Photo by Crystal Reed
Co-valedictorians of the Sullivan Class of 2023 were Paul Bates (left) and Cassidy Short (right). They spoke on how the class can live their lives for others.

•May 24, 2023•
by Crystal Reed

The 78 members of Sullivan High School Class of 2023 were sent off into the world Sunday, May 21, with a ceremony on the football field. After the staff, administration, teachers and graduates had entered, the high school band played the “Star Spangled Banner” as the flag was raised.
The senior class president Sydni Waidelich gave a welcome address in which she focused on opportunities. Waidelich was adopted from Guatamala at nine months old and moved to Sullivan in January, 2021.
“The past four years have been filled with opportunities that we have all been blessed to have,” Waidelich said. She thanked many people at the school for giving the class various opportunities. Waidelich recognized her class and said they have become such a huge part of her life. Read More

Photo by Crystal Reed
Paige Robinson rides in the back of a vehicle during the parade portion of Paige Robinson Day held last Wednesday, May 3 in Bethany.

•May 10, 2023•
by Crystal Reed

A celebration of Okaw Valley alumna Paige Robinson was held last Wednesday in Bethany. The day began with a parade that started at Bethany First Christian Church and then rolled past Okaw Valley Elementary School before ending at Okaw Valley High School where several presentations were made to Robinson.
Brooks Inman, Okaw Valley Athletic Director, described a performance he had seen by Paige as a basketball player at OV which occurred Saturday, January 20, 2018 during the conference championship against Tri-County. She went down with a serious left shoulder injury. The trainer taped her up and said there would be no way she could play.
Inman said Paige came back to the game to finish with 31 points. She played through a lot of pain the rest of that season, he said, but was able to avenge that loss in the sectional championship.
In high school, she scored 2,125 points and in her senior year led the team to their first regional, sectional and super sectional. Ultimately, the team placed fourth in state. Read More

•April 26, 2023•
by Crystal Reed

The Sullivan City Council met Monday, April 24, with several items of business. Mark Conlin worked for the city of Sullivan at the electric plant for almost 34 years. Mayor Richard Glazebrook recognized him at the beginning of the meeting for his service. Commissioner Chuck Woodworth attended the meeting by phone.
Resident Bob Ingram asked a question about an invoice for All Service Contracting. He said that an invoice said one amount and the agenda had a differing amount. Nakayla Swisher said they always pay the amount on the front page.
His second question was in regards to an item on the agenda to approve the purchase of a bucket truck for $256,535.00. Ingram asked whether they had searched for one anywhere else. Commission Mike Fowler said these trucks are hard to come by. Read More

Photo by Crystal Reed
Standing left to right: Jeff Nichols, Roger Davis, Kent Spencer, Beau Fleming, John Hickox, Bill Hagen, George Read.

•April 12, 2023•
Beau Fleming recently completed his Eagle Scout Community Service Project in which he led the planning, design, construction and completion of the project. With the help from fellow Scouts and Scout leaders from Troop 39, Beau was able to finish his last requirement for his Eagle Scout Rank application. His project included two flag retirement boxes with “How to Properly Fold the American Flag” displays located at the front entrances of the Sullivan American Legion Post 68 and VFW Post 6410. The idea for the project was brought to him by the Legion when they said they were looking to replace the old retirement receptacle and he gladly took on the challenge. Read More

•March 29, 2023•
by Crystal Reed

During the last city council meeting Jan Haegan approached the council about permitting and inspections for the new water plant and whether a demolition permit was obtained for the demolition of the city building. At this week’s meeting, Kristi Hart, Planning and Zoning Director for Moultrie County and the City of Sullivan spoke during public comment. In regards to the city pulling permits for city projects, Hart noted that since the city charges for permit to generate revenue, as well as to regulate what is being built, for the city to pay itself for a permit is not necessary. “However, going forward I would like to see the city pull a no-fee permit to have on file in case there is a question as to whether the city is following its own rules. This should clear up any confusion in the future,” she said.

As far as the water plant project, Hart and Commissioner Woodworth had spoken several times over the past few weeks. She noted that the project was brought before the council and therefore the public several times for different aspects of the project. Hart noted again that pulling a no-fee permit would have been the right thing to do to make sure all the bases were covered. Read More