Category Archives: News Section

County Board Receives Tourism Report, Approves Reimbursement

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File photo
Lake Shelbyville Operations Manager Jon Summers

•July 18, 2018•

By Mike Brothers

The third time was a charm for Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development with the Moultrie County Board agreeing to reimburse $18,809.26 in expenses at the July 12 meeting.
In this third attempt to get reimbursed for money already budgeted by the county board Chamber executive director Laurrie Minor, Lake Shelbyville operations manager Jon Summers and Matt Condill of the Great Pumpkin Patch explained efforts by the Chamber to improve tourism in all of Moultrie County.
Summers began by explaining the partnership at the Chicago Camping and RV with the Chamber had benefitted the lake and the county by reaching 25,000 potential visitors during the four day event.
He explained the Corp has invested $3.2 million in recreation areas including updates at Sullivan beach and Wilborn Creek.
“The more we can partner with Sullivan Chamber and places like the Great Pumpkin Patch the greater our chances to improve tourism for the whole area,” Summers explained.
He indicated partnerships with Okaw Valley schools and the Fish Habitat Alliance are examples of ways the lake has successfully extended its involvement in the communities that surround it. Read More

Council Learns of Erosion Threat to Tabor Park Trees

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•July 18, 2018•

By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress

A comment pertaining to an erosion problem at Sullivan Tabor Park opened the last meeting of the Sullivan City Council. By showing some photographic evidence, it was brought to the attention of the council that about 39 trees are possibly being affected by erosion in the park. Concerned council members noted that they would be looking into the situation.
The East Central Illinois Development Corporation gave a presentation about tax credit housing that could create new housing development for families with lower income.
Tax credit housing is also ideal for transitional housing for those trying to getting started at new jobs. The corporation has been around since 1984 and has shelped with housing issues in 11 different counties within the area: (Christian, Shelby, Effingham , Jasper, Cumberland, Crawford, Moultrie, Douglas, Coles, Edgar, Clark and Crawford). Read More

Dance Station at Disney

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Dance Station at Disney
Dance Station dancers from Sullivan performed on stage at Epcot and in a parade at Magic Kingdom at Disney World in Florida last week. Pictured are: Mileigh Brown, Judith Beery, Katie Smith, Olivia Wilkinson, Hannah Snow, Elizabeth Rutan, Ruby Schorey, Rose Wade, and Lindsey Ozier. The dancers rounded the circle in front of Cinderella’s castle during the parade with director Angie Neal walking alongside.

Mauck Promoted to Sergeant

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Mauck Promoted to Sergeant
John Mauck of Sullivan was recently promoted to the rank of Sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps. Sergeant Mauck has been stationed at Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan, since January 2016, where he is attached to Marine Wing Communications Squadron 18, First Marine Aircraft Wing. Sergeant Mauck enlisted in the Marine Corps in January 2015 and is a 2013 graduate of Sullivan High School. He is the son of Dr. Greg and Kim Mauck and a grandson of Roger and Verna Tice and the late Sgt. James and Kathleen Mauck, all of Sullivan.

Sullivan Schools Prepare for the Coming Year

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•July 11, 2018•

By Mike Brothers

The Sullivan Community District #300 school board learned that transportation reimbursements were improving along with student numbers.
Supt. Ted Walk reported operating funds were in the black in the tentative 2018-19 budget approved by the board.
The superintendent noted an increased enrollment trend could improve the state funding amount for the coming school year.
Anticipating future expenses he pointed out $150,000 was budgeted for capital improvements which could help with large expenses like track surfacing which is expected in five years.
Board member Zak Horn asked if the bond and interest income from bonds sold to the school for construction was included.
Supt. Walk noting that income was not yet included in the budget which was conservation on revenue while reflecting $250,000 in additional expenses. State aid formula figures have yet to be finalized to determine the amount of state funds expected for the coming year, the supt. added. Read More

Hot Fun

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Photo by R.R. Best
Hot Fun
Sullivan’s Fourth of July celebration was blessed with summer heat and a sprinkling of rain June 30 through July 4. Conner Family Amusements of Beardstown introduced the 55 ft tall Ferris Wheel to Sullivan along with the Rock -O-Plane. Crowds enjoyed the carnival throughout the week with the American Legion Honor Guard leading the Fourth of July parade through town followed by activities at Wyman Park and the grand finale fireworks show from Central Illinois Fireworks Co. at dark. More on Page 7 of the News Progress.

