry

The Illinois Amish Heritage Center hosted its largest sheep-shearing event ever this past Saturday, drawing visitors from all over the state and beyond. “This is the largest sheep-shearing event we have done,” stated Wilmer Otto who has been a part of the growing Illinois Amish Heritage Center. Since moving the Yoder and Shrock homes to the land in 2016, the five-acre farm/facility has developed into a well known attraction as tourists find their way to Arthur passing through Chesterville. Read More

Horticulture class plants flowers

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•May 8, 2024•

by Sharon Barricklow

The Moultrie County Courthouse Square in Sullivan is blooming this spring after students from Sullivan High School’s Horticulture Class made a planting visit.  

The students worked on the spring spruce up including planting flower beds and working on the Lincoln Memorial on the courthouse grounds. Read More

Superintendent Cheek and the BOE continues to build support for a future referendum

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•May 1, 2024•

by Ariana R. Cherry

Superintendent Shannon Cheek continues to inform the public about the urgent need for renovations and repairs in the district’s school buildings. Ongoing work is underway at the Arthur Grade School restrooms. During the BOE meeting on April 17, Cheek shared photos showing plaster work needed at the Lovington Grade School. Additionally, he mentioned lingering HVAC and plumbing issues at the high school, which will continue to increase as the building ages.  Cheek warned that the plumbing and HVAC issues at the ALAH building could come with a significant price tag. Read More

Moultrie Dive Team agrees to mutual aid with Shelby

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•April 24, 2024•

By Sharon Barricklow

The Moultrie County Dive Team will honor a mutual aid agreement with the newly reformed Shelby County Dive Team after their monthly meeting on April 17. 

After a stand down order given by Shelby County Board member Sonny Ross, the Shelby County Dive Team resigned  nine months ago. Read More

Clean up days announced for Sullivan

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•April 24, 2024•

The City of Sullivan has scheduled their clean up days for May 6th-12th. All items residents wish to have picked up should be on the curb by 6:00 a.m. on their designated pickup day.

The city is split up into different zones to be picked up a designated day (see map). Also all residents on Jackson and Hamilton Streets will have pick up on Monday, May 6th. The southeast section is split down the middle of Water St., Lebanon St., and Patterson Road. Residents on the north side of Water St., the east side of Lebanon St. or on the north side of Patterson Road will be picked up on Thursday, May 9th. Residents on the south side of Water St., the west side of Lebanon St. or on the south side of Patterson Road will be picked up on Friday, May 10th. This area will also include all residents on the east and west sides of Patterson Road. Read More

Pot o’ Gold

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Pot o’ Gold
This majestic sight was captured by Janelle Lewis Martin last Thursday in the southeast part of Sullivan.

Annual Anglers Tribute to Veterans

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Annual Anglers Tribute to Veterans
The 2nd Annual Anglers Tribute to Veterans crappie tournament on Lake Shelbyville was held April 6 with 21 teams from all over Illinois and a team from Southern Missouri participating. Jim Garrett was the big winner with 8.68lbs, in 2nd place was Brian Cleland with 8.01lbs, in 3rd place was Andrew Dial with 6.00 lbs and in 4th place was Brian Burns 5.80lbs . Jim Garrett also had the big fish at 1.74lbs.
Pictured is event organizer Travis Highes (left) with tournament winner Jim Garrett.

Legion members presented with pins

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Commander Read with Harry Woolen.

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Commander Read with Russell Craig

•April 17, 2024•

Last week Commander Rick Read presented Harry Woolen his pin for 75 years of continued American Legion membership and Russell Craig his pin for 50 years of continued American Legion membership. The presentation was attended by many board members, officers and members at large as well as family and friends that came out to support these Veterans.

Lead exposure and our children

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•April 17, 2024•

Why are children particularly susceptible, and what can parents do about it? 

By Angela Hogan

Lead exposure is a serious health concern for children, with potentially devastating consequences. Unfortunately, its exposure in children can occur and accumulate almost undetected.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), children at highest risk for lead exposure are typically under age 6, from low-income households, or reside in homes built before 1978.  

Based on available data, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) currently recognizes most ZIP codes in Moultrie County as having an increased risk of pediatric lead exposure. 

Parents and caregivers should be vigilant for potential sources of lead in their children’s environment. They need to remove or mitigate these exposure sources and know how and when to seek healthcare intervention. Read More