Photo by Mike Brothers
Decoration Team
It took 25 Sullivan Pre School students just a little while to add their personal Christmas decorations to the tree in the Moultrie County courthouse rotunda recently. The young Santa helpers also received a visit from Santa Claus and got a chance to tell him their Christmas Eve wishes.
Photo by Mike Brothers
The Sullivan Community Christmas Tree was placed on the Moultrie County courthouse lawn Dec. 4. Those attending were above from left: Rob Young, Breanna Barrix; from Buxton’s Garden Farm: Abby and Caynan Sherwood and Steve Buxton; SCED Executive Director Laurrie Minor and Josie Orris.
•December 5, 2018•
Sullivan High School student Breanna Barrix thought a community Christmas tree lighting would be a nice touch for the season but didn’t know how to get it done.
At 9:14 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4 Buxton’s Garden Farm delivered the community Christmas tree to the southeast corner of the courthouse.
“When she called me, I almost fell over,” Breanna’s cousin Rob Young said of any teenager caring about the community, so he got on board immediately.
“I have been watching Christmas specials, and community tree lightings bring people together in the spirit of the season,” Barrix explained.
Young began to make the Christmas tree a reality by going to Buxton’s Garden Farm. Buxton’s donated a tree to the cause, which is where Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development came in.
“We have wanted to have a Christmas tree on the square for the past several years, and when Breanna came up with the idea, we knew the time was right,” SCED Executive Director Laurrie Minor said, noting they appreciate permission to place the tree on the courthouse lawn.
The official Christmas tree lighting ceremony is 6:00 p.m. Friday, December 14 during Sullivan’s Old Fashioned Christmas Downtown Celebration. Bruder Tank made the tree stand; with The Thrift Boutique and Habitat ReStore donating lights for the community tree. SCED Director Minor encouraged the community to contribute decorations. Read More
Photo by Mike Brothers
Moultrie County Seats New Office Holders
At 1 p.m. Monday, Dec. 3 recently elected Moultrie County officials were sworn into office in the main courtroom of the courthouse in Sullivan. Back row from left Moultrie County Board members: Arlene Aschermann, Tyler Graven, Bill Voyles, Todd Maxedon, Dave McCabe; President Lincoln (June 3, 1860) and Resident Moultrie County Circuit Judge Jeremy Richey, who administered the oath to new officers; front from left; Sheriff Chris Sims, Treasurer Stephanie Helmuth, Circuit Clerk Christa Helmuth, County Clerk Georgia England and State’s Attorney Tracy Weaver.
Photo furnished
Jeremy Richey Sworn as Resident Judge
Jeremy Richey was sworn in as Moultrie County resident judge for the sixth circuit during ceremonies at the Moultrie County Courthouse Thursday, Nov. 29.
Chief Judge of the Sixth Circuit the Honorable Richard L. Broch of Douglas County presided over a courtroom filled with family, friends and colleagues of the former State’s Attorney of Moultrie County. Judge Broch noted that in his new role Judge Richey must prepare each case keeping in mind that every case is the most important case to the person involved.
The Honorable Judge Hugh Finson of Piatt County administered Richey’s oath. After his swearing in, the Honorable Judge Richey thanked his family, and those attending the ceremony. A reception was held in Courtroom B for those attending. Above, Richey’s wife Cassie helps with his robe.
Photo furnished
SES Delivers Pie in the Face
The Sullivan Middle School and Sullivan Elementary School’s Day of Giving drive results have SES students winning, and the prize is a pie in the face for SMS principal Nathan Ogle by SES principal Dan Allen. Sullivan Elementary School collected a total of 904 items and $1010.37 through the tremendous effort of the students and the community.
Businesses that assisted are IGA, Ace Hardware, Sullivan Eyecare, Oakwood Apothecary, Cathrine’s and 5 West Coffee Lounge. Organizations that helped in the drive include First United Methodist Church and MOMS group, Vineyard Church, Lion’s Club, and Alpha Delta Kappa Sorority. All of the food collected and money donated went directly to the local food bank.
For more information on how to assist or donate contact Pastor Dave Dolan at 217-728-4200.
