•July 1, 2020•
By Mike Brothers
In an effort to help local businesses Sullivan’s City Council is bringing back the revolving loan fund.
Approved unanimously at the June 22 meeting, loans will be available to businesses located within the city limits.
Amounts from $10,000 to $100,000 will be offered at between 2 to 6% interest over a seven year term. The council has $400,000 set aside for the Revolving Loan program. Read More
•June 25, 2020•
The city of Sullivan has authorized July 11 and 18 as City Clean Up Days.
The location of a citizen’s residence determines which day their items will be collected.
Items for all residents who live north of Harrison Street and on Pifers Ln. will be picked up Saturday, July 11. Those living south of Harrison Street will be serviced Saturday, July 18.
Those not living in the corporate city limits are not eligible to participate in the clean up day; therefore, any items set out will not be picked up.
Items must be on the curb by 7 a.m.
•June 25, 2020•
The Moultrie County Health Department (MCHD) has confirmed the 16th case of the novel coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) in Moultrie County. The patient is a male in his 70s and is recovering at home in isolation. Public health officials are contacting all close contacts.
To date, 709 Moultrie County residents have been tested for COVID-19. Of those tests, 16 have been confirmed positive for COVID-19. Of the 16 laboratory confirmed coronavirus cases in Moultrie County, 13 have been released from isolation.
As public organizations and businesses reopen, it is important that everyone continues to use precautions to reduce the risk of transmitting COVID-19 infection. To help contain the spread of COVID-19, the MCHD recommends that individuals: Wash their hands routinely ;Avoid touching their face ; Bypass nonessential trips into the public; Keep children at home; Maintain a physical distance of six feet from others; Wear a mask in public when physical distancing is not possible.
Symptoms associated with COVID-19 include: Fever, Fatigue, Dry cough, Chills, Body aches, Headache, Sore throat, Loss of smell or taste.
Individuals should immediately seek medical attention if they experience difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, confusion, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, or a bluish color in the lips or face.
If an individual is ill with symptoms associated with coronavirus and needs medical or emergency care, they should notify their physician or emergency medical service providers of their symptoms prior to arrival.
For more information on the Moultrie County Health Department’s news, events and services, please visit www.moultriehealth.org and follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/moultriecountyhealth
•June 24, 2020•
Kelvin Dees, 40, who has resided in Moultrie County Corrections Center for the past 147 days will be there a while longer. Read More
•June 24, 2020•
By Mike Brothers
Development of 17 acres of city owned property south along Route 32 took a step forward at the Sullivan City Council meeting.
Tabeling Development Company, LLC is purchasing the TIF qualified site for $242,200 with the intent to develop 12 lots initially.
City attorney Andrew Bequette explained that the agreement includes for the city to provide up to $250,000 in utilities including water, sewer, gas and electric services but no roads or sidewalks.
If a portion goes undeveloped for five years, the city may purchase acreage back at market value.
The agreement is pending rezoning from Agriculture to Residential and whether possession is before or after crops are harvested from the farm property.
Mayor Richard Glazebrook made the motion to approve the ordinance approving and authorizing execution of the Tax Increment Financing District Redevelopment agreement with Tabeling. Read More
•June 24, 2020•
By Joe Pound
for the News Progress
Today I sat down with John Junior Green (Johnnie Green), who is being cared for by Lulubelle (Logue) Morris, my next door neighbor to the south. John is 94 years of age (born in 1926) and has a home elsewhere in Sullivan.
He is the son of Earl Lucion Green & Mildred Moran. Their children are Dorothy, John J., Robert, Billy, Jimmy and Inius, who died at birth. John’s children are Linda (Robinson) & John S.
John’s health is fragile and his hearing is minimal even with hearing aids, but his memory of his WW II experiences is excellent. To communicate Lulubelle speaks directly into his left ear the questions that I asked him. Even then he often needed her to repeat the question.
My purpose in visiting with John and Lulubelle, was to ask about his service in the U. S. Navy in the western Pacific during WW II. Lulubelle had advised me in an earlier backyard conversation about his many fascinating stories from his service during the great war. I was also encouraged to consider this history story by the June 2020 issue of the National Geographic magazine. The cover article is “The Last Voices of World War II.”
Johnnie Green is certainly one of those voices. Read More
Selects New Elementary Principal
•June 24, 2020•
By Ariana Cherry
for the news Progress
During the 2020-2021 school year, the Sullivan School district plans to move to a self-operated food service program.
A Food Service Director will be needed to operate the program.
The job description of a food service director is explained as follows: “ The food service director plans, directs and coordinates the activities of the district’s food service program. They shall be responsible for the completion of all obligations specified by county, state and federal laws and regulations, as well as other duties as specified by the superintendent and board. Some of the qualifications for the position include having a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent educational experience with an academic major in nutrition or culinary, completing at least 8 hours of food safety training, have a food service sanitation certificate that is up to date and basic understanding and experience with personal computers and programs. Read More
Mobilizing for Real Change
•June 24, 2020•
By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress
On June 17 Mitchell Esslinger announced his Democratic candidacy for the Illinois House of Representatives District 102 seat with a speech outside the Moultrie County Courthouse.
Born in Champaign and raised in Strasburg, Mitchell attended Stewardson-Strasburg High School, Lake Land College, and the University of Illinois. At the University of Illinois, he worked with local law enforcement to protect student safety.
As a property renovator, Mitchell started at age 12 working for his family’s rental properties. As a tutor, he saw how important it is that we give our schools what they need to succeed.
He has volunteered to work in the campaigns of Barak Obama, Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton. Read More
Photo by Mike Brothers
Class of 68 Award
Members of the Sullivan High School Class of 1968 gave the second annual scholarships recently. Class representatives Lou Ann Soper and Bill Standerfer presented Aubrey Tate with the $250 award. An incoming sophomore at SHS, Aubrey’s father Keith attended the presentation.
•June 17, 2020•
By Lou Ann Soper
for the News Progress
Tuesday, June 9th, the SHS Class of 1968 proudly presented the Second Annual Redskin Achievement Award to this year’s deserving recipients.
The surprised recipients were Aubrey Tate, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Keith Tate and Terrance McRill, son of Bethanie McRill and Shawn McRill. Aubrey will be a sophomore this coming school year and Terrance will be a senior.
The first Redskin Achievement Awards were presented last year to Katherine Kite and Zane Gardner. Both students were juniors when the Awards were presented at the Decision Day Assembly last May. Read More
•June 17, 2020•
By Sarah Hudson Pierce,
NP Guest columnist
My Father, Roy Earnest Hudson, a native of Bethany, Illinois, an only child, born in 1895, the son of George Washington McClellan Hudson, a circuit riding minister who met and married my namesake, Sarah Alice Ritz, while on a revival in Licking, Missouri.
What a treasure trove of information in the first paragraph!
I knew so little about our daddy because he was so sick during my childhood up until he died, from congestive heart failure, at home in bed in what was then called the front room on March 19, 1958.
Also he was afflicted with chronic appendicitis for years.
I felt rootless and drawn to delve into the old family trunk because I sensed that there was much to be learned about our genetic lineage. I was very productive after the age of thirty, in 1978, while I located living long lost relatives with the aid of directory assistance and our old family trunk which was full of old family pictures, letters and other memorabilia. Read More