Category Archives: News Section

Habitat ReStore Welcomes New Manager

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by Mike Brothers ReStore manager Jan Courtright is constantly cleaning and arranging merchandise at the Moultrie County Habitat for Humanity store in Sullivan.

Photo by Mike Brothers
ReStore manager Jan Courtright is constantly cleaning and arranging merchandise at the Moultrie County Habitat for Humanity store in Sullivan.

•November 4, 2015•

By Mike Brothers

When Jan Courtright became manager of the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Sullivan it was a natural fit. An open house was held to from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, October 31.

“I worked in Arthur and lived in Findlay so I drove by every day,” Jan began. “I began stopping and getting things for my house and just shopping.”

Courtright began to look at the ReStore as a daily American Pickers adventure, as he looked through shelves filled with everything from building supplies to vinyl albums and cassette tapes to rows of glassware and furniture.

You can get pretty much anything you need for your house at the ReStore.

Courtright’s shopping experience turned to management when his daughter told him about the opening in Sullivan.

“I really liked the store and what it does for the community, so I applied, and here I am,” he said, as he cleaned off a microwave getting prepared for the shelf.

He spends his 10 hour days moving and organizing and picking up donations along with the help of about a dozen or so Habitat for Humanity volunteers.

“Without the dozen or so volunteers this would not be possible,” Courtright said of dealing with the volume of merchandise coming in and out. Read More

Sullivan City Council Changes Cart Limits

News Progress Posted on by

•November 4, 2015•

By Ariana Cherry
For the NewsProgress

The Sullivan City Council met Monday, October 26 to cover a few issues that were on hand.

Commissioner Bill Hagen discussed the time frame for when golf carts used as transportation should be allowed in the streets. “Golf carts must have proper tail and headlights,” he stated. “There really shouldn’t be any out between 12 and 1 a.m.,” Hagen informed the council. Police chief John Love suggested that there shouldn’t be any golf carts after 10 p.m.  The new ordinance was changed to reflect the time change.

Hagen also discussed the recycling program once again. The city had decided to discontinue the recycling program because of the rising costs. “I don’t want people to have to pay extra money for people who come out of town to use it. People out of town had been using it too,” stated Hagen.

While the council suggested adding an extra dollar or two to utility bills, they felt that cost wouldn’t cover those from other cities.  “We are going to stop the program, despite the letters and the comments,” he added.

In other matters, the council heard or acted upon further: Read More

Sullivan Costume Parade Winners 2015

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by RR Best Sullivan Costume Parade Winners Winners of the Sullivan Halloween costume parade over the weekend were first place (pictured)-Three Blind Mice, Dustan, LaCosta, Kadden, Klayten, and Kali Abbott; second place- Cabbage Patch Kid, Sophie Utsler; third place- Christmas tree Avery Florey; fourth place- dog (fairy on platform) Brenda Winkowski and Angel; fifth place- Mike Ditka, Bears player - referee, Daniel Wyatt and Keegan Adams; sixth place- scarecrow girl- Adelyn Hill; seventh place- Gru and Minions- Minions- 4 - Blake Martin; eighth place- Bat Man and Robin (dog) Kinsley Eads; ninth place- band director Mickey Mouse Brock Feece and tenth place- doughnuts and policeman Blaine and Laynie Zbinden.

Photo by RR Best
Sullivan Costume Parade Winners
Winners of the Sullivan Halloween costume parade over the weekend were first place (pictured)-Three Blind Mice, Dustan, LaCosta, Kadden, Klayten, and Kali Abbott; second place- Cabbage Patch Kid, Sophie Utsler; third place- Christmas tree Avery Florey; fourth place- dog (fairy on platform) Brenda Winkowski and Angel; fifth place- Mike Ditka, Bears player - referee, Daniel Wyatt and Keegan Adams; sixth place- scarecrow girl- Adelyn Hill; seventh place- Gru and Minions- Minions- 4 - Blake Martin; eighth place- Bat Man and Robin (dog) Kinsley Eads; ninth place- band director Mickey Mouse Brock Feece and tenth place- doughnuts and policeman Blaine and Laynie Zbinden.

Professional Learning Group Grows for Local Educators

News Progress Posted on by

•November 4, 2015•

Matt Schoaff is a principal of action. That is one reason every student at Okaw Valley High School toured major businesses and industry in the area on October 30.

Schoaff explained that four busloads of high school students left Bethany heading to places such as Mid-State Tank, Agri-Fab and Hydro-Gear in Sullivan, to MasterBrand Cabinets in Arthur and to TCCI in Decatur.

