Photo courtesy Jeni Yantis
OVHS Volleyball Senior Night was Thursday, November 20. Seniors from left: Madison Uhlrich, Kristy Burford, Elaina Crawford and Brianna Creviston.
OVHS Volleyball Senior Night
Category Archives: News Section
75 Years in Prison
Yost is Gone
•October 21, 2016•
Michael S. Yost was sentenced to 75 years in prison by the Hon. Judge Dan L. Flannell in Moultrie County Circuit Court Friday, Oct. 21.
He was taken to the Dept. of Corrections facility in Hillsboro from Sullivan.
Yost was found guilty of the March 2015 murder of Sheri Randall, 43.
First degree murder requires Yost to serve the full 75 years of the sentence. He will be 117 years old when his sentence is completed.
Jeremy Richey was the prosecutor for Moultrie County. Public Defender Brad Rau represented Yost.
Speeding Around Moultrie County Beacon Prompts Request for Sullivan to Lower Limit
•October 19, 2016•
By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress
At the Oct 10 Sullivan City Council meeting commissioner Ken Johnson suggested a lower speed limit on South Lincoln St. after receiving complaints.
Johnson explained that drivers are speeding down South Lincoln Street coming in from Eden Street. Some drivers also are not stopping.
Johnson emphasized that the Moultrie County Beacon is on the route and proposed a speed limit change for the area. From Graham Street to Harrison Street, south of the railroad tracks, drivers are moving very fast. “It is like a race-track,” Johnson said. Read More
13th Oktoberfest: Good Weather, Good Crowds, Good Times
Photo furnished
Young Chili Cookers
Not to be outdone by the adult chili cook off participants two Sullivan students decided to compete. Above Addison Minor (front) and Taylar Mercer combined hamburger, tomato sauces and juice, salsa and a variety of seasonings in the blend that would make any first year chef proud. Mercer’s father Jerod and mother Nichole (background) assisted in the cooking set up, but the girls developed the recipe and prepared all ingredients.
•October 19, 2016•
Sullivan’s 13th Annual Oktoberfest enjoyed good weather and appreciative crowds during the October 14 and 15 celebration on the courthouse square.
A weekend filled with activities for young and old alike went off without a hitch. Sullivan Chief of Police John Love noted, “Everyone was there to have a good time, and the well-organized events helped make the whole weekend go smoothly.”
From children and family activities during the day to Feudin Hillbillies and Brushville music in the beer tent Friday and Saturday nights, it was a weekend offering something for everyone.
Included was the annual chili cook off which enjoyed enthusiastic crowd tasting and voter participation from four in the afternoon until the 7 p.m. tally time.
This year’s judges’ choice: Racy Hot Pot; First Runner up: Moultrie County Counseling; Second Runner up: AmBucs
Best Chili Cook-off Booth prize also went to the Racy Hot Pot chili cooking team.
Artoberfest winners were first place photography: Greg Brandt--”Guitar Guy”; first place 2D: Amanda White’s oil painting on canvas, “Lucy”; first place 3D: Joanna Drost’s ceramic sculpture, “Wine Spirt: The Ground Is Warm”. Read More
State Board Tests Moultrie
Photo by Mike Brothers
Board of Elections Supervisor Kyle Thomas and County Clerk Georgia England during the State Board election equipment testing in Moultrie County last week.
•October 19, 2016•
Moultrie County’s new Unisyn election equipment was given an A+ during testing by the Illinois Board of Elections, October 13.
Three representatives of the Board of Elections chose Moultrie County for a random check and pretest of the election voting and tabulation system.
“We pretest all the equipment for function, touch screen accuracy and calibration,” B of E evaluator Bruce Brown, said of the testing process.
Moultrie County replaced its 25 year old voting system with the new Unisyn system in the spring. Liberty Systems LLC, handles software support for Moultrie County, and Ken Gibson noted the confidence in the Unisyn system has grown and Liberty Systems has added Clark and Macon counties to service this election. Read More
District Governor Visits Sullivan Rotary
Photo by Emily Stutzman
Sullivan Rotary President Dave Cole (from right) Dist. Governor Kevin Younce and Mary Hodson, Assistant District governor at Oct. 4 meeting.
•October 19, 2016•
By Emily Stutzman
for the News Progress
The Sullivan Rotary Club met October 4 for their weekly meeting at the local TnT. Over salads and fried chicken, cobbler, and ice-cream, they chatted about local happenings and discussed their plans for the next week. Among the topics were Oktoberfest, the Zombie 5k Run (Susan Rauch laughingly assured us, “They’re not real zombies, don’t worry”), and the chili contest.
After lunch, new assistant governor Mary Hodson introduced herself saying, “My real job is to introduce Kevin Yonce, your district governor, but anyone who knows me, knows I talk a lot, so I’m going to introduce myself as well. Since I’m from Champaign-Urbana, I’m totally new to your club so I’m really eager to get to know you.”
She went on to speak about her experience as the district awards chair, a position she had held for the last 12 years at Rotary district conferences. Hodson also encouraged Sullivan Rotary members to attend district conferences, saying that it is “a good way to meet other Rotarians and share ideas”.
She explained that since Rotary is an international organization with the goals of community service, international service, and peace and friendship, it would be a good idea for the Sullivan club to become involved in an international project. Read More
Windsor Schools’ Students of October
Photo furnished
Windsor Schools’ Students of October
Noah Boyer, son of Karen Boyer and Travis and Trisha Boyer, has been selected as Windsor High School’s October Student of the Month. Boyer plans to graduate in December and attend Lake Land College in the spring.
Lillian Sims, daughter of Hank and Mary Sims, is Windsor Jr. High School’s Student of the Month for October. She is an eighth grader and plays volleyball.
Sullivan Homecoming 2016
Photo Wurtsbaugh Photography
Sullivan Homecoming
Sullivan High School homecoming dance and coronation were held recently. Above King Charlie Goss and Queen Allyson Will share a dance in the high school gym.
Many Little Hands Helping Clean the Streets in Bethany
•October 19, 2016•
If many hands make for quick work, then many little hands can make quick work of a village.
Adopt a Street began at Okaw Valley Elementery School October 26.
“We are proud of Bethany,” principal Doug McCausland said. “By letting the students clear litter from the neighborhood streets we can give back to the community and allow the kids to feel pride in what they have done.” Read More
Sullivan Schools Continue Academic Progress
•October 19, 2016•
Sullivan Unit District #300 met Tuesday, October 11 accepting the district audit and a handbook for volunteers.
Superintendent Brad Tuttle explained the expanded use of volunteers has led to the development of a volunteer handbook as a general guide toward how and what is acceptable while volunteering within the school.
Tuttle noted the district is appreciative of the volunteers and hopes the handbook will provide a guideline.
In principal Dan Allen’s report he explained the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) is in operation at Sullivan Elementary School. Most classrooms have reading volunteers whole listen to students read once a week. Other RSVP members are pen pals with primary age students.
He went on to note RSVP along with homework hangout for students needing extra help, as well as student mentoring programs have all built on the school’s improvement plan. Read More