We can help our seniors experience a joyful holiday season
•November 27, 2024•
by Angela Hogan
Christmas is hailed as a season of love, joy, and togetherness. Yet, for many seniors, it can be a time of loneliness and isolation. This year, let’s make a conscious effort to give the gift of connection.
Why Christmas Can Be Difficult for Seniors
Read More•November 27, 2024•
by Megan Russell
Mark and Judi Seeley of Bethany gave the neighborhood a surprise just after the summer had officially started to dwindle, opening their very own homemade, handmade pizza’s. Mark Seeley, Sullivan native and Class of ‘79 graduate, started his deep dive into cooking upon buying his first smoker.
“It all started with this, smoked pulled pork and some other things, and then I got this barrel and made my own smoker out of the barrel” Mark explained while touring his house-side kitchen with the oven and smokers. “The barrel smoker was hand made and the oven was too.”
Read MoreSubmitted
Moultrie County celebrated two exceptional community initiatives recently as part of the Heart of Illinois Community Foundation’s Impact200 Grant Program. In partnership with Decatur Earthmover Credit Union, the Heart of Illinois Community Foundation awarded $200,000 to local nonprofits at a special reception recognizing the transformative power of philanthropy. The event highlighted the foundation’s commitment to empowering changemakers across Central Illinois.
Among the recipients honored were two organizations from Moultrie County, each receiving grants to support their critical programs. The Sullivan AMBUCS Chapter was awarded $10,000 to expand its Ramp Building & AmTrykes Program, providing mobility solutions to residents in need. The Sullivan Community Unit School District No. 300 (CUSD #300) also received $11,200 for its innovative “Buster the School Bus” School Bus Safety Program, an initiative designed to promote safety and awareness among young students.
The $10,000 grant for the Sullivan AMBUCS Chapter will support the construction of wheelchair ramps and the distribution of AmTrykes—customized tricycles that offer mobility to people with disabilities. The chapter’s work has transformed lives across the community by enhancing accessibility and independence for individuals facing mobility challenges. This funding will allow AMBUCS to reach even more residents in need, fulfilling its mission of creating a more inclusive, accessible community. Sullivan CUSD #300’s “Buster the School Bus” School Bus Safety Program was granted $11,200 to bolster school bus safety for elementary students. The program, centered around Buster, a robotic school bus, will engage students in interactive learning sessions about bus safety rules, encouraging lifelong habits of safe transportation.
Read MoreThe Sullivan Fire and Ambulance District recently donated $580 to the Sarah Bush Lincoln Regional Cancer Center in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Sullivan Fire and Ambulance District staff sold pink shirts during the month of October to raise the funds.
“We express our gratitude to all who contributed to this endeavor, enabling us to support those affected by breast cancer,” Chief Chris Wright said.
For more information about donating to SBL, call the SBL Health Foundation at 217-258-2511.
by Sharon Barricklow
Sullivan residents will be paying four percent more for their electrical service after a rate hike was passed Thursday night by the Sullivan City Council.
Commissioner Mike Kirk said the across the board four percent increase was needed because Ameren Illinois, who sells the city power, had increased their rates.
“This is just their rate that is being passed through to us,” he said.
The rate increase does not affect municipal or state taxes on power bills.
Read More•November 13, 2024•
by Ariana R Cherry
An executive session of the board was held to discuss the hiring and compensation of a full-time officer for the Arthur Police Department Sergeant position Candidate Skyler Sieving was approved for the position at an hourly rate of $33/ hour. He was sworn in before the board.
The board also approved a 50/50 economic development grant to the Arthur Association of Commerce in the amount of $1,432.50. This grant will help fund a WCIA/WCIX TV advertising package of 56 30-second commercials to encourage holiday shopping in Arthur. The chamber is working on a slogan and may shoot video and locate stock photos for Christmas scenes.
Read More•November 13, 2024•
The Sullivan CUSD #300 school board held its regularly scheduled November meeting this past Monday. All board members were present. As were a slew of guests who were eager to participate in the non-agenda items, but who were unwilling to stay for actual school business.
As always, the evening began with reports from NEHS and NHS. The next agenda item was Citizens Non-Agenda Items. Many within the audience had signed up to speak, but before anyone was given the opportunity to speak, Board President Jeff White read the following statement on behalf of the Board of Education:
Read More•November 13, 2024•
A Sarah Bush Lincoln employee recently donated to the SBL Regional Cancer Center in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Cynthia, CJ, Yoder, RN, SBL Emergency Department, and Jena Atchison, co-owners of the Sullivan Jazzercise, held a Pink-out Jazzercise event on Saturday, October 26, to give participants the opportunity donate.
Read More•November 13, 2024•
Submitted
The Sullivan American Legion Auxiliary Unit #68 recently presented awards to several Sullivan students who participated in the Auxiliary’s 2024 Veterans Day Art and Writing Contest. Entries that recognized a veteran with Moultrie County ties also received special recognition.
Junior Jade McKee placed first in the 11th and 12th grade art division with her piece entitled “A Hero at Pearl Harbor.” Her drawing honors Doris “Dorie” Miller, the first black recipient of the Navy Cross. As a mess attendant third class in the United States Navy stationed at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, Miller manned a .50 caliber Browning machine gun that he was not trained to use and shot down a Japanese plane. He did this to save an injured skipper. While making Miller the focus of her artwork, she depicted both his heroic action and the Japanese airplane he shot down over Pearl Harbor.
Read More•September 11, 2024•
A brief history of the Illinois Masonic Home followed by the story of Project 61, the new proprietors of the home east of Sullivan, will be the Thursday, September 19th program at the Moultrie County History Center, 1303 S. Hamilton, Sullivan, at 7 p.m.
David Bowers will give the highlights of the Masonic Home’s history and introduce the new exhibit about the home in the Center’s museum. Jason Beachy, Project 61 Ministry’s Administrator and others will share their exciting plans for the former Mason Point facility. The Hart building in the complex is being restored with a new name, The House of Ruth. The public is invited to attend and hear how Project 61 is following the message in Isaiah 61 as it makes the old Masonic Home new again while giving new life and hope to those in need.
