Category Archives: News Section

Regional Supt. Candidate Responds to Sullivan Board Questions

News Progress Posted on by

•January 10, 2018•

Michael N. Smith, Republican primary candidate for Regional Supt. of Schools, answered questions from Sullivan school board members during the CUSD #300 regular January 8 meeting.

Smith, eight year superintendent of Tuscola schools, said he felt it was important for the Regional office to mentor, lead and support the schools in the seven county region.

Board member Steve Poland asked Smith his position on tailoring vocational programs to community needs.

He explained that Tuscola looked to cooperate with Parkland College and larger high schools to offer vocational and technical options to students. Read More

New Bi-literacy Seal for Six SHS Students

News Progress Posted on by

Photo furnished
Sullivan High School bi-literacy students recognized by the state of Illinois: Front from left - Annie Hogan, Grace Mauck, Madilyn Keller; back row from left - Bryce King, Tommy Schibur, Austin Schmohe, Bretton Crouse, Luke DeLong and Mason Harner.

•January 10, 2018•

Six Sullivan High School students received the new Seal of Bi-literacy granted by the state of Illinois.

The state seal of Bi-literacy is awarded students demonstrating proficiency in English and reading, writing, listening and speaking in a foreign language.

It is a new award which is added to the student’s diploma and high school transcripts.

SHS students Grace Mauck, Annie Hogan, Madilyn Keller, Luke DeLong, Austin Schmohe, and Bryce King received the Seal of Bi-literacy from the state. Read More

Year End Review (continued from our Jan. 3 edition)

News Progress Posted on by

•January 10, 2018•

October 18, 2017

A family donation to the city of Sullivan requesting a pavilion be built on the square has prompted a tangle of issues surrounding such a structure, and the city council has yet to come to an agreement.

Scarlett A. McKinzie, 37, was sentenced to two years prison on charges stemming from a Feb. 10 bus crash at the Findlay Road/Rte 32 intersection. McKinzie pled guilty to the Class 4 Felony aggravated driving under the influence charge which prompted the sentence from Judge Hugh Finson in Moultrie County Circuit Court.

The Moultrie County Board approved the proposed retirement plan allowing Jan Haegen to be ESDA half time coordinator for a $30,657 annual salary. Karen Cody is taking over full time planning and zoning duties in the office.

Movies are on the horizon for The Little Theatre on the Square. Plans are to show movies Friday night with Saturday and Sunday matinees. Read More

Sullian Educators Recognized

News Progress Posted on by

Photo furnihsed
Sullian Educators Recognized
The Sullivan Education Association (SEA) with the support of the Sullivan School District recognized a teacher from each building and one support staff member of the semester. Teachers and support staff members were nominated by their colleagues, and the SEA executive officer chose the recipients. The award is part of the Morale Matters program that was started in the district in 2016 by former SEA president and current FFA teacher Don Lockwood.
The recipients this year all show extreme dedication to their profession, the students, and community of Sullivan. They all go above and beyond what is asked of them, provide a positive learning environment, and show leadership within the district. This year the Chamber of Commerce has generally donated Chamber Bucks for the recipients, and Kevin Landrus donates his time to detail the vehicle for the winner. This year’s recipients are (from right) Don Lockwood (HS), Deena Lee (MS), Lauren Fultz (ES). Inset Cindy Tarr (Support Staff).

Bethany Fire Dist. Promotes Two

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by R.R. Best
Bethany Fire Dist. Promotes Two
The Bethany Fire Protection District has announced the promotion of Assistant Fire Chief Tom Rucker to the position of Fire Chief. Rucker (left) has been with the department for 30 years and for most of those years held a state license as an EMT. Rucker is a certified Firefighter II with the Illinois State Fire Marshal. Stepping up to the chief position Rucker has promoted Training Captain Michael Jennings as Assistant Fire Chief. Jennings is in his eleventh year with the fire department . He is a licensed paramedic and Firefighter III certified.

New Assistant Fire Chief for Sullivan

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by R.R. Best
Sullivan Fire Protection District Assistant Chief Larry Edwards and Chief Mike Piper in background.

•January 3, 2018•

Even as a kid when Larry Edwards heard sirens it made him curious. “I wanted to be able to find out what was going on,” Sullivan Assistant Fire Chief Larry Edwards recalled his reason for becoming a firefighter.

On December 18, 2017 Sullivan Fire District Captain Larry Edwards was promoted to Assistant Fire Chief, next in command to Chief Mike Piper, by the Sullivan Fire Protection District board of trustees. He has been captain since August 2005.

