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CONSOLIDATED ELECTION RESULTS FOR 4/1/2025
Results will be updated as they come in.

Category Archives: Top Stories

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American Legion Post 68, the community, pays respects to service members

News Progress Posted on May 28, 2025 by webmasterMay 28, 2025
Photo by DM Williamee

•May 28, 2025•

Photo by DM Williamee
Photo by R.R. Best

A Memorial Day observance ceremony was held in Sullivan early this past Monday morning at Greenhill Cemetery and at the American Legion Post. In 1971, Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday, dedicated to honoring U.S. Military Personnel who have died in service to their country. Over 1.8 million Americans have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their nation to date. At both services, prayers were said, three volleys were fired in memory of the deceased, the mournful “Taps” was played, and Mayor Mike Mossman spoke to those in attendance. Afterwards, the community gathered at the American Legion Post Hall for a hearty breakfast and additional ceremonies. Local youth’s “Poppy Posters” were on display at the Hall, with many winners, numerous honorable mentions, and beautiful work by all for the Legion-sponsored contest.

Posted in Top Stories

Through Their Eyes

News Progress Posted on May 21, 2025 by webmasterMay 21, 2025

SHS Students receive Holocaust writing awards

(Left to right) SHS art teacher Lisa Bertetto; SHS senior Madison Flexser receiving her Best in Show award; Rebecca Lawson, contest director; Sarayu Papi Reddy of Next Generation School in Champaign receiving her Best in Show award with her mother Shasikala Papisetty

•May 21, 2025•

Five Sullivan High School students recently received awards as a part of the annual Through Their Eyes: A Holocaust Art and Writing Contest sponsored by the Holocaust Education Center of the Champaign-Urbana Jewish Federation.

Senior Madison Flexser tied for Best in Show for all art entries and took first place in the high school junior and senior painting and drawing division with her piece entitled “The Silent Tears from History.” Flexser’s Creator’s Statement explained her piece: “My piece is inspired by the story of Dorotka Goldstein born February 1st, 1932, in Warsaw Poland. She was saved by a German as her and her sister were sent to the gas chambers because they thought she had beautiful eyes. Her sister waved goodbye to her, so she wouldn’t go after her. Dorotka is obviously a very strong woman who survived the Holocaust.” 

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Sullivan siblings’ passion for journalism

News Progress Posted on May 14, 2025 by webmasterMay 14, 2025
Photo by Sonya Best

The “Bests” of writing, photography, and community

by DM Williamee

Siblings Kathy and Bob Best, both Sullivan locals, were recently interviewed by Vanessa Ferguson in NPR Illinois’ “Community Voices” segment. Both have worked in multiple journalistic roles throughout their careers; editor, writer, publication owner, and photographer (to name a few), with Kathy having won (with her team, as she strongly emphasizes) the Pulitzer Prize twice (and recently nominated for the third!), in both the small-town and big-city journalism arenas.

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IAHC holds groundbreaking

News Progress Posted on May 7, 2025 by webmasterMay 7, 2025

New Visitor Center and Museum expected to open in 2026

On Friday, April 25th, the Illinois Amish Heritage Society held a groundbreaking event for their new Visitor Center and Museum, which drew a sizable crowd. The mission is to respect the heritage, preserve the culture, and promote the understanding of the Illinois Amish. The vision is to be the gateway for experiencing Amish history and culture. Pictured are a horse and plough team at work, and the IAHC board, shovels in hand, performing the groundbreaking ceremony.

Posted in Top Stories

Sobering pre-prom event impacts students

News Progress Posted on April 30, 2025 by webmasterApril 30, 2025

Recreation of a distracted/impaired driving accident at SHS

•April 30, 2025•

by Kenny Graven

On Thursday, April 24th at 10:30 a.m. in the Sullivan High School parking lot, students witnessed a dramatic and emotional demonstration with the goal of highlighting the dangers and consequences of drinking and distracted driving.

In a coordinated effort, the Sullivan Fire and Police Departments, the Moultrie County Sheriff’s Office, Moultrie County Coroner Lynn Reed, and McMullin-Young Funeral Home staged a realistic mock car accident. This powerful event was designed to show students the real-life consequences of impaired and distracted driving.

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Local women team up for new children’s book, “A Cat Named Mary

News Progress Posted on April 23, 2025 by webmasterApril 23, 2025

•April 23, 2025•

In 1978, Sandy Brix was a math teacher at Sullivan Junior High School. One of her students was Carla Moon. At the time neither one would imagine that almost five decades later the two would be writing a book together.

“That’s almost as interesting as our book is,” smiles Carla Moon Stirrett. “We’ve been friends for as long as I can remember. After Sandy quit teaching, she became the office manager at her husband’s veterinary clinic. And I also worked with her there for over 25 years.”

