Category Archives: News Section

Superintendent Cheek Creates a Communication Plan to Increase Communication Within the Community

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•October 25, 2023•

by Ariana R Cherry

A group of very energetic and bright first graders helped open up the recent ALAH School Board meeting held at Atwood-Hammond Grade School. They led the Pledge of Allegiance before the meeting began. Some of their parents were also in attendance, and they all received a room full of applause after it was finished. The snacks that Principal Formen provided for them afterwards were definitely earned by the first graders.

During the meeting, Superintendent Shannon Cheek touched on his goals of trying to communicate better with everyone in the surrounding communities of the school district. He wants to open doors to communication as he would like to take a chance at possibly trying to submit another referendum to help with upgrades in the schools since the last one failed to pass. Cheek feels that with better communication, perhaps it would allow everyone to be more informed of why these upgrades are important for our school district.

Cheek has started a podcast with the help of the students in the high school broadcasting class. He plans to record the first episode October 19. The name of the Podcast is called the “ToKnight Show.” The broadcasting class helped design the logo and come up with the show’s name, add the music, brainstorm topics and will assist with the recording. Cheek hopes the podcast will help engage both the students and the community so everyone is aware of what is happening within the school district. Read More

City Council Approves Agreement for Wyman Park Splash Pad and Sports Courts

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•October 25, 2023•

by Crystal Reed

The Sullivan City Council approved an agreement with Building Systems of Illinois, Inc. for the Wyman Park Splash Pad and Sports Courts project during Monday’s meeting. The contract sum that includes all items and services necessary for the execution and completion of the work subject to additions and deductions is $479,407.00. 

The council also discussed the animal ordinance in regards to chickens. The board packet provided several ordinances from local communities. Commissioner Doug Shook said he doesn’t like the idea of licensing people. 

He continued on to say that was on the bubble about the decision. Commissioner Abbey Sherwood said that she noted that she would push for keeping the cleanliness of the chicken’s enclosure as well as not having licensing. Commissioner Chuck Woodworth noted that he liked the ordinance indicating hens but no roosters being allowed. Commissioner Mike Kirk agreed with 6 hens and no roosters but also said if there is one complaint that the resident should not be able to have them anymore. Woodworth said that he was approached by citizens that if they don’t do something to allow chickens the city needs to do something about the ones that are in the city already. This will be brought back to the board at the next meeting.  Read More

98-year-old Sullivan Resident Set to Retire 

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photo by Crystal Reed
Paul “Short” Craig, 98, of Sullivan is planning to retire on his 99th birthday after working for almost 46 years at Atchison Electric.

•October 25, 2023•

by Crystal Reed

Paul “Short” Craig of Sullivan is 98 years old, and he finally plans to retire from Atchison Electric on his birthday which is November 25. He was born in Shelby County, and his family moved to Sullivan when he was four years old. Growing up during the Great Depression, he remembers he and his eight siblings having doing without because their father didn’t make much money.

Craig remembers attending Julian School for eight years and noted he is the last person alive who attended the school. He only attended high school for two years due to the war and is the only one left of the class of 1944. He was unable to join the service because he was unable to pass the physical. Read More

Fire Prevention Week 2023

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photo by Crystal Reed
Meeting Frank
A child hugs Frank the Fireman during Fire Prevention Week activities in the Kirby Foods and Ace Hardware parking lot on Saturday, October 14. Children and their families could meet Sullivan Fire Department personnel, meet Freddie and Frank, walk through the fire prevention trailer and more.

photo by Crystal Reed
Photo Opportunity
Kaysen and Lucian Perry took a moment to have their photo taken as a firefighter and Dalmatian during Fire Prevention Day activities last Saturday, October 14.

Windsor September Students of the Month-September 2023

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photo furnished
Windsor September Students of the Month
Windsor Jr./Sr. High School recently announced their September Students of the Month Aspen Spinner and Ainslie Eident. Aspen Spinner is the granddaughter of Rayette and Don Woolard. She is currently a 7th grade student and is involved in volleyball and cheer. She wants to one day become a forensic pathologist. In her spare time, she loves to read and hang out with her friends. Ainslie Eident is the daughter of Michelle and Calvin Schultz and Derrick and Mary Eident. She is a senior and is involved in volleyball, cheer, Student Council Vice President, National Honor Society Vice President, Senior Class Vice President. She is also involved in her church’s youth group, is 4-H Club President and a member of the Junior Auxiliary. After graduation she plans to pursue a degree in athletic training. Pictured left to right: Ainslie Eident and Aspen Spinner.

Courtyard Estates 15th Anniversary

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photo by Crystal Reed
Courtyard Estates Celebrates 15th Anniversary
Courtyard Estates celebrated their 15th Anniversary with inflatables for children, refreshments, Bessie Bingo, a 50/50 drawing on Saturday, October 14.

photo by Crystal Reed
Playing on the Inflatables
Presley Van Loon enjoys the slide on one of the inflatables at Courtyard Estates on Saturday, October 14 during their 15th Anniversary Celebration.

County Board Hears Results of Audit, Discusses Nuisance Violations

News Progress Posted on by

•October 18, 2023•

by Crystal Reed

Moultrie County Board held a regular meeting on Thursday, October 12. Dennis Koch reported the result of the county audit for fiscal year end 2022 to board members. He said in the past the county’s financial statements modified cash basis accounting, a lot of federal agencies now require accrual basis accounting.

Koch noted there are a lot of expenditures that are reimbursed after they expend the money and many cases when money comes in the next fiscal year. They record them from as receivable from the various agencies which owe the county money. An adjustment is required to begin net assets of $ 934,755 having to do with ARPA money which did not get used until this year. Read More

Sullivan Ace Hardware Remodeling Store, Adds New Department

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photo by Crystal Reed
In no order: Manager Mike Mossman, Owner Kurt VanDeursen, Trent Tarr, Ryan Whitten and Tim VanDeursen in the Backyard and Barbecue section that has been added as part of the remodeling of the Sullivan Ace Hardware.

•October 18, 2023•

by Crystal Reed

The Sullivan Ace Hardware store may look a little different the next time you step inside. According to Kurt VanDeursen, co-owner of the Sullivan store, they started the remodel in June and expect it to take until January to get things exactly right. So far they have put in all new LED lighting, painted, put in new flooring and added a new department called the Backyard and Barbecue department.  Read More

Annular Solar Eclipse Briefly Visible Locally Due to Cloudy Conditions

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photo by Crystal Reed
Visitors to Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library look through special viewing glasses to observe the annular solar eclipse Saturday. The eclipse was viewable briefly in between clouds passing in front it.

•October 18, 2023•

by Crystal Reed

On Saturday, October 14, the annular solar eclipse crossed North, Central and South America. It was visible in parts of the United States, Mexico and many countries in South and Central America. According to science.nasa.gov, the solar eclipse began in Oregon at 9:13 am PDT and ended in Texas at 12:03 pm CDT. 

A annular solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth while it is at its farthest point from Earth. Because the Moon is farther away from Earth, it appears smaller than the Sun and does not completely cover the star. According to science. nasa.gov this eclipse is often referred to as a “ring of fire”. Because the Sun is never completely covered, those observing must where proper eye protection at all time while watching an annular eclipse.  Read More

Sullivan Homecoming Celebrated 2023

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Sullivan Homecoming Celebrated

Sullivan celebrated their Homecoming last week with activities including dress up days, a dance, football game and a parade. The parade route was lined with observers including children waiting to rush out and grab candy thrown by people on the floats, golf carts and cars that proceeded down the route. More information on the Homecoming game can be found in this week’s issue.