Category Archives: News Section

Kirk named a Teacher of Excellence

News Progress Posted on by

•July 3, 2024•

Lori Kirk, a Sullivan High School and Sullivan Middle School teacher, recently was named a Teacher of Excellence for the Regional Office of Education #11.

“It’s truly humbling to be recognized in this way. I am grateful to be part of the Sullivan Tribe with colleagues and administration that think of students first. I am blessed to be recognized with this incredible honor,” stated Kirk.

She added that “My classroom team consists of two very dedicated paraprofessionals and a group of amazing students. This award motivates me to continue striving for excellence in education.” Read More

Athletic trainer services drastically reduced for upcoming year at SHS

News Progress Posted on by

•July 3, 2024•

by E. Scott England

The Sullivan CUSD #300 school board held a special meeting last Thursday to close out fiscal year 24. All seven members attended the fifteen minute meeting where they breezed through six action items with little to no discussion.

One of the main purposes of this special meeting is to approve the amended budget. This is a common practice in school districts as it is typically necessary to make adjustments to a budget that was approved ten months prior. Superintendent Walk reported that the budget this year is balanced and overall was very positive. He did caution the board that in the coming years they would most likely be presented with a deficit budget in order to spend down certain accounts. Read More

Knee high by the 4th of July 2024

News Progress Posted on by

Photo by R.R. Best
Knee high by the 4th of July
Seen here in a cornfield belonging to Phil and Laura Martin of rural Sullivan is Anna Selby, Avvi Whitten, and Presley Van Loon showing that the corn is above knee high. There are fields in the county that are only a foot high as well as fields that are 8 foot high and starting to tassel.

Bake sale encourages peace with worldwide sweets

News Progress Posted on by

•June 26, 2024•

Submitted by Rebecca Lawson

Advisor of the East Central Illinois Red Cross Club

When people are hurting and going through tough times, other people often bring them food to show that they care and to bring comfort. Since the Red Cross helps people in tough times, our club thought that we could do something to help people around the world that would involve selling something most people really like - food,” said Rebecca Lawson, advisor of the East Central Illinois Red Cross Club.

“The kids took it from there,” she added.

Originally the club thought about having a dinner with a bake sale and presentations, displays, games, music, dancing, and language lessons about different countries at an event on World Peace Day in September. However, that seemed like a lot to do in the very short time between the start of school and the special day. Read More

Power plant renovations planned

News Progress Posted on by

•June 26, 2024•

by Sharon Barricklow

The Sullivan City Council moved forward last week with plans to renovate equipment at the City Electrical Plant. 

“We need to get on the stick here to get this done,” Commissioner Mike Kirk said. 

At issue is a Colt-Pielstick engine necessary for the operation of the electric plant. The engine, originally put in service in 1973, was last overhauled in 1989. With only one company in the country, Fairbanks-Morse, doing the work, the council agreed to waive the bidding process and accept the estimate of just over $500,000 to do a complete engine overhaul. 

Kirk said the engine will be off line for six to eight weeks during the process and that Fairbanks-Morse is estimating a 12 to 18 month time frame before they can begin work.  Read More

Road construction causes confusion among many drivers

News Progress Posted on by

•June 26, 2024•

by Megan Russell 

Summer in the midwest is unlike any other, hot long days with humidity so bad you almost need a pool or splash pad locally to stay cool. One thing that many start to see pop up in the summer in the midwest is city renewal or construction projects. On a recent trip of mine, I got slightly lost in the Indianapolis downtown area. After missing an exit and taking two wrong exits, me and a friend ended up in a student driver’s nightmare, all but one lane of traffic closed for construction. Read More

Sullivan High School construction update

News Progress Posted on by

•June 26, 2024•

Submitted by Ted Walk

If you have driven down Main Street over the past few months, the vertical construction of the new Sullivan High School probably has you thinking about the educational opportunities that await our students. Construction at Sullivan High School continues to progress on-schedule and on-budget.

As of June, several key milestones have been achieved. The foundation has been laid, and the initial structure is taking shape. First floor classroom interior framing and rough in has started, and masons are currently working on gymnasium shell enclosure and locker rooms spaces. This gym will support both physical education classes and the school’s athletic programs. It will include a second floor walking track, as well as a weight room that will double as a storm shelter in the event of severe weather. Read More

Lehmans exhibit Reserve Champion pair

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Photo furnished
Lehmans exhibit Reserve Champion pair
Rhett and Ellie Lehman, of Sullivan, recently exhibited the Reserve Champion Cow-Calf Pair at the Illinois Junior Hereford Preview Show with Perks Cato 5049 Cady 1124 and her January 2024 bull calf RL JEL 1124 201 Silver Oak 402. Rhett and Ellie are the children of Jamie and Erica Lehman.

Summer’s newest splashing surprise

News Progress Posted on by

•June 19, 2024•

by Megan Russell

 

Next to the legion building at the Wyman Park there has been come construction started where the city is building a splash pad within the park. Splash pads are great ways for people of all ages and all accessibility to access the water and cool off in the summer heat.  Over June 12th-14th there was more activity from the construction site, getting more of the project done day by day. The difference from the previous weekend with the Dash and Bash was unrecognizable from where it stood within the active construction days. The most recent development for the project was the water and proper sewage components being installed and covered back over so the already laid system couldn’t be damaged by outside sources.

Single car accident

News Progress Posted on by

Photo furnished
Single car accident
At the Sullivan post office the afternoon of Friday June 14th, there was a small single car accident where the driver’s foot slipped and caused the car to come crashing into the post office building. Fortunately this accident had no injures reported from both the driver or others involved. The post office is still open aside from any damages.