Category Archives: Top Stories

City of Sullivan Receives Another Grant to be Used for Park Improvements

News Progress Posted on by

photo furnished
A concept drawing of what the splash pad project will look like after it is built.

•February 28, 2024•

by Crystal Reed

The City of Sullivan was recently notified that they received another Open Space Land Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant from the State of Illinois. According to a press release from the State of Illinois, nearly $55 million in state grants are being awarded for 111 local park projects throughout Illinois to help communities acquire land and develop recreational opportunities. The grants also want the recipients to make sure that the facilities they develop are accessible.  

The first OSLAD project total is $763,000. It is considered a matching grant and the city contributes 50% of that amount through mileage and man hours. “I am aware that the park is not an income generating department,” City Commissioner Abbey Sherwood said “that’s why it’s important to find other resources like grants.” Read More

Assistant States Attorney Addresses Lawsuit from Zillow During Board Meeting

News Progress Posted on by

•February 21, 2024•

by Crystal Reed

The Moultrie County Assistant States Attorney Elizabeth Dobson spoke during the regular meeting of the County Board on February 15 about a lawsuit that has been brought up against the Moultrie County Office of Assessments. Dobson said that the case is a public case and open file that anyone can look at. The case number in Piatt County is 2021-MR-37. She said it is a lawsuit under the Freedom of Information Act that started in August of 2021. “The Zillow company retained a law firm from Springfield, that specializes in FOIA lawsuits,” she said “Make no mistake that Moultrie County is being targeted here.” 

Dobson said that if anyone has questions about this lawsuit or the Assessment Office, Lori Barringer cannot answer questions at this time because the lawsuit is still pending. She said that she has seen many things on social media in regards to the case and questions regarding it. Dobson said the attorney’s filed the lawsuit against Moultrie County and the Assessment Office.  Read More

Multiple Departments Respond to Structure Fire in Bethany

News Progress Posted on by

photo by R.R. Best
Bethany firefighters/first responders, John Smith and Dakota Briggs give medical attention to one of the two dogs that was found and rescued from the structure fire on Friday, February 9.

•February 14, 2024•

The Bethany Fire Department was dispatched for a structure fire at 11:53 am on Friday, February 9. They arrived within a few minutes to find fire coming out of one window. Crews did an initial attack from the yard while the scene was being sized up determining a room and contents on fire.  Read More

Award Winning Sullivan Quilter Speaks at Arthur Public Library

News Progress Posted on by

photo by Crystal Reed
Karen Edwards of Sullivan talks about quilting at Arthur Public Library on Saturday, February 3. She spoke about the quilting techniques she uses to make art quilts and showed some of her original creations and well as quilts made from others designs. She is pictured with an original quilt called My Mother’s Window of a stained glass window from her childhood home.

•February 7, 2024•

by Crystal Reed

Karen Edwards of Sullivan presented a program Saturday, February 3 at Arthur Public Library on the techniques she uses to create art quilts and some of the supplies used in the process. She was the Grand Prize winner at the 2023 Amish Country Spring Quilt Show in Arthur with a quilt titled “My Childhood Home.” Edwards learned to sew at the age of nine because she wanted to make a dress. 

She first got into quilting when she became engaged, and she sorted through fabrics and made a scrap quilt. After she retired, she decided to return to making quilts. In the beginning of the pandemic, she made masks and noted that she stopped counting after she made 500.  Read More

City Council Approves Use of TIF IV Funds for Completion of Field Study

News Progress Posted on by

•January 31, 2024•

by Crystal Reed

The Sullivan City Council met Friday, January 26, in the afternoon, after canceling their meeting last Monday due to weather conditions. Commissioner Chuck Woodworth was absent. The council approved a project authorization for a field survey and preliminary drawings for the Worth Street Extension and the use of TIF IV funds for the completion of a field study both to be done with Milano and Grunloh. 