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SFD’s Daniel Boyer retires from the Department

News Progress Posted on April 16, 2025 by webmasterApril 16, 2025
Photo by R.R. Best

Emotional goodbye from colleagues, on to next chapter

•April 16, 2025•

by DM Williamee

On Friday, April 11th, Sullivan Fire Department’s Firefighter/Medic Daniel Boyer’s colleagues, friends, and family held a retirement party for him at the Sullivan Fire Department.  The party was opened with prayer and the pledge of allegiance, and colleagues wished him the best in his next chapter of life after twenty years of faithful service. All extended heart-felt gratitude for his loyal service to the community, his loyalty and leadership within the fire department, and the sacrifices he made. Boyer could always be counted on to bring 100% for every shift, often working late and covering shifts. The formal ceremony ended with the presentation of an honorary plaque, the flag that flew over the fire station on his last day of service, and a traditional fire hat, ending with a radio “final call.” Afterwards, Boyer walked a procession line and individually thanked his colleagues with a handshake and a bear hug.

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Posted in Top Stories

Consolidated Election results

News Progress Posted on April 9, 2025 by webmasterApril 9, 2025
Election judges play an important role on Election Day protecting the integrity of our elections. Taking time out of their morning duties at the Sullivan polling location to pose for a photo are seated, (l-r) Cindy Haegen, Leroy Fifer, Joe Cohan and standing, (l-r) Karen Goss, Cheryl Thomas and Dan Fultz.

Low turnouts, few contested in Moultrie County

•April 9, 2025•

This year’s April 1 Consolidated Election results reflect a low turnout in Moultrie County races, with few contested and fewer surprises. Official Moultrie County statistics show just 1,596 ballots cast of the 8,807 total voters, just an 18.1% turnout. In the few contested races however, turnout was a little higher.

In the Village of Bethany trustee race, Gene Mueller, Karen Jeffers and Greg McLain were elected to fill the three available seats. The Village of Dalton City saw Shelby Hutchens defeat Michael Couch 83-48 for the mayors seat. The Village of Lovington turnout at the polls was increased by a race for Village President between April Daily and Brittany Bates. Bates took the seat with a 164-79 vote. William (Bill) Richardson was re-elected as Township Highway Commissioner in Dora with 80.8%  of the vote over challenger Alex Ballweg. Dora Township also elected four trustees, Larry Crawley, Steven Smith, Bill Chandler and Jeffery Watts emerged in the seven person race.

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Heritage Woods’ lively Centenarians

News Progress Posted on April 2, 2025 by webmasterApril 2, 2025

Family, humor, and gratitude key to quality of life at any age

•April 2, 2025•

by DM Williamee

"Growing old is mandatory, but growing up is optional.” – Walt Disney.

Only 0.027 percent of the US population will live an entire century, making the three centenarian ladies at Sullivan’s Heritage Woods a standout in any community. Bright, cheerful, and friendly, these ladies shared some insights into what quality of life means to them.

Lorraine Livesay

Lorraine Livesay, 100, referred to as the “baby of the bunch”, shared that the happiest times of her life were her 40s and 50s. She was still working, was in good health, and enjoyed the company of her children and grandchildren. Some of her happiest memories as a child and teen were visiting friends and families on their local area farms (she was a town girl), where she would see the animals and help out however she could. These days, the things that make her the happiest are good jokes and happy people. Lorraine is also a sports fan who particularly loves basketball and baseball (never having been a fan of football). “Go Cubs! Like they say, maybe next year…” she chuckled.

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Empower Academy breaks ground

News Progress Posted on March 26, 2025 by webmasterMarch 26, 2025

New facility will expand studio and local childcare

•March 26, 2025•

by DM Williamee

Empower Academy held a groundbreaking ceremony on Friday, March 21st. Owners Ryan and Melissa Krieger are planning to build 20,000+ square foot building that will expand Sullivan Dance Studio’s operations, as well as provide 126 licensed childcare spots in the future. The studio and facility will be licensed and accepting childcare assistance funding.

The new name was inspired by Melissa’s passion of empowering our community’s youth. The facility will house multiple dance spaces, tumbling, childcare, and parties/events as well as the childcare spots. Ryan and Melissa experienced first-hand the local childcare crisis when looking for care for their 3 daughters. The frustrations of lack of availability and non-conducive operating hours inspired Melissa towards change. 

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Stork pins awarded



News Progress


Stephane Poe presented Kayelene Goodbear and Steve Fleming with a stork pin for recently delivering a baby. This was Kayelene’s first delivery, born on May 2nd.


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