‘Damn Yankees” is a Home Run at The Little Theatre!

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•July 11, 2018•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

Summertime and America’s thoughts turn fondly to baseball. And there is no finer baseball musical than the sizzling production of “Damn Yankees” currently at The Little Theatre on the Square in Sullivan. Based on the old Faustian legend of a man selling his soul to the Devil, “Damn Yankees” opened in 1955 and made overnight stars of choreographer Bob Fosse and his future wife Gwen Verdon. It swept all the major Tony awards in 1956 and ran for nearly 2,000 performances.
It was revived in 1994, and this production is based on that 1994 shorter version.
It’s Washington in the 1950s, and Joe Boyd (Dick Borders) is sick and tired of his beloved Washington Senators getting beaten by those “damn Yankees”. If only the Senators had a young, strong, long ball hitter, they could tromp those Yankees.
Presto! The Devil appears in the guise of Mr. Applegate (Drew Stark) and offers Joe the chance to become “Joe Hardy”, the young, 22-year-old slugger the Senators need. The catch is Joe must give up his beloved wife Meg (Ann Borders). Joe accepts but the real estate agent in him makes him insist on an escape clause.
The Senators’ last game is Sept. 25, and if he plays in it, he must remain Joe Hardy forever. If not, he has until 9 the night before to walk away and resume his former life. Read More

Hot Fun at Wyman Park on the Fourth of July

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Photo by Mike Brothers
Melon Eater
With seeds, juice and rinds flying Wren Winburg of Belleville concentrated on his watermelon slice as he competed in the 5 to 7 age group during the Fourth of July watermelon eating contest held at Wyman Park.

•July 11, 2018•

Following the 4th of July parade crowds moved to Wyman Park where the turtle races drew 61 entrants from every pond and creek in the area.

After several heats in the blistering sun, the masters of the turtle circle prevailed. In the finals: Elijah Peters, Ayden Peters, Rhett Colbertson, Olivia Matheson, Kaiden McKinny, Hunter Hackett, Gavin Helnuth, Madison Highland.

The Grand Champion turtle racer was Daisy Richardson of Sullivan.

The Watermelon Eating contest moved to the shade with volunteers from the American Legion, Post 68 Auxiliary and Sons of Legion cutting, preparing, serving and counting eaten rinds to determine the winners.

Ages 0-4: First place - Paisley Cole, Sullivan; second place- Alex VanArsdale, Decatur; third place- Hunter Farris- Sullivan. Read More

Sullivan Talent Brings Community into Little Theatre Musicals

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Pictured left to right are Garrett Griffin, Maddie Keller and Marty Harbaugh.

•July 11, 2018•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

Three hometown actors are having their hour upon the stage this summer at the Little Theatre and are enjoying the opportunity to come back and perform before the home audience.
Maddie Keller grew up in Sullivan and began performing at the Little Theatre at a very young age. She came up through their Future Stars Program and was in show choir during high school. She is a theatre minor at the University of Illinois and may be seen in the upcoming “Annie”.
Marty Harbaugh worked for the state of Illinois for many years before finally settling in Sullivan. He has always loved the theatre and as his wife Lori is business manager at the Little Theatre, he “decided to try and see if he was any good at acting.” Marty and Lori actually had a blind date to see “Into the Woods” at the Little Theatre, and the rest is history. He has since become a beloved fixture. He plays the Washington Senators’ owner in “Damn Yankees” currently playing. Read More

Jackpot Winner

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Jackpot Winner
Sullivan Economic Development and Chamber Executive Director Laurrie Minor presents Darrian Sparrow with the annual Fourth of July raffle grand prize of $4891.00. The winning ticket number was 14242.