Commissioner Doug Shook explained that the project authorization for a field survey and preliminary drawings for the Worth Street Extension. He stated this is for an extension from Hawthorne and Worth down to 1200N. Shook said that without a road through there, it’s hard to sell lots and get interest in the heart of the TIF IV district. The field survey and preliminary drawings are estimated at a cost of $16,800.  Read More

Shawnee Communications Makes Donation to Lovington Grade School Backpack Program

News Progress Posted on by

•January 24, 2024•

On Friday, January 12th, Jamie Franklin, Sales & Marketing Manager for Shawnee Communications, presented the Lovington Grade School Backpack Program with a jump start to the new year in the form of a $9,780 donation. The donation was collected through Shawnee employee contributions, which were matched individually by Shawnee’s four shareholders and that new amount was matched by the company. On hand to receive the donation was Lovington Grade School Principal, Marla Graham.

The Lovington Grade School Backpack Program became a vision for Principal Graham shortly after her arrival at Lovington Grade School. With nearly 70% of her students categorized as “low income” and qualifying for free or reduced lunches, her mission became to help ensure that the basic needs of the students were met so that they could be more focused on receiving an education. Read More

OVMS Offers Unique Elective Courses

News Progress Posted on by

photo by Crystal Reed
Maggie Patient and Eden Hagerman during the Electric Guitar class at OVMS. These explore courses let students learn about everything from foreign language to art and podcasts.

•January 17, 2024•

by Crystal Reed

Okaw Valley Middle School students have the opportunity to learn guitar, design their own comics, learn how to sew and basic concepts of digital photography during their regular school day. The Explore program is in it’s third year at the school. According to OVMS Principal Ross Forlines when the school started to offer the classes there were not as many offerings available to students. 

Prior to the Explore courses there were only three electives - Spanish, Ag and Band and that was only for eighth grade students. Currently there are thirteen offerings for grades 6-8 and two offerings that are eighth grade only.  Read More

Moultrie County Childcare Committee Grants $21,600 to Sullivan Preschool

News Progress Posted on by

•January 10, 2024•

The Moultrie County Childcare Committee recently announced the awarding of a substantial grant totaling $21,600 to Sullivan Preschool in acknowledgment of its exemplary commitment to providing exceptional childcare services in Moultrie County. This grant reflects the committee’s dedication to supporting and enhancing early childhood education within our community.

As advocates for quality childcare and education, the Moultrie County Childcare Committee recognizes the pivotal role that Sullivan Preschool plays in nurturing the development of our youngest community members. Read More

City Council Approves Grant Agreement for Main Street Water Main Project

News Progress Posted on by

•January 3, 2024•

by Crystal Reed

The Sullivan City Council held a regular meeting Wednesday, December 27, at Elizabeth Titus Memorial Library. In attendance were Mayor Mike Mossman and Commissioners Mike Kirk and Chuck Woodworth. Commissioner Doug Shook attended via phone and Commissioner Abbey Sherwood was absent. In comments from the public, Nancy Barker asked the council whether they could budget some money for lights around the square during Christmastime. Mossman said they would look into it.

Barker also asked a question in regard to the paid leave for Sullivan employees item on the agenda. Human Resources Nakayla Swisher said it was for part-time employees. Read More

Year in Review

News Progress Posted on by

•December 27, 2023•

January 

The new water plant of Route 32 South was starting to take shape. 

Guy Cravatta of Sullivan earned first place at the CrossFit Legends Championship in the 55-59 age group. The competition was held in Cookeville, Tennessee. He entered the Legends Championship online, qualified in mid-August to qualify for the championship and had to finish in the top 10 worldwide. 

There was a blood shortage due to the holiday season, seasonal illness and weather causing drives to be cancelled. Some donors who used to donate pre-COVID had also still not felt comfortable returning. 

The Bethany Legion and Auxiliary took donations to the Danville Veterans home. They delivered 20 winter jackets and 30 pairs of pajama pants as well as gift cards for local restaurants in the Danville.  Read More