Category Archives: News Section

Sullivan School District Breaks Ground for New High School

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photo by Crystal Reed
In attendance for the ground breaking of the new Sullivan High School were (in no order): Sullivan Mayor Mike Mossman, Moultrie County Board Chairman Bill Voyles and Vice Chairman Marsha Kirby, Executive Director of the Sullivan Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Laurrie Minor, Friends of Sullivan Athletics and Academics Representative Amanda Glazebrook, Judy England, Clayton Quick and Evan Sudkamp with Grunloh Construction, Architect Ben Dockter with Graham and Hyde Architects, Board of Education members Jeff White, Josh Green and Zak Horn, Sullivan High School Principal Dan Allen, Director of Buildings and Grounds Kevin Landrus and Sullivan School District Superintendent Ted Walk.

•November 8, 2023•

Sullivan School District broke ground for the new high school last Friday afternoon. Superintendent Ted Walk reflected on the past noting that the Sullivan Township High School opened over 100 years ago in 1916. It served students in the Sullivan community for over 105 years. Students served initially included high school students but the building hosted middle and even elementary students during its time. “The community should be incredibly proud of the efforts and decisions made by the staff and leadership of Sullivan Schools over this time to keep this three-story structure, built initially without electricity, operational for such an amazing stretch,” he said.  Read More

Moultrie County Beacon Holds Annual Employment Celebration Luncheon

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•November 1, 2023•

The VFW Hall in Sullivan was filled with conversation, laughter and a customized video highlighting the community workers (that come from the Beacon) on Wednesday, Oct. 25th as the Moultrie County Beacon celebrated their 2nd Annual Employment Celebration Luncheon. Susan Rauch and Stan Parks hosted the celebration for the 18 individuals included in the Beacon’s Employment Program. The Employment program is in its 2nd year, since its inception Fall of 2021.  Read More

Bethany Fire Department Adds on to Firehouse, Gains Three Apparatus Bays

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photo by Crystal Reed
Apparatus and the smoke house for fire education sit in the new bays at the Bethany Fire Department. The department recently expanded to the north on their property gaining three apparatus bays.

•November 1, 2023•

by Crystal Reed

The Bethany Fire Department needed more space for equipment, and recently that was made possible by a 35x55 addition to the firehouse which expanded the bay to the north and gave the department an additional three apparatus bays. This project was made possible by a family who left a large portion of their estate to the department which they put toward the project. Before the addition was built on, the bays were getting crowded with gear, and multiple vehicles were parked in each bay which made getting some vehicles out more difficult. Read More

Local Family Grows Atlantic Giant Pumpkins

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photo furnished
Tyson, Cash, Harper and Stephanie Naylor with one of their Atlantic giant pumpkins that they have grown since 2008. This type of pumpkin can tip the scales at over 1,000 lbs depending on the plant.

•November 1, 2023•

by Crystal Reed

Tis the season for pumpkins, pumpkin pie and all things pumpkin spice. However, one local family grows pumpkins not to eat but for fun. Tyson, Steph, Cash and Harper Naylor of Sullivan are a family that grows Atlantic giant pumpkins. These are no ordinary squash.

Tyson said each plant is about 30x30 feet and is around 900 square feet total. They grow two plants which grow one pumpkin per plant. At its peak, this type of pumpkin can grow 30-50+ pounds a day. Read More

Illinois Senator McClure Visits Sullivan

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photo by Crystal Reed
Illinois Senator McClure Visits Sullivan
Illinois Senator Steve McClure visited Sullivan on Friday, October 20 making stops at Sullivan High School, Moultrie County Historical and Genealogical Society and The Little Theatre On The Square. While at MCHGS he received a tour through the museum by society members and was able to see the History To Go units.

