Category Archives: Top Stories

‘Fairly Solid Budget’ presented for upcoming year

News Progress Posted on by

•July 10, 2024•

by E. Scott England 

The Sullivan CUSD #300 school board held their first meeting of the 2024-2025 school year. Only five of the seven members were in attendance. Justin Florey and Erik Stollard were the two absent board members. Those present managed to navigate the meeting in sixteen minutes due to little to no discussion on all agenda items. Zachary Horn was the only member to engage in some discussion outside of President Jeff White and Secretary Tyson Grooms performing their officer duties.

The meeting started off with the consent agenda. These are items that routinely make an appearance on agenda either monthly, annually, or somewhere in between. The idea of a consent agenda is to expedite meetings. Any item in the consent agenda can be pulled for further discussion by the board. This is typically done when reviewing bills or other items needing further clarification. This school board once again opted for no discussion on any of the items. 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

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

Sullivan FFA honored at 96th Annual Illinois State FFA Convention

News Progress Posted on by

Photo furnished
Pictured (from L to R): Parents Josh and Jill Bushue, Kate Bushue, Alex Tungate, FFA Advisor

•June 19, 2024•

The 96th annual Illinois State FFA Convention was held from June 11-13 in Springfield. Members of the Sullivan FFA chapter were joined by more than 5,000 other FFA members, advisors, and guests. The three day event, with the theme for 2024 of “United As One,” recognized achievements of Illinois FFA members, elected the major state officer team, and celebrated agriculture.  Read More

Holocaust survivor visits Sullivan schools

News Progress Posted on by

Photo furnished
Several students who were studying Maus in class, belong to the Future Educators club, entered pieces in the recent Through Their Eyes: A Holocaust Art and Writing Contest sponsored by the Champaign-Urbana Jewish Federation, were volunteer docents at Holocaust exhibits sponsored by the Champaign-Urbana Jewish Federation, or were nominated by a teacher to assist acted as guides and assistants to Dr. Gingold while he visited Sullivan Schools.

•June 12, 2024•

When Sullivan High School freshman Olivia Hullum was reading Maus for her English class, she wanted more than just to read about the Holocaust. She wanted to meet a Holocaust survivor in person and hear one share their story in person. So she asked if there was one who could come speak to her class.

On April 24, Holocaust survivor Dr. William Gingold of Champaign-Urbana came to Sullivan and spoke not just to Hullum and her classmates but to all SHS and SMS students and staff. Read More

Annual Ag bookmark contest 

News Progress Posted on by

•June 5, 2024•

Avvi Whitten

Piper Richardson

Moultrie County Ag in the Classroom held its third annual bookmark contest in May. Elementary students were invited to design a bookmark based on this year’s theme, “Celebrate Illinois Agriculture.” Over 100 students from Sullivan, Okay Valley, Lovington, and Arthur Christian participated. This year’s winners were Avvi Whitten, 1st Grade from Sullivan, Piper Richardson, 2nd Grade from Sullivan, and Clara Russell, 4th Grade from Arthur Christian. Each winer receive ad Ag Literacy Prize Pack and will have their bookmarks featured at local libraries this summer.

 

Clara Russell

Remembrance

News Progress Posted on by

Photos by R.R. Best Remembrance A Memorial Day observance was held in Sullivan on Monday morning. Since 1971, when Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday, it has continued to be a dedicated day for honoring U.S. military personnel who have died while serving in the United States armed forces. Over 1.3 Million Americans have paid the ultimate sacrifice for their nation. The ceremony was led by the Sullivan American Legion.

“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

Local students shine in Americanism Essay Contest

News Progress Posted on by

•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

City hires treasurer, renews energy contract at May 2 meeting

News Progress Posted on by

•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