“We had kids in welding internships for the first time at Agri-Fab last year,” Schoaff said of Okaw Valley’s commitment to training.  “Our major goal is to graduate kids to be productive citizens.”

“Not another school is doing this,” he emphasized.

Doing things is what Schoaff is good at.

Last year he noticed that many of the schools in the area have common issues relating to curriculum. So a professional learning group became his goal to let educators in different districts share successful teaching curricula in five different subjects.

Arthur, Shelbyville, Oakland and Windsor joined Okaw Valley to explore curriculum issues with math courses in August.

That experience went well so Schoaff stepped it up this year, inviting more schools and setting aside a weeklong curricula series. Read More

Eagle Creek Visited

News Progress Posted on by

Photo furnished Eagle Creek Visited State Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet) and Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti visited Shelbyville Oct. 9 to meet with several community and school leaders from Shelby and Moultrie counties to discuss tourism, including a short discussion on the Eagle Creek Resort, school reform, and mandate relief. The Lt. Governor was in the area at the invitation of Sen. Rose. Prior to the meeting in Shelbyville, she met with Rose and senior officials with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for a tour of the Eagle Creek site. Lt. Gov. Sanguinetti (center left) and Sen. Rose (right) met Oct. 9 with several community and school leaders from Shelby and Moultrie counties at the Lake Shelbyville Visitor Center to discuss state issues.

Photo furnished
Eagle Creek Visited
State Sen. Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet) and Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti visited Shelbyville Oct. 9 to meet with several community and school leaders from Shelby and Moultrie counties to discuss tourism, including a short discussion on the Eagle Creek Resort, school reform, and mandate relief.
The Lt. Governor was in the area at the invitation of Sen. Rose. Prior to the meeting in Shelbyville, she met with Rose and senior officials with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for a tour of the Eagle Creek site.
Lt. Gov. Sanguinetti (center left) and Sen. Rose (right) met Oct. 9 with several community and school leaders from Shelby and Moultrie counties at the Lake Shelbyville Visitor Center to discuss state issues.

Finding A Way to Make Ends Meet

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by Mike Brothers The Sullivan Thrift Store is helping out Mid Illinois Senior Services- Pictured (from left) Mid Illinois Senior Services Executive Director Deb Groendal, Thrift Store manager Jackie Maxedon, 15 year volunteer Lorene Harris, Brandi Bly, Tricia Lamendola and Amy Hemrich.

Photo by Mike Brothers
The Sullivan Thrift Store is helping out Mid Illinois Senior Services- Pictured (from left) Mid Illinois Senior Services Executive Director Deb Groendal, Thrift Store manager Jackie Maxedon, 15 year volunteer Lorene Harris, Brandi Bly, Tricia Lamendola and Amy Hemrich.

State Comes Up Short

•October 28, 2015•

By Mike Brothers

While the state’s budget continues to take away from community services, Mid Illinois Senior Services in Sullivan is finding ways to cope.

Deb Groendal is executive director of the agency that provides a variety of senior services from Peace Meal programs to Medicare Insurance counseling.

“About 60 percent of our budget comes from the state,” Groendal said, pointing out none of that money is now being received. Another 40 percent of Mid-Illinois Senior Services is funded through federal grants with Moultrie County taxpayers helping out with a property tax contribution.

One outside source of income that has helped fill the gap left by lack of a state contribution is the Thrift Store, located on the square in downtown Sullivan.

Managed by Jackie Maxedon, a staff of three and one volunteer Lorene Harris, the Thrift Store offers repurposed items for sale 8:30-4:30 Monday through Friday and 10-2 Saturdays.

“We really appreciate the community support we have received,” Groendal said. “Without the Thrift Store we would have to cut services.” She explained the state budget crisis has already shuttered some senior service facilities in other communities. Read More

Apartment Fire

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by RR Best Apartment Fire Sullivan firefighters responded to a fire at the Graham Street apartments where flames had broken through a second story balcony. Fire investigator Kenny Graven said an estimated $10,000 fire damage was limited to the upstairs apartment with the cause undetermined. Searching for hot spots are: on roof from left Brock Read, Travis Hughes and Josiah Davidson; on ladder Adam Collins and on ground Kenny Graven, Kaleb Randall, Jason Fleming and Tyler Wright.

Photo by RR Best
Apartment Fire
Sullivan firefighters responded to a fire at the Graham Street apartments where flames had broken through a second story balcony. Fire investigator Kenny Graven said an estimated $10,000 fire damage was limited to the upstairs apartment with the cause undetermined. Searching for hot spots are: on roof from left Brock Read, Travis Hughes and Josiah Davidson; on ladder Adam Collins and on ground Kenny Graven, Kaleb Randall, Jason Fleming and Tyler Wright.

