Category Archives: News Section

City Council Discusses Chief of Staff Position at Monday’s Meeting

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by Crystal Reed
Mayor Richard Glazebrook recognized members of the Sullivan Middle School 8th grade girls basketball team during Monday’s council meeting. The team won regionals by beating Pana then went to sectionals and defeated Marshall. This past Saturday they played Washington Middle School and lost.

•December 15, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The Sullivan City Council approved the tax levy totaling $811,329.
The council voted to accept a bid from Wallace Excavating in the amount of $34,350 for the Wyman Lake Island Project. This was budgeted for the fiscal year using TIF funds.
Mayor Richard Glazebrook introduced an ordinance eliminating the position of city administrator and establishing the position of chief of staff for the city of Sullivan. Commissioner Abbey Sherwood suggested the council look at changing some things with the ordinance before approving it. A few of the changes are taking out a residency guideline, having the termination be by majority of vote rather than by the mayor, assisting with the budget and other items.
“As it’s written, I think it needs to be cleaned up,” she said. Sherwood said that the chief of staff is proposed to be over employees but she thinks that is the commissioner’s responsibility. “I think the goal of this position shouldn’t be directed to the positions running smoothly,” Sherwood said. Glazebrook postponed the ordinance. Read More

Former Bethany Resident Releases First Book

News Progress Posted on by

•December 15, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

A former Bethany resident has recently published her first children’s book and will have an event at Cathrine’s in Sullivan on Thursday, December 23. Anitra Rowe Schulte, a 1998 graduate of Bethany High School, has written Dancing with Daddy which was released December 1. Read More

EF2 Tornado Touches Down Near Gays

News Progress Posted on by

•December 15, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

View the photos here

A tornado touched down south of Windsor Friday, December 10, at about 9:50 p.m. According to the National Weather Service in Lincoln, when the tornado touched down, it caused a loss of roof panels to a farm outbuilding. At that point the tornado strengthened, causing total destruction of a farm outbuilding and breaking wood power poles southeast of Windsor. South Central FS saw significant damage west of Gays with numerous buildings damaged or destroyed and three large tanker trucks flipped.
The tornado continued into Coles County, causing more damage. It finally lifted at 10:04 p.m., four miles north-northeast of Mattoon. The National Weather Service has issued a rating of EF2 for the tornado. Read More

SHS Presented with plaque

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by Sonya Best
SHS Presented with plaque
Sullivan High School principal Daniel Allen with a plaque that was presented to the school for their support of the National Guard and military over the past several years.

Wits Fitness Program at Senior Center Focuses on Brain Health

News Progress Posted on by

•December 8, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

A program from the University of Illinois Extension held at Mid-Illinois Senior Services and Community Center is helping to keep brains active with fun activities. According to Cheri Burcham, University of Illinois Extension Family Life Educator, brain health is a hot topic because there is a huge population that is aging. The program called Wit Fit meets monthly at the center. Read More

Brad Halbrook Announces Bid for State Representative in Newly Drawn 107th District

News Progress Posted on by

Brad Halbrook

•December 8, 2021•
Citing the need for meaningful tax, pension, ethics, and spending reforms, State Representative Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) announced today he is running for re-election in the newly drawn 107th District.
“There are many challenges facing our state right now,” Halbrook said. “We have not addressed pensions. We have done nothing to provide Illinois residents with any kind of meaningful tax relief. Spending is out of control, and we have failed to root out the culture of corruption in Illinois. We need a new approach and that can only happen if reform-minded candidates run for the statehouse and win. I am running to continue to keep fighting to turn our state around.” Read More

U-Knights – a Website Resource for the ALAH School

News Progress Posted on by

District Facilities Committee Planning Process

•December 1, 2021•
by Ariana Cherry
NP Writer

Arthur CUSD is looking to the future to ensure their students have what they need to be successful. U-Knight 305 is a community led master planning program tasked with identifying the current and future goals, aspirations and facility needs of the Arthur CUSD #305 School District.
The U Knights website (https://sites.google.com/bldd.com/u-knight305/home) has the latest presentation from meetings and a video from the first community engagement session. Read More

VFW Customers Help To Make A Difference

News Progress Posted on by

Photo furnished
VFW Customers Help To Make A Difference
Veterans Serena Briscoe and Jolene Wright are busy organizing holiday gifts for veterans in nursing homes. One of the missions of Sullivan Post #6410 is to reach out to fellow veterans who are unable to enjoy the VFW Canteen. Funding for this project comes from bar and grill profits, Thursday night raffle drawings, facility rental, gaming and donations. The VFW is open to the public daily. The kitchen serves food until 7 pm Monday through Friday and 2 pm on Sunday.

Tentative Levy Set at 4.94%,Tax Levy Hearing to be held in December

News Progress Posted on by

•December 1, 2021•
by Ariana Cherry
NP Writer

Members of the ALAH school board met at the Atwood Grade School at their recent school board meeting held November 17. Superintendent Shannon Cheek reported that some of their bills were a bit larger than usual - one of the reasons being that they had both bond payments and interest that needs to be paid. There was nothing new to report in the treasurer’s report, but Cheek stated that the district received a payment from transportation; although it was the first they had received for this calendar year.
The audit for the calendar year through June 30, 2021 was presented. The district received financial recognition with a 3.9 Financial Score. Financial recognition is the highest level in the financial finding process. This recognition was also received in last year’s audit. In the treasurer’s bond finding, there were no bank accounts overdrawing the shares, and balances were being kept where they needed to be. The district’s debt is a total of $2.89 million dollars. COVID had an effect in some parts of the audit such as attendance, which was mainly because of many students having to quarantine or do remote learning during the last school year. The 305 School District attendance was down 86 students. The auditor mentioned that in most of the reports they did, these figures were all over the board for many school districts. Read More