Category Archives: News Section

ALAH Board of Education passes FY24 tentative amended budget 

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•May 22, 2024•

Changes made to high school handbook

by Ariana R Cherry

The ALAH School Board passed the FY24 Tentative Amended Budget at their most recent board meeting May 15, 2024. “The budget looks about what we thought it would look like,” noted Superintendent, Shannon Cheek. He also noted that the district has been receiving transportation payments earlier than normal. “We might actually receive a fourth payment this fiscal year,” Cheek added.

The fund balances for June 30, 2023 were listed as: Read More

“We’re very blessed” Sullivan City Council hears about developments

News Progress Posted on by

•May 22, 2024•

by Sharon Barricklow

More than $54 million in projected development and the potential for more than 100 new residents had Sullivan City Council members smiling at their regular meeting Thursday night. 

Commissioner Douglas Shook told the council plans were moving ahead for several new developments including restaurants, small businesses and housing. One $11.5 million project will build 22 new homes throughout Sullivan through a federal program. 

“The houses will be built on existing city lots where either the lot is vacant or the property abandoned,” Shook said. “It will help us integrate new housing and new residents into our existing community.”

Along with hoping to attract new residents, development projects in the works include a new day care center and other public facilities. Shook said the new development could add up to $60 million to the city’s tax base.  Read More

Dancing Through The Eras

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Photo by R.R. Best
Dancing Through The Eras
The Sullivan Dance Studio held their annual spring dance recital at the Mt. Zion High School this past Mother’s Day weekend. Pictured is Rudy Huber and granddaughter Addi Finn of Sullivan in the Daddy Daughter Dance routine.

Loop Lake Shelbyville bike ride

News Progress Posted on by

•May 15, 2024•

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Friends of Lake Shelbyville are hosting the Loop Lake Shelbyville bike ride on Saturday, June 8th. All rides will start from the Lake Shelbyville Visitor and will include options for a 30 mile, 48 mile or a 65 mile ride. Proceeds for the ride will benefit the Friends of Lake Shelbyville (FOLS). The FOLS provides education, historical interpretation, recreational and environmental improvements at Lake Shelbyville. Read More

Local students shine in Americanism Essay Contest

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•May 15, 2024•

Students from the Arthur Christian School, ALAH High School, Arthur Grade School, Atwood-Hammond Grade School, and Lovington Grade School recently participated in the 2024 Americanism Essay Contest. Sponsored by the Arthur Legion Auxiliary #479, the Atwood Legion Auxiliary #770, and the Lovington Legion Auxiliary #429, the competition aimed to encourage students to reflect on the question “Why Am I Proud to be an American?” Read More

First graders visit Ballard Nature Center 2024

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Photo furnished
First graders visit Ballard Nature Center
On May 8, first grade students from Sullivan Elementary School attended a field trip as part of their studies in life science. After several weeks of studying different habitats around the world, 72 students traveled to Ballard Nature Center in Altamont, IL. For many of these students, this was a new kind of experience. They learned about the different types of birds that are native to Illinois and how they interact within their native habitats. This trip was solely possible due to a grant through the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Illinois Conservation Foundation. This grant is funded by the D.F. and M.T. Grohne Family Foundation and the Daniel F. and Ada T. Rice Foundation. Sullivan Elementary is grateful for this opportunity and for the support their students have been shown. More photos on page 11.

Northern Lights

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Photo by Zach Brewer
Northern Lights
Last Friday night, photographer Zach Brewer posed his son Finn and Nephew Oakley Denton with the Northern Lights filling the sky behind them about a mile north of Sullivan.

Amish Heritage Center celebrates largest Sheep to Clothing to Quilts event ever

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Photo by Ariana R. Cherry
Joanna and her sister from Chadsworth, IL take a moment
to pet the llamas.

•May 8, 2024•

by Ariana R. Cherry

The Illinois Amish Heritage Center hosted its largest sheep-shearing event ever this past Saturday, drawing visitors from all over the state and beyond. “This is the largest sheep-shearing event we have done,” stated Wilmer Otto who has been a part of the growing Illinois Amish Heritage Center. Since moving the Yoder and Shrock homes to the land in 2016, the five-acre farm/facility has developed into a well known attraction as tourists find their way to Arthur passing through Chesterville. Read More

Horticulture class plants flowers

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•May 8, 2024•

by Sharon Barricklow

The Moultrie County Courthouse Square in Sullivan is blooming this spring after students from Sullivan High School’s Horticulture Class made a planting visit.  

The students worked on the spring spruce up including planting flower beds and working on the Lincoln Memorial on the courthouse grounds. Read More

City hires treasurer, renews energy contract at May 2 meeting

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•May 8, 2024•

by Sharon Barricklow

The Sullivan City Council hired a local resident as City Treasurer, renewed a long standing energy contract and approved an increase in water and sewer rates at their May 2 meeting.

The council voted to hire Kassie Waggoner as the new City Treasurer. 

“Kassie and her family are long-time residents and we’re glad to have her with us,” said Mayor Mike Mossman. Read More