•June 7, 2023•
In honor of May’s Teacher Appreciation Month, SONIC Drive-In’s SONIC Foundation donated $1.5 million to match all public contributions made to requests on DonorsChoose, a national nonprofit that allows individuals to donate directly to public school classroom requests submitted by teachers.
As part of SONIC’s ongoing Limeades for Learning initiative, the $1.5 million donation matched 50 percent of each donation made to all teacher requests. SONIC helped fully fund nearly 15,300 projects from teachers and schools across the country.
The following are among the exceptional teachers who received funding: Read More
Category Archives: News
New Blessing Box Established in Sullivan to Help With Food Insecurity
•June 7, 2023•
by Crystal Reed
A new blessing box has been placed in the city of Sullivan to help provide short-term food assistance to those experiencing food insecurity. The new blessing box is located in front of Sullivan First United Methodist Church across from Sullivan Fire Department. According to Cheryl Thomas, coordinator of the blessing box, anyone may place items in the blessing box.
However, at this time, items which won’t get hot in the summer heat are suggested. Examples of items that are good to donate at this point in time include dry mixes, rice, noodles, cereal, cornbread mix, Kool Aid, oatmeal and dried pasta. There will also be weekly drops of fresh produce throughout the summer. Read More
American Legion Auxiliary Americanism Essay Winners

Photo by Crystal Reed
American Legion Auxiliary Americanism Essay Winners
On Wednesday, May 24, the seventh and eighth grade winners of the Americanism Essay Contest locally sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary units of Arthur, Lovington and Atwood were awarded. The three winners were all from Lovington Grade School. First place was Joshua Taylor, second place was Maxton Boddy and third place was Jaidyn Edwards.
Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library Summer Reading Kickoff Party

Photo by Crystal Reed
Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library Summer Reading Kickoff Party
On Friday, May 26, the Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library in Sullivan had a kickoff party for summer reading. Those wanting to participate could start reading for prizes on Tuesday, May 30. Those who read all 10 weeks will be able to pick a book for the library shelf wand their name will be written inside the front cover. Pictured are Ellie and Fionn Lynch enjoying activities at the kickoff party. Activities included inflatables, sno cones and cotton candy and a craft.
Sullivan Country Club Celebrate 100 Years

Photo by Crystal Reed
Sullivan Country Club Celebrate 100 Years
The Sullivan Country Club held a 100 Year Anniversary party on Saturday, May 27. During the day there was a 9 hole golf scramble, food and drinks, a 50/50 drawing and live music. Musical entertainment started with a dj and then by Felix and Fingers Dueling Pianos. Steve Jenne, Nancy Schaljo and Dan Flannell spoke briefly about some of the history and their experiences being members of the Sullivan Country Club. Pictured above are Felix and Fingers Dueling Pianos.
The Memorial Weekend Cruise In
Photos by Crystal Reed
The Memorial Weekend Cruise In
The Sullivan Street Machine Association held their Memorial Weekend Cruise In on Saturday, May 27 on the square in Sullivan. The event had no entry free as no prizes were awarded. A dj service provided the soundtrack for the evening.

Wheeler Receives Sheriff’s Association Scholarship
•May 24, 2023•
By Sharon Barricklow
Correspondent
Shelby County Sheriff Brian McReynolds announced this week that a Windsor High School Senior is the 2023 Shelby County Illinois Sheriff’s Association scholarship winner.
Kiersten Wheeler, daughter of Chris and Kelly Wheeler, is the valedictorian of Windsor High School. She is planning on attending Illinois State University in the fall, to pursue a degree in Early Childhood Education. She also served as senior class president.
McReynolds said choosing scholarship winners is one of the most difficult parts of his job. This year’s applicants were asked to write an essay about their opinions on the Illinois revocation of cash bail.
“There’s a lot to look at in the application,” he said. “Their grades, what they’ve done in school and their future plans all are considered.”
ALAH Americanism Essay Winners

Photo by Crystal Reed
ALAH 9th and 10th grade Americanism Essay Winners
Left to right: Alek Stutzman, Class II (9th & 10th grades) Americanism Essay winner, 3rd Place; Brayden Leech, Class II (9th & 10th grades) Americanism Essay winner, 2nd Place; Christa Davis, Class II (9th & 10th grades) Americanism Essay winner, 1st Place

Photo by Crystal Reed
ALAH 11th and 12th grade Americanism Essay Winners
Left to right: Lillian Daily, Class III (11th & 12th grades) Americanism Essay winner, 3rd Place; Lucy Wilber, Class III (11th & 12th grades) Americanism Essay winner, 2nd Place; Noah Shoemaker, Class III (11th & 12th grades) Americanism Essay winner, 1st Place.

Photo by Crystal Reed
ALAH American Legion Auxiliary Poppy Poster Winners
Left to right: Cambree Brown, 12th grade Poppy Poster winner, 3rd Place; Charley Condill, 12th grade Poppy Poster winner, 1st Place; Alisha Frederick, 12th grade Poppy Poster winner, 2nd Place.

Photo by Crystal Reed
ALAH 9th Grade and 10th Grade Poppy Poster Winners
Left to right: Blanca Briseno, 9th grade Poppy Poster winner, 1st Place; Mackenzie Condill, 10th grade Poppy Poster winner, 1st Place; Emmalee Nall, 10 grade Poppy Poster winner, 2nd Place.
City Council Discusses Ordinance Regarding Living Spaces on the Square
•May 24, 2023•
by Crystal Reed
The Sullivan City Council discussed the ordinance regarding living spaces on the square during their meeting Monday night. Commissioner Chuck Woodworth was absent.
Changes have been made to the ordinance regarding living spaces on the square. Commissioner Abbey Sherwood reported that a public meeting had been held with all parties represented, and they worked to adjust the ordinance to what the majority of the group agreed to send to Planning and Zoning. Under uses permitted, they need to add banks, and there needs to be verbiage controlling the density of the amount of people in each residence.
Sherwood noted that nothing had changed since the approval of planning and zoning, but when changes are made, it will be sent to the various parties before it comes back to the council. According to Planning and Zoning Director Kristi Hart, a letter would be attached, and properties grandfathered in would be recorded in the minutes. Sherwood said it would be possible to amend the ordinance in the future should someone want to be grandfathered. Read More
Moultrie County Child Care Efforts Continue

Photo furnished
The first round of Moultrie County Childcare grant funding is being distributed to current eligible providers in Moultrie County. Rita Florey (right) presents a check to Linda Featherling, a childcare provider in Sullivan (left).
•May 24, 2023•
Submitted by Rita Florey
A community group spearheaded by the Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development organization to explore new ways to support and grow child care options in Moultrie County, Illinois, is continuing efforts forward to support child care in the local community.
The group formally kicked off its initial efforts in January of this year, contracting with Business of Child Care, which helps communities nationwide identify child care needs and develop plans to address them. Through those efforts, Moultrie County Kids set a goal of creating 100 new child care spaces, as well as supporting and retaining 205 existing spaces already in the county. Read More
