File Photo
Fish Hook Burns
The Kaskaskia Biological Station west of Allenville, commonly known as Fish Hook, received major fire damage during a Sunday, May 3, 2015 blaze. Sullivan, Bethany, Windsor, Findlay and Lovington fire departments extinguished the blaze within two hours of arrival. More from 2015 inside.
Celebrates Blue Dolphin Legacy
•January 6, 2016•
Sullivan Blue Dolphins kicked off the new year competing in the Seth Dunscomb New Year Opener in Decatur. Out of 14 teams the Dolphins brought home first place recognition with 1093 points earned.
The meet is held in honor of Seth Dunscomb, son of Richard and Connie Dunscomb.
Dunscomb died at the age of 21 in 1997 from a heart ailment while poolside during a practice for the University of Kansas swim team. Read More
Photo by RR Best
Moultrie County dive team members Jesse Scribner, Rob Martz and Amanda Farley secure equipment before diving down to hook the submerged car from the drink.
Area Agencies offer assistance
•January 6, 2016•
By Mike Brothers
Moultrie County Sheriff’s Department responded to a 6 a.m. call New Year’s Eve to a car submerged in water off Joe Pound Road east of Sullivan.
Chief Deputy Gary Carroll said when they arrived at the scene by 6:20 the Dodge Magnum was about 80 yards from dry land and another 35 yards off the roadway.
“When we arrived the car was under water and there was no sign of a driver,” Carroll said, explaining they had concerns for the safety of the driver.
That’s when Sullivan Fire Department and the Moultrie County dive team joined Moultrie County deputies at the scene.
Department of Natural Resources and the Shelby County dive team also responded as backup. Read More
•January 6, 2016•
Sullivan City Council met December 28 agreeing to sell dilapidated property on Graham Street, while discovering the bid process needs some work.
Mayor Ann Short explained the original $3000 bid from Nick Grooms was made public before the city attorney advised the council to rebid the sale of the property.
Grooms had submitted his original bid of $3000, which included a provision the property would have to be cleaned up within 60 days.
Greg Yoder also submitted a bid for $6300 during the new round of bidding, causing the council to weigh the bid process results with doing the right thing.
“Since Mr. Groom’s bid had been made public, we felt the only fair thing to do was to honor that original offer,” Short explained of the unanimous vote to let Grooms have the lot for $3000.
Yoder operates a demolition company and said he planned to remove the dilapidated house and probably build a duplex there.
“I was a little ticked off when I first heard what happened, but I understand the situation,” Yoder said. Read More
NW of Lovington Dec. 28. Photo courtesy of Moultrie County Sheriff Chris Sims.
Photo by RR Best
Holiday Fun at the American Legion
Following the annual Sullivan Christmas parade the Sullivan American Legion Post hosted adults and children for refreshments and a chance to let Santa know what they wanted for Christmas.
•December 30, 2015•
By Nick Fiala
For the News Progress
The December 14 Sullivan City Council meeting covered multiple points of financial and personal importance to the community at large.
After reviewing the city’s bills, members asked about a notable expense of nearly $15,000.
“$14,900 (is being paid) for a used 2003 Ford F350 1-ton dump truck,” said Justin Farris of the water and sewer department.
Though this cleared up the need for the funds, it also led finance and accounts commissioner Mike Mossman to inquire as to why he did not know other departments were looking for a used vehicle.
“I sure would like to know upfront what we’re going to spend,” he said, “in case somebody comes up to me on the street and says ‘Well, why’d you do this?’ There’s a lot of things going on. Departments are hiring people. We’re spending money above and beyond the bid amount, and I’m sitting here, and I don’t know anything about this. I think that we need to step back and start communicating. I would just like to be informed about what’s going on.”
After Mossman had made his case, he seconded a motion to pay the bills. Read More
Photo by RR Best
Bethany for the Holidays
It was time for the holiday season celebration in Bethany with the streets lined with craftsmen such as Mark Seely who helped busy Bethany shoppers with their holiday gift decisions.
Photo courtesy Moultrie County Sheriff’s Dept. As the wind and rain picked up around noon Wednesday, Dec. 23 trucker Floyd Jones of Cowden was traveling on Cadwell Road near Jonathan Creek.
According to chief deputy Gary Carroll, Jones said he noticed a funnel cloud filled with dust, mud and debris coming toward him in the middle of the road.
Jones told the deputy that he hit his brakes, and the next thing he knew the tractor-trailer he was driving was on its side in the road. Jones was able to climb out the passenger side of the truck uninjured. Carroll also noted that at about the same time as the high wind incident that turned Jones’ truck over, a power pole snapped in Cadwell causing a power outage and traffic delays.
Photo by Mike Brothers
Culvert Upheaval in Sullivan
During the heavy rains in and around Sullivan a culvert on Patterson Street failed, taking half the street with it. Chief of Police John Love noted that the road is closed until repairs can be made to the culvert and street, and residents should seek alternative routes.