•November 28, 2018•
By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress
The Sullivan City Council discussed and voted to waive formal bidding for new water meter purchases. The old meters have moving parts and are seven to eight years old with a life expectancy of 10. A sensor is needed to update the current ones. A decision needed to be made whether to add the censors or to buy new water meters.
The new water meters without moving parts have a longer life expectancy—up to 20 years. After discussion, commissioners waived the formal bidding process and purchased new water meters from Midwest Badger for $232,300.
Laurrie Minor and Michelle Hauser of Sullivan Community & Economic Development spoke about concerns regarding some of the business space in the downtown square area. Currently, there are two personal “home residences” in the business district. One space, Hoodies Goodies, was a business prior to becoming a residence. Read More
•November 28, 2018•
By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress
“Early detection matters! That is the most important phrase to remember when it comes to Alzheimer’s Disease.” Elizabeth Hagemann, Manager of Education and Outreach for the Alzheimer’s Association, Illinois chapter, stressed this point at the November 15 Caring Conversations Series dinner held at the Best Western Hotel Plus in Arcola.
Her presentation, “Forget Me Not: Conversations About the Stages of Dementia and Alzheimer’s” focused on many informative details about the disease and those who have already been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. An estimated 5.7 million Americans are living with the disease and by the year 2050, the number is projected to rise to 14 million. Every 65 seconds someone in the United States develops Alzheimer’s (http://www.alz.org). Read More
Photo by Mike Brothers
Appreciation Plaque
Moultrie County Board Chairman presented outgoing Democrat county board member Gary Smith of Lovington with an Appreciation Plaque for his years of service. Smith was the only Democrat on the board which is all Republican following the November election.
Photo furnished
Sullivan Rotary Club donates the total operation costs for One Book One Sullivan, allowing everyone in the community to join the reading program directed by Sullivan Middle School students.
•November 28, 2018•
One Book One Sullivan is excited to present The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Drannen as the 2018-2019 book choice.
Sullivan Middle School students worked diligently to choose the book that would best match interests of middle school through adult readers.
According to Penguin Random House’s website, when Jessica is told she’ll never run again, she puts herself back together—and learns to dream bigger than ever before. The acclaimed author of Flipped delivers a powerful and healing story.
Jessica thinks her life is over when she loses a leg in a car accident. She’s not comforted by the news that she’ll be able to walk with the help of a prosthetic leg. Who cares about walking when you live to run? Read More
Photo by Mike Brothers
Hydro-Gear employees pitched in donating 7084 food items plus $6,696.38 in matched funds to the Moultrie County Food Pantry as the result of a companywide two-week fund raising effort. Helping unload seven pallets of food onto the food pantry shelves Monday were Hydro-Gear volunteers (from left) Chad Woollen, Larry Conlin, Larry Rose, Andy White, Krystal Rose, Trudy Patterson, Jim Buck, Troy Yokley and Christopher Zerrusen. Accepting the giant check on behalf of the food pantry was Moultrie Outreach Director Mariah White-Landrus who expressed her appreciation of Hydro-Gear’s employees’ generosity. Donations filled the food pantry shelves at a time when the need is greatest.
•November 28, 2018•
A volunteer team of Hydro-Gear employees filled the Moultrie County Food Pantry in Sullivan Monday, Nov. 26, unloading seven pallets of food items.
Hydro-Gear in Sullivan recently hosted a food drive to support the local food pantry.
“What started as a hope to change a few families’ Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays ended with a response that no one would have seen coming,” said Krystal Rose of Hydro-Gear.
The Moultrie County Food Pantry provides meals to more than 400 families in the county.
“We really appreciated the effort of the employees of Hydro-Gear to help the Food Pantry help those who need it most,” CEFS Moultrie County Outreach Coordinator Mariah White-Landrus said.
The Hydro-Gear family rallied together and hosted an internal competition, leaving one big winner…the patrons of the Moultrie County Food Pantry.
“I have helped in food pantry drives in the past that didn’t get nearly this response,” Hydro-Gear volunteer Chad Woollen of Shelbyville said. “To collect 7000 food items is an amazing effort by Hydro-Gear employees over just two weeks.” Read More