Remember When? 10-28-2015

News Progress Posted on by

Compiled by Bekki Ferguson-Stevens

25 Years Ago This Week

Cadet Bruce A. Gannaway, son of Jeffrey L. and Patricia A. Gannaway of Windsor, received practical work in military leadership at the U.S. Army ROTC advanced camp in Ft. Riley, Kan. Gangway is a student at Eastern Illinois University.

The Sullivan High School marching band captured first place among Class C schools in field competition during the Arthur Marching Knights and Arthur Music Boosters fourth annual “Bandfest 90” competition Saturday in Arthur. Bethany High School took second place among Class D schools. The Sullivan and Bethany flag corps both placed second in their auxiliary divisions.

Bethany teacher Jane White Hendricks is one of a select group of American teachers to be honored by her toughest critics, her former students, in the inaugural edition of Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers.

Quarterback Jason Kottwitz got great protection from Paul Riley, Chad Reed and the rest of the Redskin offensive line Thursday during the Redskins 40-20 win against St. Teresa. The victory gave Sullivan the playoff berth they have worked toward all year and sends them up against the undefeated Casey-Westfield Warriors on Wednesday with a 7 p.m. first-round game at home.

The CYF group at the First Christian Church of Sullivan will host its annual Holiday Bazaar Nov. 10 at the church. Organizers for this year’s sale of baked items and crafts include Ruth Erickson, Marian Crawford, Dorothy Hall, Anna Jane Sager and Virginia Reed.

Sullivan freshman Amy Bishop has participated in three cross country invitational meets this season for Lake Land College. Bishop placed 15th out of 23 runners at the Parkland College meet and improved her time at Danville Area College where she placed 29th out of 60 runners. She also participated in a meet at Spoon River College.  Read More

Blue Dolphins Bring Home Honors

News Progress Posted on by

Photo submitted by Jason Smith Blue Dolphins Bring Home Honors Pictured left to right: Mason Booker, Tucker Kull, Sofia Nuzzo and Kaiden Smith. The Sullivan Blue Dolphins kicked off the short course season October 17 at the Olympia swim meet in Stanford. They had 13 swimmers out of 30 place in the top six and brought home trophies and medals. In the eight & under division for the boys Tucker Kull placed fourth, Kaiden Smith fifth and Mason Booker sixth. Sofia Nuzzo took second place for the girl’s in the 9-10 age group. In the open division 13 and over Brynna Sentel and McKenna Kull tied for second, Anna Wooters took third, Natalie Drury placed fifth and Allison Oligschlaeger sixth. For the boys open division Tyler Homann placed first, Charlie Goss second and Brodie Goss third place. Gabrielle Spain placed fourth in the 11-12 division. The 13-14 age group relay team of Natalie Drury, Anna Wooters, Allison Oligschlaeger and McKenna Kull broke two pool records. First record to fall was the 200 freestyle relay held since 1991 with a time of 1:48.50, the 13-14 girls broke it with a time of 1:46.68. The second record broken was from 1997 for the 200 medley relay with a new time of 1:59.69; the old record was 2:01.38. Head coach Jason Drury said he couldn’t ask for a better start to the season.

Photo submitted by Jason Smith
Blue Dolphins Bring Home Honors
Pictured left to right: Mason Booker, Tucker Kull, Sofia Nuzzo and Kaiden Smith.
The Sullivan Blue Dolphins kicked off the short course season October 17 at the Olympia swim meet in Stanford.
They had 13 swimmers out of 30 place in the top six and brought home trophies and medals. In the eight & under division for the boys Tucker Kull placed fourth, Kaiden Smith fifth and Mason Booker sixth. Sofia Nuzzo took second place for the girl’s in the 9-10 age group. In the open division 13 and over Brynna Sentel and McKenna Kull tied for second, Anna Wooters took third, Natalie Drury placed fifth and Allison Oligschlaeger sixth. For the boys open division Tyler Homann placed first, Charlie Goss second and Brodie Goss third place. Gabrielle Spain placed fourth in the 11-12 division.
The 13-14 age group relay team of Natalie Drury, Anna Wooters, Allison Oligschlaeger and McKenna Kull broke two pool records.
First record to fall was the 200 freestyle relay held since 1991 with a time of 1:48.50, the 13-14 girls broke it with a time of 1:46.68. The second record broken was from 1997 for the 200 medley relay with a new time of 1:59.69; the old record was 2:01.38. Head coach Jason Drury said he couldn’t ask for a better start to the season.