Dove Recognizes

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photo by Crystal Reed
Dove Recognizes Darby Poe
Dove’s Moultrie County Domestic Violence Program recognized Darby Poe of Moultrie Counseling during their October 19 candlelighting ceremony in Sullivan. She was recognized for her compassionate work with participants of the program.

photo by Crystal Reed
Dove Recognizes Doug Smothers
Dove’s Moultrie County Domestic Violence Program recognized Doug Smothers of Land of Lincoln Legal Aid for his compassionate work with participants of the program during the candlelighting ceremony.

12th Annual Candy Fundraiser to Benefit Moultrie County Food Pantry

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•October 25, 2023•

by Crystal Reed

Flesor’s Candy Kitchen of Tuscola is teaming with the Moultrie County Food Pantry for a candy fundraiser in its 12th year. Each year 20% of the proceeds from the candy sale go to the food pantry. When COVID hit, the fundraiser became order by mail, and it became so successful that this method has continued. Read More

Superintendent Cheek Creates a Communication Plan to Increase Communication Within the Community

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•October 25, 2023•

by Ariana R Cherry

A group of very energetic and bright first graders helped open up the recent ALAH School Board meeting held at Atwood-Hammond Grade School. They led the Pledge of Allegiance before the meeting began. Some of their parents were also in attendance, and they all received a room full of applause after it was finished. The snacks that Principal Formen provided for them afterwards were definitely earned by the first graders.

During the meeting, Superintendent Shannon Cheek touched on his goals of trying to communicate better with everyone in the surrounding communities of the school district. He wants to open doors to communication as he would like to take a chance at possibly trying to submit another referendum to help with upgrades in the schools since the last one failed to pass. Cheek feels that with better communication, perhaps it would allow everyone to be more informed of why these upgrades are important for our school district.

Cheek has started a podcast with the help of the students in the high school broadcasting class. He plans to record the first episode October 19. The name of the Podcast is called the “ToKnight Show.” The broadcasting class helped design the logo and come up with the show’s name, add the music, brainstorm topics and will assist with the recording. Cheek hopes the podcast will help engage both the students and the community so everyone is aware of what is happening within the school district. Read More

City Council Approves Agreement for Wyman Park Splash Pad and Sports Courts

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•October 25, 2023•

by Crystal Reed

The Sullivan City Council approved an agreement with Building Systems of Illinois, Inc. for the Wyman Park Splash Pad and Sports Courts project during Monday’s meeting. The contract sum that includes all items and services necessary for the execution and completion of the work subject to additions and deductions is $479,407.00. 

The council also discussed the animal ordinance in regards to chickens. The board packet provided several ordinances from local communities. Commissioner Doug Shook said he doesn’t like the idea of licensing people. 

He continued on to say that was on the bubble about the decision. Commissioner Abbey Sherwood said that she noted that she would push for keeping the cleanliness of the chicken’s enclosure as well as not having licensing. Commissioner Chuck Woodworth noted that he liked the ordinance indicating hens but no roosters being allowed. Commissioner Mike Kirk agreed with 6 hens and no roosters but also said if there is one complaint that the resident should not be able to have them anymore. Woodworth said that he was approached by citizens that if they don’t do something to allow chickens the city needs to do something about the ones that are in the city already. This will be brought back to the board at the next meeting.  Read More

98-year-old Sullivan Resident Set to Retire 

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photo by Crystal Reed
Paul “Short” Craig, 98, of Sullivan is planning to retire on his 99th birthday after working for almost 46 years at Atchison Electric.

•October 25, 2023•

by Crystal Reed

Paul “Short” Craig of Sullivan is 98 years old, and he finally plans to retire from Atchison Electric on his birthday which is November 25. He was born in Shelby County, and his family moved to Sullivan when he was four years old. Growing up during the Great Depression, he remembers he and his eight siblings having doing without because their father didn’t make much money.

Craig remembers attending Julian School for eight years and noted he is the last person alive who attended the school. He only attended high school for two years due to the war and is the only one left of the class of 1944. He was unable to join the service because he was unable to pass the physical. Read More