
Photo by Mike Brothers
Planting time
Dodging rain and wind Moultrie County farmers have been challenged this Spring. However some seed made it to soil in the Kirksville area last weekend.

Photo by Mike Brothers
Planting time
Dodging rain and wind Moultrie County farmers have been challenged this Spring. However some seed made it to soil in the Kirksville area last weekend.
•April 22, 2020•
By Mike Brothers
As the Covid-19 closings affect more and more businesses the city of Sullivan is looking into ways to help.
Since the announcement of potential small business grants, Sullivan Economic Development Chamber director Laurrie Minor has worked with six local businesses.
“Although several of our local businesses have had to close, many do not have enough full-time employees to qualify,” Minor explained.
Of the six potential businesses, three will be able to move forward in the Downstate Small Business Stabilization program funded by federal Community Development Block Grant funds.
On Monday, April 27 a public hearing will be held before the city council at the Elizabeth Titus Library for The Little Theatre on the Square and Sullivan Dance Studio LLC. Both are seeking $25,000 for working capital to address the urgent needs due to COVID-19 emergency. Read More
•April 22, 2020•
By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress
Tentative dates for possible graduation ceremonies at Sullivan High School are Sunday, June 28 or Sunday, July 26th.
A plan is being made to hold a virtual award’s night on Wednesday, May 6 and a virtual Decision Day ceremony on Friday, May 16.
Prom is tentatively being rescheduled for Saturday, June 13 with a contingency date of Saturday, July 18.
“There are a number of items that are very much on the minds of our community and our school personnel that still do not have answers,” Supt. Ted Walk told the school board April 13.
“This is an ending to a school year unlike any that we could have imagined. Though we have planned for the end of the school year, there is still so much learning that is yet to take place. I continue to encourage all students to try their best. I continue to urge all parents to help to the extent you are able, but I want you to understand that we will have protocols in place over the summer or in the fall to help make certain your students continue to see the academic success that we expect from students at Sullivan Schools.” Read More
Photo furnished
Beacon Shines
Early in April the Moultrie County Beacon held parades to help connect during the stay at home order. Half of the Cila houses organized a parade on one day challenging the members of the other Cila houses to top their effort during the second parade. It had been a month since they had been able to see friends, with the parade letting everyone exchange waves and greetings.

Photo by Mike Brothers
Sycamore at Tabor
Mayor Richard Glazebrook and Sullivan Park Supt. Ed Moody wrestled a Sycamore tree into its new home at Tabor Park on April 20. The new tree commemorates Earth Day Wednesday, April 22 and was donated to the park from the mayor’s back yard.
•April 15, 2020•
By Mike Brothers
Sullivan City Council met Monday with Mayor Richard Glazebrook, city administrator Dan Flannell and city clerk Carrie Creek attending at Elizabeth Titus Library.
Commissioners Abbey Sherwood, Mike Fowler, Peggy Hargis and Chuck Woodworth attended remotely from separate locations.
Mayor Glazebrook explained the council was complying with the Governor’s Emergency Order limiting group meetings.
The proceedings were live streamed on www.facebook.com/News Progress and available online at www.newsprogress.com
Dan Bathe, a 24 year 11 month city employee was in attendance. Bathe first worked for the city street department then at the Sullivan Gas Dept. from where he recently retired. Read More

Photo by R.R. Best
Easter Drive Thru
The Sullivan Fire Protection District protected young Easter Egg hunters this year by keeping a safe distance with the Easter Egg Drive-Thru. Above Volunteer Jason Fleming joined droves of first responders handing out Easter bags to waiting hunters. Some 200 drove up to the north parking lot at Wyman Park in Sullivan Sunday at 3:00 p.m. SFPD volunteers greeted the families with bags of Easter eggs for each child up to age 11. The bags were filled with a random selection of eggs plus select Easter bags contained bicycle certificates, which may be claimed by calling the Sullivan Fire Protection District.

Photo by Mike Brothers
Easter Blessings
The Sullivan IGA Meat Dept. had to pick up their game this year because one individual donated 150 hams to the CEFS Moultrie County Food Pantry just before Easter. Dept. manager Barry Golden explained this person has donated 100 hams in the past, but considering the stress the COVID-19 crisis has put on families the donor stepped up his contribution to 150 hams this year. “I had quite a time rounding up that many hams,” Golden said, explaining the generosity is amazing. Delivering the hams to the Moultrie County Food Pantry just in time for distribution before Easter dinner last week were: Mason Harner, Seth Cobb, Barry Golden and, in front Blake Eller.
•April 15, 2020•
By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress
People who are confined or house-bound are longing for some kind of companionship and ways to calm frayed nerves during this virus epidemic.
What better way than with a fluffy kitten to cuddle or a rowdy puppy who will play fetch and take walks with you?
The Missouri Humane Society, short on dogs and cats, is offering baby goats for an adoption fee of $50.
In Moultrie County the Moultrie County PAWS was ordered to close by 5:00 pm this past Saturday. Founder and Director, Betsy Miller, said, “We were so lucky to find homes or foster homes for all our animals. We are now closed until further notice and not taking in any animals.” Read More

Photo by Mike Brothers
Culverts Replaced
Keeping the water off the road and running in the ditches is a principal purpose of the Sullivan Township Road District culvert replacement project. Last week Township Road Commissioner Richard Rutledge and backhoe operator Matt Elder installed three culverts during a few hours one morning on Eden Street west of Sullivan. Rutledge explained the polycoated galvanized culvert replacements are more chemically resistant extending their life beyond the original 50 year expectancy. Sullivan Township replaces 12 to 15 culverts a year in a effort to keep the water off the roads and in the ditches. During the novel coronavirus crisis Rutledge explained social distancing was not a problem for the Sullivan township crew: “There are 96 miles of township roads keeping us a safe social distance from everyone else.”