Photo furnished
Making Honey in Okaw Valley
Okaw Valley High School graduate JT Bland poses with one of three OV bee colonies set up around the area. OV students will monitor the colonies during the summer months and into the fall.
Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Participants perform in the Bethany Celebration talent show over the weekend.
•June 28, 2017•
By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress
Let it never be said that Bethany doesn’t know how to throw a party. This year’s annual Celebration had something for everyone in the family and then some.
The two-day festival on Friday and Saturday June 23 and 24 was sponsored by the village of Bethany.
“A small committee of volunteers puts the entire program together, hires the vendors, musicians, petting zoos, cars and all other attractions,” Sam Scott explained. Read More
Photo furnished
Sullivan Summer Park Kids Create
Several members of the Sullivan Area Arts (SAarts) group arrived with 221 wooden blocks for the Sullivan Park Recreation Summer program kids to paint June 22. This was a goal for past several years and things worked out with SAarts this year to get everything together and make it happen. The blocks were marked with the different colors, and the children painted the blocks without knowing what the final picture would be. While they were away to lunch SAarts members assembled and nailed the blocks together to form a finished mosaic. The finished piece of public art will be displayed in Wyman Park.
Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Healthcom 5K Run Benefits Senior Center
Mayra Grijalva(r) from Healthcom in Sullivan presents a check for $2,000 to Kathi Shackels, executive director of Mid-Illinois Senior Services. All proceeds from the recent Healthcom 5K run were donated to Senior Services.
Photo by Alex Menke
Kylie Burke gets her face painted as part of the fun.
•June 21, 2017•
By Alex Menke
for the News Progress
Local residents of all ages came to Sullivan’s town square from 4-7 p.m. Friday, June 16 for a celebration of community.
The festival was created by Sullivan Chamber and Economic Development agency with WCIA-TV’s Our Town segment showcasing Sullivan. Chamber director Laurrie Minor explained how it all began. “Channel 3 called and said they wanted to cover Sullivan for an ‘Our Town’ program, and we threw a festival together and made it happen.”
She expressed her delight at the success of the event. “It became bigger than what we anticipated and more successful.” Read More
•June 21, 2017•
In his final budget hearing as superintendent of Sullivan schools Brad Tuttle reminded the board that the state’s budget problems continue to cause problems in education.
“In spite of the state still lagging on categorical payments plus $216,000 in tax collection delayed until next year, the district is in good shape overall,” Tuttle told the board as he recapped funds that are challenged with the lack of state funds. Read More
•June 21, 2017•
By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress
Sullivan City Council discussed and agreed to waive the bidding requirements for the demolition of the old water tower off Jackson Street.
Other contractors were invited to bid, but there was no interest shown the city council learned at the June 12 meeting held at Elizabeth Titus Library.
Iseler Demolition, based out of Romeo, Mich. is scheduled to arrive the week of July 12 for the demolition. All the buildings and businesses in the surrounding area will be tarped to protect them from debris. Read More
File photo
Junefest Fireworks for Lovington
The village of Lovington combined the annual Fish Fry at Tom Conn Park with the annual fireworks display from Central States Fireworks of Athens Friday, June 16 and the crowds came out. The annual Lovington Junefest started at 4:30 p.m. selling out of fish before the fireworks went on display at the old football field.
Coles-Moultrie 911 is Complete
•June 21, 2017•
By Mike Brothers
Moultrie County Board offered a life insurance benefit to employees and approved the state’s attorney as the county’s ethics advisor at the June 15 meeting.
County board chair Dave McCabe recommended approval of Cincinnati Life Insurance Company to offer a payroll deductible guaranteed life insurance benefit up to $100,000. McCabe noted every employee would be contacted and would need to approve or opt out of the program. The board unanimously agreed to offer the life insurance program.
With the county board in non-compliance with state ethics changes, Chairman McCabe recommended the state’s attorney’s office be ethics advisor for the county. He explained a three person ethics committee would also need to be appointed along with an ethics ordinance update.
Road and bridge committee chair Kevin McReynolds recommended accepting the low bid of $136,098.10 from Microsurfacing Contractors LLC for a section of County Highway 13 in Marrowbone Township. The board approved unanimously. Read More
Photo furnished
Conner Amusements from Beardstown is joining Sullivan’s Fourth of July celebration sponsored by American Legion Post #68.
•June 21, 2017•
By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress
Since July 4, 1919 the veterans of WWI, WWII and subsequent wars have organized and presented Sullivan with a parade, carnival, lunch for parade participants and a spectacular fireworks display – all with volunteers.
Growing up in Bethany, the 4th was always a special day. Mother would pack a groaning basket of sun tea, mouth-watering fried chicken, her special potato salad, baked beans, cherry pie and fruit for a full day at Wyman Park.
There were swimming, a baseball game, horseshoes, maybe a movie, the carnival and my favorite – the fireworks which enchant me to this day.
This year Sullivan American Legion Post #68 would like to bring back that all-day participation where the parade attracted people, the carnival kept them entertained and the fireworks topped off the evening. Read More