Photo furnished Okaw Valley High School Prom Court Okaw Valley prom will be held Saturday, April 20 at the Mt. Zion Convention Center. Coronation will take place at 7:15 p.m. Pictured: Front Row: Madison Whitney, Rissa Montgomery, Jade Crockett, Megan Roley. Back Row: Gabe Benning, Gibson Dickens, Dylan Miller, Jacob Morrison.
•April 17, 2024•
Why are children particularly susceptible, and what can parents do about it?
By Angela Hogan
Lead exposure is a serious health concern for children, with potentially devastating consequences. Unfortunately, its exposure in children can occur and accumulate almost undetected.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), children at highest risk for lead exposure are typically under age 6, from low-income households, or reside in homes built before 1978.
Based on available data, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) currently recognizes most ZIP codes in Moultrie County as having an increased risk of pediatric lead exposure.
Parents and caregivers should be vigilant for potential sources of lead in their children’s environment. They need to remove or mitigate these exposure sources and know how and when to seek healthcare intervention. Read More
•April 17, 2024•
Tim Uphoff, Findlay HS Class of 1981, has been chosen for the Alumni Wall of Fame. To be nominated the individual must have been a graduate of Bethany, Findlay, or Okaw Valley. Nominations were based on an individual’s contribution to society and community, the betterment of mankind or occupational/endeavor recognition.
Tim will be recognized at the 2024 Okaw Valley Commencement. He joins prior inductees Mike Cohan, Ryan Fitzgerald, Sam Scott, Robert Disney Jr., Rita Florey, Sean Creviston and Brett Robinson.
Photo furnished
Adult Prom a royal success
Jake and Jerica Thrasher were named the King and Queen of the 2024 Sullivan Adult Prom held this past Saturday at the Sullivan American Legion. The Down Syndrome Awareness fundraiser, hosted by Ten-Seventy Entertainment and Josh Dinger with Northwestern Mutual, raised funds for the Down Syndrome Diagnosis Network. The event this year raised $2,100. The DSDN supports families with children diagnosed with Down Syndrome from birth thru all phases of life, including hospital stays, IEPS and more.
•April 10, 2024•
"Did a teacher ever leave a lasting impression on you?”. That was the question posed to the thirty-three Moultrie County retired teachers on April 3rd. Guest speaker Danny Powell, of Atwood, a retired teacher and principal, wanted the group to remember the power that some teachers have had in our lives. The question prompted several retired teachers to share stories from their own childhoods and careers. Read More
•April 10, 2024•
By Sharon Barricklow
Sullivan’s baseball fields will be getting an upgrade after the City Council approved accepting an Open Spaces Land Acquisition and Development Grant from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
The $576,000 grant must be matched by the city, either in cash or “in kind” work done by city laborers. The new project will upgrade baseball and softball facilities, something supporters told the council was needed. Read More
Habitat for Humanity awards homes
Last Saturday, members of Habitat for Humanity gathered at the ReStore to present two houses in Sullivan to deserving families. The first house is a rehab house presented to Jamie Minor and her children. The second house is a new build to begin soon, presented to Dakoda and Cortney Lucas and their two children.
Habitat for Humanity representative Cheryl Thomas stated “We look forward to working with these two families.” She added “We are so fortunate to live in a community that supports the efforts of our local Habitat for Humanity affiliate.”
Applications for next years build will be available at the end of the year.
Pictured is Thomas informing the two families that were chosen.
Total Eclipse
From April 5-8th the Marrowbone Public Library invites you to stop by and get your eclipse glasses, a Moon Pie and Sun Chips (while they last) to prepare for the solar eclipse to take place Monday, April 8th.
The total solar eclipse visits Illinois on April 8, 2024 beginning at 1:58 pm CDT with the final exit of the Moon’s shadow at 2:06 pm.
The library has eclipse glasses or cards available as long as they last.
Happy Easter
Children get lined up for the start of the Lovington Easter Egg Hunt held Palm Sunday afternoon at the park.
Eggstravaganza
Courtyard Estates, in Sullivan, held an Easter event Saturday for the little ones. The event included an Easter Egg Hunt for children up to age 11, a 50/50 raffle, bike giveaway for each age group, food trucks, bouncy houses, and characters meet and greets.