Category Archives: News Section

Heritage Woods Halloween: joy galore

News Progress Posted on by


•November 12, 2025•

by DM Williamee

On Friday, October 31st, Heritage Woods held a Halloween party for all residents and their families. While some residents preferred simple and subdued costumes, others went all-in. Scarecrows, train engineers, Red Hat Society members, inmates, teeny-boppers in bobby socks and poodle skirts, Mardi Gras/masquerade, and maps are just the beginning of the variety found at the party. 

Holiday-themed refreshments were served, and there were smiles to be found at each table, with many taking great interest in each other’s costumes and talking of the many Halloweens they had celebrated before.

Taxes, cats and pennies at city council meeting

News Progress Posted on by


•November 12, 2025•

by Sharon Barricklow

The Sullivan City Council debuted a new ordinance for public body comment periods at their meeting Monday night, limiting the time to 30 minutes total and giving citizens up to three minutes each to ask questions or make comments. 

“I would hope people would be respectful of other people and limit their comments,” said Mayor Mike Mossman in explaining the new rules. The system seemed to work very well for most of the period with comments about inoperable motor vehicles, sewer line issues and even a thank you to the council for the work they do. But, when the subject of feral and stray cats came up, the temperature in the room heated up. 

Read More

Multi-agency active shooter training scenario

News Progress Posted on by


•November 12, 2025•

by DM Williamee

Last Saturday afternoon, November the 8th at Hydro-Gear in Sullivan, the Moultrie County Sheriff’s Office and Deputies, Dispatch, Sullivan Police Department, Sullivan Fire Protection District, Bethany Police Department, Bethany Fire Department, Lovington Police Department, local EMA CECOM, and Bethany EMS and Sullivan High School students as role-players, met in a training scenario of law enforcement, fire and EMS to coordinate a more unified response in an active shooter situation. 

Read More

IDHS food connections

News Progress Posted on by


•November 5, 2025•

by DM Williamee

With the holidays fast approaching, the protracted government shutdown (including SNAP benefits holds beginning November 1st as a result, unless Congress passes a budget by then), increased utility costs, and many already living on the precipice of a paycheck-to-paycheck existence, the Illinois Department of Human Services has published a page of helpful websites to direct those in need to their area Foodbanks.

Read More

Holiday Marketplace: ‘Tis the season

News Progress Posted on by


•November 5, 2025•

by DM Williamee

On Saturday, November 1st, the First Christian Church of Sullivan’s parking lot was packed (as were its hallways and other spaces) with Christmas shoppers and Christmas cheer. From authors, bakers, craft-makers, and coordinators, the scent and spirit of the holiday season filled the air. Delectable delights of all types, arts and crafts from creatively pragmatic to beautiful, left all in attendance hovering over tables and shelves, checking their lists, and anticipating Christmas the day after Halloween.

City approves new public comment rules

News Progress Posted on by

by Sharon Barricklow

Attendees at Sullivan City Council meetings will have new rules to follow for the public comment period after the council passed a new ordinance on October 27. 

The new ordinance will limit individual comments to three  minutes each and the total public comment period will be limited to 30 minutes. The rule came after several of the last city council meetings had public comment periods that lasted more than an hour and involved multiple people speaking at multiple times. Mayor Mike Mossman, who has been frustrated by the lengthy period of public comment, said he hoped the new rule would help the council stay on track in doing city business. 

Read More

Sullivan High School Veterans’ Day event

News Progress Posted on by


•November 5, 2025•

by Nevaeh Wilson

Sullivan High School will host its annual Veterans’ Day celebration on Monday, November 11th, from 9:45 to 11:15 a.m. at Sullivan High School, 110 W. Magill Street. The event will begin with a brunch for veterans from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m., followed by a school assembly in the Middle School Gymnasium that will conclude around 11:15 a.m.

This special event is held each year to honor and thank our local veterans for their service. There is no charge to attend, and all veterans and community members are encouraged to join us. The celebration will follow the Elementary School’s Veterans Day program, continuing our tradition of recognizing those who have served.

Highlights of the assembly include: performances of branch songs by the Middle School Choir and Singers Jr., a reading of the winning Veterans Writing Contest entry, musical performances by the Sullivan Singers and Sullivan Band, a special speech from fellow veteran Daniel Allen, a performance of TAPS, and more.

The entire community is invited to attend and show appreciation for our veterans. For questions about the assembly, please contact Nevaeh Wilson at 2026nwilson@sullivan.k12.il.us. To RSVP for the brunch, please email Jennifer Voegel at voegelj@sullivan.k12.il.us.

Sullivan American Legion Aux. Unit #68: Art and Writing Contest winners

News Progress Posted on by


•November 5, 2025•

The Sullivan American Legion Auxiliary Unit #68 recently announced the results of this year’s Veterans Day Art and Writing Contest. 

The Best in Show award went to SHS junior Claire Kursell for her drawing “My Dearest Irene,” which also received first place in art for juniors and seniors.

Kursell noted in her Creator’s Statement that her piece was “inspired by the letters of WWII veteran Natale Bellantoni to Irene Sztucinski,” which she read while researching topics for the contest. She added that she was so interested in their story that she knew she wanted to use their story for her submission. 

Read More

Lions donate bench tin Wyman Park

News Progress Posted on by


•November 5, 2025•

The Sullivan Lions Club recently donated a bench at Wyman Park. The bench can be enjoyed for years to come in various spots around the park, based on the season. Since 1941, Sullivan Lions Club, an affiliate of Lions International, has been committed to helping local residents with vision and hearing services, hunger, and youth needs. If you are interested in learning more about our organization, contact Brent Mansfield at (217) 248-6180.

Members in the photo include: Brent Mansfield, Jess Barker, Dick Martin, Dave Walker, Lynn Elder, Don Evans, Steve Mayberry, Connor Klingele, Ginger Voegel, Bill VanKeuren, and Richard Murphy.