Edwards, certified as Firefighter III since 2004, got his chance to pursue that dream as a kid when he became a volunteer firefighter in 1997.

“I found out those sirens were usually heading someplace to help somebody in trouble,” Edwards continued. “It is a step that changed my life.”

By July 18, 1998 Edwards became a full time paramedic and firefighter with Sullivan Fire Protection District and was beginning to understand what being a first responder was all about.

“This is something I like doing,” he said. “The camaraderie among first responders is amazing. At a fire or accident scene working together as a team to get the job done is what it is all about.” Read More

Dalton City Driver Designs Monster Jam “Whiplash” Truck

News Progress Posted on by

Photo furnished
Brianna Mahon designed the new Monster Jam “Whiplash” truck. During the week she designs hair at Country Cutz in Dalton City.

•January 3, 2018•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

Brianna Mahon, the Princess of Carnage, as she is known in the Monster Jam Truck circle, is the first driver in Monster Jam history allowed to design her own truck.

Most people around Moultrie County recognize the Country Cutz salon owner in Dalton City for her ability to style hair, but there is much more to the Sullivan High School graduate.

On January 13, 2018 in Anaheim, Calif. she will introduce “Whiplash” – a 12’ tall, 10,000 lb. one-of-a-kind monster truck in her favorite color, turquoise, and painted to look like tooled leather.

“I’m known for my custom cowboy hats and boots so this was an opportunity to combine my love of rodeo and country/western into the design.” she said and added, “this is the first time a driver has ever had a hand in designing a truck, and I have been involved in every stage of the development.” They are trying to attract more women and young moms to the programs. Read More

Bolen Robinson and Ellis Merge with Wood and Mayberry 

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by Mike Brothers
Bolen Robinson and Ellis, LLP seated from left: Nrupa Patel, Steve Wood, Jon Robinson, L. Drew Hickey; standing: Zach Anderson, Matthew Spain, Chris Ellis, Steve Mayberry, Shane Mendenhall and Josh Rohrscheib.

•January 3, 2018•

Wood and Mayberry Law Office’s merger with BRE Law of Decatur offers a full range of legal services for residents of Moultrie County.

Bolen Robinson and Ellis, LLP is located at the former Wood and Mayberry Sullivan office and in Decatur.

Jon Robinson, BRE Law founder, explained the expansion into Moultrie County attracted him personally since he grew up on a central Illinois farm which helped him see where the two firms could join forces.

“We have 10 active litigators specializing in a variety of legal areas to add to the Wood and Mayberry practice,” Robinson said. “It is an attractive opportunity to expand the practice into Moultrie County.”

This came about when senior founding attorney Steven Wood began to think about cutting back his schedule. Read More

First Snowman

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by R.R. Best
First Snowman
J.J. Standerfer of Sullivan took advantage of a snow covered Christmas to build the first snowman of the season. The snow started on the heals of a warm few days mixed with rain then gently covered the ground. With temperatures in the single digits Standerfer’s first snowman could last all season.

Year End Review 2017

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by R.R. Best
Operation Secret Santa
Jeepin for Jess is one of the largest fund raising gatherings held for Operation Secret Santa each year. This year the group successfully cruised various adult beverage serving establishments and returned to the Toy Bar in Sullivan. Throughout this week and next week’s editions of the News Progress we will be taking a look back at the Year that Was in 2017.

•December 27, 2017•

January 4, 2017

Sullivan City Council meetings are moving to the Elizabeth Titus Library, and new offices are replacing the city council chambers in city hall.

Prairie Winds musical ensemble opened its performance season at Mason Point.

Marrowbone Library in Bethany has a restored collection of high school senior class pictures from 1889 to 1993 with more current years in a scrapbook. Glenn Austin, Jim McLaughlin and Virginia Weakly rescued the collection presenting the restored collection to Marrowbone for public use.

Sullivan girls’ basketball team used a 21-6 third quarter run to propel them to a 59-42 win over MacArthur High School Decatur. Elizabeth Green, Brooke Tuttle and Chloe Riley scored in double figures for the win with Tatum Ellis, Esther Miller and Laine Cameron supporting on defense.

Okaw Valley defeated Arcola 51-35 at the Dieterich Tournament. Conner Cloyd, Jared Bunfill, Trey Yarnell, Cole Nichols, Garrett Fritz and Austin Hill contributed to the win.

Sullivan boys’ basketball defeated Blue Ridge 72-47 with Bryce Farris scoring 22 points. Josh Stutzman and Queintan Britton also scored in double digits. Read More